May 5, 1794

Madison, William, 1762-1843

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Madison

Writes to his brother, then a Virginia congressman, about advocating for Madison's resolutions (in favor of a policy of commercial retaliation against European powers) in an election. The comment that the resolutions, which Madison submitted to Congress in December 1793, were "attached to the British nation" alludes to Madison's position that President Washington's 1793 proclamation of neutrality in the conflict between Britain and France unwisely showed indifference to the French movement toward republicanism. Also discusses the growing unpopularity of the excise tax and urges its repeal.…

GLC00496.267

November 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript

Title: Manuscript draft: [Sixth annual address to Congress]

Washington asserts the constitutional authority of the federal government during the Whiskey Rebellion. Written by GW's secretary Bartholomew Danbridge, on Washington's personal stationery, extensively corrected by Washington and signed by him at the end. Over 210 words struck by GW and 157 added. With docketing by John Jay on the verso of the last page.

GLC01054

September 29, 1794

Washington, Martha, 1731-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Fanny Bassett Washington

Letter discusses Fanny's children's health and schooling, and a possible suitor named Tobias Lear, who was Washington's secretary. In regard to the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania, she notes that "The insurgents in the back country has carr[i]ed matter[s] so high that the President has been obliged to send a larg[e] body of men to settle the matter."

GLC01055

December 13, 1790

Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804

Pamphlet

Title: Report on public credit. Appendix Treasury Department, March 4, 1790

Written by Hamilton as an appendix to his Public Credit report and issued six weeks later. He recommended raising duties on imported liquor and enacting an excise tax on domestic Whiskey. (This tax eventually led to the Whiskey Rebellion).

GLC01044

1791-1794

Clymer, George, 1739-1813

Printed document signed

Title: [Certification of duty payment on rum]

Partly printed document signed by Clymer as Supervisor of the Revenue for the district of Pennsylvania attests that the duties had been paid on "one Puncheon of Rum containing one hundred & fifteen gallons..." Marked "No. 3294." Clymer served as Pennsylvania's collector of excise taxes from 1791-1794, and was in the post when the Whiskey Rebellion broke out in western Pennsylvania.

GLC00797

12 August 1794

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he ordered two more subalterns to depart immediately. Mentions the "insurgents continue their outrages in that quarter - They have burnt the barn of Major [Abraham] Kilpatrick, with a large quantity of grain, hay, &c." Reports on the number of militia men that have been called forth to suppress the uprising (possibly part of the Whiskey Rebellion). Notes the rioters now amount to 4,500 and are generally armed. Warns "Col [Thomas] Butler is threatened with proscription, and if the president [George Washington] does not remove him and his garrison that they will burn the…

GLC02437.06163

25 September 1794

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox "his good lady" [Lucy Knox] gave birth last night to a baby boy. Sends his congratulations to Knox. Discusses the militia and the progress of the supplies (likely referring to the Whiskey Rebellion). Notes the President [George Washington] and Colonel [Alexander] Hamilton will be leaving the city, heading towards Carlisle, Pennsylvania (most likely to command the military in suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion). Mentions the city is once again hit with the yellow fever. Notes, "The black cart rolls again over our pavements." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

GLC02437.06210

16 August 1794

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Relays information he received from General [Anthony] Wayne, Colonel [Thomas] Butler, and Major [Isaac] Craig. Notes Butler reports the outposts are amply supplied with provisions and assures the officers and men have made great exertion putting the fort (possibly Fort Fayette) in order. Notes there have been recent successes in France (possibly referring to the French Revolution). The events taken place at the fort are likely related to the Whiskey Rebellion.

GLC02437.06171

23 August 1794

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox the results of the general meeting of the "Excise Rioters" on the frontier of Pennsylvania has not taken place yet. Notes he has not received any news from [Thomas] Butler and very little from [Isaac] Craig. Craig informs him he received the president's proclamation but believes it will be treated with contempt. Reports on the progress of each state's militia build-up. Notes all militias will be ready except for Pennsylvania's. Also reports on the status of the artillery. Notes he included an extract of a letter from General [Charles?] Scott and a letter from Colonel Sergent.

GLC02437.06182

30 August 1794

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports on the progress of the militia build-up in various states (likely part of the Whiskey Rebellion). Notes the affairs in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania remain doubtful. Informs Knox of the death of a gentleman. Refers to a proclamation by Governor Henry Lee of Virginia. Relays a rumor that "Virginia would not take a very active part, in suppressing the riotous proceedings of the Whiskey folks in Pennsylvania." Letter has a watermark.

GLC02437.06191

6 September 1794

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox the results from the general meeting at Redstone in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania have not come back yet. Encloses newspapers (not included) that notes Governor [John Graves] Simcoe's "singular conduct." Reports on the progress of the militia and the preparations for field service (most likely part of the Whiskey Rebellion). Discusses a letter he just received from General [Anthony] Wayne, dated August 27, 1794, which describes Wayne's victories in the Northwest (Battle of Fallen Timber, August 20, 1794). Notes the Indians are "considerably agitated in consequence of the conduct of…

GLC02437.06194

11 September 1794

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Reports the militia has been ordered to march immediately. Notes Pennsylvania did not make their quota. Describes a "firm and energetic" speech the governor of Pennsylvania gave to all the officers. Writes, "The seeds of sedition are scattered over the State - Inflamatory [sic] pieces, published in handbills, reprobating the conduct of the Executive of the United States towards the insurgents as it respects coercive measure."

GLC02437.06202

15 September 1794

Stagg, John, Jr., 1758-1803

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox the commissioners have returned but a decision has not been reached. Notes that the "deluded people, it appears, are bent on destruction." Mentions more citizens are stepping forth and enrolling in the militia. Also notes the governor's address in Pennsylvania had some affect; the cavalry, artillery, and infantry have all offered their services. Reports on the progress of the other states' militias (likely referring to the Whiskey Rebellion). Mentions he has not heard word from General Anthony Wayne. Notes Colonel Timothy Pickering has gone to the Treaty (Treaty of Canandaigua…

GLC02437.06208

20 October 1794

Ogden, Samuel, 1746-1810

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox he received his letter regarding the commission from Carolina. Encloses a deed (not included) and needs Knox to have it signed by a federal judge. Discusses his wife's failing health. Congratulates Knox and Mrs. [Lucy] Knox on their newborn son. Notes their little boy is in fine health. Appears to hint at not having any more children. Discusses land deals involving "Williamsons settlement" and the Six Nations. Mentions he just received word that John Burnett is away fighting the insurgents and the commission business in Carolina may have to wait for his return or perhaps can be…

GLC02437.06226

January 26, 1902

Sherzer, Edwin B., fl. 1900-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Clara M. Miller

Getting news of the Boer War; Dreamed he had married her.

GLC05755.074

3 March 1797

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Presidential pardon of the ten ringleaders of the Whiskey Rebellion, who had been convicted of high treason]

Countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. Pardons Daniel Hamilton, William Miller, Richard Holcroft, Ebenezer Gallagher, William Hannah, Peter Lisle, David Lock, Alexander Fulton, Samuel Hannah and Thomas Spiers. Includes the comment: "It is ever my desire to temper the administration of justice with a reasonable extension of mercy." This was one of Washington's last official acts as president. The pardon was signed on his final day in office. Has a large paper seal.

GLC08072

6 October 1794

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Clark

Declines to take Major Clark on as an aide during the Whiskey Rebellion. Comments: "Nothing short of imperious necessity can justify my being absent from the seat of government while Congress is in session."

GLC08075

November 1794

Wells, James, fl. 1794

Manuscript document signed

Title: Whiskey Rebellion Traitors

Whiskey Rebellion Traitors - re: "Raising a [liberty] poll...in sign of Treason" Treasonous activity in Bruners Town

GLC08150

12 August 1794

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Informs Bryant that in addition to the stores ordered from Bryant's post by the Secretary of War (Henry Knox) he is also to "speedily" forward Hodgdon 500 port fires.

GLC03432.057

11 September 1794

Hodgdon, Samuel, 1745-1824

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to John Bryant

Notes he received the cannon, carriages, and port fires and believes them a good acquisition. Requests Bryant send the 495 pistols that were absent in this return. Probably related to supplies for the army raised to suppress the Wiskey Rebellion.

GLC03432.058

February 18, 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Adams

Addressed to the Governor of Massachusetts, who in this period is Samuel Adams. Attaching copies of two letters from Samuel Waldo and from Thomas Vose (see GLC02437.06621 and GLC02437.06623), Knox petitions the government to protect his property against the lawless "banditti," including Samuel Ely, who Knox argues was involved in the 1786 insurrection in western Massachusetts and is "a person said to be obnoxious to the laws."

GLC02437.06630

February 18, 1796

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Samuel Adams

Rough draft of GLC02437.06630.

GLC02437.06631

1795/04/03

Madison, James, 1751-1836

Autograph letter signed

Title: To: George Joy Esqr.

Jay's treaty, French revolution, whiskey rebellion

GLC07964

1794/07/19

Irvine, William, 1741-1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Denny

Discusses a dispute between the United States and the Six Nations over land. Contends that "there is nothing in the Constitution...that gives the Legislature much less the Executive a shadow of Power to cede...a single foot of ground, the territory right of soil or jurisdiction of any state." Criticized Israel Chapin, an Indian agent to the Iroquois, for telling citizens of Pennsylvania to "quit their lawfull business" and "flattering the savages with a hope that this ground is to be relinquished." Discusses how to maintain peace, commenting on the power of the governor and…

GLC05542

1791/03/15

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to Gov. of Georgia re: transmitting copies of various acts of Congress

Various acts of Congress: Whiskey tax, the capitol, treasury dept., salaries of the Executive Dept., post office, pensions for invalids, support of light-houses, reducing the public debt, granting lands to settlers in the Northwest territory, raising an additional regiment to protect the frontiers, the U.S. Mint, and provisions for temporary jails when necessary. Docketed.

GLC04675.01