Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
Mr. LOWNDES.--In moving a postponement of the bill to the first Monday
in December next, my object is to get rid of it altogether. Gentlemen
have supported the resolution upon which this bill is founded, upon
such a variety of, and contradictory grounds, that their arguments are
not very susceptible of a reply. I am, however, very glad that it has
been conceded by every gentleman who has spoken upon the subject, that
this tax, if laid, would not have the effect of diminishing the number
of Africans imported into the country. When it was admitted that the
object for which the resolution was avowedly brought forward, would not
be obtained, I did hope that the resolution itself would not have been
persevered in. The gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. GREGG,) to whose
arguments I generally listen with pleasure, has told us that he would
not for the world give his vote for this tax, for the purpose of raising
revenue; but that he would be obliged to vote for the resolution, to show
his disapprobation of the trade. The gentleman did, however, manifest
a disposition to get rid of the question, without taking a direct vote
upon it. Another gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. SMILIE) has told us,
that he too is averse to this tax with a view to revenue, but that he
must vote for it, for if he does not, it will be an admission, on his
part, that Congress is favorable to the trade. What am I to infer from
this observation? Am I to infer that Congress until this time has been
favorable to the trade; and am I to infer that the gentleman himself, who
has for so long a time been an active member of Congress, has also been
favorable to it? This trade has from the adoption of the constitution
until a few years ago, when it was first prohibited by Georgia, been
carried on; and yet Congress have never exercised their power of imposing
any tax, nor have I heard that the gentleman did ever bring forward a
resolution for the purpose. There is another description of persons
imported into the United States--I mean those bound to serve for a term
of years. The comparison I admit is not analogous throughout, but it is
to a certain extent. These persons are chiefly introduced into the States
of Pennsylvania and New York; none, or at least very few of them, into
New England. Were it proposed to embrace them by this tax, would the
Representatives from those States be satisfied with the arguments that
it was a tax upon merchandise, and a general one, and therefore fair?
Their discernment would quickly point out to them, that whatever was the
appearance, it was a tax principally falling upon those States, and they
would resist.
Entertaining the opinions which I have expressed against the principle
of the bill, and wishing to get rid of it in a manner most agreeable to
those gentlemen who feel a difficulty of voting directly upon it, I move
that the further consideration of the bill be postponed until December
next.
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