Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/390

 366 SKETCHES OP THE

other thing dear to humanity is forfeitable, yet debts, it seems, must be spared! Debts are too sacred to be touched! It is a mercantile idea, that worships Mam- mon, instead of God. A chose in action shall pass — it is without your reach. What authority can they adduce in support of such conclusive pre-eminence for debts .^ No political or human institution has placed them above other things. If debt be the most sacred of all earthly obligations, I am uninformed from whence it has de- rived that eminence. The principle is to be found in the day books, journals, and ledgers of merchants; not in the writings or reasonings of the wise and well in- formed — the enlightened instructors of mankind. Can any gentleman show me any instance, where the life or property of a gentleman or plebeian in England is for- feited, and yet his debts spared.^ The state can claim debts due to one guilty of high treason. Are they not subject to confiscation.^ I concur in that sound princi- ple, that good faith is essential to the happiness of man- kind; that its want, stops all human intercourse, and renders us miserable. This principle is permanent, and universal Look to what point of the compass you will, you will find it pervading all nations. Who does not set down its sacred influence as the only thing that comforts human life.^ Does the plaintiff claim through good faith? How does he derive his claim .'^ Through perfidy: through a polluted channel. Every thing of that kind would have come better from our side of the question, than from theirs.^^

Mr. Ronald had insisted, strenuously, that there could be no forfeiture or escheat without the inquest of a jury; and that no act of the legislature had, in fact, directly forfeited these debts. In answer to this, Mr. Henry says, " But the gentleman has observed, that neither the

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