The recorder, or, Lady's and gentleman's miscellany. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1801-1802, 1802-06-09

difference, thac the fame cenfiire which
overwheims the latter, falls lightly,
when divided among the great MATS IF
the people, yet depraved indeed mutt
tfac man be, who hears, with inditEe-
renee, reproaches on his country. There
are inputations enough calt upon che
people OF whom we form a part and
although we have been cowardIY TO the
Britilh, ungrateful and awiHf co the
French, and abjee in our acquiefeence
under federal uiurpations, let not Vir-
ginians, in addition to this accumulated
infanv, deferve or incur the itigrna of
81 difhonelty.
The advocates OK the propoied law,
have conlidered it in resstion 10 luifioe
and policy. Tho | do not approve,
will adopt this divifion ofshe iubjed.
1t is not approved, hecaufe the SOM
ulands of juitice ought 70 be obeyed.
without regard to the inferior conide-
ration of policy buzz is adopted, be-
cauie it viii lead TO an invefigation of
all the topics which havebecn introduced
in rhis debate.
4 petition which is evident in irfelf
cannot be made clearer by argument.
fhail not therefore undertake 10 prove
THAI all mans property ought to be
ilbjett TO the payment of his debts:
AS we'll might proof De offered char debts
oughr 10 be paid at all Inlend there
fore of obtcuring this branch of the In
quiry by argument, it will be fuficient
TO notice the obfervalions on this point
which have been made by the opponents
of the law. The objections urged on
this head are. That the wives and
children of unfortunate debtors will be
eH5olcd 70 ruin dly. That con
tracts are made in contemplation of, the
exiting iyltem only and that therefore,
TO iubieEt real property TO tho payment
ofdebts, is giving the creditor a greater
iecurity than he required 3dly. That
the preient laws afford adequate redrels.
and 4thly, That the laves in this fate
furglifh fund for the payment ofdebts,
which is net 70 be found in mot other
countries, and therefore thst we go as
far as juEtice requires, eyeneif lands are
exempted
At the hrf view Of thefe objections,
IT may be fuppofcd fIlar they are ifated,
noe becaule they have been urged,
bus becauie they are eafly anfwered.
In eruth, however, the above is candid
Proclamation OF them.
/. The frit Objection deferves but
hetle notice, and is now mentioned prin-
cipally with a view TO point cur the de-
lulive language in which it is prelSnl-
ed. The epiyhet, unfortunate, does nor
belong generally TO debtors. OF thofe
debts which men axe unable TO pay,
imPrudence, 70 ufc 80 harfher term,
produces the greater part, misfortune is
ieidom urged o. in execute. When this
happens 20 be the cafe. there is no rea-
fon 10 apprehend that creditors will be
icrcfe. The manners and temper OF
The people forbid il. But admitting
that lnltances Of harfhnels and perfect
ton may fomet;mcs Occur, .itis oov;Cus,
that no adequate proylion can be made
by law. The legiflature can exact from
the cirizens nothing burto be pesc@able
and jtht generoGty, gratitude, and
benevolehce muf depend on the feel
ings, 0. the people. Bur the conciuive
anfwcr to this remark is. that if the
lands Of debtor are laSed for his wi
dow and children, the benefit beitowcd
ON them is preciiely eouatefbaianced by
an equivalent injury 10 the creditors, or
their Wi7eS and children. Il deferves
alto 10 be remarked, that il is not in
tended 70 deprive widows of their
dover.
z. As TO the tcobd obie6tion, It IS