USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Proceedings at the dedication of the building for the Public library of the city of Boston. January 1, 1858 > Part 6
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Resolved,-That the thanks of this Board, in behalf of the City Council, be presented to J. Putnam Brad- lee, Esq., his aids and assistants, for the prompt, efficient, and courteous manner in which all their duties were performed, on the occasion of the dedica- tion of the public library building, on the first instant.
Resolved,-That the thanks of this Board, in behalf of the City Council, be presented to Captain Charles O. Rogers, the officers and members of the Boston Light Infantry, for their complimentary and gratifying escort to the City Government and their guests, on the first instant.
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Resolved,-That the thanks of this Board, in behalf of the City Council, be presented to the Rev. Baron Stow, D.D., and to the Rev. Arthur B. Fuller, who so ably and acceptably officiated on the occasion ; - and to Charles Butler, Esq., and the pupils of the Girls' High and Normal School, for their valuable aid in the ceremonies of the dedication of the public library building.
The following order, offered, at a meeting of the Common Council, was unanimously passed at the % same meeting of the Board of Aldermen, and ap- proved by His Honor the Mayor.
Ordered, - That the Committee of Arrangements for the Dedication of the Public Library Building be, and they are hereby, authorized and requested to cause to be printed, for the use of the City Council, the addresses delivered by the Hon. Robert C. Win- throp, the Hon. Edward Everett, and His Honor the Mayor, on the first day of January, 1858, together with an account of the proceedings upon that occasion.
The Committee of Arrangements held a meeting on the fifth day of January, A.D. 1858. The chair- man read the order passed by the City Council requesting the committee to publish an account of the proceedings at the dedication; whereupon it was
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Ordered, - That the order of the City Council be referred to a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Oliver Frost, Joseph A. Pond and William Parkman, with full powers to publish the several addresses and an account of the proceedings at the dedication of the Public Library . Building, with such other particulars connected with the institution as they may deem . expedient.
Other orders relating to the collection of the neces- sary materials were also adopted at the same meeting.
The sub-committee immediately assembled and, after an interchange of opinions upon the nature and extent of the duty assigned to them, Voted, that the papers be placed in the hands of Mr. Pond, and that he be requested to prepare and publish an account of the dedication, together with a history and descrip- tion of the building, in accordance with the views of the sub-committee, with authority to obtain such assist- ance as might be desirable in the performance of the duty.
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APPENDIX.
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APPENDIX.
FACTS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY IN BOSTON, AND THE ERECTION OF A BUILDING FOR THE SAME.
A PUBLIC meeting of the citizens of Boston was held at the Masonic Temple, in Tremont street, on the evening of the fifth of May, 1841, to consider the expediency of estab- lishing a public literary and scientific institution and a sys- tem of international exchanges, as recommended by Mons. ALEXANDRE VATTEMARE, of Paris. His Honor, JONATHAN CHAPMAN, the mayor, presided and introduced to the audi- ence the author of the proposed plan, who proceeded to unfold his project, which contemplated a union of the literary and scientific societies of the city, with their various and scattered libraries, into a grand, central institution, with a public library, a gallery of art, etc.
M. Vattemare also proposed the erection of a building by the citizens, or the government of the city, which should con- tain rooms for the united libraries and collections of the various societies. The building being thus the property of the people, in consideration of the amount paid for its erection, the whole people were forever to have free access to all that it might contain, with only such regulations as the safety and preservation of the property might demand.
After a resolution of thanks to M. Vattemare, and a pledge of cordial cooperation, the subject was referred to a
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committee, consisting of Walter Channing, M.D., Rev. Ezra S. Gannett, Rev. George W. Blagden, and Charles Francis Adams, Esq., who, at a subsequent meeting, reported in favor of the project. . They submitted detailed plans and estimates of the cost of a building, with ample accommodations for a large public library, paintings, statuary, etc. The committee urged the subject with the hope that soon such an institution might " arise amongst us, a monument of the public interest in good learning, and a noble means of gratifying that in- terest." They stated, however, that, "in looking around on the state of the country, and especially on the depressed condition of the industry of our own community, the com- mittee have serious doubts about recommending a plan for present action, which must involve great expenditure of money."
Nothing further was done in the matter in six years. In the mean time, a collection of valuable books, number- ing about fifty volumes, was received from M. Vattemare. The fact was communicated to the City Council by his Honor, MARTIN BRIMMER, the mayor, in a message, on the twenty-eighth day of November, 1843. The books were presented, through the intermediation of M. Vattemare, by the Municipal Council of the City of Paris, in exchange for works which had been transmitted to that distinguished body. They were deposited in the Mayor's office, in the City Hall.
A further donation from the same city arrived on the second of September, 1847. These were rare and useful works relating to the internal police of France, statistics upon subjects of general and local interest, and historical works, illustrated by engravings, making a collection of ninety-six volumes.
His Honor, JOSIAH QUINCY, Jr., the mayor, Aldermen THOMAS WETMORE and WILLIAM PARKER, and Councilmen RICHARD B. CARTER, GIDEON F. THAYER and WILLIAM EATON, 1
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were appointed " a committee to report what acknowl- edgment and return should be made to the City of Paris, and to furnish a suitable place within the City Hall for the safe keeping of these volumes." Upon their recommenda- tion, the Mayor was authorized to make a suitable acknowl- edgment, and to transmit a number of volumes to the authorities of Paris. It was then
Ordered, - That the room in the third story and southeast corner of the City Hall, be appropriated as the place of deposit, for the dona- tions of the City of Paris and any other books of a similar nature that may belong to the city.
The subject of a "Free City Library " was engaging the attention of many of our influential and literary citizens before the arrival of these donations, which, it was hoped and believed, would form a nucleus, around which a new, popular and useful institution would speedily arise, and open its doors to the public.
On the fourteenth of October, in the same year, the Mayor sent a message to the City Council, strongly urging the formation of a public library, and announcing that "a citizen," (since ascertained to be Mayor Quincy himself,) " lias offered to give to the city five thousand dollars, for the purpose of making a commencement, on condition that ten thousand dollars be raised for the same purpose, at large, and that the library be open to the public in as free a manner as consistent with the safety of the property."
This message was referred to the committee above named, with the addition of the President of the Common Council, BENJAMIN SEAVER, Esq., and Messrs. SAMUEL E. GUILD and JAMES WHITING, with instructions "to consider the expedi- ency of commencing the formation of a public library, under the control and auspices of the city, with authority to receive donations for the same, either in books or money." At the
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conclusion of an elaborate report, the committee recom- mended the passage of the following orders, which were unanimously adopted :-
Ordered, - That the City of Boston will accept any donations from citizens or others, for the purpose of commencing a Public City Library.
Ordered, - That whenever the library shall be of the value of thirty thousand dollars, it will be expedient for the City to provide a suitable place and arrangements to enable it to be used by the citizens with as great a degree of freedom, as the security of the property will permit.
This was the first official encouragement of the establish- ment of an institution, which, two years later, began to find favor with our citizens, and which, from a small beginning, has risen so rapidly in the public estimation and interest, as to place it among the most important of our permanent educational facilities.
In the year 1848, the "Joint Special Committee on the Library," of which Mayor Quincy was chairman, proposed a union of the City Library with the Boston Atheneum. For this purpose they entered into a negotiation with the Trus- tees, to render it a public institution, so far as its library was concerned. The Trustees voted, to " recommend to the pro- prietors that they should give to the public the use of the library, in as full a manner as it now is, or hereafter may be, enjoyed by the shareholders, on the following conditions : first, that there shall be paid to the Treasurer of the Athenaum the sum of fifty thousand dollars; second, that the City shall pay annually to the said Treasurer the sum of five thousand dollars, in quarterly payments, it being understood, that the management of the library shall be confided to ten Directors, six of whom shall be chosen by the Trustees, and four by the City Council." This propo- sition was, however, rejected by the proprietors, and the project failed.
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In the year 1849, a considerable progress was made in forming the Public Library. Hon. EDWARD EVERETT ten- dered to his Honor, JOHN P. BIGELOW, the mayor, his large collection of congressional documents and state papers, together with many other valuable works, numbering about one thousand bound volumes. They embrace the most im- portant documents from the foundation of the Federal Gov- vernment, to the year 1840. On the thirty-first of October, one hundred and eighty-seven volumes of bound public docu- ments were sent to the library by Hon. ROBERT C. WINTHROP. Two hundred and nineteen volumes were presented by J. D. W. WILLIAMS, Esq. Contributions of books followed, in rapid succession, from Hon. S. A. ELIOT, Dr. J. MASON WAR- REN and others, all of which were deposited and kept in the room in the City Hall appropriated for the purpose, under the charge of the Secretary of the School Commit- tee, Mr. EDWARD CAPEN, the present efficient Librarian. No persons, however, were allowed to borrow the books except- ing those officially engaged at the City Hall.
On the fifth of August, 1850, Mayor BIGELOW contributed one thousand dollars in aid of the establishment of the Public Library. This was regarded as a valuable donation, from the fact that it was the first money contributed, and was very gratefully received and funded by the City Council, who directed the Committee on the Library "to proceed, with as little delay as possible, to carry into effect the establish- ment of a Free Public Library."
On the seventh of August, Mr. Everett formally notified the City Council of his desire and intention to make the large contribution of books which he had previously promised, and which, he stated, had cost him a great amount of time, labor and expense to collect, whenever it would be conve- nient to receive them. In his letter, he says, "I hope it will not be thought intrusion in me to express the opinion, that, if the City Government would provide a suitable build-
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ing for a public library, it would be so amply supplied, from time to time, by donations, that only a moderate annual appropriation for books would be wanted. If, on a lot of public land, a building were commenced, aiming at nothing but convenience and neatness, (and all attempts to go farther in architecture are almost sure to fail,). and so planned as to admit future enlargement, the first expense need not exceed that of one of those numerous school houses, of which the City does not hesitate to erect one every two or three years. The more retired the situ- ation the better. The library ought not to be a show place for strangers, nor a lounge for idlers; but a quiet retreat for persons of both sexes who desire earnestly to improve their minds."
In a subsequent letter to the mayor, when a place of deposit had been provided, Mr. Everett again urged the importance of erecting a building for the Public Library, and said : "I remain of the opinion, which I took the liberty of express- ing last year, that if the City would provide a suitable building, affording present accommodation for fifteen or twenty thousand volumes, and so constructed as to admit of enlargement hereafter, a valuable public library would very soon be formed by donation. A place of deposit thus provided, the library, I feel confident, would steadily increase. It would soon become an object of pride to the citizens of Boston, and every one would feel it an honor to do something for it."
The "Joint Standing Committee on the Public Library," for the year 1851, in their report, being City Document No. 79, earnestly commended the institution to the fostering care of the City Council, and referred " the question of an outlay for the erection of a suitable library building to a future City Council."
On the nineteenth of February, 1852, his Honor the Mayor sent a message to the City Council, as follows :-
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HENRY J. GARDNER, Esq., President of the Common Council.
SIR : - I decm it expedient, at this early period in the year, to call the attention of the City Council to the present condition of the public library. It is now about four years since the legislature . . . passed an act authorizing the City of Boston to establish and maintain a public library, for the use of its inhabitants. Pursuant to this act, the City Council established a free public library, and appointed a com- mittee to sce to its interests. On their recommendation a small room on the third floor of the City Hall was appropriated to its usc ; and, although the number of books thus far received does not exceed four thousand volumes, more ample accommodations are already needed, in order to place the books in a condition for use. It can hardly be expected that our citizens will feel disposed to make liberal donations to the library before at least suitable rooms for the reception and safe keeping of books are provided. . .. There should be, it seems to me, no unnecessary delay in placing the library on such a foundation as will entitle it to, and sccure for it, the fullest confidence of the community in its success and usefulness.
In order to carry this institution into successful operation, I respect- fully suggest that a librarian be appointed, and a large room or rooms, easy of access, in a central portion of the city, be secured, as the one now occupied has always been regarded more as a place for the deposit of books, than as a suitable situation for a permanent library. I would also respectfully suggest for your consideration the propriety of appoint- ing a board of directors or . . . trustees for the public library.
The recommendations I have ventured to make will involve a small expenditure only, and will, I believe, bring to the library many times the amount required to carry them out.
BENJAMIN SEAVER, Mayor.
This message was referred to the Committee on the Library, who, on the twenty-ninth of April, submitted a report in conformity with the recommendations of the Mayor, and, also, the following order :-
Ordered, - That the Joint Standing Committee on the Public Library be, and they are hereby, authorized to procure suitable rooms for the deposit and arrangement of the books belonging to the Public Library."
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A librarian and a board of trustees were elected, and they were "requested to report to the City Council upon the objects to be attained by the establishment of a public library, and the best mode of effecting them." This report, being City Document No. 37, was submitted on the sixth of July. After an able and forcible exposition of the subject, the Trustees remark, "the commencement of such a library should be made, of preference, in a very unpretending man- ner ; spending such moneys as may be appropriated for the purpose, chiefly on books that are known to be really wanted, rather than on such as will make an imposing, a scientific, or a learned collection. . . .
" If it were probable that the City Council would deem it expedient at once to make a large appropriation for the erection of a building and the purchase of an ample library, and that the citizens at large would approve such an expendi- ture, the Trustees would, of course, feel great satisfaction in the prompt achievement of an object of such high public utility. But in the present state of the finances of the city, and in reference to an object on which the public mind is not yet enlightened by experience, the Trustees regard any such appropriation and expenditure as entirely out of the question. They look, therefore, only to the continuance of such moderate and frugal expenditure, on the part of the city, as has been already authorized and commenced, for the purchase of books and the compensation of the librarian ; and for the assignment of a room or rooms in some one of the public buildings belonging to the city for the reception of the books already on hand, or which the Trustees have the means of procuring. With aid to this extent on the part of the city, the Trustees believe that all else may be left to the public spirit and liberality of individuals. .
" In order to put the library into operation with the least possible delay, the Trustees would propose to the City Gov- ernment to appropriate for this purpose the ground floor of
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the Adams school house in Mason street. They are led to believe that it will not be needed for the use of the Normal School proposed to be established in this building. It may be made, at a small expense, to afford ample accommodation for four or five thousand volumes, with an adjoining room for reading and consulting books, and it will admit of easy en- largement to twice its present dimensions. Such an apart- ment would enable the Trustees at once to open the library with five thousand volumes, a collection of sufficient magni- tude to afford a fair specimen of the benefits of such an establishment to the city.
"Should it win the public favor, as the Trustees cannot but anticipate, it will soon reach a size which will require en- larged premises. These, as we have said, can be easily provided by the extension of the present room on the ground floor; and it will be time enough, when the space at com- mand is filled up, to consider what further provision need be made for the accommodation of the library."
Upon the acceptance of the report by the City Council, it was
Ordered, - That the Committee on Public Buildings are hereby authorized to appropriate so much of the ground floor of the Adams school house, for the purpose of establishing and accommodating the Public Library as they may deem expedient, and to furnish such fixtures as may be necessary to carry out the plan of such a library as is sug- gested in said report.
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.. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees, held for the pur- pose, a plan was submitted by Dr. NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF of the necessary alterations in the premises. It was then
Voted, - That the Committee on Public Buildings be requested to fit up the lower floor of the Adams school house, for the purposes of the Public Library, according to a plan approved at this meeting.
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In October, 1852, a letter was received by the Mayor from JOSHUA BATES, Esq., a distinguished merchant of Lon- don, and a native of Boston, offering to pay for the books required to establish the library on a liberal scale, "thus leaving to the City to provide the building and take care of the expenses.
" The only condition I ask is, that the building shall be such as shall be an ornament to the City - that there shall be room for one hundred to one hundred and fifty persons to sit at reading tables - that it shall be perfectly free to all, with no other restrictions than may be necessary for the preservation of the books. What the building may cost, I am unable to estimate; but the books-counting additions during my life-time - I estimate at $50,000, which I shall gladly contribute, and consider it but a small return for the many acts of confidence and kindness I have received from my many friends in your City."
An appropriate acknowledgment was made by the City Council, and it was
Ordered, - That whenever an edifice is constructed for the Public Library, the Trustees be, and they hereby are, directed to appropriate a suitable hall for the deposit and arrangement of statues, paintings, and other memorials of those persons who have distinguished, or shall here- after distinguish themselves, by acts of liberality to the religious, char- itable, or literary institutions of the city.
This munificent donation gave a powerful and efficient impulse to the enterprise.
In the year 1853, the City Council resolved to proceed with vigor. In his inaugural address, Mayor Seaver com- mended the institution to their prompt attention, adding, " the report of the Trustees, as it involves, in part, sug- gestions for the erection of a building, and for carrying forward the Library on a scale more ample than was at first contemplated, has not yet been made. But I feel sure that
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our municipal authorities will faithfully do their part in this great work."
After the appointment and organization of the Committee on the Library, the following order was passed : -
Ordered, - That the Joint Standing Committee on the Public Library, in conference with the Board of Trustees, be, and they are hereby, authorized to procure and purchase a suitable site for the erection of a building, which shall be adequate to all the purposes for which the Public Library of the City of Boston has been established.
Under this order, the Committee and the Trustees met in convention on the twenty-sixth of February. The Mayor presented a plan, executed by Dr. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, one of the Trustees, " of an estate belonging to the heirs of the late Caleb G. Loring, intended to show that an edifice, ade- quate to the purposes for which the Library had been estab- lished, could be 'erected thereon." After examination and discussion, it was
Voted, -To authorize the Mayor to purchase the Loring estate at a price not exceeding four dollars per square foot.
The purchase was immediately effected by the Mayor, and the fact was communicated to the City Council on the seventeenth of March. Upon the same evening, in the Com- mon Council, several remonstrances were presented, " against locating the free city library in Somerset street, because a more central situation should be fixed upon, having a regard to the location of existing public libraries, and, also, to the future population of the city ; and, because a structure for such an institution should be so situated that its architectural beauties may be properly seen and appreciated, and so as to render- it an ornament to the city and the pride of all her citizens." These remonstrances were signed by several hundreds of the citizens of Boston, and were, severally, referred to the Com-
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mittee on the Public Library, who gave the parties a hear- ing. Messrs. A. W. GRISWOLD, E. F. HODGES, and E. HASKET DERBY appeared for the remonstrants.
On the fourteenth of April, the committee reported, that the Loring estate could be sold to the First Baptist Society, at its cost, together with interest and incidental expenses, and that more eligible land for a site, situated in Boylston street could now be purchased. Whereupon, the following order was passed, viz :
Ordered, -That the Committee on the Public Library, in confer- ence with the Board of Trustees be, and they are hereby, authorized to dispose of the Loring estate, purchased by the City for the Public Library.
About the time of the purchase of this land, another attempt was made to unite the Public Library and the Bos- ton Athenæum. A proposition was made by several of the shareholders of that institution, to transfer their shares to the City, provided the remainder would sell their interest for a reasonable sum.
This was strongly opposed by others of the shareholders, and more particularly, by the venerable and honorable JOSIAH QUINCY, the sole survivor of the first five subscribers, who published a vigorous and able " Appeal in behalf of the Bos ton Athenæum." A meeting of the proprietors was called to determine the question, at which Mr. Quincy was present and very earnestly and eloquently entreated and conjured them to "put down, by an overwhelming majority, every attempt to transfer this sacred trust to the City Authorities." Fortunately, the counsels of the venerable sage prevailed, and, after a lengthened and heated discussion, the project was defeated.
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