USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing Boston town records, 1796 to 1813 > Part 9
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231.12.6
S Atkins
300.
Selectmen Boston
369.
Cloughs note 4.
Estate of B Waldo 800.
2388.12.10 equal to - 7962.13
$29962.13
The particulars of the aforegoing Statement are in the several accounts annexed to which a reference may be had, all which [180] appears to be well vouched and well cast. It is pre- sumed that the hay engine and the Stalls outside the Market will be much more productive the present year than the last. And that several articles of charge will not be called for the coming year by the board of Selectmen. Also the expences of the Board of Health will be considerably less the ensuing year. The Com- mittee after taking many circumstances of the Town into consid- eration and as connected with the county of Suffolk recommend a tax to be laid for Sixty thousand dollars. - all which is respectfully submitted
Thomas Dawes
Committee Joseph Russell
The aforegoing report having been read and considered the same was accepted, whereupon
Voted that the sum of Sixty thousand dollars be raised by a tax to be assessed on the Polls and Estates of the Inhabitants of the town to defray the expences of the current year.
Voted that the sum of Six hundred & sixty dollars be allowed and paid unto Samuel Clap Esq. for his services as Town Treas- urer the present year, and the same to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due, and to commence the first of last March.
Voted that the sum of Six hundred & sixty six dollars be allowed and paid unto William Cooper for his services as Town Clerk the present year the same to be paid him quarterly as it shall become due and to commence the first of March last.
Voted that the sum of Four hundred & thirty three dol- lars be allowed and paid unto each of the Assessors for their respective services the present year, the same to be paid them quarterly as it shall become due and to commence the first of March last.
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CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
Voted that the further sum of One hundred dollars be allowed and paid to each of the Assessors in the manner aforesaid in consideration of the rise of provisions.
Voted that the Town treasurer be authorized and empowered to borrow on lawful interest for the use of the Board of Health as there may be occasion a sum not exceeding 3000 dollars
[181.] Voted that the Town Treasurer be authorized and empowered to borrow on lawful interest for the use of the Select- men as there may be occasion a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars
On motion voted that the thanks of the town be and hereby are given the Board of Health for their eminent service in the dis- charge of the duties of their office the last year.
Voted that in addition to the former allowance of two hundred dollars made the Town advocate John Phillips Esq. for his service he be further allowed the sum of One hundred dollars.
Mr. Howes Petition was read, and after some debate a motion obtained that he have leave to withdraw his petition.
The Selectmen in conjunction with the Committee appointed to take into consideration the report of the Selectmen respecting the improvement and disposal of the Towns land on the Neck " take leave to report.
That they have attended to the business committed to them ; that they are forcibly struck with the importance and value of those lands and the propriety of making an attempt to render them productive
That they are equally impressed with the justness of the remark made by the Selectmen with respect to what has been and what may be done respecting them ; and in order to bring the subject before the town in an intelligent and concise form they recom- mend that the land be laid out in streets and lots at the discretion " of the Trustees herein after referred to as nearly as may be according to the plan exhibited by the Selectmen
That Trustees be appointed to manage and lease the said lands in such manner as shall appear to them best for the interest of the town
That the Trustees be the Selectmen for the time being and six such other persons as the Town may choose to be added to them at their annual meeting in May.
That until the further or other order of the town the income of the leases of the land be appropriated to the improvement of the same.
109
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1801.
That the Trustees be and hereby are impowered in the name and behalf of the town to make and execute Leases of the same lands in such portions or lots as [182] to them shall appear best for any number of years not exceeding ninety nine, which Report is respectfully submitted
By order of the joint Committee Chas. Bulfinch Chairman
A statement of the Expences of the town the last year was laid before the Inhabitants by the Selectmen for their inspection ; and by them ordered to be printed, more fully to answer the purpose -- Then adjourned to 4 °Clock P M.
The town met agreeably to adjournment at Four oClock P M.
The committee appointed to consider the expediency of a revision and new edition of the By laws of the town Report, that in their opinion amendments in several of the By laws are necessary and others of them ought to be repeated, [repealed ?] that the present edition contains several laws of the Common- wealth which are repealed, some that are obsolete or not so par- ticularly applicable to this town as to make them useful in a selection for the inhabitants; and that sundry late laws made by the General Court ought to be added together with the regula- tions of the Board of Health
That it is expedient a new edition improved on the aforegoing plan should be published ; and with respect to the arrangement the Committee think it would be best to permit the By-laws in the first part of the work, and the laws of this Commonwealth im- mediately respecting the Town in an appendix; the whole to be accompanied with an accurate index,
They therefore report drafts of the following Laws and recom- mend that all other By laws of the town now in force be repealed, Viz
1 a law to prevent nuisances in the Streets,
2 a law respecting the conduct of persons in the Streets,
3 a law to prevent brick & Lime kilns &c
4 a law to prevent nuisances in the Common
5 a law regulating Chimnies & Sweepers
6 a law regulating carts trucks & Sleds
7 a law to regulate stands of Carts trucks & Sleds
8 a law to regulate the driving of horses & carriages
9 a Law relating to Bulls & Cows -
[183.] 10 a law regulating Funerals
11 a law regulating necessaries
12 a law regulating pumps & wells
13 a law regulating common criers
14 a law imposing restrictions on Dogs
15 a Law prohibiting forestalling & engrossing Provisions
1
110
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
16 a Law regulating the carrying of Manure
17 a Law making general regulations
18 a Law respecting Officers appointed by the Selectmen; all which is respectfully submitted by the Committee George Richards Minot Chairman.
The laws aforementioned were read and some amendments being made they were separately voted to be accepted as by the connected Copies on file. it was then Voted that the Committee who revised the aforegoing Laws be desired to present them to the Court of Sessions for their approbation also
Voted that the Selectmen be desired to cause a sufficient num- ber of the laws to be printed and distributed to every House- holder and that in the Arrangement they adopt the mode pointed out by the Committee
Voted that any matters and things unfinished at this meeting be referred over to the next general town meeting that shall be called.
Voted that the thanks of the Town be and hereby are given to the Honble Thomas Dawes Esq. the Moderator of this meeting for his good services in the dispatch given the business which came before them.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved
[184.] At a meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabi- tants of the town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Saturday the 4th day of July A D 1801 9 oClock AM.
Warrant for calling the meeting Read.
William Cooper chosen Moderator
The committee appointed the last year to make choice of a Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Independ- ence Reported that they had made choice of Charles Paine Esq. who has accepted the appointment.
On motion adjourned to Old South Church when agreeable to information of the Selectmen, an
ORATION
to commemorate the Independence of the United States was delivered by Charles Paine Esq at the Old South Church
On motion voted that the Selectmen be a Committee to wait on Charles Paine Esq and in the name of the Town to thank him for
111
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1801.
the elegant and spirited Oration this day delivered by him at the request of the Town upon the Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America ; in which according to the insti- tution of the town he considered the feelings manners & princi- ples which led to that great national event and to request of him a copy thereof for the press
On motion Voted that the Gentlemen Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a Committee to apply to some one able and learned Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the fourth of July A D 1802, that day being the Anniversary of the Independence 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 & [185] happy effects whether general or domestic which have already or will forever flow from that auspicious epoch
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a meeting of the Freeholders & other inhabitants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 31st day of December Anno Domini 1801. ten oclock Forenoon -
Warrant for calling the Meeting
Honble Thomas Dawes Esq chosen Moderator by a hand [vote ] unanimously --
That part of the article in the warrant viz. "To receive the accounts of the Agents for erecting the new almshouse, and the accounts of the Treasurer of monies borrowed for the same House ; and to consider and adopt measures to discharge the balance that may be due," was read, whereupon
Voted, that Honble. John C. Jones Esq. Capt. James Prince Honble. Benja. Austin Jun Esq. Samuel Parkman Esq. Honble. Thomas Davis Esq.
be a committee to audit the accounts of the Agents for building the new almshouse to consider the compensation that may be proper to be allowed for their time and good services in directing and superintending the building - Also that the said Committee be directed to report what in their opinion would be the most eli- gible mode of raising a sufficient sum to discharge the balance as soon as possible.
The petition of a number of the Inhabitants that the Town would take legal and efficacious measures to discover and remove
112
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
vagrants and Strangers of suspicious characters who have no regular employment, and to prevent the introduction [186] of such persons in future, to come in to some permanent regulations of watches or patroles to preserve the Town from incendiaries, to adopt measures more effectually to guard against fires and generally to do what may be thought necessary for the security of the town " was read, and after some debate
Voted that Honble. James Sullivan Honble. John Codman, Esquires Capt. James Prince George Blake Esq Hon ble. Judge Bourne Arnold Welles Esq Nath1. Fellowes Esq
be a Committee to take this matter into consideration and report at the adjournment of this meeting
Then the meeting was adjourned to Monday the eleventh day of January next 10 oClock Forenoon.
1802.
On Monday, eleventh day of January 1802 at ten o'clock Fore- noon the Town met according to adjournment.
The committee relative to New Almshouse Report.
First, That having caused the accounts of the Agents to be carefully examined, they find them well vouched, rightly cast, and Dolls. a balance due them from the town of 23,533.32
2ª. Your Committee are of opinion that the Town should allow the Agents for their time & services in directing & superintending the buildings the sum of - 2400
$25933.32
This will leave a balance due the Agent's Dollars 25933.32
to be provided for [of] -
3ª. Your committee recommend that the Town Treasurer be directed and empowered to borrow on the credit of the town, of any corporate body or Individuals disposed to loan the same on interest not exceeding that paid at the Banks the sum of Twenty six thousand dollars for the purpose of discharging the balance due to the Agents and in consideration of their services, and that the same with the interest that may be due together with the further sum of Twenty thousand dollars already borrowed by the [187] Town of the Union Bank to discharge the drafts of the Agents and the interest that has or may accrue thereon be
113
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1802.
assessed on the Inhabitants of the town by two yearly assess- ments to commence with the next yearly town tax and to be expressly applied to the repayment of the monies so borrowed, said tax to be separately mentioned in the tax bills by itself the proceeds to be sacredly appropriated to this purpose and to be paid over by the Treasurer to this & no other use
4th. The Committee having viewed the Almshouse & its append- ages conceive it to be their duty to state to the Town that in their opinion the Agency has been executed with fidelity and judgment highly honorable to the Gentlemen engaged therein, and they propose
That the thanks of the Town be given to the Honble. Thomas Dawes Esq & Samuel Brown Esq the surviving Agents employed in directing and superintending the building of the Almshouse ; for the able and masterly manner in which they (together with the late Honble. George Richards Minot Esq also one of the Agents deceased) have discharged the important trust reposed in them by their Fellow Citizens
The above Report having been read and amended in meeting Voted that the same be accepted, also Voted unanimously that the aforegoing vote of Thanks be published in the several papers from said Report
The Report of the Committee on the other part of the warrant was read, and after large debate had thereon it was moved and Voted that said Report be printed in hand bills and sent to the houses of the Inhabitants for further inspection & consideration - before the adjournment of this meeting also
Voted that the Selectmen & Overseers of the Poor and Com- mittee that erected the almshouse, be requested to enquire and report at the adjournment whether any part of the Almshouse and if any what part can be fitted for the use of a workhouse and what the expence of the same will probably be as well as the expence of providing an apparatus materials and implements to employ People who may be sent there, and to report at large on the subject of a Workhouse in that or in any other place
[188.] This meeting was then adjourned to Thursday 21 at 10 °Clock AM
Thursday Jany 21 at 10 oclock AM met according to adjournment The printed Report of the Committees relative to fires, vagrants &c was read to the Inhabitants
The committee to enquire if any and what part of the new almshouse can be fitted for the use of a Workhouse, Report, that they have visited and carefully viewed the Almshouse and find
114
CITY DOCUMENT No. 115.
three rooms distinguished as a Bridewell and work room for such as are committed as Vagrants & proper subjects of a work house and other apartments might at present be spared for this purpose - those rooms are perfectly dry well warmed and ventilated but they are not separate from other parts of the house nor suffi- ciently strong to be considered as places of safekeeping Your Committee are of opinion that no division of the Almshouse can be set apart as a House of correction without greatly incommod- ing the poor and incurring a heavy expence to render it secure by additional Brick walls and Partitions iron gates and strong doors to prevent the vicious and depraved from associating with the objects of charity Your Committee would not recommend so great an alteration in the present house as would be necessary for these purposes which would afford but a temporary accommo- dation for should the number of the Poor increase with the natural increase of the Town, the whole of the Almshouse would be wanted for their use
In reporting at large on the subject of a House of Correction as directed by the latter part of their commission, your Committee are of opinion that an establishment of this kind would be pro- ductive of the most beneficial effects to the Town
For this purpose it will be necessary to have a separate build- ing suitably constructed upon principles of strength and security enclosed with proper walls and under the direction of a watchful Inspector & Assistant. Workrooms, lodging rooms and solitary cells for the confinement of the unruly should be provided and a constant supply of coarse articles of labour. From the experi- ence of other places your Committee have no doubt that such a house would maintain itself after being endowed [189] with a moderate Capital for the supply of raw materials and the neces- sary stock in hand - the objects of employment which occur to the Committee are the picking of Oakum the grinding of Logwood and other dye woods, the hammering of stone for the under- pinning of houses and flagging of the foot walks of Streets, grinding corn for the use of the house and any other coarse mill work.
The Committeeare so fully impressed with the importance of such an establishment in every well regulated Capital Town that they would immediately propose that measures should be taken for erecting such a building, were they not sensible of the burden that the town now labour under to discharge the balance due upon the Almshouse.
No correct estimate can be made of the expence of such a building and of the apparatus materials and implements to em- ploy those who may be sent there, but it is presumed that it must be twenty or thirty thousand dollars.
Your Committee would respectfully suggest that the attention of the Legislature is now turned to the subject of a State Prison and it is probable that they will direct it to be built immediately ; that the building of this Prison will deter persons of depraved Characters from resorting to this town, and that a number who
115
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1802.
are now in the Jail will be removed thereto - The Committee therefore propose that until the Town shall have discharged its present debt, the magistrates and Overseers of the Poor shall continue to make use of this Jail and such part of the Almshouse as can be spared for a workhouse and House of correction, that they be requested to procure materials for work that the persons sent there may be constantly employed, and to have a few soli- tary cells, constructed for the confinement of the refractory & unruly
by Order Charles Bulfinch, Chairm.
The aforegoing Report having been read & duly considered, was accepted by the Town almost unanimously.
The printed Report relative to Fires, Vagrants &c was again read, and after debate had thereon the following votes were passed almost unanimously viz :
Voted That there be immediately appointed by the Selectmen, one person in each ward, for the purpose of obtaining [190] and returning to the Selectmen weekly the names & circum- stances of all persons within the same, not being proper Inhabi- tants of the Town and who have no visible, reputable means of gaining a livelihood, and are not House holders within the Town, and of all such as belong to other towns States and Countries, having no fixed reputable manner of business.
Voted that the Selectmen, Overseers of the poor and Magistrates in the town be requested to be exact and vigilant in executing the laws authorizing the removal of persons whose characters are suspicious, whose morals are bad, who have no settled reputable means for a livelihood, and who by the laws are liable to be removed from the town or State.
Voted that the overseers of the poor and magistrates be requested to exert themselves to have the laws for committing idle, vagrant persons to the Workhouse, house of correction or common Jail, as the law may direct carried into full execution and in which they shall have every needed aid from the inhabitants of the Town.
Voted that the Town adopt the method reported by the Com- mittee for the appointment of watches and request the Selectmen and magistrates to have the same carried into execution, and that the wages of the Captains & Assistants be settled by the Select- men, and that the Selectmen be requested to take effectual meas- ures, by the construction of the watch houses and otherwise that the intentions of the town be not defeated by a want of attention or vigilance in the watches
Voted that the Representatives of the town be instructed to obtain a revision of the laws in regard to the introduction of For-
116
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 115.
eigners and to have the same so amended as that they shall be competent to prevent Foreigners of idle immoral & dissolute char- acter from being brought to the Town from other Countries. That the Representatives use their endeavour to obtain an altera- tion in the law respecting the appointment of watches so far as that the Selectmen of Boston shall have the same power in that respect as the Justices of the peace and the Selectmen together have now ; That the Town Clerk deliver the Representatives a copy of this vote as soon as may be.
[191.] Voted that the Selectmen by their Superintendent or otherwise constantly enquire and observe in every part of the Town where there may be any collection of shavings, or other combustibles to the danger and nuisances of the Town and cause the Attorney General or the Town attorney to have information thereof, that prosecutions may commence thereon.
Voted that one person for each ward, be now appointed for the purpose of organizing a voluntary patrole of the inhabitants dur- ing such time as they shall judge expedient, when the following persons were chosen Viz.
Capt John Bray Ward Nº 1 Colº Robt. Gardner 2
Thomas Lewis 3 Josiah Vose 4
Capt. Mitchell Lincoln 5
Isaiah Doane 6
Capt. Sam1. Prince 7
David Bradlee Esq 8
Arnold Welles Jr Esq 9
Gen1. John Winslow 10
Capt. Messinger 11
Colº. Amasa Davis 12
It was then voted that should either of the above Gentlemen decline or from any cause be unable to accept the above appoint- ment the Selectmen are desired to fill such vacancy.
Voted that the thanks of the town be given the Moderator for his good services in that station
Then the meeting was Dissolved.
[192.] At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi- tants of the Town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the first day of March Anno Domini 1802 at 10 °Clock AM
Warrant for calling the meeting Read
David Tilden Esq.
was chosen Moderator by a hand vote
117
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1802.
The article in the Warrant relative to the list of qualified voters for Governor &c &c was read and considered, whereupon
Voted that a Committee of three persons be chosen for each Ward to revise correct and complete the list of qualified Voters in their respective wards who are to report the same to the Selectmen, and the following persons were accordingly chosen for said purpose vizt.
Messrs. Josiah Snelling Joseph Callender & Capt. Jnº Bray for ward Nº 1 - Mess John Truman, Rt Gardner & Capt. Jacob Rhoades Nº 2. Mess Joseph Smith Edward Edes & Colº Proctor Nº 3. Mess Joseph Kettel Josiah Vose and John Wells Nº 4 Mess Richard Hewes, Mitchell Lincoln, and Samuel Sturgis Nº 5, Jnº Coffin Jones Esq. Samuel Whitwell and Samuel Snelling Nº 6, Samuel Parkman Esq. Sam1. Sumner & Benja. Austin Esq. Nº 7 - William Smith Esq. Capt. John Brazier and Edward Gray Esq. Nº 8, Benja Russell Esq. John Fox & Arnold Welles Esq. Nº 9, General Winslow George Blanchard and Deacon Wright Nº 10 Colo. Waters Henry Vose and Benja. Fessenden Nº 11, Deacon Brown Capt. Messenger and Amasa Davis Esq. Nº 12 Also Voted that so soon as corrected lists are reported to [193] the Select- men 1800 thereof shall be printed, making 150 for each ward.
The article in the warrant viz "to consider the expediency of appointing Agents with powers to choose Referrees in concurrence with the Legislature for the final adjustment of the claims of the State and town to the Old town house " was read and considered whereupon Voted that the Board of Selectmen viz Charles Bulfinch David Tilden Russell Sturgis Esq. Capt. Joseph Howard Mr. William Porter, William Sherburne Esq. Mr. John Tileston Mr. Eben". Oliver Mr. Jonathan Hunnewell together with William Cooper the Town Clerk be and hereby are appointed a Committee with full powers for the purposes mentioned in said warrant.
Then the meeting was dissolved.
At a meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the town of Boston duly qualified and legally warned in public town meeting assembled at Faneuil hall on Monday the eighth day of March Anno Domini 1802 at nine oClock AM -
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