USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1784 to 1796 > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
Voted that The Honble. Caleb Davis Esq". William Eustis Esqr. Honble. Stephen Higginson Esq".
be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid. -
[126.] The above Committee Reported - Vizt.
That the Selectmen be directed to wait on the President of the United States on his arrival, to present to him the respects of the Town to express the high sense they entertain of the great & illustrious services he has rendered this Country. And the heart felt satisfaction which the Citizens have in the Honor of his Visit. -
The Committee submit to the consideration of the Town, the propriety of evidencing their Affection & respect to the President by any other provision which they shall Judge proper -
The first part of this Report having been considered, It was moved &
Voted, that a Committee be appointed to prepare a Congratu- latory Address to ye. President of the United States to be laid before the Town for their consideration, at the Adjournment of this Meeting.
Voted, that Charles Jarvis Esq". William Eustis Esqr. Nath1. Appleton Honble. Stephen Higginson Esq". Honble. Thomas Dawes Esqr. Moderator be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid. -
Adjourned to 3. O Clock P. M. -
3 O Clock P. M. Town met. -
208
CITY DOCUMENT.
The 2ª part of the Report of the Committee, relative to any further way of expressing their respect and Affection for Presi- dent Washington was read. - and after some consideration - - It was moved and [127.] Voted, that the debate thereon, shall subside
The Report of the Committee for reforming the present system of public education in Boston & making a new arrangment of the Schools and again considered by paragraphs, and amended & the Question was then put Whether the Report as thus amended be accepted, passed in the Affirmative about 140 present.
A Motion made was adopted by the Town Vizt. That when this Meeting is adjourned it shall be to Tuesday next 10. O Clock A. M. being the 20. Instant, in order to choose the Committee of Twelve who are to be Join'd with the Selectmen to carry the new System of education which has been adopted by the Town into operation and that the Inhabitants be notified hereof in the public Prints. -
The Report of the above Committee as laid before the Town by their Chairman William Thompson Esqr. and as amended & accepted in Town Meeting is as follows Vizt.
The Committee to whom was referred the propositions for re- forming the present System of public Education in Boston, Re- port & offer the following Plan & Arrangment - - Vizt.
Propositions for reforming the present System of public Edu- cation in Boston.
1st. That that there be one. School in which the rudiments of the latin & greek languages shall be taught, and Scholars fully qualified for the Universities. That all Candidates for admission into this School. shall be at least ten years of Age [128.] having been previously well instructed in English Grammar, that they shall continue it not longer than four years, and that they have liberty to attend the public Writing Schools at such hours as the Visiting Committee shall direct. -
2ª Second That there be one Writing School at the South part of the Town, one at the centre and one at the North part; that in those Schools the Children of both Sexes be taught writing & also arithmetic in the various branches usually taught in the Town Schools, including vulgar & decimal fractions -
3ª. Third, That there be one Reading School at the South part of the Town, one at the Centre, one at the North part, that in these Schools the Children of both Sexes, be taught to spell
209
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1789.
accent and read both prose & verse, and also be instructed in English Grammar & Composition. -
4. Fourth - - That the Children of both Sexes be admitted into the reading & writing Schools at the age of Seven Years, having previously received the Instructions usual at Womens School that they be allowed to continue in the reading & writing Schools until the Age of fourteen, the Boys attending the Year round ; the Girls from the 20th. of April to the 20th. of October following - that they attend these Schools alternately at such times & subject to such changes as the Visiting Committee in consultation with the Masters, shall approve. -
5. Fifth. That the Committee be annually chosen by ballot to consist of twelve in addition to the Selectmen, whose business it shall be to Visit [129.] the Schools once in every Quarter, and as much oftener as they shall Judge proper with three of their number at least, to consult together in order to devise the best Methods for the Instruction & Government of the Schools and to communicate the result of their determinations to the Masters ; to determine at what hours the Schools shall begin, and to appoint play Days in their Visitations, to enquire into the particular regu- lations of the Schools both in regard to Instruction & Discipline, and give such advice to the Masters as they shall think proper, to examine the Scholars in the particular branches which they are taught, and by all proper Methods to excite in them a laudable ambition to excel in a virtuous, amiable deportment and in every branch of useful knowledge. -
The Committee recommend the following Arrangment of the Schools, to the acceptance of the Town - Vizt.
1st. That the School House in pleasant Street now occupied by Mr. Ticknor, be the South Reading School until a further provi- sion be made by a new Building. -
2ª. That the School House in West Street now occupied by Mr. Vinal, be the South Writing School ..
3d. That a Building be hired for a reading School near the Centre of the Town. --
4th. That the School House in School Street now occupied by Mr. Hunt be the School for Instruction in the Latin & Greek Lan- guages. -
5th. That the School House in Tremont. Street now occupied by Mr. Carter, be the Central Writing School.
6th. That the Building in Middle Street [130.] now occupied by Mr. Cheney, be retained for the North Writing School. -
210
CITY DOCUMENT.
7th. That the School House in Love Street in which Mr. Tileston now teaches, be continued for the North Writing School, and that the North Latin School House nearly contiguous be annexed to it in order to accomodate Writing Scholars, should their num- ber be greater than the former House will conveniently contain .-
The Committee further inform the Town that the Rent of a Building for a Reading School in the Centre of the Town and the charge of making some small alterations in the North Writing School house, will be the only extra expence necessarily incurred by this Plan & Arrangement, whilst the great & obvious advan- tages which may be derived from them to the Youth in general, and to the Female Sex in particular would abundantly compen- sate & Justify a far greater expence. -
The meeting stands Adjourned to Tuesday the 20th. of Octo- ber Inst. 10. O Clock A. M.
Tuesday the 20. October 10. O Clock. A. M. Met according to Adjournment.
Moved & Voted, That a Committee be now appointed to Join the Selectmen in devising the most suitable ways for the Inhabi- tants of this Town to express their affection & respect to Presi- dent Washington, and the sense they have of the honor done them by his Visit to this Metropolis, and that this Committee consist of Thirteen Persons. -
[131.] The following Gentleman were accordingly chosen Vizt.
The Honble. James Sullivan (excused) Paul Revere Esqr.
Honble. Stephen Higginson Esq".
Honble . Caleb Davis Esq". Samuel Breck Esq".
Joseph Barrell Esq".
William Tuder Esqr.
William Eustis Esqr. John Lucas Esq". Capt. Mungo Mackay
Mr. Joseph Clark
Mr. Elisha Sigorney
Mr. James Prince
Mr. Benjamin Russell
Voted, that the above Committee be desired to procure Sub- scriptions to defray the expence that may be incurred - also.
Voted, that the Magistrates and Peace Officers of the Town be requested, to attend at the entry of the President, in order to preserve Peace & prevent disorders. -
211
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1789.
The Committee to prepare an Address to be presented the President of the United States by the Gentlemen the Selectmen Reported a Draught which being read & considered was accepted by the Town, but on Motion was recommitted that such gram- matical alterations, might be made as the Committee might Judge proper. -
On Motion Voted that the
Honble. Thomas Dawes Esqr. the Moderator of the Meeting be added to said Committee
[132.] A Vote having passed before the last Adjournment that at this Meeting there should be chosen by ballot a Committee of twelve who in addition to the Selectmen are to carry the new System of Education which has been adopted by the Town into operation- the Inhabitants were directed to withdraw & bring in their Votes accordingly, and the same having been brought in and sorted, it appeared that only eleven Persons were chosen Viztt.
Honble . Thomas Dawes Esqr.
Revd. Samuel West
Revd. Dr. Lothrop
Revd. James Freeman
John Coffin Jones Esqr.
Dr. Thomas Welch
Dr. Nath1. W. Appleton
Jonathan Mason Jun". Esqr.
Dr. Aaron Dexter Esqr. Christopher Gore Esq. George B. Minot Esqr.
The Inhabitants were then directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes for one Person wanted to complete the number of said Committee and the same having been brought in and sorted it appeared that
William Tuder Esqr.
was chosen. -
Then the Meeting was dissolved. -
[133.] The following Address of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, to the President of the United States of America was agreeable to a Vote of the Town at their late Meet- ing, this Day presented him by the Selectmen. - Vizt.
Sir
We beg leave to express our Happiness in the Honor you confer upon us by a Visit to this Capital.
We are happy in the opportunity of again making our personal Acknowledgements to a Character, to which, on every Principle,
212
CITY DOCUMENT.
we are so deeply indebted, Every Motive of Esteem, Duty & Affection have conspired to form in our Minds the strongest Attachment that the freest People can feel to the most deserving Citizen. -
As Men we have long since considered you under God as the great & glorious Avenger of the violated Rights of Humanity - As Citizens we have observed with peculiar Satisfaction, that you have invariably respected those Liberties which you have so suc- cessfully defended. - And as Inhabitants of a great Commercial Town we attribute the Security we enjoy to the singular Merit & Success of those Measures in the Progress of the War, which You had the Honor to conduct. -
It cannot but afford you the highest Pleasure, when you com- pare our present situation with the signal Distresses to which we were exposed during the Period in which this Town was in the Possession of an exasperated Enemy. Indignant at the multi- plied Restraints of hostile Domination, we [134.] sought an Asylum among our Friends & Connections in the Country, and cheerfully abandoned our Prosperity and Possessions in the Com- mon Cause of America. That we were so soon happily reinstated, may be justly imputed to the Wisdom of those Arrangements, which compelled' our Invaders, in their Retreat. to adopt a less destructive Policy than that which on other Occasions they. so wantonly practised ; In every trying Viscissitude we have re- marked the conspicuous and unaffected Piety of your Heart & the Wisdom & Moderation of your Councils. -
We have seen you relinquish the Ease & Independence of private Fortune to lead in the untried Dangers of a War at the Risk of your Life & Reputation. With pleasure we have viewed you retiring in Victory & exhibiting a new Example of Patriotic Virtue to an admiring World : And we now feel a still higher Satisfaction, at your having once more Sacrificed the Sweets of Domestic Retirement in Obedience to the United Voice of your Countrymen. -
These, Sir, are the Sentiments & Reflections which naturally occur on an attentive Consideration of your past Conduct. To the future we look for those Virtues which adorn the Man and mark the wise and accomplished Legislator We anticipate from your Discernment the happy Union of Liberty & Law, Lenity & Vigor, Mercy & Justice The enlightened Policy of a Mind calm amidst the Influence of Power and uncorrupted by the fascinat- ing Allurements of Avarice or Ambition ..
With these Impressions the Preservation of [135.] your Life through the varied Scenes in which you have been engaged De- mands our grateful Acknowledgements to the Beneficent Disposer of Human Events.
It is one of the first Wishes of our Hearts that you may be as happy in your present elevated Station, as you have been Dis- tinguished in your Military Character, and it is our fervent Prayer to the Almighty Ruler of the Universe that the Invisible
213
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1790.
Hand which led the Citizens of America through the Dangers & Calamities of War, may still guard & protect you as an Orna- ment to Human Nature and a Blessing to your Country. -
The following is the Reply of the President of the United States to the aforegoing Address. Vizt.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
Gentlemen
The obligations which your goodness has imposed upon me, demand my grateful and receive my sincere acknowl- edgements - Your esteem does me honor, and your Affection communicates the truest pleasure - by endeavoring to deserve, I will indulge the hope of retaining them. -
Over-rating my services, you have ascribed consequences to them, in which it would be injustice to deny a participation to the virtue and firmness of my worthy fellow Citizens of this respect- able Town and Commonwealth.
If the exercise of my military commission has contributed to vindicate the rights of humanity, and to secure the freedom & happiness of my Country, the purpose for which it was assumed has been completed [136.] and I am amply rewarded - If in the prosecution of my civil duties, I shall be so fortunate as to meet the wishes of my Fellow Citizens, and to promote the advantage of our common Interests, I shall not regret the Sacri- fices, which you are pleased to mention in terms so obliging.
The numerous sensations of heartfelt satisfaction which a re- view of past scenes affords to my mind, in a comparison of the present happy hour, are far beyond my powers of utterance to express.
I rejoice with you, my fellow citizens in every circumstance that declares your prosperity - - and I do so, most cordially, because you have well deserved to be happy.
Your love of liberty, your respect for the laws, your habits of industry, and your practice of the moral & religious obligations are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness
and they will I trust, be firmly & lastingly established.
Your wishes for my personal felicity impress a deep & affec- tionate gratitude - And your prayer to the Almighty of the Universe in my behalf calls forth my fervent supplication to that gracious and beneficent Being, for every blessing on your temporal pursuits, and for the perfection of your happiness here- after. -
Go. Washington
Boston, October 27th. 1789.
[13].] Att a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified & legally warned in public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the 10th. Day of February A. D. 1790. 10. OClock. - Forenoon
Warrant for calling the Meeting
read.
214
CITY DOCUMENT.
The Precept for the choice of a Representative in the room of Christopher Gore Esqr. who has resigned - - also read
- whereupon.
Moved & Voted, that on account of the severity of the season, this Meeting was adjourned to meet immediately at the County Court House, where Stoves are erected. -
Met at the County Court House according to Adjournment.
Moved & Voted, that the sense of the Town be taken with respect to the choise of a Representative in the room of Chris- topher Gore Esq". agreeable to the precept received for that purpose And the Question accordingly put it passed in the Nega- tive. -
The Town having determined not to choose a Representative in the Room of Christopher Gore Esqr. who has resigned. -
It was Voted, that a Moderator be now chosen by a Hand Vote to preside at the Meeting for transacting the other matters mentioned in the Warrant. -
Honble. Caleb Davis Esqr.
was chosen Moderator by a Hand Vote. -
[138.] A Letter from Christopher Gore Esqr. to the Inhabi- tants giving his reasons for having resigned his Seat as one of our Representatives in the General Court since his appointment to the Office of Attorney to the United States - was read where- upon
Moved & Voted, unanimously that the Thanks of this Town be and hereby are given to Christopher Gore Esqr. for his services as one of the Representatives of the Town in General Court. -
The Petition of a number of the Inhabitants relative to the weighing of Hay - - read. whereupon Voted, that any further Consideration of this matter be referred over to March Meeting.
The Petition for an Application to the General Court for a Lottery to defray the Charges of paving Purchase Street & Bat- tery March, was read -- whereupon moved &
Voted, that a Committee be now appointed to prepare a Peti- tion to be presented in behalf of the Town, to the General Court for their being permitted to raise by Lotteries a sum not exceed- ing £3000. for paving and repairing the Streets of Boston.
Voted that the Gentleman Selectmen
be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid.
215
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1790.
The Article in the Warrant relative to Mr. Wheelers request for building on the Towns Land was read, and on Motion re- ferred to
The Gentlemen Selectmen
for them to act thereon, as they shall Judge best.
[139.] The Article in the Warrant Vizt. -
" To consider on the expediency of Instructing our Representatives in the General Court for the repeal of the present Excise Act " read - whereupon Moved & Voted, that a Committee be appointed to take this matter into consideration, & Report as soon as may be also
Voted, that
The Honble. Caleb Davis Esqr. (Moderator) Honble . James Sullivan Esqr. Honble. Stephen Higginson Esqr. John Codman Esqr. Mr. Henry Prentice
be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid. -
The Article in the Warrant relative to Erecting a new School House - - was read whereupon
Voted, that the Selectmen be empowered and directed, to Erect a new School House at the Southerly part of the Town, for a reading School, agreeable to the new System of Education adopted by the Town, and on such a spot as they shall Judge proper. -
The Article in the Warrant relative to the North Latin School - - read. whereupon
Voted, that the Selectmen be empowered & directed to make such repairs & alterations in the North School House as they shall think best.
The Article in the Warrant relative to explaining the Com- mission given to the School Committtee on the 15th. of October last being read - after debate. -
Voted, That the Committee of twelve appointed in October last to manage in concert [140.] with the Selectmen the affairs & goverment of the Schools, be authorised with the Selectmen in future to exercise all the powers relating to the Schools & School Masters, which the Selectmen or such Committees are authorised by the Laws of this. State or the Votes of this Town to exercise, any former Votes of the Town notwithstanding. ---
Adjourned to 4. O Clock. P. M.
3 O Clock P. M. Met according to Adjournment
216
CITY DOCUMENT.
On Motion, Voted, that the two aforegoing Votes authorising & empowering the Selectmen relative to building a new School house at the Southerly part of the Town & altering & repairing the North School houses, be so far reconsidered, as to Assign the same duty to the School Committee instead of the Selectmen.
The Town took into consideration the Article in the Warrant respecting the expediency of Instructing their Representatives in the General Court & endeavor an Repeal of the present Excise Law, and it appearing to the Town impracticable to enforce the present, [law ] or to raise a Revenue in that way without injuring the Commerce of the State, lessening the respectability of the Goverment and corrupting the morals of the People, while other States in the Union have no such Law existing - - - Therefore
Voted, that the Representatives of this Town be and hereby are Instructed to use their utmost influence to effect a Repeal of the present Excise Act and to prevent any new ones taking place
Voted, that all Matters & things which remain unfinished at this Meeting be referred over to March Meeting then to be acted upon
[141.] 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 Faneuil Hall on Monday the 8 Day of March Anno Domini 1790 10. O Clock before noon.
Prayer was made by the Revd. Dr. Lothrop
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read
Sundry Laws to be read at this Meeting were accordingly - read -
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes for a Moderator of this Meeting, and the same being brought in & sorted it appeared that
Jonathan Mason Jun". Esqr. (declin'd)
was chosen. -
Colº. Dawes & Colº. Crafts having been chosen Moderator & declining for reasons given by each. -
[142.] Honble. Caleb Davis Esq.
was chosen Moderator by a Hand Vote.
A Letter from Majr. William Thompson to the Selectmen of
217
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1790.
Boston, inclosing the Copy of a hand bill which had on the Satur- day preceeding been dispersed in this Town containing his offer to serve in the Office of Town Clerk for one half the Salary granted the last Year to the present Clerk & requesting that they may be read to the Inhabitants, previous to the Votes being given in for a Town Clerk were accordingly distinctly read by the Town Clerk - a short pause followed The Inhabitants were then directed by the Selectmen to with- draw, and bring in their Votes for a Town Clerk, and the same having been brought in and sorted, it appeared that the whole number was 616. and that
William Cooper
having 512 of said Votes, was chosen Town Clerk for the Year ensuing & took the Oath of Office for the faithful discharge of his Duty - as also the Oath of Allegiance required by Law which Oaths were administered to him by Thomas Crafts Esq™. -
The Town having determined by a Vote to chose Nine Select- men -
- the Inhabitants were then directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes for that number and the same being brought in sorted it appeared that the following Gentlemen Vizt. John Scollay Esqr. Harbottle Dorr Esqr.
[143.]
Ezekiel Price Esq".
Capt. Edward Tyler (declined) John Andrews Esqr. - - do.
Thomas Walley Esqr. Deacon William Boardman
Mr. Ebenezer Sever Jabez Hatch Esq'.
were chose Selectmen for the Year ensuing, and had the Oath of Allegiance administered to them by the Town Clerk. -
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes for twelve Overseers of the Poor and the same being brought in & sorted it appeared that
Jonathan Mason Esqr. Mr. Samuel Whitwell John White Esqr. Edward Procter Esqr. John Sweetser Esqr. Jonathan L. Austin Esqr.
Mr. Samuel Parkman Mr. Edward Edes Henry Hill Esqr. Mr. John Codman Junr. Mr. William Smith Mr. William Phillips Jun".
were chose Overseers of the Poor for the Year ensuing. -
218
CITY DOCUMENT.
Votes for a Treasurer of the County of Suffolk brought in & counted by the Moderator & [144.] Town Clerk, when it appeared that the whole number was three hundred & five, and that they were all for Thomas Crafts Esqr. a discreet suitable Person, being a Freeholder, and a Resident in the same County.
On Motion Voted, that Dr. Charles Jarvis (excused) Nathaniel Appleton Esqr. Jonathan Mason Esqr. Amasa Davis Esqr. Joseph Russell Junr. Esqr. Thomas Walley Esq".
be a Committee to consider & Report what is proper to be done respecting the Poor in the Alms House
Adjourned to 3 O Clock. P. M.
3 O Clock P. M. Town met again. -
The Inhabitants were directed to withdraw and bring in their Votes for Sixteen Fire-wards and the same having been brought in & sorted it appeared that
William Cooper (excused) Edward Procter Esqr. (declined) Honble. Caleb Davis Esq". Mr. Thomas Tileston Mr. John Lowell (declined) John Winthrop Esq".
Thomas Melville Esq"
Jabez Hatch Esqr.
Samuel Breck Esq".
[145.]
Jacob Rhodes Mr. Joseph Clark Joseph Russell Jun. Esqr.
Honble. Thomas Russell Esqr. Mr. Edward Edes John Sweetser Esqr. Jonathan Mason Junr. Esq.
were chose Fire-wards for the Year ensuing. -
The Article in the Warrant Vizt.
" To choose a School Committee - was read & after some debate it was moved & Voted, That in addition to the Selectmen Twelve Persons should now be chosen & the following Gentlemen, were accordingly chose by Ballot Vizt.
Honble. Thomas Dawes Esqr. Revd. Samuel West Revd. Dr. Lothrop
219
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1790.
Revd. James Freeman John Coffin Jones Esqr. Dr. Thomas Welch Dr. Nath1. W. Appleton Jonathan Mason Junr. Esqr. Aaron Dexter Esqr. Christopher Gore Esqr. George R. Minot Esq". William Tuder Esq".
Also Voted
That the aforegoing Committee who conjunctly are to be termed the School Committee be and hereby are directed to carry the new System of Education which has been adopted by the Town [146.] into operation -
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.