American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-02-06
From the Trenton Emporium
MONEY MATTERS.

For few arc cheerful when but asked to pay"
have given my opinion on the matter Of Debss
and Credit" in the course of my essays already
There is however, sad necessity for the existence
Of both.
There are two classes of debtors in the World
the FIRST composed of those who are WilLing but uh~
able: the second of those who are able but an1cil
ting TO pay. Let as take them up in order. Prem
Using frat that there is no obligation conferred
either the creditor by the debtor or on the debtor
by the creditor, in the simple matter of dealing OF
fair and equitable terms-one of the stipulations OF
which 10, that value shall not be paid for the article
received, until some more convenient time
This then being understood, we take up the case
of the debtor aClting bat unable, to pay. The sim
pie circumstance OF his inability is not crime
improperly of conduct may be the origin of this
inability It is true, but that is to be censured by itself
Yet how do men, situated, almost invariably act
They dispute your account, or frame frivolous ex.
cuses, or put you off with promises they do mes in
tend to perform. They resort to every exPe1isnS
but that OF plain, honest trNth-I am anablg to dYs
A truth which if told, would have more ef7ct thar,
thousands successful and dishonest eYasions. There
are not many who would even Attempt to compel
payment when this was honestly the case. Bot by
a. long process of deceful shutting, arising from
pride or something even worse--the poor debtor
frequently loses the confidence and estimation OF
his creditor, and suffers the consequences OF his
own silly contradiction. Honesty, plain up ans
down honesty, frank, open and cheernl is the beat
policy. =
The other class--those who are nbls but aaWiL-
ling, pay, have thot are numerous--far, far too
numerous. This disposition is as weak and fool
ish, as it is unaccountabe and mischievouss For
the most part of those who possess it, are any thing
but civil when you hand them an account They
fly into an i'll humor in an instant and there is
decency, propriety justice in their condpct,--fs
the merchant, who has long waited patiently his
debtors notion send him the amount OF his bill he
lswears he will deal no more with who bpreS
him thus--perhaps he sends an usoent message
perhaps grahes himself by maltreatng the aelence
less messenger, and half turning him oat OF his
house and probably after all refuses to pay II
the mechanic, who has spent his little IN pro
curing materials to complete piece OF work Tor orc
OF this description OF persons, who has toied hard
10 finish it in time to meet his engagement, who
has finally waited until he finds it's impossible 10
get along further without his pay, does but make
an attempt to collect his money, voley of COM
plants are poured forth against The work, whicls
before never dreamed of, and he is told that
such an works fer better and far cheaper. Even
the Printer, who labors with his hands and his head
necessarily knows nothing of the enjoying Of
the morning walk, the noon day sIumber or the So
cial evening entertainment; who tolls through the
weary day and trims the midnight lamp, and sac
ri6ces pleasure and ease, and often health and life
ITSELF in the ardor of his e1deavors to instruct and
amuse his readers, as sfeu as not, when he sends
in his paltry demand is either met and repulsed by
the threat of stopping the pape7 or the collector s
informed that his employer is in deyilish henry
for his money-or if the bill be paid it is with ,he
accompanying compliment of g cross me of; ths
paper Is not worth Dbl"