right of preemption

Le Maire did not use the word “nationalize” during his announcement, speaking only of the “right of preemption.”

To such an extent was the right of preemption used that many squatters seriously crippled themselves, the price paid being too high for grazing to be remunerative on their freehold lands.

President van Spiering of The Hague paid him 1,000 florins a year simply for the right of preëmption.

During this same year Congress denied a number of petitions for the right of preëmption in the Northwest Territory, because such a right would encourage illegal settling.

The natural result was petitions for the right of preëmption, because without such a right, the settler was in danger of losing whatever improvements he had made.