Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-06
To ls2 Gent Singled

N"c'uS 'hC purchase OIL the tIoridaS, to
decide whether we can do without the
Mediterranean fund.- The great object
WIN me in advocating the repeal of the
DUTY on salt was TO obtain the Mediter.
ripean fund.-; We have done our part IA
effect this obJeG. believe with The aid
81 that fund, though the duty on sal, had
ncen taken off, our revenue wou,d have
oeeD suiIcient--tho' even then the great.
est economy would have seen REQUISITE il
the disbursement of the public money.
Ofhcial documents on our tables from the
proper departments will shew thar we
cannot do without. the Mediterranean
iund provided the objeGts for which w.
nave made appropriations be carried into
effect. At the next session, however ~.
shall know The measures taken hv ,hA
executive, and what our wants will be.
ms o'il only extends the continuance Of
inc tand to the next session, which will
be on the Sd of March; and since as il
now stands, it viii net expire until three
months from the ratification OF the ,rea-
~, Tins bill will only continue it for a ne.
riot' OF six or seven months.
Mr. FINDLEy. Though 7 represent
a. district which suffers more perbans
Than any other in The United States fyom
'he duty on sail, yet 7 confess myself 40.
loh'shed at the manner in which this hill
has been brought before us. I'VE have
heard on former occasion much about !
CABINET In THIS instance no cabinet b,a
oeen consuiled-but the measur. bo.
been struggled in al The last period oF
the session Are we sitting here n am.
b arrass the character and credi, of The IT.
States thought The measure had ron,s
IN on calculation; but fad since that il
u founded on mis-caiculaion and thar
II is part OF the system to throw tbc
saoet'et, TO destroy The administrator.
ne people have offered US no pet;,ion.
TO repea! this lax. What have we done
he Mediterranean fund is about TO cease!
ana ~ is now proposed TO give up the salr
tax Tor II. THIS mode of barean;no--z.
.his system of corruption have always
been aNerss to. voted for the bill. he.
cause thought II came from The ,tfasurv
department, but ins,ead of this, find Is
part OF system to emba .rass The admit
nistrations wia agree 10 Continue the
"iediterraiiean fund, FOR am moi at ,y,r
win the government or any par. Off. r
know am risking my popularity as much
as any man but Yam not afraid of This.
as 4 am convinced in good cause shall
never suffer-. There can be no good ar.
gumen, for the motion to adhere but de-
sire 10 destroy ihe administration.
Mr. IL. K. WILLIAMs---No. nan can
DC more earnestly impressed with The bro.
vertical duty OF paying respect to are han
myself; but my feelings lave never been
more hurt than by The gcnileman's i'm
peaching The motive Of those who have
acted patriotic part. The gen,iema
mas avowed the idea, that the committee
Oh ways and means have been a@ca,ed by
ths view OF embarrassing The administers.
uon' abhor and detest such an hmm.
tation--
Here was loud cry of order by com.
Der of gentlemen, and among others bv
Mr.. 2honias N. Eandosqh.
Nil FINDLEI said he hoped the gentle.
man would he permitted 10 go on. He
wished those who were opposed to the
government 10 speak out
The call to order was again repeated.
Mr }. RANDoLPu-~I hope we sbaIl
adhere 70 cur vote, and viii give nv
reasons Tor INDUCING this hope. do NOT
profess TO be so well acquainted with su,.
Jects OF finance as some other penlleme,
on this iloor. But if the Mediterranean
iund is 10 be continued for so shor, linz
1t is obvious that the revenue to be elecr'
ed from it will be proportionally small.
I've arguments Of gentlemen therefore
rebut themselves. They declare that
hey want great revenge, while rev at-
Enowledee that the continuance cF ibfs
Tax VIII produce but small on. Hare
mat we shall keep the Medilcrrae.a,,
F'lnd as hostage for the salt tax. 1gbL-
Iween lins and next, session a deGcjeucv
s"ah occur in our ways and means. r.,
meet the demands Of The government. Il
"ii not be the first time, as know il MI
not be the las, in which l shall slep nr-
ward 10 vote a supply TO meet every bo-
lofabie demapd. Ii there shall be- 4 do.
hclt' as there isuo reason TO bel eve fhe..
VIII b., pledge myself as one Of those
WHO will meet IL. wish to adhere To orr
VOC, that ibe Mediterranean fnaG r.ay be
.os' ior we have been told by those who,
presume, arc well acquainted ON such
points, that such course will enforce 2.
economy, and | wish | could add. !, tha