Mr. Kittera moved to add, "any certificates of naturalization —— dollars," as he thought foreigners, who were admitted to all the rights of citizens under this Government, could not be against paying a small tax on their admission to this right.
Mr. Macon thought this tax would fall very heavy upon persons who came into this country to live by their labor—many of whom were not able to pay their passage, but were indented by those who brought them for a number of years; and who, if this tax were paid, would have so much longer to serve.
Mr. Brooks did not see this objection, as such persons might labor all their lives without becoming naturalized.
Mr. Gordon said, that by the naturalization act, no foreigner could be admitted to the rights of a citizen until he had been five years in the country, and therefore the objections of the gentleman from North Carolina could not have any weight.
The amendment was carried.
Mr. Swanwick moved to strike out five dollars, and insert ten, for licenses to practise as a counsellor, attorney, &c. He thought, if these gentlemen were taxed at all, ten dollars would be as low a sum as they could well fix upon for the purpose.
Mr. Varnum thought the tax should be much higher, if imposed at all. He spoke of the high tax laid upon the professors of the law in Massachusetts.
The amendment was carried, there being 53 in favor of it.
Mr. Cochran wished the tax to extend to lawyers who practised in the State Courts, as well as to those who practised in the Courts of the United States.
Mr. Nicholas objected to this proposition. The lawyers, in some of the States, were already very highly taxed; besides, he doubted the right of the United States to tax the lawyers of the State Courts, as they were necessary in the State Governments.