Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-12
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LETTER FOURTH.


deemed an inportan, sidera,icn. Its
impo riance, howeTer, is almost Infinitely
Increased by the prey dent state Of soci
ETY. IN this country. and The new asps cts
and eia'Ions which q new order of things
has created. 1t is one of the happicst
features ot cur political Institutions, that
b. inhib;ing every species of monopoly
and by leaving industry urlettered, the
power of obtaining property, is placed C.
qually within the reach of every citizen,
50 tar as political institutions can effect
this end. 4 he right OF priniogeniture,
and the prine of entails being wisely
annuled, prevent dangerous ACCUMULATE.
Ons Of property, and Distinctions equally
dangerous. arising fromaccldentai crcuin-
stances instead OF merit.
This great end ensured, it only remains
TO adcr' wise codes OF laws TO secure the
rights of properly. AS Oh hose essen5i-
ally deplnd its value, it win be evident that
they ave moi inferior in Importance To
the attainment Of property Itself.
Are then the rights OF property al pre-
sent adequately secured! I, IS huinbly
presumed they are not. Without mean
ing TO detogate from the wisdom Of ins,i
tailons many oil winch have existed COR a
Ses, and mos Of which have been ,est-
ed by some experience. II may be con-
fGenly affirmed hat the great political
revolution eH'ecled By the United States
has placed the people in a situation which
requires modification, TO say no more,
OF the principle adopted in The old world
on this point.
A leading feature in the systems Of the
CID world was 10 aid the accumulation of
property In the hands OF i few, to main
tain such accumulation undisiurbed for
lung succession of years. As on this re-
suli principally Dope nded the stability Of go
rerrmentS, means The most eRcctual were
devised for commanding and securing il.
Hence the rules of primOgeniture, entails
and monopoiies-so wisely done away in
this country--and hence too, SO many pro-
visions by which property, and more es-
pecially real property, once acquired, was
entrcnched; the effect of which was the
frequent resistance of Just claims made
on thelndlvidual possessed OF the properly
OF anoher; and hence the adage, that
possession constitutes nine points of the
law. With this view courts were multi.
piled; the legal code was rendered too
intricate Tor the apprehension of the IN
learned; The forms of judicial proceeding
were clothed Ia an unin,cIlIsibt phase
oiogy, requiHrg distinct order IF men
To HHerpiotit ara the expenses al carry
ing forward suits were rendered, intoiera
hc, except &c the rich. 1t requires no
extraordinary discernment 10 perceive,
that ali these circumstances concurred 10
make the poor dependant on the rich
and, ct consequence, 10 lortify the vast
possessions Of the latter, while they lin-
derniued the piuances Of the former.
II these are the elf-cls of the existing
systems Of justice, as they are called, IL
1T not manifest that they are subyersive
SO far as they go, Of some of the grea be
netits expected from The change efreGted
10 our political institutions; and msy
moi be feared that they W II operate, in an
insIdnus manner, TO undermine the whole
Structure.
Let us descend to particulars. One of
the great ends Of our governments IS 10
secure the fruits Of every mars industry.
This can only be eliccted by system of
laws which either dlscourages all credit.
or which provides means easily within. The
reach of each individual for obtaining tina:
which of right belongs TO him. l., the
FIRST instance debts will be rarely incurred
and no disappointment will arise from tbe
inadequacy OF laws TO enforce their pay.
rnent while in the last instance there will
exist means of recovering them, which
shall be easy, prompt and inexpensive.
The abrogatlon Of all laws for enforcing
Che payment OF Deb is so repugnant 10
the habits OF our citizens, that ii would BE-
deemed the temerity of innovation to re-
CommeTd it, and IT is probable lhst what
ever strength or argument might b, adj
doced IN i,s support would be too feeble
10 make any efficient opposition TO the
preJudices Of habit and preconceived Cpl
mon. Leaving then this enquiry, let us
procsed To examine. whether the existing
system Of laws provides for the recovery
of debts, means which are easy, prompt
aud inexpensive.
&c debt is due recourse must be had
professional man, who is alone view
by The low as competent To point out
Ae legal remedy required. in most IN
Ys,arces before his advice can be obtained,