their books, it appears, that at the period in question, to the 986 prisoners above mentioned as discharged, there belonged 566 wives, and 2389 children, making in all 3941 souls, essentially relieved by means of this public institution.

Far the greater number of objects released were manufacturers, seamen, and labourers, whose services, for a long time withheld from the publick by confinement, were now restored to the community. The charity, of course, was found to claim a serious attention, not merely from the avowed humanity of its purpose, but also politically, from the advantages which it afforded to society at large, and which, in a commercial country like ours, could not fail to produce conviction in every judcious mind.

In a very short time after its commencement, as appears from their books, the committee had the satisfaction of seeing that various considerable debts, to the amount of twelve thousand pounds and upwards, had been, by this means, compounded for, and reduced; and thus a two-fold benefit was ser cured to the creditor and his helpless debtor, by an equal attention to them both.

The committee became more animated by their success, and their expectations were more highly raised, when they perceived what GREAT EVENTS from LITTLE CAUSES might succeed. They expand the human heart, and lift the soul in gratitude to Heaven. The rich cordial of benevolence was now largely flowing out, as upon a once barren soil; and the desart became a fruitful field!

Thus

Thus encouraged to persevere in the good work they had undertaken, they determined to omit no means, under the blessing of Providence, of making it prosperous, and adding to it dignity, stability, and

success.

At a meeting, therefore, on the 5th of May, 1773, the RULES and ORDERS hereafter mentioned were settled and confirmed.

Such were the exertions of the members of this benevolent institution. The little spark which was casually thrown among such materials, was now kindled into a flame; and many gentlemen of truly philanthropic minds, stept forward to render it, not only their pecuniary, but their personal assistance also...

Thus the SOCIETY for the Discharge and Relief of Persons imprisoned for small Debts, was most completely established; and their office is now held, where it has been for twenty-eight years paft, at N° 7, Craven-street, Strand, London; and it is under the direction and management of the following Noblemen and Gentlemen; viz.

PRESIDENT,

THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF ROMNEY, (who devotes much of his time and attention to its welfare and prosperity.)

VICE-PRESIDENTS,

THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF HERTFORD. RIGHT HON. EARL RADNOR.

THE HON. PHILIP PUSEY.

SIR CHARLES MIDDLETON, BART.

TREASURER,

JAMES NEILD, Esa.

Mr. R. GRASSWELL, N°7, Craven-street, Secretary; to whom applications are to be made by the debtors applying for relief.

AN

(7)

AN

ACCOUNT, &c.

THE laws of our country are very greatly humane in providing for the relief of considerable debtors. The man who engages for thousands, which, through misfortune, he has it not in his power to discharge, finds a ready resource in bankruptcy if he resigns his all, he resumes, as it were of course, his occupation and his credit. But the man, who, for the necessaries of life, and to support a dependent family, runs a few pounds, or only one shilling, in debt, is cruelly arrested, is torn from his home and his business, and plunged into a prison; has neither the ability, nor a ray of hope afforded him, to discharge his creditor's demands. It is therefore the design of this institution to afford them relief; and, upon the examination of the books of this Society, it may be found that Manufacturers, Mechanicks, Labourers, Seamen, and other useful members of the meaner but essential branches of trade and commerce, whether in town or country gaols, whether natives or foreigners, in distress, are allowed to have a very strong claim to its regard; and

B 4

and the committee always prefer the cases of those useful artificers and manufacturers, who are burdened with the largest families; men, who derive their subsistence from daily labour.

However the law of an equal degree of punishment or of imprisonment at all for small debts, in comparison with large ones, where the circumstances and situation of men are equal, evidently appears unjust, because it suffers that debtor, whose insolvency, perpaps, materially injures a very extensive circle of the community, to enjoy freedom and impunity; whilst it immures in a grievous and noisome prison the other, whose inconsiderable failure cannot much affect his creditors.

A poor fellow-creature, perhaps for the immediate support of life, amidst sickness, unavoidable losses and disappointments, contracts a small debt and has no other possible means to discharge it, than such as arise from his personal industry and manual em ploy. The creditors will have no mercy the wretched victim is seized, and thrown into prison; the means for supporting his family, or for doing justice to his creditors, are taken away, and he is left to languish in confinement till death, or some fortunate accident, shall bring him deliverance! What end can possibly be answered by this? What good can it produce? Every feeling of humanity revolts at the proceeding, and condemns the act, and it will scarcely be credited, in this age and kingdom of philanthropy, that such cruelties bave

been