Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

During the late 1710s and early 1720s, Cantillon took a chance, and helped finance John Law�s Mississippi Company, from which he acquired great wealth. His success, however, came at a cost to his debtors, who pursued him with criminal charges, and even murder plots until his death in 1734.

What does the underlined sentence mean?

Thanks

Jason

[IanT]

It suggest that he had borrowed money and did not pay it back, and the people to whom he owed it, his debtors, tried to take him to court to get it back.

It's a strange sentence, though, because it seems to suggest that the success is responsible for the problem, which is not logical.

Hope helps,
Ian
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[jasonlulu_2000]

thanks for your help.

But I find in my dictionary that a debtor is someone that owes money. That contradicts your explanation.

Shouldn't we replace the "debtor" in the text with "creditor"? That will make sense!

Am I right?

Thanks!

JAson

[IanT]

Yes, quite right! Apologies for not spotting that.
_________________
All my answers refer to British English.

www.EnglishSwearing.com - How to use all the bad words! ... and ... www.throdworld.com - Silly verses to make you happy.

You decide the price for both!