"The Whiskey Rebellion (also known as the Whiskey Insurrection) was a tax protest in the United States beginning in 1791 during the presidency of George Washington. The so-called "whiskey tax" was the first tax imposed on a domestic product by the newly formed federal government. It became law in 1791, and was intended to generate revenue for the war debt incurred during the Revolutionary War." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion]
Part One : Context: The Tax man cometh/The Quest for frontier autonomy/Sectional strife/Lice,labor,and landscape/George Washington and the western country
Part Two : Chronology/Indians and the excise/Assembly and proclamation/Liberty, order, and the excise/Alternative perspectives/Federalism besieged
Part three : Consequences/Rebellion/Response/A tale of two riots and a watermelon army/Conclusion
"This book is one of a series relating western Pennsylvania history, written under the direction of the Western Pennsylvania Historical Survey sponsored jointly by the Buhl Foundation, the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh."
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary
An account of the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 in Western Pennsylvania, recalling the economic and sociological factors that led to this uprising against federal taxes on the distilling of whiskey. Special attention is called to Hugh H. Brackenridge who sympathized with the rebellious citizens but worked to prevent violence while acting as a leader of the group.
Newspaper articles regarding George Washington's visit to Lancaster in 1791
Description
"Washington in Lancaster: a third visit by the father of his country to this city in October, 1794." This article indicates that Washington was in Lancaster County in July 1791 and September 1796. Most of the article is dedicated to his visit in October 1794 with a partial transcription of a letter written by Washington to Alexander Hamilton.
"General Washington, the guest of Lancaster City: an old tradition cleared up and verified. The father of his county our guest in the summer of 1791 and what was said on the occasion." This article provides historical context and a transcription of a newspaper article from 1791 with addresses from the Burgesses of Lancaster and from Washington, as well as a list of toasts made after dinner.
George Steinman Papers, Series 1 (MG0184_S01) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/786b3ffc-7908-40de-9362-817467455650
George Steinman Papers, Series 2 (MG0184_S02) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/6c7e11c6-f3ca-469c-891a-145832196710
Notes
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), George Steinman Papers (MG0184), Series 2, Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment--contact Research@LancasterHistory.org prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-184, Series 2
Other Number
MG-184, Series 2, Folder 9, Item 5
Classification
MG0184
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 8 May 2024.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # C980002119, 2021-2024.