South Branch Intelligencer

WESTERN LAND SALES.

The Philadelphia Gazette contains an article showing the gross frauds committed by speculators in the purchase of lands; frauds, too, which are accompanied and supported by threats of violence, that is of the execution of Lynch's law upon the head of the stranger, who, invited by the government to become a purchaser, is a fair bidder at a much higher price than that for which the land is knocked down to the speculator. The bare putting up of a pen of a few panels of fence, without even the formality of a log cabin, entitles the pretended occupant or speculator to what he calls his pre-emptive right. He then pays only $1,25 an acre for land for which the honest bidder would give five dollars or more. The squatters, who are the speculators tools and agents in this knavish business, are now ready to transfer their operations to another region, and play off the same game.--By the frequent and continuing repetition of these frauds, the finest government lands of the western country have become, or are becoming, the prey of a band of unprincipled speculators, to the great injury of the people of the United States at large, and in prevention of the settlement of the lands by which the western people, not concerned in these speculations, would be greatly benefited.

Frauds and abuses of this nature call loudly for a remedy. The next session of congress will, it is to be earnestly hoped, not be permitted to pass over without a careful attention to this subject. Strong and effectual legislation upon it, and the faithful and fearless execution of the law when made, are both requisite.