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Literary
April 5, 1794
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A debtor prisoner in jail laments the withdrawal of aid and contrasts his starvation with a murderer's provision of food, criticizing unjust laws that punish debtors harshly while nourishing criminals. He despairs as his wife and children arrive, urging creditors to reflect on abuse of power.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
THE PRISONER;
A sentimental morsel founded on fact.
"-YES, Sir, I have tried that expedient likewise : But alas ! friendship is a summer plant, that flourishes only in the warmth of profession, and charity has dwindled into mere ostentation, that calls for a conspicuous record of every act. It is well, however-- very well-for before I leave the world, it will be some consolation to have known how little it is worth. I was told this morning that the only support which has been administered to my necessities was withdrawn, and that this was the last day that I could hope for food, even from the compassion of the gaoler. Behold that wretch : It is said that he is sent hither after a life spent in villainy, for the crime of murder--but you see the benevolent laws of the country have provided him wherewithal to satisfy the calls of nature nay, to make him comfortable in his chains. Would you believe it ? I saw an honest man whom he had once plundered-a prisoner for debt-ask him for a morsel of his allowance, and he refused it with a curse I It is strange--for why should the state nourish and protect the violators of its institutions (who are in that respect debtors to the public) and yet give up the necessitous violator of a private contract without stipulating some price at which his enraged creditor may gratify his revenge ? I am sick at heart, Sir ; my poor Amelia, and her infants hasten this way-they will seek to comfort me, but they increase my anguish and despair."
Think well, ye creditors ! the abuse of power is base : though tolerated here, how will it be hereafter ?
A sentimental morsel founded on fact.
"-YES, Sir, I have tried that expedient likewise : But alas ! friendship is a summer plant, that flourishes only in the warmth of profession, and charity has dwindled into mere ostentation, that calls for a conspicuous record of every act. It is well, however-- very well-for before I leave the world, it will be some consolation to have known how little it is worth. I was told this morning that the only support which has been administered to my necessities was withdrawn, and that this was the last day that I could hope for food, even from the compassion of the gaoler. Behold that wretch : It is said that he is sent hither after a life spent in villainy, for the crime of murder--but you see the benevolent laws of the country have provided him wherewithal to satisfy the calls of nature nay, to make him comfortable in his chains. Would you believe it ? I saw an honest man whom he had once plundered-a prisoner for debt-ask him for a morsel of his allowance, and he refused it with a curse I It is strange--for why should the state nourish and protect the violators of its institutions (who are in that respect debtors to the public) and yet give up the necessitous violator of a private contract without stipulating some price at which his enraged creditor may gratify his revenge ? I am sick at heart, Sir ; my poor Amelia, and her infants hasten this way-they will seek to comfort me, but they increase my anguish and despair."
Think well, ye creditors ! the abuse of power is base : though tolerated here, how will it be hereafter ?
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
Dialogue
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Political
What keywords are associated?
Debtor Prison
Injustice
Charity
Creditors
Murderer
Laws
Despair
Family
Literary Details
Title
The Prisoner; A Sentimental Morsel Founded On Fact.
Key Lines
"Friendship Is A Summer Plant, That Flourishes Only In The Warmth Of Profession, And Charity Has Dwindled Into Mere Ostentation"
"Why Should The State Nourish And Protect The Violators Of Its Institutions ... And Yet Give Up The Necessitous Violator Of A Private Contract"
"I Am Sick At Heart, Sir ; My Poor Amelia, And Her Infants Hasten This Way They Will Seek To Comfort Me, But They Increase My Anguish And Despair."
Think Well, Ye Creditors ! The Abuse Of Power Is Base : Though Tolerated Here, How Will It Be Hereafter ?