OF THE WESTERN INSURRECTION IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, COMMONLY CALLED THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION. 1794. BY H. M. BRACKENRIDGE, AUTHOR OF THE "HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR WITH ENGLAND," "VIEWS OF &C. CPITTSBURGH: PRINTED BY W. S. HAVEN, CORNER OF SECOND AND MARKET AND THIRD AND WOOD STREETS. 1859. US473113 HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY 1866. Sent. 20. 八 92.50 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by H. M. BRACKENRIDGE, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Western CONTENTS. Letter to Alexander Brackenridge, Esq., Page 5 The Robbery of the Mail-The self-appointed Convention, and Circular to the Militia Officers, directing a Rendezvous at Braddock's Field — The Town Meeting Report of the Committee of Conference laid before the Standing Committee - Dif- ficulties encountered-Vote by Ballot-Majority for Peace, but not satisfactory The Army enters the West-Its ferocious temper -The Attempt to Assassi- nate Mr. Brackenridge - The Military Inquests - Examination of Mr. Brack- TO ALEXANDER BRACKENRIDGE, ESQ. MANY years ago, we conversed together on the subject of republishing our father's work, entitled "Incidents of the Western Insurrection," which had been long out of print-although remarkable for the truthful and graphic account it gave of one of the most important occurrences of American history. But, after reflecting on the subject, we concluded, that however interesting as a piece of contemporary history, and however much it might conduce to his fame, there were considerations of delicacy and feeling which stood in the way of such republication. These were principally, the strictures on the acts of persons who had passed from the stage of life, but whose descendants might be pained by the exhibition of their forefathers in an unfavorable light. Instead of pursuing the course which at first suggested itself, I adopted the plan of writing a biographical notice, giving a brief outline of the incidents of the Insurrection, saying enough to do justice to our father, but carefully avoiding everything that could possibly wound the sensibility of any survivor, or descendant, of those with whom he came in conflict during those trying times. This was published in the "Southern Messenger," Richmond, Virginia, and afterward as an introduction to "Modern Chivalry." This delicacy was not met in a corresponding spirit. A work, under the title of "History of Pittsburgh," was published by Neville B. Craig, the representative of the "Neville connection," in which there is a most perverted and false representation of the conduct of the people of Western Pennsylvania, and of the town of Pittsburgh, and, at the same time, the grossest misrepresentation of the actions and motives of individuals who were most active in restraining the excesses of the people, who considered themselves aggrieved by the excise laws. Our father, especially, who had been at variance with some of the Neville connection previous to the insurrection, in consequence of professional acts, which he thought honorable-was the object of the most indecent abuse by the scurrilous |