Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

JAY'S TREATY. 133
tions of this sort was made by a mob attack upon his house
in 1795, which, curious as it might be, resulted in summoning the same Mr. Drown to Exeter, although innocent of
the offence charged.
It was in July, 1795, that the memorable "Jay's Treaty"
was promulgated before final action was taken upon it by the
Senate. Its appearance created great excitement throughout the country. The article which forbade the trading of
American vessels of over 70 tons with any of the British
colonial ports or islands, was far from being acceptable;
and it was said that while the treaty conferred many important privileges on Great Britain, it secured no advantages but what might be claimed under the existing treaty
of 1783. A public meeting was called by posters at the
corners. To show the deep feeling we give the handbill.
" TE CRISIS!-To the citizens of PortsmoutA.
This (citizens of every description) is the crisis of your
fate. To-morrow you are warned to assemble at the State
House, on the most momentous occasion of your' lives.
Your all is at stake. The Senate have bargained away
your blood-bought privileges, for less than a mess of pottage. That perfidious, corrupting and corrupted nation
whom you, vanquished with your sword, are now endeavoring to vanquish you, with their usual, but alas, too successful weapon, British gold! Your only remaining hope is in
the President! Assemble then to a man! Shut up your
shops and warehouses, let all business cease: Repair
to the State House, remonstrate with coolness, but spirit,
against his signing a treaty, which will be the death warrant of your trade, and entail beggary on us, and our posterity forever. If you regard yourselves, your children,
and above all the honor of your country, assemble at the
sound of the bells. Portsmouth, July 15, 17.95."
This meeting, after voting that it was inconsistent with
the interest and honor of the United States to adopt the
treaty, agreed to an extended address to President Washington on the subject. They voted thanks to Senator