John Fries' Rebellion
John Fries' Rebellion, also called the House Tax Rebellion, the Home Tax Rebellion or the Hot-Water Rebellion (Blitz Wasser in Pennsylvania Dutch, because hot water was used to drive tax assessors from houses), was an armed tax revolt led by a Pennsylvania farmer in 1799 and 1800.John Fries (1764-1825) was born in Pennsylvania of German descent in about 1764. As an itinerant auctioneer he became well acquainted with the Germans in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania. In July 1798, during the troubles between the United States and France, Congress levied a direct tax (on dwelling-houses, lands and slaves; sometimes called the Direct House Tax of 1798) of $2 million, of which Pennsylvania was called upon to contribute $237,000. There were very few slaves in the state, and the tax was accordingly assessed upon dwelling-houses and land, the value of the houses being determined by the number and size of the windows. The inquisitorial nature of the proceedings aroused strong opposition among the Germans, and many of them refused to pay. Fries, assuming leadership, organized an armed band of about sixty men, who marched about the country intimidating the assessors and encouraging the people to resist. In March 1799 the governor called out the militia, and the leaders were arrested. Fries and two others were twice tried for treason (the second time before Samuel Chase) and were sentenced to be hanged, but they were pardoneded by President John Adams in April 1800, and a general amnesty was issued on May 21, 1800. Fries died in Philadelphia in 1825.
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