"In 1798, tensions between taxpayers and the government began to escalate when Congress imposed $2 million in new taxes on real estate and slaves to help pay for an undeclared war with France, known as the Quasi-War, fought mostly at sea.
Citizens discovered they had to pay this new tax when assessors came to their homes. Since few Pennsylvanians owned slaves, the tax was assessed upon houses and land---the value of houses was determined by the number and size of windows. To show their opposition to the tax, housewives threw hot water on the assessors, which is why the event is also called the Hot Water Rebellion.
John Fries, an auctioneer from Bucks County who was a former captain in the Continental Army and militia captain in the Whiskey Rebellion four years earlier, was adamantly opposed to the tax. Fries solicited people's opinions about the tax and organized meetings during his travels. Many advocated resistance.
Fries warned the assessors to quit their work, but they ignored his threats. He then led a small armed militia, harassing the assessors until they abandoned Milford Township.
Opposition to the tax spread throughout Pennsylvania. Federal warrants were issued and Col. William Nichols, the U.S. marshal, arrested people for tax resistance in Northampton County (which included present-day Lehigh County), including the townships of Salisbury, Upper Milford, Lehigh and Millerstown (now Macungie).
Arrests were made without much incident until the marshal reached Millerstown, where a crowd formed to protect a man from arrest. Failing to make that arrest, the marshal arrested 18 others, returning to Bethlehem with his prisoners.
At 10 a.m. on March 7, 1799, a meeting was called at Martin Ritter's tavern (now the Commix Hotel at 3245 W. Emmaus Ave.). Ritter also served as a tax collector in Salisbury.
A large group assembled at the tavern, including Captain Henry Jarrett, who became one of the leaders of the rebellion. They resolved to march immediately to Bethlehem to save the prisoners.
As they walked toward Gund's Tavern, three miles from Bethlehem, others were expected to join them, according to "Salisbury, Born the Year the Liberty Bell was Hung and Run, 1753," by William L.F. Schmehl.
A second group of men, led by Fries, left Millerstown, passed Ritter's tavern and marched down what is now Emmaus Avenue.
There were at least four taverns in the township at the time. Fries and other rebels stopped at a log tavern owned by Rudolph Schmidt in Mountainville and another at a place called Salisbury Center.
Both groups, about 140 men, met at the Lehigh Bridge and entered Bethlehem. After some scuffling, the prisoners were released. Fries and his men returned home and halted their objection to the new tax. However, on March 12, President John Adams issued a proclamation stating that armed interference with the tax law required federal action. On April 6, troops marched into Pennsylvania and took into custody 30 of the insurgents, along with Fries.
Fries went on trial for treason May 15, 1799, was convicted and sentenced to be hanged. He was later was pardoned by Adams."
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