Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-12-05

Ss'> ~ -, Aii 1dO oiaSC VI II dr.
rodsburgh.
FOR THE SPECTATOR.
1t Is believed that general circulation
of the petition which follows, or similar
one, would accomplish its object with
the legislature. 1t is therefore recon-
mehded, that it be cut out of the news
paper, and have blank paper annexed to
it. 1t will then be easily read, and cir
culated and subscribed in every neigh
borhood, and may be circulated with ia
cillty through the state Let the people
rembember, that on this important sub
ject they have only to "AsK, and they
shall hope." IF this relief be not grant
ed, it may be said of the people, 3" Ye
have not, because We ask not" "Ask."
therefore, send your petitions abroad,
and forward them in time to the leeisla-
ture, and then " it is finished" The far
mer shall then have more than the round
OF year from the commencement of a
suit against him TO the final execution,
to convert the produce of his farm into
cash; and then he will be able to pay his
debts in cash, and have abundance at
home for the support Of himself and ia
inily.
70 The honorable the General Assemble
ofthe state of Illinois.
Your petitioners, inhabitants of the
state of Illinois, beg leave TO represent,
that the scarcity of money and the pre-
sent unsaleableness for cash, and depre-
citation of the value of property, is Sc
verely felt by all ranks Of society; and
that hitherto the sunshine of prosperity
and the abundance Of the circulating me-
dunn, and every article OF property being
saleable for cash, animated even the
most cautious and fearful 10 embark in
systems of promising specuations, and
to run in debt, with fair prospect Of
honorably meeting every just demand.
But, unfortunately, the sudden stagnation
of business and commerce, growing out
of combination of mulifarious causes,
has buried in oblivion and despair the
infatuating prospects fabricated By a
glowing spirit of speculation and enter
prize; and the illusion has ensnarcd il
not ruined thousands of worthy men, I'M
less saved by Legislature aid to redeem
them from this enthraldom; to obtain
which is the object of this petition. Few
men were there in those days OF prospe-
'rity and fortune making, that did not run
in debt with the most hattering prospects
of accumulating wealth; and now to en-
force the speedy collection Of their debts
would bring upon most of them sudden
destruction and unavoidable beggary.
It is well known that few articles ofpro-
perry at cash sales would bring a fourth,
and after little, perhaps, not tenth of
their value, as cash cannot be had. Then
to press the collection must ruin hun
dreds Of meritorious citizens, when
little delay in the collection would pre-
pare them triumphanuy to breast the
tempest.
Your petitioners deem that law an ex-
lent one that prevents poor mans land
to be sold for less than two thirds of lis
value. We hope your honorable body
will preserve this law in its full force.
We also deem that law a valuable one
that permits the defendant to turn out
what article or articles he chooses to an
officer to sell in execution. We hope
no part of this law viii be altered, except
for the beneGt Of debtors, and extend to
constabies' sales. We also consider that
law of great public utility which allows
the defendant to repleyy for twelve
months unless the plaintiff will take land
office money in discharge Of his execu.
ton. The provision Of this law we hope
will not be removed.
Your petitioners humbly hope that
your honorable body will make the stay
of execution issuing out of a couri of re-
cord to be at eighteen instead of five
months. dischargeablc in land Office mo-
ney, and that three years. be aiiowcd
where gold and SILVER be demanded,