Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-23

IL MvlunS ATTENTION to the subject at this |
unctnre. BY the diminution which our i'm |
ports had undergone, there was serious de-
ialcation OF the revenue heretofore derived |
from the impost. The expenses Of the go
vernment had, at the same season, been ex-
ceedingly increased. The wisest heads had
been engaged in devising plan for raising
the requisite supplies. The amendment,
which he mcditased, might be considered as
containing substitute for some Of the less
agreeable OF war taxes. Or, if further
ways and means were necessary, this might
DC an auaiisry to the projected or any other
mode of replenishing the treasury. And
thus, by per centase from produce expor-
ted as well as imported, there would be
twofold chance, double opportunity, of COL
iecting money for the public service. The
method, Mr.. M. thought, would be both
cheap and easy; and, in other respects, as
uneNceptionablc as any he could think of
He nevertheless begged the House to OBJ
serve, that he did not intend topress an i'm
mediate decision. II. by bringing the matter
forward, he should be fortunate enough to
excite serious inquiry into its merits, he
should feel high qualification; and should the
proposal be eventually found worthy of sup
port, he should experience additional plea
sure. In the hope of such result, he asked
leave TO lay his motion on the table, for con
side. alton; in the following terms, to wit.
" Reso!Ued, by the Senate and House Of
Representatives ofthe United States Of II
mertca, ia Congress assembled. two-thirds of
both Houses deeming it necessary, that the
following article be proposed to the Legisla-
lures OF the several States as an amendment
to the constitution of the United States, which,
when ratified by three fourths of the said
Legislatures, shall be valid to all intents and
purposes as part of the Constitution, to wit
The sentence consisting of the words "no
TAG or duty shall be laid on articles cr horted
from any State" in the ninth section of the
first article of the Constitution, is hereby re-
Pealed; and in the place thereof is inserted
the following Congress shall have power
TO lay and collect taxes, duties, and iinposts,
as well upon exports as imports"
Mr. r. Hall called for The consideration of
the resolution some time ago submitted by
him authorship each state to pay its proper
ton Of the direct tax, in clothing, &c. The
House refused to take it up.
Mr.. Rhea called for the order of the day
on the bill concerning Post Offices and Post
Roads.
MISSISSIPPI STATE OR TERRITORY.
The unfinished business of yesterday, the
bill for enabling the people of the Mississippi
territory to form constitution and state go
vernment, having preference
Mr.. Rhea moved to postpone the bill until
Monday week. This motion, after debate,
was Iegatived, So to SO.
Mr.. Stow moved to postpone the bill to
Monday next. Motion lost without diyisi-
on.
The House then resolved itself into COM
mittee ofthe whole, Mr.. Nelson in the chair,
on the said bill.
Mr.. Poindexter, after some Introductory
remarks, offered the following amend
mcnt:-
Sind be il further enacted, That the said
state shall consist of all that tract of country
contained within the following boundaries, to
wit: beginning on the river Mississippi, at
the point where the southern boundary line
OF the state Of Tennessee unites with the
same; thence along the said line to its juncti-
oil with the western boundary OF the state of
Georgia thence along the said boundary to
the thirty-first degree oflatitudc, and along
said degree of latitude to point opposite the
river Perdido; thence to the junction of said
river with the Gulf of Mexico, including all
islands within six leagues of the shore, to the
junction Of Pearl river with the Lake Pom
chartrain and up said river to the Slst de-
gree of latitude, thence to the river Misss-
sipp, and up the same to the beginning"
The question on this amendment was ia
ken without debate, and carried.
Mr.. Clay (Speaker) moved to add the fol-
lowing proviso, to follow after the section
just adopted; which would have the effect
to keep that portion of country. taken pos
session OF under the Presidents proclamati-
on, subject TO future negotiation:
ProUfded,. That nothing herein contain
ed shall be so construed as to prevent that
portion of the territory comprehended with
in the said boundary, FORMERLY composing a
part of the country known by the name of
West Florida, being subject to future nego.
citation on the part of the u. States''
Mr.. Clay, Mr.. Poindexter and Mr.. Macon
spoke in support of this motion. Messrs.
Rhea, Mitchill and Wright opposed it.
The amendment was adopted without
division.
Various other amendments were made to
the details Of the bill. The month of Sep
TENDER was fixed on for the meeting of the
convention.
A condensed statement of the proceedings
on this subject shall be given hereafter.
The bill having been reported 20 the House,
and the House haymg agreed to take up The
same-
An adjournment took place.
March Is.
Mr. Gholson reported bill for the relief
OF John Thompson; which was twice read
and committed.
Mr.. Lewis reported bill authorising the
digging or cutting canal from the river Po-
tonac around the dam or causeway frem
Mas"n's island, and for other purposes -
Twice read and committed.
g 81 FIT
ton, promising that he was induced to pro
h E-.c.--. IL. l.