An Emetic for aristocrats! Or, a Chapter Respecting Governor Jay, and his Treaty, 1795
From An Emetic for aristocrats! Or, a Chapter Respecting Governor Jay , and his Treaty. (1795)
DEDICATED
To his Excellency John Jay, Esquire, Governor of the State of New-York, Commander in Chief of all the Militia, and Admiral of the Navy of the same, late Chief Justice of the United States of America: Envoy Extraordinary, and Minister Plenipotentiary, to the King and Queen of Great-Britain: Manufacturer of Treaties, &c, &c, &c, &c, &c, &c.
The following is most humbly Inscribed,
By your Excellency's most Humble,
Most Obedient, and entirely devoted Servant,
The AUTHOR.
Boston, July, 1795.
Preface.
Although aristocracy is universally condemned, and the men who are possessed of its principles, despised by all democratic Republicans throughout the world : yet it is the duty of all good citizens 'who fear God and hate his most gracious Majesty,' to endeavour to render them, if possible, still more despicable. For this purpose, the following pages were written; designing the shew 'their firm connection and reliance on the justice' of his infernal majesty, that great head and support of all aristocrats.
We sincerely ask pardon of Stephen, the wizard, and Eben, the great, and all others mentioned in the succeeding Chapter; and beg they will not take umbrage at any thing which is contained therein; because such is the depravity of the people who compose the 'Rabble,' that they cannot refrain from expressing their sentiments (however obnoxious they may be to old Tories) on every occasion.
An Emetic for ARISTOCRATS!
A CHAPTER.
And it came to pass that at the command of W---n, P÷t of America, and some of the chief priests and rulers of the people, one John, sirnamed Jay, journeyed into a far country, even unto Great-Britain.
2. And the word of Satan came unto him saying, make thou a covenant with this people, whereby they may be enabled to bring the Americans into bondage, as heretofore: for they have done much evil in my sight, they despise my well beloved servants, Knox, Hamilton, Ames, Dexter, King, &c &c and I, even I, will make a tool of thee, to humble and annihilate them.
3. And John answered and said unto Satan, of a truth I know that thou art able to do as thou pleasest with they servant, therefore I pray thee, let me find grace in thy sight, that I may 'secretly' betray my country, and the place of my nativity, into the hands of thy most faithful servants, the king, and ministry of Great-Britain.
4. And Satan said unto John, behold George, Pitt, and Grenville; go ye unto them, and when thou shalt come into their presence, prostrate thyself, and say unto them, Satan hath sent me unto you, and behold I am come to do whatsoever I shall be commanded.
5. And John did as he was commanded, even as he was commanded, so did he ;
for he made a covenant with 'his most gracious majesty' George the king, and Pitt and Grenville, his servants, and quietly surrendered his country's rights and liberties, into the hands of its implacable enemies.
6. And the word of Satan came again unto John, saying, forasmuch as thou hast hearkened unto my voice, and hast done all things which I have commanded thee; I will make thee a GOVERNOR, and thou shall return to thine own country, and bear rule over the people whom thou hast betrayed; behold I have there twenty chosen men, rulers of the land, they shall approve they doings, and shall reward thee not with a halter, but shall endeavour, by 'secrecy,' to envelope thy transactions so that thou shalt be worshipped by all the Hamiltonites, and the Kingites, and the Higginsonites, and the Parsonites: and moreover, the priests and rulers shall with one accord so fill the ears of the people, with their virtues, that thou shalt be had in reverence by all the old Tories, Refugees, and Traitors to their country.
7. And John surnamed Jay, said unto Satan, do with me what seemeth good in thy sight, for I am thy most faithful servant, and have fulfilled all which thou hast commanded. I have obeyed all thy statutes, and now am ready to receive the rewards thou hast promised.
8. And it came to pass when John returned to his own country, that the chief priests and rulers of the people, were assembled to confirm and establish the infamous league which he had made.
9. And the twenty chosen men reasoned among themselves, saying, this man was sent by Satan, that great, mighty, and amicable maker --- and behold ! he hath accomplished [illegible] we desired; now, therefore, we will league ourselves together, and strive to keep the people in ignorance and suspence, until the covenant which the GOVERNOR hath made, shall become the supreme law of the land.
10. Howbeit, one among the chiefs of the people, called Senators, being more honest than the rest; and a man that feared God, and hated 'his most gracious Majesty,' (and his satellites) caused the wicked and abominable conduct of John to be proclaimed, and his doings were published throughout all the land of America.
11. And the wrath of all the good people was kindled against John, and they assembled together, and burnt the image of him with fire, and the covenant which he had made.
12. And the Hamiltonites, and the Kingites, and the Knoxites, and the Dexterites, and the Higginsonites, and the Parsonites, and all the tribe of Jayites, even from Georgia to New-Hampshire, were sore afraid, for they feared the just indignation of the people, insomuch that they trembled, when they felt their ears, and returned thanks that they had been so long preserved on their aristocratical heads.
A
POEM
On Jay's Treaty.
Ye Patriots true, that's brave and bold,
That stood 'the time that try'd the soul,'
That guarded well the public weal,
Once more to you we now appeal ---
Is't Britain's pow'r ö or is it gold?
Are we conquer'd? or are we sold?
Must we submit, or war, the fate?
Or caught like fish, with gold for bait?
Shameful tho't! we hear you say,
That ruinous Treaty, sign'd by Jay,
Is fraught with evils, not a few;
Disgraceful to our country too.
Rouse! Then ye brave, 'ere 'tis too late,
And give it, its deserved fate.
Our Nabobs they may prate and say,
'Tis a rabble --- and only they
That blames our well-beloved Jay.
Like serpents with deceptive art,
Tell us the good it doth impart.
Ye Patriot chiefs, of seventy-five,
O let that latent spark revive,
That fir'd your breasts ö we look to you,
The firm ö the steady ö and the true.
Our President's Proclamation,
Was strictly kept by all the nation.
We all on peaceful views were bent,
And unto sea our vessels sent;
While Ames, in Congress, was us telling,
(The same time our ships were selling,)
That Britons were our friends most dear;
They wish'd our friendship quite sincere.
Like crocadiles, with weeping eyes,
They only wish'd to get a prize.
They on our frontiers then let go
The Indians fierce, that savage foe;
And to conclude their horrid scenes,
On us let loose the Algerines.
But Maddison, that great, wise man,
Then pointed out a noble plan,
To stop their money in our band.
Hear what his mad opposers say,
Let's find a man and send away,
Quickly to Britain let him go,
And tell to them our tales of woe.
They try'd awhile where they could find,
A man most suiting to their mind;
At length, it seems, they took poor Jay
So for Great-Britain, bent his way;
Unto their Court he did repair,
And bow'd with adoration there!
He's now return'd with Treaty ö sure,
But it's contents we can't endure.
Now of this Treaty take a view,
Judge for yourselves, with judgment true;
Say, where the boon? Come try, explore;
It gives us what was our's before.
How wond'rous gen'rous! And how just!
How condescending they're to us!
Why was it kept from public fight?
Hid like assassin in the night;
'Fraid to appear in open light.
Grenville and Pitt, with Johnny Jay,
Have fairly bargain'd us away!
Our ships they capture on the seas,
(With us they do just as they please,)
And all them keep without redress.
Tho' Jay for which was sent express:
Like poor Tray, that's sent with meat home,
The meat he eat, and bro't the bone.
And now the people doth denounce him
'Tis most like he'll get a trouncing.
In all your towns assemble then,
This Treaty sure you will condemn:
In most great towns they've done the same,
In some --- consign'd it to the flame.
This is the crisis of our fate,
Now is the time that all's at stake;
Don't like poor Esau, for amess,
Sell your rights ö but stand the test.
Bostonians gave our FREEDOM birth,
And will protect it while they've breath;
Like firm Republicans they'll stand,
To guard the sacred rights of man!
Make aristocrats twist with gripes:
Fools must be beat with many stripes.
This evil junto are but few,
Perhaps may get a whipping too.
Had I the talents, I wou'd scan:
Unravel all their wicked plan:
The poor they'd trample under foot,
And make us cringe like any brute,
Thank God, our birth-right's not forgot;
LIBERTY's a plant that withers not!
Tho' public spirit dormant lays,
'Twill kindle soon, perhaps may blaze!
Destruction then to despots all,
Like Lucifer, they'll likewise fall.
Illustrious Frenchmen! You we greet;
May all vile despots that you meet,
Be fairly conquer'd at your feet.
You have yourselves from tyrants freed,
Your cause is good and must succeed.
Shou'd George again our land invade,
With fire and sword (for that's his trade)
By Jove, we'd teach him such a song,
Such as was play'd at Lexington.
Once more to Heaven we'd appeal,
And try the force of harden'd steel.
Great Mason, and the other Nine,
Bright laurels round your brows entwine !
You did like men of honest heart;
You've acted well a noble part:
Like FREEMEN great, as Atlas firm
!
We give you blessings in return;
And to our children we will tell,
You've of your country deserv'd well.