[Page 1 of this file is a repository notice: "Illegible Text — Some or all of the pages of this file are wholly or in part illegible. We have not been able either to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically."] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [Endorsement, verso:] W. Macpherson Mar. 21. 1799 War Department 21^st March 1799. Sir, Combinations to impede the execution of the laws, for the valuation of houses and dwelling houses, within the United States, having existed for some time past. At the Counties of [undecipherable], Montgomery, and [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] of Pennsylvania, [undecipherable] proceeded in a manner [undecipherable] of the Government by misrepresentations, to render the laws odious and deterring the Public officers of the United States from executing their functions, by openly threatening the [undecipherable]; the assessors of well affected citizens, and of the executive officers, to en[force] compliance with the laws, having in partial [undecipherable] certain persons in the County of North[ampton] having been hardy enough [undecipherable] amounting to [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] persons exceeding one hundred in number, and armed, and [undecipherable] all in a manner he will on the seventh day of this present month, compelled William Nichols [undecipherable] Marshal of the United States, for the District of Pennsylvania [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] his hands to be relinquished, and also having compelled him, to discharge and set at liberty [undecipherable] whom he has arrested, by virtue of criminal process, duly [undecipherable], for offences against the United [States] [undecipherable] the motives of these civil and criminal proceedings, to be, in [undecipherable] prevent by force of arms, the execution of the [laws] for the valuation of houses and dwelling [undecipherable] to withstand by open violence, the [authority] of the Government of the United States. And the President of the United [States] is [undecipherable] his [undecipherable] [undecipherable], dated [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of calling forth [undecipherable] to suppress the combinations [undecipherable]; because the laws to be [undecipherable]; have [undecipherable] and due [undecipherable] to do; having [undecipherable] [undecipherable] insurrection [undecipherable] to disperse [undecipherable]; having the 18^th of March [undecipherable]; warned all persons whom [undecipherable], abetting, aiding or comforting the [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable] treasonable acts, [undecipherable] all faithful citizens, [undecipherable] officers [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the laws of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] endeavours, to prevent and suppress [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] It has been [undecipherable] to determine upon [undecipherable] been exhibited to the Government [undecipherable] the President [undecipherable] insurgents [undecipherable] [undecipherable] their [undecipherable] of disposition in them, to secure from their combinations against the laws, and opposition to the just authority of the Government of the United States; to put in motion the military force proper to be employed, on this occasion. The existing military and political position of the United States, renders [undecipherable] by, desirable, [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] as much as possible, at [undecipherable] settlement, from [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and expense from [undecipherable] enemy, to accomplish the suppression of the prevailing insurrection, with the smallest number of troops adequate to that purpose. You will therefore be [pleased], to form a detachment from the Volunteer Acts, who have been accepted in the State of Pennsylvania, and been accepted by the President, and paid [undecipherable] of the Provisional Army, [undecipherable] by the 26 November correspondence [undecipherable] of the City of Philadelphia, [undecipherable] and added two or more of the Troops of militia Cavalry, [undecipherable] except from the four troops of militia Cavalry of [undecipherable] City now under orders, to hold [undecipherable] also, in readiness to move [undecipherable] to compose a body of 240 horse, including non commissioned officers, and proceed with the detachment, with out delay, to the Theatre of Insurrection. You will forthwith make [returns] of such military articles, as may be wanted for this detachment, that orders may be given for their delivery to the [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. A Paymaster for the Volunteers, and Militia that may be employed, ought to be appointed, you will please to name one, to him will be advanced a sum, on account, equal to one month's pay, for the companies, [undecipherable] now and [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. You will cause correct muster and pay rolls, for the volunteers, and militia, called into actual service, in the usual forms, to be made out, with the view of rendering the settlement of the accounts, for their services, more prompt and easy. The Muster Master of the Detachment [undecipherable] will be [undecipherable] by the Deputy Muster General, [undecipherable] a sum on account, which may be considered adequate to the expenditure, that may be incurred, in this particular department. [undecipherable] will be furnished by the Contractor, for supplying the same, to the military [undecipherable]; it is presumed he will [comply] of [undecipherable] agent or agents, and execute your orders [undecipherable] respecting supplies. [undecipherable] General [undecipherable] will attend the expedition [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the business to make prisoners of, and [undecipherable] hold amenable to justice, persons who have [undecipherable] the laws, or been concerned, there are [undecipherable] legal [undecipherable] on them, those who were [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] to whom he [undecipherable] [undecipherable] charges on [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Prisoners to Philadelphia; [undecipherable] your Cavalry, in the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as many [undecipherable] as possible. The offenders at [undecipherable] If to effect this object, it [undecipherable] force, with [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and more [undecipherable] [undecipherable] controlled and convenient places, [undecipherable] the Prisoners [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] to inform the President [undecipherable] and the Contractor, of the precise times, you design to put the detachment in motion, and make the arrangements, with whatever [undecipherable] may be necessary for them to know previously, in order to ensure, as much as possible, no failure in your operations, from the want of means, in either of their departments. The Marshal of the District of Pennsylvania will move with [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the offenders, their descriptions, [undecipherable] places of abode, who are to be made prisoners. You will be particularly careful that the [undecipherable] criminals, or the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] attended to, and [undecipherable] by the most pointed orders, any insult to the inhabitants, or unnecessary [undecipherable] towards the Prisoners taken. It is left entirely to your discretion, to determine upon, your place, or places of rendezvous, which should be such as are best calculated, to enable the troops, that may be stationary, to defend themselves, in case of attack; and also to aid as actively as possible your parties from, in their transit, to and from their points of departure. If more than [undecipherable] rendezvous or [undecipherable] should be [undecipherable], you will be extremely careful to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] ready communication, of [undecipherable] intelligence and [undecipherable], to enable the [undecipherable] to form a rapid [undecipherable] of the movements of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the concentration of your force [undecipherable] and it is expedient and particularly [undecipherable] [undecipherable] against [undecipherable] [undecipherable] You will have observed, that it is de[sirable] [undecipherable] Militia [undecipherable], [undecipherable] Governor, upon [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] who [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to divide [undecipherable] companies, and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. This [undecipherable]. It is not [undecipherable] that they will be [undecipherable] of military [undecipherable] [undecipherable] strict, vigilance, and [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. To be prepared for adverse [undecipherable] it will [undecipherable] you [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] for holding themselves in readiness to march, at the shortest notice, to the Volunteer Companies, and militia, not [undecipherable] actual service. To [ensure] the authority [undecipherable] of the Volunteer and militia [undecipherable] Company of Infantry under Captain Shoemaker, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Newglauses, and a company of Artillery, under Captain Truenes, from the [undecipherable] Pennsylvania, have been ordered to meet and rendezvous at Reading; and a company of artillerists at [undecipherable] Higgins, intended to rendezvous at the same place, is under orders to march at the shortest notice. Two companies of Artillerists, from New York, and a party of [undecipherable] recruits, under [undecipherable] Captain Boote, supposed about 80, from [undecipherable] Jersey, have been ordered to march to New Town Pennsylvania; there [undecipherable] troops are on the establishment of the United States, expected to arrive at their first [undecipherable] of rendezvous on or about the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and subjected to your orders, [undecipherable] where their presence can [undecipherable] effects, and employed in case [undecipherable] stances, should [undecipherable] in connection with the Volunteers and Militia. If rebellion should assume a strength, commanding further force you are, [undecipherable] and discretion, and keeping economy [undecipherable] authorized by the President, [undecipherable] service, the whole or any part of the [undecipherable] and Militia companies that [have been] ordered, to be held [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] Pennsylvania and [undecipherable] insufficient to [undecipherable] from the nearest meeting [undecipherable] of the same States; and [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] emergency, to call for any [undecipherable] that can [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. It is suggested that the detachment of Volunteers, or militia, should be [undecipherable] forward as rapidly as the [undecipherable] will permit, [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] may think proper [undecipherable] Our troops, and [undecipherable] parties, are to be instructed [undecipherable] prisoners. 2[^d] at the capturing parties [undecipherable] be ordered [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] upon [undecipherable] the detachment [undecipherable] points, where [undecipherable] the execution [undecipherable] the persons to be made prisoners, [undecipherable] to such effectiveness [undecipherable] before they can be alarmed for their safety. 3^d. That such parties, should be sent out, so as to arrive, at the homes of offenders, at or after midnight, to be more certain of finding them at home, and in no situation to make resistance. 4^th. That it will be prudent to employ only [undecipherable] characters, known to be well affected to the Government, for information, of the best routes to the places of residence of the different offenders, wherever it can be done, without creating alarm with those going [undecipherable] the probability of the offenders gaining intelligence, of your intention [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] themselves for resistance. 5^th. That when obliged in any instance, to gain intelligence of the nearest roads, [undecipherable] ascertain [undecipherable] under, from a person or [undecipherable] whose [undecipherable] are not perfectly known to you, it will be safest to enquire, not for the offender, but some or one of his nearest neighbours, having previously ascertained the names of his neighbours, from well affected characters. [undecipherable] that you should cause it, to be clear, that the detachment is [undecipherable] part[y], of a larger force. 6^th. That when you have stationary [undecipherable] Regular forces [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for them to occupy, you should keep [undecipherable] troops, in constant expectation of moving [undecipherable] somewhere elsewhere, without giving any [undecipherable] with the view of distracting the plans, and attention of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] should they meet [undecipherable]. 7^th. That it will be proper for you to consider the expedition, in its [full] [undecipherable] in the nature of a surprise intended, and to act accordingly, with all the secrecy, [undecipherable] right, and briskness of execution in [undecipherable] possible to its success. "You are earnestly requested, to employ every moment of your [undecipherable] in accomplishing the object of your [undecipherable] conformably to the orders; and [undecipherable] keep so [undecipherable] in mind, that if the offenders against the laws, can be suddenly, and [undecipherable] secured, before they have time to prepare general resistance; it may extinguish the insurrection, without further expense to the United States, or call upon the Patriotism and fortitude of our fellow citizens. But you may have sufficient [undecipherable] in your own family, [undecipherable] essential business; [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] allowed you by law, and [undecipherable]" and [undecipherable], rations, and [undecipherable]. You will be able to judge [undecipherable] upon the spot, when opposition to the laws, and the spirit of revolt, and insurrection [undecipherable] suppressed, or annihilated in [undecipherable] all counties, as to warrant [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] order to [undecipherable] convenient positions [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I am Sir with [undecipherable] great[est] respect your obedient, humble servant James McHenry William Macpherson Esquire Brigadier General.