Editing Langdon Cheves (section)

====Ways and Means====
As the second ranking member on the Ways and Means Committee, Cheves also had a key role in securing the appropriations to fund the War. Secretary of the Treasury [[Albert Gallatin]] estimated the war would require about $21,000,000 in new revenues, with about half in debt and half raised in new taxes.{{sfn|Huff|1977|p=61}}

After a new embargo went into effect on April 1, 1812, the House declined to recess. Ways and Means chair [[Ezekiel Bacon]], took a leave of absence on April 27, making Cheves the acting chairman of the powerful committee as the war began.{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=63–65}}

One of Cheves's primary goals on Ways and Means was to persuade those who feared higher internal taxes or the restraining commercial effect on tariffs to join the war effort. To lighten the tax burden, Cheves attempted to repeal the [[Non-Intercourse Act (1809)|Non-Intercourse Act of 1809]] in order to use the duties assessed on imports to lower internal taxes. Cheves introduced the repeal bill on June 19, the day after war was declared; repeal was defeated on June 25, with Speaker Clay casting the deciding vote in opposition.{{sfn|Huff|1977|pp=63–65}}