USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of Boston, the metropolis of Massachusetts, from its origin to the present period; with some account of the environs > Part 43
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ist Church, where, after prayers, an Oration was delivered by David Lee Child, Esq. At noon, the Executive of the State met in the Senate Chamber to receive and reciprocate congrat- ulations on this joyful occasion. A State and Municipal pro- cession was then formed agreeably to previous arrangements, and was escorted by the Independent Cadets to the Old South Meeting House, where, after prayer by the Chaplains of the Legislature, an Oration was pronounced by the Hon. Josiah Quincy. The procession again formed and returned to the Doric Hall of the State House, to partake of the Col- lation.
At 3 o'clock, the Republicans of the city dined at Faneuil Hall, the cradle of Liberty, with their guests, His Excellency the Governor and suit, His Honor the Lt. Governor and Mem- bers of the Honorable Council, the Mayor and Aldermen, the Hon. Messrs. Lloyd and Webster, and others who had re- ceived an invitation.
§ 8. Early the next morning, ere the smiles of joy had ceased to animate the features of the multitude, their ears were saluted by the mournful tolling of the city bells, which were announcing some melancholy cvent. It was the death of John Adams, the venerable second president of the nation, to which the Declaration of Independence had given a name and place in the world. He died at his seat in Quincy, about six o'clock in the afternoon of the fourth, uttering as his last words, "independence forever." Such an event, at such a time, could not fail to strike the soul with awe and wonder ; how highly those feelings were increased, when a few days brought us the intelligence, that on the same day, the equally illustrious Thomas Jefferson had left the earth, it is not in the power of words to express, and no American will ever forget. In the language of the Secretary of War, " a coincidence of circumstances so wonderful gives confidence in the belief, that the patriotic efforts of these illustrious men were heaven-di- rected, and furnishes a new seal to the hope, that the prosperi- ty of these States is under the special protection of a kind Providence." Measures were taken without delay for paying suitable funeral honors. Wednesday, August 2d, was the day appointed for the purpose. " At seven o'clock in the morning the young men of Boston, consisting of those of the different occupations, commercial and mechanical, and members of Professions, Clubs, &c. formed a procession in front of the State House, and moved under escort of the City Guards, to the Church in Chauncy Place, accompanied by the President of the United States, Governor and Lt. Governor, Hon. Dan- iel Webster, Charlestown Committee, and many other distin- guished individuals. A very learned and appropriate Eulogy
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was delivered by S. L. Knapp, Esq. to a very numerous and respectable audience. The services closed about 10 o'clock.
"At 11 o'clock, a much more numerous procession was formed in Beacon-street, in front of the State House, under the direction of the committee of the City Council, and pro- ceeded through School, Washington, State-streets and Mer- chants' Row, to Faneuil Hall.
" The Hall was completely filled before two thirds of the procession had arrived, and many were disappointed in not being able to hear the orator. Mr. Webster was about two hours in delivering his address, to a very crouded and attentive audience.
"Faneuil Hall was hung with black cloth, and the Oration was delivered from a platform carpetted with black, on which were seated the President of the United States, the Governor and Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth, the Mayor of the City, and the Rev. Dr. Lowell. The pillars on which are in- scribed the names of Military and Naval Heroes of the Coun- try, were covered with crape. Portraits of Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson were at the right and left of the Orator. The shops were closed, and business suspended ; bells tolled, and flags were at half-mast ; and all things were done to manifest the gratitude and respect due from this people to the departed Patriots."
§ 9. A few days after, a far different occasion called our chief citizens to the same temple of liberty. "The annual visitation of the Public Schools of this city was made on Wed- nesday, Aug. 23d, by the Mayor and Aldermen, and other Members of the School Committee, accompanied by the President of the United States, Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, of the British Navy, Hon. Mr. Biddle, President of the Bank of the United States, Hon. Mr. Saltonstall, of Essex, Mr. Seaton, editor of the National Intelligencer, the President and Pro- fessors of Harvard University, the Clergy of this and neigh- bouring towns, and numerous National, State, and Municipal officers and functionaries. Notwithstanding the time allotted to the exhibitions of some of the Schools was so short as not to admit of full justice being done to the Institution, the In- structors, or the Pupils, the exhibitions were highly satisfactory to the visiters, and those parents who had an opportunity to witness the progress of their children. After the exercises a procession was made to Faneuil Hall ; where the annual dinner was provided. The blessing was craved by the Rev. President Kirkland, and thanks returned by the Rev. Mr .. Wainwright, of New-York.
" After the general toasts had been announced, the mayor of the city gave :--
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"The United States-may it long have for its head a scholar, statesman. and patriot."
"This toast was received with prolonged cheers. When they had subsided, the President rose, under evident emotions of sensibility, and in an eloquent and impressive address, made his acknowledgements for the sentiment which had been pro- nounced from the chair, and the manner in which it had been received by his fellow-citizens ; alluded to the different scene which the Hall then presented, to that on a recent occasion ; appealed to the heart of every parent present to furnish an apology why on this occasion, and under the bereavement he had experienced, he had for once deviated from the seclusion he had prescribed to himself, and his duty to prefer the 'house of mourning to that of festivity ;' embraced the occasion in that consecrated Hall, to do homage to the memory of James Otis, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry, James and Joseph Warren, and last, though not least, the Patriot who bore the name of the distinguished citizen who presided over the interesting celebration ; and after addressing a few remarks to the Youth (who having received Medals on the day, were guests at the tables,) offered the fol- lowing toast.
" The blooming youth of Boston-May the maturity of the fruit equal the promise of the blossom."
" The following toast was then given by one of the School Committee :
" Our venerable and respected Guest, Admiral Coffin-A native of our city, and an alumnus of our ancient Latin School-who, though separated from us in times of political dissension, was generous and kind to his coun- trymen-who, amidst the honours and plaudits of a princely court, remem- bered with affection the land of his birth, and still bears testimony to the excellence of our civil and literary institutions-May honorable fame ever altend him, and may his declining years repose in health and peace."
" After loud cheers, Sir Isaac rose, and in a few characteris- tic remarks, expressed the satisfaction he felt, as a Bostonian, in being present on the occasion ; bore testimony to the advan- tages he had derived through life, from his education in a Bos- ton School ; and begged leave to give as a toast : .-
" The City of Boston, and its imperishable institutions."
$ 10. On Saturday, the 26th of August, the New-Market. was opened for the first time. Multitudes of visitors thronged to witness the exhibition of luxuries, which the zeal and en- terprize of the market-men had brought together. All the stalls were filled with the best products of the fields, orchards, gardens, and slaughter-houses, in our rich vicinity ; the fruit was choice ; some grapes among it, pears fine and in plenty ; peaches few, but rich, such as sold for $1,50 by the dozen. The various meats were displayed in order hitherto unknown, and the pleasure which every eye manifested, to see the neat- nes's of the compartments, contrasted with the old, served as a
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stimulus to the butchers to maintain the like appearance in fu- ture. The fish market was thin, the weather preventing a full display of the finny race. The whole of the lower hall was illuminated in the evening.
The Committee of the City Council made their final report on the subject of this market on the 20th of November, when they had " the satisfaction, in the first place, to state that the work is finished ; that every known, and as it is believed, every existing just debt and demand, for land, labour, materials, or services of whatever kind, is settled." This committee was first appointed, March 9, 1824, consisting of the Mayor, three Aldermen and seven Common-council-men, so varied, from time to time, as to have embraced twenty-seven different gen- tlemen in its number. The moneys subjected to their control amounted to the gross sum of $1, 141,272 32 cts. The mode in which that sum was expended, is stated in detail. The portion appropriated to the purchase of estates was $879,754 69 ; for erecting the new market-house, $149,158 75. The amount of moneys received in cash by the committee on ac- count of estates sold, was $532,797 33 ; by which it appears that the proceedings of this committee, created a debt amount- ing to $608,475. Towards extinguishing this debt, the com- mittee delivered to the treasurer of the city, in cash and notes and demands perfectly good, $224,270 74 cts. whichi, being deducted from the last mentioned amount, leaves a balance of debt $384,204 26. To meet this balance the committee leave the city in possession of 26,517 square feet of land, ready for sale, which they fairly estimate as worthi at least . $100,000, and wharf rights and flats, for which $100,000 has already been offered. These two sums being deducted from the last balance above, it follows that the balance of debt created by this committee, for the payment of which their operations have not provided funds, amounts to $184,204 26. In other words, this is the whole cost to the city, of all the improvements they have made, of the land occupied by the six new streets, and under the market house, (this land covers 193,947 square feet,) and of the market-house itself. Such is the most unfavorable view, that the committee thought could be taken of this great speculation.
Justice to the committee requires that we should add their most favorable view of it, and this appears to us to be that in which they make " a comparison of the annual interest to be paid, and the annual income to be received." The interest to be paid amounts to $31,622 95. The interest on the notes transferred to the city, constitutes an item of income equal to $11,109 23; leaving a balance of interest on this account against the city, equal to $20,513 72, to be met by the annual income
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from the market-house, and city wharf and flats, which, as first. rented, amounted to 32,000 dollars, and never in any probable view can be supposed to produce a rent much less. Thus the income provided is adequate to pay, forever, the interest of the whole debt created. And as no addition has ever been made to the taxes of the citizens, so no addition can ever hereafter become necessary in consequence of these improvements.
§ 11. In former times there was scarce a year, in which the accounts of the ravages of the small pox and malignant fever did not make a considerable figure in the history of Boston. Since the introduction of vaccination and the establishment of a judicious quarantine and health-department, we have enjoyed an almost entire exemption from alarming disease. The bill of mortality for 1825 reported an aggregate of 1450 burials, that of 1826 an aggregate of 1254, which was about the num- ber in 1824. A few of the causes of death furnish the fol- lowing comparative table.
1824.
1825.
1826.
1824.
1825.
1826.
Old age,
33
3S
40
Lung fever,
77
67
41
Canker,
20
40
29
Influenza,
7
Dropsy in the h'd. 33
38
29
Consumption,
244
220
231
Hooping cough, 13
27
23
Typhus fever,
46
54
31
Measles,
2
77
10
Reported unk'n. 195
227
161
Sudden,
19
55
16
687
850
611
The department of internal police relative to causes of sick- ness, nuisances and whatever else affects the health, security and comfort of the city, from causes or means arising or exist- ing within the limits thereof, is placed under the superintend- ence of the City Marshal, by an ordinance of May 31, 1824. The ordinance regulating the quarantine of vessels was passed, Dec. 25, 1826. The former laws and ordinances on this subject had left the duties of the different offices so vaguely defined, that there were not unfrequently collisions. The re- sident physician, of 1825, exposed some of the inconvenien- ces attending the old arrangement, and met with the usual fate of those who are faithful to the public, without carefulness for their own security in office. His frankness created prejudices against him, which prevented his re-election. His successor, equally worthy of the office, (which he honorably obtained,) en- joys the advantage of such of his suggestions as are embodied in the new ordinance.
" Till 1824, the Quarantine months were from May to Oc- tober ; since that period the time is fixed from the fifteenth of June till the fifteenth of September, though vessels, having contagious diseases on board are obliged to go into quarantine at all seasons, and the physician is also obliged to attend at the hospital. The officers, to whom is given the particular man-
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agement of the quarantine on Rainsford Island, are, first, the Resident Physician, chosen by the concurrent vote of both branches of the City Council, who has a salary of one thou- sand dollars a year. From the fifteenth of June, to the fif- teenth of September, he is obliged to reside permanently on the Island. An island keeper, with a salary of three hundred and fifty dollars from the City, and forty dollars and ten cords of wood, yearly, from the Commonwealth, takes charge of all property which is landed. He is also chosen by the city coun- cil annually. During the particular quarantine months, the police of the island is entirely vested in the Resident Physi- cian, who detains vessels no longer than is necessary for ven- tilation ; and discharges them whenever, in his best judgment, he believes they can proceed to the city without danger to the inhabitants. A red flag is hoisted on an eminence, and all the inward bound pilots are instructed to bring all vessels, coming from ports, within the tropics, into the Quarantine roads, for the physician's examination and passport. When a vessel ar- rives, the physician and island keeper go on board-giving the master a red flag to hoist at the mainmast ; after a careful in- spection of the crew and cargo, the health ordinances are left with the captain, for the instruction of himself and crew." The physician fixes the time when the vessel may be discharged. When that time expires, a certificate is given by the physician that she may, with safety to the inhabitants, proceed to the city. The certificate and flag are to be delivered at the Mayor's office, and the sum of ten dollars paid to the city clerk, who furnishes another certificate to authorize the vessel's entry at the Custom House.
§ 12. THE attention of the city council and of the citizens at large had been frequently drawn, during the year 1826, to the proposed improvements, on the water side, north of the market, and to the erection of a free bridge to South Boston. The former had been resolved on by the individuals interested, and the work commenced ; on the latter the council came to no definite conclusion that year.
In anticipation of the coming election, the opponents of the Mayor commenced a warm attack upon all the assailable points of the measures of his administration. His friends came for- ward with equal zeal in his defence. In the event, Mr. Quin- cy was re-elected together with the board of Aldermen nomi- nated by the same meeting which nominated him .*
* Alderinen, for 1827, James Savage, John Bellows, Thomas Welsh, Jr. John F. Loting, Thomp- B. Wales, Jeremiah S. Boies, Cyrus Alger, Robert Fennelly.
The votes for Mayor stood, for Mr. Quincy 3163, Mr. Blake 1750, Mr. Otis 70, Mr.
Single votes, 50. Total, 5013, the largest vote over given on the occasion.
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The excitement which preceded this election subsided, and the year 1827 opened upon us with the pleasing consolation, that. (in the words of the Mayor's Inaugural Address,)
" Looking forward to the duties of the coming year, it is a subject of congratulation that the foresight and enterprize of past years have limited lo comparatively a narrow sphere the necessity of future expenditures .- I do not perceive that the City Council of the present year will be called, by the public interest, to take the lead in any new and expensive project. Par- ticular local improvements will be suggested, from time to time, by those interested in their success, and will receive from the City Council that at- tention they may respectively merit. Circumstances indicate that our chief duty will be to finish what we have begun ; to make productive the property we have acquired ; to improve and correct existing establishments, rather than to devise new ones ; above all, to arrange our resources on the prin- ciple of a distinct and permanent provision for the gradual extinction of the existing city debt. Circumstances appear favorable to such a system."
Comformably to these ideas, we believe little or nothing has been done by the public authorities, in the course of the year.
The South Boston Free Bridge Corporation have proceed- ed with their work, and the Mercantile Wharf Corporation have made some progress towards the construction of the streets proposed north of the market. In a future day it may be possible to furnish an explicit account of all the steps by which these improvements shall have been brought about ; at present obscurity and uncertainty perplex the subject.
§ 13. THE establishment of an institution for the employ- ment and reformation of vagrant and depraved youth had long been an object of attention with the intelligent, moral, and re- ligious part of the community. The city council coincided with their expressed wishes and provided for such an estab- lishment. The account of its success and character we gather from the Report of its directors* concerning its first ope- rations.
" A Committee of this Board was appointed to procure suitable persons for a Master and Mistress of the House ; and from a large number of applicants, Bartholomew Brown, Esq. was selected ; who, with his family, took possession of the House, on the 24th of August, 1826, and immediately com- menced putting the same in order, for the reception of Boys. Domestics, male and female, were procured from the House of Industry.
" The Directors then notified the several Courts that they were prepared to receive such Juvenile Offenders, as may be sentenced to the House, under the age of eighteen years ; and on the 20th of September, the first boy was committed ; since which time, to the present date, forty-two boys have been committed, by order of the different Courts. The Board declined receiving female delinquents into the House, until
* Report, April SO, 1827.
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some experience should be gained, with regard to the man- agement of the males ; and also, to save the expense of warming the west wing of the House, during winter ; but in the month of March, arrangements were made for their re- ception ; and the domestics, male and female, from the House of Industry, were returned to that Institution, they not being proper characters to improve the morals of female offenders. Other suitable persons were employed ; and notice was given to the several Courts, of our readiness to receive female of- fenders under the age of sixteen years.
"From the commencement of the Institution, the employ- ment of the Boys has been mental improvement, and various kinds of labour, allowing sufficient time for recreation. The labour to which they have been put, is that of gathering in the harvest of the City Farm ; in front of the House, and other places, shovelling and wheeling gravel, digging drains, splitting and sawing wood, shovelling snow, working in the House, whenever wanted, until about the middle of January, when ten were placed in the shoe-maker's shop, and in a few days after, ten more ; the remainder were employed, some in vari- ous services in and about the house, and others in the wood- house. Those in the shop, generally made good progress in the art ; and some of them it is thought are capable of making first rate workmen. Since the first of April, they have done very little at the business, having been employed pretty much in digging and covering the drain back of the House and wheeling gravel upon the road in front.
"The Master of the House has ever made it his duty to be present at their meals, to keep order, &c. No boy is allowed to speak to any of his companions at table ; if any thing is wanted, the boy holds up his hand, and he is immediately at- tended to. Each one has his particular number and place at the table, as well as in the school, and is not permitted to take any different seat. They come to their tables and retire from them in perfect order and silence, and according to their num- bers. At their sports, an overseer is always near them, to see that no mischief or injury is done. On every Saturday eve- ning, they are washed from head to foot ; and constantly at- tend public worship on the Sabbath, unless illness prevents. Finally, the whole concern and course of their mode of living here, is endeavored to be conducted with the strictest order, method and decorum.
" When the boys were first received into the House, they were, alinost without exception, habituated to profane, low and obscene language ; frequently in quarrels and at fisticuffs with one another. Boisterous, vehement and resentful, even broth-
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ers were sometimes found closely clenched together, buffeting each other, with all the spite, venom, and rage of tigers. No pains were spared to allay this furious spirit, and to inculcate peace and brotherly love amongst thein ; to instil into their rude minds, the importance of good and virtuous habits, and to excite an honorable ambition among them, raising them above the degraded state to which they had been accustomed. The principles of religion and morality were represented to them as indispensable to a life of respectability and useful- ness in this world, and to a state of happiness in the world to come. These children have generally been obedient and at- tentive to the rules and regulations of the House. Passion and violence towards each other have generally ceased. Rude and profane language is now seldom heard among them ; and there happily appears to be a prevailing disposition to put in exercise kindness and good will. And we may indulge the hope, that while reformation is taking place within the walls, a deep impression will be made on the minds and morals of that part of our community who have allowed their children to go at large without control, and who in many instances have encouraged them in the vices of which they have been guilty. The present establishment is only as yet, a matter of experi- ment ; to every reflecting mind, its importance must be evident ; but its utility would be of much greater consequence to socie- ty, could its operations be more extensive."
§ 14. THE election, for Governor and Senators, in the spring, called forth the spirit of political and sectional parti- zans. A union meeting of the legislature had nominated the incumbents, Gov. Lincoln and Lt. Gov. Thos. L. Winthrop, as candidates for re-election. The advocates for the free bridge, from Charlestown to Boston, dissatisfied with Gov. L.'s refusal of his signature to the Act to establish the same, nomi- nated William C. Jarvis, Esq. in opposition. Other persons, in testimony of their constant attachment to the principles and tried men of the federal party, declared their intention to sup- port the Hon. Harrison Gray Otis. The Boston votes were thus divided, 2,702 for Gov. Lincoln ; 962 for Mr. Jarvis, and 464 for Mr. Otis. There were four Senatorial tickets : one put forth by the Federal electors ; one by the Republicans, a mixed ticket ; a third union ticket, containing two names from the first and four from the second ; a fourth called the Free Bridge ticket, which bore the names of several friends of Gen. Jack- son, or opponents of President Adams. Two gentlemen, whose names were on each of the three first mentioned tickets, were chosen. The vacancy was supplied in the legislature, by the choice of one of the federal, and three of the republican
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