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President Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

The text of Washington's Speech and corresponding comprehension questions.

President Washington and the Whiskey Rebellion (1794) 

Building Context: On April 30, 1789, President George Washington was inaugurated as the United States’ first president. He had a big job ahead of him. In fulfilling this role, Washington knew he would set the standard for all those who would follow him into the office. His actions would also contribute to the government’s legitimacy, an essential task if the nation were to survive and thrive.

To support this legitimacy and promote growth, the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, worked to consolidate state debts. He then sought to raise funds for the federal government to pay them. One measure he proposed was an excise tax on distilled spirits. This was the first direct tax on domestic goods by the new government. The measure became law in March of 1790.

Taxation was a particularly sensitive topic for the nation, given the recent revolution was brought on, in no small part, by taxation. The taxation measure particularly upset farmers on the frontier, especially in Pennsylvania, who often produced whiskey to supplement their income and thought the distant federal legislature did not represent their interests.

The farmers organized and worked to protest the law by forming “democratic societies” and “assemblies.” These groups passed resolutions and petitions against the tax. What began as non-violent resistance occasionally turned violent, with federal officials being threatened and attacked.

In response, President Washington issued the following proclamation. Read the document, and answer the questions that follow. While you read, keep in mind President Washington’s role as chief executive and Commander-in-Chief.

   

  Caption: President George Washington

George Washington’s Proclamation on the Whiskey Rebellion (1794) 

Whereas, combinations to defeat the execution of the laws laying duties upon spirits distilled within the United States and upon stills have from the time of the commencement of those laws existed in some of the western parts of Pennsylvania.

Duties: taxes that are imposed on goods

Spirits:  alcoholic beverages produced by distilling liquids that have already gone through fermentation

Commencement:  a beginning or start

And whereas, the said combinations, proceeding in a manner subversive equally of the just authority of government and of the rights of individuals, have hitherto effected their dangerous and criminal purpose by the influence of certain irregular meetings whose proceedings have tended to encourage and uphold the spirit of opposition by misrepresentations of the laws calculated to render them  odious …

Subversive:  undermining of power or authority

Odious:  extremely unpleasant or repulsive

And whereas, by a law of the United States entitled “An act to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions,” it is enacted that whenever the laws of the United States shall be opposed or the execution thereof  obstructed  in any state by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings or by the powers vested in the marshals by that act, the same being notified by an associate justice or the district judge, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to call forth the militia of such state to suppress such combinations and to cause the laws to be duly executed….

Obstructed:  blocked

And whereas, it is in my judgment necessary under the circumstances of the case to take measures for calling forth the militia in order to suppress the combinations aforesaid, and to cause the laws to be duly executed; and I have accordingly determined so to do, feeling the deepest regret for the occasion, but withal the most solemn conviction that the essential interests of the Union demand it, that the very existence of government and the fundamental principles of social order are materially involved in the issue, and that the patriotism and firmness of all good citizens are seriously called upon, as occasions may require, to aid in the effectual suppression of  so fatal a spirit ;

So fatal a spirit:    an attitude that is extremely dangerous or harmful

Therefore, and in pursuance of the proviso above recited, 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 1st day of September next to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes .

Proviso:  the conditions met before a contract is completed

Insurgents:  rebels or revolutionaries

Abodes:  homes or places of residence

Comprehension and Analysis Questions

  1. Restate the opening paragraph in your own words.
  2. Who is Washington’s audience?
  3. Why does Washington write all of this out? What does his decision to do so say about the rule of law?
  4. Where is Congress’s role shown in this proclamation? Cite specific examples from the text.
  5. Why is it important that Congress, and not the president, take these steps?
  6. How does Washington interpret the president’s role in this crisis?
  7. Where do you see this in the text? Cite specific examples.
  8. Is Washington fulfilling his role as Commander-in-Chief in this proclamation?