USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1784 to 1796 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 B65br v.31 1137087
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01794 2068
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/volumeofrecordsr3117bost
U.31
A VOLUME
OF
RECORDS
RELATING TO THE
EARLY HISTORY OF BOSTON Mass
CONTAINING
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1784 TO 1796
,SIT DE
ICT
OBIS
BOSTONIA CONDITA AD. 1630.
4.1822.
TA
REGIMI
DON
BOSTON MUNICIPAL PRINTING OFFICE 1903
1
[DOCUMENT 101-1903.]
R
A
E
PATRIBUS, SIT DEUS
SNOBIS
OFFICE
CI
BOSTONIA
VI
CONDITA AD.
1630.
B
GIMIN
E DONATA
SS.
S
A
T ON. M
1137087
REGISTRY DEPARTMENT
OF THE
CITY OF BOSTON
RECORDS RELATING TO THE EARLY HISTORY OF BOSTON
(Formerly called Record Commissioners' Reports)
This volume, which is the thirty-first in the series formerly issued under the direction of the Record Commissioners, contains the proceedings of the town from 1784 to 1796, completing the eighth book of the original records of the town of Boston.
EDWARD W. McGLENEN, City Registrar.
OLD COURT HOUSE, BOSTON.
'S
CITY
A A.1822.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS.
[SEVENTH BOOK, CONTINUED. ]
[295.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legaly warned in publick Town Meeting Assembled at Fanieul Hall the 23 Feb- ruary Anno Domini 1784. 10. OClock Forenoon -
Warrant for calling the Meeting read
It was moved and Voted, that a Moderator for the Meeting be chosen by a Hand Vote.
Stephen Higginson Esq™ :
was chosen Moderator of this Meeting and took his Seat accord- ingly -
The Petition of a Number of the Inhabitants to the Gentelmen the Selectmen Sitting forth -" That whereas it is expected by some People that the Town of Boston be Illuminated on the occasion of the Ratification of the [296] Definitive treaty of Peace; and as in their Opinion such a Measure was not only Expensive, but would be dangerous to the Town at this Season of the year -they therefore requested that a Meeting of the Inhabitants might be called in order that the Minds of the Town may be taken on the Subject" - was read - whereupon it was moved -
That the Question be put whether it be the sense of the In- habitants that there should be a general Illumination of the Town on occasion of the Definitive Treaty of Peace, and the Ques- tion being accordingly put - Passed in the Negative by a very- great majority of the Inhabitants
But it being the sense of the Town that it was proper that the publick Buildings should be Illuminated. it was moved and
Voted, that the Gentelmen the Selectmen be and hereby are Authorished & requested to take order of the Illumination of Fanuiel Hall on the Occasion
2
CITY DOCUMENT.
It was then Moved and Voted that the Thanks of the Town be given to [297] Stephen Higginson Esqr. for his Services as Moderator of the Meeting -
Then the Meeting was Dissolved -
At a Meeting of the Freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, duly qualified and legally warned in publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneiul Hall on Monday the 8th Day of March Anno Domini 1784
Prayer was made by the Revd : MI : Wight
Warrant for calling the Meeting - - - read
Sundry Laws enjoined to be read at this Meeting were accord- ingly - - - read
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes, for a Moderator of this Meeting, and the same being brought in and sorted it appeared that
John Brown Esq™ :
was chosen Moderator -
William Cooper Esq™ :
was chosen Town Clerk for the Year ensuing and took the Oath of Office for the faithful discharge of his duty, which Oath was Administred to him by
[298.] The Town having determined by a Voted to choose Seven Selectmen, the Inhabitants were then directed to with- draw and bring in their Votes for that number, and the same being brought in and sorted it appeared that the following Gen- telmen - - Vizt : - -
John Scollay Esq". - 248
Thomas Greenought
184
Nathan Frazier Esqr.
Ezekiel Price Esqr. - 166
280
Capt. William Mackay -
250
Samuel Austin Esqr : excus'd 164
John Lucas Esqr. 162
were chosen Selectmen for the ensuing Year
Adjourned to 3. O'Clock in the Afternoon
3. O'Clock, afternoon met according to adjournment
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes for twelve Overseers of the Poor, and the Votes having
3
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1784.
been brought in and sorted it Appeared that only ten were chosen- Vizt :
The Honble : William Phillips Esqr. Isaac Smith Esqr. Mr. Jonathan Mason Capt : Samuel Partridge Mr. Samuel Whitwell John White Esqr. Edward Procter William Powell Esqr. John Sweetser Esqr. Joseph Webb Esqr.
[299.]
The Inhabitants were then directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes for two Overseers of the Poor, and the same being brought in and sorted, it appeared that
.
Timothy Newell Esqr. - (excused) Edward Payne Esqr. - (excused)
Edward Payne Esqr. chosen an Overser having desired to be excused by the Town from serving in that Office he was accord- ingly excused -
This being the time for the consideration of the choice of Wardens - It was moved that the choice of Wardens be referred to the General Town Meeting in March next - And the Ques- tion being accordingly put - Passed in the Negative -
The Article in the Warrant. Vizt :
To consider and determin with respect to a Letter from the Chairman of the Committee of the Town of Wrentham and Med- way relative to a County Meeting at Dedham the third Wednes- day in March Inst - was read whereupon
Voted, that a Committee be appointed to draught a Letter to said Committee, and to Report at the Adjournment -
[300.] Voted, that Joseph Barrel Esq". William Tuder Esq'. Capt. Sarson Belcher be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid
The Town brought in their Votes for Sixteen Fire Wards, and the same having been sorted it Appeared, that John Scollay Esqr. - excused William Cooper Esqr. Francis Shaw Esq". - excused Edward Procter Esqr. Caleb Davis Esqr.
4
CITY DOCUMENT.
Mr. Thomas Tileston
Capt. Gustavus Fellows Joseph Webb Esq".
Mr. John Lowell - excused
Thomas Melville Esqr. excused
Jabez Hatch Esqr. Capt. Isaac Phillips
Josiah Waters jur. Esqr.
Mr. Jacob Rhodes
Capt. Ebenezer Parsons John Coffin Jones Esqr. excused
were chosen Fire Wards for the ensuing Year
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes, for a Clerk of Faneuiel Hall Market, and upon sorting them it appeared, that
Capt : John Ballard
was chosen Clerk of Faneuiel Hall Market for the Year ensuing -
[301.] This being the time that the consideration of the choice of a Committee of Correspondence should come on -It was moved that the Question be put - Whether it be the sense of the Town to choose a Committee of Correspondence Inspec- tion and Safety the present Year-and the Question being accordingly put - Passed in the Negative -
Moved and Voted, that 11. O'Clock tomorrow be the time Assigned for the choice of a County Treasurer
Voted, that all matters relative to Grant of Money &c come on immediately after the choice of a County Treasurer
Voted, that this Meeting be Adjourned to Tuesday Next. 10. OClock Before Noon -
Tuesday March 9th. 10. OClock Forenoon, met according to Adjournment -
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw & bring in there Votes for twelve Constables, & the same being brought in & sorted it Appeared that nine only - Vizt.
Messrs : William Patten
- sworn
Samuel Smith
sworn
Samuel Whitney -
- sworn BarthW : Broaders
sworn
Rufus Bent - sworn
Isaac Wendell
sworn
John Butterfield -
sworn
George Hamlin - sworn
John Jenkins - - sworn
were chose Constables for the Year ensuing
5
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1784.
[302.] Francis Shaw Esq". having desired to be excused from serving as a Fire Ward, he was accordingly excused, and on a Motion
Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto Francis Shaw Esqr. for his long & faithful Services as a Fire Ward -
Samuel Austin Esqr. was excused by the Town from serving as a Selectman,
The Inhabitants having brought in their Votes for one Select- man in the room of Mr : Austin; upon sorting the same it ap- peared that
David Jeffries Esqr.
was chosen a Selectman for the Year ensuing unanimously
The Inhabitants withdrew and brought in their Votes for a Town Treasurer and upon sorting them it appeared that
Mr. Peter Boyer
was chosen Town Treasurer for the Year ensuing unanimously
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in there Votes for a County Treasurer, which were received & Sealed up in Meeting, and then delivered to Constable Smith, to be by him returned to the Court of General Sessions of the Peace at there next Meeting -
The Report of the Committee on the late Town Treasurers Accounts, was read - [303] whereupon it was moved & Voted, that the same be recommitted, and that
Joseph Barrell Esq". Stephen Higginson Esq". Mr. William Horskins
be Added to the Committee, who are desired to Report at the Adjournment
Deacon Newell chosen an Overseer was excused by the Town from serving in that Office
John Coffin Jones Esqr. excused by the Town from serving as a Fire Ward the Year ensuing
. On a Motion Voted, that the consideration of Money Matters, be referred to four O'Clock Afternoon -
The Inhabitants withdrew, and brought in their Votes for two Overseers of the Poor, and upon sorting them it appeared that -
6
CITY DOCUMENT.
MI : Henry Prentice Mª : Jonathan L. Austin
were chosen Overseers of the Poor for the year ensuing unani- mously -
Adjourned to 3. OClock Afternoon
3 O'Clock Afternoon met according to Adjournment
The Inhabitants withdrew and brought in their Votes for two Fire Wards and upon sorting them it appeared that . Capt : Mungo Mackay Mr. Joseph Russel Ju".
were chosen Fire Wards for the year ensuing
[304.] Voted, that the Gentelmen the Selectmen be requested to lay a State of the New Emission State Tax before the Town as soon as may be
Voted, that Mr. Peter Boyer be allowed and paid the Sum of One hundred and fifty Pounds for his services as Treasurer the present Year, the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall be- come due, and to commence the first of March Inst -
Voted, that William Cooper Esqr. be allowed and paid the sum of One hundred & fifty pounds for all his services in that Office the Year ensuing as Town Clerk, the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to commence from the first of March Inst :
On a Motion Voted, that the further consideration of Salaries be referred to the Adjournment of this Meeting --
Voted, that, the Committee appointed to consider and Report on the State of the Schools, be desired to Report at the last Adjournment of this Meeting -
Adjourned to Wednesday next 10. O'Clock Forenoon -
Wednesday March 10th. 10 O'Clock Forenoon - met accord- ing to Adjournment
On a Motion Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto [305] Harbottle Dorr Esqr. for his good and faithful Services as a Selectman for Seven Years past also -
Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto Tuttle Hubbart Esq" for his good & faithful Services as a Selectman for some Years past
7
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1784.
The following Persons were chosen Clerks of the Market for the ensuing year - Vizt. -
Messrs. Arnold Wells Jun" : Daniel Austin Thomas Amory Jun" : Gilbert Deblois Joseph Woodward Thomas Rogers Martin Sohier
Nathaniel Gardner
Samuel Gillman
James Minot
Daniel Greenleaff
Simon Eliot Jur. (all sworn)
On a Motion Voted, that Collectors of Taxes be chosen sepe- rate from Constables
Messrs : William McNeil Edward How
were chosen Surveyers of Hemp for the Year ensuing
Mess's : George Hamlin - sworn Samuel Curtis - sworn
were chosen Haywards for the year ensuing
[306.] Messrs : William Sharp Jacob Edes Josiah Simpson John Skinner were chosen Hogreeves for the ensuing Year
Mess's : John Neat Jonathan Stoddard Daniel Brown William Clough Samuel Todd
were chosen Fence Viewers for the year ensuing
Messrs. Nathan Green Samuel Bangs Joseph Hayden Stephen Gore were chose Sealers of Leathers for the Year ensuing
Mr. William Dawes Jun™ : was chosen an Informer of Deer for the Year ensuing
8
CITY DOCUMENT.
Ward
Mess's : John Brown
Nº. 1
Jedediah Parker -
2
Abiel Ruddock 3
Peter Sigorney -
4
James Cary Jun"
5
Foster Condy
6
Isaac Pierce -
7
Zachariah Hicks -
8
Shubael Hews 9
Joseph Shed -
10
George Langley - 11
Joseph Sprague -
12
were chosen Scavingers for the year ensuing
Messrs : Thomas Green John Skinner
were chosen Assay Masters for the year ensuing
Voted, that the Town will not come to the choice of purchasers of Grain --
The Selectmen
were chosen Surveyers of the High Ways for the Year ensuing
John Lucas Esqr. Mr. Edward Tuckerman Mr. John Jenkins John White Esq". Mr. Edward Edes
were chose Surveyers of Wheat & Flour for the Year ensuing
The Town having by a Vote determined to choose seven As- sessors -The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes accordingly, and the same being brought in & sorted, it appeared that
Messrs : William Lowder Gyles Harris Esqr : Moses May John Pulling BarthW : Kneeland - (excused)
Samuel Ruggles Esq". Capt. William Fleet
were chosen Assessors for the Year ensuing
[308.] Adjourned to 3. OClock Afternoon then to meet
3 OClock Afternoon - Met according to Adjournment
Mr. Bartholomew Kneeland, having been excused from serving as an Assessor the Inhabitants brought in there Votes for one in his room - and upon sorting them it appeared that
[307.]
9
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1784.
Mr. John R. Sigorney
was chosen Assessor, unanimously.
The Article in the Warrant Vizt. - " Whether the Town will reconsider their late Vote for the Treasurer not issuing his War- rant against Delinquent Collectors." was read, whereupon Voted,
That the Town Treasurer be and he hereby is directed to issue his Warrant against Delinquent Collectors untill the further Orders of the Town the Vote of the 26 of December notwith- standing
The Town having determined to come to the choice of four Collectors of Taxes - The Inhabitants withdrew and brought in their Votes accordingly, when it appeared that the following Persons - Vizt.
Messrs : James Thompson - sworn
Thomas Bayley - sworn Daniel Parker - sworn Charles Williams sworn
were chose Collectors of Taxes for the Year, ensuing
[309.] That Article in the Warrant Vizt: "To consider what further Measures are necessary to regulate the Market " - was read - whereupon -
Moved and Voted, that the Committee for carrying the Votes of the Town into execution with respect to Dock Square and the Market, be a Committee to consider what further measures are necessary to regulate the Market, and Report at the Adjourn- ment -
Moved and Voted, that twelve Persons be chosen as Surveyors of Boards for the present Year -
On a Motion Voted, that the choice of Cullers of Staves & Hoops, and Surveyers of Boards, and Shingles, be referred to the Adjournment of this Meeting - and that those Officers be chosen by Ballot
Voted, that Edward Payne Esq™ : Herman Brimer Esq™ : Edward Green Esqr : Charles Miller Esq™ : Samuel Ruggles Esq™ :
be, and hereby are appointed a Committee to Audit the Ac- compts of Mr. Peter Boyer Treasurer, and also the Accompts of the Overseers of the Poor; and the said Committee are impowered when they shall Audit said Accompts, to allow such of the Over- seers as shall have Advanced Monies [310.] for the Relief of the Poor, Interest on all such Sums from the Time so advanced,
1
10
CITY DOCUMENT.
- untill they have Audited said Accompts; and they are also desired to Report from time to time a State of the Treasury respecting its Debts and Credits, and on any Matters that they may think proper -
And the Committee are also directed to examine the Draughts of the Selectmen
Adjourned to Thursday the 18th. Day of March Inst: 10. O'Clock in the Forenoon
Thursday the 18th Day of March 10 OClock Forenoon - met according to Adjournment
The Committee for carrying the Votes of the Town into effect with respect to Dock Square and the Market - Report the fol- lowing regulations -
1st. - That the North East Corner of the Market house be appropriated as an Office for the Clerk of the Market -
2ª. That all the Stands be numbered on the Rale
3ª. That the Clerk have Tickets numbered for each Stand, agreeable to the number on the Rale, the Market Men to call, upon him at his Office and take their proper stands by Lot -
4th. That the Clerk keep a Book of the Names of the Market Men, and the number of their stands also that he keep a fair Account of all the Monies he may receive from them from time to time
[311.] 5th. - That those who do not Apply for a Stand in a fortnight After notice is given by the Clerk, but stop in the Streets contrary to Law shall be prosecuted
6th That the Market Men pay Weekly for their Stands, in Ranges Nº. 1. 2. 3. 4. & 5. at the rate of 3/ for their Stands, in Ranges Nº. 8-at 2/ Nº. 6 & 7 for Panyards at 2/ & day- The Range on the North Side the Market House for Lemmon Sellers &c not exceeding 3/ @ Week at the discretion of the Clerk
7th. That the Clerk follow the directions of the Selectmen from time to time; that he have a reasonable Allowance for his Services - And that the Selectmen afford him such Assistance as he may have occasion for -
8th. That the Horses & Cattle be taken from the Carts and fastned to the Rails on the South side the Market House
Henry Prentice # Order
9th. That the Clerk of Faneuil Hall be directed to settle his Accounts of Monies received, with the Town Treasurer once in three Months, and to pay him any ballance then in his hands -
The foregoing Report, having been considered the Question was put - Whether the same shall be accepted- Passed in the Affirmative
The Inhabitants having withdrawn and as directed by the
11
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1784.
Moderator brought in their Votes for three Constables, and the same being sorted it appeared, that
Messrs : Isaac Tuckerman sworn Nathaniel Henchman sworn John Turner Hierly sworn
were chosen Constables for the Year ensuing
[312.] Colº: Proctor chosen into the Office of Fire Ward, having desired that he may be excused from serving in that Office, the Question was accordingly put - which passed in the Negative
Moved, and Voted, that the consideration of all Money Matters be referred over to the Adjournment - and that notice be given thereof in the Publick Prints
Moved and Voted, that when this Meeting shall be Adjourned, it shall be to the 5th. Day of April next, being Monday 3. OClock Afternoon --
Mr. John Lowel chosen a Fire Ward having desired to be excused from serving in that Office, he was accordingly excused -
Major Melvillee chosen a Fire Ward having desired to be ex- cused from serving in that Office he was accordingly excused -
John Scollay, having desired to be excused from serving as a Fire Ward, he was accordingly excused -
Colo. Proctor chosen one of the Fire Wards, for the present year, came into Meeting and informed the Town that he should not serve in that Office -
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes for twelve Surveyers of Boards, and Shingles, and upon sorting them it appeared, that
[313.] Messrs : John Champney Joseph Butler Henry Blaisdel Benjamin Page Abraham Howard
Joseph Ballard James Rogers Edmund Ranger
Clement Collins Joseph Eyres Samuel Fenno Samuel Dyer
were chosen Surveyors of Boards for the Year ensuing-
12
CITY DOCUMENT.
Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto John Scollay Esq" : for his good and faithful Services as a Fire Ward for thirty five years Past -
Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto Colo. Proctor for his good and faithful Services as a Fire Ward for twelve Years Past
Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given to Thomas Melvillee for his good and faithful Services as a Fire ward for several years Past -
Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given to Mr. John Lowel for his good and faithful Services as a Fire- Ward for a Number of Years past
[314.] Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto Mr. Nicholas Bowes for his good services as an Overseer of the Poor for a Number of Years Past
Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are given unto Samuel Barret Esq" : for his good and faithful Services as an Overseer of the Poor, a Number of years Past
Adjourned to Monday the 5th. Day of April next, 3. OClock in the Afternoon - -
At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualifyed and legally warned in Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 15 Day of March A. D. 1784
Warrant for calling Meeting - read
Voted - to choose a Moderator by a Hand Vote -
William Tudor Esqr. was chosen Moderator -
The Article in the Warrant Vizt. "To receive the Report of the Committee [315.] Appointed to draught a Letter in Answer to a Letter from the Chairman of the Committee of the Towns of Wrentham & Medway relative to a County Meeting at Dedham the third Wednesday in March Instant " - was read -
The Committee to draught a Letter to the Committees of the Towns of Wrentham & Medway Reported their draught & the same having been considered & Ammended was Accepted by the Town - And is as follows to Vizt.
To M' : Joshua Partridge Chairman of the Committee of the Towns of Wrentham & Medway, and Acting by Advice of the Selectmen of the Towns of Franklin & Bellingham
13
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1784.
Sir The Selectmen of the Town of Boston have Received a Letter sign'd by you as Chairman of a Committee choes by the Towns of Wrentham and Medway (with the Advice of the Select- men of Franklin & Bellingham) to write Letters in order to procure a Meeting of the County of Suffolk, -to take into con- sideration the Commutation to the Officers. And the Act of this State granting an impost to Congress - This Letter Sir was laid before a very full Meeting of this Town, legally Assembled and After a fair Debate it was unanimously Determined, to express the sorrow of the Town that, at a time when we have a constitu- tion of our own chusing, and which has been approved of by the World, there should yet remain any uneasy Persons in the com- munity who could form the fruitless design of disturbing [316.] the tranquility of the State by proposing the unnecessary measure of Meeting by Counties - There was a time when we were gov- erned by foreign Power, and a redress of grievances could be had in no Other way; but thank Heaven, that time is gone, & gone forever, unless the baneful influence of a few restless Spirits should induce the People at Large by County Meetings and irregular Assemblyes to raise such commotions, as might eventu- ally Overturn the Constitution and again leave us a prey to foreign Power, or what is worse intestine convulsions - If Con- gress sometime err, we should remember, that being annually elected we have it in our Power, by a better choise to prevent the evil in future ; - the same is the case of the General Court, they have existance but for a year ; - and there can be no doubt the community at large would be very greatly benefitted if the Towns in particular would exert themselves to put their most suitable Characters into these important stations. - With respect to the subject of your Letter Commutation, and the Act of the . State on the Impost, we must take the Liberty to express our entire disapprobation of your intended endeavours, as they seem clearly to us, to be not only vain but very unjust. Why should we wish to keep from the Officers of our Army the hard earned reward they may receive from the Commutation? It was prom- ised most solemny by Congress in the hour of Danger. It was then Approved of by the People, and ought on very equitable prin- cipal to be made good in this Day of Peace, a Peace Obtained by the perilous exertions [317.] of these very men (in conjunc- tion with our Magnanimous, Allies) who are to receive the pit- tance, and a pittance it is, when we consider the Money they realise from this mighty boon, will not make good the arrearages of their pay ; and altho your Towns, and the Towns of the Select- men whose Advise you follow, may be Adverse to the Commuta- tion, yet we presume they will not deny the Justice of pay for the time they were in actual Service : If they will raise immediately as much Money as will pay their proportion of Only two thirds of the arrearages due to the Officers -with this Money they may purchase the Amount of the whole, and the commutation into the Bargain. This we think the only way for those who say they
14
CITY DOCUMENT.
are agrieved to settle the matter. - For if the States were able to prevent paying it (and could be once so lost to a Sence of Justice and honor as to desire it) the Commutation is so wisely blended with the National Debt, that all the County Conventitions upon the face of the Earth could not make the distinctions. If therefore there are any who have the Ability, but want the honesty to contribute their proportion they must set down contended, for in our Opinion it is out of their power to prevent it. - With respect to the Impost, we are of Opinion that if we ever mean to be a Nation we must give power to Congress and funds too; for without them we can never pay our Debts; and without a just payment of our debts, in what other light can [318.] we be possibly viewed by the World in general and every honest Man in particular, than that of Bankruptcy or Knavery? The former is by no means the Case, for we are Rich in recorses, and want only the Will to bring them out - and we trust the Latter will never be justly charged to the United States - We therefore desire, as far as this Town has a voice in the County, that the proposed Convention may never meet : but if they should, we hope they will so far .consider the justice and propriety of sub- mitting to those Acts which they now complain of as a grievance as chearfully to Acquiesce in them ; and that they will then sepe- rate, without taking any steps, that may eventually tend to bring, this Country into contempt; for if they should, we shall be con- straind, as in duty bound, solemny to protest against them -
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