The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-29
BANKRUPT LAW MEETING.

At public meeting Of the citizens Of lie city of
Rochester, New York, held at the Court House on
Thursday evening, July 18th, iS4l pursuant to u
call numerousy signed and previously published in
the newspapers OF said city inviting the citizens with
out distinction of party TO meet for the purpose of
giving an expression OF public opinion and feeling in
relation to the passage of General Bankrupt law by
Congress It's present session his Honor the Mayor
chosen President Hon. THOMAS KEMPsHAI.I and
DARus PERRIN, Esq Vice Presidents, ERASMUS d.
SMITH, Esq Secretary.
The call for the meeting having been read by the
Secretary,
On motion of Mr. j. B Clarke
Resolved, That a committee of nine be appointed
to report resolutions for the consideration and action
of this meeting
WheIeupon the Chair appointed as such commit
tee Messrs. J. B. Clarke, Charles j. Hill T. Darwin
Smith, Matby Strong, c. G, Lathrap, II. B. Sher-
man, Graham Fl. Chaplin Jas. W. Smith, and Benja-
men Campbell.
The committee having retired returned and report
I'd the following resolutions
Resolved That the suferings of the hundreds of
thousands of honest and unfortunate citizens of the
country, who overwhelmed in hopeless and mex
trcable bankruptcy, imperiousy demand the passage
by Congress at It's present session, of such General
Bankrupt law as will afford them speedy and eHectual
relief
Resolved That inasmuch the question Of the
passage of such law by Congress, has for number
Of years past been thoroughly discussed in the public
journals in the primary assemblies of the people, in
and that, inasmHch the almost unanimous opinion
of the people has been expressed in favor of the mea-
through those channels as well as in the numer-
Gus petitions which have been addressed to Congress
we can discover no good reason nor well grounded
for any further delay in placing the law upon
the statute book.
Resolved, That inasmuch as those who NAV be
liberated from the shackes of bankruptcy by the pro-
posed law, are to surrender the price Of that lib
Grafton the last farthing of the property every hour
of the time for which their liberation is deferred is so
much distracted from the only capital with which
they are to be allowed to re-commenee the business
of life.
Resolved That the best interests of the solvent
and creditor classes will not be reudiced by the pas
sage of General Bankrupt Law but, on the CON
trary, VIII be promoted, along with the general pros
perity of the community, which that measure is SO
well calculated to advance.
Resolved That however the other measures now
engaging the attention of Congress- may tend to the
successful administration Of the Government and the
advancement OF the interests of those who have been
so fortunate as TO survive the pecunary disasters
which have befallen the country those measures can
IN the absence OF General BANKRUPT Law hiring no
relief 10 the nsolvent classes and that il is only by
the enactment OF that law that relief be extended
to those who OF all others, most require it,
Resolved, That whilst we shall rejoice al any
measures of national legislation which NAV advance
and secure the prosperity of the solvent and already
prosperous classes, insist that the principles of our
Government, which are the principles OF equal law
and enlightened philanthropy, demand that the less
fortunate, though not less honest classes who ask
not an increase OF prosperity, but the humber boon
of emancipation from the chains and thraldom of
bankruptcy be permitted to share TO that limited ex-
tent at least, in the benefits of that legislation.
Resolved, That we will cheerfully acotliesce in
the proprety OF sublecting, through the Jaat,lorv
department " ne b6rerntVtsif, insolvent or fraudu
lent State corporations TO the compulsory power of a
General Bankrupt Law, should Congress IN its wis.
dom see fit TO incorporate with the law provision
for that purpose.
forwarded TO the Representative in Congress from
this district and 10 the Senators from this state for
presentation 10 the two Houses OF Congress and that
a copy of the same be respectfully submitted to the
President Of the United States.
The report Of the committee having been accept
ed the resolutions were discussed by Messrs. NJ
Strong. o. ". Bush, J. Is. Clarke, J. Gates and w
l.. Chaplin, and unanimously adopted
IT then, motion,
Resolved That committee Of seven be apnoined
to engross and forward copies of the proceedings NJ
this meeting the President and 10 both Houses or
Congress TO correspond with similar committees Of
other places in relation to the passage of General
Bankrupt Law, and to take such other neasures IA
such passage as may be necessary and nroncr
Whereupon, the Chair appointed as such commits
tee Aessrs Erasmus ID. Smith, H. l.. Stevens. Malt
by Strong, Henry O'Reilly, James X Liyin0ston
Graham II Chaplin and J. D. Clarke
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting he
published IN the newspapers of this city and thai the
editors OF the National Intelligcncer, Washington
Globe and MadIsonlan Of the city of Washington.
be respectful, requested to give the same an inser.
ton IN their respective journals.
The meeting then adjourEcd.
Z. !. SMITH, President
Darius naRn, S PERRiS' " Presidents,