Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-27
CoDlmonvUcaitA IF Massachusetts.

J. RUSSELL. Cop. c. elk. c. L.
Coosn,onyDcaltA ST Massachusetts.
The Members Of the Legislature of this Com
monwcalth deeply affected by the sudden and
awful calamity which has deprived the state of
Virginia Of its Chief Magistrate, and the CITY
OF Richmond OF many distinguished inhabitants
by contIagration in its effects unexampled in
the history oftheir country, cannot forbear the
expression ofthe unaffected sorrow and sympa-
thy which they, in common with their constitu-
ents, feel on this melancholy occasion, in tes-
timony whereof
II rs Resolved, That We viii wear the usual
badge OF mourning, onthe left arm, for the space
oftwenty days.
ResoIUed, That Ills Excellency the Governor
be requested 20 transmit copy of this Resolve
to the executive of the State of Virginia to be
communicated, as may be thought prcper, TO
the Legislature ofthat State and the afflicted
inhabitants Of Richmond
In Senate Jan 9th, 1872 Read & Passed.
Sent down for concurrence
SAMUEL DANA, President.
In the House of Representatives, Jan. 10. 1910
Read and unanimously concurred.
JOSEPH STORY, Speaker.
Council Chamber, 18th Jan. 1912.
Approved.
E. GERRY.
secretary's Department, 13sh Jan. 1912.
The foregoing is true copy.
Attest,
BENJAMIN ROMANS.
Secretary cfthe Commonwealth.
A Copy-Attest,
J. a. RUSSELL, Cop. c. elk c. L.
FROM WASHINGTON CITY, JANUARY 81.
An important letter of the Secretary of the
Treasury to the Committee of WAYS and
Means, was yesterday laid before the House
| OF Representatives by Mr.. Bacon, Chairman
OF that committee. The great length of the
| Report prevents us inserting it in this DAYS
| paper, though the Importance Of itscontents
claims tor 1t the earliest publication Its in
reply to a letter from the committee, reauir-
| Ing at his hands information on several points
and his opinion of the best means of protluc-
| ing revenue adequate to The payment of in
terest on the present Public Debt and such
| new loans as may be authorised in the event
| of a war.
The committee contemplate an annual loan
during a war OF Ten Millions of Dollars. On
this basis the Secretary estimates the reven-
ue necessary to be provided for the year
1878, IN addition to the loan, at 6 6, 600, 600.
In the event OF war, the receipts from the
customs cannot, the letter states. be relied
on with certainty, at the present rate of du-
ues' to produce more than 8 100000 per
annum. 1t is stated that these duties in time
of war may be doubled, and will produce
$4,000, 900
a duty on imported salt at 20 cts.
per bushe Is recommended, es-
timated to produce 400. O0o
The proceeds Of sales Of public
lands Is calculated as usual at GOO. 600
Making, $1,000 900
And, deducted from the 100000 dollars
aforementioned, leaves a deficiency to be
provided for of 100000 dollars.
10 supply this deficiency the Secretary
suDnits the pI"PrIcY of imposing direct and
ndlrcct taxes, calculated to produce a gross
revenue Of five millions, the pctt prodnot Of
which Is estimated at 4.2CO,O0 Ofthese five
millions, three are proposed to be raised by a
aTect TAG, and Eago by an Indirect tar. the.
latter to be levied on domestic distilled s,ir-
It's and licenses 20 distillers, refined sugar. IL
cenccs TO retailers, sales at auction, Caring
es Tor the conveyance of persons, and stamps,
estimated to produce two millions, making.
with tho proposed direct rax. FIVE millions ,
from which, deduc!ing 8 75O, 900, the es,;n,.
ated eNpence OF collection and assessment
there viii accrue to the Treasury, a nett A.
mount of 4,25O,OOQ dollars. But as exucri .
cncc has proved that taxes are never as Dro-
duc.iye in the first year they are imposed,
as when they are in full operation, the pro
duct oil these taxes is estimated for 1918. at
only 100000, which completes the sum es.
umated as necessary tor the service Of that
year.
The Report goes much into detail, and The
above sketch embraces but one point IN it,
which We apprchcnd, to the generality of our
readers, viii prove most Interesting. and
have therefore anticipated orr publication OF
The report by giving the above briCf abstract.
Letters from Tie Mississippi Territory
state that thc United States troops AZ thl
CSnI"nnept at Washington, NJ. L had re-
celYse ORDERS 70 move 70 Baton Rogue, and