Founders' Quote Database

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist No. 35 — 1788
Category: Taxation
There is no part of the administration of government that requires extensive information and a thorough knowledge of the principles of political economy, so much as the business of taxation. The man who understands those principles best will be least likely to resort to oppressive expedients, or sacrifice any particular class of citizens to the procurement of revenue. It might be demonstrated that the most productive system of finance will always be the least burdensome.

Thomas Jefferson

letter to Joseph Milligan — 1816
Category: Taxation
For example. If the system be established on basis of Income, and his just proportion on that scale has been already drawn from every one, to step into the field of Consumption, and tax special articles in that, as broadcloth or homespun, wine or whiskey, a coach or a wagon, is doubly taxing the same article. For that portion of Income with which these articles are purchased, having already paid its tax as Income, to pay another tax on the thing it purchased, is paying twice for the same thing; it is an aggrievance on the citizens who use these articles in exoneration of those who do not, contrary to the most sacred of the duties of a government, to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.

Thomas Jefferson

letter to John Wayles Eppes — 1813
Category: Taxation
Taxes should be continued by annual or biennial reeactments, because a constant hold, by the nation, of the strings of the public purse is a salutary restraint from which an honest government ought not wish, nor a corrupt one to be permitted, to be free.

Thomas Paine

Rights of Man — 1791
Category: Taxation
If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute.

Benjamin Franklin

letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy — 1789
Category: Taxation
Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

Thomas Jefferson

letter to Joseph Milligan — 1816
Category: Taxation
To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it.

John Marshall

McCullough v. Maryland — 1819
Category: Taxation
An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist No. 21
Category: Taxation
It is a singular advantage of taxes on articles of consumption that they contain in their own nature a security against excess. They prescribe their own limit, which cannot be exceeded without defeating the end purposed - that is, an extension of the revenue.

James Madison

Essay on Property — 1792
Category: Taxation
A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species.

James Madison

Federalist No. 10 — 1787
Category: Taxation
The apportionment of taxes on the various descriptions of property is an act which seems to require the most exact impartiality; yet there is, perhaps, no legislative act in which greater opportunity and temptation are given to a predominant party to trample on the rules of justice. Every shilling which they overburden the inferior number is a shilling saved to their own pockets.

Joseph Story

Commentaries on the Constitution — 1833
Category: Taxation
In a general sense, all contributions imposed by the government upon individuals for the service of the state, are called taxes, by whatever name they may be known, whether by the name of tribute, tythe, tallage, impost, duty, gabel, custom, subsidy, aid, supply, excise, or other name.

Alexander Hamilton

Address to the Electors of the State of New York — 1801
Category: Taxation
As to Taxes, they are evidently inseparable from Government. It is impossible without them to pay the debts of the nation, to protect it from foreign danger, or to secure individuals from lawless violence and rapine.

Thomas Jefferson

Rights of British America — 1774
Category: Taxation
Our properties within our own territories [should not] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own.

Thomas Jefferson

letter to James Madison — 1784
Category: Taxation
Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual.

Thomas Jefferson

letter to James Madison — 1784
Category: Taxation
Would it not be better to simplify the system of taxation rather than to spread it over such a variety of subjects and pass through so many new hands.

Thomas Jefferson

letter to Gouverneur Morris — 1793
Category: Taxation
It must be observed that our revenues are raised almost wholly on imported goods.

Thomas Jefferson

letter to John Taylor — 1798
Category: Taxation
Excessive taxation...will carry reason and reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election.

Thomas Jefferson

letter to Lafayette — 1823
Category: Taxation
A rigid economy of the public contributions and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive.
Anonymous slogan in response to British Tax Policy — 1765
Category: Taxation
No Taxation without Representation!

George Washington

Farewell Address — 1796
Category: Taxation
No taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist No. 12 — 1787
Category: Taxation
It is evident from the state of the country, from the habits of the people, from the experience we have had on the point itself, that it is impracticable to raise any very considerable sums by direct taxation.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist No. 21 — 1787
Category: Taxation
If duties are too high, they lessen the consumption; the collection is eluded; and the product to the treasury is not so great as when they are confined within proper and moderate bounds. This forms a complete barrier against any material oppression of the citizens by taxes of this class, and is itself a natural limitation of the power of imposing them.

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