Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-01-22

annnallv Given us the most lucid views OF
tha ainount and manner OF revenue recelV-
al - the treasury, which was provided
lby others, and the manner III W''iei :. 10 las
been disbursed for the purposes OF tlae
government. But this IS no dlhcuit tasN'
and is no evidence of financial skill when he
understood to consist in the faculty OF gettlhS
the most money into the treasury, Win inc
leo ct Inconvenience to the contrtoutors'--lio
was not disposed however, to complain OF this
inactivity on the part, of the honorable oeole-
farv because the government had never caii-
ed upon him for greater exertlon. ana per-
h.ns had no occasion TO have made such
cali. until about years ago. But, sir, what
does this gentleman tell US, upon whose
s,,,endid financial talents we all rely That
the national resources are equal to all the ma
t;onai exigencies. In his last report, he says,
in substance, there can be no doubt of the "a
Billy and the will of the nation to furnish all
the necessary supplies. If, then, reliance
can be placed on his splendid financial talents /;
only give them scope for action; apply them
to the national ability and will let them per-
form the simple task of pointing to the true
modus oterandi and what reason have we to
despair of the republic: What reason have
we to doubt of the abundance of the treasury
supplies? Until now, the honorable Sc
cretary has had no scope tor the demon
stration Of his splendid financial talents -
OF all the revenues receivable at the trea-
sury, he knew of but one fund Tor which we
are indebted to the suggestion OF that gentle
man That is what is called the Medlterra-
mean fund and that is annually presented to
us in a very awkward and crooked form. But
against this MAY be placed the repeal OF the
salt tax one of the most improvldent mea-
sures ever adopted by this, or any other gov
eminent. He presumed the secretary a least
Welded his assent to that measure. Mr. u.
said he was extremely opposed to this mea-
sure at the time of its adoption; had twice
reported against it as chairman ola cormlttee'
to whom the subject was referred and he
believed, it was twice rejected BY this honora-
bic BODY. His single, vote, he believed, turn
ed the scale He should have persevered IN
his opposition, Notwithstanding the popular
cry raised at the time; but he yielded at length
to an imposing claim urged on him by many
members of the Il. ofRcpresentatlves; that the
II. of Representatives was peculiarly entrusted
by the constitution with the power of raising
revenue & it could hardly be considered as
correct in a single Individual CT the other
branch of the Il gislature. to put his veto to
measure in relation to revenue, which was re-
commended by so large majority OF that
branch to whose discretion all subjects OF re-
venue were entrusted lii peculiar manner.
To this claim, and the very high respect he
entertained for the house OF Representatives,
he Yielded reluctant consent, upon condition
that the repeal should be postponed until one
lmopth after the meeting OF the neat session OF
CONGRESS and that the house OF representa-
ltiyes would again review and consider the
subject. The month elapsed without reenact
mo the law, and the ta8 ceased. Nj u. SAID
he never gave vote more against the couvlc-
tons of his own Judgment than he did on that
occasion, although the motive was one which
he conceived ought to exempt BIN from CEN
sure. If gentlemen will now multiply the
nroduct of that tax, by the number OF years
since il was taken off, they would lind, 1t
would have produced all the sums which have
since been called for by loans, provided no
greater expenditures bad been incurred by
the government than have taken place. Be-
sides the diminution of treasury funds, 1t has
had the most baneful influence upon the salt
works, which had been established under It's
protection, and which would under the lntlu-
.cnce Of the same protection, IN very short
time, have rendered us independent OF foreign
nations for the supply of this article of the
first necessity. He was not disposed, howe
yer, on these accounts, to distrust the splen-
did financial talents of the honorable Gecreta-
ry; although candor compelled him to &C
knowledge, that he should feel more comb
dence in them, if it were not for the unwil-
lingness evidently manifested by that gentle
man hihself, during the last three years, IN
affording their usefulness to the government,
in times which imperiously demanded their
L