Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-05-08
10 the editor of the Gazette.

Imprisonment for Debt--ond the ne1r
1ict Of Congress.
AT this time do not mean 70 enter al
large into the question OF the proPrIety
of Imprisonment Tor debt; 1t has been
lately discussed in the senate OF the UNI
ted States. Notw outstanding disposition
on their part to abolish this inhuman prac-
tice, from some inexplicable reason, i'm
prisonmsnt for debt vas extended: the
ancient asages OF the people OF this coun-
~ were violated. and by the law lately
passed persons may be Imprisoned tor all
sums whatever. Ii is true that females OF
every description, and males above the
age oil seventy, are exempted. | thank
the legislature for their chivalry and bu-
mauIty so tar. Good frequently comes out
Of evil and the same law exempts bed
ding and instruments OF trade from dis
tress TOR rent. This law takes effect the
first day OF jane All sensible men are
bound 10 oppose il with firmness; it is
believed to be unconstitutional ; on that
ground il vii! be resisted. Ii is a well
known tact that this county paid a cousi-
derable direct tax TO the United States -
that the town has transacted commerce 10
large extent, anu has paid TO the 60
rernment heavy duties that the county
jail is disgrace 10 our community. The
United States have expended no money
here We are subjected to allthe incon-
veniences OF an arbitrary goveFnmenl.-
We are said to be under the exclusive ju.
risdiction OF Congress, Yet We are liable
to all the abuses OF tyranny. Our civil
condition is infamous, as the Jail will at
ford more proof than volume OF srgu-
ments. IL has been written agaInst-it has
been frequently presented by the grand
jury as a nuisance. The ear Of humanity
ha. been daafened by The numerous ap.
peals which have been addressed to it. lf
stranger was blindiolded, and on the
bandags being removed the prison was
.bewn to him, be would INSTANTLY exClaim
that he was 10 a land OF slaves he would
pronounce the prison to be an unht reeep.
tacle for debtors, and even too uncomiort-
able for nurderers he could not recon
Gle it to his judgment 10 believe for an
instant, that such spectacle was afforded
in the District of Columbia. In the coun-
~ of Washington there is large and
,commodiops jail, and situated or a salu.
nrious aud extensive lot. Here il is so
con6sed, that not even are the breezes OF
heaven permitted to visit it and yet we
talk of liberty, the delights OF free GO
vernment, and noble science, well un.
derstood, yet not practised. Equally may
the Tux, enclosed in q dismal tower.
cbaunt the praises of his benignant sultan
10 theory our laws are most excellent, and
a spirit Of benevolence breatbes IN agreat-
er part OF them, Ia this county the eze'
cution OF them, so far as it respects con
fnement for debt, is disgraceIul TO thu
name OF American. The prison being a
sink of eth, and surrounded by polluted
atmosphere. is cursed by every treemaH
who distinguishes between beautiful
system and the odious practice OF IT.
Congress. before they enacted tyrannc
law, ought to have reelected on the cruel
~ Of consiguiog debtor to this miserable
abode. IF their honorable bodies had
been incarcerated one hour in this instltu.
ton, TO the encouragement Of which they
seem favorable, they would have rejected
The law with disdaiB; not one man would
have voted for II. A petition will De pre-
pared by the next session oil Congress
calling upon them Tor aid 10 the erection
oil a suitable building for the confinement
of criminals. hope the day will ma
iurely arrive when Imprisonment for debt
will be exploded-wheu our statute books
will no longer be degraded by this barba-
rous practice. As the new law complete
" charges the relation between debtor
and creditor, and the nature OF contracts,
il NAV be well 10 draw the attention oil
the public TO those points. The language
OF the constitution is plain. to tina, degree,
tina, be who runs may read. IL isto this
effect -" No er post tacfo law shall be
passed by Congress. All contracts made
before the law goes into operation are moi
governedtby it. For all sums under 20
dollars, which are now due or become so