Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-08-24
FRANCE.
{ From the Nat. LrtclHecacer.l
INTERNAL REVENUE OF THE U
STATES.

STATES.
There are some facts connected with
the internal revenue of the u. ;. that do
not seem to be so generally known as their
Importance merits that they should be. 1t
is not, perhaps, extraordinary that these
facts have not been detailed in the public
prints, when we consider the numerous
and interesting topics, that have engaged
for considerable time past, the attention.
Of Congress, and that the documents print
ed by their order during the last session
alone, fill at least dozen volumes. There
certain never has existed government in
which the fountains of knowledge have
been so thoroughly opened, or from which
more abundant stream of light has con-
stantly flowed for the information of the
people. The only fear now, perhaps, is,
lest the extent and variety of this informa-
ton, involved, as it necessarily often is. in
the forms of office, may, in some points,
obscure rather than enl;ghtep the public
mind by the veticnS views presented OF the
same objects, or deter the conductors of
our public journals from filing their CO.
lumns with details that are dry and
tedious, however interesting in their re-
suits. Ii IS these results, exhibited in con-
densed and general views, that it has hence
now eminently become the duty of our
public journals to exhibit.
The views which it is intended now to
present, being all derived from official do
cuments, may be entirely relied on, and
will, it is hoped, be an antidote to various
misrepresentation as well as misrepresen-
tations that have appeared in the public
prints. This Office is undertaken princi-
pally from one consideration.
Most of the internal re venues are in their
operation substantially direct, that is, the
individual who pays the tax bears himself
the burthen, instead Of its being, as in the
case OF imported goods, eventually borne
by tine consumer, although in the first place,
incurred by the importing merchant. Di-
rect taxes, it is well known, have been uni
versally the most difficult to collect, owing
to the expense of collecting them from SO
| many persons, and to their payment being
IN all cases compulsory, not depending, as
IN the case of ARTICLES of consumption, on
the inclination OF the individual purchasing
them, who, moreover, in many cases, is
| unconscious OF the tax he pays. Hence it
has always been expected, that the impo-
sltion of such taxes would involve the
strongest appeal to the good sense as well
as virtue of the community, and the liveli-
est soiicitude has been entertained for the
| effects of their imposition. strengthened by
| the impression made on the pubic mind
| by their original imposition during the adj
innstration Of Mr.. Adams.
! The experiment has recently been made
with success beyond the most sanguine
expectations. These taxes, though for a
time very considerable in amount, have
been discharged with a promptitude and
! cheerfu!ness that have evinced a general
| Willingness and ability to pay them. This
! alacrity has not been confined to the friends
OF the administration, but has been also, to
their honour, displayed almost universally
| by IT'S opponents. The people thus obedi
ent to the laws, in the point in which their
| operation is the most sersiby felt, claim
our respect, IT not our admiration. For let
I US always remember that thy not only pay
these taxes. but that they also laid them
that II was their will which gave them be-
ing, and that it is their will that continues
them IN ex stencc. With this fact. in
view, the attempt recently made to prove
that these taxes are reluctantly and tard
! ly discharged. calls for exposare. That
where the highest praise was merited, this
severest reproach should be cast on the
| people. seould excite not Only Indignation,
out reprobation. To repel this unjust
charge, to disprove it beyond doubt, to
vindIcate the honor Of an abused cnmmuui-
| ty, IS the objec of the subjoined statements
and calculations.
ln the second year Of the late war, viz
on the 24sh OF Jolly, 1918, Congress passed
| acts imposing duties On carriages, stills,
saies AZ auction, and on refined sugar and
on the "a a August ensuing, passed acts
Imposing duties on retailers. and on vari-
ous I'd Instruments ct writing which were re-
CURED TO be stamped all these duties t.
I cf,f he f.4T