The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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TUESDAY MARCH 18. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TUESDAY MARCH 18.
On the report of the Committee to whom the 3 paragraphs of
the Report on revenues (see March the 6 & 7) had been recommitted,
the said paragraphs were expunged so as to admit the
following amendments which took place without opposition, viz
"Resolved That it be recommended &c &c (see 1vl. 1 P).[70]
| Dols. | |
| Upon all rum of Jamaica proof per Gallon | 4/90 |
| Upon all other spirituous liquors | 3/90 |
| Upon Madeira wine | 12/90 |
| Upon the wines of Lisbon, Oporto, those called Sherry & upon all French wines |
6/90 |
| Upon the wines called Malaga or Teneriffe | 5/90 |
| Upon all other wines | 4/90 |
| Upon common Bohea Tea, Per lb | 6/90 |
| Upon all other Teas | 24/90 |
| Upon pepper, per lb | 3/90 |
| Upon Brown Sugar per lb | ½/90 |
| Upon loaf Sugar | 2/90 |
| Upon all other Sugars | 1/90 |
| Upon molasses per Gallon | 1/90 |
| Upon Cocoa & Coffee, per lb | 1/90 |
| Upon Salt after the war, per bushel, | 1/8 |
And upon all goods, except arms, ammunition & clothing or
other articles,[71]
imported for the use of the U. S., a duty of 5 Per
Ct. ad valorem:
Provided that there be allowed a bounty of 1/8 of a dollar for
every Quintal of dried fish exported from the U. S., and a like sum
for every Barrel of Pickled fish, beef or pork to be paid or allowed
to the exporter thereof at the port from which they shall
be so exported.
The arguments urged by Mr. Wilson in behalf of his motion
(see Journal) for a land tax [of 1/4 of a dollar for 100 acres] other
than those heretofore generally urged were that it was more
moderate than had been paid before the revolution & it cd. not be
supposed the people wd. grudge to pay as the price of their liberty
what they formerly paid to their oppressors; that if it was unequal,
this inequality wd. be corrected by the States in other taxes
—that as the tax on trade would fall chiefly on the inhabitants of
the lower Country who consumed the imports, the tax on land
would affect those who were remote from the Sea & consumed little.
On the opposite side it was alledged that such a tax was repugnant
to the popular ideas of equality & particularly wd never be
acceded to by the S. States at least unless they were to be respectively
credited for the amount; and if such credit were to be
given, it wd be best to let the States chuse such taxes as would
best suit them.
A letter came in & was read from the Secy. of F. A. stating the
perplexing alternative to which Congs. were reduced by the secret
article relating to West Florida, either of dishonoring themselves
by becoming a party to the concealment or of wounding the feelings
& destroying the influence of our Ministers by disclosing the
article to the French Court; and proposing as advisable on the
whole
That he be authorized to communicate the article in question
to The French Minister in such manner as would best tend
to remove the unfavorable impressions which might be made on
the Ct. of F. as to the sincerity of Congress or their Ministers.That the sd. Ministers be informed of this communication,
and instructed to agree that the limit for W. F., proposed in the
separate article be allowed to whatever power the said colony may
be confirmed by a Treaty of peace.That it be declared to be the sense of Congress that the preliminary
articles between the U. S. & G. B. are not to take effect
untill peace shall be actually signed between the Kings of F. &
G. B.[72]
1.
2.
3.
Ordered that to-morrow be assigned for the consideration of
the said letter.
| The writings of James Madison, | |