Federal Period
1794 Congressional Act Broadside Print Signed by George Washington and John Adams for the Support of the Military Suppressing the "Whiskey Rebellion" Plus 2 Rebellion Items
November 3, 1794-Dated Whiskey Rebellion Period, Broadside Congressional Act, Signed in Print by George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice-President, Supporting the Military in Suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion, Accompanied by Two Additional Whiskey Rebellion related Items (total of 3 Items), Very Fine.
The Whiskey Rebellion was a tax protest in the United States beginning in 1791 and ending in 1794 during the presidency of George Washington, ultimately under the command of American Revolutionary war veteran Major James McFarlane. This Collection contains of Three (3) historic Items related to the famous Federal Period Whiskey Rebellion. It includes a rare, choice quality, historic content Broadside Congressional Act, Signed in Print, by George Washington and John Adams for the Support of the Federal Military in suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion uprising, plus accompanied By Two Additional Rebellion related Items as follows:



1. November 3, 1794-Dated Federal Period, "THIRD CONGRESS held at Philadelphia", Printed Broadside. - Act of Congress. 1 page, measuring 8.5" x 12" at Philadelphia, Choice Extremely Fine. This Broadside Document reads, in part:



" ...An Act making appropriations for the support of the military establishment for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety five; and for the expenses of the militia lately called into the service of the United States... That there be appropriated for the pay, subsistence, forage and other expenses attending the militia in their late expedition to the western counties of Pennsylvania, a sum not exceeding one million, one hundred and twenty two thousand, five hundred and sixty nine dollars and one center... For the pay, subsistence and forage of the militia of New-Jersey... For the pay, subsistence and forage of the militia of Pennsylvania... For the pay, subsistence and forage of the militia of Maryland... For the pay, subsistence and forage of the cavalry of Virginia..."



The above "Appropriation" regarding the Expedition to the Western counties of Pennsylvania provided payment to the Federal Troops that were mobilized during the historic Whisky Rebellion. Tipped to a mounting strip at left edge. Overall Extremely Fine having excellent eye appeal. Evans: 24689.



2. October 17, 1797-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed, "Wm. Simmons," 2 pages, measuring 8" x 10", at Accountants Office. Simmons writes to ALEXANDER JAMES DALLAS, reading in part: "I wrote you on the 16th Instant on the subject of accounting for the monies paid to you for the pay of the Pennsylvania quota of the Militia called out to suppress an insurrection in the western counties of the said state in 1794 to which letter permit me to repeat my request of your speedy attention. I take the liberty to enclose for Mr. Alexander Buchanan, a Captain in the aforementioned Militia who stands also charged with money paid him for arrears of pay due his company, which is yet unaccounted for on his part... forward it as speedily as possible, in case it is possible to make a settlement with him by the transmission of Voucher or otherwise ...". Very Fine.



3. January 20, 1795-Dated, Document Signed, "Jacob Cable." Two pages, 8.25" x 13.25". No place, Addressed on its Integral Transmittal Leaf to, "His Excellency Jno. H. Stone Esq. Governor of the State of Maryland." This Document reads, in part: "...The Petition of Jacob Cable most Humbly Showeth That your petitioner was drafted to go against the insurgents and during his absence Rebecca Cable your Petitioners Wife sold liquor for the support of her family to Wit 3 small children. That at January Term 1795 your Pet was presented for selling liquors without License and was fined... Your Petitioner therefore prays the kind interposition of his Excellency and the Hon. Council in his behalf." Statement from the Baltimore County Court on verso. Address leaf is tipped to slightly larger sheet. Edge wear and some chipping, splits reinforced with small pieces of old tape on the verso, paper loss and even tone, soiling from use with some separation at folds. (3 items)


Whiskey Rebellion, (1794), in American history, uprising that afforded the new U.S. government its first opportunity to establish federal authority by military means within state boundaries, as officials moved into western Pennsylvania to quell an uprising of settlers rebelling against the liquor tax.



Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, had proposed the excise (enacted by Congress in 1791, the first national internal revenue tax) to raise money for the national debt and to assert the power of the national government.



Small farmers of the backcountry distilled (and consumed) whiskey, which was easier to transport and sell than the grain that was its source. It was an informal currency, a means of livelihood, and an enlivener of a harsh existence. The distillers resisted the tax by attacking (often tarring and feathering) federal revenue officers who attempted to collect it.