Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-29

| ligenCe, delegates were ueputeu Tom tne town
Of Washington to Pittsburgh, where the writer's
of the offensive letters resided, to demand the
| Punishment OF the offenders. A prompt obedi-
ence to this demand was unavoidable; and the in
| habtants of Pittsburgh, who were convened on
the occasion, engaged to attend a general meet
king of the people, who were TO assemble the next
day in Braddock's Field, in order to carry into
effect some further measures
| They also determined to elect delegates to con-
ventiop which was to meet on the fourteenth OF
August, at Parkinson's Ferry. The avowed mo-
tives to these outrages were to compel the reslg-
nation of all officers engaged in the collection OF
| the duties on distilled spirits; to withstand by
force of arms the authority oil the United States;
and thereby extort repeal OF the law imposing
those duties, and an alteration in the conduct OF
government.
Affidavits attesting this state Of things were
laid before the President.
| The opposition had now reached to point
which seemed to forbid the continuance Of tenn.
| porizing system. The efforts at cOncillatlon,
which, for more than three years, the government
| had persisted to make, and the alterations ire
uuent!y introduced into the act, for the purpose
Of rendering it less exceptionable. instead OF d.
mipishing the arrogance OF those who opposed
their will to the sense of the nstion. had drawn
err than the evasion of a single act. The execu-
ton of the laws had been at length resisted by
open force, and deter mlnatiOn to persevere IN
these measures was unequivocally avowed The
alternative of subduing this resistance, or OF SUBJ
hitting to it. was presented to the government,
The act of Congress which provided for calling
forth the militia ito execute the laws oil the UNI.
on. suppress Instructions, and repel lnvasions,"
required as prerequisite to the exercise OF this
power that an associate justice. or the Judge OF
the district should certify that the laws OF the
United States were opposed, or their execution
obstructed by combinations too powerful 10 be
suppressed by the ordinary course OF judicial
proceedings, or by the powers vested IN TIE mar
shals.'' In the same act, 1t was provided, "that
if the militia Of the state where such combinations
may happen shall refuse, or be insufficient to re-
press the same, the President may employ the
militia of other states. -
The evidence which had been transmitted to
the President was laid before one Of the associ,
ate justices, who gave the certificate, which en-
ablcd the chief magistrate to employ the militia
in aid of the civil power,
The executive being now authorised to adopt
such measures as the crisis might require, the
subject was again seriously considered in the ca
binet. and the governor of Pennsylvania was also
consulted respecting it. To avoid military coer-
cion. If obedience to the laws could be produced
! BY other means, was a universal wish. therefore
all concurrcd in advising the appointment of
commissioners from the governments oil both the
union and the state. who should warn the delud-
ed insurgents of the impending danger; and
should convey full pardon for past offences, up
on the condition Of future submission. But,
respecting ul,erior and eventual measures, dit
ference of opinion prevailed. The act already
mentioned made it the duty OF the President,
previous to the employment Of military force, to
issue his proclamation, commanding inc insur-
gents to disperse within a limited tlme
The Secretary of State land the Governor OF
Pennsylvania, is understood to nave concurred
with him) was Of opinion, that this eonclllatory
mission should be unaccompanied by any mea-
sure which might wear the appearance of cuer-
cion. He was alarmed at the strength OF the in
surgents, at their connexion, with other parts OF
the country, at the extensiveness of the prevail
| ing discontents with the administration, aud at
the difficulty and expense Of bringing the militia
into the field. The governor OF Pennsylvania
having declared his opinion That the militia oil
that state. who could be drawn forth, would De
| incompetent to enforce obedience, the aid OF the
neighbouring states would consequently be ne
! cessary. The secretary of state feared that the
militia of the neishbouring states would refuse to
march, and that, should he be mistaken In this,
their compliance with the orders OF the executive
might be no less fatal than their dlsobedlence.-
The introduction Of foreign militia INTO Penn
! sylyanla might increase the discontents 'evail-
ing in that state. His appreenslons OF failure,
in the attempt to restore tranquility by coerclve
means were evtreme; and the tremendous conse-
quenccs of failure were strongly depieted.--
From the highly inGamed state of parties, he anti
cipated civil war which would pervade the
whole union, and drench every part OF It with the
blood of American citizens.
The Secretary of the treasury, the secretary
of war, aud the attorney general. were OF opni.
on that the President was bound by the most
high and solemn obligations to employ the force
which the legislature bad placed at his disposal.
for the suppression Of criminal and unProsoked
insurrection. The case contemplated by con-
gress had clearly occurred; aad the President
was urged by considerations the most awful, 70
perform the duty imposed on him BY the eonst-
tuition, Of providing 6 that the laws be faithfully
executed.o The long forbearance of govern