Today’s session, presided over by Speaker of the Congress Stanisław Małachowski, commenced with a notable statement from his fellow Representative Roch Lasocki from Sochaczew, handling the draft from Secretary of the Treasury for Lithuania-Belarus, Prince Stanisław Poniatowski, concerning the regulation of land profits. Meanwhile, Representative Suchorzewski from Kalisz vocally insisted on immediate guarantees regarding arms procurement stating no legislative project would be entertained without secure arms supplies for military effectiveness. Speaker Małachowski responded by assuring that the Military Commission would address the issue with the aid of Prince Józef Czartoryski, Representative in Berlin, who has agreed to facilitate these matters.

Discussion continued over a previously unfinished draft concerning tenure lands, with some amendments being offered, though not all received approval, such as that from Representative Florian Drewnowski from Łomża.

In the spirit of expediency, Representative Kazimierz Rzewuski from Podole recommended handing over the task of financial auditing of lands and sums to the Treasury Commission, to which the Representatives unanimously agreed. Furthermore, Speaker Kazimierz Sapieha from Lithuania-Belarus clarified that Lithuania-Belarus possesses a distinct form of hereditary tenure lands which should only be taxed at the land rate.

Then,Representative Jan Krasiński from Podole delivered a passionate speech below:

Speech by Representative Jan Krasiński:

He expressed his elation over the newfound inclusiveness and forward-thinking attitude of the Union's representatives who have come to prioritize the national interest over self-interested privileges. This mindset has allowed for a consensus on ensuring adequate resources for our defensive capabilities. He stated that the Union's citizens have learned from harsh experiences and are now willing to collectively shoulder the burden of sustaining the nation's defenses, even to the point of risking their lives.

Representative Krasiński emphasized the importance of equitable taxation rules, stressing the need to adopt standards from seasoned nations, insisting taxes must be justified, well-administered, and not unduly burdensome. He also highlighted that while taxation is universal, there are certain principles that should be unique to free nations to prevent weakening the government or compromising their autonomy.

In the taxation debate, various proposals were highlighted, noting that coercive or oppressive measures are antithetical to the spirit of a truly free Union. He promoted a system that ensures everyone contributes fairly and reliably according to their means and without coercion, aligning with the notion of voluntary civic duty. Krasiński concluded by advocating for a taxation system that proportionally reflects the value generated from estates and transactions, and supported the project of Representative Fryderyk Moszyński from Bracław.

After discussions on taxation, including an address by Under Secretary of Treasury Antoni Dziekoński for Lithuania-Belarus and Senator Jacek Jezierski from Łukowa, the session ended with a motion to adjourn until the next day by Under Secretary of State for Poland-Ukraine Maciej Garnysz, after the President The President Stanisław August Poniatowski suspended the meeting.

This concludes today’s report on the Union Congress proceedings, where the forefront issue continues to be around equitable taxation and defense readiness. The sense of patriotism and duty to the national cause were palpable within the chamber walls as Representatives debated with both rationality and emotion. Stay updated for the discussion unfolds further in future sessions.

Topics: marshal of the Sejm; disarming land revenues; National Defense project; Military Commission; Prussian weapons; lenna properties; Treasury Commission; taxes; tax projects; half-grosz offerings; establishment of taxes; speech of the Opinogóra starosta; tax equality; trade freedom; rights of the nation; civic freedom; monopolies; offerings to the Republic;