USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1784 to 1796 > Part 32
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. The aforegoing report having been considered the [479.] Question was put viz. whether the same shall be accepted - passed in the affirmative -
Voted, that Thomas Dawes Perez Morton Willm. Tudor Esqr.
be a Committee to confer with the Gentlemen Selectmen relative to the Lands to be left open between Messrs. Richardson and Emmons Rope walks, also such other matters relative to the New Street from Atkinson street to Hutchinson street; and bring the matter in dispute between, the Town and the Rope makers, pro- prietors of the Rope walks late consumed by Fire, to a decision .-
The Committee appointed to audit the Town Treasurers ac- compts [reported ] and have attended that service, and ask leave to report ; That they find the accounts of the said Treasurer well vouched and rightly cast, there was due to the Town the first of March 1795. (if the outstanding debts could be collected)
£5803,,13 ,, 0
But your Committee are of opinion the fol- lowing never can be, viz :
Accot. of Towns Powder stands in Debt by ye Books £312,, 11 ,, 8 6
Samue1. Jepson
21,, 10 ,, „
Ephraim Brown 12 ,, 6 ,, 8 Peirce & Wheeler 7„ ,, 10 0
353,, 18 ,, 10
To which may be added a sup-
posed abatement on 1794 tax 5.599 ,, 14 ,, 2
953 13 ,, 0 „,
Which will reduce the balance due the Town to 4850 ,, 0 ,, 0
402
CITY DOCUMENT.
The Selectmens drafts on the Treasurer from 1st. March 1794. to 1st. March 1795 amount to - - £8212,, 19,, 9} - The Overseers for the same period were - - 3053 ,, 7,, 11
£11265,, 18 ,, 8}
The Balances due from the several Collectors on 1st. Mar. 1795 as in the tryal balance of the Books, £9880 , 1;, 8% amount to
[480.] Since which to 11th.
inst. has been received of them,
by the Treasurer, (which is the
whole of 1793. and part of 1794
Tax) - -
2773 ,, 8 ,, 734
So there is now due from the Collectors on
account of 1794 tax
$ £7106,, 13 ,, 1
Your Committee from the best information they can get, Report, that a tax of £12000 will be necessary to defray the following expences of the current Year, viz. -
School masters and Ushers as last Year -
£2227
"
Watchmen, Coals, Candles & ca'
600
"
,
Collector's premiums -
1000
"
Town Clerk's salary -
200
Town Treasurers ditto
200
Officer of Police d°.
180
Messenger to the Selectmen
70
Clerks of the market -
10
Constables service
25
Interest on Monies owed by the Town now due -
102
99
Ditto for the present Year
180 ,,
£6244 ,,
"
Repairing Clocks
£18
"
New Engine
ʹ
120
Repairing Engines
50
Printing for the Town
50
Stationary -
25
Ringing of Bells
75
Paving streets -
1800
Pay for a new street .
211
,, 13
Do. for the late Governors pasture
4000
",
Assessors pay -
650
600
"
Lamps, if light the year -
Repairing schools, wood & ca'
200
"
"
">
403
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1795.
Dam on the neck -
1000
To finish the survey of the Town
130
New Streets thro' ye Rope walks
1000
Incidental charges, visiting Schools &c -
126
7
[481.] For the Overseers of the Poor
3000
11606
,
0
0
6244 ,,
£17850 ,, 0 , 0
From which may be deducted. - Balance
due the Town as by the within state-
ment
- £4850 ,,
Suppose will be received from the
Commonwealth for the support of
their Poor .-
- 1000,,
5850 „,
4
£12000 ,, 0 ,, 0
Your Committee therefore recommend that the sum of TWELVE THOUSAND POUNDS be assessed for the present Year, unless the Town provide for the payment of the late Governors pasture or any other part of the Estimate of expences, in some other way, than by a tax. - All which is submitted. -
Herman Brimmer
Joseph Russell Jun". Sam1. Brown
The aforegoing report having been considered, it was Voted, that the same be accepted. -
Voted, That the sum of Twelve thousand pounds be raised by a tax to be assessed on the Polls and Estates of the Inhabitants of the Town, to defray the expences of the current Year.
Voted, That the sum of Two hundred pounds be allowed and paid to Joseph Russell for his services as Town Treasurer the present year, the same to be paid him in quarterly payments as it shall become due & to commence the first of March last. -
Voted, That the sum of two hundred pounds be allowed and paid unto William Cooper for his services as Town Clerk, the present year, the same to be paid him quarterly, as it shall become due and to commence the first of March last. -
Voted, That the sum of one hundred and thirty [482.] Pounds be allowed to each of the Assessors for their respective services the present year, the same to be paid them quarterly, as it shall become due, and to commence the first of March last. -
-
404
CITY DOCUMENT.
Voted, That the sum of one hundred and eighty pounds be allowed and paid unto Josiah Waters, for his services as Officer of the Police, the present year, to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due. -
The Committee appointed to take into consideration the prob- able advantages and disadvantages of the preparing or new erecting the Dam, on the East side the neck, and the probable expence it may occasion, having attended that Business, report as their opinion that it will be most for the benefit of the Town, that a new Dike should be made, according to the modern plan, as the present Dam is in so ruinous and decayed a state as to render a complete repair almost as expensive as a new one, and at the same time will not fully answer the purposes intended, and expected. - The time for which it is now leased will expire the 4th. April. 1797.
The quantity of Land on this side the neck exclusive of salt marsh, without the Dam, is nearly 50 acres; should we be suc- cessful in keeping out the salt water, & we see nothing to prevent it, calculating upon the experience of individuals who have had Land in similar situations, the probable profit to the town will be 500 Dollrs. annually, while from the best inquiries and calcula- tions the expence will not exceed £1000, -if our calculations are just this will yield us 15 # Cent, for our money, we can conceive no probable disadvantage that can arise to the Town, from this measure, unless the expence at this particular time should be thought so, in addition to the pecuniary advantage which we pre- sume the town will experience, we think it no small one, that the Eye will be relieved from the view of a barren waste, by a beauti- ful & pleasing verdure : - and should the Town in a future day think proper to sell the same, we presume the value will be [483.] enhanced much beyond the expence. By order
Ezek1. Price. -
The aforegoing report having been read, and considered, the question was put, viz whether the same shall be accepted, - passed in the affirmative.
Voted, That all matters and things unfinished at this meeting, be referred over to the next general Town meeting.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to the Honble. Tho8. Crafts Esqr. for his good services as Moderator of this meeting. -
Then the meeting was dissolved.
At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town duly qualified and legally warned, in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Saturday the 4th day of July A. D. 1795. - 10 Clock A. M.
405
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1795.
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. George Blake Esqr. -- who has accepted. -
On motion, Voted, That the Oration be delivered at the Old South Church, 11 ºClock, Liberty therefor, having been obtained.
Voted, That the Gentleman, the Selectmen acquaint Mr. Blake with this Vote.
Adjourned to the Old South Church.
[484.] AN ORATION
to commemorate the Independence of the United States was de- livered by Geo. Blake Esqr. at the Old South Church. -
On motion Voted, That the Selectmen be, and hereby are ap- pointed a Committee to wait on George Blake Esqr. 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, manners and principles which led to that great national event, - And to request of him a Copy thereof for the Press. -
On motion, Voted, that the Gentlemen Selectmen be, and hereby are appointed a Committee to apply to some one Learned and able Gentleman, to deliver an Oration on the 4th. of July, A. D. 1796. - that day being the anniversary of the independence of the United States of America ; wherein the Orator is to con- sider the feelings, manners, and principles which led to this great national event, - as well as the important and happy effects whether general or Domestic, which have already, and will for- ever flow, from that auspicious Epoch. -
Then the meeting was dissolved.
406
CITY DOCUMENT.
At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town duly qualified and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday the 10th. day of July A. D. 1795.
Warrant for calling the meeting - read.
Honble. Thos. Crafts Esqr.
chosen Moderator by a hand Vote. - being unwell.
[485.] Honble. Thos. Dawes
was chosen Moderator by a Hand Vote. -
The article in the warrant, relative to the pending Treaty - read, and after considerable debate,
It was moved and Voted, That the sense of the Inhabitants be taken upon the Treaty now pending between the United States and Great Britain, and the question being clearly stated, it was called for in the affirmative; and not a single Vote appeared in its favor; upon which the negative was put, and was unani- mously carried. The Hall was remarkably crowded, on this im- portant occasion. It was then moved and Voted, that
Charles Jarvis Esqr William Tudor Esqr.
Willm. Eustis Esqr.
Benja. Austin Jun". Esqr.
Capt. Nath1. Fellows
Perez Morton Esqr.
Sam1. Brown Esqr.
Thomas Dawes Esqr.
Joseph Blake Junr. Esqr.
William Little Esqr. Willm. Cooper Esqr.
George Blake Esq".
Stephen Gorham Esqr.
John Sweetser Esqr. Thos. Walley Esq".
be a Committee to take the subject at large into consideration, and to state the objections to the several articles of the Treaty, that the same may be respectfully represented by an address to the President of the United States, and request the interposition of his constitutional Authority to prevent the said Treaty being carried into effect.
The meeting was then adjourned to Monday next, 10 °Clock. A. M. -
Monday the 13th, day of July 10 °Clock A. M. met according to adjournment.
407
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1795.
[486.] On a motion of Dr. Jarvis, Chairman of the Com- mittee of 15th. - The pending Treaty was distinctly read in Town meeting by the Moderator. -
The Committee then Reported as follows, viz.
A Pamphlet printed at Philadelphia under the signature of S. T. Mason Esqr. one of the Senators of the United States, from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and purporting to be a genuine Copy of a Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, entered into at London, on the 19th. day of November last, between Lord Grenville on the part of his Britannick Majesty, and John Jay Esqr. on the part of the United States, was read and duly con- sidered, and thereupon it was,
Resolved, As the sense of the Inhabitants of this Town, that the aforesaid Instrument, if Ratified, will be highly Injurious to the commercial interests of the United States, derogatory to their National Honour, and Independence, and may be dangerous to the Peace & Happiness of their Citizens. The reasons which have induced this opinion are as follows, vizt.
1st. Because, This Compact professes to have no referrence to the Merits of the Complaints and pretensions of the contracting parties ; but in reality the complaints and pretensions of Great Britain are fully provided for, while a part only of those of the United states have been brought into Consideration. -
2dly. Because, in the stipulation which restores our Posts on the Western Frontier, no provision is made to indemnify the United states for the Commercial, and other Losses they have sustained, and the heavy expences to which they have been subjected in consequence of being kept out of possession, for twelve Years in direct violation of the Treaty of Peace. -
3dly. Because, no indemnification is proposed to be made to the Citizens of the United States, for property [487.] taken from them at the close of the War, the restitution of which is pro- vided for in the same Treaty.
4thly. Because, the Capture of Vessels and property of Citizens of the United States during the present War, made under the Authority of the Government of Great Britain, is a National Concern, and claims arising from such Captures ought not to have been submitted to the decision of their admiralty Courts as the United States are thereby precluded from having a voice in the final determination of such cases. - Because, the Indemnifica- tion proposed, is to be sought by a Process tedious and expen- sive, in which justice may be delayed, to an unreasonable time, and eventually lost to many of the sufferers from their inability
408
CITY DOCUMENT.
to pursue it; and because this mode of Indemnification bears no proportion to the summary method adopted for the satisfac- tion of British claims.
5thly. Because, this compact admits British subjects to an equal participation with our own citizens of the interior traffic of the United states with the neighboring Indians thro' our whole ter- ritorial dominions ; while the advantages ostensibly reciprocated to our citizens are limited both in their nature and extent.
6thly. Because, the alien duties upon merchandize imported into the United states by British subjects in their own Bottoms is, if not wholly suspended, at least contracted, not to be increased. -
7thly. Because, the Commerce the United States have hitherto enjoyed in India, in common with other Nations, is so restricted that in future it will be of little, or no substantial benefit to our own Citizens. -
[488.] 8thly. Because, in every stipulation respecting our inter- course with the Colonial possessions of Great Britain, the whole commerce of the United States in such intercourse is colonized in return .. .
9thly. Because, the clause by which the British Government reserves to itself the right of imposing on American Vessels, entering British ports in Europe, a Duty which shall countervail the difference of the Duty payable on the importation of European and Asiatic Goods into the United States in British or American bottoms, places it in the power of that Government to enable British subjects to become the importers of Asiatic and European Goods into the United states to the exclusion of our own Citizens.
10thly. Because, altho' the terms of said Treaty purport to be reciprocal in many instances, yet from the local situation and existing circumstances of the United states, and the Pacific system of policy they have adopted, that reciprocity is merely nominal and delusive.
11thly. Because, it prevents the United States from imposing any further restrictions on the British trade alone, and because it is stipulated that neither the debts due from Individuals of the one Nation to Individuals of the other, nor shares, nor monies which they may have in the public funds, or in any public or private Banks, shall ever in any event of war, or national difference, be sequestered or confiscated, - as it is far from being impossible that the exercise of this right may in the opinion of the Legisla- ture of the United states, contribute to preserve the peace of our Country, and protect the rights and property of the citizens from violation, we therefore esteem it highly impolitic that the.
409
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1795.
public faith should be pledged that it shall never be exercised under any circumstances whatever. -
[489.] 12thly. Because, it concedes a Right to the British Gov- ernment, to search and detain our Vessels in time of War between them and other Nations, under frivolous and vexatious pretexts.
13thly. Because, it provides that Ship timber, Tar, Hemp, Sails, and Copper, shall be considered contraband of War, which arti- cles are expressly stipulated to be free by the Treaties already subsisting between the United States and all other Nations with whom they are in compact.
14thly. Because, it surrenders all or most of the Benefits of a Commercial nature which we had a right to expect from our Neutrality in the present European War. -
15thly. Because, it precludes the hope of receiving any advantage from the modern Law of nations referred to in the PRESIDENTS Proclamation of Neutrality ; adopted by most of the Nations of Europe in the last War, and to which we then acceded, and have since secured in our Treaties with all other Nations.
16thly. Because, it not only surrenders the right of carrying the property of any Nation at War with Great Britain in our Vessels freely, but abandons all pretentions even to the freight.
17thly. Because, it permits the British nation to convert provi- sions destined to other Nations at War with them, to their own use, on payment of what they may deem a reasonable profit; a measure, not only injurious to the interest of the American Mer- chant, but which will prevent our citizens from carrying American productions to other Countries, which by the Laws of Nature and Nations they have a right to do without molestation.
18thly. Because, it limits the Power of Congress delegated to them by the Constitution, -"To regulate our Commerce with foreign Nations,"- by prescribing conditions, and creating im- pediments to the exercise of that Power.
[490.] 19thly. Because, it exposes the United States and their Commerce, to similar embarrassments from other Commercial nations, all of whom probably regulate our trade by this partial standard. -
and Lastly, -Because, in the opinion of the Inhabitants of this town, the Nature and Extent of the Exports of the United States are such, that in all their stipulations with foreign Nations, they have it in their power to secure a perfect reciprocity of inter- course not only with the home Dominions of such Nations, but with all their colonial dependences. -
410
CITY DOCUMENT.
It is further Resolved, that a Copy of the foregoing Proceed- ings, attested by the Town Clerk be immediately transmitted to the PRESIDENT of the United States, that they may be respectfully submitted to his consideration. - And we earnestly hope, and confidently rely, that his Prudence, Fortitude and Wisdom which have more than once been eminently instrumental in the salvation of his Country, will be equally conspicuous on the present occa- . sion, and that the Reasons we have assigned, will have their influence to induce him to withhold his signature from the Rati- fication of this alarming Instrument.
The above report having been considered by Paragraphs -the Question was put. - " whether the same shall be accepted " - Passed in the Affirmative, - unanimously. -
Moved and Voted, that the Gentlemen the Selectmen, be requested to transmit the same to the President by express and that the Selectmen sign the Letter to be sent the President.
On motion Voted, That the thanks of this town be given to the Honble. Stephen Thompson Mason one of the Senators of the United States, for his patriotic conduct in publishing the late Commercial Treaty agreed to by Mr. Jay, between the United States and the British Nation, thereby giving an opportunity for the Citizens to express their sentiments on this important and interesting occasion. - Also that the Town Clerk forward the same to Mr. Mason by the post.
[491.] Voted, That the thanks of the town be given to Honble. Thos. Dawes Esq". for his good services as Moderator.
Then the meeting was dissolved.
At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of Boston, in public Town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the second day of Novr. A. D. 1795. - 10 °Clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the meeting - read.
Honble. Thomas Crafts Esq".
was chosen Moderator by a hand Vote.
The Petition of Henry Jackson Esqr. and others, laid before the Town by order of the General Court -read - whereupon Voted, that
Honble. George R. Minot Esqr. Honble. Thos. Dawes Esqr.
411
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1795.
Dr. Townsend Mr. Eben". Seaver Mr. Treasurer Russell be a Committee to take said Petition into consideration, and report at the adjournment.
The Article in the Warrant relative to the Common and Chapel Burying grounds - read - whereupon Voted, that The Honble. Thos. Dawes Esqr. The Honble. Geo. R. Minot Esqr. Dr. Eustis Nath1. Appleton Esqr. [492.] Dr. Jarvis Mr. Nath1. Balch Honble. Willm Tudor Esqr.
be a Committee to report some suitable place or places of deposit for the Dead, in order that the Town may be enabled to discon- tinue the opening of any graves in the Common and Chapel Burying grounds.
The article in the warrant relative to the disposal of a small strip of salt marsh, on the neck, read, whereupon
Voted, that the Committee on Henry Jackson and others Peti- tion, be a Committee to consider this article, and report thereon to the Town.
The other articles in the warrant referred over to the adjourn- ment.
Adjourned to Friday next 10 °Clock A. M.
Friday, Novr. 6. 1795. - 10 OClock A. M. met according to adjournment.
Voted, on motion, that all matters unfinished be referred for consideration to the general town meeting of this day.
Then the meeting was dissolved
At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town, duly qualified and legally warned, in Public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall, on Friday the 6th. day of November A. D. 1795. 10 O Clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the meeting - read.
[493.] The Honble. Thos. Crafts Esqr. was chosen Moderator by a hand Vote. -
412
CITY DOCUMENT.
An attested Copy of the petition of Henry Jackson and others, praying for Liberty to erect a Dyke, or Causeway at the Southerly part of Boston, to extend to the northwesterly point of Land at Dorchester neck, which was referred to the Legislature of the Common-wealth at their last Sessions being read, together with the order of notification to this town, passed by the General Court thereon. -
Voted, that the Inhabitants have no cause to show why the Prayer of said Petition should not be granted, but on the con- trary do approve of the said application, as embracing many general and public advantages.
On the article in the late warrant referred to this meeting, rel- ative to disposing of a small strip of salt marsh. The Committee thereon report, that the same be referred to the Selectmen, in order that they may receive any proposals for the purchase of the strip of marsh Land therein mentioned, and lay the same before the Town at some future meeting. - which report was accepted.
The Committee appointed by the Town to consider the subject of the Burying grounds at large, and to report on Friday next, some suitable place of deposit for the Dead, in order that the Town may be enabled to discontinue the opening of Graves in the Common, and Chapel Burying grounds, report as follows : - The Committee having consulted the Physicians of the Town, find it to be their opinion that the Health of the Inhabitants is in danger from the crowded state of these Grounds, & the exhala- tions which must frequently arise from opening Graves therein. In addition to which they find it is almost impossible to open new [494.] Graves without disturbing the relicts of the Dead already interred. From an equal regard to Health and from a decent respect for both the living and the Dead, they recommend it to the Inhabitants to adopt the following measures.
1st. That no Graves or new Tombs shall be opened or built, ill either the Common or Chapel burying Grounds, after the first day of May next.
2dly. As the South Burying grounds is already sufficiently large for the present accommodation of the Inhabitants and will admit of such enlargement, that the Selectmen be empowered to allot to any Inhabitant who may apply for the same, sufficient Ground for erecting a Tomb, in this Ground, and to enlarge the said South Burying Ground in a direction westerly whenever the public convenience shall in their judgment require it.
3ª. Inasmuch as in remarkably inclement weather, it may be inconvenient for Funerals to proceed to the South Burying Ground, that the Selectmen cause to be erected under the Vestry room of the Stone Chapel, or in some other part of the Chapel burying ground, a Vault or Tomb suitable for a temporary deposit,
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1795. . 413
in which any of the Inhabitants, who may incline thereto, shall have a right to deposit the Bodies of their deceased Friends or relatives, for a term of time not exceeding twenty four hours, (unless in particular cases) by special permission of the Select- men, until it may be convenient for them to remove such Bodies to the place of final interment, -
All which is submitted. - Thos. Dawes # order.
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