Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1859 — THE “LAND SLIDE.” [ARTICLE]

THE “LAND SLIDE.”

r . Newport, R. 1., May 25, 1859. To the Editor of the Rensselaer Gazette: I noticed in your paper of the 18th inst., received this day your notice of the “Land Slide,” on the south side of the river in Rensselaer. The apprehensions alluded to in the article are based upon a misapprehension of the facts respecting the laying! out of the south addition. In the original survey of that addition, in the draft of the plat thereof, and in the description of the same on file in the Record Office, no mention was made of the Lafayette road; and the which addition was laid out without reference to the fact of its existence. This was from the simple reason that my surveyor informed me that the said Lafayette road would be covered by the contemplated line of Washington street. Acting on this information. I ignored its existence entirely. The description of the plat of the south addition commences, “at the intersection of Washington and Front s treets, on the northerly side of Front street, in the town of Rensselaer; thence south 38 degrees west, 30; rods and 13 links, to the north-w esterly corner of said addition; thence south 38 degrees east, 1,410 feet, to the north-east corner of or said addition: thence -south 38 degrees west, 300 feet ; thence north-westerly parallel with the first line 1,410 feet; thence north 38 degrees east, to the place of beginning.” It was laid out at right angles with Washington street continued on a straight line across the river, and entirely independent of the old Lafayette road The only probable inaccuracy must result from a mistake by the surveyor of the course, “south 38 degrees west,” from the point of starting. This was taken as the true compass direction of Washington street, contintied on its south-easterly line. If my surveyor was mistaken in the compass direction of the old Lafayette road, and its true course-lies more southerly than the line of Washington street, the simple remedy is an application by the parties in interest to have that part of the old Lifay tte road running through the south addition,vacated. The plat of the said addition was recorded June 1, 1853. The deed to Mr. Odell, Judge Milroy’s grantor, was recorded June 21, 1853. The description of the property conveyed thereby contains no allusion to the said Lafayette road, but bounds him strictly ; by the westerly line of Washington street on the south of the river, as by reference to said deed on record will appear. Even if the letter of the conveyance which forms Mr. Milroy’s title could carry him beyond the westerly line of Washington street — which it cannot and could not in the face of the prior recording of the plat—Judge Milroy, I think,knows that the intention was to limit his grantor to the said westerly line of Washington street. He is the last man to take advantage of a technicality. An intimate personal and business acquaintance with Judge Milroy, of many years standing, has so satisfied me of his entire integrity of character, that I, without hesitation, guarantee all parties in interest immunity from any trouble in this matter on the part of Mr. Milroy. J. C. Van Rensselaer.