We will speak at first of those who are by this means virtually prohibited from obtaining money on loans. Consider for a moment, what distress and inconvenience it would produce were the privilege of borrowing denied to everybody. Just that inconvenience is occasioned to those people whose security would, if they were allowed to add a little of the rate of Interest, be sufficient to obtain the needed funds, but is not sufficient for that purpose when such liberty is denied. Thus the misfortune of not happening to be possessed of that amount of property which is considered a sufficient security, is made the ground, under such legislation, of inflicting hardships upon a man, which those who are so fortunate as to have such security do not suffer. The only point of distinction between the two classes, is that the necessity of one is greater than that of the other. For were this not the case, they would not be willing, as we have supposed, to pay more to be rid of it. Another ill effect, is that of rendering the terms of obtaining money so much the worse for many whose circumstances are such that they are not altogether precluded from obtaining it, at some rate. Those who cannot borrow, may get what they want, so long as they have anything to sell. But, while out of loving kindness, or other motive, the law precludes a man from _borrowing_, upon terms too disadvantageous, it does not forbid him from _selling_ at any, even the most ruinous rates. Everybody knows that forced sales are attended with loss: and to this loss an amount of Interest, which would at first seem exorbitant, would bear but a small proportion. When a man’s goods are taken, and sold under an execution, it is considered a good sale if the net amount reaches two-thirds what it would take to replace them again. In this way the kindness of the law, costs him directly 33-1/3 per cent. at least; supposing, what is seldom the case, that no more property was taken than just enough to satisfy the claim. Now, if he had been permitted to hire the money at, say 12 per cent. per annum it would require nearly three years for the same amount to accrue, as interest, while the probabilities are that he would be able to pay off the whole debt long before the expiration of that period. To the laws prohibiting Usury, too, we may look, as the prime cause of the establishment, and the strongest supporter of that branch of business, which is ordinarily looked upon as so disreputable, and at whose door are laid so many and grievious complaints of oppression, &c., viz: pawn-broking:--a business based only on the unsatisfied wants and necessities of that very class for whose protection from imposition such laws are made.