Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-10

solve persons from debt, and their sesnectiv
.cts, in that respect. are duly acqnescet
| in: 1t is therefore, ridiculous to say that {,
declare arecruit free from arrest for debt i
An &c f0sf fdcfo law, seeing that il is cas-.
specially provided for in ali the constitu
tons of the Country. Indeed the real appli-
| cation OF the term &c Host Idc,o law, has re-
ference more to the criminal than to the CT.
vii code; and was introduced into modern
constitutions to prevent arbitrary govern
ments from gratifying spirit OF revenge Nv
making that a crime after commission
which was not a crime before il WAS con-
mittcd. The reason of &c hoSt .jacto laws
applied tn certain CONTRACTS made prior
tn the existence of any law which may
81 to ,he infraction OF then,--such as aDprcn-
tees indentures. But by no construction
can it be made applicable to absoution from
arrest tor dsbc. inasmuch as that was a con-
stitutional contingency TO Which the credi
tor was liable when the debt was Contracted.
According IT, Mr.. Randolp,i's logic it would
DC just rs much an &c tost fdcto law If the
merchants bonds should be cancelled, mas
much as the cancelling would take place If.
ter the forfeiture had accrued I, is to be
hoped, therefore, thar Mr.. Z. VIII not vD.e
for cancelling them on his own principles,
as we shall oppose them ON ours.
And what is the vii lie amount nf fIr.
Rand lph's rhetoric on the army pay-bills
Why. 1t is briefly this, IN three Sentences
i. You ought not to raise an army.
2. The State governments ought to with
hold their militia Ard
(Mr. r. am consistent maui
These three items constitute The pi.h and
substance of his speech. The two first are
too absurd tn merit nctice, considering the
country is at w,r. But with regard 10 the
third, as Mr.. Randolph has recurred to the
Book ot Chronicles, l. 2. ile of newspapers
we presume : we take the Liberty Of doing
the same, and challenge the annalstof in
consistency for parallel Cas-, 10 the two fol-
lowing extracts from speeches. 10Th Of which
were pronounced by'the consistent Mr. Ran
dolph -
EXTRACTS.
go further-E would (if ann thinel
have laid an embargo. This would have got
our own properly home ard or adversary's
into our power. Ifthere IL any zvisdom left
among us, theft sfeh towards hostility
viii Always be an embargo" BTr. Ran
dolih's sfseeh, Murch S. 1906.
have been for pacific polcy; but, if
We are TO got. fsua take of the mbareo %
M. Randolth's Sfieech, May18l2.
Extract Of a letter. from fjashilrto7 CVy.
tofhe Editor, dated Dec IN, 1912
"Yoar esteemed favor of the osth ult
with it's enclosure was received by last Mail,
for which accept my thanks we have no
h'nS very late from either the army or Ma
" We expect to hear. within,a day, or two,
| that the army hath either gone into winter
quarters, or, into Canada
The question on the Merchants bonds
IS not yet decided-the present impression
is IN favorof their being refetre,l'to the Sc
eretary OF the Freasury-this is my own
| opinion at this time.
1--WE have reports, (Which are creditetl)
that change is about to take place in the
War and Navy Den OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and
! Hamilton are both going out it is said Their
SUCCESSORS are still unknown 10 mc--Snme
say the Post Master General is to g. also.
-itis high time 10 make change in the ar
my-Disgrace seems to await it wherever
| it goes"
I hrtracf ofanofhcr iettcr, 10 The Editor, dat
ed December 8.
The resolution REPORTED by the commit
| tee IF WAYS and Means on the subject of the
| merchants bonds. given on account of their
| inpprtations of British goods (Which was in
troduced into discussion, as you must have
| observed, some time last weekly is still under
discussion. and probably will remain unde-
cided for some days vet. 1t excites much
interest on both sides. ard has elected some
| Tin my opinicn) very improper sentiments
for our government and for the existing state
or things. II certainly is matter of great
Importance, not the most so as il respects
the magnitude OF the sums in question, but,
as 1t regards the future operations OF the go
vernmeHs and the efficacy of it's laws--I
Cannot say what may be the final result
The Prince Regent, by proclamation, dis
solved parliament, on the 29th Of September,
and ordered writs TO be issued returnable
November "a, calling new parliament.
Price Of zvheat-London, October 6, 1926
Al I'd. per quarter-equal to about So rs
ceuts fer 6ushek.
The appointment by the Executive Of
BoBERT Nelson, Esq. as Chancellor of the
Williamsburg District, has been confirmed
by the Legislature.
Col. ROBERT r TAYLOR. If Norfolk b.
rough is appointed a Brigadier-G General Of
the militia of this state TO supply the vacancy
occasioned by the death of General Thomas
| Mathews
DIED-On Monday Evening last. af,e- verr
short lin IS, MIR LOUIS WERCQ, Merchans
| Tailor Of this CITY. Mr.. w was a native Of
France, hut lived in this place for the last %
/ wears, WIRE, from his great industry and
correct department, he acquired the esteem
and respect of his fellow citizens, and consi-
! derable wealth. Tie has left widow and sever.
al children 10 lament the loss Of most Affect
4 4 Il