2706. ENTAIL IN VIRGINIA, Preamble to Bill.—
Whereas the perpetuation of
property in certain families by means of gifts
made to them in fee-simple is contrary to
good policy, tends to deceive fair traders who
give credit on the visible possession of such
estates, discourages the holder thereof from
taking care and improving the same, and sometimes
does injury to the morals of youth by
rendering them independent of, and disobedient
to, their parents; and whereas the former
method of docking such estates tail by special
act of assembly, formed for every particular
case, employed very much the time of the
legislature, was burthensome to the public, and
also to the individual who made application
for such acts, Be it enacted &c. [172]
—
Bill to Abolish Entails.
Ford ed., ii, 103.
(1776)
See 477, 478, 479, 480.
