1 Aug. 1812

Evidence Introd

Introd

Ch. 26 Imp[?]

' Bad for compulsion

3. Upon the face of it to the purpose in question, the infliction in question does it carry any sufficient promise of being effectual? Not it indeed.

At the charge of the Debtor himself effectual it can not be, in so far as property to the amount in question property fails of being in his /at his/ possession is at his command.

At the charge of any other person, in the character of friend, prompted by sympathy to release /relieve/the Debtor from this infliction, that it should be effectual, is not for the common good of all persons concerned is not as hath[?] being shewn already a desirable result desirable.

At the charge of the Debtor himself, where these necessary means are actually at his command, its efficiency, managed as it is is in a high degree imperfect in comparison of what is most obviously might and ought to be.

To the many a bill, to the comparatively few a prison is though not /not indeed/ a paradise but however a place of comfort: of comfort obtained at the expence of the injured creditor, by /from/ the interested connivance of the Judge.

Solitary confinement - to the purpose to which it /this severe infliction/ is least well adapted, for the purpose of punishment as in a most inordinate degree been with the most unthinking levels but too often applied. Solitary confinement continued for two years together, and the victim not yet [..?] broken nor reduced to a state of melancholy madness.