USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 36
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
me, sending the returns of the officers from time to time as you receive them. I am, sir,
"Your most obedient Servant,
"(Signed) THOMAS MIFFLIN.
"To Peter Baynton, Esq., Adjutant General of Militia of Pennsylvania."
In obedience to the order of his immediate com- mander in chief, Adjutant General Baynton is- sued orders calling into service a portion of the militia of the state as follows:
"GENERAL ORDERS.
"PHILADELPHIA, March 20, 1799.
"The following corps of cavalry are to hold themselves in readiness to march on, or before, the 28th instant :
"Captain Dunlap's, Captain Singer's, Captain Morrells, Captain Leeper's, of the city of Phila- delphia; Captain Lesher's of the county of Phil- adelphia; Captain Sims, of the county of Bucks; Captain Taylor's of the county of Chester ; Cap- tain Montgomery's, of the county of Lancaster, and Captain Kennedy's of the county of Mont- gomery.
"Officers commanding the above troops of Cav- alry will make report to the Adjutant-General as soon as their respective corps are ready to march. "By order of the Commander-in-Chief.
(Signed ) "PETER BAYNTON. "Adjutant-General of the Militia of Penn- sylvania."
Of the quota of troops called for, one com- pany of cavalry was taken from Bucks and an- other from Montgomery, but Northampton was so far gone in rebellion her militia were not thought reliable, and none were taken from that county. The President designated William Mac- pherson as commander of the troops about to make the expedition into Bucks and Northamp- ton, and, to give him sufficient rank, he was ap- pointed a Brigadier-General in the United States army on March 18th. At the time he held the same position in the militia of Pennsylvania, which he resigned on the 22nd so as to accept the new honors that awaited him. General Mac- pherson resided in Philadelphia, and, after the Revolution raised and commanded a celebrated volunteer corps known as the "Macpherson Blues," which, in its day, was the best drilled corps of citizen soldiery in the country. The troop of cavalry ordered out from Bucks be- longed to the lower end of the county, and was commanded by Captain Walter Sims. He was preparing to leave the country when the order of the adjutant-general was issued, and, the next day, tendered his resignation as captain. The letter was addressed to the first lieutenant, Wil-
liam Rodman, and answered on the 23rd in the name of the company. As we have not found any evidence of an election to fill the va- cancy of Captain Sims being held before the troop marched, it probably went out under Lieutenant Rodman. General Macpherson subsequently or- dered out a company of cavalry from Cumber- land county.
Not considering the militia called out suf- ficient to quell the disturbance the War Depart- ment ordered all the regulars that could be spared from other service to join them. The number was about 500, and they were ordered to rendez- vous at Newtown and Bristol and from there proceed to the seat of war. Two companies left New York, March 17, for Bristol, there to await the arrival of other troops; a detachment under Captain John Henry reached Trenton from New York on the 23rd, encamped there over night, and marched to Newtown the next morning, there to await further orders. On the 21st a detach- ment of artillery, under Lieutenant Woolsten- croft, passed through Harrisburg from Reading; on the 27th Captain Irvine's artillery marched from Carlisle ; and, on the 30th a company com- manded by Captain Shoemaker, sixty strong, passed through Lancaster, all for the same desti- nation. The President also made requisition on the executive of New Jersey for two thousand militia, to hold themselves in readiness to march. Of this force the eight troops of cavalry were to be prepared to march at a moments notice. The order provides that, "Those who shall be warned for duty in consequence of these orders are to take care that their swords be not loose, but well riv- eted in their belts, that their blades be sharp and bright, their pistols clean, and in good order for videt duty ; their horses at all times well shod, fed, and gently exercised, their saddles and valise pads well stuffed, and their girths and breast plates sufficiently strong." This order was is- sued on March 22nd. As Governor Mifflin was an old soldier he understood the importance of minute directions on such occasion. At a meet- ing of Captain Mosher's company of infantry, at Lancaster, it was resolved they were ready to march at a moment's notice for the support of the government. The Daily Advertiser of March 30th, says that various detachments of regular troops are already on the march for Northamp- ton, which will, it is supposed, form a body of about 500 men.
The time for the marching of the force from Philadelphia under the immediate command of General Macpherson, was fixed for April 3rd, and on the first instant the following orders were issued.
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THE FRIES REBELLION.
"GENERAL ORDERS.
"The troops, which are under orders to march on Wednesday, the 3rd, inst., will assemble on their own parades precisely at eight o'clock, a. m., on that day in a complete state of prepara- tion to take up the line of march.
"The different commanding officers will re- ceive their instructions as to the route, &c., on Tuesday morning at ten o'clock, for which pur- pose they will attend at my quarters. Lieuten- ant John Williams of the 2nd troop of cavalry, of the Blues, is appointed aide-de-camp, and is to be respected accordingly.
"(Signed ) WILLIAM MACPHERSON, "Brigadier-General. "Philadelphia, April 1, 1799."
For some reason, not explained, the march of the troops was delayed until Thursday, April 4th, at eight o'clock a. m., to which effect orders were issued on the 2nd. The command was to rendezvous on the evening of that date at the Spring House tavern, on the Ridge Road, six- teen miles from Philadelphia, whence they were to march for the disaffected districts.
Despite the orders to march on the 4th, the entire force did not leave the city on that day. One company of United States artillery, com- manded by Captain Elliott, left the city on the 3rd, the day first named, and, on Friday, the 5th, two troops of volunteer cavalry, and the four city troops of horse, got off, but the main body, under the command of General Macpherson in person, left the morning of the 4th. They assembled at their quarters at an early hour ; thence proceeded to the place of general rendezvous, and took up the march amid the shouts of the populace. As they passed through the city to the sounds of mar- tial music, with flying colors, and "decked in all the pomp, pride and circumstance of glorious war," they created a great sensation. The streets were lined with citizens who had turned out to witness the display; and while the men whirled their hats and shouted their huzzas, the ladies waved their handkerchiefs and otherwise mani- fested their admiration of the glittering pageant. But once since the close of the war of Independ- ence had so large a body of troops been called together in this section of the Union, and, upon this occasion, the number, as well as the nature of their service, caused the display to receive more than usual eclat. Passing out of the city the troops struck the Ridge Road, along which they marched to the Spring House, Montgomery county, where they made their camp the same evening.
As they marched through the country, the peo-
ple flocked to the highways to gaze at the "Fed- eral Army," as they called it, but, as the expe- dition was disapproved, they received but few marks of approbation in the rural districts.
Headquarters was still at the Spring House on the 9th on which day General Macpherson is- sued an address to the inhabitants of the disaf- fected districts. It was published in German, and the object appears to have been to call the people back to their duty; but inasmuch as they had ceased their opposition to the law some time be- fore, and quietly submitted to its provisions, the address was uncalled for and without effect. The advent of the troops had a tendency to irritate any existing soreness in the public mind, instead of allaying it, and therefore did harm instead of good. The following is the address:
"William Macpherson, Brigadier-General of the armies of the United States, commander of the troops ordered to act against the insurgents of the counties of Northampton, Montgomery and Bucks, in the State of Pennsylvania, to the peo- ple of the aforesaid counties :
"FELLOW CITIZENS :- Being ordered by the President of the United States to employ the troops under my command, or, according to cir- cumstances, further military force to procure sub- mission to the laws of the United States, and to suppress and disperse all unlawful combinations, which have been made to obstruct the execution of the aforesaid laws, or any of them, by main force and power, I, therefore, liave thought it proper to inform the people of the said counties, and all others whom it may concern, of the dan- ger to which they expose themselves by combining in unlawful proceedings, or giving any assistance or encouragement to those who are concerned therein; and likekwise, to represent to them how just it is to submit to the laws, in general, but par- ticularly to those against which they have op- posed themselves in the most violent manner. It cannot be unknown to you, my fellow citizens, nor to any part of the people of the United States that submission to the laws, constitutionally made, is absolutely necessary for the support of the government ; and that in a republic, where laws are made by general consent, this consent must be manifested by the majority of such persons as have been appointed for that purpose by the people in general, according to the constitution."
After pointing out the duty and necessity of the people to submit to the laws when made, he proceeds to discuss the constitutional power of Congress to lay the tax in question, and points out the article under which the law was passed. "The United States were threatened with the resentment of a very powerful, very ambitious and very revengeful nation," and that the tax
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
was necessary to raise money in order "to provide for the common defense and general welfare" of the country. He next speaks of the tax and the manner in which it was to be assessed, of which he says :
"In laying this tax Congress paid the greatest attention to the situation and wants of the people, and distributed it in such a manner the burden almost totally falls on the richer part, and the poorer class are greatly screened from the effects thereof. It is laid on land, dwelling houses and slaves; but as there are no slaves in this State, the whole tax falls upon the lands and dwelling houses. The lands are to be taxed exactly to their value, be the owner whom he may, but the man whose house, outhouse and lot, not exceeding 2 acres, are worth less than $100.00 has nothing to pay; and if it were worth $100.00 the tax would be only $.20. According to the same rule, other houses of a higher value pay as follows: If worth $200.00, 40 cents; $300.00, 60 cents ; $400.00, 80 cents, and $500.00, one dollar, from which you will perceive, my fellow citizens, that the house tax is according to the value of the house at 20 cents to $100.00; but for houses from $500.00 to a $1,000.00 value the tax rises for each $100.00, 30 cents, so that a house of the value of $600.00 will have to pay six times 30 cents or $1.80. If worth $700.00, $2.10 ; $800.00 $2.40 ; $900.00, $2.70; $1,000.00, $3.00.
"At this rate the rich man, with a house rated at $1,000.00 has to pay three times as much tax as the poor man whose house is rated at half that sum, viz: $500.00; and thus the tax operates progressively to the most costly houses and opu- lent people, until the value of their houses is taxed in proportion, five times as high as those of their poorer fellow citizens, whose houses are worth only from $100.00 to $500.00. A house worth $100.00 pays 20 cents, which is only the one-fifth part of one per cent. of its value, and consequently five times as much in proportion as the former. Hereby, my fellow citizens, you must be con- vinced that an opposition to this tax in our coun- ties is not only contrary to the Constitution, the laws, and every principle of good government, but, in itself, inconsistent and ridiculous, as the tax which is opposed is the most easy on the poorest citizens, whom they irritate to opposition. Many of their houses, however, would have no tax to pay, and very few more than $1.00 each, for very few of their houses would be rated at more than $500.00. It is true, they will be sub- ject to a land tax, but the tax on houses must first be deducted from the whole quota of the State, and what is then deficient will be laid upon the land. The houses in this State will probably pay the greatest part of the tax, perhaps the whole,
and, in that case, no tax will be laid upon the land, and those whose houses are rated at less than $100.00 will be exempt from the tax. As a further proof of the attention of Congress to the wishes and accommodations of the people, they have, during the last session, repealed that part which required a statement of the windows of each dwelling house, and which, as it afterward appeared, was more disagreeable than necessary or useful. Therefore no further account of the windows has been demanded. To ascertain the value of the lands and houses was a difficult mat- ter, and connected with a great deal of expense, but when once done need not be repeated. Great pains were taken and the most effective measures employed to select people of good character who understood the business well, and whose interest were equally involved with their fellow citizens to have the business accurately executed. Be- sides, this act is not perpetual, being only for one year, and will not be continued unless the public good demands it, and not otherwise than with the consent of the people through their repre- sentatives. As for those who have, in so trea- sonable a manner, opposed the execution of such lawful, necessary and, for that part of the citizens who are the least able to pay the taxes, indulgent law, there can, therefore, be no excuse. The bad consequences which they draw upon themselves by their criminal conduct, they cannot impute but to their own blindness, obstinacy and malice. On the contrary, every necessary step will and must be taken to bring them, and all others who have aided and abetted them, to submission and trial by due course of law, in order that their pun- ishment may serve as an example to others and prevent a like course in the future. The nec- essity of employing arms against a number of our fellow citizens is painful, but the consequences must be imputed to those, whose traitorous con- duct has produced the present disturbances, and not to government, who, according to its most sacred duties, is obliged to maintain order, and enforce obedience to the laws.
"But all those who return quietly to their homes, and abstain from any participation in these unlawful acts, either through open aid or secret abetting, counsel, or information, shall obtain the utmost protection to their persons and property.
"Every precaution shall be taken that the march of the troops shall not be troublesome to the citizens; all subsistance shall be punctually paid for, and the strictest discipline observed. Let me, therefore, my fellow citizens, warn and en- treat you as you love your country and extenuate the happiness consistent with liberty, order and peace ; as you wish to avoid the necessity of human bloodshed, which is as much repugnant to my
193
THE FRIES REBELLION.
wishes as those of the President; as you abhor the horrors of a civil war, and the crimes and punishment of traitors, let me conjure you to shut your ears against the counsels of those malic- ious persons who would lead you to destruction in order to satisfy their own ambition, while they screen themselves from punishment due to their crimes ; who try to seduce you to take up arms against the law and governments of your coun- try, and involve yourselves in a contest as hope- less as it is criminal, against the power of the United States; who speak to you of peace and liberty while they are kindling civil war; who complain of expense while they are forcing the government to augment them, in order to sup- press sedition and revolt; and who plume them- selves upon being Republicans, while transgress- ing the most essential principles of Republican government; to wit: obedience to the laws made by the decision of the majority.
"Therefore, I forewarn you not to aid or abet those violaters of the law in any manner, so that you may avoid a participation of their crimes, and the consequent punishment.
"Given under my hand and seal at Head- quarters, April 6, 1799.
"(Signed) WILLIAM MACPHERSON.
"(Signed ) JOHN WILLIAMS, Aid-de-Camp."
REV. CHARLES HENRY HELMUTH ISSUES AN ADDRESS.
When the address of General Macpherson was published, it was accompanied by a letter from the Rev. Mr. Helmuth, addressed to the German population in general, and the people of North- ampton, in particular :
"TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. "Friends and Brethren in the Faith :- Excuse my addressing these lines to you; where there is fire, everybody is bound to extinguish it, and the clergyman is no more to be blamed for lending his aid than any other citizen. I am depressed with anxiety on your account. I know the con- sequences of conduct like yours; many of you will doubtless be apprehended and confined, some perhaps will pay the forfeit with their lives. You know it is the duty of the clergy of the city to warn such miserable persons, and prepare. them as much as in their power for the awful change. My heart was much oppressed.
"I thought, alas! perhaps the same circum- stances as those of 1794 will again occur ; perhaps other thoughtless people will fall into the same wretched situation because they were ignorant, and were deluded, and what would be your feel- ings if you had to witness their sorrow and an-
guish, their agonies of death? You should have warned the miserable creatures; he would then have been saved ; but you neglected to warn him, and are therefore responsible for the destruction of him and his. Such was the melancholy reflec- tion that induced me to write these lines.
"I trust that you will think, when you read this, as you may in truth: This man is sincere for our welfare-why then should we think it improper in him to send us this advice? If he even should now and then say some things that are not perfectly agreeable to us we will still take it in good part, for, perhaps he is in the right, perhaps we have been deluded, we may have been deceived. If such be your thoughts you will soon find them perfectly correct.
"You have hitherto entitled yourselves to the character of industrious and religious citizens of the Union, and most of the Germans still deserve that praise; but, sorrowful to relate, you have suffered yourselves to be spurred on to the most abominable injustice, to actual rebellion against the government you yourselves have chosen. How happy it is that your number is but small, amongst the serious, and that the far greater part of them view your inconsiderate conduct with detestation ! You all know that government cannot exist with- out taxes ; at least your Bible should so instruct you; read Romans, 12th chap. 1-7; read it at- tentively.
"Do but reflect reasonably on your conduct. Even the holy passion week have you profaned with the works of actual rebellion. You have undertaken to oppose a tax, which is as favorable to the country people as any tax can possibly be ; for the rich inhabitants of the cities pay by far the greatest proportion of it; you have undertaken to oppose the tax which never would have been made had not the government been necessitated to make defensive preparations against the at- tacks of the French; a nation that aims at the overthrow and destruction of all religion, against a people that would scarcely have dared to attack and plunder us if they had not been cer- tain they had their advocates among us.
"You do not consider the dreadful conse- quences of such opposition as you have made: I will therefore inform you of some of them.
"In the first place, an army of several thou- sand men will be marched into your neighbor- hood; you well know that in spite of every pos- sible attention of commanding officers, excesses will be committed by an army. You will be more or less prevented from following your usual occupations, and yourselves and families will be put in greater terror and apprehension.
"Second, The army will cost money, and the money the government will have to raise by direct
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
taxes, for which you must thank your own op- position. The western expedition in 1794 cost a million of dollars from this you may judge what expenses you will bring upon yourselves and fel- low citizens by your scandalous insurrections.
"Thirdly, If you make any further opposition you will necessarily be treated as rebels, and, be- fore a month has passed, many of you will be in prison. They will be torn from their wives and children, and some will probably suffer an ig- nominious death.
"Alas! my heart bleeds for you. You have been told a thousand falsehoods. You have been told told that the militia approved of your violence, and would not march against you. But you have been wrongfully deceived. For my own part I have heard many speak of your conduct, but I have not heard one approve of it; your best friends (if those are your best friends who agreed with you in political opinions) say the occurrences in Northampton are very unjustifiable; the insur- gents must be subdued; what would become of us if everybody were to create an insurrection ? This is the substance of what is thought and said of your conduct-and you may depend upon it, that the government could, at a very short notice, muster upward of 20,000 men, if such a number were necessary, who would willingly march against you. Every one cries shame ! shame ! upon you.
"I beseech you to mark well the character of these men who have enticed you to this insurrec- tion. Are there not many of them who spend more money at the taverns in the course of a few evenings than their whole tax amounts to? Hon- est Christian men will never advise to rebellion, but more especially against a government which has scarcely its equal under the sun. No; they are wicked, restless men, who have deceived them- selves and you.
"It is your misfortune that you have suffered the habit, to grow upon you, of scandalizing the government; of cursing, instead of blessing it; and then indeed there are enough to be found who, having particular ends in view, will scheme with you ; persons who wish for your friendship on election day, in order that they may get a lucra- tive office under the very government that they blaspheme. When matters come to extremities, these deluders know perfectly well how to slip their necks out of the halter and let the deluded suffer. These, who, in comparison with the for- mer, are innocent, will be left to bake as their deceivers have brewed. Think of me when you experience this sorrowful truth.
"Alas! you have been most scandalously de- ceived : from my soul I pity you! But what is
now to be done? Listen, and take my advice. It is possible that the Marshal will be sent with an armed force to seize the wretches who opposed him in arms. For God's sake do not let your- selves be prevailed upon to abet those rebels; for should you be found in their company you will certainly be punished with them.
"Rather endeavor to persuade them to deliver themselves up to the proper authority, and this would be the wisest course they could pursue ; but if they will not do so give the Marshal every assistance he may require, for it is your duty.
"Take my advice; affection for you and the im- pulse of conscience have compelled me to write you this letter.
"If you follow my counsels you will do well, if not, I have done my duty. Be assured that I re- main your friend, (Signed)
"J. HENRY CHARLES HELMUTH. "Philadelphia, March 28, 1799."
The troops quartered at the Spring House tav- ern and farm houses in the neighborhood the night of April 4th, and, the next morning sev- eral cavalry companies resumed the march up the old Bethlehem road for Seller's tavern. This was the present Sellersville in Rockhill township, Bucks county, on the line of the North Pennsyl- vania railroad. They got there that day and en- camped on the farm of Andrew Schlichter, which, we believe, is still in the family, and was occu- pied by a grandson a few years ago. General Macpherson probably did not follow with the main body until the 6th, as his address bears that date. There is, however, a conflict as to the date of its publication, for while the address itself is dated the 6th, the Philadelphia Daily Advertiser states it was promulgated on the 5th, the day the cavalry resumed their march. If this date be correct, General Macpherson probably marched with the cavalry. The whole force was now as- sembled at Sellers tavern, where headquarters was established. Judge Peters arrived at III o'clock on Saturday morning to be at hand to bind over for appearance at court, any persons who might be arrested. General Macpherson appointed Robert Goodloe Harper, Esq., an additional aide-de- camp, and other arrangements were made to per- fect the organization of the troops, and have them in the best possible shape for the war they were about entering on.
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