USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society : through its first century, 1742 to 1842 > Part 3
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A Committee of Tudor, Mackay, Dunn, Deblois, & Cabot was appointed " to answer the Letter from the Treasurer of the United States, & to give him such information as shall conduce to the publick Benefit." A committee was appointed " to agree for a Dinner" and to "invite three of the Clergy to dine with the Society, Viz, Revd. Joseph Eckley, Revd. Jere. Belknap & Revd. Jno. Clark."
At the meeting held on Ist December, 1789, a fur- ther vote as to bringing more pressure to bear on delin- quent members, was passed. Another, with reference to . " the petition of Mathew Clark respecting Bathol- omew Burgis' Charts of the American Coast." "The Presdnt having informed the Society that the Comis- sary General had requested the advice of the Society
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
respecting the fixing of the Beacon in the lower har- bour," a committee was appointed to confer with him, "provided he applies in writing for their advice and assistance."
Further, " As it appears to the Society that his Excel- lency John Adams Esqr. Vice-President of the United States was admitted a member of this Society in November 17SS Voted, That the Secretary fill up a Certificate agreeable to that date & forward it to the Vice-President." It was also Voted, "That the Com- mittee that was appointed to answer the letter from the Secretary of the Treasury be a Committee to wait on Gen. Lincoln & inform him of the proceedings of the Society respecting Light houses, Boys &c." probably buoys.
January 5th, 1790, at the Bunch of Grapes, the Society, under certain conditions, authorize Mr. Osgood Carlton "Teacher of the Mathematicks," to examine and sanction the charts of Bartholomew Burgis " before they are offered for sale."
Few of the meetings found a quorum until 6th July, 1790, when, at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, twenty Members were present. It is then recorded that, "The President having informed the Society of the decease of Capt. Nathl. Pattin Treasurer Voted That the Society will attend the funeral in Procession from his late dwelling house in Roxbury, and that carriages be provided for the members at the expense of the Society, & that Capt. Prince. Jones & Williams be a Committee to provide the Carriages."
Then comes the following " Letter to the President of the Marine Society from Capt. James Magee."
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
SIR : - I have the honor through you to present to the Honorable Marine Society, two Bowls & two Pitchers. which you will please to present them in my name. and you will much oblige,
your Humb. Servt .. JAMES MAGEE.
N. B .- The Seal of the Society got melted in passing through the warm Lattitudes & was not in my power to have it put on the Bowls.
" The President having communicated to the Society the above Letter, It was voted unanimously, That Capt. Mungo Mackay, Capt. Samuel Dunn & Cap. James Prince be a Committee to wait on Capt. James Magee and to acquaint him in the name of the Society, that they not only with pleasure accept the polite and elegant present made them this evening, but that they feel particularly gratified by the affectionate & friendly manner in which this testimony of his esteem for this Society was communicated, & the Master is requested to take charge of the Present & to have a box provided to keep them in."
While referring to Capt. Magee, it may not be amiss to state, that on the old Burial Hill at Plymouth is a stone on which is inscribed :
" In memory of Seventy-two Seamen. who perished in Plymouth harbour on the 26th and 27th days of Decr. 1778, on board the private armed Brig Gen. Arnold of twenty guns, James Magee of Boston Commander. sixty of whom were buried in this spot.
" This monument marks the resting place of sixty of the seventy-two mariners who perished in their strife
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
with the storm, and is erected by Stephen Gale of Portland. Maine, a stranger to them, as a just memorial of their sufferings and death.
"Capt. James Magee died in Roxbury, Febry 4th, ISOI, aged 51 years.
" Oh falsely flattering were you billows smooth, When forth elated, sailed in evil hour,
That vessel, whose disastrous fate when told,
Filled every breast with sorrow, and each eye with piteous tears."
At the meeting September 7th, 1790. it was proposed that Mr. Osgood Carlton, the "Teacher of the Mathe- maticks." referred to a few meetings back, be a member of the Society. October 12th. 1790. " A letter was laid before the Society by its President from Genl Lincoln respecting the building a Cutter for the protection of the Trade. Voted That Capt. M. Mackay. Thos Russell, Capt. Crowell Hatch, Capt. J. F. Williams & Capt. Tristram Barnard be a Committee to report the dimen- ' sions of a vessell suitable for the purpose & to reply to Genl Lincolns letter."
"The Committee reported that the President return the following answer :
October 13th. 1790. GENL LINCOLN.
SIR :- The Marine Society met last evening at which time I laid your letter before them, and agree- able to your request they took the business into immediate consideration, respecting the size of a vessell suitable to protect the Trade on this Coast & give it as their opinion the dimensions should be as follows : Forty eight feet Keel. Eighteen feet Beam & seven feet
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
hold, makes about Sixty three Tons & be rigged a Schooner. The Marine Society will always be ready to aid & assist the Trade so as to promote the Gen. Good. In whose behalf I am
Y'r most hum. Servt, MUNGO MACKAY."-
"Voted That a Committee be appointed to consider what spot of ground may be the most convenient for the erecting a Marine Hospital, the kind of building that will be most convenient & its expence, also to make a Calculation of the annual income that will arise from a Small Tax on Seamen for the support of said Hospital and report at the next meeting."
At the meeting of 2d November, 1790, at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, we read, "The Committee appointed at the last monthly meeting to consider what spot of ground may be the most convenient for the erecting a Marine Hospital take leave to report, That from a variety of Considerations they are of opinion that some spot of the Heights of Charlestown East of the Town is the most eligible situation for such a Building. The remainder of their Commission they beg leave to defer until they obtain further information. By order of Thos Russell." "Voted That the Committee be further instructed to draw a petition to Congress, setting forth the utility of a Marine Hospital & pointting out the means of supporting one." At this meeting Gen. Lincoln was proposed as a member, the rules were suspended, and he was voted in unanimously and at once. The rules were often suspended for similar purpose, and there seems no reason why the same
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
should not be done now, especially in the case of an Honorary member. This Gen. Benjamin Lincoln seems to have been a man of position and influence. It was further voted " that Capts Bass, Hayman, Lyde, Sohier and Welsh, Be recommended to the Hon. J. Lowell Esqr. Judge of this district to be Surveyors for the Port of Boston. & recommend that 12s pr day be allowed for their services. provided it does not exceed a day." A Committee of three was appointed to " pro- vide a Dinner for Tuesday 9th inst. and to invite three of the Clergy to dine with the Society Rev. Mr. Everett, Mr. West & Mr. Clark."
January 4th. 1791, " The Committee on the subject of the Hospital reported a petition to Congress & sundry letters which were accepted and ordered to be sent forward."
February Ist, 1791. it was " Voted That the Expence of the Evening at every meeting in Febry. May, Augst & Novr shall be defray'd from the funds of the Society."
August 2d. 1791. the receipt is acknowledged of a "Number of Sermons preached at the funeral of Mr. Johna. Gardner, from the Marine Society at Salem." Various applications appear, from time to time, from men wishing to be appointed Boston pilots. Some are appointed, and others dismissed for lack of sufficient knowledge.
February 7th. 1792. " Voted that a Committee be appointed to wait on his Excellency the Governor, to request him to apply to Congress that a Light House may be Erected on some part of Cape Cod & that the Committee be requested to give to the Governor their reasons in Writing why a Light House should be Erected
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
on Cape Cod." At this meeting, amended By-Laws were read and adopted. In general tone and effect they differ in small degree from those of the present day. A letter was received from the Marine Society of Salem, asking the co-operation of this Society in urging Con- gress to build a light-house at Cape Cod, to which reply was given, " that this Society had already taken action in that direction, asking the Govenor to press the matter upon Congress and inviting the Society of Salem to join with this, if they approved such effort."
April 2d, 1792, "A Quorum not being present and it being suggested that Mrs. Knight Relict of Thomas Knight late of Boston deceased, wished the Interference of the Society respecting an Execution against her as Administratrix on the Estate of said Thomas Knight, by James Prince Administrator on the Estate of Job Prince deceased, a Debtor to this Society, it was Recommended that Alexr Hodgdon & Wm. Scollay be a Commit- tee to confer with Mrs. Knight, and Capt. James Prince on the Business, & report at the next meeting." This shows that at that time the Society aided its members and their families in other ways than by pecuniary bounties. At the May meeting the Society voted to receive the assignment of this debt from James Prince. and would deduct it from the next " dividend ordered by the Judge of Probate to be paid the Society from the Estate he represents."
" Capt. Jona. Foster Williams, presented to the Soci- ety the Result of sundry Experiments he had made. to Extract Fresh Water from Salt, with a plan of the Appa- ratus made use of by him for the same. He also intro- duced the various kinds of Water thus Extracted some
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
of which was made into Punch & highly agreeable, as respected taste and smell, being quite pure. It was therefore on Motion Unanimously Voted That the Thanks of the Society be given to Johna. Foster Williams Esqr for his Communication and that the same be Printed in the Columbian Centinel & Massachusets Mag- azine for the advantage of our Sea faring Brethren." The difficulty seems then to have been, that of fresh water for the punch, now it is the other essentials. Another resolution was passed, requesting James Prince to let up on his demand against Mrs. Knight. and offer- ing concessions on the part of the Society, as to his indebtedness, if he did so.
August 7th, 1792. "On the Petition of Capt. Jno. Blake praying Relief, Voted that the Committee of Relief be empowered to procure a place for the said Jno. Blake to board at, the expence to be paid by the Society. provided it is agreeable to said Blake or relieve him in any other way at their discretion." "Voted that a Com- mittee of Five be appointed to write a Letter to Secretary Hamilton, requesting that a Buoy or Buoys may be placed on the Harding Rocks & elsewhere. as they shall think proper and report."
On the Ist November, 1792, the Society appears to have had, by the statements of Alexander Hodgdon. Treasurer, in notes, bonds, and securities of various kinds, $7276.22, and a further amount in older securities, representing £215 75 9d sterling, in all, about $$300, estimating the pound roughly at five dollars. At the meeting. Ist January, 1793, the Secretary was voted "Twenty Dollars in addition to his Salary, for his extraordinary Services the Year past."
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
At the February meeting, on the "Petition of John Blake praying Relief, Voted that he be put to Board in the Country as conducive to his Comfort as well as the honor of this Society, upon the best terms the Master can obtain, and that he be relieved with Fifteen Dol- lars." The question naturally suggests itself here, if similar modes of procedure may not occasionally be judicious and humane in the future? "Further experi- ments of Capt. Jno. F. Williams respecting the extract- ing of Fresh Water from Salt" - and it is to be hoped, with punch - were ordered " to be printed in such manner as shall be for the greatest public advantage." May 7th, 1793. "Capt. Kirkwoods Funeral charges & for clothing for Capt. Blake," were ordered to be paid. A Capt. David Brace applies for relief, and is answered, " that altho they feel themselves impelled by the tender- est feelings of humanity to grant him his request, find themselves restrained therefrom by the regulations of the Society not permitting the relieving any person that is not a Member thereof." And here we find the unwel- come suspicion forcing itself upon us, that our elder brethren did not, nautically speaking, always "pay and go," for there comes before us "the petition of Mrs. Sparhawk praying payment for the use of her house in the year 1782," and a Committee is ordered to inquire into the circumstances and report thereon.
At the meeting in January, 1794, "On the petition of Ann Coppinger praying relief, Voted that she be relieved with Twenty Dollars, and the Clerk be directed to inform her that as her Husband did not comply with the Regulations of the Society, it will not be in their power to grant her any further Relief." A resolution
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
was passed to notify " persons holding the Money of the Society by Bond and Mortgage " if said mortgages were not discharged. their " Bond will be put in Suit immediately."
May 6th, 1794, at the Bunch of Grapes, " A Letter communicated to the Society by Capt. James Scott from Benjn Hallowell at London" was read, "with a Bill on Moses Gill Esqr for his Arrears due the Society, considering himself a Member till the Year 1776." It seems Hallowell joined in 1749, was Master in 1762, but apparently sided with the parent country at and after the Declaration of Independence.
September 2d. 1794. Bunch of Grapes Tavern, voted. " That the president is desired to speak to Mr. Wm. Furness and know if it is agreeable to him to act as Secretary to the Society." Voted, " That Capt. Johna. Blakes bill for Board the last Quarter be paid -and also - Ten Dollars be allow'd him for Clothing includ- ing what he has recd from the Master."
November. 1794. a Committee was appointed. " to make sale of the Societys Lands situated in Little Cam- bridge and pay the net proceeds into the hands of the Treasurer." In stocks and securities, the Society appears to have had at this date, $7994.04.
October 6th, 1795. a rather lengthy proposal from Capt. Benj. Homans. jr., was submitted, that each master. in active service, should donate to the Society whatever letter money might be received from the Post Office, the same for the Society's benefit. Capt. Blake's board continues to be paid, and at what are styled the " Annual Feasts," no more clergymen are invited. the clerical influence seeming to wane about this time.
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
January 5th, 1796, a Committee was appointed to petition Congress once more for a light-house on Cape Cod, and to ask co-operation of the Humane Society and the Marine Society of Salem.
On February 2d, 1796, the Committee above referred to " reported the following Memorial, which after being read was . unanimously accepted & accordingly Voted That the Master forward the same to Congress as soon as may be."
To the Senate and to the House of Representatives in Congress assembled at Philadelphia Febry 1796:
The Boston Marine Society beg leave most respectfully to represent. That the frequent shipwrecks which take place on Cape Cod within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, renders every attempt to prevent such melancholy accidents interesting & important. 'The erection of a Light House on the Highlands of that Cape, is perhaps the only measure that could aid the Naviga- tor in this respect, upon that dangerous winter Coast. Your Memorialists beg leave to call the attention of Congress, as the protectors of the Commerce, and Guar- dians of the Lives of the Seamen of our Common Country, to this subject & to sollicit, in behalf of our exposed meritorious Marine Brethren, that an Inquiry may be made into the Expediency of the Mission, and if found necessary that, a Light House may be erected on the high Lands of Cape Cod, under such Regula- tions as Congress shall think proper to establish.
By order & on behalf of the Boston Marine Society. (Signed.)
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
August 2d, 1796. At Concert Hall, it was voted, " that the following Gentlemen be a Committee to confer with the Chamber of Commerce respecting the pilots and rate of pilotage of vessels into this port, and said Committee are hereby authorized to recommend and agree to any regulations respecting the same, which they may think fit & beneficial." Dommet. Goodwin, Smith, Doane, Mackay, Committee. This is the first we hear of a Chamber of Commerce, and to this date, the matters of pilots and pilotage seem to have rested wholly in this Society.
An often recurring suspension of the rules, in order to vote in members at the time of their proposal, is noticeable throughout the records so far. Capt. John Blake is still boarded and otherwise cared for by the Society. December 6th, 1796, at Concert Hall,-which by the way stood then, according to Drake, where we can all remember it under the rule of Peter B. Brigham, as standing corner of Court and Hanover streets. "Gen. Lincoln communicated to the Society the doings of Congress respecting a Light House to be erected on some part of Cape Cod, that he was desired by the Secretary of State to furnish a plan and point out the spot where it would be best to place it and that he should feel himself better able to make up his reports by the advice and assistance of the Gentlemen of this Society, accordingly the business was considered & finally Voted as the Opinion of this Society that one light would be best and would answer every purpose provided it was so constructed as to be seen one Minute and hid from the sight the next minute and so on alternately, also that the Light should be Fifty feet from the ground."
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
" Genl Lincoln also mentioned the necessity of Buoys being placed in and about Boston Harbour and that some 'regular and better mode of pilotage should be adopted" - meaning, probably, pilot rules or regula- tions - " that he had it much in his power to forward such desirable objects provided he was assisted by the Gentlm. of this Society in making such communications as would point out the manner of such reforms." Therefore it was voted, that Capts. Mackay, Williams, Magee, Hopkins, and Dunn, " Be a Committee to con- sider of the above matters and inform themselves of ye probable expence of the Buoys, where it would be best to place them & what number would be necessary - in what form they should be made &c, and report as soon as possible."
The General Lincoln so often referred to was General Benjamin Lincoln.
At the meeting of February 7th, 1797, held at Concert Hall, we find the following record of " Expences Pd Jones for attendance 9s. Pd Vila for Punch &c £I IOS." Punch being always spelled, whenever referred to, with a " big, big " P.
A special meeting of the Society was called March 23d, 1797, and we read, "The business of the evening was opened by Capt. Thomas Dennie the Master, who informed the Gentln Present that the Meeting was call'd for the purpose of determining on proper persons for Pilots of Boston Harbour to be recommended by this Society to the Governor & Council according to the New Act which passed the last session of the Genl Court respecting pilots, whereupon an extract from the Act was read and the following votes passed :" "the
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
following persons are suitable for inward Pilots of Boston Harbour" Thomas Knox, Charles Cole & Robert Knox. and for outward pilots, Benjamin Smith, Josiah Avers. Thomas Bernard, Nathaniel B. Lyde.
A Committee, consisting of Dennie, Knox, Scott, Williams, and Dunn, was appointed, " to attend Genl Lincoln and afford their advice and opinion in placing Buoys in the Harbour of Boston." Thanks were voted " to Brother Lincoln for his attention and services." July 4th, 1797, a committee of five was appointed " to advise with Genl Lincoln as to the construction & make of the Buoys etc to be placed in & about our Harbour." At the meeting 5th September, 1797, at Concert Hall, .. Genl Lincoln informed the Society, that the Light House on Cape Cod was to be distinguished from the Light House in Boston, by having an eclipser regularly passing round it so as to exclude the light from the approaching mariner. He asked the opinion of the Society what space of time should elapse while the eclipser is making one revolution." ·· Voted a recon- sideration of the vote on the subject passed Decr 6th 1796 and Voted as the opinion of the Society that Eighty seconds will be a proper space of time for the eclipser to make one entire revolution."
A special meeting was called at Concert Hall, 20th October. 1797, when it was voted, " That a Committee of three be chosen to attend with Capt. J. F. Williams in tak'g the bearings & distances &c. of Cape Cod Light agreeable to the request of Genl Lincoln per his letter ISth inst." Craft, West, and Hills, were made the Committee, and it was voted, "That Capt. Williams should request Capt. Thos Barnard-a Branch pilot of
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Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Boston - to attend with the above Committee, and that he be compensated by the Society for his time and services." November 7th, 1797, $66.70 was voted to pay the board and sundry expenses of Capts. Blake and Eaton. It was also voted, " That a Committee of Five be chosen to correct for the Press & publish the Report respecting the bearings distances &c. of Cape Cod Light." "A public dinner" was voted, and that the report on "Cape Cod Light - after being corrected and printed- be recorded by the Sectry in this book." On the 2d January, 1798, it was "Voted That the compensation to Capt. Thos Barnard for his time and attendance with the Committee in tak'g the bearings & distances of Cape Cod Light be paid him, Amtg to Twenty dollars." It was further voted, "That the Directions for sailing by Cape Cod Light House approved by this Society at their meeting 7th Novr last, and which are as follows *
* Be printed at the Soci- etys Expense and a number be left at the Custom House to be delivered Gratis to every. Master of Vessel whether of this .Association or not - who may wish for one, and the Secrty is hereby authorized to pay the charges of the same." Here follows nearly three close-written pages of sailing directions for passing Cape Cod, and the safe navigation of Boston and Cape Cod bays.
One cannot but be impressed by the liberality and generosity that characterized the Society in these early days of its struggle for existence. The accounts are kept mainly in sterling, though United States currency - dollars and cents - is often given and quoted. On February 6th, 1798, there is entered under the item of " Expences," "Pd Vila" - the landlord of Concert
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Records of the Boston .Marine Society.
Hall - " for Room. Candles & Fire 3 Meetings & for Punch this Meetg $11.01 - £3 6s od" so that roughly rendered, it would read thus : room, candles, and fire, three meetings, $5.50 ; Punch, one meeting, $11, which shows their high appreciation of the essentials for good fellowship.
A petition from Capt. Lyde for relief, being read, it was voted, "that he be further relieved with the sum of Forty dollars" and a Committee of three was appointed to look into his case. "and to advise him to such measures as may tend to the Honor of this Society."
A letter from Capt. Wm. Coombs was read. " recom- mending a Chart of St Georges Banks &c," and "another Letter from Edmund M. Blunt the publisher of said Chart, with his propositions," so a committee of five was appointed "to examine the same and report next meeting."
It was voted. "That the balance which may appear to be due Mr. James Vila for the Annual Feast of Novr 1796, be paid him from the stock of this Society?"
Voted, likewise. " That a Committee of Five from this Society be chose to draft a petition to our Federal Government to appoint a competent person or persons to survey the Sea Coast, Shoals & Soundings of the United States for the general benefit of Navigation & Interest of the Commercial world, at such time as may appear proper for pursuing such a plan." It was like- wise voted, to ask the co-operation " of the different Marine Societies in the United States towards this end." At the next meeting, however, on March 6th, it was voted, that the above Committee " are hereby directed
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