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 5
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43
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1819.
[80.] The subscribers have been chosen a committee from the Associated Societies of Engine men, to apply to your Board, and to request that the above mentioned sum of twenty dollars may be paid by the town, which they are informed has been done in similar cases.
They would also inform you, that they have been requested by the Associated Engine Societies of Boston to request you would reinstate the late Society of Engine No. 12 - in the care of that engine again.
Yours Respectfully, John Wheeler, Chairman.
The Board took the same under consideration - and voted, that the sum of twenty dollars be put into the next draft payable to any person or persons duly authorized by the late Society of Engine No. 12. to receive the same, that sum having been taken from their funds to defray an expense accruing in the defence of one of their members against a prosecution brought against him, of which charge he was acquitted.
Voted, That the Chairman, Messrs Lovering, Dorr, Silsby & Farnam be a committee to meet & confer with the committee of the Associated Engine Societies of Boston on the subject of their request "that the late society of Engine No. 12 might be reinstated in the care of that engine again" and that they have full powers to settle this business on such terms and conditions as they may think the good of the public demands .--
[81.] The Chairman was requested to apply to Wm. Tudor Esq. and inform him as the time is approaching when the inhab- itants of the town must be repeatedly called together in Town Meetings, it is necessary the bust of the late President Adams should be removed from the place where it now stands (in the Moderator's seat) to such place as the committee who pre- sented it, and the Chairman should think expedient .-
Voted, That it be recommended to the School Committee to fix on Friday the 26th February instant for the semi-annual examination of the town schools. That a dinner be provided as usual on that occasion, and that the Chairman - be a com- mittee to make arrangements for the same.
Voted, That the Chairman request the police officers to visit the town watch once a fortnight at least, and that they make their visits alternately.
The Chairman was desired to inform the assessors that the law required of them to furnish lists of voters, both for town officers, and for governor & senators by the first day of March next .-
44
CITY DOCUMENT No. 61.
A communication was received from the Board of Health respecting a burial ground to be inserted in the warrant for March meeting .-
Mr. Thomas English was licensed as an auctioneer; his office in Exchange street.
[82.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen Febru- ary 17th, 1819 - Present, Messrs Phillips, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr, Silsby & Farnam.
22 Grand & 35 traverse jurors were drawn for the Supreme Judicial Court .-
The committee to meet & confer with a committee from the Associated Engine Societies made the following report .-
The committee appointed to meet & confer with a committee of the Associated Engine Societies, have attended that service and report that on Friday the 12th instant they met said com- mittee consisting of Messrs. John H. Wheeler, Nathaniel Froth- ingham Junr., Joshua Vose, Jonathan Heath, John Salmon, Robert New & Joel Shipley at Concert Hall; that your com- mittee first stated their objections as contained in the paper herewith, signed by Mr. Wheeler the chairman of their com- mittee; they were then requested to make such observations on them as they should think proper, which they declined doing: they were then informed if they wished to confer by themselves, your committee would retire; they observed that they did not wish it, as they fully agreed with us .- The chairman of your committee then read the whole of the aforesaid paper, which he handed to them for their perusal; after they had examined it to their satisfaction, a motion was made that it was satisfactory; which being put [83.] by the chairman it passed unanimously in the affirmative .-
A motion was then made that their thanks should be pre- sented to the Selectmen for granting their requests so promptly, this also passed unanimously. your committee then presented their thanks to them for their politeness, and invited them to stay & partake of some refreshments - this they declined, as the late Society of Engine No. 12 were then waiting to learn the result of this meeting; The committees after taking a glass wine, & being perfectly satisfied, separated .- A copy of the paper signed by the chairman of the committee of the Asso- ciated Societies was delivered to him, by the chairman of your committee with the following addition "The foregoing is a copy of what has been most cordially assented to by the committee of the Associated Engine Societies, and as cordially agreed to by the committee of the Selectmen."
45
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1819.
The foregoing proceedings are offered for the consideration & acceptance of the board .-
By order of the committee,
Turner Phillips, Chairman.
The foregoing report was read, and accepted .-
The following is a copy of the paper referred to in the above report .-
The undersigned, having been chosen a committee from the Associated Engine Societies of Boston to apply to the Select- men for the remuneration of twenty dollars taken from the funds of the Society of Engine No. 12 [84.] to pay an expense that accrued in defending one of their members against a prosecution whereon he was acquitted, which request the Selectmen have very readily granted - they were also requested to apply to the Selectmen to reinstate the late Society of Engine No. 12. in the care of that engine again ;- on this subject the Committee of the Selectmen demurred, stating that in their opinion the late society had hastily resigned, thereby in the event of a fire endangering the safety not only of their own property but that of their fellow citizens also, which the unpleas- ant disagreement between them and the Firewards (however right they might think themselves) could not justify; and which disagreement would not have happened had they applied for remuneration to the right source at first .- That the mem- bers of that society by their resignation had forfeited their right to the interposition of the Associated Societies, in as much as they had taken this step without previously consulting their associates; they also contended that the application for their reinstatement ought to have been made by the individuals who composed that society ;- but to convince them and us that a spirit of amity, governed their board, they had through the interposition of the Associated Societies (by their com- mittee), consented to reinstate them in the care of their engine again .- Therefore in justice to the Board of [85.] Selectmen we must say they have done all that would be required of them & equity compels us to say, in our opinion the late Society of Engine No. 12 were hasty in resigning the engine in the manner they did .- The foregoing is most cordially assented to by the committee of the Associated Engine Societies of Boston
(Signed) John H. Wheeler Chairman.
Boston, Feb. 12th, 1819 .-
The Chairman reported, that agreeably to the orders of the Board he had applied to Wm. Tudor Esq. respecting the bust of the late President Adams, that Mr. Tudor informed him he would see Gen. Welles & attend to that subject .-
The Chairman also informed that he had requested the police officers to visit the town watch alternately once a week.
46
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
The Chairman laid before the Board the following applica- tion from Mr. Asa Lewis, Master of engine No. 12.
Boston Feb. 15, 1819-
To the Hon'ble Board of Selectmen of Boston
Gentlemen,
After calling together the late Company of engine No 12 - to hear the report of the committee from the associated Masters which report was laid before them and was satisfactory to all the Company so far as related to the Hon. Board of Fire- wards and the promptitude of your Hon. Board in refunding at the request of the committee of the Associated Engine Socie- ties the money expended in the suit against one of our members - so far [87.] they were all satisfied, but when the clause was read censuring them as being hasty in resigning the engine - the Company were disunited - But a small majority were willing to conciliate and receive the engine again - but several refuse to do duty under present circumstances. I will state to your Hon. Board the motive which influenced our conduct in resigning the engine - if you should then think we were hasty it is an error of the head and not of the heart - We addressed a letter to the firewards stating our grievances - said letter you have a copy - we waited a rea- sonable time for an answer - no answer was received - had they come forward and disavowed the act as they have since & pointed out where we might have been indemnified all difficulty would have ceased - But their total silence added to our grievances & feeling as men conscious they had done their duty must feel -, you cannot, we think, consider us hasty in our proceedings - should you ask why we did not first apply to the Board of Masters of Engines of Boston to seek redress for us - we answer we did not wish the schism which had arose between our Society & the firewards to spread through that peaceable association - knowing that we should have it cast in our teeth that we were not content with break- ing up our Society but wish to spread discord in their Societies - Should you ask why we did not apply to your Hon. Board for redress - we answer we had received no injury from your Board and that we were not so immediately under your con- trol - impressed with these ideas [88.] we were not con- tented-
I assure you gentlemen I will do the best in my power with my small company & endeavour to fill it up - could you by a letter to me soften down the objectionable part of your report - you may return back to duty some good men & leave out some I understand your Honors would wish - should you answer this - would thank you to direct to me & leave at Mess Thomas & Andrews' Book Store Newbury street on or before Wednesday at 5. o'clock P. M.
your hum'le serv't. A. Lewis.
47
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1819.
The Board after giving this subject all that consideration that its importance required, voted, That the Chairman be directed to hand Mr. Lewis the following answer
Boston, 18th Feb. 1819
Sir
Your note of the 15th instant was yesterday laid before the Selectmen and I am instructed by them to inform you that, after receiving & accepting the report of their committee who had been appointed to meet & confer with a committee of the Associated Engine Societies of Boston, they were not a little surprised at the tenor of your note, as they concluded the late unpleasant occurrence had been adjusted by the committee of their Board & the very respectable committee of the Engine Societies above mentioned.
On the subject mentioned in your note I am instructed by the Board to say, that their duty (from which nothing will induce them to swerve) compels them to observe, that in their opinion the late Society of Engine No 12 did resign the care of that engine without [88a.] duly considering the subject & the consequences that might ensue; they however assure you they are satisfied the error proceeded as you observe, from the head and not from the heart.
Your humbl. Servt.
Turner Phillips Chairman of Selectmen.
Mr. Asa Lewis .-
A communication from the Rev Charles Lowell was read, complaining that Mr. W. W. Clapp the publisher of a paper (the Boston Intelligencer) was guilty of a breach of the law of this Commonwealth for the due observance of the Lord's day by publishing said paper on Sunday calling on this Board to interpose their authority and put a stop to this evil at its commencement.
The Board having duly considered the same, instructed the Chairman to express to Mr. Lowell their regret that there was cause for such complaint, at the same time to inform him it was a subject that did not come under their cognizance.
The Treasurer of the Franklin Fund having informed the Chairman that a statement of the fund was ready for the inspection of the trustees, it was voted, that the Treasurer be directed to notify the trustees to meet at the Selectmen's Room on Tuesday next at 4 o'clock P. M. - And that the Chairman Messrs. Austin & Lovering be a committee from this Board to meet with the other trustees for the purpose of examining said statement.
48
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
[89.] The Chairman (as Treasurer of the Fund bequeathed by the late Abiel Smith Esq) laid before the board a letter from George Bliss Esq. clerk to the Springfield Bridge Corporation in answer to a letter written him by the Chairman informing that the shares in that corporation bequeathed by Mr. Smith to the Selectmen of Boston were on the 23d. October 1816, sold at auction for the non payment of assessments; also a letter from the Hon. John Hooker treasurer of that corporation in answer to one written him by the Chairman, - forwarding an account of sales of those shares with an order on Edmund Dwight Esq. for the surplus remaining in his hands amounting to one hundred & eighty three dollars, payable to the Selectmen of Boston. - Whereupon it was voted, that the Chairman be authorized to receive from Edmund Dwight Esq. one hundred & eighty three dollars being the amount of an order drawn by Hon. John Hooker on said Dwight for the surplus remaining in his hands as treasurer of the Springfield Bridge, on the sale of five shares viz No. 66 to 70 inclusive lately standing in the name of Abiel Smith Esq. payable in current country money.
Voted, the following additional orders for the town watch.
In the event of a fire being discovered by the watch they will alarm the citizens as soon as possible; to effect this, one of the watch must be dispatched with all possible speed to ring the alarm bell; [90.] the others may be employed in assisting those who are in the most imminent danger, until a sufficient number of the citizens shall have assembled to render their ser- vices unnecessary they shall then proceed to perform their customary duty. - Should they be applied to for assistance to secure any house, store or shop that may be broken into, or to take charge of any goods stolen therefrom, or to assist in apprehending the thief or thieves, they are without delay to afford all the aid & assistance in their power .-
A communication from Henry Chapman & Co. Saml. Em- mons & Son, John A. Shaw and Edward Adams, owners & tenants of ropewalks, remonstrating against Isaac P. Davis & Winslow Lewis for digging a well in front of their ropewalk, was read, and referred to Messrs. Hunewell & Lovering .-
Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen February 24th 1819. - Present the whole Board except Mr. Bass.
Passed the quarterly & monthly accounts.
The warrant for March meeting was signed .-
Mr. Buckingham to print notifications.
49
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1819.
Rev. Mr. Greenwood to be requested to open the meeting with prayer .-
[91.] Mr. Dorr was requested to wait on Mr. Greenwood.
The Chairman informed the Board that in consequence of the death of a child of the treasurer of the Franklin Fund, the meeting of the committee postponed on Tuesday next .-
The Chairman as treasurer of the donation of Abiel Smith Esq. deceased was directed to invest the money received by him for the net proceeds of the five shares in the Springfield Bridge, in the six per cent stock of the United States, and to purchase two hundred dollars of said stock the balance to be paid out of the funds of that donation in his hands.
The committee to whom was referred the communication from H. Chapman & Co & others - reported that they had attended the duty assigned them, and were of opinion that the land in question was the property of Messrs. Davis & Lewis, and that they had an undoubted right to sink a well there if they thought proper. - report accepted .-
The request of His Honor William Phillips & others, that the Board would discontinue the name of Adams Street and that they would add that street to Kilby street, which would ex- tend the latter to Milk street; for reasons set forth in their request: was committed to Mr. Oliver to ascertain the wishes and opinion of persons owning estates on that street and also of those residing therein & report to the Board .-
[92.] A Communication from Mr. Moses Wallack was referred to Mr. Oliver to make the necessary inquiry and report .-
A request from the Society worshipping in Hollis street was made by Mr. Lovering, desiring the Board would allow them the use of the upper story of the South school house until the 14th April next. The Board after duly considering the sub- ject were of opinion the request ought to be granted provided there was sufficient time from the 14th. April to the 1st. of May for the carpenters to complete the room by the latter time; and Mr. Lovering was requested to make the necessary inquiry & report
The Chairman laid before the Board the following note-
Court Square Feb. 23d. 1819.
Dr. Sir
I yesterday attended the Supreme Court at Dedham and am happy to inform you, that upon trial of the action Wm.
50
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
Pitts & others vs. the Town of Boston, the plaintiffs wholly failed in their suit, & became non suited - The Judge told them the action was wholly unsupported in law - Mr. Lovering attended the court as a witness with Mr. Taylor & Mr. Bum- stead and rendered valuable aid in the defence .-
very respectfully yours P. O. Thacher.
Turner Phillips Esq:
[93.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 3d. 1819 - Present the whole Board, except Mr. Hunewell.
6 jurors were drawn for the United States District Court .-
The committee appointed the 17th. ultimo to examine the statement offered by the treasurer of the Franklin Fund made the following report .-
The committee appointed to examine the account of the treasurer of the Franklin Fund, have attended the duty assigned them & report, that it appears by the statement ex- hibited by the treasurer of the amount of receipts & loans since the settlement of his account the 12th Augt. last, but that he received sixteen hundred & fifty two dollars & 82 cents .- and loaned six hundred dollars - and that there is now a balance in his hands (exclusive of $1816.58 - deposited in the Mechan- ics & Manufacturers Bank) $1249.39. - The committee are of opinion that the instructions given the treasurer on the 21st November last have had a salutary effect, and with pleasure inform the Board the loss the fund will eventually sustain on the return made by the treasurer of delinquents on the 17th. Novr. last will be very small.
T. Phillips. Pr. order.
Voted, that the Treasurer of the Franklin Fund deposit in the M & M. Bank a sum in addition to the amount now in that bank sufficient to make up three thousand dollars, for which the directors have agreed to allow after the rate of [94.] five Per cent., Per annum, for whatever sum may remain in the bank, not less than four months.
Voted, that the chairman as treasurer of the fund of Abiel Smith Esq deceased be instructed to invest three hundred dollars of said fund now in his hands in the notes of the Suffolk Bank bearing interest of 5 Per cent .-
The chairman informed that in obedience to the orders of the Board he had purchased of Mr. Cochran two hundred dollars of
51
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1819.
the 6 Per cent Stock of the United States on account of the dona- tion of A. Smith Esq. decd.
The Committee to whom was referred a communication from Mr. Moses Wallack, reported, that the necessary inquiry had been made on the subject of that communication, and that it was the opinion of the committee it was not cognisable by the Selectmen. - report accepted .-
Mr. Lovering to whom was referred the request of the society worshipping in Hollis street, reported - that he found on enquiry the society might be accommodated, & the room com- pleted for the school by the first day of May next.
Bernard Alexander (a French lad) having no parent or guar- dian, was at his own request apprenticed to Lawrence Nichols, confectioner, until the 1st. of September, 1823 - when he will become of age .-
[95.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 11th, 1819. Present Messrs. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Bass, Dorr, Silsby & Shaw.
This being the first meeting of the Board since the town meeting for choice of town officers, votes for Chairman were taken by ballot and Turner Phillips Esq was declared to be chosen .-
The oath of office was administered to Messrs. Oliver & Shaw by the Chairman.
The Chairman informed that in obedience to the orders of the Board he had (as treasurer of the fund of Abiel Smith Esq dec'd.) invested three hundred dollars in the notes of the Suffolk Bank bearing an interest of five per cent, payable in twelve months.
Messrs. Dorr, Silsby & Phillips were appointed a committee to revise the standing rules and orders of the Board & to report .-
The Chairman was desired to take measures to have an advertisement inserted in the papers, that the lists of voters were posted for inspection. - Centinel, Gazette, & Chronicle .-
The Chairman laid before the Board the application of the watchmen for an increase of pay. - The board after duly con- sidering the subject - voted that it was not expedient to make any addition to their pay .---
52
CITY DOCUMENT NO. 61.
[96.] A communication from P. O. Thacher Esq. respect- ing the town's slip from Lynn street to the sea, was referred to Mr. Shaw, who was requested to confer with Mr. Thacher on the subject & report.
The application of the Rev. Dr. Baldwin and others for the use of the new school house (Fort hill) for the purpose of hold- ing a weekly lecture, and occasionally to meet on the Sabbath, was considered & voted, that the school houses being under the direction and control of the School Committee it was not in the power of the board to grant the request, & that the Chair- man be instructed to lay the request before the School Com- mittee .-
Complaint having been made by Mr. Jona - Simonds that the constable who distributed notifications for the last town meeting did not do his duty, as a number of citizens in Ward No. 11. were not notified. The Board requested the Chairman to make the necessary enquiry.
The request of a number of citizens that the hand cart men usually standing at the corner of Kilby next to State street might be removed; was referred to the committee of Section No. 3. who were requested to consult with the deputy police officer respecting a new stand for the hand cartmen & report to the board .-
The Chairman reported, that the treasurer of the Franklin Fund had informed him, that a sum sufficient to make up three thousand dollars had been deposited in the M. & M. Bank, agreeably to a vote of the Board of the 3d. instant .-
[97.] Boston ss. At a Meeting of the Selectmen March 17th, 1819 - Present the whole Board, except Mr. Hunewell.
34 jurors were drawn for the Boston Court of Common Pleas.
The committee appointed to revise the rules & orders of the board have attended that service, and ask leave to report the rules and orders adopted on the 18th. day of March, 1818 -- with the following addition - viz.
The committees of the sections shall have the direction of the lamps in their respective sections, and shall have the power of shifting, adding to, or reducing their number, as they may deem expedient .- report accepted .-
53
SELECTMEN'S MINUTES, 1819.
Voted, that the Board be divided into committees as fol- lows .-
Section No. 1. to be assigned to Messrs. Austin & Silsby.
Section No. 2. to Messrs. Dorr & Shaw
Section No. 3. to Messrs. Oliver & Bass
Section No. 4. to Messrs. Hunewell & Lovering.
Messrs. Lovering & Bass Committee of the Neck.
Messrs. Oliver, Hunewell, Lovering, Bass & Phillips - Com- mittee of the Common.
[98.] Messrs. Phillips, Dorr & Silsby Committee of the Market .-
Messrs. Austin & Silsby North Schools & Watch.
Messrs. Dorr & Phillips - West Schools .--
Messrs. Dorr & Shaw - Boylston Schools .-
Messrs. Oliver & Bass - Center Schools & Watch.
Messrs. Hunewell & Lovering - South Schools & Watch.
Mr. Hunewell Committee of Hay Scales.
Messrs. Hunewell, Lovering & Austin Committee of the Town-house.
Mr. Shaw to whom was referred the communication from P. O. Thacher Esq. respecting the town's slip from Lynn street made the following report, which was read and accepted.
The subscriber to whom was referred the communication of P. O. Thacher Esq. respecting the town's slip in Lynn street, having conferred with Mr. Thacher upon the subject and understood his view of the subject do report. That in my opinion it is expedient to adopt the course proposed by Mr. Thacher, and pass the vote proposed in his communication, which is respectfully submitted .-
Lemuel Shaw.
[99.] Whereupon the Board passed the following vote.
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