USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1796 to 1813 > Part 25
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Warrant for calling the Meeting - read -
Hon1. John Phillips Esq.
chosen Moderator. -
The Committee appointed to audit the accounts of the Town, have attended that service and ask leave to report; That they have examined the Town Treasurer's Accounts, and have found them well vouched & right cast, that a balance remained in his hands on the first instant, of Four thousand three hundred & ninety two dollars and sixty one cents, which is carried to the credit of the Town in his new account. - The Committee report as their opinion, that it will be expedient for the Town to grant a tax of Seventy five thousand dollars, to be assessed on the Inhab- itants, to defray the expences [491] of the Town for the cur- rent year, agreeably to the annexed estimate. And the Committee presume altho fifteen hundred dollars more is proposed to be assessed the present year, than was assessed the last year, that the tax will be less felt by the Inhabitants, as the County tax will be much less the present than it was the last year.
Mr. Isaac P. Davis
Mr. Ephraim Thayer Benja. Weld Esq.
Mr. William Porter Sam1. M. Thayer Esq. Nath1. Curtis Esq.
Mr. Samuel Dunn
Mr. Thacher Goddard
Mr. Jonathan Loring Sam1. J. Prescott Esq.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
To meet Selectmens drafts -
$55000 .-
Overseers of the Poor
- 23000.
Board of Health
7000.
-
85000
Deduct for Rents
10000
$75000
All which is Submitted
Sam1. Brown
Boston May 19th. 1812. -
Wm. Brown Steph. Codman
The foregoing Report was read and accepted by the Town. -
Voted that the sum of Seventy five Thousand Dollars be raised by a tax to be assessed on the Polis & Estates of the Inhabitants of this Town to defray the expences of the current year. -
The Committee appointed by the Town on the 17th. day of April last, to make certain enquiries and investigations relative to the allowance to be made to the Town Treasurer, for an Assistant, and also the state of the taxes outstanding and other subjects mentioned in the vote of the Town - beg leave to Report. -
That as it respects the petition of the Town Treasurer & Col- lector, for an Assistant, or Clerk in his office to be furnished at the expence of the Town - The Committee beg leave to state - That by conversing with Mr. Smith (the [492] present Treas- urer & Collector) it appears that the accumulation of past taxes and the necessity of a prompt and effectual Collection of them - has added very much to the ordinary business of the office. And as a large amount of taxes is yet outstanding which may, and probably will not be collected for several months-and as the Committee think it reasonable that the Treasurer and Collector should be furnished with an assistant at the Towns expence - to aid him in the collection of back taxes they therefore beg leave to recommend the Town to allow Mr. Smith the sum of six hun- dred dollars for the Salary of an assistant with suitable qualifica- tions to be appointed by him for this year only. and they beg it to be distinctly understood that this is in consideration of the extra trouble arising from the collection of past taxes at present in arrears. owing to the non collection of them in past years - and the whole of which they hope will be disposed of the ensuing year either by payment or abatement. The Committee find further from Mr. Smith that the Mass of taxes have been collected by Three Deputy Collectors (instead of Four as originally allowed by the Town) and that he has divided the grant of Twelve hundred Dollars (originally made by the Town as the
313
314
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
compensation to Four Collectors) amongst the Three - this allowance is considerably increased by the charges of warrants fifty cents each - summonses Twenty cents each - and a pound- age on collection of Four Per Cent and it is supposed by Mr. Smith, that three active & attentive persons could as effectually collect the taxes as Four and that the Salary three hundred dollars each with those perquisites would be a sufficient emolument.
The Committee therefore do recommend that the sum fifteen hundred dollars Per annum be granted to [493] Mr. Smith for the Salary of Deputy Collectors and assistant Clerk - instead of twelve hundred Dollars granted the last year .- The Committee further report, that doubts having arisen on that part of their authority which relates to instructions to the assessors for the abatement of taxes assessed prior to the year 1811 they requested the opinion of counsel on the question of the existing powers of the permanent Assssors, but not having received that opinion, the Committee recommend that for the present, and untill the further order of the Town, the permanent assessor should pro- ceed in making abatements of taxes, as heretofore, with this exception however, that no person shall be allowed any abate- ment for such portion of the taxes assessed upon him for any real estate of which he was the owner, as were assessed upon the real estate owned by such person .- The Committee further report, that in conjunction with the auditors of the Towns accounts, they have examined the sum necessary to be raised for the ensuing year, and agree with them in recommending to the Town to raise the sum of Seventy five thousand dollars for the Towns current expences for the ensuing year .-
In behalf of the Committee,
Per Order, Joseph Tilden, Secretary .- Boston 19th May 1812 .-
The foregoing Report was Read - & accepted by the Town. -
On the application of the Overseers of the Poor It was moved and voted, that they be authorized to use control and manage the whole of the Alms house Estate in such manner as they may judge most useful to the purposes of that establishment, and that a major part of them have liberty to lease any part of the land for a term of years [494] on such conditions as they may think for the interest of the Town, for the purpose of erecting a hospi- tal, maniac, workhouse or other buildings for charitable purposes, and to make and execute all such Deeds as may be necessary.
Voted, That the School Committee be empowered to take imme- diate measures for the removal or the Center Reading & Writing School house from the front of the New Court house : and that for this purpose they be authorized and empowered to enlarge or rebuild the Latin School house in such a manner as to accommo- date the reading, writing & Latin Schools.
.
315
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
Voted, that the Selectmen be authorised and empowered to appropriate for an open passage way to the New Court house, the whole, or such portion as they shall consider most eligible, of the land now under and appertaining to the School house in School street. -
Voted, That if the above Committee shall not consider it necessary to appropriate the whole of said land for the passage way above mentioned ; that the Selectmen shall be empowered to sell the remainder of such land, and also a piece of land lying on the North boundary of Beacon hill & fronting on Derne street to reimburse in part the expence of enlarging or building the Latin School house.
Voted, That the sum of Two hundred Dollars be appropriated towards maintaining a School for African children, under the direction of the School Committee.
Voted, That the sum of Seven hundred & fifty dollars, be allowed and paid unto Hon1. Thomas Dawes Esq. for his Salary as Judge of the Municipal Court the present year.
Voted, That the sum of Fifteen hundred Dollars be allowed & paid unto William Smith Esq. as Treasurer & Collector of taxes the present year.
[495.] Voted, That the sum of one thousand Dollars be allowed and paid unto Thomas Clark for his salary as Town Clerk the present year.
Voted, that the sum of Eight hundred & sixteen Dollars be allowed and paid unto each of the three Assessors for their ser- vices in that office the year ensuing.
Theophilus Curtis chosen Hogreave & Hayward, in place of John Deluce resigned.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to the Hon1. John Phillips Esq. for his services as Moderator at this Meeting.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a Meeting of the male Citizens of the Town of Boston qualified as the law directs, at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 11th. day of June A.D. 1812 10 O'Clock A.M. -
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read -
Honº. Thomas Dawes Esq. was chosen Moderator.
316
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
Hon1. Daniel Sargent Esq. offered the following Resolutions, which were read considered and Unanimously adopted by the Town - viz,
Resolved ; That in the opinion of this Town, it is of the last importance to the interests of this Country to Avert the threat- ened calamity of War with Great Britain; and also to restore the freedom of our Commerce; if these important objects can be attained, [496] consistently with the safety and honor of the American Nation.
Resolved that, a Committee of twelve be appointed, to take into consideration the present alarming state of our public affairs, in these respects and report what measures, in their opinion, it is proper for the Town to adopt at this momentous crisis.
The following Gentlemen were chosen on the Committee viz. Hon John C Jones, Hon1. Thomas Dawes, Hon William Brown, James Perkins Esq. Hon1. Israel Thorndike, Hon1. Sam1. Dexter, Hon1. Harrison G. Otis, Hon1. Ed St Loe Livermore, Hon1. Dan1 Sargent, Charles Jackson Esq., Cap". Gamaliel Bradford, Colo. Wm. H Sumner .-
Adjourned to Monday next the 15th. instant, 10 o'Clock A.M .-
Monday 15 June - 10 o'Clock. A.M.
The Town being assembled, according to adjournment, the fol- lowing Report was presented by the Committee .-
The Committee appointed by the Town of Boston, to take into consideration the present alarming state of our public affairs, and report what measures in their opinion it is proper for the Town to adopt, at this momentous crisis,
Respectfully Report,
That the recent proceedings of the government of the United States justify the belief, that measures of direct hostility against Great Britain have received the sanction of one branch of the Legislature, and probably have already become law; or, if sus- pended, that they will finally be resumed and enforced .- While the [497] temper and views of the national administration are intent upon war, an expression of the sense of this Town, will, of itself, be quite ineffectual, either to avert this deplorable calamity, or to accelerate a return of peace. - but believing, as we do, that an immense majority of the people are invincibly averse from a conflict equally unnecessary and menacing ruin to themselves, and their posterity ; convinced as we are, that the event will overwheln them with astonishment and dismay ; we cannot but trust that a general expression of the voice of the people would satisfy Congress that those of their Representa-
317
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
tives who have voted in favor of war, have not truly represented the wishes of their constituents ; and thus arrest the tendency of their measures to this extremity.
But should this be hopeless, it will enable the people to com- bine their operations in order to produce, by constitutional means, a change of men and measures, and rescue the nation from ruin. From the commencement of the system of Commercial restric- tions, the Inhabitants of this Town (Inferior we trust to none in ardent patriotism and attachment to the Union) have appeared to render themselves obnoxious to the national administration, and its partisans in this State, by their foresight and predictions of the utter inefficacy, destructive operation and ultimate tendency of this unprecedented and visionary scheme. They could discern in it nothing but a deliberate sacrifice of their best interests, and a conformity to the views of France, with whose system it cooperates, and whose approbation it receives ; and hostility to Britain whose interests it wounds, and whose resentment it was calculated to excite. It was for the national Government [498] to determine, whether the decrees and aggressions of the belliger- ent powers (which commenced with the European war) would probably demand of the national honor, retaliation and resistance ; or whether the peculiar character of the war, and relative situa- tion of our Country, would justify a suspension of our resentment, and an adherence to our pacific policy. In the one case, the years which have elapsed should have been occupied in warlike preparations, which would now have been imposing and formi- dable .-
In the other event, it was the dictate of sound policy to pro- test against the predatory systems which have annoyed our com- merce, and still to have pursued it by all practicable means. But government has adopted neither of these courses. It has not pre- pared to vindicate our commercial rights upon the ocean, where alone they are assailed ; nor has it permitted the Merchant to in- demnify himself in any measure for the loss of that commerce which is interrupted, by a participation in that which is left. But by a strange & infatuated policy, under the pretence of resisting the invasion of maritime rights, it has debarred its own Citizens from the use of the Ocean ; and professing to avenge the injuries sustained from France and England, it has aggravated them by its own measures .- The Decrees of France, the Edicts of Eng- land, and the Acts of Congress, though intended to counteract each other, constitute in effect, a triple league for the annihila- tion of American commerce; and our own Government, as if weary of waiting for a lingering dissolution, hastens to dis- patch the sufferer, by the finishing stroke of a British War.
Had the policy of Government been inclined towards resist- ance to the pretensions of the belligerents, by open war, there could be neither policy, reason, or justice in singling out Great Britain as the exclusive object of Hostility. [499] If the ob- ject of war is merely to vindicate our honor, why is it not declared against the first aggressor? If the object is defence and success,
318
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
why is it to be waged against the adversary most able to annoy, and least likely to yield? Why at the moment when England explicitly declares her Orders in Council repealed whenever France shall rescind her Decrees, is the one selected for an enemy, and the other courted as a Conqueror? These enquiries lead us into contemplations too painful to indulge and too serious to express.
Tho' we cannot discern the least reason for this discrimina- tion in favor of France, to justify the disproportionate measure of resentment exhibited against England ; still in a war with the latter power, there might have been found some consolation had our country been in any measure prepared. We might have hoped that success would in some instances have rewarded the efforts of our squadrons, That our sea coast would have been in some measure protected, that the gloom of a long and unequal contest might be relieved by the brilliancy of occasional exploits. But under present circumstances, there will be no scope for valour, no field for enterprise, no chance for success, no hope of national glory, no prospect but of a war against Great Britain, in aid of the common enemy of the human race ; and in the end an inglorious peace, in which our ally will desert our interest, and act in concert with our enemy, to shackle & restrain the commerce of our infant empire, by regulations in which they will find a common interest.
If your Committee are correct in the opinion that [500] these sentiments are cherished by the great body of the people, it is highly expedient that they should be expressed by them in their different Towns & Counties, and that the most speedy and con- venient mode should be devised to give effect to their will. The power of the Country is yet in the hands of the people. Union, energy and resolution will cause the public opinion to be respected. Our Constitution affords the means of saving our Country, by changing the men and measures which have brought upon us our present embarrassments.
It cannot be expected that a great people will quietly consent that those who represent them should abuse their trust, and wantonly expose them to ruin and disgrace. If then the people who are opposed to the present system will move with one accord, and express their disapprobation, if, influenced by a sense of their dearest and vital interests, they will unite without party distinction to save their country from a foreign war, and what is still worse to be dreaded, a foreign yoke, " now is the appointed time, now is the day of Salvation."- But if overawed by power, humbled by suffering, or restrained by erroneous considerations, they will submit to be plunged into the troubled Ocean of European wars, the melancholy consolation will remain for the inhabitants of Boston, while they bow in submission to the cruel destiny of their Country, that they have omitted no just occasion to warn their fellow citizens of its approach.
Wherefore your Committee recommend for the adoption of the Town the following Resolutions. -
319
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
[501.] Whereas the proceedings of the national government afford reason to conclude, that it is their determination to involve our Country in a war, with great Britain, and meetings of the people in a few places have been held, at which measures have been adopted, and sentiments expressed, calculated to induce government to persevere in those hostile dispositions; and it appearing desireable that the government should have full infor- mation of the opinions and wishes of the people. -
Therefore Resolved, That under existing circumstances, the Inhabitants of this Town most sincerely deprecate a war with Great Britain, as extremely injurious to the interests and happi- ness of the people, and peculiarly so, as it necessarily tends to an alliance with France, thereby threatening the subversion of their liberties and independence.
That an offensive war against Great Britain alone would be manifestly unjust; and that a war against both the belligerent powers would be an extravagant undertaking, which is not re- quired by the honor or interest of the nation Resolved, That we view with just indignation, and emotions inspired with the love of our country, the outrages and aggressions which are offered to our lawful commerce ; and we believe it is the duty of government to commence and proceed with as much diligence as the resources of our Country will warrant, in providing for its efficient protec- tion by a naval force. And we deem all commercial restrictions, as so many engines of destruction, adopted to complete the ruin of that portion of our commerce which escapes the rapacity of foreign aggressors. -
[502.] Resolved, That it is the true policy and duty of this nation to adhere to an impartial neutrality; to abandon com- mercial restrictions ; to husband the resources of the country ; to indemnify itself against the losses to which its commerce is ex- posed in the present European war, by improving those casual advantages which arise from this state of things, and which cannot be expected in a time of profound peace. That to abstain from efforts of impotent resentment, blind rage, or desperate policy is not to be deemed submission to any foreign power, but a conformity to necessities imposed on our country by an over- ruling Providence, for which our courage and patriotism is not
respon sible. That we should endeavour to ride out the storm which we cannot direct, and that to plunge into the present war would be a wanton and impious rejection of the advantages with which the Almighty has blessed our country. -
Resolved, That our free Constitution secures to the people, the right at all times to meet together in a peaceable manner, and express their opinions on public men and measures, and to adopt means for the security of their rights ; and that our fellow citizens in this, and other commercial states, are earnestly re- quested to join with us in a public expression of their sentiments on the system of commercial restrictions and their abhorrence of war; and that this Town, should it become expedient, will ap-
320
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
point Committees for the purpose of receiving their communica- tions, and for corresponding or meeting with them for the adoption of such constitutional measures, as may be proposed, for [503] restoration of our unalienable commercial rights ; for the security of our peace; and for the election of such men to office, as will use their best endeavours for the promotion of those objects, so essential to the preservation of our constitution, to the security of our union, and to the prosperity of our country. -
J. C. Jones Chairman -
The foregoing report having been repeatedly read and debated, was voted to be accepted. -
Voted, That a suitable number of copies of the foregoing report be printed with the signature of the Moderator, and that the Selectmen be requested to transmit a copy thereof to each Town in this Commonwealth.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to Honl. Thomas Dawes for his services as Moderator.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved
At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston at Faneuil Hall on Saturday the 4th day of July A.D. 1812 - 9 o'clock A.M.
Thomas Clark was chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Indepen- dence - Reported, That they had chosen Benjamin Pollard Esq. who has accepted the appointment .-
Adjourned to the old [504] South Church where at 12 o'Clock
AN ORATION
was delivered by Benjamin Pollard Esq" to commemorate the Inde- pendence of the United States of America.
Voted, That the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed, a Committee to wait on Benjamin Pollard, Esq. in the name of the Town, and thank him for the elegant & spirited Oration, this day delivered by him at the request of the Town, upon the anniversary of American Independence, in which were considered the feel- ings, manners & principles, which produced the great national event ; and to request of him a copy for the press .-
321
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
Voted, That the Gentlemen Selectmen be, and hereby are ap- pointed a Committee, to apply to some able & learned Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the fifth day of July 1813. (the 4th day of July in that year falling upon Sunday) the fifth will be cele- brated as the Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America; wherein the Orator is to consider, the feel- ings, 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, or will forever flow from that auspicious Epoch.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[505.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of Boston qualified as the law directs, held on Faneuil Hall on Thurday the 6th day of August AD 1812. 10 o'Clock A.M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting -read -
Benjamin Weld Esq.
was chosen Moderator .-
Petitions for calling the Meeting - read .-
A motion was made by Colo. Sumner that the Town adopt the following Resolutions - viz.
The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, have learnt with heart- felt concern, that in the City of Baltimore a most outrageous attack, the result of deliberate combination, has been made upon the freedom of opinion and the liberty of the press. - An infuri- ate mob has succeeded in accomplishing its sanguinary purposes, by the destruction of printing presses and other property, by pulling down buildings that were merely leased to the conductors of those presses, by violating the sanctuary of dwelling houses, breaking open the public prison and dragging forth from the protection of civil authority, the victims of their ferocious pur- suit, guilty of no crime but the expression of their opinions, and completing the tissue of their enormities, by bruises, wounds & murders accompanied with the most barbarous & shocking indig- nities.
In the circumstances attending the origin, the progress, and the catastrophe of this Bloody scene, we discern with painful emotion, not merely an aggravation of the calamities of the present unjust and ruinous war, but a prelude [506] to the dis- solution of all free government and the establishment of a reign of Terror. It is beside, marked with a strong resemblance to the early excesses of the French revolution, when opinion was pun- ished with death, and when mobs were employed in the breaking
322
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
open of prisons & the sacrifice of many innocent persons who sought protection within their walls. Mobs by reducing men to a state of nature defeat the object of every social compact. They are equally dangerous to Governments they attempt to subvert, and to those who court their support & connive at their outrages. But of all Mobs those which volunteer professedly in support of Government are the most to be dreaded, unless their assistance is openly and promptly rejected. By accepting or even tolerating . such dangerous allies, it becomes manifest that a Government dares not confide in its own strength, or in the unbiassed appro- bation of the people. Opposition is discouraged to the violence of such a mob, because it assumes to represent and enforce the will and pleasure of Government, and the banditti, who unre- proved and uncontradicted lead the lawless multitude, feel the confidence of commissioned officers. In such a state the civil magistrate finds an excuse for his inaction, or a veil for his cor- ruption. The sober citizen who trembles in beholding the fury of the mob, seeks refuge from its dangers by joining in its acclamations. The laws are silenced. - New objects of violence are discovered. Danger besets all men of all parties in succes- sion. The Government of the nation and the Mob Government change places with each other. The accessory [507] becomes the principal - The mob erects its horrid crest over the ruins of liberty, of property, of the domestic relations of life and of civil institutions ; untill satiated or fatigued with slaughter it resigns its bludgeons and its pikes at the feet of a dictator, and raises its bloody hands to worship some God of its Idolatry, to whose more tolerable despotism all ranks of men become ready to submit. -
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