[central_va]

The first law passed by the first congress was the tariff act. Out founders knew what they were doing.

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The Tariff Act of 1789, was the first major Act passed in the United States under its present Constitution of 1789 and had two purposes as stated in Section I of the Act which reads as follows;

"Whereas it is necessary for that support of government, for the discharge of the debts of the United States, and the encouragement and protection of manufactures, that duties be laid on goods, wares and merchandise:"[1]

[Jacquerie]

Yes, some tariffs and excises along with the sale of western lands left the US debt-free (IIRC) by the early 19th century.