The Journal of the Commons House of Assembly

APRIL 5, 1759397Then the House resumed the adjourned Consideration of the thirdReading of the Tax Bill.A Motion was made and the Question being put that the Lands in theCountry be taxed rateably and proportionably, according to the full Valueof Each Tract of Land, to be appraised by Assessors to be appointed in theseveral Districts for that Purpose.It passed in the Negative.A Clause was offered to the House to be added to the Bill to ascertainthe Rates of Tax imposed by the Bill on Negroes, Lands, Town-Lots, Wharfsand Buildings, And on Moneys at Interest, Annuities, Free Negroes, Mulattoesand Mustezoes respectively;And the said Clause was received and being 3 times read,Resolved that the said Clause be made part of the Bill.Resolved (upon the Question) that a Tax be imposed on Black Cattle.A Motion was made and the Question being put that the said Tax belaid on all Black Cattle sold in One Year.It passed in the Negative.Resolved (Upon the Question) that a Tax of two Shillings per Head onall Calves (exceeding 30 in Number) raised, marked, branded or sold by anyPerson in one Year, be inserted and made part of the Bill.Resolved that the further Consideration of the Tax Bill be adjourned.A Message from the Council by Mr. Simpson.Mr. Speaker,The Council have agreed to “a Bill for allowing a further time to theAssessors and Collectors for the Parishes of Saint Philip and Saint Michael,for Carrying into Execution An Act of the General Assembly of this Province,intitled ‘An Act for raising and granting to His Majesty the Sum of£166438:14:7 1 /4 and for applying £8069:3:6 being the Surplus of Taxes andBallance of a Fund in the Public Treasury, making together £174507:18:1 1 /2 todefray the Charges of this Government from the 25th Day of March 1757 tothe 24th Day of March 1758, and for other Services therein mentioned.’”The Council have twice read “a Bill for Vesting the Ferry over SanteeRiver in the Way leading from Charles Town to Williamsburgh, commonlycalled Murray’s Ferry, in James Hunter, Executor of the last Will and Testamentof Joseph Murray, late of Craven County, Planter, deceased, in Trustfor and to the only Use and Behoof of James Murray, an Infant, only Son andHeir at Law of the said Joseph Murray, his Executors, Administrators andAssigns for a Term of Years therein mentioned.”And then the Messenger withdrew.Ordered that the Bill agreed to by the Council, for allowing a furthertime to the Assessors &ca. be ingrossed.