[WhiskeyPapa]

Where can we see in the historical record that there were taxes "on a far greater number of goods" than whiskey in 1794 or right up to the ACW

Try touring the Salem MA customs house. They give a partial list of taxed goods. (Post 1776)

In other words, you don't have a source. There were not even federal excise taxes in 1860.

I know for a fact that the government under the Articles of Confederation had no right of taxation --at--all--, so between 1776-1790, that Salem MA customs house was collecting --nothing-- for the U.S. government.

Walt

[from occupied ga]

In other words, you don't have a source. There were not even federal excise taxes in 1860.

I gave you a source, and you chose not to believe it in spite of overwhelming evidence ie the federal government existed and spent money prior to 1860. "Arguing" with a fanatic like you is like trying to teach a pig to sing: it wastes your time, annoys the pig, and the pig never learns to sing. Happy rooting.