National Gazette

Correspondence between Mr. Addison and Mr. Clymer; continued from our last.

Copy of a letter from Mr. Clymer to Mr. Addison.

Pittsburgh, Sept. 28, 1792.

SIR,

I arrived here some days ago, under the authority of the President of the United States, charged with several objects, all arising out of the opposition of some of the western counties to the revenue laws of the United States, and to the authority of government. One of these is, "To enquire carefully concerning the persons who are represented to have menaced Capt. Faulkner, (of Washington) and those who appeared in arms for the purpose of obstructing the law. To obtain evidence as precise as possible, as well to identify the persons, as to ascertain their language and conduct. To take for this purpose depositions of as many respectable characters, as may be knowing to the circumstances, and to engage one or two of the best informed to come to this city, (Philadelphia). Every necessary measure with regard to bearing the expense, and compensating for the time of those who may come, must be taken." These are the terms of my first instructions on this head; but by an additional instruction received this day, the designation of the witnesses is changed, and they are to be at Yorktown some days previous to the 1st of October, when the circuit federal court will begin its session.

It has been represented to me as much too hazardous to attend to this business in person: It is therefore, that I request you will execute this part of my commission, and transmit the depositions to me at this place. The persons who have been pointed out to me as acquainted with these transactions, are Messrs. John Hoge, James Ross, John Dodd, — Purviance, Gabriel Blackney, John Hughes, Hugh Wilson. You will call on all or any of them as you shall think proper.

Since the disorders referred to above, others I understand have since taken place in Washington: the assembling of armed bodies, with design to intercept or interrupt the Inspector of Revenue, or other officers, in its execution. These you will please to include in your enquiries.

I am, &c.

GEO. CLYMER.

Mr. Addison to Mr. Clymer.

Washington, Sept. 29, 1792

SIR,

Your letter of yesterday from Pittsburgh states to me, that among other objects of your journey to this country, one is to take depositions on purpose to ascertain the persons who in various ways have obstructed the revenue laws of the United States, and the circumstances of this obstruction, and have those depositions and some of the best informed witnesses sent to Yorktown before the 1st of October, when the circuit federal court will begin its session; that you have been induced to fear it is much too hazardous for you to attend to this business in person, and therefore request that I will execute this part of your commission, and transmit the depositions to you at Pittsburgh.

I am convinced, Sir, that your information or suspicions of personal danger from coming to this place, and executing your commission yourself, have no real foundation. For your coming here is not to set up an office of inspection in this country, and fix on the distillers the penalties of the excise Law, and it is against this that the passions of the people are directed. If, however, any thing I can say should fail to give you confidence, several gentlemen of this town and county, members of the last Pittsburgh committee, will be in Pittsburgh in a few days, in whose company I think you will have little doubt you may come in safety, and who, I am confident, will pledge their word for your security.

If after all this you should believe there is danger in the business, you must believe it owing to some very deep-rooted resentment in the minds of the people, and that the object of this resentment is not the person, but the thing. Do you believe that your person can be liable to danger from any inhabitant in this country, except in so far, as your presence here affects their interests or opposes their opinions? or can you believe that any respectability of person or character will save a man from dislike, if his office or employment