Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-10
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.
ENGLISH P.4RLka.lfEWT
HousE OF COMMONS, April II.
INSOLVENT DEBTORS.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS.
Mr. SERGEANT Best moved for leave to bring in
his bill respecting insolyent debtors. His inten-
ton was to force persons who were possessed of
property to give it upto their creditors, and TO
punish those who were insolyent through profit
ps2cy. His proposition was founded upon AN act
passed IN thereign Of George II. enacted that per-
CONS imprisoned for debt, should be obliged to de
liver up Their property for the benefit of their
creditors, under penalty of transportion. This
only extended to debts under the sum of 1907
Many persons in prison for debt, expended for
Their subsistence in the most luxurious eXtrava-
gance, and bid defiance TO the creditors, whose
ruin they had promoted. He would give credi-
tors the power of making those persons deliver
up Their property. He would also increase the
punishment OF persons, who, from acts of their
own folly. had become irlS9lyent. lie thought the
only way of distinguishing between the honest
and the dishonest debtor, would be to introduce
some sort of scale, by which the claim of the adj
Vantages Of the act might be regulated such
scale ne has prepared for the Iteration of the
house. 1.-THE debtor was found to be able to paw
l;s in the pound he should be entitled tohis dis
charge as soon as the fact should be ascertared.
Ehc should, from the mprovident management
OF his affairs, be only in condition to pay l0S in
the pound, then he thought his inprisonm ent
should extend to longer period, namely, TO twelve
months.
Again, if the debtor, by expanding that which
he must know belonged to others, was unable to
pay los. III the pound, such man, he thought,
ought 10 beimprisoned two years, twelve months
ofwhich, at least, should be passed within the
walls OF prison, and not, as at present, IN what
were called the rules. And lastly, if man was
entirely insolycnt, and without the hope OF pay
ing airy portion of his debts, he considered 1t was
but p-oper that he should be kept within The walls
of prison two years. 1t would naturally occur,
ny
might be in no condition, from misfortunes not
originating inhis own vices, to pay any thing in
liquidation OF his debts. To such an individual,
he, by no MEANS wished the scale which he had
stated to apply 1t should, therefore, be open N all
cases for the debtor to prove by his own oath,
supported by other satisfactory evidence, whe-
ther his disresscs were attributable TO impru-
dence or misfortune, and If he was able to esta-
blsh the latter, then he should extremely lament
his detention in custody beyond the time that was
necessary to prove the fact.
After some other remarks respecting the cha
racter of this intended bill, the learned Ser
ieant concluded by moving for leave to bring
il IN.
A conversation ensued, in which the proposed
measure seemed to meet with the appreciation of
many members, and the leave moved for was then
granted.
TREATY WITH AMERICA.
Mr.. Hart Davis rose to move the address re-
speeding this treaty. He remarked, that the in
terests fthe two countries were the same. Poll
cy and nature combined to make America an agri-
cultural country, and therefore market for our
manufactures. The connection, he trusted, was
row indssoluble, while continuance of h0stili-
ties must have driven America from the natural
channel other pursuits to the great injury ofour
manufacturing interests. The war was underta-
ken for the protection of our maritime rights
which America denied. When she relinQuished
her preences, it was clearly our interests 20 make
peace. In the course of war each country found
ats own resources :--on her own shore America
was doubtlessly formidable but her trade lay
open TO the effective and ruinous interruptions of
the british navy. He then moved,
That an humble address be presented to his
royal hghness the prince regent, returning the
unielgned thanks OF the house 20 his royal high
ness, for having been graciously pleased to lay
before the house, the treaty of peace between G.
Britain and the u States of America, and to as
sure his royal highness, that having duly and full
" considered the same, they reflect with the ut
most gratitude and satisfaction at the fresh proof
afforded by this important arrangement Of his
rogai hgi,ness's anTious regard for the welfare
Of his mljesty's subjects--an arrangement which
the house trusted would establish a perfect
Cancellation and permanent friendship between
two countries, which were united to each other
by the strongest ties ofreciproca relations"
Mr.. Pons0Hby rejoiced sincerely at the termi-
nation ofthe contest with America, but thought
It disgraceful to present the address aj it then
Itood-he thought so, because he considered II
the duty the house TO inform the pr nee regent
nj the gross misconduct and entire inismausge-
Taent Of ministers, in the progress cfthe ncg0ci-
atoms, and the execution Of the treaty with Ame-
Rica There is no one subject that existed mdis-
pute before the signature, that does not in fact
still exist--all the professions advanced by MI
nisters, have one by one been abandoned The
right hon. gentleman, then contended that the
negotiations with America, ought 20 have com.
menced Immediately upon the signature of tho
peace ofParis. The first conference between the
British and American commissioners. did not.
however, take place TIL The 8th of August. Ger
ion terms were then proposed The most re.
lnaykabls Of these terms were n paci6CatiOn with
as they were called, the Ind ian allies of Crea,
Britain, and n settlement Of their boundar.es-
military possession Of the lakes of Cauada, and oil
certain Islands said to belong TO us, but occug' Cd
b. the Americana, since the treaty OF 172]--tc
this was added, desire Of settling now bounda
w for The American and British tcrritor'c1. be-
tween the Mississippi and the American lakes
But those points which appeared principally n
be pres ell by ministers, we've the paoifcation d
dans-the defining oftI,e boundaries OF tbc1
teTiiones--ihe military occupation Of the lake.
~ Canula--and The cession Of those islands wh,cl
the Americans bad occupied since 1885 III,
PaPfrs rom which argue, state that The Ame
rcsp commissioners were informed by those o
g. Britain. that tho foncoact,-, RI 4hcco t,,.tr.