American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-03

FIRE IN MOB1LE.-On Thursday, Goth Jan
8uary, four houses we're destroyed by Ere IN Mooie'
alabama, two Of which we're occupied as counting
rooms by T.. II. Byrd g. Co. James Taylor, J. Caul
Held, 4. Dickens & Co. and ID. Darling all o.
whom lost the greater part OF their books ana pa
ucrs The other two were occupied as Storehonses'
zone of them by S. G.. Swift, whose loss is said to
Rbe several thousand dollars The principal losses
Of the others are their books. The FIRE was first dis
covered in Capt Duncan's store on Alabama wharf.
1.-The flames soon spread to the adjoining tene-
ments and in about half an hour without the least
warning of danger the whole range blew up with an
awful explosion of Gun Powder, scattering irag
mens Of timber &c. in every direction II is PAIN
full to record the scene producedby this event. Al
most every person in the immed vicinity was
Knocked down, either by the shock or by flying tim
her and it is estimated that not less than forty re-
ceyed more or less iEjury.-Mr. O'Hare, teacher,
was shockingly mangled and burnt, and survived
but an hour or two. Mr.. Bloodgood had his collar
bone broken though not dangerously Several others
received considerable injury, though none are con,
sidered in danger.
Bankrupt BiH.-The bill lately reported in the
Senate, for the establishment OF a uniform system
of Bankruptcy throughout the United States, IS one
! in which the trading part OF the community Will
] feel deep interest. If majority OF both Houses
Of Congress could agree upon the necessity OF the
measure. it is probable that the details of the bill
you'd present no insuperabe difficulties because
\ the necessity being admitted, every member
would naturally lend his aid in perecting the pro.
visions necessary TO give effect to the system.
1 In all ages of the world, and particularly in com
metcial countries, the relation Of debtor and credi
.o has been an interesting one; and, in more than
lone instance, the severity of the laws in favor oil
4,he latter has been so intense, that those who have
1la knrr he
#demands ae ains them, have been consigned to
slavery and their persons placed at the disposal OF
3lhose to whom they were indebted. Even now,
8under governments less enlightened than our own,
@and those of Great Brittin and France, and some
#few other kingdoms, extreme rigor is exercised
with respect to dellnquents OF ibis class, But the
3spllit OF humanity, the influence OF Christianity,
and the increasing knowledge OF mankind, are every
$where gradually developing new ideas on this sub
Acct. and forming line Of discrimination between
THE Just claims of misfortune and the meriled pun
#ishmcnt of fraud. The basis of foreign and domes-
%tic trades as we'll in the United States as in England,
8is mainly Individual credits and these give TO en-
8terpriae adventure, and to personal confidence an
Immense expansion. The commerce OF the world
could never have attained its present prosperous
icondition without these credits and in proportion
no their extension is the risk of failures on the part
sof many OF those who engage in it. But occasional
private losses are not TO be weighed against pefma-
bent public benehts and when nation reaps
Thousand advantages from the intelligence and &C
$vily o. its population, the government is bound to
khied from ruin and irrerieyable despair, The men,
with their families, who may have contributed to
4promote the welfare of society at large. Upon the
trctest grounds OF right, one IS held liable Tor
#wha is lost through that which is termed an act OF
Eod and, surely, those occurrences which, from
human ignorance, are denominaed the accidents OF
8lfe and upon which human fortunes so much de-
3pend deserve to be placed, as far as equity will au-
8thorze it, on like footing. The man of business,
3cxerting all his skill and employing the utmost di-
#lgence in his power may, nevertheless, be reduced
so poverty by some sudden mischance, against which
#the most consummate prudence could not have
8guarded him, and for which he ought not TO be con-
&demned to perpetual penury.
a That law establishing a general system oil
q Bankruptcy was contemplated by the trainers OF the
%Constitution is manifest, inasmuCh as they empow-
Aered Congress to enact such law. Its principal
8obects are, lat. The prevention OF knavery; and,
2d The restoration OF the unfortunate, in respec'
table character to the circle of the trading commu
unity. When an individual is really Bankrupt, it is
important that the fact should be Immediately known
10 his creditors, in order that, if he be inclined to
II dishonesty he may be legally disabled from taking
Aadvanage of them, by concealing or transferring
#hs remaining property and funds; and, 1t he be
Y truly honest, that he should, by surrenderng what
ne has still in possession, be relieved from the pres
sure Of engagements which he can, in his state oil
q Embarrassment never hope to fulfil and placed in
|a situation in which his industry and experience
may for the future, become available to society and
u TO himself These two points embrace the whole
q wisdom and policy Of bankrupt system and in
Tits operation every description OF persons is inter-
ested the farmer and planter, as well as the mer-
chant and navigator; the sturdy laborer, as we'll as
II the ingenious mechanic. The impertection Of the
"A State insolvent laws, and their limited effect as de
a sgnaed by decision OF the Supreme Court of the