Original Document

Timothy Pickering

This conviction [of Fries for treason] is of the highest importance to vindicate the violated laws and support the Government. It was therefore anxiously expected by the real friends to the order and tranquility of the country, and to the stability of its government. Among such men I have heard but one opinion - That an example or examples of conviction and punishment of such high-handed offenders were essential, to ensure future obedience to the laws, or the exertions of our best citizens to suppress future insurrections. The examples appear singularly important in Pennsylvania, where treason and rebellion have so repeatedly reared their heads. And painful as is the idea of taking the life of a man, I feel a calm and sold satisfaction that an opportunity is now present, in executing the just sentence of the law, to crush that spirit which if not overthrown and destroyed, may proceed in its career, and overturn the Government.

Source: "Pickering to John Adams, May 10, 1799," Department of State (RG 59), Domestic Letters of Department of State, Microfilm 40, reel 11: 321, National Archives.


John Adams

My judgment was clear, that their crime did not amount to treason. They had been guilty of a high-handed riot and rescue, attended with circumstances hot, rash, violent, and dangerous, but these did not amount to treason. And I thought the officers of the law had been injudicious in indicting them for any crime higher than riot, aggravated by rescue.

Source: "John Adams to Thomas Lloyd, March 31, 1815," Works of John Adams, 10 vols. (Boston: Little, Brown, 1851-1856), 10: 152-153.


The Philadelphia Aurora:

March 12, 1799 - The public attention has been engaged for two or three days by some occurrences that have taken place in Northampton County in this state. Efforts are making to magnify these occurrences into a terrible and bloody conspiracy against the government. . .

March 21 -Some pains have been taken by some enemies of the peace and happiness of these states to spread abroad an idea that the late obstructions to the assessments in Northampton and Bucks counties had grown to the height of rebellion . . .

April 11 - from Quakertown - The system of terror here, I am sorry to say, is carried far beyond what, in my opinion, the public good requires. Detachments are out every day and night apprehending one or other individuals. . . the scenes of distress which I have witnessed among these poor people I cannot describe when we have entered their houses. Conceive your house entered at dead of night by a body of armed men and yourself dragged from your wife and screaming children.

April 13, 1799 - from Miller's Town - We are now quartered in a Whig town where the people have always been true republicans. . . The inhabitants are principal Germans. Nearly all the male inhabitants on the approach of our army fled from their homes, and their wives and children exhibit a very unhappy scene of distress. Had I conceived that some things which I have witnessed here could have taken place, I should never have given my assent to march a mile on the expedition. One effect produced by the distresses here is that every individual whom I meet is disgusted, and a sentiment generally prevails which, contrary to expectation will, I apprehend, completely destroy the Federal influence in the next election.