Camden Memorial (1785), Grimke Family Papers, South Carolina Historical
Society.
In Consequence of the very great Grievence that the Citizens of this district labour
under, on Account of the many Law suits which are brought against them, and the very great
scarcity of Money, which renders them unable to discharge their debts with Cash
We do form the following Resolutions which we think will be the means of extricating us
from inevitable Ruin (in Case the Law goes on) and at the same time do our Creditors every
Justice that any number of reasonable Men, consistent with Reason can desire--
Resolved
That the ensuing Court which is intended to be holden at Camden beginning on the 26th
instant shall not proceed to the trial or determination of any matters of debt in any Case
whatever--
Resolved
That if any Person that is a Creditor or any Attorney for a Creditor, doth apply to the
Debtor for his or their Account, or the Amount thereof[,] will take property as payment,
shall have such property as the Debtor is possessed of at three fourths of the value which
property shall be valued by two indifferent Men upon Oath each Party to chuse one--
Resolved
That if the Debtor is possessed of difft Species of property, he shall give such as
best suits the Creditor, in payment of his, her, or their debts, that if the Parties
Concerned cannot agree respecting the choice of said property, in that Case the Men chosen
to value the property, shall fix upon such as they think proper, having Regard at the same
time to the Convenience of Each Party so far as the Nature of the Case will admit--
Resolved
That in all probability the Law will for some time be dormant; that we are determined
to the utmost of our power to suppress every Species of villainy, that shall be Committed
during the suspension of the Law, that is if in Case the Court will only proceed to the
trial of Criminal matters alone in the Execution of that Part of the Law we will give them
every necessary support, and we are determined to support a Regular decorum in point of
Peace & good Order--
Resolved
That in the execution of these Resolutions every Civil Officer shall be treated with
the utmost Civility particularly his Honour the Judge & the Attorney General--
Resolved
That each Person whose name is hereunto annexed, or others who consider themselves any
ways bound by the above Resolutions, shall in every Respect so far as is in their Power
suport the said Resolves, for which purpose they shall hold themselves in Readiness with
every necessary Equipage for the thorrough execution of them so long as it may appear
necessary--
Agreed upon and entered into this Twenty Third day of April 1785.
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