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 19
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The Committee of Section No 1 reported in favour of repair- ing a part of Mill Pond street with gravel. report accepted .-
The application of the Ancient & Hon. Artillery on the subject of enlarging their armoury, was referred to the com- mittee of the Market.
Voted, to visit Deer Island on Tuesday next .-
The committee of the Common was authorized to procure stone posts, & to have new gates made .-
Mr. Babcock, reported to the Board, that a piece of land on Prince street in the possession of Mr. Jacob Hall, was in his opinion the property of the town; Mr. B. was requested to inquire into the subject & ascertain the fact.
[126.] The Committee of Section No 3. was desired to view Sumner street, agreeably to the request of Mr. Thurston.
Proposals for painting Faneuil Hall were received from the following persons, viz.
Baker & Horton - 14 cents per yard & $2.00 for blinds.
Ebenezer Jackson - 35 pr. ct. discount from the rules of work. Ballard & Cary - 1 coat 9 cts - 2 do. 14 c. - 3 do. 18 cents, yard.
James Dupee - 14 cts. stone color & 25 cts. for green.
Russell & Redding - 13 cts. stone - green 25 cts .-
J. & J. Prouty - 15 cts. light - green 37} c - blinds 37} Ebenezer Jeffers - 15 c do d 25 do. $3 Jeremiah P. Smith 14 d blinds $2.50
Louis Lincoln - 16 do 1 20 c mahogany 25 c
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
Mr. Jer. P. Smith was selected, & ordered to proceed to paint the Hall, under the direction of the committee appointed the 3d. Inst .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen July 18th. 1821 - Present - The Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells .-
The application of Mr. George Whiting "To erect under the side walk in Common St. near Winter street, two arches for the purpose of putting wood into the cellars" - was granted, on condition that the sidewalks be kept in repair .-
The Chairman reported that he had examined the c of Mr. Phillips, Hay Weigher, for the quarter ending 30th. June & found it correct, $120.84 due the Town; which was ordered to be pd. the Treasurer.
[127.] The application of Joseph Carr & Hezekiah Newton, for permission to sell mineral waters on Sundays - was ordered to lay on file .-
Messrs. Joshua Binney & Joshua Lovell, were appointed measurers of wood coming from the country over Canal bridge .-
The application of Messrs. Ludlow & Grafton, on the subject of improving the pavement in Water street, was referred to the Committee of Section No. 3 .-
Messrs. Wells & Fitch were added to the committee on the subject of a new engine .-
The Board voted to allow one hundred & twenty five dol- lars towards improving Union street, provided ten feet was taken off the building belonging to the heirs of Mr. Harris, between Union St. & Marshalls Lane .-
The Committee of Section No. 3 - were authorized to expend a sum not exceeding fifty dollars, towards a pump in Doane street, with a suction from a pump in a well under Mr. Parks building .-
The Committee of Section No 4. reported, that it is inex- pedient to pave Warren St. further than the com. sewer is laid with brick & stone. report accepted.
[128.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen July 25th. 1821 -
Present the Chairman, Messrs. Loring, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells .-
208
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
The Committee of Section No. 3 to whom was referred the application of J. G. Joy,- reported, that Mr. Joy be per- mitted to place porticoes in front of his houses, provided the porticoes do not project more than one foot into the street .- report accepted .-
The application of Stephen North, for permission to erect a tent as a sutler on the Common, or at any other place when the U. S. Cadets may encamp; - was rejected .-
The application of David Rice and others to open a street or streets at South Boston, was committed to the whole Board; and Saturday next 3. o'clk P. M. was assigned to view the premises.
The Chairman, Messrs Babcock & Billings were appointed a committee to consider the subject of procuring oil & lighting the lamps; - and report .-
The Chairman, Messrs. Fennelly & [129.] Fitch, were appointed a committee for making arrangements for the dinner at the annual visitation of the public schools .-
Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen August 1st. 1821 .-
Present - The Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Loring, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly & Wells .-
The committee appointed to view Franklin street, to see if they will allow Doct Jeffries to widen his side walk; report, that it is necessary that walk should be widened in a direct line from the inner side of the stone post at the corner of Franklin place to the pump standing in the street, thence on a straight line to the corner of Marlborough street, as the walk now stands .- Report accepted.
The committee appointed to view Mrs. Hopkins house in Hanover street, report, that the committee on the section be authorized to expend any sum not exceeding one hundred & fifty dollars, to cause that house to be removed on a straight line with the street, which will be about twenty two inches at one end and about four inches at the other .- Report accepted.
[130.] The committee of Section No. 3. reported that they had made an arrangement with Mr. Ludlow to make such improvements in the pavement of Water street, as shall be approved of by the Board - accepted .-
The committee on the subject of Brattle street was dis- charged .-
209
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
On a precept received from the Hon. Tho. Dawes, inquisi- tion was made into the circumstances of Daniel Scott, and a return was made that he was a person non compos mentis, & recommending that a guardian may be appointed for him.
The Chairman, Messrs. Wells & Fennelly were appointed a committee to approve of the bondsmen offered by the constables, appointed for the year ensuing .-
The committee of Section No. 3. was instructed to pave Derne street, between Temple & Hancock streets.
The Chairman, Messrs. Babcock & Fennelly were appointed a committee to consider, & report upon the application of several persons for the office of constable .-
[131.] The application of John Gordon & Wm Lovering on the subject of a drain running through their land in Warren St. was referred to the Committee of Section No. 4 .- with the addition of Mr. Babcock.
The committee on the application of David Rice and others, to lay out a street at South Boston; reported,
That F street be continued from Broad Way to First street: - And that fifty dollars be allowed by the Town towards making the street, on condition that the inhabitants complete the same to the satisfaction of the Selectmen .-
The following Persons were appointed constables for the year ensuing. viz. Elisha Copeland James Perkins Solomon Twist
Wm Brooks Wm Dinsmore'
Thos. Holden
Andrew Sanborn
Josiah Baldwin
Thomas Wallace Horatio Bass
Elisha V. Glover Jason Braman Elisha Smith Ebenezer Shute George Reed Henry Lane Mitchell Lincoln . Jedh. Sawtell (Aug. 15th)
George Robinson James Pierce Abel Wheelock Neddy Curtis
Aug. 15th Job Drew Jona. Prescott Asa Prouty Michael Riley Sepr. 19th. Wendell R. Barker
[132.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen August
210
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
8th. 1821 - Present The Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Loring, Babcock, Billings, Fennelly, Fitch & Wells.
The Chairman informed the Board he had conversed with Mr. Rice on the subject of opening F street, at South Boston, as voted at the last meeting,- he was of opinion considerable expense would be saved the Town if the street leading from the school house to the Ship yard was opened, thence to Rice & Henshaw's factory, it would better accomodate all the parties interested; Therefore voted to reconsider the vote passed on the first instant concerning F street, and that the Board proceed to South Boston and lay out the street as above described as soon as convenient .-
The Chairman informed the board that complaint had been made to him, that the wharf at the bottom of Foster street had caved in & was otherwise out [of] repair -The subject was referred to the Committee of Section No. 1. to view and report.
[133.] The Town having voted at a meeting holden on the 2d July 1821 - " That the Selectmen be request [ed] to adopt such measures as they may deem expedient, to show proper respect to the U. S. Cadets from West Point, when they shall arrive in Town." The Board proceeded on the 3d. of the same month, to appoint a committee, to make the necessary arrange- ments for their reception - The Chairman, Messrs Wells & Billings, were chosen on the committee .-
The Selectmen having received official information from Maj. Worth the commander of the Cadets, that they proposed entering the town on the 7th instant; and the committee having made the necessary arrangements for their reception the Board proceeded to the line of the town on the Neck, accom- panied by the marshalls of the day, and a number of citizens where they met the U. S. Cadets at 9 o'clock A. M .- The Selectmen were introduced to Maj. Worth, their commander, by Colº. Pickman, the chief marshal, after which the Chair- man proffered them the hospitality of the town, in behalf of his fellow citizens & proposed to conduct them to the place assigned for their encampment on the Common, at their pleas- ure .- Maj. Worth made a pertinent reply, in which he accepted their civility with much pleasure, suggesting that he should answer more fully before he left town - The escort was then immediately taken up & the Cadets conducted to the Common, where they encamped .-
[134.] At one o'clock, a collation was provided at Con- cert Hall, where the Selectmen accompanied by the marshalls set down with the Cadets .-
On Saturday August 11th, the Board proceeded to the Senate Chamber at 12 o'clock, & from thence moved in procession to the Common, accompanied by the Commander in Chief, Jus-
211
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
tices of the Supreme Judicial & United States Courts, foreign consuls, officers of the army, navy & militia, a number of strangers of distinction & other invited guests, under the escort of a battallion of infantry, commanded by Cap't Brim- mer, to the Common, where the Cadets soon arrived .- Maj. Worth accompanied by his staff, advanced in front of the Selectmen, when the Chairman presented him with a stand of colours with the following address.
Being called to reflect on the institutions of our country, we find much reason to rejoice that our origin was at a period, in which the arts which contribute to the welfare of a nation, were in general well understood, and rightly appreciated .-
With the history of other nations, as lessons of experience & wisdom our fathers devised the government, framed the laws, formed & endowed the institutious, which have for many years, not merely upheld our nation in domestic tranquility & happiness; but shed a lustre on our history at home & abroad, in peace & in war, cheering to our thoughts, [135.] bearing joy & consolation to the firesides & bosoms of every friend of his country .-
Among other institutions of our government in which we have a pleasure & a national pride, is that of public schools for the education of our youth in military and naval tactics, and of these none is held more highly in our estimation than the one which has at this time done us the honor of a visit, & of which you, sir, are one of the much respected instructors, with the thought that our national glory in arms may hereafter be confided to the skill & judgment of some one, or more, of these young gentlemen, we feel a lively interest, an anxious concern in the improvement, character & honour of every individual under your charge, for while we deprecate a state of war, & pray we may be delivered from any hostile attempt, yet we are fully sensible that the true policy of our government, is & will be, in peace to prepare for war.
With this sentiment, with veneration for the institutions of our fathers, with particular & especial approbation of the military school under your charge, with sentiments of high respect for the administration of our general government which has & I trust will continue to foster & support this institution to the honour of our country, and in conformity to the spirit of hospitality, which the inhabitants of the town of Boston, entertain towards you & the pupils under your charge; in behalf of those inhabitants & in their name I have the honour to present [136.] you and through you to the Military Academy at West Point, this stand of colours .-
May it long remain in that part of our country hallowed to our feelings by the recollection of the fortitude & patriotism which the immortal Washington there displayed, in a time of peril & calamity in opposing not only the powerful force of our open enemy; but in confounding the perfidy & treachery of his fellow officer in arms"
212
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
To which Maj. Worth made the following reply.
"In accepting this splendid manifestation of the munif- icence of the citizens of Boston - of their goodwill towards & approval of, the conduct of the Corps, which it is my good fortune, pride & honor to command, I feel entirely inadequate to the task of making to you and your fellow citizens suitable acknowledgements. It cannot be doubted that this day & the interesting associations connected with it, will operate as a powerful excitement to honorable enterprise, whenever foreign aggression shall compel the people to call them to the defence of our common country; & that whether in peace or war, they will, by the transactions of this day, deem themselves doubly pledged, to conduct as becomes brave soldiers & good citizens .-
That this sacred emblem of our Country will never be tar- nished by them individually or collectively as a corps, I have no hesitation to pledge everything dear to a soldier, & this [137.] battalion flag, sir, will ever be their rallying point whether in defence of our country's honor or in pursuit of the science essential to successful war .-
We particularly recognise on this occasion, the genuine expressions of attachment to the government & institutions of our country generally, & an approval of every act calculated to consolidate its power & secure its defence - such sentiments are the natural growth of a soil where the spirit of Liberty first sprang into life .- Unable as I am to do justice to the occasion, I can only offer you the cordial thanks of the superintendant, proffessors & teachers of the Military Academy & more especially of this youthful corps, with the sincere assurance that the citi- zens of Boston shall never have occasion to reflect that their kindness & confidence has been misplaced. "-
The Cadets then marched to their encampment, stacked their arms & immediately returned & joined in the procession under the escort before named, which moved to Faneuil Hall, where the whole company partook of a collation provided for the occasion .-
[138.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen August 15th. 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
Voted, that the thanks of the Board be given to the gentle- men who acted as marshals, in conducting the escort of the Cadets into town, and officiating at the collation &c. on Satur- day: - for their able, discreet & judicious conduct on those occasions; and that this vote be communicated to them by the Chairman .-
A remonstrance against a building occupied for rectifying spirits on Swetts wharf, was committed to the Chairman, Messrs. Loring & Fitch .-
.
213
LECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
on from J. & D. R. Griggs for lease of land, or An applica [the] Mill Dam, on which to erect a store was flats south to the committee of the Common .-
committe
Application from Charles Davis & Jonathan Dorr to lay open a passage way adjoining lot No. 1, on the neck & also to open Northampton street, was committed to the whole Board .-
Petition of Jonathan Prescott & others to have part of Mr. Bulfinchs stable cut off to widen Mill Pond street was com- mitted to the whole Board .-
[139.] The committee on Warren street, reported that it is inexpedient to lay another drain in said street, but in case the present cross drain is discontinued, to lower the gutter so as to take the top water over the ground to Orange street; - report accepted .-
On motion of Mr. Wells, the following vote was passed & ordered to be recorded, viz .-
Voted: That every member shall be required to serve on every committee on which he may be chosen unless he assign some satisfactory reason for declining to perform the duty assigned him ;- and in order that the business of the board may hereafter be conducted with regularity, it is voted: that every committee be required, and it shall hereafter be a stand- ing rule of the board, that they make report of the proceedings upon the subject matter referred to them either verbally or in writing, unless when expressly stated to the contrary at the time of their appointment; - such report in all cases to be recorded, to the end, that no proceeding of any one, two or three individ- uals shall appear as the act of the board, without having received its sanction at a regular meeting thereof .-
[140.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen August 22d, 1821 .-
Present the whole Board .-
A precept was received from Hon. Thomas Dawes Judge of Probate for the County of Suffolk, directing inquisition to be made into the circumstances of William Ray, represented (by Samuel C. Gray & Thomas Ward) to be a person non compos mentis, and incapable of taking care of himself,- inquisition was accordingly made, and a return signed to the judge recom- mending that a guardian should be appointed for him .--
The Chairman informed that he had obtained a plan of the elevation of Olive street; - The plan was referred to the Com- mittee of Section No 3 - to view and report on the expediency of conforming the street to that plan .--
214
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
The petition of Abraham Quincy and others,- having that the owners or drivers of meat & vegetable carts whore in the habit of standing in Broad street, may be ordered to remove :- was referred to the Committee of Section No. 3 .-
[141.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen August 29th, 1821 - Present the Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Loring, Babcock, Fennelly & Fitch .-
On a precept received from the Hon. Judge of Probate, in- quisition was made into the circumstances of William Clough - and a return was made that the said Clough was a person non compos mentis & incapable of taking care of himself.
The application of the Mill Pond Corporation to ascertain the height of the streets, was referred to the Committee's of Section No. 1 & 2.
The application to have the streets in Distillhouse square repaired; - was referred to the Committee of Section No 2 .-
The Application of Edward Tuckerman respecting the pump and side walk in front of his store, in Dock square; - was referred to the committee of the Market .-
The Chairman communicated a letter from Hon. William Prescott - stating that he would be accountable for the sum of one hundred dollars towards defraying the expense of lay- ing the sidewalk in front of Mrs. McClinch's estate in Bedford street,- on condition, that the street be paved the present year; - [142.] The Board thereupon authorized the Commit- tee of Section No 4. to proceed and pave that street, and to pay any sum not exceeding fifty dollars towards the expense of paving the side walk in front of Mrs. McClinch's house .-
The Chairman stated to the Board, that the law required that the town should furnish ten cartridges for each soldier belonging to the infantry, and one quarter of a pound of pow- der to each soldier of the artillery, for the general muster on the 24th. September, instant; - The whole subject was referred to the Chairman, Messrs. Baxter & Loring, to make the neces- sary arrangements, to comply with the requisitions of the law.
The Board proceeded to examine the drains for acceptance as laid by the proprietors of the Mill Pond Corporation - And accepted the following, vizt .- From Gooch, through Meri- mack and Traverse streets to the Canal - (except where it connects this drain between the Mill Pond & Gooch street. The proprietors of the Mill Pond must at their own expense lay from where their present drain is, made of plank, to the
215
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
drain in Gooch street, and connect the same in a proper man- ner) from Ivers street through Merrimac to Traverse street .- [143.] From Portland across Merrimac & Friend streets, through Market street to the Canal. From the north end of. North Margin street to the creek adjoining the north mills .- (This was the last sewer which was made.)
The subject of repairing Middlecot street was referred to the Committee of Section No 3 .; - with instructions to pave the gutters in that street, on condition that the inhabitants pave the side walks.
The Committee of Section No. 2 - were authorized to pave North Russell street, on condition that the inhabitants pave the side walks, free of any expense to the town.
The Committee of Section No 1. was authorized to make such repairs in Ship & Cross streets, as they shall judge to be necessary .-
The Committee of Section No 2. was authorized to repave part of Green street.
Mr. Billings was requested to act in place of Mr. Child as one of the Committee of Section No. 4.
The application of Mr. Josiah Marshall to have a permanent watch established in the Market - was committed to Messrs. Wells & Fitch .-
The Selectmen attached to the different schools were requested to furnish the schools with wood for the ensuing season; The Chairman to furnish the Latin School.
[144.] Boston ss. At a meeting of the Selectmen, Septem- ber 5th. 1821 .- Present, The Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Bab- cock, Billings, Fennelly & Fitch.
The Chairman reported that he, with Mr. Melcher went to the magazine in Roxbury, & examined the town's powder .- many of the casks were inspected in 1811 & 12. many of them have gone to decay & have been exchanged for new ones. . many others require exchanging .- It is his opinion that enough good powder can be selected to make the cartridges for this autumn - It will then be best to sell the remainder at auction and purchase the quantity required by law of fresh powder .- There is however nine quarter casks which Mr. Melcher has condemned - The same ought to be sold immedi- ately as it may now bring something, but in a short time will not be worth anything .- The Board ordered the nine casks to be sold at auction immediately.
216
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
The application of William D. Bell & others, owners & occupants of houses in Back street, to have that street raised so as to convey the water down Stillman street; was referred . to the Committee of Section No 1.
[145.] The Chairman & Mr. Fitch were appointed a com- mittee to examine & settle the account of William Minot Esq. Treasurer of the Franklin Fund, for the past year.
A communication from the Mill Pond Corporation on the subject of making a dividend of the land filled up on the south west side of the Canal; - was referred to the committee's of Sections No. 1 & 2 .-
A petition from Charles R. Codman & others, praying that the name of Lendells Lane, may be altered to that of Lindall street, was read; - And the Town Clerk directed to give notice in the two daily papers, that the subject will be con- sidered and acted upon on Wednesday the 19th. instant.
The committee of the Common to whom was referred the application of J. & D. R. Briggs, reported that the Chairman be authorized to lease them a lot of land bordering on the Mill Dam, not less than fifty feet in length and extending on Charles street to within five feet of the Gun House at a rent of one dollar per foot per annum .- Report accepted .-
The Chairman was authorized to lease to Mr. Henry Baldwin, a [146.] piece of land on the Neck laid out as a street on the north front of a house owned by Mr. Coverly and occupied by said Baldwin, on condition that he enclose the land with an open fence & engage to remove the same when required by the Selectmen .-
Boston ss. At a special meeting of the Selectmen, Sep- tember 7th. 1821. Present the Chairman, Messrs. Baxter, Billings, Babcock, Fennelly & Fitch.
The subject under consideration being the expediency of building a vegetable market .-
Voted; it is expedient to build a new vegetable market, forthwith .-
After consideration and making an estimate of the probable cost of digging and boxing a cellar under the building, consider- ing the length of time which would be required to perform that service & further, the Town having made no appropriation for the purpose, it was voted, to be expedient to make a cellar .- Voted, That the building be of wood, with a gravelled roof.
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SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1821.
Voted; that the building be placed on the north side of Fan- euil Hall, that it cover all the ground to the extent the Market now covers north and east [14 %.] including the passage between Faneuil. Hall and the present market except fifteen feet for a passage way between Faneuil Hall and the proposed building.
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