The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-06-06
From Note NJ. in the Appendix te
Vol. l. Part 2. of
fHrcrrp,S Pr .cYSrONr


by law for the fupport of thoie who may be
willing to undertake the office of inftru6tors in
morality and religion, without regard to ie6ts,
Or denominations, and without preference 20
any. This he does with the greater diffdence,
as he has reafon to believe the fubje6t was once
diicuned in the legislature, with conflmmate
ability, both by the advocates and oppofers of
the meaiure. As he was not happy. enough to
hear the debate, difference of fentiment from
that which then prevailed, is perhaps attribut-
able TO that caufe, only. He therefore refpect-
fully fubrnits to the candid opinion of his en-
hshtened countrymen, the following queftions
Is it not prefumable that fteadfait belief,
thorough conviction of the exiitence of Su-
Preme Being, of his attributes, and his provi-
dence; of the immortality of the foul, as of
suture ttate of CONTIGUOUS exitence, hath, or may
have powerful effect upon the moral conduct
OF all who 6ncerely embrace and believe in
thoie doctrines And is it not equally pre-
furiable that the moral character of every man,
bath powerful influence over his focal con-
duct
Isit probable, that the great bulk of mankind,
by the mere light of their own reafon and re-
fe6tion, unaiiifed b. the reafon and reflections
of others, will imbibe fhch conviction and be-
lief in thefe refpeets, as TO produce an equal eff
feet upon their moral conduct, as if they had re-
ceived fiich aid
Is it not probable, that thofe who have devo-
ted their lives to the fudy of the divine nature,
and of the nature of moral obligation and focal
duty; and who feel an unfeigned conviction of
their truth and importance, will be moro capa-
bic OF enforcing hnCere conviction and belief
OF them in Others, than thoie who have not re-
ceiyed the benefits of education, or, who are
compelled by imperious uecefiity, to devote the
greater part OF their time to other avocations and
purfuits?
Is not our culture ofmorals, and of focal du-
~, an object worthy of the attention Of every
wife Legislature
Doth any claufe or article of the bill of rights
or contribution ofthe commonwealth inhbit the
ieeillature from impofng Reasonable tax for
thofe purpofes
IF thofe purpoles can be mot effeGfualy pro-
NOTED by the employment of men of learning
and ability, and of Exemplary lives and CONVEX
iatlon as teachers OF Inc duties enjoineti by rei-
gion and morality, will not a wife legiflature
have recourfe to fuch means for the culture OF
morals and of focal duty
If the laft quefion be anfwered in the affir-
matt e, IL may be deemed improper to fuggeft
the following fseleton of plan for that pur-
pole.
Let the courts of the feveral counties within
the commonwealth impofe yearly tax within
their respective counties, in proportion to the
taxes payable to the commonwealth for the
lame year, and not exceeding one tenth, nor
icis than one twentieth part of the tax, which
each perion pays to the commonwealth, to be
let Fart and un-lienably appropriated to the
f.ppprt of teachers of religion and morality, &
for the erection and keeping in repair places of
worlhip, and public fchools. Let all perfons
Whole tax to the fate fhall amount to lefs than
one dollar, be wholly exempt from this tax.
Let the tax be collected by the fherif at the
fame time that the taxes to the fate are collect.
ed and let them be allowed the fame commit
fions thereon, and be tubjett to the fame penal
ties in cafe of defanlt and let them pay the
fine TO the clerk of the county, within two
days of the time that the public taxes are pay
able into the treafury Let one fourth part of
the fun 10 collected, be unalienably appropriat-
ed TO the erection of places of wornip and pub
lie ichoois, in fuch part of the county as the
court, or majority of the inhabitants of the fe-
veral parilhes, fections, or fub-diviiions of the
county, respectively, may chute and let the
rcfdue be paid annually to flch teacher of re-
ligion and morality, duly authorized by law to
folemnize marriages, as the Perfon paying the
tame may direct.
Let the clerk of the county be allowed mo-
derate commifiion the fums which he NAV
recsi0e and pay. Let him enter gratis the
names of all perfons paying any tax for the fup-
port OF the teachers of religion ard morality,
together with the name or names Of the perfon
to whom the payer fhall direct the fame to be
paid, and the amount OF each performs tax, in a
BOOK to be Kept FOR that purpofe let him,
when required, furniih the perons Untitled TO re-
ceive the tax with lit of the names of thof.
who pay 1t, aud the amount thereof, after de-
ductng his commiiiions and the iherifTs, and
the fourth part fet apart for ufeful and nece1a-
ny buildings, as before mentioned. Let him re-
ceive one cent, and no more, for every name
contained in filch lift, from the perlon retaining
it.
Let any perfon be at liberty, at any time, TO
withdraw the payment of his tax from the perfon
to whom he may formerly have directed the
iaue to be paid, and to authorize the payment
thereofto another, provided the fame be done
before the tax ihal come into the hands of the
clerk.
Let every teacher OF religion, claiming anv
benefit under thefe regulations, be required and
compelled to refde in the county from which
the tax is collected; and to keep a public E,hool
therein, for the teaching of reading, writing and
arithmetic and to inhruGt the children of all
perIons who do not pay tax of two dollars to
me fate, tor three years, gratis and all other
children within the county,on moderate terms.
IT there be any thing in this Imperfect fetch
incompatible with the moft perfee liberty Of
confidence in matters of religion, the writer has
not made the dhcovery and making il, would
be among Tie flrt tO Gifanprove cf; IL