Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-06-22

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rs supposed 10 be authorized, by wri!s OF
attachment or executions, to take goods OF
the debtor without any exception. The
humanity Of creditors has, fer the most
part, prevented an undue use Of this au-
thofity, in colieeling their demands from
S,heir indigen, debtors bri am informed
lby a number OF respectable persons, tsas
instances have frequently occurred, IN
which officers with unleeling severity,
have taken the most necessary articles OF
apparel and furniture, and exposed the
debtor and his family to immediate SUI
/ fering- Hsuchcases have happened with
IN your knowledge, you will probably
think il reasonable TO exempt from seizure
certain articles which are necessary for
uphnlding life. g
Commissioners have, on several cccasi-
ons been appointed, at the request OF the
Legislature, and with the consent OF the
parties interested, for the purpose Of quit
citing settlers on lands in the Eastern parts
oil the State ;in most Of the cases to
which their commissions referred, they
have been able 10 eaFeGt an amicable agree
ment; but divers disputes of this kin,'.iII
remain unsettled, The tranquility orlhat
part of the Commonwealth, and the hap
pincss of many individuals, would be
greatly promoted by q speedy accommo-
daiion of those dispu,ts; aud shall be
happy 10 concur with you, Gentlemen, in
any measures, consistent with the rights
of,he parties which shall be calculated to
effect this desirable object.
The operations Of barking, while under
! tfai,l N a
useful TO the Stale, by rendering lis CAPT
tai more active shan il would be other
! wise. Petitions, have for several years
been presented, at almost every session oil
the Legislature. for the incorporation OF
Banks. lfsuch applications are repeated,
It will be question of importance, whe-
Their an addition 10 The present number
would be pubic beneii..--Many of the
bills Of o.heFs5,ale Banks, with whose cir
lcumsiances and management We are Who'll.
! ~ unacqua'nted circulate here; and the
capital stock eflhe Branch Bank is seven
bundled thousand dollars. Wei have be-
sides in this State, twenty-one banks,
I which are allowed by law to issue lhir.
ltcenimillion dollars by their last returns
It appears. that The whole ofthe debts due
70 them did not. amount 10 eight millions.
: II the existing Banks are authorized 10
loan a greater sum than the circulation
can employ, the aggregate profits ofbank
ing would not be INCREASED, nor would any
additional assistance be given to trade
should number OF other banks be insti.
tufed; they might indeed emit an addi,i-
I onai quantity of paper: but the surplus
would soon be re urned 10 the several,
Banks, and exchanged for gold and silver
10 be exported. New B.tnks would not
increase the quantity ofspecie, they would
/ only cause a subdivision of il; and if they
should be, induced, from the desire of a,.,
or disposition TO afford extraordinary
accommoda ions, 10 discount too lihesallv,
the Banks themselves would be endancer-
ed, and The director. might be compelled
to diminish their discounts so as 10 occa-
sion very serious and extensive CONNER
cial embarsassmen;s.
II has been said, heretofore, that he
Bank dividends were higher than the legal
rate Of interest, and, therefore, unless ne
titioncrs were INDUCED with new incorno-
ras,ons, the law which iorb,ds usury should
b. repealed. A measure of this kind
might be more injurious than any pIopo
sed addition to the number OF Banks. If
Insney was borrowed only on calculation
Of piohtffom commercial enterprises, the
borrower might be safely trusted to make
h's bargain with the lender; but great
i'ait oil the loans in The country are to per
soas embarrassed from misfortune or ind;s.
cretipn by a repeal Of the law against usu-
fy they would BE- left 70 the mercy of their
cFSf''ogs aud ssasice would prey wi,hou.
consrnui upon ignorance and distress.
have received letter from The Go.
vernon OF Pcnnsy lyania, incIosing cow
OF Resolution Of the senate and House
o. Representatives tba, Commonwealth.
approving an amendment 10 the Con.,i-
uIon, which was recommended nv The
State OF Kentucky. and by which 4, IL pro.
posed 10 eHclode from the Judicial Power
iof,he Unned States controversies be, yee,,
citizens Of different Sta,es--between c;,;.
zsns OF the same State claiming lands no
' der grants from different Statss--and r.
tween citizens of State and cit;9sns
subjects Ola foreign State.
Together with those papers. the Seer.
tary viii deliver to youa letter fron, 49,.
Major General Of the Third Division. -
questing that he might be discharged ero,r