We expect an answer to this, whether you Comply or not, as if you do not Comply you must be treated with as obstinate enemies to your Country. The space of an hour is granted for an answer for which we shall wait on you."

By whom this precious "stand-and-deliver" document was signed, if by any one, does not appear; but the firm doubtless drew their own inferences, and capitulated, as would almost any of the moderns. Certainly for terseness, backed by force, no German of to-day "has anything on" those behind this summons. In Colton's case not even an hour's delay was granted-the "Committee of safety" simply disguised themselves and "cleaned him out," as we shall see as we record one of the notable events in the life of our usually orderly town-one which does not figure in the history of that epoch as it should.

In brief-we quote Mr. Harding's words-"It is midnight of July 24, 1776. A company of men headed by three prominent citizens, with faces blacked and variously disguised, attack the house of Samuel Colton; seize his rum, salt and molasses and carry them away.

His wife, peeping through the shutters, has keenly scrutinized the mob, and their disguise does not avail. So broken in spirit was he by this outrage of his neighbors, that he never again spoke aloud.

At the close of the war they were sued, and judgment was rendered against then in favor of one Church, who proved his ownership of a part of the stolen goods. Apprehending further suits they petition the General Court for an act of indemnity, and are met by a counter petition"

We have room only for short quotations from each. The robbers pleaded the absence of statute law that for a time succeeded the Declaration of Independence-the necessity that knows no law. Colton pleaded the natural equity of private rights which is the fundamental source of law-that without law, liberty is but license and Independence but a sorry farce.

They alleged that he was unpatriotic and showed it by raising his prices, admitting that they had served him with a notice to reduce them to figures fixed by themselves--and that as he refused "the body of the people of sd Parish, moved with just indignation at his conduct, deprived him of the possession of sa Rum, Salt &c," and though, on his promise to amend, they restored them, this hardened sinner relapsed

into his old ways; where upon he was a second time "deprived" of them; and though they afterwards offered him their value (at their own valuation!) it was not until a year after, when the value of paper money had fallen so much that the amount offered was hardly half the value of the goods when stolen; and he naturally refused it.

Colton naturally cited the decision in favor of Mr. Church as germane to his own case and adds: "He knows and feels himself greatly injured and abused, and at the Same time is conscious to himself that he Hath never deserved it; he therefore hopes in some way or other He shall obtain Satisfaction either in a Legal Course Or By the Judgment of Indifferent (impartial) persons, either of which (means) are very immaterial to him."

The robbers put in a plea that to-day would be called a "baby act”. for knowing that the prices of the stolen goods were much higher at the time than when they so patriotically "deprived" their rightful owner of them, they whine: "Now we are threatened by sd Colton and others to be sued for the Remainder of sd Rum, Salt &c which may prove our total Ruin at the present price of s Articles" and "We yet Trust your House (the Legislature) will think that our Case Comes within the same Reason as that of general Committees (of Safety or of towns) and that a Veil of Eternal oblivion ought to be drawn over the Transactions of those unhappy Times, and that the Law which was designed for the Protection of the Innocent (!) should not now be used to their Ruin and Destruction" and they finally make the plea that "Your Honor would pass an Act of Indemnification for us or others under like Circumstances, or find out some Method to save us from that Ruin and Destruction which threatens us—” (the ruin and destruction of Colton did not interest them) Colton "came back" with a reply which ought to have secured him instant redress: "I Can't but observe what little Reason the Petition" have to Cry out of the Danger of their being Ruind if your Memost should obtain a Just Recompense for what hath Been so unjustly taken from him, since they are Supported by such Members who no doubt ought and will, and Many of them have engaged to bear their due proportion: this, instead of a Reason for the Indemnity Prayd is a very good Reason against it, since the Loss, whatever it will be, will be less felt and Easier Bourn by a Number than by one Individual.” SAM1 COLTON,

Longmeadow, May 30, 1781

It may be asked where was Parson Williams while his people were thus "reforming"the unpopular storekeepers.

The only references we find in his Diary are: May 23, 1775, “I perceive a coldness among my own people towards me because they apprehend I don't think with them as to the present times and measures (but) I heartily desire their welfare and happiness; my conscience is void of offense

July 24, 1776: A number of people gathered together, some dressed like Indians, with blankets, and manifested uneasiness with those that trade in rum, molasses, sugar, &c. I understand that a number went to Merchant Colton's and have taken away his goods. I don't see the justice or Equity of it. Many don't approve of it, but have not resolution enough to interpose and Endeavor (to compel) redress."

-Evidently the few who were determined men over-awed the many; so does History repeat herself.

But it was not to be. Though Colton was not charged with being a Tory, nor anything more than a close-fisted dealer, his logical rebuttal of all his enemies' sophistry availed him nothing. The desired act of indemnity ("whitewash" we would now call it) was granted by the Legislature, the spoilers of his goods went free, nor did any subsequent efforts of the victim avail him in the slightest degree. "Is it strange" asks the chronicler of the town "that the old man, conscious to himself of his own loyalty, not only to his king but to his native country, but broken now in health and heart by such cruel injustice should even after refuse to exchange even a word with any of those who had thus injured him?"

WHEN WASHINGTON TOURED NEW ENGLAND

(Eighth Paper)

FAREWELL TO PORTSMOUTH: THROUGH EXETER TO HAVERHILL

T

HE President's stay of three days in Portsmouth-Nov 1-3, 1789-had been thoroughly enjoyable. None of the annoyances of bad weather, influenza and social contretemps, which had beset him in Boston, was present here. No John Hancock tried to impress on the President the dignity of a Governor, by refraining to call on the Nation's Chief Executive on his arrival in town. No contentious Selectmen and State official wrangled at the town's gate on his arrival, keeping him standing long in inclement weather.

New Hampshire's greetings had been genuinely hearty. Gen. John Sullivan, "President" of the State, who had met him at the State line in Seabrook, had been one of Washington's trusted commanders in many hard fights, and was a man after Washington's own heart.

The other public officials, the merchants and professional men Washington met at Portsmouth seem to have been congenial company. He spent some pleasant hours with them at table-he loved dining, though a sparing eater—and in less formal receptions, and local excursions.

The touch of the sea that he had experienced here was pleasing to him, and the simple though dignified life of the prominent men of the town, and the spaciousness of their houses, gave him a new insight into the dignity of a New England coast town's life at its best.

EN ROUTE TO EXETER

Not the least of the causes of Washington's favorable remembrance of Portsmouth was the fact that the people allowed him to depart without demonstration. He had "earnestly intreated them" to let him leave quietly, and to pursue his return journey expeditiously, and no one sought to change his program.

Rising early, as was his wont, he was ready to take the road at 7:30. As he rode out of town, no doubt many a window was raised, and many an informal salute of waving handkerchief was tendered him.

His road lay through Greenland and Stratham, to Exeter, fourteen miles. It is a good road today, and it must have been a good one then. Along it live men and women who recall their grandparents' stories of how the great Washington looked as he rode past their homes on the morning of Nov. 4, 1789.

His cavalcade, with its carriage and four, six colored servants, two mounted secretaries and a baggage wagon drawn by a pair of Virginia bays, must have caused a sensation in these quiet rural sections, where nothing like it had ever been seen before. The negro servants in themselves were objects of the greatest interest wherever Washington went in New England.

Some of the broad beamed, comfortable farmhouses that Washington passed on the Exeter road are standing still, as solid as they were then, and some of the noble elms that cast their shadows and shed their Autumn leaves upon his path are to be seen also, a little taller and greater of girth today than 128 years ago, and still vigorous and beautiful.

Many lovely scenes lay on the way, and few lovelier than that where the highway out of Stratham forks, by a stream, and the road to Exeter turns southward and climbs a high hill.

The view here today, of bosky valley, shaded stream, and welltilled acres, cannot differ greatly from that on which Washington looked the fields then being in the brown coloring of the aftermath of abundant harvest.

A MORNING CALL

In this neighborhood, on the west side of the road, is the Wingate farm. Here Washington halted long enough to make a formal call on the owner of that day, Paine Wingate, one of the two United States Senators from New Hampshire.

Paine Wingate was a man of substance in more ways than one. He enjoyed Washington's personal friendship. He was said to resemble the Father of His Country in person. He had been at the State line (at Seabrook) four days before, with Senator John Langdon and "President" John Sullivan, to greet Washington as he entered New Hampshire, on his journey eastward.

Washington now returned the compliment by dismounting at