Mr. HENDERSON. I offered the amendment in good faith, supposing that the bill is to become a law. I apprehend from the votes we have had in the Senate that it is a foregone conclusion that the bill is to be adopted. If it is to be, I think it would remove many objections that will be Presented in its operation to confine it at least to amounts of $1,0over. I am clearly satisfied that $300 will not more than pay the expenses attending a bankrupt certificate, and it only opens the door, as I stated yesterday, for individuals to petition the courts for the relief granted under the bill, and to obtain that relief by making distribution of their property to the officers of the court. It will amount to that; and much objection be made to the bill in consequence of that act. There was a limitation under the law of 1800, I believe, to $500, and a limitation under the law of 1841. if I remember aright, no person could be driven to bankruptcy under the act of 1841 unless he was a trader and unless he owed $2,000. Under this bill, as I understand it, an individual can be driven to bankruptcy for a debt of $250. Some of his creditors, small creditors, may drive him into bankruptcy and cause his assets to be entirely eaten up in the costs of the proceeding. He may give his assets over to the officers of the court, and after the creditors have been denied all benefit of the assets he may obtain a certificate. I am satisfied that it will operate badly. I am satisfied that if the bill becomes a law in that shape it will receive, and justly receive, many comments on its improper character upon this point. I do not see, unless the party gives his property to his creditors, that the law is to work any benefit at all. Debtors owing a smaller amount than $1,000 can generally make an arrangement with their. i. just as good as can be obtained under this law. To pass it in this shape, turn over the property to the courts, let it be entirely destroyed in way, without the creditors being benefited, is I think highly improper. I have offered the amendment in good faith, and desire that it shall be adopted if the bill is to be passed. The amendment was rejected.