USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1796 to 1813 > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
When it is considered that this Country passed through a rev- olution, involving its dearest rights, without a single instance of ferocious and sanguinary excess on the part of the people, thereby affording a memorable proof of their moral feelings, their virtue and enlightened character : and when it is also considered that the present unhappy war, so repugnant to the wishes and feelings of an immense majority of native citizens, does not involve interests in any degree comparable with those which were at stake in our revolutionary war; it is derogatory, and inconsistent with the American character, that in the commencement of such a war, exeesses should be committed which the virtue of our citi- zens would not endure in a crisis when our liberties were in danger and our country actually invaded by standing armies. We are therefore compelled to believe that the outrages at Balti- more were instigated by foreigners who in their own Country have been familiarized to similar scenes, and that French emis- saries are the principal agents, and the few deluded natives who joined them are merely instruments in their hands.
While these alarming scenes in a sister state, excite in us grateful emotions towards the Almighty Disposer [508] of human events for the quiet, peace, good order and unanimity which we are permitted to enjoy, it behooves us to exercise
323
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
becoming vigilance for the preservation of these blessings. Although a vast majority of the people of this Town and vicinity are deeply impressed with a love of order and a horror of mobs, we ought to have too much knowledge of the human character and too intimate an acquaintance with history not to know, that a few unprincipled assassins may endanger the peace and lives of thousands of the well disposed citizens .-
While such wretches who under the cover of night attempt their enterprises, are organized, united and systematic the peaceable citizens unarmed & unconscious of danger, are without system & without plan - untill the scaling ladders of the mob are at their windows, and their torches at their doors .-
Therefore - Resolved, as the sense of the Inhabitants of this Town, that the late horrible proceedings in Baltimore in first deliberately demolishing a free press and the house in which it was established, the repetition of that attack after a long interval, the violation of the prison which has ever been considered a sanctuary both for the innocent and the guilty, and the barbarous massacre of one or more citizens there confined, for no other offence than their having defended their own dwelling, and the freedom of the press, after the civil authority had neglected & refused to protect them, merits the most unqualified censure and calls for the most alarming apprehensions for the internal peace of our beloved country.
Resolved, that while we are not disposed to an [509] unreason- able jealousy of the constitutional authority, nor to impute to our Rulers without full proof, and indifference to the rights of the citizens ; we cannot refrain from expressing our regret that the President. of the United States, in whose vicinity and for the pretended support of whose measures the excesses were com- mitted, has not thought proper to interfere in any known mode for their suppression ; especially as the interdiction of shipments by the rioters and other outrages are violations of the laws of the United States, and as the influence of his high station would probably not have been slighted by these pretended supporters of his authority - we still confide in the hope that the President will not think it incompatible with his high station to express his disapprobation of these enormities .-
Resolved That we are alarmed, astonished and confounded to find, that a paper published at the seat of Government, and which is understood on some occasions, to be its organ, not only led the way to these scenes of confusion, but has impliedly ap- proved and justified them, & that while no mention was made of this late horrible massacre in which the blood of our oldest revo- lutionary officers flowed in the streets of Baltimore, a severe com- mentary was issued in that paper against the spirited address of a republican Magistrate of New York, because he expressed his abhorrence of Mobs. We will not admit the conclusion which these facts would seem to warrant, that these Mobs are not dis- countenanced by the Executive of the United States, we would
324
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
rather consider them as of French origin and the first fruits of that unnatural and dreadful alliance into which we have entered, in fact, if not in form.
Resolved, that it is the duty of every good citizen [510] with- out distinction of party, to furnish himself, forthwith, with suit- able arms and equipments, and to hold himself ready at a moments warning to protect and support the magistrates and Sheriff of this County, in suppressing every riot, tumult, or un- lawful assembly ; whatever may be the political opinions of the persons against whom the same are directed ; and that the
Hon ble. Daniel Sargent, Hon. J. C. Jones, Major William Sullivan, Colº. Henry Sargent, Joshua Davis Esquire, Major Charles Davis, Cap". John Cotton, Cap". Henry Purkett, Cap". Ozias Goodwin, Major Joseph Tilden, Col. George Sullivan & Cap". Jona. Chapman
be a Committee to prepare articles of association, for this pur- pose ; and to cause the same to be offered for signature to every Citizen of the Town ; and to do whatever further may be neces- sary to carry into effect the object of this resolution. -
Resolved, That the said Committee be desired forthwith to cause to be assigned alarm posts for each Volunteer or other Company of Militia, and to fix and publish the signals of alarm, and to communicate the same to the Sheriff of this County.
Resolved, That the Selectmen of the Town of Boston, be and hereby are requested to take all proper & legal measures, which may in their opinion be necessary, for the preservation of the public order and tranquility of the Town.
Resolved, That we sincerely condole with the good people of Baltimore and Maryland, upon the loss of those highly respect- able Citizens who have fallen victims to the unhallowed fury of a Foreign Mob ; we consider them Martyrs to the cause of liberty ; and to the survivors we offer an Asylum from the rage of foreigners, and our assurances of co-operating with them in any measures to save our Country. -
[511.] Resolved, That those outrageous proceedings are in our opinion attributable to the present wanton, impolitic and unjust war, and we fear, but a prelude to greater evils justly to be apprehended - and that we perceive no refuge from destruc- tion, but in a change of our present rulers ; and that we are ready to support in the election to the public offices, all those who are advocates for peace, without distinction of party. - Resolved, That while we abstain from all unconstitutional meas- ures, we will maintain & exercise the freedom of speech and of the press, untill our latest breath, undismayed by the frowns of power, the glitter of arms, the threats of placemen, or the vio- lence of Mobs. -
The foregoing Resolutions being read and debated - a motion was made by George Blake Esq. to commit them for amend-
325
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
ment - The Question being put it passed in the negative by a very large majority.
The Question was then taken on the Resolutions and passed nearly unanimously in the affirmative.
The article in the Warrant, "To take into consideration, the expediency of choosing, and if the Town shall see fit to choose Delegates, to correspond with, and meet such other Delegates, as have been or may be chosen in other counties, whenever such elections shall have been generally made in the different counties in the state; provided the public exigencies shall appear to require the meeting of such a Convention to consult together for the common good; and to adopt such measures as the public interest may require." being read. -
The Honble. Samuel Dexter Esq. rose, and moved that the subject of choosing Delegates, be indefinitely postponed.
[512.] The subject was debated untill past 2 o'Clock - when a motion to adjourn was put & carried in the affirmative.
Adjourned to tomorrow 10 o'Clock.
Friday August 7th. 10 o'Clock A.M.
Met according to adjournment.
The motion of Mr. Dexter for an indefinite postponement was debated until nearly 2 o'Clock - when the question was taken & passed in the negative by a large Majority.
It was then (nearly unanimously) voted, That the Hon1. Har- rison G. Otis, Honble. John C. Jones, Hon1. Christopher Gore, Doct. John Warren, Hon1. Ed St. Loe Livermore, Hon1. Daniel Sargent, Hon1. Artemus Ward, William Parsons Esq. Hon1. Thomas Dawes, Theodore Lyman Esq. Joseph Head Esq. William Sullivan Esq. Samuel Parkman Esq. Charles Jackson Esq. Gen. Arnold Welles, James Perkins Esq. Warren Dutton Esq. David Sears Esq., & Benjamin Gorham Esq. with one other Delegate to be appointed by the town of Chelsea, if said town shall think proper to choose one - be and they are hereby appointed Delegates for the County of Suffolk to correspond with, and meet such other Delegates, as have been, or may be chosen in other Coun- ties, whenever such elections shall have been generally made in the different Counties of the State ; provided the public exigen- cies shall appear to require the meeting of such Convention; to consult together for the common good, and to adopt such meas- ures as the public interest may require.
Voted, That the Town of Chelsea be invited to join with [513] us in the measures proposed in the foregoing vote ; and to choose one Delegate for the same purpose, so as to complete the Representation of this County in any Convention that may be assembled as aforesaid. -
3 26
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to Benja. Weld Esq. for his serviees as Moderator .-
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 Wednesday the 7th. day of October A D 1812 .- 10 o'Clock A.M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read .-
Honble. Thomas Dawes,
was chosen Moderator.
Messrs. Joseph Austin & Robert Williams, were chosen Select- men, in room of Francis Wright and John May Esq. deceased.
Revd. Horace Holley, Peter O. Thateher Esq. Mr. Franeis J. Oliver & Dr. John C. Warren, were chosen Members of the School Committee, in the room of J. S. Buckminster & David Green Esq. deceased, and of John Phillips and William Prescott Esq. resigned .--
Voted, That Hon1. Thomas Dawes, Benjamin Russell Esq. Jonathan Hunnewell Esq. Charles Bulfinch Esq. & Mr. Andrew Sigourney be a Committee to take into consideration the applica- tion of Mr. John Odin "That the Town would sell or lease a small piece of land in the rear of his warehouse, through which the common Sewer passes " & have full power to sell or lease, by deed or deeds, [514] by public Auetion or otherwise the said land on the best terms they can for the benefit of the Town .-
Voted, That the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and the Members of the Board of Health, be constituted and appointed a Committee of Finance, to superintend the administration of the monied concerns of the Town .-
It shall be the duty of this Committee, and they are hereby empowered, by sub-committees or otherwise, to consult with the Treasurer on the form and manner in which the Books of his office shall be kept, to attend to the collection of Taxes, and to discharge of the duty of the Collector and his Deputies; and to advise the Assessors relative to abatements .-
And it shall be the duty of said Committee, in conjunction with the Treasurer, to prepare a elear and well defined statement of the Treasury & of monied concerns of the Town ; to be handed to the Auditors of Accounts for their inspection, and to be at their disposal, to be laid before the Town at the annual meeting in May .-
327
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1812.
It was moved to recommend to the Justice of the Court of Sessions to extend the debtors limits to the whole Town of Boston - The question being taken by polling, it appeared there were 79 against the motion & 75 in favour of it - and so passed in the negative .-
Then the Meeting was Dissolved .-
[515.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, duly qualified to vote for Representatives in the Gen- eral Court of this Commonwealth, at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 2ª. day of November A.D. 1812. 9 o'Clock, A.M .-
Prayer by the Revd. Dr. Baldwin .--
Warrant for calling the Meeting -read .-
Paragraphs of a Resolve of the General Court for choosing one Representative in the Congress of the United States for Suffolk district - read. -
The Inhabitants were informed that the Poll would be closed at 1 O'clock -the Bells to commence tolling at half past 12 O'Clock .-
Persons voted for as a Representative for the Suffolk District in this Commonwealth in the next Congress of the United States, viz,
Honble. Artemus Ward 1527-
Revd. Horace Holly 5. William Gray Esq. 4 - - 9-
Samuel Dexter Esq. 2. Loammi Baldwin Esq. 2 4
Caleb Bingham Esq. 1. Sam1. Livermore Esq. 1 2 William Sullivan Esq. 1. Wm H. Sumner Esq. 1 2
Thomas O Selfridge Esq. 1. Daniel Tuttle 1 2-
Thomas Joy JunT. 1 1-
And declaration made thereof by the Selectmen in public Town Meeting .-
A return of the doings of this Meeting was made out (con- formable to the one in the Town officer) and put into the hands of Alden Bradford Esq., Secretary of the Commonwealth, by the Town Clerk .-
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[516.] At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, duly qualified to vote for Representatives to the General
*
328
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
Court of this Commonwealth, at Faneuil Hall on thursday the 12 day of November AD 1812 -9 O'Clock A.M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Gardiner.
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read -
The Inhabitants were directed by the Selectmen to bring in their written or printed votes for five persons as Electors of Presi- dent and Vice President of the United States, for the District of Suffolk, Essex and Middlesex .-
The votes were received untill 2 O'Clock when the Selectmen declared the Poll to be closed - the votes were then sorted & counted in open Town Meeting, & a Return made out and directed to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, as follows, viz.
At a legal Town Meeting held at Boston in the County of Suffolk on the Twelfth day of November AD. 1812 for the choice of Electors of President & Vice President of the United States, the undernamed Persons had the number of votes to their names respectively annexed, viz.
Hon1. Harrison Gray Otis Esq.
3129
Hon1. Nathan Dane Esq. - 3130
Hon1. Jeremiah Nelson Esq. - 3130
Abraham Bigelow Esq. 3129
Gen1. John Walker -
3129
Hon1. William Gray Esq. -
831
[517.] Hon1. Samuel Brown Esq. Moses Townsend Esq.
830
William Pearce Esq.
830
Samuel Hoar Esq. -
830
Samuel Dexter Esq. 1. Elisha Ticknor Esq. 1. John Blanchard 1. William Austin 1. Thomas Burley 1 .-
Sorted, counted and sealed in presence of
Charles Bulfinch
Eben". Oliver
Jonª. Hunnewell
Jos. Foster
Nathan Webb
Benj Weld
Selectmen.
Joseph Lovering
Joseph Austin
Robt. Williams
Attest, Thomas Clark, Town Clerk.
Declaration of the state of the Votes was then made, & the Meeting was Dissolved
830
329
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
1813
[518.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public Town Meet- ing assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the eighth day of March A.D. 1813 - 10 O'Clock A.M .-
Prayer by Revd. Mr. Eaton.
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read -
Hon1. John Phillips Esq. was chosen Moderator.
Laws respecting the Election of Town Officers - read -
Thomas Clark
was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing -
The Oath of office was administered to him by the Honorable Moderator. -
Charles Bulfinch, Ebenezer Oliver, Jonathan Hunnewell, Joseph Foster, Nathan Webb, Benj". Weld, Joseph Lovering, Joseph Austin and Robert Williams Esquires were chosen Selectmen for the year ensuing.
The oath respecting Elections, required by law to be taken by the Selectmen, was Administered to them by the Moderator.
William Smith
William Phillips
Redford Webster
Thomas Perkins
Samuel Snelling
Ozias Goodwin
Joseph Coolidge Jur.
Joseph Richards
Bryant P. Tilden
William Mackay
Ephraim Elliot Jonathan Phillips Esquires
were chosen Overseers of the Poor. -
[519.] Thomas Melvill John Winslow
Andrew Cunningham
Stephen Codman
John Bray
Jonathan Hunnewell
Daniel Messinger
William Sullivan
Benjamin Smith
Nath1. Curtis
Edward Cruft
James Phillips
Bryant P. Tilden
Nathan Webb
George Blanchard Joseph Tilden Thomas Page
Samuel M Thayer
Joseph Austin
Benjamin Rich
Gedney King Francis J Oliver
Joseph Lovering were chosen Fire Wards. -
John D. Williams
330
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
Voted, That in addition to the Selectmen twelve persons, shall now be chosen a School Committee; and the votes being collected it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen, viz. -
Revd. William E. Channing Revª. Charles Lowell
Revd. Horace Holley
Doctr. Aaron Dexter
Doct". Thomas Welsh Doctr. John C. Warren
Charles Davis John Heard Jur.
Peter O. Thacher Francis J. Oliver
William Smith William Welles Esquires.
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen, who conjunctly with the Selectmen are termed the School Committee, be and hereby are directed to carry the system of Education adopted by the Town into operation ; and that said Committee be also authorized & empowered to manage and regulate the Government of the Schools ; and to execute all the powers relative to the Schools & School Masters, which the Selectmen or such Committees are authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth or by votes of the Town to exercise.
Messrs. Benjamin White William Clouston Nath1. Bradley Jun". Noah Doggett
Braddock Loring
Thomas Christie
[520.] William Green
Eleazer Homer
Joseph Stodder
Allen Bowker
William Ellison Jun". Nath1. Glover
John Howe Jun".
Richard Thayer
Ed. J Robbins
Henry Blaek Moses Eayres Jun".
Joseph Tucker
were chosen Surveyors of Boards & other Lumber.
Messrs. Henry Purkett Messrs. John Smith
Nath1. Howe Benja. Clark
were chosen cullers of Hoops and Staves.
Messrs. Thomas Barbour Messrs. Nath1. Howe Gershom Spear
Benja. Clark
Charles Pook John Bannister
John Smith Benja. Owen James Brown William J. Hammatt
were chosen Cullers of Dry Fish.
Messrs. Benjamin White Nath1. Bradlee Jun'. and William Ellison -
were chosen Fence viewers .-
Messrs. John Cogswell William Ellison
331
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
Messrs. Joseph Cobbet Rufus Harrington (resigned) Israel Mead Jr. and Theophilus Curtis - were chosen Hogreeves and Haywards.
Samuel Emmons and James Phillips Esquires,
were chosen Surveyors of Hemp .-
Edward Tuckerman and Josiah Snelling Esquires,
were chosen Surveyors of Wheat.
Messrs. John Wells and Richard Austin,
were chosen Assay Masters.
Messrs. Michael Homer Francis James and Samuel Sprague,-
were chosen Inspectors of Lime.
The Selectmen were chosen surveyors of highways.
[521.] William Smith Esq. - was chosen Town Treasurer and Collector for the ensuing year .-
Votes - for a Treasurer for the County of Suffolk were received sorted and counted by the Moderator and Town Clerk - when it appeared
That John Winslow Esquire had 246 votes and William Smith Esquire 1-dº .-
Voted, That Samuel Brown, John Lowell and John Welles Esquires be, and they hereby are appointed a Committee to audit the accounts of the Town Treasurer, and also those of the Over- seers of the Poor, & the Board of Health. And said Committee are directed to report the sum necessary to be raised for the services of the present year.
Voted, That the consideration of all money matters be referred to next May Meeting
The following By Law was passed by the Town, viz
It is hereby ordered, That whosoever shall at any time hereafter exercise the dangerous practice of Coursing or coasting on Sleds in any of the streets of this town, shall forfeit and pay the sum of Two Dollars for every offence, to be paid by each
.
332
CITY DOCUMENT No.º 115.
offender respectively ; which fine or penalty shall be paid, where any offender herein shall happen to be under age, by the parent or guardian of any such offender.
Voted, That the Selectmen be requested to lay the foregoing By law before the Court of Sessions for confirmation .-
On the Petition of a number of the Inhabitants, "to adopt measures to remedy the growing evil of forestalling the Market." it was
Voted, That Peter O Thacher Esq., Benjamin Russell Esq. [522] and Mr. Joseph Callender be a Committee to consider what measures it will be proper for the Town to adopt in order to remove the evil complained of, & to report the next May meeting .-
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to Arnold Welles Esq. for his faithful services as one of the School Com- mittee for many years past.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to the Hon1. John Phillips Esq., for his services as Moderator of this Meeting .-
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town of Boston of twenty one years of age and upwards qualified as the Consti- tution prescribes and legally warned in public Town Meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday 5Th day of April A.D. 1813 9 O'Clock A.M .-
Prayer by Revd. Mr. Channing -
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read. -
Paragraphs of the Constitution or Frame Government, relative to the choice of Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Senators - read. Also the Law for districting the Commonwealth for the choice of Councillors & Senators. - read. -
It was then declared by the Selectmen that no printed vote would be received, and that the vote should be put into the box unfolded. -
It was afterwards declared that the Poll [523] should be closed at 2 O Clock and that the bells begin tolling at half past 1 O'Clock. -
333
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
Persons voted for as Governour with the number of votes for each person - viz.
His Excellency Caleb Strong - 3571
Hon1. Joseph B. Varnum -
1446
Hon1. Samuel Dexter 40
Hon1. William Eustis
8
H. G. Otis 1 Josiah Bradlee 1.
2
Joshua Ellis 1. Benj Austin 1.
2
5069 .-
Persons voted for as Lieutenant Governour with the number of votes for each person, viz. -
His Honor William Phillips Esq. 3578
Hon1. William King - 1484
C. Strong 1. Wm. Gray 1. Josiah Marshall 1.
3
Amos Lewis 1. S. Dexter 1. James Lloyd 1. 3
William Eustis 1. -
1
5069
Persons voted for as Senators for the district of Boston in the County of Suffolk, with the number of votes for each person, viz. -
Hon1. John Phillips 3597
Hon1. Israel Thorndike
3594
Hon1. Josiah Quincy 3594
Hon1. John Welles - 3599
Hon1. Thomas H. Perkins 3593
Hon1. David Tilden
- 1459
Samuel Brown Esq.
1460
Jonathan L. Austin Esq. - 1458.
Caleb Bingham Esq. 1457.
William Little Esq.
1456. -
[524.] John C. Jones Esq. 2. Russell Sturgis 3 - - 5
Thomas L. Winthrop - Samuel Cobb -
1. Richard Sullivan 3 4
1 Stephen Codman 1 - -
2
Arnold Welles - 2 William Brown 1 - - 3
William Sullivan 1 William Coolidge 1 2
Sam1. F. Coolidge - 1. Edward Harris 1
2
William Beal 1 Samuel Orcutt 1 2
Samuel May 1 Henry Messinger 1
2
Jona. Hunnewell 1 John Kuhn 1 3
Gardner Chandler - 1 Benj Weld 1
2
William Spooner
1
Attested Copies of return of the persons voted for as Gov- ernour, Lieutenant Governour and Senators for the district of
334
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
Boston, in the County of Suffolk sealed up in open Town Meet- ing, after the vote had been declared, to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth as prescribed by the law, and directed as follows - vizt.,
To Alden Bradford Esq. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Votes of the Town of Boston for Governour, Lieutenant Gover- nour and Five Senators for the district of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, Sealed up in open Town Meeting.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[525.] At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town of Boston of twenty one years of age & upwards, qualified as the Constitution prescribes at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 13th day of May A.D. 1813. 9 o'clock A.M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Holley .-
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read -
Paragraphs of the Constitution relating to the choice of Repre- sentatives - read - also the laws of the State regulating the election of Representatives - read -
The return of the Assessors signifying that the Major & Minor Polls of this Town for the present year were 8826 - being also read - The Inhabitants were directed to bring in their votes for Representatives not exceeding thirty nine .-
Votes were received by the Selectmen untill 1 O'Clock when the Poll was closed. They then proceeded to sort and count the votes, when it appeared that the whole number of votes given in was 1065 - necessary to make a choice 533. - The following (Thirty nine) Gentlemen had a Majority and were declared to be chosen - vizt.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.