[notice], The Circular, 2, 41 (April 6, 1853), 162
The Tribune of April 4th, publishes a “Card to the Public,” signed by four leading men at the ‘Modern Times’ settlement on Long Island, setting forth in brief the object of the settlement, the advantages it offers to laboring men and women, and the terms of admission. The object of the settlement is “to build a large town, or ‘Equity Village,’ upon just and reciprocal principles,” based on the philosophy of “Cost the limit of Price,’ and the ‘Sovereignty of the Individual,’ as set forth in the publications of Josiah Warren and S. P. Andrews.
In order to effect this object, ‘several philanthropic gentleman have secured between seven and eight hundred acres of land at the center of Long Island’ and offer it to actual settlers at its original cost as wild land; being from $1,50 to $2,00 for a common sized village lot, or about $22, per acre. No settler can purchase more than three acres. The land secured can be taken up on these terms about three year longer.
As to the terms of admission, “no pledges are required, and no understanding, implied or expressed, is had with the settlers, that they are to live upon those principles [i. e, the principles of Warren and Andrews) or in any given way. They will be expected to do so just so far and no father than they find their interest and their judgment impelling them to it. No conditions whatever are imposed except that the candidate for settlement shall receive an invitation to become a citizen after forming the acquaintance of parties on the ground, by letter or visit; in any way, in fine, by which they can be satisfied that he is a fitting person for such an enterprise.” The number of settlers there at the present time, ‘all comfortably housed,’ is about seventy.
