Clement Biddle, the Quartermaster General of Pennsylvania, asks Hamilton to order Samuel Hodgdon to provide the arms and camp equipage Biddle needs to equip the militia that it is about to set out for Reading and Harrisburgh. [Whiskey Rebellion]
Secretary Hamilton informs Governor Lee of Maryland of the disappearance of the Whiskey Rebellion in that state. Writes that President Washington saw with great satisfaction the "excellent disposition" of the citizens and the "laudable vigour" of the military. Apparently there was a "speedy termination" of the event. Writes, "Though severity towards offenders is to be avoided... impunity in such cases is apt to produce too much promptitude in setting the laws at defiance." According to Hamilton, past "repeated instances of such impunity in Pennsylvania are perhaps the principal cause of the misfortune... the disturbers of the peace familiarly appeal to the past experience of unpunished offences as an encouragement to the perpretation of new ones.
Mr. Ralston at Strasburg and Col. Postlethwaite at Carlise have been advanced the sum of sixty dollars each for the purchase of two horses for the expedition sent to and from Pittsburgh during the late mission into the western country.
Cover letter for "a package of vouchers." Notifies Howell that he has requested 3,000 dollars from the Secretary of War for contingent expenses of the West Point garrison, including the cost of "driving on the fortifications here with vigor." Cited in Howell to Fleming 10/03/1794
The Commissioner of the Revenue requests a warrant be issued for $2000 for the purpose of making a payment on a contract for iron cannon ball and ballast or kentledge. The sum will go to L. Holingsworth & Son as agents for the company of contractors, consisting of Richard Edwards; George Leonard; Levi Holingsworth; Paschal Holingsworth
Jared Ingersoll, Pennsylvania State Attorney General, writes that the military stores from Samuel Hodgdon have not arrived, and the Cavalry of the Jersey & City Militia may arrive tomorrow. Insists that this would be highly inconvenient. Hodgdon is the Supervisor of Military Stores and Hamilton has already talked to Hodgdon about a problem with delays. Ingersoll concludes by stating that there is no appearance of any rebel militia in Pittsburgh looking to use force of arms. Ingersoll, of course, is referring to the Whiskey Rebellion.
Governor of Maryland gleefully informs Secretary Hamilton that the Whiskey Rebels in Maryland have been "entirely crushed without the loss of one life." According to Governor Lee, the "alacrity" of the State militia and the "general spirit" of the citizens in support of the State discouraged the "Insurgents" and induced them to abandon their attack on the arsenal "without a trial of their strength." Some of the rebels have been placed in jail; others have been admitted bail. Governor Lee looks forward to "restoring the peace and order of the government in that Quarter." Announces that the State militia will now march to Cumberland to fight the rebels there.
Enclosed are remarks regarding Bryant's account for payments made in part to Joseph Frost for timber which cannot pass to Bryant's credit until his account is paid in full.
Muster rolls of Capt. Eaton's recruits must be transmitted to the War Department before pay can be issued but $200 for Capt. Eaton's own pay has been remitted to Nathaniel Gorham.
Enclosed account of Joseph Cranach for repairing arms at West Point. Howell requested Hodgdon examine the account and return it with his comments and approval of the charges.
