orge Walker,
a prisoner in the gaol of the king's bench, who had been declared a
bankrupt, and complained, that he had been subjected to some flagrant
acts of injustice and oppression. The case contained such extraordinary
allegations, and the captain's character was so remarkably fair and
interesting, that the committee, which were empowered to send for
persons, papers, and records, resolved to inquire into the particulars
of his misfortune. A motion was made and agreed to, that the marshal
of the prison should bring the captain before the committee; and the
speaker's warrant was issued accordingly. The prisoner was produced,
and examined at several sittings, and some of the members expressed
a laudable eagerness to do him justice; but his antagonists were very
powerful, and left no stone unturned to frustrate the purpose of the
inquiry, which was dropped of course at the end of the session. Thus
the unfortunate captain Walker, who had, in the late war, remarkably
distinguished himself at sea by his courage and conduct, repeatedly
signalizing himself against the enemies of his country, was sent back
without redress to the gloomy mansions of a gaol, where he had already
pined for several years, useless to himself, and lost to the community,
while he might have been profitably employed in retrieving his own
fortune, and exerting his talents for the general advantage of the
nation. While this affair was in agitation, the bill for the relief of
insolvent debtors was prepared, printed, and read a second time; but,
when the motion was made for its being committed, a debate arose, and
this was adjourned from time to time till the end of the session. In the
meantime, the committee continued to deliberate upon the laws relating
to bankruptcy; and in the beginning of June reported their resolution to
the house, that, in their opinion, some amendments might be made to the
laws concerning bankruptcy; to the advantage of creditors, and relief of
insolvents. Such was the notice vouchsafed to the cries of many British
subjects, deprived of liberty, and destitute of the common necessaries
of life.

REMARKS ON THE BANKRUPT-LAWS.

It would engage us in a long digressive discussion were we to inquire
how the spirit of the laws in England, so famed for lenity, has been
exasperated into such severity against insolvent debtors; and why,
among a people so distinguished for generosity and compassion, the gaols
should be more filled wi