Alexander Hamilton

One page (7 3/8 x 5 7/8 in.; 185 x 151 mm) on a bifolium, Carlisle [Pennsylvania], 10 October 1794, address direction at foot (“Mrs. Hamilton”), autograph address (“Mrs. E. Hamilton”) and large seal remnant on integral leaf; fore-edge of integral leaf restored. Tipped to a larger sheet.

The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, ed. Syrett, 17:315

One page (7 3/8 x 5 7/8 in.; 185 x 151 mm) on a bifolium, Carlisle [Pennsylvania], 10 October 1794, address direction at foot ("Mrs. Hamilton"), autograph address ("Mrs. E. Hamilton") and large seal remnant on integral leaf; fore-edge of integral leaf restored. Tipped to a larger sheet.
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Quelling the Whiskey Rebellion. The Whiskey Rebellion—a revolt by western frontiersmen (many of whom were veterans of the Revolutionary War) against a federal excise tax on whiskey—had been festering for nearly three years until President Washington, urged by his Secretary of the Treasury, determined to use military force to bring it to an end. (In August and September of 1794, Hamilton had published, under the pseudonym "Tully," four letter-essays in the Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser denouncing the rebels and calling for military intervention.) Hamilton was instrumental in organizing and supplying the militia army that was, with some difficulty, raised for the action, and he accompanied the troops into the field. He here informs Eliza of his imminent departure from headquarters at Carlisle Barracks:

“Tomorrow we leave this for Fort Cumberland. We are very strong & the Insurgents are all submissive so that you may be perfectly tranquil. My health thank God is excellent. But I have heared from you only once. You must continue to write to this place sending your letters to [Secretary of War] General [Henry] Knox to forward to me.

“God bless you & my dear Children.”

In this instance, Hamilton was correct to assuage Eliza's fears. The insurrection collapsed as soon as troops marched into western Pennsylvania, and most of its leaders evaded punishment.