The black-cockaded Federalist militia, the Macpherson’s Blues, now hold the authority of the new federal army. Their commandant, William Macpherson, will lead that army in Pennsylvania. A Blues cavalry lieutenant will be his aide-de-camp.1794
Today, off Guadeloupe in the French West Indies, the U.S. Navy’s thirty-six-gun, 340–man frigate Constellation, under U.S. Navy Captain Thomas Truxton, makes another French capture. Captain Truxton reports to the Secretary of the Navy:
I have captured off the Road of Bassateeer Guadaloupe a [French] Letter of Marque Schooner called the Union, mounting 6 Carriage Guns and navigated with Thirty two Men (Lading Provisions and Dry Goods) and have brought her into this Road …1795
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:
THE INSURRECTION.
The roads have been so very bad for several days past that it is not surprizing we have no news from the scene of insurrection. General Macpherson is, it is said, to command the troops which are to march on Tuesday next against the Insurgents …
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
FROM THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE.
“[I have said] I considered disunion as a deplorable event—but less deplorable than a perpetuity of expensive armies—perpetuity of expensive navies—perpetuity of excessive debts—perpetuity of excessive taxes—and all the oppressive consequences resulting therefrom …”
[Virginia Congressman] WM. B. GILES
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
It is a fact that the FRENCH faction in Northampton have assumed and do now wear the French cockade.
No orders have yet been published relative to the marching a military force against the insurgents in Northampton County in this state; but we are informed that different volunteer companies are directed to hold themselves in readiness …
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
The sons of St. Patrick kept their anniversary festival on Monday last … VOLUNTEERS [toasts] … The immortal Franklin—“Where liberty is, there is my country.”
Today, U.S. Secretary at War James McHenry writes Pennsylvania Governor Thomas Mifflin:
TO suppress the insurrection in the counties of Northampton, Bucks, and Montgomery in the state of Pennsylvania in opposition to the laws of the United States, the President has thought it necessary to employ a Military Force … The corps of militia first desired on this occasion are the troops of cavalry belonging to this city and one troop from each of the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Lancaster. These troops, I have the honor to request, your Excellency will order to hold themselves in readiness to march on or before the 28th instant under the command of Brigadier General WILLIAM MACPHERSON.1796
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
A gentlemen who arrived in town hall last evening from Haerlahey’s, where a meeting of a number of dissatisfied persons from Bucks, Northampton, and Montgomery [Counties] was held on Monday informs us that, at that meeting (which consisted of about 200 persons), a disposition of unconditional submission to the laws of the United States was uniformly adopted!
If the insurrection in Northampton is in reality subsiding, and its agents retiring to their shells, what is to follow? Are the perpetrators of so daring an outrage on the laws, honor, and dignity of the government to escape with impunity?
THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Some pains have been taken by some enemies of the peace and happiness of these States to spread abroad an idea that the late obstructions to the assessments in Northampton and Bucks [counties] had grown to the height of rebellion … Every indication of tumult has ceased there … and citizens … have displayed every disposition to submit with decency to the laws.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Whence this precipitation on the part of the government of the United States to march troops against the people of Northampton and Bucks? Are those people in arms against the government? No one will dare say they are. Whence then, it may be again asked, such precipitation?
Even [John] FRIES has declared his readiness to submit and to take his trial when summoned thereto; and yet we hear nothing but military movements !!
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
The President in his proclamation directs the citizens of Northampton and Bucks, who are said to be in arms against the law, to disperse … Have the people who have been in arms dispersed or not? No doubt whatever that they have … If this be the fact … what is the pretense for marching troops into that country? … If the civil authority is competent to all objects in the accused counties, and of this there is abundant proof, why is a military force resorted to … ?
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette, Peter Porcupine writes:
I am astonished to see so little indignation expressed at the conduct of the NO-TAX insurgents in Pennsylvania … Are men weak enough to believe that the government can long live under the annual visitation of an unpunished revolt? …
There is in these states a faction, a numerous and desperate faction, resolved on the overthrow of the Federal government, and the man who will not allow that there is a danger to be apprehended, is either too great a fool to perceive it or too great a coward to encounter it.
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Is it not very extraordinary that the Executive should persist in the determination to march troops into the county of Northampton, notwithstanding there is not the smallest appearance of disturbance? What can influence such a determination? Is it that certain favorite contractors, commissioners, and quarter-masters may have grist supplied for their mills? … Or is it that the system of alarm may be perpetuated to furnish arguments for standing armies and against the government of the people?
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Yesterday the remainder of the persons who were implicated in opposing the laws in Northampton county arrived in town and surrendered themselves before Judge Peters … Several aged people who were implicated in the opposition to the assessment but who were unable to travel from the severity of the weather and the depth of the roads have sent certificates of magistrates to the proper offices in this city and are excused from present attendance, bail being given …
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
All the [implicated] … citizens of Northampton … have surrendered themselves and have given bail for their appearance at court—Does this look as if there was an insurrection ?
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
A citizen proposes that, in the event of the volunteer corps being ordered to quell the insurrection in Northampton, an armed association should be immediately formed to protect the city against the United Irishmen and other freebooters who are still tolerated among us.
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette, Peter Porcupine writes:
INSURRECTION.
[I]t is probable the march of the troops from this city for Northampton will take place about Wednesday next.—Various detachments of regular troops are already on their march thither; these, it is supposed, will form a body of 500 men …
Merely to quell such an insurrection as this will answer but little purpose. It is a weed that has poisoned the soil; to crop off the stalk will only enable it to spring up again and to send out a hundred shoots instead of one. It must be torn up by the root; the principles of insurrection must be eradicated, or anarchy must ensue.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
A CAUTION
The Inhabitants of Montgomery, Bucks, and Northampton Counties, who may be proprietors of windmills or watermills, are hereby notified that they should keep them still the ensuing week, so as to give n
o provocation …
Today, in Reading, Pennsylvania (northwest of Philadelphia in the county of Berks), members of the new federal army pass through town. From sworn declarations of Berks County citizens:
JACOB GOSSIN, Reading [Pennsylvania] … Wednesday the 3rd of April, about 15 of the Lancaster troop of Horse, commanded by Captain Montgomery, came to my house, and having secured my workmen to prevent their assisting me, observed to them that if I was desirous to keep or preserve my house, I should fell the [liberty] pole … Like highwaymen, with a pistol in one hand and a sword in the other, they approached me, threatening to dispatch me instantly … My wife met with similar treatment, who … in consequence of her fright … fell sick … Another one of my children was kicked and spurned to the ground—Then they took my ax and cut down the [liberty] pole, departed carrying with them the ax, my property …
JOHN STROHECKER. On the 3d of April 1799, at noon while I was dining, about thirteen of the Lancaster troop of horse came to my house. Two or three of whom, entering the door, went into an adjoining room, and took several setting poles belonging to my boats … I rose from table, went out, and asked them what authority they had to take those poles? one of them answered that they intended to cross Schuykill [River], upon which I observed … you must call to the ferry man—who lives on the opposite side … [U]pon my taking hold of the pole, he held it firmly with one hand and with the other hand drew a pistol, saying, God damn your soul! … In the interim, they spied a pole which my children, in their puerile amusement, had erected for a liberty-pole, with a small strip of canvas attached to it for a flag. But fearful the horsemen might carry them off, the children took down this pole and placed it in the said room where it was discovered by the horsemen who thereupon took it out of the house and cut it to pieces to the great terror of the children. After this, they returned and the greater part entered the house with their swords drawn, cursing and swearing most profanely and violently, taking the poles with several rudders … And my wife, who having just recovered from a severe indisposition of two years, was brought into a relapse …
RANDOLPH SAMPLE. On the 3rd of April 1799 … I perceived a party of the Lancaster troop of horse, about 16 or 17 in number … who … surrounded me with their swords drawn … I was forced to go out and cut at the [liberty] pole …
ISAAC FETHER. On the 3d of April 1799, 16 or 17 of the Lancaster troop of Horse came to my house, and forming themselves into military order, drew their swords—one of them rode up to the house and knocked on the window with such violence that the fragments of a pane of glass flew into the room. I went out to enquire their wishes; upon my arrival at the door, I observed several stationed near it who … demanded my axe; when I asked what they intended to do with it; they replied to cut down this damned liberty pole … I procured the axe and offered it to them, they however did not take it, but peremptorily commanded me … to cut down the pole myself … threatening that if I made the least resistance or manifested the smallest reluctance, they would run their swords through my body.—In the meantime, my wife came out of the house … was discovered by them and instantly beset by several who hastily ran up to her with their swords drawn, notwithstanding her advanced state of pregnancy, commanding her to return immediately within doors.1797
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Four troops of volunteer cavalry, attached to the militia of this state, and two troops of volunteer cavalry attached to the Presidential army, marched from this city yesterday for Northampton, under the brigadier general Macpherson.
The corps of Engineers, under captain Elliot, took the same route on Wednesday.
War … Today, off Antigua in the French West Indies, the fourteen-gun United States Navy brig Eagle, Captain Hugh G. Campbell in command, captures the French privateer sloop Bon Père with ten guns and fifty-five men on board. The Eagle dispatches the Bon Père to Savannah, Georgia.1798
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
The force marched into Northampton appears perfectly well calculated to produce rather than prevent discontent—It is perfectly well known to every man that has marched thither from this city that there is no force to oppose them, no body in arms, not even a riot to quell—There are many gone thither, however, very desirous of exciting commotion … Some young heroes were heard to declare that if some of the insurgents were not hanged or shot before their return, they would never march a foot on public service again.
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
MANIFESTO
The following is translated for this paper from the Manifesto in the German language, issued to the inhabitants of Northampton, &c. &c.
Wm. MACPHERSON, Brigadier General of the armies of the U. States, commander of the troops ordered to act against the insurgents of Northampton, Montgomery, and Bucks in the State of Pennsylvania.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
Being ordered by the President of the United States … to suppress and disperse all unlawful combinations … I therefore have thought it proper to inform the people … of the danger to which they expose them selves by combining …
The act against which the present treasonable opposition is made is that for laying and collecting a tax for the common defence …
All agreed that we should not submit to the conditions which France proposed but prepare for our defence … This manner of proceeding required money, and, in order to obtain that, a tax became necessary …
Therefore I again forewarn you not to aid or abet those violators of the laws …
WM. MACPHERSON. By order of the general.
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:
[T]hose who look upon these insurgents as sinning from ignorance are themselves extremely ignorant of their character and motives. Can any man for one moment suppose that there can be the majority of a county in Pennsylvania who do not understand the true intent and meaning of the house tax? Go and talk to these insurgents, and you will find that they know all that is going forward in Philadelphia as well as you do. It is the greatest nonsense in the world to presume that they do not understand a law merely because they oppose its operation; as well as we may presume that Reynolds, Mother Bache, &c., &c., did not understand the alien & sedition bills.—
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
On Saturday evening last, a detachment of the cavalry of this city arrived in town from the camp near Seller’s on the Bethlehem road, 31 miles from Philadelphia, having in custody the noted [insurgent, John] Fries …
Fries was taken on Friday afternoon, about five miles from the camp, by a detachment of cavalry dispatched for the purpose. He was holding a sale at vendue [auction], when the troops approached; and made no attempt to escape until they appeared in sight, when he ran through some fields into a wood, and was taken after a pursuit of near two miles …
Judge Peters arrived at head quarters on Saturday morning at eleven o’clock.
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
SALEM [MASSACHUSETTS], March 29 … [David] Brown, who was committed to the jail in this town last week by John Lovejoy, esq. of Andover, was yesterday examined before Thomas Bancroft, esq. for uttering seditious pieces … and being present, assisting, aiding, and abetting the erection of a [Liberty] Pole and Label at Dedham, with the following inscription, “Liberty and Equality, The Vice President and the Minority, A Speedy Retirement to the President, No Sedition bill, No Alien bill, Downfall to the Tyrants of America.” … He is recognized in the sum of 4000 dollars to appear at the Circuit Court to be held in Boston next June.
[NEW LONDON, CONN. Bee] The respectable clergyman [J. C. Ogden] who, from no political motive, interceded in behalf of col. Lyon during his imprisonment, was on his return from Philadelphia arrested on the suit of Oliver Wolcott, esq. Secretary of the Treasury of the U. States (can we here say “from no political motives”?) and
thrown into prison …
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
[BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.] Extract of a letter dated Quakertown, April 8, 1799 … “The system of terror here, I am sorry to say, is carried far beyond what, in my opinion, the public good requires. Detachments are out every day or night apprehending one or other individuals … The scenes of distress which I have witnessed among these poor people, I cannot describe when we have entered their houses. Conceive your house entered at dead of night by a body of armed men and yourself dragged from your wife and screaming children. These poor people are extremely ignorant but they have feelings, and they always consider that death awaits any one who is seized, be he culpable or not. I am sorry to say that there have been many instances of an inhuman disposition exhibited …”
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
Extract of a letter dated Miller’s-town (50 miles from Philadelphia), April 10, 1799 … “We are now quartered in a Whig town where the people have always been true republicans … The inhabitants are principally Germans. Nearly all the male inhabitants on the approach of our army fled from their homes, and their wives and children exhibit a very unhappy scene of distress. Had I conceived that some things which I have witnessed here could have taken place, I should never have given my assent to march a mile on the expedition. One effect produced by the distresses here is that every individual whom I meet is disgusted, and a sentiment generally prevails which, contrary to expectation, will, I apprehend, completely destroy the federal influence in the next election …”
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