USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1784 to 1796 > Part 7
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The Committee to prepare Instruction for the Gentelmen who Represent this Town in the General Court, Reported a Draught, [434.] which being read & considered Perageraph two was amended and accepted by the Town
To Honble : John Hancock Esqr. Honble : Samuel Allyne Otis Esqr : Honble : Caleb Davis Esq" : Thomas Daws Esq : Samuel Brick Esqr. Hon ble : Benjamin Austin Esq : Benjamin Hitchborn Esqr. -
Gentelmen. It is not from any distrust either of your Zeal or Abilities that we have thought proper to give you our Instructions on some of the many important Objects which must arrest your Attention in the Approaching Assembly of the State; on the Other hand we are fully persuaded that no Exer- tions on your part will be wanting to promote the true Interest of this Town, as well as that of the Community at large, but at so important a period we wish to Afford you our suport and Assist- ance under the thorough conviction that nothing short of our, united Effects, can perfict or secure the Blessings of Peace & Independance -
During the Danger & Calamites of War we were led naturally to expect that the return of Peace would have brought with it Prosperity as well as Safety Depending on this, too much has been left to the uncertainty [435.] of Chance, where the Wis- dom of the Laws or the Obligations of Treaty, might have been Applied with Advantage. - To this unfortunate Defect of Sys- tem in the Public Conduct it has been owing, that the greatest part of our circulating Medium has been exchanged for British Luxuries, that our Trade has been so unequal, and unproductive, · & that most of the means of remittance wether directe, or cir- cuitous have been cloged by Alien Taxes, & Restrictions, or else
77
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1785.
totally excluded in foreign Ports : And in Addition to this ruinous situation, we find the Agents and Factors of British Mer- chants Assidiously gleaning the Remains of our Money & thret- ining a Monopely of the whole Trade -Thus between the Artifice of Forreign Individuals, & the Policy of their Government are our Citizens impoverished & the Country most essentially injured -
If these were the Only Difficulties that Demanded your Atten- tion, our Complaints would be less Urgent, but our Carrying Trade that great Nursary of Seamen and one of the Principle Sources of National Strength & Opulence is menaced with An- nihilation ; With ample Internal resources & place it on a respect- able [436.] Footing. We have with the most passive Indeferance seen the Ships of Other Countrys but of the British in particular crowding our Ports with all the Advantages of our own, at the same time that the Navigation of these States is in their Har- bours either restrained, or subjected to the Several Exactions.
As the Encouragement & Protection of our Fisheries are Ob- jects of primary Concern, we are Alarmed at finding the Indus- trious & hardy Seamen of this Commonwealth decoyed into British service and contributing to errect a rival Establishment on the Ruin of our Wale Fishery -
We most earnestly wish to see the internal Trade of these Several States in the Union fixed and confirmed on principles of the most perfect equality by such Policy, one great Cause of Jealousy and Dissention will be removed ; and it is under God on the Harmoney & Coincidence of the several parts of our Con- federacy that the general Happiness and Security must depend -
In a Country where the real Wants of the Inhabitants may be generally supplied by their own Industry we are Anxious to turn the Attention of Government to the encouragement of Agriculture and to the present reduced and declining State of many of our [437.] Manufactures; the relief & Protection of which are Objects of the most extensive Utility
The State of Public Credit on every principal demands the Closest Application ; When an Appropriated Revenue derived from the Commodities & Luxuries of other Countries might have pre- served & perpetuated our National Faith, a total neglect of this Salutary expedient has already been productive of Injury & Dis- honour to the Government & of Distress & Oppression to the Public Creditors ; Policy as well as Justice then unite to dem- onstrate necesity of some permanent & National Establishment on this important Subject When thus engaged Gentelmen you cannot fail to recollect that as Economy in our private Expendi- tures is one of the Cardinal Virtues of a Republic, the Prevalence of Luxury & Dissipation should be watched throughout the Com-
78
CITY DOCUMENT.
monwealth & by progressive Excises be rendred tributary to the State -
But Gentelmen while we recomend these Circumstances to your Consideration, and while we contemplate some of the numerous Difficulties of our present situation, we look in vain for a [438.] Power in the Government Adequate to their removal; For it is Politically impossible, from our different views and local Attach- ments that there should be either concert or Decision on great National Questions, as the measures of any Single State will probably be opposed & defeated by those of its Neighbours till at length the Fabric of our Confederacy by internal Dissention, may be convulsed and subverted -
To correct these Evils and to Add Dignity & Efficiency to the Federal Government your Constituents are anxiously Solicitous to see the Congress invested with Power competent to our com- mon necessities, to the Regulation of our Commerce and to the Adjustment and discharge of the Public Debt, and in order to this we enjoin upon you to exert your utmost influence with the Legislature to request the Suprem Executive, to open a Corres- pondence with the Supreme Executive of the Other States to concert the means of National Unanimity & exertion for it is from their Influence that we have derived our freedom, & it is to them alone that we must be indebted for the improvement and Extention of its Blessings -
The Committee to consider the Report of the Committee to Audit Town |439.] Treasurers Accounts Reported and After some consideration of said Report, it was recommitted for Amend- ments -
Adjourned to Monday next 3' O : Clock Afternoon -
Monday 23ª of May 3 'OClock P : M : Met according to Adjourn- ment -
The Inhabitants as directed brought in their Votes for one Fir Ward, and upon sorting them it Appeared, that
Colº : John May
was chosen a Fire Ward for the year ensuing
The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the Petition of a Number of Gentelmen for being Incorporated as a Fire Insurance having met several times and considered said Proposal Give it as their Opinion, that it will not be for the Advantage of the Town, that such an Institution should be established -
William Cooper # Order
The aforegoing Report having been read & considered - the
79
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1785.
Question was put "Whether the same shall be accepted " - Passed in the Affirmative -
[440.] The Committee Appointed the 12th Instt: to take into consideration the expediency of erecting one or more new Schools - Report -
They have Attended that Business and in order to obtain the best information they on Tuesday last made a visit to the several Schools in Town, and find as follows
Present
more
At Mr. Vinals
- 119 will Accomodate
81
At Mr. Cheneys -
81 - - ditto
19
100
Master Carters
- 150 - - full
Mr. Tileston -
150 wants room for 18
82
Visited Mr. Hunts School - - 52 will contain 100
Master Davis - 12
ditto - 100
Upon the whole your Committee are of Opinion from the best information they can obtain that the present Writing Schools taken Collectively, will Admit of 80 more Scholars and that it is not necessary for the Town to erect any more Schools at present all which is submitted -
John Lucas Order
1 The foregoing Report, having been read & considered - your Committee think it necessary that no Children be Admitted to a Writing School under 7 years of Age, and that the Selectmen be requested to give such Instructions to the Masters and that they Govern themselves accordingly -[441.] The Question was put- Whether the same shall be Accepted -Passed in the Affirmative -
The Committee on the Petition of Sundry Inhabitants respect- ing the Danger to which the Town is exposed by the several Chocolate Mills Erected within the same, beg leave on careful Examination thereof to Report the following Vote for their con- sideration - Vizt. -
Whereas a. certain Act made & passed in the 4th Year of the Reign of William & Mary, intittled and Act for Building with Brick or Stone in the Town of Boston & for preventing Fire " and an Act in Addition thereto, made & passed in the 11th Year of the same Reign have been found ineffectual to the Sal- utary purposes thereof -inasmuch as Wooden Chocolate Mills have notwithstanding been, erected with Machines for rosting Cocoa, under Circumstances hazardous to the Dwellings and
80
CITY DOCUMENT.
Persons of the Inhabitants, and Fires, have in fact more than once happened thereby - Therefore the Town taking the Prom- isses into consideration Agree, and it is accordingly - Voted, That the Selectmen prevent [present?] on behalf of the Town a Petition to the General Court at their next Session praying for leave to bring in a Bill for preventing under [442.] sufficient penalty, such use of the said Buildings & Machines in the Neigh- bourhood of other Buildings, and directing also under penalty such Buildings & Machines to be constructed, if erected in such a manner & with Brick & Stones as to prevent the Danger inci- dent to their present situation & Construction - all which is humbly submitted
Samuel Barret # Order
The foregoing Vote having been read & considered - the Question was put- Whether the same be Accepted - Passed in the Affirmative
The Committee relative to Fire Wood, Reported which Report being read ; it was Moved & Voted - that the same be recom- mitted, & the Committee are requested to make enquirey whether there is not a law or Laws still in force for the purpose mentioned in said Report
Voted, that John Lucas Esqr. Honble : Caleb Davis Esqr. excus'd Capt. Amasa Davis John Swatser Esqr. John C Jones Esqr. Thomas Dawes Jur. Esqr.
be a Committee to consider what Salaries shall be Allowed the School Masters & other [443.] Servants of the Town, and the Sum Necessary to be raised by the Town to defrey the Charges of the present Year & Report at the Adjournment-
On a Motion Voted, that William Storey Esqr. Mr. Samuel Deming Mr. John Vinal
be a Committee to consider and Report what is necessary to be done relative to the Dogs in this Town, and to Report at the Adjournment -
Adjourned to Thursday the 2 of June 3. OClock Afternoon -
Thursday the 2ª of June 1785 3. O Clock P : M: Met Ac- cording to Adjournment -
Colº. Daws the Moderator not being Able to attend - William Tudor Esqr.
was chosen by a Hand Vote, Moderator Pro. Tem.
81
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1785.
The Committee Appointed by the Town at their last Meeting on the 10th of this present Month May "to consider the Report of the Committee Appointed to Audit the Accompts of the Town Treasurer and to Report to the Town what is expedient to be done thereon " have duly and Carefully Attended to that Business, & accordingly now Report
[444.] That they fully Approve of the perspicuous and Judicious Report of that Committee of Auditors, and conceive the same to be so important and interesting to the Town that material Advantage may result from having the same faithfully entered at large upon the Towns Books as a Memorial of the present Town Debts, and how the same has Arisen, and to which recourse may be had hereafter, if occasion should so require ; wherefore your Committee beg leave to recomend, that the same may be ordered so to be entered -
That it Appears from such Report of those Auditors, that all the Town Collectors of the Taxes excepting James Thompson and Thomas Bayley are Deafulters, and that two of such Col- lectors are greatly in Arrears to the Town, one of them about £3000, the other above £1800, and that three Others of such Col- lectors are respectively Defaulters to the Town for several Sums none of which are so small as seven hundred pounds. -
That they Agree with the Auditors aforesaid that the Accounts with the Estate of the late John Ruddock Esqr. deceased, and with the several other Persons and Estates specified in the report of such your Auditor's the several ballances of which is stated in such their [445.] Report make up in the Aggregate the Sum of £959,, 5,, 2-ought to be immediately settled and closed, the same in the Opinion of this Committee having been too long left Open --
That they submit to the Consideration of the Town, whether a Committee for settling and closing the same forthwith ought not be chosen and invested with full power for that purpose, and that the Treasurer be directed to sue for and recover the several Bal- lances which upon final settlement may Appear to be due to the Town, in case the same cannot without delay, be called in and received in some easier and less expensive mode, And that such Committee do duly report their proceedings therein to the Town at such time or times as the Town shall see fit to order and direct -
That the same Committee be also impowered to call upon John Rowe Esqr. and the Other members of the Committee Appointed for purchasing Grain in 1779. in 1780 - and in 1781 - and who are particularly, Named in such the report of your Auditors, and they Adjust and settle those Accounts likewise with all convenient
82
CITY DOCUMENT.
speed, and report their doings thereon also to the Town at such time or times as the Town shall order or Appoint for that pur- pose -
[446.] That as it Appears from the aforesaid Report of your Auditors of the Accounts of your Town Treasurer all your Collectors of Taxes (excepting James Thompson and Thomas Bayley) are greatly in Arrears, and that two of them in particu- lar are defaulters for very Large Sums. It is submitted by your Committee whether the Town Treasurer should not be ordered immediatley to Isue Executions against all the Delequents to compel payment without delay of all arrears except the last Tax, for the collecting of which never, the less, only Six Months from this day shall be allowed, at the expiration of which Period, if the same be not then duly Accounted for to the Town Treasurer, that he be directed, to issue Executions against all such as then shall be found in default in order to ease the Inhabitants from paying two Taxes instead of one -
J. Gardiner # Order
The foregoing Report having been read and considered, the Question was put Vizt. Whether the Report be Accepted - Passed in the Affirmative - Also Voted,
That the Selectmen be a Committee to settle the Accounts, & other Matters recommended in the proceeding Report-
[447.] The Committee Appointed to consider of the danger the People at large are continually exposed to, by the large num- ber of Dogs, going at large in this Town, have attended that ser- vice- And as many Persons, not only in the Town, but in other parts of this Commonwealth, have been bit by that Animal, and some have lost their lives, & others in great Danger- therefore your Committee apprehend it of great consequence to the People, at large that some effectual method be taken to prevent, the grow- ing evil complained of -
Your Committee do therefore propose to the Inhabitants that they would give Instructions to their Committee now revising the By Laws of this Town to Frame a Law respecting Dogs that are or may be among us
Wm : Storey # Order
The aforegoing Report as amended in this Meeting was ac- cepted by the Town -.
Moved and Voted, that John Gardner Thomas Daws Junr. Esqr.
be added to the Committee for revising the By Laws, and that
83
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1785.
said Committee be desired to Report a Law relative to Dogs as soon as may be-
[448.] The Report of the Committee relative to Salaries &c-referred over to the Adjournment for consideration - and the Town Clerk is to Notify in the News Papers that all Money Matters are then to be Acted upon -
Adjourned to Thursday the 9th of June Inst. 3. O'Clock P : M : then to Meet at Faneuil Hall -
Thursday the 9th. Day of June 3'OClock in the Afternoon met according to Adjournment -
The Committee for revising the By Laws are desired to Report one relative to Dogs at the General Town Meeting - also
Moved & Voted, that
Dr. Charles Jarvis Dr. John Warren
be Added to said Committee for the purpose aforesaid -
The Report of the Committee relative to Salaries and the Sum necessary to be raised for the service of the present Year- again read and considered and the Question put Whether said Report be Accepted - Passed in the Negative-
[449.] Voted, that the Sum of two hundred & thirty Pounds be allowed & paid unto Mr. Samuel Hunt for his Salary as Master of the South Grammer School the present year the same to commence from the first of March last and to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due -
Voted, that the Sum of two hundred & thirty Pounds be Al- lowed and paid unto M' : Nathan Davis for his Salary as Master of the North Grammer School the present year, the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due and to commence from the first of March last -
Voted, that the Sum of two hundred Pounds be allowed and paid unto Mr. John Tyleston for his Salary as Master of the North Writing School the present Year, the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due and to commence from the first of March last
Voted, that the Sum of two hundred Pounds be Allowed and paid unto Mr. James Carter for his Salary as Master of the Writ- ing School in Queen Street the present year the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due & to commence from the first of March last -
84
CITY DOCUMENT.
[450.] Voted, that the Sum of two hundred Pounds be al- lowed & paid unto Mr. John Vinal for his Salary as Master of the Writing School in the Common the present year, the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to commence from the first of March last
Voted, that the Sum of two hundred Pounds be allowed and paid unto Mr. Samuel Cheney for his Salary as Master of the Southermost Writing School the present Year, the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due and to commence from the first of March last -
Voted, that Mr. John Tileston Master of the North Writing School be allow'd for House Rent the present year the Sum of Forty Pounds the Same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall be- come due and to commence from the first of March last
Voted, that Mr. Nathan Davis Master of the North Grammer School be allowed for House Rent the present Year the Sum of Forty Pounds the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall be- come due, and to commence from the first of March last-
[451.] Voted, that Mr. John Vinal Master of the Writing School in the Common be allowed for House Rent the present year the Sum of Forty Pounds the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due and to commence from the first of March last -
Voted, that Mr. Samuel Cheney Master of the Writing School in Plasant Street be allowed for House Rent the present Year the Sum of Forty Pounds, the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to commence from the first of March last -
Voted, that Mr. Peter Boyer be allowed & paid the Sum of One hundred & fifty Pounds for his services as Treasurer the present Year the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due, and to commence from the first of March last
Voted, that William Cooper be allowed and paid the Sum of One hundred & fifty Pounds for his services in that office as Town Clerk, the same to be paid him Quarterly as it shall become due and to commence from the first of March last
[452.] Voted, that the Selectmen be requested to provide Ushers for the publick Schools where they shall think necessary, and to allow Adequate Salaries therefor, not exceeding one half of what the Several Masters have Already had Voted them -
Voted, that the Sum of one Shilling and Six pence # Day be
85
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1785.
allowed by the Selectmen to the Assessors in Addition to the Seven Shillings & Six Pence, Voted, for them in March last for their Services the present Year
Voted, that the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds be raised by a Tax to be Assessed on the Poles and Estates of the Inhabitants of this Town to defray the Charges of the Year ensuing -
Voted, that all Matters & Things which remain unfinished at this Meeting be referred over to the Next General Meeting that may be called then to be Acted upon
Then the Meeting was dissolved
[453.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & Other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified & legally warned in Publick Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 4th Day of July Anno Domini 1785-10 O : Clock in the Forenoon -
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read
The Inhabitants having brought in their Votes for a Moder- ator as directed by the Selectmen and the same having been sorted, it appeared that
The Honble : John Hancock Esq" : was chosen Moderator of this Meeting unanimously
The Committee Appointed by the Town the 5th. of July last to Apply to a Proper Gentelman to deliver an Oration on the 4 of July Instant (in such place as the Town shall determine to be most convenient for the purpose) it being a Day ever Memorable in the Annals of this Country for the Declaration of our Inde- pendance
Reported,
That they had made choice of John Gardiner Esqr. to deliver an Oration on the 4th of July Instant, who had accordingly Ac- cepted of that service -
The Town having taken into consideration when and where, would be the best time & place to have the Oration pronounced
Voted, that the Oration be delivered at the Chappel at 12 O'Clock leave having been Obtained therefor -
[454.] Voted, that John Brown Esq". John Andrews William Cunningham
86
CITY DOCUMENT.
be a. Committee to waite on John Gardiner Esq" : & Acquaint him that it is the desire of the Town, that the Oration may be delivered at the Chappel at 12. O. Clock
Then the Meeting was Adjourned to 12. OClock, then to Meet at the Chappel -
12 O. Clock Met at the Chappel according to Adjournment -
AN ORATION
To commemorate the Independance of the United States of America, was delivered by John Gardiner Esqr: at the Stone Chappel Church to a large & crowded Assembly -
On a Motion Voted, that the Selectmen
be and hereby are Appointed a Committee to wait on John Gard- iner Esq" : and in the Name of the Town to thank him for the learned & elegant Oration this Day delivered by him at the request of the Town upon the Anniversary of the Independance of United States of America in which according to the Intention of the Town, he considered the feelings Manners and principles which lead 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 1786. that Day being the Anniversary of the INDEPENDANCE of the United States of America, wherein the Orator is to con- sider [455.] the feelings, Manners, and principles which lead to this great National Event as well as the important & happy effects whether general or domestic, which have Already and will forever continue to flow from that Auspicious Epoch
Then the Meeting was dissolved
At a Meeting of the Freeholders and Other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified & legally warned in Public Town Meeting Assembled at Faneuil Hall on Fryday the 2ª Day Sep- tember Anno Domini 1785 - 3 O'Clock Afternoon -
Warrant for calling the meeting - read
Thomas Daws Esq™ :
chosen, Moderator of this Meeting by a Hand Vote
87
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1785.
The Committee to Revise the By Laws of this Town not being ready to Report, it was moved & Voted, that said Committee be desired to Attend that Business immediately ; and Report at the Adjournment
The Article in the Warrant, Vizt: To consider the Applica- tion of a Number of the Inhabitants for Widening the Street leading from Faneuil Hall to State Street," was read - where- upon Voted,
That, Mr. William Powell Mr. Brown Mr. Miller
be a Committee to Confer with Mr. Wendell & Mr. Tisdell rela- tive to the Land to be given for the enlargement of the Street & to Report immediately
The Committee to wait on MI : Tisdale gave in his proposals in writing, which are as follows. Vizt.
[456.] Boston September 2ª 1785-This is to Certify that I Will engage to give to the Town as much of my Land as to range from the North Corner of my Store to the Store belonging to the Town now occupied by Mr. Henry Prentice ; that is on considera- tion Mr : Wendell's Store is set back on the same line as is above mentioned or in range with Mr. Austin's Store -
Judge Wendell Appeared in the Meeting & declared to the Inhabitants his rediness to give in for widining the Street, the Land allowed for by Mr. Scollay, on condition that he receives for the same the Sum that three Gentelmen mutually chosen shall determine to be reasonable for the Expence of taking down & repairing the front Wall of his Store which proposals were Approved of and Accepted by the Town -
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