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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --TUESDAY, MARCH 18.
On the report of the Committee to whom the 3 paragraphs of the Report on revenues (see March 6 & 7) had been recommitted, the said paragraphs were expunged so as to admit the following amendment which took place without opposition, viz.
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"Resolved That it be recommended &c &c.
And upon all goods, except arms, ammunitions & cloathing or other articles,1 imported for the use of the U. S., a duty of 5 Per Ct. ad valorem:
[Note 1: 1 The other exception, as to cards & wire for making them &c., was struck out unanimously on the motion of Mr. Clark; being considered as no longer necessary & contrary to the general policy of encouraging necessary manufactures among ourselves, [Note in MS.]]
Provided that there be allowed a bounty of 1/8 of a dollar for every Quintal of dried fish exported from these 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 ¼ a dollar per 100 acres other than those heretofore generally urged were that it was more moderate than had been paid before the revolution and 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
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to by the Southern 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 cruse 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
[Note 1: 1 This was meant to guard agst. a construction that they were to take effect when peace st. be agreed on by those powers, & the latter be ready to sign, altho' the former s.d. be restrained untill the other parties sd. be ready for signing. [Note in MS.]]
Ordered that to-morrow be assigned for the consideration of the said letter.
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