At first he refuses to reply, he exclaims, he threatens, he defies; then, forced to accept the discussion, he arms himself with chicanery, he surrounds himself with formidable artillery,--crossing his fire, opposing one by one and all together occupation, possession, limitation, covenants, immemorial custom, and universal consent.

Conquered on this ground, the proprietor, like a wounded boar, turns on his pursuers.

"I have done more than occupy," he cries with terrible emotion; "I have labored, produced, improved, transformed, CREATED.

This house, these fields, these trees are the work of my hands; I changed these brambles into a vineyard, and this bush into a fig-tree; and to-day I reap the harvest of my labors.

I have enriched the soil with my sweat; I have paid those men who, had they not had the work which I gave them, would have died of hunger.