Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-11-10
From he AlrIonAL LNqrLLIcsxcna.
I 0 L II L p OPL E.
TIE ID p FE WCE.
No. XIII,

Pected OF The new duties imposed during
the last session FOR the protection of the
Mediterranean trade
The propriety of the appropriation ror
TINS purpose has not been disputed. Bat
itissaid thatthe species Of Northumberland
to is unjust and unequal and that the ne
cesslty otlaying new taxes, is an evidence
OF the Inexpediency of abolishing the in
ternai revenues in the year 1901.
We shall consider the last argument
iirst. Had the internal revenues been
continued, Ii will be allowed, there would
have been no occasion for this additional
taxation. But although their continuance
would have superseded this necessity, it
does not follow that their abolition was in
e%pedient. 4 decision on this point will
be elncidated by a consideration of two
que-iions first, whether It was wise to
continue Permanent taxes, without any per-
manent objects, with the sole view TO csat
fnScW events !--and, secondly, whether
The internal taxes constituted a resource
preferable TO the new duties?
The existence CF permanent taxes with
ont permanent Objects is among the most
fatal expedients which the ingenuity Of
tyranny has ever devised. Il destroys the
responsibility ofruers totheirconstituents
1t arms them with formidable powers,
which may be used in subversion of the
peace or liberties OF nations; it is destruc-
1--we OF economy and 1t is oppressive. A.
ny one of these considerations would be
sufficient to establish the danger of this
policy taken in connection they must
lash conviction on every man Jealous Of
ms righ's That no perm anent obiecls
required the continuance Of these tax
es - manifest from the competency ofthe
resIduary revenue 10 al! the regular pur-
poses OF the government, the increasing
specie balance in the treasury having
grown IN space o. TWO wears from $3.50
C3S to 5.S6o,oOo dollars and from its fur
Tier competency 20 meet all the engage
menis arising from the Louisianapurchase.
The loss otthc frigate Philadelphia was in
every sense, IL which it can be considered,
contingent event; one which no human
prescience could ioresee, or human pru
dence avert. To provide, therefore, for
5;ch an event, wopld have necessarily i'm.
pied supernatural spirit Of prophecy. Il
was right, therefore, in the year 1901 to
repeal the internal taxes. Would i.
have been proper in the year 1904 to ave
renewed them in preference to the new
duties Il! To shsw the folly Of this measure,
IL is sufficient to say that the expenses Of
coiiecunga million, the surs appropriatedto
protect the Mediterranean trade, would
have been about go O0C dollars, while that
attending the rev duties will not probably
exceed 10000. In which case the tax
lnatead OF being a million would have
been twelve hundred and thirty thousand
dollars. The difference between these
two sums is gained by the nation. Ma
ny other arguments, of force bul little iu.
ierior, could be urged; but these alone
are strong enough Tor our purpose.
With regard to the second allegation,
that the new duties are uSequal and unjust,
nothing can be more false. They are laid
Tor the sole purpose of protecting trade,
Is 1t not Just that trade should indemnify
the expense But, it is said that they lay
an oppressive burthen on tho Merchant.
How can this be The tax is not retro
spective, but prospective. The merchant
may, or may not, according TO his sense of
interest import the goods that are taxed.
1.-The doesimport them, nc will be reimbur-
sed by the purchaser not only the cost
and the duty, but a firoft both on the cost
aEd The dufy. This fact is 90 well UNDER
stood in the mercantile world, that the en-
iightened merchant is always friendly to
the imposition Of moderate duties. 1t is,
however, replied, that the addition of the
new to the old duties, renders the existing
ones imBiode'afe, whereby the sale of the
goods will be diminished, and consequently
the mercantile profit, and smuggling be
encouraged, 10 the injury Of the fair trader.
Let Us examine whether either OF these
effects IS likely to be produced. Abe at.
dtiD'lal duty IS hat of two and a half per
centum on all goods previously taxed aa-
Uaiorcm.
From Official documents it appears that
the average duty on articles charged adj
valorem is l3 and half per cent; and
that the aggregate amount Of The duties
received on those articles in the year 800
was 4,l9S.472 dollars, G, TIE value oftrose
articles 3l.7cG,l6l dolars-The whole
amount ofimportations Of that wear may
be computed at lorty-ninc millions Of do -
lars and the duties amount 10 On mill-