1794 The Whiskey Rebellion

Within the first couple of years of the new federal government, a significant domestic insurrection arose, the Whiskey Rebellion. The new excise tax on spirits was not appreciated by a lot of the countryfolk of Pennsylvania, and it struck some people as being rather like the old Stamp Act that had started the whole revolution against the British to begin with. “Federal collectors were shunned, tarred, feathered, blindfolded, and whipped.”

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Refusing to tolerate illegal behavior and not finding the violent protests as colorful as did some later commentators, Hamilton appealed to Washington for “vigorous and decisive measure,” or else “the spirit of disobedience will naturally extend and the authority of the government will be prostrate.” … He worried that federal authority was still suspect in the backcountry and needed to be firmly established … He wanted Washington to issue a proclamation warning tax evaders to desist and, if they refused, to send in troops. Washington reacted in a more temperate fashion. He issued a call for obedience to the law, but he regarded using soldiers as a last resort and hesitated to deploy troops against domestic opponents. If he dispatched troops, he told Hamilton, critics would only exclaim, “The cat is let out. We now see for what purpose an army was raised.” It was an accurate prediction.

-- Ron Chernow, “Alexander Hamilton”

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Grocery Day

Kay has already left. Yet, Pop bought two steaks. I ask him if there has been a sudden change of plans. He says there has been. She is having a lot of trouble with her bills, and her pastor has called to say that he might be able to help her. She left to explore that possibility. She is not expected to come back. Pop is feeling a little ill anyway.