Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-01-21
In the discussion of the Usury Bill before

In the discussion of the Usury Bill, before
the Virginia House of Delegates, MIR. R. NJ.
Bentley, of Loudoun, said He had been..op-
po,ed to the abolshment OF the usury law last
winter, and he was confirmed more and more
ip hat opinion by every act OF the Assembly
at this session. Oue OF the frs: laws we pass
ed, was ooe giving an extension of the time for
the Daqmeht of one years interest, at six per
cent. on the debt; why, sir, how arc We to pay
fen or ffteen per cent? L. late decision, by
an able Judge Of this city, he has declared the
STAY law unconstitutional. There are thou
sands upon thousands OF creditors who have
money loaned upon real estate who feel perfect
" safe, bur yet, if you pass this law, will say
70 the debtor | can get ten per cert. tor my
money, and If you can't afford to pay It must
close the trust. Iwould ask members if there
ssere any Of them who, before the war, when
they were in afflusncs, and when they had
their owo labor to work their farms, made at
ter paying expenses, over SIX per cent! We
are tour-ffths an agricultural community.
Then, sir, upon the other hand, if the law Is
decided constitutional, We say to the creditor
in the State, you shall not recover your money,
at The same time you shall receive but the SIX
Der cent; but party may come here from
another State and receive any amount OF inter-
est for his money! Why, sir, wont our people
have right to complain? Is there any justice
10 such proposition?
The gentleman from Alexandria reads US q
long argument from some authority to show
that man has right to get as much for his
money as for his horse Or land this, admit,
is a plausible argument The answer which
proceeds from the creditor side, could be mudl-
laval oil rQ-
spects with merchandise, no man would object
to the change hut they do not propose equality
O! power The money-lender says, | ought to
have the privilege OF using my money as
merchandise and to obtain the most | can tor
the use of it. Well, sir, if money is to have
the privileges Of merchandise, merchandise
should have the privileges of money. Would
the gentleman take the house or land in pay
meut of his debs? [ imagine not; then. sir,
il there is no equality, You should impose upon
money the greater restraints.
By this bill the banks are allowed to charge
any rate OF interest We all know the dread
end terror Of the discount day to the debtor -;
what will it be if you abolish the Usury laws
You render these banks gambling houses the
man that will bet highest will get the money.
What will become of the poor men-the men
Of moderate means? They won't be able to
get dollar Gentlemen tell us that. it will
bring money in the State. What's to bring it;
you have nothing but the laua as security. l
deny that it will bring money. You have
first to establish credit and confidence the
Northern capitalists say to you, We have no
confidence in you; your STATE is not fixed; you
are suspended, as 1t were; We don't know
whether you III fall Or not Now, sir, in 1ny
humble opinion, if you will 60 on and pay the
kl;o RI
more to regain confidence than all the enact
ments you can make on the uSury subject
Your bonds, now Z drug on the market, Will
coup 100 per cent Do this, sir, and let your
usury laws alone, and all will yet be we'll
with us.
Tue GRAYsoN VAULT IN PRINCE WILLIAM
COUNTY VA,-A RELIC OF OLDEN TIs1Es.-
One Of our city fathers, who has lately been on
a visit to Prince William county, Va, gives a
most glowing account Of its prospective condi
ton, and furnishes US with several interesting
facts.
though probably not as successful in agri-
cultural competition as some OF the nelghborlng
counties, Prince William has every natural
advantage. It is rich in the best woodlands,
its soil is exceedingly fertile and lately gives
evidence of possessing the richest minerals !;
while for sheep growing its facilities cannot be
surpassed. The seeming failure OF the people
to avail themselves of some of'these natural al
vantages is not reerable to apathy or ignorance
of the treasure in their midst, but to the pau
city Of the population, which is so scant and
dlStantly scattered that the country has more
the appearance Of a barbarous wilderness than
OF a civilized section Were this state of affairs
once changed it is most probable that all the
rich resources would be put 10 proper use.
Every inducement is offered to settlers both on
the part of the present hospitable inhabitants
and the natural facilities OF the country:
Among the most painful records OF the late
war are the protanatioDs of sacred temples, and
the dissertations of burial places. A peculiarly
sad instance of the latter in Prince William
county is lhe iendish destruction of the vanlt
OF the Grayson family by the soldery stationed
there: The vault which is on the farm known
as Bsl|e Air" contains the last remains Of
ne OF Washington, Parsou GraySoD, Captain
Llud,ley, and the mother of ?. G. Washing
ton, who is yet alive The vault has beer
mpately destroyed, so that, though th<
helgh6ors, 10 order 10 prevent the inroads o
animals, have ercted rude barriers, its con
tents are unprotected from the inc?emency @
'he weather, and lie 10 confused, undlstn
gu'shable heaps Such desecraion will b
read OF with the greatest poigancy by every
american. We publish this as much in hope
o1 calling the attention of the living relative
10 the TACT, as to express our indignation
On another farm, short distance from th'
aooVe there is standing tomb stone beario!
lhe following inscription, which we preSen
asa asa relic of antiquity: Heare lyys ye body Q
E%t N Wil'iame Herris who died May ye l6tl
loyS aged IS 5yesres, by birth Bri,,aoe, a GOO
So0ler 1i good husband & kind ncighbnure. y
:, Inc stone. is ornamentcd with the usua
Mui and crossbones on its head, and with in
tTe'tad fambeaus on the sides - Georgeto101
Trouble has occurred ia South Carolina, op
fR4osite Savannah, With the negroes, and til
United States, troops m "a are e now over there t
preserve oraarl s. Lt..i lt..S... - - =. -