Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Our laws very wisely and justly provide for the safe keeping of the property of idiots and lunaticks, that they may not waste their substance, impoverish their families, and become chargeable to the publick. But drunkards, those worst of idiots and wildest of lunaticks, may squander their property, bring their families to beggary, and themselves to the town—without any effort on the part of the publick to prevent it.

I am told that in some parts of New-England they have laws authorising commissioners to be appointed, (upon certain proof being made that any man is habitually drunken, and dissipates his property, in such a way that he and his family are likely to be brought to want) to take charge of his property, to improve it in the best possible manner, and to maintain him and his family out of the proceeds. Such a law, though some objections may be raised against it, would, I think, be of great service to society. At least the subject may be worth the consideration of the people and of their Representatives.