Speaker of the House, Mr. Stanisław Małachowski, opened the session by stating that it's widely accepted that we should hasten to bring the nation back to its known course. The Houses of Congress experienced this during the report on the Treasury Review about the so-called "Wyro kistyczne" Commissions, showing a willingness to unite to satisfy the emerging matters. However, only the first two years were reported on, with the more recent two years still untouched. Therefore, Mr. Małachowski asked Mr. Onufry Morski, Senator Castellan of Kamieniec Podolski to continue the started Treasury Report.

Mr. Onufry Morski, with the floor given to him to continue the report for the last two years, first discussed the figures from 1788 amounting to 1,799,751 Polish zlotys. He clarified that this sum included various military and diplomatic expenses, with only 896,721 zlotys accounted for in cash and retentions.

Mr. Morski then moved on to explain the traditional revenues of the Polish-Ukrainian Treasury, along with new types of income. Speaking of the Revenue from Stamped Cards, he reported a drop in revenue due to overly expensive stamps, suggesting that the stamp duty be decreased, as proposed earlier by Mr. Jacek Jezierski, Senator Castellan of Łukow. He also stated that the cities of Gdansk and Torun had not contributed anything to the Treasury over the past four years.

When there was mention of the perception of the lottery, Mr. Roch Kossowski, Under Secretary of Treasury for Poland-Ukraine, took the floor to explain that in cases of smuggling, the case is reported to the commission, which decides the fate of the seized goods, with proceeds being divided among the treasury, the king, and the individuals who oversaw the confiscation.

Mr. Onufry Morski then proceeded with his report on newly established taxes, specifically the hearth tax from noble estates over two years, totaling 9,717,977 zlotys. He inquired whether the Houses of Congress wished to know how much each province contributed to the tax, offering to read the breakdown. However, Mr. Kossowski suggested waiting until the responsible commission finished its review with the treasury before disclosing detailed information.

As the report continued, concerns arose over the tax collection from royal estates, with Mr. Stanisław Potocki, Representative from Lublin, noting that the blame lies with the inspectors, as the inspection privilege states that all past revenues should be collected in the Lithuania-Belarus province as well.

Mr. Kossowski responded by stating that it is futile to rehash arguments about the law since the obligation for a more accurate and responsible tax audit has already been established. He mentioned that some estate owners, feeling wronged, have lodged complaints with the treasury, which has forwarded the matter to the Treasury Commission for resolution by the Houses of Congress.

Mr. Franciszek Kietliński, Representative from Sandomierz, as one of the appointed tax inspectors, reported on his experiences in Radom County, indicating the need for a law to clearly define the duties of the inspectors and mandate a new, proper audit according to the law of 1764.

Mr. Onufry Morski continued his report by emphasizing the need for a new audit and tax regulation, or alternatively the sale of offices according to the proposals by Reverend Ossowski, to ensure sufficient income from taxation.

Mr. Marcin Świejkowski, Senator Castellan from Kamieniec Podolski, voiced the hardships caused by the cattle and hides tax, which costs more to administer than a quarter of its revenue. He called for a review and possible reform of the tax.

Mr. Roch Kossowski, Under Secretary of Treasury for Poland-Ukraine, reiterated his earlier objection to this tax and presented a proposal from the Treasury Commission that aims to adjust the tax to a less burdensome method.

The session continued with further discussions of taxes and possible reforms of tax collection methods, with several members proposing to scrutinize and potentially eliminate the burdensome cattle and hides tax.

When it came to addressing possible sources of wealth and industry within the Union, Mr. Jacek Jezierski spoke of the abundant natural resources in the country, such as salt and iron. He proposed the establishment of industries that could sustain the Union's economy and military needs.

The day’s session ended with Speaker Małachowski suggesting the Houses of Congress prepare for discussions on decrees concerning local congresses on the following day, and closing the session due to health concerns after a long day of extensive discussions.

The Cabinet approached the throne and the session was suspended until the following day, Thursday.

Topics: Control and reform of state finances; Crown Treasury revenues and their sources; Stamp duties; Revenues from Gdańsk and Toruń; Collecting taxes and lottery; Taxation of royal estates; Non-permanent taxes; Tax administration costs; National Bank fund and proposal; Inspection of royal properties; Economic reform and industrial development;

Gratitude

In today's session, Congress expressed appreciation for a significant contribution from the esteemed Andrew Zamoyski, former Secretary of State for Poland-Ukraine. Mr. Zamoyski generously donated two hundred thousand Polish gold coins to the Treasury of the Polish-Ukrainian Commonwealth, a gesture warmly received and duly noted in the legal records of The Union. Such acts of gratitude highlight the ongoing commitment of our nation's leaders to the financial stability and prosperity of our great Union.

Topics: gratitude; Andrzej Zamoyski; ordinate; minister of the chancery of Poland-Ukraine; donation; Crown Treasury; Commonwealth; constitution;