Pennsylvania before this, and they no doubt thought they could do the same with this new government of the United States.  They merely made a mistake about the man at the head of the government; nothing more than that.  Such mistakes have been made before.  The Paris mob, for example, made a similar blunder on the 13th Vendemiaire, when Bonaparte settled matters by the famous whiff of grape-shot.  There is some excuse for the error of our Scotch-Irish borderers in their past experience, more excuse still in the drift of other events that touched all men just then with the madness of France, and gave birth to certain democratic societies which applauded any resistance to law, even if the cause was no nobler than a whiskey still.

Perhaps, too, the Pennsylvanians were encouraged by the moderation and deliberate movement of the government.  A lull came after the proclamation of 1792.  Then every effort was made to settle the troubles by civil processes and by personal negotiation, but all proved vain.  The disturbances went on increasing for two years, until law was at an end in the insurgent counties.  The mails were stopped and robbed, there were violence, bloodshed, rioting, attacks on the officers of the United States, and meetings threatening still worse things.

Meanwhile Washington had waited and watched, and bided his time.  He felt now that the moment had come when, if ever, public opinion must be with him, and that the hour had arrived when he must put his fortune to the touch, and “try if it were current gold indeed.”  On August 7 he issued a second proclamation, setting forth the outrages committed, and announcing his power to call out the militia, and his intention to do so if unconditional submission did not follow at once.  As he wrote to a friend three days later:  “Actual rebellion exists against the laws of the United States.”  On the crucial point, however, he felt safe.  He was confident that all the public opinion worth having was now on his side, and that the people were ready to stand by the government.  The quick and unconditional submission did not come, and on September 25 he issued a third proclamation, reciting the facts and calling out the militia of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

Washington had judged rightly.  The States responded, and the troops came to the number of fifteen thousand, for he was in the habit of doing things thoroughly, and meant to have an overwhelming force.  To Governor Lee of Virginia the command of the combined forces was intrusted.  “I am perfectly in sentiment with you, that the business we are drawn out upon should be effectually executed, and that the daring and factious spirit which threatens to overturn the laws and to subvert the Constitution ought to be subdued.”  Thus he wrote to Morgan, while the commissioners from the insurgents were politely received, and told that the march of the troops could not be countermanded.  Washington would fain have gone himself, in command