The records of congress indicate that the federal government adopted a tariff of about 17% average rate in 1857. That tariff was in place through 1860. So yes, Walt. There were federal taxes in 1860.
But the reason for that, as he said on 7/4/61, was to prove that a government of free men -can- govern itself despite the dissatisfaction of a minority.
Which is a load of nonsense if one accepts it as the very premise on which The Lincoln waged his war to prevent free men from governing themselves. In other words, if that was The Lincoln's true motive, it was a weak and self-contradicted one making his entire war effort a sham. If it was not his true motive, then something else, likely possessing less flowery language and less than respectable undercurrents, must have been.
He didn't mean like children in a sandbox.
Walt
The records of congress indicate that the federal government adopted a tariff of about 17% average rate in 1857. That tariff was in place through 1860. So yes, Walt. There were federal taxes in 1860.
Even the tariff in 1860 was lower than any since 1816.
The Morrill Tariff could not have passed if the rebel senators had retained their seats. And a tariff is not a tax. Buy American and you won't pay a penny.
Walt