War Department April 22. 1799. Sir, I have the honor to enclose you the Copy of a letter from General Macpherson dated the 18. April last which was received on the 20. instant and also a Copy of my answer thereto — I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your obedient Servants James McHenry The President of the United States --- Head Quarters Federolphs in Albany Township near Greens-run April 18. 1799. Sir, I had the honor of addressing you a hasty note from Allentown on the 16 inst. by Lieut Melbeck who was entrusted with the prisoners destined for the City. I now resume the account of my operations since my dispatch of the 8. of — I moved from Quaker Town on that day, and on the 9. formed a Junction with Major Ford's detachment at Millers Town. In the night between the 8. and 9^th Lieut. Robeson with the Second Volunteer Troop was detached to support the Deputy Marshall in an attempt to arrest two persons on charges of treason. After a fatiguing but fruitless search, he rejoined the main body near Millerstown on the morning of the 9. The Criminals had left their houses at the approach of the Troops. The consternation I found was general and all those who had been most active in the disorders at Millerstown and who a few days before threatened to resist the Troops on their approach to that place, had fled at their arrival. In the night between the 9 and 10 three parties of Cavalry consisting of the Lancaster Troop under Captain Montgomery, the Montgomery Troop under Captain Kennedy and the Philadelphia Queens under Captain Morell, were detached in different directions to support the Marshalls Deputy in attempting to arrest a number of Insurgents in the neighbourhood of Millers-town. Four of them only were taken and brought in early on the 10. the rest had fled. In the course of these expeditions the attempt to seize the noted Marks was several times repeated but without success and there is now reason to believe that he has left this part of the State. On the 11. I ordered a general parade and review of the Troops for the purpose of Muster and to increase the impression which their arrival had made on the people; and I had every reason to be satisfied with the state of their equipments, their martial appearance and their condition in general. There is reason to believe that good effects resulted from this measure. There being no hope of effecting any further arrests in the neighbourhood of Millers Town at least while the Troops should remain there I resolved to advance on the 12 to Allen Town, which I found to be the most proper situation for the remaining operations. There were however some arrests to be made in Wifsenburg and Heidleburg Townships and as I had information that a very violent spirit of insurrection existed in those places and that resistance might possibly be made should a weak detachment be sent, I ordered Major Ford with his former force to remain at Millers Town till the evening of the 12 and then to advance under cover of the night to Bobts Tavern; in Wifsenburg, it being within supporting distance from Allen Town and take post there with his Infantry while his Cavalry should press rapidly forward so as to arrive at Heidleburg by break of day on the 13 make the arrests early in the morning and rejoin him at Bobts. The rest of the Troops then marched to Allentown where they arrived in good order on the afternoon of the 12 and encamped. The next day between 4 and 5 o'clock P.M. an express arrived from Major Ford with information that his Infantry had reached their post at 12 on the preceding night and that early in the morning his Cavalry had rejoined him with eight prisoners — On the afternoon of the 13. Captain Leiper of the 4^th Troop of Philadelphia Horse was detached to support the Deputy Marshall in making several arrests in Lower Saucon Township. He returned on the morning of the 14. and brought in three prisoners. It appearing probable that on the removal of the Troops from Millers Town, the persons in that Quarters whom it was desirable to secure, might return to their houses, a detachment of two troops of horse under Captain McKean was sent thither on the morning of the 14. with orders to divide into different parties as occasion might require and support the Deputy Marshalls. On the evening of the same day Captain McKean returned bringing with him two prisoners who had been very active in the insurrection. None of the others could be found about the same time a detachment of Infantry from Major Ford arrived with the prisoners made by his Cavalry. On the 15 information was received that some of the Insurgents who escaped from Millerstown had taken refuge in Brunswick Township Berks County and had made attempts to excite the people there to resistance, that a meeting was to be held in that neighbourhood on the 15. in order to concert measures and that deputations had been sent into Penn Township for the purpose of obtaining assistance. This information was immediately communicated to Major Ford and he was ordered to keep his party compact, and be prepared to act according to circumstances. Measures were taken without delay to obtain full and correct intelligence on this subject and in the mean time I resolved to put both detachments in motion so as to advance rapidly within supporting distance of each other to Greenmein at the foot of the Mountain and form a Junction there on the evening of the 17^th. A movement which would enable one should circumstances require it to cross the mountain and cut off their communication between Penn Township and Brunswick. After the arrangement for this movement had been completed, intelligence had arrived that very few people attended the meeting in Brunswick on the 15. and that the efforts to excite that part of the Country to resistance were not likely to prove successful. Not knowing how far these appearances were to be relied on and believing that this good effect already produced on the minds of the people would be rendered more complete by the appearance of the Troops among them, I thought it proper to adhere to my plan and accordingly both detachments were put in motion on the 16 and 17 and formed a junction at this place on the evening of the 17. After the arrival of the Troops at this place I received a confirmation of the last intelligence from Brunswick and in the course of this morning sixteen persons who had been concerned in the disturbances in Penn Township and against several of whom process had been issued, came and surrendered themselves to the agents of the Judiciary. Two others against whom there were warrants, not having surrendered a detachment of Horse under Lieut Massey was sent in pursuit of them and has not yet returned. All this part of the Country and that through which the Troops have passed, being now perfectly quiet and it appearing from information which the Commissioner has received that order is restored and the assessments going on in Hamilton and Penn Townships I have thought that the further continuance of the Troops in this quarter will be unnecessary, and have therefore resolved to march to morrow by the way of Hamburg to Reading where I expect to arrive on the evening of the 20. Such was the fear impressed on the people throughout these Counties by the violence of the Insurgents that much difficulty has been experienced in obtaining testimony against them or information respecting their plans and intentions; for even the well affected have been restrained by the apprehension of mischief after the departure of the Troops. I have however learned enough to confirm me fully in the former opinion that the spirit of revolt was high and general before the arrival of the Troops and would probably have assumed a formidable aspect, had there been leaders of some spirit, influence and capacity to put themselves at the head of the insurrection. Although I am of opinion that tranquillity and submission to the laws are so far reestablished in the different counties as to admit of the removal of the Volunteers and militia without danger, yet I think it highly expedient that the regular Troops should be stationed in this quarter for some time to come; since were the force wholly withdrawn, the spirit of revolt might perhaps reappear more especially in the County of Berks, which though never in open insurrection is perhaps more disaffected than any other. — The Artillery and Infantry which amount to about two hundred and forty, fit for duty might be divided into two detachments, of which one might be stationed at each of those places: that at Reading as being the most important under the command of Major Ford, who might in case of necessity be supported by the Reading Blues; and that at Allentown under Captain Elliot. It will also I think be important to station a small detachment at Easton, for which the Company ordered by you from Vermont will suffice. To draw one from Major Ford & Cap.^t Elliot would weaken them too much. As my instructions are silent on these points I request that you will let me hear from you fully at Reading respecting them. I shall arrive there as I have already mentioned on the evening of the 20 and it is desireable to detain the Volunteers and militia as short a time as possible — I have the honor to be W. Macpherson Brig General P.S. After the above was written yours of the 17. came to hand. The information contained in which you find has been already received. The troops have been informed that a number of letters for them were at the War Office some days ago and were extremely disappointed at not receiving them by the express. Lieut Massey has this moment returned and informs me that one of the persons whom he was sent to arrest had gone to Philadelphia in order to surrender and that the other had fled — W.M. The Secretary of War &c. &c. &c. --- War Department. April 20. 1799. Sir, I received this afternoon your letter dated the 18. instant, containing a circumstantial detail of the operations of the forces under your command since the 8^th instant. It is pleasing to learn, that tranquillity and submission to the laws, are so far re-established in the late disaffected Counties as in your opinion, to admit of the removal of the Volunteers, and Militia. You will therefore be pleased to direct their return to the places, whence they have been respectively drawn, with all convenient expedition. Being of your opinion, that it will answer salutary purposes, to continue the regular Troops, for some time, near to, or in, those parts of the Country, which were recently most disaffected, I leave it to you, to assign to them, such positions, as may in your Judgement appear best calculated, as well for their mutual safety, and support, as to keep down the spirit of Insurrection which might reappear, if these were also, to be immediately withdrawn. I request you to make known to the Gentlemen composing the Volunteer and Militia Detachments, the high satisfaction experienced, from the manner in which they have conducted themselves on this expedition, and the grateful sense which must be retained, for the personal sacrifices made by Individuals so important in the community, to re-establish among a deluded portions of their fellow Citizens, a love of Order, and obedience to the laws, and that I shall not fail, to make known to the President, their patriotic conduct, and sacrifices. The Troops from Windsor Vermont will halt at Easton, where they will expect to receive your Orders. You will make all necessary arrangements, with the Contractor, to supply the whole of the Troops, which will remain near the late scene of Insurrections. I shall forward an Express on Monday with all the Letters for the Army, which may be in the Office. The letters you allude to in your postscript, were entrusted to an Express sent by the Contractor. — I have the honor to be; with great respect, Your most ob^t very hble Ser^t sign^d James McHenry Brigadier General William Macpherson.