USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Volume of records relating to the early history of Boston : containing minutes of the Selectmen's meetings, from September 1, 1818, to April 24, 1822 > Part 12
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The Chairman communicated a [227.] note he had received from William Donnison Esq. notifying the whole committee on the subject of a new prison, to meet on Thursday the 23d of December instant at 3 o'clock P. M .-
Passed a number of applications for approbation of licenses.
Boston ss. At a Special Meeting of the Selectmen Monday 20th. December 1819 - Present, Messrs. Phillips, Lovering, Austin, Bass & Dorr.
12 Jurors were drawn for the Supreme Judicial Court - Also 34 Jurors for the Boston Court of Common Pleas .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Wednesday December 22d 1819 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lover- ing, Bass & Dorr .-
Mr. Elisha Smith was appointed one of the constables of the town on condition of his procuring bondsmen that shall be approved by the Board .-
Passed on a number of applications for licenses .- The Solicitor General & Mr. Whitman being in waiting to examine the records &c preparatory to the trial respecting the town dock, the Board suspended all further proceedings to their next meeting.
[228.] Boston ss. At a Special Meeting of the Selectmen Tuesday December 28th 1819 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Hunewell, Lovering, Austin, Bass & Dorr.
24 Traverse jurors were drawn for the Supreme Judicial Court.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen December 29th. 1819 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Shaw .-
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Passed the monthly draft.
Mr. Elisha Smith appointed one of the constables at the last meeting of the board, proposed Messrs. John Roulstone & Alexander Parris as his bondsmen, which were approved.
The application of Daniel Messinger Esq. that the rent of the room in the old Town House occupied by him might be reduced, or, that the room recently occupied by Mr. Charles Bridge might be added to his room, for the whole of which he was willing to pay five hundred dollars pr annum; The Board were of opinion as the rents of the rooms at the west end of the house had been reduced, and as rents had generally fallen, that it would be more for the town's interest to comply with Col. Messinger's request than to take the risk [229.] of pro- curing a new tenant, and therefore voted, that from and after the expiration of the present quarter, the committee of the Town house be authorized to lease to Col. Messinger the room now occupied by him and the office lately occupied by Mr. Bridge for five hundred dollars per annum.
On the representation of Allan Pollock, sealer of weights and measures, stating that the fees for sealing, was not an adequate compensation for the time and services required, and requesting the Board would make him a grant of money for office rent and keeping the register for the last two years,- It was voted, that altho' this Board are fully satisfied that Mr. Pollock has faithfully and assiduously performed the duties of his office, yet it is not in their power to grant his request, and if the fees established by law are not an ade- quate compensation for the services required, his recourse must be to the Legislature of the Commonwealth .-
The Chairman having stated that a number of the town lamps had very recently been broken, it was voted, that the Chairman cause an advertisement to be inserted in the papers offering a suitable reward to any person, or persons who may give such information as shall lead to the conviction of the offender or offenders; and also, a suitable reward to any person, who may give such information, as shall lead to the conviction of any one who may be guilty of the like offence in future.
[230.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen on Wednesday the 5th. January 1820- Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Dorr & Shaw .-
The Chairman as treasurer of the fund of Mrs. Brooker & others produced the account of interest received by him, (since the last distribution) amounting to two hundred and
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fifty five dollars and sixty three cents, which was paid in equal portions to the members of the Board, to be by them distributed conformably to the wills of the donors .-
The Chairman communicated a note he had received from Wm. Donnison Esq. notifying the whole committee to meet on the subject of the plans for a new prison, on Monday next at 3 o'clock P.M.
The police officer made a return of the fines received by him, and paid to the town treasurer for the quarter ending the 31st December last amounting to twelve dollars fifty cents.
Mr. Jonas Ames was appointed one of the constables of the town on condition of his procuring bondsmen that shall be approved by the Board.
Passed on several applications, to be approbated as vict- uallers.
[231.] The police officer reported that there were three stone stumps on or near the side walks of the town that were dangerous to foot passengers viz .- one in Marlborough street one in Cornhill & one in Union street.
Voted that the Chairman be instructed to direct the police officer to have them taken up or broken off as may be found most convenient.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen on Wednesday the 12th. January 1820 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Hune- well, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Shaw .-
On the application of Major Oliver Johonnot and Mr. Rich- ard Edwards .- Representation was made to the Hon. Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk - that John Hutchin- son of this town, sailmaker, does by excessive drinking & idleness, so spend and waste his estate as thereby to expose himself and family to want & suffering circumstances, and praying that a guardian may be appointed for him.
The Chairman communicated to the Board the request of Mr. Silas Field, that he might be permitted to sell at public vendue near the market, as long as others sold, or until they are compelled to desist from selling .- The Board decided that Mr. Fields request could not be granted, but as Mr. Field complained, that, by his assurance to the Board [232.] in his application for a license, he was not placed on an equal footing with other auctioneers ;- the Board being of
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opinion, that as Mr. Field had manifested a disposition to comply with their restrictions, they ought not to use that assurance to his injury, and that he ought to be placed on equal ground with the other auctioneers; they therefore instructed the Chairman to return Mr. Field his application if he requested it.
The vote of the Board of the 10th of November last was consequently repealed .-
Application having been made for widening that part of Congress street where the Exchange Coffee house formerly stood .- The subject was committed to Messrs. Oliver, Dorr & Hunewell .-
The Chairman informed, that the Solicitor General had handed him a report of the decision of the Supreme Judicial Court on the indictment found against the Rev. John Codman for incumbering the Town Dock & public highway adjacent thereto .-
Mr. Alexander Mitchell was appointed one of the constables of the town, he procuring bondsmen that shall be approved by the Board .-
[233.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen on Wednesday January 19th. 1820 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Bass & Dorr.
The committee to whom was referred the application for widening Congress street, made a partial report; - they were instructed to ascertain what portion, if any, of the cost of widening that street would be paid by those persons who own estates on the street.
The persons named by Mr. Jonas Ames, viz. Messrs. Edward Childs, Joseph Kingsley & Amos Penniman, for his bonds- men as one of the constables of the town, were accepted by the Board.
The proposition of Mr. Amos Wood, to keep Cambridge street, from Chambers street to the bridge in complete order. so far as relates to the gravel or sand that may collect in that street, was agreed to, on condition, that he keep the drains in that street clear .- for which Mr. Wood is to have the exclusive right to all the manure, gravel & sand that may collect in that portion of the street .-
The Chairman communicated the notice he had received from Judge Donnison, that the committee for erecting a new prison would meet on the morrow, to receive the report of
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the sub committee appointed to select one of the plans that had been offered for the county prison.
[234.] Mr. Alexander Black having offered for the con- sideration of the Board, the pattern of an oil bucket and burners for the lamps, constructed by him .- The subject was referred to the Chairman, Mr. Lovering & Mr. Dorr, who were requested to confer with Mr. Black on the subject.
The school committee having been notified to meet this day and part of them having assembled, the further business of the Board was referred to their next meeting.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen January 26th. 1820 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Dorr & Shaw .-
The committee appointed (at the last meeting of the Board) to confer with Mr. Black on the subject of new invented oil buckets & lamp burners,- reported, that they had met Mr. Black and conversed with him on the subject referred to them; - but as Mr. Black informed them he had no authority from Major Melvill who was concerned with him, to name any par- ticular sum for the use of (what they called) their right, the further consideration of the subject was postponed .-
[235.] Ordered, that the report (furnished by the Solicitor General) of the decision of the trial in the Supreme Judicial Court respecting the Town Dock, be transcribed into the Book in which is copied the opinion of counsel employed by the Board previous to the suits being commenced .-
The Chairman informed the Board he had received infor- mation that Capt. Benjamin Rich had applied to the Legisla- ture for an act to incorporate himself & associates as proprietors of an estate near Dock Square, formerly owned by David Greenough & others, and as a part of the building erected on this estate was doubtless intended for a public market, he suggested for the consideration of the Board whether it was not their duty to oppose it .- The Board after examining the proceedings of the Town on the 14th June last, were of opinion the vote then passed was imperative on them to remonstrate against the petition,- and voted, that Mr. Shaw be requested to draft a suitable remonstrance to be signed by the Board and sent to the Hon. Legislature as soon as may be .-
Mr. George Odiorne having informed, that eight hundred dollars had been subscribed to procure a first rate clock to be placed in the church on Park street, and the Board being of opinion that it would be of public utility .- Voted, that the
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clock when put up free of expense to the town & delivered to the [236.] Selectmen, would be considered as one of the town clocks and attended to accordingly.
Mr. Hayward as commander of the town watch was author- ized to add to the pay roll of the center watch for this month. seventy five cents for the constable of the watch & fifty cents to each of the watchmen who were on duty, for extra services performed by them on the night when the misdemeanor was committed by the people of color .--
A complaint having been made "that the drivers of carts, trucks of sleds standing in Broad street, assemble in great numbers on the side walk, in front of stores in that street to the great annoyance of the owners or occupiers of those stores;" - And calling on the Board to remedy the evil: - It was voted, that the Chairman be instructed to address a note to some of the principal owners of the vehicles usually standing in that street, requesting them to call a meeting of the truck- men and have a committee appointed to meet the Board on Wednesday next at 4 o'clk P. M. to confer with them, & devise some amicable arrangement that shall (if possible) meet the wishes of all parties, & remedy this evil in future.
[237.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feb- ruary 2d. 1820 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Shaw .-
Passed the monthly draft.
The Chairman informed that conformably to a vote of the Board of the 26th. ultimo a remonstrance against the petition of Benja. Rich & others had been signed and sent to the Hon. Legislature, of which the following is a copy.
"To the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled.
The Selectmen of the Town of Boston respectfully represent. that they have just learned that a petition of Benjamin Rich Esq. & others is now pending before your honorable body, the object of which is to obtain an act of incorporation for them- selves and associates, as proprietors of an estate or estates situated on or near Dock Square and the ancient market in the town of Boston; that not having seen the said petition or any official notice thereof your memorialists are not certain that the object of said petition is distinctly understood, but if their apprehension thereof is correct, they beg [238.] leave in behalf of & under instructions of the inhabitants of said town.
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most respectfully and earnestly to remonstrate against the granting of said petition, unless under such restrictions as may render the same consistent with the rights & interests of said town .-
In support of this remonstrance, your memorialists beg leave to represent, that at the June session of the Legislature 1818, and also at the last June session similar petitions were pre- sented by David Greenough & others, then proprietors of the same estate, for the same purpose substantially, as your peti- tioners believe, upon which occasions, the inhabitants of the town, duly convened for that purpose, determined nearly or quite unanimously, to oppose the prayer of said petitions, and on the last of which occasions appointed "the Selectmen a committee to present a suitable remonstrance to the Legisla- ture against said petition & therein to pray that in any act of incorporation which might be granted to said petitioners upon their petition, or upon any other petition, which might at any time thereafter be presented by said petitioners, or any other person on the same subject, a restrictive clause might be inserted so as effectually to protect the rights & interests of the town from injury.
Without knowing the precise object or specific prayer of said petitioners, your memorialists believe the object thereof [239.] to be, to obtain a grant either in express terms or under general powers, to establish a market for the sale of provisions. The establishment of such a market, by private citizens, in the vicinity of the ancient market, your memorialists believe will be incompatible with the rights & highly injurious to the inter- ests of the town .- Without detailing all the reasons & grounds of this belief, your memorialists beg leave to refer to the several official proceedings of the town upon that subject, authenti- cated copies of which are herewith presented, also the remon- strance of the inhabitants of Boston to the petition of David Greenough & others presented at the last session of the Legis- lature.
Your memorialists duly appreciate the laudable enterprise of all those public spirited citizens, who are disposed to add to the accomodation, convenience & elegance of the town, by the erection of new buildings, and would not willingly impede them in the pursuit of any object, not directly & apparently incompatible with the rights & interests of the town.
But apprehensive that these rights and interests will be inju- riously affected by the establishment of a market at the place proposed, and in obedience to the instructions of the inhabi- tants of the town, your memorialists pray that in any act which may be passed to incorporate the proprietors of lands in the vicinity of Market or Dock Squares, a clause may be inserted, expressly [240.] restraining such corporation from occupying using or improving any building erected or to be erected upon such estate, as and for a public market. And as in duty bound will ever pray."-
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The Chairman also informed, that agreeably to the instrue- tions of the Board at their last meeting he had sent a note to the owners of the carts, trucks or sleds usually standing in Broad street - a copy of which is on file of mixed papers.
A circular letter from the Mayor of the City of Savannah was communicated to the Board, stating the calamity that had befallen that city by fire, calling on those who were charitably disposed for assistance. The Board after duly considering this subject, and not finding a precedent that would authorize them in their public capacity to recommend the adoption of any measures on this calamitous occasion, voted, that Mr. Shaw be requested to take the circulars that had been received from Savannah and Wilmington & confer with some of the influ- ential gentlemen of the town on the subject of raising a sum by subscription for the relief of the sufferers .-
The Chairman communicated a note he had received from Peter C. Brooks Esq Chairman of the committee of the Honora- ble [241.] House of Representatives to whom was referred the petition of B. Rich & others for incorporating the estate near the market by the name of Museum Hall, requesting to be informed "if the Selectmen could think of any restrictions which would remove their objections to the bill - and at the same time permit a market."- The Chairman was requested to reply to Mr. Brooks' note, and instructed to inform him this Board cannot think of any restrictions that would remove their objections to the bill now before the Hon. House of Repre- sentatives short of having a clause inserted restricting the cor- poration from using any part of the building as a market - Mr. Brooks' note with the reply is in the bundle of mixed papers .-
The Chairman as one of the committee of the Market, reported that he had examined the account of the Clerk of the Market for the quarter ending the 29th January last, the receipts amounting to $2927.80. which he had directed the treasurer to receive. The expenditures including the quarter's salary of the clerk amounting to $602.30. had been placed on the monthly draft .-
Mr. Hunewell (committee on the Hay Scales) reported that he had examined the Account of the Hay-Weigher for the quarter ending the 1st January last; the balance due the town $98.89 - The Chairman had directed the treasurer to receive. -
Messrs. Lincoln, Wheetwright & others having [242.] associated for the purpose of forming a nightly patrol to extend from India wharf to Sea street, requesting the appro- bation of the Selectmen - The Board having approved of
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the same it was voted, that the constables of the town watch be directed to give the patrol all the assistance they may need, & to receive and secure any person or persons that may be brought to them by the patrol, for breaking into houses, stores or vessels, or attempting to set fire to any building or any combustible matter or thing which may prove hazardous .-
A committee from the owners of trucks &c. not appearing agreeably to the request of the Chairman in behalf of the Selectmen, the further consideration of the complaint against their drivers was referred to the next meeting of the Board.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen February 9th 1820. Present Messrs. Phillips, Hunewell, Lovering & Bass .-
The day being excessive stormy, prevented a majority of the Board from assembling, no business was transacted .-
[243.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Feb- ruary 16th 1820 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lov- ering, Austin, Bass, Dorr & Shaw.
On the application of Mr. George Barker, representation was made to the Hon. Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk, That John Coates of this town bookbinder does by excessive drinking & idleness, so spend and waste his income as thereby to expose himself to want and suffering circum- stances, and praying that a guardian may be appointed for him .-
Messrs. Francis Southack, Baker, and John R. Gould book- binder, were approved as bondsmen for Alexander Mitchell appointed constable .-
On the application of Mr. John H. Schaffer - voted, that he and his associates have our approbation, to act or carry on, for profit, gain, or valuable consideration, stage plays, interludes or other theatrical entertainments at the amphi- theatre in the Washington Gardens so called near the Mall in this town for one year from this day .-
The Chairman communicated a letter he had received from the Mayor of the City of New Orleans accompanied with a copy of the digest of the City Ordinances, elegantly bound and gilt .- The Chairman was instructed to have [244.] one copy of the by-laws and orders of this town bound in the same manner as those that were sent to the Intendant of the City of Charleston, and forward it to the Mayor of the City of New Orleans .-
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An application from a committee of the directors of the Boston & Roxbury Mill Corporation requesting that an article may be inserted in the warrant for March meeting - "To determine what further time the town will allow the Boston & Roxbury Mill Corporation to complete their works accord- ing to law to entitle them to the grants of the town." Voted, that the same be inserted in the warrant for March meeting .-
The proposition of a committee from the Masonic lodges respecting the old Town House was referred to the committee who have the charge of that building; to whom were added Messrs. Shaw & Dorr, who were instructed to ascertain the amount received by the town treasurer for rents of offices &e on the second floor of the building,- and also to form an estimate of the repairs that would probably be necessary in the course of two years .-
The proposal of Mr. Pliny Clap to keep Broad street clean during the present year & attend to the grates in that street, on condition of his being entitled to the manure that may collect in that street ;- was agreed to by the Board .---
[245.] The Chairman informed that he had authorized the police officer to employ such labourers as he may deem necessary to level the snow in those streets where it was haz- ardous or difficult for carriages to pass, and in certain cases to have it carted out of the streets - which was approved by the Board .-
The Chairman was requested to have a dinner provided for the Selectmen, school committee, instructors in the schools &c -on the semiannual visitations of the public schools on Friday the 25th instant .-
The committee to whom was referred the subject of widen- ing Congress street,- reported - that they had conversed with Mr. Robbins, one of the proprietors of the land, and that he was willing a part of it should be taken for the purpose of widening the street at the price he gave for it, and that he was also willing to discount such a proportion of the amount. as three judicious persons to be appointed by the Seleetmen should assess on him for the benefit it might be to his estate.
The Board being of opinion that the widening of Congress street would be of public utility - voted, that the sum of five hundred dollars be paid to the proprietors of the land on that street, lately belonging to the corporation of the Boston Exchange Coffee House; on condition that they set the build- ings which they meditate erecting, so far back as that their
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easterly bounds shall be on a line with the building called the Friends Meeting House & add the land in front of their buildings to the street.
[246.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen February 23d, 1820 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Bass, Dorr & Shaw .-
22 Grand jurors and 35 traverse jurors were drawn for the Supreme Judicial Court.
Mr. Thomas C. Williams was licensed as an auctioneer, his place of business to be in the chamber over Nos. 101 & 102 Court street.
Passed on the application of a number of persons, to be licensed as victuallers.
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 1st. 1820 - Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Hunewell, Lovering, Austin, Dorr & Shaw .-
The committee to whom was referred the proposition of the committee of the Masonic Lodges, reported,- that as this subject must be submitted to the town, it was inexpedient for the Board to express their opinion of the utility of their pro- posal, but if they wished to have it inserted in the warrant for the next town meeting they presumed there could be no objection - Report accepted, and the Chairman instructed to communicate [247.] the report to the gentlemen, and inform them, that any written application that might be received from them during the present week, the Board would, with alacrity, have inserted in the warrant .-
Passed the monthly & quarterly accounts .-
7 Jurors were drawn for the United States District Court .- The warrant for March meeting was signed.
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