On August 2 he laid before the President an estimate of the probable armed force of the insurgents, and of that with which he proposed to reduce them to submission.

When the question of the use of force came before the cabinet, Edmund Randolph, who was secretary of state, opposed it in a written opinion, one phrase of which deserves repetition:-- "It is a fact well known that the parties in the United States are highly inflamed against each other, and that there is but one character which keeps both in awe.

As soon as the sword shall be drawn, who shall be able to retain them." Mifflin, the governor of Pennsylvania, deprecated immediate resort to force; the venerable Chief Justice McKean suggested the sending of commissioners on the part of the federal and state governments.
Washington, with perfect judgment, combined these plans, and happily allied conciliation with force.

A proclamation was issued on August 7 summoning all persons involved in the disturbance to lay down their arms and repair to their homes by September 1.

Requisitions were made upon the governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey for fifteen thousand men in all, and a joint commission of five was raised,--three of whom on the part of the United States were appointed by the President, and two on the part of the State of Pennsylvania.