| The
mere fact that a bunch of rebellious fellows gathered at one tavern
to engage in some spirited civil disobedience that ultimately led them
to march on another tavern in order to liberate their compatriots, who
were being held by federal marshals, is reason enough to want to raise
a glass at either end of this trail of historic subversion. Sadly
though, the Sun Inn in Bethlehem
Pennsylvania, the site of the
incarceration, does not currently have the license to serve strong
drink to the public. But McCOOLE'S RED LION INN in
Quakertown, Pennsylvania continues
to function in that capacity much the same as it did in 1799 when John
Fries provided guidance and direction for, what had become that most
cherished of American customs, another tax rebellion. |
THE CONFRONTATION - ENOCH ROBERTS' TAVERN
IN QUAKERTOWN - MARCH 6 1799
A PAINTING DEPICTING THE FRIES REBELLION BY JAMES
MANN
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| Ironically
Fries
had served well as an enforcer of Federalist tax
policy as a member of the militia that helped to put down the Whiskey
Rebellion in 1794. Now on the other side of insurrection, he rallied
the German population of northeastern Pennsylvania against what was
deemed an unnecessary and discriminatory levy. The House Tax was also
commonly referred to as the “Window Tax,” because part of the
assessment was based upon the size of windows and number of glass panes
in each dwelling. The revenue generated by way of this rather creative
bureaucratic formulation would be used to finance a possible war with
France. The only casualties of the whole affair, since the potential
conflict with the French was averted, would be a few unlucky government
appraisers, forty three jailed rebels, and the tax payers who were
never reimbursed. |
CLICK HERE FOR
MORE OF THE STORY ABOUT THE FRIES REBELLION OF 1799
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| Unfortunately
for
John Fries and two of his fellow co-conspirators, John Gettman and Fred
Hainey the seed of legitimate protest planted
in Quakertown yielded only the hanging tree. On May 23rd, 1800 the
three men were scheduled to be executed for treason at a location
opposite the Red Lion Inn. It was only by way of a presidential pardon
issued by John Adams that allowed the three to continue to view earthly
events through Pennsylvania’s over assessed window panes. |
| By
the end of the Civil War the Red Lion Inn had added quite a few
additional windows. Two major expansions had turned it into a bustling
hotel and eatery. |
McCOOLE'S COMFORTABLE BAR RE-DONE TO
PERFECTION
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THE ELEGANT PARLOR
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A WARM DINING ROOM WITH AN HISTORIC SPIRIT
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| Today
the businessmen, politicians, and travelers that
once viewed life at this important American crossroad from the upper
windows and balcony are gone; but the longstanding tradition of
gracious hospitality continues to flourish beyond the threshold of the
front door. |
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A COZY CORNER NOOK
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THE HEARTY FIREPLACE . . . OF COURSE
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| Extensive
and
imaginative renovations have fused together the best
designs of eighteenth and nineteenth century craftsmanship to create a
space that rivals any historic tavern in the country. And, as it was
when John Fries fomented a bit of revolution, it remains a place where
people can proudly assemble to remember the past, celebrate the present
and carefully consider the future. |
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