Ebook Outlines of a New Budget for Raising Eighty Millions by Means of a Justly Graduated Property Tax

Sixthly — The taxes are now of so inquisitorial a nature, that the interference of the custom and excise officers extends to almost all importations, exportations, and manufactures conducted in the country: ships, store-houses, wlork-shops, magazines, and even private dwellings, are liable to most inconvenient and unseasonable visits; men's persons are even searched and the exposure which the assessed taxes obliges every man to make of his internal arrangements, his windows, his sky-lights, his servants, his horses, and even his dogs, is the source of more dissatisfaction throughout England, than can possibly be imagined by those who have not been thrown into circumstances which would enable them to see its obnoxious workings in detail. Seventhly — The taxes are now of a nature so tempting to evasion, that the very extent of the practice of smuggling has taken away its general character of criminality: and in many cases not only are frauds upon the revenue thought lightly of, but they are even practised without scruple by persons of the high est, as well as of the lowest rank; and a contraband article is very often purchased in preference to one on which the duty is paid.