Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-09
CO NC r SIS.
HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES,
March 9.

Cured under the embargo laws, which he
states to have been done through ignorance
OF the laws and in the most innocent manner
Referred.
Mr.. Lewis, from the committee on the Dis
trict OF Columbia, made report on the Pc
titions of Jane Deakins and of David Beck,
OF tins district, praying for divorces. The
report is in hostility to divorces on principle,
and concludes with resolution, that the
prayer of the petitioners ought not to be
granted. The report was, on motion of Mr..
Lewis, referred to committee of the whole
House. The House refused to print the re-
port--46 to 43.
Mr.. Ghoison made unfavorable reports on
the petitions of Joseph Smelling and Henry
Vanwev, which were concurred in.
Mr. Wright reported a bill supplemental
ny to the act more eff ctually to provide
tor the organization of the militia of the Dis
trict of Columbia - which was twice read
and committed.
The Speaker laid before the House re-
port OF the Secretary of the Treasury, in
pursuance of n resolution of the House calling
on INN Tor a statement of the exports OF the
y. >. for some years past also, letter
from the Secretary of the Treasury, the Sc
cretary OF War and Comptroller Oh the sub
Ject ct the refugee claims, &c. also, a letter
from the Chief Justice of the u. S. in behalf
OF the Supreme Court, acknowledging the
favor conferred on them by the use of the
Congressional Library.
WAR TAXES.
The House proceeded to consider the or
der of the day.
Mr.. Gholson said he had Witnessed, with
extreme regret, the dissatisfaction that was
prevalent amongst his friends in consequence
ofthe rejection of the resolua, recommend
ing a tax on salt. He had voted against that
particular resolution, and after reviewing,
with the most rigid impartiality, his conduct
upon that occasion, he could perceive in it
nothing to dsapprove. / most distinctly and
explicitly (said MIR. CD upon that occasion
stated in my place, that if the salt tax could
by any gentleman be shcwn to be necessary
to equalize the system of taxation, / was
ready to yield my assent to it, although, as
was acknowledged, it would operate with
peculiar hardship on all the middle country.
section Of which have the honor to repre-
sent. Neither the honorable Chairman of
the committee of Ways and Means, or any
other gentleman, undertook to prove that
tins tax was requisite to produce this equal
effect. moreover then stated, as ] now de-
clare, that was and am prepared to go as
tar as any man i'll prov iding the necessary re.
Venue To sustain the credit of the Country in
the approaching contest. My object was to
impose the taxes on subjects that could best
bear them. thought there were many OBJ
jects OF taxation preferable to salt, an indis-
pensable o. life, and was DESTROYS Of raising
the amount contemplated, from salt, by tax
on whisSey, an addition to the direct tax, or
in any other more eligible mode. But it now
seems, that it the article of salt is excluded,
the whole system Of taxation will be endan-
gered. We are told in conversation, since
the vote on the salt tax, that the system
which has been presented by the Committee
OF Ways and Means is system of comDro-
mise and concession, and that il must be ia
ken altogcther-the bad with the good-that
ii we pay the salt tax, the eastern and the
western country will suffer peculiarly by an
encrease of the impost and by the land tax.
The middle country will experience no ex-
emption from these particular burdens. Soon
er than this measure should fail-sooner than
we should not provide for the cxpences we
have incurred to resist the encroachments
OF our enemy--sooner, in fine, than degrade
and disgrace the nation, believe it would be
better for us 20 take the whole draught lust
as it has been propOsed-Yes, sir, perhaps, /
might say, even if it were hemlock !, sir.
would vote two dollars bushel OH salt, ra-
Their than see the present course of policy
Mr.. Speaker, we who form the
majority have all the same end in view
the maintenance Of the rights, honor and in
dependence Of the country against the law,
less aggressions Of our enemy To attain
this end, would take the best means. RAJ
Their than be defeated in the Accomplishments
of it, would agree to any means not abso-
lutely intolerable. 1t is, therefore, that I,
on the present occasion, will concede much
of my own opinion, in order to harmonic
with and conciiate those with whom un-
fortunately disagree on this particular point
Concession and compromise among those
who have the same common object are often
indispensable duties. It is by this sentiment,
sir, that am actuated. We should not dis
pute among ourselves. 1t is by union and
harmony only, that we can serve our con-
stituents. ], for one, will pledge myself, that
viii furnish no cause of schism amongst our
friends. ] am happy, said he, in induging
the hope, that several Of my friends, with
whom have acted on this subject, and who
have, doubt not, been influenced by the
same motives it'll myself, will concur with
me in the motion / am about to make. I'm
der these impressions, move you, sir, to re-
Consider the vote Of Friday last, ON the reso-
luton imposing tax on salt
This motion having been seconded by Mr..
Goodwin, debate took place on it, which
occupied two hours. Messrs. Nelson, Wright
and Wiigery, opposed the motion and
Messrs. Bacon, M'Kee, Smile and Cheeves,
supported it. The debate shall be given
hereafter.
The question on reconsideration was deci-
ded in the affirmative. as follows:
YEAS--Messrs. Aston, Anderson, Ar
cher, Bacon, Bassett, Bib, Blacklcdge Boyd,
Burwell, Butter, Calhoun, Chevcs, Condit,
Davis, Dawson, Bcsha, Earle, Findlcy,
Franklin, Gholson, Gold, Goodwin, Green,