USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1784 to 1796 > Part 24
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298
CITY DOCUMENT.
tion of the Selectmen in any Court of Law, any Suit or Action, in behalf of the Town, and to defend any Suit or Action Com- menced Against the Town. The Officer or Officers of the Police, and all other officers of The town shall have A right to the opinion and advice of the said Town-Attorney upon any Legal question, relative to the Execution of their respective offices, or to any Prosecutions for the breach of the said By-Laws, free of all Expence -
Voted That The Town-Attorney receive an Adequate Compen- sation for his Services, by an allowance to be granted him by the town in March meeting annually.
And the more effectually to enable the officer or officers of Police to pay due attention to the duties of his or their office : Voted, - As the Sense of the Town, that the Selectmen make ample and liberal allowance to the officer or officers of Police, as a compensation for his or their services - to be paid quarterly. The said officer or officers of Police to take an Oath, and give bonds for the faithful discharge of his or their Duty.
Voted- that the Officer or Officers of Police, and Town At- torney, from time to time as they may Discover Any Additions to, or any Amendments in the By-Laws to be necessary (in their opinion ) for the better Government of The Town, shall Lay the same before the Selectmen, who if they see cause, shall publish the Same in two Several News papers for the more deliberate consideration of the inhabitants, in order that the Town may conduct [295.] Thereon at their Annual meetings in March or May, as to them shall appear proper; Providing always that such Proposed Additions or amendments be published at Least Seven days Previous to Such Meetings -
Voted-That all Officers of the Town Elected by The Select- men, Shall in future be Chosen by them by Written Votes.
Also that application be made to the Legislature, That it may be the duty of the Selectmen, and that they be empowered To Remove from Office, any Officer appointed by The Town, Or the said Selectmen, who shall be Convicted by Two Credible Wit- nesses of Fraud or Misdemeanors in his Office, in Any Court of Law, and another be Appointed in his Stead - saving always the right of appeal, Agreeable to the Laws of the Commonwealth. And whereas the mode Adopted for disposing of the Office of Hay-weigher At Auction has not Proved A beneficial Measure to the Town. -
Voted. That the Hay-weigher be hereafter Appointed by the Selectmen, and the said Hay-weigher is Directed to lay before them Quarterly, An Account under Oath, of the quantity of Hay weighed, and the Money received by him in that Office, and the
299
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1792.
Selectmen are empowered to allow him the Sum of £. [blank] pr. Annum for his Services, he Producing A receipt that he has paid the residue of the money so received by him into the Town Treasury. - And whereas The Town at a Late meeting did direct the Selectmen to Erect A Number of Additional Stalls in Faneuil Hall Market, agreeable to A Plan Laid before the Town [296.] Which will render it inconvenient to dispose of said Market by Auction the Ensuing Year, -
Therefore, Voted That A Clerk of said Market be appointed by the Town the Next year, and that he be directed to lay before the Selectmen upon Oath, the money received in that Office ; and the Selectmen are empowered to Allow him The Sum of f [blank ] for his services, he producing A Receipt in Like man- ner as the Hay-weigher.
Voted. That the General account of receipts and Expendi- tures of all Public money to be read in open Town Meeting in March Annualy.
And Whereas great expenses Yearly Accrue to the Town by the heavy Loads of Manure which are Carried through The Town, to the great Damage of the Streets and Highways :
Voted That application be made to the Legislature to empower the Town to make such Regulations as to prevent in future such damages to the Streets, and Highways, Particularly to prohibit a greater Load then one Ton weight. of such Manure being Car- ried Through the Town, by any Person or Persons whatever.
And Whereas from the Late deranged State of the Town, in Execution of the By-Laws, many Evils have Arisen by the Prac- tice of Forestalling in our Markets : -- Unruly driving of Horses within the Town : - using unseal'd. weights and Measures in the the Market : - Impositions in the Sale of Fire-wood : - and Excessive Weight carried on Trucks and Carts : -
Voted -That it be recommended, and it is hereby recom- mended [29%.] To the Inhabitants, to give information to the Inspector or Inspectors of Police, of all Persons who shall Con- tinue in Such Practices, that they may be prosecuted agreeable to the By-Laws Of the Town.
And it is further Recommended, That each Inhabitant would Exert himself to put into Execution a Law of this Commonwealth for Preventing Persons obtruding themselves on any Particular Town, by giving Information to the Selectmen of the residence of such Persons, that they may be duly warned out of the Town, Whereby a great Expence in the Maintenance of the poor would be saved, and our Town Taxes greatly Lessened.
Voted, - That The Inspector or Inspectors of Police be par- ticularly enjoined To' take care that the Law of the Common- wealth against bringing into any Town by Water, any Cord wood. Less in Length than four feet, including half the Cart; and against any Wharfingers Carting such Wood, or Employing any
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CITY DOCUMENT.
Cart or Sled not Marked & Numbered by a Sealer of Wood, as by Law Provided, be carried faithfully into Execution.
Voted That the Selectmen of the Town be, and they are hereby Directed to make Application to the Legislature for the Several Purposes Expressed in the foregoing Votes at their first Session
The above Report is Submitted to the Consideration of the Town
Benjamin Austin Junr. Pr. Order -
[298.] At A Meeting of the freeholders and Other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and Legaly Warned in Public Town Meeting, Assembled at Faneuil Hall, On Wednes- day the 6th. day of June. Anno Domini 1792 10. O Clock. A : M :
Warrant for Calling the Meeting - read -
Precept for Choice of Two Representatives also read -
The Town having by Vote Determined to Choose Two Persons to Represent them in the General Court in the room of the Hon- orable Thomas Dawes & Benjamin Austin Jun". Esqr. who are Elected to A Seat in the Honble Senate, Agreeably to A Precept received for Said Purpose -
The Inhabitants are directed by the Selectmen to withdraw and bring in their Votes for two Representatives. Accordingly ; And then it was declared by the Selectmen, that no Votes would received, but such as are unfolded ; And that they intend the Poll shall be Closed at 12. O'Clock. Bells to be toll'd a Little before that time -
The Votes being brought in for two Representatives. The Num- ber of the same was found to be Two hundred & Thirty Nine & upon Sorting them it appeared the following Gentlemen had Ob- tained A Majority of Votes Vizt.
Joseph Blake Esq". 128,,
Thomas Edwards Esqr. -
126,,
[299.] Declaration was then made to the Town by the Se- lectmen, That the aforenamed two Gentlemen were Chosen Representatives. by A Majority of Votes.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved -
301
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1792.
At A Meeting of the Freeholders & others Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and Legaly Warned in Public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the 4th day of July. Anno Domini 1792. at 9. O'Clock A : M : -
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read -
William Cooper was Chosen Moderator by A hand Vote -
The Committee appointed the Last Year to make Choice of A Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Inde- pendence
Reported that they had made Choice of Mr. Joseph Blake Jun". who had Accepted -
On Motion Voted. That the Oration be delivered at the Old Brick Church. as Liberty therefor having been Obtain'd --
[300.] Voted. That the Gentlemen Selectmen do Acquaint Mr. Blake with the aforegoing Vote -
The meeting was then Adjourned to meet at the Old Brick meeting house, at 12. O'Clock this day -
AN ORATION.
To Commemorate the Independence of the United States was delivered by Mr. Blake Jun". at the Old Brick Church
On Motion Voted, That the Selectmen be and hereby are ap- pointed A Committee to Wait on Mr. Joseph Blake Junr. And in the Name of the Town to thank him for the Spirited and Elegant Oration this day delivered by him At the request of the Town upon the Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America in which According to the Institution of the Town he Considered The feelings manner and Principles which Led to that Great National Event, & to request of him A Copy Thereof for the Press -
On Motion Voted, That the Gentlemen the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed A Committee to Apply to Some one learned and able Gentlemen to deliver an Oration on the 4th day of July . Anno Domini 1793. That day being the Anniversary of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America wherein the Orator is to consider the feelings Manners and Principles which Led to this great National Event, as well as the Important [301.] and happy effects whether General or Domestic, which have Already, and will forever Continue to flow from that Auspicious Epoch -
Then The Meeting was Dissolved -
--- - ----------
302
CITY DOCUMENT.
At A meeting of the freeholders and The Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and Legaly Warned in Public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 9th. day of Augt. A : D : 1792 -
Warrant for Calling the Meeting-read
Honble Thomas Dawes Sent. Esqr. was Chosen Moderator by A hand Vote, but he informing the Town by the Constable Sent that he could not Attend
Ezekiel Price Esqr. was then Chosen but upon his declining Thomas Craft Esq". -
Was Chosen Moderator for this meeting by A hand Vote.
On Motion Adjourned to the Old South Church A Number of the Committee of that Church Present having given their Consent therefor -
The Article of the Warrant being read. together with the repre- sentation of A Number of the [302.] Inhabitants relative to the Small Pox A Lengthy Debate took place thereon, Whereupon it was moved
That the Selectmen continue their Exertions to prevent the Spreading of the Small Pox in this Town by taking up A House or Houses and making other Suitable Provision for the reception and Accomodation for such Person or Persons as Now have or may hereafter be taken with the Small Pox -
The Question being put Accordingly Passed in the Affirmative by A great Majority -
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. the 29th of Augt. Anno Domini 1792. Assembled at Faneuil Hall 10. O'Clock A : M : -
Warrant for calling the meeting - read -
Thomas Craft Esqr. Chosen Moderator By A hand Vote -
Petitions for Calling the Meeting - read -
[303.] The Selectmen then give the Inhabitants their opinion of the Present State of the Small Pox. in this Town -
303
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1792.
On Motion, The Question was put - Vizt. Whether the Town do not think it Expedient that A General Inoculation should take place immediately - Passed in the Affirmative by A great Ma- jority -
Moved and Voted that A Committee be now appointed to take into Consideration and to Report at The Adjournment Such Measures as they shall Judge Necessary to be taken by the Town on the occasion. and for the relief and Assistance of the Poor in Passing through the Small Pox. -
Voted, That - That the Honble Thomas Dawes Esqr. Honble. James Sullivan Esq". John Coffin Jones Esqr. Charles Jarvis Esq". Harrison G. Otis Esqr. Stephen Goreham Esqr. Revd. Doctr. Lothrop Joseph Russell Treasurer
Be A Committee for the Said Purpose -
Moved and Voted, That the Town Clerk be desired to Attend the Committee for to give Such Information as may be Needed - Adjourned to 3. O'Clock P : M : -
[304.] At 3. O'Clock. P: M: Town met according to the Adjournment -
The Committee to whom was referred the Consideration of the Measures Expedient to be Adopted by the Town, in the Present State of the small Pox, beg Leave to report the following Votes. --
" That all Persons, as well inhabitants of the Town as Coming · from the Country, be Permitted to receive the Small Pox by inoculation at any time -from this day, untill the fifteenth day of September Next, and not afterwards, and that from & after that Period the Selectmen be and hereby are requested to Adopt the most prudent and Usual measures-for Cleansing the Town from Infection, and to Prevent any further Inoculation, while the Present Laws - Against it are in force."
That the Overseers of the Poor be requested to devise and Pursue the most discreet and Prudent measures for the comfort- able supply of such of the Poor Inhabitants as may receive the disorder who are unable to Provide for themselves. to Engage Physicians for their respective wards Accordingly. And that all Expences incurred in this Service be defrayed, out of the Treasury of the Town -
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CITY DOCUMENT.
That the Sum of Nine Shillings be Allowed to The Physicians. of The Town for Inoculating [305.] And medicines and Attend- ing during the Progress of this disorder, Each poor Inhabitant, who in the Opinion of the Overseers, may be Unable to Provide for himself -
That the Selectmen be requested to Continue the Guards at the Hospital untill Next Thursday week - at sunset, And Your Comittee further Report. that in their opinion, The following Vote will be Conducive to the best interest of this Town.
That the Selectmen be requested to make application to the Legislature for the repeal of all Laws Now Existing against Inoculation, after the first of June Next all which is respectfully Submitted
Thos. Dawes Pr. order -
The Aforegoing Report having been read and Considered and the Question being Put. Whether the Same shall be Accepted, Passed in the Affirmative - By A Large Majority -
Then the Meeting was Dissolved -
[306.] At A Meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston duly Qualified and legally warned in Public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall On Friday the 28th. day of September Anno Domini. 10. O'Clock A : M : --
Warrant for Calling the Meeting - read -
Honble Thomas Dawes Esqr.
Chosen Moderator by A Hand Vote. -
The Votes being Brought in for A Collector of Taxes in the room of Mr. Caleb Blanchard who has resigned, it Appeared that. -
Mr. Benjamin Jepson was Chosen Collector of Taxes for the Year Ensuing -
The Article in the Warrant Vizt. to Consider Application of the Collectors that A further Allowance - may be made them for their Services - read -
Whereupon Voted. That Mr. Herman Brimmer Thomas Crafts Esqr. Honble Caleb Davis Esqr.
Be A Committee to take the Application of the Collectors for A further allowance for their Services as Collectors And Report thereon at the Adjournment -
305
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1792.
[307.] The Article in the Warrant Vizt. - What measures shall be taken for the Speedy Clearing the Town from the Infec- tions of the Small Pox was read and after Some Debate - Voted That A Committee of Forty Eight Persons - four of Each Ward be immediately appointed For to Assist the Selectmen and Over- seers of the Poor in Each Ward whose business it shall be to repair to Every House in their respective wards, To ask the fol- lowing Questions and to take down the Answers in Writing - Vizt.
Who Lives in this House, and what is the Name of the Head of the family -
How many Persons in this house have had the Small Pox, both Whites and blacks, The Natural way and by Inoculation & how many of Each have died-How many Persons from the Country have had the Small Pox in this House, and how many of them Came from the Countrey after the 15th. day of September Last. There Names and by Whom Inoculated -
How many are now Sick, and how many that have not had the Small Pox, The Number that have now had it that supposed that they had received it before; - And that the Constables of the Town Attend the selectmen and Overseers in Said Walk, & they are also directed to take the most Effectual Method to cause the houses in the Several Wards to be well Cleansed from the Infec- tion & make report of their doings at the Adjournment. That such of the Revd. Clergy as desire it, be requested to attend the Committee
[308.] Article relative to Mr. Cheney and his Other appli- cations, read - Whereupon -
Voted. That Mr. Cheney's and the other applications. be referred over to the School Committee -
Voted. That the following Persons be A Committee of Visit and also for taking the State Of The Small Pox - Vizt.
Ward-Nº. 1. Messrs. Benjamin Jepson Josiah Snelling Jonas Welch Thomas Adams
Ward-Nº. 2 - Capt. Edward Tyler Capt. Jacob Rhoades Mr. John Page Mr. Alexander Hill
Ward-Nº. 3 - Thomas Symmes Esqr. Mr. Josiah Eliot Joseph Crocker Esqr. Capt. Samuel Howard
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CITY DOCUMENT.
Ward -Nº. 4 - Dea -Gibbons Sharp Mr. William Sherburne Mr. Nathaniel Austin Mr. Joseph Kettle
Ward - Nº. 5 - Harbottle Dorr Esq". Mr. Thomas Hitchborn Mr. Hopestill Capen Mr. William Homes
[309.] Ward-Nº. 6 - Honble. Benjamin Austin Jr. Esqr. Coll - Samuel Bradford Mr. John Kneeland Mr. Isaac Winslow
Ward -Nº. 7 - Joseph Blake Esq". Mr. Elisha Sigorney Mr. Ephraim Copeland Mr. Moses Grant
Ward -Nº. 8 - Mr. David Austin Mr. Samuel Belknap Jun". Mr. Samuel Torrey Perez Morton Esqr.
Ward - Nº. 9 -Nath1. Balch Esq". Mr. Edwd. Davis John Andrews Esqr. Mr. Herman Brimmer
Ward-Nº. 10 - Coll - John Winslow Samuel Cooper Esqr. Mr. Russell Sturgis Coll - John Boyle
Ward -Nº. 11 - Mr. John Tileston Honble. Thomas Dawes Capt. Nathan1. Fellows General Donnison
Ward - Nº. 12 - Majr. R. Davis John Lucas Esqr. Mr. Ebenezer Dorr Amasa Davis Esqr.
Adjourned to Monday the 8th. day of October Next - 10. O'Clock A : M :
[310.] Monday October 8th. 1792. 10. O'Clock The Town Met according to Adjournment-
307
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1792.
The Committee to take the State of the Town with respect to the Small Tax Reported -
That on Thursday and friday Last. The Selectmen and Over- seers of the Poor Accompanied with The Clergy, and Several other Gentlemen appointed by the Town, for the purpose, Visited all the families in the Several Wards in this Town in order to take A Particular account of the State of the Small Pox. Which is as follows - Vizt.
8804. Number of Whites Inoculated 158 Died
214 Whites in the Natural way - 27 Died -
348 Blacks Inoculated 7 Died
18 Blacks the Natural way 6 Died -
1038 Number from the Countrey
262 Number removed from out of Town
221 Subject to the distemper
181 Number Now Sick -
It is to be Observed. that the Number said to be subject to this disorder are 221. In these are Included many Children who have been inoculated sometime Since and said to be subject to the disorder because their parents feel anxious and doubtfull [311.] Whether they have had it, if they have had it, It was in A Very Slight degree. Of Those who are said to be sick it is also to be observed that many of those were then so Nearly recovered of the Distemper that they are now well. and the others fast recovering so that there is the greatest Probability that the Town will very Soon be free of Infection. The Town then Passed the following Votes.
Voted Unanimously. That the Selectmen be requested to take measures to Cleanse the Town of the Small Pox as Soon as Pos- sible ---
Voted Unanimously the Selectmen Be requested to take all Legal measures for the removal of all Such Persons who do not belong to This town and who have taken the Small Pox Since the fifteenth day of September Last, to the Town where they belong if it can be done, and when it Cannot be done, for to remove them to the Pest House -
The Town having granted an Indulgence to the People of Other Towns to receive inoculation in This Town, And being informed that Some Persons have Come into The Town for that Purpose Since the time was Expired. The Town therefore
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CITY DOCUMENT.
unanimously Resolves. That they Consider such Conduct as A high Insult upon the inhabitants and that they will take [312.] Spirited measures to Shew there disapprobation of and to Prevent such Conduct -
Voted. That the Several Physicians in the Town be requested to make return to the Chairman of the Selectmen on Tuesday & Friday of the number of those who are sick of the Small Pox
Voted that the Selectmen & Overseers of the Poor be requested with Such and so many Gentlemen as they may Choose to Invite to make another Visitation of the families in this Town, in man- ner Similar to the Last, at Such a time as they may think Proper. So as to Report to the Town an Accurate Statement of the Small Pox at the Adjournment -
The Committee on the Application of the Collectors, for an Augmentation of their Premium -
Report. That two of your Committee within Named, have Attended the Application of the Collectors of Taxes for an Additional Premium, and after duly Considering the Same are of Opinion that five per Cent is Adequate to their Services -
Herman Brimmer Caleb Davis
The aforegoing report having been read And Considered The Question was put. Vizt. [313.] Whether the Town will Accept the said report
Passed in the Affirmative
The Votes being brought in for A Collector of Taxes in the room of Caleb Blanchard who has resigned it Appeared that - Mr. Benjamin Jepson was Chosen A Collector for the Year Ensuing -
Adjourned to Monday The 22d. of October Instant 10. O'Clock A : M : -
Monday The 22d. day of October Town met According to Ad- journment -
The Committee to make A return of the State of the Small Pox in this Town, Reported That Sixty two Persons were Sick of the Distemper but that Three of Those had been removed to the Almshouse. Forty of them were almost well, That of those who had been inoculated there had died 179. And of those who had received the Distemper in the Natural way 69 had Deceased mak- ing the whole number of those who have as yet died of the Small Pox 248-
309
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1792.
The Town having considered the aforegoing Report Passed the four following Votes - Vizt.
Whereas it Appears from the returns made this day On the State of the Small Pox, That the Town may be Cleansed of all infection in the Course of the Present Week
[314.] Voted that the Selectmen be requested to take effec- tual measures for cleansing the Town in the Course of the Present week, And they cause such Persons as are now, or may hereafter be infected wth that disease to be removed as Soon as may be to the Hospital at West Boston and that usual Signals be Provided - Voted, That the Selectmen be also requested to Erect Smoke houses at the Neck and at such other Places as they may think necessary for Cleansing Such Persons as shall come from Hospi- tals and other infected houses in the Neighbouring Towns, And to give Public Notice of the Same, and when the Town shall be free from any Infection, Voted That the Selectmen be directed to remove all such Persons coming by Water as shall be Infected with the Small Pox by inoculation or in the Natural way to Rainsfords Island at their Own Expence if Able, and the Inhabi- tants be desired to Inform the Selectmen of all Persons who shall be Infected with that Disease in future -
Voted That from and after the 22d. day Of October Instant, any Person inoculating for the Small Pox in the Town or on board any Vessel in the Harbour or who may receive into their family - [315.] Any Person thus inoculated, shall be declared an Enemy to the Welfare and Security of This Town and their Names Published by the Selectmen as Such -
Voted, That all matters and things remaining Unfinished at this meeting be referred over to the Next General Town Meeting that may or shall be Called -
Voted That the Thanks of the Town be and hereby are Given To the Honorable Thomas Dawes Esq". for his good Services, As A Moderator of This Meeting -
Then the Meeting was Dissolved -
[316.] is blank.
[317.] At A Meeting of the freeholders and Other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston Qualified to Vote for Representatives To the General Court of this Commonwealth and Legally Warned in Public Town Meeting, Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the 2ª. day of November Anno Domini 1792. 10. O'Clock. A : M :-
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CITY DOCUMENT.
Prayer was made by The Revd. Doctr. Stillman -
Warrant for Calling the Meeting - read.
Paragraphs of Resolves of the General Court for the Choice of Representatives for the Next Congress of the United States. and for Electors of President and Vice President - read -
It was Then Declared by the Selectmen That the Poll would be Closed by the Selectmen at 12. O'Clock. The votes to be received at the Table and the Bells to begin Tolling at 12. O'Clock -
Persons Voted for as Representatives for the Next Congress of the United States -
1 st District for the County of Suffolk - Vizt.
Votes
Honble. Fisher Ames Esqr. - 371
Honble. Benjamin Austin Jr. Esqr. - 330
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