Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-07
EXHIRIr 4

NASHVILLE, Nov. 18Th, 1851.
To tie Members composing the Tennessee Delegation Ia
The Congress Of hs Confederate Safes:
GENTLENEN-The undersigned members of the
General Assembly of the State of Tennessee and q
Joint Select Committee, to whom has been refer
red by the Legislature, that portion of the Cover
nOr's Message which recommends the payment by the
state of the Confederate states war tax In pursuance
of the Path Sec. of the scs approved August 18Th
1861, have thought proper TO communicate with
you in reference TO certain matters involved in the
consideration of the subjects submitted to them as
q Committee. The Committee think it expedisnt and
for the best interests of the people of the State for
several reasons. that the Stste should pay this
tax if it is practicable to do so. In the first place.
the ten per cent upon the amount of the State taxes
ia saved; in the second place, the collection of the
taxes from the people who i'll prepared at this
junCture to besrthe burthen of heavy tsxation) BY
Confederate States officers is avoided and in the
third place on account of apprehended dissectiOs on
the part of the people of East Tennessee, If Cenfed
crate States tax collectors should go amongst them
TO enforce the collection Of taxes The Committee
think il prudent, If possible TO provide some plan
to escape evils which might attend the collection
Of this tax there The COMMITTEE have had great
difficulties in devIsing any plan by which the State
on account Of the times and its existing indebted
ness, can provide for the payment of this tax I'M
less some arrangement can be provided by the Gov
eminent of ths Confederate States by which the
tax due bathe State Of tennessee may be set off
against sO "a Of the Indebtedness of the Confed-
este STAT er on account CT the advances and
aeEpapdl by the State for war purposes
reI Or o. assurances can be given by the
Government = will pay, in some short time, to
the State pol 6h of its Indebtedness in Treasury
notes, so thsakuch Treasury notes may be applied
TO thesPs<9A by the State, o. the war tax You
gentlemen, understand fully and appreciate the con
ditiOn of affairs in our State, and we beg leave to
request that you will Immediately confer with the
proper department of cur Government at Richmond
and ascertain if any arrangement can be made by
which our State can pay this tax by lst day of
April in settlement Of mach of claim against
the Government, or if any assurance
can be given 10 US that q considerable
portion of that claim will be paid in Treasury notes
to the State between this and next April. If no
such arrangement can be made and no such azEur-
ances will De given Us, we desire to have your
views at an early day of the propriety and prscti
eability of legislation by Congress which will give
our State the relief desired Cannot act of Con
gress be passed at esry day authorizing the ap-
propriste department to settle with the State by
charging her with the amount of her on account
Of the Indebtedness of the Government to the State.
or in some other way that will relieve the State
The Committee believe that if plan can be devised
to avoid the collection of the tax from our peO-
pie at this particular time, the great interests of
our cause will be promoted, and probably serious
difficulties may be Obviated. We hope to hear from
you fully st early day as we will postpone our
action and report to the General Assembly until
can hear from you
Very Respectfully,
W. C. DUNLAP,
Chairman of Senate Committee.
D. N Estes
Ira p. JONES
J. r GARDNER
W. L. EOCLELLAsp.