[WHISKEY REBELLION]. Massachusetts Spy: Or, the Worcester Gazette. Worcester, March 25, 1795. Vol. XXIV, No. 1146. Four folio pages on one large folio sheet. Each page approximately 485 x 290 mm. Toned, edgeworn, dampstained, inner crease torn (nearly completely separated). On p. 3 is a “Political Epitaph” subtly praising President Washington’s handling of the Whiskey Rebellion: “POLITICAL EPITAPH ON Tuesday, the Third of March, 1795, expired in blessed hope. The Third Congress, of the United States of America. Is to have Provided for the Reduction of the National Debt, by a mode the most easy and ample; Is to have Encouraged Commerce, by protecting it; and to have promoted Arts, Sciences, Manufacturers, Agriculture and Humanity, by liberal laws, and liberal grants; Is to have Saved the United States from a Foreign War, by its wisdom and prescience; To have Prepared against its Calamities, by efficient Armaments; and to have paid A great part of the debt of gratitude to France, in advancing her money - yet still supporting the duties of Neutrality; Is to have Quelled an INSURRECTION, which threaten’d our Peace, without bloodshed; and to have Restored the confidence of the People in the Government of their choice...” This “epitaph” was reprinted in several newspapers. The Whiskey Rebellion (1791-1794) was a violent protest against the federal government’s imposition of the first tax on a domestic product (it was a tax on all distilled spirits, but whiskey was the most popular spirit at the time, hence the name). The tax was designed to pay off debts incurred during the Revolutionary War. Most protesters were frontier farmers who distilled grains for spirits as well as war veterans, who felt they were fighting for the principles of the Revolutionary War. The rebels’ campaign of violence and intimidation was ended peacefully by Washington who sent negotiators to speak to the rebels as well as personally leading a large army of state militias to quell the rebellion. The rebels ended their activities peacefully. Washington’s actions proved that the federal government could enforce laws and levy taxes successfully. This tax was repealed in the early 1800s.