The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-04
USURY.

N
only injudicious but they are wrong in princi-
pie. As to their affording protection to the
poorer classes, it is all nonsense, inasmuch as
they operate the very reverse effect Want OF
money, like the prevalence of an epidemic dis
ease, will induce men to obtain help at any ex-
pense; and as in a community where violent
sickness prevails, the price for medical attend
ance will be graduated by the number of ply
sicians, so the cost Of money will be greater or
less in proportion to the competition which
generally dffused capital produces among
money lenders. No man will keep his funds
idle rather than take exorbitant interest, when
his next door neighbor is turning his capital
rapidly and safely at moderate rates. The dis
parity in the standard Of interest adopted in
different States, has the operation of causing
capital to flow in whatever direction the highest
legal return can be had on investments, and
States that restrict interest within narrow linn
its, drive from themselves funds that under 9th
er circumstances would remain wi h them
The time is come when more enlightened
policy should prevail in regard to this matter,
and we hope that the oppression TO the poor,
industrious man, that daily occurs, will conduce
to bring about speedy change.
The British Colonial Magazine for March, has
an article on debts due from foreign States"
which, after speaking of the different sums thus
raised in England, proceeds as follows
''lf the Government were to interfere, they might
obtain from the insolven, countries equivalents in ter
L.. H., ,,i,,ht
only reimburse the fund holders of such States, but
become valuable colonies. The countries themselves,
being freed from the pressure Of such debts, would
also, by surrender of portion of their unweldy
territories become stronger and more united. The
countries which might and ought to be called upon to
surrender portion of their terrt res for this purpose,
are Span-to surrender Cuba, Porto Rico, and Ma
nilla.
Portupal to surrender Goa and other settlements in
Hindoostan, the Madeiras, Azores, Cape Verd
islands.
| Mexico to surrender the province of Yucaan, adj
joining the British Honduras, with which it might be
Incorporated. This country produces coffee and all
other tropical produce, especially cochlneal.
Central America, TO surrender that part Of the
ishmus which adjoins New Grenada, which would
give us the communication between the Pacific and
Atlantic oceans.
New Grenada to surrender that part Of their ter
ritory which joins Central America, being the pro-
vince of Darien.
Venezuela to surrender that part Of her territory
which lie, round the Gulf of Paria opposite Trinidad,
and far the southern branch Of the mouth of the
Orinoko. This would give VI magnificent delta,
which would command the navigation of that great
river, and the territory might be incorporated with the
government of Trinidad.
Chill 10 surrender the island of Chloe and the
territory adjoining, which constitutes the southern
part of the dominion of this State
These concessions of territory to country
would only relieve the States of their creditors,
but would tend to odate and extend our power,
and in the OF Spain and Portugal, would give
finishing blow to the ccursed slave trade and Amc-
rcs then would not dare 10 bring her cargoes Of hui
man beings to Cuba"