Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-07-29

II now appears from statement in The
newspapers, that since Mr.. Hays motion
ter The purpose in the Virginian House
of Delegates, Mr.. Sergeant Onslow has
actually obtained leave from the British
House of Commons TO bring in Bill,
for repeating the laws regulating or re-
stralning therate of interest on money!"
iii> great measure Is said to have been
brought forward witlthe consent Oftlie MI
nistry. lfso, but little doubt can exist o! lis
ultimate success. A relaxation OF the res
iralnts upon the traffic in money by G..
Britain, connected with Mr. Brougham's
plan Tor substituting free commercial en-
terprise IN the place of despoiic mOnopO-
lies, could not fail 10 have great miiu-
ence I'm interfering commerce altogether
from the restrictive fol.ies, with which
Size las been enchanted for centuries but
which have been gradually yielding 10
the extension of knowledge, and the libe-
raj and enlightened spirit which, through
iis benign influence, has been infused M
10 most of the governments of Europe,
IN spite of great and numerous ddhcul-
ties and distractions.
IL lis impossible To- believe, but that tie
example of @. Britain i'll giving perfect
liberty TO commerce, or IN only freeing
ii from all restraints IN the traffic of mo-
ney, would have Its us, effects upon all
other commercial nations. la this coun-
try, it would be seizedu upon with prompt
ness and avIdity. But then ii would be
attended with this Notifying spectacle
that the United States would be seen in
glorlousiy following III the wake of Great
Britain III advances 10 wisdom and liberal
ity in the science otpoliticks whilst from
the free and cnlis spirit OF their
q, la.a,rn
been the first 10 have taught this great
and glorious lesson TO her, and TO the
commercial world. Although ills thought
that Mr.. III. must have succeeded IN con
vlnctng every rejecting, intelligent and
impartial mind, That the doctrine of Jsu-
~ had lis origin IL fanaiiclsm, barbarism
and ignorance that the LAWS for carry ing
il into effect, are founded in despCtisn,
immortality and injustice, and tina, their
effects had been uniformly and uni1cr-
sally injurious 10 society, yet IL is believed,
that he has done but little towards eiiec
ing his object ; the repeal ofihese obuox-
ious laws. That so far from it, he has
| barely approached the threshold of the
! question. Al first view, ii would seem,
as If demonstrat ons, like these, must ne
ccssarly be etficacious but hen il is re-
| collected, how great a portion of mankind
are unwilling To give themselves the trou-
bieto reason and reflect how great a
| portion are too thoughtless, and too in
| dolent, even TO attend TO the reasons
| and reflections ofothers i and how great
| portion have not the capacity, if they
hat the will, TO reason and reflect for
themselves, it must be concluded, that
majority, it is feared, a great majority,
have moi yetevcu felt the influence OF these
demonstrations. All these descriptions
| ofmen will content themselves in enqui-
ring, and triumph in the enquiry. How
has ii happened, II these be the true cha
racterisicS and consequences of the doc
trine OF usury, and the laws for lis proven
ton; t'at they should have been borne
aud continued for so long time, and by
so many nations How has it happen
ed that these Things should have escaped
the discovery Of our sagacious and iius-
trious ancestors With such query on
their side, conviction is almost impossi-
bile. 1t is proof against all the efforts of
intellect, becauseit sets reason at def
ance. This then IS the actual questi-
on.-Every thing else is mere prelude
TO it. II will be seen in the next No.
how tits met and treated by AIR. Hay.