| | 1 | Author: | Trollope
Frances Milton
1780-1863 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Domestic Manners of the Americans  | | | | Published: | 2003 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Modern English collection | UVA-LIB-Text | | | | Description: | On the 4th of November, 1827, I sailed from
London, accompanied by my son and two
daughters; and after a favourable, though somewhat
tedious voyage, arrived on Christmas—day
at the mouth of the Mississippi. By far the shortest route to Washington, both
as to distance and time, is by land; but I much
wished to see the celebrated Chesapeake bay,
and it was therefore decided that we should
take our passage in the steam-boat. It is indeed
a beautiful little voyage, and well worth
the time it costs; but as to the beauty of the
bay, it must, I think, be felt only by sailors. It
is, I doubt not, a fine shelter for ships, from the
storms of the Atlantic, but its very vastness prevents
its striking the eye as beautiful: it is, in
fact, only a fine sea view. But the entrance
from it into the Potomac river is very noble,
and is one of the points at which one feels conscious
of the gigantic proportions of the country,
without having recourse to a graduated
pencil-case. "Those indebted to me for taxes, fees, notes,
and accounts, are specially requested to call
and pay the same on or before the 1st day of
December, 1828, as no longer indulgence will
be given. I have called time and again, by advertisement
and otherwise, to little effect; but
now the time has come when my situation requires
immediate payment from all indebted to
me. It is impossible for me to pay off the
amount of the duplicates of taxes and my other
debts without recovering the same of those from
whom it is due. I am at a loss to know the
reason why those charged with taxes neglect to
pay; from the negligence of many it would
seem that they think the money is mine, or that
I have funds to discharge the taxes due to the
State, and that I can wait with them until it
suits their convenience to pay. The money is
not mine; neither have I the funds to settle
amount of the duplicate. My only resort is to
collect; in doing so I should be sorry to have
to resort to the authority given me by law for
the recovery of the same. It should be the first
object of every good citizen to pay his taxes, for
it is in that way government is supported. Why
are taxes assessed unless they are collected?
Depend upon it, I shall proceed to collect agreeably
to law, so govern yourselves accordingly. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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