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Domestic News
May 1, 1798
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from Philadelphia dated April 23 reports U.S. House passing bill for 12 twenty-gun ships, Ways and Means Committee agreeing to $2M land tax bill, and Senate set to pass 20,000-man army bill, amid fears of war with France and executive overreach.
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APRIL 25.
IMPORTANT
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Philadelphia, to his friend in this city, received by yesterday's Mail—dated April 23.
"On Friday the House of Representatives, by a majority, passed a bill to authorize the President to procure and fit out twelve twenty gun ships (and a clause not to use them in time of peace as convoys, was rejected) leaving to the President, of course, the manner of their employ. Thus we have no hope that they will not be employed, to prevent open war with the French nation. As the partizans of the Executive power say that by the Constitution, he has the sole power to direct the service in which our naval force is to be employed ; this being their opinion, we cannot doubt what opinion the Executive entertains on this subject while it is insisted, that the direction of the force is vested in the Legislature.
"The committee of Ways and Means have, on Saturday, agreed to report a bill for a LAND tax of 2,000,000 of dollars.
"The Senate will this day pass a bill for an army of 20,000 men to be raised, whenever the Executive shall deem it expedient, while they, at the same time, openly avow, that he will embody them in the recess of Congress. It is not doubted but that it will also be forced through the House of Representatives, by their acting and not deliberating majority.
"Thus the hopes of preserving peace and happiness to the United States, as well for the present as for the future, depend on their elections; nothing short of a majority can stop the mad career of a party from imposing on us all the oppression and persecution of the British government, with its attendant corruptions."
IMPORTANT
Extract of a letter from a Gentleman in Philadelphia, to his friend in this city, received by yesterday's Mail—dated April 23.
"On Friday the House of Representatives, by a majority, passed a bill to authorize the President to procure and fit out twelve twenty gun ships (and a clause not to use them in time of peace as convoys, was rejected) leaving to the President, of course, the manner of their employ. Thus we have no hope that they will not be employed, to prevent open war with the French nation. As the partizans of the Executive power say that by the Constitution, he has the sole power to direct the service in which our naval force is to be employed ; this being their opinion, we cannot doubt what opinion the Executive entertains on this subject while it is insisted, that the direction of the force is vested in the Legislature.
"The committee of Ways and Means have, on Saturday, agreed to report a bill for a LAND tax of 2,000,000 of dollars.
"The Senate will this day pass a bill for an army of 20,000 men to be raised, whenever the Executive shall deem it expedient, while they, at the same time, openly avow, that he will embody them in the recess of Congress. It is not doubted but that it will also be forced through the House of Representatives, by their acting and not deliberating majority.
"Thus the hopes of preserving peace and happiness to the United States, as well for the present as for the future, depend on their elections; nothing short of a majority can stop the mad career of a party from imposing on us all the oppression and persecution of the British government, with its attendant corruptions."
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Military
Economic
What keywords are associated?
Congress Bill
Navy Ships
Land Tax
Army Buildup
France Tensions
Executive Power
Where did it happen?
Philadelphia
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Philadelphia
Event Date
April 23
Event Details
Letter reports House of Representatives passing bill for twelve twenty-gun ships, rejection of peace-use clause, Ways and Means Committee agreeing to land tax bill of 2,000,000 dollars, Senate to pass army bill for 20,000 men, amid concerns over executive power and potential war with France.