In 1791, the federal government imposed a tax on distilled spirits (an excise tax) to pay off the nation’s debts from the American Revolution. The tax, which was payable only in cash, was particularly hard on small frontier farmers, who bartered and did not have access to hard currency.
Protests occurred in every state south of New York. By 1794, western Pennsylvanians had had enough. Frontiersmen marched on Pittsburgh to stop collection of the tax. In July, rebels near Pittsburgh set fire to the home of John Neville, the regional tax collection supervisor. Determined to set a precedent for the federal government’s authority, President George Washington gathered an army of 12,000 militiamen to disperse the rebels. The uprising collapsed, and the new government demonstrated that it would enforce laws enacted by Congress. This was the first use of the Militia Acts of 1792, asserting the right of the national government to enforce order in one state with troops raised in other states. Even more importantly, it was the first test of power of the new federal government, establishing its superiority in disputes with individual states.
Protests occurred in every state south of New York. By 1794, western Pennsylvanians had had enough. Frontiersmen marched on Pittsburgh to stop collection of the tax. In July, rebels near Pittsburgh set fire to the home of John Neville, the regional tax collection supervisor. Determined to set a precedent for the federal government’s authority, President George Washington gathered an army of 12,000 militiamen to disperse the rebels. The uprising collapsed, and the new government demonstrated that it would enforce laws enacted by Congress. This was the first use of the Militia Acts of 1792, asserting the right of the national government to enforce order in one state with troops raised in other states. Even more importantly, it was the first test of power of the new federal government, establishing its superiority in disputes with individual states.