Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-01-09

opportunity offered. The country
remained in this state till about The
year 1871 when Congress laid I
duty or excise OF four pence per gal
lon on all distilled spirits. The long
war with England, had greatly ex
hausted the public treasury, and this
was thought 10 be a tax that would
assist the revenue with as little injury
to the citizens, as any other tlia'
could be devised. The people, how
ever. would not submit 20 it. They
considered it a great oppression, anC
tyranical beyond endurance
What, said they, shall we who, with,
in twenty years. have successfully
contended with Great Britain, on
account of tax on tea, now sub
NIT 10 be taxed for whiskeyl When
the excise officers came round to
collect the duty, they were every
where hissed at and insulted. and
threatened to be tarred and feather
ed, if they persisted in executing
their office; other officers were sent,
and were treated in the same manner.
Some few OF the citizens recommen-
ded submission TO the laws, and that
they should petition Congress for a
redress of grievances, but they were
disregarded. The popular frenzy
was such that a man who talked
either OF submission or moderation,
was in great danger of getting his
person abused or his house burned
Public meetings were held in differ
ent sections Of the country, and in
fiammatory speeches made. and liber-
ty poles raised, with such devices on
them as these: "Liberty and no ex-
cise;;" "United we stand, divided we
fall" mo asylum for towards or
traitors"
Thus very great excitement
was raised, and a large majority
were willing to go any length in op-
posing the collection of the tax
Whilst affairs remained in this situa-
lion, government sent out three in
fluential commissioners, to tn e
several disaffected counties, in order
TO persuade the citizens TO submit TO
the law; the excitement, however,
was so high that they would not
hear the commissioners, and scarcely
desisted from insulting them. They
were plainly informed by the COM
that the law neither
could be nor would be repealed, so
long as the citizens resisted it, and
that the dignity and stability Of the
government, required that it should
enforce obedience TO the laws by the
strong arm, il nothing else would do.
The effect Of this menace was, that
a general convention of the citizens
was called, to consider whether thev
would submit 10 the law, or resist if.
The delegates assembled at Brad
docks fields, or Parkinson's ferry in
the early part of the summer Of 1884.
The majority OF the convention pas
sed resolutions, that the several ex-
else officers should Immediately be
brought in by strong force, and
that their commissions should be ia.
ken from them, and a promise extcr-
ted from them, that they would not
again act in that capacity, and that
if any resistance was made by them,
they should be burned out of house
and home. Thus this affair was fast
drawing to crisis.
The insurgents, by a numerous
body of armed men, made their first
attack on the dwelling house Of Gen.
eral Neville, the excise officer in
Washington County. Neville was
aware Of their coming, and had pre-
pared an armed force to defend him. !
self. He warned them TO desist, or
he would fire on them. They ad-
vanced, however, and Captain M'-
Farlap was shot dead. The assail-
ants retired, and, day or two af-
returned TO resume the at
tack. Neville, in the meantime, had |
abandoned the house, and the assail-
ants meeting with no resistance,
set fire to it and burned it down.
The next movement was made
against Philip Reagan, the deputy
excise officer in Westmoreland coun-
ty. The attack was made in the
night by numerous body OF men;
Reagan expected to be attacked, and
had prepared himself with number
Of guns, and one or two men. The
firing commenced from the house,
and the assailants fred at it for some
lime, without effect on either side.
The insurgents then set FIRE to Rea-
yan's barn, which they burned down,
and retired for that time. In the
course Of a day OF two after, the
with a force OF one hum
lred and fifty men, returned to re-
new the attack. After some parley-
ng, Reagan, rather than shed blood,
to capitulate with them,
they would do it on honor
,hla far,,,s ,x,d rriva him eaqqnrancal