CHAP, v.] WEST INDIES. 233 



The revenues of this island may be divided into 

 two branches, the one perpetual, by an act of the 

 year 1728, called the revenue law, of the origin of 

 which I have already spoken, and of which revenues 

 the quit-rents constitute a part; the other annual, by 

 grants of the legislature. The revenue law may raise 

 about <. 12,000 per annum, of which . 8,000 is par- 

 he is to subscribe and deliver in a schedule of his whole estate and effects, 

 and submit, if any one of his creditors require it, to an examination, 

 e ul e va voce, upon oath, in open court. To this schedule he must annex 

 an affidavit, certifying that it contains a just account of all his property, 

 debts, and effects, except clothing, bedding, and working tools, not 

 worth more than .10 ; that he has given no preference to any particular 

 creditor, for three months previous to his confinement, nor conveyed 

 away nor concealed any part of his estate or effects. The court thereup- 

 on, being satisfied with the prisoner's examination, shall appoint one or 

 more of the creditors to be assignees for the benefit of the whole; and 

 order them possession of the property and effects, and discharge the par- 

 ty from confinement. Gaol fees of those who are unable to pay them, 

 are paid by the public. There are various regulations for the prevention 

 of fraud, and it is declared, that if any persons claiming the benefit of 

 the act, shall knowingly forswear themselves, and be convicted of per- 

 jury in consequence thereof, they shall be adjudged guilty of felony, 

 without benefit of clergy, and suffer death accordingly. It is also pro- 

 vided, that no debtor shall have the benefit of the act more than once, and 

 that the future estate and effects of persons discharged under it (but not 

 their persons or apparel) shall still be liable to make up the former defi- 

 ciency. By a subsequent law, however, which the author of this work 

 had the honour to propose, as a member of the assembly, a debtor may 

 be discharged a second time on the same conditions, provided he had fully 

 paid his former creditors before his second insolvency; and even if he 

 has not paid the debts on which he before took the benefit of the act, he 

 shall be discharged, after an actual confinement of two years; the court 

 being satisfied that he has fairly surrendered all his estate and effects to 

 the use of his creditors. 



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