USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The Boston news-letter, and city record > Part 5
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It would be gratifying, no doubt, to many, to learn from the heirs of the " Sons of Liberty" at Newport, the present state of the land and tree con- veyed to their fathers by this deed .- We should be glad also to see a pub- lication of the anecdotes of the New York tree of Liberty.
GEN. BARTON .- This valiant vete- ran has, through the beneficence of that distinguished and good man, Gen. LAFAYETTE, been released from con- finement, and permitted to return in peace to the bosom of his family. The General was in good health and ex- cellent spirits when he arrived in Providence, his native place. He brought with him the sword, [which he has kept near him during the whole term of his imprisonment- nearly fourteen years !"] presented
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THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,
him by Congress as a mark of respect for his services during the Revolution- ary war. It is a very superb piece of workmanship, inlaid with gold and sil- ver, bearing the inscription
"Presented to GEN. BARTON, By the United States 1777."
The General says, that he supposes some people who are not acquainted with the circumstances of his confine- ment, will censure him for remaining so long a prisoner, when he could have easily liberated himself. But says he, I have a principle within me, which neither gold nor silver can purchase -right is right. It is his intention, should his life be spared, to give the public a full and correct statement of the transaction relating to this confine- ment. Masonic Mirr.
REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
The whole number of Revolutiona- ry Pensioners is 12,985. During the year there have died 432, while 344 have been added to the rolls. Of the whole number 1,665 reside in Massa- chusetts ; 1,152 in Maine ; 822 in N. Hampshire ; 228 in R. Island ; 817 in Connecticut ; 1,050 in Vermont ; 2,968 in N. York ; 419 in N. Jersey ; 931 in Pennsylvania; 20 in Delaware ; 200 in Maryland ; 638 in Virginia ; 242 in N. Carolina ; 115 in S. Caro- lina ; 57 in Georgia ; 197 in Ken- tucky ; 227 in Tennesee; 705 in Ohio ; 6 in Louisiana ; 113 in India- na ; 11 in Mississippi; 12 in Missouri ; 23 in Illinois ; 18 in Alabama ; 22 in Michigan; 26 in District of Columbia.
BRITISH COLONIAL TRADE.
The chamber of Commerce are of- ficially informed that foreign vessels will nor be admitted to enter in this port from the United States, after the 5th. Jan. 1826, under the trade acts passed in the British Parliament, un- less an order from his majesty in council should be previously issued to the contrary. RICHARD TREMAIN,
Chairman of the Chamber of Com- merce. Halifax, December 7, 1825.
CITY RECORD.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
A record of the City of Boston, which will embrace all those historical facts, calculated to enlighten the future inheritors of the soil, cannot be other- wise than interesting-even to those who are now upon the stage of life, and who are actively engaged in those important municipal changes, which are necessarily taking place in a com- mercial city.
The following are the names of the Officers chosen to serve the present year :
HON. JOSIAH QUINCY, MAYOR.
ALDERMEN.
DANIEL CARNEY
JOHN BELLOWS
*JOHN F. LORING
JOSIAH MARSHALL
* FRANCIS JACKSON
THOMAS WELSH, jr.
*EDW. H. ROBBINS, jr.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Ward.
1. William Barry
1 7. Charles P. Curtis
Lewis Lerow
Isaac Parker
* Augustus Peabody
*Edward Brooks
2. Scammel Peuniman
8. John C. Gray Jeremiah S. Boies
Jebn Fenno Benjamin Clark
Levi Merriam *Charles Torrey
*Nathaniel Faxon
9. * Joseph H. Dorr
3. Amos Farnsworth Jobn R. Adan
*Francis Bassett
*Joseph H. Thayer
*Asa Adams William Sprague
*John Baker
4. George Hallet
10. John P. Rice
John W. Jame:
*Solomon Piper
* William Howe
*Aaron Baldwin
*Joseph Eveleth
*Charles Barnard
5. Ezra Dyer
11. Giles Lodge
Charles Tracy
George Morey, Jr. Joshua Vose
*Jonathan Thaxter
*William Parker
*Thomas Brewer
6. Isaac Waters
12. John Stephens Oliver Fisher
Joseph S. Ilastings
Samuel Thaxter
Adam Bent
Thomas Wiley
*Henry Hatch
* Not of the last City Council.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Ward.
1. Rev. Silas Blaisdale
-
7. Alden Bradford
2. Redford Webster
3. Horace Bean
4. Rev. Asa Eaton
5. Rev. Samuel Barrett
11. Rev. John Pierpont
6. John B. Davis
12. Rev. Prince Ilawes
OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Ward.
1. Joseph Woodcock
2. Joseph Lewis
8. James I. Foster
9. Aaron P. Cleveland
10. Benjamin V. French
11. Richards Child
6. Jos. W. Lewis
Ward.
7. Levi Bartlett
3. Rufus Barrus
4. Wm. B. Callender
5. Samuel Norwood
Ward.
8. Rev. Benj. B. Wisner
9. Bradford Sumner
10. George Hayward
12. Ruggles Slack
.
·
HENRY J. OLIVER
Ward.
*Lemuel P. Grosvenor
*Samuel Aspinwall
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FIREWARDS.
Word.
Ward.
1. Henry S. Kent William Barnicoat Horace Fox
7. Samuel M. Thayer Wmn. Tileston
Asa Richardson
8. Wmn. Tucker
James Hamilton Thomas H. Perkins
3. Robert Bacon Silas Stuart Charles Mountfort
9. Benjamin Darling Jos. Jones Nathaniel Richards,
4. Abel Adams Reuben Reed
10. Daniel Messenger Thomas Jackson Wm. H. Prentice
George Riley
5. John Hall
David Thatcher Oliver C. Greenleaf
€. Jared Lincoln
12. Stephen Child, Jr.
Brewster Reynolds,
Alpheus Stetson
WARD OFFICERS.
WARDENS.
Ward.
Ward.
1. Prince Snow, Jr.
7. Nathan Hale
2. Ezra Eaton
8. Samuel May
3. Darius Boardman
9. Benj. Russell
4. Henry Farnham
10. Phineas Upham
5. Edmund Wright, Jr.
11. Benj. West
6. Lynde Walter 12. John Stevens
CLERKS.
Ward.
Ward.
1. Geo. W. Johnson
7. Josiah Quincy, Jr.
2. Charles Lincoln, Jr.
8. Wm. H. Hubbard
3. Isaac T. Dupee
9. Francis Watts, Jr.
4. Reuben Carver, Jr.
10. Wm. Parker
5. Stephen P. Fuller
11. Samuel Curtis
€. James Sullivan
112. Brewster Reynolds
INSPECTORS.
Ward.
Ward.
1. Lewis Burckes Geo. Carpenter Wm. Scott
7. Wm. Beals Lattimer R. Shaw Dennis Brigham
Samuel Mansur Benj. J. Collier
Alpheus Cary Josiah Spurr
2. Clark Brewer Ephraim Milton Elias B. Green Samuel Low Jos. E. Andrews
8. Samuel A. Shed Charles Calhoun Benj. B. Appleton Thomas Tileston Jacob Amee
9. Jacob Todd
Samuel A. Eaton
Geo. Adams
John A. French
Thomas C. Kendall
10. Wm. Reed
Eben. Parker
John Rupp
Jeremiah P. Smith
Benajah Brigham
Josiah L. C. Amee
11. Perez Gill
5. John Hammond Aaron Stevens George Everett Edward Jenkins Hleman Fay
Henry Lewis Richards Child Wm. Willett, Calvin Bullard
C. John Holman
Joseph Mead
Joseph W. Homer, Jr. Ezra Lincoln
Henry Knapp
Josiah Dunham, Jr. William Andrews
On Monday last, January second, in pursuance of a late act of the legis- lature, the city government was organ- ised for the year 1826, and the officers who have been selected by the people to conduct the truly important local concerns of Boston, were on Monday inducted into office.
At 10 o'clock 'A. M. the Mayor, Aldermen, and members of the Com- mon Council elect, met at the hall of the Common Council, and the meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Sereno E. Dwight.
The Hon. Isaac Parker, Chief Jus- tice of the Supreme Judicial Court, administered the several oaths requir- ed by law to the Mayor. The Mayor afterwards administered the like oaths to the Aldermen and afterwards to the members of the Common Council. He then addressed the members of the City Council. After which the Mayor and Aldermen retired to their own room.
In Board of Aldermen. Ordered, that the City be divided into four dis- tricts as follows, viz :-
1st Div. Wards 1, 2, 3, Aldermen Marshall and Oliver 2d 4, 8, 9, Bellows and Robbins.
SỞ " 5,6, 7, Welsh and Loring.
4th " 10,11,12, Carney and Jackson,
for the purpose of attending to the several streets, lanes, alleys, and pub- lic places within those districts.
Mr. Curtis came up with a message informing of the organization of the Common Council by the choice of its officers.
Alderman Oliver, was charged with a Message to the Common Council to propose a Convention forthwith of. both boards for the purpose of electing a City Clerk.
Mr. Hallet came up to inform the Board of the con urrence of the Com- mon Council in the proposition to form a Convention.
In Convention. The two Boards met in Convention in the Common Council room and made choice of Samuel F. McCleary, Esq. as City Clerk .- The oath of office was ad- ministered to him by the Mayor; and the Convention separated.
The Mayor, Aldermen Bellows, Welsh and Oliver, were appointed a Committee to carry into effect the or- der of the last Council, authorizing the Building of Reservoirs, in various pla- ces of the city.
Aldermen Marshall and Oliver, Messrs. Tracy, Farnsworthy and Pea-
29
AND CITY RECORD, JAN. 7, 1825.
2. Thomas Reed Aaron Wallis John Wade
11. John H. Wheeler John L. Phillips Jabez Allis
Lazarus Bowker Gridley Bryant
-
S. John Chester Stephen Hall, Jr. Daniel B. Badger George Bass Wm. H. Delano
4. Tilly Brigham Elijah Brigham Benj. Davenport Ezra Trull
12. John R. Child Amos Coolidge Job Tower
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THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,
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body, were appointed a Committee to present the thanks of the City Council to the Mayor, for the Address deliver- ed to them this day, and to request a copy for the press.
Agreeably to a vote of the last City Council, the City Clerk communicated a report of a joint committee and the order of the City Council thereon in relation to the resident Physician, Health Commissioner, and Island Keeper, which was read and ordered to lie upon the table.
Petitions-of Daniel Messenger and others, inhabitants of Ward No. 10 ; and of John Bray and others of Ward No. 1, praying that Ward Rooms may be erected, were committed. The former to Aldermen Carney and Jack- son: the latter to Aldermen Marshall and Oliver, to be joined. Adj. to Thursday next, 6 P. M.
In Common Council. Mr. Barry, as senior member, took the chair, and called the Members to order.
Messrs. Hallet, Lodge, and Morey, were appointed a Committee to exam- ine the Returns of Members and to collect, sort, and count the votes for President and Clerk.
The whole number of ballots for President was 43 -- necessary to a choice, 22 .- No person having a ma- jority, the board proceeded again to ballot for President-whole number, 42-necessary, 22-Mr. John R.Adan had that number, and was declared chosen. [Votes for President, first ballot :- Mr. Adan, 16 ; Mr. A. Pea- body, 9; Mr. J. C. Gray, 8 ; Mr. C. P. Curtis, 7; Scattered, 3.]
Thomas Clark, Esq. was then unanimously re-elected Clerk of the Common Council.
Messrs. Curtis, Baldwin, and Tor- rey, were appointed a Committee on Rules and Orders.
Ordered, That the Mayor and Al- dermen of the City of Boston, be, and they hereby are appointed Survey- ors of Highways for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Gray, James, and Dorr, were appointed a Committee on Re- turn of Members.
Adj. to Monday next, 7 o'clock.
MAYOR'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the City Council,
To express gratitude for this renew- ed instance of the confidence of my fellow-citizens, and to repeat assuran- ces of a zeal and fidelity in their ser- vice in some degree proportionate to that confidence, are natural and suita- ble on the present occasion. It can- not be expected that he who sustains the complicated relation of chief mag- istrate of this city, let his endeavours be what they may, should at all times satisfy the often conflicting passions and interests, always, necessarily, ex- isting in so great a community. Much less can it be expected from the indi- vidual, who, through the indulgence of his fellow-citizens, is now permit- ted to enjoy that distinction. In all cases, however, of doubt and difficul- ty, that individual will rest confident- ly for support, even with those who differ with him in opinion, on the con- sciousness, which he trusts his general course of conduct will impress, that every act of his official conduct wheth- er acceptable or otherwise, proceeds from a single regard to the honour of the city and to the happiness and best interests of its inhabitants.
It is with great delight, gentlemen, that I must here pay a tribute, justly due to the wisdom and public spirit of all our former city councils. Their harmony, in relation to objects of public improvement, their vigilance in maintaining the checks of our city charter, and the reciprocal co-opera- tion of the branches and members in advancing the general interests of the city, without local, party or selfish considerations, are facts at once ex- emplary and encouraging ; the results of which are apparent in our streets, in our public buildings, in the aug- mented value of our city lands, and in the increasing satisfaction of our fel- low-citizens, with their new form of government.
The unquestionable evidence de- rived from our recent census has ful- filled the expectations of the most sanguine; and has put beyond ques- tion, that the increase of this city,
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AND CITY RECORD, JAN. 7, 1826.
during the five years past, has been, to say the least, not inferior to that of any of our maritime cities, on the pre- vious, actual basis of its population.
This fact may be considered as con- clusive on its future prospects. For if, at a time when universal peace among European nations has chang- ed and limited the field of commercial enterprise, on which the greatness of this city was once supposed, in a manner, altogether to depend, it ap- pears that, notwithstanding this change and limitation, its growth, instead of being diminished, is increasing with a rapidity, equal to that of the most favoured of our commercial cities, it follows, conclusively, that our great- ness is not altogether dependant up- on foreign commerce, and also that the enterprise, capital and intelligence of our citizens, determined inwards and active upon agriculture, manu- factures, and in our coasting trade are producing results even more auspi- cious than our foreign commerce, in its most prosperous state, ever effect- ed. Than which, to the patriot's heart and hope, no facts of a mere physical character, can be more en- couraging or delightful.
Similar grounds for satisfaction will- be found in comparing the increasing results of the aggregates of our valua- tion and the decreasing results of the ratio of our taxes. During the five years from 1821 to 1825, inclusive, it appears by the Assessors' records that the whole aggregate of real and person- al property in this city increased from twenty millions, three hundred thou- sand dollars, to twenty-six millions, two hundred thousand ; making aregu- lar annual increase of about one mil- lion, two hundred thousand dollars. Of which increased capital, it will appear, by comparing the aggregate of 1821 with that of 1825, that four millions, five hundred thousand have been in- vested in real, and one million, five hundred thousand, in personal estate.
During this period, it is true, as is inevitable in the progressive state of society, increasing daily, not only in numbers, but in municipal exigencies
and requisitions for expenditures, on account of improvements, the amount of our taxes has increased in the ag- gregate. Yet, at the same time, ow- ing to the increased aggregates of our valuation, the ratio of assessment has diminished. Thus, if the ratios of as- sessment of the five years immediately preceding 1820, be compared with the five years from 1820,inclusive, it will be found that the average of the annual ratios of the former was eight dollars and twenty-five cents on the thousand dollars, and that the average of the annual ratios of the latter was only seven dollars and 80 cents. The ratio of the present year will be seven dollars.
A farther illustration of our general prosperity is deducible from the fact, that, notwithstanding the amount of our taxes has increased, with the in- creasing wealth and population of the city ; yet the ratio of uncollected tax- es has, in every successive year since the existence of our city government, been diminishing.
I have been thus precise and dis- tinct upon this point, because discon- tent at any existing state of things is most likely to appear in the form of complaints in relation to taxes. Now it is obviously impossible, in the na- ture of things, that the assessment of taxes, in any great community, should exactly proportion the burden to the ability of each individual to bear it. Some will unavoidably be taxed more and others less than their precise pro- portion. It cannot, therefore, but happen, even under the best form and ratio of taxation, that there must be some, who can complain, with reason, as there will always be many, who will complain without reason. With re- spect to the community itself, how- ever, as the best criterion it can possi- bly have of its progressive prosperity is a regular increase of its population, accompanied by a regular increase of its wealth, so when the aggregate of its wealth increases, and at the same time the ratio of its assessments actu- ally diminishes, it has the best evi- dence, the nature of things admits, that its general expenditures are not
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THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,
greater than the actual state of its con- dition and progress requires. But in such case, however, as particular ex- penditures may be unwise or extrava- gant, it is still its duty even under such circumstances to exact from its agents a rigid accountability.
Touching the expenditures of the past year, it is not known that any of them require a particular explanation on the present occasion. In general, I apprehend, they have been satisfac- tory to our fellow-citizens, so far as respects their objects. And they well understand that it is, probably, in the nature of things, impossible to conduct all the details of public expenditure, with that precise economy, which an individual applies to his private con- cerns. I am not, however, aware, that there have been any such during the past year, which cannot, under the circumstances of each case, be sat- isfactorily explained by the particular agents.
In connexion with this subject, it is impossible for me not to notice the happy effects produced by the estab- lishment of the office of Auditor of Accounts, which, carried into opera- tion by the exemplary industry and ability of that officer, and by the in- defatigable fidelity of the Committee of Accounts, has introduced an or- der, simplicity and correctness into that department, not only highly cred- itable to the city, but also facilitating, in the highest possible degree, particu- lar inquiries and general knowledge in relation to the state of our financial concerns.
Among the objects to which the attention of the City Council will be drawn the ensuing year, is that of a sufficient and never-failing supply for our city of pure river or pond water, which shall be adequate for all purpo- ses of protection against fire, and for all culinary and other domestic pur- poses, and capable of being introduced into every house in the city. I deem it my duty to state unequivocally that this object ought never to be lost sight of by the City Council, until effected upon a scale proportionate to its con-
venience and our urgent necessities. Physicians, of the first respectability, have urged this topic upon me, in my official capacity, on the ground of health, in addition to all the other ob- vious comforts and advantages to be anticipated from an adequate supply of such water. " The spring water of Boston, they assert to be generally harsh, owing to its being impregnated with various saline substances ; and that this impregnation impairs its ex- cellence as an article of drink, and cs- sentially diminishes its salubrity. In the course of their practice, they say they have noticed many diseases to be relieved and cured by an exchange of the common spring water for soft wa- ter of the aqueduct, or distilled water. Hence they have been led to the opin- ion, that many complaints, of obscure origin, owe their existence to the qual- ities of the common spring water of Boston." " The introduction of an ample supply of pure water, would therefore, they apprehend, contribute much to the health of the place and prove one of the greatest blessings which could be bestowed on this city."
I am induced to bring the subject before the City Council on the present occasion, thus distinctly, from having been informed that citizens among us of the highest respectability, both in point of talents and property, serious- ly contemplated an association for the purpose of supplying this city with water, and of making application to the legislature for an act of incorpora- tion for that object. An attempt, which, if made, I trust will be met by the City Council with the most deci- ded and strenuous opposition ; and with a corresponding spirit and deter- mination to effect this great object, solely on the account and with the re- sources of the city. On this topic, I deem it my duty to declare explicitly my opinion, that in such a project the city ought to consent to no copart- nership.
If there be any privilege, which a city ought to reserve, exclusively,in its own hands and under its own control, it is that of supplying itself with water.
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AND CITY RECORD, JAN. 7, 1825.
No private capitalists will engage in such an enterprize, without at least a rational expectation of profit. To this, either an exclusive right, or a privi- lege of the nature of, or equivalent to an exclusive right is essential. There are so many ways, in which water may be desirable, and in such a vari- cty of quantities, for use, comfort, and pleasure, that it is impossible to pro- vide, by any prospective provisions, in any charter granted to individuals for all the cases, uses, and quantities, which the ever-increasing wants of the population of a great city, in the course of years, may require. Besides, it be- ing an article of the first necessity and on its free use, so much of health, as well as of comfort, depends, every city should reserve in its own power the means, unrestrained, of encouraging its use by reducing, as fast as possible, the cost of obtaining it, not only to the poor, but to all classes of the commu- nity. This can never be the case, when the right is in the hands of in- dividuals, with any thing like the fa- cility and speed, as when it is under the entire control of the city.
In addition to these considerations, the right to break up the streets, which that of supplying the city with water implies, ought never to be entrusted to private hands, who, through cupidity, or regard to a false economy, may have an interest not to execute the works upon a sufficiently extensive scale, with permanent materials, there- by increasing the inconvenience and expense which the exercise of the pow- er of breaking up the streets necessa- rily induces.
A letter to me from the superinten- dent of the Philadelphia Water Works (Joseph S. Lewis, Esq.) a gentleman among those chiefly employed in their original construction, dated the 21st of Dec. last, is so full upon this point, that I cannot refrain from quoting a considerable portion of it.
" Your object should be to have enough and to spare, and the calcula- tion should be formed on 150 gallons for each family, which will afford a
supply for washing the streets, waste by leakage, &c. ; and the experience of this city (Philadelphia) fully justi- fies in saying that it is not too much, although in London a less quantity is made to answer ; and owing to rival- ships amongst the several companies, the inhabitants have enough for drink, and for culinary and other family pur- poses. Yet none is to be seen in use in cleaning the gutters, washing the pave- ments, and various methods of con- sumption, absolutely essential to exist- ence and comfort in our climate, in three or four hot months of the year. Scarcely a fire happens of any magni- tude in London, without complaints of a deficiency of water, and I have in my possession a paper containing an account of a meeting of the Common Council of London, convened for the express purpose of inquiring into the cause, which it does not require much consideration to discover.
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