Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Congress of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Monday, 20th January, 1812.

[REPORTED for this Gazette.]

Mr. Mitchell presented the petition of Mr. Wells, of New-York: praying relief from commercial restrictions--referred to the committee of the whole to whom was referred the bill reported by the committee of commerce and manufactures.

A petition was presented from some manufacturers of domestic paints in the state of New-Jersey, praying encouragement by imposing duties on imported paints. Referred to the committee of commerce and manufactures.

Mr. Jennings presented the petition of sundry inhabitants of Jefferson county, Indiana territory, complaining of the improper use made by the governor in his veto on the proceedings of the legislature; owing to which they have been unable to remove the seat of government from Vincennes, for the better transacting of the public business, as the property of the governor and his relatives lay in and about that place. Referred to the committee to whom was referred other petitions from that territory the 11th inst.

Mr. Bacon laid before the house a letter addressed by himself to the secretary of the treasury, as chairman of the committee of ways and means, requesting information on the subject of revenue, predicated on a state of war, with the answer of the secretary thereto. Mr. B. stated that the committee had perhaps done more than their duty in laying before the house these papers; but the importance of their contents rendered it necessary, as it was necessary that the minds of the members of this house should be made up so to act without delay, when the time should come to meet the question.

The secretary's recommendations are of the most serious nature. It appears that a loan of 10,000,000 will be annually wanted—the interest of which and the expenses of government will have to be provided for by direct and indirect taxes— Mr. Gallatin complains of the severe restrictions imposed upon our commerce by France, which with a state of war will render our revenue arising from duties very limited. It is recommended to impose an additional duty of 100 per cent. on all imported articles; to revive the duty on salt at the rate of 20 cts. per bushel, which will produce a revenue of nearly $500,000; a stamp act on paper is recommended as being productive of but little difficulty in the collection, the difficulty in procuring it, which was urged as an objection under a former administration was obviated, as the numerous mails passing through the country afforded the greatest facility; a duty on stills employed on farms in the distilling of fruits of 5 dollars; on stills employed in distilling foreign articles 15 dollars; a tax on licenses to retailers; a tax of 100 per cent. on loaf sugar in addition to that already imposed, this will produce a revenue of more than 200,000 dollars, &c. &c. The rate of interest for the loan not to be provided for by law, as it would be better to give more than the ordinary rate rather than the public exigencies should be unprovided for, and irredeemable for 10 years; the issuing of treasury bills to such an amount as will not injure the public credit, and answer the purpose of bank money; it is allowed that these taxes will operate something harder on the Western than the Atlantic states, owing to the scarcity of specie; but salt and sugar are domestic, and their articles of luxury but few, the grievance will not be so great as might be supposed; Mr. Gallatin in the course of his calculations takes the opportunity to observe that it was confidently calculated on; that the charter of the U. States Bank would be renewed in some shape or other, and the capital increased to 30,000,000, in which case it would have been provided that 20 millions should be loaned to the government; other loans could have been contracted for to the amount of $20,000,000. so that the war could have been carried on for 4 years at least without a resort to internal taxes, the gross amount of which now necessary, are estimated at 5,000,000 annually, and are to be raised by the modes heretofore suggested; by direct taxes $3,000,000. indirect taxes $2,000,000.

A debate ensued on the number of copies to be printed. Mr. Milnor, Mosly, Munroe, & Boyd, were in favor of 1,000 or upwards, Messrs. Bacon Wright and Fisk opposed it, the question was taken by ayes and noes and lost 52 to 60. The order of the day was then taken up, the navy bill, Messrs. Bassett and Mitchill spoke in favor of the bill.