The National Register.
London, England, 1815-10-29 00:00:00

OCT. 2R.

THE NATIONAL

TO A RCIIIITC7'US.

ON THE PROPERTY TAX.

Sin,—A clamour was raised last year against the Pro-
perty Tax, partly from factious motives, partly from wil-
ful misrepresentation on the side of its opponents, -and a
weakness of conduct and disinclination to view. it in its
title colours on the part of its supporters; but princi-
pai!y from an idea originating with Mr. Pitt and con-
firmed by Mr. Fox, and instilled into the minds or people
of all classes, that its existence was to terminate -with the
this will be Well recollected.

The popular voice was against it, inasmuch as the popular
mind was ignorant of the benefit which had been derived
from it, and the still greater advantages that would have
result from it in peace. Under these circumstances, the
1t gent's Ministers suffered it to die a natural death.

The war, which has been so productive of glory to the
British arms, of tranquillity to Europe, a►id of happi-
ness to the whole world, compelled its re-adoption. Its
beneficial effects were instantly visible, and those persons
who had opposed it, began to wonder what infatuation
should have induced them to urge the repeal of a tax, so
peculiarly distinguished by its attaching itself. in no one
instance to capital, or being restrictive of the efforts
of industry and iAgenuity. The Government even par-
ticipated in the advantages to be derived from its opera-
tions, u►►til the profits had been realized by the indi-
vidual.

The experiment made by the Minister soon. after. the
(supposed) peace, of continuing the old mode of Taxa-
tion in an increased ratio, distinguished as it ever has
been, by an inj►►rious oppression on capital, as well as
laying restrictions on the efforts of industry and -inge-
nuity, not only before the profits could possibly be re-
alized, but actually reducing the amount and value of
those profits, seemed to make other converts to the opi-
nion of, those who were already firmly convinced of its.
excellence, and of the propriety of making it part of
one permanent revenue.
The proof was to be found in the comparatiVe ease
with which the 'Minister raised an immense loan—a loan
unparalleled in our financial history.
With these self-evident proofs of its existence,. I would
ask, is it, ought it, to be abandoned ? Should we give
up a source of revenue yielding fifteen millions sterling,
gathered at so trifling an expense (286500010 and have
recourse to
.the former means, infinitely less productive
and more expensive in its collection.
Such are the questions I. would ask, not only Arehitec-
tus, but all my countrymen. I put them under a solemn
conviction, that Mr. Vansittart will only consult his duty
to his Sovereign and the interests of his fellow.citizens,
in doing all in his power to, convince the Representatives
of the People, that THE CONTINUANCE OF THE PLIOPERTY
TAX is essential to the public interest and the public'
welfare.

After what I have urged on the subject of the other
taxes, I hope not to be mrsanderstoOd. A repeal or
modification of some of them muNt take place. The mi-
nister's first attention must be paid to those that lock up
so much capital. Of these, the Assessed Taxis are the
most prominent. I should hope, nay, after an ample
examination of the subject; 1 am fully convinced. that

EGIATER.