Land of the Brave

Debt Recovery Act

Colonial America - Land of the Brave

Definition of the Debt Recovery Act

The Meaning and Definition of the Debt Recovery Act: The Debt Recovery Act of 1732 was a British Law, passed by the Parliament of Great Britain, that was designed to respond to the complaints of British merchants that Virginia planters refused to pay their debts.

The Act allowed creditors to seize real property, land and personal property which included slaves.

Purpose of the Debt Recovery Act
The Purpose of the Debt Recovery Act of 1732 was to:

  • Appease British merchants who were owed money by the colonists
  • Allow creditors to seize property, land and slaves
  • Guarantee uniform imperial treatment of slave property for debt-recovery purposes in England and its colonies
  • Slaves were be treated as personal property and used to clear debts
  • Override existing colonial laws in relation to property