CHAPTER XXXVII.—THE ANTIRENT FEUD

The Careless Granting of Lands, before and after New York became a state, was now causing social and political trouble. Dutch patroons, English governors and their favorites, and home and foreign capitalists like the English and Dutch land companies, had secured large grants of the best land. Next to William Penn, Sir William Johnson was the largest landowner on the continent. By 1791 5,500,000 of the 7,000,000 acres owned by the state had been sold to speculators at the lowest prices.

Feudalism. During the early days these few owners of large tracts, with almost feudal powers, did much to people and develop the country. The land was given to their tenants on perpetual and short leases, not sold outright. The renters had to pay an annual rent in money or wheat, and, in some cases, hens, produce, and several days' work besides. The streams and mines were reserved by the landlord. In some cases a tenant who sold his leased land was compelled to give one-third of the amount to the landlords. Other leases were more lenient.

Attempts to Abolish Feudalism.-The Revolution pretended to abolish feudalism (1779) in the state, but by using different deeds the landlords maintained their feudal tenures. The farmers were forced to build houses and barns, set out orchards, and keep the land in good condition. These improvements increased the value of the farms, but only for the owners. For slight reasons they might take away the lands and thus the

tenants would lose all, for they had no free titles. Is it any wonder, then, that the radical ideas of the Revolution led to discontent? Efforts to better the land laws and to kill feudalistic tendencies were tried (17851789), but failed. In vain an attempt was made to limit the claims of landlords and to define their tenants' rights (1812). Not until forced by insurrection did the change come.

Landlords and Tenants at Loggerheads. -For years there had been more or less trouble between landlord and tenant in the state. The tenants of the Clarke estate had demanded an examination by the legislature into their titles. The manor of Livingston was subjected to a like inspection. The sheriff of Columbia county had been murdered by "Antirenters."

The "Genesee Tariff."-The Holland speculators sold land directly to actual settlers, but poor crops and sickness often led to eviction and loss of all improvements. The Dutch merchants sold their lands to a company with its headquarters at Batavia (1835). The new organization resolved to collect all claims with compound interest and to grant further time only on condition that twenty per cent be added to the principal. Thus land bought at $2 an acre would cost $2.40, and at $4 would cost $4.80. On a hundred or more acres the difference would be a burden not easily removed. The object was to force payment. This new tax was denounced as the "Genesee tariff."

Mob at Mayville and Batavia.-The spirited settlers were aroused at the rumors. In Chautauqua county a public meeting was held in the court-house, and a committee sent to Batavia to learn the facts. Nothing

satisfactory was discovered. Another indignation meeting sent a committee to the local agent at Mayville, where the truth of the rumors was verified. A mob assembled, armed with axes, crowbars, and clubs, marched to Mayville at night (Feb. 6, 1837), surrounded the land office, demolished the wooden part of the building, broke open the vault and took the records into the street, where they were burned. A similar mob organized at Batavia, but it was put down by the prompt action of the sheriff and the militia. Excitement was high for some days. The office of the company had to be guarded night and day. Only Seward's tact as agent prevented a violent outburst. This ended the "Land-Office War” in the west.

The Strife in Eastern New York was not so easily settled. It covered all the counties where the land was held by lease. The first antirent outbreaks took place in Albany county (1839) on the Van Rensselaer manor. "The last of the patroons," Stephen Van Rensselaer, a noble man full of a desire to aid every worthy cause, had allowed $400,000 back rents to accumulate. He died (Jan. 25, 1839), and his son, the new landlord, resolved to collect the back rent and other feudal dues. This angered the farmers, and associations were formed to resist payment. For several months the sheriff tried in vain to serve papers on the tenants for back rent. His papers were burned instead. At last with 500 armed men, one of whom was ex-Governor William L. Marcy, the sheriff set out to gain his end. But a crowd of mounted and armed tenants forced the sheriff to beat a hasty retreat. Governor Seward then called out the militia to suppress the angry mob of 1,500 armed farm

ers, and issued a proclamation (Dec. 10) appealing to them to respect the courts and the law, and promising to refer the dispute to the legislature. The papers were served without trouble. This ended the first phase of the antirent war, which lasted for six years.

Antirenters Organize. True to his promise, Governor Seward appealed to the legislature (1840) to right the wrongs of the tenants of leaseholds. Two commissioners were appointed to examine into the complaints. A settlement was tried, but failed. Antirent associations again began to spread. Agitators aroused the people. The legislature was overwhelmed with petitions. Wild schemes were proposed. Bands disguised as Indians, led by "Big Thunder," "Little Thunder," "Blue Beard," ""White Chief," and other mock chiefs, armed with pistols, knives, and rifles, defied the law and committed acts of violence.

Conflicts were frequent. The first took place at Grafton in Rensselaer county, where one man was killed (Dec., 1844). In Columbia county over 1,000 resisted the sheriff's attempt to sell lands for unpaid rent. The leaders were arrested, but the troops of neighboring counties had to be called out by the governor. Similar scenes took place in Schoharie, Delaware, and Ulster counties, paralyzing local government. Agents of the landlord and of the sheriff were frequently tarred and

They wore sheepskin caps pulled down over the face with holes cut for eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, and ornamented with feathers, plumes of horsehair, and an artificial beard. The body of the Indian was covered by a calico blouse extending a little below the knees and tied at the waist by a brilliantly colored sash,

feathered. The legislature passed a law forbidding the use of disguises, and another ordering the governor to preserve order (1845). The leaders were arrested; some were sentenced to be hanged; others were sent to state prison for periods ranging from two years to life; and still others were fined from $25 to $500. But the severe sentences were not carried out. In one county alone, Delaware, the expenses for the trials were $64,000.

Political Effects.-The "Antirenters" became a strong factor in state politics. They early held a convention at Berne, Albany county (Jan., 1845). Eleven counties were represented by 170 delegates. The Albany Freeholder (1845-1854) and the Delaware Gazette were their newspapers, and others sympathized with them. A political party was organized. They helped nominate and elect John Young, a Whig, as governor, and Addison Gardiner, a Democrat, as lieutenant-governor, and sent one senator and twelve assemblymen to the legislature (1846). They played a telling part also in defeating Clay for President (1844). Demands for Constitutional Changes. Governor Wright urged the taxation of the rents of landlords, the abolition of perpetual leases and the limiting of them to short periods (1846). The legislature discussed the recommendations all the session. Samuel J. Tilden led the reform movement. It was felt that the constitutions of 1777 and 1821 protected landlords, and therefore clamors for a constitutional convention were long and loud (1844-46). That body, when called, abolished "all feudal tenure" except "rents and services,' limited leases to twelve years, and allowed land to be