Description:

Hamilton Alexander 1757 - 1804 For the imminent formation of a federal militia to quell the Whiskey Rebellion, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton orders the Superintendent of Military Stores "to furnish me with a return of all articles in clothing remaining in Store - to day if possible."
Historic Autograph Note unsigned, half-page, 6" x 7.75". On watermarked laid paper. Tipped to 6.25" x 8" card. To Samuel Hodgdon. Docketed on verso - probably by Hodgdon - "Note from Mr. / Hamilton / 24th September / 1794" probably by Hodgdon. Fine condition.


In full, "Mr Hodgdon will please to furnish me with a return of all articles in Cloathing remaining in Store - to day if possible. Sep 24, 1794"

Samuel Hodgdon (1745-1824) had been appointed Superintendent of Military Stores in April 1794, serving until Jefferson's election in 1800.

In 1791, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton had proposed that Congress pass an excise tax "upon spirits distilled within the United States, and for appropriating the same." This was the first tax imposed on a domestic product by the two year old government. Congress failed to predict the vehement rejection of this tax by Americans living on the frontier of Western Pennsylvania. Peaceful mediation was attempted by the federal government. By 1794, the protests became violent, taxes refused to be paid, and the home of the regional tax collector supervisor was set afire. The Whiskey Rebellion was the first true challenge to federal authority.

On September 19, 1794, Hamilton wrote to President Washington requesting permission to go with the military to western Pennsylvania to quell the Whiskey Rebellion, a protest against the federal government's tax on alcohol, explaining that "it is advisable for me, on public ground, considering the connection between the immediate ostensible cause of the insurrection in the Western Country and my department, to go out upon the expedition against the insurgents."

On September 24, 1794, in the letter here offered, Hamilton tells Samuel Hodgdon, Superintendent of Military Stores, to return "all articles in Cloathing remaining in Store - to day if possible." The clothing would be for the militia going to Western Pennsylvania to quell the rebellion.

On September 25, 1794, the day after Hamilton wrote this letter, President Washington issued a Proclamation "Authorizing Military Intervention to End Violence and Obstruction of Justice in Protest of Liquor Laws in Pennsylvania." Washington's proclamation may have been written by Alexander Hamilton. According to the National Archives at archives. gov, "Although this document has been attributed to H[amilton], no evidence has been found that it was written by H[amilton]."

On that same day, September 25, 1794, writing from the "War Department," Hamilton tells Hodgdon, "You have already been directed to forward to Carlisle [Pennsylvania] 100 rifles. After reserving a sufficient number for the company forming here, you will send on to Fort Cumberland all the residue at your command with whatever articles usually attend them and are ready..."

Washington organized a militia force of 12,950 men and led them towards Western Pennsylvania, warning the local citizenry "not to abet, aid, or comfort the Insurgents aforesaid, as they will answer the contrary at their peril." The calling of the militia had the desired effect of essentially ending the Whiskey Rebellion. By the time the militia reached Pittsburgh in October, the rebels had dispersed and could not be found. President Washington's farewell to his army was included in the General Orders of October 21, 1794.

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