Thursday, January 21.
Military Peace Establishment.
An engrossed bill fixing the Military Peace Establishment of the United States was read the third time.
Mr. Bayard observed that he should vote for the bill, because he thought it better than the former system, and it would be of much saving as to expense. He was, however, very far from being pleased with a part of that bill, that part relating to the Brigadier General and his aide-de-camp. This office he knew to be a perfect sinecure; no such officer was necessary; he could have no duties to perform. He would not, however, vote against the whole bill on account of this.
Mr. Rutledge.—The first section was very disagreeable to him, as it went to the establishment of a perfect sinecure. He was willing to do homage to the merit of the officer who was to benefit; but he rather thought it would be more consonant with justice, if money must be needlessly sported with, to suffer such money to be given to those who have been long in service—some fifteen or twenty years—and who are now by this bill suddenly forced to quit their present, to seek some new way of obtaining a livelihood, in circumstances, many of them perhaps, not enviable.
Mr. R. was not pleased with the so great reduction of the artillery; he thought the retention of the artillery of more importance than that of the infantry. He had hoped the artillery would have been retained to keep in order the forts already built in different parts of the United States; the small number remaining was quite incompetent to preserving them in order, or preserving them from decay. The Secretary of War mentions one fort in South Carolina. There are, sir, four forts in the harbor of Charleston alone, some of which must go to decay. He should vote for the bill because it went to make great reductions of expense, which reductions circumstances now allow us to afford; but the sinecure was obnoxious to him, and he was not pleased with the reduction of the artillery.
On the question that the bill do pass, it was resolved in the affirmative—yeas 77, nays 12.
Mediterranean Trade.
The House again resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House on the bill for the protection of the commerce and seamen of the United States in the Mediterranean and adjoining seas.
Mr. Bayard offered an amendment, the purport of which, was to give to the President the power of granting letters of marque and reprisal, to affect Algiers and Tunis as well as Tripoli. Mr. B. thought that it would be unsafe to neglect a cautionary step like this, because there was great danger, from the similarity of religion and manners, of a union taking place between Tunis, Algiers, and Tripoli; they may be brought into the war with Tripoli against us. It would be a matter of prudence to be prepared.
Mr. Dana thought it very probable that further information would be received from the Barbary powers, when we shall be the better enabled to judge what will be expedient. He did not like the appearance of the amendment; it seemed to invite war.
Mr. Bayard considered there was a great difference between the Barbary powers and civilized nations; it was on account of the perfidiousness of those powers, that he wished it left to the direction of the President to exercise the power vested in him when he should think proper; there was no trusting to them. He wished the President to do this by the authority of law; this would prevent those doubts that have been expressed by some, of the constitutionality of his measures the last spring and summer; though for his part he was disposed to approbate the proceedings of the Executive on that occasion. As to its having the appearance of threatening, he did not think so; nor did he believe it would have any effect on those powers; he hardly believed that the Dey of Algiers ever read the acts of Congress.
Mr. Dana was opposed to considering the subject at present; he was for postponing till further information should be received.
Mr. Giles was against the amendment; he thought it had the appearance of inviting them to an attack, of challenging them to combat, of irritating and provoking them: he believed there would be ample time to act on this matter hereafter, when they would have a better knowledge of circumstances, and of what to expect.
Mr. Bayard said he was by no means disposed to withdraw his motion. You are at war with one of these nations; the others are connected with them by their religion and habits, by their government some, and by their interest more. I have been told that there is no connection between my amendment and the bill; but I am confident there is the same connection that there is between Tripoli and the other powers; and it is proper to extend the bill so as to embrace Tunis and Algiers, as well as Tripoli. The gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Dana) says there are no doubts on his mind but that the President has a constitutional right, as the Commander-in-chief of the army and navy, to do as he has done; but it should be remembered that many have doubts; and why should the gentleman be opposed to this amendment, which will preclude all doubt on the subject.
The amendment was not carried.
Direct Taxes.
The House then went into a Committee of the Whole on the bill for amending the act for laying and collecting a direct tax.
The first section repeals the thirteenth section of the act of 1798, which prescribes that lands on which taxes remain unpaid for one year, shall be sold subject to the right of redemption within two years after sale.
Mr. Randolph stated that the provisions proposed to be repealed were unsusceptible of execution, inasmuch as the expenses of advertising required, exceeded in many cases by four or five times, the amount of the tax, and which exceeded the per centage allowed; and inasmuch as no person would buy the land offered for sale, when he might be deprived of it by a redemption within two years.
Documents were read which substantiated this statement.
Mr. S. Smith opposed the repeal, as going to deprive the owners of lands of the right of redemption; which he deemed a valuable provision; without which the owners of land, particularly non-residents, would be deprived of their property, without a knowledge of the tax imposed, or being able, however desirous, to pay it.
Mr. Rutledge also opposed the repeal, as imposing hardships upon those who have not paid the tax, which were not imposed upon those who have paid. He further stated that the non-payment in the Southern States had arisen, not from indisposition to pay, but from want of collectors to carry the law into execution; the compensation allowed having been so inadequate as in many districts to have disabled the Government from obtaining officers.
Messrs. Griswold, Milledge, Stanley, and Morris, delivered their sentiments against the first section; when, on motion of Mr. Macon, the committee rose, and asked leave to sit again, which was granted.