Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-11-03
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.

AT the adjourned meeting for the con-
sideration Of this sub bject, held at Faneuil
Hall, on Tuesday evening, October 10,
Hon. A. III. Everett in the chair, and j.
c. Park, Esq. Secretary, a large con-
course orpcople filled the Hall. The
original resolutions, with additions, were
unanimously adopted, as follows:-
Resolred, /. That,as we pretend to be
free and independent people, and born
with equal rights, Guy liberty cannot be
abridged by any voluntary contract OF
debt.
2. That Debt fairly contracted, s. in
ability to pay arising from misfortune, is
no crime, and no person can be Justly de-
priyed of his liberty for the non-pay yment
of the same.
3. That the imprisonment ofan honest,
unfortunate, insolvent debtor, without tri-
al or conviction Of any crime, is wanton
usurpaton of power, and oppressive and
unjust, and is "A fragrant violation of the
rights guaranteed by tho Constitution.
L. That the people are morally and re-
!igiously bound to resist every encroach-
mcnt Of personal liberty secured by the
Constitution, and to defend the rights OF
the people from every attack, whether
made by the introduction of foreign laws,
or by the authority of our own Congress
and Legislatures, or by the introduction
of ii barbarous custom, from barbarous
period Of the history of a Foreign Coun-
try.
5. That debts fraudulcntly contracted,
or of which payment is fraudulenty re-
fused, are criminal offences, and the per-
pctrators ought to be punished as cGimi-
nails.
6. That punishment for fraud should
never be inflicted at the mere will of the
creditor, but that the debtor should have
abundant opportunity to defend his cha
ractcr, and establish his innocence, be-
fore an impartial tribunal, and that all in
stances to the contrary are not only pal
pably unjust, but in open violation Of tho
declarations contained in the Dnl oi
Rights and the Constitution.
7. That the lawless custom authoriz-
ing Imprisonment fog debt ought to be a.
bolished, and that we will use all fair :
honorable means to promote lis annlhlla-
ton, and that we earnestly invite the CO.
operation of our felow-citiZcns in this
State, and in all States, where the Gus
tom exists, to aid us to erase this foul
blot from our national character, and re-
store the liberties of the people.
8. That humanity shuddcrs at the in
credible fact, that in case Of murder OF
the deepest die, nay, even in a case Ct
parrcide, the criminal is not even i'm
prisoned without trial, while, melancholy
to relate ) the industrious man, whose on
" crime is being an unfortunate debtor,
is incarccratcd without even the form OF
a trial, at the pleasure of any unprinci-
pied creditor.
8. On the words of the Hon. Edward
Everett,) That there are several Gov
ernlncnts called Despotic, where no such
outrage on reason aud humanity is tolc-
rated, that it is submitted to in this COM
munity is proof how much practical OPP
preston a people will endure, who en-
Joy in theory the power Of providing Il
remedy. The acts of the British Gov
ernment, which drove our fathers TO arms,
were infinitely less grievous than the laws
in question; nor is there any question of
national or party politics, that now cx-
cites the sensibllity of the people OF the
United States, which SO much concerns
them as this subject, in regard to which
so great an apathy prevails.
10. That a Committee ofthrce be ap-
pointed to receive subscriptions towards
paying the expenses of any suit of sul-
fcient magnitude, for the purpose of test
ing the Constitutionality of the custom
authorizing Imprisonment for Debt, be-
fore the Supreme Courts of this safe and
of the United States.
The following Resolution was added,
proposed by Charles G. Greene, Esq.
II. ReSoired, That Committee con-
sisting Of two from each ward, and two
from South Boston, be chosen by this
meeting, for the purpose of drafting II
memorial to be presented TO our next
Legislature, praying for the Iboiishment
Of the Lars authorising Imprisonment for
Debt And that this Committee be re-
qucstcd to obtain the signatures of as ma
ny legal voters to this memorial as they
can procure by fair and honorable means;
and that the individuals composing this
meeting, collectively * separately pledge
themselves to do all in their power to Sc
cure the result prayed for in the mcmori-
al.
The following Resolution was added,
proposed by Maj Benz. ii Norton.
-. ResoIrcd, That in the selection of
Candidates to represent this City in the
next Legislature, we pledge ourselves to