8325. TAXES, Abolition of internal.—
Other circumstances, combined with the increase
of numbers, have produced an augmentation
of revenue arising from consumption,
in a ratio far beyond that of population
alone; and though the changes of foreign relations
now taking place so desirable for the
world, may for a season affect this branch of
revenue, yet, weighing all probabilities of expense,
as well as of income, there is reasonable
ground of confidence that we may now safely
dispense with all the internal taxes—comprehending
excises, stamps, auctions, licenses,
carriages, and refined sugars, to which the
postage on newspapers may be added, to
facilitate the progress of information; and
that the remaining sources of revenue will
be sufficient to provide for the support of the
government, to pay the interest of the public
debts, and to discharge the principals in
shorter periods than the laws or the general
expectation had contemplated. War, indeed,
and untoward events, may change this prospect
of things, and call for expenses which the
imposts could not meet; but sound principles
will not justify our taxing the industry of our
fellow-citizens to accumulate treasure for
wars to happen we know not when, and which
might not perhaps happen but from the temptations
offered by that treasure.—
First Annual Message. Washington ed. viii, 9.
Ford ed., viii, 119.
(1801)
