Postal History from the Archives of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF MILITARY CORRESPONDENCE RELATED TO THE WHISKEY REBELLION OF 1794.

In July and August 1794 a group of "Whiskey Boys" in Western Pennsylvania attacked Federal tax collectors and looted the mails in rebellion against the Federal excise tax on distilled spirits. After efforts to reach a peaceful resolution failed, President Washington led a military response to quash the rebellion, which is considered the first real display of the Federal government's authority. William Irvine was commissioned as Major General in command of the Pennsylvania militia. This letter was sent to him in that capacity in March 1795 (there is no year date on the cover itself). (Image)

VERY FINE. ANOTHER EXTREMELY RARE COVER TO MAJOR-GENERAL IRVINE, COMMANDER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA SENT TO SUPPRESS THE WHISKEY REBELLION OF 1794.

In July and August 1794 a group of "Whiskey Boys" in Western Pennsylvania attacked Federal tax collectors and looted the mails in rebellion against the Federal excise tax on distilled spirits. After efforts to reach a peaceful resolution failed, President Washington led a military response to put quash the rebellion, which is considered the first real display of the Federal government's authority. William Irvine was commissioned as Major General in command of the Pennsylvania militia. This letter was sent to him in that capacity in June 1795 (there is no year date on the cover itself). Fort Presque Isle was built in 1753 in present-day Erie, Pennsylvania. (Image)

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE MILITARY EXPRESS COVER TO MAJOR GENERAL IRVINE DURING THE WHISKEY REBELLION OF 1794.

In July and August 1794 a group of "Whiskey Boys" in Western Pennsylvania attacked Federal tax collectors and looted the mails in rebellion against the Federal excise tax on distilled spirits. After efforts to reach a peaceful resolution failed, President Washington led a military response to put quash the rebellion, which is considered the first real display of the Federal government's authority. William Irvine was commissioned as Major General in command of the Pennsylvania militia. This letter was sent to him in that capacity. (Image)