January 9, 1790 Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, presents his Report on Public Credit to Congress on how to deal with the $80 million Revolutionary War debt. He recommends a duty on imports and an excise tax whiskey distillers to pay the interest on this debt.
March 3, 1791 Congress passes Hamilton’s proposed excise tax on whiskey.
July 27, 1791 Opponents of the excise tax on whiskey meet at Redstone Old Fort in Brownsville, PA, to protest the tax.
July 15, 1794 In an effort to enforce the law, General John Neville, inspector of revenue for western Pennsylvania, serves writs on still owners who have no registered there stills in Allegheny Country, PA. Local farmers fire several shots at General Neville.
July 16, 1794 Thirty armed men demand an interview with General John Neville at his house, which was in Bower Hill. A volley of shots from the house kills Oliver Miller.
July 17, 1794 Five hundred militiamen march on Neville’s house and burn it to the ground. During the confrontation, defenders of the house kill James McFarland, the leader of the militia.
July 19, 1794 Bradford authorizes robbing the U.S. mail to Philadelphia to find out the names of local informants. The mail is taken to Canonsburg for inspection.
October 17, 1794 David Bradford escapes western Pennsylvania by taking a barge down the Ohio to Spanish Louisiana.
July 10, 1795 George Washington pardons those taken prisoner who had not been tried. Two were convicted of crime. Washington pardoned them.
March 9, 1799 John Adams pardons David Bradford of all crimes committed against the United States.
April 6, 1802 Congress at the urging of President Thomas Jefferson repeals the excise tax