Gazette Of The United States, & Daily Advertiser

THE party in opposition to our government throughout New England, make a noise about the DIRECT TAX. It having been asserted in one of Burleigh's pieces, that this kind of tax had ever been a favourite with the antifederal party in Congress, I was led to satisfy myself about it, from a perusal of the journals of the debates of the House of Representatives. From that it appears, that the northern federalists always proposed and advocated INDIRECT TAXES, while the antifederalists objected to them, and advocated DIRECT TAXES, as preferable. The northern federalists resisted direct taxes, till it became indispensable for protecting our trade against the hostility and aggressions of France. More of the antifederalists voted for this direct tax, which is here the topic of complaint with their party against federal-men, than for any of the internal indirect taxes. Whatever merits the antifederal party in congress may have, I am satisfied they are not entitled to that of being opposed to taxes on houses and land. Those who think indirect taxes preferable, will not have their views gratified, by the predominancy of that party in the national councils. I thought this matter ought to be stated, so as to be generally and correctly understood.
A HOUSEHOLDER.

Those who wish to have proof of the fact above stated, are requested to turn to the debates in the House of Representatives of the United States, on the Snuff and Sugar excise.--The antifederal party proposed to repeal those taxes, and to substitute in the place of them A DIRECT TAX.--They went so far as to name the sum it would be proper to raise, and Mr. Findley, a leading antifederal member, proposed the sum of TWO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS; this proposition was resisted by the federal members, and through their exertions the excise on snuff and sugar was continued, and a land-tax avoided.
When in the course of three years after, the independence of this country was menaced by France with demands of tribute, and threats of invasion; and when every portion of citizens, from one end of the continent to the other, came forward and pledged their lives and fortunes in support of the measures then adopted by the government, Then the antifederal party, who were formerly so ready to raise TWO MILLIONS by a direct tax, in lieu of a trifling indirect tax, opposed the measure of raising the same sum for the national defence, after many of them had voted for the Army, the Navy, and other measures of defence. If through the devices of this party, the country should be embroiled in a war with Great Britain, how many more MILLIONS will they raise by a direct tax to carry it on? If, on the contrary, the wise and pacific measures of the friends of PEACE, GOOD ORDER, and the CONSTITUTION, should prevail, the people will never hear of another land-tax.
[Newport Mercury.]