USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1796 to 1813 > Part 27
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William Smith Harrison G. Otis James Lloyd Daniel Sargent Jonathan Hunnewell
[526.]
Benjamin Russell William Sullivan Stephen Codman Nathan Webb Daniel Messenger
Charles Davis Benjamin Whitman James Robinson William Hammatt William H. Sumner Ephraim Thayer Benjamin Weld Oliver Keating Thacher Goddard Lynde Walter
335
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
George G. Lee
Samuel J Prescott
William Porter
Lemuel Shaw
Samuel M. Thayer
James Savage
George Blanchard
Jonathan Loring
Nathaniel Curtis
Joseph Pierce
Richard Faxon
Andrew Sigourney
Samuel Dunn
Thomas Barry
John D Howard
William Harris
Jonathan Whitney
Joseph Tilden
and Richard Sullivan -
Then the Meeting was Dissolved --
At a meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned, assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 24th day of May AD 1813- 10 O'Clock AM
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read.
Hon1. John Phillips chosen Moderator.
The Selectmen in conformity to Law passed at the last session of the General Court, laid before the Town a list of Persons they had selected to serve as Grand & Traverse Jurors at the Courts in this State & at the United States Courts. - The Report of the Selectmen was considered - and it was Voted. That the Town confirm their doings. -
The Committee on Accounts [527] made the following Report.
The Subscribers a Majority of the Committee appointed to audit the accounts of the Town, have attended to that service, and ask leave to report, That they have examined the Town Treasurers accounts, and have found them duly vouched, and right cast, that it appears there was a balance of Cash in his hands, on the first Instant of Three thousand and ninety one Dollars & thirty five Cents, which has been placed to the credit of the Town in his new Account. -
The Committee would also report, as their opinion, that it would be expedient for the Town to grant a Tax of Seventy five thou- sand Dollars, to be assessed on the Inhabitants, to defray the Expences of the Town for the current year, it being the sum that was granted the last year. - Although it would have been desire- able in the minds of the Committee, from the existing depression of affairs, incident to a state of War, to have stated a less sum, than they have now reported, to be assessed upon the inhabitants, Yet as the debts of the Town unprovided for, will probably amount to fifty or sixty thousand dollars, the Committee could not feel themselves justified in reporting a less sum .-
336
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
But when it is considered that for the security of the Rights & property as well as the convenience & comfort of the Inhabitants within a few years several new and extraordinary objects have been obtained by the expenditures of the Town, such as "the Alms House"-" Faneuil Hall." The "County House" - Burial Ground- widening of Streets &c - The amount of the present debt of the Town ought not perhaps to be a subject of surprise or regret. - These expences will be found to amount to more than Two hundred thousand Dollars. - In no period since the first settlement of the Town have the Inhabitants in the same number of years been called on to contribute so largely, nor so many objects of permanent utility, or importance been obtained. To this Cause & to the late decline of Commerce probably may be attributed no inconsiderable [528] part of the loss that has been suffered by the Town, from the large amount in small Taxes which remain uncollected .-
And the Committee, with deference would further observe, that they do not at present see any practicable means of extinguishing the debt of the Town, but by the effect of a retrenchment on the part of its expences, now especially on those which relate to improvements. - This in a few years they hope by degrees would extinguish it. An increase of Taxes at this time for that pur- pose the Committee have not the temerity to recommend ; but to avoid, as far as may be possible hereafter, any losses to the Town, in the collection of Taxes, the Committee in accordance with the report of the sub-committee of Finance, presented here- with, would recommend as a salutary measure, that the Treasurer be instructed to effect a more speedy collection of the Taxes which may hereafter be committed to him, as well as of those which are outstanding. -
And agreeably to another report of the sub-Committee "of Finance herewith submitted, they recommend "That application " be made to the General Court for such alteration of the Law " as may make the sums taxed on Real Estate a lien upon said " Estate which in Case of transfer of the property would secure " the Tax to the Town " - And further that all such powers may be given to the Treasurer & Collector of Taxes as that he may by a vigilant use of them enforce a more equitable adjustment of the public burthens and remove the evils to which the present system is liable. - Should the aforesaid sum of Seventy five thousand Dollars be directed by the Town to be assessed on the inhabitants the Committee would recommend that it be appro- priated as follows
To the drafts of the Selectmen 53,000
Dº. - - of Overseers of the Poor 23,000
Do. - - of Board of Health - 7,000
$83,000
Deduct for Rents in income 8,000
to be assessed on the inhabitants for the year 1813. - , $75,000
337
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
This Report is [529] with all due Respect submitted for the consideration of the Town.
Samuel Brown John Welles
mn } Comce, -
The foregoing Read, considered & accepted by the Town. -
Voted, That the sum of Seventy five thousand Dollars be raised by a tax to be assessed on the Polls and Estates of the Inhabi- tants of this Town to defray the expences of the current year. -
Voted - That the Committee of Finance, consisting of the Selectmen, Oversecrs of the Poor, and Board of Health, be instructed to cause such parts of their reports and of that of the Auditors of Accounts to be published, as they may judge will give information to the Inhabitants on their money concerns.
The Committee on the subject of Forestalling the Market made a lengthy Report, which being read -it was voted, That the consideration of the Report be referred to the adjournment of this Meeting, & that the same be printed for the information of the Inhabitants.
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 & paid unto Hon1. Thomas Dawes Esq., for his Salary as Judge of the Municipal Court for the ensuing year.
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 [530] their Services in that office the year ensuing.
Voted, That the subject of the compensation to be allowed the Town Treasurer & Collector for the present, year, be referred to the Committee of Finance, to report at the adjournment.
Adjourned to Thursday the 3ª day of June next, 10 O'Clock A M. -
Thursday June 3d. Met according to adjournment.
The Moderator being absent, Ebenezer Oliver Esq.
was chosen Moderator Pro tem.
338
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
Adjourned to Wednesday next the 9th. day of June instant 10 O'Clock A M.
Met according to adjournment.
The Report of the Committee on the subject of Forestalling the Market was taken up, considered, and accepted.
Voted That it be recommended to the citizens generally to com- plain to the law officers of the Commonwealth, to the Grand Jury & to the Justices of the Peace, of all instances of fore- stalling, regrating, engrossing and of all other fraudulent practices, which may come to their knowledge, and to furnish the necessary evidence of the same, that measures may there- upon be immediately taken to bring the offenders to punish- ment. - -
Voted, That there be annually chosen by the Town, or otherwise appointed in such way as the Town shall direct, twelve substan- tial Citizens, who shall be called Inspectors of the Market, and whose special duty it shall be, to enquire after & cause to be prosecuted according to Law, all forestallers, regraters, engrossers & fraudulent dealers in the Market, either by false weights & measures or any other way.
[531.] Voted, That the license of any person to sell in the Market, who shall be duly convicted of any of the Offences aforesaid, shall be immediately taken away, and that he shall not be permitted to hire or use a stall in the Market, or to expose articles for Sale there, for a term not less than one year from and after conviction, and that this regulation be enforced by a by law of the Town .-
Voted, That that part of the ancient market which is called Dock Square, be appropriated to dealers from the Country, and that no inhabitant of the Town, or of any neighboring town, not offering for sale the produce of his own farm, shall be permitted to occupy the same to the exclusion of the bona fide Country- dealer, and that this regulation be enforced by a Bye Law of the Town .-
Voted, That the approbation of the Selectmen be withholden from any persons, the owners or occupants of any house, store or cellar applying for a licence as a tavener, victualler or retailer, who shall be known to aid and encourage in the commission of any of the offences against the Market, which are herein before described. -
The Town then passed the following By Laws, & ordered the Town Clerk to present the same to the Court of Sessions for con- firmation .- vizt.
339
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
It is hereby ordered, that no person who shall at any time here- after be convicted of either of the offences of forestalling, regrat- ing, engrossing, or of any species of fraudulent dealing in the Market, shall be permitted to use or hire a stall or have or occupy any stand in either of the public markets of the Town, or in any street leading thereto, for the purpose of offering for sale any article of Provisions usually sold in Market, for the term of one year from and after such conviction : and in case any person shall after [532] such conviction and within the said term of time, presume to use or occupy any stall or stand in either of the said Markets, or in any of the streets leading thereto, for the purpose aforesaid, he shall for every such offence forfeit a sum not exceeding Five Dollars nor less than two dollars, the one moiety thereof for the use of the complainant, and the other moiety thereof for the use of the Town.
It is hereby ordered that no person not offering for Sale the pro- duce of his own farm, shall be permitted to occupy that part of the ancient market which is called Dock square - And if any such person shall presume to occupy with his Cart, team, or in any other way the said Dock square after being ordered there- from by the Clerk of the Market, he shall forfeit a sum not ex- ceeding Five Dollars nor less than two Dollars for every hour, in which he shall continue to offend in this respect, the one moiety thereof to the use of the Complainant, and the other moiety thereof to the use of the Town. -
Major Benjamin Russell Colº. Thomas Badger and Mr. Joseph Callender, were appointed a Committee to select twelve persons (one from each ward) as Inspectors of the Market, and report them at the adjournment.
Adjourned to Friday next 10 o'Clock AM. -
N. B. The By Laws and foregoing Votes to be printed in News papers after [being] confirmed by the Court of Sessions. ---
[533.] Met according to adjournment.
The report of the Committee of Finance was read and con- sidered - and it was voted. That the Senators of the County of Suffolk, and the Representatives of this Town, be requested to apply to the General Court, for an Act to be passed Authorizing the "Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and Board of Health " Annually to appoint the Treasurer & Collector (or Collectors,) of taxes for the Town of Boston. -
The Committee appointed at the last Meeting to select one person from each Ward as Inspectors of the Market, reported the following list which was accepted by the Town - - vizt.
340
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
Mr. Gidney King for
Ward No.
1.
66 John D. Howard jr.
Turell Tuttle -
3
Samuel Hichborn 66
4
66 Zachariah Hicks - 66
5
Cap". Jonathan Whitney Mr. John P. Thorndike George Palmer 66 66
Cap". James B Marston
66
66
9
Mr. Joseph Allen -
66 66
10
" Edward Gray -
66
11
" William Brown Jun".
66
66
12
Voted, That all the unfinished business contained in the Report of the Committee of Finance be referred to the next Town Meeting
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[534.] At a legal Meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Boston qualified as the Law directs assembled at Faneuil Hall on Friday 11th. day of June A D 1813 10 O'Clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting -read
Benjamin Weld Esq.
was chosen Moderator.
This Meeting was called in consequence of a Petition from Isaac P. Davis and others, now pending before the Legislature, "that they may be incorporated for the purpose of building a Mill dam and turnpike road from Beacon street to Roxbury, and erecting other Mill improvements "
The petition having been read and considered -it was moved & Voted, to refer the same to a Committee consisting of the Board of Selectmen & one Gentleman from each Ward of the Town, to take the subject into consideration, and Report at a future Meeting, what measures it will be proper for the Town to adopt to secure their interest in the premises. -
The following Gentlemen were nominated & chosen for the Wards - vizt-
Coln. Thomas Badger for Ward No. 1. Redford Webster Esq. 2
Dea- Rainsford - 3
Josiah Marshall 4
Lynde Walter - 5
Thos. W. Sumner 6
2
6
7
8
341
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
Benjamin Austin Esq. 7
Sam1. M. Thayer Esq. 8
Isaac Winslow 9
Sam1. Cobb Esq. -
10
Coln. DanI. Messenger
11
Dea Faxon 12
Adjourned to Monday the 12th day of July next 10 oClock AM.
[535.] At a Convention consisting of the Selectmen, Over- seers of the Poor & Board of Health, assembled at Faneuil Hall in Boston by virtue of the following Act of this Commonwealth intitled "An Act providing for the appointment of a Town Treasurer & Collectors of Taxes in the Town of Boston - as fol- lows - vizt.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & thirteen. -
An Act providing for the appointment of a Town Treasurer, and Collectors of Taxes in the Town of Boston.
Secn. 1. Beit enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same. That from and after the passing of this Act, the Selectmen the Overseers of the Poor, and the Board of Health of the Town of Boston, shall annually in the Months of June or July, meet in Convention in the Town of Boston, and appoint some suitable person or persons as Collectors of Taxes in said Town, who when appointed as aforesaid, shall have like powers, and be subject to like duties, in the discharge and execution of their said several offices as other Town Treasurers and Collectors of Taxes have, and are subject to in this Commonwealth; and the said Town Treasurer & Collectors so as aforesaid appointed, shall continue in office for one year and untill others are appointed in manner aforesaid and qualified to execute their said offices, and a record of the appointment as aforesaid of said Town Treasurer and Col- lectors shall be made by the Town Clerk of the Town of Boston, in the records of said town kept by him, and the said Town Treasurer, and Collectors to be appointed as aforesaid shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of their said several trusts, and give such [536] bonds to the said town of Boston conditioned for the faithful execution of the duties of their said offices as the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Board of Health met in Convention as aforesaid shall direct previous to their entering on the duties of their said several offices aforesaid. -
Provided however, the said Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and the said Board of Health shall never reappoint any person to said office of Town Treasurer or Collector of Taxes as aforesaid
342
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
untill such persons shall have faithfully & fully completed the execution of his duty in his said Office to which he was appointed the year preceeding, and a full and complete settlement of the taxes by him to have been received or collected according to Law, shall have been made or [he ] shall have been excused therefrom by a vote of the said Town of Boston. And whenever by Death, resig- nation or otherwise the said office of Town Treasurer or Collector shall be vacant, the aforesaid Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and Board of Health shall be as aforesaid authorized to fill such vacancy by a new appointment in manner aforesaid. And all Laws heretofore made respecting either of the aforesaid offices of Town Treasurer & Collector of Taxes in the Town of Boston, that are inconsistant with the provision of this Act, be, and the same are hereby repealed, from and after the fourth day of July next .- In the House of Representatives - June 16. 1813.
This Bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted .- Timothy Bigelow - Speaker In Senate - This Bill having had two several readings passed to be enacted .- John Phillips - President June 16th. 1813. Approved,
Caleb Strong -
Secretarys Office June 22d. 1813
a True Copy Attest. Alden Bradford Secy. of Commonwealth
On the 28th. day of June AD 1813 [537.] Present a majority of each Board
Charles Bulfinch Esq. Chairman.
The Law authorizing the meeting of this Convention being read -it was.
Voted, That this Convention will appoint the same person Col- lector of Taxes, that they shall appoint Town Treasurer, and that they will appoint but one Collector.
Voted, That Wednesday next 5 O'Clock P.M. be assigned for the choice of the Treasurer & Collector.
Voted. That Mess Bulfinch, Whitman, Weld & Mackay be a Committee, to consider the subject of collecting Taxes generally, and examine the laws relative thereto, to determine which of them remain in force; and what sum the Treasurer & Collector ought to receive for his services .-
Adjourned to Wednesday next 5 O'Clock PM.
343
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
Wednesday 30 June 1813 5 O'Clock PM The Convention met according to Adjournment
Present a Majority of each Board.
Agreeable to assignment, the Convention proceeded to the choice of a Town Treasurer for the year ensuing - upon sorting & counting the votes it appeared that Mr. Andrew Sigourney had a majority and was declared to be elected .-
The Votes for a Collector of taxes for the year ensuing being brought in sorted and counted it appeared that Mr. Andrew Sigourney had a majority and was declared to be elected.
The Committee appointed by this Convention to examine the laws relative to the collection of taxes in the Town of Boston, and to consider which of them are now in force - and for other purposes - offer the [538] following Report.
That they have examined the laws which have been enacted from time to time by the Legislature for the collection of taxes in the Town of Boston, and are of opinion that the law passed for this purpose in March 1808, is in full force, and gives sufficient power to the Treasurer & Collector to ensure a prompt collection of the Taxes, in addition to the general laws of the Commonwealth on this subject .- and that all other special laws relative thereto are repealed by the law under which this Con- vention is assembled.
Your Committee report as their opinion that the Treasurer should give a Bond for the sum of twenty thousand Dollars, & the Collector of taxes in the same sum conditioned for their faithful performance of the duties of their office, with such sureties as shall be approved by this Convention
They also propose that it be recommended to the Town as the opinion of this Convention that the sum of twenty five hundred dollars be allowed to the Treasurer and Collector in full compen- sation for their services for one year ensuing & for such Clerks and deputies as they may find it necessary to employ.
The foregoing Report was read considered and accepted by the Convention .-
Messrs. Bulfinch, Whitman & Mackay were appointed a Com- mittee to lay before the Town the opinion of this Convention that the sum of $2500 Per annum be allowed to the Treasurer and Collector in full for their services .- The same Committee to pre- pare the form of a Bond to be given by the Treasurer & Collector.
Adjourned to Friday next 2ª July 1813 5 O'Clock PM.
344
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
[539.] The Convention met according to adjournment. Present a Majority of each Board .-
Mr. A Sigourney appeared and declared his acceptance of the Office of Town Treasurer, as also of Collector of taxes for the ensuing year -- and proposed Samuel Smith Esq. and George Blanchard Esq. as his bondsmen.
Messrs. Weld, Austin, Perkins, Eliot, Whitman and James Loring, were appointed a Committee to consider the responsibility of the Gentlemen offered by Mr. Sigourney as his bondsmen & report.
The Committee unanimously reported, That the Bondsmen offered by Mr. Sigourney who has been chosen Treasurer and Collector, were in their opinion ample and sufficient .-
Ordered, That Mr. Joseph Foster, Bryant P Tilden, and Samuel Dorr Esqs. be a | Committee from this Convention to complete on their part, and in behalf of this Convention any further service, in transfering the Books, records and papers from the late Treasurer to the new Treasurer &c - which may be necessary to complete their duty under the Act entitled an "An Act providing for the appointment of a Town Treasurer and Collectors of taxes in the Town of Boston "
The Oaths of Office were administered to Mr. Andrew Sig- ourney, chosen Treasurer and Collector by Benjamin Whitman Esq .- a Justice of the Peace. -
The following Vote passed the Convention vizt.
Whereas the official duties of the Town Treasurer under the former establishment will cease on the 4th of July and it will be necessary for closing the Accounts of the Treasurer & Collector & his deputies to employ the time of William Smith Esq. it is Voted, That it be recommended by this Convention that the Town should allow to Willm. Smith Esq. the sum of five hundred Dollars in addition to the Salary for that portion of the year which has elapsed since his choice by the Town in March last.
Then the Convention was Dissolved .-
[540.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 5th day of July, AD, 1813, 9 OClock AM
Warrant for calling the Meeting - read
345
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1813.
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 Edward St. Loe Liver- more Esq. who has accepted the appointment
Adjourned to meet at the Old South Church 12 O'Clock.
Met at the Old South Church - where
AN ORATION.
Was delivered by Edward St. Loe Livermore Esq. to commemo- rate the Independence of the United States of America.
Voted, That the Selectmen be, and hereby are appointed a Com- mittee to wait on the Hon1. Edward St. Loe Livermore 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 feelings, manners and principles which produced the great national event; and to request of him a copy for the press.
Voted, That the Gentlemen Selectmen be, & hereby are ap- pointed a Committee, to apply to some able and learned Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the 4th. day of July 1814 - That day being the Anniversary of the [541] Independ- ence of the United States of America; wherein the Orator is to consider, the feelings, manners & principles which led to this great National event; as well as the important & happy effects, whether general or domestic, which have already, or will forever flow from that auspicious Epoch.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston held by adjournment from the 11th. day of June last past, assem- bled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 12th day of July A.D. 1813 10 O'Clock AM.
Jonathan Hunnewell Esq.
was chosen Moderator pro tem.
The Committee appointed to consider the application of Isaac P. Davis & others for a Mill dam and Turnpike road from the bottom of Beacon Street to Roxbury, and for erecting other Mill
346
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
improvements " Report, that they have attended to the business assigned them and have examined the places of the proposed undertaking : they find the subject will require further time to enable the Committee to give it the attention which it deserves ; they therefore propose that they have liberty to make their final report at a future meeting to be called for that purpose. And that the Selectmen be desired to call such meeting when they shall find the Committee ready to report. P order
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