USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1784 to 1796 > Part 10
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115
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1786.
John Brown Edward Tyler John Andrews Moses Grant William Cunningham Thomas Walley
collected, sorted and counted it appeared that the following Persons were Voted for as Register of Deeds for the County of Suffolk and had the number of Votes set against their respective Names - Vizt.
Votes
Joshua Henshaw Esqr.
267
Mr. Nathaniel Green -
426
Stephen Miller Esqr. -
3
Mr. Jacob Cooper -
3
[507.] The aforegoing Record was read in Town Meeting and exactly Copied, & Attested by the Town Clerk, & then sealed up in Town Meeting - On the Outside of the Paper the following was written Vizt :
This Paper contains a Copy of the Records of the Votes of the Town of Boston for a Register of Deeds for the County of Suf- folk taken from the Town Book and sealed up by William Cooper Town Clerk -
To the Court of General Sessions of the Peace to be held within & for the County of Suffolk on the first Tuesday of July A. D. 1786
Memº. said Paper was then delivered to Ezekiel Price Esqr. Clerk of the Court of General Sessions
Then the Meeting was dissolved
There being other Articles contained in the Warrant, it was moved that a Moderator be chosen to preside while said Business was, transacting -
John Brown Esqr.
was chosen Moderator of the Meeting by a Hand Vote -
The Article in the Warrant - Vizt. To consider whether In- structions shall be given the Gentelmen who may be chosen to Represent this Town in the General Court the present Year" - was read whereupon - the Question was put- Passed in the Negative, About 300 Persons present
[508.] The Article in the Warrant relative to Capt. Silas Atkens House was read - whereupon
116
CITY DOCUMENT.
Voted, that Thomas Dawes Esqr. Deacon Sharp Timothy Newell Esqr. be a Committee to view said House & Report what is proper to be done; at the Adjournment of this Meeting
The Petition of Thomas Beals, read & considered, whereupon Moved & Voted, that he have leave to withdraw his Petition - also Voted, that the Selectmen be directed to proceed in carrying the design of the Governors Donor into execution --
The Article in the Warrant Vizt. Whether the Town will take Measures for building a Sea Wall on Ferry Street " - read - whereupon -
Moved & Voted, that a Committee be Appointed to view said Street, and confer with the Proprietors of the Bridge and the Abuttors, as to the proportion they will bear of the charge of said Wall; to Report the same at the Adjournment togethear with an Estimate of the Expence that will be occasioned by building said Wall -
Voted, that Thomas Craft Esqr. Paul D Sergeant Esqr. William Tudor Esqr. Thomas Dawes Esqr. Nath1. Barber Esqr.
[509.] be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid
The Petition of the several Sextons was read, and after debate the Question was put as moved for vizt. Whether they shall have leave to withdraw their Petition - Passed in the Negative -
Adjourned to Fryday next being the 12th Inst : 3 : 0: Clock Afternoon -
Fryday the 12th Day of May Anno Domini 1786 - Met accord- ing to Adjournment
The Sextons Petition, again taken up and after, debate, the Question was put Vizt. - Whether the Petitioners shall have leave to withdraw their Petition - Passed in the Affirmative -
The Committee Appointed to consider the Article in the War- rant relative to Capt. Atkins ; House - Reported as their Opinion That it is not expedient for the Town to Adopt any measure - relative thereto - and the Question being put -- Whether said Report shall be Accepted -Passed in the Affirmative
The Committee relative to Ferry Street & Reported verbally and gave in an Estimate of the charge, the building a Sea Wall .
117
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1786.
would Occasion - After some debate It was moved that said Committee be desired to Report again in writing at the Adjourn- ment. [510.] also an Estamate of the charge of the Sea Wall -- the Question was put for said referance but did not Obtain -
It was then Moved & Voted that the aforegoing Vote be re- considered & that the Committee, Report as first moved at the Adjournment of this Meeting -
Moved & Voted, that when this Meeting is Adjourned it shall be to Wednesday the 17th Inst. 3. O'Clock P : M -
And the Meeting was accordingly Adjourned
Wednesday the 17th of May 3. O Clock P : M Met according to Adjournment ---
The Report of the Committee relative to Justices Fines -read - whereupon, moved & Voted, that the Town Accept the Report & that the Report be Accepted & the Town Treasurer directed to Apply to the several Official Justices for payment of the Fines they have received as belongs to the Town
Mr. John Vinal's Petition read where Voted, that Thomas Crafts Esq". Mr. John Deming Thomas Dawes Esqr. be a Committee to take the same into consideration and Report as soon as may be
Moved & Voted, that Mr. Benjamin Henderson be allowed five Cent for Collecting the Outstanding Debts of Mr. Daniel Parker a late Collector, deceased on all the Monies he shall Col- lect -
Moved, that this Meeting be Adjourned to 5. O. Clock this Afternoon -
[511.] At a legal Meeting of the Freeholders & Other In- habitants of the Town of Boston at Faneiul Hall Wednesday the 17th. of May 3 'O'Clock P : M :
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read -
John Brown Esq' : -
was chosen Moderator of this Meeting
The Article in the Warrant Vizt. " To consider and determin whether the Town will purchase any Part of Copes Hill with the
118
CITY DOCUMENT.
Beach or Flatts contigieous for the purpose of widening and re- pairing of Ferry Way Street - was read- whereupon
Moved & Voted, that the Selectmen be empowered and directed to purchase of the Artillery Company four Lots of Land on Cops Hill, for the purpose of widening & reparing of Ferry way Street ; and for the further use of the Town; provided the Treasurer of the Company will convey to the Town all their Right Title & Interest to said Land Beach & Flatts for a Sum not exceeding two hundred Pounds - and that the Town Treasurer be directed in case the Selectmen purchase the same to give his Note to the Artillery Company on Interest for said Sum - and the Question being put passed in the Affirmative -
Then the Meeting was dissolved
[512.] Adjournment of March Meeting 3. 0 : Clock P : M : Met according to Adjournment
The Committee relative to Ferry way Street; Reported - & handed into the Town an Estimate of the charge of a Sea Wall - the same having been read & considered it was moved &
Voted, That the Selectmen he Authorised and directed to pro- ceed in building a Stone Wall on Ferry Street with Capstons on the Top west to exceed ten feet from the present Wooden Wharff or Head, if the Abuttors previous to the being built will give from under hand & Seal, so much of their Land as to make the said Street forty feet in width including the aforementioned Stone Wall & Earth sufficient to fill up the same, and that the said Sea Wall shall begin at the New Ferry House & extend so far as Mr. Goodings Wharff which will make 470 feet in Length -
Moved that the Vote passed, not to Instruct the Representa- tives, be reconsidered - the Question being put - Passed in the Negative -
about 350
The Report of the Committee relative to Collectors Premium - read, whereupon -
Voted, that the consideration of this Report be referred to the next Town Meeting to be Notifyed thereof in the News Papers -
Moved, that that part of the By Law relative to Sextons, which requires a Badge be suspended - The Question being put Passed in the Affirmative
[513.] Voted, that all Matters & Things which remain un-
119
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1786.
finished be referred over to the Next General Town Meeting to be called
Then the Meeting was dissolved
At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the 4th Day of July Anno Domini 1786-10. O'Clock in the Forenoon
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read
The Honble : Samuel Adams Esq".
was chosen Moderator by a Hand Vote -
The Town being informed that Mr. Adams could not on Ac- count of urgent business leave the Senate ---
John Brown Esqr.
was chosen Moderator of the Meeting
The Committee appointed last year to make choice of a Gen- telman to deliver an Oration on this Anniversey of Independance Reported
That they had made choice of Mr. Jonathan Loring Austin for the purpose aforesaid, who had Accepted to that ser- vice -
[514.] On a Motion Voted, that the Oration for the pur- pose aforesaid be delivered at the Chapel Church the 12th. O'Clock leave having been given for the same -
Voted, that Messrs : John Andrews Ebenz' : Hancock Thomas Walley Esqr.
be a Committee to wait on Mr. Austin and Acquaint him with the aforegoing Vote -
The Meeting was Adjourned to Chapel Church -
12. O'Clock Met at the Chapel Church According to Adjourn- ment -
AN ORATION
to commemorate the Independance of the United States, was de- livered by Mr. Jonathan L. Austin at the Chapel Church to a large and crouded Assembly -
On a Motion, Voted that the Selectmen
120
CITY DOCUMENT.
be and hereby are Appointed a Committee to wait on Mr. Jona- than Loring Austin and in the Name of the Town to Thank him for the Spirited & elagant Oration this Day delivered by him at the request of the Town upon the Anniversary of the Independ- ance of the United States of America, in which According to the [515.] Institution of the Town, he considered the felings Man- ners and Principles which led to that great National Event - And to request of him a Copy thereof for the Press -
On a Motion Voted, that
The Gentelmen the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a Committee to Apply to some one learned and able Gentelman to deliver an ORATION on the 4th of July A. D. 1787 that Day being the Anniversary of the Independance of the United States of America, wherein the Orator is to consider the feelings manners & principles which led to this great & National Event, as well as the important and happy Effects whether general or Domestick, which have already, and will forever continue to flow from that Auspicious Epoch
Then the Meeting was dissolved -
[516.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders, and other Inhab- itants of the Town of Boston duly qualefied & legally warned in public Town Meeting Assembled at Fanuiel [Hall] on Thursday the 27th of July A. D 1786-9. O'Clock A : M -
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read
The Honble: Samuel Adams Esqr.
was chosen Moderator by a Hand Vote -
On a Motion 4 O'Clock assigned for receiving the Votes for a County Treasurer & the Poll to be closed at 5. O'Clock P : M -
The Article in the Warrant relative to setting Fire to a Public Building on Dock Square on the Night of the 20th Inst : -- was read whereupon
Voted, that John Gardiner Esqr. Thomas Dawes Esqr. Mr. Joseph Russell
be a Committee to prepare a Vote which they may Judge proper for the Town to Pass, & to Report as soon as may be
The Report of the Commee : relative to the Collectors Premieum for Collecting, referred for consideration to the Adjournment, was read & considered & the Question being put whether the same shall be Accepted - passed in the Negative
121
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1786.
[517] The Report of the Commee. relative to the Collectors Premium for Collecting referred for consideration to the Adjourn- ment was read & considered & the Question being put whether the same shall be accepted - Passed in the Negative -
The Article in the Warrant Vizt. "To consider & determine what Premieum shall be Allowed the Collectors of Taxes . for the present Year, was read & considered, whereupon the following Vote as Altered at the Adjournment was passed by the Town Vizt.
Voted, that four per cent be allow'd and hereby is allowed to the Collectors of Taxes for the Year ensuing, for all such Sums of Money & public Securities as they shall Collect and pay into the several Treasuries of the Sums committed to them to Collect within ten Months from the Recept of the Tax Books, and three per Cent on all such other Sums as shall afterwards be Collected, - also that such Collectors shall give Bond with sufficient Sure- ties to the Satisfaction of the Selectmen for the faithful dis- charge of their Duty in said Office and complying with this Vote ; and that they will not receive any Premieum or Gratuity for dis- canting Any Order, Note or Receipts from the Treasurer of the of the Town -
[518.] On a Motion, 3. O'Clock assigned for receiving an Answer from the Collectors, whether they accept to serve on the foregoing Terms -
The Committee Appointed to consider what Measures shall be adopted for the more effectual & speedy Discovery of the Perepatrers or Pereptrators of that premedatated & daring Act of Villainy, in setting Fire to a publick Building on Market Square " - Reported as follows Viztt.
Voted, that this Town view with Abhorance and Detestation, the execrable Act committed by some daring and lawless Incen- diary or Incendiaries on the Night of Thursday the 20th Day of this present Month of July, in willfully setting Fire to the Build- ing then intended for a Fish Market belonging to the Town, and then erected for a Fish Market belonging to this Town, and then erected in Dock Square whereby the Town was not only injured in its property, but the Safety of the Neighbourhood was endan- gered, and the peace & quiet of the Inhabitants were greatley disturbed - And it is further Voted, that this Town do much Approve of the conduct of their Selectmen in the Steps which they have taken to discover the Perpetrator or Perpetrators of so daring an Act of lawless Villainy ; and that nothing may be Wanting on the part of the Town to bring to Justice [519.] and condign Punishment the Incendiary or Incendiaries aforesaid - It is further Voted, that the Selectmen and they are accordingly
122
CITY DOCUMENT.
hereby impowered to increase the reward for the Discovery of such Incendiariys or Incendiaries so that the same exceed not the Sum of Five hundred Dollars to be paid by the Parson or Parsons making such discovery excepting however the Incendiary or Incendiarie who actualy set the same on fire the same to be paid out of the Town Treasurey upon conviction of any one or more of such Incendiaries that the Selectmen do apply to his Excellency the Governor & the Council and request his Excellency with the Advice and consent of the Council to Issue his Proclamation offering a full Pardon to any one Accomplice or any of the Accomplices concerned [in] such Act of burning such Building excepting however the Incendiary or Incendiaries who Actualy set the same on fire upon his or their discovery [of] such Incendiary or Incendiaryes who so actually set fire to the same
The foregoing Votes having been read and amended in the Meeting were Adopted by the Town -
[520.] The Article relative to Ferry Way Street read and the consideration thereof referred to 3' O'Clock when Mr. Newman is desired to give his Attendance-
The Committee on Master Vinals Petition Reported verbally, whereupon -
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be directed to give order for the Payment of Mr. John Vinal one of the Schoolmasters of this Town on Mr. Benjamin Henderson of Such Sums as are now due from the Town to the said Vinal out of the first Monies which the said Collector shall receive in his capacity of Collector after he shall have discharged the Order already drawn upon him in favor of several Persons Amounting to £687 ,, 4 ,, 10ª -
Adjourned to 3. O'Clock P : M 3'O'Clock P : M : Met according to Adjournment
Voted, that it is the sense of the Town that no Money shall be paid by Mr. Henderson untill Mr. Vinal is paid, except Drafts for what is due from the Town to those who owe Taxes to Mr. Henderson and are willing to discount the same -
Article in the Warrant relative to Ferry Street read - where- upon
Voted, that this Article together with the business connected with it be referred to the Selectmen at large, they to make the best Agreement [521.] they are Able with Mr. Newman and to Report at the Adjournment -
Moved that the Poll for choice of a County Register be as- signed at half past 5' O'Clock this Afternoon -
123
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1786.
John Scollay Harbottle Dorr Esqr. Ezekiel Pierce
John Brown Esqr. Capt. Edward Tyler Mr. John Andrews
Mr. Moses Grant
Mr. William Cunningham Thomas Walley Esqr.
were chosen to Collect sort & count the Votes for a Register of Deeds for the County of Suffolk the written Votes for each Person as are qualified by the Constitution to Vote for Representatives & having been by the said
John Scollay Harbottle Dorr
Ezekiel Price John Brown Edward Tyler
John Andrews
Moses Grant William Cunningham Thomas Walley
Collected sorted and counted, it appeared that the following Per- sons, were Voted for as a [522.] Register of Deeds for the County of Suffolk and had the number of Votes set against their respective Names -
Votes
Joshua Henshaw Esqr. 276
Mr: Nathaniel Green 374
The aforegoing Record was read in Town Meeting and exactly Copied & Attested by the Town Clerk and Sealed up in Town Meeting & on the Other side of the Paper a Return was made the Honble : the Clerk of the General Court of Sessions of the Peace & the Paper delivered Ezekiel Price Esqr. Clerk of the Sessions, to be by him delivered Said Court
Then the Meeting was Adjourned to Thursday next the 3d. of August 3 O'Clock Afternoon
3. O Clock P : M : Met according to Adjournment-
A Petition of Mr. Thomas a late Collectors Bondsmen, was read -
whereupon the following Votes drawn up by one of the Selectmen, was laid before the Town & by them Accepted Vizt.
On a Petition of Mr. Elisha Sigoney & Mr. John Hinkley rel- ative to a Suit now depending in Law brought by Peter Boyer Esqr. Town Treasurer against Elias Parkman and the Executors
124
CITY DOCUMENT.
of William Burbeck deceased as Bondsmen to Mr. Alexander Thomas a late [523.] Collector of Taxes for the Town, and whereas the Affair relative to Mr. Thomas was not entirely com- pleated at the March Meeting, and stands referred over to this Meeting, therefore
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be and he hereby is directed to Stop all former proceeding in said Action, and he is also directed to receive of said Bondsmen the Sums of Ninety five pounds thirteen Shillings & ten pence in , which thrº. Mistake was paid to the late State Treasurer & also the Sum of £10 ,, 18 ,, 9 in Specie, which two Sums will be in full of all de- mands the Town have against said Alexander Thomas or his Bondsmen; and the Treasurer is further directed on receving said two Sums to discharge them Accordingly they paying all charges which have arisen on said Suit to discharge the said Bondsmen - Also -
Voted, that the Town Treasurer retaine in the Treasurey the aforementioned Sum of £95 ,, 13 ,, 10d. untill the further Orders of the Town unless he cannot avail himself of an exchange with any of the Collectors of the Town for Silver or Gold at par
The Committee relative to Ferry Street reported verbally - and also handed in to the Town Mr. Newmans written Proposals relative to Ferry Street, which being read, and the Question put whether said Proposals be Accepted - Passed in ye. Negative -
On a Motion the Question was put vizt. Whether the Town will take any further order relative to Ferry Street Passed in the Negative-
[524.] Voted, that the Selectmen be directed to proceed in compleating the Sea Wall & Ferry Street Agreeably to the Vote passed by the Town the 17th of May last
Then the Meeting was dissolved
At a Meeting of the Freeholders & Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in Public Town Meeting Assembled at Fanuiel Hall September 8th A. D. 1786 - 10 O'Clock A : M : -
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read
Honble : Samuel Adams Esqr. chosen Moderator by a hand Vote -
The Article in the Warrant or Notification together with the
125
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1786.
request of a Number of the Inhabitants for calling the Meeting - read whereupon moved & Voted, that a Committee be chosen to consider the Articles in the Warrant and the Request at large, and to draw up the form of an Address to his Excellency the Governor and to Report the same together with what they think may be further necessary to be done at this critical conjuncture
On a Motion, the Governours late Proclamation was read
[525.] Voted, that the Honble : Sam1 : Adams Esq". Honble : James Sullivan Esqr. Dr. Charles Jarvis Honble : Stephen Higginson Esq". Edward Payne Esqr. Jonathan Jackson Esqr. Jonathan L. Austin Esqr.
be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid
Adjourned to Monday next 8. O Clock P. M.
Monday 11th of September 3. O'Clock P. M. Met according to Adjournment
The Committee to draw up the form of an Address to his Ex- cellency the Governor and Report together with a Circular Letter which they propose to be sent to the Selectmen of the several Towns in this Commonwealth which being both read & considered - the Question was put- Whether the form of an Address to the Governor, be accepted - Passed in the Affirmative - It was then
Voted, that the Committee who Reported said Address, be a Committee to present the same to his Excellency James Bowdoin Esqr. Governor of this Commonwealth
Moved & Voted, that the Circular Letter be Accepted, and that the Selectmen be desired to get a Suitable number printed and sent to the Several Towns in this State
[526.] The Address & the Circular Letter are as follows - Vizt.
May it please your Excellency The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston legally Assembled in Faneuil [Hall] beg leave to express to your Excellency their Anxious concern for the Uneasi- ness that has arisen & to bear their United Testimoney against those illegal Steps which have been unfortunately & we are in- clined to believe by some inconsiderately taken to prevent the due execution of the Laws within several of the Counties of this Goverment or Commonwealth Whatever may be the source of
126
CITY DOCUMENT.
these Commotions the Inhabitants of the Town are Clearley of Opinion that they are equally repugnant to the Constitution as they are distructive of the Peace & Order of Society - But as they feel themselves bound by every tie of Affection Interest & Religion to their Fellow Citizens throughout the State, wherever they are situated & have bled, & are willing again to bleed by their side in defence of Liberty & the Constitution, they depre- ciate every possible Misunderstanding among Friends, who are thus tenderly United ; They rely therefore on the Wisdom Zeal & Patriotism of your Excellency & of the legislative Body, which they are happy in finding is so early to be convened that the true causes of these difficulties will be fully explored & Speedily re- moved, in order that Peace & Unanimity may be restored, & that the constitutional Securiety of the Lives, Liberties & Property [527.] of the People of this State may remaine unimpared - But while they thus most earnestly wish for the restoration of Harmony & that no mild & lenient Measures may be omitted to Accomplish so happy an Event, they Assure your Excellency of their unvaried determination, to cooperate in support of constitu- tional Govermant. In the firm belief that the true happiness of the People at Large is indissolubly connected with the unmolested Enjoyment of this inestimable Blessing & that Reverence & Sub- mission to the Laws are our great Security, as well as the bright- est Ornaments in the character of good Citizens -
To the Inhabitants of the Town Friends & Fellow Citizens
The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston can never remaine the unconserned Spectators of the distress and calamity of their Fellow Cityziens in any part of the Commonwealth your generous Friendship to us Evidenced as well by your Liberal donations as Otherwise, when we were peculiarly Suffering in the great Cause of our Country can never fail to warm our hearts with the highest Sentiments of Friendship for you ; and we are perswaded that the Exertions we were then called to make for our own common Safety, have got a place in your kind remembrance [528.] Thus united as we conceive in Sentement, and Affection as well as in Interest with that cordial- lity, which must and ever will Subsist amongst a Virtuous and enlightned People in a free Country we take the Liberty to Ad- dress you as those Commotions which have two widley Spread within the Commonwealth you will Suffer us to reason on this Occasion with a freedom which is the part of sincere Friendship ; for we do Assure you that our Country can never feel a Political or civil evil, which we will not Chearfully bear a part of untill our Joint Exertions can obtain a Constitutional Redress We do not conceive it to be our duty to decide, whether the greviances mentioned by the Conventions in some of the Counties in the State really exist, or not ; but we beg leave to Submit it, dispas- sionate, and candid decision, whether if they have a real Exist- ance the Tumultious Methods Adopted by some Assemblies of
127
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1786.
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