An Act to exempt, for a limited time, the persons of Debtors from being imprisoned for debt

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An Act to exempt, for a limited time, the persons of Debtors from being imprisoned for Debt.

Whereas, in the present situation of our publick affairs it will be prejudicial to the Colony to confine persons in Jail for Debt;

v2:421

Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That during the continuance of this Act, no person shall be imprisoned or confined, or held in Prison, on any attachment or execution for Debt; and in every case wherein any Debtor is released out of Prison by virtue of this Act, who was imprisoned by virtue of an execution for Debt, the Creditor may take out an alias execution against the estate of such Debtor; and the Clerk of the Court, or the authority before whom the judgment was tendered, is hereby authorized to issue Such alias execution, upon being certified by the Sheriff that such Debtor was released out of Prison without satisfying the Debt, by virtue of which alias execution the lawful fees for the former service and commitment may be collected, as well as the Debt. This Act to continue in force until the rising of the General Assembly in October next.