The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-03-06


at this district, praying FOR divorces. The
report is in hostility to divorces en- principle,
aud concludes with a 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. 40 to 43.
Mr.. fright reported bill supplementary
to the act more etfectuaily to provide for
the organi cation of the militia of the district
of Columbia - which was twice read and
committed.
The Sneaker laid before the House re-
port OF the Secretary of the Treasury, in
pursuance OF resolution Of the House call
Ing on him for a statement of the exports of
the United States for some years past also.
a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury,
the Secretary of War and Comptroller on
the subject of the refugee claims, sc. also a
letter from the Chief Justice of the United
States in behalf of the Supreme Court, ac-
knowledging 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.
extreme regret, the dissatisfaction that was
prevalent amongst his friends in consequence
OF the rejection of the resolution recon-
mending tax on salt. He had voted a
Salnst that particular resolution, and after
reviewing with the most rigid impartiality
his conduct upon that occasion, he could per-
ceive in it nothing to disapprove. / most
distinctly and explicitly (said Mr.. g. upon
that occasion stated in my place, that if the
salt tax could by any gentleman be shewn
to be necessary to equallze the system Of
taxation, l was ready to yield my assent to
1t, although, as was acknowledged, it would
operate with peculiar hardship OH all the
middle country, a section of which have the
honor to represent. Neither the honorable
Chairman of the committee of Ways and
Means, or any other gentleman, undertook
TO prove that this tax was requisite to pro-
duce this equal effect. / moreover then
stated, as l now declare, that was and am
preparea TO go as far as any manin. provid-
ing the necessary revenue to sustain the ere
dit OF the country in the approaching con-
test. My object was to impose the taxes ON
subjects that could best bear them. II
thought there were many objects of taxation
preferable to salt, an Indispensable of life,
and was DESTROYS of raising the amount con-
templated, from salt, by a tax on whiskey,
an addition to the direct tax or in any other
more eligible mode. But it now seems, that
II the article OF salt is excluded, the whole
system OF taxation will be endangered. We
are told In cony ersation, since the vote on
the salt tax, that the system which has been
presented by the committee of Ways and
Means is system of compromise and con-
cesslon, and that it must be taken altoge-
ther-the bad with the good-that if we pay
the salt tax, the eastern and the western
country will suffer peculiarly by an en-
crease OF the impost and by the land tax.
The middle country will experience no ex-
emption from these particular burdens
Sooner than this measure should fail-sooner
than we should not provide for the expences
we have incurred to resist the encroach-
ments OF our enemy-sooner in fine, than de-
grade and disgrace the nation, l believe it
would be better for us to take the whole
draught just as it has been proposed. Yes.
SIR, perhaps, might say even if it were
hemlock. i, sir, would vote two dollars
bushel on salt, rather than see the present
course of policy frustrated Mr.. Speaker,
we who form the majority have all the same
end IN vlew-the maintenance of the rights,
honor and independence of the country
against the lawless aggressions of our enc
my. To attain this end would take the
BEST means. Rather than be defeated in the
accomplishment of it, would agree to any
means not absolutely intolerable. 1t is there
,!ore that i, on the present occasion, will
Concede much OF my own opinion, in order
to harmonic with and conciliate those with
whom l unfortunately disagree on this par
ocular point. Concession and compromise
N.oHS sioSC VINO nave tnc same common
object are often indispensable duties. 1t is
by this sentiment, sir, that am actuated.
we should not dispute among ourselves. 1t
is by union and harmony only, that we can
serve our constituents. !, for one, will
pledge myself, that will furnish no cause
OF schism amongst our friends. an, happy,
sad he, in inculging the hope that several
OF my friends, with whom | have acted on
TINS subject, and who have, doubt not, been
1nnuenced by the same motives with m7 self,
Will concurwith me in the motion am about
to make. Under these impressions, move
You, sir, to reconsider the vote of FRIDAY
last, on the resolution imposing tax on
salt.
his motion having been seconded by MIR
Goodzoyn, debate took place on it, which
occupied two hours. Messrs Nilsson, Wrieht
and WidScry, opposed the motion /; and
Messrs. Bacon, Nike, Smile and Cheues.
supported it. The debate shall be given
hereafter.
he question on re- consideration was de-
clded in the affirmative as follows
YEAS.-Messrs. Aston, Anderson, Ar
cher, Bacon, Basset, Bib, Blacklcdge.
BOYD. Bnrwell, Butler, Calhoun, Cheves,
Sondit, Davis, Dawson, Desha. Earle, Find
ley, Franklin, Gholson, Gold, Goodwin.
Green, Grundy. b. Hall, o. Hall, Halves,
f1nfty, Hyheman, Johnson, Kent, King, La
"ock, Little, Lowndes, Lyle, Moore, Nj Kee,
M KIM Metcalf, Minor, Mitchill. Morgan.
Mo-. low. New Newton 0rmehy p;.La,.