Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 28 July 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir,
                  War department July 28th 1794

               I have the honor to submit to you the draft of a letter to the Governor of Georgia on the proposed establishment on the Creek lands.
               This letter has been drafted by the Secretary of State and is conformable to my sentiments. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your obedient Servant

                  H. Knox

                  I have also the honor to enclose Colo. Pickerings Instructions, with an addition relatively to the Oneidas which seems highly incumbent on the U.S.

                  H. Knox


Title: From George Washington to Israel Shreve, 28 July 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Shreve, Israel

                  Sir,
                  Philadelphia July 28th 1794

               Your letter of the 29th Ulto came to my hands a few days ago only.
               Mr Samuel Jackson (if that is the name of the person who

                  asked me sometime in the course of last winter, if I would dispose of my land in Fayette, & at what price) must very greatly have misunderstood my answer if he conceived thirty shillings an acre was the value I had set upon it.
               The truth is, that at no period since I dissolved my partnership with Simpson, & had any idea of parting with this, & my other Lands West of the Alligany Mountains, did I ever fix a less value than forty shillings pr Acre on the tract you live. It is not to be presumed then that I should lower my price when it was encreasing twenty five, fifty, and even an hundred prCt in almost every direction.
               Mr Jackson must have mistaken the tract in Washington County for that in Fayette, from the price; for thirty shillings pr Acre was the value I put on that.  The conversation I had with that Gentleman was very short; for when I found he did not mean to be the purchaser himself, but was making enquiries merely to satisfy his own curiosity or to gratify that of others, I told him I had rated them at such & such prices, 40/. I think for that in Fayette, & 30/. for the other; & being asked if I would allow any credit, he was answered yes; provided a certain part of the purchase was paid at the time of ensealing & delivery; and interest paid on the residue. But he was told at parting, that as nothing final had taken place between him & me, he was not to consider anything that passed between us, as binding upon me at a future day.
               Mentioning this matter to a Gentleman well acquainted with the value, & prices of land in that Country, he told me he thought the Land on wch you live (the whole tract I mean) would fetch Six dollars an acre: accordingly, Mr Ross of Washington (one of your Senators) has been authorised by me to sell both tracts; Not knowing therefore what he may have done in this matter, I cannot be more precise with you, at this time.  If the land is not already under engagement, and I do not believe it is, as it is but lately the power to dispose of it was given, it would give me pleasure that you shd have the preference, if Mr Ross and you can agree on the price. And if you would pay a fourth of the purchase down, you might have credit for the residue four, five, or even Six years, giving the Land, and your Bond bearing interest, as security.  With esteem & regard I am—Sir Yr Very Hble Servt

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 30 July 1794
From: Randolph, Edmund
To: Washington, George

               Private
               SirPhiladelphia July 30. 1794
               The day before yesterday I mentioned to Mr Laurence Washington my wish to speak with him on the subject of his studies. He came to me, and immediately stated his situation. He apprehends, and is extremely mortified at believing, that he has lost your good opinion. But he solemnly avers, that the inferences, which may be drawn to his disadvantage, from his late accident, and the frequent absence from your house in the company of a Miss Emlyn, of this city, have been the sole causes of his acting in a manner, disagreeable to you, without any mixture of those vices, which idleness may be supposed to generate.  When he touched upon his professional studies, he seemed to consider them, as at an end; and opened more particularly an engagement with Miss Emlyn. She is the daughter of a very wealthy man in this city, and of a respectable family. I am inclined therefore to believe, that this is a business, which he has much at heart; tho’ he does not propose to be married until a year hence, she being not more than sixteen. Thus far, sir, I have undertaken to communicate to you, what his plans are. Permit me to say, that things being circumstanced as they are, I hold myself bound to return to him so much of the 100£, as would belong to the remainder of the time, which I expected him to read law. I have the honor, sir, to be with sincere respect and attachment yr. mo. ob. serv.

                  Edm: Randolph


Title: To George Washington from Mr. Raymond, Jr., 30 July 1794
From: Raymond, Mr.
To: Washington, George

                  Monsieur
                  [New York, 30 July 1794]

               y ayant un an passé que Je Reside Dans L’Etat de Newyork et ayant fait La guerre Dans vos Etats avec Mr Le Compte Destaing Bas officier Dans son Vaisseaux Le Languedoc tant dans la Partie

                  Du Nord quau siege de savanay ou Jay Ete Bléssé a son Coté par un balle quy ma Perce Le molet de La Jambe Droitte Comme ayant envie de devenir un de vos sujets Je vous Demanderés aussy sy La Residence que Jay fait dans ce Pais et une Partie De La Derniere Guerre, ne suffisent pas pour que Je sois Naturalise sy vous Le trouver apropos je vous Prie de me faire L’honneur de me Repondre et me Donner les Renseignements Necessaires a cett Effet ayant envie de travailler dans Le Commerce ayant demande Le fin de ressources quil me Reste en france, vous obligeres Celuy quy a L’honneur Detre tres Respectueusement

                  Raymond Jeune


Title: From George Washington to James Ross, 1 August 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Ross, James

                  Sir,
                  Philadelphia Augt 1st 1794.

               As letters are liable to accidents, & I have had no acknowledgment of one I wrote to you, on the 16th of June, I take the liberty of troubling you with a duplicate thereof.
               A few days ago I received a letter from Colo. Israel Shreve proposing to buy the tract on which he lives, in Fayette Cty. He offered to pay a third of the price next April (at which time, he says his lease expires) and interest on the other two thirds, if the credit could be agreed on; giving the land & his own Bond as security.
               A Mr Jackson of Red-stone, according to his account, has told him that my price was 30/. an Acre; on what ground, I am at a loss to conjecture; for at no period since the dissolution of my concern with a Gilbert Simpson, and intention to part with the Land, have I ever contemplated to take less than forty shillings pr Acre. Some person in the course of last winter (this Mr Jackson I presume) called upon, and enquired of me, if I was disposed to sell my lands in the Western part of this State, and what value I set upon them?  Finding it was not on his own Acct the enquiries were made, my answers were short, and to this effect, that I could, some years ago, have got 40/ for the tract in Fayette, and that I valued the other at 30/. He then asked if credit would be allowed—I replied, if part of the money was paid down, Interest on the remainder, and the whole well secured, credit might be obtained—Nothing more that I can recollect, passed between us. How then he should misconceive what I said, or Colo. Shreve what he said, is not easy to account for.
               I have informed Colo. Shreve, that as you were so obliging as to offer to dispose of these Lands on my behalf, I could do no more than refer him to you; lest any specific answer might

                  militate with any negotiations you might have in hand; & this communication is to prepare you therefor; if the misconception he has been under should not arrest any further overtures from him, on this subject. With very great esteem I am—Sir Your most Obedt Ser.

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 2 August 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  Treasury Department August 2d 1794

               In compliance with your requisition I have the honor to submit my Opinion as to the course which it will be adviseable for the President to pursue in regard to the armed Opposition recently given in the four Western Counties of Pennsylvania to the execution of the laws of the U. States laying duties upon Spirits distilled within the United States and upon Stills.
               The case upon which an Opinion is required is summarily as follows—The four most Western Counties of Pennsylvania since the Commencement of those laws a period of more than three Years, have been in steady and Violent Opposition to them By formal public meetings of influential individuals, whose resolutions and proceedings had for undisguised objects, to render the laws odious, to discountenance a compliance with them, and to intimidate individuals from accepting and executing Offices under them—by a general Spirit of Opposition (thus fomented) among the Inhabitants—by repeated instances of armed parties going in disguise to the houses of the Officers of the Revenue and inflicting upon them personal violence and outrage—by general combinations to forbear a compliance with the requisitions of the laws by examples of injury to the property and insult to the persons of individuals who have shewn by their conduct a disposition to comply and by an almost universal noncompliance with the laws—their execution within the Counties in question has been completely frustrated.

               Various Alterations have been made in the laws by the Legislature to obviate as far as possible the objections of the Inhabitants of those Counties.
               The executive, on its part has been far from deficient in forbearance lenity or a Spirit of Accomodation.
               But neither the Legislative nor the Executive accomodations have had any effect in producing compliance with the laws.
               The Opposition has continued and matured till it has at length broke out in Acts which are presumed to amount to Treason.
               Armed Collections of men, with the avowed design of Opposing the execution of the laws, have attacked the house of the Inspector of the Revenue, burnt and destroyed his property and Shed the blood of persons engaged in its defence—have made prisoner of the Marshall of the District and did not release him till for the Safety of his life he stipulated to execute no more processes within the disaffected counties—have compelled both him and the Inspector of the revenue to fly the Country by a circuitous route to avoid personal injury perhaps Assassination—have proposed the Assembling of a Convention of delegates from these Counties and the Neigbouring ones of Virginia probably with a view to systematise measures of more effectual Opposition—have forcibly seized Opened & Spoliated a Mail of the United States.
               What in this State of things is proper to be done?
               The President has with the advice of the heads of the Departments and the Attorney General caused to be submitted all the evidence of the foregoing facts to the Consideration of an Associate Judge under the Act intitled "An Act to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the laws of the Union Suppress Insurrection and repel Invasion."
               If the Judge shall pronounce that the case described in the second section of that Act exists—it will follow that a competent force of Militia should be called forth and employed to suppress the insurrection and support the Civil Authority in effectuating Obedience to the laws and the punishment of Offenders.
               It appears to me that the very existence of Government demands this course and that a duty of the highest nature urges the Chief Magistrate to pursue it. The Constitution and laws of the United States contemplate and provide for it.
               What force of Militia shall be called out, and from What State or States?

               The force ought if attainable to be an imposing one, such if practicable, as will deter from opposition, save the effusion of the blood of Citizens and secure the object to be accomplished.
               The quantum must of course be regulated by the resistance to be expected—Tis computed, that the four opposing Counties contain upwards of sixteen thousand males of 16 years and more, that of these about seven thousand may be expected to be armed. Tis possible that the Union of the Neighbouring Counties of Virginia may augment this force. Tis not impossible, that it may receive an accession from some adjacent Counties of this state on this side of the Alleghany Mountain.
               To be prepared for the worst, I am of opinion, that twelve thousand Militia ought to be ordered to assemble; 9000 foot and 3000 horse. I should not propose so many horse, but for the probability, that this description of Militia, will be more easily procured for the service.
               From what State or States shall these come?
               The Law contemplates that the Militia of a State, in which an insurrection happens, if willing & sufficient shall first be employed, but gives power to employ the Militia of other States in the case either of refusal or insufficiency.
               The Governor of Pennsylvania in an Official conference this day, gave it explicitly as his opinion to the President, that the Militia of Pennsylvania alone would be found incompetent to the suppression of the insurrection.
               This Opinion of the Chief Magistrate of the State is presumed to be a sufficient foundation for calling in, in the first instance, the aid of the Militia of the Neighbouring States.
               I would submit then, that Pennsylvania be required to furnish 6000 men of whom 1000 to be horse, New-Jersey 2000 of whom 800 to be horse, Maryland 2000 of whom 600 to be horse, Virginia 2000, of whom 600 to be horse.
               Or perhaps it may be as eligible to call upon each State for such a number of Troops, leaving to itself the proportion of horse and foot according to convenience. The Militia called for to rendezvous at Carlisle in Pensylvania & Cumberland Fort in Virginia on the 10th of September next.
               The law requires that previous to the using of force a Proclamation shall issue, commanding the Insurgents to disperse

                  and return peaceably to their respective abodes within a limited time.  This step must of course be taken.
               The application of the force to be called out and other ulterior measures must depend on circumstances as they shall arise. With the most perfect respect I have the Honor to be Sir your most Obedient Servant

                  Alexandr Hamilton


Title: From George Washington to William Pearce, 3 August 1794
From: Washington, George
To: Pearce, William

                  Mr Pearce,
                  German Town [Pa.] Augt 3d 1794

               I removed to this place On Wednesday last, in order to avoid the heat of the City of Philadelphia. It is probable I shall remain

                  here until about the middle of September—but letters will come to me as regularly as if I had remained in the City.
               Your letter of the 27th Ulto, and the reports, I received yesterday as usual; & wish the rains we have been complaining of, may not be much wanted before the end of this month; as the weather since that fall, has put on the appearance of drought—which, if it happens, will be almost as injurious to the Crop of Corn as if those rains had not fallen.
               If your Corn ground has got foul by the rains which have fallen, or even if they are not perfectly clean, I had rather, although it will inevitably delay your seeding, put off sowing Wheat—or any thing else indeed—until it is clean, light and in good order for the reception of them: for I have never found any thing but disappointed hopes from a contrary practice; which has long decided me in an opinion that to aim at the cultivation of more ground than one can, under almost any circumstances, master completely, is not the certain way to make sure, or even large Crops; but an infallible one to destroy the land. I have long been convinced moreover, that if the same labour, & expence of manure, &ca, (which in the common mode of management in Virginia) was bestowed on 50 acres of land, that is now scattered over an 100, that the former would be more profitable & productive to the owner. What I would be understood to mean by this is, that a field not more than half prepared for a crop—the Crop not more than half tilled—& the ground but indifferently manured, will not produce as much as the half of it would, if these were bestowed in full proportion to the requirements of the land. If ones means is equal to the accomplishment of the whole there can be no doubt in that case—but that the whole will double the half. All I mean to express is that whatever is attempted, should be well executed as it respects Crops—and as it respects meadows & other improvements, to complete, & make good as one goes. It was not my intention to apply what I have here said, to the state in which you have described your Corn ground to be under from so much rain, or to any particular case; but as general observations which I am persuaded will hold good in all cases. An essential object with every farmer ought to be the destruction of weeds. His arable and pasture grds should produce nothing but grain, pulse if he raises them, vegitables of different sorts, according to his designs, and grasses. Nothing

                  then but deep and frequent plowing, hoeing, & hand weeding, can eradicate weeds; & such other trash as foul, & exhaust the fields, & diminish the Crops: and these, neither in season, in quantity, or quality can be given, if more is undertaken than the force & means are competent to. I am glad to hear that the young Timothy is beginning to shew itself in the New Meadows. It is an ardent wish of mine to have the whole well covered with grass—free from Sprouts & weeds, and smooth for the scythe. How does the Clover which was sown with the Oats at Mansion house come on?  Does the Potatoes at that place look well?  & what is the general appearance of them at the Farms?
               Crow has been applying to Colonel Ball (near Leesburgh in Loudoun County) for a place—if therefore, he or McKoy remains, it will only be because (after enquiry) they find they cannot do better. I would have you therefore, make your agreements with whomsoever you may think will answer your purposes on the Eastern shore, or elsewhere, conclusive, otherwise you may meet with some disappointment; and at a late hour perhaps, be obliged to put up with any you can get. For your own ease & satisfaction, I am persuaded you will endeavor to provide men of good character; and such as have the reputation of being industrious, sober, & knowing in the management of Negros, and other concerns of a farm. These things being ascertained to your own Satisfaction, is all I require; as you know what has been, or ought to be given for such Overlookers as I stand in need of.
               It seems to me, to be indispensibly necessary that some person should be engaged in place of Thomas Green, to look after my Carpenters; for in the manner they conduct under his Superintendancy, it would be for my interest to set them free, rather than give them their victuals and cloaths. James, by the Reports, has been 9 days I perceive, in plaining the floors of the house in town—Muclas (besides what was done to it before) Six days paving, & sanding the Cellar which a man in Philadelphia wd have done in less than as many hours. Davis eight or nine days papering, and so on: whilst Green himself, & the others, appear determined (as it would seem to me) to make the new house at Union farm a standing job for the Summer; as the Chimney, & underpinning will, more than probably be, for Davis the sametime. When this last work is done, that is, underpinning the

                  house, it must be remembered that air holes is left in it, to prevent the Sleepers from rotting.
               It may not be amiss to say beforehand, that no trifling character (unless he means to tread in the footsteps of Green) will do for an Overlooker of these workmen. Besides the usual requisites of skill, honesty, sobriety & industry, he must be a man of temper, firmness, & resolution. for it is not to be expected that men who have been in the habits of such extreme idleness so long probably of a great deal of villainy can be recovered from it without prudent management, & much resolution, properly tempered. I do not mean that a person in the place of Green should be employed before his year expires, unless his conduct, in the meantime should, in your judgment, indispensibly require it.
               I would not have you engage any person in the room of Butler yet, though it would be but fair & candid to let him know, that by his age, inactivity, and unacquaintedness with the management of Negros, it would not suit me to continue him longer than for the term he stands engaged, at present. If it suits him equally to go away before the expiration of that term, I would, in that case, write to the farmer I have mentioned to you in my two last letters, to see if he is still disengaged, and would go there—But unless Butler’s inclination leads him to go, I shall neither require it, nor write to the other.
               As soon as you are able to fix upon the precise time at which you shall leave Mount Vernon for the Eastern shore, mention it in a letter, & when it is probable you will be back, that I may regulate my letters accordingly.
               The Bacon & other things which you sent up to Alexandria are arrived in good order, in the City of Philadelphia.
               I have nothing more to add than that, as this is the critical month for Corn, which is also a plant that is subject to great & sudden changes, my desire is that you will mention the appearance of it in every letter you write. I want also to know how the Buck Wheat, sown for Seed, has come up, & looks?  and whether, of that you turned in as a manure, there was seed enough ripe to stock the ground again with this plant. I am Your friend &ca

                  Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Pearce, 3 August 1794 [letter not found]
From: Pearce, William
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from William Pearce, 3 Aug. 1794. On 10 Aug., GW wrote Pearce: "I have duly received your letter of the 3d, with the reports of the preceeding week."


Title: To George Washington from Burgess Ball, 5 August 1794
From: Ball, Burgess
To: Washington, George

                  Dear sir,
                  Bigg Spring—near Leesburg [Va.] 5th August 94

               I recd yours respecting Crow &c., for which I am greatly obliged to you—Previous to the rect thereof, I had understood that he was very fond of Compy & running about, which had predetermin’d me against him, & I have since the rect of yours got a man: I scarcely know what to say respecting parting with my Land, as no Idea had arose of the kind; but, reflecting seriously on the Subject, I am inclined to think, that it might be more advantagious for the Accomodation of my Children, to procure small parcells of Land at the distance of 6, 8, or 10 miles. My first reason for thinking so is, that when Children are settled a little distance apart, they will probably agree better; In the next place, by purchasing small places, each will be improved, and improving, for the Settlement of them whenever it may be expedient; And, in addition to those Considerations, where Negroes are worked in parcels of 4 or 5, the proceeds of their Labour are much greater, and the Care of Stocks better—Thus reflecting, and, fearful my Place may not be healthy, I wd be willg to accomodate the United States, and, on the same terms as if I shd be selling to an Individual—I have for a considerable time declared, that was I offer’d 20 dollars ⅌ Acre I wd not take it, and was I offerd for the Mill Seat on the river £2000 I shd refuse it; But, woud the United give me 25 dollars ⅌ Acre for the whole (1000 Acres) I wou’d be willing to dispose of it, with the hopes of being able to lay out the Money more to the advantage of my posterity—It is true, I gave but £4 ⅌ Acre for my Land, but, it was allow’d by every Body to be a great Bargain, and Lands in the Neighbourhood have since rose very much in price. Having for some days past been much Indisposed, I’ve concluded to go to the Berkly Springs (Bath) for which place I shall set out in 2 or 3 days, & I shall remain there as many Weeks. Shou’d you think proper to write to me on the Subject of treating with any Person empowerd by the United States, I shall get Letters sooner by

                  directing them to be forwarded to Winchester, from whence a communication no doubt will be frequent with Bath—The time for Sowing wheat is now just coming on, and I shd be peculiarly sorry to lose my Early wheat, as I expect the next year to get 2 Bush: for one in Exchange for Seed, so that my Crop will be double, as far as that kind of wheat will go. Crops of Corn are promising generally, but it begins to want rain, & will soon suffer without it—one good rain in a few days will put that Grain out of danger. All our Family at present (except myself) are tollarable hearty, both white & Black, but how long they will keep so God only knows—The Weather is excessive sultry indeed, which I believe, occasions my indisposition. Fanny joins in every good Wish for you & Mrs Washington & I am, with the highest Esteem Dr sir, your Affect. Hbe servt

                  B: Ball

                  P.S. The great Advantage that my Situation for Works will have, arises from the Stream being never effected by Frost or Drought; even when all others are, in this part of the World.


Title: To George Washington from William Bradford, 5 August 1794
From: Bradford, William
To: Washington, George

                  [c.5 Aug. 1794]

               The Attorney General has the honor of stating, as required to the president of the United States his opinion upon the late combinations in the Western Counties of Pennsylvania and on the measures requise to suppress them.
               The offence which has already been committed and which the Insurgents beyond the Alleghany Mountain still persist in, appears to the Attorney General so far as respects the Government of the United States, to be an act of High Treason by levying war against them. It has been settled by uniform judicial construction, that all insurrections, risings or armed combinations to withstand the authority or alter the lawful measures of government, to change the established Law—to redress a real or pretended grievance of a public nature, and to effect other innovations of a general concern by their own authority & with

                  force—are in construction of Law high Treason within the clause of levying war "for such violences have a direct tendency to dissolve all the bonds of society and to destroy all property & all government too by numbers & an armed force."  Now, it appears that the manifest and avowed object of these violences and risings that have taken place, have been & are to resist by force, the execution of the excise laws—to compell by threats & the terror of Death the officers who are the necessary organs for their execution, to resign their offices—to prevent the Marshall by violence from serving judicial process under those laws—and to obtain by means of their combinations a repeal of the acts that are offensive to them.
               As to those who actually robbed the Mail, as well as those associated with them for that purpose, they are also, in this respect guilty of a capital Crime.
               The offences are cognizable in the Courts of the United States—& the offenders, if convicted, are liable to suffer death.
               But, before punishment can be contemplated, the authority of the laws must be restored & the Government placed in a situation to be able to inflict it. At present the authority of the Government is prostrated in that part of the Country & from the experiment that has been made, it seems that the laws cannot be enforced by the ordinary powers of the Executive or Jud[ic]ial departments. Upon this however it is for the District Judge or one of the associate Judges first to decide: & it has been accordingly certified by the Associate Judges that in conformity to the act of Congress that the execution of the Laws is opposed in that part of the United States by Combinations too powerful to be resisted by the usual course of judicial proceedings or by the powers vested in the Marshall by that act.  Altho’ this certificate be sufficient in point of Law to enable the President to have recourse to the means provided by that act for suppressing insurrections, & causing the laws to be executed, yet the Attorney General is of opinion that this does not preclude the President’s Judgment upon the facts; and unless he draws the same conclusion from them, it is conceived, that recourse may still be had to the ordinary means of enforcing the laws.
               The opinion of the Attorney General respecting the inefficacy of those ordinary means, coincides with that expressed in the certificate of the Associate Judge. He forms this opinion from

                  an attentive consideration of the affidavits and documents which have been laid before the President. It appears from these (without repeating what has been already stated) that notwithstanding great and repeated exertions have been made to execute the Excise law in Washington County, these have been either eluded or suppressed by force—that at length a general and open opposition is formed to resist that law in which Magistrates and Militia officers have joined—that no one can attempt to execute the law but at the hazard of his life—that the Marshall has been compelled by violence & under the pain of Death to engage that he would execute no more of the process there; and that a citizen who person & property are exposed to the insurgents, has become surety that he shall observe that engagement—that the authority of the civil government is so prostrated that two Judges of Alleghany County, certified to General Nevil, who applied for their protection, that the civil authority was too weak to afford him the protection to which every citizen was intitled: and that even the posse comitatus would contain few who were not of the party of the Insurgents—that attempts are making to excite other parts of the United States to unite with them in their opposition—and to procure a meeting of deputies to give system & energy to their measures.
               From these and other facts of a like kind, it appears evident to the Attorney General, that no officer would attempt, or if he did attempt it, would be able to arrest the offenders, serve the process that has been issued or enforce the laws, unless he be protected by a force superior to that which has arrayed itself against the government & the laws.
               In this situation of things the Executive is reduced to the melancholy Necessity of having recourse to the more efficient means provided in the act for suppressing insurrections & executing the Laws, by calling forth the Militia. He seems to have no alternative left. The Constitution enjoins it as his duty, "that he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed"—The laws have placed efficient means in his hands—and if the milder measures prove ineffectual his duty seems to require that he exert the higher Powers which the people of the United States have entrusted to him, for such an emergency.
               The posse which the Marshal is authorised to raise would be wholly incompetent to the object. Experience has shewn that

                  very few can be raised in this way even when they are not required to go beyond the bounds of their County: but they would consider it as an insupportable hardship to follow the Marshall two or three hundred miles. They would be useless without arms—and tho’ the law permits them to take weapons it does not compell them to do so & the Marshal has no means of supplying them. If they were armed, they would, in reality, be Militia under another name—but Militia, for whom no pay—provisions—ammunition or equipage is provided by Law—who would be subject to no rules or discipline—& who might return home whenever they pleased without the Marshal having any compulsive means to prevent it. No force sufficient to protect the officers in the Execution of their duty could be expected in such a body. The Militia, drawn out in support of the civil authority, seems the most proper posse in a republican Goverment, & in such great emergencies as this.
               If this measure of calling out the Militia be adopted, the Attorney General is of opinion that the force ought to be such as by suppressing the hope of successful resistance may induce an early submission to the Laws & prevent the unhappy consequences that further opposition may produce. What number this would require, the Attorney General is not prepared to decide upon—but as the Governor of Pennsylvania has assured the President that he does not believe that the Militia that could be procured in Pennsylvania would be adequate to the object, it might be advisable to call upon the Governors of Maryland & Virginia and even of New Jersey, to hold a competent number of men in readiness to march in case there should be a real necessity of calling them out.
               The regret which the Executive will feel at the necessity he may be under of employing measures so strongly coercive, will readily suggest that this service cannot be a pleasant one to the Militia. It should therefore be recollected that there is no means of compelling a personal service and that every one is at liberty to decline the service on submitting to a fine. Many would prefer the penalty before so distant and disagreeable a service, under any view they might have of the measure itself: but there is danger to fear that the refusal to serve may be pretty extensive, unless the public mind be satisfied that all other means in the power of the Executive have failed and that military coercion is

                  absolutely necessary to support the Laws. The Attorney General would therefore recommend that the whole conduct of the Government & of the insurgents & their abettors, should be fully stated and laid before the public as early as possible. It would, (in the opinion of the Attorney General) be advantageous to make it precede or at least accompany the call of the Militia. This is the more necessary as the Act in question is not a favorite in Pennsylvania; and many who would quietly obey it would not chuse to be active in enforcing it. A pretty general refusal on the part of the Militia to turn out would have the most injurious Effects. It would prove the weakness of the Government—it would encourage the insurgents—and the penalties to which this refusal would expose a large body of citizens, would occasion dissatisfactions and heighten the clamours that the disaffected would make against the measure of government. Nor is it improbable that some endeavors will be used to poison the public mind and to induce the Militia to decline the service. These considerations evince the necessity of adopting every proper means to give the measure contemplated the weight of public opinion: and also strengthen the reasons for calling on the other states to hold their Militia in readiness.
               The same considerations impress the mind of the Attorney General with the propriety of defering the time of Assembling the Militia to a distant day. In the mean time a proclamation may be issued making known the grounds on which the Executive proceeds—commanding the insurgents to disperse & submit to the Laws—& making known to them the determination of the Government to use its whole powers to cause the Laws to be duly executed. How far such a proclamation should contain any promises of Pardon deserves further consideration.
               It is possible that a returning sense of duty—an unwillingness to encounter the whole force of the Union—the endeavors of the prudent & temperate among them—may allay the ferment & prepare the way for the restoration of order. But as some immediate protection is due to the citizens well disposed to the Laws of the United States, it is apprehended, that immediate application may be made in writing to the Executive of Pennsylvania requesting him to use all the legal & constitutional powers with which he is invested to cooperate with the government in suppressg the insurrection and restoring the authority of the

                  Laws. The temper of the insurgents may thus be felt thro’ the medium of the State Officers.
               Other circumstances may arise that may make it unnecessary to march the Militia. It would therefore be very desirable—if not indispensible—to obtain accurate, full & faithful accounts of the conduct, intentions and temper of the inhabitants of these Counties, especially after they know of the call of the Militia. This may be obtained from some persons resident among them to whom a messenger, not likely to be suspected, might be immediately dispatched.
               But if the forbearance of government does not produce any salutary Effect, it will probably be seconded by the public sentiment, in its endeavors to reduce these refractory spirits to obedience & submission, by military force.
               The Attorney General has not taken into consideration the intention, imputed to the insurgents, of availing themselves of the aid of the British.  He does not think it sufficiently proved to be a ground of acting upon.

                  Wm Bradford


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 5 August 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander
To: Washington, George

                  Sir,
                  Treasury Department August 5th, 1794.

               The disagreeable crisis at which matters have lately arrived in some of the Western Counties of Pennsylvania, with regard to the laws laying duties on spirits distilled within the United States and on Stills, seems to render proper a review of the circumstances which have attended those Laws in that scene, from their commencement to the present time—and of the conduct which has hitherto been observed on the part of the Government, its motives and effect; in order to a better Judgement of the measures necessary to be pursued in the existing emergency.
               The opposition to those Laws in the four most Western Counties of Pennsylvania (Alleghany, Washington, Fayette and Westmoreland) commenced as early as they were known to have been passed. It has continued, with different degrees of Violence, in the different Counties, and at different periods. But Washington has uniformly distinguished its resistance, by a more excessive spirit, than has appeared in the other Counties, and Seems to have been cheifly instrumental in kindling, and keeping alive the flame.
               The opposition first manifested itself in the milder Shape of the circulation of opinions unfavourable to the Law—and calculated by the influence of public disesteem to discourage the accepting or holding of Offices under it, or the complying with it by those who might be so disposed; to which was added the show of a discontinuance of the business of distilling.
               These expedients were shortly after succeeded by private associations to forbear compliances with the Law. But it was not long before these more negative modes of opposition were perceived to be likely to prove ineffectual. And in proportion as this was the case, and as the means of introducing the Laws into operation were put into execution, the disposition to resistance

               Map 4. Insurrection in Western Pennsylvania, 1794. (Illustrated by Rick Britton. Copyright Rick Britton 2010.)

                  became more turbulent and more inclined to adopt and practice violent expedients. The Officers now began to experience marks of contempt and insult. Threats against them became frequent and loud; and after Some time, these threats were ripened into Acts of ill treatment and outrage.
               These acts of violence were preceded by certain Meetings of Malcontent persons, who entered into resolutions calculated at once to confirm, inflame and Systematize the Spirit of opposition.
               The first of these meetings was holden at a place called Red Stone Old Fort on the 27th of July 1791, where it was concerted, that County Committees should be convened in the four Counties at the respective seats of Justice therein.  On the 23d of August following, one of these Committees assembled in the County of Washington consisting (as appears by their proceedings published in the Pittsburgh Gazette) among others of James Marshall Register & Recorder of the County, David Bradford Deputy Attorny General for the State, Henry Taylor & James Edgar now associate Judges Thomas Crooks and William Parker, then or shortly before Magistrates & Militia Officers, Thomas Sedgwick and Alexander Wright Magistrates, and Peter Kidd an officer of the Militia.
               This meeting passed some intemperate resolutions, which were afterwards printed in the Pittsburgh Gazette, containing a Strong censure on the Law, declaring that any person who had accepted or might accept an Office under Congress in order to carry it into effect, should be considered as inimical to the interests of the Country; and recommending to the Citizens of Washington County to treat every person who had accepted or might thereafter accept any such office with contempt, and absolutely to refuse all kind of communication or intercourse with the Officers, and to withhold from them all aid, support or Comfort.
               Not content with this vindictive proscription of those, who might esteem it their duty, in the capacity of Officers, to aid in the execution of the constitutional Laws of the Land—The meeting proceeded to pass another resolution on a matter essentially foreign to the object which had brought them together, namely the salaries and comp<en>sat<ions> allowed by Congress to the Officers of Government generally, which they represent as enormous, manifesting by their zeal to accumulate topics of

                  censure, that they were actuated, not merely by the dislike of a particular Law, but by a disposition to render the Government itself unpopular and odious.
               This Meeting, in further prosecution of their plan, deputed Three of their Members to meet Delegates from the Counties of Westmoreland Fayette and Alleghany on the first Tuesday of September following for the purpose of expressing the sense of the people of those Counties, in an address to the Legislature of the United States, upon the subject of the Excise Law and other grievancies—naming for that purpose James Marshall David Bradford, & David Philips.
               Another Meeting accordingly took place on the 7th of September 1791 at Pittsburgh, in the County of Alleghany, at which there appeared persons in character of Delegates from the four Western Counties; from Westmoreland, Nehemiah Stokely & John Young, from Fayette, Edward Cook Nathaniel Breaden & John Oliphant, from Alleghany Thomas Moreton John Woods & William Plume, from Washington the three persons above named.
               This Meeting entered into resolutions more comprehensive in their objects & not less inflammatory in their tendency, than those which had before passed the Meeting in Washington. Their resolutions contained severe censures not only on the Law which was the immeadiate subject of objection; but upon what they termed the exorbitant salaries of Officers; the unreasonable interest of the publick Debt, the want of discrimination between original holders & transferrees & the institution of a National Bank, The same unfriendly temper towards the Government of the United States which had led out of their way the meeting at Washington produced a similar wandering in that at Pittsburgh.
               A representation to Congress and a remonstrance to the Legislature of Pensylvania against the Law more particularly complained of were prepared by this meeting—published together with their other proceedings in the Pittsburgh Gazette & afterwards presented to the respective bodies to whom they were addressed.
               These Meetings composed of very influencial Individuals and conducted without moderation or prudence are justly chargeable with the excesses, which have been from time to time

                  committed; serving to give consistency to an opposition which has at length matured to a point, that threatens the foundations of the Government and of the Union, unless speedily & effectually subdued.
               On the 6th of the same Month of September, the Opposition broke out in an Act of violence upon the person and property of Robert Johnson Collector of the Revenue for the Counties of Alleghany and Washington.
               A party of men armed and disguised way-laid him at a place on Pidgeon Creek in Washington County, seized, tarred and feathered him, cut off his hair, and deprived him of his horse, obliging him to travel on foot a considerable distance in that mortifying and painfull situation.
               The case was brought before the district Court of Pensylvania, out of which processes issued against John Robertson, John Hamilton & Thomas McComb—three of the persons concerned in the outrage.
               The serving of These Processes was confided by the then Marshall Clement Biddle to his deputy Joseph Fox, who in the month of October went into Alleghany County for the purpose of serving them.
               The appearances and circumstances which Mr Fox observed himself in the course of his journey, and learnt afterwards upon his arrival at Pittsburgh, had the effect of deterring him from the service of the processes—and unfortunately led to adopt the injudicious and fruitless expedient of sending them to the parties by a private Messenger under cover.
               The deputys Report to the Marshall States a number of particulars evincing a considerable fermentation in the part of the Country to which he was sent, and inducing a belief on his part, that he could not with safety have executed the processes—The Marshall transmitting this report to the District Attorney makes the following observations upon it "I am sorry to add that he (the deputy) found the people in general in the Western part of the state and particularly beyond the Alleghany Mountain in such a ferment on Account of the Act of Congress for laying a duty on distilled Spirits & so much opposed to the execution of the said Act, and from a variety of threats to himself personally although he took the utmost precaution to conceal his errand, that he was not only convinced of the impossibility of serving the

                  process, but that any attempt to effect it would have occasioned the most violent opposition from the greater part of the Inhabitants, and he declares that if he had attempted it he believes he should not have returned alive. I spared no expence nor pains to have the process of the Court executed and have not the least doubt that my Deputy would have accomplished it, if it could have been done."
               The reality of the danger to the Deputy was countenanced by the Opinion of General Neville, the Inspector of the Revenue, a man who before had given and since has given numerous proofs of a steady and firm temper. And what followed, as announced in a letter of that Officer of the 27th of October 1791, is a further Confirmation of it. The person who had been sent with the processes was seized whipped tarred and feathered and after having his Money and horse taken from him was blindfolded and tied in the Woods, in which condition he remained for five hours.
               Very serious reflections naturally occurred upon this occasion. It seemed highly probable, from the issue of the experiment, which had been made that the ordinary course of civil process would be ineffectual for enforcing the execution of the law in the Scene in question—and that a perseverance in this course might lead to a serious concussion. The law itself was still in the infancy of its operation and far from established in other important portions of the Union.  Prejudices against it had been industriously dissemminated—Misrepresentations diffused, misconceptions fostered. The Legislature of the United States had not yet organised the means, by which the Executive could come in aid of the Judiciary, when found incompetent to the execution of the laws. If neither of these impediments to a decisive exertion had existed, it was desireable, especially in a republican Government, to avoid what is in such cases the Ultimate resort, ’till all the Milder means had been tried without success.
               Under the United influence of these considerations, it appeared adviseable to forbear urging coercive measures, till the laws had gone into more extensive operation, till further time for reflection and experience of its operation had served to correct false impressions and inspire greater modera<tion> and till the Legislature had had an Opportunity by a revision of the law to remove as far as possible objections and to reinforce the provisions for securing its execution.

               Other incidents occurred from time to time, which are further proofs of the very improper temper, that prevailed among the inhabitants of the refractory countries.
               Mr Johnson was not the only Officer who about the same period experienced outrage. Mr Wells Collector of the Revenue for Westmoreland & Fayette was also ill treated at Greensburgh and Union Town Nor were the outrages perpetrated confined to the Officers. They extended to private Citizens, who only dared to shew their respect for the laws of their Country.
               Some time in October 1791, an Unhappy man of the Name of Wilson, a Stranger in the County, and Manifestly disordered in his intellects, imagining himself to be a Collector of the Revenue or invested with some trust in relation to it, was so Unlucky as to make enquiries concerning the Distillers who had entered their Stills; giving out that he was to travel through the United States to ascertain and report to Congress the number of Stills &c. This man was pursued by a party in disguise, taken out of his bed, carried about five Miles back to a Smith’s Shop, Stripped of his Cloaths, which were afterwards burnt, and after having been himself inhumanly burnt in several places with a heated Iron was tarred and feathered—and about daylight dismissed—naked wounded and otherwise in a very suffering condition—These particulars are communicated in a letter from the Inspector of the Revenue of the 17th of November, who declares that he had then himself seen the unfortunate maniac, the abuse of whom, as he expresses it, exceeded description and was sufficient to make human nature shudder.  The affair is the more extraordinary, as persons of Weight and consideration in that Country are understood to have been actors in it, and as the symptoms of Insanity were during the whole time of inflicting the punishment apparent—the unhappy sufferer displaying the heroic fortitude of a man, who conceived himself to be a martyr to the discharge of some duty.
               Not long after a person of the name of Roseberry underwent the humilating punishment of tarring and feathering with some aggravations; for having in conversation hazarded the very natural and just, but unpalatable remark, that the Inhabitants of that Country could not reasonably expect protection from a Government, whose laws they so strenuously opposed.
               The audacity of the perpetrators of these excesses was so

                  great, that an armed banditti ventured to seize and carry off two persons, who were witnesses against the rioters in the case of Wilson, in order to prevent their giving testimony of the riot to a Court then sitting or about to sit.
               Designs of personal violence against the Inspector of the Revenue himself, to force him to a resignation, were repeatedly attempted to be put in execution by armed parties, but by different circumstances were frustrated.
               In the session of Congress, which commenced in October 1791, the Law laying a duty on distilled spirits and stills came under the revision of Congress as had been anticipated. By an Act passed May 8th 1792, during that session, material alterations were made in it—Among these the duty was reduced to a rate so moderate, as to have silenced complaint on that head—and a new and very favourable alternative was given to the distiller, that of paying a Monthly, instead [of] a yearly rate, according to the capacity of his Still, with liberty to take a license for the precise term, which he should intend to work it, & to renew that license for a further term or terms.
               This amending act, in its progress through the Legislature, engaged the particular attention of Members who themselves were interested in distilleries, and of others who represented parts of the Country in which the business of distilling was extensively carried on.
               Objections were well considered and great pains taken to obviate all such as had the semblance of reasonableness.
               The effect has in a great measure corresponded with the views of the Legislature—Opposition has subsided in several districts where it before prevailed—and it was natural to entertain and not easy to abandon a hope that the same thing would by degrees have taken place in the four Western Counties of this State.
               But notwithstanding some flattering appearances at particular junctures, and infinite pains by various expedients to produce the desirable issue, the hope entertained has never been realized, and is now at an end as far as the ordinary means of executing Laws are concerned.
               The first Law had left the number and positions of the Officers of Inspection, which were to be established in each district for receiving entries of Stills, to the discretion of the Supervisor.

                  The second to secure a due accomodation to distillers, provides peremtorily, that there shall be one in each County.
               The idea was immeadiately embraced, that it was a very important point in the scheme of opposition to the Law to prevent the establishment of Offices in the respective Counties.
               For this purpose, the intimidation of well disposed inhabitants was added to the plan of molesting and obstructing the Officers by force or otherwise, as might be necessary—So effectually was the first point carried (the certain destruction of property and the peril of life being involved) that it became almost impracticable to obtain suitable places for Offices in some of the Counties—and when obtained it was found a matter of necessity in almost every instance to abandon them.
               After much effort, The Inspector of the Revenue succeeded in procuring the house of William Faulkner, a Captain in the Army, for an Office of Inspection in the County of Washington—This took place in August 1792—The Office was attended by the Inspector of the Revenue in person, till prevented by the following incidents.
               Capt. Faulkner, being in pursuit of some deserters from the troops, was encountered by a number of people in the same neighbourhood where Mr Johnson had been ill treated the preceeding year, who reproached him with letting his house for an Office of Inspection—drew a knife upon him, threatened to scalp him, tar and feather him, and reduce his house and property to ashes, if he did not solemnly promise to prevent the further use of his House for an Office.
               Capt. Faulkner was induced to make the promise exacted—and in consequence of the circumstance wrote a letter to the Inspector dated the 20th of August, countermanding the permission for using his house—and the day following gave a public notice in the pittsburgh Gazette, that the Office of Inspection should be no longer kept there.
               At the same time, another engine of opposition was in operation—Agreeable to a previous notification, there met at Pittsburgh on the 21st of August a number of persons stiling themselves "A meeting of sundry Inhabitants of the Western Counties of Pennsylvania" who appointed John Canon Chairman and Albert Gallatin Clerk.
               This Meeting entered into resolutions not less exceptionable

                  than those of its predecessors—The preamble suggests that a tax on spiritous Liquors is unjust in itself and oppressive upon the poor, that internal taxes upon consumption must in the end destroy the liberties of every Country in which they are introduced—that the Law in question, from certain local circumstances which are Specified, would bring immediate distress and ruin upon the Western Country, and concludes with the sentiment, that they think it their duty to persist in remonstrances to Congress, and in every other legal measure, that may obstruct the operation of the Law.
               The resolutions then proceed, first, to appoint a Committee to prepare and cause to be presented to Congress an address stating objections to the Law, and praying for its repeal—Secondly to appoint Committees of correspondence for Washington, Fayette and Alleghany, charged to correspond together and with such Committee as should be appointed for the same purpose in the County of Westmoreland, or with any Committees of a similar nature, that might be appointed in other parts of the United States; and also if found necessary to call together either general Meetings of the people, in their respective Counties, or conferences of the several Committees; And lastly to declare, that they will in future consider those who hold Offices for the Collection of the duty as unworthy of their friendship, that they will have no intercourse nor dealings with them, will withdraw from them every assistance, withhold all the comforts of life which depend upon those duties, that as men and fellow Citizens we owe to each other, and will upon all Occasions treat them with contempt; earnestly recommending it to the people at large to follow the same line of Conduct towards them.
               The idea of pursuing legal measures to obstruct the operation of a Law needs little comment legal measures may be pursued to procure the repeal of a Law, but to obstruct its operation presents a contradiction in terms. The operation or what is the same thing, the execution of a Law cannot be obstructed, after it has been constitutionally enacted, without illegality and crime. The expression quoted is one of those phrases which can only be used to conceal a disorderly & culpable intention under forms that may escape the hold of the Law.
               Neither was it difficult to perceive, that the Anathema pronounced against the Officers of the Revenue placed them in a

                  State of Virtual OutLawry, and operated as a signal to all those who were bold enough to encounter the guilt and the danger to violate both their lives and their properties.
               The foregoing proceedings as soon as known were reported by the Secretary of the Treasury to the President.  The President on the  issued a proclamation—[  ]  and likewise directed that prosecutions might be instituted against the Offenders, in the cases in which the Laws would support and the requisite evidence could be obtained.
               Pursuant to these instructions, the Attorney General in cooperation with the Attorney of the District attended a Circuit Court which was holden at York Town in October 1792—for the purpose of bringing forward prosecutions in the proper Cases.
               Collateral measures were taken to procure for this purpose the necessary evidence.
               The Surpervisor of the Revenue was sent into the opposing Survey—to ascertain the real state of that Survey—to obtain evidence of the persons who were concerned in the Riot, in Faulkeners case, and of those whose composed the meeting at Pittsburgh—to uphold the confidence and encourage the perseverance of the Officers acting under the Law—and to induce, if possible the Inhabitants of that part of the survey, which appeared least disinclined, to come voluntarily into the law, by Arguments addressed to their sense of duty and exhibiting the eventual dangers and mischiefs of resistance.
               The mission of the Supervisor had no other fruit than that of obtaining evidence of the persons who composed the Meeting at Pittsburgh and of two who were understood to be concerned in the riot—and a confirmation of the enmity, which certain active and designing leaders had industriously infused into a large proportion of the inhabitants, not against the particular laws, in question only, but, of a more antient date, against the Government of the United States itself.
               The then Attorney General being of Oppinion, that it was at best a doubtful point, whether the proceedings of the Meeting at Pittsburgh contained indictable matter, no prosecution was attempted against those who composed it; though if the ground for proceeding against them had appeared to be firm it is presumed, that the truest policy would have dictated that course.
               Indictments were preferred to the Circuit Court and found

                  against the two persons understood to have been concerned in the Riot, and the usual Measures were taken for carrying them into effect.
               But it appearing afterward<s,> from various representations supported by satisfactory testimo<n>y that there had been some mistake as to the persons accused—Justice and policy demanded that the prosecutions should be discontinued, which was accordingly done.
               This issue of the business unavoidably defeated the attempt to establish examples of the punishment of persons who engaged in a Violent resistance to the laws—and left the Officers to Struggle against the Stream of resistance, without the advantage of such examples.
               The following plan, afterwards successively put in execution, was about this time digested, for carrying if possible the laws into effect without the necessity of recurring to force.
               To prosecute delinquents in the cases in which it could be clearly done for non compliance with the laws 2 to intercept the Markets for the surplus produce of the distilleries of the non complying counties by seizing the Spirits in their way to those Markets in places where it could be effected without Opposition 3 by purchases, through Agents, for the use of the Army (instead of deriving the Supply through contractors as formerly) confining them to spirits, in respect to which there had been a compliance with the laws.
               The motives to this plan speak for themselves. It aimed, besides the influence of penalties on delinquents, at making it the general interest of the distillers to comply with the laws by interrupting the Market for a very considerable surplus, and by, at the same time, confining the benefit of the large demand for public service to those who did their duty to the public, and furnishing through the means of payments in Cash that medium for paying the duties, the want of which was alleged to be a great difficulity in the Way of Compliance.
               But two circumstances conspired to counteract the success of the plan—one the necessity, towards incurring the penalty of non Compliance, of there being an Office of Inspection in each County, which was prevented in some of the countries by the means of intimidation practised for that purpose—another, the non extension of the law to the territory Nwest of the Ohio,

                  into which a large proportion of the surplus before mentioned was sent.
               A Cure for these defects could only come from the legislature—Accordingly, in the Session which began in November 1792 measures were taken for procuring a further revision of the laws. A bill containing Amendments of these and other defects was brought in; but it so happened that this object, by reason of more urgent business, was deferred till towards the Close of the Session, and finally went off, through the usual hurry of that period.
               The continuance of the embarrassment incident to this state of things naturally tended to diminish much the efficacy of the plan which had been devised—Yet it was resolved as far as legal provisions would bear out the Officers to pursue it with perseverance—There was ground to entertain hopes of its good effect; and it was certainly the most likely course which could have been adopted towards attaining the object of the laws, by means short of force; evincing unequivocally the sincere disposition to avoid this painfull resort and the steady moderation, which have characterised the measures of the Government.
               In pursuance of this plan, prosecutions were occasionally instituted in the mildest forms, seizures were made as opportunities occurred—and purchases on public account were carried on.
               It may be incidently remarked, that these purchases were extended to other places; where, though the same disorders did not exist, it appeared, adviseable to facilitate the payment of the duties by this species of accomodation.
               Nor was this plan, notwithstanding the deficiency of legal provision, which impeded its full execution, without corresponding effects.
               Symptoms from time to time appeared which authorised expectation, that with the aid, at another Session, of the desired supplementary provisions, it was capable of accomplishing its end, if no extraordinary events occurred.
               The opponents of the laws, not insensible of the tendency of that plan, nor of the defects in the laws which interfered with it, did not fail from time to time to pursue analogous modes of counteraction—The effort to frustrate the establishment of Offices of Inspection, in particular, was persisted in and even

                  increased, Means of intimidating officers and others continued to be exerted.
               In April 1793, a party of armed men in disguise made an attack in the night upon the House of a Collector of Revenue, who resided in Fayette County; but he happening to be from home they contented themselves with breaking open his house, threatning terrifying and abusing his family.
               Warrants were issued for apprehending some of the rioters upon this occasion by Isaac Mason and James Findlay assistant Judges of Fayette County, which were delivered to the Sheriff of that County, who it seems refused to execute them; for which he has been since indicted.
               This is at once an example of a disposition to support the laws of the Union, and of an opposite one, in the local officers of Pensylvania, within the non complying scene—But it is a truth too important not to be noticed and too injurious not to be lamented, that the prevailing spirit of those Officers has been either hostile or lukewarm to the execution of those Laws—and that the weight of an unfriendly official influence has been one of the most serious obstacles, with which they have had to struggle.
               In June following the Inspector of the Revenue was burnt in Effegy in Allyghany County at a place and on a day of some public Election, with much display, in the presence of and without interuption from Magistrates and other public Officers.
               on the night of the 22d of November, another party of men, some of them armed and all in disguise; went to the house of the same Collector of Fayette, which had been visited in April, broke and entered it, and demanded a surrender of the officer’s commission and official books. Upon his refusing to deliver them up, they presented pistols at him, and swore that if he did not comply they would instantly put him to death. At length, a surrender of the Commission and books were enforced—But not content with this, the rioters before they departed required of the Officer, that he should within two weeks publish his resignation on pain of another visit & the destruction of his house.
               Notwithstanding these excesses, the Laws appeared during the latter periods of this Year, to be rather gaining ground. Several principal distillers, who had formerly held out, complied,

                  and others discovered a disposition to comply, which was only restrained by the fear of violence.
               But these favourable circumstances served to beget alarm, among those who were determined at all events to prevent the quiet establishment of the Laws. It soon appeared, that they meditated by fresh and greater excesses to aim a still more effectual blow at them—to subdue the growing spirit of compliance, and to destroy intirely the organs of the Laws, within that part of the Country, by compelling all the Officers to renounce their Offices.
               The last proceeding in the case of the Collector of Fayette was in this spirit.
               In January of the present year further violences appear to have been perpetrated. William Richmond who had given information against some of the rioters in the affair of Wilson had his barn burnt with all the Grain and Hay which it contained—and the same thing happened to Robert Shawhan a distiller, who had been among the first to comply with the law and who had always spoken favourably of it. But in neither of these instances (which happened in the County of Alleghany) though the presumptions were violent was any positive proof obtained.
               The Inspector of the revenue in a letter of the 27th of February writes that he had received information that persons living near the dividing line of Alleghany and Washington had thrown out threats of tarring and feathering one William Cochran, a complying Distiller, & of burning his distillery—and that it had also been given out, that in three weeks, there would not be a House Standing in Alleghany County of any person who had complyed with the Laws; in consequence of which he had been induced to pay a visit to several leading individuals in that quarter, as well to ascertain the truth of the information as to endeavour to avert the attempt to execute such threats.
               It appeared afterwards, that on his return home, he had been pursued by a collection of disorderly persons threatening, as they went along, vengeance against him. In their way, these men called at the House of Jame Kiddoe who had recently complied with the Laws, broke into his Still-House, fired several balls under his still and scattered fire over and about the house.
               Letters from the Inspector in March announce an increased activity in promoting opposition to the laws—frequent meetings

                  to cement and extend the combinations against it—and among other means for this purpose a plan of collecting a force to seize him, compel him to resign his commission and detain him prisoner—probably as a hostage.
               In May and June new violences were committed—James Kiddoe the person above-mentioned and Wm Cochran another complying distiller met with repeated injury to their property. Kiddoe had parts of his Grist mill at different times carried away, and Cochran suffered more material injuries—his still was destroyed, his saw mill was rendered useless by the taking away of the Saw, and his Grist mill so injured as to require to be repaired at considerable expense.
               At the last visit, a Note in Writing was left, requiring him to publish what he had suffered in the Pittsburgh Gazette, on pain of another visit, in which he is threatened, in figureative, but intelligible terms, with the destruction of his property by fire; thus adding to the profligacy of doing wanton injuries to a fellow Citizen the tyranny of compelling him to be the publisher of his wrongs.
               June being the month for receiving annual entries of Stills, endeavours were used to open Offices in Westmoreland & Washington, where it had been hitherto found impracticable. With much pains and difficulty places were procured for the purpose. That in Westmoreland was repeatedly attacked in the night by armed men, who frequently fired upon it, but according to a report which has been made to this department, it was defended with so much courage and perseverance by John Wells an auxiliary Officer & Philip Ragan the owner of the House—as to have been maintained during the remainder of the Month.
               That, in Washington, after repeated attempts was suppressed; the first attempt was confined to pulling down the sign of the Office & threats of future destruction, the second effected the object in the following mode—about twelve persons armed & painted black, in the night of the 6th of June, broke into the House of John Lynn, where the Office was kept, and after having treacherously seduced him to come down Stairs and put himself in their power by a promise of safety to himself and his house—they seized & tied him, threatened to hang him—took him to a retired Spot in the neighbouring wood and there after cutting off his hair, tarring and feathering him, Swore him never again

                  to allow the use of his House for an Office, never to disclose their names, and never again to have any sort of agency in aid of the excise—having done which, they bound him naked to a tree and left him in that situation, till morning, when he succeeded in extricating himself. Not content with this, the Malcontents some days after made him another Visit, pulled down part of his house—and put him in a situation to be obliged to become an exile from his own home and to find an asylum elswhere.
               During this time, several of the Distillers who had made entries & benefitted by them, refused the payment of the duties; actuated no doubt by various motives.
               Indications of a plan to proceed against the Inspector of the Revenue in the manner which has been before mentioned continued. In a letter from him of the 10th of July, he observed that the threatened visit had not yet been made, tho he had still reason to expect it.
               In the Session of Congress which began in December 1793—a bill for making the amendments in the Laws, which had been for some time desired, was brought in, and on the 5th of June last became a Law.
               It is not to be doubted, that the different Stages of this business were regularly notified to the Malcontents, and that a conviction of the tendency of the amendments contemplated to effectuate the execution of the Law, had matured the resolution to bring matters to a violent Crisis.
               The increasing energy of the opposition rendered it indispensable to meet the evil with proportionable decision—The idea of giving time for the Law to extend itself in Scenes where the disatisfaction with it was the effect not of an improper spirit, but of causes which were of a nature to yield to reason, reflection, & experience (which had constantly weighed in the estimate of the measures proper to be pursued) had had its effect, in an extensive degree. The experiment too had been long enough tried to ascertain, that where resistance continued the root of the evil lay deep; and required measures of greater efficacy than had been pursued. The laws had undergone repeated revisions of the Legislative representatives of the Union, and had virtually received their repeated Sanction with none or very feeble attempts to effect their repeal; affording an evidence of the general sense of the Community in their favour. Complaint began to be loud

                  from complying quarters, against the impropriety & injustice of suffering the Laws to remain unexecuted in others.
               Under the united influence of these considerations, there was no choice but to try the efficiency of the Laws in prosecuting with vigour delinquents and Offenders.
               Processes issued against a number of non complying distillers in the Counties of Fayette & Alleghany; and indictments having been found at a Circuit Court holden at Philadelphia in July last against Robert Smilie & John McCulloch, two of the Rioters in the attack, which in November preceding had been made upon the House of a Collector of the Revenue in Fayette County, processes issued against them, also, to bring them to trial and if guilty to punishment.
               The Marshall of the District went in person to serve these processes. He executed his trust without interruption, though under many discouraging circumstances, in Fayette County; but while he was in the execution of it in Alleghany County, being then accompanied by the Inspector of the Revenue (to wit) on the 15th of July last, he was beset on the Road by a party of from Thirty to forty armed men, who after much previous irregularity of conduct finally fired upon him, but as it happened without injury either to him or the Inspector.
               This attempt on the Marshall was but the prelude of greater excesses.
               About break of day, the 16th of July, in conformity with a plan which seems to have been for some time entertained, and which probably was only accelerated by the coming of the Marshall into the Survey, an attack by about One hundred persons armed with Guns and other weapons was made upon the House of the Inspector in the Vicinity of Pittsburgh. The Inspector, though alone, vigorously defended himself against the assailants, and obliged them to retreat without accomplishing their purpose.
               Apprehending that the business would not terminate here, he made application by letter to the Judges, Generals of Militia & Sheriff of the County for protection. A reply to his application from John Wilkins Junr and John Gibson Magistrates & Militia Officers informed him, that the Laws could not be executed, so as to afford him the protection to which he was intitled, owing to the too general combination of the people in that part of Pennsylvania to oppose the Revenue Law, adding that they

                  would take every step in their power to bring the Rioters to Justice, and would be glad to receive information of the Individuals concerned in the Attack upon his house, that prosecutions might be commenced against them, and expressing their sorrow, that should the posse comitatus of the County be ordered out in support of the civil authority, very few could be gotten that were not of the party of the Rioters.
               The day following the Insurgents reassembled with a considerable augmentation of numbers, amounting as has been computed to at least five hundred; and on the 17th of July renewed their attack upon the house of the Inspector; who in the interval had taken the precaution of calling to his aid a small detachment from the Garrison of Fort Pit, which at the time of the attack consisted of Eleven Men who had been joined by Major Abraham Kirkpatrick a friend and Connection of the Inspector.
               There being scarcely a prospect of effectual defence against so large a body, as then appeared, and as the Inspector had every thing to apprehend for his person, if taken, it was Judged adviseable, that he should withdraw from the House to a place of concealment—Major Kirkpatrick generously agreeing to remain with the <Eleven Men, in the intention, if practicable to make a capitulation in favour of the property, if not to defend it as long as possible.
               A parley took place under cover of a flag, which was sent by the Insurgents to the house to demand, that the Inspector should come forth, renounce his Office, and stipulate never again to accept an Office under the same Laws. To this it was replied, that the Inspector had left the House, upon their first approach, and that the place to which he had retired was unknown. They then declared that they must have whatever related to his Office. They were answered that they might send persons, not exceeding six, to search the House, and take away whatever papers they could find appertaining to the Office. But not satisfied with this they insisted unconditionally, that the armed Men, who were in the House, for its defence, should march out and ground their arms, which Major Kirkpatrick peremptorily refused; considering it, and representing it to them, as a proof of a design to destroy the property. This refusal put an end to the parley.
               A brisk firing then ensued between the Insurgents and those in the House, which it is said lasted for near an Hour, till the

                  assailants having set fire to the neighbouring and adjacent buildings eight in number, the intenseness of the Heat, and the danger of an immediate communication of the fire to the House, obliged Major Kirkpatrick and his small party to come out and surrender themselves. In the course of the firing, one of the Insurgents was killed and several wounded, and three of the persons in the house, were also wounded. The person killed is understood to have been the leader of the party, of the name of James McFarlane, then a Major in the Militia formerly a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania line. The dwelling House, after the surrender, shared the fate of the other buildings; the whole of which, were consumed to The ground. The loss of property to the Inspector upon this occasion, is estimated, and, as it is believed with great moderation, at not less than Three Thousand pounds.
               The Marshall, Colonel Presley Neville, and several others were taken by the Insurgents going to the Inspectors House. All, except the Marshall and Colonel Neville, soon made their escape; but these were carried off some distance from the place where the affray had happened, and detained till one or two O’clock the next morning. In the course of their detention, the Marshall in particular suffered very severe and humiliating treatment; and was frequently in imminent danger of his life. several of the party repeatedly presented their pieces at him, with every appearance of a design to assassinate, from which they were with difficulty restrained by the efforts of a few more humane, and more prudent.
               Nor could he obtain safety or liberty, but upon the condition of a promise guaranteed by Colonel Neville, that he would serve no other process on the west Side of the Alleghany Mountain. The alternative being immediate death extorted from the Marshall a compliance with this condition; notwithstanding the Just sense of Official dignity, and the firmness of character, which were witnessed by his conduct throughout the trying scenes he had experienced.
               The Insurgents, on the 18th sent a deputation of two of their number (one a Justice of the peace) to Pittsburgh, to require of the Marshall, a surrender of the processes in his possession, intimating that his compliance would satisfy the people, and add to his safety; and also to demand of General Neville, in peremptory terms, the resignation of his Office, threatening, in case of

                  refusal, to attack the place and take him by force: demands which both these Officers did not hesitate to reject, as alike incompatible with their honor and their duty.
               As it was well ascertained, that no protection was to be expected from the Magistrates or Inhabitants of Pittsburgh, it became necessary to the safety, both of the Inspector and the Marshall to quit that place; and as it was known that all the usual routes to Philadelphia were beset by the Insurgents, they concluded to descend the Ohio, and proceed, by a circuitous route, to the seat of Government; which they began to put in execution on the night of the 19th of July.
               Information has also been received of a meeting of a considerable number of persons at a place called Mingo Creek Meeting House, in the County of Washington, to consult about the further measures which it might be adviseable to pursue: that at this meeting, a motion was made to approve and agree to support the proceedings which had taken place, until the excise Law was repealed, and an Act of oblivion passed. But that, instead of this, it had been agreed, that the four Western Counties of Pennsylvania and the neighbouring Counties of Virginia, should be invited to meet in a convention of Delegates, on the 14th of the present Month at Parkinson’s on Mingo Creek, in the County of Washington, to take into consideration the situation of the Western Country, and concert such measures as should appear suited to the occasion.
               It appears, moreover, that on the 25th of July last the Mail of the United States, on the road from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, was stopped by two armed Men, who cut it open, and took out all the letters, except those contained in one packet: these armed men, from all the circumstances which occurred, were manifestly acting on the part of the Insurgents.
               The declared object of the foregoing proceedings, is to obstruct the execution and compel a repeal of the laws, laying duties on spirits distilled within the United States and upon Stills; There is just cause to believe, that this is connected with an indisposition, too general in that quarter, to share in the common burthens of the community; and with a wish, among some persons of influence, to embarrass the Goverment. It is affirmed by well informed persons to be a fact of notoriety, that the Revenue laws of the State itself have always been either resisted or very

                  Defectively complied with in the same quarter.  With the most perfect Respect, I have the honor to be Sir, Your most Obedient and Humble Servant

                  (signed) Alexander Hamilton>


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, 5 August 1794
From: Hamilton, Alexander,Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir,
                  Philada August 5. 1794.

               The draft of a proclamation and that of an instruction to the Commissioners being both prepared, we take the liberty to suggest that we think a meeting tomorrow morning at such hour as may be convenient to the President, may be adviseable.  The Secretary of State & Attorney General being out of town we cannot consult them, but we will engage the attendance of the Attorney General provisionally by Nine o’Clock & if the President concludes on the Meeting at that hour, he can have the Secy of State apprised of it. We have the honor to be &c.

                  A. Hamilton
                  H. Knox.


Title: To George Washington from John Jay, 5 August 1794
From: Jay, John
To: Washington, George

               private
               Dear SirLondon 5 Augt 1794
               On the 2d Inst: I wrote to Mr Randolph, and sent him Copies of my Representation relative to Captures, and of the answer to it.
               I am this moment returned from a long Conference with Lord Grenville—our Prospects become more and more promising as we advance in the Business—The Compensation Cases (as described in the answer) and the amount of Damages, will I have Reason to hope be referred to the Decision of Commissioners mutually to be appointed by the two Governmts, and the money paid without Delay on their Certificates; and the Business closed as speedily as may be possible. The Question of admitting our Vessels into the Islands under certain Limitations, is under Consideration; and will soon be decided—a Treaty of Commerce is on the Carpet—all other things being agreed the posts will be included. They contend that the article about the Negroes, does not extend to those who came in on their Proclamations; to whom (being vested with the Property in them by the Rights of war) they gave Freedom; but only to those who were bona fide the property of americans when the war ceased.  They will I think insist that British Debts, so far as injured by lawful Impediments, should be repaired by the U.S. by Decision of mutual Commissioners—these things have passed in Conversation, but no Commitments on either Side: and not to have any official weight or use whatever.
               The King observed to me the other Day—"Well Sir!  I imagine you begin to see that your mission will probably be succesful"—"I am happy may it please your majesty to find that you entertain that Idea"—"Well but dont you percieve that it is like to be so?"  "There are some recent Circumstances (the answer to my Representation &ca) which induce me to flatter myself that it will be so."
               He nodded with a Smile—signifying—that it was to those Circumstances that he alluded—the Conversation then turned to inddifferent Topics—this was at the drawing Room.
               I have never been more unceasingly employed than I have been for some Time past, and still am—I hope for Good—but

                  God only knows. The Wm Penn sails in the Morning. I write these few Lines in Haste to let you see that the Business is going on as fast as can reasonably be expected; and that it is very important that Peace and Quiet should be preserved for the present.
               on hearing last night that one of our Indiamen had been carried into Halifax, I mentioned it to Ld Grenville—He will write immediately by the Packet on the Subject—Indeed I believe they are endeavouring to restore a proper Conduct towards us every
               where—but it will take some Time before the Effects will be visible. I write all this to You in Confidence, and for your own private Satisfaction—I have not Time to explain my Reasons, but they are cogent.
               I could fill some Sheets with interesting Communications, if I had Leisure—but other matters press and must not be postponed; for "there is a Tide in human affairs" of which every moment is precious—whatever may be the Issue, nothing in my power to ensure Success, shall be neglected or delayed. with sincere Respect Esteem and Attachment I am Dear Sir your obliged and obt Servt

                  John Jay

                  P.S. I shall enclose with this my Dispatches to Mr Randolph—If the Wm penn should be stopped by a belligerent vessel—they will respect a Letter directed to You more than one directed to him.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Knox, 5 August 1794
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

                  Sir
                  War department August 5th 1794

               I have the honor to submit a letter from Mr O Hara Quarter Master General containing the confirmation of the affair at Fort Recovery, also letters from Major Craig and Lieut. Colonel Butler.
               Ensign Semple who came express with these papers says that General Neville and Major Lennox intended to go as low as Washington and then cross the Country. That he learnt at Greensburg that the Insurgents had burnt Wells’ house an excise officer, and that after that they had generally dispersed.  I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your humble Servant

                  H. Knox