The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-15
PARIS, Sept 5.
LEGISLATIVE BODY.
PRESIDENCY OF MIR. FoNTANEs.
,Sikti,ag of S1st -6nrnet

Sitting Of 51st .fugust.
Messrs. Treilhard, and 'Hauterive, coun-
sellers of state, proposed a project of law
relative to bodily arrest against FOREIGNERS.
Mr.. Trcilhard contended that this project
of law, though severe in appearance, was
founded upon justice and necessity. Foreign
ers, said he, are received with cagerness in
this hospitable land. The Frenchman, ma
turally generous and trusting, always meets
their wants he often trusts them with money
and goods, without taking any security for
their payment It is proper to guard him a.
gainst the fatal effects of his inconsiderate
obligngness. Bodily arrests against foreign
ers were in force among us for centuries, and
the happy protection which this measure
secured to the subjects of France, is now one
of the chief motives that government has for
rc-establishing it. 1t was to have been the
subject OF a clause in the civil code next to
the one which awards bodily arrests against
French debtors, and it was thought forget
fitness that it was omitted 1t will in vain be
remarked that the legislation of other natl
ons does not continue such measures against
foreigners: the genius who governs us does
not shape his conduct according to foreign
examples, but by the conviction of what is
useful and necessary to the welfare of his peo-
pie; and it is we'll known that, swayed by this
august sentiment, he has accustomed himself
. to give the impulse and not to receive it.
Mr.. Irciihard, discussing each clause of
tho law, Observed that bodily arrests will on
ly be allowed against foreigners having no
domicil in France, who can in a moment dis
appear, and by their flight plunge into trou-
bic and distress the trusting Frenchmen who
may have rendered him service.
Bodily arrests against foreigners will be alr
lowed only for debts actually due, and not for
Il
= bic. The creditor viii be holden to state the
nature of his demand to the president ofthe
tribunal of the first resort. Snch foreigners as
arc able to give bail, or are propiictors of any
establishment sufficient to secure the payment
OF their debts, are not to be liable to these ar
rests. 1t had been represented to government
that Tic warrant ofarrest ought to be executed
by public authority; but it was concluded
that the delay of a judiciary summons, would
give the alarm TO the debtor and thus enable
him to Glide the arrest.
SEPTEMBER !.
Messrs. Regnault, LAMBERT and Real pre-
sentcd q project of law relating to the COM
mercial code: Mr.. Regnault read the pro-
ject.
1'he seven first titles OF the ist book treat
1st Of merchants /; 2nd of keeping
their books 3rd Of general companies and
il co01mundftcj 9Th. of separation of pro-
perty; 5th of the particular heads under
each Of these titles; 9th Of merchants by
commission 9Th Of the forms by which
sales and purchases may be commercially es-
ta5shcd.
The assembly appointed the 10th of this
month for the discussion Of this project.
SEPTEMBER .,
Mr.. Bergeon accompanied by two other
councillors Of state presented the 8th title Of
TIC frat book Of che project Of the commerce.
al code; threats of bills Of exchange and bills
to order
The discussion Of this project IS fixed for
the 18th instant.
SEPTEMBER 3.
The Sd book of the project Of the com
mercial code was presented by the counsel
Tors of state SeguT, Treilhard and Redon,
thc 12th of .iis nfft.h was appointed for its
discuss IN.
The Sd book is entitled the Book of Fail
ures, weighty subject, ard which also more
particularly eugrossed the attention Of the
compiicrs of the new code, and more strongly
animated the orators charged TO state - the
legislative body the reasons which called for
it. This task was divided to-day between
Messfs. Scgur and Treilhard, and both these
gentlemen made a great impression on the
sSsambly by pictures TOO incontesti5Iy tTIe