To Alexander Hamilton from Edmund Randolph, 28 August 1794
From Edmund Randolph
Philadelphia, August 28, 1794. “… it is the wish of the President of the United States, that General Miller1 should be sent into the counties of Pennsylvania, west of the Susquehannah, to ascertain their real temper, in case they should be called upon to quell the insurrection in the West. This idea arose from the suggestion in Mr. Bradford’s private letter,2 and is certainly important. The office of Supervisor does not perhaps include such a duty, but the object and the fitness of the man would at least render his expences a contingent charge.”
LC, RG 59, Domestic Letters of the Department of State, Vol. 7, June 27–November 30, 1794, National Archives.
1. Henry Miller.
2. In an undated letter William Bradford wrote to George Washington: “Other circumstances may arise that may make it unnecessary to march the Militia. It would therefore be very desirable—if not indispensible—to obtain accurate, full & faithful accounts of the conduct, intentions and temper of the inhabitants of these Counties, especially after they know of the call of the Militia. This may be obtained from some persons resident among them to whom a messenger, not likely to be suspected, might be immediately dispatched” (ALS, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress).