It was the late 18th century and the national government was cash-strapped.
In order to raise money, Congress passed a 25% excise (sales) tax on liquor. Many
Americans along the frontier resented the tax from a distant legislature. There
were outbreaks of opposition. In rural areas where no one was willing to serve
as tax collector, the taxes went unpaid. The tension had reached a breaking
point by July 1794 where tax collectors were feathered, harassed and tarred;
one’s home was burned. About six thousand people were camped outside Pittsburgh
threatening to march on the town in Western Pennsylvania. Washington believed
he had to act. He and his cabinet members met with Pennsylvania officials. They
decided to present evidence of the violence to Associate Justice of the Supreme
Court James Wilson. After reviewing the evidence, Wilson certified that the
situation could not be controlled by civil authorities alone. A military
response could proceed.
