In the meantime, Bradford, with four others, addressed a circular, or rather, order, to the colonels of militia in the Western counties, requiring them

especially the leaders, were enraged, and mani- | neighborhood, so that it might be given out that fested it by their looks and gestures. Mr. Brack- they had gone. enridge, and his associates, thought it prudent to withdraw. The meeting re-assembled, but did nothing but adopt the proposition of calling a large meeting of delegates from each township. Mr. to assemble in arms at Braddock's field, for the Brackenridge was convinced that this proposition, ostensible purpose of pulling down the inspector's so obviously reasonable, would be adopted, and thus office, and banishing the traitors from Pittsburg. take the business out of the hands of promiscuous Bradford became alarmed at the boldness of this assemblages, which were no better than mobs. step, issued countermanding orders, and soon after, He was of opinion, that the way to control the at a meeting held at Washington, impudently denied people on this occasion, was to contract their power that he had issued the latter, having in the meaninto a delegation, and by condensing this, still fur- time been threatened by his own partizans. Mr. ther, into a standing committee. It was this course James Ross, then a Senator in Congress, attended which he afterwards followed up with so much ad- the meeting, and endeavored to dissuade them from dress, and which enabled him, in conjunction with going to the assemblage at Braddock's field, but Mr. Gallatin, to put an end to the insurrection without success, and only proved how little use before the army had crossed the mountains to sub- there was in any direct appeal to their reason; yet due it by the bayonet. For the present, Mr. Brack- | Mr. Brackenridge was afterwards censured for reenridge had given a serious stab to his popularity, sorting to address, and by indirection, to accomby his speech. He had made bitter personal ene-plish the objects in which the direct means had mies among those, who had been guilty of open utterly failed; and his seeming to fall in with the acts of violence; and of course, he must expect prevailing humor was adduced as evidence of treato be denounced as a traitor to a cause in which son on his part.

officers; the few who were averse to go, were either compelled by their men to lead them, or went of their own accord, in order to prevent disorder. There is no doubt that a large portion of the rank and file would consist of persons of that class of frontier settlers, who were ready to join in any mischief, and not unwilling to plunder a little, if an opportunity should offer; many of them, the dregs of a long war, which has its “cankers,” as well as a long peace.

he had never engaged, because he had been willing The usurped authority of Bradford, in ordering to unite with them in procuring the repeal of an the militia to assemble at Braddock's field, was oppressive law, but never thought of open resis-readily obeyed by the people, and by many of the tance, much less of overturning the government. An act was perpetrated on the 26th of July, for which it is difficult to assign a sufficiently rational motive; for, instead of strengthening the cause of the opposition to the law, it had a tendency to weaken it, by revolting the minds of the more considerate. This was the robbing of the mail by Bradford and Marshall, and some other associates, for the purpose of intercepting the correspondence between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The only motive for this rash and criminal act, was to find The people of the town, had reason to be alarmed who were their enemies in the town, and what was for their safety, and they were not too certain that said of them by those who wrote an account of "Tom the Tinker" had no allies among themthe recent events, to the government of the state, selves. A town meeting was convened. It was and of the union. They of course could not ex-admitted that their safety depended on a seeming pect to read any thing in their own favor. Five acquiescence with the views and objects of the or six individuals, were, by means of these in-country people. Resolutions were passed, and tercepted letters, singled out as the objects of struck off, so as to be distributed in print. In these odium, and denounced as traitors to the popular it was announced, that the inhabitants of the town would march out, and join their brethren, at the A town meeting had been convened in Pittsburgh, place of rendezvous, to carry into effect any meaand while thus assembled, a deputation arrived, sure deemed necessary for the common cause; bringing the mail, and demanding the banishment that they would be watchful of suspicious characof the obnoxious persons. It was the unanimous ters, and send away from among them those unopinion of the citizens that the individuals, thus friendly to the cause; and finally, send delegates rendered obnoxious, should bend to the storm for to the meeting at Parkinson's ferry. a while, in order to satisfy the people of the country, A committee of twenty members was appointed, as the safety of the town might depend on keeping to whom the whole management of this delicate on good terms with them. Some of the individuals business was to be entrusted, and it was agreed, were convinced of the prudence of the step, and that, for the time, every man was to be an insurwithdrew of their own accord, some descending gent, and act his part as such, to the best of his the river, others crossing the mountains, and some abilities. Nothing but this course, could have concealing themselves in the garrison or in the saved the town from destruction. Mr. Bracken

cause.

ridge, although not Chairman of the Committee, to speak. Through the day, he passed from group was by general consent invested with the com- to group, conversing with them, gradually gaining plete control and direction, and was, in fact, re- their confidence. During the night, he fell in with garded and obeyed, as the civic chief; while the different parties, to all of whom he was known, militia, which numbered two hundred and fifty, all who now listened to him eagerly, some declaring, told, was under the command of General John that he had regained what he had lost at the Mingo Wilkins, a high minded, honorable man. meeting house. To say that he overacted his part, The committee, without arms, marched into the that is, went too far in affecting earnestness in the field in front. The situation of Mr. Bracken-cause, it would be necessary to have been on the ridge was critical; he had been highly popular, but spot in order to form a correct judgment. Mr. in consequence of his course at the Mingo meeting, Ross, who was on the spot, bore ample testimony he had become an object of suspicion to the peo- in his justification. Some inquired," whether the ple, and had made some deadly enemies among the garrison was to be attacked?" "Certainly." "But leaders. It was necessary to be bold, and self-will it not cost a great many lives to take it; and possessed; at the same time, to use consuminate how will it be done?" "Blow up a bastion with address. With Parkinson and McFarlane, he was powder-we shall lose a thousand men in killed personally unfriendly, and these, after Bradford, were the most popular. The prevailing idea was, that all law was silenced, and that an obnoxious individual might be put to death without accountability.

They were nearly all dressed in hunting shirts, as in their campaigns against the Indians, and amused themselves with shooting at marks, or firing in the air. Great wantonness of mind prevailed, and a disposition to engage in any thing, no matter how extravagant.

and wounded; or we may starve them out." The men had no powder excepting that which was in their powder horns, there was not more than one day's provisions to each man, and few were willing to march to the cannon's mouth.

In the morning, a delegation of three from each regiment, assembled as a Committee; Mr. Brackenridge was one of them. They retired apart, in order to deliberate. Bradford made one of his violent speeches, and stated the object of the assemblage in arms was to chastise those who were Bradford, in a general's uniform, marched in friendly to the excise laws; he then read the letters front of a number of battalions, and crossed the which had been taken from the mail, and appealed river. He advanced to the Pittsburgh Committee, to Mr. Brackenridge to know what had been done spoke to Mr. Brackenridge, and asked whether the with the authors. Mr. Brackenridge endeavored obnoxious individuals had been sent away; he re- to excuse them individually, occasionally indulging plied in the affirmative, and others assented, as it a humorous stroke at them, to preclude the idea was a part of the system previously arranged. This that he was anxious to save them, out of any perwas a critical moment for him: he was fearful of sonal regard. Some of these sarcasms, thrown his reception by Bradford, as he supposed that his out as tubs to the whale, offended the self-love of safety for the present, at least, depended on it. the individuals, who never forgave him for it. After this, he ventured to approach a group sur- Their own dignity or standing was not so free from rounding Parkinson, saluted them, and was civilly doubt as to enable them to afford any diminution received. Here he sat some time, and talked over of it, by a witticism, or a joke. He found he was recent occurrences; seemed to agree with them, going too far, when he heard some one exclaim, and by degrees, won upon their confidence. Some" do you mean to excuse all those persons?" Turnindiscreet expressions of a young man, of the name ing to Bradford, he said to him, in an undertone, of Ormsby, were mentioned to him; he excused" do you not know, that you are pursuing the best him as a rash and foolish young man, not worth way to render them a real service, by enabling their notice. He afterwards learned that there were at that very time, fifteen men, painted like Indians, in pursuit of Ormsby to assassinate him, and that he had only escaped by fifteen minutes, after having been informed of his danger. James The people becoming impatient, and the comRoss, who resided at Washington, also attended mittee no longer private, it was moved by Bradthe meeting, more as a looker on, than a partici- ford that the troops now march to Pittsburgh. He pator in it, as he soon found it useless and dange- was seconded by Mr. Brackenridge, who said aloud, rous to oppose the popular current. In passing as if addressed to the bystanders, as well as to the Mr. Brackenridge, he said to him, "you have a Committee-“ By all means, let us march into the great deal of subtlety, but you will have use for it town, and if with no other view, let us give a all." The latter looked around, and then reproved proof, that we can preserve the strictest order and the speaker for his imprudence; fortunately, there discipline; and can refrain from doing any damage, was no one to hear the words, and Ross observed, or injury, to persons or property. Let us just that he had taken care of that before he ventured march through, and taking a turn, come out on the

VOL. VIII-2

them to represent themselves as martyrs and sufferers in the cause, for which they will expect to be rewarded?" "I do-but the people must be satisfied."

plain, on the bank of the Monongahela, and after order, which was rendered very difficult by the drinking a little whiskey with the inhabitants, the continual arrival of straggling companies. The troops will embark and cross the river." great object now, was to throw them across the These words, apparently spoken in a careless river as soon as possible. There being but few manner, became the order of the day, and were ac-boats, Mr. Brackenridge rode down to the point, tually obeyed to the letter. Nothing can more and luckily found it fordable at this season. He strongly show the superiority of certain minds over immediately returned, and led several squadrons others, and over multitudes, than things of this across; after which, all those on horseback folkind.* Bradford saw nothing beyond the vanity lowed. The footmen were, in the mean time, ferof being the momentary idol, and ostensible leader, ried across, and there was a prospect of having the or he would not have suffered the real command town clear. Mr. Brackenridge had all the boats to be thus slipped out of his hands, without even brought over the town side, and on his return, saw seeming to know it. Bradford and Col. Cook the flames of Major Kirkpatrick's barn on the top acted as generals, and Col. Blakely as officer of of Coal hill. This had been the signal to some the day. Mr. Brackenridge proceeded with the companies who had remained in town, to set fire advance guard to conduct them by the proper road, to the dwelling house there. He met General and was thus in fact the leader of the whole army of Wilkins rushing down to the defence, at the head five or six thousand men, in the humble capacity of of a body of the town militia, and immediately guide, or, at most, as chief of the Civic Committee. stopped him. "This will not do," said he, "it is When about starting, Mr. Ross again passed him, not our system; if the house is to be defended it and said" the veil is becoming too thin-I fear must be by these people themselves." He urged it will be seen through." It had in fact been other reasons, which convinced Wilkins, who went seen through by a few, but they had no time to con- no further, and he hastened to the spot himself; cert measures, and did not know in whom to confide. here he found Col. Cook, McFarlane, and MarMr. Brackenridge led the whiskey boys, as they shall, who had gone for the purpose of preventing were called, by the Monongahela road, so as to the burning. "Gentlemen," said he, to those bent keep them out of view of the garrison. They on mischief, "you cannot burn this house, without passed through town, wheeled to the left, and came burning that of Col. O'Hara ; you all know him to out on the plain to the East. The Pittsburgh mi- be a good man, and absent from home, with the litia soon dispersed, and busied themselves in car- army, engaged in fighting the Indians. If the rying whiskey and water. He was employed in house must be destroyed, let it be pulled down, and this way himself; it cost him five barrels of old not burned. But why trouble yourselves about it whiskey; but he declared, he would rather try to now? The people of the town will pull it down." extinguish the fire in their throats, than in his Aided by the exertions of Cook and McFarlane, house. the house was saved. The day at length dawned in peace and quiet-the whiskey boys having dispersed, and each returned to his own home.

Bradford had left all to the officers, and had retired to a cool shade, where he was surrounded by glorifiers, to whom he was boasting of his wonderful exploit. Great activity was manifested among the well disposed of the troops to preserve

Mr. Brackenridge would willingly have left the country and crossed the mountains; for he envied those who had been banished. He was desirous of getting some kind of commission from the town, to * Mr. Combe, in his phrenological tour, relates the fol- the President, to represent the circumstances and lowing story, which resembles this. Before the late war situation of the country; but his townsmen insisted between this country and England, a mob had gone on board on his staying, and desired him to go to the meeting a British vessel in the port of Philadelphia, taken off the of delegates, at Parkinson's ferry. He felt also an rudder, and were dragging it along the street, with the intention of repairing to the residence of the British Consul earnest desire to pacify the country, if possible, and breaking his windows. A gentleman of address, and by means short of force, as he was now satisfied some personal influence, joined them, and affected to aid that unless this were speedily done, an army would in dragging the rudder, but taking advantage of a pause to be marched from the other side of the mountains, rest, addressed them in the following manner: Fellow- led on by some Claverhouse, who would exercise citizens, let us prove to these insolent British, that we are not a rabble of disorderly persons, as they represent usa military severity, more to be dreaded than the but a calin, reflecting people. Instead of insulting them, outrages of the mob. He felt great reluctance to let us give three cheers before the Consul's house, and go to Parkinson's ferry, as it would be necessary, in then proceed to the State house, and lock up this rascally order to effect any thing, as well as for his own piece of British timber in one of the rooms, and then dis- safety, to continue to sustain, to a certain extent, perse." The suggestion was adopted and literally obeyed. the appearance of being with the insurgents.* But At night, the rudder was secretly conveyed back to the ship by order of the Mayor. It would have been of no use to attempt direct dissuasion; and yet, Mr. Brackenridge was blamed for not flatly opposing the march to Pittsburgh under similar circumstances!

46

* Findlay, who was his bitter enemy, in his "History, &c." uses this language, when speaking of the proceedings at Parkinson's ferry. Brackenridge was probably actuated by the same motives as Gallatin, but supported the mea

44

Mr. Ross and Gen. Wilkins overruled his objec-and an oblivion of what had passed, under such tions, thinking it advisable to get all they could, arrangements as might be obtainable. 3rd. That opposed to violent measures, from the different parts a Standing Committee of safety be established, as of the country. Accordingly, he and Gen. Wil- conservators of the peace, in support of the civil kins were chosen delegates. authority, and as the organ of negotiation with the Executive on the subject of amnesty, &c."

"At this period," says Mr. Brackenridge, in his work on the Western insurrection, "there were alarming accounts from the East side of the mountains, of a disposition of the people, similar to that of the West. I saw before me anarchy, a shock to the government, a revolution impregnated with lected as spectators. Mr. Brackenridge had a the Jacobin principles of France, and which might become equally bloody to the principal actors. It would be bloody unavoidably to them, and to the people, destructive. Let no man suppose I coveted a revolution; I had seen the evils of one already in the American; and I had read the evils of another, the French. My imagination presented the evils of the last strongly to my view, and brought them so close to a possible experience at home, that during the whole period of the insurrection, I could scarcely bear to cast my eye on a paragraph of French news."

At Parkinson's ferry, two hundred and sixty delegates assembled, much too large a number, some of the townships having sent four or five. There was a still greater number of persons col

consultation with Bradford, Marshall, and other leaders, and affected to advise with the first, in order to be able to manage him, as he and Marshall had various projects of a belligerent nature. Bradford wished to bring forward something like a declaration of war, and Parkinson had a string of resolutions to offer; they were both inclined, however, to reduce the number of the delegation, and in favor of a Standing Committee, which was the main object of Mr. Brackenridge; he also wished to prevent any presentation, but to give ample discretionary powers to the Standing Committee, so as to enable them to negotiate for an amnesty, to which the people at this time were averse, excepting on such terms as the government could not grant. Col. Cook was appointed Chairman, and Albert Gallatin, who then resided in Fayette county, Secretary. Bradford desired Mr. Brackenridge to open the meeting, which he declined; he then rose himself, and as usual, went into a long and violent harangue, in favor of open and hostile opposition to the go

In fact, the laws had been for some time silent, and the ideas and language of the French Revolution had become quite familiar with the disorderly. The only thing like civil authority which seemed to command any respect was that entrusted to Committees. His plan from the first, as had been said, was to withdraw power from the multitude, and place it in a Standing Committee, with which the friends of peace and order could begin to act. The objects which he had proposed to accomplish in vernment, and proposing to lay before the meeting going to the meeting at Parkinson's,were, 1st. To resolve that the state laws were in force; the au- Marshall then rose and produced his resolutions. thority of all civil officers to be respected; no vio- The 1st related to taking citizens from the vicilence to be committed by any man on his mere nage to be tried, &c. 2nd. A Standing Committee motion, on pain of being denounced by the Com-of members from each county as a Committee, as an enemy to the country.* 2nd. That mittee of Safety; to call out the resources of the the meeting address the President, setting forth Western counties, to repel any hostile attempts what had been done; praying a suspension of force, against the rights of the citizens, or the body of the people.

the means of defence, a schedule of arms, men, &c.

to do it cautiously.

sures in a different way; he often kept up the appearance, Gallatin rose to oppose this resolution, or at least and sometimes the boasting language which was accepta- the latter part of it. It required no little courage to ble to Bradford's party, and opposed Gallatin. Yet he do it, as it was a favorite one, and he was obliged "What right," said he, "have we to suppose that military force will be used against us, and why therefore prepare to resist? If riots have taken place, they are the subjects of judicial cognizance."

always contrived to bring the proceedings to the same issue.” That is, he effected by address that which Gallatin failed to accomplish by direct means. Findlay knew perfectly well that Mr. Brackenridge was compelled by the situation in which he had been placed to assume the appearance of favoring Bradford's party; he knew that Mr. Gallatin was aware of this, and that Mr. Ross was in the secret. His use of the word probably conveys a mean insinuation, Brackenridge saw the danger of entering on this which he knew to be false. With respect to the policy of discussion, and instantly affected to oppose Galthe Pittsburgh Committee and the insurgents, Mr. Ross ex-latin. He thought it not amiss to have the resoluplicitly declared," that nothing but the consent of the Pitts- tion, although softened in the terms, without alterburgh people to all these measures could have saved their property from utter destruction."

*He says, "the idea of a Committee had become more formidable than that of a court. It was a new authority,

springing from the people's power, and had the force of opinion on its side; the censure of a Committee would render a man infamous."

ing the substance, such as, "the Committee shall have power to take such measures as the situation of affairs may require;" a Committee of four might model the terms. Marshall acquiesced, and thus the debate and vote were artfully parried. Those in favor of war thought they had succeeded, and

the more prudent thought the question postponed. I perhaps despised for being an emigrant; for those The 3rd resolution related to the appointment of would be more respected, who remained to share a Committee to draw up a memorial to Congress, the fate, and even the crimes, of their fellow-citipraying a repeal of the obnoxious laws, &c.; also zens. He saw no prospect of success in their carried. 4th. A Committee to draw up a state-open resistance, and his feelings revolted at the ment of the motives and acts of the people, &c. idea of disturbing the peace and harmony of the to the Governor of Pennsylvania, and the Presi-Republic, which he had assisted to establish. dent. The 5th was a resolution to support the The resolutions reported, were 1st, relating to government and laws, with the exception of the the taking citizens from the vicinage. 2nd. A excise laws, and taking citizens out of their coun- Standing Committee of deputies from each county. ties to be tried. Mr. Brackenridge, on this resolu- Mr. Brackenridge moved township instead of county, tion, without supporting or condemning it, spoke and to fill the blank with the number two. The at considerable length on the situation of the coun- ostensible object was to have them distributed as try, without government or law, and the want of conservators of the peace; the real object to scatter safety to persons or property. Gallatin spoke in them, and by that means give greater power to the favor of the establishment of law, and the conser-smaller Standing or Executive Committee. This vation of the peace. Notwithstanding the praise was carried. The Standing Committee was then bestowed on him by Findlay for the open and direct chosen, consisting of twelve, of which Mr. Brackcourse which he generally pursued, and with which enridge was one. He now offered a resolution, he unfavorably contrasts that of Mr. Brackenridge, that commissioners be appointed to wait on the he did not venture to condemn the resistance to President of the United States, with the representhe United States' Marshal, or the proscriptions tatives of the people, and report to the Committee at Pittsburgh, but condemned the destruction of the answer he should give. property. "What," said a fiery fellow, "do you blame the burning of Kirkpatrick's barn?" The Secretary was embarrassed, and paused for a moment. "If you had burned him in it, it might have been something, but the barn had done no harm." "Aye-aye-right enough," said the man. Some dissembling, as well as presence of mind, was necessary here; which shows that it is much easier for men to write in the quiet of their closets, than to act in critical scenes like these.

Mr.

Mr.

It was soon after announced, that commissioners on the part of the government had crossed the mountains-the words of the resolution were then changed-" to meet the commissioners, that have been, or may be appointed by the government, and to report to the Standing Committee." This was also carried, and the blank filled with the number three. It was then proposed to wait until the arrival of the commissioners, as they could not be more than one or two day's journey off. Bradford's schedule of arms, &c. and resolutions, Brackenridge considered this extremely hazardous were now brought forward. They were attacked to the object in view, as the proposals of the com"in front" by Mr. Gallatin. But his success was missioners in the present state of things, would be doubtful. Mr. Brackenridge, who had been out of certain to be rejected. He desired a cooling time, the circle, returned, and again affected to oppose and deliberation; for that purpose, an adjournment the Secretary. He said it might not be amiss to was necessary, and an opportunity of operating talk of these things-hold out the idea of being on the mind of the Standing Committee. prepared to fight, in order to render it unnecessary, James Ross was now present; he had received as a General sometimes displays columns, by way his appointment as one of the commissioners, but of demonstration; but enough has now been done-did not let it be known. Every thing was urged let the details be left to the Standing Committee. by Gallatin, and some others, in favor of adjournThere was no more said, and the vote was avoided.ment, and passing the resolution in its present form; The meeting adjourned until the next morning, but their efforts seemed to be ineffectual, such was leaving the Committee, consisting of Brackenridge, the prevailing anxiety and eagerness of curiosity to Bradford, Gallatin, and Herman Husbands, to model hear the propositions of the government commission. the resolutions. During the night, the cry of the Mr. Brackenridge was walking outside of the people was for war. The situation of Mr. Brack-circle in a desponding mood, when commissioner enridge led to painful reflections on their account, Ross came to him, and urged him to go forward. as well as on his own. He felt a desire to save "I do not see that I can do any thing; Gallatin them from the horrors of civil war, and if his plans and others have said all that is reasonable, and yet should fail in accomplishing this, what would be-have failed." "You can do it," said Ross. He come of him? He could not join them; they thought then stepped forward, and knowing that it was the themselves in the right, but he knew they were in impatience of curiosity which stood in the way, the wrong. To become a fugitive emigrant was a addressed them to the following effect. "It is almost painful alternative; the property he left be- together impossible that the government commishind would be sacrificed, and he would have to sioners can have any thing of importance to probegin the world anew in some strange country; pose at this stage of the business. The President