cordingly proposed, to raise by loan, conformable to the That the amount of the principal of the public debt And in the event of stocks falling below par (thereby imposing upon the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund an obligation to purchase in order to satisfy the annual appropriation of eight millions of dollars for the reduction of the public debt) may amount to the further sum of Total amount of the principal of the public debt which may become reimbursable during the present year 3,640,000 $5,775,000 Which sum it is also proposed to authorize the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund to borrow, conformable to such bill as may hereafter be reported. That the ordinary expenses of Govern ment for the year 1813, may be estimated as for the present year, at about To which must be added the interest then accruing on the loan proposed to be authorized for the service of the present year, estimating the same at six per cent., and amounting to Making the revenue necessary to be provided, for paying the ordinary expenses, and interest on loans for that year (and leaving the extraordinary expenses of the year also to be provided for by loans) That the receipts into the Treasury from the present sources of revenue during that year, calculating on a state of war during a greater portion of the present year, are estimated (conjecturally) at Leaving a deficiency to be provided for by additional revenues to be received during that year, of FEBRUARY, 1812. Under this prospective view of the financial situation of the Government, it became in the judgment of the committee their imperious duty, as well in reference to the obligations incumbent upon them from the general trust with which they were clothed, as also in deference to that portion of the Message of the President of the United States which had been specially referred to their consideration, to enter as early as possible upon a system of ways and means calculated to provide a revenue, "sufficient at least to defray the ordinary expenses of Government, and to pay the interest on the public debt, including that on new loans which may be authorized." Any provision falling short of this requisition, would, in the opinion of the committee, betray an im providence in the Government, tending to impair its general character, to sap the foundations of its credit, and to enfeeble its energies in the prosecution of the contest into which it may soon be driven in defence of its unquestionable rights, and for the repulsion of long continued and most aggravated aggressions. Should $9,000,000 the ruinous system of relying altogether upon the aid of loans, for defraying not only the extraordinary expenditures of the present and succeeding years, but also a large portion both of the ordinary expenses of the Government, and the interest on the public debt, in660,000 cluding that on new loans, be suffered to prevail, and no additional revenues be seasonably provided, it will result, that the loans which it may be necessary to authorize during the year 1813, must amount to at least $17,560,000, and for 1814, to $18,220,000; an operation which by throwing into the market so large 9,660,000 an amount of stock, accompanied with no adequate provision for paying even the interest accruing on such as may be created, but relying altogether upon the decreasing ability to borrow for the purpose of paying such interest, must have a most unfavorable effect upon the general price of public stocks, and the consequent 3,100,000 terms of the loans themselves. It may be added, that a system of that sort would, it is believed, be found to be altogether unprecedented in the financial history of any wise and regular Government, and must, if yielded 6,560,000 to, produce, at no distant period, that general state of public discredit which attended the national finances during the war of the Revolution, and which nothing 9,000,000 but the peculiar circumstances of the country, and the want of a well organized and efficient Government 660,000 during the period of that Revolution, could at all justify. To have withheld from the public view a fair exposition of the probable state of the fiscal concerns of the Government, under the very first pressure of active war, or to have deferred submitting to the House such a system as in the opinion of the committee was in660,000 dispensable to place the revenues of the country upon a basis commensurate with the public exigencies, would, in their judgment, at once have evinced in the eyes of foreign nations an imbecility of action and of design, the effects of which must be too obvious to be mistaken. And as it regards our own country, would have indicated a policy as feeble and short-sighted as 10,320,000 it must have been considered deceptive and disingenuous as unworthy the rulers of a free and enlightened nation, as in its result it would have been found fatal 3,100,000 to its interests, and paralyzing to all its efforts. It is obvious that the whole amount which it is necessary to raise in order to meet the anticipated deficit of revenue for the ensuing years, is indeed "moderate when compared either with the population and wealth of the United States or with the burdens laid on European nations by their Governments." To doubt either the "will or the ability" of the people of the United States to bear such burdens as are indispensable to this end, would be, to doubt their dispositions to meet seriously the contest which is presented to them, and would go far to prove that it had better not have been attempted. To doubt the readiness of the Government to bring "promptly and efficiently" into action the necessary resources of the nation, would be to cast a distrust over the sincerity of those pledges which they have so recently and distinctly given to the world in that respect, and would imply a suspicion of their firmness or forecast not for a moment to be entertained. 3d. A duty on sales at auction of foreign 4th. A duty on all sugars refined in the 5th. A duty on carriages used for the 6th. A duty on various instruments of Total gross amount of revenue estima- 3d. Direct tax. A direct tax to be laid and apportioned Total gross amount estimated to be re- For a more full and distinct elucidation of the general subject which it has become the duty of the committee to present to the House, they beg leave to refer to the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury, in answer to the several inquiries made of him by their order, and which has heretofore been laid before the House; concurring as they most fully do in the general opinion expressed by him, "That what appears to be of vital importance is, that the crisis should at once be met by the adoption of efficient measures, which will with certainty provide means commensurate with the expense, and by preserving unimpaired instead of abus-Net amount estimated from internal duing that public credit on which the public resources so eminently depend, will enable the United States to persevere in the contest, until an honorable peace shall have been obtained.", It is then proposed by the committee, that the additional revenue which will be necessary "to defray the ordinary expense of Government, and to pay the interest on the public debt, including that on new loans which may be authorized," should be immediately provided for in the following modes, viz: 1st. Additional duties of imposts and tonnage. 1st. An increase of the duties now payable by law on imported merchandise calculated to yield a net revenue of 2d. A further retention on the amount of all drawbacks allowed by law on the exportation of goods, wares, and merchandise, calculated to yield a net revenue of 3d. An additional tonnage duty on American and foreign vessels, calculated to yield a net revenue of 4th. A duty on all salt imported, calculated to yield a net revenue of Total net amount of revenue estimated from additional duties of imposts and tonnage 2d. Internal duties. $2,500,000 100,000 200,000 Deduct expense of assessment, collec- ties and direct tax for 1814 Net amount estimated from additional Leaving the net amount estimated for H. OF R. $150,000 200,000 150,000 450,000 1,725,000 3,000,000 4,725,000 700,000 4,025,000 7,225,000 650,000 6,575,000 And for this purpose the Committee recommend to the House the adoption of the following resolutions, viz: 1. Resolved, That an addition of one hundred per cent. be made to the several rates of permanent duties now imposed by law on all goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the United States. 2. Resolved, That twenty-five per centum be retained on all the drawbacks allowed by law on the exportation of goods, wares, and merchandise, exported from the United States. 3. Resolved, That additional tonnage duties be laid at the following rates, viz: Ist. On all vessels licensed for the coasting trade or 3,200,000 fisheries, twenty cents per ton a year. 2d. On all other vessels owned by citizens of the United States, twenty-five cents per ton on the entry of the vessel. 3d. On all foreign vessels, one dollar and twentyfive cents per ton on the entry of the vessel. 4. Resolved, That a duty of twenty cents per bushel be laid upon all salt imported into the United States. 5. Resolved, That duties be laid on licenses to distil spirits, at the following rates, viz: 1st. On stills employed in distilling spirits from foreign materials, at the rate of seventy-five cents per gallon on the capacity of such stills. 2d. On stills solely employed in distilling spirits from domestic materials, at. any distillery at which there are one or more stills of more capacity together than one hundred and fifty gallons, at the rate of fifty cents per gallon on the capacity of such stills. 3d. On other stills solely employed in distilling spirits from fruit, at the rate of five dollars on each still a year. 4th. On other stills solely employed in distilling spirits from any domestic materials, at the rate of fifteen dollars on each still a year. 6. Resolved, That duties be laid on licenses to retailers of wines, spirits, and foreign merchandise, including tavern keepers, at the following rates, viz: If in cities, towns, or villages, containing more than one hundred families 1st. On retailers of foreign merchandise, including wines and spirits, twenty-five dollars. 2d. On retailers of wines alone, twenty dollars. 3d. On retailers of spirits alone, twenty dollars. 4th. On retailers of domestic spirits alone, fifteen dollars. 5th. On retailers of foreign merchandise other than wines or spirits, fifteen dollars. If in any other place than cities, towns, or villages, containing more than one hundred families 1st. On retailers of foreign merchandise, including wines and spirits, fifteen dollars. 2d. On retailers of wines and spirits, fifteen dollars. 3d. On retailers of domestic spirits alone, ten dol lars. 4th. On retailers of foreign merchandise other than wines and spirits, ten dollars. FEBRUARY, 1812. several States agreeably to the rule prescribed by the Constitution. 12. Resolved, That each State be authorized to pay the amount of its quota to the United States, with a deduction of fifteen per cent. if paid before the assessment is commenced, and of seven and a half per cent. if paid before the tax becomes due. 13. Resolved, That all the duties above enumerated, and the tax aforesaid, shall be laid and become payable only after the United States shall have become engaged in a war with a foreign European nation, or shall have authorized the issuing of letters of marque and reprisal against the subjects of such nation. 14. Resolved, That the said duties and tax shall continue until one year after the conclusion of peace with such foreign nation and no longer. Mr. BACON, from the committee, then presented a bill authorizing a loan for a sum not exceeding millions of dollars; which was twice read, and committed to a Committee of the Whole on Monday. THE MILITIA. The House resumed the consideration of the bill for arming the militia of the United States, when Mr. CLAY's motion, made to reconsider the amendment which had been agreed to, putting it in the power of the respective States to distribute the arms as they thought proper, came under discussion. It was supported by Messrs. MACON, SMILIE, STOW, FISK, and LITTLE, and opposed by Messrs. ROBERTS, TALLMADGE, WIDGERY, RHEA, and McCoy. It was argued in favor of a reconsideration, that this amendment might defeat the object of 7. Resolved, That duties be laid on sales at auction the bill, which was to put arms into the hands of of foreign merchandise, for every hundred dollars of every young man when he attained the age of the purchase money, two dollars; and on sales at auc-eighteen; that this amendment placed it in the tion of ships or vessels, for every hundred dollars of the purchase money, twenty-five cents. 8. Resolved, That a duty of four cents per pound be laid on all sugars refined in the United States, allowing a drawback on the exportation of the same. 9. Resolved, That duties be laid on carriages used for the conveyance of persons, at the following rates: 1st. On every coach, chariot, and postchaise, twenty-five dollars. power of the State Legislatures to lay up the of a favored party; instead of arming the nation, arms in an armory, or to put them into the hands the arms might be locked up from the people; it would be arming the Government against the people, and not placing the people in a situation to defend themselves against any oppression with which they might be menaced from whatever 2d. On every phaeton, and on every coachee, hav-quarter it might come. Allusions were made to ing panel work in the upper division thereof, fifteen dollars. 10. Resolved, That stamp duties be laid on the following instruments of writing, viz: 1st. On all notes payable to bearer or order, issued by any bank or bankers, at rates on an average of one dollar for every hundred dollars, with an option to pay, in lieu thereof, 23 per centum on their dividends. 2d. On all notes of hand, above fifty dollars, payable to bearer or order, having one or more endorsers, at an average of five cents for every hundred dollars. 11. Resolved, That three millions of dollars be raised by a direct tax, to be apportioned among the the period when McPherson's Blues threatened the peace of the city of Philadelphia, and to the Embargo times, in order to show that the arms would be safer in the hands of the people than laid up in armories by the States. Against the reconsideration it was contended, that the respective State Legislatures might these arms; that they never could be supposed to safely be trusted with the power of distributing become the oppressors of the people, since they were annually elected by the people; that the probability was, that they would distribute the arms among the citizens in such a manner as each State would deem best calculated to render the militia efficient. As to the instances of improper conduct in a small number of individuals, alluded to, no danger could ever be apprehended from such momentary delusions. The question for reconsideration was negatived-yeas 52, nays 62, as follows: YEAS-Willis Alston, jun., William Anderson, Burwell Bassett, William W. Bibb, William Blackledge, John C. Calhoun, Langdon Cheves, Matthew Clay, James Cochran, William Crawford, Joseph Desha, Samuel Dinsmoor, James Fisk, Meshack Franklin, Thomas Gholson, Peterson Goodwyn, Isaiah L. Green, Felix Grundy, Bolling Hall, Aylett Hawes, Jacob Hufty, Joseph Kent, William R. King, Peter Little, William Lowndes, Nathaniel Macon, George C. Maxwell, Thomas Moore, Archibald McBryde, Samuel McKee, Arunah Metcalf, James Morgan, Hugh Nelson, Stephen Ormsby, Joseph Pearson, Israel Pickens, James Pleasants, jr., Wm. M. Richardson, Henry M. Ridgely, Samuel Ringgold, Jno. Roane, Ebenezer Sage, Thomas Sammons, Ebenezer Seaver, Samuel Shaw, John Smilie, George Smith, John Smith, Silas Stow, William Strong, Robert Wright, and David R. Williams. H. OF R. ham, William A. Burwell, William Butler, Epaphroditus Champion, Martin Chittenden, Lewis Condit, John Davenport, jun., Roger Davis, William Ely, Jas. Emott, William Findley, Asa Fitch, Thomas R. Gold, Charles Goldsborough, Felix Grundy, Richard Jacksón, jun., Abner Lacock, Lyman Law, Joseph Lewis, jun., Aaron Lyle, William McCoy, Alexander McKim, James Milnor, Samuel L. Mitchill, Jonathan O. Moseley, Thomas Newbold, Thomas Newton, Timothy Pitkin, jun., Elisha R. Potter, Josiah Quincy, William Reed, John Rhea, Jonathan Roberts, William Rodman, Thomas Sammons, John Sevier, Adam Seybert, Daniel Sheffey, Philip Stuart, Lewis B. Sturges, Samuel Taggart, Benjamin Tallmadge, Uri Tracy, George M. Troup, Charles Turner, jr., Laban Wheaton, Leonard White, Robert Whitehill, Wm. Widgery, and Thomas Wilson. A motion was then made by Mr. B. HALL, to amend the section by adding to the end thereof, the following provisio: "Provided, That the regulations made by any State or Territory shall not extend further than to cause the arms to be taken care of; and, from time to time, to cause the same to be repaired and put in complete order." Before a question was taken on this amendment, the House adjourned. NAYS-Stevenson Archer, John Baker, David Bard, Abijah Bigelow, Adam Boyd, James Breckenridge, Elijah Brigham, William A. Burwell, William Butler, Epaphroditus Champion, Martin Chittenden, Lewis Condit, John Davenport, jun., Roger Davis, Elias Earle, William Ely, James Emott, Asa Fitch, Thos. R. Gold, Charles Goldsborough, Edwin Gray, Obed Hall, Richard Jackson, jun., Abner Lacock, Lyman Law, Joseph Lefever, Robt. Le Roy Livingston, Aaron Lyle, William McCoy, Alexander McKim, James Milnor, Samuel L. Mitchill, Jeremiah Morrow, Jonathan O. Moseley, Anthony New, Thomas Newbold, Thos. Newton, William Piper, Timothy Pitkin, jun., Benjamin Pond, Elisha R. Potter, William Reed, John Mr. MORROW, from the Committee on the PubRhea, Jonathan Roberts, William Rodman, John Se-lic Lands, presented a bill for the relief of Thos. vier, Adam Seybert, Daniel Sheffey, Richard Stan- Orr; which was read twice, and committed to a ford, Philip Stuart, Lewis B. Sturges, Samuel Tag- Committee of the Whole on Monday next. gart, Benjamin Tallmadge, Uri Tracy, George M. The House proceeded to consider the amendTroup, Charles Turner, junior, Pierre Van Cortlandt, ment of the Senate to the bill "making approjunior, Laban Wheaton, Leonard White, Robt. White-priations for the support of an additional milihill, William Widgery, and Thomas Wilson. Mr. WILLIAMS moved to amend the bill, by adding a proviso to the amendment above alluded to: Provided such directions shall not contravene the provisions contained in the first section of this act." [Which directs that every citizen arriving at the age of eighteen shall be put in possession of a stand of arms.] This motion was negatived-yeas 54, nays 55, as follows: TUESDAY, February 18. tary force;" and the amendment being read, was concurred in by the House. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury, under the direction of the Presi dent of the United States, to purchase of Winslow Lewis his patent right for a new mode of lighting light-houses; which, being amended, and an appropriation of $60,000 made, the bill was reported to the House, agreed to, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. PROVISIONAL ARMY. Mr. PORTER, agreeably to notice, offered to the House the following resolution: YEAS-Willis Alston, junior, William Anderson, Burwell Bassett, William W. Bibb, William Blackledge, John C. Calhoun, Langdon Cheves, Matthew Clay, James Cochran, William Crawford, Joseph Desha, Samuel Dinsmoor, James Fisk, Meshack FrankResolved, That a committee be appointed to prelin, Thomas Gholson, Isaiah L. Green, Bolling Hall, pare and report a bill authorizing the President of the Obed Hall, Aylett Hawes, Jacob Hufty, Joseph Kent, United States to engage, commission, and organize a William R. King, Joseph Lefever, Peter Little, Wil-provisional military force of twenty thousand men, in liam Lowndes, Nathaniel Macon, George C. Maxwell, addition to the force already authorized by law. Thomas Moore, Samuel McKee, Arunah Metcalf, Jas. Morgan, Jeremiah Morrow, Hugh Nelson, Stephen Ormsby, Joseph Pearson, Israel Pickens, William Piper, James Pleasants, jun., Peter B. Porter, Wm. M. Richardson, Henry M. Ridgely, Samuel Ringgold, John Rosne, Ebenezer Sage, Ebenezer Seaver, Saml. Shaw, John Smilie, George Smith, John Smith, Rich- | ard Stanford, Silas Stow, William Strong, David R. Williams, and Robert Wright. The House agreed to consider the resolution. Mr. PORTER said, that the resolution did not describe very definitely the species of force proposed to be raised. He had purposely couched it in broad and general terms, to prevent any embarrassment to the committee, should one be appointed, whose duty it would be to prepare the bill. He would, however, submit to the House, NAYS-Stevenson Archer, Ezekiel Bacon, John more minutely his own views in making the proBaker, David Bard, James Breckenridge, Elijah Brig-position. His object was to provide a force sim12th CoN. 1st SESS.-34 H. OF R. Provisional Army. FEBRUARY, 1812. sential rights and interests of an independent nation, he was disposed to commence and prosecute war, in the only way in which war could be successfully prosecuted, with vigor and decision. If this course had not been, or should not be pursued, the responsibility would not rest upon his shoulders. ilar to the one proposed to be raised by the first volunteer bill reported by the Committee on Foreign Relations, and which unfortunately, in his opinion, had been abandoned for one of a different description. His wish was to raise a temporary force for immediate service, and applicable to any military object which the Government might feel disposed to accomplish before the Army of 25,000, whose formation would be necessarily tardy, could be prepared for effective service. He wished to hold out an invitation to the enterprising young men who compose the volunteer militia, who already possess some knowledge of military tactics; and who, from patriotic motives, will cheerfully offer their services for a short period and for a definite object; but who will not submit to the drudgery of a camp for five years. He wished it to be distinctly understood, that his object was to make the services of the proposed corps contingent-not to be employed unless in the opinion of the Executive they should be necessary, and not to be paid except when in actual service. This would prevent any unne-ard than himself in the conflict which is to ensue. cessary expense to the Government. Mr. P. hoped his proposition would be met in the same spirit of candor in which it was offered. He was satisfied that on the success of this or some similar measure, the lives and fortunes of many of his immediate constituents, and of many other good people of the United States, were, in the event of a war with Great Britain, suspended. If we could repose any confidence in our own acts and declarations, we had already brought our selves to the verge of such a war, and Great Britain is by this time fully apprized of our intentions. What would be her course of conduct on the occasion? Would she remain supine and inactive, and suffer her territories to be wrested from her, and her subjects butchered, without making an effort at resistance? No, this was not the character of our enemy. In the numerous wars in which she had been engaged, she had rarely been known to give the second blow. And if we continued to go on preparing for war in the good natured, desultory way we had hitherto pursued, he greatly feared that, by and bye, and when we least expect it, we shall receive a stroke which this nation may long have occasion to lament; and for which, if justly imputable to our tardiness and indecision, we could never be forgiven. He would not accuse any honorable member of apathy to the interests of the nation, but he feared we did not realize, as we ought, the highly critical situation in which our measures had placed it. The business of making war was not to be trifled with; it was time we should understand each other. Mr. P. said he had not the honor to be distinguished for making high-toned war speeches. He confessed that it was not without hesitation and reluctance that he had brought himself to consent that the nation should abandon its present peaceful, and, in many respects, prosperous condition, for the uncertainties of war. But having, in common as he trusted, with a large majority of the House, satisfied himself that there was no other course to pursue consistently with the es Mr. P. said he felt it his duty, unpleasant as it was, to repel a charge which had been made against one description of the members of the House, and in which he might be supposed to be implicated. It had been more than once insinuated that the members from the interior are most eager for war, because they would be least exposed to its calamities. The remark might have been better spared. It was, as to himself at least, wholly without foundation. His residence was on the Niagara river, directly opposite to the point where the whole of the physical force of Upper Canada was concentrated. He lived within reach of the guns of a British fort; and no man, in proportion to what he had to risk, would put more at haz He would say, too, (not, however, by way of begging quarters from the Canadians, for he should never do that,) that he had many valuable friends in Canada-men with whom he was in habits of almost daily intercourse, and for whom he enter tained the warmest regard. These men knew that the course which he was pursuing in this House, in relation to Great Britain, did not proceed from hostility to them, nor to the people of the Canadas; but that it was dictated by the same love for the honor and prosperity of his country, which they felt for theirs, and without feeling which he should be unworthy of their friendship. Under such circumstances a war would be peculiarly distressing to him, as well on account of the exposed situation of himself and friends within the United States, as of those in Canada, and with whom it would bring him in collision. But he should feel himself unworthy the confidence of his country, if he could suffer such considerations to govern him in a great question involving the vital rights of the nation. The safety of himself and his constituents was bottomed on this belief, that, in case war is indispensable, it will be promptly undertaken, and speedily terminated; that it will be honorably, at the same time that it is vigorously conducted; and that it will not be disgraced by the savage barbarities and petty depredations, which too often characterize the wars carried on along the borders of neighboring and hostile nations. Our professed object, at the outset of the war, was to attack the British provinces; and here, he was ready to agree, the enemy was most vulnerable to our power. What, then, he would ask the House, as practical men, was the best course to pursue to attain this object with the least sacrifice to ourselves? He possessed some knowledge of the situation and strength of the Canadas, which he had derived, partly from personal observation, and partly from the information of respectable men who reside there. The British have about five thousand regular troops in Que |