<P> Meanwhile, Hamilton began publishing essays under the name of "Tully" in Philadelphia newspapers, denouncing mob violence in western Pennsylvania and advocating military action . Democratic - Republican Societies had been formed throughout the country, and Washington and Hamilton believed that they were the source of civic unrest . "Historians are not yet agreed on the exact role of the societies" in the Whiskey Rebellion, wrote historian Mark Spencer in 2003, "but there was a degree of overlap between society membership and the Whiskey Rebels". </P> <P> Before troops could be raised, the Militia Act of 1792 required a justice of the United States Supreme Court to certify that law enforcement was beyond the control of local authorities . On August 4, 1794, Justice James Wilson delivered his opinion that western Pennsylvania was in a state of rebellion . On August 7, Washington issued a presidential proclamation announcing, with "the deepest regret", that the militia would be called out to suppress the rebellion . He commanded insurgents in western Pennsylvania to disperse by September 1 . </P> <P> In early August 1794, Washington dispatched three commissioners to the west, all of them Pennsylvanians: Attorney General William Bradford, Justice Jasper Yeates of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and Senator James Ross . Beginning on August 21, the commissioners met with a committee of westerners that included Brackenridge and Gallatin . The government commissioners told the committee that it must unanimously agree to renounce violence and submit to U.S. laws, and that a popular referendum must be held to determine if the local people supported the decision . Those who agreed to these terms would be given amnesty from further prosecution . </P> <P> The committee was divided between radicals and moderates, and narrowly passed a resolution agreeing to submit to the government's terms . The popular referendum was held on September 11 and also produced mixed results . Some townships overwhelmingly supported submitting to U.S. law, but opposition to the government remained strong in areas where poor and landless people predominated . The final report of the commissioners recommended the use of the military to enforce the laws . The trend was towards submission, however, and westerners dispatched representatives William Findley and David Redick to meet with Washington and to halt the progress of the oncoming army . Washington and Hamilton declined, arguing that violence was likely to re-emerge if the army turned back . </P>

Which of the following is not a reason for the whiskey rebellion