Another lively day in the Union Congress (Poland-Lithuania) unfolded yesterday, and here's the lowdown on the motions and commotions.

First up, Speaker Stanisław Małachowski kicked things off by acknowledging some formalities and immediately moved on to the hot topic of treasury matters.

Congress turned its ear to a touching gesture by Walerian Strojnowski, a Representative from Volhynia, who praised the generosity of the President for recently waiving a certain tax to benefit the national coffers. Calls were then made for the Congress to draft responses and resolutions to questions posed by the Polish-Ukrainian Treasury Committee regarding expected contributions.

Aleksander Zieliński, Representative from Nur, took the floor, emphasizing the purity of his motivations and reminding all that public service comes with its fair share of challenges.

In a touching moment that slipped through the cracks of the last session's report, Kazimierz Sapieha, the Speaker of the Lithuanian-Belarusian Confederation, highlighted the graceful selflessness exhibited by our President when foregoing tax revenue. To which our President humbly replied, "I consider myself fortunate whenever I can make sacrifices for my country."

Now, we're all feeling a bit budget-conscious these days – the Congress members included. Today, they became schoolmasters poring over the Treasury’s balance sheet, counting every penny to ensure the military payroll doesn't bounce. It seems to be a constant juggle between what the army needs and what the coffers can cough up.

An important point raised by Wojciech Suchodolski, Representative from Chełm, questioned why companies in the military weren’t filled to the required 50-man strength, given the standing order. He demanded a report from the Military Committee on this discrepancy and was unsparing in his criticism of the lack of transparency and urgency from the Treasury Committee.

Suchodolski also made it clear that we need to focus our attention on strengthening our troops, pointing out the precarious international situation surrounding our beloved Union. His passionate plea: "We either perish or ensure the integrity and glory of the Commonwealth."

The takeaway from today’s session was a unanimous call for more sportsmanship from the Treasury Committees of both nations in detailing their incomes and expenditures. New plans were also put forth for equitably assessing citizens' tax contributions.

Lastly, an emotional speech by Stanisław Potocki, Representative from Lublin, stressed the importance of equal tax distribution and not burdening certain states over others. He argued for thorough assessments of tax implications to prevent inequalities and for a more fortified military.

And with that, the President called it a day, leaving the Congress members to return to their local busywork or perhaps, for some, a fine evening at the local tavern.

For all the intricacies of 18th-century political wrangling going on, this session of Congress was a testament to the careful dance of governance: Taxes, troop counts, budgets, and the insistent drumbeat of homeland defense. Until tomorrow, keep your quills sharp and your wits about you – who says history can't be as thrilling as our modern-day binge-worthy TV series?

Topics: Great Sejm 1789-1792; Stanisław Małachowski; tithe donation; Crown Treasury Commission; Military Commission; propination tax; Confederation Marshal; Lithuanian Treasury Commission; military reports and computations; resolution draft; percentage tax; Collection Commission;

Authorization of the Polish-Ukrainian Treasury Commission

In a steadfast move, The President informed Congress that the previously allotted funds for tobacco procurement fell short of the required amount. With unanimous consent from both Houses of Congress, The President grants the Treasury Commission the authority to withdraw additional necessary funds from treasury revenues. This commitment ensures tobacco income is managed effectively to benefit the nation both economically and administratively.

Topics: Commission of the Crown Treasury; treasury expenditures; sejm remnant; tobacco purchase; tobacco revenue; treasury administration; Commonwealth;