Author Description

When Congress enacted a 25 percent excise tax on domestically produced distilled spirits, grain growers and distillers were irate. Especially upset were the small producers of alcohol who began to organize an opposition. When mobs organized an opposition, a tax collector was tarred and feathered and another had his home burned. Shots were exchanged. President Washington called upon the rebels to disperse, but his pleas were ignored. A force of nearly 13,000 men was raised and quelled the opposition, which quickly faded away.