129
of sections, as convenience may require. These speculators sell this land at two dollars and two dollars and a half per acre, giving the purchasers the advantage of ten years to complete the payment.
Any man with a little industry and economy can secure himself a home, as many do, or Government will grant 50 acres as a homestead, on certain portions, and in certain places, to any one who will settle thereupon, giving a simple fee deed to the settlers, when their cabins are erected on the spot selected. But this land is in the interior districts, a great distance from market, not even roads along which to convey their produce to market To settle in such districts requires some capital to commence with, which the poor have not; and those who are so fortunate, find it to their decided advantage to settle as near a good market as possible.
The consequence is, the coloured people, with the whites of equal condition, buy land of the speculators, and remain within reach of markets, the prosperity of which, in a very great measure, depends upon their own industry. It may be said, to the credit of many of our coloured brethern, they have bought land by paying a few pounds in advance, and many of their farms are in a good state of cultivation; and, in some instances, superior to many of their white neighbours.
In the county of Kent, many are engaged in agricul-
