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Literary
January 25, 1817
Richmond Enquirer
Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A citizen of Virginia dedicates a pamphlet of tables to the state legislature, highlighting inequalities in land taxation and representation to inform debates on changing the constitution. Includes federal tax data, state tax calculations, census, and senate/house disparities. Richmond, 1817.
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—A small pamphlet, comprising certain Tables, calculated to exhibit some of the effects of the existing Constitution
The precise object of this pamphlet is explained in the following
DEDICATION
TO THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.
Gentlemen,
A citizen, who loves the State in which he was born, begs leave to dedicate to you, its legitimate Delegates, the following Tables. They may furnish you some assistance in deciding the important question, which will come before you, of a CHANGE OF THE CONSTITUTION.
The first Table is a List of the Federal Tax on Land, &c. extracted from the Books of the Commissioner of the Revenue at Washington; as affording the best data we can obtain for ascertaining the real value of the lands in the different counties of Virginia, (with the exception of nineteen counties, which form four districts.)
The second is drawn principally by calculation from the first—in this way—By reference to the Auditor's Books it appears, that the State Tax imposed on Land under the existing law of Virginia, amounted in the year 1815, to $237,970, 04 1/2 cents. If this sum be divided by the whole value of the land, as ascertained by the federal assessment, it will be about thirteen and three-fourth cents for each hundred dollars—and if imposed on the Counties and Districts, according to their value, as fixed by the United States' Assessors, would give to each, about the sums exhibited in this second Table. It deserves to be remarked, that the federal taxation differs from ours in comprehending the value of houses and improvements.
These two tables are calculated to point out the inequalities of our State system of Taxation, and of course the propriety of equalizing the Land Tax.
The third table furnishes the census of Virginia, so useful in calculating the state of our Representation.
The fourth points out the inequalities, which have crept into the Representation of the SENATE.
No. five, explains in another point of view, the inequality in both branches, but particularly in the HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
That your deliberations on this, as well as on other subjects, may contribute to the good of our beloved country, is the sincere wish of,
Yours, most Respectfully
A CITIZEN OF VIRGINIA.
Richmond, 1817.
—A small pamphlet, comprising certain Tables, calculated to exhibit some of the effects of the existing Constitution
The precise object of this pamphlet is explained in the following
DEDICATION
TO THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.
Gentlemen,
A citizen, who loves the State in which he was born, begs leave to dedicate to you, its legitimate Delegates, the following Tables. They may furnish you some assistance in deciding the important question, which will come before you, of a CHANGE OF THE CONSTITUTION.
The first Table is a List of the Federal Tax on Land, &c. extracted from the Books of the Commissioner of the Revenue at Washington; as affording the best data we can obtain for ascertaining the real value of the lands in the different counties of Virginia, (with the exception of nineteen counties, which form four districts.)
The second is drawn principally by calculation from the first—in this way—By reference to the Auditor's Books it appears, that the State Tax imposed on Land under the existing law of Virginia, amounted in the year 1815, to $237,970, 04 1/2 cents. If this sum be divided by the whole value of the land, as ascertained by the federal assessment, it will be about thirteen and three-fourth cents for each hundred dollars—and if imposed on the Counties and Districts, according to their value, as fixed by the United States' Assessors, would give to each, about the sums exhibited in this second Table. It deserves to be remarked, that the federal taxation differs from ours in comprehending the value of houses and improvements.
These two tables are calculated to point out the inequalities of our State system of Taxation, and of course the propriety of equalizing the Land Tax.
The third table furnishes the census of Virginia, so useful in calculating the state of our Representation.
The fourth points out the inequalities, which have crept into the Representation of the SENATE.
No. five, explains in another point of view, the inequality in both branches, but particularly in the HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
That your deliberations on this, as well as on other subjects, may contribute to the good of our beloved country, is the sincere wish of,
Yours, most Respectfully
A CITIZEN OF VIRGINIA.
Richmond, 1817.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Epistolary
What themes does it cover?
Political
Taxation Oppression
Liberty Freedom
What keywords are associated?
Virginia Constitution
Land Tax
Representation Inequality
Federal Assessment
State Legislature
What entities or persons were involved?
A Citizen Of Virginia.
Literary Details
Title
Dedication
Author
A Citizen Of Virginia.
Subject
Change Of The Constitution
Form / Style
Dedication Letter Explaining Tables On Taxation And Representation
Key Lines
A Citizen, Who Loves The State In Which He Was Born, Begs Leave To Dedicate To You, Its Legitimate Delegates, The Following Tables.
These Two Tables Are Calculated To Point Out The Inequalities Of Our State System Of Taxation, And Of Course The Propriety Of Equalizing The Land Tax.
That Your Deliberations On This, As Well As On Other Subjects, May Contribute To The Good Of Our Beloved Country, Is The Sincere Wish Of,