Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-09

regulations ot france that all taxes arc
and though the committee had
exercised much deliberation on the subject
OF their report, it might be expected there
would be a difference of opinion on some items.
But that now to rccommit the report, as pro-
posed, would be shrinking from the pressure
OF the crisis, and would stamp indelliblc dis
grace on the House and nation.
The question on rccommiting the report
was taken about 4 o'clock, and decided as
| follows
YEAS-Messrs. Baker, Bigelow, Blecck-
err breckenridge, Brigham, Champion, Chit
tenden, Ely, Emott, Fitch. Gold, Golds5o-
rough, Gray. jackson, Key, Law, Lewis,
Livingston, NJ 'Bryde, Milnor, Moseley, Pear
son, Pitkin, Quincy, Randolph. Reed Ridge
ly, Sheffoy. Stuart, Sturges, rallmadge,
Wheaton, White, Wilson.-34.
NAIS-Messrs. Aston, Anderson, Ar
cher, Bacon. Bard, Bassett, Bib, Blacl,ledge,
Boyd, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun,
Cheves, Clay. Cochran, Condit, Crawford,
Davis, Dawson, Desha. Dinsmoor, Earle,
tindley, Franklin, Gholson, Goodwin, Green,
Grundy, 0. Hall, Harper, Halves, Huf,y,
Hyneman, Johnson, Kent, King, Lacock, Lee
fever Little, Lowndcs, Lyle, Macon, Max
well, Moore. M'Coy, M'Kec, M'kim, Met
cali, Mitchi'l, Morgan. Morrow, Nelson,
New, Newton, Ormsby, Pickens, Piper,
PleaSants, Pond, Richardson, Rhea, Roane,
Roberts, Rudman, Sage, Summons, Seaver,
Sewer, Seybert, Shaw, Smile, c.. Smith, ].
Smith, Stanford, Strong, Talaferro, Tracy,
Iroup, Turner, Whitehi!l, NVinn, Wright
1873.
30 Mr.. Randolph's motion was negatiy ed.
And the House adjourned.
March A.
The house resumed the consideration of the
order of Che dav
Mr.. MKim said as his motition to recommit
the nth resolution had given rise to some diff
hculty, and he had no disposition to embarrass,
he would withdraw il, reserving TO himself the
ri ght TO renew it when the beet should come
before the House in the shape OF bill
Inc question recurring on the adoption of
! the fifth resolution (for laying tax on stills,
&c) it was decided in the affirmative Yeas
81, Nays 49,
The sixth resolution came next under consi-
Iteration (for tax on licenses to retailers of
wines, spirits, and foreign merchandise and
was agreed to without debate Yeas 68. NAYS
~.
Inc seventh resolution tax on sales at auct-
on OF foreign merchandise, Sc. was next agreed
to. Yeas 70, Nays 81.
The eighth resolution for tax of cents per
pound on refined sugar,1 was next agreed to
Yeas 80, Nays SO.
The ninth resolution for laying 4 tax on car.
rlages OF pleasure, &c. came next on the taps.
Mr. Hufty after adverting to the great number
Of carriages in the state of New Jersey, of ne
culiar and cheap construction, which would be
severely taxed, moved an amendment going to
exempt from tax of three dollars carriages
on 'v0oden springs, and to impose on such tax
OF one dollar fifty cents.
This motion was supported by Messrs Huf.y,
fsnndIt Ur,e nd l. NJ
Bacon, Seybert, and Stanford The arguments
for the motion were founded on the dispropor-
ton of the amount of tax to the value of The ar
tlcle taxed, which generally cost less than 9iOO
&c. &c 1t was opposed on the ground that
these carriages were nevertheless used by those
well able to pay the tax, which was by no means
disproportionate to the other taxes proposed. .
The motion was lost, ayes only six or eight.
The question was then taken OIL the retoluti-
on as reported by the committee, and carried
in the affirmative. Yeas 70, Nays 4S.
The 10th resolution proposes stamp tax OIL
certain bank and other notes.
The question on the resolution was divided,
on the suggestion of Mr.. Little, so as to take
question, distinctly, on the two clauses of the
resolution.
The question on that which goes to tax bank
notes at the rate of one dollar for every hundred
dollars was carried, Yeas "a.
The other clause of the resolution proposes
to lay tax of FIVE cents for every 100 dollars, on
all endorsed notes of hand and bills of exchange
This clause was objected to by Mr. Little on
the ground of its oppressive nature and the o.
dunn which former experience had attached TO
1t in the minds ofthe people The small pro-
duct IT would afford would not go far to the sup
port OF the war ; and he thought it might be
dispensed with.
Mr. Bacon replied that this tax was now so ar
ranged as not to afford the same cause of com
plant as former stamp taxes, because it would
not operate on the poor, would subject the peo-
pie IN thlnly-settled countries to no difficulty in
obtaining them, and would generally affect on
ly large capitalists or extensive traders in the
cities.
Mr. M'Kim said that, however oppressive he
might deem this and perhaps all the other taxes,
he felt IN some degree pledged at present to
vote for the whole report ofthe committee.
The question was taken on this clause and
carried. Yeas 65, Nays 50.
The next resolution embraces the direct tax
OF three millions, to be apportioned as provided
by the constitution
On this question discussion took place, for,
eign to the question Immediately before the
House, viz. on doubt stated by Mr.. Randolph,
whether the tax was 20 be laid according TO The
present representation in Congress, or accor-
ding to the number Of the people of the u S. as
ascertained by the latest enumeration. Messrs
Bacon, M'Kim, Lowndes &, Widgery declared
their opinions in favor the latter mode but Mr..
Randolph declared it to be question of insu-
perable difficulty, inasmuch as, If the taxation
was apportioned by the present Congress accor-
ding to the last enumeration which has not vet
affected the representation II would be a vio-
latou Of the vital principle Of the constitution,
that representation and taxation must go hand
in hand.
The resolution was agreed to, on the questi-
on's being taken Yeas II, Nays 50.