USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing minutes of the Selectmen's meetings, from 1811 to 1817 and part of 1818 > Part 4
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Ozias Goodwin, Andrew Richie, - Ditson, Thomas Cush- ing, Samuel R. Miller, Capt. - Matchett, John Parkman, Ben- jamin Coolidge, each one pump, $17.80; Joseph Coolidge, two pumps, $35.60 ; Ebenezer Hancock, Samuel Train, Josiah Bumstead, each one cellar, $17.80; William Cleland, Nathaniel P. Russell, Capt. - Hopkins, Nehemiah Freeman, Daniel D. Rogers, Thomas W. Sumner, William Homer, each one cellar and one pump, $35.60; Thomas K. Jones, two cellars and one pump, $53.40.
And We hereby empower Mr. Adam Rupp to demand & receive the same & give discharges therefor.
(Signed) CHS BULFINCHI W'H PORTER EBENR. OLIVER --
NATHAN WEBB
BENJ WELD
Major part of the Selectmen.
[76.] The following proceedings were directed to be entered at large on the journals of the Selectmen.
Copy of a letter from Charles Jackson Esq. in consequence of the Vote of the board of 18th September .-
Sep. 24. 1811
Sir
I have considered the questions which you proposed to me, on the subject of the Deputy Collectors of Taxes to be appointed in this Town.
35
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811. 1137100
By virtue of the Act of June 18th. 1802. and the vote of the Town of May 1811. the Collector may appoint four Deputies & commit to them at once the whole tax for collection ; or he may consider them rather as Assistants, & commit to them from time to time distinct lists or parts of the tax. Although the Selectmen have no power to control or direct the Collector on this subject ; yet as they must fix the sum & approve the sureties for the bonds to be given by the Deputies, it is important for them to know which of the above modes the Collector intends to adopt. In one case a bond with sufficient sureties in the sum of five thousand dollars might be ample security ; and in the other case thirty thousand dollars might be insufficient. I would therefore recom- mend [77.] that the Selectmen should cause a communication to be formally made in writing to the Collector, suggesting the motives for the inquiry, & desiring particular information as to the course that he intends to pursue. You can also mention, either in conversation or in writing, the mode which the Selectmen think most advisable ; and the Collector will undoubtedly be glad to have the aid & countenance he will derive from your opinion in a new case like the present. You will request an answer from the Collector in writing, which being preserved on your files will always shew the grounds on which you have proceeded. It is not to be expected that the Collector will decline to give such an answer. If however he should do so, you will then take it for granted that the Deputies may have the whole Tax committed to them at once, & you will fix the amount of their bonds & the quality of their sureties accordingly; and if the persons nomi- nated by the Collector can not give such bonds, & the intention of the Town should be thereby defeated, it will not be justly chargeable to the Selectmen.
- As to the question respecting the issuing of notifications by the Treasurer, the vote of the Town is not perfectly clear & explicit ; but I think the intention was, that every citizen should be allowed sixty days after receiving [78.] his tax bill, to pay it without any fees to the officer, if not then paid, he is to have a new Notification, apprising him of the consequence of not paying it within ten days from that time. If this time also passes without payment of the tax the Treasurer must issue his warrant as directed in the Town's Vote. The doubt is, whether the ten days are to be part of the sixty days, or to be in addition to the sixty. I am inclined to think that the latter was the intention ; & while there is any doubt, it is safest to err on the side of lenity in enforcing a new system; & to allow too much, rather than too little time, for payment of the Taxes .-
I am sir very respectfully your obedient servant
Signd CHARLES JACKSON.
Charles Bulfinch Esq. Chairman of the Selectmen Boston .-
36
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
On considering the above the Board directed a communication to be made to the Treasurer which is as follows .-
Sir The Selectmen have considered the subject which you pro- posed to them relative to the amount of bonds to be given by the Deputies which you may [79.] appoint to assist in the collection of taxes according to the late votes of the Town ;- and before they can come to any determination thereon, they wish you to inform them in writing of the particular mode in which you mean to employ the Deputies ; of the amount which will be at any one time in their hands ; and of the rules which you shall expect them to observe in making returns and for the security of the sums they may collect .-
As the law has confided to the Selectmen the approbating the sureties & the fixing the amount of the bonds-they wish to be well informed upon the above particulars, & request your answer, that they may be enabled to execute what is incumbent on them for carrying into effect, without delay the system proposed by the Ward Committee .-
In reply to the above-The Town Treasurer presented the following.
Charles Bulfinch Esq.
BOSTON 30th Sep. 1811. Sir
In answer to your communication of the 25th Instant in behalf of the Gentlemen, Selectmen, respecting the appointment of Deputy Collectors & the mode in which I [80.] propose to employ them, I would observe, that I shall endeavour to comply with the spirit of the several votes of the Town on the subject, as near as I can consistent with their interest. I propose to furnish each Deputy Collector with printed blank receipts for each person from whom they receive a tax. these receipts will be numbered and a margin left in each book, to put down the name of the persons to whom the receipt was given with the date and the amount received, I shall direct each Deputy Collector, to make a settlement with me for these receipts at least once in each week. It will be impossible for me at this time, to say, what amount will be committed to them to collect, this depends on the amount that may be voluntarily paid in before the expiration of seventy days from the date of the bills .- as they will be appointed during pleasure, I shall always endeavour to fix the sum put into their hands so as to come within the amount of their bonds-these are the general outlines of the plan, I propose to adopt, and I shall be much obliged to the gentlemen Selectmen for any information or instructions they may please to give me on the subject, I am with great respect your most H. Seryt.
(Signed) WY SMITH.
. 37
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
[81.] The foregoing having been considered at the meetings of October 2d. & 9th. and not appearing sufficiently particular, the Chairman was desired to lay before the Treasurer the opinion received from Mr. Jackson, & request an answer before the next meeting .-
The following was addressed to the Treasurer by the Chair- man .-
Dr. Sir
I laid before the Selectmen your communication of the 30th September respecting the collection of Taxes under the new sys- tem : they have directed me to request a more particular detail of the course you intend to pursue as far as can be done in this stage of the business .- I hand you herewith the sketch of some votes which are under consideration with the board; they have not yet been adopted by them, but may serve to convey to you their opinion of the degree of trust which should be reposed in the Deputies-and a plan to avoid the appearance of partiality in enforcing the collection .- please to inform me if such suggestions are so far agreeable to you as that you will conform to them .- to which the following answer was received .-
Charles Bulfinch Esq. Sir,
Boston 15th Octr. 1811.
The Votes that you inclosed [82.] to me in your letter of this date, that are under the consideration of the Board of Selectmen appears to be very near the mode, I had proposed to adopt in the collection of taxes under the new system, for the present year. I do not know of any more particular detail I can give to the Board, than the one contained in my letter of the 30th ultimo .- If the Selectmen should think fit to adopt the Votes they have under consideration, I shall endeavour to conform to their instructions in the amount to be delivered to the Collectors for collection at one time, and in directing them to make a weekly settlement with me for the sums they receive-I would suggest to the Board, whether the sum of $3000-to be given to each one to collect will not be better than $2500,-this will give to each Collector an even sum of $1000 for each Ward .- & will come so far within their bonds that the Town will not run any risk of a loss.
I am with Esteem Y' H S' (Signed) WM SMITH
Charles Bulfinch Esq.
Chairman Board Selectmen.
The above correspondence having been read; the last commu- nication from the Treasurer [83.] was considered satisfactory. and it was Voted. That each of the Deputy Collectors to be
38
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
appointed by the Treasurer to assist in the collection of taxes under the late votes of the Town should give bonds to the inhabitants of the Town of Boston in the sum of Five Thousand Dollars with two or more sureties .-
Voted. That the Treasurer and Collector be informed that in the opinion of the Selectmen, it would be expedient & proper, that he should deliver to each Deputy, a number of tax bills to collect, the amount of which should not exceed at any time, to each Deputy the sum of three thousand dollars ; and that he should require from each of said Deputy Collectors a weekly return of his doings, and payment of all sums by him collected in that time. That the Treasurer in delivering the bills to the Deputy Collectors, observe the following method .-
To deliver to the. Deputy for each Division of the Town an equal amount from each of the tax books of the three wards in his division : and to deliver them in the alphabetical order in which they stand in the books ; without any exception or discrimination of persons.
[84.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 23ª. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Wright, Webb & Weld.
A report was received from the committee chosen by the Town to consider the best mode of removing the filth of the Town .- The Chairman was desired to hand the documents accompanying this report to the Board of Health and inform them, that there would be a Town Meeting early in November, and that any com- munication to the Town on this subject might then be made, if they should think it expedient.
Notice was received from Wm Sullivan Esq that the ground on which the Hay Scales now stand was intended to be appropriated to other use by its owners, & requesting that the building should be removed therefrom-The Chairman was desired to inform Mr. Sullivan that the board would take measures to remove the build- ing as soon as possible-and was desired to prepare a place for a new scales-& to view the platform balance of Mr. Dearborn- to ascertain whether that machine could be adopted by the Town to advantage .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 28th 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Wright & Weld .-
Passed the Monthly Accounts.
[85.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 29th. 1811. Present Messr. Bulfinch, Oliver, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld .-
39
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
This Meeting was held for the purpose of selecting suitable names from the lists of the inhabitants to renew the jury boxes .- the business was commenced and proceeded on-and adjourned to continue this duty to Friday 1st November.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen October 30th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld.
Passed the remaining accounts.
The following persons were approved as Auctioneers-
George Noble & Horatio Bass in Company, Samuel Tufts & James Bourguin. upon the late conditions adopted by the board that they should not occupy any place of business in State street or Market square.
Upon the request of Mr. Peck, the Agent of the Mill Pond Corporation, the Selectmen considered what portion of the land filled up between Pond street & Charlestown street, they would select for the [86.] Town's proportion in that quarter so far as shall be made solid land this season ; and it appeared from Mr. Carletons certificate that the following pieces had been filled in .- viz. -
Between Cooper & Stillman streets 33535 ..-
Between Stillman & Cross streets 36835 ..-
South of Cross street 24733 ..- West adjoining Canal 5950 ..-
Triangle adjoining Spears land
5928 ..-
106981 ..
deduct the land conveyed to P. Nichols 30020 ..-
Towns 1/8
76961 ..-
9620 ..-
It was agreed by the board that the Town's 1/g of the above should be located in one piece bounded northerly on Stillman street 190 ft. Easterly on Pond street 50.8 & Westerly on Charlestown street 50.8-subject to alterations in the dimen- sions, if any error in Mr. Carleton's calculations should be discov- ered .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen November 1st. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, May, Wright. Foster, Webb & Weld.
The time was occupied in further examinations of the lists for jury boxes.
Adjourned to Tuesday 5th. Instant.
40
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
[87.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen November 5th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, Hunnewell, Wright, Webb & Weld .-
The business of Jurors was resumed and was so far completed as to determine to hold a Town Meeting on Monday 11th. instant. to lay the lists before the Town for confirmation and a Warrant was signed accordingly .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen November Cth. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver. May, Hunnewell, Wright, Foster & Webb.
passed the Accounts to complete the monthly draft.
A letter was received from the Directors of the Mill Pond Cor- poration in which they propose that if the Selectmen would con- sent " that the division of land between the Town and proprietors "should be carried into effect; they would give an obligation " from the Directors, in behalf of the Corporation to fill up the " Town's lots & the street, to the acceptance of the Board as " soon as the season will admit next Spring .- This subject was considered, and it was Voted that the Board could not accept any new obligation from the Directors in behalf of the Corporation, which would authorize them to proceed to execute releases accord- ing to [88.] the contract between the Town and Corporation ..
The Chairman was desired to communicate the above, and was authorized to suggest to the Directors, that the Board was dis- posed to favour their wishes as far as should be consistent with the duty and responsibility imposed on them by the contract- and if found consistent with this duty, would proceed to execute the releases upon receiving a bond from the Directors or other members of the Corporation approved by the Selectmen, engaging in their individual capacity to complete the land and streets to the satisfaction of the board, in the course of the next summer.
Messrs. Shubael Bell, Stephen Davis & John Heard Jun' Esq were approved as sureties to Thomas Stevenson Junr. appointed a Deputy Collector by the Town Treasurer.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen November 13th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Oliver, May, Wright, Foster & Webb.
Jurors were drawn for the Supreme Court, also jurors for the District Court.
Application for regulating & paving gutters in Somerset street was read & it was determined to be too late in the season to undertake so large a work .-
41
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
[89.] Agreed that the office in the Town House, lately occupied by D. Everett Esq. should be let at 175 dollars p". annum.
Benja. Bass Junr. & Ephraim Marsh were approved as sureties to Elisha Copeland, appointed by the Town Treasurer one of the Deputy Collectors of Taxes .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen November 20th 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, Wright, Foster & Webb.
Jurors were drawn to supply deficiencies in the lists for Supreme and District Courts, occasioned by several persons being absent from Town .-
The Chairman reported a plan & estimate for a new Hay Scales to be erected in the vacant space, north end of Pleasant street near the Pound. the same was approv'd and the Chairman & Mr Hunnewell appointed to see to its execution & to regulate the ground for that purpose.
H. G. Otis Esq. appeared in behalf of the Directors of the Mill Pond Corporation, to confer with the board on their under- standing of the contract respecting the height to which the streets and lots [90.] should be filled ;- after discussing the subject he withdrew and the board determined that Mr Taylor should be employed to take an accurate level of the streets & lots on the Mill Pond, & to note the following particulars. 1st. The height of the shoulders of the posts on Pond street above the present level of Merrimack street. 2ª. The height of the crown of Pond street above the shoulders of the posts .- 3ª. The height to which the late tides arose above the present level of Merrimack street -Messrs Call, Tidd & Todd can give the water level of the late tides. 4th. The height of the crown of Pond street above the late tides.
Voted. That the Board be summoned to meet on Monday next 10 o'Clock to receive the above survey and to proceed to view the ground-and that each member be notified specially of the meeting & be requested to attend.
Return was made by Mr. Francis James of repairing the com- mon sewer in Fleet street, the account whereof being duly exam- ined by the Selectmen was by them allowed ; they being informed at the same time that all persons concerned in said drain had been notified according to law & no objection had been made : Assessment was now made, an [91.] order of payment was passed by the Selectmen as follows viz. -
42
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 60.
Whereas a drain or common sewer has been laid in Fleet street conformably to the directions of the Selectmen the whole expence whereof amounts to Sixty dollars, seventy two cents, which expence is to be borne by such persons whose drains enter therein & receive benefit thereby. Wherefore we the subscribers, Select- men of the said Town of Boston certify that having considered the same expence and by whom and in what manner it ought to be paid Do Adjudge that the same be paid in the proportion fol- lowing and by the persons hereafter named-viz.
Francis James, Ephraim Breed, Mrs English, Anthony Currant, Samuel Beals, Mrs - Lobb, Col John May, Joseph Austin, Edwd. Oliver, Joab Hunt, William Cordwell Capt. Josiah Bar- nard, John Howard, - Lybee, Joshua Ellis, Col Thos Badger Agent for Stonehouse, [92.] David Dickerson, John Brazer, David Stanwood, Capt. Thomas Rogers, Amos Lewis, Capt. Daniel Waters, and Samuel Waters, 2.64 each
And we hereby empower Mr. Samuel Harris to demand & receive the same & give discharges therefor.
Signed CHARLES BULFINCH WM PORTER
EBENR OLIVER
JOHN MAY
JONº HUNNEWELL
JOSEPH FOSTER
NATHAN WEBB
Selectmen
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Monday morning Novem" 25th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Hunnewell, May, Wright, Foster, Webb & Weld.
The following survey of the Mill Pond land was presented from William Taylor surveyor, and certified by him .-
" 1st. The average height of the shoulders of the posts on Pond street is 173 inches above the average height of Merrimack street .- -
2ª. The height of the crown of Pond street [93.] averages 14 inches above the shoulders, excepting from Cross street to the Canal which is 19 inches .-
3ª. The height of the highest tide marked in different places ; by Mr. Todd at the Causeway-
Mr. Call at Gouch's Lane Mr. Brown at Pitts' Lane Mr. Tidd at Ivers Lane Mr. Tufts at Union Street-
all agree and is level with the shoulders of the posts, deducting 1 inch; which makes the highest tides 163 inches above the present level of Merrimack street. -
43
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
4th. The crown of Pond street is the same height above the late tides as it is above the shoulders, adding one inch, which makes it part 15 inches & part 20 inches above the highest tide."-
The above was read & considered, and the gentlemen present proceeded to Pond street to view the marks referred to, and the state of the land generally .- and having returned to the hall- the following was agreed upon to be sent to the Clerk of the Mill Corporation .-
Sir
In consequence of the personal communication from the Hon. [94.] H. G. Otis on the 20th instant, in behalf of the Directors of the Boston Mill Corporation the Selectmen have considered the present state of the land from Union street to the westerly end of the Causeway. For this purpose they have had a special meeting and have viewed the ground. They direct me to inform you that they are convinced of the necessity that Merrimack street and the streets between that and the shore should be raised to the level of Pond street ; and cannot agree to give discharges for any portion of said land until the above described work shall be com- pleted .-
They also expect that Cross street to the west of Pond street and such parts of the Market place and other streets as are filled, will be raised to the same level, in the course of the next season.
By order of the Selectmen
(Signed) Wm Minot Esq.
CHARLES BULFINCH Chairman.
At a meeting in the Afternoon
Passed the Quarterly Accounts.
[95.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen November 27th. 1811. Present Messrs. Bulfinch, Porter, Oliver, Hunnewell, May; Foster & Webb.
Whereas Josiah Quincy Esq. upon application to the Select- men obtained liberty to lay a common sewer in High street, reaching from opposite the entrance of the alley behind the house of Samuel Cabot Esq. to the head of Pearl street; and it having been made to appear to the Board that said work has been prop- erly executed ; and the expence of the same being ascertained to amount to one hundred & ninety-five dollars .- It is hereby ordered & adjudged, by the Selectmen that the several persons who have laid their cross drains into said common sewer or main drain or receive benefit therefrom shall be assessed their propor- tion of the above expence as follows-viz
Josiah Quincy Esq. seven shares, $105; Josh H. Dorr, two shares, $30; Sam1. Cabot Esq James Neelson, Hugh Neelson, Peter Banner, each one share, $15.
44
CITY DOCUMENT No. 60.
And we hereby empower Benjamin [96.] Guild Esq. to collect & receive the same and to give discharges therefor .-
Signed. CHARLES BULFINCH WH PORTER
EBENR OLIVER
JONA HUNNEWELL
JOHN MAY
JOSEPH FOSTER NATHAN WEBB
Selectmen.
Mr Joshua Ellis having built a new fence in front of his house in Sun Court street by which he has thrown a piece of land, the length of said fence & about two feet wide into the street. it is agreed that Mr May shall employ workmen to pave the said piece of land ; it being understood that the same is added to the street as a public highway forever
Finished the Monthly Accounts.
The following persons having been well recommended, were approved as Auctioneers. viz. John Sprague, Fitz Edward Hutch- ings & Isaac P. Ingersol in company, & John C. Hastings.
M' Foster added to the Committee to view Town house for alterations & repairs .--
The Chairman, M' Hunnewell & M' Foster a committee to view Copper street-to report [97.] what repairs were necessary to secure the head wall or abutment against the sea .-
The same committee were desired to consider the expediency of employing some person to assist M' Nazro in the care of Faneuil Hall, & whether the same person could attend to the arranging of carts of cyder & wood in the streets, & of the compensation to be allowed him .-
Stephen Codman Esq. appeared as a Committee from the fire- wards, to state that the Gun house on Copps hill having been complained of as contrary to law-it would be their duty to enter prosecution with the Attorney General, unless the building should be made more secure :- and he having expressed an opinion that if the east side and roof were slated, the firewards would consider it properly secured agreeably to law : it was determined that the Chairman should inform the Secretary of the firewards that the building shall be so covered as soon as slates can be procured : and request six months for that purpose .-
The Committee of Firewards attached to Engine Nº. 2 having represented that the new engine is defective in some of its parts,
45
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1811.
particularly in its screws .- Ordered that the Captain of Engine Nº. 2 be directed to carry the new engine to M' Thayer & that he be informed [98.] that the board expect it shall be made con- formably to the wishes of the firewards who have the charge of it.
The Chairman informed the board that he had been summoned to attend the Court of Sessions on the application of George Cockayne and John Jacobs who state that they have been refused licenses to sell spirituous liquors on the hill at West Boston- and pray that the Court of Sessions would grant them licenses for that purpose .- The Chairman was desired to attend the Court as summoned on Friday next, and state the principles which had induced the Board to refuse licenses in that neighbour- hood-& the expence which was now necessary for constables to attend to keep order there-& that he ask the assistance of Mr Thacher before the Court .-
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