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Editorial
March 12, 1767
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Satirical editorial proposing to kill and salt debtors imprisoned over six months to feed the starving poor, gratify creditors' malice, release prisoners from worse-than-death confinement, and ease the public burden of maintaining them, with reference to patriot M———.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
We hear from several parts of an island, once famous for liberty, that the poor (who are now in a starving condition) have come to a resolution to kill and salt up all the prisoners that have been confined in gaol above six months, and are so base as to persist in not being able to pay their debts. Some persons of humanity here wish the same method might be made use of by our patriotick M———; as the great numbers of prisoners, now confined in this kingdom, are a burthen to the community. Several useful consequences would be the result of those measures: The poor might be fed at a low price, the plaintiff's malice gratified, the prisoner released from a confinement that is worse than death, and the public eased of the burthen of maintaining so many useless people.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Crime Or Punishment
Legal Reform
What keywords are associated?
Debtors Prisons
Satire
Poor Relief
Prison Reform
Debt Payment
What entities or persons were involved?
M———
Prisoners
Poor
Plaintiffs
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Satirical Proposal To Execute Debtors For Public Benefit
Stance / Tone
Satirical Mockery Of Debtor Prisons
Key Figures
M———
Prisoners
Poor
Plaintiffs
Key Arguments
Kill And Salt Long Term Debtors To Feed Starving Poor
Gratify Plaintiffs' Malice
Release Prisoners From Worse Than Death Confinement
Ease Public Burden Of Maintaining Useless Prisoners