Why were settlers not allowed to claim land west of the Appalachian Mountains? Responses England reserved that land for Native Americans in the Proclamation of 1763. England reserved that land for Native Americans in the Proclamation of 1763. Settlers did not have the right to claim any land in North America. Settlers did not have the right to claim any land in North America. The British government wanted to sell the land to the Spanish which angered the colonists. The British government wanted to sell the land to the Spanish which angered the colonists. The French had claimed that land as a result of the war and the British did not have control over it.