Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-29
the then treasurer For 1867, 1870,
and 1871, . receipt dated the "a day Of
December. 1873. signed hy Samuel A.

the then treasurer For 1867, 1870,
and 1871, . receipt dated the "a day Of
December, 1873, signed by Samuel A.
Swan, treasurer. ut being the amount
Of redenption-money for lands men.
toned in the above memorandum" /
wrote to Colonel Marye and stated the
facts I. sent the tax.receipts Of Swan and
and smith to the State Bank, with an
order for the amount Of the tax for one
year for which the receipt was not
found, and asked his inspection Of the
same and solicited settlement thereof.
II took months to be relieved Of IN un.
just demand made by the Common
wealth.
1t will be observed that the first
statement claimed taxes delinquent for
two years; the second for larger
period, and the third for five years.
Of the five years four had been paid
and the receipts produced, and Of the
four years three were for redemption
money"
conclude from the above and other
facts that the condition Of the Auditors
and Treasurer's offices, with no fault of
the gentlemen who FIJI them, is such
that it is impossible TO ascertain the
amount Of or to locate the taxes that
are delinquent. That arrangement and
bad management have obtained in these
Offices and with some State officials for
years, and that an adjustment and cor
rection Of the same should be made be-
fore the State makes a demand on any
citizen for delinquent taxes. The re-
cords in the State offices show on their
face errors, if not frauds. One who for
many years made these records is now
charged with fraud in his acts touching
the same. With what show OF Justice
can the Commonwealth demand these
taxes of her citizens? The source from
which she obtains the information upon
which her demand is made is tainted
with fraud and full of errors.
Again These demands have time
and again been confronted with tax re-
ceipts, and the cry comes up from oil
over the State Of honest and prompt
citizens declaring, " They have always
paid their taxes and their lands have
been posted delinquent and for sale."
Is not this an outrage upon the rights Of
citizenship: Is it not a subversion of
the prime object of this Government?
So far from protecting it's citizens in
their right to acquire and peaceably
hold property, she seeks by force, in
the name of law, to take from her peo-
pie property already acquired.
All taxes due the State by those
now living, or by those who are dead,
and whose property is now held by in
heritance or by devise of the deceased,
should be paid. Purchases for value,
without notice, have had no means of
ascertaining the existence Of these tax
liens. An inquiry at the Auditors
office mot at county clerk S otiice) would
not afford correct information, because
this and all the offices relating to State
taxes are in disorder.
For the State, then, to undertake to
demand payment of taxes before accu-
rately ascertaining whether or not they
are due is wrong, and will cause end.
less amount Of labor, anxiety, and
worry to her honest citizens who do
not owe her one dollar.
Poor will be the reward to industry
and virtue when the State forces from
her people that which they do not owe
her. Let us in confidence hope yir-
ginia will not so act. Better pause for
years and correct errors and mistakes.
JOHN WASHINGTON,
Caroline county, Va.
January %, 1856.