The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-01-16
Usco.srrurIosAL TAxArIos on MARunRs-A.

u present interesting crisis in foreign relations
when every breath denotes and every sound speaks
as the hoarse sea trumpet, may be interesting
question to ask what is the condition Of the Mariner
whose brave arms we must rely in Of war Are
they well treated by their country and its laws Are
their interests protected and their feelings duly con-
sideredl
II is estimated by the best judges that the whole ma
val population Of the United States who live on the
stormy Deep" about 10000 persons. Look at
them shore-see that firm nerve-that unblanched
cheek-that fearless eye These are the men who in
Of naval war; would elevate the glory and defend
the name of their country. How do We andsmen, le-
gslators, editors, and rascay politicians who make the
laws treat these gallant, honest hardy fearless Of
patriots Be the tale told
BY the United States laws, now in existence every
is compelled to pay t,centy cents month TO-
wards the erection of fund expended on the destitute
and dsabled-on the widows and orphans of those who
contribute. This tax yields large sum of money
yearly. Congress has very properly made appropra-
tons in addition, and in several of the Atlantic cities
splendid Naval Asylums have been erected-monu-
meats Of architecture if the profit
Of the contractors, il of the weaher-beaten tar
SO far all is toleraby right Ii might be better but
this is bad world if our rulers get half way in doing
good thing ought to thank Heaven that we had an
escape-be it but plank in gale-a soft bottom on
lee shore.
New York is great city-a great state-a great
community. Commerce is her pride and main stay
Her laws and institutions ought correspond with her
reputation. Do theyl Let US see. By law of this
state, every seaman Of every rank is taxed on every
voyage-captans 81 50-mates 81 25-mariners 81
As two thirds Of the shipping and commerce of the M
ton centre in New York, at an ordinary calculation this
tax will amount to 100000. This immense amount
yearly, is taken out Of the hard earned wages of the
mariners, and is paid into the hands of the Collector
BY the Collector is paid into hands of the corpo
rate and state auhorities-bur where lands after
wards has entirely escaped the closest observer Some
believe that the mariners piitance thus taken from hin
under the name of tax appropriated for the House
Of Reuge-others believe that large slice of il goe.
into the Bethel Union Society. We are certain at leas
that the Rev. Mr.. Chase received $500 of this fund,
be appropriated for Foreign Missions and is no less
certain that the mariners derive no benefit from tn.
onerous exaction.
Such are the leading facts of case of legal oppres
sion, CALLING as the ship money imposed on British
commerce by Charles L. of England, which cost tina
monarch his head, and produced bloody revouio,
that lasted half century.
BY the Constitution Of the United States, Congress
alone has power to tax foreign commerce. The states
expressly excluded from the exercise of such al
thority When the latter do enact small tax ON 70
reign commerce. for the purpose of carrying into opera
ton their inspection laws the proceeds of such tax mus
be paid into the United States Treasury and is counted
as a part of the national revenue.
By the letter and spirit of the Constitution, to sa,
nothing of honesty and JUSTICE the tax imposed upo
every hardy mariner who enters the port of New York
is Illegal unconstitutional and oppressive II an
just and beral tribute imposed by unconsturiona
authority upon the of this city. The none
indeed is taken in the first instance from the poor mari
ner but the merchants and the ship masters bear thei
proportion of the burden. The sailor however is TN
least able to have flock Of Office holders and hypocre
thrust their hands into his pocket and abstract therefor
dollar for every voyage. If out of the proceeds
this tax the Reverend gentlemen Of the Bethel Union
the Foreign Mission Society afford to hang hei
windows with damask curtains, to lounge on Indial
SOFAS and to pray for fair winds kneeng the softes
ootsoos they ought TO forget that the poor mari
nsr's curtains the big beled sails tapping in TN
rude mperious' wind-that his Indian sofas are rh
hammock and capstan head-that his footstool is thu
giddy shrouds giddier trees
- In the visitation Of he winds
Who take the rufhzn pillows BY the TOP,
Curling their n,onstrous heads and hanging them
With deafenng clsmours In the sippery clouds.
This tax is monsrous injustice-not only unjust,
is unconsttutona-no only unconstitutional, il is pub
lie robbery-not only robbery Of the rich, but rob
berry Of the poor-not only Of the poor landsman bu
of the honest marner-the defender Of his native sho