The National Register.
London, England, 1815-01-08 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTEI?.

~~~

tti iction. Nt'e.find him quoting the opinion of Sir R. Wal-
-1 ole as exhibited in his celebrated excise scheme, which ac-
cc rding to Adam Smith, was intended " as an introduction
to a more extensive system of the same kind." It was
grounded on ►he idea of allowing thelree importation of every
taw material necessary to our manufactures, thereby enabling

our manufacturers to undersell those of other countries, and
tl:us leave no occasion to prohibit the importation" of
fureign manufactured commodifts.
Could this system he brought into active operation, it cer-
tainly would be beneficial, and coupled with some judicious
modifications of the Property Tax, might possibly make it
palatable to the commercial world.
To test the subject fairly, it would be only to ascertain
how much less capital would do for given manufactures, if
duties did not attach to raw materials. Suppose, for instance,
the pot ter brewer could brew his porter without a duty on
• malt or hop.,
.the silk manufacturer without it on his raw
silk, the sugar refiner manufacture his sugar, and the mer.
chant imp(); t it without a duty, and so on with all our mann-
factureis, how much capital it would release.
The importation of merchandize has elf late averaged

75.602.8561. To brie; this into operation, and before it

c•an reach the manufacturer, it is necessary that the duties be
paid on it. Let us state these duties at 33 per cent. ad-va-
Airco?, or 9.5 millions.

There is nn doubt but that if this capital could remain un-
touched till its profit had been consuinmatcd, that it would
afford considerable relief to the government as well as the
subject.

The author contends that the United States are principally
indebted to collecting their duties, and, in fact, their whole
revenue, from a liheral bonding system, resulting in nothing
less thin Income Tax, for the great progress they have hi-
therto made. But want (of room precludes our saying more
than that we are lia!)py to find two strong confirmations of
the correctness of Dr. Coleinhoutt's_ calculations ; so that if
his aggregwe =aunt, that is 430 millions, be correct, an In-
come Tax of 20 per cent. would pay 86 millions, or 22 mil-
lion more than the present permanent and war taxes.

PAST' OPINIONS ON TAXATIOY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NATIONAL REGIS "I ER.

Ma. EDITOR—Fully agreeing with you that owing to the
peace and the consequent influx of contraband trade, the
time is approaching when the Custom and Excise Duties
trust he reduced ; and, ;caring that much difficulty, mbar-
rits•ment, and national povem ty will arise, ,if we do nut look
the evils fully in the lice; and, alto wishing to shew how
taxes eventually productive, impartial, and essentially bear
ing upon those who can afford to pay them, have been mis-

aopreitended at their commencement, I take the liberty to
enclose to you an ab'trict from an old pamphlet, which will
. enable you to judge of the justice of our fathers' opinion,
and at the Sallie time afford a caution to their successors.
1 am Sir, tic. •

Tom LONG.

Chapter Cot Tee House, Jar. (2, 1 8 15.

In 1 there was published " a letter of advice,addressed
t', maitufacturvrs, at)d traders of c‘cry deno-
-1:1;nall.A4 couctluitiu tl,c 01:01.01;5 and ,ALARAIINU TAN on

JAN. S.

RECEIPTS, which is to take place the first day of September
next; in which the oppressive partiality of the Tax, ar►d the
lawful means of avoiding it are plainly, fairly, and hones►ly
set forth, and made clear to the meanest capacity With an
abstract of the act. By OLIVER QUID, Tobacconist. All
traders and other honest people ought to read this letter. " Ile
that walketh righteotr.,ly and speaketh uprighilv, he that
despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from
holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears
.from hearing of hlond,
and shatteth his eues from seeing of evil, shall dwell on high.
Isaiah, c. xxiii. v. 13, 16." The second edition printed for
Kearsley, t 7.4.13, price six- pence.
Such is the title, long to he sure, of a pamphlet pi►hli•he►d
at the time of the enactment of the ODIOUS and ALARMING
Tax on RECEIPTS ! ! !

After apologizing for his intrusion on the public, the
author states, I declare to Cod, I could not rest in my con-
science without telling you all my thoughts, and exhorting
you to use alllawful means of avoiding a tax, which would
prove an everlasting plague to yourselves and to all your
posterity." lie then enters into a history of the tax, which
he states as coming from the best authority. Its origin was
in the "famous coalition which made such a noise last winter,
between the Northites and the Foxites, after abusing one
another for years like pick-pockets."
The Foxites are described by the author as " at their .:its
end for a livelihood" and tlie Northites, " as long ago having
shaken hands and parted with shame and modesty for ever."
Speaking of the majority, he eays, " it is natural to spaniels
to crouch and lick their master's feet; and there arc some
among our present ministerial spaniels, who would not re-
fuse to lick a great Lord's *".'" rather than be turned out
of place; because they then must starve or come to the gal•
lor,s, as they know of no honest way of getting their tread."
The author then expresses his regret that the people of
England " should be worried and torn to pieces by such a
sorry worthless pack, whose et edit in any shop, where they
are known, is not worth half a farthing." Ile enforces the
idea of an " unanimous agreement" not to buy or ose a
stamp "on any account whatever." On the authority of
Mr. Fox, whom he states to have described " stamps on re-
ceipts, as a luxury" he contends that there is no law to com-
pel their use.

He Continues—" If you will only do as I advise you, your
business will be securely done; nor can you be overhauled
for it b.y this accursed law. Unite as one man ; and firmly
reject the use of stamped 2TCCiptS, and you will be the
saviours of your country from more than Egg pti in bondage.
Are they not loading us with taxes and stripping us of the
means cf paying them ? Are they not forcing us to snake
bricks without straw? M y blood boils in my veins, when-I
think of the tyyanify and oppression under the merciless
claws of so base a crew."

The author then occupies himself in abusing Ministers,
and calls them " fellows of no mask or likelihood," and com-
plains melt bitterly that the merchants, bankers, &c. did not.
in their resolutions, say " one word against the cant' ivers of
this horrid tax," a circumstance that arose from their wish
not to he called "party men," end their fear least they
should have been so reviled, railed at and abused by minis-
terial hirelings, that THE TRUTH OF WHAT THEY AD-
VANCED would have beet) drowned in noise! !!" But
Oliver Quid thinks a spade is a spade, a thief a thief, and
contends that such is the character of Ministers. "If -f,freat
Ministm will be great vilia:ns and great thieves.- link

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lea of an " unanimous agreement nos to uuy or use a
:amp "on any account whatever." On the authority of
Ir. Fox, whom he states to have described " stamps on re st
-
eipts, as a luxury" he contends that there is no law to coil- c;
el their use.
c.l
He continues—" If you will only chi as I advise you, your 1
usiness will be securely done; nor can you be overhauled
)1- it b.y this accursed law. Unite as one man ; and firmly
eject the use of stamped 2TCCiptS, and you will be the 1k:
iviours of your country from more than End pti in bondage. sti
ire they not loading us with taxes and stripping us of the
leans cf paying them ? Are they not forcing us to snake
ricks without straw? My blood boils in my veins, when-I
rink of the tyyandy and oppression under the merciless
laws of so base a crew."
The author then occupies himself in abusing Ministers,
nd calls them " fellows of no mat k or likelihood," and corn- b,
rains most bitterly that the merchants, bankers, &c. did not,
their resolutions, say '1 one word against the cant' ivers of
sis horrid tax," a circumstance that arose from their wish
of to he called " party men," and their fear least they tl
Inuld have been so reviled, railed at and abused by minis-
!rial hirelings, that THE TRUTH OF WHAT THEY AD-
astcco would have beet) drowned in noise!!!" But
giver Quid thinks a spade is a spade, a thief a thief, and
intends that such is the character of Ministers. •• If-f,freat I'
linisteri will be ;mat vitia:ns and great thieves.- their st
•

"Mr

':AN. B.

ciuntryrnen ought to be apprized of the danger in the same
manner they are of that arising from little villains.

Mr. Quid then expresses his fears that he may be thought
" too zealous and patriotic ! ! !" But, he is apprehensive,
ail his zeal and patriotism will not rouse the people to save
themselves from destruction."

Ile then calls upon them to assist the CommiUee in using
all lawful ineastis to get this damnable tax repealed; and urges
them to the step by declai ing that if they will not awake, they
hill deserve to be loaded like asses, and merit the curses and
hatred of their childrens' children."

He then urges- them neither to take nnr give a stamp re-
ceidt for four mouths, that is, till the time when the repeal
vas to be attempted. "At the sight of a receipt stamp let
the tioiveisal cry be a Fox ! a Fox? halloo ! and fairly hunt
it down."

Mr. Oliver then asks " a narrow-minded set of people who
v.r.re not at the time willing to move, because they were not
at the moment affected by the tax, if they have forgotten
th it the bill stamps ate already, doubled ; if they have, they
soon feel it heavily to their costs. This will be found an
barthen upon trade."

The Tobacconist then concludes with this most dreadful
prophecy :--

But, if the Receipt Tax be not repealed (which Heaven

avert !) and if we ourselves do not make it of no value, by
. firmly rt fusing to use stamped receiptv, it will certainly
be doubled, trebled, and extended in all possible ways; and
:th. well informed, that if once fixed, it will be made more
fair and equal by laying a stamp duty of fOur-pence upon

coy Twenty/ pounds, which will certainly be dune (Mr. Q.

. .
ha; been perfcctly cot rect) if it be only to prove the great
j:isiire and rcisdom of our precious Ministers to ail the world.
in that (a.,e our lukc-warm brethren, who are not much
a:Tected prtsent, will receive the just reward of their own
folly. Wit for the injury they do their fellow subjects by
neglieting the common interest, they will very well deserve
exaltation at Tyburn. And so we leave them to enjoy their
b Wing.

" Have we not lost America by trying to enslave her with
sletnlps? What a glorious example they set to all nations,
athe noble effects of concord and union, in a righteous
cause ! But now the evil is inotc.:;ht ufon our own heads.
I.ike slaves, all our tnot;ons in tiade arc to be chained and
slsockled with 4tamps. We are not to receive our debts nor
pay our creditors without stamp. Wliatever we do, or
wherever %%e go, we shall see or hear nothing but stamps!
stamps! stamps !

." 0 wise A!liericans ! 0 foolish Britons! !cruse these
,•:c..1 and accap.?ud stamps, or they will, ere tong, Rum YuLlit
TRADE and make you atl stamp with madness.'
London, Aug. 18, 1783.

An attempt wa lately made to cause a revolution in Chinn,
by surprising the family and palace of the Emperor of China
(luring his absence on a visit to Tartary. The conspirators,
a:;:ong whom were three cousins of the Emperor, succeeded
lo entering the palace, had put 30 soldiers to death, when
nit Emperor's second son seized a musket and shooting two
,of the party, so intimidated the others. that they took flight.
lire rebels in the city appear to have been formidable in
number, as it was only after two days and a night's utmost
exertion of the Emperor's troops that they were completely
sOwi,red.—China appears to have been in a very distracted
'tau- I rem the propagation Air revolutionary pi inciples.

THE NATIONAL R.F.GI

I •

FRENCH PAPERS.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Of

Speech of M. Laine, the President of the French Chamber of Lindh*,
on the Prorogation.

" GVNTLEMEN —Before Ina Mojtstv'a Minister orrives to an-
'sonnet our separation, permit me, who hart b..cti lumpily in a si-
two a.n to collect your &libel at ions, to prt sent to you an abstract of
their ',sailing restilot.

41 If, confiding to the royal impartiality, yon laid Poise restraint* on
the litßrt y of the press, your object was to enjoy in a Omit tittle inofq.
solely ill' invaluable bynt tits, %lies: those laves skill have been let e.
pared which h e destined to give security to the pvertiment, to
:uorals, and the peaie of fatuil!e*.

• "
Like his Nfajesty. you would have wished that the public bur-
theirs hard been less heavy ; but it was necessary, on the one baud,
to provide for the wants of the army, for an immense public debt ;
and, on the other, to revive that public credit which gives the means ‘.
of discharging it, and facility for new resources. If a just con-
fidence has this year lea yin to vote vat inns erneral appropriations, •
all French?, en expect with you, that in the i.es.t session, detailed.
accoin sonorted by documents for every receipt and disboase.
merit, will enable your to exiinnue whether it is t possible to lye.-
ten the fulfilment of-the wishes of our King fur the relief of his
people.

" Yon were deeply coneerned at the necmsity of re-estala,lsing
certaiii taxes against whirl' a portion of Fracce protested; but when
tlso•e who pay then) rd fleet that indirect imposts are 11:e furegt
resource of modetn states. that it is tinder tlicir shelter that nyticul-
lure, our first of manufactures, can best prosper; when they it fleet
that the law i 3 only temporary, and that yon are oboist to deliberwe
with your fellow citizens for the purpose of discovering a system a
imposts appropriate to oor territory, our productions, cur hal)itc,
and the beneficient wishes of his Majesty, some will resign them-
selve. to necessity and others to hope.

" you have not yet been able to repair great calamities, your
justice has at least reserved the power of seconding the noble yoke
which was heard in the Chamkter of Peers. Yon ptobably alsO re-
gret, gentlemen, that you have not been occopii d about the late of
those men by whom the reli,:iosts foundations of s. c iety are strength-
ened; Non rev et it HMV that true pliihrgilphV and religion appear
inclined to mite in order to fortify moral 4, and give the public mind
a liter light.
" N4tionul spirit. in %%bleb we have been char:fed with being de-
ficient, animated all your deliberations. I' was 'conspicuous in the
laws rel.itive to industry ; and we will reply to those %silo may be
inclined to aernge us of too much partiality', that error itsi If is ho-
nourable when it is patriotic.

" The national spirit has dkplayed itself on the sulject of the
laws relative to commerce. 'Thumb von eniatged, so to spl ak, the
circle of repre.,eotation, by sit innit around ion the inteilieenee
of the Chambers of Commerce, you have szill only been ahle to
make some preparation for a better system. In a country to vi bleb
the tides of the ocean had been rendered almost useless, it was
int-
f possible to do more for the present ; but public opinioa, unreciating
the prudence of your al tctrytm, foresees that when the state of Ent .
rope and that of your Colonies shall have been rer on
nil! then be called upon to assist in the enactment of btu s trtey

" : national spirit, em!nently French, manifesteil itself anion::
you in thow I.lws which regard the per Anti of the llwui. ei ;
were the tiiie organs tit all -wkrin you represent, when you rote 4
that sante cis it list with which oriels remitlit4 It+ that Latii, XVI. en-
(lowed the Crown: anti %hove all, when ion resoketl '
that Frauce wa4 responsible for the debts of her King.

" It is thus, Gentlemen, that you have reconciled to a represel•-
ta,ive Government its greatest aitver.alies.—On aVtill finding war-
rior% equal to their anee.tot,i, thev puree he that that tine fueling,
the s,ll of nyinarehie, nhilc eliffu..ed tlo.ollol the whole natioo,

therclay acquit es still more coca 0%, art.t places i:. the hands of
King of Fiance a more pou et fill toe.:oc, the honour le' the cosixts.;!,
to borrow thr rxpression4 of r man of %Ilona' France Gel. plosul
(;litateanhrinual); the honour of the country, by noitiog ali rreoelionen,
will continue the miracle. winch HeeiVen caused to break forth oat
the appearance of a son of St. Louis.

Lot as depart then, in pence to nor homes. to meditate nn tha
law 01“.-clectiou, 4111Pli whit It several uf us arc ttlicady ucc,:pic

i
stet nips
or the
cause !
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