The attention of Congress was recalled to the subject of half-pay by Messrs. DYER and WOLCOTT, in order to introduce a reconsideration of the mode of referring it separately to the States to provide for their own lines.

Mr. MERCER favored the reconsideration, representing the commutation proposed, as tending, in common with the funding of other debts, to establish and perpetuate a moneyed interest in the United States; that this moneyed interest would gain the ascendance of the landed interest; would resort to places of luxury and splendor, and, by their example and influence, become dangerous to our republican constitutions. He said, however, that the variances of opinion and indecision of Congress were alarming, and required that something should be done; that it would be better to new-model the Confederation, or attempt any thing, rather than to do nothing.

Mr. MADISON reminded Congress, that the commutation proposed was introduced as a compromise with those to whom the idea of pensions was obnoxious; and observed, that those whose scruples had been relieved by it had rendered it no less obnoxious than before, by stigmatizing it with the name of a perpetuity. He said the public situation was truly deplorable. If the payment of the capital of the public debts was suggested, it was said, and truly said, to be impossible; if funding them and paying the interest was proposed, it was exclaimed against

will vary inexpressibly the relative quantum of credits of the several States. It is to be further observed, that this only shows the original credits, transfers having been constant; heretofore they have flowed into Pennsylvania. Other States may hereafter have an influx.

as establishing a dangerous moneyed interest, as corrupting the public manners, as administering poison to our republican constitutions. He said, he wished the revenue to be established to be such as would extinguish the capital, as well as pay the interest, within the shortest possible period; and was as much opposed to perpetuating the public burdens as any one. But that the discharge of them in some form or other was essential, and that the consequences predicted therefrom could not be more heterogeneous to our republican character and constitutions, than a violation of the maxims of good faith and common honesty. It was agreed that the report for commuting half-pay should lie on the table till to-morrow, in order to give an opportunity to the Delegates of Connecticut to make any proposition relative thereto which they should judge proper.

The Report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. GORHAM, Mr. HAMILTON, Mr. MADISON, Mr. RUTLEDGE and Mr. FITZSIMMONS, was taken up. It was proposed, that, in addition to the impost of five per cent., ad valorem, the States be requested to enable Congress to collect a duty of one-eighth of a dollar per bushel on salt imported; of six-ninetieths per gallon on all wines, do.; and of three-ninetieths per gallon on all rum and brandy, do.

On the first article, it was observed, on the part of the Eastern States, that this would press peculiarly hard on them, on account of the salt consumed in the fisheries; and that it would, besides, be injurious to the national interest by adding to the cost of fish; and a drawback was suggested.

On the other side it was observed, that the warmer

climate, and more dispersed settlements of the Southern States, required a greater consumption of salt for their provisions; that salt might, and would be, conveyed to the fisheries without previous importation; that the effect of the duty was too inconsiderable to be felt in the cost of fish; and that the rum in the North-eastern States being, in a great degree, manufactured at home, they would have greater advantage, in this respect, than the other States could have in the article of salt; that a drawback could not be executed in our complicated government with ease or certainty.

Mr. MERCER, on this occasion, declared, that, although he thought those who opposed a general revenue right in their principles, yet, as they appeared to have formed no plan adequate to the public exigencies, and as he was convinced of the necessity of doing something, he should depart from his first resolution, and strike in with those who were pursuing the plan of a general revenue.

Mr. HOLTEN said, he had come lately into Congress with a predetermination against any measures fo discharging the public engagements, other than those pointed out in the Confederation, and that he had hitherto acted accordingly. But that he saw now so clearly the necessity of making provision for that object, and the inadequacy of the Confederation thereto, that he should concur in recommending to the States a plan of a general revenue.

A question being proposed on the duties on salt, there were nine ayes: New Hampshire alone being no; Rhode Island not present.

It was urged, by some, that the duty on wine

should be augmented; but it appeared, on discussion, and some calculations, that the temptation to smuggling would be rendered too strong, and the revenue thereby diminished. Mr. BLAND proposed, that, instead of a duty on the gallon, an ad-valorem duty should be laid on wine; and this idea, after some loose discussion, was agreed to, few of the members interesting themselves therein, and some of them having previously retired from Congress.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH.

A motion was made by Mr. WOLCOTT and Mr. DYER to refer the half-pay to the States, little differing from the late motion of Mr. GILMAN, except that it specified five years' whole pay as the proper ground of composition with the officers of the respective lines. On this proposition the arguments used for and against Mr. GILMAN's motion were recapitulated. It was negatived, Connecticut alone answering in the affirmative, and no division being called for.

On the question to agree to the Report for a commutation of five years' whole pay, there being seven ayes only, it was considered whether this was an appropriation, or a new ascertainment of a sum of money necessary for the public service. Some were of opinion, at first, that it did not fall under that description, viz: of an appropriation. Finally, the contrary opinion was deemed, almost unanimously, safest, as well as the most accurate. Another question was, whether seven or nine votes were to decide

doubts; whether seven or nine were requisite on any question. Some were of opinion that the Secretary ought to make an entry according to his own judgment, and that that entry should stand unless altered by a positive instruction from Congress. To this it was objected, that it would make the Secretary the sovereign in many cases, since a reversal of his entry would be impossible, whatever that entry might be; that, particularly, he might enter seven votes to be affirmative on a question where nine were necessary, and if supported in it by a few States it would be irrevocable. It was said, by others, that the safest rule would be to require nine votes to decide, in all cases of doubt, whether nine or seven were necessary. To this it was objected, that one or two States, and in any situation six States, might, by raising doubts, stop seven from acting in any case which they disapproved. Fortunately, on the case in question, there were nine States of opinion that nine were requisite; so the difficulty was got over for the present.

On a reconsideration of the question whether the duty on wine should be on the quantity or on the value, the mode reported by the Committee was reinstated, and the whole report recommitted, to be included with the five per cent., ad valorem, in an act of recommendation to the States.

MONDAY, MARCH 3RD.

The Committee on revenues reported, in addition to the former articles recommended by them, a duty VOL. I.-24