Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1833-01-03
Pennsylvania Whislse,v Insarrection.-

Pennsylvania WAiskey IrsarrectiOn.--
Inc annexed account of this crisis in our
national history will be interesting atsthe
present time.
In the year 1890, an Excise Act was
passed BY Congress. imposing a duty on
spirits distilled within the United States
In the majority ofthe states little objection
10 inns tax was made, but in the four western
counties OF Pennsylvania an organized OPP
position OF force was raised. Various acts
IN opposition to the laws took place, and
IN September, 1871, convention of dele4
gates from the malcontent counties was
held at Pittsburg, in which resolutions Of
extreme violence were adopted. Suisse
quently the attempts of the marshal and
inspector to enforce legal process against
the delinquent dislillers we're repealed by
force. The effolts OF the Judiciary to en-.
force It's decisions in the usual way having
failed, an appeal was made to the Presi-
1893, accompanied by the appointment of
commissioners, who were charged Ia re-
pair TO the scene of insurrectioD, and offer
the indictments pardon on return to alle-
glance, and in case of refusal 10 notify them
that coercion mast be used. Their efforts
were not successful, aud on the 18th Sept.
OF the same year, orders were given to the
tmilitia to march against the rebels, and an
army of $4,000 men, from New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia was
accordingly put in motion. The Com
mander-in- Chief was Gov. Lee Of Virgin
ia, the Governors of New Jersey and
Pennsylvania commanding under him the
troops of their respective states. As had
been foreseen, the greatness OF the force
prevented the elfusion of blood the disaf-
fected did dot venture to assemble in arms.
Several of the ringleaders were seized, and
two of them were tried and convicted Of
treason and pardoned. Not a drop of
blood was shed throughout--thanks to the
prudent vigor Of Gen. Washington. Not
an individual has ever been executed for
the crime of treason since the establish
ment of our AndOoer Jour.
| Shays' Rebeliom.-Anoiler insurrec-
ton, Of more fatal Consequences, took
place in Massachusetts, in 1886. We have
condensed the following particulars from
Goodrich's Universal Geography.
The public debt of the State at the close
of the war, and the languishing condition
Of trade and industry, had brought hea-
Wy burden of taxation upon the people,
Several minor causes of discomfort had
contributed to promote disatiection to-
wards the government, which in the SUM
mer of 1856 in the counties of Hampshire
and Berkshire, where the inhabitants con-
ceived the taxation to have been appor-
toned unequally, broke out into open re-
bellion. A conventionwhich met at Hat
field in August, published specification
oftlier grievances, in whichthey denounc-
ed the system of representation, the court
of common pleas, the system Of taxation
the management Of the finances, &c. En-
couraged BY this declaration, the inhabit-
ants assembled 10 the number Of 1900 in
Northampton, where they took possession
Of the court house, and prevented the court
from sitting. In Worcester, the judges
were driven from the court house at the
point of the bayonet. In Middlesex, u
convention gave encouragement to the
rebels; another in Berkshire produced a
similar effect. The insurgents at this time
amounted to 1000 men, under the CONF
mand Of Daniel Shays. leader whose
name is always coupled with this rebellion.
but who, though man of personal brave
ry, was an officer without conduct or capa-
city. az s@
The fears OF the maritime counties were
at length fully aroused by the growing
force Of the insurgents, and the govern
ment determined to strike decisive blow.
An army consisting Of 1000 men, under
| Gen. Lincoln, was marched to Worcester !;
another body of 1000, under Gen. Shep-
hard, was stationed At Springfield. On
the 25th of January. Sheppard, who held
possession Of the arsenal at Springfield.
was attacked in that position by Shays.--
| The rebels were compelled to retreat in
disorder after the loss ola few men. AZ
ter this the affairs of the rebels rapidly de-
lclined. Early in February one Of their
/ leaders came over to the government with
| number Of men, and shortly after the
whole army was routed from strong posi-
| ton it had taken upon the heights Of Pei
ham. Skirmishes took place with other
small parties in different quarters, but the
rebels made little efiectnal resistance. One
after another they laid down their arms,
and at the end of the winter the militia
were disbanded. A number OF convictions
followed, but none were executed. Shays
himself received a full parden, and remove
ed to Newly State, whore he died a