Washington Oct.* 24th 1814
Dear Sir,
I have been for some time here anxuous to hear about Mr. Howell * Should have sent a letter to him only that I thot it would most likely pass
by him on the fioad* - Be pi eased, Sir, to send me a line and let me know how & where he is•
The news from this place, is sent you in the Papers duly * Altho it was often talked of, we never took up the business of Ways & Means (for which we -were called) until very lately* Last
Friday was the first time we entered upon said business in Comi* of the Whole
Tis very uncertain how these taxes Will yet be shaped and new modelled* ihe addit tax on whiskey has been put at 15 Cents on the Gall instead of 2 5 dents as proposed by Mr. Dallas. V/here iu Cents taken from the Gall P, according to their estimate takes *2,400,000 from the tax proposed to be raised, arid Mr* Eppes proposes to take Up the Boots Saddles &c to make up the deficit. There • seems to be considerable difference in opinion amongs the Feds here, whether we shall vote for these taxes or against them. This is a difference about formalities only, for the taxes will be raised whether we vote for th.ru or not; and tha only thing to guide us is the consideration how our conduct v ill be understood by the people who exercise the Supreme power in our land. If wshall convey the idea to the p ople that we have eonfiflenc $ in Madison &co by voting for the taxes, m do what we do not mean to do for we never^so low an opinion of Madison and all his Cabinet, as we now have.
Col$ Timothy Pickering who lives where I do, is of the opinion that kissing is not an Indian custom; that if the Indians kis. there women or children it is in imitation of the manners of White people. This I am inclined to doubt, believing that it is instinctive and practised by all nations from the most civilised to the most savage, and in all ages. The most trifling thim in the history of the.creature man, interests us all•' You will confer a favor on us by setting us right, in this matter. Please to write soon, arid much oblige
Tour very Hum^1 serv r
J. A. Geddes
Capt. Jasper Parrish

James Geddes letter
Oct, 24, 1814