The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-02-05

On Saturday morning the Senate had under
consideration the bill proposing 70 lay tax upon
certain eXcmpts from military duty, such as Sha-
kers and QHakcrs, sc. ~ an equivalent for that
service, the avai!s Fl which were 10 be applied
TO the civilization and education Of the Penoh-
scot and other Indians in this State. The tax 10
DC paid BY each person was to be equal to hs
other State tax. After some conversation on
the subject, the Senate went into a committee d
the whole, when debate took place Of which
the following il a sketch.
Mr.. RDsE, observed that the whole Of the dis
cusSon upon this subject seemed to have tra-
cceded on the ground, that this bin was viola
ton or the conscience ri Quakers that II was
10 compel them to DO what was contrary 70 the
principles Of thpr religion, by contributing III
tie support Of the military system and thus conn
tcnanCing The practise az war. But, he said, Il
was no such thing the tax proposed to be levied
in this case, was to be appropriated 10 a beney-
olent object one of which the Qnakers them
selves must approve, 20 ciyilize and educate the
Indians. He said il was the principle Of re-
publican government that taxation shend be-
equal bot a. the law now stood II was not 20
our militia law was unequal and unust-ihcre
was no reason, why the law should require one
man 70 DO that duty, and exempt another with
out an equivalent the equivalent need not lie
such as should 60 to increase wars 70 build forts
&c but might he something beneficial TO the
state they ought 20 DO something in lieu of tle
personal service which fell upon the rest Of the
community. He said, he was as much opposed
20 persecution as any man whatever, but lie DID
not regard the requirement OF this bill in tie M
ture OF persecution. but on the contrary IL was
70 equalize the burdens Of all classes of our cir
has hna tl-tt
equivalent. BY supporting their own poor but
how is this sir, he Asked have lived among tbs
people and know pretty well the wav they man
age in that thing-when one of their society
pHrsucs course Of life that has 4 tendency ID
make him poor-when he becomes dissipafcd
ami inattentvc 70 business. they turn him out Of
their community 50 that in fact they have few
or no poor but MANY who have formerly been
p Their persuasion. becoming paupers, are found
chargcahlc or towns Ike other paupers SO he
did not think there was any force IN that argu-
mment. The only objection he had 10 the bill
was maj me tnx WIS pot enough, Il ought 70 re
double ont he should support The bill - report
ca.
ven. vi DoNaTn. w7s orroscd ~ the bin DC
saId ne rose mcre'v ~ correct Tire roaflemans
statement respecting the treatment of the Qua-
Eers Io their Door. lie know il 10 hr otherwise
IMAM as represented. The sect Of Ouakers vas
Known ne said 70 he very strict in their discI-
phhe, and kent themselves pure. bv evrellpg
from their society disnraerly members tls was
not done to prevent their bacotninF rharrf.hle,
nut 10 preserve the hono.- " their prete,sior.
re had Known many instances OF their support
ing oheir own poor anu Il was rule a. their or
oer, that the poor sfAoni ID supported IN las
particular society in which thew became mem-
berS.
Mr.. FooR. said he Rad vofel against tho fill
On ioXier occasion and althop~h he ha1 he1Fo