The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

To the Publishers of the New-Hampshire Gazette.

THE PRESS was ever esteemed a very useful Vehicle to convey the Sentiments of Men to the Knowledge of the Public, and it is incumbent on every Member of a civilized Society to consult such Measures, as may best answer the general Interest of the whole, and communicate the same through this convenient Channel, without a contracted Attachment to, or apparent Prejudice against such Schemes as may affect his own private Interest. Every Man ought to think himself honored when employed in public Services, and when he finds his ambition rising upon his Promotion, he should then strongly bear in Mind he is but their Servant--Thus being check'd by his own Reflections, his whole Deportment will ever after correspond with the principles of Justice and Honor. The Public Taxes deserves the Attention of every one, and he who recommends the most equitable Method of assessing the same on the Inhabitants, merits our greatest Thanks: and as the General-Assembly at their next Session will have this Subject under their Deliberation, it is expected we shall be no longer entertain'd with Complaints against partial and unequal Assessments.

And if we could furnish the Selectmen and Assessors with some general Rules to govern their Judgements by, there could not be such just Causes of Uneasiness as are now amongst us: and why any should object to the establishing such Criterions or Standards, cannot be accounted for, otherwise than from a Consciousness they have not been taxed in Proportion to their Abilities, and that others have born their Burdens. The Man of true Generosity and public Spirit would disdain to offer less than his full Proportion towards defraying the Public Expense; he justly considers the Equity and Expediency of such a Purpose; he impartially views the Tradesman & Labourers Circumstances, he sees with what Application he must improve his Time to obtain but a slender Support of an expensive Family, and at these present Times barely brings the Year about; he knows their Inabilities, and when he reviews the Bills of Taxes for past Years, he stands amazed at the respective Sums they have paid--he further reflects upon the Dishonor which arises from taxing the Estates of Widows, who discover a Knowledge of good OEconomy, when they by their Industry can keep themselves from the Town. Shall these distressed Widows, says he, contribute their Mite to lessen mine? no, I abhor the Tho't; I value Money from no other Principle than to apply it in Acts of Charity and Benevolence, and in public Services proportioned to the Value of what, in Providence I am possessed of. --Thus reasons the upright Man-- We have experienced a Reluctancy in the Selectmen of accepting that important Trust, upon no other Account than expecting Impossibilities from them; as supposing them to be acquainted with the Circum- stances of every Individual; and when they have erred in Judgment, we have been too lavish with our Censures-Thus we discourage the Endeavors of those Gentlemen who are best acquainted with the internal Police of the Town, and would in- troduce others who would not fail to disappoint us. We cannot with any Reason or Propriety re- flect on the Conduct of the Selectmen, in follow- ing the Dictates of their own Opinions in taxing. especially when we object to furnish them with regular Means: and it is hoped, these Gentlemen will take particular Notice of all the Objectors to an equitable Act of Assessment; and set it down as a sure Mark that these Men have not paid their Proportion heretofore.- -As it lies with the Wisdom of the Legislature to take such Measures as may be productive of public Good, it would be insulting their Judgment to offer Assistance from the Press. All that is necessary now is to assure the several Branches thereof, that great Uneasiness with respect to unequal Taxations prevails among most of the People. Incola.