From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 15 November 1794
To George Washington
Town of Washington [Pennsylvania] November 15. 1794.
Sir
I had the honor of writing to you three Days since by Mr. Vaughan.1 Nothing material has since occurred; except that a number of persons have been apprehended. Twenty of them are in confinement at this place—others have not yet arrived. Several of those in confinement are fit subjects for examples and it is probable from the evidence already collected & what is expected that enough for that purpose will be proved. The most conspicuous of these for character or crime are understood to be The Reverend John Corbly,2 Col. Crawford,3 Col John Hamilton,4 Thomas Sedgwick, David Lock, John Munn,5 John Laughery.6 The evidence has not yet fixed the situation of Col. Hamilton.
A warrant has been sent after Col. Gaddis7 of Fayette another very fit subject but from the lapse of time I fear he has escaped.
The bad spirit is evidently not subdued. Information is just received that within the last three Days a Pole has been erected about 16½ miles from this place on the road to Muddy Creek.8 measures are taking on the Subject.
But it is more and more apparent that for some considerable time to come a military force in this Country is indispensable. I presume the temporary one9 meditated will be accomplished.
Tomorrow I leave this place for Pittsburgh. If nothing extraordinary happens I shall leave that place for Philadelphia on the 19th. By that time every thing will have taken it’s shape.
With true respect & affect. attachment I have the honor to be Sir Your obed. Servant.
Alex Hamilton
The President of
the U. States
Copy, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. John Vaughan was a Philadelphia merchant. H may be referring to the letter that he (H) wrote to Washington on November 11, 1794.
2. Corbly was a Baptist clergyman of Washington County.
3. William Crawford of Washington County.
4. Hamilton was sheriff of Washington County.
5. Sedgwick, Lock, and Munn were residents of Washington County.
6. Laugherty was one of the leaders of the opposition to the excise laws in Ohio County, Virginia.
7. Thomas Gaddis.
8. Muddy Creek is located in the northeast section of Washington County.
9. This is a reference to the military arrangement announced by Henry Lee on November 9, 1794. See H to Washington, November 8, 1794, note 7.