Betides one State will tax another. The canfurtisrs will go to the mult convenient market. So that the attempt to make each State pay its own debt will be defeated, and the payments will fall as unequally as if the ademption (hculd take place and the ac counts not be fettled. New-Humpfhire, Connnetticut, Jerky and North-Carolina would pay almost wholly into the trcafuries ol the neighbor States. ' The non-importing States will be obliged also to°impofe direa taxes to pay their creditors, so that their citizens will be doubly taxed. If State exeifes then yield so little and are so unequal, where are th le mysterious, State resources, ■which are inacceffable to Congress ? If they are not of an incom municable nature, we can judge better by hearing the fubjefts of taxation named. It ought to appear that such ex it, and that Con gress could not draw, them forth. Ifyou rejetl exeifes, you cannot have an adequate revenue, and if the States have alio excites, the revenue will be impoverifti ed and hazarded. For if ail article can pay both duties there is a loss to get bat one, it might as well be collided throughout the li nked States, as in one State, and if it cannot pay both, one or both trcafuries will fuffcr tor the loss. Betides you incur a double ex pence of "colle6tion. What revenues are left you it the excise is rejected ? With such a (lender sum yuu cannot oiler new terms. The modification o! the entire debt as full proposed makes a saving in the capital of almost thirteen millions. The debt to be alfumed is about twen ty-four. The interest on the difference, or on the real increase of debt by a (Turning is less than 500,000 dollars yearly. We depend upon two principles tor the fecuri y of the revenues. One 'S that th: trading people will not be difpo'ed to offend, and the other is that all others will be inclined to watch and expose them if they flvould. Never waifapapular a revenue fylLim. But the violence to the jull demands of the creditors, depriving them of the money they have been used to receive, and creating in the ltates an nterelt to have your collection fail, in order to made the llatefunds cffe6lu.il, will produce a moll disastrous change. It is Jetting men's interdls as well as opinions against you. Nor wiil the landed intcrell have a different sentiment—For they will be murmuring under the load of direst taxes, and the more the ftati revenues can be improved by lessening the national, the less they will have to bear. What reason is there, then, for afferiing that more money can be obtained and more easily, by several fylkems than by one ? rh,s bold atfertion which the sense of America would refute, il its ex perience had not done it already, is not true of imposts. I have ■ endeavoured to expose its fallacy with regard to lUie excifts—They produce much evil and little money. Direct taxes, infulficient as they are, can be imposed by Congress to any amount, which ought to be required as well as by the ttatcs, and I do not know that they would be more obnoxious. It is true jull complaint is made ot their unequal operation, and I trust thatcongrefswill not be under the neceflity to call ior them. What advantages for taxation do the Hates possess over Congress ? We ought not to admit that any fr-.hexift till the reasons and lafls are made knowns to us — which W:thout adequate funds, the (btcs cannot propofeto their cre ditors .1 modification of the debt. By the constitution, they are reftraiued from palling laws to impair I He burden v. .11 reft upon the dates if not afluincd, at fix per cent, for without funds the creditors will not content to take less ; il illumed, upon Congress at four; is this the more cafy way of paying part ot 80 millions ? It makes a ditfercncc of lcveral millions aganift the public. ...... It we commit an error by not afTuming, it will be an expenlive one Have we funds so abundant and fate, thatweinay divide and mangle with impunity ? But we are told that probably there will be an alTumption at the next feflion, and that it is improper top-Is a decision at the prcitnt, especially as immediate provilion i> not to be made, and as delay will reconcile nun's minds to the mea sure Tiiis is plaufiolr, but at Icall it is yielding the great points to the principl . If the bulinefs Ihould be relerred to the next lei fion, with intent then to aflume, ihc Hates will not impul taxes and frame funding systems (or hall a year. In the mean tnn.-, this ftateot their paper will make it the fubjeft ot the mott perni cious (peculation. It will be engrossed for a tnfb by foreigner!, and at tbc la me timk aggravate the fcartitv of money by employ in' what there is, in purchases. In this (late ot fufpenle and to s vTll the public mind become tranquil ? Will it unite the two torn of creditors? But tho' you delay the interest on the ftatc debts to i-q-, you pass the revenue laws as soon as pofflble. By delay vou will lofethe revenue which may accumulate prior to that t'ime—Suppofe a million and an half obtained before the payment of interest lhall beg n, thatfum will secure the .interell agamit any probable deficiency oftheduties for twoor three years. Will not the public, will not the creditors ot every dcfcription, derive ad vantage from an immediate alfumption and eftablilhineut ot du ties, and from the proposed delay of paying interell ? It is an unusual thing for a gentleman 111 a public alfetsbly to a„- fcrt that four fifth of the people arc of his wayot thinking. This however has been done. It is not ftrarfge for persons to mistake their own opinion for that of the public. These fond prepotLlH ons may be received instead of evidence; but they cannot weigh much against evidence. My information may have Been less dili e-ntlv fought, and less carefully examine 1 than that gentleman's ; but I have compared it with what has been gathered by my friends, and I dcclare that I belie efourfuhsof the wile and wor thy men, in a very wide extent of country, look with strong dis approbation upon the injulli-e, and with anxious terror upon the impolicy of rejcfling the llate debts. Little notice has been taken of an argument fo,r the alfumption, which it iuft, is entitled to a great deal ; 1 mean that which has been ur-ed to shew that it will (lengthen the government. The answer given is, that, instead of pecuniary influence, new powers ere wanting to the constitution. This is not denying the arg 1- nient, but aliening a propofuion, which, iftalfe, isto be disregard ed and if true, is not inconfiftcot with the point in question. So far'from denying, it seems to admit the utillity of the alfumption, and affrrtsthe ut'illi yof some other thing. Which other thing he his not explained, and if he had, it is probably unattainable, nor will its attainment, be it what it may, be prevented by the af fump'um —But before we ask for new poweis on paper, let us rxercifc those which are actually veiled in Congress. What will new powers avail us, if we fuffer the constitution to become a dead letter ? What has dropped from the gentleman in regard,lo this point, amounts to an important eonccffioii. Little topics «>f ob jection fink to nothing, when it is allowed that the alTumption will strengthen the government. Is the principle of union too Itrong ? Do not all good m ndefircto make it pertect ? What nation has more to hope from union, or to fear from disunion ? Shall we makethe union less strong than the people have intended to make it by adopting the constitution ? And do not all agree, that the aliumption is not a neutral measure ? If its adoption will give flrength tothe union, its rejetlion will have the co.itrary effect. I have thoughfof this government with the fondeft cnthufiafm. I have conlidered it as tending to mend the condition of mankind, and to pet petuate the bleflings o# liberty.—At this late period of the debate, it is hardlv polfible for gentlemen to exercile impartia lity. It willbe an a£l of virtue, of magnanimous fclf command to do more—to place thcmfelves for a mom< nt in the situation ol the advocates of the aflumption, and to (et with their eyes. They love their country, and mean to serve it; and lam sure they would (brink from the fpeflreof its misery which haunts us; they would not consent to undo the constitution in practice, to realize the evils •which were only apprehended under theconfederaiion, and which were preven ed' by the total w„nt of power in Congress. With this principle, however, it will be found that power enough is gi ven to create division; and to make it fatal : It will beggar the govermcntj and bind it in chains. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30. A MESSAGE was received from the Prendent of the United States, with the copy'of an Ast of theLegiflature of the State of Rhode Island, for ratifying certain articles of amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Mr. Williamfon presented a Memorial from Dr. Thomas Rufton, in behalf of the directors of s Cotton Manufactory in the State of Pennsylva nia. In Committee of the whole on the bill concern ing the tradeand navigation of the United States. Mr. Madison entered into a discussion or the principles on which the trade and navigation of .he United Stales ought to be regulated—the idea of discrimination in refpedt to foreigners,as proposed in the bill originally, having been di(- lgreed to,however juft and reasonable he thought that diitintftion to be, he said, as there appeared to be a majority againftit, he ihould wave any further arguments on the fubjecJt, and would fuggeit the principle of reciprocity as an idea which would meet the general approbation of the Committee.. Ke adduced several particulars to lliew that tfreciprocity does not exist in our :rade andintercourfe with Great Britain ; while our (hipping is excluded from many of her ports, and admitted into others under such restrictions as are nearly tantamount to a prohibition—their (hipping is freely admitted into all the ports, harbors and bays of the United States. He then read two propositions in the following words, which he proposed Ihould be added as clauses to the bill, viz.— Aid be it further enafled, That in all cases where veflels belonging to the citizens of the United States may be prohibited from bringing any articles from any foreign port or place, by laws or regulations of the sovereign thereof, into any port or place within the United States, the vellels belonging wholly or in part to the fabjecfts of such sovereign, shall after the dny of during the continuance of such prohibition, be prohibited from bringing like articles into the United States, 011 pain of being seized and forfeited to their ule. And the mas ters or owners of all foreign vefiels clearing from any port of the United States, with any ar ticles the growth,produce or manufacture there of, ihall give bond with fufficient security, that no part of the said articles {hall be delivered at any port or place to which vefiels belonging to citizens of the United States may not be permit ted to tranfporc like articles from the United States. And b; it further enaClid, That in all cases where velTels belonging to citizens of the United States, may bi prohibited by the laws or regular tions of that foreign country, from carrying thereto articles not the growth, produce or ma nufofture of the United States, the veflels belong- ing wholly or in part to the fubjeifts, citizens or inhabitants of such country, lhall, after the day of and continuance of such prohibition, be prohibited in like manner from bringing any articles not the growth, pro duce or manufacture of such country, into the United States, 011 pain of being seized and for feited to their ule. These proportions being considered as very interesting and important in their consequences, it was moved that the committee Ihould rife, that the members might take time to consider them. The motion tor the committee's rising was op posed. m * Mr. Wadfworth asked ifllat reason could be as signed for the committee's rising ?—for his part lie was ready to meet the propofi lions—he be lieved he (hould vote for them—He considered them a« calculated to try the strength of the com inittee—it is coming to the point—it is proposing a very bold nieafure indeed ; but if it is thought we can Hand the shock.l Ihould have no objection to try it. I hope the committee will proceed to discuss the propositions. Mr. Vining observed that he had no objection to taking up rhe fubjedt—but as gentlemen ap pear desirous of taking time to consider the pro positions he was in favor of the committee's ri sing—With refpedt to the " boldness" of the measure, he wis at a loss to find the propriety of the epithet—for his part, he considered it as a measure offirmhefi —and as such highly becom ing the national legislature of this country to adopt. Mr. Sherman observed, that he saw nothing that favor'd of boldness in the propositions—they appeared him to be natural, and nothing more than a proper aflertion of the equal rights of thiscountry— It is merely meeting with counter regulations, the regulations of other countries, that are hostile to our huerefts—this we have a right undoubtedly to do. I hope the committee will not rife, but discuss thefubjetf, that the me rits of the propositions may be fully known. Mr. Goodhue spoke generally in favor of the propositions, and agaiuft the committee's rising. Mr. Jacklon was in favor of the committee's rising—the propositions he considered as very ex traordinary indeed—and if they should be adopt ed, they will annihilate, in a great measure, the 510 trade of Georgia, to the Welt-ladles, andiict,?- lievecl of North Carolina too, notwithllandin what the gentleman from that State has said j'it the course of debate on this fubjedl.-~II e though* it extraordinary that the gentleman from Vj r . ginia should come forward with one exccpti ona . ble proportion after another—the gentleman hav. ing 101 l one favorite propodtion, so tenacious is he of his object, that he now brings forward ano tlier, in my opinion,faid lie,fuHas exceptionable. The question being taken was carried in the affirmative—the committee rose, and reported the proportions, which are to be taken into coniidcr ation to-morrow. Ihe house then went into committee on the WAYS and MEANS for pacing the intcreft on the public debt.MSoine time was Ipent in (i, t consideration of me plan reported by Mr. Ki: z . limons, Uit tlje committee did not come toaiv decision. Adjourned. 1 THURSDAY, JULY i. The petition of John Fitch, of lative to steam as applied to the purpofcs ofna»J» gation, was read. ' Mr. Boudinot of tlie committee appointed for thar purpose reported a bill to provide for the national defence. The bill further to provide for the payment of the invalid penfionera of the U. S. was read the third time and parted. A was received from the Irefident of the United Sta.es, informing that he had given his assent to three a<fts, which originated in the House : An A<ft providing the means of intercom fe between the United States and foreign nations: An Ast, for the relief of Nathaniel Twining, aits an Act to fatisfy the claims of Joirn Mctord a gainst the United States. A mefiagefroni the Senate informed thelioufe that they had palled the bill extending the enu nieration law to the State of Rhode-lfiand. The report of the committee 011 the memorial of Thomas' Barclay was read—the fnbftance of which is, that the sum of 3333-$ dollars be allow ed the Memorialist in full for his services during thetime he was employed by the United States, exclusive of neceflary expences. A motion for re-committing the report occafionedfoine debate, but was carried in the affirmative. hi committee of the whole on the Ways and Means to discharge the intereftof thedebtof the United States, the resolutions of the feletf com mittee were agreed to—these are, I ft. to encrealr tlielmpoft one/A/r(/--and the duties on the follow ing enumerated articles to the sum annexed : each— Distilled Spirits ij-. Madeira Wine 32. (Centsp, Other Wines iSj. r gallon Molafles 3s. ) I Bohea Tea 10. Cents pr. lb. Souchong and other black Teas, 18. 1-6. Hyson 32. Other Green Teas 20'. Coffee 4. Brown Sugar ih. Loaf ditto 5. All other do. 2£. Pepper 7. 4-100, ' Pimento /y. Nutmegs 6j. Macc 2;. Mace- Cinnamon 20. Cloves I2i. Caflia 10 2. Resolved, That after the day of thedifcount of ten per cent.of the duties on g'>ods, wares and merchandize, imported in lhips or veflels, the property of a citizen or citizens of the United States, be discontinued, and that an addi tion of ten per cent, be made to the duties of! goods, wares, or merchandise, imported in any other {hip 01* veflel- Ordered, That tliefe Resolutions lie on the ta ble till to-morrow. Adjourned. FRIDAY, JULY 2. The report of the committee ol the whole houfr on the wz\s and means to discharge the interest on the debt of the United States was taken up, and agreed to without amendment. "Mr. Stone moved to insert the article fait at an additional cutv of 2 cents per bufliel—this occasioned a lengthy debate; the mo tion was negatived. A committee confiding of Mi. Fitznraom. Mr Sherman an Mr. Tucker, was appointed to bring in a bill agreeable to there port. A meflage was received from the Senate, with a bill, _ eter inining the temporary and permanent residence of Congre' s "~ t e lubftance of which is, that the temporary residence (hall be at . - ladelphia from the commencement of the next feflion io Decent, btr, till the year 1800 ; and from that period, the permanent rcy dence to be on the Potowmac This bill was read the nr an lecond time—ordered to be printed, and referred totheeomm" c of tne whole house on Tucfday next. - . c The report of the Committee on the Fees, Bcc: to the <^ nu !^f c the United States, was taken into consideration. The nn c z of the report authorised Consuls and Vice Consuls to rc £ cl ? C similar to those eftablflhed by law in the places for whic. t -e> appointed ; and where no such fees are eft ablilhed, they wete 0 allowed dollars on the entry and clearance of e\er) 1 rican veflel of 100 tons and under—and dollar* on such veflel of 100 tons and upwards. This clause, on nio Mr. Fitzfimons was struck out. The othi!r parts o tic . r _ which allows them to receive dollars f f " CO^V| S & f . tificates and other documents, also to own American u^ m ' lltcc i were agreed to. It was then voted that the bill be re-n —and the Committee inftrutled to consider and tepoj ther provision should be made for Consuls and Vice- 0 Mr. Benfon had leave of abfencc for a fortnight. Adjourned till MoneUy 10 o'Clock. if-•: 7. 4-100,
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