September 25, 1794
By the President of the United States of America,
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas from a hope, that the combinations against the Constitution and Laws of the United States in certain of the Western Counties of Pennsylvania would yield to time and reflection, I thought it sufficient, in the first instance, rather to take measures for calling forth the Militia, than immediately to embody them; but the moment is now come, when the overtures of forgiveness with no other condition, than a submission to law, have been only partially accepted—when every form of conciliation, not inconsistent with the being of Government, has been adopted without effect; when the well disposed, in those Counties, are unable by their influence, and example to reclaim the wicked from their fury, and are compelled to associate in their own defence; when the proffered lenity has been perversely misinterpreted into an apprehension, that the Citizens will march with reluctance; when the opportunity of examining the serious consequences of a treasonable opposition has been employed in propagating principles of anarchy, endeavoring through emissaries to alienate the friends of order from its support, and inviting its enemies to perpetrate similar acts of insurrection; when it is manifest, that violence would continue to be exercised upon every attempt to enforce the laws; when therefore Government is set at defiance, the contest being whether a small portion of the United States shall dictate to the whole union, and at the expence of those, who desire peace, indulge a desperate ambition. Now therefore I George Washington President of the United States, in obedience to that high and irresistible duty consigned to me by the Constitution "to take care that the laws be faithfully executed";deploring that the American name should be sullied by the outrages of Citizens on their own Government; commiserating such, as remain obstinate from delusion; but resolved in perfect reliance on that gracious Providence which so signally displays its goodness towards this Country, to reduce the refractory to a due subordination to the law; do hereby declare and make known, that with a satisfaction, which can be equalled only by the merits of the Militia, summoned into service from the States of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, I have received intelligence of their patriotic alacrity, in obeying the call of the present, though painful, yet commanding necessity; that a force, which according to every reasonable expectation is adequate to the exigency, is already in motion to the scene of disaffection; that those who have confided, or shall confide in the protection of Government, shall meet full succour under the standard, and from the arms of the United States; that those who having offended against the law have since intitled themselves to indemnity will be treated with the most liberal good faith, if they shall not have forfeited their claim by any subsequent conduct; and that instructions are given accordingly. And I do moreover exhort all individuals, officers, and bodies of men, to contemplate with abhorrence the measures, leading directly or indirectly to those crimes, which produce this resort to military coercion; to check, in their respective spheres the efforts of misguided or designing men to substitute their misrepresentations in the place of truth and their discontents in the place of stable Government; and to call to mind, that as the people of the United States have been permitted under the divine favor, in perfect freedom, after solemn deliberation, and in an enlightened age, to elect their own Government; so will their gratitude for this inestimable blessing be best distinguished by firm exertions to maintain the Constitution and the Laws. And lastly I again warn all persons whomsoever and wheresoever, not to abet aid or comfort the Insurgents aforesaid, as they will answer the contrary at their peril; and I do also require all officers and other Citizens according to their several duties, as far as may be in their power, to bring under the cognizance of the law all offenders in the premises.
In Testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with my hand.
Done at the City of Philadelphia the twenty fifth day of September one thousand seven hundred and ninety four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the nineteenth.
GEO: WASHINGTON.
By the President,
EDM: RANDOLPH
Consider the following questions when viewing Washington's Proclamation of 1794
- Think about the type of primary source this is. Why would presidential proclamations - like this one - be printed in newspapers? Who might be reading this source?
- This was written during the height of the Whiskey Rebellion, which was sparked by the excise tax. Why would farmers be rioting against this tax?
- Why might it be controversial for Washington to call out the militia? Additionally, why is it important that Washington would rely on the militia to quell the rioters?
- George Washington wrote this in 1794. He also wrote several other proclamations in the months before this. Why would he write to the American people so much?
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This proclamation was given on September 25, 1794, during the height of the Whiskey Rebellion. The Whiskey Rebellion was located in western Pennsylvania and primarily consisted of poor farmers who believed the 1791 excise, or "whiskey" tax was unfair. The rebellion dispersed shortly after this proclamation, when Washington led the militia to Pennsylvania.