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Letter to Editor
May 2, 1840
The Connecticut Observer, And New York Congregationalist
Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
Noah Webster writes to correct a newspaper's account of his discourse on Hartford's first settlers, clarifying that land allotment limits (one quarter to four acres) applied only to the Little Meadow tract east of Front Street, while the prohibition on alienation concerned other unrestricted lands.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Communicated.
To the Editor of the Observer.
Sir,—In the brief account of what was said in my discourse, on the 21st inst., the statements are mostly correct; but there is one mistake which shows, how hazardous it is to trust to memory.— You state that "The First Settlers in Hartford, were allotted each from one quarter of an acre to four acres of land, and for several years, they were not allowed to alienate any portion of it." Here are two distinct portions of history blended. My statements respecting the division of land, referred only to the tract East of Front Street, called the Little Meadow, but the prohibition of alienation referred to other lands, in the purchase or allotments of which there was no limitation of quantity to each settler.
N. WEBSTER.
To the Editor of the Observer.
Sir,—In the brief account of what was said in my discourse, on the 21st inst., the statements are mostly correct; but there is one mistake which shows, how hazardous it is to trust to memory.— You state that "The First Settlers in Hartford, were allotted each from one quarter of an acre to four acres of land, and for several years, they were not allowed to alienate any portion of it." Here are two distinct portions of history blended. My statements respecting the division of land, referred only to the tract East of Front Street, called the Little Meadow, but the prohibition of alienation referred to other lands, in the purchase or allotments of which there was no limitation of quantity to each settler.
N. WEBSTER.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Historical
What themes does it cover?
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Hartford Settlers
Land Division
Alienation Prohibition
Historical Correction
Little Meadow
What entities or persons were involved?
N. Webster
The Editor Of The Observer
Letter to Editor Details
Author
N. Webster
Recipient
The Editor Of The Observer
Main Argument
the newspaper's report blends two separate historical facts from the discourse: land quantity limits applied only to the little meadow tract, while the alienation prohibition applied to other lands without quantity limits.
Notable Details
Refers To Discourse On 21st Inst.
First Settlers In Hartford
Tract East Of Front Street, Called The Little Meadow
Hazardous To Trust To Memory