Collection of eighteen newspapers covering the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 and President George Washington's actions in quelling domestic insurrection in Western Pennsylvania, as reported in a leading Philadelphia paper of the day: Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser. Highlights are:
(1-2.) Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, August 8 & 11, 1794. Quintessential Whiskey Rebellion Issues. As printed in both issues, Proclamation of George Washington and Edmund Randolph, dated August 7, 1794, with graphic seal of the United States, recounting “combinations to defeat the execution of the laws laying duties upon Spirits distilled within the United States and upon Stills.” It was proclaimed: “I George Washington, President of the United States, do hereby command all persons, being insurgents as aforesaid and all others whom it may concern on or before the first day of September next to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes. And I do moreover warn all persons whomsoever against aiding abetting or comforting the perpetrators of the aforesaid treasonable Acts: and do require all officers and other Citizens according to their respective duties and the laws of the land to exert their utmost endeavors to prevent and suppress such dangerous proceedings.” Copy of a hand bill printed in Pittsburgh concerning meeting of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh on July 31, 1794, concerning the Excise Law. Governor Mifflin proclamation, with graphic seal of the State of Pennsylvania, committing to prosecute and punish all persons who have engaged in unlawful combinations, consistent with the Presidential proclamation.
(3.) Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, Aug. 21, 1794. Whiskey Rebellion/Alexander Hamilton. Extraordinarily important and comprehensive 7-column letter, dated August 5, 1794, of Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, to the President, defending the laws imposing duties on distilled spirits in the United States and providing an overview of the circumstances surrounding the Whiskey Rebellion. Text of letters exchanged by Hamilton and Washington by which Hamilton was given permission to public the letter. Extract of letter from Pittsburgh (James Clow) concerning sentiment in the area. [On August 6 and 16, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Washington for permission to publish this letter. Permission was granted (Bartholomew Dandridge to H, August 19, 1794), and the letter first appeared in Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser on August 21, 1794. This letter has been the standard—and often the only—source for those who have written about opposition in western Pennsylvania to the excise laws in the period before August, 1794].
(4.) Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, October 1, 1794. Whiskey Rebellion. Report from Philadelphia -- “Yesterday at 11 o’clock the President of the United States left the city for the rendezvous of the militia of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, at Carlisle.”
(5.) Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, October 7, 1794. Report from Pittsburgh concerning the grand jury charge of Judge Addison related to the Whiskey Rebellion. [Alexander Addison (1758-1807) was the first judge appointed to the position of president judge of the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania-the area encompassing most of Western Pennsylvania of the newly formed United States of America]. Commencement of Princeton College with details of ceremonies and graduates. Advertisement for Samuel Fraunces new Ordinary establishment. Slight tear on back page affecting lottery advertisement. Printing of letter of “JOHN PAUL JONES” of the ship Ranger, at Brest, France, to Lady Silkirk, May 8, 1778.
(6.) Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, October 17, 1794. President Washington in Carlisle, PA, with text of address noting the need to “raise the sword of justice against obstinate offenders” and “establish the authority of the laws in the affections of all, rather than in the fears of any.” H. Knox, on orders of the President, stops the march of the Jersey militia, extensive reports from Carlisle.
(7.) Dunlap and Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, Philadelphia, Dec. 13, 1794. Proclamation of Henry Lee, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Major General therein, and Commander in Chief of the Militia Army, in the Service of the United States, granting a full pardon to those individuals, in certain counties and jurisdictions “engaged in the wicked and unhappy tumults and disturbances lately existing in those counties” with certain exceptions, including named individuals. Thomas Mifflin letter thanking militia for suppressing the late insurrection. H. Knox, at direction of the President, transmits resolution of thanks from the House of Representatives.
Other issue dates, all from 1794, are: August 12, 14, 15, 16, and 23; September 3, 5, 13, and 22; October 2; and December 12.
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