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Putlie Lands—there has been a Stop to Cutting Down timber for Several Months which vas obeyed all the lands that was Improved Sold Considerably better then that was Not it went to 6—8 & 10 Dollers Pr achre that was good and that was Not Improved went gennerally at government Price I will also state to your Honour that if there is Not Preemptions allowd to the Citizens of this Cuntry that the Yazzoo Company will Purchase all the good land from the Head to the Mouth of the allebarmer it will take all the good Land to Pay five Million of Dollers—if your Honour should think Proper to Let us Stay till ve make a Crop it would be a Blessing to some—Particular to those widows & Children that there Husbands has been Masicreed by the Savages—it is Impossible for us at this Hour to go and buy Land and build Houses and open land time Enough to make a Supnort--it is one of the Most Distressing News that we Ever heard of it is worse than the Indian & British war.
the feelings of our Citizens is very much Hurt Particular those who fought Brave to obtain this Cuntry and Now Cannot Injoy it if the thing Could be Rightly Constrewd to our goverment I Cannot but think but what the orders would be Countermanded though I am always willing to Concur on my Part with any law that Goverment will adopt--if your Honour would be so good as to favour me witferh an answer when Convenient and Direct your Letters to Fishers Post Office on the allebarmer Near fort Claibourne Sir I am with Respect your obedient and Humble servant —
CLABON HARRIS
The land officers both east and west reported that the illegal occupants, some of whom had already been in possession for fifteen years intended to remain upon the land until they had completed its depletion, and had no intention of paying anything to the government. In some cases they let it for revenue. At the sales, the intruders conspired tc prevent bidding, and threatened with the force of uublic opinion or even with assassination those who bid for the lands they held. Most of the rascality complained of occurred in the eastern part of the territory.
It was found necessary to hold the sales at a distance (Milledgeville) to secure anything like fairness. Violence was not beneath those contesting for the land. An example of prominence is the attack made upon Nicholas Gray, register in the west, by ex-Governor Robert Williams Williams was heavily interested in lands for himself and clients, and accused Gray of shady dealings, especially of selling lands at private sale to his favorites. The governor finally, in 1816. accompanied by his partner and his brother-in-law (Samuel L. Winston), attacked Gray with a knife. It turned out not to be such a desperate affray, since Williams neglected to remove his knife from its sheath. Trickery, fraud violence, litigation, gathered themselves around the disposition of the lands.