Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-05
WAYS AND MEANS

Mr.. Bacon called for the order of the dav
On the report OF the committee of WAYS and
Means on the subject of the contemplated
taxes.
Mr.. Clay moved that this subject be post
ponsd till Monday week, for the reasons
which he had already stated.
Mir. iallmadge could see no good reason
l0r TINS delay The report of the committee
VI ways and Means had been some time be-
iore the House. The House had, from dav
70 aay' passed upon objects of great expense,
ana IL was certainly necessary to provide the
ways and means to meet them. We have
Just passed bill for borrowing eleven milIi-
ons OF dollars; but this will fail far short of
what VIII be wanted. Expenses have been
authorised to the amount of twenty millions
why do gentlemen wish to postpone this
question or peace or war? 1t cannot be that
after authorizing the preparatory measures
tney are afraid to meet it. He wished to see
the question before the House, and to hear II
fully discussed. 1t will be of no use thai ar
mes have been authorised except the afuez,s
OF war be provided. He was against post
ponement
MT. Fisk wasin favor ofpostponemeEt not
because he was afraid to meet the question of
peace or war at a proper time. He was not
Wiling, however, to vote for taxes, or war.
1000 10y iiOpC vi accommodation mad dis
aPpeared-nor did he see any necessity for
doing so. Were the subject to be taken I'D
at present, some members would be placed
In difhcuties as to their vote when, some
days hence, there would be no difference of
OPINION amongst those who have uniformly
voted Tor putting the nation in state of de-
renee He knew there were taxes AMONGST
those proposed which had been used as in
struments against those who had laid them
and, which might again be so used; but if
they become necessary, this consideration, he
presumed, would be lost sight of
Mr.. Potter spoke against the postpone
ment.
Mr.. Bacon was not particularly anxious on
the subject, though he could see no objection
20 entering upon 1t at present. The commit
zee OF ways and means had thought it their
duty to make their report as soon as they
were able, and having do..e this, the respon-
sibility lies with the House If the House
showed an unwillinguess to enter upon this
subject, It might have an unfavorahle effect
upon the loan which had been authorised.
Mr. Newton wished the House to go into
committee on the subject, if it were only to
take up that part of the report which has re-
terence to an increase of duties on imposts. as
the manufacturers in different parts of the
u. States, who had expended large sums in
erecting works, are anxious to know the de-
termination of Congress on this subject.
Mr.. Clay, from the considerations suggest
ed by the gentleman last up, withdrew his
motion.
The House then resolved itself into a COM
mittee OF the whole, on the report of the COM
mIttee OF ways and means, Mr. Basseft in
the chair; when the first resolution, propos-
ing an increase of 100 per cent. on impost
duties being under consideration, Mr. Bacon
rose, and took very able and comprehen-
siye view of the subject, in speech of more
than an hour, sketch Of which shall be gi-
ven hereafter After which the House adj
iourned.