The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-01
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every true hearted Southern man.
He takes the right view OF the case. Cut of
all trade with the violators OF the Constitution and
the dlsturbers OF our peace, and they will soon
learn to respect the rights Of the South. We
learned few days ago that one of our merchants
offered TO go into bond of fifty thousand dollars,
not to purchase any thing manufactured IN Il free
State, provided all the merchants in town will
Join him. We should like to see such asso-
citation 1t would have n great effect, and we
trust something OF the sort may be adopted in
every Southern town and city.
Mr.. ERWIN'S BILL.
A BILL 10 insure the more faithful observance
of the Constitution of the United Slates--to as
ssrt the right of the Southern States TO a fair
share in all the benefits of the Governments
encourage domestic industry and direct trade
with foreign nations.
BE IL enacied by the General assembly Qfihe State o.
North Carolina, That, in addition to the provi-
sions of the existing revenue laws, every mer-
chant, pedar, factor and trader OF whatsoever de-
scription, shall be subject to the following regula-
tons: Every such person shall, on the first day OF
January, III the year of Lord, 1852, or as
soon thereafter as may be cow enient, state upon
oath and in writing before the clerk of the court
of pleas and quarter sessions, in and for the coun-
ty in which he resides, or in an other where he is
engaged in trade, the value of all the goods,
wares, and merchandise, of every kind, which he
may have on hand for sale; and upon the sum so
set forth by him, there shall be imposed tax of
ten per cent ad uaLoreni, which said tax shall be
collected and paid to the State in the same manner
as all other taxes are collected and paid. Pro-
vded, nevertheless that if he shall state upon afi-
davit that the whole or any part of said goods is
the growth, produce, or Manufacture, of any one
of the following States, viz: Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia. Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
| Aria ri. EIorIda
or Of any foreign country, then the aforesaid tax
Nof ten per cent. due upon such part shall not be
collected and said merchant trader shall be ex-
empt from paying the same, leaving him subject
only to the tax on such articles as may have been
produced on manufactured in any of the States of
this Union not named in this act.
find be 1t further enacted, That on the first day
Of January in each and every year succeeding the
time specified in the above section, or Dis soon
thereafter may be practicable, every snch mer-
chant, trader, &c. shall in like manner state upon
oath before the clerk Of the court of pleas and
quarter sessions, aforesaid, the value in cash OF
all the purchases OF goods, wares, and merchan-
dize made by him in the preceding twelve months
of each year, upon which a similar tax of ten per
cent. ad pdlorem shall be imposed and collected in
like manner hereinbefore provided, and subject
to the exceptions aforesaid.
Be ii further enacted That if after three months
from the first day Of January in each year after
have failed TO comply with the abnve provisions
Of this act, it shall be the duty of the Sheriff of
the county wherein such failure sholl have occur
red, to collect double the said TAX from such per-
son so failing as aforesaid. Provided, neverthe-
less, the courts may release him as in other cases,
Of double tax.
BE it, further enacted, That if any merchant, ira
der, &C., shall make false statement under the
provisions OF this act with intent TO defraud the
State, he shall be deemed gity of perjury and
shall be proceeded against in other cases of like
nature or if any such person by any shift, de-
vice or evasion, shall attempt to avoid the pay
ment of the tax herenbefore imposed, he shall be
held guilty Of a msdemeanor, and upon his con-
vicon before any court of record IN the State, 1t
shall be the duty of the court in behalf ofthe State
to render judgment against him IN double the sum
Of the tax which he has so frauduenty endeavor-
ed to avoid the payment Of and in addition to
said judgment he shall be liable to fine and i'm
prsonment in other cases of msdemeanor.
BE IL further enacted, That every such merchant,
or trader as above described, shall in answer to
any enquiry made by any customer or purchaser,
state truly according TO the best of his knowledge
or belief the place where any article which he
may offer for sale was produced, grown or manu-
faciured and if he shall Intentionally make a
fase statement in this respect he shall forfeit and
pay the sum of ten dollars in each instance, TO be
recovered by warrant before any justice of the
peace, one half Of which said penalty shall 60 TO
any person who may sue for the same, the other
to the State.
BE il further enacted, That every such merchant,
trader, &C., as aforesaid, from and after the first
day Of January, in the year of our Lord 1853
shall be liable To an annual tax OF one hundred
dollars. Provided, nevertheless, that if such per-
son shall make it appear by his own oath, or 9th
erwise before the clerk of the county court afore.
said, that his purchases for said year have beer
wholly made in any of the above named slave
holding States. he shall then be exempt from the
payment of said tax.
Be il further enacted, That IL within three years
fro n the passage of this act all the above slave
holding States shall not have passed law or laws
similar to this, then the exemptions herein con
tanned shall be held to extend only to the produc
tons Of such States have adopted similar laws
BE Il further enacted. That the provisions of this
law shall remain in force until the territories Of
the United States shall be opened to the citizens Of
North Carolina, in the possession and enjoyment
Of every species OF property which they may now
lawfully hold within the limits of said State, and
until the constitutional provisions relative to the
delivery of fugitive slaves shall be faithfully car
red out in practice throughout the United States
Be further enacted, That his EyceeDcy, the
governor of this State be, and he is hereby respect
fully requested 10 transmit copy of this act to
the governor of each of the States above named
with request that it be laid before the legislatures
Of the same in the hope that they will pass SIM
liar law or laws.