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33* 



the intered on the capital fum would, with good econoirly, confiderably 

 exceed the expence of management j the accumulation of this annual fur- 

 plus, would guard againfl: contingent lofles, and preferve the fund from 

 being diminiflied ; perhaps, augment it. Secondly : the payment of a 

 moderate intereft, would ferve to ftimulate the induftry of the borrow- 

 er, to render him frugal, by deducing a portion of his gain ; and by 

 reminding him, of his obligation to difcharge the principal. 



This fund might be portioned out, through the different counties, in 

 various fums, according to the population of each. The fums, refpec- 

 tively allotted, might be vefted in truftees. The loans fliould be made, 

 by the trcafurers, of the different counties, who fliould receive an ade- 

 quate compenfation for their trouble, out of the returns of interefl: ; 

 but, fliould take neither fee, nor reward, from the borrower ; nor be 

 permitted, to recommend any perfon, or give a preference to any, as a 

 borrower. The accounts, of the general fund, fliould be flated, four 

 times, in the year, by an auditor, under the control of parliament ; before 

 which, a comprchenfive view of the ftate of the inftitution, fliould be laid, 

 on the firfl day of each feflion. 



The only qualification, requifite for obtaining the benefit of this loan, 

 fliould be, a certificate from three, or more, reputable perfons of the vi- 

 cinage, of whom the miniflier of religion, of the congregation to which the 

 claimant may happen to belong, (whether protellants of the eftabliflied 

 church, diffenter, or catholic,) fliould be one. By this certificate, it 

 fliould appear, that the perfon feeking the loan, is either a farmer, a ma- 

 nufa^urer, or carries on fome ufeful branch of trade ; that he has refided, 

 at leaft, twelve months, in that diftrift, and maintained an unimpeached 

 charafter, for integrity in his dealings, moral conduct, fobriety, and in- 

 duftry. 



The treafurer of the county, or whoever fliould be the agent deputed to 

 lend out thefe fums, fliould be required to keep a book, ruled in four co- 

 lumns, and difpofed alphabetically. The firft column fliould contain the 

 (Jay of the month, and year ; the fecond, the fum lent, and time of the 



( T t 2 ) loan ; 



