Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-01-14
WAsnlNGroN. Sd nipht. ian . ls41

ASHiNGToN, Sat. night, Jan. =, 1871.
GENTLEMEN:-l have been quite Ill to-day-unabe
TO leave my room, and tonight am unable to sleep.
am anxious, and fearful for my party, and country
| The President, as you know, In his message at
the opening OF the present session. suggested the pro-
priety of levying moderate duty upon the articles
enumerated upon the free list, and consequently at
present untnxed, of which articles tea and coffee are
the principal. understand that at an early day Of
the session, the Secretary of the Treasury commune
Gated with the committee on ways and means (proba-
bly, verbally, and through the chairman and suggest
ed the mpossbiy OF procuring loans at the low rate
Of interest fixed by Congress- unless further du-
ties should be assessed TO enable the lenders see
the means provided for payment, and moreover sug-
gesng tea and coffee the only articles which could
be subjected to duty with the prospect of raising
substantial addition TO the revenue afforded BY the
present tariff aud suggesting further the necessity of
action during the last month necessary TO enable
the Government raise money to carry on the war
Nothing resulting from these Suggestions, the Sec
rotary the 2lst of last month"; addressed TO the
mittec Of ways and a note, which has been
formerly published and copy Of which you viii find
herewith, cut from the Baltimore Sun.
Since the House adjourned to-day, learn that the
House Of Representatives to-day adopted resolution
compmenting the people being very patriotic and
willing to be taxed 10 carry the present Just and
necessary war; and at the same time, by a majority
Of about sixty adopted another resolution condemning
the suggestion Cf tie Administration TO raise money
TO carry IL on by duty upon tea and coffee.
infer from tlIi~ that 1t Is the fixed opinion of the
majority of the House Of Representatives, that the
people prefer compliments TO taxation.
Thus, the Administration. with majority Of its
party In the House of than fifty, IS left on this
question, not only without majority carry out
recommendations, 10 enable il TO meet the expecta-
tons Of the country, in carrying on the war; but
finds ITSELF this vital question: in fear
ful minority.
What the result will be, is a subject of much sur
mise. Many, am told suppose the Secretary of the
Treasury. not being supported by the House, and be-
ing unwilling, under those circumstances, TO be fur
Their responsible for the forenamed operations of the
this vote will be re-consdered. | have however
heard but few speak of the matter,-only those who
have visited me at my room.
1t is very clear, think, that unless reconsdera-
ton does take place, either the be abandon
ed or the rate of interest left discretionary with the
Government This last will, presume, be the result
And thus, to avoid duty of about cent pound
on coffee, and like advalorem duty tea, our ma
tional bonds will be hawked about the market at a
discount.
For my part, am of opinion that the people would
prefer the tea and coffee tax to any such notifying,
and dsgraceful condition of things.
But the present gentlemen of the House, who voted
down the proposition, Will be able to show that they
voted against taxing the old womens and coffee
My notion is, that the old women better patri-
OTIS than The representatives in Congress of their better
halves, and that rather than the abandoned,
inetcently prosecuted, they would pay cheerfuly
the additional cent pound for their coffee, and for
tea accordingly, and moreover 60 and fight the Mexi-
cans with their broomsticks and fire shovels-and
then make better fight Of it than trained politicians.
You will, no doubt, find the resolutions, yeas and
nays, &C., in this nights Union
Your Representative, like myself, is confined to
his room to-day by being unwell-probably might
orc N
advised Of the matter to be brought on the carpet
presume no one is authorized say how he would
have voted had he been present. but he has often been
heard say that he would rather resign his seat in
Congress than vote against the Administration,
question of supplies for the war.
There is trouble here. The wings will vote any
way to embarrass the Government, and some demo-
Gratis, am persuaded do not give the proper credit
for the good sense which is theirsnUr the patriotism
either. Yours in truth, BhOIuS-