Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-19
AN INQUIRY

! &
(Concluaed
II has, also, been attempted to justify the
assumption Of This power, not only on the
broad principle Of constitutional right, but
nom its expediency and proprieiy. In
free country, . Il has been observed by the
same committee. every portionofthe CON-
munity ought to contribute TO the common
defence and general welfare To this |
answer. In free couotry, every individual
should enjoy the same political rights. But.
il, to promote the general welfare, it has
been found necessary to deprive any portion
Of the community from an equal participa-
ton in these rights, there can be no injustice
in their possessing some other advantages as
an equivalent. Ard surely it will be ac-
knowledged by all that an exemption from
direct or indirect taxation, for the benefit OF
the United States, is small equivalent tor
the surrender of all weight whatever in the
executive and legislative branches of the 60
yernment. But is it true, that this District
would contribute nothing to the " common
defence and general welfare" without be-
ing subjected to unlimited taxation The
people here have claimed no exemption from
the general laws imposing duties on imposts.
They are aware that these laws, TO be efh-
Gent, must apply with equal force TO every
part of the Union: and they have paid, and
coa,inue cheerfuly TO pay, their full proper
ton of those duties, which in time of peace
are more than sufficient to defray the whole
expenses Of the governments And this they
coatrib ute without having the least controul
over IFS application.
Other arguments nave been used by the
advocates of the power, such as the amount
of public money expended in this place, and
the ability OF the inhabitants TO pay-but,
they are unworthy serious refuation. And
the only ground on which | would protest a
gainst this assumption, is this-That, instead
of affording the security for our property
which by the laws of nature, confirmed by
the common and statute laws of England and
the principles of our government, we have
right to demand il subjects all thatwehave TO
the arbitrary will Of those over whom we
have no controul, and who. instead Of even
sharing the burdens they impose, would re-
lieve themselves and their constituents, in
proportion TO their pressure upon US.
lhaye thus, my fellow-ctizens, attempted
70 present TO you some of the reasons by
which am impelled to the conviction, that
the power assumed by Congress, to lay taxes
upon us, is supported by the letter or spirit
of the Constitution. and subversiye OF cur
fights as freemen. In doing so. ! have exer-
cised one Of those rights which, trust, no
government can subyert; and discharged the
duty which is due from every citizen to his
country. To your judgment, as well as
feelings. submit the determination OF the
course which iii most proper to pursue
Will you continue to afford pre- text for the
exercise Of power so dangerous and SO o.
dious, by petitioning nay more ; by sup
plicating Congress for every municipal regu-
lation Or, canyon submit with patience
TO condition still more humiliating, and re
ceive, as the standard by which, in future,
YOU will conform your actions, as the only
security against private injustice and public
oppression, the additions and compilations OF
your Judges, on whom considering you IN
worthy of their, notice or regard, Congress
has been pleased to confer the duty of legis-
lation ? Ofjudges deriving their appoint
ments not from your sufrsges; but from
executive favor holding their Offices forllfe
and who. uniting in their persons two cha
racters heretofore considered Incompatible
with freedom, will frs. enact the laws by
which YOU must regulate your conduct, and
afterwards interpret and pronounce then
will YOU not rather retain some trace of the
stock from which you sprung assume the
privilege by which the most humble village
OF our country is ennobled and claim the
right of self government TO the utmost ex-
The following statement OF duties on
;mnorts and tonnage, collected within the
D;strict of Columbia, for two vears, IS taken
sra,n an official statement communicated 70
the house of representatives, Dec. 1917 -
In the year 1915, for Imports and Ion
mage. 482.4 96 dollars 90 cents; fer Direct
taxes and Internal duties, l06,41s dollars
40 cents-total 588, 845 dollars 80 cents
In the year 1876, for Imports and Tonnage,
AeA QRo dollars Al cents for Direct taxes