Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-04-09

heSoEVe0, nat tue COMMITTEE OF WAYS
and Means be instructed to enquire into the
expediency of authorizing the President Of the
United States to cause to be issued, if he
deems 1t necessary, uny amount of Treasu>
ry Notes not exceeding fifteen millions OF
dollars, IN SUP not less than ten nor more
than one Thousand dollars. bearing an inter
est OF six per centum per annum, payable
quarter yearly, except the first year and
that at the end os the year; reimbursabls in
I'VE years and also into the expedency of
laying duties on watches, gold seals. nj ate.
boots, and fine hats. to discharge the inter-
est on said notes.
Mr.. Grundy Of Ten. said he hoped the
resolution wound be adopted and the subiec,
placed IN a proper train of examination
he was glad to perceive that gentlemen
were at last impressed with the necessity of
providing for possible cases. The adoption
OF the resolution would answer at least one
good purpose. If the plan il embraced sbo,ld
be discussed and found inefficient. the nro.
position which he (Mr. G.) had made would
meet with more favorable reception than
heretofore. Allthat be asked was, that the
same liberality should be extended to hi,
proposition as he was willing to extend TO
that OF the gentleman from Kentucky.
Mr.. M'kim said he should be sorry to de-
ny 70 the gentleman the courtesy of having
his resolution referred, were it not for one
consideration. IF the gentleman would add
to ms motion proposition for such further
tax as should be necessary to redeem the
notes when they became due, he should con-
cur in his motion. But he asked of the
Rouse to take a deliberate view Of this sub.
|Ject before they referred the resolution
In MS little experience in the world he. had
found It necessary, when his business was
small, to be cautious in signing notes and
SO ought the government to be exceedinpIv
cautious. IT there was any one point ON
which government should be Cautious. il,
should be it's credit-and regard for the
credit of the government would not Justify
the issuing of these notes without providing
for their redemption.
Mr.. Wright said he most cordially con.
Cured with the gentleman from Kentucky.
whose whole soul he knew to be devoted to
the best interes, his country-as he had
proved by his jealous voluntary CO operation
in the war during the last campaign-but
he wished to add to his list of taxable arti
cies several others which he named, viz lot
terry prizes, tax every body would be glad
to pay saddle and carriage horses, certain
~ art.clesof luxury houses and lois in the
district OF Columbia, which are now ex
empt from the direct tax and continu-
ance OF the direct tax on land
Mr.. Barnett OF Geo. was of opinion that
many articles would bear taxation equally
as well as those which had been proposed !:
but it would be in the power of the commit
tee OF Ways and Means or of the House +,
add any that might be thought proper. HI
was in favor of this proposition. He wishes
to see every possible means taken TO enab.
the government TO carry on the war in which
we are engaged. He was well convinced
We had resources enough to c,rry on the
war, and that the people would pay any
thing, and bear taxes of any description to
support the war. The people possessed
patriotism and love of country enough to IN
duce them to support the rights Of the couD-
try.
Mr., Stewart of Md. moved to amend Mr..
virgins proposed amendment by including
IN IT y also race horses, mares and FLIES.
Mr.. Tor of N. Y. said he regretted to
see the Course this business was now taking.
The committee of Ways and Means had not
been inatteHtive on the subject embraced in
this motion If they had not met the wish,
es OF the House, it would be better to send
to them resolution of instruction in cen.
eral form, without designating the articles
proposed to be taxed to raise revenue tn
defray the interest Of these Treasury notes.
On that head. if the resolution were SO mas.
sed, he knew it would be grateful to the
feelings OF the committee to receive any re-
presentations of individual members On the
subject of the articles which it would be pro.
per to tax.
MIR. Wright Of Md. said he hoped it would
not be considered as arrogant in men devo.
ted to the best interests of the country. af-
ter waiting till the last moment of the SEES.
sion without hearing from the committee of
Ways and Means on the subject, to call
their attention to project for supplying the
Treasury with the necessary funds. The
only obstacle to obtaining loans gas the O.
mission to provide the Ways and Means to
pay the interest and this was an object
worthy the attention of the House.
Mr.. Wright's and Mr.. Stewards motions
were both disagreed to.
The question being stated on Mr.. Desha's
motion
Mr.. Eppes of Va. said that the commits
tee OF Ways and Means would be happy at
any time to receive any instructions from
the house but it wax due to that committee
to state, that the system to be pursued dur
ing the war had been decided on by Con.
gress before the appointment of The present
committee Of WAYS and Means. 1t had been
decided that taxes should be laid sufficient
to raise revenue to pay the interest on the
oid DEBT and on the new debt to be created
by Loans during the war. TWAS true that.
IN the report OF the Secretary of the Trea-
sury at the commencement of the session. il
had been stated, that the revenue Of the pre-
sent year would fill short of the necessary a