 | Letter to Angelica Schuyler Church (October 23, 1794) |  |
1794-10-23
October 23. 1794
205 Miles Westwood of
Philadelphia
I am thus far my dear Angelica on my way
to
attack and subdue the wicked insurgents of the West —
But you are
not to promise yourself that I shall
have any trophies to lay at your feet.
A large
army has cooled the courage of those madmen & the
only
question seems now to be how to guard best against
the return of the
phrenzy.[1]
You must not take my being
here for a proof that I continue a quixot.
In
popular governments 'tis useful that those who propose
measure
should partake in whatever Dangers this may
involve... Twas very important
there should be no
mistake in the management of the affair—
and
I might contribute to prevent one. I wish
to
have every thing well settled for Mr. Church
& you,
that when you come, you may tread on safe ground.
Assure him that the insurrection will do us a great
deal of good and add to
the solidity of every thing
in this country. Say the same
to Mr
Jay to whom I have not time to write
& to Mr
Pinkney.[2]
as happy as I wish you. Love to Mr. Church.
Alexander Hamilton was at this time in western Pennsylvania accompanying the United States troops sent west to put down the Whiskey Rebellion that had erupted in the fall of 1794 in the counties of Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, and Allegheny. The insurrection was precipitated by the Excise Act of 3 March 1791 that imposed substantial duties on domestically distilled spirits and provided an elaborate system for efficient collection. Violence against the collectors of the duties in July 1794 and by September had become so widespread that President George Washsington decided to send federal troops to deal with the insurgents. Secretary of the Treasury Hamlton, an outspoken critic of the opponents of the excise, accompanied the troops and the president himself accompanied them as far as Carlisle.
| Letter to Angelica Schuyler Church (October 23, 1794) | |