USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society : through its first century, 1742 to 1842 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
49
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
to suspend all proceedings till further orders of the Society." Then, the "Committee appointed last meeting to examine Mr. Edmund Blunts chart of Georges Bank and Nantucket Shoals, having attentively perused and compared said Chart with the former Charts and having taken the best information and advice thereon, as well from their own individual experience do hereby make the following Report upon Mr. Blunts Chart, Viz :
" Ist, That Mr. Blunt offers no proof of any actual observations upon Georges Bank and that if copied from any former Charts, it must be subject to their Errors.
" 2nd, That as the authority of Mr. Blunts Chart appears to be founded upon an actual survey of Mr. Paul Pinkham, & he has given Mr. Pinkham the credit of having made such a survey, there is no proof to satisfy us that Mr. Pinkham has ever made a survey of · Georges Bank, as mentioned in Mr. Blunts address to the Public annexed to his Chart.
" 3d, That it is necessary to fix the certain situation of the Shoalest part of Georges Bank and the exact soundings round it within the limits of Shoal water, the effect of the tides, and the shifting of the shoal, if shifting or stationary.
" 4th, That no person in surveying said Bank or in making any actual observations upon it, would omit to notice the quality of the ground at each sounding, and that it is essentially necessary to a Chart for the govern- ing of Mariners aright to fix the boundaries & extent of the Bank, the first soundings in coming on and going off, and the nature of adjacent soundings, and that the south Channel lying between Nantucket and Georges and as far as it extends Southwrd is known to have a
50
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
bottom peculiar to itself and different from that of the Banks on either side.
" 5th. That Mr. Blunt appears to have varied & omitted some parts of Paul Pinkhams Chart of Nan- tucket & the Shoals and that Mr. Pinkhams Chart has been generally approved of as far as it extends.
"6th, That Mr. Blunt in his Chart of Cape Cod has varied the actual form of said Cape, ascertained by a late survey under the direction of the Boston Marine Society, and that consistently with our Duty to our Brethren Mariners as well as to mankind in general, we cannot recommend a Chart which appears deficient in any part and which may expose their Lives & property from the Errors of a Chart not drawn from actual sur- vey." Signed by Williams. Homans, Hopkins, Prince. and Fletcher, Committee. This report was accepted, and it was voted, "That a Copy be forwarded to the . President of the Marine Society at Newburyport." and " further proceedings suspended till the next Quarterly Meeting."
A committee of five was appointed to receive com- plaints " in writing" of neglect of duty on the part of any pilots, laying the same before the Society for action. and this Committee were instructed to report " those resolutions which in their opinion will render the pilot- ing in and out of this Harbour. more safe and interest- ing to the Trade and to the pilots themselves."
May Ist, 1798, was paid " Vila for Room & Candles three Evenings to this Meet'g inclusive & for Punch this Evening, £2 2s od." There seems no room to doubt but our worthy Fathers attended strictly to their business, and their punch.
51
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
At this meeting, "the Secty was Empowered to have 200 copies of the By Laws" printed, and the following Note inserted. "Note, The members of the Society are hereby reminded that for all Sea Letters which they may deliver at the Post Office. The post Master instead of the money will give a Receipt for the same to be accountable for the Amount to the Secretary of this Society, which Receipt they must lodge with the Secty for collection, it being a Voluntary & free donation of the Brethren to the Funds of this Institution."
August 7th, 1798, "Punch this Evng." Room, candles, and attendance, £3 9S.
On the 4th September, 1798, " A petition signed by forty persons Inhabts of Provincetown recommending a Mr. Geo. Nicholson as pilot from Cape Cod Harbour to Boston Light, Salem, Cape Ann & Newbury bar and to Plymouth being read, Thereupon Voted That the Secry inform Mr. Daniel Sargent who handed the petition - that the regular Channel for such an applica- tion is first to the Govr and Council."
Voted, " That the Society address the President of the United States on the present important state of the political affairs of this Country." Voted, that " Wm. Tudor Esqr, Simon Elliott Esqr, & Capt. Thos Dennie be a Committee to draft an address for the above purpose."
The Society was evidently not so fearful of politics in those days as it has since become.
"The Committee retired from the room and about half an hour afterwards return'd with the following address."
52
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
To the President of the United States of America :
The respectful address of the Boston Marine Society in the State of Massachusetts.
SIR : - At a time when the existence of our indepen- dence is struck at ; the Sovereign rights of our country violated, by the refusal to receive our Ambassadors, specially commissioned as the ministers of explanation and concord; and this haughty and hostile aspect. accompanied with the most indiscriminate spoliations on our Commerce, grounded on the false, contemptuous opinion, that we are a mercenary, defenceless and divided people, it surely becomes the duty of every Citizen, and incorporated bodies in particular, publickly to express sentiments, which, may convince the world as well as the French nation, that they indignantly feel. dare resent and hope to avenge, the injured and insulted character of our common country.
Although it is not for nations to command they certainly may deserve success. The Arms of our country have too recently with effect resisted the claims of the first maritime power the earth ever knew, for her Sons to now meanly crouch to the insatiable cupidity and distant domination of an insolent and inferior foe.
When friendship becomes insult, or is permitted only on exclusive terms, dictated and imposed by a corrupted and corrupting government, it is time to shake off such a debasing yoke. Better at once to commence generous enemies than maintain a deceptive and precarious con- nection with such insidious friends.
Had the French people confined their efforts to the annihilation of their monarchy and all its collateral props, and to the erection of any other system of rule.
53
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
the business and its local consequences ought to have been left to themselves ; But when we find this nation, after having completely attained the professed object of their warfare, with savage hostility in many instances, and in others, artfully aiming at the utter subversion of the political, religious and social institutions of all governments, which time, experience, and even freedom, have sanctioned, they become the enemies of all man- kind, and ought to be opposed by every country, that has any pretensions to Principle, Spirit or Patriotism.
These Sir are our sentiments, and we trust they actuate, and glow, in the breasts, and if necessary will nerve the arm, of the great mass of the free and enlightened citizens that compose the American nation ; and who must rejoice that their beloved Washington has been succeeded by a man who treads with equal step, the honest, plain and strait road, so strictly followed by that wise and able Statesman.
Extensive as the commerce of the United States has become under a popular government, wisely admin- istered, and distant as our shores lie from the European Continent, wooden walls, are confessedly our best defence. You Sir appear early and justly to have appreciated this system of protection. Many of this Society have been engaged in maritime warfare; and when their country again calls they trust under your pilotage, they shall not be found wanting.
A life like yours, so long successfully employed in public energy and patriotic effort, has now become an important object of preservation. May Heaven preserve it with invigorated health, and a kind Providence enable you to augment your well founded claims to national
54
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
gratitude, by a faithful, firm discharge of the numerous duties and momentous services committed to you by the constitution and councils of our Country, and in which Europe and the world may eventually be so much interested.
By order and in behalf of the Boston Marine Society.
(Signed) THOMAS DENNIE. President.
(Signed ) WM. FURNESS, Sectry.
"Which being read to the Society (by Judge Tudor) it was thereupon voted That the said address be again read Paragraph by paragraph, which after having gone through was by a Unanimous Vote accepted." " Voted that a Committee of seven be chose to present the address to the President of the United States, and that it be signed as above. by the Presdt of this Society attested by the Secty." "Voted That Capt. Thomas Dennie, Capt. Nathl Goodwin, Wm. Tudor Esqr. Capt. James Scott, Capt. Nathl Thwing, Genl Simon Elliot and Capt. Mungo Mackay, be the Committee."
. Friday Sept. 7th, 12 o'clock. The Committee waited on the President of the United States at his Seat in Quincy, with the address which was delivered to him by Capt. T. Dennie and the following received for Answer."
To the Boston Marine Society:
GENTLEMEN : 1 thank you for this respectful address, The existence of the independence of any nation. can- not be more grossly attacked, the soverign rights of a country cannot be more offensively violated, than by a
55
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
refusal to receive Ambassadors sent as Ministers of explanation and concord ; - especially if such refusal is accompanied, with public and notorious circumstances of deliberate indignity, insult and contempt. Indiscrim- inate despoliations on our commerce, grounded on the contemptuous opinion that we are a divided, defenceless and mercenary people, are not so egregious and aggra- vated a provocation offered to the face of a whole nation as the former. I rejoice that you indignantly feel, that you dare resent, and that you hope to vindicate, the injured and insulted character of our common country. When Friendship becomes insult, or is permitted only on terms dictated and imposed, it becomes an intolerable yoke and it is time to shake it off. Better at once to become generous enemies than maintain a delusive and precarious connection with such insidious friends. Whatever pretext the French people, or a French Prince of the blood with his train, or a combination of families of the first quality, with officers of the Army had for their efforts for the annihilation of the monarchy ; We certainly, far from being under any obligation, had no right or excuse to interfere for their assistance. If by collateral props of the monarchy you mean the nobility and the Clergy, what has followed the annihilation of them? All their revenues have been seized and appro- priated by another prop of the old monarchy the Army ; and the nation has become as all other nations of Europe are becoming if French principles and systems prevail, a congregation of Soldiers and Corps. The French Revolution has ever been incomprehensible to me ; the substance of all that I can understand of it, is, that one of the pillars of the ancient monarchy, that is the Army,
56
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
has fallen upon the other two the Nobility and . Clergy, broken them both down, the building has fallen of course. and this pillar is now the whole edifice. The Military Serpent has swallowed that of Aaron and all the rest. If the example should be followed through Europe, when the Officers of the armies begin to quarrel with one another, five hundred years more of Barons Wars may succeed.
If the French therefore, will become the Enemies of all mankind by forcing all nations to follow their example, in the subversion of all the Political, Religious and social institutions which time. Experience and Freedom have sanctioned, they ought to be opposed by every Country that has any pretensions to principle. Spirit or Patriotism.
Floating batteries and wooden walls have been my favorite System of warfare and defense for this Country. for three and twenty years. I have had very little success in making proselytes. At the present moment however, Americans in general, Cultivators as well as merchants and mariners, begin to look to that source of security and protection, and your assistance will have great influence and effect in extending the opinion in theory and in introducing and establishing the practice.
Your kind wishes for my life and Health demand my most respectful and affectionate gratitude, and the return of my sincere prayers for the health and happiness of the Marine Society at Boston, as well as for the security and prosperity of the Military and Commercial Marine of the United States, in which yours is included.
(Signed) JOHN ADAMS.
Quincy. September 7th. 1798.
57
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
At the Annual Meeting at Concert Hall, 6th Novem- ber, 1798, sundry reliefs were voted, and "Fifty-two dollars to pay Capt. Blakes bill, board at Mr. Eatons, also Voted to furnish Capt. Blake with a comfortable suit of Clothes, and good warm great Coat at the Societys expense." Officers were chosen for the ensu- ing year, the accounts audited, and it was . Voted that all Applications for Relief be presented to the Master at least Ten days before the meeting, and that he hand the same to the Committee of Relief, in order that they may enquire into the particular situa- tion of the applicant and make report on each petition at the next meeting."
The Society seems always to have been very liberal ; it seems likewise to have looked closely as to the neces- sities of those seeking aid.
January Ist, 1799, "a petition from Mr. Cole (Branch Pilot) being read " a committee was then appointed " to wait on Genl Lincoln, and request of him that Mr. Cole may be accommodated with a room at the Light House and use of the Wharf - agreeable to his Petition - which this Society conceive will be a Benefit to the navigation of Boston."
A committee was appointed " to enquire whether the Pilots recommended by this Society, have complied with the Act made by the Genl Court for regulating pilotage, and report at the next meeting."
Voted, " That the Vote passed last November meet- ing respecting petitions for Relief, be published by the Secrty in the Centinel, Mercury and price Current."
Voted, " That the Petition handed in this Eveng from the Vineyard pilots be returned to them, & they informed
5S
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
that the Society consider it as a subject of too general a nature for them to act upon."
February 5th. 1799, a Committee was appointed, in consequence of complaints made as to neglect of pilots, " to receive in writing, complaints if any shall exist against the Pilots for the Harbour of Boston."
" Capt. John F. Williams presented - by the hands of the Sectry - one of his drafts of Cape Cod and Harbor to the Society hoping it would meet their approbation." It was accepted, and he was voted thanks, "for his exertions and accuracy in executing it and for his handsome and marked attention to this Society in the Dedication."
Then comes the following vote, which shows that irony and sarcasm were fully understood by our elder brethren. " That whereas it appears to this Society from the recpts of the Sectry, that the proptn of monies received for Letters in consequence of the liberal propo- sitions of sundrey members, throws a far greater propor- tion on Capt. Stephen D. Turner than any other member. it appearing that the whole sum received amounts only to $57.20, and that Capt. Turner has caused to be paid of this sum $50.48, the Society think it incumbent on them after returning their sincere Thanks to their Brethren in general, who have come forward in this business, to decline the further accept- ance of their liberality in this respect, and they are discharged accordingly."
August 6th. 1799, a petition was received from Capt. Silas Dagget, asking the Societys recommenda- tion as keeper of a light-house, to be erected at Gay Head : it was voted to recommend him, " should he find
59
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
it for his interest to surrender his other objects of business to this alone," and a committee was appointed to examine into the merits of "an improved lamp for Light Houses," shown by a Mr. Cannington.
October Ist, 1799, " Voted That the President of this Society make application to his Honor the Govenr & Commander in Chief of this Commonwealth, by letter, agreeable to the one presented & read this Evening hy Genl Lincoln, for the removal of the Barn on Straw- berry Hill (see letter on file)."
At the Annual Meeting, 5th November, the usual moneys were voted to the needy, officers chosen, and accounts audited. A public dinner for that day week was decided on, and voted that "Mr. Donham the man who distributes the notificns and attends the meetings of the Society, be paid twelve shillings for this Eveng service - and all future meetings of the Society at which he may attend."
January 7th, 1800, at Concert Hall. The Committee appointed to examine and report on Mr. Cannington's improved lamps for light-houses, reported favorably. A light was exhibited from " the Cupola on the Top of the new State House," and part of the Committee on board the "Revenue Cutter nearly in the Centre between the State House and the light from Boston Light House, decided that the power and glare of the light far exceeded the light from the Boston light house."
At this meeting is found the following resolution, " That the Marine Society of Boston representing the Maritime interests of the Metropolis, will join on Thursday next to pay their tribute of respect to the
60
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
memory of the late illustrious political Father Genrl George Washington, and that the President and Vice president inform the Committee of Arrangements of this resolve. and request that a place may be assigned them in the procession, and that the president direct the Secry in case a place is so assigned. to notify the members to-morrow afternoon."
" Voted, as a Badge of mourning, that the members wear on the left arm. above the Elbow, a piece of black crape four inches wide, with an anchor on the same two inches long. of white silk. until the 22d February next."
February 4th. ISoo. on motion of Capt. James Prince, it was " Voted that a special meeting be called next Friday Eveng, to know the opinion of this Society: if they will express in a manner more than they already have done any public testimonials to the memory of our beloved Washington."
At this Special Meeting of February 7th, there was a large attendance. but the record is incomplete. It was voted "That the business for which this meeting was called. subside." That brings us to the bottom of the page. even the last word unfinished, and turning over the leaf. we find the record of March 4th, so we shall probably never know what was done or omitted at that meeting.
July Ist. 1Soo, a select committee of five members was appointed to " call the inward branch pilots before them for examination respecting their duty-agreeable to the late Law of this State-and they are hereby author- ized to consult an Attorney on the subject," also to "take into consideration the propriety of paying extra pilotage on Vessels riding Quarantine and are desired
61
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
to report in full at the next quarterly meeting." The whole matter of pilotage seems to have been virtually in the hands of the Society.
At the meeting of 4th November, 1800, we find, "as the opinion of this Society Mr. Lemuel Ayers," whom many of us remember, "is a suitable and capable person for an outward pilot for the Harbour of Boston." "A memorial from Mr. J. Churchman (respecting a new Edition with improvements, of a Book published by him entitled the Magnetic Atlas, or variation charts of the whole terraqueous Globe, designed to show the magnetic variation for any part thereof for the present time) being read to the Society, Voted, that Capts. Scott, Roberts, Dennie & Genl Lincoln be a Committee, to whom the above is referred, and they are requested to ask the assistance of Mr. Webber of Cambridge in their examinations, and report as soon as is convenient."
The 2nd December, 1800, at Concert Hall, a Mr. Wm. Paine requesting by letter "to be no longer con- sidered a member," voted; "that his request be granted."
" Voted, That the Master direct the Treasurer by an order to pay the Committee who provided the last annual Feast the Sum of Twenty five dollars, the same being for the Club of eight persons invited by the Society at their said dinner."
January 6th, 1801, "The Committee appointed at the meeting in November to examine the merits of a memorial present to the Society by Mr. J. Churchman, respecting the variation of the Magnetic needle and a method of ascertaining the true Longitude at Sea, Have taken the matter into consideration and with the best advice they can get, find it a work of great merit, the
62
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
utility of which must depend on actual observation and experience. The Society wishing to encourage as much as in their power every improvement in navigation that can direct the mariner in his course and promote his safety, would recommend to their brethren to try Mr. Churchman's method and at the expiration of their voyages communicate the result and success of their observations." A communication "from Capt. Moses Barnard, respecting a Rock which he had observed on his last voyage to India," was referred to a committee, with instructions to report.
February 3d, ISor, the Committee "reported as on file." It was " Voted to accept their report and the Committee are hereby directed to publish in the Public newspapers as much of sd as they shall think proper and usefull to our seafaring Brethren." A Committee was appointed to look into certain claims to land in Framingham mortgaged to the Society, etc.
" Capt. John Choate (by Mr. Wm. Walter) presents his respects and requests the Societys acceptance of a Pair of Pitchers. he had made in Liverpool for their use & with the appropriate Badges of the time they were made." "Voted That the Society accept of the Pitchers presented by their worthy Brother, and return him with sentiments of lively pleasure their thanks for the same. & that the Secry furnish him with a Copy of the vote passed on the occasion."
"Voted. That the Society will attend the funeral of their departed Brother Capt. James Magee from his late dwelling House in Roxbury next Thursday afternoon precisely at three o'clock. That notice be given our Brthn. in the papers of tomorrow and the next day and
63
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
that Genl Elliot be furnished with a copy of this vote for the information of the Family." It is a somewhat odd circumstance that the funeral of Capt. Magee, who gave the first two pitchers and bowls, should be announced at the same meeting when the second two pitchers are given and accepted.
March 3d, ISO1, necessary "cloathing" was voted Capt. Blake, and on application of a Mr. Clapp, for a committee to confer with him as to the merits of a "New American Seamans daily assistant," it was "Voted, That the Society approve of his exertions for our Sea faring Brethren, but as the work which he intends to publish will require a great deal of time in the examination, and as it must finally rest on its own merits, they must decline his request."
August 4th, 1801, "A letter from Mr. Horace Gould, presenting his nautical perambulator to the Society for their inspection, was considered, but no vote taken on the subject." The regular meetings were held, relief voted, and the usual business trans- acted, but nothing worthy of note till May 4th, 1802, when it is voted to pay the accounts of Capt. James Scott and Pearson Eaton "for Board attendance etc. for Capt. Jno. Blake till his Death (22d Febry 1802) amountg, in the whole to Eighty dollars & ninety seven cents," and a committee of three was ap- pointed "to consider the propriety of erectg grave stones with suitable inscriptions to the memory of Capt. Blake, and report at the next quarterly meeting." On the 3d August following, the Committee "reported. that in their opinion it would be well to let the matter subside."
64
Records of the Boston Marine Society.
Annual Meeting. 2d November, ISO2. " A letter from Wm. B. Seymour was read. accompanyd by one of his improved Shives requesting that a trial might be made of its utility &c (as on file.)" Officers chosen and resolutions to collect arrearages from non-paying members. Relief and supplies voted. Balance in the Treasurer's hands, $$72.01, but no statement of other funds or property of the Society.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.