5585. MURDER, Self.—
Suicide is by law
punishable by forfeiture of chattels. This bill
(revising the Virginia Code) exempts it from
forfeiture. The suicide injures the State less
than he who leaves it with his effects. If
the latter then be not punished, the former
should not. As to the example, we need not
fear its influence. Men are too much attached
to life, to exhibit frequent instances of depriving
themselves of it. At any rate, the quasipunishment
of confiscation will not prevent it.
For if one be found who can calmly determine
to renounce life, who is so weary of his existence
here, as rather to make experiment of
what is beyond the grave, can we suppose him,
in such a state of mind, susceptible of influence
from the losses to his family from confiscation?
That men in general, too, disapprove
of this severity, is apparent from the constant
practice of juries finding the suicide in a state
of insanity; because they have no other way
of saving the forfeiture. Let it then be done
away.—
Note to Crimes Bill. Washington ed. i, 152.
Ford ed., ii, 210.
(1779)
