Hoosier Dusty Files - October 25, 1813 - Annual Tax Rate on 100 Acres of Land Seventy-Five Cents

A Year of Indiana History - 2016

October 25, 1813 - Annual Tax Rate on 100 Acres of Land Seventy-Five Cents
In 1813, Indiana was still in the second, or representative, stage of political development, a stage that would last until the third stage, statehood, in 1816. The Territory had achieved the transition from the first stage to the second stage in 1804. Each stage increased the financial burden upon the taxpayers.
First Stage
Congress split the Indiana Territory from the Northwest Territory in 1804. The Indiana Territory thus entered the first stage of Territorial Government. In this stage the Territorial Governor, William Henry Harrison had almost total power over the Territory. The total population of the territory was about 5641 white residents in 1805. During this stage, the territorial expenses ran somewhat less than $ 6000 annually. The Federal Government paid all but about $200 of this expense. According to the Northwest Ordinance the territory could move the second stage of territorial government when the population voted to do so. The transition did not go smoothly. Many complained of the high territorial taxes and petitioned the Congress to move the Territory back to the first stage to lower the tax rates.
Second Stage
The second, or representative, stage began on December 5, 1804. Costs for the territory increased to around $10,000 annually, about two thirds paid from Federal coffers. By 1810, the population had grown to over 20,000, most of which resided along the Ohio and Wabash Rivers. During this period, Congress selected the territorial representatives. By 1809, the first elections took place, when the voters elected a nine member House of Representatives. The Upper House, or Legislative Council, consisted of five members and was elected by the people that same year. White males that owned at least fifty acres were entitled to vote. During the second session, from November 22 through December 19, 1811, the General Assembly passed the tax laws that would finance the territory. This rate was not to exceed one cent per acre on first-rate land, three-fourths cent per acre on second-rate land and one-half cent per acre on third-rate land. The Legislature enacted a poll tax on all men over twenty-one that did not own property.

It is fun to experience Indiana's rich history. The easy to read “this day in history format” of the Hoosier Dusty Files makes it easy for readers to learn the history of the Hoosier state The author has excerpted articles his "A Year in Indiana History" book. . Visitors may read the articles as they appear or purchase the book:
A Year of Indiana History - 2016
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