Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/167

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147

and intelligent Fugitive Slave came to Canada, bought a large quantity of land from the Government, divided it into small lots, from one to 20 acres, and sold it to his brethren as they arrived from the States, giving them from 5 to 10 years to complete their payments. This induced many to settle here, by purchasing in this small way. Any one could buy less than an acre, but not more than 20 acres. Emigrants settled here in such numbers, principally Fugitives, that it is called the Fugitives' Home Perhaps the larger portion of this land is still uncultivated, while a great deal is in a high state of cultivation, and many of the people are doing well. This plan answered the purpose very well, at that time, and no doubt it was the best that could be adopted under the circumstances; but since the Land Monopolists in Canada have become more numerous, consequently more opposition in this kind of speculation. The same class can purchase from these monopolists from the eighth of a section to any indefinite numbers of acres, with the same period to make payments. Thus they become much larger proprietors, and have sufficient quantity of land to augment trade by raising live stock, such as Hogs, Cows, Horses, Sheep; or the cultivation of Grain, Beans, Peas, Indian Corn, Wheat, and Hay, all of which are saleable, and when turned into cash enables them to pay for their land. Many in the Fugitive Home with mere garden spots, have either rented