An answer to a pamphlet, entitled, "Considerations on the public expendiency of a bridge from one part of Boston to the other."

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AN

ANSWER TO A PAMPHLET,

ENTITLED,

' CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE PUBLIC EXPEDIENCY OF A

f^Tidat

FROM ONE PART OF BOSTON TO THE OTHER."

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PRINTED BY E. LINCOLN, WATER STREET.

1806.

ADVERTISEMENT.

" NO apology "will be considered requisite for a calm
and respectful examination of" a pamphlet, " by those who
are informed," that it contains a series of unfounded state-
ments, and that its author has attempted to mislead the
public by a suppression of material facts.

IBlOston, Jan. 29, 1$06.

An answer, &c.

1 • 3'«. • 4

I

N a pamphlet recently issued from the press, the
favourers of a Bridge from South Street to South Bos-
ton, have ventured on a new and bold attempt to deceive
the public, upon the merits of that enterprise. This
poison they ai*e now industriously circulating, not only
among the citizens, but the members of the legislature.
It is the object of the following attempt, to expose its
malignant nature, and furnish an antidote to its perni-
cious effects.

Among the various projects for public improvement,
or private aggrandizement, for which our country has
been distinguished, the erection of a bridge across
the harbour of a great commercial town never was
contemplated, until the legislature were supplicated for
that purpose by William Tudor and Gardiner Greene.
In all grants of bridges over navigable waters,
heretofore made, the object has been, without a
single exception, to facilitate the communication
through the State, upon the public post roads. But
that the harbour of the greatest commercial town in
New England should be blocked up, not only for its own
benefit, but for the general advancement of commerce,
is an absurdity which nothing but the blindest self in-
terest could suggest. That such a measure will involve
in it the sacrifice of immense private property, without
the possible attainment of any public good ; that it
would be unprecedefitedy in this or any other country ;
and that the principles of the constitution will warrant
no such measure, are facts which no artifice can con-
ceal. It might with equal propriety have been alleged,
w^hen the harbour of Boston was heretofore blocked up

by an open and cruel enemy, that the measure was dic-
tated by an afFectionaxe..regard to the rights of the people.

Of all the plaiis'cwnich Have heietofoi^e- " been mar-
shalled" in the pursuit of wealth, " none have been so
distinguished for violence and perse\^erance, as the pro-
posal to build a bridge from one pait of Boston to the
other." A recurrence to facts will justify this retort.
Indeed, were it not for a few round assertions in the
pamphlet to which this is intended as an answer, the facts
iand reasoning it contains would warrant an opinion thkt
the wisest '' considerations" of its author were against
the expediency of the bridge ; and that there existed no
hope of success but by '' crowding to a bridge town-
meeting," or by employing his mercenary agents to
skulk in the '^ chambers of the legislature to persecute
them into the" adoption of a public evil.

It is a true remark, " that there has been no bridge
granted over a navigable stream by which so few persons
will be affected." And it is impossible to disguise the
reason of it. In all other bridge corporations, the coun-
try at large has been affected ; its communications
facilitated ; and the delays and dangers incident to a
passage in boats over rapid and turbulent rivers, anni-
hilated. But in the present instance the few persons
to be affected, are on the one part, the petitioners, by
an immense accession of wealth ; and on the other, the
inhabitants of the south end of Boston, by its total sacri-
fice. Nothing in nature or truth can put this question
in any other point of view, notwithstanding the confi-
dent but unfounded assertions of the writer of the pam-
plilet, that the bridge is demanded by public necessity,
and that the decision of every public body on the
question has been in its favour.

It is advanced as a *' universal maxim, that whenever
a public question is proposed, its intrinsic merit ought
first to be considered by those whose province it is to
decide upon its fate." If the friends of this bridge had
adhered to this maxim, the subject would now be at
rest, and the alarm and agitation which are inseparable
from its pursuit, never again revived. What was the

5

opinion of the inhabitants of Boston upon this " univei>
sal maxim," .when in full town meeting, a majority of
them, led on by Mr. Otis, and fascinated by his elo-
quence, voted that they ivould not refer the expediency
of this bridge to the legislature ? Who \^ ere then
*' usurping the sovereign power of the State "?" And
how dignified was the spectacle, \\\\^n three thousand
citizens undertook to relieve the legislature from the
weight of its cares, and to decide an important public
question, in which both the interest and rights of indi-
viduals were deeply iuAolved ? Although in a more
temperate moment, the authors of this absurd vote, have
doubtless become sensible of its iniquitous tendency,
yet it is appai'ent that this and every other measure of
the town, have been instigated for the express purpose of
ififluencwg the legislature.

When measures thus novel are resorted to, it is ab.-
surd and contemptible for the wiiter of the pamphlet to
complain that - ' a body of repspectable thou^^ interested
men, under the cloak of an incorporation, should speak
by its members, its neighbours, and its lawyers." It
might have occurred to him, that this cloak was furnishr
ed for that ^' respectable body" by the solemn stipula-
tions of the party he espouses ; that it was actually put
on by the legislature of the Commonwealth ; and that if
it were ever designed or used for an improper purpose,
both they and the legislature must have been parties to
the oflence. He will find, that this corporation, and
the other inhabitants of the south end are not 3'et
silenced ; but they will speak for no other purpose
than to state to tlieir fellow^ citizens the true nature of
the attack which is made upon their property and privi-
leges, and of unmasking the real designs of then' ene-
mies.

An assertion is made with as much ease as if its a\i-
thor believed it to be true, that the opposition to the
bridee " becomes hourly less formidable ; and that this
change must be imputed to the intrinsic merit of the pro-
ject." It is a species of address common among those
who depend more upon intrigue than upon plain dealing
for the success of their schemes, to silence inquiry by

6

assertions without foundation, and even without varnish;
Of this nature is tlie assertion above cited. The author
ktreni) it to be without foundation ; he kneiD that the force
of the former opposition will be augmented by argur
ments drawn from the most solemn stipulations of the
applicants for the bridge, and by the decisions of the
legislature. The remonstrances of the town of Roxbu-
ry, and of nearly 600 freeholders of the town of Boston,
are the proofs of this statement ; both of which are, or
will be, presented to the legislature. And although it
may comport with the policy of this writer to declare,
that such is the aifection of the children of Boston for its
welfare, that they will sacrifice '' at any altar dedicated
to the common good, although it were reared by profane
hands y^ yet decency might have taught him to recollect,
that the end does not always sanctify the means ; &: that he
is expressly forbidden " to do evil that good may come."

'' It is assumed (in the pamphlet) as a fact, that the pro-
posed bridge will shorten the distance more than half a
mile from the centre of the old town to the shores of the
new district." This is explicitly denied. It is not true in
any sense of the phrase. It is not true, if by the centre of
the old town, is meant either its territorial centre, or its
centre of population. It is so far from being true in any
reasonable sense, that it is here assumed as a fact,
capable of complete demonstration^ that the public at large
are twii; better accommodated by the present bridge from
Smith Boston, than they possibly can be by a bridge in
any other direction from that peninsula,.

If the gentlemen of Nook Hill are nettled at this decla-
ration, the first thing they are desired to recollect is,
that there are a few persons in the world beside them-
selves, whom the legislature will consider as proper ob-
jects of their care and protection. If the accommoda-
tion is to be furnished for our countrv brethren, the ob-
ject must be to lessen the distance in their travel, and
in the transportation of their produce to such parts of the
town, as they will naturally be led to, by their connex-
ions and business. Probably one in ten of these might
wish to enter the town by a bridge to South Street ; but

tbe other nine would prefer to enter it at the junction of
the present bridge ; in which case the whole town, from
that junction to Market Square, become their customers
in the disposal of their produce. The whole town
should be taken into view, and that point fixed on, at
and from which a person could go to any and every oth-
er part of the town by a distance, shorter than from any
other point. This point is now accurately ascertained.
From the intersection of the turnpike and present bridge
at South Boston to this central point is 273 rods. From
said intersection over proposed bridge by the shortest
rout to this central point is 385 rods, making a differ-
ence of 1 12 rods in favour of the present bridge.

The pretended accommodation of the public, is now to
be considered in another view. Bv the establishment of
the proposed bridge, all convenient access to a full third
part of the sea front of the town, & also to an equal por-
tion of its wharves and quays, w<xild be cut off. It is a fact,
the evidence of which is \\ ithin the reach of all persons
disposed to examine it, that since the 1st day of March
last, more than 1800 vessels have passed up to these
wharves with their cargoes. This right of access, is,
at present, common to all the citizens of the United
States, and to the people of all foreign countries with
whom we have commercial intercourse. Before a
grant for this bridge be made for the public accommo-
dation, it should be asked, can the property which will
be brought into town by that avenue, be equal to the
property which now is, or hereafter will be, brought to
the south end, by water ? The answer must be that it
cannot. How then are the public to be accommodated?
Is it not evident that such an obstruction would be
greatly detrimaital ? and does not this solution of the
question remove all doubt upon tlie subject of public
accommodation ?

It is further alleged, that by stinting Boston within
her ancient limits, the surplus of our commercial capi-
tals \\'ould find their way to the greater markets of the
Southern States, *' through want of accommodation at
home, to the detriment of the whole Commonwealth.*'

8

The cream of this argument is, that Boston is now
stinted within her ancient limits to the detriment of th«
whole Commonwealth. But the answer is, that its au-
thor in the very next sentence has told us, that this sub-
ject is '' now at rest ;" because the town of Boston is
enlarged by the addition of 600 acres of land. Thfe
town then is not stinted \a ithin her ancient limits ; be-
cause 600 acres of land have been " united by the right
hand of fellowship with the opposite shores." Thus
our surplus capitals will ne^^er find their w^ay to the
southern markets, for nvant of accommodation.

But it is no part of the policy of the State, to aid the
collections of wealth into a particular spot ; it is rather,
that it should be diHlised for the purposes of a general
participation. Were it all accumulated in one great city,
WQ might there have the w^ealth of Tyre and Sidon, but
it would engender the vices and corruptions of Sodom
and Gomorrah. The same policy is riiore strictly ap-
plicable to our civil institutions. So long as our happy
form of government exists, its principles can only be
disseminated in small assemblies, w^here they can be
temperately enforced and understood. Such was the
policy of our ancestors in the establishment of these in-
stitutions ; and they ha\'e, for this reason, become the
parents of all our intelligence and consequent happiness
as a people.

A stranger to the leaders of the South Boston specu-
lation will scarcelv credit his senses, w-hen he reads in
their pamphlet, that the legislature, by sanctioning the
annexation of Dorchester Neck have pledged themselves
^'' to encourage its settlement^ as a part of the capital.''^
Here is a direct appeal to the patronage, if not to the
treasury of the Commonwealth. It is saying to the le-
gislature, '* You ha^'^e adopted this unfortunate child of
ours, and you must now comply with all our visionary
schemes for its support and aggrandizement." h\ truth
they ought to be cautious how they gratify them ; for
there appears to be no limits to their extravagant claims
h. expectations. They seem to calculate that every branch
of government and every class of people, are to be in flu-

cnced by tlieir delirious dreams. The annexation of
a tract of land from one town to another is the occur-
rence of almost every week ; but it ^vas never before
considered as an object in the smallest degree affecting
the public. A man whose farm has been thus set off
may now adopt the reasoning of the pamphlet, and say
to the government, your sanction to my annexation ^' can
never be restricted to the mere extension of the limits
of the town to which I am annexed ; it was your evi-
dent intention to encourage me in my settlement ; that
is the only inteiition that can honourably be imputed to
you, whatever was the intention of the parties immedi-
ately concerned in effecting the union, and %vhatei)er
ivere the means by ivhich it ivas accomplished.''^ Before
the government extend this sort of ''encouragement" to
the visionaries of JVook Hill, they ought to do two
things ; 1st, ascertain to a moral certainty their names
and associates, that there may be no more deception
w ith respect to a compromise. 2d, Obtain an explicit
statement of the nature of the patronage and *' encou-
ragement" they are to afford tliem. For they may adopt
it as a certain rule, that when they give them an inch,
they A\-iil demand a mile ; that if they grant them a bridge,
they will ask for a solid road across the harbour. A
new edition will then be furnished of the *' little code of
principles, which these gentlemen carry in their wallets,"
to prove that such was the ''encouragement" which the
government had pledged them ; and when explained by
their compiler, it would appear to be of this effect; —
Boston is now stinted within her ancient limits, because
600 acres of land have been added to it ; — the com-
merce of the town must be encouraged, by closing up
one third of the harbour ; the health of the town must
be secured, by stopping the flowing of the tide, and pro-
viding a reservoir for stagnant waters ; — and the privi-
leges and property of our south end brethren improved
and protected, by prohibiting all access to their estates.
They might, and doubtless would carry their views still
further, and tell the government, that the want of a solid
road across the hai'bour " is the obstacle to the effectu-
al success of its good intentions, Vvhich it is competent

B

10

to remove ; and that their favourite portion of the to^ii
languishes under this obstacle, ^' that notwithstanding
one bridge has been built upon the terms which they ex-
plicitly agreed to," by which the two districts have been
united in one, they would boldly say to the legislature,
unless you give us this road your " system must be mon-
strous y and unworthy the patronage of any government \
you have left us in a mongrel state, neither town nor
country." *

It is further stated in the pamphlet, that the price of
land in the old town is so high as to amount to *' a pro-
hibition of public buildings, shipyards," &:c. The first an-
swer to this is. Go over to the new town for these purposes.
But there is no foundation for the above assertion.
There are no public buildings now required or contem-
plated, excepting a court-house, and a meeting-house at
West Boston. Ks to the latter the people of that society
want no accommodation ; for their materials are now col-
lecting for a new meeting-house, upon tlie spot where
the old one stands. And with respect to a court-house,
there are so many scites for its accommodation that the
Fathers of the county are at a loss which of them to se-
lect. Thus vanislies the assertion relative to public build-
ings* In fact there are so many eligible scites for such
buildings, were they required, that even the female asy-
lum might have been accommodated in old Boston, had
not the benevolence of these gentlemen suggested that
NOOK HILL was thtmoYt appropriate positio?7.
The absurdit}' of requiring a bridge for the accommoda-
tion of shipyards at South Boston, is apparent. A man,
conversant with the common concerns of life, must laugh
at the idea of transporting the materials of a ship to that
place, otherwise than by water communication, unless
procured from the adjacent country. A bridge would
evidently be useless for this purpose, as well as for every
other pertaining to shipbuilding, unless it might be con-
sidered a more safe calculation to bring them to town
over the bridge, than to launch them into the region of
flats which surround this celebrated promontory.

The authority attached to the decision of '' public bod-
ies" upon the question of abridge will be now examined.

*i.*^.i'»

ft'is^ stated without equivocation, arid probably witlipi2
ablush, " that the decision of every public body on the
question of a scite for the bridge to South Boston, has
been in favour of South Street ; tliat these public bodies
possess the best means of forming a judgment, and are
not influenced by the expectation of private advantage" ! !l
Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, and the report of a com^
mittee of the General Court, are quoted for the truth of
these assertions. Were they true, the party interested in
opposing the bridge, might well tremble at their impend^
ing danger*

If they turn out to be not only essentially but ridicuf-
lously false ^ they will stand as monuments boti^. 9f the
folly and depravity of their author. • ' .. ^ / *

In the winter of 1804, the projectors of this bridge
made their first appeal to the people of Boston, Before
this *^ public body," in one of their most numerous as^
semblies, the parties appeai^ed. On the part of the peti-
tioners for the bridge, every art and allurement ivas dis^
played, which could result from the combined efforts of
eloquence and intrigue. On this side were witnessed
the cruel and meretricious triumphs of wealth, oratdi^';
power, pomp and popularity. On the other, was faint;
ly heard, the still small voice of reason and just comi
plaint- The result was differently anticipated by men
of candour, and the men of the world.. It was, howev.
€r,'s6on ascertained that no correct decision was to b^
expected from this tribunal.; and the disinterested ani
impartial spectators fled from the scene, as .froni .th$
*' reign of Chaps and old night." f^f, "' ^',7,; < f "m

Upon the closing of tiiis scene, io'nonoitraBleio'-K.^ef
liber athe '' pubhcbody," other rneahs tq influence thenji
were attempted. An oflTer was publicly made diemi of
a property m one half the bridge^ a.s the price ojt
THEIR VOTE. Thc subjcct was theVeupon committed to
'24 gentlemen, selected from the difierent ward3v in
the town. Their report was "made, and may be found
in the appendix to this, though it was suppressed in the
other pamphlet.'^ When this report was afterwards

* See Appendix, No. I .

12

discussed, it appeared that the tentis of it were not
Agreeable to the petitioners. A debate ensued ; another
scene of confusion exhibited ; and ultimately an offer in
cash of 25,000 dollars was made to the town, as a com-
mutation for half the bridge. By adverting to the re-
port of the town's committee, and the offers of the
bridge projectors, the case will appear to stand thus.
The town say, *^ We will not vote for your bridge unless
you give us the right to lay out such streets, public
squares, and mai^ket places as we judge necessary,
ivithout any compensation for the land so appropriated.
We will have two burial grounds, two school house
lots, and two lots for houses of public worship, ^without
any payment therefor. And in lieu of the offer pf one
half the proposed bridge, there shall be set off by a joint
committee of the proprietors on the one part, and of the
town on tlie other, upon the land to be annexed, in four
different parts of the same, one tenth of all the land
thereon, not used or set apart for public purposes, which
shall be held at the disposal of the town of Boston."
To these demands (which the proprietors did not esteem
perfectly modest) they answered ; *' No ; we will not give
you this price for your vote ;" but we will pledge our-
selves to the tov/n to pay them 25,000 dollars in cash,
or give you half the bridge ; and also the streets and lots
for public accommodation as before proposed, and refer
to the legislature the terms and conditions upon which
the bridge shall be erected.

The world may now estimate the value, which ought
to be attached to the decision of the town of Boston, as a
*' public body," uninfluenced by the expectation of pri-
vate advantage. The right to animadvert upon the con-
duct of a public body, cannot be restricted, especially to
those who ai-e attempted to be made its victims. Facts
must be adhered to ; one of which is, that the price of a
vote of the to^vn upon the question of a bridge, has be-
come a matter of record. The value of the property actu-
ally demanded for it is more than S 100,000. The val-
ue of what was actually offered^ somewhat less. But it is
not susceptible of denial, that their votes and decisions

13

Upon this question have been the subject of bargaijiand
sale; and that if an individual *' juror, judgt^ or chan-
cellor" should be influenced by similar moti^es, it
■would stamp his chai'acter with indelible infamy.
. Thus it appears, that the town, as a ^'pubUc body,"
have been influenced in their decisions, '' by the expec-
tation of private advantage," and have even calcu-
lated upon it as the mean and source of wealth and
pleasure.

But to relinquish this view of their proceedings,
there is another in \^ hich it is most important to con-
sider them. The question between the parties in this
controversy, is in its nature a question &f property and
right. There is no public body existing, competent to
the decision of this question, which is not either judicial
or legislative. To these alone ha\"e the opposers of the
bridge been ardently desirous of submitting. Why
then have the leaders of the South Street bridge project
feared a direct and manly appeal to the legitimate tribu-
nals of public justice ? Why do such men demean them-
selves by playing the demagogue ? Why do they enlist
the populace as the instruments of their pleasure, and then
quote their decisions, as the rule of right, and the stand-
ard of other mens' judgments? Independent of the
shameless nature of the experiment, these gentlemen may
hereafter find it a dangerous one. No other association
in Boston would have dared to hazard, or stooped to em-
ploy it. The language is plainly this; '^ We have but
little confidence in the merits or success of our enterprize ;
we will therefore have an assembly of the people ; we
will first harangue them, then dazzle them with painted
and delusive prospects of wealth and pleasure ; if these
do not succeed, we will purchase their influence, and pay
them in land, money or bridges, as may best comport
with their vanity or avarice.

Applications for two other bridges from Boston are
now pending; either of which will furnish not only
a ncAv a\-enue to the town, but open a communication with
our northern and western interior, doubl}^ important unci

14

ekfensive fo that of South Street.* Why is there nd
appeal to a Boston town-meeting in these cases ? Evi-
dently for two reasons ; 1st, because the gentlemen of
Nook Hill are either opposed to, or have no interest in
them ; and 2d, because the ^petitioners for these bridges
are no demagogues. Engage the Nook Hill gentlemen
in these projects-; give them- reasonable hopes of another
harvest, and the people of Boston- will again be set in mo J
tion ; another scene of riot and chaos exhibited : and
the Syren's tongue, and the serpent's- charni again em-
ployed to please and deceive them. '

It is true that 4he town of Dorchester has decided in
favour of South Street bridge ; it is also true, diat ail
attempt was made to purchase its opinions by the offer of
money. What other modes of coiTuption were practis-
ed, we know not ; but we do know, that they were all
rejected -with disdain. These facts ought to be made
public ; because at the same time that they justify the
conduct of Dorchester, as fair and honourable, they dis-
close the scandalous means by which her seduction has
been attempted. In short, such is \ht furor with which
some of the friends of the bridge seem to have been
seized, that they are rendered insensible to the vile de-
baucheries, which they are the means of propagating.

The town of Roxbury uniformly has been, and still
is opposed to the bridge. It has recently voted against
it, and elected its agents to enforce their opposition be-
fore the legislature; The statement, therefore, respects
ing this '* public body" is groundless.

The last arid greatest falsehood respecting the uniform
decision of " public bodies' * wilf how be stated. Mo-
ses Everett and others presented . their ■ petition for this
bridge at the May Session of the General Court, A.D.
1804. Notice was thereupon • ordered ; remonstrances
from the people of the south" end and the Front Street
Corporation were regularly made ; the subject was com-

* No opinion, as to the necessity or utility of these bridges, is
intended here to be given. The object of introducing them will
be readily seen ; viz. to show the difference of the conduct of
their promoters and the promoters of the South Street Bridge
project.

15

mitted to a most respectable committee of both Houses ;
the parties heard, and the prayer of the petition ima?i'
imously rejected by that committee. Their report was
made at the close of the session and accepted by the
Senate, and was referred in the House to the next,
w^hich was the last winter session. It was then taken
up, debated, and the Hon. House concurred with the
Senate, and thus the report Mas accepted by both
branches of the legislature.* No longer ago than the
last session, the very petition \^hich is now before the
legislature, was presented ; and such was the disgust
and indignation at the repeated and persecuting attempts
to w^eai' out its patience, that coen the ceremony of a com--
mitment ivas refused. It was afterwai*ds resuscitated, at
the request of the member from Dorchester, upon the
ground of his absence at the time of the discussion.
From the decisions of this '' public body" there was no
appeal ; " they possessed the best means of forming a
judgment, and they ^ere not influenced in their decis-
ion by the expectation of private advantage." The
statement in the pamphlet thus turns out to be
so false as to defy all comment. It will therefore on-
ly be followed by an assertion undeniably true, that ev^
ery public body of which we ha^ce heard (Boston and Dor -
Chester excepted) ha^e decided against a bridge at South
Street^ since the incorporation of the present bridge from
South Boston and Front Street.

The material facts and observations which w^ere made
the basis of five pompous positions in the pamphlet, are
now replied to. Unsupported by fact or argument,
they vanish " like the morning cloud," and pass away.
The town and Commonwealth must doubtless perish
with them ; for according to the logic of the pamphlet,
the establishment of a bridge from South Street is the
only mode by which "vve can * ' preserve our health, or
keep our riches within the State."

In considering the objections to the bridge, the writer
of the pamphlet alleges, that the citizens of the south
quarter of the town constitute a great ** clan or family,
coming mostly from the country, of the same habits

16

and opinions, and liable to common, and consequently
to erroneous impulses ;" the meaning of which is evi-
dently this ; a clan of countrymen form similar habits
and opinions, and are therefore liable to common and
erroneous impulses. Perhaps a more unfortunate senti-
ment \vas never engendered by the struggles of avarice
and ambition. The author, it may be readily seen, is a
toiim born child ; but no liberal man of any party or in-
terest, M ill thank him for this contemptible sneer upon
a numerous and respectable class of citizens. The in-
sincere compliment conferred upon them in a preceding
sentence, is no apology for this language. It is, howev-
er, a subject of rejoicing to this " clan," that their cause
is ultimately to be decided by men, "coming mostly
from the country ;" who can have no interest but to pro-
mote the public good, and who will despise the insinua-
tion that a man is liable to erroneous impulses, because
he comes from the country ; that he is chargeable with
inordinate attachments to his interest, and a deficiency
in public spirit, because he comes from the country ;
and that he is for that reason bound to lay the fruits of
an industrious life at the feet of speculating pride, or
hereditary wealth.

It is further affirmed in the pamphlet, "that the only
real, interested opposition, is the Front Street corpora-
tion, or less than 30 individuals." In its subsequent
pages, it is admitted, that the Front Street whar^'cs
must forever remain the principal mart for wood and
lumber;" and that if the charges upon these articles
should be enhanced by the impediment of a bridge, they
must be paid by the customer, " as mere duties."

From this abstract of the statement, the following po-
sitions necessarily result. 1st, The only intei'ested op-
position is from the Front Street corporation ; 2d, the
price of lumber and wood may be enhanced by a bridge ;
and 3d, the additional expense \ipon these articles, oc-
casioned by a biidge, must be paid by the consumer.
It is melancholy to contemplate- the absurdities into
which men of talents frequently plunge themselves. If
the Front Street u harves must continue to be the prin-

17

cipal mart for lumber and wood, and the price of these
articles will be enhanced by a bridgb, it undeniably fol-
lows, that every man in Boston, rich or poor, must be
interested in opposing the bridge, in the exact propor-
tion as the bridge increases the price of these articles.
Let us look for a moment at the state of things which
these facts present. A few powerful individuals, roll-
ing in wedth and swimming in luxury, demand the
privikge of obstructing the passage to that quarter of
the town '' which must forever remain the principal
mart for wood and lumber." The commerce of the
town is materially injured by this obstruction ; but
the private fortunes of these individuals are thereby aug-
mented to an immeasurable height ; the article of wood
is necessar}'^ for the upholding of life ; and without lum-
ber, many of the inhabitants of the town can only be
covered by the canopy of heaven ; the price of these ar-
ticles of necessary consumption is to be greatly en-
hanced, but the evil must be submitted to, by the poor
as well as the rich ; and the enhanced price of these ar-
ticles paid by way of duties, for the gratification and ag-
grandizement of these powerful individuals ! The Nook
Hill gentlemen have the citizens of Boston under excel-
lent discipline, if they can bring them to this submission ;
to obstruct the navigation, and impose a duty on the
necessaries of life. But it may be some satisfaction to
the poor inhabitants to learn, that the '^ duty upon the
article of wood will never exceed 50 cents, nor be less
than 30 cents per cord."

Two other assertions are made with unblushing con-
fidence ; that " bridges in no instance have been greatly
detrimental to estates situated above them," and that
this bridge '' would aid instead of impeding the naviga-
tion." A single fact shall suffice for the first. The
wharves above Charles River bridge in Charlestown,
which before the erection of that bridge were the most
valuable of any in that town, are now partly covered
with stables and partly v/ith grass. With respect to the
latter assertion, an appeal is also made to facts. If a
bridge be extended from South Street, its direction

C

18

must be oblique to the course of the channel, and run a
long distance in it. At the season of the year \^iien
vessels most frequently visit the south hai'bour, the
southerly and westerly winds prevail. A loaded vessel,
therefore, must either beat through the bridge, against
the Vvind, or abandon all attempts to reach the wharves
above. The consequence is self evident. But with-
out recurring to these facts ^ the proceedings of Bos-
ton and of the legislature have recognized these impedi-
ments.

We pass now to an examination of the most impor-
tant, if not the only branch of the subject which deserves
particular consideration.

On the 18th of February, 1804, a Compromise was
effected between all parties concerned, as well those in fa-
vour as those opposed to the proposed bridge ;t and by this
Compromise the interests of the fniblic 'were Jiot compro-
mitted ; had they been, it would not hai}e been sanctioned
by the legislature. No apology will now be offered,
either for telling the whole truth, or calling things by
their proper names.

This compromise was originally sought by the gen-
tlemen of Nook Hill. It was readily listened to by the
opponents of the bridge, who asked and wished for
nothing but the peaceable enjoyment of their property,
and to satisfy all claims of the public sentiment. They
saw, in this compromise, not only the prospect of such
enjoyment and satisfaction, but the termination of the
controversy. How cruelly they have been deceived and
disappointed will appear, by shewing,

1st, That the petitioners for the bridge, and the pe-
titioners for the annexation of Dorchester Neck, were
all of them the real associates of Messrs. Mason and
Otis, and therefore bound by their compromise,

2d, That the stipulations of that compromise have
been most perfidiously violated. It will then be shewn,

3d, That in pursuance of this compromise the<
faith of the legislature has been pledged, that no chaiter
for another bridge shall now be granted.

\ See Appendix, No. 2 and 3,

19

It should be first remarked, that notwithstanding*
Messrs. Mason and Otis were the prominent leaders of
tlie bridge party in the legislature, in the town- meetings,
and upon the exchange, their names do not appear upon:
a single document, public or private, except the instru^^
ment which led to the compromise. After their sucf.
ceeding conduct, is it an uncharitable presumption that
they were thus keptin reserve for the purposes of intriguef
Such a presumption is strengthened by a remarkable cir-"
cumstance. When Mr. Brown and the other members of
the south end committee met these gentlemen on the sub-
ject of a compromise, the south end committee had their
own credentials in their hands. It is an idle pretence, there-
fore, that Messrs. Mason and Otis ^* did not know the con-
tracting parties upon the other side." They did explic-
itly declai'e themselves satisfied with the powers and cre-
dentials of the committee. They were then requested
to exhibit their credentials ; but they answered they had
no ivritteii credentials from their associates, but would
obtain them if required ; but they pledged their sacred
honours they were fully authorised by their associates. A
suggestion was made that the conference should cease,
until those gentlemen obtained written credentials.—
They said, they did not even wish possession of the
committee's credentials, and observed, that notwithstand-
ing their interests and the interests of the committee had
greatly militated, they hoped the committee had not seen
any thing in them during the controversy, which would
justify it in withdrawing all confidence in their honour.

This studied concealment of their powers and party, and
their endeavours to inspire the committee with a con-
fidence in their honour, would have excited no suspic-
ion, had not their subsequent conduct, and the exposition
of it in the pamphlet, stamped their whole proceedings with
the marks of artifice and intrigue. Fortunately, it is not
necessary to resort to an equitable or honourable construc-
tion of their agreement, to prove the point in question.
For it shall appear from the words of the agreement itself.
This contract"^ w^as executed between Jonathan Ma-
son and H. G. Otis, on behalf of themselves and associ^

f See App. No. 2,

20

ates, of the first part ; and William Brown and the oth-
er gentlemen of the committee, on the second part. In
the preamble of this argreement, it is recited, *'that the
parties of the first part contemplate and intend to attempt
to procure from the legislature of Massachusetts, an act
of incorporation, authorizing them to erect a bridge from
the town of Boston's landing, so called, in Orange Street,
in said Boston, or from some place southerly thereof, to
Dorchester point ; and also to procure, if practicable, an
annexation of said point to the town of Boston." Now
it is certain that the first party to this contract are those
luho contemplated and intended to procure an act of incor-
poration to erect the bridge; and also those ^ voho intended
to procure the annexation of the point to the town of Bos^
ton ; it is so expressly recited in the contract. Who
then are the persons thus described? It will appear,
that the persons who were to erect the bridge were
Messrs. Mason, Tudor, Otis and Greene ; and that
those, who were to procure the annexation, were the
same gentlemen^ together with all the petitioners from
South Boston^ who subscribed the petitions for the an-
nexation. The evidence of this statement will be now
adverted to.

On the 27th of December, 1803, William Tudor,
Gardiner Greene, Moses Everett, and seventeen oth-
ers, petitioned the Selectmen of Boston for its consent to
the annexation of Dorchester Neck. This petition
contained these words ; ** we shall and do cheerfully
consent to the annexation of all our lands, lying within
the peninsula aforesaid, upon the single condition that the
inhabitants will procure a bridge to be erected between
Boston and Dorchester Neck." The identical subscrib-
ers to that petition^ together with seven others, preferred
their petition, at the then next session of the General
Court, in which last petition they pray for the annexa-
tion to be granted ; hoivcoer, upon condition that a bridge
should be granted, connecting the peninsula ivith the to-ivn.
The place for the bridge to land on the Boston side is not
pointed out in either petition. Three of the subscribers to
the petition, now pending before the legislature, viz.

21

Moses Everett, Maiy Clap and Jonathan Bird, were aU
so subscribers to the two former petitions for the an-
nexation ; and in that capacity, they, with all the other
petitioners therefor, must have been the associates '' of
Messrs. Mason and Otis." Thus the associates are
dragged from behind the curtain. All connexion with
them is boldly disclaimed ; and every artifice practised
to conceal them. But the contract and compromise are
now submitted to public examination, and the other doc-
uments are among the public records.

Upon a comparison of these facts and documents, an
impartial examiner will see with an indignant smile, a
question gravely asked in the pamphlet, ** who were the
parties to this agreement ?" Messrs. Mason and Otis
kiieiv perfectly well^ that their associates were described in
the preamble of this agreement, and that this description
comprehended themselves, the petitioners for South
Street bridge, and all the petitioners for the annexation.
They therefore must have contemplated one of two
things ; either to bind these petitioners, or conceal their
intention of not binding them ; if the former, it is the
point contended for ; if the latter, they are completely
detected, and have forfeited all claims to candour and
confidence.

The truth of the statement has been argued
from the face of the instrument, compared with oth-
er documents to which it refers, and which of course
constitute a part of it. For the purpose here in-
tended, no other examination is necessary. But it is
amusing to find the writer of the pamphlet di'eading and
renouncing all verbal explanation on the part of his op-
ponents, and yet repeatedly resorting to it himself. Un-
fortunately his verbal explanation amounts to a contra-
diction ; for he verbally alleges that the only associates of
Messrs. Mason and Otis were Messrs. Tudor and Greene,
and gives as a reason, that it had been repeatedly so an^
7ioiinced ; but the instrument discloses, that these asso-
ciates were the petitioners for the bridge, and the peti-
tioners for the annexation ; and so long as that instru-
ment, and the public records remain, it will be useless
to attempt a contrary construction.

2. The facts toproije the truth of the 2d position^ m
that the stipulations of the compromise have been molatecl.
are now to be stated. While the first petition for South
Street bridge was pending, and before the report of the
committee upon that petition had been acted upon, Ed-
ward Tuckerman and otliers preferred their petition,"
pra3^ing leave to erect a bridge where the South Boston
bridge is now built, and also to make a new street, to
extend from the bridge to Essex Street. These incori
porations were requested upon a presumption expressed
in the petitibn, and afterwards recognized by tlie legis-
lature, that no liberty %wuld be granted for the erectio7i of
any other bridge from Boston to Dorchester peninsula, to
the northward ofthepAace abo'ue described. Upoii this peti-*
tion the usual notice was ordered, and the petition com-
mitted to a joint committee.

It uas at this moment, when the South Street peti..
tioners saw the inevitable fate of their project, that the
compromise was by them sought for and effected. The
evidence of this compromise is contained in the report
of the jdint committee, which is here subjoined. ^ Th6
contract before examined is called, in the pamphlet, the
*' instrument of compromise," But it is 7iot so; it ts
the instrument which led to the compromise. The rCr
port of the committee last referred to, recites and sanqr
tions the compromise, and is the only written evidenc^
of its nature and existence. To the terms of this com-r
promise, must Messrs. Mason and Otis, and their assor
dates, be compelled to submit.

The most prominent feature in this report is the 2d
article, which states, that *' no league be gmen to build a
bridge from Boston to Dorchester^ to the northward of the
town^s landing.'''' The compromise of the parties is
made the basis of this report ; and thus we have the sol-
emn stipulation of Messrs. Mason and Otis, and all the
petitioners for the annexation, (as has been before shown)
that no other bridge shall by them be sought for. The
above report was accepted by consent of all parties ;
two incorporations, one for the bridge, and the other fof

§ See Appendix, No-.

o^.

>3

building Front Street, were passed in pursuance of it ;
and until after the final adjournment of the General
Court of that }'ear, every thing was calm, harmonious
and happy.

This harmony was first disturbed by the inhabitants
of South Boston, who, before the meeting of the new
General Court of 1804, published a ^' formal protest"
against the doings of their own agents, Messrs. Otis
and Mason, and (what was tantamount thereto) against
the doings of the legislature consequent thereupon. This
expedient was toUowed by another more serious,
but equally unjustifiable; for as soon as the new
legislature convened, they preferred their petition for
an arch bridge^ (as it has been termed) from South
Street. This project was probably suggested to them
by their arch enemy ^ for surely nothing human or di-
vine could have devised a scheme so pregnant with fol-
ly. It has been stated in a former page, that this peti-
tion met the fate it deserved. But during its pendency
at the last winter session, another bridge town-meeting
was demanded of the selectmen of Boston. These gen-
tlemen were averse to a renewal of the former scenes of
recrimination and animosity. But they were told by the
agents of the bridge projectors^ that if they did not warn
a meeting -of the inhabitants, a justice of the peace would
be applied to for that purpose. They \vere finally pre-
vailed upon. A meeting was held, and the bowels of
Faneuil hall groaned, and were disgorged. A house of
public worship again became the theatre for the per-
formance of another grand farce. Mr. Otis spoke for
himself, and '* bv his neisrhbours and his law vers ;"
and a vote was finally carried, nolens njokms^ by which
the town in effect said, they would haije a bridge in spite
of the legislature. In addition to all this, it is known
to all Boston, that ever since the compromise, Messrs.
Mason, Tudor, Otis and Greene have used their ut-
most endeavours to obtain another bridge, though
these endeavours may have been (until lateU) urged
through the instrumentality of lawyers, runners, and

secret ao:ents.

24

There is evidence enough in these facts to condemn
the whole together. Principals and associates must re-
treat before it, and hide their heads. In every instance,
where an infraction of the compromise has been at-
tempted or effected, the unremitting exertions of an
agent, publicly known to be the instrument and tool of
the bridge paity, have been every where seen and re-
cognized. In the town-meeting of Jan. 1805, the citi-
zens were harangued by professional gentlemen, who
were known from the beginning to have been employed
as counsel. Indeed the mask is now thrown off, and
principals and associates have all become the open ad-
vocates of another bridge, both in and out of the le-
gislature. ,

How then stands the account, between these gentle-
men and their consciences ? Simply thus ; they have
entered into a solemn stipulation in the face of the legis-
lature, that no bridge from South Street shall be granted
at their request ; but from the moment of that stipula-
tion to the present time, they have permitted, excited,
and promoted every measure in their power to obtain it.
For the better information of these gentlemen's con-
sciences in future, a passage from a great moral philo-
sopher* is inserted.

^^ All promises are to be performed in that sense in
ivhich the promissor apprehendedy a?id knew at the ti??iey
that the promissee recei'ued it.

*' The obligation of promises depends also upon the ex-
pectations^ nvhich we knowingly and "voluntarily excite.
Consequently any action or conduct towards another y which
we are sensible excites expectations in that other y is as
much a promise y and creates as strict an obligation as the
most express assurances,^''

We now proceed to the third point.

From the documents before referred to, it is pre-
sumed enough has been shewn to jusify the opinion,
that the faith of the legislature has been and still is
pledged to the Front Street Corporation, and the people
^f the south endy that no charter for another bridge

* Paley, pages 99 and 100.

25

shall now he granted. The petitions for that incorpo-
ration, and for the building of the present bridge,
were proffered and granted upon that condition. In the
report of the committee upon that petition (which is
one of the clearest and best drawn documents upon
the files of the legislature) that condition is recog-
nized and sanctioned ; and the government by ac-
cepting that report, and carrying it into effect by two
legislative acts, has thereby done every thing in its
power to quiet and satisfy all parties. It would have
been useless to have inserted this restriction and con-
dition in those acts ; for although the legislature of
this year can bind itself, it cannot bind its successor
of the next. The legislative power expires annually
on the day preceding the last Wednesday in May ;
and, speaking constitutionally, is revived the next
day in a new body, though consisting of many of the
old members. Being thus annually organized, it
.has the power to rescind the old, and to enact new
laws. But their faithfulness is the same. No correct
legislature can be above those moral obligations,
which are over all, and binding upon all, and for the
conscientious discharge of which, its members are
amenable to the Supreme Government of the universe • In
the application of these principles to the case of
the parties contending for and against another
Bridge, every impartial member of the General Court
will examine for himself into those agreements and
stipulations of the parties, which have been made
the basis of and incorporated with the acts and proceedings
of former legislatures. He will then perceive how im-
possible it is, that the opposers of another bridge can
be deceived by their confidence in the faith and jus-
tice of the government. The following observations
will discover the nature and extent of the injuries
which will be suffered by the Front Street Corpora-
tion and other inhabitants of the south end, should
it appear that this confidence has been either miscon-
ceived or misplaced.

D

^6

„ A question is made whether " Front Street Corpa-
ration' are not gainers by the compromise ?*' It is
roundly asserted in the pamphlet, that they are. But
it is a fact capable of the clearest demonstration^ that that
Corporation^ even now^' cire great losers by the compromise^
and in the event of another bridge, not only they,
but tpany others, will suffer much greater losses than
have been already incurred. Apartoi the/^jj, how-
ever, which has been sustained, was foreseen and cal-
culated, at the time the compromise was made. To-
tal destruction to the business and prosperity of the
south end was threatened. The inhabitants pre-
ferred a partial loss to entire destruction. The sequel
will show, that this loss has been suffered to promote
the convenience of the public, the interests of the
South Boston Association, and the other owners of
the peninsula, and from motives of self preservation
actuating those, the whole labour of whose lives was
attempted to be grasped by the Vandal hand of specu-
lation, under the imposing pretence of promoting
the public good.

This will be further elucidated, and placed beyond
the possibility of denial. An open and avowed deni-
al is solicited. The proofs on our part are ready, and
we are willing to rest the whole issue on the point,
that the Front Street Corporation^ and other inhabitants of
the south cnd^ have been^ are^ and will be losers^ and that
the South Boston Association^ and the inhabitants of the
peninsula have been^ are^ and ivill be gainers by the com-
promise.

The south end inhabitants petitioned to be incor-
porated with permission to build Front Street and
the present bridge. Their motives for so doing, as
* expressed in their petition (a copy of which is No. 4,
in the Appendix) were to make the south harbour of
Boston more commodious for navigation and com-
merce, and to preserve it from the destruction threat-
ened by a bridge from South Street. The idea of
profiting by the street was not entertained. The on-

27

iy part of the expense to which they thus submitted
themselves, and for which they expected to be reim-
bursed, was the cost of the bridge ; they prayed for
2 grant of such a toll on the bridge, as would reim-
burse them for building it. But it was made a sine
qua non by Otis and Mason, that the bridge should bb
transferred to them and their associates ; that as their
object was solely to benefit the Dorchester land, the
bridge must be placed in their hands, that they might
lessen the toll at their pleasure, or make it free, to
promote the settlement of Nook Hill. The whole cost
of the street was given by the south end inhabitants, as
the price of their redemption from the greater evil's and
losses with which they were threatened by a bridge from
South Street. To give complete and full evidence of
this, if more can be required, a recurrence to the
bond, which has been often ostentatiously and falsely
published, as being the only pa,per in existence relat-
ing to, or having any connexion with the compro-
mise, is again necessary. If building the street
promised such immense profit, as the writer of the
pamphlet pretends, and which he, by tortured infer-
ences from mistated facts endeavours to show, the
Front Street Corporation have realized, why were
they subjected to the penalty of 50,000 dollars to
build it ? Were their " senses so bewildered" as to
require to be put under bonds to do that, by the per-
formance of which, it is pretended, they will realize
more than 250,000 dollars ? But it may be asked in
return, why were Mason and Otis, and their asso-
ciates, subjected to the same penalty unless they built
the bridge ? // was to compel them to the performance of
their stipulations ; to oblige them to build it ; not that Front
Street might thereby be accommodated^ but that all pre-
tences of any necessity for another bridge might be rendered
futile^ and the inhabitants of the south end fe cured in
their great and only object^ the prevention of another
bridge^ and the preservation of their commercial priv-
ileges. In accomplishing these purposes, the Front

28

Street Corporation have already been assessed for the
street dols. 70,9 12-50 cents, and another assessment
of one dollar per foot, amounting to '^3059 will be
necessary, making dol. 73,962-50. They have also
made other sacrifices to nearly dol. 46,000 (See Appen-
dix, No. 5.) Such have been the cost and sacrifice
these people have sustained to furnish a spacious and
elegant avenue to South Boston, and destroy all
claims and pretences for another bridge. For whose
benefit has this sacrifice of Si 20,000 been made?
Not for the Front Street Corporation, for it is dem-
onstrated in the Appendix to be so much lost by
them. The only artifice left to ingenuity basely em-
ployed is, to pretend, that the Corporation have pro-
fited by what they have redeemed and saved, and
have no right to count the requisition and redemp-
tion money as loss. But this position would be more
than monstrous. If a man, having ten dollars, were
threatened to be robbed, and a compromise should
be made, by which the knight of the road should
consent to take five, who, but the writer of the pam-
phlet, would pretend, that five dollars were not lost
by the compromise ?

Having thus shewn the Front Street Corporation
have been and are losers under the compromise, the
question remains, whether they will not be losers in
the event of another bridge ? It is conceded in the
pamphlet, that another bridge would destroy their
commercial privileges. In that event, therefore, not
only the price of their redemption, but the very objects
intended to be redeemed^ will be destroyed and lost. Then
indeed will they be not only in a state of " exile,'*
but poverty.

That Mason, Otis, Tudor and Greene, and their
associates, have been^ are and will be gainers by the
compromise in the event of another bridge shall now
be concisely and clearly exhibited.

The whole amount vested in the present bridge,
by them and others interested in their speculation, is

29

not ^56,000 (as pretended in the pamphlet) but
836,000, and no more, (See Appendix No. 6.) What-
ever sums they may have expended on turnpikes and
other objects have no relevancy to the question.
They might, with the same propriety, bring their
family expenses into the calculation. It is contended
in the pamphlet, that all their interest in the present
bridge will be lost in the event of another, and may
be considered as a donation to Front Street. If the
present bridge prove a total loss to its owners, it must
arise from there being no passing over it. It being a
toll bridge, passing would produce income. If there
should be no passing over it, of what advantage can
it possibly be as an avenue to Front Street ? How lib->
eral would be the " donation"! ! A gift charitable and
generous indeed, and if not worthy to be registered
in heaven, deserves a conspicuous column in all the
Boston newspapers. But for argument's sake it is
supposed the 36,000 dls. will be lost. How stands the
account of profit and loss with them? The whole penin-
sula without a bridge is fit only for agricultural pur-
poses, and may, in that view, be considered worth
from 150 to 200 dls. per acre. It is known that land
owned by the South Boston Association, was purchas-
ed before the present bridge was built, from less than
100 to 500 dls. per acre, and that since the erection of
that bridge and Front Street, land has been sold there
at the rate of 25 cts. per square foot or 1 1,000 dollars
per acre.

The 150 acres said in the pamphlet to be owned by
Mason, Otis, Tudor and Greene, at that rate are
worth one juillion six hundred and Jifty thousand dollars.
Allow one half this sum to be deducted for sea walls,
turnpikes, presents, and other extraordinary expenses in-
cidentto the establishment ; there are left 85o,coodoilars.
Allow the original cost of the 15© acres to have been
even 1 00,000 dols. How much have the poor sufferers
made by expending 36,000 dls. in the present bridge ?
The small sum of seven hundred and jifty thousand dol-
lars^ only.

50

Thus have they been and thus are they gainers by the
compromise ; and in the event of another bridge, they
will still be gainers ; for who will pretend that their
land, even in the event of another bridge, will not be
benefited much more than 36,000 dols. by being con-
nected, as it now is, to a populous part of the old town
by a bridge short of 1600 feet in length, especially
when it is considered, that a bridge to South Street
would be longer by more than a thousand feet.

Thus the facts of loss to Front Street Corporation
and other inhabitants of the south end, and of gain to
the South Boston Association and other inhabitants
and owners of the peninsula, in any events is establish-
ed beyond, the possibility of doubt. It rests on a
basis which violence cannot shake nor artifice under-
mine. It defies the assaults of the open and manly,
and despises the low attempts of the cowardly, intrigu-
ing and disguised.

In the concluding paragraph of the pamphlet, its
writer discloses that the measures of his party are now
to be changed. We shall now no longer dread the
old experiments of intrigue and deception. There is
an open declaration of war ; and it is the first in-
stance of frankness in his party which it has conde-
scended to exhibit ; but it is also a specimen of inso-
lence which will meet its merited chastisement. The
threat is evidently directed both at the town and the
legblature ! It marks out the ground, and points out
the weapons of the combat. Our answer to the chal-
lenge is this ; if another bridge is an object, which it
is " impossible to relinquish^*' the opposition to it is an
object which will never be relinquished. If the har^
mony of the town is to be interrupted while the pur-
suit of that object is continued, every exertion will
be made to restore that harmony by convincing the
town of the folly of being made the tool of design-
ing and deceitful men. If the dignity of the legislature
should be impiously assailed, the author of so nefari-
ous an attempt, will be pointed out by the finger of

31

scorn ; and if " eternal jealousies and strife** are to be
the consequences of deferring the grant, their promoters
will be as likely to perish in them^ as those for whose de-
struction they are excited.

We have thus torn the veil and exposed some few
of the most gross misrepresentations of the pamphlet,
in all their nakedness. We should have turned away
disgusted with the sight, did not our duty to the pub-
lic demand of us to exhibit their deformity. A good
cause requires not the aid of artifice or misrepresent-
ation, and a bad cause, with their aid, and the assist-
ance of intelligent heads, actuated by corrupt and dq-
praved hearts, cannot and will not succeed with hon*
est men.

LBLJtfJ

APPENDIX.

No. 1.

Refiort of the Toivn's CoTnmittee.

. THE Committee chosen hy the several wards, agreeable to a
■vote of the town of the 17th inst. to consider the conditions on
which Dorchester Neck shall be annexed to Boston, beg leave

To REPORT

••'•That the lands on Dorchester Neck be annexed to, and incor-
porated with the town of Boston on the following conditions ; —

1st, That a good and suitable Bridge be built from South
Street, of 42 feet wide, with good accommodations for foot pas-
sengers, who shall pass toll free ; and having two draws, one in
the channel of 32 feet wide, and one on the flats, on the norther-
ly side, of 28 feet wide, with a wharf of not less than 25 feet in
width to each draw, on each side the bridge, extending below the
bridge 200 feet, and above it 100 feet, and having a house on the
w^harf at the channel draw, for persons to be at, at all hours of the
day and night, to hoist the draws, for vessels to pass whenever
required, and the whole bridge to be well lighted.

2d, The Proprietors of the Bridge shall pay to the owners or
masters of all vessels above 20 tons, passing up above the bridge
to discharge their cargoes, at and after the rate oi' Jive cents per
ton, register measurement, but nothing returning below the
bridge.

3d, That there be inserted in the act of incorporation a clause,
whereby it be provided, that if the inhabitants of the town, on the
southern side of the bridge, apply to the legislature at any future
period to be set oft', as a separate town, or annexed to any other,
without the consent of the inhabitants of the northern side, that
then and as soon as they do, the charter of the bridge shall cease
to the then holders, and shall enure to the sole advantage of the
old town of Boston.

4th, The Proprietors of the land to be annexed, shall consent
that the Selectmen of the town of Boston shall immediately lay
out such streets, public squares and market places, as they shall
Judge necessary for the public accommodation, without any com-
pensation for the land so appropriated.

3th, There shall be two burial grounds, two school house lots,
and two lots for houses of public worship, also to be laid out with-
out any payment therefor.

6th, In lieu of the offer of one half of the proposed bridge,
there shall be set off by a joint committee of the proprietors on
the one part, and thQ town of Boston on the other part, upon the
land to be annexed in four different parts of the same, one tenth of
all the land thereon, (that is not used or set apart for public pur-
poses) which shall be held at the disposal of the town of Boston.

All which is submitted.
JOSEPH RUSSELL, /i(?r Order.

No. 2.

Bond executed between Messrs. Mason, Otis and theh* associates, and
South End Committee, as a measure preparatory to the compromise, which
afterwards was ratified before Committee of both Branches of the Legis-
lature.

Articles of agreement made and concluded this \8th day of Febru"
ary, A.D. X^OAs^ between Jonathan Mason and Harrison Gray
Otis^ of Boston^ Esquires^ in behalf of themselves and associatesy
of the first part <) and William Brown, Arnold Welles, Esquires^
Josiah Knajip, and Benjamin Goddard, Merchants, all of Boston^
in behalf of themselves and associates, of the second part,

WHEREAS the said parties of the first part contemplate,
and intend to attempt to procure from the Legislature of Mas-
sachusetts, an act of incorporation, authorising them to erect a
bridge, from the town of Boston's landing, so called, in Orange-
Street, in said Boston, or from some place southerly thereof, to
Dorchester Point ; and also to procure, if practicable, the anneX"
ation of said point to the town of Boston. And whereas the said
parties of the second part, with their associates, contemplate, and
intend to form and fill up a new street, running from said bridge

to Rainsford's-Lane, so called, as is hereafter described. Now

this agreement witnesseth :

First. The said parties of the first part, for themselves, their
executors and administrators, do hereby covenant and agree with
the parties of the second part, their executors, administrators
and assigns, that they will apply to the Legislature of this Com-
monwealth, and use their utmost endeavours to obtain an act of
incorporation, for tlie purpose of enabling them to build a bridge,
from the Town's Landing in Orange Street, or some place south
thereof, to Dorchester Point, and another act for annexing the
said point to the town of Boston ; and that when said acts shall
be obtained, they will, with all reasonable dispatch, commence
the building of said bridge, and complete the same.

Secondly. The parties of the second part, for themselves,
their executors and administrators, do hereby covenant with the

E

parties of the first part, their executors, administrators and as-
signs, that they will unite in their sincere and constant endeav-
ouRs to enable the party of the first part to obtain the said two
acts of the Legislature, untif the same shall be obtained : And
that whenever the act authorizing the erection of said bridge
shtfll have passed, and the proprietors thereof shall begin to
build said bridge, they will forthwith lay out and make, at their
onvn exfitnse, a certain street, or public highway, which shall
run from Rainsford's Lane, so called, until it comes to said
bridge ; the eastern line of said street to be at such a distance
from the south western corner of Deacon Brown's house in Or-
ange Street, that no part of said eastern line shall be nearer than
350 feet from the eastern line of Orange Street ; said road to be
at least 50 feet wide in all its parts, and a good and sufficient stone
facing next the sea ; and that the same shall be completed, on or
before the first day of November, A. D. 1805.

And to the true performance of their respective covenants the
parties hereby bind themselves to each other in the penalty of
fifty thousand dollars. In testimony whereof the parties have
hereunto set then* hands and seals the day and year before written.

No. 3,

Reiiwt of joint coinmittee of both Houses on the Compromise.

> THE committee of both houses appointed to take into consid-
eration the petition of Edward Tuckerman and others, praying
that they may be incorporated for the purpose of making a new
street from the Town's lajnding in or near Orange Street, to Essex
Street in the town of Boston, and also of erecting a bridge from
§aid landing to Nook Hill in the town of Dorchester, paying
however toll to a certain description of vessels ; jir oxide dhoiv-^
e~uer^ that no leave be given for the erection of a bindge to the north-
ward of said landing-^ beg leave to report, that the several parties,
viz. the petitioners, the petitioners for a bridge from South
Street, and the proprietors of Roxbury canal, have effected a
comprami^ey which your committee ask leave to make the basis of
their report, viz.

1st, That the petitioners make a new street, as they have prat-
ed for in their petition.

2d, That no leave be given to bmld a bridge to the northward of
said towji's landing,

3d, That a bridge be built at the place they have prayed for,
subject to the payment of a reasonable toll> to certain loaded ves-
sels'passing the draw of said bridge.

4th, That the right to build said bridge, ivith all tht tonditi^vfi
tonnected therenuithy be transferred from the petitioners, to the
petitioners for a bridge from South Street in Boston to Nook Hill
in Dorchester.

Which is submitted, BEZA HOWARD, per order.
In Senate, Feb. 22d, 1804, Read and Accepted.

DAVID COBB, President.
In House of Representatives, Feb. 23d, 1804,
Read and Cohcurred.

H, G. OTIS, Speaker.

No. 4.

South End Petition to build Front Street^ and the present Bridge,

To the Hon. Senate and House of Refiresentatii-es of the Com-
monivealth of Massachusetts^ in General Court asaembied.

The subscribers humbly shew, that they, with their associates,
are desirous of being incorporated into a body politic, for the pur-
pose of erecting a Bridge from, at or near the town's landing
place in Orange Street, in "the town of Boston, to Dorchester
Point — and also for the purpose of making a new Street from
Essex Street through Rainsford*s lane, so called ; running par-
allel with the main street in Boston, to the place on the Boston
side, where they propose to erect the said Bridge, and to continue
the said street in a proper direction to the town's land on Boston-
neck ;— said street to be at least fifty feet wide.

By the attainment of this object, a new avenue will be opened
to the town of Boston, across the narrowest part of the waters
passing between the town and Dorchester Point, from the south-
eastern part of the Commonwealth. The petitioners would fur-
ther state, that they are satisfied that this project would occasion
impediment and obstruction to the navigation which may pass
above the bridge proposed to be built ; they are therefore willing
that a condition, on which they may be incorporated, shall be, that
they pay to the masters of all loaded vessels passing up said
bridge, and of more than twenty tons burthen, ten cents per ton,
as a premium to induce them to pass said bridge. Your peti-
tioners conceive that the object of their petition embraces many-
public advantages. The south harbour of Boston will be made more,
commodious for navigation and commerce'^ and its present vmter
privileges will be preserved froin the destruction with which they are
now threatened, by the erection of another Bridge from South
Street. — A large part of the flats situated at the south part of the
town will be covered, and the number of lots proper for building
increased.

This pefition of your petitioners is founded upon ^ft fire^sump-
Hon that no liberty ivill be granted for the erectio7i of any other
bridge^ from Boston to Dorchester fieninsida^ to tht northward of the
filace where they firojiose to erect the said bridge^ unless at some
future period the increased settlement of this part of the country-
should be such, that the public exi^nces should require the same,
in which case your petitioners will be as ready as any class of
their fellow citizens to submit to any sacrifices for the public
interest.

And we further pray, that your Honours will grant us and our
associates, such a toll as will reimburse us for the expense of build-
ing said Bridge^ as to your Honours shall appear just and reason-
able.

No. 5.

Calculation ' of the Cost of Front Street ; the I^oss iiicurred
and to be incurred by the Projirietors^ l!fc.

Certain sales made by Mr^ Ellis are brought forward in the Pam*
^.,0ilti\a8 data to. show the gain of Front Street Corporation. It
^' rvill now be demonstrated from the same data^ that the Coi'/iora"
tiofi have made and must make great sacrifices.

It ought not to be deniedj that Mr. Ellis obtained a good price.
The .purchasers' object was to have a wharf iwhereon they could
contintie the business in which thiey had long been engaged. This
purchase was made soon after the compromise, under a convic-
tion that the water communication would be forever secured to
them ; this appears from their giving ^5000 for a piece of flats
on the east side, of the [street, bounding 100 feet upon the street ;
thefiMs on that side, are of little value for house lots.

The three pieces sold by Mr. D. Ellis, on the West side of the
street measure 100 feet on Front Street, and 76 deep, including the
lO feet left open by agreement, and contain 7287 square feet
which were sold for S4 850 being 66 1-2 cents per square
foot. These three pieces, when sold by Mr. Ellis, were in one lot
(though conveyed in three parcels to accommodate the pur^
chaser.) And the most eligibly situated of any one upon Front
Street, and worth nearly double to many in other parts of the
street, because it is within a few rods of the territorial centre of
the town, pleasantly fronting on two streets, viz. east on Front
Street, south on Harvard Street. Notwithstanding these advan-
tages, and that the payments were accommodated to the
wishes of the purchaser, he having eight years to complete theni
in, let the price of Mr. Ellis's estate (bought by Rice and Bridge)

70912 50

3050

73062 50

be thfe standard by whith to prove our stutetnent. In this "manner
it will be evinced that the Front Street Corporation will suffer a
sacrifice of $73962 50 (the cost of the street) and an additional
h)ssofS45913 40, all which is considered as so much contri-
buted to the public and those interested in the South Boston
speculation, with a view to save the commercial privileges of the
South Harbour from destruction by another bridge.

First, to shew the cost of the street.

Length 3050 feet, breadth 50 feet, height averag-
ing V3 feet. The assessments already laid,
amounting to ^23 1-4 per foot, is
Another assessment will be required, for fencing and
finishing the Stre^et, of at least one dollar per foot is

Cost of St^et
which is 48 cents for each superficial square foot.

By making the street there have been cut off and
shut within it, and thereby rendered useless, 130491
fieet of wharf (exclusive of abutment) valued at 40
cents per square foot, is

Add to this 3050 feet of abutment, averaging at least
60 feet in depth, which was little used but as wharves,
say half the value thereof, 20 cents per foot on
183,000 square feet, is

Front Street is built so far into the sea, as to leiave
the western side flats, to be raised, at least as high as
the street, which will cost, taking the cost of the
street for a standard, 48 cents per square foot. Now
take the width, the same as ^old by Mr. Ellis, 76
feet, which multiplied by the length 3050 feet is
231800 square feet to be filled up, at 48 cents per
foot, is 111264 —

52196 40

S6600 ^•

^274022 90
This amount must be expended before the house
lots will be fit for sale. Now give credit for these
houselots (all of which excepting 3 will be much infe-
rior to that sold by Mr. Ellis for reasons before stated)
at the same price Mr. Ellis sold for. The measure
being 3050 feet in length and 76 feet in width, is
231,800 square feet at 66 1-2 cents, is 154147

Loss to the Corporation, ^1 19875 90
■ The cunning and deceptive calculator, in the pamphlet, omit-
ted to add to the value of Mr. Ellis* estate, any thing for the gen-
eral rise. And between tAventy two and tAventy three thousand

dollars which he has expended upon the premises since his

purchase.

) To demonstrate this rise, the following is submitted.

Mr. Ellis, in 1794 and 1796 purchased his estate, then contain-
ing 22960 square feet of land for ^6383 33^ which is equal to
27 cents and 8 mills per foot. Mr. Knapp in 1800 (4 years be-
fore Front Street was thought of) bought a part of the same
land with no building of any kind on it, and on which Mr. EUis
from the time of his purchase to the time of the sale to Mr.
Knapp, had not expended a single cent in improvement. Mr;
Knapp paid for this piece which measures 5115 square feet
^2000 cash, which is equal to 39 cents and one mill per foot.
Accordingly between the time of Mr. Ellis' purchase and the*
time of the sale to Mr. Knapp, his land had risen in value more
than 40 per cent.

To exhibit further evidence of the cost of filling up the flats
and to show that the writer of the pamphlet meant wilfully to de-
ceive in the estimate which he gave the public, the following is
subjoined, being the cost per square, (of 216 cubic feet,) paid by
the proprietors of South Boston bridge for filling up the, abut-
ment adjoining the bridge on the Boston side.

The first contract for mud, brought in scows, was ^3 25 per
square foot. Another contract for gravel, brought in carts, was
at the rate of ^4 per square. The last contract for gravel carted,.
was as high as 4s. per cart load, or more than ^5 dollars per
square. And yet in the pretended calculation, in the pamphlet,
of the cost of Front Street, the writer allows but ^2 per square.

No. 6.

Calcula(lo7is of the Cost of fire sent Bindge^ and of the amount vested
therein by those interesed in the South Boston Sfieculation.

The whole amount of expenditures by the Trea-
surer's accounts, was between §5 6,000 and 5 7,000,
say g5 6,000

But the money received back by the proprietors,
arising from sales of materials not used, and ^5,288
62 cents paid back from the town, being half the
amount of filling up the town's land, as per agreement,
together amounted to more than §7,000, say 7,000

Cost of bridge to proprietors §49,000

8

which divided by 148, the number of shares, gives about ^338
cost of each share, 39 of which are owned by gentlemen not in
any degree interested in the South Boston land, which at §338
per share, gives §13,182.

20 of the 39 shares belong to members of the Front Street
Corporation, and other gentlemen of the south end ; 10 to an-
other, most of whose connexions, and family, are at that part of
the town. The remaining 9 belong to a gentleman of
Roxbury. Deduct therefore §13,182 from §49,000, the cost
of the bridge, leaves §35,818, or say §36,000 disbursed for
present bridge by those proprietors who may be in favour of an-
other ; maldng a difference of §20,000 between the amount as-
serted to have been disbursed by them and the real sum. For
what " special ^lurposes'^ the misrepresentation and exaggeration
were made will be readily seen.

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