Transcribed from microfilm and contributed by: Charles A. Sherrill, 1992
A project of the Bradley County Historical Society

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Petition Number 101, Year 1849

[The cover sheet notes read: “Read and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 14 Octr. 1849. J. Miller, Clk”. This is followed by: “16 Nov. 1849 committee ask to be discharged report concurred in. J. Miller”.]

Petition for Amendment of Revenue Law, Bradley Co. 1849

We a Potton of the Citizens of Bradley County State of Tennessee wish to memorialize the general assembly of the State now in Session on the subject of the Revenue Law. And for that purpose will bring to your notice the 28 Sect of the 2nd article of the Constitution of this State. Which exempts Slaves under 12 and over 50 years of Age from taxation.

Which laws in said Constitution we want amended So as to make Slaves taxable from the time they become Slaves as Long as they are Slaves according to their value. This we think would be just and Equil.

Revenue is Raised to Support our Laws. And our the Poor man has but little to protect. but he under the present Law has to pay taxes for every Acre of Land he owns and that as Soon as he owns it. And evry dollars worth of labor he bestows that ads value to it as long as he lives. While the Rich Slave holder is Raising young Negros and Speculating on his old ones fee of taxation. We think a free Republican goverment will not oppress the poor to protect the Rich.

We therefore Submit the mater to your Consideration hopeing in your legislative Cappasity you will Considder your Selves the Representatives of the poor as well as the Rich.

In duty bound will every pray & etc.