USA > Massachusetts > Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts > Part 2
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April 21. 1715. Signed, Joseph Parsons (only not present at the Measuring) John Partridge John Chandler.
Read and Accepted.
And Ordered, That the Report be accepted; And all the Land between the Province Line, and the South Line of Brookfield, for the Space of Three Miles from the East End of the Town of Brimfield, be Granted and Added to the said Town of Brimfield. Provided, It Intrench not upon the Four Miles Square, or- dered to be Surveyed for Wait-still Winthrop Esq; nor upon any other former Grant.
Sent up for Concurrence.
Ordered, That Mr. Cooke, Mr. Remington and Mr. William Paine, be a Com- mittee to consider what Acts are Expired, or near Expiring, that should be Re- vived or Continued; and prepare a Bill or Bills for the same; And to prepare and offer such other Bills, as they apprehend proper now to be Enacted.
8 Journal of the House of Representatives
Voted, That the right of this Province in and to the River commonly called Piscataqua River, be Asserted and Maintained.
And in order there-unto:
That a Breast-work for Six Guns be Erected in some convenient place, in the Town of Kittery, for the Defence of the River.
That Six Guns with Shot and Carriages be Ordered to the Town of Kittery, upon their Erecting a Breast-work, & Platform, & obliging themselves to Maintain the same.
That His Excellency be desired to give his Orders accordingly.
That it is for His Majesty's Service, That there be a Naval Office kept in the Port of Kittery, to avoid the Unreasonable Duties or Impositions Exacted from the Inhabitants of this Province, passing in and out said River, by the Naval Officer of the Government of New-Hampshire.
That all Ships or other Vessels that Load or Unload at the Port of Kittery, be obliged to enter, and clear with the Naval Officer there, and Pay the Duties of Im- post and Powder Money according to Law.
That all the Harbours in Kittery and Berwick, shall belong to the Port of Kittery. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Twenty-four Inhabitants of that Part of Hingham, called Coni- hasset, presented to the House and Read, praying, That they may be set off, and made a Separate or Distinct Precinct, as to the Publick Worship of God; for Rea- sons there-in mentioned.
Ordered, That the Petitioners serve the Town of Hingham with a Copy of this Petition, and that they be heard before this Court, on the Eighth Day of June next, if they have any thing to offer why the prayer thereof should not be granted.
Sent up for Concurrence. [ 7 ]
Post Meridiem.
Mr. Treasurer Allen Attended the House with his Accompts of the Treasury, which were Read, and he withdrew.
Ordered, That Mr. Cooke, Mr. William Paine, Capt. Chambers, Mr. Remington, and Mr. Samuel Clap, be a Committee to Examine and Audit the Treasurers Accompts, and inspect the Vouchers of the several Payments:
And make Report to the House.
The Vote of this House pass'd the 27th Currant, for sending Twenty Men from Casco Fort to Arowsick Island, sent down from the Board, pass'd upon there, viz. In Council May 31 1715. Read and Concurr'd, and that His Excellency be De- sired, to add Ten Men more to the Garrison of Casco, for the present Exigence, and until further Order.
Sent down for Concurrence. Read.
·
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Journal of the House of Representatives
The Vote of this House pass'd the 28th Currant, for a humbly Address to His Majesty, sent down from the Board, pass'd upon there May 31. 1715. In Council, Read and Concurr'd; And that the Settlement of the Eastern Parts, and the Affair of Cape Breton, now in the hands of the French, be particularly considered, in the said Address; and Elisha Hutchinson, Samuel Sewall, John Higginson, and Adding- ton Davenport Esqrs. are added to the Committee.
Read and Concurr'd; and Sent up again.
A Letter from Mr. Agent Dummer, to Mr. Secretary Addington, for the General Assembly, Dated April 5th 1715. Read.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Mercurit I die Junit 1715.
C Apt. Noyes from the Committee for Petitions, made Report on the several Accompts of charge in the Out-set of Major Stoddard, and Mr. Williams for Canada, &c. which was accepted by the House, and the following Accompts allowed to be paid, viz.
To Dr. Robert Ellis his Accompt of Medicines & Attendance, on Sick Captives, &c.
9 15 00
To Mr. Thomas Tarbol his Accompt of Charge.
5 17
00
To Joseph Kellog as per Accompt. 3 15 00
To Martin Kellog as per Accompt.
29 18 04
To Capt. Thomas Baker, Accompt of charge in his Sickness.
I2 04
00
To the Honourable Samuel Partridge Esq; for his extraordinary Service for Six Years in the late War.
25
00
00
To Col. Samuel Partridges Accompt. Nº. I.
22
12
IO
To Col. Samuel Partridges Accompt. Nº. 2.
2I
OI
05
1. 130 03 07
Resolved, That the Sum of One Hundred and Thirty Pounds, Three Shillings, and Seven Pence, be Allowed, and paid out of the Publick Treasury, to the several Per- sons named in the above Accompts, according to the Sums annexed to their Names, for the Discharging of the said Accompts.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of John and Matthew Whipple in behalf of the new Precinct in Ips- wich, presented to the House and Read, praying, That several other Families near to them in the said Town, may be added to the said Precinct.
And a Petition of Sundry Persons, Praying that they may be annexed, and laid to the said Precinct. Read, and [ 8 ]
Ordered, That the Petitioners serve the Town of Ipswich with a Copy of both
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these Petitions, who may be heard before this Court, if they have any thing to object against the prayers thereof, on the Tenth Day of this Month, if the Court continues Sitting so long, otherwise on the first Day of the next Session.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Joseph Pratt and Fifty-nine others, Inhabitants of the Easterly Part of Bridgewater, presented to the House & Read, praying, That they may be set off, and made a Separate Precinct, as to the Maintenance of the Gospel Min- istry.
Ordered, That the Petitioners serve the Town of Bridgewater, with a Copy of this Petition, and that a Hearing be granted on the first Thursday, of the next Session of this Court, if they have any thing to Alledge, why the prayer thereof should not be granted.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A new Platt of the Grant of the Township of Sutton, Laid before the House for Allowance and Confirmation; which being Inspected.
Ordered, That the said Platt be Rejected, as not being agreeable to the Grant of this Court.
Ordered, That all Platts of Land that shall be offered to this Court for Confir- mation, be hence-forward such, as the Surveyor and those who caryed the Chain, in Measuring the Land are under Oath, to a faithful and impartial per- formance of those Services.
Some of the Members Informed the House that Mr. John Randall, who is re- turn'd Representative of the Town of Rochester, is a Profane person, and stands Convict of Scandalous Immorality's.
Mr. Randall had Opportunity given him, to make his Defence. But he express'd himself unconcern'd to clear his Reputation.
Whereupon he was Ordered to withdraw.
The Question being put, Whether the House esteem the said Mr. Randall to be a person worthy to Sit as a Member of this House?
It pass'd in the Negative.
Ordered, That the said Mr. John Randall be Expell'd this House.
The said Mr. Randall was again call'd into the House.
And Mr. Speaker acquainted him with the Vote, the House had pass'd. And that he was Expell'd the House. Whereupon he immediately Departed the House.
Ordered, That a Precept be sent to the Town of Rochester, to Elect and Send a Representative to Attend His Majesty's Service in this House, on the 10th Currant, and so de die in diem, during the Sessions thereof, in the room of the said Mr. Randall. And that they be Reprimanded for their abusing their Privi- lege, in Electing and Sending a person of such an Ignominious Character to Represent them.
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Journal of the House of Representatives
A Memorial of some of the Ministers of the Gospel in this Province, Moving this Court to Countenance, and Assist the Calling of a Synod of the said Churches, by their Pastors and Delegates. Signed,
Joseph Gerrish lohn Danforth Benjamin Wadsworth Ebenezer Demberton Benjamin Colman Peter Thacher.
Sent down from the Board, pass'd upon there, viz. In Council May 31. 1715. Read and Voted, That the Synod and Assembly above-mentioned, is agreeable to them, and the Reverend Ministers, are Desired to take their own time for the said Assembly, and earnestly wish the Issue thereof may be a happy Reforma- tion, in all the Articles of a Christian Life and Manners amongst His Majesty's good Subjects of this Province. Sent down for Concurrence. Read. [ 9 ]
Post Meridiem.
A Petition of Joseph Brown & Forty-two Others, Inhabitants of the East and West Precincts in the Town of Newbury, presented to the House and Read; pray- ing that they may be set off, and made a Separate Precinct for the Maintenance of the Publick Worship of God, which the Eastern Precinct have consented to, but as yet the Western have not.
Ordered, That the Petitioners serve the Western Precinct, with a Copy of this Petition, and Notifie them that they may be heard, before this Court on Friday the Tenth Currant, if they have ought to alledge why the prayer thereof should not be granted. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in Addition to an Act for Erecting of a Powder-house in Boston. Read a first time.
Ordered, That a Precept be sent to the Town of Plymouth, to Elect & Send a Rep- resentative, in the room of James Warren Esq; deceased, to appear at this House the Ioth day of June Currant, at Nine a Clock.
A Petition of James Cawley Representative of the Town of Marblehead, pre- sented to the House and Read, praying that the said Town may be freed from the Obligation to Maintain a Gunner at the Fort, in the said Town, in time of Peace, which they are injoyned to do by an Order of this Court pass'd in October 1708. for reasons therein set forth.
Ordered, That the prayer of the Petition be granted. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Joseph Hammond, presented to the House and Read, praying that he may be allowed a proper Consideration, for his Time and Expences Ten Dayes in assisting with Others appointed by this Court, in April 1714, to
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Discover and Determine a proper place for Setling a Town at or near Casco Bay. Committed.
The Report of the Committee for Setling the Eastern Parts, Read again and committed to the Committee for Petitions to Report their Opinion what is proper to be done thereon.
A Petition of Samuel Emery, and Samuel Moodey Ministers of the Towns of Wells and York, presented to the House and Read, Moving, That the Fort at Winter Harbour, may be supplyed with a Chaplain. Committed.
A Petition of Thomas Tarboll, presented to the House and Read, praying con- sideration and allowance for his Time and Expences in going to Canada, with Major Stoddard & Mr. Williams, Anno 1713. to recover the Captives. Committed.
A Bill Intituled, An Act in Addition to the Act for Erecting of a Powder-house in Boston. Read a second time.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Jobis 2 die Junit 1715.
T He Committee appointed to Examine the Treasurers Accompts, Reported, That in these Accompts is an Article of Eight Pounds, given to the Troops that attended His Excellency the Governour, when he Re-assumed the Govern- ment; for which the Treasurer has no Warrant, from the Governour and Council directing its Payment.
And the Question being put, Whether the said Article be allowed in the said Accompt? It pass'd in the Negative.
Capt. Noyes from the Committee for Petitions, made Report on the Petition of Thomas Tarboll, viz. That they are of Opinion that nothing is due from the Prov- ince to the said Tarboll, since he proceeded as a Volunteer in that Service to Can- ada, & not imployed by the Government, but recommended him to the favour of the House.
Which was accepted by the House. And the House considering the Service he had done: [ 10 ]
Resolved, That the Sum of Ten Pounds be Allowed and Paid out of the Publick Treasury to Mr. Thomas Tarboll the Petitioner for his Service mentioned in his Petition, being Voluntary. Sent up for Concurrence.
Mr. Cooke from the Committee appointed to Examine the Treasurers Ac- compts, made Report, &c.
The Committee having perused the Treasurers Accompts for the Year 1714 in which he chargeth himself with the Sum of Eighty-three Thousand Eight Hundred and One Pounds, Ten Shillings and Eleven Pence.
We find that he has Discharged himself by Order of the Governour and Coun- cil, of the Sum of Fifty One Thousand Three Hundred & Four pounds One Shill-
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ing and Nine pence; and that there is standing out, Seven Thousand, Seven Hun- dred and Seventy Five pounds, Three Shillings and Eight pence, of the Taxes; Fourteen Thousand Two Hundred & Nine pounds & Two pence, Neat Province Bills, for the Exchange of Bills. Six Thousand and Forty Nine pounds, Eleven Shillings and Two pence, Neat Province Bills. Four thousand Four hundred and Sixty three pounds Fourteen Shillings and two pence, Province Bills, with the Five per Cent. advance thereon, to be drawn into the Treasury; being in the whole, Thirty two thousand Four hundred Eighty nine pounds Nine Shillings and two pence, which he is further to be Accountable for, besides Twenty thousand two hundred and Forty One pounds of Powder in the Powder-house.
And that he has remaining in his hands, Three thousand Nine hundred and Fourteen pounds thirteen shillings and four pence, to Defray the charges of the Year One thousand Seven hundred and Fifteen.
Boston, June 2 d. 1715.
Committee
1 William Paine Elisha Cooke jun, Cha. Chambers Samuel Clap James Remington
Read and Accepted.
The Accompts of Mr Jer. Allen, Treasurer and Receiver General of this Pro- vince beginning the 31 Day of May, 1714. and continued unto the 26th Day of May, 1715. Amounting unto the Sum of Eighty three thousand eight hundred & One pounds ten shillings & eleven pence, having been presented & laid before the House of Representatives, and Inspected by said House, by which it appears there was standing out on the said 26th Day of May, Seven thousand seven hun- dred & seventy-five pounds three shillings and eight pence, of the Taxes; Four- teen thousand two hundred and nine pounds, and two pence, Neat Province Bills, for the Exchange of Bills. Of Six thousand & forty nine pounds, eleven shillings and two pence, Neat Province Bills, and Four thousand four hundred and sixty three pounds fourteen shillings and two pence Province Bills, with the Five per Cent. advance thereon, to be drawn into the Treasury and further Accompted for.
Voted, That the said Accompts in the several Articles of Receipts, and Pay- ments therein mentioned, Amounting unto the Sum of Fifty One thousand three hundred and Four pounds, One shilling and Nine pence, Be and are hereby Ap- proved and Allowed of, and the said Treasurer is hereby Discharged of the said Sum of Fifty One thousand three hundred and Four pounds One shilling and Nine pence.
Sent up for Concurrence.
The Vote of this House, on a Plat of Two Hundred Acres of Land, (a Grant formerly made to Thomas Eames) passed, Octob. 29. 1714. not being that Session pass'd upon in Council.
Ordered, That the said Vote be Revived and Sent up for Concurrence.
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Journal of the House of Representatives
A Petition of the Children, and Heirs of Mr. John Haynes late of Sudbury, de- ceas'd, presented to the House and Read, praying for the Confirmation of their Title, to a certain Tract of Land, formerly bought by the said Deceased, of Joseph Robins, and Benjamin Antony, Indians. Committed. [ 11 ]
I' N Consideration that the Trade of this Province is greatly Obstructed, and Sunk by the Exportation of the Coin, & for want of a Medium of Exchange: and the only Medium now passing in Trade, is the Bills of Publick Credit, which are so far drawn in already, That it is a Difficulty, next to an Impossibility for this Province to pay the Tax of Twenty-two Thousand Pounds, Granted to be raised this Year, within the same.
And Considering, That no Damage will accrue to the Publick, or to Private Persons, but Conveniency & Advantage to both, by Protracting the Payment of Part of the said Tax to a further convenient time.
Voted, That Eleven Thousand Pounds only of the said Sum be Levied, and Col- lected this present Year; and that the Impost and Excise be a Fund and Security for Drawing in the Sum of Four Thousand Pounds more thereof.
And that the remaining Sum of Seven Thousand Pounds be Levied, at the Ses- sion of this Court in May, 1722. and Paid in to the Treasury by the last Day of December next after. Sent up for Concurrence.
Ordered, That Col. Winthrop, Capt. Noyes, Col. Thaxter, Mr. Parsons, Mr. Epps, and Capt. Arnold, be a Committee to Inquire after a Suitable & Convenient House, for the Reception & Entertainment of His Excellency Col. Burges, our ex- pected Governour, when he shall Arrive, and to make Report to the House.
A Petition of the Select-men of the Town of Newton, presented to the House and Read, praying this Court to send a Committee, to View the said Town, and Consider of and Determine the most convenient Place for the Erecting a Meeting House for the Publick Worship, that shall best accommodate the whole Town. Sent down from the Board, pass'd upon there, viz. In Council, May 31. 1715. Read & Accepted. And the last Committee whereof John Otis Esq; was Chair- man, are appointed a Committee, to go upon the Place, and prefix the certain Spot, for Erecting a Meeting House; and this to be a final Settlement of the Town referring to the Place, for Erecting a House, for the Publick Worship of God.
Sent down for Concurrence. Read and Concurr'd.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Deneris 3 die Junii 1715.
A Petition of Isaac Amsden and Sixty-six Others Inhabitants of the Town of Marlborough, presented to the House and Read, praying that an Addition may be made to the said Town, of certain Lands lying between it, and the South Line of the Town of Lancaster, and of Sundry Farms adjoining to them.
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And a Petition of several Inhabitants of the said Farms, Read, praying that they may be annexed to the Town of Marlborough.
Referr'd to consideration at the next Session.
A Petition of the Inhabitants of the first, and eldest Precinct, in the East part of the Town of Springfield, presented to the House and Read, praying that the Lands belonging to them, which lie within the Precinct called Long Meadow Pre- cinct, may be Excused for paying to the Ministry there, and pay to the first Pre- cinct.
And the Question being put, Whither the prayer of the Petition be granted? It pass'd in the Negative.
A Motion being made by Joseph Parsons Esq; Asking leave to bring in a Bill for the preservation of Pine Trees:
Ordered, That Mr. Parsons have leave to bring in a Bill for the preservation of Pine Trees.
The Petition of Joseph Morse, praying, as entred the 28th May last, Read again. The Surveyor that took the Plat therein referr'd to, being Sworn. And the following Vote pass'd and entred on the Plat, viz. This Plat having been pre- sented for Confirmation, and Viewed and Inspected by the House. [ 12 ]
Ordered, That the Land therein Described be Allowed, Granted, and Confirmed to the Town of Sherbourn, as an equivalent for the Seventeen Families laid to Framingham, Mentioned in the Plat: Provided it intrench upon no former Grant.
Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Joseph Green of Salem, presented to the House and Read, pray- ing, That a Surveyor may be appointed to lay out a Farm formerly Granted, to Marshal General Mitchelson (the laying out of that, and Mr. Green the Printer's Farm Interfering with one another.) Committed.
A Petition of John Brigham, and thirty Others, presented to the House and Read, praying, That a Tract of Land lying between Marlborough, Lancaster, Worcester and Assanomisco, may be Granted to them with the Privileges of a Town- ship; Reserving to the Interested such prior Grants as are therein included.
Referr'd to further Consideration at the Sext Session.
The Petition of Joseph Hammond, praying as entred the first Currant, further considered and the Report of the Committee thereon, which was Accepted by the House, and accordingly, In answer to the said Petition:
Resolved, That the Sum of Five pounds be allowed and paid out of the Publick Treasury to Mr. Joseph Hammond the Petitioner, for his Service set forth in his Petition. Sent up for Concurrence.
The Vote of this House pass'd the 27th of May last, for Souldiers to Cover the Settlement at Arrowsick Island, sent down from the Board, pass'd on there, viz. In Council, May 31. Read and Concurr'd, and that His Excellency be desired to add Ten Men more to the Garrison at Casco for the present Exigency, and until
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further Order. Sent down for Concurrence. Read and Committed to the Committee for Petitions.
A Memorial of Samuel Partridge Esq; the Representatives of the several Towns of the County of Hampshire, and Others, presented to the House & Read, praying, That a Committee may be appointed, to Discover the most convenient Course, for a Cart-way to be made in, from Marlborough to Brookfield, to Spring- field, and from Brookfield, to Hadley; and Report a Calculation of what they sup- pose it may Cost to make such Roads passable, in order to it's being done.
Ordered, That Col. Thaxter, Mr. William Wilson, & Joseph Parsons Esq; be a Committee to Discover & Report the most convenient Course for the Roads pro- posed in the said Memorial, together with a Computation of the charge it will probably Demand to make them passable. Provided the Petitioners, or the County of Hampshire, will bear the charge of the Committee. Sent up for Concurrence.
Post Meridiem.
Capt. Noyes, from the Committee appointed to consider of a Suitable Place for the Reception & Entertainment of Col. Burges upon His Arrival to this Govern- ment. Reported, That inasmuch as there is no Suitable House to be Let, and the Mansion House, Land & Garden, &c. of Peter Sergeant Esq; deceas'd is now upon Sale: The Committee are of Opinion that it would be for the Interest & Benefit of this Province to purchase the same for their Use & Improvement.
The Petition of Joseph Green, praying as entred this Day, further considered, and the Report of the Committee thereon, which was accepted by the House, and accordingly,
Ordered, That the Petitioner may Imploy an able Sworn Surveyor with Men under Oath to carry the Chain, to lay out so much of the Province Land adjoin- ing to Mitchilson's Farm, as by mistake was taken up of Green's Farm, in the first laying out of Mitchelson's Farm, so as that the said Mitchelson's Farm, may con- tain three hundred Acres, as at first Granted; and lay a Plat thereof before this Court for Confirmation. Sent up for Concurrence. [ 13 ]
Complaint having been made to this House the first of this Instant June, That Mr. Samuel Sternes, a Member of this House & Representative of the Town of Water- town, and Treasurer of the said Town, has opposed the Execution of the Orders of this Court, relating to the Maintenance of the Ministry in the said Town.
And Mr. Sternes at his Desire, had time given him till this Day to make answer to the Complaint, which he did; several of his friends in the said Town, together with the Complainents, being present; And both Parties having been heard, they withdrew. And Mr. Sternes was Directed to withdraw until he is called for.
After some Debate:
The Question was put, Whether the House is of Opinion that Mr. Sternes is guilty
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of Opposing the Execution of the Orders of this Court relating to the Maintenance of the Ministry in Watertown?
And it pass d in the Negative.
Ordered, That Mr. Sternes be called in, and have a caution given him in the words following, viz.
Mr. Sternes, This House have been so tender as not to Vote you guilty of Op- posing the Orders of this Court in the Articles complain'd of against you. Yet they are very sensible you have not so encouraged & promoted Obedience there- unto as the publick Station, you have stood in, have Obliged you to do: And therefore caution you for the future to be very careful that you do not by word or deed Encourage a Disobedience to them.
But Advise & Exhort you, to use all proper Methods agreeable to your Duty as a Christian, a Member of this Court, and an Officer in the Town, to promote and forward a compliance, with the Orders of this Court, for the Support of the Minis- try in your Town, that there be no further Disputes, or Differences about the raising the Maintenance of your Ministers, so plainly Directed in the Orders of this Court. And in that Expectation, we continue & entertain you a Member of this Honourable House.
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