USA > Massachusetts > Journals of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts > Part 23
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Resolved, That the Sum of Twenty Pounds, be allowed and paid out of the Pub- lick Treasury to Doctor Robert Ellis, in full of his said Accompt.
Sent up for Concurrence.
An Accompt of Joseph Marion, his Engrossing the Journal of this House for their three last Sessions, amounting to the Sum of l. 5 18 s. Presented to the House for Allowance. Read, and
Resolved, That the Sum of l. 5 18 s. be allowed and paid out of the Publick Treasury to Mr. Joseph Marion, to discharge his Accompt. And that he insert proper Marginal Referrences in the Journal which he has Engross'd.
- Sent up for Concurrence.
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An Engross'd Bill, Intituled, An Act for Apportioning and Assessing a Tax of Eleven Thousand Pounds, upon Polls and Estates. Read, and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted.
An Engross'd Bill, Intituled, An Act for Granting unto His Majesty several Rates and Duties of Impost, and Tunnage of Shipping. Read, and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted.
An Engross'd Bill, Intituled, An Act in Addition to, and Explanation of Two Acts, referring to the Regulating of Fees, &c. Read, and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted.
An Engross'd Bill, Intituled, An Act to Enable Commissioners for Bankrupt Es- tates, to finish the Business of their Commissions. Read, and
Resolved, That the Bill do pass to be Enacted.
A Message from the Board by Andrew Belcher, John Clark, and Addington Davenport Esqrs, That the Owners of the Sloop which was improved a short time in the Defence of the Coast, Complain of great Damage they have sustained thereby. And the Board propose, That a Sale of some other Stores which were provided at the Province Charge for the fitting the said Sloop, amounting to about 34 l. may in Consideration thereof be given to the said Owners.
Ordered, That a Message be sent up to the Board by Col. Thaxter and Maj. Noyes, That the House agree to the said Proposal.
A Message from the Board by Samuel Sewall Esq; That His Excellency with the Advice of the Council, had appointed Thursday the 11th Day of July next, to be kept a Fast throughout this Province, agreeable to the Motion of this House.
A Message sent up to the Board by Mr. Hutchinson and Capt. Chambers, That the House desire to know whether the several Bills and Votes of this House, that have been sent up for Concurrence this Session, are pass'd through the Court, ex- cepting those whereof the House has been advis'd.
A Message from the Board by Thomas Hutchinson and Samuel Brown Esqrs; That all the Bills and Votes as aforesaid are Pass'd. And that His Excellency Di- rects that this House do now attend him in the Council Chamber.
Mr. Speaker and the House went up. And His Excellency was pleased to Speak to the Court, as follows, viz.
Gentlemen,
I Return you Thanks for what you have done for Me; tho' I must take leave to in- form you, That the Expence I am at, even with decency to Support my Character, is greater than you may possibly imagine.
I am inform'd, That some ill minded Persons have industriously spread it abroad, that I have Sold Employments. I take therefore this opportunity to assure you, That this Report is Villanous, False and Scandalous, and declare to you upon my Word and Honour, That I never have, nor will Sell any Place, but shall do my utmost en-
22I
Journal of the House of Representatives
deavour in the disposition of all Offices and Employments, wholly to consult the Mer- its, Capacities, Prudence, Faithfulness, Loyalty and Virtue, of the Persons that I design shall enjoy them.
The Unanimity with which you have proceeded in the Affairs of this Session is Praise worthy, and I question not but it will produce its good Effects. I believe the business you had before you, is as far finished, as your Private Affairs, and the Season of the Year will permit, and that you will be glad to go Home: I do therefore Prorogue you to the Twenty-seventh of August.
BOSTON: Printed & Sold by 1B, Green. 1717. [23 ]
.
Anno Regni Regis GEORGII nunc Magna Britannia, &c. Quarto.
JOURNAL
Of the HOUSE of Representatives.
At a Great and General Court or Assembly of His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in pew England, begun & held at 2Boston, upon Wednesday the 29th Day of Day, Anno Domini 1717. and continued by Prorogations to Wednesday the 23d Day of October next after, and then met.
A Letter from Mr. Joseph Hammond, and a Letter from Mr. Benj. Jones, excusing their not attending the House, Read.
A Message from His Excellency the Governour by Penn Townsend, and John Wheelright Esqrs; That the House do now attend him in the Council Chamber.
Mr. Speaker and the House went up accordingly. And his Excellency made a Speech to the Court, and gave a Copy thereof to Mr. Speaker, who with the House return'd to their own Chamber.
His Excellency's Speech Read, and is as follows, viz.
GENTLEMEN,
S INCE our Last Sessions, upon the Advice of the Council and at the pressing In- stance of the Eastern Indians, I have been at the Island of Arrowsick, where I met with a considerable Body of the Indians of those Parts with their Sachems, and have in His Majesty's Name ratified & confirmed the former Treaty's of Pacifica- tion; and accepted their Submission, with promises of Allegiance to King GEORGE, and very great Assurances of Peace, Friendship and Faithfulness to this Government: As you will find by an account of that Transaction to be laid before you, so that I hope by the favour of GOD, we may depend upon having Peace in our Borders, if we on our part are but wise for our Selves and just to them.
I have very lately, Pursuant to the Act of Parliament, for the Suppression of Pi- racy, and a Commission founded thereon, and inrolled in this Province, with His Majesty's Proclamation in the beginning of His happy Reign, as also His most Ex- press Instructions to Me for that purpose, Opened and Held a Special Court of Ad- miralty, for the Tryal of the Pirates we have had so long in Prison; And I doubt not, but that the great Care, Zeal and Justice of the Court in that Matter, will very much repute and Honour us, and have a good tendency to prevent the like Piracy's for the future.
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I have no late Commands from His Majesty to lay before you at this time, so that you will have the greater leasure to attend and sooner finish the Ordinary Affairs of the Province, and this being your usual time of the Year for it, I hope you will apply your Selves to the consideration and dispatch thereof accordingly, and therein, not suffer your Selves to be delay'd, hindred or diverted by the Affairs, Designs or Insinu- ations of any private particular Persons, but be always and wholly Imployed in the general Affairs of the Government and Province, and also Animated and Acted by a Publick Spirit, wherein you shall always have my ready and sincere Incouragement and Concurrence.
SAMUEL SHUTE.
Mr. Eaton made his Excuse to the House for his absence the last Session.
Ordered, That his Excuse be accepted. And the said Member was sent up to the Honourable Board to be qualified by taking the Oaths, &c.
A Petition of Edward Johnson, in behalf of himself and the other Heirs of Capt. Edward Johnson late of Woburn, deceased: presented to the House and Read, Praying liberty to take up, and lay out 200 Acres of Land, in a proper figure in some place not yet granted, by a Surveyor and Chain-men under Oath, to satisfy a Grant made to the said Capt. Edward Johnson, Anno 1663. and present a Plat to this Court for confirmation. Committed. [ 24 ]
A Petition of Hugh Pike of Newbury, Presented to the House and Read, Shew- ing, That he continues a Creple, and disabled from getting a Lively-hood for him- self and Family, by reason of a wound that broke his Thigh which he received in the Publick Service in the late War with the Indians, and which is not healed: Praying Relief.
Resolved, That the Sum of Fifteen Pounds be Allowed and Paid out of the Pub- lick Treasury to Hugh Pike the Petitioner, for his Relief.
Sent up for Concurrence.
3 Post Meridiem.
A Report sign'd Henry Hodges, William Basset & William Southworth, a Com- mittee appointed the 31st Day of May last, to consider the Petition of John Brandford, Jacob Cooke, &c. and report their opinion thereon, Presented to the House and Read, Purporting that they are of opinion the prayer of the Petition should be so far granted, That a Township be Erected, the Bounds thereof to be altered from the Plat the Petitioners propose, as in the said report is particularly set forth.
A Petition of William Shurtlef, Representative of the Town of Plimpton, in the Name, and per order of the said Town, Presented to the House and Read, pray- ing, That the said Report may not be confirmed until the said Town be heard;
224 Journal of the House of Representatives
And the Representative of the Town of Plymouth making the same motion in be- half of his Town.
Ordered, That John Bradford, &c. Petitioners, serve the Towns of Plymouth, Plimpton, Duxbury and Pembroke, with a Copy of this Report, That they may be heard what they have to object against the Accepting and Confirming thereof on Wednesday the Sixth Day of November next. Sent up for Concurrence. And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Tobis 24, Die Octobris 1717. A. m.
M
R. Treasurer Allen was admitted into the House and Exhibited, an Ac- count of the present State of the Treasury, which was Read, and he with- drew.
A Message from the Board by John Higginson and Isaac Winslow Esqrs; In- quiring what the House had passed on the Petition of Peleg Slocum and John Tucker of Dartmouth, which was pass'd upon at the Board, and sent down the last Sessions.
Mr. Speaker sent up the said Petition by Col. Hutchinson, & Major Savage, with Direction to acquaint the Honourable Board with the Vote pass'd thereon by this House the 21th of June last, which they did and left the Petition.
half an hour past 3 Dost Meridiem.
Ordered, That Major Savage, Col. Thaxter, Mr. Lindel, Mr. John Denison, Mr. Remington, Capt. Chambers, Mr. Porter, Mr. Lothrop, Capt. Southworth, Mr. Jennings, Maj. Skiff. Mr. Sawyer, and Mr. Coffin be a Committee, to project, and propose to the House a method whereby, a more exact Valuation of the Estates of the several Towns of this Province, may be obtained, in order to a more equal Proportioning and Levying of Publick Taxes.
A Bill Intituled, An Act, in Addition to the Act for High Ways. Read a first time.
And a Motion being made, and the Question being put, Whether the Bill be read a 2d time ? It pass'd in the Negative.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Deneris 25, Die Octobris, 1717. A. SĄ.
A Plat of 250 Acres of Land, laid out adjoyning to the South-East Line of the Town of Worcester, by David Haynes, Surveyor, and Chain-men under Oath, pursuant to an Order of this Court past the first of June last, in answer to the Petition of Ephraim Curtiss, presented to the House for Confirmation.
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Journal of the House of Representatives
Ordered, That the Land Deseribed in the said Plat be allowed, Granted & Con- firmed as the 250 Acres of Land, Granted in the Year 1674. to Ephraim Curtiss, provided it Interfere with no former Grant. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Plat of 150 Acres of Land laid out Contiguous to the Land in the Plat last mentioned, and by the same Surveyor with Chainmen under Oath, agreeable to an order of this Court, past in June last, upon the Petition of Malachi Holloway, Presented to the House for Confirmation. [ 25 ]
Ordered, That the Land Contained and Delinated in the said Plat be allowed, Granted, and Confirmed as the 150 Acres Granted to William Holloway Anno 1662, provided it Interfere with no former Grant. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Nathaniel Fadre, Praying that Twenty Seven Pounds may be al- lowed out of the Publick Treasury, and paid to him for Piloting his Majesty's Ships Rose & Squirrel from Boston to Nantasket, and from Nantasket to Boston, &c. Sent down from the Board. Read &
The Question being put whether any Sum be Granted, in Answer to the said Petition? It passed in the Negative.
Penn Townsend, Esq; brought down from the Board the Petition of Peleg Slocum & John Tucker, Praying as entered the 21st of last June, for this House to proceed upon Vouchers to the Allegations thereof being now brought with it.
Mr. Speaker sent up to the Board for the Petition of Thomas How, Isaac Ams- den, &c. Passed upon in this House the 30th of October 1714 which was not then passed on at the Board. The said Petition brought down and Read.
Ordered, That the Prayer of the Petition be Granted. Sent up for Concurrence.
Mr. Prince now making his Appearance, was sent up to the Board to be quali- fied by taking the Oaths, &c.
A Petition of John Usher, Esq; brought down from the Board, by John Higgin- son, Andrew Belcher and Elisha Cooke, Esqrs; with a Message moving the House to Consider and Reward his Service in Purchasing the Province of Maine for this Province. Upon a Motion being made
Ordered, That a Bill be brought in to regulate the Price of Shoes, and that Capt. Fullam, Mr. Parsons, and Col. Hutchinson prepare the same.
3 Post Meridiem.
The Petition of Peleg Slocum & John Tucker, mentioned in the Forenoon, Read and further Considered of
Voted That the Petition be Dismist inasmuch as the Petitioners may have their Remedy in the Law, if the Constables, or other Officers are Chargeable with any Misfeasance. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Report Sign'd by Samuel Thaxter, John Chandler and Jonathan Remington, a
226 Journal of the House of Representatives
Committee appointed the 31st Day of May, to Consider the Petition of Isaac Amsden and 66 others. Presented to the House and Read.
A Petition of Peter Smith, John Smith, &c by Wigglesworth Sweetser their At- torney, presented to the House and Read, praying as that entred the 12th of April last, with further request added thereto, That if the Court don't see cause to Grant their Petition, they will allow them a Hearing before they Deny it.
A Plat of the Town of Deerfield, taken pursuant to the Order of this Court the IIth of June last, presented to the House for Confirmation. And
A Petition of Samuel Partridge, John Stoddard and Henry Dwight, Committee for Northfield, presented to the House and Read, praying that the said Plat may not be confirmed, for reasons therein alledged.
John Appleton, and Addington Davenport Esqrs; brought down from the Gov- ernour an Account of the Interview his Excellency lately had with the Eastern Indians.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
Sabbati 26. Die Octobris 1717. A. SĄ.
T He Account of his Excellency's Interview with the Eastern Indians, which was brought down yesterday. Read, and
Ordered, That the Thanks of this House be humbly Rendred to his Excellency the Governour by Col. Hutchinson, Mr. Tay, Capt. Chambers, Mr. John Denison, and Capt. Dowse, for the Care and Pains He has taken for the Service of this Province, in his late Voyage to Arrowsick Island; and the wise Management of his Interview with the Eastern Indians there. Particularly his steady Asserting and Maintaining the just Right, and Title of the English Subjects to their Lands in that Country : And at the same time assuring the Indians of Protection with Jus- tice and Kindness, from this His Majesty's Government while they Approve themselves good Subjects to His Majesty KING GEORGE. Whereby they have been Disposed to renew their former Treaties of Pacification: and [ 26 ] Recognize their submission and Allegiance to His Majesty, from whence there is a hopeful Prospect of Quiet and Safety to His Majesty, who are Resetling in those Parts.
A Petition of George Phillips Clerk late Minister of the Town of Brookfield, Presented to the House and Read, Praying that he may enjoy and have Con- firmed to him Ninety Acres of Land formerly Granted to him in the said Town for reasons therein assign'd. Committed.
The Plat of the Township of Deerfield, Exhibited Yesterday, further Consid- ered, being protracted by Timothy Dwight Surveyor, and entered thereon that the Chain-men were under Oath, but omitted to be entred that the Surveyor was.
Ordered, That the Lands Protracted and Delineated in the said Plat, be the Township of Deerfield. Provided, It does not exceed the quantity of Seven Miles
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Square, and be laid out agreeable to the Grants made to the said Town, and do not Interfere with any former Grant. Sent up for Concurrence.
A Petition of Thomas Ayers, Joseph Ayers, &c. further inforcing their Petition offered the 12th of June last, presented to the House and Read. Committed. A Bill Intituled, An Act for the better Regulation of Fowling. Read.
The Committee made their Report on the Petition of Thomas Ayers, Joseph Ayers, &c. which was accepted by the House, and accordingly,
Ordered, That the Committee for Brookfield be served with a Copy of the said Petitions; And that they appear before this Court, on the Second Thursday of the next May Sessions, to shew reasons why they Declared the Petitioners Lands to be forfeited. Sent up for Concurrence.
And then the House Adjourn'd till Monday next three a Clock in the After-
noon.
BOSTON : Printed & Sold by 15, Green. 17 17. [27]
Province of the Massachusetts-Bap
VOTES
of the House of Representatives.
June 28. Die Octobris, 1717. D. m.
A Petition of Richard Dollof of Exeter in the Province of New-Hampshire, Presented to the House and Read, Praying Assistance towards Defreying the great charge he has lately been at in going to Canada, to recover three of his Children, that were carried Captive thither by the Indians in the late War.
And the Question being put, Whether any Sum be Granted in answer to the said Petition? It pass'd in the Negative.
A Petition of Pain Mayhew Clerk, of the Town of Chilmark, in behalf and per order of the said Town, Praying that the Estate of Peleg Slocum and John Tucker Quakers may be exempted from paying towards the Maintenance of the Ministry, and all Ecclesiastical charge in the said Town, and that the said Town may be enabled to raise their Ministers Salary, and Ecclesiastical charge with- out Rating their Estates, Sent down from the Board, pass'd on there, viz. In Council October 25th 1717. Read and ordered that the Prayer of the Petition be Granted.
Sent down for Concurrence. Read and Non-Concurr'd.
A Bill Intituled, An Act for the better Regulation of Fowling, Read a 2d time.
A Petition of Susanna Gray Widow, Relict and Administratix to the Estate of Samuel Gray late of Boston Deceased, John Gray and Benjamin Gray, Sons of the Deceased, Presented to the House and Read, Praying this Court to Impower themselves, or others to make Sale of a House and Land that was the Deceased's, which cannot well be divided, to pay the Debts of the Estate; the Surplusage of the produce thereof to be divided, as is directed for the Estates of Intestates.
Committed.
Mr. Speaker sent Maj. Chandler, and Mr. Mandsley up to the Board, to In- quire for a Bill sent up for Concurrence the last Sessions: Intituled, An Act in further Addition to the Act for Encouraging the Killing of Wolves.
Ordered, That a Message be sent up to the Board by Col. Hutchinson, Mr. Wil- liam Denison, and Mr. Porter, Desiring, That a Day of Publick Thanksgiving to Almighty GOD, may be Appointed & Celebrated throughout this Province, upon the various Grounds and Occasions for it.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
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martis 29. Die Octobris 1717. A. S.
C Ol. Thaxter presented to the House an Accompt of the charge of Building a Hospital on Spectacle Island, amounting to l. 173. which was Read, and Ordered, That Capt. Chambers, Mr. Porter, and Capt. Fullam, be a Committee, to Examine, and Audit the said Accompt, and make report to the House.
A Petition of Ruth Everton, Widow, relict of William Everton, and Sole Execu- trix of his last 'Will and Testament: praying, That She may be Enabled to Sell a House & Land, that was her said Husbands for her necessary relief & support. Sent down from the Board, pass'd on there, viz. October 26. 1717.
Resolved, That the Petitioner is fully Impowred by the Will of her said late Husband, to make Sale of his real Estate. Sent down for Concurrence.
Read and Non Concurr'd, Inasmuch as this House is of Opinion, That the Construction of the Will does not lie properly before this Court.
The Petition of Pain Mayhew, in behalf of the Town of Chilmark, pass'd upon in this House Yesterday, Sent down from the Board, further pass'd upon there, viz. In Council October 28th 1717. In consideration that the Inhabitants of Elsa- beth-Islands, are at so remote a Distance, that they cannot attend the Publick Worship of God, at Marthas Vineyard, Ordered, That the said Islands be Ex- empted from paying any charge to the Ministry, at Marthas Vineyard, until fur- ther order. Sent down for Concurrence.
Read, and Non-Concurr'd. [ 28 ]
A Bill Intituled, An Act for the better Regulations of Fowling. Read a 3d time.
And pass'd to be Ingross'd. Sent up for Concurrence.
Capt. Chambers from the Committee appointed to Examine the Accompt of the Building the Hospital on Spectacle Island, made Report, That they had Ex- amined the same, and find it right Cast and well Avouch't, and know no reason why it should not be allowed and paid.
Resolved, That so much be further Allowed and Paid out of the Publick Treas- ury as with what has been already paid on this Account, shall make up the Sum of One Hundred and Seventy three Pounds, to Discharge the Accompt ..
And the Committee are Desired to Proceed in making a Fence and Well at the best rate they can. Sent up for Concurrence.
And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
mercurii 30. Die Octobris 1717. A. M.
A Petition of Gurdon Saltonstall Esq; Presented to the House and Read, Shewing That the General Court of the late Colony of the Massachusetts- Bay, Did in the Year 1650 Grant to Robert Saltonstall Three Thousand acres of Land, for l. 400 which his Father Sir Richard Saltonstall Laid out in the common Stock with a Proviso, that it should be laid out in October then next following,
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But was then omitted & has not hitherto been done, Praying, That it may now be Granted, to the next Heirs of the said Robert Saltonstall.
A Petition of Nicholas Coat, Daniel Littlefield, and Joseph Littlefield, Select- Men of the Town of Wells, Presented to the House, and Read, Praying this Court, to Appoint and send a Committee, or Surveyor under Oath, to run the Line, and settle the Bounds, between the said Town, and the Towns of Kittery and Berwick, pursuant to the Report of a Committee, confirmed by this Court, the 21st of June last, which the said Towns refuse to joyn with them in doing.
The Report of Samuel Thaxter, John Chandler, and Jonathan Remington, which was Read the 25th Currant. Read again and further considered.
And the Petition of John Brigham, and 30 others, Praying as entred the 23d Day of November, last, Sent for from the Board, and Read,
And the Petition of Isaac Amsden, and 66 others, Praying as entred the 23d Day of Novemb. last.
Ordered, That Mr. Porter, Mr. Remington, & Capt. Fullam, be a Committee to prepare a Draught of a Vote to be passed thereon, agreeable to the mind of the House manifested in the present Debate.
3 Post Meridiem.
Mr. Remington from the Committee appointed, offered to the House the Draught of a Vote accordingly, which was Read.
Ordered, That Col. Hutchinson, be of the Committee to Project and Propose a Method for the more equal Levying of Publick Taxes, in the room of Maj. Savage, until he returns to the House.
The Petition of John Usher Esq; Brought down from the Board, the 25th Cur- rant, Read, Praying that he may receive the Ballance due to him as Treasurer of the late Territory of New-England, or be impowered to receive the Taxes made in Sir Edmund Andross his Government, that are still outstanding, &c.
A Message from the Board by Nathaniel Pain Esq; That Two Hearings were appointed to be this Afternoon, which (the Time being now too far laps'd) The Board purposes to be Adjourned till to Morrow Three a Clock in the Afternoon.
Ordered, That the Proposal be agreed to.
A Petition of William Street, and Mary Street his Wife, Susanna Patterson, Re- beckah Day, & Anna Leatherer, &c. Presented to the House, Praying, That they may be Enabled to Review an Action at the Inferiour Court of Common Pleas, to be holden in Boston, wherein Susanna Copestock obtained a Judgment by De- fault, for a Moiety of a House and Land in Boston aforesaid, belonging to the Pe- titioners, for reasons assign'd in the Petition. Read and sent up. And then the House Adjourn'd till to Morrow Morning Nine a Clock.
BOSTON : Printed & Sold by 15. Green. 1717.
[29]
Province of the Massachusetts Bap.
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