Mr. MADISON thought it would be best for the two propositions to go together; but if they did not, he did not think the embarrassments insuperable. If the question was divided, those who thought a tax on slaves necessary must vote for the first part; and if the second was rejected, there would not be wanting an opportunity of voting against the tax on land. It was necessary to observe, that it had been found expedient to associate these two taxes together, in order to do justice, and to conform to the established usage of a very large tract of country, who were entitled to some degree of attention, and to whom a tax on land, without a tax on slaves, would be very objectionable. Mr. COIT said, he could not gratify the gentleman from Virginia by varying his motion, as it would not answer the purpose he had in view. Mr. NICHOLAS supposed, if the motion was persisted in, he was at liberty to move to insert _slaves_ in the first part of the resolution. The gentleman certainly knew his own views best; or he thought it was possible to have settled the business he proposed. Mr. W. SMITH saw no difficulty on the subject. Gentlemen would vote for the first part of the resolution, in hopes that the second would pass; but if it did not pass, they would have an opportunity of voting on the main question, and thereby defeat the whole. Mr. VAN CORTLANDT would vote for both together, but not separately. Mr. GALLATIN inquired as to a point of order, whether, if the first part of the resolution was carried, and the second negatived, the question would not then be taken upon the resolution as amended? The SPEAKER answered in the affirmative. Mr. WILLIAMS said, it would save time if the question was taken upon the whole resolution together; for if several gentlemen voted against the first proposition, lest the last should not pass, the whole might in this way be defeated. He thought a vote might be safely taken upon the whole together, as no one would be bound by the vote in favor of the bill, if he should not approve of it. For his own part, he wished to see the plan, though he did not know that he should vote for it. Mr. NICHOLAS supposed there was not the difficulty mentioned by the gentleman from New York. Gentlemen would not risk the whole by voting against the first part of the resolution; since, if the second was not carried, they could afterwards reject the whole. The question was then put, that the House agree to the first resolution, viz: "_Resolved_, That there ought to be appropriated, according to the last census, on the several States, the sum of----, to be raised by the following direct taxes, viz: "A tax ad valorem, under proper regulations and exceptions, on all lands, with their improvements, including town lots, with the buildings thereon." It was resolved in the affirmative--yeas 48, nays 39. The second part of the resolution, relative to slaves, was about to be put, when