The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-02-12

I
aud merilorious debtor, i virtually reduced
from The rank Of a citizen toa situation scarcely
superior 10 that NJ fugitive. or slave
And, If such fact. ase admitted To exist lei
me ask can hey lie credila5le TO Us az naliong
Can they contribute 10 our prosperity, our
honor, or orr tranquility or Can they foster
that lose Of country, and that commendable
pride, III our Otherwise free and equal institu-
lions, which il Il q much our delight To boast
Of and % realize Or can il be justIhahe IN
The general government periinscieusly and
exclusively 10 clam ibis authority OF enactiug
bankrupt laws. and, al the same time, con
stantly refuse the exercise of il, bile inhibi'-
iug he states from dong il
The players Of very many thousands are
now offered, that their efforts may be sPcedi-
Iy successful and that the present session "a
Congress may not be suffered TO pass away
without The enactment Of such bankrupt law.
as h,ie Il inhcts mefiied psnish-nent Oh the
violalors OF the laws, shall enforce Justice in
mercy, and secure for all lba citizens Of the
United States, wherever resident within III DO
main, the equal rights Of property, and the
blessings ofpersonal freedom. With the grea-
IieYed to be question OF particular terms.
Any provisions which may meet The wisdom
OF Congress, and compel full disclosure Of
tie concerns Of debtors. and a fair surrender
81 their property, while II would Id return al
tain for them an exoneration from liabilities
which wither their energies, and destroy their
faculties, and render hem buFthen upoS the
.corlmunily, which by their actye industry
and future labours, they would be most happy
measurably 70 5eaGfit, would, il is expected,
meet The general acceptance Of the public
Two Of The most prominent objections to
the enactment 81 bankrupt Law, will alone
irespass 90 your time by noticing. The one
is the popularity OF The former bankrupt law
Of toe United States, and The implied testimony
this affords OF its injurious operation.
The other, that the people Of this country
are not ripe for dat severity Of penalty which
exists in other countries, nor would they con-
sent to bear it, although II u elsewhere found
indispensable to carry such law into effect,
or under il 10 promote the substantial purposes
of Justice.
TO which It may be conci.ely, and, it is
trusted, unanswerably replied. That the uili-
il did not exist long enough to bring II fully
and usefully into operation, nor can any bank
rupt law, manifest lis sa!utary and beneficial
effects, on the interest OF the community. until
| after trial of series OF years, as the persons
to whom, in the first instance il must always
/ apply, can only be those whom The misfortunes
! of previous wears have accumulated III large
numbers, and were unavoidable, even ifpenu-
riuus subsistence must have consumed the
! greaier part of that remnant OF property which
they would have to offer their creditors nor
viii il ever arrive that the kindly and whoI--
some effects Of bankrupt law can be witness
sed until this mass ut cases is disposed of and
the former law existed only long enough "a
embrace al those Of tie worst description
which could have occurred, 10 create tempo
rary repugnance TO IL and il was only at the
| time OF is repeal that the re action was con-
fmencing, and after which, IN very short time.
| it fair and just and valuable operation would
ii al human probability. have been both mas
Tested and Acknowledged.
To the other objection, the answer is still
more brief; let The legislator dispassonaley
attach to guilt the punishment ii merits. and
if the public or the parties interested will moi
bear this, COT which have no belief he viii
have the consolation 10 know that Ne b. done
his duty, and that 10 reproach of inailenton
or disregard TO The misioriunrs and di.fresses
of his leIlow-citizens VIII be justly impuIabie
10 him
Paying yon to pardon his most hasiy and
imperfect exposition of my sentiments o. Ibis
topic, and p permit ne 70 ask, IN conformity
wiih the wishes III others, a. well a. my own,
the exerlion of your influence and ability
during the present session Of Congress, to have
engrsfled on the commercill system Of the
United States such Bankrupt Jaw as will be
grateful 70 your feelings and beneVolence, and
best subserve the public welfare,
have the honor 10 be, with great respect,
your obedient humble servant,
JAMES LLOYD.
Dir. SuRLRY-l second the motion Of the
- Soldier" as made in his address TO YOU,
respecting the militia, and published in your
Gazette Of this day. like lis sentiments
and consider the subject Of greet Importance.
The evils be mentions are certainly .. seri-
Gus nsIuFe-and il is great question, whether
to avoid them, we had not better be without a
militia.
heartily join with him n lie hops iba
some persons Of Information, talents aaI
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