THIRTY-SEVENTH REPORT
BOSTON RECORDS.
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BOSlOi TOWN RECORDS
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A VOLUME
RECORDS
RELATING TO THE
CONTAINING
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814 TO 1822
BOSTON
MUNICIPAL PRINTING OFFICE
1906
[DOCUMENT 128 — 1906.]
CITY OF BOSTON
EECORDS EELATING TO THE EARLY HISTORY
OF BOSTON
(Formerly called Record Commissioners' Reports)
This volume, which is the thirty-seventh in the series formerly
issued under the direction of the Record Commissioners, contains
the proceedings of the town from March 14, 1814, to April 1,
1822, containing and completing the meetings of the inhabitants
under the town government, as recorded in the tenth book of the
original records of the town of Boston.
EDWARD W. McGLENEN,
City Registrar.
OLD COURT HOUSE, BOSTON.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS.
[TENTH BOOK.]
1814-1822.
[1.] At a Meeting of the male Citizens of the Town of Boston
duly qualified & legally warned in publick Town Meeting assembled
at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 14th day of March A.D. 1814 —
9 O'Clock A.M.
Prayer by the Revd Mr. Parkman.
'Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Laws respecting the Election of Town officers, — read.
Honble. John Phillips, Esqr. chosen Moderator.
Thomas Clark — was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing,
& the oath of office was administered to him by the Moderator.
Charles Bulfinch Benjamin Weld
Ebenezer Oliver Joseph Lovering
Jonathan Hunnewell Joseph Austin &
Joseph Foster Robert Williams, Esqrs.
Nathan Webb
were chosen Selectmen for the year ensuing.
The oath was administered to them by the Moderator & the
following Certificate given by him.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, )
Suffolk ss. . . . March 14th. 1814— )
Then Charles Bulfinch, Ebenezer Oliver, Jonathan Hunnewell,
Joseph Foster, Nathan Webb, Benjamin Weld, Joseph Lovering,
Joseph Austin and Robert Williams Esquires being chosen Select-
men of the Town of Boston for the ensuing year severally
appeared & made oath faithfully to discharge the duties of their
office respecting all elections and the returns thereof.
before me John Phillips
Justice of the Peace.
2 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[2.] William Smith William Mackay
William Phillips Joseph Coolidge jun.
Redford Webster Joseph Richards
Thomas Perkins Bryant P. Tilden
Samuel Snelling Ephraim Elliott and
Ozias Goodwin Jonathan Phillips Esqrs.
tvere chosen Overseers of the Poor for the ensuing year.
Thomas Mellvill Nathan Webb
Andrew Cunningham George Blan chard
John Winslow Samuel M. Thayer
Stephen Codman Joseph Tilden
Jonathan Hunnewell Joseph Austin
Daniel Messenger Benjn. Rich
William Sullivan Joseph Levering
Benjamin Smith Gedney King
Nathaniel Curtis Francis J. Oliver
Edward Cruft John D. Williams
James Phillips William Harris and
Bryant P. Tilden John Winslow junr. Esqr8.
were chosen Firewards for the year ensuing
Thanks of the Town voted to Majr. Bray & Mr. Page.
Voted, That in addition to the Selectmen twelve persons shall
now be chosen a School Committee; and the votes being collected
it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen viz.
Revd. Charles Lowell Charles Davis, Esqr.
Revd. Horace Holley John Heard junr.
Revd. Samuel Cary Peter O. Thacher
Doctr. Aaron Dexter Francis J. Oliver
Doctr. Thomas Welsh William Smith &
Doctr. John C. Warren William Welles Esqr8.
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen who conjunctly with
the Selectmen are termed the School Committee, be and hereby
are directed to carry the system of Education adopted by the Town
into operation : and that said Committee be also authorized and
empowered conjunctly to manage and regulate the Government
[3] of the Schools ; and to execute all the powers relative to the
Schools and School Masters which the Selectmen or such Com-
mittees are authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth or by
votes of the Town to exercise. The thanks of the Town was then
voted to Mr. Channing.
Mess18. Benjamin White Joseph Stodder
John Cogswell Allen Bowker
William Clouston William Ellison junr.
William Ellison Nath1. Glover
Nathaniel Bradlee John Howe Junr.
BOSTON TOWN RECOBDS, 1814. 3
Noah Dogget Richard Thayer
Bradock Loring Edwd. J. Robbins
Thomas Christie Henry Blake
William Green Joseph Tucker and
Eleazer Homer Moses Eayres Junr.
were chosen Surveyors of Boards & other Lumber for the year
ensuing.
Mess1"8. Henry Purkett Nathl1. Howe and
John Smith Benjamin Clark
were appointed Surveyors of Hoops & Staves.
Mess™. Thomas Barbour John Bannister
Nath1. Howe Thomas Lambert
Benjamin Clark Benjn. Owen
Gershom Spear James Brown and
Charles Pook William J Hammet
were chosen cullers of Dry fish.
Messr8. Benjamin White — Nath1. Bradlee and William Ellison
were chosen Fence Viewers for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Barney Sloan — Neddy Curtis Joseph Champney and
Joseph Selaway were chosen Hogreeves & Haywards for the year
ensuing.
Samuel Emmons, and John Phillips, Esq™. were chosen Sur-
veyors of Hemp —
[4.] Edward Tuckerman and Josiah Snelling, Esqre. were
chosen Surveyors of Wheat.
Messrs. John Wells and Richard Austin were chosen Assay
Masters
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of Highways.
Messrs. Richard Homer, Francis James and Samuel Sprague
were chosen Inspectors of Lime.
Votes, — for a Treasurer for the County of Suffolk were received
by the Moderator & Town Clerk, [and] sorted and counted when
it appeared that the whole number was one hundred & sixty nine
votes, and that they were all for John Winslow Esqr.
Voted, That Stephen Codman, Francis J Oliver and John
Osborn Esq™. be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee to
audit the accounts of the Town Treasurer and also those of the
Overseers of the Poor, and the Board of Health. And said Com-
mittee are directed to report the sum necessary to be raised for
the services of the present year.
4 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, That the Auditors of Accounts for the Town of Boston
be requested to take into consideration the finances of the County
of Suffolk and Town of Boston, to obtain from their respective
Treasurers the amount of debts due from the County and Town
either to Banks or individuals — Also the amount of debts due to
said County & Town from outstanding taxes, or from individuals
or any other accounts ; also to obtain the amount received into
the Treasury within the last five years from Justices of the Peace
& other officers, arising from fines & [5] forfitures for breaches
of the law — also to ascertain the amount of outstanding Taxes
arising from neglecting to collect them when the persons were
competent to the payment, as stated in a late report — And to
consider how far the Bondsmen are answerable for the deficiency
of such receiver & Collector — and to report on the same at May
Meeting
The Thanks of the Town was voted to the Auditors of
Accounts for the last year.
Voted — That the consideration of all money matters be re-
ferred to the May Meeting
Voted — That the subject in the Warrant respecting the pas-
sageway requested by the New South Church proprietors, be
committed to the Selectmen, with full powers to act as the best
interest of the Town may require, and make & execute such con-
veyances as they may think proper, in behalf of the Town.
Voted — That the Selectmen be empowered to sell to Mr. David
Greenough & his associates so much of the land of the School
lot in West Street as in their opinion will not be injurious to the
School house, and on such terms as shall appear to them advan-
tageous to the Town — and that they be empowered to make a
legal conveyance of the same.
The Petition of Deacon Joseph Field was committed to the
Trustees of the land on Boston neck to consider the same and
report thereon.
Voted — That the Treasurer be directed to suspend the enforc-
ing the Collection of Dean. Joseph Fields Bond for the present.
Voted — The petition for a bye law against incumbering the
side walks of the Town, was referred to the Selectmen to take
the same into consideration & report thereon.
[6.] Voted — That the Thanks of the Town be given to the
Hon1. John Phillips Esqr. for his services as Moderator of this
Meeting.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814. 5
At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
of twenty one years of age and upwards, qualified as the Con-
stitution prescribes and legally warned in publick Town Meeting
assembled at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 4th. day of April A D
1814 — 9 O Clock A M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Lowell.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution or Frame of Government relative
to the choice of Governor, Lieutenant Governor & Senators, read.
Law of the Commonwealth dividing the State into Districts for
the choice of Senators & Counsellors — read .
It was then declared by the Selectmen, that no printed vote
would be received, & that the votes should be put into the Box
unfolded.
It was afterwards declared that the Poll should be closed at 2
O Clock — and the Bells to begin tolling at half past 1 O'Clock.
Persons voted for as Governour with the number of Votes for
each person — viz
His Exc*. Caleb Strong 3557
Hon1. Samuel Dexter 1557
[7.] Ben ja. Austin 2. John Holmes 1. 3
Wm. Eustis 1. Henry Dearborn 1 2
William Sullivan ---- 1
5120
Persons voted for as Lieutenant Governor, with the number of
votes for each person - viz.
His Honour William Phillips 3570
Hon1. William Gray 1550
Honble. James Lloyd 1
5121
Persons voted for as Senators for the District of Suffolk, with
the number of votes for each Person - viz.
Hon1. John Phillips 3564
Hon1. Israel Thorndike 3550
Hon1. Josiah Quincy 3524
Hon1. Thomas H. Perkins 3554
Hon1. Harrison G. Otis 3544
Hon1. Daniel Sargent 3548
Samuel Brown Esqr. 1523
6 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Russell Sturgis Esqr. 1524
Jona. L. Austin Esqr. _-._... 1524
William Little Esqr. 1520
Caleb Bingham Esqr. -. 1524
David Townsend Esqr. - - - - - - - 1520
William Spooner Esqr. ------- 4
Samuel Cobb Esqr. ------- -~\
James Lloyd Esqr. > 3
Caleb Loring Esqr. ---____-_)
Joseph Hall Esqr. £ „
Thomas K. Jones Esqr. |
William Sullivan Esqr. - ")
Jesse Putnam Esqr. - -
Tho8. L. Winthrop Esqr.
Stephen Codman Esqr. ------
Joseph E. Smith Esqr.
Attested Copies or return of the persons voted for as Gov-
ernour, Lieutenant Governour & Senators for the County of Suf-
folk sealed up in [8] open Town Meeting, after the vote had
been declared, to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Common-
wealth as prescribed by law; and directed as follows — viz.
To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the Commonwealth. —
Votes of the Town of Boston for Governour and Lieutenant
Governour, sealed up in open Town Meeting. — Also for Six Sen-
ators for the District of Suffolk, directed in the same manner.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
of twenty-one years of age and upwards, qualified as the Consti-
tution prescribes at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 12th. day of
May A D 1814—9 o'clock A M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Huntington.
Warrant calling the Meeting, read —
Paragraphs of the Constitution relating to the choice of Repre-
sentatives, and the law of the Commonwealth regulating Elec-
tions — read
The return of the Assistant Assessors signifying that the major
& minor Polls of this Town for the present year were 8275
besides 51 that were in the United States Army, being also
read. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814. 7
The Inhabitants were directed to bring in their votes for Rep-
resentatives not exceeding thirty-seven.
Votes were received by the Selectmen untill one O'Clock, when
they declared the Poll to be closed.
[9.] Upon sorting and counting the votes it appeared that
the whole number was 909 — necessary to make a choice 455 —
the following (thirty six) Gentlemen had a Majority of the votes
— and were declared to be duly elected Representatives for the
Town the ensuing year. Viz*.
William Smith Nathaniel Curtis
James Robinson Richard Faxon
Jonathan Hunnewell Samuel Dunn
William Sullivan John D. Howard
Stephen Codman Lynde Walter
Benjamin Russell Jonathan Loring
Charles Davis Jonathan Whitney
William Hammatt Samuel J. Prescott
William H. Sumner Lemuel Shaw
Ephraim Thayer Andrew Sigourney
Benjamin Weld Thomas Barry
Benjamin Whitman William Harris
Oliver Keating Richard Sullivan
Nathan Webb Joseph Pierce
Daniel Messenger William Brown
George G. Lee Benjamin Gorham
Sam1. M. Thayer Thacher Goddard &
George Blanchard William Sturgis
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[ 1 0.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of
Boston duly qualified and legally warned, assembled at Faneuil
Hall on Tuesday the 24 day of May A D 1814 10 O'Clock. A. M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Stephen Codman Esqr. was chosen Moderator.
The Auditors of Accounts made the following Report — viz.
The Committee appointed by a vote of the Town of Boston on
the 14th day of March last, to audit the accounts of the Town
Treasurer; and for other purposes, have attended that service
8 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
and ask leave to report — that they have examined the enclosed
account of Andrew Sigourney Esquire, the Town Treasurer &
Collector ; that they find the same right cast and well vouched,
that there remained in his hands on the 7* day of May instant a
balance of $19,162T2^ belonging to the Town.
Your Committee in further discharge of their duty addressed a
Letter to the standing Committee of Finance, who they conceived
most competent to give them such information on the general
pecuniary concerns of the Town as would enable them to make
such a report as the Town would expect. The Committee have
received a written communication from that Committee which so
fully discribes the state of the finances and other concerns of the
Town and County that your Committee think proper to annex the
same hereto, which they beg leave to rffer as part of their report
— viz.
Second annual report of the Committee of Finance.
[11.] The Committee of Finance of the Town of Boston,
composed of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Board of
Health : agreeably to the powers and instructions received from
the Town, have examined the accounts of the Treasurer and Col-
lector for the past year, and report as follows. —
They have been gratified to find such a system of order and
perspicuous arrangement in the Books of the office, as render the
examination & intimate knowledge of the accounts easy & con-
venient.
By referring to the Report of this Committee in May 1813, it
will be found, that there was then due on back taxes from 1804
to 1812 inclusive the sum of $86361.74 —
Since which has been received as follows.
of 1804 - 80.81
of 1805 ----- 179.11
of 1806 299.80
of 1807 518.90
of 1808 473.
of 1809 905.74
of 1810 1167.73
of 1811 1052.66
of 1812 3858.18
8535.93
The amount of taxes abated the past year - - - 59245.63
Leaves Balance uncollected 18580.18
$86361.74
The amount of taxes assessed in 1813 for County
and Town was $152400.60
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814.
of which has been received to May 7th - - -
amount of errors & abatements
Ballance uncollected
$141028.83
9320. 9
$150348.92
2051.68
$152400.60
from which it appears, that the whole tax for 1813 has
been collected or settled except 2000 Dollars, between the 18th.
day of October and the 7th. day of May, a period short of 7
months : a circumstance Highly creditable to the Collector and to
the inhabitants of the Town. —
The following is a statement of the Towns debts ana credits
Dr.
State Tax 1813 - -
County D° - - - -
N. E. Insurance office
J. Bradley for oil - -
To Bank - - - -
Private Notes - - -
on Selectmens df'8.
on Overseers D°. - -
Town of Boston
$9500 By Notes of several
30125.34 persons for land,
5500. By John Brazer suit
13000.
25500.
16881.17
649.58
1372.23
rec ag*. him -
Commonwealth
poor ...
Cash in Treas-
ury - - - -
102,528.32
Selectmens df. May - 7000.
Unliquidated Accu. - 10000.
$119528.32
Estimating the debts as above at - - - - -
and adding 5000 dollars to the same to cover further
unliquidated balances the amount will be - - -
to which add the current expences of the year - -
Cr.
7486.55
6500.
7000.
19162.22
$40148.77
$120000
125000
82000
$207000
being the same as last year — exhibits the sum to be provided
for $207000 in manner following —
from money in the Treasury & debts coming due this
year 39000
from Commonwealth support of State Poor - ... 13000
Rents p estimate of last year -- 10000
Town Tax same as last year, for current expences - - 75000
sum necessary to discharge the balance of debt
137000
70000
$207000
10 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Committee have deliberated upon the most elegible mode
of discharging the above balance and offer the following as the
result. — They find [13] that the whole amount of State, County
& Town taxes for 1813 was §152,400 — And that the County tax
for the present year is $14000 less, than in the last; they also
find that the County debt being provided for, the current expenses
of the County will not require a larger tax in future
It is therefore proposed, that the sum of $14000 dollars should
be raised in addition to the amount for current Town expeuces,
and be appropriated towards the discharge of the Towns debts :
and that the same amount should be assessed annually until the
whole shall be discharged, which will be effected in six years,
without laying on the [nhabitants any greater burthen, than what
they have borne and promptly paid during the past year.
But as some of the Creditors of the Town may be urgent for
immediate payment, it is proposed, that the Town should em-
power the Treasurer to borrow of Individuals or of publick
institutions, such sums as may be necessary to satisfy the present
creditors, And that the Committee of Finance be directed to pay
particular attention, that the sura raised for the gradual discharge
of the old debts be strictly appropriated to that purpose.
By order of the Committee
May 218t. 1814. — Charles Bulfinch, Chairman
Your Committee take this opportunity to add their testimony
to that of the Committee of Finance on the perfect system of
order and clear arrangement in the Books and Accounts of the
Treasurer and Collector, and for the unexampled promptness,
with which he has collected nearly the whole of the last years
taxes, and of so large a portion of the outstanding taxes, which
circumstance does great honour to the talents & integrity of that
officer. —
[14.] Your Committee also requested the County Treasurer
to give them such information from his office as would enable
them to satisfy the Town as to the finances of the County, and
they received from him every satisfaction they could expect. —
The Committee of Finance in their report have taken notice of
part of the result of those enquiries, and your Committee have
to add, that the County Treasurer stated to them that there were
no books in the Office by which he could ascertain the amount of
fines and forfeitures received from Justices of the Peace for
breaches of law within the last five years, but that since the
present Treasurer had been in office had received as follows
from several Justices - - 1161.64
from Shubael Bell received by Mm for persons
committed --- 493.35
and that these sums had been paid over to the Treasurer of the
Commonwealth agreeable to law.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814. 11
It also appears that in 1813. there was paid to the Justices of
the Peace for criminal suits before them the sum of $3303.92 of
this sum (for all suits carried to the Courts by appeal or recog-
nizance) was repaid by the Commonwealth $1700 — Left a
balance of Loss to the County of 1603 dollars.
With regard to that part of the duty of your Committee " to
ascertain the amount of outstanding taxes arising from neglect-
ing to collect them when the persons were competent to the pay-
ment as stated in a late report." That report fully states the
amount, but whether any neglect to collect them when persons
were competent to the payment took place or not, the Committee
have no means of [15] ascertaining — And the question "how
far the Bondsmen are answerable for the deficiency of such
Receiver & Collector" is a legal question which your Committee
do not feel themselves competent to determine. —
All which is submitted
Stephen Codoaan )
Francis J. Oliver y Committee
John Osborn )
Boston May 23. 1814.
The foregoing Reports of the Auditors of accounts & Com-
mittee of Finance were read, considered & accepted by the
Town — and ordered that the report of the Committee of
Finance be published.
The Committee of Finance having examined the accounts and
proceedings of Andrew Sigourney Esqr. Treasurer & Collector of
the Town of Boston, as it respects both of said important offices,
& are happy to state.
That they find the Treasurer and Collector has executed the
duties of said offices with great ability and faithfulness, as will
appear from the statements accompanying the report of the
Auditors.
The Town of Boston will therefore feel, that a Compensation
for services rendered, so essential to their interests, becomes a
duty, which will give them pleasure to execute.
The Committee would state, that they find said Treasurer &
Collector has expended the sum of one thousand, eighty three
dollars 33 cents for necessary Clerk hire in his said offices, from
the first day of July 1813 to the 1st. day of June 1814 and the
sum of ninety two dollars 15 Cents expences attending [16] the
delivery of Bills & summonses to delinquents, for which no com-
pensation has been, or can be by him received.
This expence to the Treasurer & Collector has in a great
measure arisen from his very able & faithful attention to the
collection and settlement of such back taxes as became due,
before he was appointed to said offices.
The Committee would therefore report — That there be allowed
to the said Andrew Sigourney Esquire out of the Treasury of the
said Town of Boston, the sum of eleven hundred seventy five
12 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
dollars, forty five cents, the same being the amount of the sums
aforesaid by him expended in said offices, as Treasurer & Collec-
tor, for said Town, on their account, up to said first day of June
1814 — And considering that the sum of one hundred & forty
thousand dollars, taxes, have been received and paid the past
year ; and eight thousand five hundred dollars back taxes have
been collected — and Fifty nine thousand dollars have been set-
tled by abatements, all of which the said Treasurer & Collector
has attended to, with that accuracy and faithfulness, which have
characterized all his proceedings — The Committee whould fur-
ther report, That there be allowed & paid to Andrew Sigourney
Esquire out of the Treasury of the Town of Boston, the further
sum of Two thousand dollars, in full for his services as Town
Treasurer & Collector of Taxes for the year ending the first day
of July next. — All which is respectfully submitted, by order of
the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, & Board of Health of the
Town of Boston, said Committee of Finance.
Charles Bulfinch, Chairman.
Boston, May 24th 1814.
[17.] The foregoing Report of the Committee of Finance was
read, & accepted by the Town.
Edward Tuckerman William Hammatt
William Brown Peter O. Thacher and
Joshua Davis Thomas Dawes, Esquires,
were chosen Trustees of Neck Lands.
The following gentlemen were chosen Inspectors of the Market
for the year ensuing — viz. :
Gedney King Ward No. 1 John P. Thorndike Ward No. 7
John D. Howard " 2 Caleb Haywood " 8
Turell Tuttle " 3 Isaac P. Simpson " 9
Samuel Hichborn " 4 Joseph Allen " 10
Turell Tuttle, junr. " 5 John Roulston " 11
George W. Otis " 6 Samuel Sprague " 12
Neddy Curtis and
Abel Hewins,
were chosen Fence Viewers for South Boston.
Romanus Emmerson,
was chosen Hayward and Pound Keeper.
Samuel Holmes and
Elisha Copeland,
were chosen Tythingmen for the year ensuing.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814. 13
The Petition of Mr. William Bigelow, late Master of the Latin
School was committed to
Benjamin Whitman,
[18.] Benjamin Russell,
Lemuel Shaw,
William Mack ay and
William Sullivan, Esquires,
to consider this and report at the next adjournment.
The Trustees of lands upon the Neck, to whom was referred
the Petition of Joseph Field Esqr., having attended to the sub-
ject, having heard and considered the statement of the petitioner,
and by a part of their body viewed the premises, now ask leave
respectfully to report, that in their opinion, the petitioner has no
legal claim against the Town arising from any injury which he may
be supposed to have sustained from the alteration in the scite of
the burying ground upon the neck, inasmuch as their was never
any stipulation or engagement restricting the town from making
such alteration if the publick good should render it necessary.
The trustees further consider that, the house of the petitioner
being protected in front by a high fence & by a row of trees,
very little inconvenience can arise or be felt by him, or by those
who occupy the same, from the funeral processions, which
occasionally enter the burying ground ; and that any inconve-
nience which may arise from this cause is more than compensated
by the advantage which will result to the estate from the
land in front of the house being forever kept open. It further
appeared upon enquiry, that the rent of this estate had not sus-
tained a greater depression, than that of other estates in the
vicinity — The Trustees are therefore of opinion that the peti-
tioner is not entitled in law or in equity to [19] compensation
from the town according to the prayer of his petition.
All which is submitted.
By order of the Trustees
Ch8. Bulfinch, Chairman.
Boston May 24th. 1814.
The foregoing report on the petition of Joseph Field Esqr. was
read and accepted.
Voted, that the sum of two hundred dollars be appropriated for
the African school the present year.
Voted, that the sum of Seven hundred and fifty dollars be
allowed and paid unto Honble. Thomas Dawes Esqr. for his Salary
as Judge of the Municipal Court the ensuing year.
Voted — that the sum of One thousand dollars be allowed &
paid unto Thomas Clark, Town Clerk, as his salary for the year
ensuing.
14 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted — that the sum of Eight hundred & sixteen dollars be
allowed & paid to each of three assessors for their services the
present year.
Voted — that
Stephen Codman
Thomas W. Sumner
William Sullivan
Abraham W. Fuller and
Wm. H. Sumner Esq18.
be a Committee to take into consideration the subject of the
delinquincy of the late Treasurer & Collector of Boston and re-
port on the expediency of commencing a prosecution against said
Collector or his Bondsmen.
[SO.] Upon the representation and exhibition of the doings
and proceedings of Andrew Sigourney Esqr. Treasurer and Col-
lector of taxes of the Town of Boston the last year.
Voted — that the Town of Boston highly approve of the con-
duct of said Andrew Sigourney Esqr. in the said offices of Treas-
urer & Collector, and that he has faithfully and fully as was in
his power completed the execution of his duty in said offices to
which he has been appointed as aforesaid, and that he be excused
from all delinquincy or default in not having effected the full and
complete settlement of the Taxes by him to have been received
or collected according to law.
The following Bye law was passed by the Town and ordered
to be laid before the Court of Sessions for confirmation.
It is hereby ordered that no person shall hereafter saw any fire
wood, or pile the same, upon the foot walks of any of the
Streets, or lanes of this Town ; and that no person shall stand
on any such footwalk, with wood saw or horse, to the hindrance
or obstruction of any foot passenger, under a penalty of one
dollar for each and every of said offences.
And it is hereby ordered, that no person shall throw or cause
to be thrown, any snow from the top of any house into the street,
after the hour of nine O'Clock in the forenoon ; and every person
who shall throw or cause to be thrown any snow from the roof of
any building, shall have the same removed from the footwalk and
spread evenly in the [21] Street. And every person who shall
offend in either of these respects shall forfeit and pay the sum
of two dollars for each and every offence.
Adjourned to Monday the first day of August next —
10 O'Clock A.M.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814. 15
At a Convention of the Boards of Selectmen, Overseers of the
Poor, and Board of Health, of the Town of Boston, held in
Faueuil Hall on the 22d day of June A D 1814-5 0 'Clock P.M.
Charles Bulfinch Esq1'. Chairman.
The Law of the Commonwealth requiring a Majority of each
Board to be present at the Election of Town Treasurer & Col-
lector of taxes ; and their not being a Majority of the Members
of the Overseers & Board of Health present — The Convention
was adjourned to Monday next the 27 Instant — to meet at
4 O'Clock P. M.
Monday June 27th. 1814. —
The Convention met according to adjournment.
Present a Majority of each Board. —
Voted to proceed to the choice of a Town Treasurer for the
year ensuing & that Major Tilden and Col°. Robinson be a Com-
mittee to collect sort & count the votes.
The Committee reported that the whole [23] number of votes
were 23 and that Andrew Sigourney Esqr. was unanimously
chosen.
The Convention then proceeded to the choice of a Collector of
taxes — and Andrew Sigourney Esquire was declared to be
unanimously elected.
Mr. Sigourney appeared before the Convention — declared his
acceptance of the offices of Town Treasurer & Collector of taxes
for the year ensuing — and proposed George Blauchard & Benja-
min Weld Esquires as his Bondsmen.
Mess™. Hunnewell, Webster & Whitman, were appointed
a Committee to consider the responsibility of the Gentlemen
offered by Mr. Sigourney as his Bondsmen.
The Committee reported as their opinion, that the sureties
offered by Mr. Sigourney were ample & sufficient — which
report was accepted — And the same Committee were directed to
take bonds of Mr. Sigourney in the sum of twenty thousand dol-
lars as Treasurer, and the further sum of twenty thousand dollars
as Collector of taxes for the year ensuing.
Then the Convention was Dissolved.
[33.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabit-
ants of the Town of Boston at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 4th
day of July A. D. 1814 — 9 O'Clock A. M.
16 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Thomas Clark was chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Indepen-
dence — Reported — that they had chosen Benjamin Whitwell
Esquire — who has accepted the appointment.
Adjourned to meet at the old South Church — 12 O'Clock. —
Met at the Old South Church where the Oration was delivered
by Benjamin Whitwell Esquire to commemorate the Independence
of the United States of America.
Voted — That the Selectmen be, and hereby are appointed a
Committee to wait on Benjamin Whitwell, Esqr. in the name of
the Town, & thank him for the elegant and spirited Oration this
day delivered by him at the request of the Town, upon the anni-
versary of American Independence, in which were considered
the feelings, manners and principles, which produced the great
national event, and the important & happy effects, general and
domestic, which have already, or will forever flow from that
auspicious epoch ; and to request of him a copy for the press. —
[24.] Voted — That the Gentlemen Selectmen be, and hereby
are appointed a Committee to apply to some able & learned Gen-
tleman to deliver an Oration on the 4th. day of July 1815 — That
day being the Anniversary of the Independence of the United
States of America ; wherein the Orator is to consider, the feel-
ings, manners, and principles which led to this great national
event, as well as the important and happy effects, whether general
or domestic, which have already, or will forever flow from that
auspicious Epoch.
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston on
Monday the 1st. day of August A D 1814, held by Adjournment
from the 24th. day of May — At Faneuil Hall — 10 O'Clock
AM.—
Stephen Codman, Esqr.
Moderator.
On motion — Voted, that this Meeting be Adjourned to Monday
the fifth day of September next — then to meet at this place 10
O'Clock, A M.—
Adjourned accordingly. —
[25.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Boston at Faneuil Hall on Saturday the 3d. day of September
A D 1814—10 O'Clock A.M.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814. 17
Honble. Thomas Dawes, Esquire was chosen Moderator.
This Meeting was called by William Wetmore, Esquire, a
Justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk in consequence of
the following petition — viz —
To the Honourable William Wetmore a Justice of the Peace
for the County of Suffolk.
Respectfully represent — The Subscribers being more than
Ten of the Freeholders of the Town of Boston, that the Selectmen
of the Town of Boston have been requested in writing by Ten or
more of the Freeholders of said Town to call a Town meeting for
the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency of pro-
viding means of defence in the present exposed and dangerous
situation of this Town and that the Selectmen have unreasonably
denied to call a meeting upon this public occasion; Whereupon
your petitioners request your honour by Warrant under your
hand & Seal directed to a Constable or Constables of said Town
directing him or them to notify & warn the Inhabitants qualified
to vote in Town affairs to assemble at such time & place in said
Town as your Honour shall in said Warrant direct and for the
Purpose in said warrant expressed. —
Monday Aug1. 29. 1814 — signed Winslow Lewis & sixty-two
other Citizens. —
[26.] Commonwealth of Massachusetts )
Suffolk ss }
To the Constables of the Town of Boston in the said County
and to any of them — Greeting
r ^ -, Whereas it has been represented in writing to me, one
J of the Justices of the peace in & for the said County, that
the Selectmen of Boston aforesaid, unreasonably deny to call a
meeting of the Inhabitants of said town being upon a publick
occasion, to take into consideration " the expediency of provid-
ing means of defence in the present exposed & dangerous situa-
tion of the said town " ; which representation is signed by more
than Ten of the Inhabitants & freeholders of said town, and is
hereunto annexed.
Now you the said Constables are hereby required in the name
of the said Commonwealth, to notify and warn the Inhabitants of
the said town, qualified to vote in town affairs to assemble at
Faneuil Hall in said town on Saturday the third day of Septem-
ber next, at ten o'Clock in the forenoon then & there to take into
consideration the subject of said representation & petition, and
to adopt such measures as they may deem expedient in the
premises. Given under my hand & seal at Boston aforesaid the
twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand
Eight hundred & fourteen.
Wm. Wetmore.
The Inhabitants were legally warned by
Walter Crosby Constable. —
18 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[37.] The proceeding8 of the Selectmen upon the above
petition, taken from the minutes is as follows, viz.
Town of Boston
At a Meeting of the Selectmen, August 24th. 1814,
A Petition was presented, signed by a number of the Inhabit-
ants, requesting that a Town meeting should be called forthwith,
to take into consideration the expediency of providing for the
immediate defence of the Town and Harbour. —
The subject having been considered, it was voted, that we do
not thijik it expedient to call a meeting of the town for the pur-
poses expressed in the Petition ; and Ordered, that the following
reasons of our opinions be entered on the Records of the Board, viz.
In the present unhappy circumstances of our country, the
Selectmen of the Town of Boston feel the fullest confidence in
the wisdom, patriotism and prudence of his Excellency the Com-
mander in Chief, .and in the watchful care & attention of the
Commissioners appointed by him for the defences of the State.
Especially we are. sensible of the correctness of their views in
the dispositions made for the defence of this Town ; which have
been communicated to the Board by said Commissioners in sev-
eral conferences with them, & in their letter to the Board of 30
June [28] last ; under the conviction we feel it our duty to rely,
with perfect confidence, on our Rulers; and not by calling a
meeting of the Inhabitants, to excite alarm ; and in the presence
of the Governour and Council, and of the Commissioners of
known military experience, to interfere with their duties, or
imply any doubt of the wisdom of their measures.
By order of the Selectmen
Charles Bulfinch Chairman.
The Petition and Warrant for calling the Meeting having been
read
The following Resolutions were (nearly) unanimously adopted
by the Town, viz. —
Whereas, in the progress of the present unhappy war, it has
become manifest, that the destruction of the public Ships & naval
arsenals in the various ports in the United States is a principal
object of the enemy, & therefore this Town notwithstanding its
uniform disapprobation of the measures which led to this calam-
ity, & its endeavours to avert it, may be exposed to danger from
an enterprise against the ships of War, which are now lying in
our port, without any adequate means of protection & defence
furnished by the National Government ; and,
Whereas, we entertain a full confidence that the Executive
Government of this Commonwealth has been & still is occupied
in preparing all the means & resources, which are at its disposal,
for defending this port & Town, from an invasion ; [291 and
we moreover believe that the brave & disciplined militia of this
and the neighbouring Counties which are ready at the shortest
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814. 19
notice to repair to any point of attack, will present to an invad-
ing foe a superiority in number to any force, which is yet known
to be upon our coast ; yet as in times of great & eminent danger,
extraordinary exertion & alacrity become the duty of the Citizen,
& it may be acceptable to his Excellency the Governour to
receive the assurance that the Citizens of Boston, " in the times
which try mens souls," are as they have been ready to aid, by
their manual labour & pecuniary contributions, and by all the
ways & means in their power, in promoting and making effectual
any measures of defence, which may be devised by the proper
authority ;
Therefore Resolved, that the Citizens of this Town cherish an
undiminished confidence in the disposition of the Governour &
Council to organize and hold in readiness, for the defence of this
town & its vicinity, a competent portion of the force under his com-
mand, and are persuaded that such measures have been and will
be adopted, to prepare for any great emergency, as will justify
the reliance placed by their fellow Citizens upon their vigilance &
solicitude, for the safety & honour of the Commonwealth. —
Resolved, that we will cheerfully and cordially co-operate with
his Excellency, in any measures, that may be devised, for the
defence of the Capital, in which our services may be useful ; and,
that we will whenever [3O] in his opinion the occasion may
require, make prompt and effective arrangements for the employ-
ment of all clases of our Citizens, in the construction of fortifica-
tions or other means of defence, and for obtaining from patriotic
individuals voluntary loans and contributions of money to be
applied to these objects.
Resolved, that while we deplore the evils and calamities of a
war, in the production of which, we were in no wise instrumental,
we are not dismayed by the aspect of the foice, which is employed
against us, nor do we despair of our Country. "United we
stand divided we fall" and we are strong in the assurance, that
the courage, resources, experience, and patriotism of our Country,
will yet surmount the Evils and the Perils which surround us, and
transmit to posterity, our Union and Liberties strengthened by a
recollection of Errors and dangers and a disposition to learn
Wisdom from misfortune. —
Resolved, that the Moderator of this meeting be requested to
transmit a copy of these resolutions, certified by the Town Clerk,
to his Excellency the Governour. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[31.] At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bos-
ton held (by adjournment) at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 5th day
of September A. D. 1814—10 O'Clock A M.
Stephen Codman, Esqr.
Moderator. —
20 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Mr.
William Biglow, late Master of the latin School in Boston,
requesting the Town of Boston to make him a grant, on account
of his services and extra labours in his said employment as mas-
ter of the latin School in said Town — as by the vote of said
Town, at their meeting on the 24th. of May last appears. —
Have attended that service and ask leave to report.
That in consideration of the high price of almost all the articles
of living for several years past, and at the time said Bigelow has
been employed a schoolmaster by the said Town — The great
inconveniences said Bigelow suffered for nearly one year, while
the New School house was building in School street, at which
period he was obliged to keep his said School in places extremely
inconvenient, and also was deprived of any advantages from his
private school, which came in aid of his support — the great
exertions made by said Biglow, to accomplish the wishes of the
Town, in perfecting his said latin School as appeared to this
Committee, from the Certificates of many of his Ushers in said
School — And the great [32] disappointment to said Biglow, in
not being continued in his said employment in said School, by
the School Committee of said town, and also the low compensa-
tion to said Biglow for his services in said employment, by the
said Town for several years past — The said Committee recom-
mend to the said town of Boston, that they should pass the
following votes & order — viz, Ordered that there be paid out of
the Treasury of the Town of Boston, to Mr. Wm. Biglow, late
master of the latin School in said Town, The sum of five hundred
dollars, which sum, with what he has heretofore received, is to be
in full for all his services, as master of the latin School in said
Town of Boston, and inconveniences he may have suffered while
in said employment. — and the Treasurer of said Town is hereby
directed to pay the same accordingly. —
All which is respectfully submitted
Benj. Whitman, per Order.
Boston July 15tu. 1814.
The foregoing Report was read and accepted by the Town.
The Committee appointed by the Town of Boston at a legal
Meeting on the 24th. of May 1814 to take into consideration the
subject of the delinquincy of their late Treasurer and Collector
William Smith Esqr. and report on the expediency of Commencing
a prosecution against said Collector or his bondsmen, [33] have
considered the important business assigned them, & make the
following report. —
The system adopted by the town for the collection of their
taxes during the first seven years that Mr. Smith was in office,
was found to be so defective, that a considerable loss, was, an-
nually, inevitable. — That system was in part corrected in 1810
and by the report of a respectable Committee it appears, that
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1814. 21
they attributed the delinquency then, to the imperfection of the
system and not to the negligence or misconduct of the Collec-
tor. — In that report although the Committee recommended the
enjoining of a more prompt collection of the taxes, yet they also
recommended, that the Collectors duties should be performed with
as much discretion and lenity, as the nature & urgency of the
demands would permit. The Town accepted that report, and by
so doing, as your Committee believe, discharged their Collector,
at least from the duty of distraining or prosecuting, unless in
cases where there was a reasonable expectation of obtaining the
sums due. —
Your Committee are satisfied that the Collector conformed,
according to the best of his judgement to the spirit of the report.
By the report of the Committee of finance in May 1814 it ap-
pears, that there was over from outstanding taxes from the year
1804 to 1813 $86,361.74
[34] of which sum Mr. Smith")
collected before he left the of- [• $6,765.81
fice, viz, from May to July 1813 )
And the present Collector had col- )
lected of that sum previous to }- ----- $8,535.93
May 1814 )
The assessors had abated for causes ) *,„ ,„<, ~2
unknown to your Committee - - )
which left a balance outstanding & unabated in
May 1814 18,580.18
of this sum a part has been, & probably more will be collected ;
but what proportion will be ultimately lost by the Town, cannot
be now known to the Committee.
A considerable part of this sum was, in the opinion of the
Committee assessed on persons who ought not to have been
taxed ; or on persons who could not be found when the tax bills
were given to the Collector ; and although some loss may be sus-
tained in consequence of the lenity of the Collector, exercised in
virtue of the aforesaid accepted report, the Committee do not be-
lieve that it will be very great. — If the Collector did the best in
his power to collect the taxes, & honestly used the discretion
delegated to him by the Town, whatever loss may have happened
ought to be borne by the town and not by the Collector or his
bondsmen.
It appears by the reports of the annual Committees (which re-
ports have been accepted by the town) that the late Treasurer
and Collector [35] has faithfully paid over all the money he
had collected ; and as the situation of the outstanding taxes was
always stated in those reports, your Committee think that the
annual re-election of the same officer, was an implied approbation
of his conduct. — Upon consideration of all these circumstances,
and also that the tax books at the time of the appointment of a
new Collector were taken out of the hands of the late Collector,
22 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
whereby he was deprived of all controul over the taxes, it is the
opinion of the Committee that the loss sustained by the town
cannot be imputed to the personal negligence or misconduct of
the Collector, and that it is not expedient to institute any pros-
ecution against the said Smith or his sureties upon the bonds
given to the Town. — The Committee have not taken into view
the amount of taxes which have been abated by the assessors,
viz., $52,479.82, because in abating this amount the assessors
exercised a power vested in them, and not subject to the control
of the late Collector. — And the Committee suppose that abate-
ments would not have been made excepting where taxes had been
assessed on persons not liable to taxation, or on persons who
were unable to pay. And the Committee have therefore limited
their investigation to the sum not outstanding and unabated
viz. $18,580.18 — All which is respectfully submitted.
Boston August 1814.
Step. Codman
Wm. Sullivan
W. H. Sumner
Abm. W. Fuller
Tho. W. Sumner
[36.] The foregoing Report was read, considered and
accepted by the Town.
Voted, that in order to carry into effect the recommendations
of the report of the Committee of finance, accepted by the
Town, at the meeting on the 24th. day of May last, That the
Treasurer be empowered to borrow of individuals or of public
institutions, a sum not exceeding Seventy thousand Dollars, to
discharge the outstanding debts of the Town.
Voted, that William Smith, William Phillips, Bedford Web-
ster, Thomas Perkins, Samuel Snelling Ozias Goodwin, William
Mackay, Joseph Coolidge, jr Joseph Richards, Bryant P. Til-
den, Ephraim Eliot and Jonathan Phillips Esquires, chosen by
the Town Overseers of the Poor in March last, be empowered to
Act as Overseers of the work house & house of Correction in
this Town ; with all the power conferred on Overseers by the
laws of this Commonwealth passed March 1788, entitled "an
Act for suppressing and punishing Rogues, Vagabonds, common
Begars, and other idle, disorderly & lewd persons " and also by
another law passed January 1789, entitled an Act for erecting
work houses, for the reception and employment of the idle and
indigent.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to the Mod-
erator, for his services at this Meeting
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 23
[37.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston duly qualified to vote for Representatives in the Gen-
eral Court of this Commonwealth, at Faneuil Hall on Monday
the 7th. day of November A D 1814 — 10 O'Clock A.M.
Prayer by Revd. Doctr. Lathrop.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Paragraphs of a Resolve of the General Court for choosing
one Representative in the Congress of the United States for the
District of Suffolk — read
The Inhabitants were informed that the Poll would be closed at
half past 10 O'Clock.
Persons voted for as Representative for the Suffolk District in
this Commonwealth in the next Congress of the United States,
viz,
Hon1. Artemus Ward Esqr. - - - - 1112
Daniel Sargent Esqr. - ... 1
Andrew Richie Esqr. .... 2
Joseph P. Bradlee 1
James T. Austin 1
Wm. H. Sumner Esq8 1
1118.—
And declaration made thereof by the Selectmen in Publick
Town Meeting
A return of the doings of this Meeting was made out (con-
formable to the printed direction of the General Court) and
forwarded by the Town Clerk to the Office of the Secretary of
the Commonwealth, as the Law directs. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
1815.
[38.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of
Boston qualified as the law directs, held at Faneuil Hall on Mon-
day the 13th. day of March A D 1815 — 10 O'Clock A. M.
Prayer by the Revd. Doctr. Baldwin —
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read
Law respecting the Election of Town officers — read. —
24 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Hon1. John Phillips Esqr. was chosen Moderator.
Thomas Clark was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing
and the oath of office was administered to him by the Moderator.
Jonathan Hunnewell Robert Williams
Joseph Foster Elisha Ticknor
Joseph Lovering Josiah Bachelder
Joseph Austin Joseph Tilden and
Jacob Hiler Esq™.
were chosen Selectmen for the year ensuing.
Adjourned to Thursday next 10 O'Clock A M.
[39.] Thursday March 16th. 1815.
The Town met according to adjournment.
The Gentlemen chosen Selectmen on Monday last having
declined accepting the appointment —
The following Gentlemen were appointed a Committee, at the
request of the Moderator, to assist him in receiving, sorting &
counting the Votes for Selectmen — viz —
Arnold Welles Joseph Coolidge junr.
Nathan Webb John Wood and
Benj". Smith Andrew Sigourney Esquires
Benj". Russell
The Inhabitants were then requested to bring in their votes for
nine Selectmen for the year ensuing — The votes being received
sorted & counted, it appeared that the following Gentlemen had
a majority of all the votes given in & were declared Elected by
the Moderator, viz.
Charles Bulfinch Joseph Lovering
Ebenezer Oliver Joseph Austin
Jonathan Hunnewell Robert Williams and
Joseph Foster Edmund Hart Esquires
Benjamin Weld
Adjourned tomorrow morning 10 O'Clock.
[4O.] Friday March 17th.
Met according to adjournment.
Seven of the Gentlemen elected Selectmen appeared & took
their seats, Mr. Lovering & Mr. Hart were absent
Mr. Bulfinch having addressed the Moderator & declared
acceptance of the office to which he had been elected. — The
Moderator administered the oath to him & the six other Select-
men present — wereupon it was moved & voted unanimously,
BOSTON TOWN RECOEDS, 1815. 25
that the address of Charles Bulfinch Esqr., declaring his accept-
ance as a member of the Board of Selectmen for the year en-
suing, & prior to his taking the oath of office, be published in all
the News papers printed in the Town of Boston.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to Nathan Webb
Esqr. for his faithful services as one of the Selectmen for seven
years past.
William Smith William Mackay
William Phillips Joseph Coolidge Junr.
Bedford Webster Joseph Richards
Thomas Perkins Jonathan Phillips
Sam1. Snelling Samuel May and
Ozias Goodwin Jacob Hall Esquires
were elected Overseers of the Poor, and Overseers of the Work
house for the year ensuing
[41.] Voted, that the thanks of the Town be given to Bry-
ant P. Tilden & Ephraim Eliot Esqrs., for their faithful services
as Overseers of the Poor for several years past.
Thomas Melvill Samuel M. Thayer
Andw. Cunningham Joseph Tilden
John Winslow Joseph Austin
Stephen Codman Joseph Levering
Jonathan Hunnewell Benja. Rich
Daniel Messenger Gedney King
William Sullivan Francis J Oliver
Benja. Smith William Harris
Nath1. Curtis John D Williams
Edward Cruft John Winslow Junr.
James Phillips Jonathan Loring and
Nathan Webb John Mackay Esquires —
were chosen Firewards for the year ensuing. —
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to Bryant P.
Tilden and George Blanchard Esquires for their faithfuUservices
as Firewards for several years past.
Voted, That in Addition to the Selectmen twelve [42] persons
shall now be chosen a School Committee ; and the votes being
collected it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen —
viz —
Rev*1. Charles Lowell Charles Davis
Revd. Horace Holley John Heard junr.
Revd. Samuel Cary Peter O. Thacher
Doctr. Aaron Dexter William Smith
Doctr. Thomas Welsh Francis J. Oliver and
Docf. John C. Warren William Welles Esquires
26 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, That the abovenamed Gentlemen who conjunctly with
the Selectmen are termed the School Committee, be and hereby
are directed to carry the system of Education adopted by the
Town into operation ; and that said Committee be also authorized
and empowered conjunctly to manage & regulate the Government
of the Schools ; and to execute all the powers relative to the
Schools & School Masters which the Selectmen or such Committees
are authorized by the Laws of the Commonwealth or by votes of
the Town to exercise.
Messrs. Benjamin White Noah Dogget
John Cogswell Bradock Loring
William Clouston Thomas Christie
William Ellison William Green
Nath1. Bradlee
[43.] Eleazer Homer Richard Thayer
Joseph Stodder Edwd. J. Robbins
Allen Bowker Henry Blake
William Ellison junr. Joseph Tucker and
Nath1. Glover Moses Ayres Junr.
John Howe junr.
were chosen Surveyors of Boards and other Lumber for the year
ensuing.
Messrs. Henry Purkit Nath1. Howe and
John Smith Benjamin Clark
were chosen cullers of Hoops and Staves.
Messrs. Thomas Barbour John Smith
Nath1. Howe Benja. Owen
Benj. Clark James Brown
Gershom Spear William J. Hammatt and
Charles Pook Thomas Lambord
John Bannister
were chosen cullers of Dry Fish
Mess18. Benjamin White
Nathaniel Bradlee and
^ William Ellison
were chosen Fence Viewers.
Mess™. Barney Sloan, Joseph Champney, Joseph Selaway &
Samuel Spear (for South Boston) were chosen Hogreeves and
Haywwards. —
[44.] Samuel Emmons, and
James Phillips Esquires, —
were chosen Surveyors of Hemp.
Edward Tuckerman and
Josiah Snelling Esquires,
were chosen Surveyors of Wheat.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 27
Mess1"8. John Wells and
Richard Austin,
were Chosen Assay Masters
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of Highway.
Mess™. Michael Homer,
Francis James, and
Samuel Sprague,
were chosen Inspectors of Lime.
Neddy Curtis,
chosen Pound Keeper. —
Votes — for a Treasurer for the County of Suffolk were re-
ceived by the Moderator & Town Clerk ; when it appeared that
there were one hundred & forty -five Votes for John Winslow Esqr.
Voted, That Stephen Codman, Francis J. Oliver & John
Osborn Esquires be and hereby are appointed a Committee to
audit the Accounts of the Town Treasurer, and also those of the
Overseers of the Poor & Workhouse, and the Board of Health.
And said Committee are directed to report the sum necessary to
be raised for the services of the present year.
[45.] Voted — That the consideration of all Money matters
be reffered to the May Meeting.
Voted — That the thanks of the Town be given to the Hon1.
John Phillips Esquire, for his services as Moderator of this Meet-
ing.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a Meeting of the Male [nhabitants of the Town of Boston
of twenty one years of age and upwards, qualified as the Con-
stitution prescribes & legally warned & Assembled at Faneuil
Hall on Monday the 3d day of April A. D. 1815. 9 O'Clock
A. M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Channing.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution or Frame of Government,
relative to the choice of Governour, Lietenant Governour &
Senators — read. —
Law of the Commonwealth dividing the State into districts for
the choice of Senators & Counsellors — read.
28 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[t was then declared by the Selectmen, that no printed vote
would be received, & that the votes should be put into the Box
unfolded.
[t was afterwards declared that the Poll should be closed at
2 OClock and that the Bells to begin tolling at half past
One O'Clock.
Persons voted for as Governour with the
[46] number of votes for each person — viz
His Excy. Caleb Strong 3135
Hon1. Samuel Dexter - - - - - 1439
John Holmes 1. Geo. Cabot 1. - - - 2
Henry Dearborn 1. Enos Cobb 2. - - 3
4579
Persons voted for as Lieutenant Governour, with the number of
votes for each person viz. —
His Honour William Phillips 3151
Hon1. William Gray 1427
Joseph B. Varnum Esqr. 1
4579
Persons voted for as Senators for the District of Suffolk, with
the number of votes for each person viz.
Hon1. John Phillips 3157
Hon1. Harrison G. Otis 3122
Hon1. Josiah Quincy 3088
Hon1. Thomas H. Perkins - - - - 3130
Jonathan Hunnewell Esqr. .... 3126
Richard Sullivan Esqr. 3135
Samuel Brown Esqr. - 1396
Russell Sturgis Esqr. 1392
William Little 1388
Jesse Putnam 1386
Thomas K. Jones - - - - - . - 1403
Dr. William Ingalls 1380
Andrew Ritchie 18. Jos. Hall 16.
Caleb Bingham 9. Jona. Mason 5.
James Lloyd 5. Sam1. Cobb 11.
John C. Jones 5. Wm. Sullivan 2.
Benj. Austin 2. Horace HolleyS.
John Wells 4. Caleb Loring 7.
William Parsons 2. Ja8. Loring 2.
Peter C. Brooks 2. Wm. Tudor f. 1.
[47.] Charles Davis 1. — G. Cabot 1.
J. T. Austin 3. Sylvr. Gray 1.
David Townsend 1. B. Russell 1.
John Tilden 1. Benj. Rand 1.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 29
Artemus "Ward 1. Tris Barnard 1.
Tho8. Baldwin 1. Alexr. H. Everret 1.
James Prince 1. Wm. R. Gray 1.
Dan1. Sargent 1. Will™. Brown 1.
Isr1. Thorndike 1. 8am1 Everret 1.
John Lathrop 1. Aaron Hill 1.
Josiah Snelling 1. Tim0. Wiggin 1. —
Attested Copies or return of the Persons voted for as G-overnour,
Lieutenant Governour, and Senators for the District of Suffolk
sealed up in open Town Meeting after the vote had been declared,
to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth as pre-
scribed by Law, & directed as follows — viz,
To Alden Bradford Esqr.
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. —
Votes of the Town of Boston for Governour and Lieutenant
Governour, sealed up in open Town Meeting. —
Also for Six Senators for the District of Suffolk, directed in
the same manner. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[48.] At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Boston of twenty years of age and upwards, qualified as the
Constitution prescribes, at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 18th day
of May A D 1815 — 10 O'Clock A. M.
Prayer by the Revd. Doctr. Gardner.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution relating to the choice of Repre-
sentatives, & the Law of the Commonwealth regulating Elections
— read. —
The return of the Assistant Assessors signifying that the
major & minor polls of this Town were 8146 — being also read —
The Inhabitants were directed to bring in their votes for Repre-
sentatives not exceeding Thirty six
Votes were received by the Selectmen untill one O'Clock, when
they declared the Poll to be closed.
Upon sorting & counting the votes it appeared that the whole
number given in was 571 — necessary to make a choice 286.
30 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The following thirty six Gentlemen had a Majority of all the
votes, and were declared to be duly elected Representatives for
the year ensuing, viz.
Mess". William Smith Stephen Codman
James Robinson Benjamin Russell
[49.] Charles Davis Richard Faxon
Benjamin Whitman Henry Sargent
William Hammatt Thomas Barry
William H. Sumner William Harris, Benja.
George G. Lee Gorham
Nathaniel Curtis Andrew Ritchie Junr.
Thacher Goddard John Howe of Ward
Samuel Dunn N°. 12.
John D. Howard John Bellows
Lynde Walter Israel Thorndike Junr.
Jonathan Loring Josiah Bachelder
Jonathan Whitney Benjamin West, Wm. Sturgis
Joseph Pierce William Tudor junr.
Samuel J. Prescott George Sullivan
Andrew Sigourney Charles P. Phelps and
Ephraim Thayer Nathan Appleton
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[5O.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of
Boston duly qualified & legally warned held at Faneuil Hall on
Monday the 29th day of May A D 1815 — 10 O'Clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Benjamin Weld, Esquire
chosen Moderator.
Edward Tuckerman
Joshua Davis
William Hammatt
Peter O. Thacher
Thomas Dawes and
William Dall Esquires,
were chosen Trustees of Neck lands.
Neddy Curtis, was chosen a Hogreeve for South Boston the
year ensuing.
The following Gentlemen were chosen Inspectors of the Markets
for the year ensuing.
Messre. Thomas Badger - - - Ward N°. 1
Samuel Hichborn - - " 2
Turrell Tuttle - - - - " 3
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 31
Enoch Patterson ... Ward N°. 4
William Tileston - - - " 5
George W. Otis - - - " 6
John P. Thorndike - - " 7
Caleb Hayward - - - " 8
Isaac P. Simpson - - " 9
Joseph Allen - - - - " 10
John Roulston - - - " 11
Samuel Sprague - - - " 12
The Committee of Finance made a Report which was read and
ordered to be printed, & the further consideration of the same
referred to the 12 June next. —
[51.] The Article in the Warrant respecting Tythingmen was
referred to next March Meeting.
Upon the representation & exhibition of the doings and pro-
ceedings of Andrew Sigourney Esquire Treasurer & Collector of
Taxes of the Town of Boston the last year.
Voted, That the Town of Boston highly approve of the con-
duct of said Andrew Sigourney Esquire in the said offices of
Treasurer & Collector, and that he has faithfully & fully as was
in his power completed the execution of his duty in said offices to
which he has been appointed as aforesaid, and that he be excused
from all delinquincy or default in not having effected the full &
complete settlement of the taxes by him to have been received or
collected according to Law. —
Voted — That the Selectmen be, and they hereby are em-
powered, to enter into such engagements with the proprietors of
certain lots of land on Boston neck, granted by the Town April
30th. 1785 ; respect- [ing] the repairs & future maintenance of the
Street in front of their lots, as they shall consider for the
interest and benefit of the Town.
Voted — That Peter O. Thacher Esqr. be constituted & appointed
Agent, in behalf of the Town ; to enter upon any of said lots for
condition broken, & in behalf of the Town, prosecute any action
or actions against any or all of the grantees of said lots, or either
of them, their heirs or Assigns for the breach of any covenant or
condition [52] entered into and made by them or either of them
with said Town ; and to compound compromise & agree with
them or either of them.
Also that said Agent be empowered to repair said street or any
part thereof under the direction of the Selectmen, and to recover
of said grantees or either of them their proportion of the expences
thereof, according to their covenants and agreements or any thing
contained in their deed or deeds, —
32 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Adjourned to Monday the 12th. day of June next — to meet at
10 O'Clock A M.
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, held
at Faneuil Hall on Wednesday the 7th. day of June A D 1815 —
10 O'Clock A M.
Warrant for calling the meeting — read.
Stephen Codman Esqr. Moderator.
The petition of a great number of the Inhabitants " That the
Town would take into consideration the expediency of applying
to the Legislature for an act incorporating the Town of Boston,
and establishing therein a Constitution or frame of Government
similar to such as exist [53] in other great cities — was read —
and after considerable debate it was
Voted, That a Committee from each ward of two persons be
appointed to take into consideration the expediency of making an
alteration in the Municipal Government of the Town, and to
collect such information, relative to the charters of other cities in
the United States as may be in their power and to prepare and
report a system of Municipal Government to be adopted by the
town, or such improvements in the present system as may be
thought best.
Voted, That the Selectmen notify the inhabitants in each Ward
to meet on Wednesday the 218t instant at 4 O Clock P. M. to
choose two persons in each Ward agreeable to the foregoing vote.
The Committee to be chosen as above directed, are to apply to
the Selectmen to call a Town meeting when they are ready to
report.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[54.] At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bos-
ton, held by adjournment from the 29th. Ultimo at Faneuil Hall
on Monday the 12th. day of June A. D. 1815 — 10 O'Clock A. M.
Third Annual Report
of the
Committee of Finance.
The Committee of Finance, of the Town of Boston, composed
of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Board of Health,
agreeably to the powers and instructions received from the Town,
have examined the accounts of the Treasurer & Collector for the
past year and report as follows.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815.
33
That there has been received on account of back
taxes --
And of taxes of 1814 to May 20th. 1815 - ...
Amount of abatements on 1814 tax -----
The amount of Warrants for taxes of 1814 were
State tax -------
County tax - -
Town tax .--*-.-.
But the amount assessed with the addition allowed
by Law to anticipate probable abatements, was
Sum collected and abated -
Leaving ballance uncollected
4582.26
I27~,870.30
8358.60
$136228.90
20,681.33
26,788.85
89,000
$136,470.18
$142,285.10
136,228.90
$6,056.20
The Committee in exhibiting this deficiency in the Collection
between the first of October and 20th. of May, feel confident [55]
that the Town will not impute any neglect to the Treasurer &
Collector nor any unwarrantable remissness on the part of the
Citizens ; when the peculiar hardships and stagnation of Business
of the past year are considered. It has been with the advice of
the Committee, that the Collector has forborne to urge the settle-
ment of the above with the rigour of the Law : the property of
many of the persons owing the above balance is so circumstanced,
that if pressed, the whole must have been abated ; but the Treas-
urer is of opinion that $4000 may be collected of the outstanding
taxes, and considered in this years estimate.
The following is a Statement of the Towns Debts and Credits.
Dr. TOWN OF BOSTON. Cr.
On State tax - - 10000.
County tax - - - 23806.09
due to Banks - - 32500.
Private Notes - - 30000.07
Mre. Brookers do-
nation interest pd.
annually for sick
and Widows - - 1230.
J. Bradlee for Oil - 8346.62
Drafts unpaid - - 400.09
$106282.87
Unliquidated Accote. 5700.
$111982.87
By Notes for Land 12163.78
Due for State Poor 7000.
taxes receivable - 4000.
Cash in the Treasuy.
23163.78
24932.25
$48096.03
34 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The foot of the Account Current of the Town last
year was 119528.32
The above Statement the present year shows it to
be 111982.87
And exhibits the Amount of debt reduced - - - $7545.45
The amount of outstanding debts was - - - - $70000.
Which being reduced this year by ------ 7545.45
Leaves the present actual debt 62454.55
[56.] The Committee have found that their recommendation
of a reduction of the debt of 14000 dollars p annum, could not
be carried into full effect, owing to unusual expences that have
arisen in consequence of the War; and also owing to the ad-
vanced price of oil and other articles for Towns use, from the
same cause.
They feel gratified that in the peculiar circumstances of the
times, the debt has not been increased but diminished 7545
dollars. —
They recommend in addition to a provision of 14000 dollars
sinking fund this year, that 7000 dollars be added, to make up
the deficiency of the last year. This system being steadily
pursued will discharge the debt in four years. —
The demand on the Town being as above stated - $111982.87
add thereto for current expences of the year,
Selectmen 60000 Overseers 25000 Board of
Health 6000 91000.
Amount of State tax 24000.
D°. County tax 22000.
The interest on outstanding debts deferred - - - 3017.13
The whole amount to be provided for $252000.00
From which deduct three Installments of old debt")
each of 14000 dollars to be paid in three ' 42000.
succeeding years ----------)
$210000.
To be provided for as follows ;
From money in the Treasury 24932.25
Notes for Land &c falling due 12163.78
From Commonwealth for Poor 13000.
Rents as received last year - 11000.
Taxes receivable — outstanding 4000.
$65096.3
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 35
[57.] Brought forward .- - $65096.3
Amount assessed for State tax ------- 24000.
D°. for County tax 22000.
D°. for Town Tax 75000
For Installment of debt 21000
For Interest on deffered— D°. - - 2903.97
98,903.97
$210,000.
The Committee have thus endeavored to condense the substance
of the Treasurers accounts, and to present to the Town as they
were directed to do, " a clear and well defined statement of their
monied concerns." — They renewedly express their satisfaction in
the order and method pursued by the Treasurer and Collector ;
and in being able to inform the Town, that every demand from
every individual has been discharged on the orders passed by the
Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Board of Health, except
only 400 dollars which have not been called for : such punctuality
and promptness of payment cannot fail to raise the credit of the
Town Treasurer, and to enable the Boards, who have the expen-
diture of the public Money, to obtain their work and supplies on
the most favourable terms.
The Committee respectfully report, that the Town should vote
a tax of ninety nine thousand dollars, for the current expences
of the year, and for the payment of the second installment of the
deferred debt.
Respectfully submitted,
By order of the Committee of Finance
May 29th. 1815. Charles Bulfinch, Chairman.
[58.] The foregoing Report was accepted — And
Voted, That the sum of ninety nine thousand dollars be raised
by a Tax on the Polls and Estates of the Inhabitants of the
Town, to defray the expences of the Town the present year & to
discharge part of the deferred debt. —
Voted — That the further sum of ten thousand dollars be
assessed, to cover any deficiency that may arise from abatements,
or errors in assessing the taxes.
The following Report was received from the Auditors of the
Towns Accounts, & the Treasurers Account referred to in the
Report, is on file. —
We the Subscribers, appointed a Committee to audit the ac-
counts of the Town Treasurer, agreeably to a vote passed by the
town of Boston on the 17th. day of March 1815. have performed
that service and have received from Andrew Sigourney Esqr., the
36 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Treasurer, the aforegoing account, which the Committee have
examined and find the same right cast and well vouched, and
that there results a balance of twenty four thousand, nine hun-
dred thirty two Dollars, twenty five cents, in the hands of the
Treasurer ; belonging to the Town.
Boston 22d. May 1815.
Stephen Codman )
Francis J. Oliver > Auditors.
John Osborn _)
[59.] Voted, That the sum of seven hundred & fifty dollars
be allowed and paid unto Hon1. Thomas Dawes Esqr., for his
Salary as Judge of the Municipal Court the ensuing year.
Voted — That there be allowed & paid the sum of One
thousand Dollars unto Thomas Clark Town Clerk, as his salary
for the year ensuing. —
Voted, That there be allowed & paid unto each of the Assessors,
the sum of Eight hundred and sixteen dollars each for their ser-
vices the present year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto Andrew Sigourney
Esquire, the sum of three Thousand Dollars, in full for his ser-
vices as Town Treasurer and Collector of taxes, for Clerk hire
and all expences in the delivery of tax bills and collection of
taxes.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[6O.] At a Convention of the Boards of Selectmen, Over-
seers of the Poor & Board of Health, of the Town of Boston,
held [in] Faneuil Hall on Monday the 26 day of June A.D. 1815 -
4 o'Clock P.M.
Present a Majority of each Board.
Voted to proceed to the choice of a Town Treasurer for the
year ensuing, and that Messrs. Jacob Hall & Darius Boardman
be a Committee to collect, sort and count the votes.
The Committee reported that the whole number of votes for a
Town Treasurer were 21 and that Andrew Sigourney Esqr. was
unanimously chosen.
The Convention proceeded to the choice of a Collector of
Taxes for the present year, and Andrew Sigourney Esqr. was
unanimously elected.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 37
Messrs. Oliver, Perkins and Whitman were appointed a Com-
mitte to qualify the Treasurer & Collector, by taking two bonds
for twenty thousand dollars each & having the Oath of office
administered to him.
Jonathan Hunnewell & Benjamin [blank] Esquires were ap-
proved as Bondsmen for the Treasurer & Collector.
Then the Convention was Dissolved.
[61.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other [nhabitants
of the Town of Boston at Faneuil Hall the 4th. day of July
A. D. 1815 — 10 O'Clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Thomas Clark was chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Indepen-
dence Reported, That they had chosen Lemuel Shaw Esqr. who
had accepted the appointment.
Adjourned to meet at the Old South Church at 12 O'Clock — M.
Met at the Old South Church where an Oration was delivered
by Lemuel Shaw Esquire to commemorate the Independence of
the United States of America.
Voted — That the Selectmen be, and hereby are appointed a
Committee to wait on Lemuel Shaw Esqr., in the name of the
Town & thank him for the elegant & spirited Oration this day
delivered by him at the request of the Town, upon the anniver-
sary of American Independence, in which were considered the
feelings, manners, & principles which produced the great national
event, and the important and happy effects, general & domestic,
which have already or will forever flow from that auspicious
epoch ; and to request of him a copy for the press.
[6*4.] Voted — That the Gentlemen Selectmen be and hereby
are appointed a Committee to apply to some able & learned
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the 4th. day of July 1816.
That day being the anniversary of the Independence of the
United States of America ; wherein the Orator is to consider the
feelings, manners, & principles which led to this great national
event, as well as the important and happy effects, whether general
or domestic, which have already, or will forever flow from that
auspicious Epoch. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved. —
38 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston,
held at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 5th. day of October A.D.
1815 — 10 O'Clock A.M.
Jonathan Hunnewell Esquire, chosen Moderator.
This Meeting was called upon the application of a number of
the Inhabitants, " That the Town would take measures to supply
each member of the militia with provisions for two days, at
the inspection & review ordered at Dedham on the 10th, & 11th.
instant, & also to furnish a sufficient number of waggons to trans-
port the tents & baggage."
The application together with a communication from the Select-
men on the same subject being read.
It was moved & Voted, That the Selectmen be desired to con-
fer with the Lieu*. Colonels commanding [63] the three Regi-
ments of the Boston Brigade, & the Brigade Quartermaster ; to
ascertain from them the number of men who will be on duty, at
the ensuing inspection and review ; and that they be authorized
& empowered to furnish, at the expense of the Town, suitable
rations for two days, to all the non-commissioned officers and
men who may be actually on duty; and such a number of
Waggons as shall be necessary for tents, straw & baggage. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 16th. day of October A.D.
1815 — 10 O'Clock A. M.
Warrant calling the Meeting — read.
Honble. John Phillips Esqr. chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed to take into consideration the expedi-
ency of making an alteration in the municipal government of the
Town, having performed the duty enjoined upon them by their
fellow citizens ask leave to present the result of their delibera-
tions in the form of a Bill, which they recommend the Repre-
sentatives of the town should be instructed to obtain to be
enacted as nearly as possible, by the General Court.
[64.] Your Committee have adopted this mode as the most
simple and as being likely to be the most satisfactory, inasmuch
as it presents to the town the precise form, which the alterations,
if adopted, will ultimately assume, and will thus give a more clear
idea of the nature of them, than would probably result from any
other course.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 39
In relation to the principles of those alterations, which the
Bill here presented contemplates, the committee ask leave to state,
that being aware of the difficult nature of the subject submitted
to their consideration, they have limited their endeavours to the
attainment of such practical alterations, as utility seemed to sug-
gest, and to which the wishes of the immediate petitioners seemed
directed. — They have therefore not proposed any general altera-
tions in the established constitution, any farther than was neces-
sary to effect the advantages sought, consistent with the
preservation of all the boards which do now, and have so long,
with so much honour to the respective members of those boards
and so much benefit to the town, presided over its concerns.
The Selectmen, the Board of Overseers of the Poor, and the
Board of Health will be preserved as they now exist, except so
far as they may be affected by those alterations your Committee
have deemed it advisable to propose.
[65.] A course of this kind seemed not only the wisest; but
in a measure rendered necessary, by the general relations, which
the town of Boston bears to the other towns in the Common-
wealth. The forms of proceeding of those boards are settled
and familiar to all our citizens ; their relations to one another are
well defined and understood, their existence is associated with
our habits and our affections.
By attempting to change all these in conformity to some
chosen or theoretic model of City government ; little advantage
would be gained and much would be lost from the natural appre-
hensions which all men have of the effect of entirely novel
arrangements upon their great interests. The result of -the
opinion of your committee not to supersede any of the existing
Boards has been strengthened by the consideration that a board
of Selectmen is rendered necessary by the letter of the consti-
tution in every town in this commonwealth. Indeed the very
name of town, associated with certain municipal proceedings is
also rendered necessary by the terms of that instrument. So
that the continuance of that board with its present name and
with many of its present powers, is unadvoidable.
With respect the overseers of the Poor and the board of Health,
any attempt to change their constitution seemed less advisable,
inasmuch [66] as the powers exercised and the duties per-
formed by them are often exercised, even in cities regularly
organized by bodies of Commissioners in effect but little differing
from independent boards. For these reasons your committee
have deemed it expedient to propose only such modification of
the municipal powers as should in each instance, have a distinct
object, the advantage of which might be demonstrated.
In contemplating in this light, the various powers exercised
within the town, your committee could not refrain from being
affected with very sensible pleasure at perceiving how few modifi-
cations were necessary, in the frame of the existing town consti-
tution, in order to secure for the citizens all the advantages they
40 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
could hope from the most formal city organization. — Some of
these were indeed of an important character. But as it respects
the great mass of the requisite powers, they were already so
arranged and deposited, as to leave little to wish or expect from
any alteration in them.
In the first place, the Judiciary authority exercised within the
town, consisting of a Court of common Pleas, and a Municipal
Court embraces, within the sphere of their jurisdiction all the
powers of that nature, and in a form as select and advantageous
as any other arrangement could offer, or which might be devised.
In most cities, these powers are in part, or in [67] whole,
exercised by the mayor, or chief executive offices of the city.
But there seems to be no particular advantage in thus combining
the chief executive and judicial powers in one officer. And in
the actual state of the feelings and habits of the citizens of
Boston, it is probable that a scheme of municipal government,
which should keep the executive and judiciary powers, exercised
within the town, in distinct hands, would be more satisfactory to
them, than an arrangement, which should deposit both in the
hands of a single individual. Should the chief executive of
our city be vested with judiciary powers, his appointment
by the executive of the state, under the provisions of our
state constitution, would be inevitable. It seems however,
desirable that this officer should be connected with the inhabi-
tants of our city by ties, less independent than would result
from his appointment by the executive of the state. To the mass
of his fellow citizens he ought, at least immediately, to owe his
election. To them, or to that body whom they may choose in
this case to represent them, such an officer ought to be bound by
all that sense of responsibility, which naturally results from the
consciousness of his being indebted to their suffrages for his elec-
tion. The system which your committee propose contains there-
fore no change in judiciary powers now exercised within the town,
except so far as relates to the selection of three Justices, and the
establishment of a Police Court. [68] In forming this Court,
however, it will be perceived, that it is not proposed to interfere
with the existing powers of a Justice of Peace, but that the powers
of the Police Court should be co-extensive and concurrent with
those of Justices of the peace. It is not proposed to authorise
any preference to be exercised among the acting Justices ; but
that each in his turn should act as a member of the Police Court.
The great advantage contemplated by this arrangement is, that in
a court consisting of three members, acting under the authority
of the government of the town, in a publick place, and subject to
the concourse of all the citizens, more order, regularity, correct-
ness and uniformity of proceeding would result, than from a court
holden by a single Justice in a private room, without any respon-
sibility, but what is of the most general nature. It is known that
great complaints of abuses of their authority by justices of the
peace have at all times existed : And without meaning to sane-
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 41
tion the idea, that these complaints have been in all or in many
cases well founded your committee have deemed it expedient if
possible to give the justices of the peace an opportunity to exer-
cise their offices in a manner more publick and responsible, and
which, without interfering with their emoluments as on the scheme
proposed, those of the police court would be equally shared by
all, would give greater weight & dignity to their office, [69] and
proceedings. — In examining the present constituted authorities
of the town with reference to improvements in their organization
and powers of which they were deemed susceptible, your com-
mittee have considered that something would be gained by en-
larging for merely municipal purposes, the number proposed, the
number of which the superintending board at present consists,
and causing the election of their additional numbers to be made
in the respective wards and not by the town at large. This
would secure for the superintending board more local knowledge
& responsibility than at present exist in it : The inhabitants of
each ward, most distinguished for their acquaintance with its par-
ticular interests would be thus probably selected for this office,
and thus the greatest assurance would result that the interest of
every ward would be duly considered : An assurance which would
not result from election from any general ticket, in which the
wishes of each ward cannot be distinctly attained, inasmuch as
the whole election is controuled by the result of the general voice.
The first specific alteration proposed by your committee, is that
leaving the election of Selectmen to depend upon the general
voice, as at present regulated by law, that two delegates shall be
chosen at the respective ward Meetings in April, and these
together with the Selectmen, should constitute the superintending
board, in which should be invested all the powers relative to the
town [7O] interests and management of its concerns, except
such as are vested exclusively in the board of Selectmen by the
constitution of the state.
The next alteration proposed by the committee, relates to the
chief executive of the town, the executive power eflciently exists
at present in a superintendent of police, who is chosen by the
Selectmen out of their own body & receiving a salary dependent
upon their discretion and responsible solely to them ; Relative to
this officer your committee recommend that he should hereafter
be elected by a convention to be held annually by the board of
Selectmen and delegates, the board of overseers of the poor
and the board of health. It will be unnecessary for the
committee to dilate on the advantages to be anticipated
from such an organization, as the Selectmen and overseers
of the poor are elected by the general voice of the town.
The board of health & delegates by the voice of the wards.
It seems impossible for any greater security to result for a
wise selection of the superintending executive officer, one, in
which general and local influences and" wishes would be more
likely to be consulted, than what would result from an election
42 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
made by a body composed of men thus chosen. This officer
your committee have proposed should be called "The Intendant"
a name borne by the officer in the same station in the city of
Charleston South Carolina, and implying the duties which he is
to execute. Except in the particulars above [71] mentioned
your committee have not deemed it necessary to propose any
alteration in the organization of the town government. They
have however proposed that the corporate name should be " The
Intendant and Municipality of the Town and City of Boston."
They have been induced to suggest this alteration for the pur-
pose of expressing truly and distinctly the nature of the corpora-
tion, which will be in effect, the union of town and city authorities
in one general government or municipality. For reasons men-
tioned in a preceeding part of this report the names of " Town,"
"Town Clerk," " Selectmen" are made so essential by the pro-
visions of the state constitution, as that they are for certain pur-
poses specified in it, absolutely indispensable. Under the pro-
posed system town meetings will continue to be held and all
questions relative to our political rights & interests to be dis-
cussed in them : A course of proceedings happily as inseparable
from the genius of our constitution as it is justly dear to the
affections of our citizens. The name of "City" is added,
because the delegation of powers & the organization of the gov-
ernment will be that of a city, with the names of its officers
accomodated to our circumstances and habits. Besides, your
committee find that a very great number of our citizens wish that
the name of city should be adopted; being of opinion, that this
name has an effect to raise the rank of a place in the estimation
of foreigners, and it will be better adapted than the name of
town to express the real standing [72] compared with the other
cities of the United States. The learning, intelligence, wealth,
numbers, enterprise & public spirit of Boston entitle it in the
opinion of your committee to the highest discriminating appela-
tion universally given to their most distinguished places, by the
practice of all European nations
The other alteration proposed by your committee relates chiefly
to the powers exercised by the municipality.
By the fundamental laws of this commonwealth ' ' The inhabi-
tants of every town within the government are declared to be a
body politic and corporate." Each town has powers of self
government, to make bye laws, raise money, and execute any
measures within the town, which the majority of the inhabitants
shall consider for their benefit or advantage ; conforming them-
selves always to the general laws and constitution of the com-
monwealth. This organization of towns is the most free that
can be imagined; and while the inhabitants are not very numer-
ous their affairs may be conducted with convenience and sufficient
safety in this simple mode ; but when the inhabitants become,
very numerous, especially in sea ports, the experience of our
country as well as that of all the nations of Europe, has pointed
out the necessity of a corresponding change.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 43
In such large communities of people, it is impossible that all
the individuals of which they [73] are composed, should be well
acquainted with the principles on which depend the prosperous
conduct of the monied concerns of a corporation, and with those
other subjects of internal regulation, by which the prosperity of a
city is increased, and by which it is best enabled to encourage
& protect the industry of its own citizens. If all the inhabitants
of such town assemble, it is obvious that business cannot be
well transacted by so numerous a body, liable as it always must
be, to be swayed by local views, party feelings, or the interests
of designing men : If the meetings be, as it most frequently will
be, but thinly attended, those present must act as the represent-
atives of the whole ; and it is very seldom, that men of the best
intelligence and most capable of conducting publick business will
leave their important private concerns to attend to affairs in
which they have only a general interest ; It therefore unavoid-
ably happens that the affairs of a large town are conducted by a
very small number of persons, who represent and act for the
whole, but who are not chosen by them, who do not possess
their confidence and act under no, or a very slight responsi-
bility.
The necessity of a responsible representative system to the
well management of the interests of all great bodies of men, is
now so well understood and so universally acknowledged, that
your committee forbear to dilate on them. Upon this principle
depends the organization of the general and state governments,
of all banking institutions, insurance and manufacturing com-
panies and generally of [74] corporations of every kind; these'
are all conducted by representatives or directors who act for the
joint interest under general laws. The town of Boston itself has
recently experienced the most decided benefit resulting from the
choice of Treasurer & Collector by a convention of the Selectmen,
Overseers of the Poor, and board of health, constituting a new
proof if any were wanting, of the advantage to be derived from
confiding in large communities, the management of public busi-
ness to responsible bodies.
The Committee also propose, that the superintendence of the
concerns of the county should be transferred to the municipality —
The town and county in such event being the same, such an
arrangement seems naturally to result : The affairs of both may
thus in the apprehension of your committee be conducted with
more uniformity and economy by one body than at present. A
greater control over the expences would result ; and by a regular
publication of the accounts they would be laid more open to the
view of the citizens.
The committee do not find that any important revenue is derived
from licenses or internal taxes of an indirect kind in the principal
cities of the United States : The expences of these cities are paid,
as with us, by direct taxes and from the income of public property :
The chief advantages they possess arise from the adoption &
steady pursuit of wise plans of Finance & the disposal and [75]
44 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
management of city property, by a responsible body, to whom
these powers are delegated. To enable the town of Boston to
realize similar advantages & thereby materially to improve the
condition of its financial concerns, nothing more seems to be
requisite than to adopt a similar system with that which prevails
in those cities ; and which in the opinion of your committee the
alterations they have proposed are well calculated to attain.
The committee have also proposed that the municipality should
have power to grant suitable privileges and immunities to asso-
ciations of Mechanics, Artificers or Manufacturers within the
town : This power however must necessarily be regulated by
Constitution & Laws of the state, and can only effect those who
voluntarily associate together.
Your committee conceive that under such provision as they
propose, regulations may be adopted for the benefit of this class
of citizens, which will materially promote industry & the public
good.
The committee respectfully submit the result of their delibera-
tions to the town and hope that it will be received with that
candor, to which it is in some respect entitled, if from no other,
at least from this consideration, that it is the work of men, called
without any previous concert or knowledge of theirs, by the un-
solicited voice of their fellow citizens to a task both delicate &
difficult. Whatever decision the wisdom of the Inhabitants of
the town shall finally make upon the report now offered for their
consideration, your committee are clearly [76] of opinion, that
it should not be made without deliberation and that every citizen
should have an opportunity to examine the subject at his home
and at his leisure, and shew his sentiments in a manner, which
shall at once be the most satisfactory & the most likely to have
weight with the Legislature to induce them to grant the prayer
of the Town, in case the result should be in favour of the
Report
For this purpose, your Committee after expressing their earnest
wishes for the prosperity ; increasing wealth and good order of
the Metropolis and sincerely praying that their labours may even-
tuate, as it is their humble belief should the principles proposed
be adopted, that they will, in advancing all those great interests :
ask leave to report the following vote for the adoption of their
fellow Citizens
Voted, that the Report & Bill this day presented to the town
by the Committee appointed on the subject of taking into con-
sideration the expediency of making an alteration in the Municipal
Government of the town, be printed and distributed to every
house, and that this meeting be adjourned unto the thirteenth day
of November next, then to meet at this place at ten o'Clock in the
forenoon, and that the Selectmen be requested to issue notifica-
tions of such meeting in the usual form, notifying the inhabitants
to come prepared to decide by ballot, by yea or nay in writing,
on the acceptance of said Report. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 45
[77.] A Bill
For the Government of the Town
and City of
Boston.
Section 1st. Be it enacted, by the Senate and house of Repre-
sentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of
the same. That the Selectmen of the Town annually chosen
according to law, together with twenty four delegates & one In-
tendant to be chosen as hereafter directed, shall be a body
corporate & Politic with power in behalf of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston, to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded,
to make use [of] a common seal, & the same to alter or change at
pleasure ; and shall be known by the title and stile of the Intend-
ant ct* Municipality of the Town and City of Boston.
Sec : 2d. Be it further enacted, That the Inhabitants of the said
Town & City qualified to vote for town officers, shall on the first
Wednesday in April annually, meet in their respective Wards,
and choose by Ballot, two persons freeholders in said Town &
resident in the Ward for which they shall be chosen, who shall be
denominated Delegates. The mode of proceeding in the choice
and in case of a refusal to serve, shall be the same as is provided
by law respecting the choice of members of the Board of Health :
and the election of said Delegates shall have priority of any other
business which may be before the respective Wards on the as-
signed day of Meeting.
[78.] Sec: 3d. Be it further enacted, That the Selectmen and
Delegates together with the Overseers of the Poor and Board of
Health shall annually assemble within ten days after the Dele-
gates shall have been chosen, and shall elect by joint Ballot, one
suitable person who shall be called "Intendant" of the Town
& City of Boston, and in case of Death or resignation of said
Intendant the Boards above named shall proceed forthwith to fill
the vacancy. Provided, that no person shall hold more than one
of the offices of Delegate, member of the Board of Health or
Overseer of the Poor, at the same time.
Sec: 4th. Be it further enacted, That the Intendant so chosen,
shall be ex officio, Chairman of the Selectmen, he shall preside at
the meetings of the Selectmen of the municipality, and of the
School Committee ; all communications to those Boards, shall be
made through him ; he shall attend daily in some central & pub-
lic office, to receive the report of the Police officers, and the com-
plaints and representations of Individuals and to direct prosecu-
tions for the breaches of the laws. He shall have the general
superintendence with the concurrence of the Selectmen, of the
Police of the Town and City, and take care that the laws enacted
46 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
for the general [good], are faithfully executed. He shall receive
such salary as shall be judged adequate to his services by the
municipality.
Sec 5th : Be it further enacted, That the Intendant and Munici-
pality shall settle the rules & orders of proceedings of their meet-
ings. They shall have power to make all such bye-laws &
ordinances for the government of the Town & City & for the
government of the Town & City & for the management of its
[79] concerns as they shall judge necessary; & to establish
reasonable penalties for the breach thereof : Provided, that such
bye laws & ordinances are not repugnant to the Constitution &
laws of the Commonwealth, and that they shall not be in force
untill they have been published one week in two of the papers
printed in Boston.
Sec : 6th. Be it further enacted, That the Intendant and munici-
pality shall have the care & management of all property, real or
personal, belonging to the Town & City, with power to lease or
sell any real estate of the Town & City, the Common excepted,
and to give deeds thereof and to make purchases of real estate
for the erection of public buildings, and for other purposes,
beneficial to the Town & City. Provided, that no sale of real
estate shall be made, unless specially inserted in a notification for
a meeting for that purpose, and unless the measure shall have
been discussed at two several meetings of the municipality and
determined by yeas & nays of two thirds of the members com-
posing the whole body
Sec : 7th. Be it futher enacted, That the expenditure of monies
shall be made under the direction of the Selectmen, Overseers of
the Poor and Board of Health, in their several departments, con-
formably to appropriations to be from time to time made by the
municipality. Regular accounts of expenditure shall be kept by
the three Boards and exhibited annually at a meeting of the
municipality and twenty days at least before the annual meeting
in March, a full abstract of the same, and of all the accounts of
the Treasurer and an estimate of the sums necessary to be raised
for the ensuing year, shall be published in hand bills and
circulated among the Inhabitants.
[8O.] Sec : 8th. Be it further enacted, That the municipality
shall annually elect a Treasurer and Collector or Collectors in the
same manner and under the same regulations as is now done by
the convention of Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor & Board of
Health, They shall determine the sum necessary to be raised for
the expences of the year, and issue their warrant to the assessors
to levy and assess the sajne.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1815. 47
Sec : 9th. Be it further enacted, That the municipality shall
annually [choose] all officers now chosen by the Town, the Select-
men, Overseers of the Poor, School Committee, Town Clerk, Fire-
wards, Board of Health, Assessors & assistant assessors, who shall
continue to be chosen as heretofore. They shall also choose
Constables and such police officers or deputies to the Intendant, as
experience may prove necessary, and shall have power to remove
the same upon misconduct or disobedience of orders. They shall
also supply any vacancy occasioned by the death, resignation or
removal of any officer appointed by them.
Sec: 10th. Be it further enacted, That the Selectmen shall be
ex officio Surveyors of Highways : that all the powers which are
now vested in the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor & Board of
Health, and all the duties enjoined on them by law, shall continue
to be vested in and executed by them respectively, excepting all
such powers & duties as are by this act, tranferred to the munici-
pality as aforesaid.
Sec: 11th. Be it further enacted, that the municipality shall
have power to grant to any association [81] of artists, artificers,
or mechanics such power of regulating themselves in their several
occupations and of possessing such immunities, and imposing
such restrictions as the said municipality shall consider for the
benefit of the community and for the encouragement of Industry
— Provided such powers & regulations be not repugnant to the
Constitution & laws of the Commonwealth. —
Sec: 12th. Beit further enacted, That the Town & City of
Boston shall hereafter be a County by the name of the County of
Suffolk & the Intendant & Municipality shall hold and exercise
all the powers & authorities now exercised by the courts of Ses-
sions of the present County of Suffolk : They shall annually elect
a County Treasurer, and have the direction and control of his
proceedings, and establish the Salary which he shall receive.
They shall publish a statement of the income & expenditures of
the County, at the same time and in the same manner as is
required in relation to the other Town and City expences.
Sec: 13 Be it further enacted, That the Intendant and
Municipality, shall once in every quarter of the year, nominate
and select from the Justices of the Peace of the County, three
persons, to be Justices of a Police Court, for the quarter of the
year ensuing, which shall be holden daily in some convenient &
central place by one or more of said Justices ; at which court a
record shall be kept of the whole business of criminal police
within the County, so far as the same is recognizable by a justice
of the peace. The Constable shall be directed [82] to return
all warrants to this Court, and any person carried before any
other magistrate may claim examination and trial before said
48 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Court. In selecting Justices of the Police Court care shall be
taken, that all the Justices of the County shall be taken in suc-
cession quarterly, if they shall express their consent to act as
Justices of said Court.
Sec: 14th Be it further enacted, That the municipality shall
annually appoint a Clerk of the Police Court, who shall attend
the Court daily : He shall keep a record of all the proceedings
of this Court. And all the Justices of the county shall make
return to him weekly Copies of their records of all criminal busi-
ness transacted by them. He shall reduce to writing all exam-
inations, make out warrants, receive recognizances and transmit
them to the proper Courts & perform such other duties as the
nature of his office may require. The Justices and Clerk to
receive in addition to the fees established by law such further
compensation as the Municipality shall direct
All which is submitted
John Phillips John Cotton
John T. Apthorp Rcdfd. Webster
Ebenezer T. Andrews A. Crocker
Francis Welsh Wm. Mackay
John Mackay John Wood
Lynde Walter Joseph Howe
Jona. Whitney Ja8. Robinson
William Homes B. Smith
Jacob Rhoades - Josiah Quincy
Thomas Badger George Blake
J. C. Ransford Benj". West
Sepr. 25th. 1815. The foregoing Report was ordered to be
printed for general information.
Adjourned to Monday the 13th. November Next 10 O'Clock
A.M.
[83.] The Town met at 10 o'Clock A. M. according to ad-
journment.
The Moderator informed the Inhabitants that the Report of the
Committee chosen in the wards had been printed agreeably to
their vote of the 16th ultimo, and that the Selectmen were ready
to receive the ballots on the acceptance of the Report.
After some debate it was Voted, That the Selectmen receive
the yeas & Nays untill one o'Clock, and that the Poll should be
closed at that time
At the close of the Poll it appeared that there were 920 yeas
& 951 nays — The question on the acceptance of the Report
passed in the negative. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1816. 49
1816.
[84.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of
Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 11th. day of March
A. D. 1816 — 10 o'Clock A. M.
Prayer by Revd. Mr. Frothingham.
Wan-ant for calling the Meeting — read.
Laws respecting the Election of Town Officers — read.
John Phillips, Esquire, chosen Moderator.
Thomas Clark, was chosen Town Clerk, for the year ensuing,
and the Oath of Office was administered to him by the Moderator.
Charles Bulfinch Robert Williams
Ebenezer Oliver George G. Lee
Jonathan Hunnewell John Bray and
Joseph Levering Turner Phillips Esquires —
Joseph Austin
were chosen Selectmen for the year ensuing.
The oath required by Law was administered to the six first
named Gentlemen by the Moderator.
William Smith William Mackay
William Phillips Joseph Coolidge Junr.
Redford Webster Joseph Richards
Thomas Perkins Jonathan Phillips
Samuel Snelling Samuel May and
[85.] Ozias Goodwin Jacob Hall Esquires
were chosen Overseers of the Poor and of the Workhouse for the
year ensuing.
Voted, That in addition to the Selectmen twelve persons shall
now be chosen a School Committee; and the votes being col-
lected it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen,
viz : —
Revd. Charles Lowell Charles Davis
Revd. Horace Holley John Heard Junr.
Rev'1. Sam1. C. Thacher Peter O. Thacher
Docr. Aaron Dexter Francis J. Oliver
Docr. Thomas Welsh William Smith and
Docr. John C. Warren William Wells Esq».
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen who conjunctly with
the Selectmen are termed the School Committee, be and hereby
are directed to carry the system of education adopted by the
Town into operation : and that the said Committee be also
50 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
authorized and empowered conjunctly to manage and regulate the
Government of the Schools ; and to execute all the powers relative
to the Schools & Schoolmasters [86] which the Selectmen or
such Committees are authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth
or by votes of the Town to exercise.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to Joseph
Foster, Benjamin Weld and Edmund Hart Esquires for their
faithful services as Selectmen.
Voted, that 4 o'Clock this afternoon be assigned for receiving
the votes for a Register of Deeds for the County of Suffolk.
Adjourned to 4 O'Clock, P. M.
Town met according to adjournment. —
John Bray and
Turner Phillips Esquires,
chosen Selectmen, appeared & being qualified by the Moderator,
took their seats at the Board.
Thomas Melvill Samuel M. Thayer
Andrew Cunningham Joseph Tilden
John Winslow Joseph Austin
Jona. Hunewell Benjamin Rich
Daniel Messenger Joseph Lovering
Benjamin Smith Gedney King
Nath1. Curtiss Francis J. Oliver
Edward Cruft John D. Williams
James Phillips William Harris
Nathan Webb Stephen Codman
[87.] John Winslow Junr.
Jonathan Loriug.
John Mackay and
Bryant P. Tilden Esqr".
were chosen Firewards for the year ensuing.
Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to receive the votes
for a Register of Deeds for the County of Suffolk.
The Chairman reported that the whole number of votes was 479
and that William Alline Esquire had 440 and John J. Loring 39.
Votes were received for a Treasurer for the County of Suffolk
by Moderator & Town Clerk when it appeared that the whole
number was 238 — and that they were all for John Winslow
Esqr.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1816. 51
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to William
Sullivan Esqr. for his faithful services as a Fireward for many
years past.
Mess". Benjamin White Mess". William Green
John Cogswell Eleazer Homer
William Clouston Joseph Stodder
Wm. Ellison Allen Bowker
Nath1. Bradlee William Allison Junr.
Noah Dogget Nath1. Glover
Bradock Loring John Howe Junr.
Thomas Christie Richard Thayer
[88.] Edward J. Bobbins •
Henry Blake
Joseph Tucker and
Moses Eayres Junr.
were chosen Surveyors of Boards and other Lumber for the year
ensuing.
Mess". Henry Purkitt
John Smith
Nath1. Howe and
Benjamin Clark
were chosen Cullers of Hoops & Staves.
Mess". Thomas Barbour Mess18. Benja. Owen
Nath1. Howe . James Brown
Benja. Clark William J. Hammatt
Charles Pook Thomas Lambord, and
John Bannister Walter Jackson
John Smith
were chosen Cullers of Dry Fish.
Mess". Benjamin White
Nathaniel Bradlee and
William Ellison Junr.
were chosen Fence viewers.
Messrs. Barney Sloan
Joseph Champney
Joseph Selaway and
Neddy Curtis,
were chosen Hogreeves and Haywards.
Samuel Emmons and
James Phillips Esquires,
were chosen Surveyors of Hemp.
[89.] Mess". Edward Tuckerinan and
Josiah Snelling Esq".
were chosen Surveyors of Wheat
52 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Mess18. John Wells and
Richard Austin
were chosen Assay Masters.
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of Highways.
Mess™. Michael Homer
Francis James and
Samuel Sprague
were chosen Inspectors of Lime.
Upon the petition of a number of the Inhabitants " That the
sense of the Town be taken, whether the business and duties of
the Board of Health cannot be as fully and more economically
carried into effect, by three or more suitable men, to be appointed
by the Selectmen and amenable to them."
Voted, That,— Col Thomas Badger for Ward N°. 1
Redford Webster Esq1'. - - 2
Benja. Smith Esqr. - - - 3
Josiah Marshall Esqr. - - 4
Benjamin Weld Esqr. - - 5
Andrew Sigourney Esqr. - - 6
William H. Sumner Esqr. - 7
Francis Welsh Esqr. - - - 8
Hon1. Thomas H. Perkins - 9
Hon1. Daniel Sargent - - - 10
Cap*. John Wood - - - - 11
Barzillia Homes - - - - 12
Be a Committee to take the subject of the said [9O] Petition
into consideration, to confer with the Committee of the General
Court, who have a Bill respecting the Board of Health under
consideration, and to report at the adjournment.
Mess™. Thomas Badger - Ward N°. 1
Samuel Hichborn - - " - - 2
Turrell Tuttle - - - " - - 3
Enoch Patterson - - " - - 4
William Tileston - - " - - 5
Geo. W. Otis - - - " - - 6
John P. Thorndike - " - - 7
Caleb Hay ward - - " - - 8
Isaac P. Stimpson - " - - 9
Joseph Allen - - - " - - 10
John Roulston - - " - - 11
Samuel Sprague - - " - - 12
Were chosen Inspectors of the Markets for the year ensuing.
Voted, That the Inspectors of the Markets be directed to pay
attention to the weight of bread sold by the different bakers in
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1816. 53
this Town, and take measures to carry the law regulating that
article into effect.
Voted — That Stephen Codman, Francis T. Oliver & John
Osborn Esquires, be, and hereby are appointed a Committee to
audit the accounts of the Town Treasurer, and also those of the
Overseers of the Poor & Workhouse, & the Board of Health.
And said Committee are directed to report the sum necessary to
be raised for the services of the present year.
[91.] Voted, That the consideration of all money matters be
referred to the May Meeting. —
Adjourned to Monday the 25th day of March instant — 10
o'clock A. M.
Monday March 25th. 1816. 10 o'Clock A. M.
Met according to adjournment.
The Committee of the Town of Boston, appointed at a Town
meeting on the eleventh day of March current to whom was com-
mitted the Petition of a number of the Inhabitants, "That the
sense of the Town may be taken, whether the business and duties
of the Board of Health cannot be as fully, and more economically,
carried into effect by three or more suitable men, to be appointed
by the Selectmen and amenable to them." — have at several
meetings, taken the said Petition and the subject committed to
them into consideration. Your Committee (as they were directed
by the Town conferred with the Committee of the General Court ;
they also requested the Board of Health, or such a Committee as
they should appoint, to meet and confer with your Committee,
which request was complied with ; and your Committee, having
thereby become possessed of the views, and wishes of the Board
of Health, are happy to inform the Town that it is not the desire
of any of the members of that Board, that their services should
be paid for by the Town, either by the establishment of Salaries
[92] or by the receipt of fees. Your Committee entertain the
belief, that the extensive powers which it is necessary that a
Board of Health should possess, may, with the greatest safety,
be vested in such of our patriotic fellow Citizens, as shall
annually be selected, for their known humanity, and public spirit ;
and such as would expect no other reward for their services, than
the approbation of their Townsmen ; and are, therefore unan-
imously of opinion, that it would be inexpedient to transfer these
extensive powers from men, residing in the several parts of the
Town & annually chosen by the Citizens in their respective
wards ; to such Superintendents as the Selectmen should appoint,
54 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
as such would serve the Town for hire only, and would expect to
be rewarded only by the pecuniary advantages resulting from
their official situations.
Your Committee have examined the Health Laws, and find that
the powers of the Board of Health are given by eight different
Statutes. From the number of acts, and a want of suitable pre-
cision of expression in some of them, doubts have arisen in the
interpretation of the Laws : and the powers of the Board of
Health have been found sometimes to interfere with those of the
Selectmen, & vice versa. Some of the doubts and inconve-
niences, which have arisen, under existing laws, will be enumer-
ated.
There are various modes pointed out for the recovery of fines
and penalties, which have unnecessarily increased the cost of
prosecution; which might easily be simplified.
In consequence of the number of Laws which [93] have been
made, since the establishment of the Board of Health, regarding
and altering the Jurisdiction of the various Courts in this County,
there is a doubt whether any Court in the County has an appel-
late Jurisdiction, in any case which has been decided by a Justice
of the Peace : and since a decision of the Boston Court of Com-
mon Pleas, and an opinion given by one of the Justices of the
Supreme Court, it is uncertain whether, as the laws now stand,
there is any mode of enforcing a compliance with them by any
legal process whatever.
It is doubtful whether the Board have the right to oblige a
family in which a person shall be found infected with any con-
tagious disease, to retain such person in the house until he or she
can, with safety, be removed to the Hospital. — It is doubtful
whether the powers of the Board extend to the removal of any
nuisances other than those particularly enumerated in the
Statutes. —
And as the Board of Health have doubts whether, under the
existing Laws, they have power from time to time to alter their
Quarantine Regulations, your Committee are of opinion that all
doubts on that subject should be removed, and that the Board of
Health should have the power, and should take the responsibility,
of regulating the Quarantine of vessells from time to time, accord-
ing to existing circumstances.
Your Committee are of opinion, that by combining all the vari-
ous existing powers into one Statute, the difficulties aforesaid and
others, which it is unnecessary particularly to enumerate, might
be removed ; the law would be rendered more intelligible and less
[94] expensive in its execution ; but they cannot at present
discern a necessity for the appointment of any new officers, or
for conferring (except as before alluded to) any new powers on
the Board of Health — And as the subject has already been taken
up in the Legislature, and a Committee, consisting of three of
our most respectable Townsmen, have now the subject under
consideration ; and as that Committee are not disposed to report
BOSTON TOWN RECOKDS, 1816. 55
to the Legislature any law, which will not be agreeable to the
Town ; but will with pleasure, advise and consult with such a
Committee as the Town shall appoint for the purpose of guarding
the Towns interests ; Your Committee beg leave respectfully to
recommend to the Town the adoption of [the] following vote. —
Voted, that
be a Committee, to take the subject of the Laws regarding the
Health of the Town of Boston into consideration ; and to confer
with any Committee appointed by either branch of the Legisla-
ture ; with power to consent to such a modification of the existing
Laws as shall, in their opinion best comport with the rights and
interests of the Town.
Tho8. H. Perkins, Chairman per order.
Boston March 21st. 1816.
The foregoing report was read & accepted by the Town ; and
the blank was filled with the names of the following Gentlemen
as the Committee — viz1.
Hon1. Tho8. H. Perkins
Hon1. Daniel Sargent
[95.] Benjamin Weld Esq. Josiah Marshall Esq.
Bedford Webster Esq. Andrew Sigourney Esq.
Thomas Badger Esq. Francis Welsh Esq.
William H. Sumner Esq. John Wood Esq. and
Benja. Smith Esq. Barzillai Homes Esq.
Revd. Joshua Huntington was chosen one of the School Com-
mittee in place of Revd. S. C. Thacher, who declined serving.
Voted, That Peter O. Thacher Esq., Benjamin Russell Esq.
and Mr. Joseph Callender be a Committee to revise the bye laws
relative to the Market, and upon conferring with the Inspectors
of the Market, to consider what additional powers should be
given to them, and what regulations can be adopted to enable
them to execute the duties of their appointment and report.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to the Hon1.
John Phillips Esquire, for his services as Moderator of this
meeting.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[96.] At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town of
Boston of twenty one years of age and upwards, qualified as the
Constitution prescribes and legally warned and assembled at
Faneuil Hall on Monday the first day of April 1816 — 9 O'Clock
A. M.
56 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Prayer by the Rev*1. Mr. Sharpe.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution or Frame of Government, rela-
tive to the choice of Governour, Lieutenant Governour and Sen-
ators, read. —
Law of the Commonwealth dividing the State into Districts for
the choice of Counsellors and Senators, read.
It was afterwards determined that the Poll should be closed at
2 O'Clock, and that the bells begin tolling at half past one. —
Persons voted for as Governour, with the number of votes for
each person, viz.
Hon1. John Brooks 3522
Hon1. Samuel Dexter 2022
His Excellency Caleb Strong - - - 1
Hon1. William Gray ------ 3
Henry A. S. Dearborn 2
5550.
Persons voted for as Lieutenant Governour, with the number
of Votes for each person, viz. —
His Honour William Phillips 3562
Hon1. William King 1941
Hon1. William Gray 7
Ch8. Carter 1. John Holmes 1. Tho8.Melville 1 - - 3
John Brooks 1. James Prince 1. H. Dearborn 1 - 3
5516
[97.] Persons voted for as Senators for the District of
Suffolk, with the number of votes for each person, viz.
Hon1. Harrison G. Otis 3520
" John Phillips 3536
'« Thomas H. Perkins - - - - 3523
" Josiah Quincy 3461
" Jonathan Hunnewell - - - - 3515
" Richard Sullivan ----- 3523
" Henry Dearborn - - - - 1923
David Townsend Esqr. - - - 1941
William Little Esqr. - - - - 1933
Russell Sturgis Esqr. - - - - 1919
Caleb Bingham Esqr. - - - - 1941
William Ingalls Esqr. - - - - 1939
James Lloyd 33
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1816. 57
D. Sargent 1. C. Loring 2. Abraham Jones 1 - - 4
T. K. Jones 2. Wm. Tudor 2. Josiah Dow 4 - - 8
Arnold Welles 1. Frink Roberts 2 3
S. H. Walley 1. Ed Jones 1. Sam Brown 1. Enos
Cobb 1. 4
Ch8. Bulfinch 1. Geo. Blake 1. Tris. Barnard 1. - 3
Ben. Smith 1. John Wells 1. AW Fuller 2 - - 4
AVm. Gray 1. Geo. Cabot 1. Benj. Austin 1 - - 3
Benjamin Russell 1. Geo. Darricot 1 2
Attested Copies or return of the persons voted for as Govern-
our, Lieutenant Governour & Senators for the District of
Suffolk sealed iip in open Town Meeting, after the vote had been
declared, to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth
as prescribed by Law, and directed as follows, viz.
To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts — Votes of the Town of Boston for Governour &
Lieutenant Governour sealed up in open Town Meeting.
Also for six Senators for the District of Suffolk, directed in
the same manner.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[98.] At a Meeting of the male Inhabitants of the Town of
Boston, of twenty one years of age and upwards, qualified as the
Constitution prescribes, held at Faneuil Hall on the 16th day of
May A D 1816. 10 O'Clock A. M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Dean.
Warrant for calling the Meeting, read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution relating to the choice of Repre-
sentatives, read
The return of the Assistant Assessors signifying that the major
and minor polls were 9729 — being also read. The Inhabitants
were directed to bring in their votes for Representatives not ex-
ceeding Forty three.
Votes were received by the Selectmen untill half past one
o'clock, when they declared the Poll to be closed.
The whole number of votes given in was 791, necessary to
make a choice 396.
58 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The following gentlemen were nearly unanimously elected, viz,
James Robinson William H. Sumner
Josiah Bachelder Ephraim Thayer
Stephen Codman Nathaniel Curtis
Benjamin Russell William Tudor junr.
Benjamin Whitman Richard Faxon
Charles Davis
[99.] John D. Howard Benjamin Whitwell
Thacher Goddard Thomas W. Sumner
Lynde Walter Samuel Hubbard
Jonathan Loring Benjamin Rand
Jonathan Whitney John French
Joseph Pierce Gedney King
Andrew Sigourney Charles W. Greene
Thomas Barry Joseph W. Revere
Henry Sargent John Cotton
William Harris John Mackay
Benjamin Gorham Edward T. Channing
William Sturgis Peter O. Thacher
John Howe of Ward N°. 12 David Sears Junr.
Nathan Appleton Josiah Bradlee
George Sullivan Josiah Marshall and
Israel Thorndike Junr. Benjamin Smith
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[1OO.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 27th day of May
A. D. 1816. 10 o'Clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting, read.
Hon1. John Phillips Esqr. chosen Moderator.
John Howe of Ward N°. 12 was chosen a Selectman, in the
place of George G. Lee, Esquire, deceased.
Thomas Wigglesworth Esqr. was chosen on the School Com-
mittee in place of William Smith, Esqr. deceased.
Edward Tuckerman Junr. Esqr. was chosen an Overseer of the
Poor & of the Work house in place of William Smith Esqr. de-
ceased.
Turner Phillips Esqr. was chosen a Fire Ward, in place of
Bryant P. Tilden Esqr. resigned.
Edward Tuckerman William Ham matt
William Dall Peter O. Thacher and
Joshua Davis Thomas Dawes Esquires,
were chosen Trustees of Neck Land.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1816. 59
William Trefrey, was chosen a Culler of Dry Fish.
A Petition from the Assessors, that the Town would grant
them a further compensation for their services, was read. —
A motion was made and seconded, that the [1O1] petitioners
have leave to withdraw their petition, which being put, passed
in the affirmative.
The Committee appointed on the 11th day of March last " to
audit the accounts of the Town Treasurer, and to report the sum
necessary to be raised for the services of the present year " have
attended that service & ask leave to report, that they have exam-
ined the Accounts of Andrew Sigourney Esqr. the Town Treas-
urer & Collector herewith — that they find the same correctly
stated, right cast, and well vouched, and that there remains [as]
a balance in the hands of the Treasurer the sum of $19,224.4 cents
belonging to the Town.
Your Committee further report that the Standing Committee
of finance having informed them that in their annual report to
the Town, on the subject of their monied concerns they have
stated the sum which in their opinion would be necessary to be
raised by the Town for the services of the present year ; your
Committee therefore beg leave to refer the Town to that report
for such further information on that subject as may be neces-
sary, all which is respectfully submitted.
Stephen Codman per Order.—
The above Report read & accepted by the Town.
Upon the representation & exhibition of the doings & proceed-
ings of Andrew Sigourney Esquire, Treasurer & Collector of
taxes of the Town of Boston this last year.
Voted, that the Town of Boston highly approve of the conduct
of said Andrew Sigourney Esquire in the said offices of
Treasurer & Collector, and that [1O2] he has faithfully & fully
as was in his power completed the execution of his duty in said
offices to which he has been appointed as aforesaid, and that he
be excused from all delinquency or default in not having effected
the full and complete settlement of the taxes by him to have
been received or collected according to law.
Fourth annnal report
of the
Committee of Finance of the Town of Boston.
In the year 1812 The Town voted, that the Selectmen, Over-
seers of the Poor & Board of health should be constituted &
60
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
appointed a Committee of finance, to superintend the admin-
istration of the monied concerns of the Town : Among other duties
they were directed to prepare a clear and well defined statement
of the Treasury, and of the monied concerns of the town, to be
presented at the annual Meeting in May.
In conformity to these directions, the Committee have attended
to the duty assigned them, and present the following, as the
fourth annual report.
The amount of the warrants for taxes in 1815, were
For State Tax
County Tax
Town Tax
24,709.33
21,828.
109,000.
$155,537.33
The amount assessed with the addition
to anticipate probable abatements
allowed
- - - $158.402.80
[1O3.] Amount received by the Treasurer from
Octr. I8t. 1815 to 20th. May 1816
Amount of Abatements - - - -
Balance remaining uncollected - -
- $146,801.44
6,575.10
5,026.26
$158,402.80
He has received on back taxes from 1804 to 1814
inclusive -- .__.
On last years tax as above
4547.19
146801.44
151348.63
The following is a statement of the Towns Debts and Credits.
Dr. Town of Boston. —
- - - - 14709.33
17789.5
.... 36100.—
On State tax -
County of Suffolk
Notes due to several individuals
Mrs. Brookers donation — the interest of which |
is paid annually to Widows and sick persons j
Selectmen & Overseers drafts unpaid - - - -
Unliquidated accounts
1230.
109.12
69937.50
6062.50
$76,000.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1816.
By several notes for land sold
due for State Poor - -
Taxes receivable estimated at
Cash in the Treasury
Balance - - - -
$6779.63
7002.
3000.
$16781.63
19249.4
$36030.67
39969.33
$76000.—
The balance of the Account current of the
Town last year, was
the above statement shows it to be at present
And exhibits the amount of j
Debt which has been paid j
$63886.84
$39969.33
$23917.51
[1O4.] The Committee are gratified in being able to state,
that the system recommended by them in 1814 has, in its effects
exceeded their most sanguine expectations. Having been ably
and steadily pursued by the Treasurer & Collector, order &
perspicuous arrangement have been introduced into the Treasury
department ; the collections have become prompt and regular
without harassing or oppressing the citizens ; such punctuality
is observed in payments that only 109 dollars are now unpaid,
on the drafts of the Selectmen, Overseers and Board of Health,
and the outstanding debt is reduced to 39969 dollars. —
They recommend the pursuance of the same system, and offer
the following estimates and statements for the present year.
The demands on the Town being
as above stated 76000.
add thereto for current expences of the year
For Selectmen 63000
Overseers of the poor ----- 25000
Board of Health 8000
Amount of State Tax
County Tax
Interest on Outstanding debt referred -
From which deduct two installments of old debt
each of 14000 dollars, to be paid in two suc-
ceeding years -----------
96000.
22141.33
21000.
2400.
$217541.33
28000.
Amount to be paid this year
$189,541.33
62
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[105.]
To be provided for as follows.
From money in the Treasury - -
Notes for land falling due - - -
From Commonwealth for Poor - -
Rents of Market, Town house &c. -
Taxes receivable outstanding - -
Amount assessed for
State tax .... 22141.33
D°. County Tax - 21000.
D°. Town Tax - 96000.
addition for probable
abatements .... 10000.
19249.4
6779.63
7002.
12000.
3000.
$149141.33
$197172.—
The Committee recommend that the Town should vote a tax of
96,000 dollars and ten thousand dollars to meet the abatements.
The amount will defray the current expences of the year, and one
installment of the deferred debt and interest : they are gratified
in finding, that these objects may be effected, & that the amount
of taxes laid be about 9000 dollars less than in the past year. —
Respectfully submitted
By order of the Committee of Finance
Charles Bulfinch
Chairman. —
The foregoing report was read, and accepted by the Town,
and, —
Voted, That the sum of ninety six thousand dollars be raised by
a tax to be assessed upon the Polls and Estates of the Inhabitants
of the Town, to defray the expences of the Town the present
year; and the further sum of Ten Thousand dollars to meet
abatements of Taxes.
[1O6.] Voted, That the Treasurer be authorized to borrow a
sum not exceeding Seventy six thousand dollars, if the same
should be found necessary, in his opinion for the use of the Town.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid to the Hon1. Thomas
Dawes the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars as his salary
as Judge of the Municipal Court for the present year. —
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto Thomas Clark, Town
Clerk, the sum of One Thousand Dollars as his Salary for the
present year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto each of the three per-
manent Assessors the sum of Eight hundred & sixteen dollars
each as their salary for the present year.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1816. 63
Voted, That there be allowed & paid unto Andrew Sigourney Esqr.,
the sum of Three Thousand dollars, in full for his services as
Town Treasurer & Collector of Taxes, for Clerk hire and all other
expeuces in the delivery of tax bills & collection of Taxes.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved. —
[1O7.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 4th.
day of July A.D. 1816 — 10 O'Clock A. M. -
Warrant for calling the meeting — read
Thomas Clark was chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Indepen-
dence— Reported — That they have chosen George Sullivan
Esquire who had accepted the appointment.
Adjourned to meet at the Old South Church at 12 O'Clock M.
Met at the Old South Church where an Oration was delivered
by George Sullivan Esqr. to commemorate the Independence of
the United States of America.
Voted, That the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a Com-
mittee to wait on George Sullivan Esqr. in the name of the Town,
and thank him for the elegant and spirited Oration this day deliv-
ered by him at the request of the Town upon the Anniversary of
American Independence, in which were considered the feelings,
manners & principles which produced the great event and the
important and happy effects, general and domestic, which have
already, or will forever flow from that auspicious epoch ; and to
request of him a copy for the press.
Voted, That the Gentlemen Selectmen be, and hereby are
appointed a Committee to apply to some [1O8] able and learned
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the 4th. day of July 1817.
That day being the Anniversary of the Independence of the
United States of America ; wherein the Orator is to consider the
feelings, manners & principles, which led to this great national
event ; as well as the important and happy effects which have
already, or will forever flow from that auspicious Epoch. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved. —
At a Convention of the Board of Selectmen, Overseers of the
Poor, and Board of Health, of the Town of Boston, held at
Faneuil Hall on Monday the 8th. day of July A.D. 1816 — 4
O'Clock P.M.
64 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Present a Majority of each Board.
Voted, to proceed to the choice of a Town Treasurer for the year
ensuing.
Ebenezer Oliver & Joseph Coolidge jr. Esquires were appointed a
Committee to receive sort and count the votes.
The Committee reported that the whole number of Votes were
24 and that Andrew Sigourney Esqr. was unanimously chosen
Town Treasurer for the year ensuing.
Voted, to proceed to the choice of one Collector of Taxes.
The Committee having collected the votes. Reported that
Andrew Sigourney Esqr. was unanimously elected Collector of
Taxes for the year ensuing.
Mr. Sigourney having been notified of his appointment to the
above offices, declared his acceptance, and proposed the Honble.
Jonathan Hunnewell & Benjamin Weld Esqr. as his Bondsmen.
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen be accepted as Mr.
Sigourneys Bondsmen, & that they execute a Bond of Twenty
thousand dollars as Treasurer, and another Bond for the same
sum as Collector of Taxes.
Voted, That Mr. Oliver, of the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Snelling,
of the Overseers & Mr. Jackson of the Board of Health, be a
Committee to see that -the Bonds are given by the Treasurer &
that he is qualified according to law.
Then the Convention was Dissolved,
[1O9.] At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston, duly qualified to vote for Representatives in the
General Court of this Commonwealth, held at Faneuil Hall on
Monday the 4th. day of November A.D. 1816 — 10 o'Clock
A.M. —
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Winchell.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read. —
Paragraphs of the Constitution of the United States, and of a
Resolve of the General Court for choosing one Representative in
the Congress of the United States for the District of Suffolk
being read — The Inhabitants were informed that the Poll would
be closed at half past one o'Clock. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 65
Persons voted for as a Representative for the Suffolk District
in this Commonwealth in the next Congress of the United States,
viz. —
Hon°. James Lloyd Esqr. — 828
Will"1. Sullivan Esqr. 1
And declaration thereof made by the Selectmen in Public
Town Meeting. —
A return of the doings of this Meeting was made out conform-
able to the printed direction of the General Court & forwarded to
the Secretary's office by the Town Clerk. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[HO.] At a Meeting of the male Citizens of the Town of
Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 10th. day of March
A.D. 1817 — 10 oClock A.M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Ware
Warrant for calling the Meeting read. —
Law respecting the Election of Town Officers — read.
Honble. John Phillips Esqr. was chosen Moderator. —
Thomas Clark was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing,
and the oath of office was administered to him by the Moderator.
Charles Bulfinch Ebenezer Oliver
Jonathan Hunnewell Joseph Levering
Joseph Austin Turner Phillips
Henry Bass Samuel Dorr and
Enoch Silsby Esquires were chosen
Selectmen for the year ensuing.
The Oath of office was administered to the six first named
Gentlemen by the Moderator.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to Robert Williams
Esqr. for his faithful services as one of the Selectmen for several
years past. —
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to John Bray Esqr.
for his faithful services as one of the Selectmen the past year.
Hon1. William Phillips Esqr. Redford Webster
Thomas Perkins Samuel Snelling
Ozias Goodwin William Mackay
Joseph Coolidge junr. Joseph Richards
Jonathan Phillips Samuel May
Jacob Hall and Edwd. Tuekerman Junr. Esqrs.
66 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
were chosen Overseers of the Poor and of the Work House the
year ensuing.
[111.] Voted, That in addition to the Selectmen twelve
persons shall now be chosen a School Committee ; and the votes
being collected it appeared that the following Gentlemen were
chosen, viz
Revd. Charles Lowell Charles Davis
Revd. Horace Holley Peter 0. Thacher
Revd. Joshua Huntington Francis J Oliver
Docf. Aaron Dexter William Wells
Doctr. Thomas Welsh Thomas Wigglesworth &
Doctr. John C. Warren Benjamin Russell Esqrs.
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen who conjunctly with
the Selectmen are termed the School Committee, be, and hereby
are directed to carry the System of Education adopted by the
Town into operation ; and that said Committee be also authorized
and empowered conjunctly to manage and regulate the govern-
ment of the Schools ; and to execute all the powers relative to
the Schools and School Masters which the Selectmen or such
Committees are authorized by the laws of the Commonwealth or
by votes of the Town to exercise.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to John Heard
Esqr. for his faithful services as one of the School Committee for
many years past
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to Edward Cruft
and John Winslow junr. Esqrs. for their faithful services as Fire-
wards for several years past.
Thomas Melvill Andrew Cunningham
John Winslow Stephen Codman
Jonathan Hunewell Daniel Messenger
Joshua Davis Benja. Smith
Nath1. Curtis James Phillips
Bryant P. Tilden Nathan Webb
Sam1. M. Thayer Joseph Tilden
Joseph Austin Benja. Rich
Joseph Lovering [112.] Gedney King
Francis J. Oliver John D. Williams
William Harris Jonathan Loring
John Mackay and Turner Phillips Esqra. were chosen
Firewards for the year ensuing.
Votes were received for a Treasurer for the county of Suffolk
by the Moderator and Town Clerk — when it appeared that John
Winslow Esqr. had one hundred & forty seven votes, & A Young
one vote
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 67
Mess18. Benja. White John Cogswell
William Clouston Nath1. Brad lee
Noah Doggett Bradock Loring
Allen Bowker Thomas Christie
Wm. Green Eleazer Homer
Joseph Stodder Will"'. Ellison
Nath1. Glover John Howe Junr.
Richard Thayer Edwd. J. Robbins
Henry Blake Josh. Tucker
Moses Eayres and Benja. Harris were chosen
Surveyors of Boards and other Lumber.
Mess™. Henry Purkett Benja. Clark
Nath1. Howe & Benjamin Owen were
chosen cullers of Hoops & Staves.
Mess18. Thomas Barbour Nath1. Howe
Benj. Clark Charles Pook
John Bannister Benja. Owen
James Brown Wm. J. Hammatt
Thomas Lombard and Walter Jackson were
chosen Cullers of Dry Fish.
[113.] Messrs. Benjamin White Nath1. Bradlee
William Ellison and John Howe junr. were
chosen Fence viewers for the year ensuing.
Messrs. Barney Sloan Joseph Champney
Joseph Selaway and Neddy Curtis were chosen
Hogreeves and Haywards for the ensuing year.
Samuel Emmons and
James Phillips Esauires, were chosen
Surveyors of Hemp.
Edward Tuckerman and
Josiah Snelhng Esquires, were chosen
Surveyors of Wheat.
Messrs. John Wells and
Richard Austin — were chosen Assay
Masters.
MessrB. Michael Homer
Francis James and
Samuel Sprague were chosen Inspectors
of Lime for the year ensuing.
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of High Way.
Voted, That Stephen Cod man, Francis J. Oliver and Robert G-.
Shaw Esquires, be and hereby are appointed a Committee to
68 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Audit the Accounts of the Town Treasurer, and also those of the
Overseers of the Poor & Work House and the Board of Health —
and said Committee are directed to report the sum necessary to be
raised for the services of the present year. —
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to John Osborn
Esqr. for his faithful services as one of the Auditors of Accounts
for several years past.
Voted, That the consideration of all money matters be referred tx>
May Meeting.
The Committee who were appointed to revise the Bye laws of
the Town of Boston relative to the Market, and to confer with the
Inspectors of the Market upon the expediency of adopting any
[114] further regulations for the good order of the same
"report that pursuant to their appointment they have had a
Conference with the Inspectors of the Market, and have received
from that body the following communication.
The Inspectors of the Market within the town of Boston are
by their office expected to enquire after and to cause to be prose-
cuted offences committed in or against the Market. But as they
derive no authority from the laws of the Commonwealth, and are
elected by the voluntary act of their fellow citizens, they possess
no real powers ; and they are apprehensive, that the public can
derive no essential advantage from their appointment. By recur-
ring to a report made to the Town at a Meeting of the Inhabitants
on the 24 — May 1813 — It appears, that for the many offences
which may be committed against the community in the Market ;
the law contemplates adequate remedies ; but from experience it
is found that, such is the negligence of the citizens, prosecutions
are very rare and seldom result in the conviction of offenders.
The object of all regulations on the subject of the Market
should be, to facilitate the bringing of produce to the Market by
the growers of the same, and to encourage the sale of it there,
by them to the consumers, so as to avoid the increase of price,
which must be paid to venders on commission ; but the Inspectors
are sensible that in multiplying regulations there is danger of
shackling the freedom of trade, and causing at times a deficiency
in the regular supply of the Market on which much of its utility
depends. Evils arise in this town from the contracted limits of
the Market, which are found not sufficient for the accommoda-
tion of those who come to sell, and of those who come to buy,
while the market continues in its present local situation, partial
remedies only can be applied to existing evils.
The Inspectors are aware that very much depends on the vigil-
ance of the citizens, and in the hope that some benefit will be
derived to them, and perhaps some revenue to the Town, they
recommend the following additional regulations, to be adopted
and enforced by proper legal authority — viz —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 69
First — That no inhabitant of the Town of Boston, or any neigh-
bouring town, not offering for sale the produce of his own farm
shall at any season of the year, be permitted to occupy any
stand with Cart or otherwise for the purpose of vending commod-
ities in Dock Square. —
Second — That all the Stalls in the Market be offered to be
leased by the Selectmen once a year at public auction, and that
among other [115] conditions of the lease it should be inserted,
that the Lessee shall forfeit his lease and all monies paid for the
same, if he, or any person under him, or with his connivance, or
permission should commit any offence against the laws or regula-
tions of the Market ; and that the Selectmen shall have authority
to hear and finally determine all complaints respecting the breach
of this condition, and to deprive offenders of their Stalls. This
regulation to be in addition to the penalties, which are provided
for offences by existing laws.
Third, That the office of Inspectors of the Market be discon-
tinued, and the Selectmen of the Town be authorized to appoint
annually two or more Clerks of the Market, to be under oath for
the faithful performance of the duties of their office, and to be
allowed a suitable compensation for their services. The said
Clerks, in addition to collecting the rents of the Stalls and
inspecting the conduct of the occupants of the same, shall
regulate the standing of horses, carts & other incumbrances in
and about the Market and in the Streets leading to the same :
Shall see that all orders and regulations on these subjects be
observed ; and shall inform of and duly prosecute all offences
which may in any way come to their knowledge, and which shall
be committed in the Market or elsewhere against the laws,
regulations and freedom of the same.
Thomas Badger, Chairman.
Wm. Tileston, Secretary.
Conceiving that the communication from the Inspectors of the
Market results from much experience and attentive observation,
and fully approving of its principles, your Committee ask leave
to propose to their fellow citizens to adopt the following votes
and Bye law, viz,
Voted, That all the Stalls in the Market be offered to be leased
by the Selectmen once a year, at public Auction, and upon such
terms and conditions as they may deem proper : but that among
the terms and conditions of the lease, it shall be inserted, "That
the Lessee shall forfeit his lease and all monies paid for the same,
if he, or any person under him, or with his connivance, or per-
mission shall commit any offence against the laws or regulations
of the Market, or against the general or special laws regulating
the same. — and that the Selectmen shall have authority to hear,
and finally to determine all complaints respecting the breach of
this condition, and thereupon to take from said Lessee, or any
person under him the said Stall."
70 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, That the office of Inspectors of the Market be discon-
tinued, [116] and the Selectmen of the town shall annually,
and oftener, if need be, appoint one or more substantial citizens
to be Clerks of the Market, and to allow to him or them a suitable
compensation for his or their services. And it shall be the duty
of every such Clerk, in addition to collecting the rents of the
Stalls and inspecting the conduct of occupants of the same, to
regulate the standing of Carts, Horses, and other incumbrances
in & about the Market, and in the Streets leading thereto, so that
there may always be a free -and convenient passage in & through
the same : and it shall further be the duty of every such Clerk, to
see that all orders and regulations of the Selectmen on these sub-
jects be observed, and to inform of, & duly to prosecute all
offences, which may in any way come to their knowledge, & which
shall be committed in the Market, or elsewhere, against the laws,
regulations & freedom of the same : and lastly, every such Clerk
shall be under Oath faithfully to perform the duties of his office
and shall be liable to be removed from his said office by the
Selectmen whenever they shall deem it expedient so to do.
" Bye Law. -
"It is hereby ordered, that no Inhabitant of the town of Bos-
ton, or of any town in the vicinity thereof, not offering for sale
the produce of his own farm, shall at any season of the year, be
permitted to occupy any stand with Cart, Sleigh or otherwise, for
the purpose of vending commodities in Dock Square, or in the
square lying between Union Street and the Stalls to the North &
West of the Market : — and if any such person shall presume to
occupy with Cart, Sleigh or otherwise any stand in Dock Square,
or in the square lying between Union Street & the Stalls to the
north west of the Market, after being ordered to remove there-
from by the Clerk of the Market, or by any person thereunto
authorized by the Selectmen of the town, he shall forfeit a sum
not exceeding five dollars nor less than two dollars for every
hour, in which he shall continue to offend in this respect, the one
moiety thereof to the use of the complainant, and the other moiety
thereof to the use of the town.
All which is respectfully submitted
by.
Peter O. Thacher}
Benjamin Russell >• Committee
Joseph Callender )
[117.] The foregoing Report was read and accepted — And
ordered that the Town Clerk lay the Bye Law contained in the
said Report before Honble. Justices of the Court of Sessions for
confirmation.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to the Hon1.
John Phillips Esqr. for his services as moderator of this meeting.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 71
At a Meeting of the male Inhabitants of the Town of Boston of
twenty one years of age and upwards, qualified as the Constitu-
tion prescribes and legally warned and assembled at Faneuil Hall
on Monday the seventh day of April A. D. 1817 — 9 O'Clock
A. M.
Prayer by the Revd. Doctr. Baldwin. —
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution or Frame of Government, rela-
tive to the choice of Governour, Lieutenant Governour, and
Senators. — read.
Law of the Commonwealth dividing the State into districts for the
choice of Counsellors and Senators — read. —
It was afterwards determined that the Poll should be closed at
2 O'Clock — the Bells to begin tolling at half past one.
Persons voted for as Governour, with the number of votes for
each person — viz
His Excellency John Brooks 3578. —
Hon1. Henry Dearborn 1315. —
Nathaniel Noyes 1. —
4894 —
Persons voted for as Lieutenant Governour, with the number
of votes for each person — viz,
His Honour William Phillips 3567 -
Hon1. William King 1301
Edwd. H. Bobbins 1
William Gray --------- 1
Joseph B. Varnum 2
Wm. Lawrence 2. Sam1. Whitwell 1 - - 3
4875
•••^•^M
[118.] Persons voted for as Senators for the District of
Suffolk, with the number of votes for each person.
Hon1. John Phillips 3556
" John Welles 3547
" Josiah Quincy 3502
" Thomas H. Perkins 3533
" Jonathan Hunnewell 3540
" Richard Sullivan 3544
" Samuel Brown 1275
Wm. Little Esqr. 1270
Dr. Wm. Ingalls 1273
James T. Austin Esqr. 1266
Thomas Badger Esqr. 1259
Henry Orne Esqr. 1253
72 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
David Townsend Esqr. 19 — Daniel Carney 7 — Josiah Dow 3 —
Nath1. Fisher 2. Wm. Prescott 1 — Tristram Barnard 3 — Henry
H. Tuckerman 2. Rd. D. Harris 1 — Joshua Clapp 2 — Jos. N.
Howe 2 — W:n. A. Fales 1— Wm. Mackay 1— Frank Roberts 1
— Sam1. Snelling 1. Wm. Bangs 2 — Richd. S. Howe 1 — Wm.
Bordman 1 — Wm. Lawrence 1 — Wm. Foster 1— Art8. Ward 1
— Lorenzo Draper 2. Wm. Sullivan 2. John C. Jones 3. Geo.
Cabot 1. H. G. Otis 3. Joua. Mason 1. Jos. Tilden 1. Dan1.
Sargent 1. James Robinson 1 — Bryant P. Tilden 1. Dan1.
Messenger 1 — H. Goodrich 1 — Joseph Smith 1 — James Carter
1 — Henry A. S. Dearborn 1. Will1". Thompson jr. ]. Simon
AVilkinson 1 — Lamson Bullard 1. Dan1. Tuttle 1.— P. F.
Dagrand 1 — Barney Smith 1 — Gerry Fairbanks 1 — Th8. K.
Jones 1 — Jesse Putnam 1 — Sam1. Billings 2 — Tho8. Gushing
1 —
Attested Copies or return of the persons voted for as Govern-
our, Lieutenant Governour & Senators for the District of Suffolk
sealed up in open Town Meeting, after the vote had been de-
clared, to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth
as prescribed by Law, and directed as follows — viz —
To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. — Votes of the Town of Boston for Governour
& Lieutenant Governour sealed up in open Town Meeting — Also
for Six Senators for the District of Suffolk, directed in the same
manner.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[119.] At a Meeting of the male Citizens of the Town of
Boston held at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the 22d day of April
A.D. 1817 —
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read.
Honble. John Phillips Esqr. was chosen Moderator.
The meeting was called " to consider and act upon the petition
of a number of the Inhabitants, that the Selectmen my be em-
powered to choose a Committee of such a number of discreet
citizens as they may find expedient, to take into consideration the
Bye Laws for the regulation of Carts & Trucks, and to report
such modifications and changes of the present regulations as in
the opinion of such Committee may be just and reasonable, and
consistent with the rights and welfare of the community ' '
The Petition being read, it was moved and Voted, That the
Selectmen of the Town of Boston be and they hereby are author-
ized & empowered to appoint a Committee consisting of seven
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 78
citizens of this town ; which Committee shall have power to take
into consideration the several orders & Bye Laws now in force
regulating the carriage of goods, merchandize and all other
articles, on Carts, Trucks or Waggons within said town ; and to
report at an adjourned meeting, all such amendments, alterations
and additions to said orders and Bye Laws as in the opinion of
said Committee may be necessary and proper.
Adjourned, to Tuesday the 6 day of May next — then to meet
at this place at 10 O'Clock A.M.-
Tuesday May 6th.
The Town met according to adjournment.
The Moderator informed the Inhabitants that the Selectmen
had, in conformity to a vote of the Town appointed
William Sullivan Isaac Winslow
Thomas Badger Benjamin Rich
Richard D. Tucker Ebenr. Farley and
Josiah Bradlee Esqre.
a Committee to take into consideration the petition relative to
Carts & Trucks.
[12O.] Mr. Wm. Sullivan Chairman of the Committee ap-
pointed for that purpose arose and stated to the meeting, that
they had several times met upon the subject committed to them,
but were not ready to report ; and moved for an adjournment of
the meeting to the fifth day of June next — The question being
taken, it passed in the affirmative.
Adjourned to Thursday 5th. day of June next 10 O'Clock A.M.
At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town of Boston
of twenty one years of age and upwards, qualified as the Consti-
tution prescribes, held at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 15th day
of May A.D. 1817 — 10 O'Clock A.M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Holley.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read —
Paragraphs of the Constitution relating to the choice of
Representatives — read —
The return from the Board of Assistant Assessors signifying
that the major and minor polls were 9448 — being also read. —
The Inhabitants were directed to bring in their votes for Repre-
sentatives not exceeding forty two. —
The Poll was closed at half past 1 O'Clock.
74 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The whole number of votes given in were 542 — necessary to
make a choice 272
The following Gentlemen had a majority of Votes, and were
declared to be duly elected Representatives for the year ensuing
— viz*.
Stephen Codmau Benjamin Whitwell
Josiah Bachelder Benjamin Smith
Benjamin Russell John Cotton
Thomas W. Sumner Josiah Marshall
Benjamin Whitman John Mackay
Charles Davis Peter O. Thacher
Wm. H. Sumner Joseph "W. Revere
William Tudor jnnr. Samuel Hubbard
John D. Howard Benjamin Rand
Jonathan Loring John French
Thomas Barry Josiah Bradlee
Henry Sargent David Sears
Benjamin Gorham Edward T. Channing
John Howe Samuel Swett and
Francis Bassett
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 26 day of May
A.D. 1817. — 10 O'Clock A.M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read —
Hon1. John Phillips Esqr. was chosen Moderator.
Voted, That the Communication from Ward N. Boylston Esqr.
be referred to a Committee of the Town with instructions to
report at an adjournment of the meeting a statement of facts,
with their opinion as to the best course to be taken by the Town.
James T. Austin, Sam1. Swett, Stephen Codman, Arnold Welles
and Nathan Webb Esquires, were chosen a Committee agreeably
to the above vote. —
The Committee appointed by the Town on the 10tb day of
March last, to "Audit the Accounts of the Town Treasurer, and
also those of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and Work-
house, and the Board of Health ; with directions to report the
sum necessary to be raised for the services of the present year, "
have attended to the service assigned them by examining the
Accounts of the Town Treasurer and Collector, of the monies by
him received and paid ; they find the same right cast and well
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 75
vouched ; that there results a balance of Eighteen thousand, Eight
hundred, & fifty eight Dollars & forty cents remaining in the
hands of the Treasurer belonging to the Town. This Account
which is handed herewith, includes all the drafts made on the
Treasurer by the Selectmen, Overseers and the Board of Health,
who are authorized by the Town to appropriate the Towns money
for the several purposes within their respective departments —
the general particulars of which your Committee presume will
appear by the statement which is annually made to the Town by
the standing Committee of Finance ; to which Report your Com-
mittee also refer the Town for the amount of the sum necessary
to be raised for the services of the present year. — all which is
respectfully submitted.
Stephen Codman Chairman
of Committee — p Order —
Boston May 1817.
[123.] Fifth annual report
of the Committee of Finance of the
Town of Boston.
The Committee of Finance of the Town of Boston, consisting
of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor & Board of Health, have
attended to the duty assigned to them by the Town ; have
examined the Books of the Treasurer & Collector and are sat-
isfied with the diligence and attention of that officer and with the
accuracy of his accounts.
They present the following report.
The Amount of Warrants for taxes in 1816, given to the
Treasurer & Collector, were
For State Tax $26639.76
" Town & County Tax 131015.94
$157655.70
Amount received by the Treasurer from I8
Octr. 1816 to 20th. May 1817 $144818.60
Amount of Abatements - 7379.50
Balance remaining uncollected 5457.60
$157655.70
from which it appears, that the whole tax has been paid or
settled in less than eight months, excepting about 5000 Dollars,
from which the Treasurer estimates nearly one half may be
collected : This promptness your Committee think honourable to
the Treasurer and to the Inhabitants; and is an instance of
well managed financial concerns, scarcely to be met with in any
other City or Town containing so great a number of Inhabitants.
76
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Dr. The Town of Boston .
On State Tax
County of Suffolk
Notes to several Persons -------
Mrs. Brookers donation, a fund the interest of
which is paid annually to Widows and Sick
persons ------------
Balance unpaid on Selectmens and Overseers
Drafts
Unliquidated Accounts -
$17141.33
12100..
33500.
1230.
158.60
64129.93
5870.7
$70,000.
[124.] The Town of Boston
By Several Notes for Land &c .
Due for State Poor - - - -
" Taxes uncollected estimated, at
Cash in the Treasury
(tr
Balance
$3539.73
7000.
2000.
$12539.73
18858.40
31398.13
38601.87
$70,000.—
The balance of the Account Current last year
was
The above statement shows it to be at present
And exhibits the sum paid this year of the
old Debt
$39969.33
38601.87
1367.46
A calculation was made in the last year's report to pay off 14000
Dollars of the Debt ; but this expectation has not been realized,
owing to unexpected demands in the Selectmens department, for
improvements in streets to the amount of 8000 Dollars — and to
the expences of the alms House, which have exceeded the
estimates about 6000 Dollars in consequence of the hardships of
the poor from the severity of Winter & the stagnation of Busi-
ness. — These circumstances it is hoped, will not again occur to
intercept the operation of the sinking fund ; but to secure its
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817.
77
full effect, it is advisable to appropriate a larger amount than has
been usual, to contingent unforseen expences.
The demands of the Town being as above
stated $70,000
Add thereto for current expences of the [year]
as follows
For Selectmen 70,000. Overseers $30,000 - 100,000
Board of Health 6,500
Amount of State Tax 22,000
County Tax 21,000
Interest on outstanding debt 2400
From which deduct two installments of old }
Debt — each of 14000 dollars, to be paid >•
in two succeeding years )
[125.] To be provided for as follows
From money in the Treasury - .- -
Notes becoming due -----
From Commonwealth for Poor
Rent of Market, Town house &c
Taxes receivable, outstanding - -
Amount assessed for State
tax
D°. - - County Tax -
D°. Town 107,501.87 Abate-
ments 10,000 .....
22000
21000
117501.87
$221,900
28,000.
$193,900.
18858.40
3539.73
7000.
12000.
2000.
160501.87
$203900.—
The Committee recommend, that the Town should vote a tax
of 107501 Dollars & 10000 in addition to meet the abatements ;
this amount will defray the current expences of the year & one
installment of the deferred debt.
Respectfully submitted,
By Order of the Comee. of Finance.
Charles Bulfinch Chairman.
The foregoing report was read and accepted by the Town.
Voted, That the sum of one hundred and seventeen thousand,
five hundred & one dollars, be raised by a tax to be assessd
upon the Polls & Estates of the Inhabitants of the Town, to
defray the expences of the town the present year.
Upon the representation and exhibition of the doings and pro-
ceedings of Andrew Sigourney Esqr. Treasurer & Collector of
Taxes of the Town of Boston the last year.
78 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, that the Town of Boston highly approve of the conduct of
the said Andrew Sigourney Esqr. in the said offices of Treasurer
and Collector, and that he has faithfully, as was in his power
completed the execution of his duty in said offices to which he
has been appointed as aforesaid, and that he be excused from all
delinquency or default in not having effected the full and com-
plete settlement of the taxes by him to have been received or
collected according to Law. —
[1£6.] The memorial of a number of the Inhabitants
" That a suitable compensation be annexed to the office of Chair-
man of the Selectmen " being read — it was moved and
Voted, That the Memorial be referred to the Committee of
Finance who are to enquire if the Chairman of the Selectmen is
entitled to any Compensation — to determine upon the amount of
such Compensation not exceeding One thousand Dollars. —
Edward Tuckerman William Hammatt
William Ball Peter 0. Thacher and
Joshua Davis Thomas Dawes Esq™.
were chosen Trustees of Neck Land.
Mess". Romanus Emerson &
Abel Hewens
were chosen Fence viewers for the District of South Boston.
Voted, That the Treasurer be authorized to borrow a sum not
exceeding Seventy thousand dollars, if the same should be found
necessary for the service of the Town. —
On the application of his Honour William Phillips Esqr.
Voted, That the Town Treasurer be authorized and directed to
receive from his Honour William Phillips, Esqr. the amount
of the sum bequeathed to the Town by the Will of his late
Father, towards the building of a Hospital, and to execute a
Release for the same in behalf of the Town, and that the Town
Treasurer pay the same to the Treasurer of the Massachusetts
General Hospital to be applied to the purposes of that Institution.
The Selectmen laid before the town a list of persons they had
selected to serve as Jurors, at any Court for which they may be
drawn, for three years next ensuing.
Voted, That the Town accept the list of persons to serve as
Jurors, presented by the Selectmen, and confirm their doings. —
Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to cause a Pound to
be built in South Boston, in such a situation as they shall con-
sider best suited to the public convenience.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 79
[127.] Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto the Honble.
Thomas Uawes the sum of Seven hundred and fifty dollars as his
Salary as Judge of the Municipal Court for the present year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto Thomas Clark,
Town Clerk the sum of One thousand dollars as his Salary for
the present year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid out of the Treasury of
the Town of Boston the sum of One thousand Dollars to each of
the permanent Assessors of the Town for the present year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto Andrew Sigourney
Esqr. the sum of three thousand Dollars, in full for his services
as Town Treasurer & Collector of taxes, for Clerk hire and all
other expences in the delivery of tax bills & collection of taxes.
The Petition of a number of the Inhabitants for additional
Schools, was referred to the School Committee, with the addition
of one person from each ward, to be appointed by the Selectmen.
Adjourned to Thursday the 5 day of June next 10 O'Clock
A.M.—
Monday June 5th. 1817 —
Met according to adjournment from the 6th. Ultim0.
The Moderator being absent
Stephen Codman Esqr.
was chosen Moderator, Pro. tern.
The Committee, to whom was referred the Petition of Adam
Smith, and others, Truckmen, beg leave to report. —
That as the Streets of Boston are, and lawfully may be used as
highways by persons who are not subject to those restrictions
which may be imposed on the inhabitants of the town, great
damage will continue to be done by the carrying of heavy loads
on the streets and which cannot be prevented by any town
authority unless further power should be given by the Legislature.
It appears to the Committee reasonable, that carriers, who live in
adjoining towns, and whose usual & daily employment is the
transportation of various articles to and from the places of busi-
ness in this town, should be restrained in the carrying of loads as
the [128] Inhabitants of the town are restrained. Whether
it will be expedient to regulate this intercourse between this
town, and other towns, and the mode of doing it, if it can, &
ought to be done, should be left, as the Committee conceive, to
the discretion of the Selectmen, with the request on the part of
the Inhabitants of the Town, that the Selectmen would petition
80 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
for any further legislative provisions on these subjects, -which
they may find to be proper : and make such representations to
the proprietors of Bridges, which lead into the town, as they
may find to be expedient. —
The Committee have diligently inquired concerning the loads
which are usually earned in the streets of the town by the in-
habitants thereof & have examined the Bye Laws now in force
on this subject ; they find that it is not unlawful to carry one
perch of Stone ; or twenty bushels of gravel or sand ; or one
Chaldron of Coal ; or six feet of Wood ; or one thousand feet of
board; in any one load ; each of which are equal, at least to one
ton and an half in weight, and that no complaint is made of such
loads, nor is any injury supposed to be done to the streets by
the carry thereof ; nor is it supposed, that any load which can be
conveniently & easily, drawn by two horses, on wheels, (with the
width of tire, which the Law now requires) will do any injury to
the streets, excepting in the spring season ; and the Committee,
having to propose regulations for carrying, during the spring
season, are of opinion, that the petition to be allowed to carry a
weight not exceeding one ton & an half is reasonable ; and that
no greater weight than one ton and an half, ought to be drawn by
two horses, within the Town of Boston.
They beg leave to present, for the consideration of the town,
votes which express the result of their deliberations on this
subject.
The Committtee have also considered whether any and what
change could be made in the form of the trucks now in use, and
have obtained information as to the forms in use in other great
towns.
In most of the Southern Cities, one horse Carts are used,
excepting for the bringing heavy articles from the Country.
[129] many persons are desirous of introducing the like mode
of carrying among us ; or of reducing the length of the truck
now in use, and the Committee attended to every suggestion of
this nature, with an earnest disposition to discover & propose to
the town such reform as would be generally acceptable; They
have come to the conclusion that carrying is no where done with
more safety and expedition than in this town; — that with the
introduction of one horse cars would come difficulties much less
tolerable than those now complained of; and that important dis-
advantages would accrue from the use of such cars which the
Committee need not enumerate in this report ; and among them,
that the side ways would be oftener, and longer, and more
inconveniently obstructed in the places of business than they now
are, while the cars were loading & unloading; and that the
number of moving obstructions in the streets from the necessarily
increased number of vehicles, which would be used therein. —
The Committee believe that the present form of Trucks may be
easily passed, when moving in the street as a Waggon drawn by
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 81
two horses could be passed ; and that the principal objection to
the present form is, that when set across some streets to load
and unload, a sufficient and convenient width for passing is not
left ; and the Committee recommend that the Bye-Laws on this
subject should be most rigidly enforced. — The Committee, after
the most diligent attention to this subject, are not able to pro-
pose any reform which can, and ought to be, effected by Law, or
by the regulations of the town.
They believe that if any change for the better can be effected,
it must result from experiment and that this could be made by a
voluntary association among individuals, who might, at a small
expence, or at the expence of the town, under the direction of
the Selectmen, ascertain whether any changes can be made
whereby the business of the town might be done more con-
veniently and advantageously than at present : and that while
the present form of trucks continues, it would be most con-
venient to the truck owners, and to those who employ them
to have the length of the truck twenty four feet & six inches,
and not twenty five feet as some of them now are. —
The Committee have proposed and herewith submit the votes
they suppose to be proper on this subject for the consideration of
[13O] the Town. — The Committee also considered the cruelty,
which is so often practised in the streets on horses used in the
draft and are certain that they express the feelings of their fellow
citizens, in reprobating this practice as inhuman, in those who
are guilty of it; and as disgraceful to the town.
It may not be proper to found legislative provisions upon those
sentiments which are commonly felt for the most noble, generous,
and useful of animals, but it is certainly, one of the most imperi-
ous duties of all well ordered society, to prevent, whenever it can
be done, oppression and cruelty.
All citizens have a common right in the streets ; and the right
to use them, without being afflicted by scenes of suffering, which
are occasioned by mere wantonness and barbarity.
The use of the whip is, sometimes necessary, and justifiable ;
but all citizens whose business requires the power of horses, have,
it is to be presumed, such, as can perform all proper and reason-
able labor, by ordinary caution, and without distressing violence.
It is believed to be no less for the interest, than it is the duty,
of such citizens, not to take persons into employ, who have no
feeling for the animals, which are submitted to their power, nor
any regard, while exercising power, for the feelings of their fellow
men.
The Committee beg leave to offer to the town such votes on
this subject as have appeared to them necessary, signed,
Wm. Sullivan, Josiah Bradlee, Ebenr. Farley
Benj. Rich, Tho". Badger, Isaac Winslow. — Committee
Boston June 4th. 1817.—
The foregoing Report was read and accepted by the town, and
the following Bye Laws were passed, and ordered to be laid before
the Court of Session for confirmation.
82 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
1st.
It is hereby ordered — That no truck shall be used within the
town of Boston, the length whereof from the end of the shaft, to
the extreme end of the side shall be greater than twenty four feet
and six inches ; and that any regulation or Bye Law now in force
inconsistent with this provision, be and the same is hereby
repealed ; and that if any truck shall hereafter be used of greater
length than twenty four [131] feet and six inches the owner
thereof shall forfeit and pay the sum of Five dollars for every
time such truck is used.
2d.
It is hereby Ordered — That it shall be lawful to carry on any
truck, Cart, or Waggon any load the weight whereof shall not
exceed one ton and an half, excepting in the spring season ; and
if any load shall be carried within the.town of greater weight than
the aforesaid weight, on any truck, cart or waggon, the driver
thereof and the owner thereof, shall severally forfeit and pay the
sum of five dollars, excepting those loads which consist [of] one
article which cannot be separated.
3d.
It is hereby Ordered — That the Selectmen be and they hereby
are authorized and empowered to regulate and order from time to
time, in the successive years, the weight of any loads, and of all
loads, which may be carried within the town in the spring season,
while the streets are liable to be injured by the carrying of heavy
loads thereon ; and that it shall be the duty of the Selectmen to
give public notice in each successive year of the day on which the
restrictions which they make shall begin and end. —
4th.
It is hereby Ordered — That if there shall be earned a greater
weight, than the Selectmen may permit to be carried, in the
spring season, there shall be forfeited and paid the sum of five
dollars, to be recovered of the driver of the vehicle whereon the
same is carried, or of the owner of such vehicle. —
Kth
It is hereby Ordered — That if any truck, or Cart, shall be so
placed in any street, within this town, either to load or unload,
as not to leave a sufficient space for the passing of any other
truck, cart or carriage of any description, the owner of any truck
or cart so placed, & the driver thereof, shall severally, forfeit,
and pay, the sum of two dollars for every such offence. — Pro-
vided that it shall be lawful to take a reasonable time for the
loading and unloading of heavy articles not exceeding six min-
utes. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 83
[132.] It is hereby ordered — That if any person who shall
be employed in the driving or conducting of any cart, Waggon,
truck carriage or other vehicle whatsoever, which is drawn by one
horse, or more horses than one, shall unnecessarily & unreason-
ably beat, or cruelly use any horse or horses, under his care or
management, within the town of Boston, such person shall for-
feit and pay the sum of Five Dollars ; and the Owner or owners
of such Cart, Waggon, truck, carriage or other vehicle shall for-
feit and pay the sum of Five Dollars for every such offence.
It is hereby Ordered — That all the aforegoing penalties and
forfeitures shall be recovered on complaint, and on due proof
and evidence, before any Justice of the Peace, together with
costs of prosecution, to the use of the town of Boston. — And
that it shall be the duty of the officers of Police to complain of,
and prosecute all offences herein provided against, which may
come to their knowledge. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[133.] The Town met agreeably to an adjournment from the
26 Ultim0.
The Moderator being absent
Stephen Codman Esqr.
was chosen Moderator Pro. Tem.
The Committee to whom was referred the communication of
Ward Nicholas Boylston Esquire with instructions to report a
state of facts, and their opinion as to the best course to be taken
by the town, have attended to that service, and Respectfully
Report
That the late Thomas Boylston by his last will and testament,
on which pi-obate was granted in 1799 devised and bequeathed to
the Town of Boston " all his estate personal and real" for certain
uses and intentions in the same minutely set forth : a copy of
which will is on the files of the town. —
The gross amount of property bequeathed to the town by this
will, as far as your Committee can ascertain the same, after pay-
ing the debts of the Testator, and not including arrears of in-
terest, (if any is due) amounts to the sum of . - $68500
in money, — and in certain real estate set off on
Execution for the sum of - 81500. —
$150000.—
84 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Committee have not added Interest, because none could
fairly be calculated, except on the balance in the hands of the
administrator, after deducting expences ; nor for a longer time
than such balance was actually in his hands and as a consider-
able portion of the above sum is in unproductive real estate &
nearly fifty thousand dollars in the hands of the assignees under
a former Commission of Bankruptcy against the Testator, and
not reduced to the possession of the Administrator, it is the
opinion of the Committee, that an interest account would not
add much to the above sum.
[134.] But even this sum is altogether nominal, and the
Committee have no reason to believe, that if all controversy was
at an end, the property could be made to produce more than
seventy five thousand dollars.
1st. Because the nominal estimate of the real estate, is known
to be vastly above its present value, as is proved by the fact,
that the estate in Princetown set off for $46700 and two thou-
sand dollars in addition, has been offered to the town as an
equivalent for $15,000 only.
2d. Because the collection of this sum, under the peculiar
embarrassments attending it, has been charged with very heavy
expences, among which is an undisputed annuity of $520 to Mr.
Gill, and a litigated claim of £200 8tg. p annum to the former
partner of the late Mr. Boylston in England.
Admitting therefore, that the Town could realize the benefits
intended by the munificent Testator, it is probable, in the opinion
of your Committee, that they would receive about Seventy five
thousand dollars.
Soon after the decease of Mr. Boylston, his Will was commu-
nicated to the inhabitants in legal town meeting assembled, and
the Selectmen were constituted agents for the town with all
necessary powers, to enforce the payment of this liberal donation.
Having obtained advice of eminent Counsel, they caused proper
legal measures to be instituted, and during the last fifteen years,
there has been a continued litigation with the administrator, with-
out obtaining any beneficial result or coming within the prospect
of a favorable termination.
During the whole of this perplexed & troublesome concern,
the Gentlemen who have successively sat at the board of Select-
men have bestowed on it an indefatigable and patient attention,
which entitles them to the respect and gratitude of their constitu-
ents ; and it [is] certainly not owing to any want of intelligence or
fidelity on their part, that the town is yet kept out of the posses-
sion of property, which it was the undoubted intention of the
Testator should long since have been appropriated to their use.
[135.] Peculiar difficulties attend the prosecution of the
Town's claims ; chiefly however from the fact, that the will being
made in a foreign Country, by a subject of the same, redress
must be sought through the intervention of foreign Courts, and
by the application of foreign Laws. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 85
Your Committee do not deem it useful to enumerate the
difficulties in such a process ; nor can they decide between the
conflicting opinion of Counsel as to its final result. In this
doubtful course of litigation, they can find nothing certain, but
continual accumulating, ruinous expence. —
As this expence must be borne by each of the parties, while
the suit during its continuance, locks up the property from both,
the administrator and the agents of the town have repeatedly
turned their attention to the expediency of a compromise.
Mr. Boylston originally offered $10,000 in three per Cent
Stock, for a full release ; but this sum was with great propriety
rejected by the Selectmen. Fifteen thousand dollars were subse-
quently offered, payable without interest in part, at a future day ;
and Twenty five thousand demanded by the Selectmen ; at which
stage of the business it was again brought before the Town, and
the present Committee appointed to consider & report the best
course to be adopted.
Your Committee have the satisfaction to add, that the admin-
istrator has well proposed to pay Twenty thousand dollars as a
compensation for receiving a full discharge ; and has agreed that
it shall bear interest from the day that his proposition is accepted
by the Town ; which offer is more advantageous by six thousand
two hundred dollars than any one hitherto made.
The Committee unanimously recommend that this proposition
be accepted by the Town ; and thus that an end be put to all
further litigation and expence. It being understood, that this
sum which will be freed from the incumbrances, which shackle
the bequests of the will, and that it is to be used and appropri-
ated as the Town in its wisdom shall be pleased to direct. — In
order to complete this Contract with Mr. Boylston, and execute
the legal instruments which are necessary to give efficacy to the
compromise, the Committee have prepared the Vote hereunto
annexed for the appi-obation of the Town. —
All which is respectfully submitted — pr. order
James T. Austin Chairman of the Committee.
[136.] The foregoing representations were read & accepted,
— and Voted, That James T. Austin, Samuel Swett, Stephen
Codman, Arnold Welles & Nathan Webb Esqrs. be appointed
agents on the part of the Town of Boston, with full powers to
make execute & deliver in due form of Law to Ward Nicholas
Boylston Esquire but at his expence and cost full perfect & com-
plete releases, acquittance and discharge of all & every claim and
demand of said Town upon said Ward Nicholas Boylston in his
capacity of Administrator with the will annexed, of the goods &
estate, which were of Thomas Boylston, late of London, in the
Kingdom of Great Britain, deceased : and of all legacies, rights
and interest under the Will aforesaid — which said release and
discharge the said agents are authorized and empowered to make
and deliver, if the said Ward Nicholas Boylston shall within
sixty days from this date secure to said town of Boston by
86 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Mortgage of real estate within the same to the satisfaction of
said Agents, the payment of the sum of Twenty thousand dol-
lars, by equal instalments in two, three, four and five years with
interest from the date hereof annually on the whole sum that
shall be due, except that no interest shall be payable until two
years from this date.
And that after the execution and delivery of the mortgage
aforesaid by the said Boylston, that the Selectmen of said Boston
be requested to execute and deliver to said Boylston all such re-
leases and discharge at his expence, as may be necessary to exon-
erate him from any liability to them in their capacity of Trustees
under the will aforesaid —
Voted, That James T. Austin, Samuel Swett, Stephen Codman,
Arnold Wells & Nathan Webb Esqr8. be a Committee in addition
to the Selectmen, to receive, adjust and bring to final settlement
the accounts and demands for services of the several Gentlemen
who have been employed as counsel in the suit of the Judge of
Probate or of the Town against Ward Nicholas Boylston Esquire,
administrator of the Estate of Thomas Boylston Esquire. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[137.] At a legal meetiug of the Inhabitants of the town of
Boston held at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 5tb. day of June
A. D. 1817 — 11 O'Clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting — read —
Stephen Codman Esqr. was chosen Moderator. —
This Meeting was called ' ' To adopt suitable measures to evi-
dence the respect of the Inhabitants for the President of the
United States, on his expected visit to this metropolis — On
Mo cion
Voted, That a Committee of nine persons be chosen to consider
and report to this meeting, what measures it will be expedient for
the Town to adopt to express, their respect for the President of
the United States, upon his expected visit. —
The following Gentlemen were nominated from the Chair and
chosen on the Committee — viz1.
Honble. Harrison G. Otis Hon1. Wm. Gray
Gen1. Arnold Welles James T. Austin Esqr.
George Blake Esqr. Benjamin Russell Esqr.
William Sullivan Esqr. William H. Sumner Esqr.
Israel Thorndike Esqr.
The above Committee reported the following resolutions which
were read and unanimously adopted by the Town —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 87
Whereas the President of the United States is expected to visit
this town, and it is the desire of the citizens that he should be
received with all the demonstrations of respect and attention
which are due to the station and character of the first Magistrate
of the Union.
[138.] Therefore Resolved — That the Selectmen joined by
a Committee of thirteen citizens, now to be chosen, be requested
to provide for the suitable reception and accommodation of the
President of the United States and his suit during their residence
in the town.
Resolved, That the Selectmen and the said Committee be requested
to meet and receive the President of the United States upon his
entrance into the Town, and that they, accompanied by such
citizens as may attend them, and by such military escort as may
be provided by the proper authorities, conduct him to his lodgings ;
and that they, in behalf of the Citizens of Boston, present to him
as expressive of the satisfaction felt by them, in the presence of
so distinguished a visitor ; of their disposition & desire to con-
tribute by all the means in their power to his comfort & pleasure
during his stay in this Metropolis, and of their sincere wishes that
his health may be preserved, that his administration may secure
the peace & honor, promote the prosperity and command the
gratitude and affection of a free people.
Resolved, That said Committee may also make such arrange-
ments for the occasion as they may deem expedient. —
Voted, that the Committee of nine chosen this day, with the
addition of Major Gen1. Dearborn
Tho8. H. Perkins
James Prince and
Aaron Hill Esquires
be the Committee, named in the first resolution.
Voted that the thanks of the Town be given to the Moderator
for his services at this meeting.
Then the Meeting was dissolved.
[139.] The following address of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Boston, to the President of the United States of
America was agreeably to a vote of the Town at their late meet-
ing, this day presented him by the Committee of arrangements.
To the President of the United States
Sir,
The Citizens of Boston, by their Committee appointed for
that purpose, beg leave to offer you their cordial and respectful
salutations upon your arrival in their metropolis.
88 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The visit with which you are pleased to honour them, recalls
to the recollection of many their interview with your illustrious
predecessor, the Father of his Country, on a similar occasion.
They remember with great satisfaction, the hope, the confidence,
and the fond anticipation of national prosperity which his
presence inspired ; and it is now, Sir, a subject of congratulation
to you and to themselves, that after thirty years of eventful ex-
periment, during conflicts and revolutions in the old world which
have threatened all, and subverted many of its ancient govern-
ments, the Constitution which was adopted under the auspices of
that great man, has acquired vigour and maturity, and that in a
season of profound peace his successor is permitted by the pros-
perous state of public affairs, to follow his example, in visiting
the extensive country over which he has recently been called to
preside.
While this journey affords to many of your [ 14:0] fellow citi-
zens the opportunity and advantage of commencing with you a
personal acquaintance, which is always desirable between a
people and their rulers, they rejoice at the same time in the belief
that the local information relative to the great and various
interests of the United States, which you will derive from actual
observation, will facilitate your arrangements for their defence
and security ; and enable you to apply in practice, with additional
confidence, and success, those principles of an elevated and im-
partial policy which you have been pleased to promulgate as the
basis of your intended administration.
Called to the service of your Country at an early period of life,
and distinguished in the arduous struggle which obtained its Inde-
pendence, your subsequent occupations in successive important
offices and various departments, at home & abroad, have afforded
you the means of becoming conversant with the foreign and do-
mestic relations of the Nation, and with those qualifications you
are now raised to the highest dignity, which can be conferred by
a free People.
These public claims to consideration and attention from all
descriptions of your fellow Citizens, are cheerfully admitted by
the citizens of Boston, who are also desirous of evincing their
respect for the unblemished tenor of your private character, and
their sense of the urbanity and hospitality which peculiarly char-
acterized your deportment towards all those of your countrymen,
who during the period of your foreign embassies, were so fortu-
nate as to come within [141] the sphere of your civilities and
protection.
It is therefore with real satisfaction, that they received you
within the precincts of Boston ; and they pray you to be assured
of their earnest solicitude to contribute by all the means at their
command to your comfort and enjoyment during your residence
in this Town.
They also, confiding in the rectitude of your intentions and
trusting that the powers vested in you by the Constitution, will
be exercised with a sincere regard to the welfare of the people,
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 89
whose precious interests are committed to your charge, avail
themselves of this occasion, to express their ardent hope that the
favorable circumstances which attend the commencement of your
administration may with the blessing of Heaven, under your
guidance, concur to promote the advancement of our beloved
Country, to the highest possible condition of prosperity.
With these sentiments they unite their best wishes for your
health and happiness : and that the course and close of your ad-
ministration may entitle you to the gratitude and affections of
your constituents, and the respect of posterity.
By order of the Committee.
Charles Bulfinch
Chairman.
[142.] To which the President returned the following Answer.
Fellow Citizens
The kind reception which you have given me,
on the part of the citizens of Boston, and which their conduct
has so fully confirmed, has made a deep and lasting impression
on my mind, which you will have the goodness to communicate to
them.
As no person is more willing than I am, in the discharge of
my duty, according to the fair exercise of my judgment, to take
example from the conduct of the distinguished men who have
preceded me in this high trust [it] is particularly gratifying to me,
to have recalled by this incident, to the memory of many who are
now present, a like visit from the illustrious commander of our
revolutionary army ; who by many other important services, had
so just a claim to the revered title of Father of his country — It
was natural that the presence of a citizen, so respected and be-
loved, who had so eminently contributed to the establishment of
this government, and to whom its administration in the com-
mencement had been committed, should inspire an enlightened,
a virtuous and free people, with unlimited confidence in its suc-
cess ; and it is a cause of general felicitation and joy to us all to
find that thirty years successful experiment, have justified that
confidence and realized our most sanguine hopes in its favour.
Yes fellow [143] citizens, we instituted a government for the
benefit of all ; a government which should secure to us the full
enjoyment of all our rights, religious and civil ; and it has been
so administered.
Let us then unite in grateful acknowledgments to the Supreme
Author of all good, for extending to us so great a blessing. Let
us unite in fervent prayers, that He will be graciously pleased to
continue that blessing to us, and our latest posterity.
I accepted the trust, to which I have been called by my fellow
citizens with diffidence, because I well knew the frailty of human
nature, and had often experienced my own deficiencies.
I undertook this tour, with a view and in the hope of acquiring
knowledge which might enable me to discharge my various and
90 CITY DOCUMEMT No. 128.
important duties with greater advantage to my country, to which
my whole mind, and unwearied efforts shall always be directed.
In pursuing objects so dear to us all, I rely with confidence on
the firm and generous support of my fellow Citizens throughout
our happ Union.
James Monroe.
[144.] At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Friday the
4th day of July A. D. 1817 10 O'clock A. M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Thomas Clark was chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Indepen-
dence— Reported That they had chosen Edward T. Channing
Esqr. who had accepted the appointment.
Adjourned to meet at the old South Church at 12 Oclock M.
Met at the Old South church where an Oration was delivered
by Edward T. Channing Esqr. to commemorate the Independence
of the United States of America.
Voted That the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a
Committee to wait on Edward T. Channing Esqr. in the name of
the Town, and thank him for the elegant and spirited Oration this
day delivered by him at the request of the Town, upon the anni-
versary of American Independence in which were considered the
feelings, manners and principles which produced the great National
event, and the important and happy effects general and domestic,
which have already or will forever flow from that auspicious
epoch, and to request of him a copy for the press.
Voted, That the Gentlemen Selectmen be and hereby are ap-
pointed a Committee to apply to some able and learned Gentleman
to deliver an Oration on [145] the 4th July 1818. That day
being the Anniversary of the Independence of the United States
of America ; wherein the orator is to consider the feelings, man-
ners, and principles which led to this great national event as well
as the important and happy effects which have already, or will
forever flow from that Auspicious Epoch.
Then this meeting was Dissolved.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1817. 91
[146.] At a convention of the Boards of Selectmen, Over-
seers of the Poor and Board of Health of the Town of Boston
held at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 24th day of July A. D. 1817
4 O'clock P. M.
Present A Majority of each Board.
Voted to proceed to the choice of a Town Treasurer for the
year ensuing.
Mess Hunnewell & Jackson a Committee, to receive, sort and
count the votes.
Votes being taken for a Town Treasurer, Andrew Sigourney
Esqr. was declared to be unanimously Chosen.
Voted to come to the choice of one Collector of taxes for the
ensuing year.
Votes being taken, Andrew Sigourney Esqr. was chosen unani-
mously.
Mr. Sigourney having been notified of his appointment to the
above offices, declared his acceptance; and proposed Hon. Jona-
than Hunnewell and Benj. Weld £sqr. as his Bondsmen.
Voted that the above named Gentlemen be accepted as Mr.
Sigourneys bondsmen, and that they execute a bond of Twenty
thousand dollars as Treasurer, and another bond for the same
sum as Collector of taxes.
Voted That Turner Phillips, Ozias Goodwin & Benj. Whitman
Esqrs. be a committee to see that the Bonds are given by the
Treasurer & Collector of Taxes, and that he is qualified accord-
ing to law.
[147.] A memorial from a number of the Inhabitants, pro-
posing that a suitable salary be annexed to the office of Chairman
of the Selectmen — and the vote of the Town thereon, referring
the subject to this Convention, were now read and considered —
and
Voted, That in the opinion of this convention, it is expedient
and proper that a suitable compensation be annexed to the office
of Chairman of the Selectmen.
Voted That a Salary of one thousand dollars be paid to the
Chairman of the Selectmen from the Town Treasury for the
present year.
Convention Dissolved.
92 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[148.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston, duly qualified to vote for Representatives in the
General Court of this Commonwealth, held at Faneuil Hall on
Monday the 17th. day of November A. D. 1817.
10 O'Clock A. M.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Dwight.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read
A precept from the Governor & Council directing the Select-
men to call a meeting for choice of a Member of Congress, in the
room of the Hon. James Lloyd, resigned, was al'so read.
The Inhabitants were requested to bring in their votes for a
Representative for the Suffolk District, in the Congress of the
United States & that the Selectmen propose to close the Poll at
half past one O'clock.
Persons Voted for as a Representative for the Suffolk District
in this Commonwealth in the present Congress of the United
States viz.
Hon. Jonathan Mason 1664
Andrew Ritchie Esqr. — 1376
Hon. Daniel Webster — 7
Wm. Sullivan — 4 Wm. H. Sumner 2.— 6
John Welles — 1 Rich'd Sullivan 1 - 2
James T. Austin - 1 P. O. Thatcher - - 1 - 2
Tho8. H. Perkins — 1 R. G. Amory 1 - 2
Ben. Russell — 1 Jacob Stearns - - 1 - 2
Frederick F. Lane— 1 Wm. Wood 1 - 2
Dan1. Treadwell — 1 Abm. F. Howe - - 1 — 2
3065
A return of the doings of this meeting [149] was made out,
conformable to the printed directions of the General Court and
delivered by the Town Clerk to the Sheriff of the County of
Suffolk.
Then this Meeting was Dissolved.
1818.
[15O.] At a meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of
Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 9th. day of March
A.D. 1818.
10 O'Clock A.M.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818. 93
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Ballon.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Law respecting the Election of Town Officers read.
Hon. John Phillips Esqr. chosen Moderator.
Thomas Clark, was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing,
and the oath of Office was administered to him by the Moderator
Turner Phillips Joseph Austin
Ebenezer Oliver Henry Bass
Jonathan Hunnewell Samuel Don-
Joseph Levering Enoch Silsby and
Henry Farnum Esquires
were Chosen Selectmen for the year ensuing.
Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be presented to Charles
Bulfinch Esqr. for his able and faithful services as a Selectman
for twenty two years nineteen of which he with great ability dis-
charged the duties of Chairman of that board.
The oath of office was administered to [151] the eight first
named Selectmen by the Moderator.
Hon. William Phillips Joseph Richards
Redford Webster Jonathan Phillips
Thomas Perkins Samuel May
Samuel Snelling Jacob Hall
William Mackay Edward Tuckennan Jr. &
Joseph Coolidge Jr. Samuel H. Walley Esqr.
were chosen Overseers of the Poor and of the work house for the
year ensuing.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given Ozias Goodwin
Esqr. for his faithful services as one of the Overseers of the Poor
for many years past.
Voted That in addition to the Selectmen twelve persons shall
now be Chosen a School Committee; and the votes being col-
lected it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen viz.
Doct. Aaron Dexter Charles Davis Esqr.
" Thomas Welch [152] Francis J. Oliver
" John C. Warren Peter O. Thatcher
Rev. Charles Lowell William Wells
Horace Holley Benjamin Russell &
Joshua Huntington Henry J. Oliver Esqr
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen who conjunctly with
the Selectmen are termed the School Committee, be and hereby
94
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
are directed to carry the System of education adopted by the
town into operation, and that said Committee be also authorized
and empowered conjunctly to manage and regulate the Govern-
ment of the Schools, and to execute all the powers relative to the
Schools and School Masters which the Selectmen or such Com-
mittees are authorised by the laws of this Commonwealth or by
the votes of the Town to exercise.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to Thomas
Wigglesworth Esqr. for his services as one of the School Com-
mittee for several years past.
Voted That the Thanks of the Town be given to Joseph Tilden
Esqr. for his faithful services as one of the fire Wards for
several years past.
Thomas Melville
Andrew Cunningham
John Winslow
Stephen Codman
Jonathan Hunnewell
Daniel Messenger
[153.] Joshua Davis
Benjamin Smith
James Phillips
Nathaniel Curtis
Bryant P. Tilden
Nathan "Webb
were chosen Fire Wards for the
Samuel M. Thayer
Joseph Austin
Benjamin Rich
Joseph Levering
Gedney King
Francis J. Oliver
John D. Williams
William Harris
Jonathan Loring
John Mackay
Turner Phillips &
Lemuel Shaw Esq™
year ensuing.
Votes were received for a Treasurer for the County of Suffolk,
by the Moderator & Town Clerk, when it appeared that John
Winslow Esqr. had one hundred & ninety five votes and Jonathan
Hunnewell Esqr. one Vote.
Messre. Benjamin White [154]
William Clouston
Nathaniel Bradlee
Noah Doggett
Braddock Loring
Thomas Christie
William Green
Eleazer Homer
Joseph Stodder
Allen Bowker
were chosen Surveyors of Lumber.
Mess. Henry Purkitt
Benjamin Clark
William Ellison
Nathaniel Glover
John Howe Jr.
Richard Thayer
Edward J. Robbins
Henry Blake
Joseph Tucker
Moses Eayers Jr.
Benjamin Harris &
Oliver Mills —
were chosen Cullers of Hoops & Staves.
Nathaniel Howe &
Benjamin Owen
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818. 95
Mess. Thomas Barbour Benjamin Owen
Nathaniel Howe James Brown
Benjamin Clark William J. Hammatt
Charles Pook Thomas Lombard &
John Bannister Walter Jackson
were chosen Cullers of Dry Fish.
Mess. Benjamin White William Ellison &
Nathaniel Bradlee John Howe Jr.
were chosen Fence Viewers for the year ensuing.
[155.] Mess. Barney Sloan Joseph Selaway
Joseph Champney Neddy Curtis &
James Baxter
were chosen Hogreeves & Haywards for the year ensuing.
Samuel Emmons and
James Phillips Esqrs.
were chosen Surveyors of Hemp.
Edward Tuckerrnan &
Josiah Snelling Esq™.
were chosen Surveyors of Wheat.
Mess. John Wells and
Nathaniel Alley
were chosen Assay Masters.
Mess. Michael Homer
Francis James and
Samuel Sprague
were chosen Inspectors of Lime.
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of High Way.
Voted, That Stephen Codman, Francis J. Oliver and Robert
G. Shaw Esq™. be, and hereby are appointed a Committee to
audit the Accounts of the Town Treasurer and said Committee
are directed to report the Sum necessary to be raised for the
services of the present year.
Voted, That the consideration of all money matters be referred
to the May meeting.
The Article in the Warrant "to take into consideration the
petition of David Greenough & others before [156] the Legisla-
ture for a new market " was taken up and Committed to
Hon. John Wells Esqr. William Sullivan
Thomas Badger James T. Austin
Samuel Hubbard Joshua Davis &
Jonathan Loring Esqr.
96 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted That the Above Committee be instructed to consider the
expediency of enlarging the Market, and also the mode of effect-
ing that Object.
On the Application of Jacob Tidd Junior
Voted, That the Selectmen or a major part of them be a Com-
mittee to fill and dispose of a lot of land belonging to the Town,
bounded on Ivers & Portland Streets, on such terms as they shall
deem to be for the interest of the Town ; and to make and exe-
cute a deed of the same to the purchaser according to Law.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to the Moderator,
and then the Meeting was
Dissolved.
[157.] At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston of twenty one years of age and upwards, qualified as
the Constitution prescribes, & legally warned & assembled at
Faneuil Hall on Monday the sixth day of April A. D. 1818. 9
O'clock A. M.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Eaton.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution or Frame of Government rela-
tive to the choice of Governor, Lieutenant Governor & Senators
read. —
Law of the Commonwealth dividing the State into Districts for
the choice of Counsellors and Senators read.
It was afterwards determined that the Poll should be closed at
2 O'clock, the Bells to Commence tolling at half past one.
Persons voted for as Governor with the number of votes for
each person viz.
His Excellency John Brooks 2,999
Hon. Benjamin W. Crowninshield - 744
Hon. Benjamin Austin -- 3
Hon, Henry Dearborn - 1
3,747
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818.
97
Persons voted for as Lieutenant Governor, with the number of
Votes for each person viz.
His Honor William Phillips ------
Hon Thomas Kittredge - - -
Hon Joseph B. Varnum 1. Ch8. Callender 1 -
Josiah Quincy 3. Wm. Lawrence — 2 - -
John Bellows 1. Henry Homer — 1 - - -
2,984
760
2
5
2
3,753
[158.] Persons voted for as Counsellors & Senators for the
District of Suffolk, with the number of Votes for each person, viz.
" Josiah Quincy - -
4t Jonathan Hunnewell
c
«
. <
3,815
>,933
>,976
2,939
2,942
776
771
753
697
737
737
76
38
- 1
- 1
- 2
1
- 1
- 3
- 6
- 3
. 4
" Artemas Ward - -
" Andrew Richie Eqsr.
" Henry Dearborn - -
't A^TiHiam C^ra\r
4
1
" Samuel Brown -
William Little Es<
William Ingalls -
Thomas Badger -
James T. Austin
Alexr. H. Everett
Benjamin Russell Esqr. - -
Jeremiah Fitch - - - -
John Lowell
Daniel Jackson - - - -
lr-
7
1
4
1
3
1
1
3
3
3
5
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
4
8
2
1
4
1
Benjamin Smith - - -
Joseph N. Howe - - -
Samuel Swett - - - -
Simeon Gardner - - -
Daniel Messinger - -
Lemuel Shaw - - - -
Benj". Whitman - - -
Eben Clough - - - -
Amos Binney - - - - -
Sam1. H. Walley - - - -
Benjamin Austin - - - -
Ch8. P. Sumner - - - -
Aaron Hill
Charles Austin - - - -
Samuel Hubbard - - - -
Richard Sullivan - - - -
Nath1. P.) Hunt - - - -
Thomas Melvill - - - -
William Tudor Jr. ...
William Lawrence - - -
John Wells
. 4.
Geo. Sullivan ... -
Jos. F. Bordman - - -
John Fitch -
- 1
- 1
. 1
Lorenzo Knapp - - -
Dan1. Webster ...
Samuel Cobb - - - -
Benjamin Gorham - -
Georsre Cabot -
- 1
- 7
- 1
- 1
I
John Gray
. 1
. i
[159.] Joseph Tilden -
William Sullivan - - - -
Daniel Parkman - ...
Caleb Loring - - - - -
George Hal let - - - -
Tristram Barnard - -
Henry S. Low ...
Jona. Loring - - - -
James Robinson ...
Peter Mclntosh - - -
- 3
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
98 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
George Hastings - - - - 1 Gideon Snow ----- 1
John Roulstone - - - - 1 Joseph Eaton 2
William Sturgis - - - - 1 Nath1. Goddard - - - - 1
Attested copies of Return of the Persons voted for as Governor,
Lieutenant Governor, Counsellors & Senators for the District of
Suffolk, were sealed up in open town Meeting (after the vote had
been declared), to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Com-
monwealth as prescribed by Law, and directed as follows viz.
To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Votes of the Town of Boston for Governor &
Lieutenant Governor, sealed up in open Town Meeting.
Also for six Counsellors & Senators for the District of Suffolk,
directed in the same manner.
Then this Meeting was Dissolved.
[16O.] At a meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston of twenty one years of age and upwards, qualified as
the Constitution prescribes held at Faneuil Hall, on Thursday the
14th day of May A.D. 1818—10 O'Clock A.M.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Parkman.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution relating to the choice of Repre-
sentatives read.
The Inhabitants were requested to bring in their votes for one,
or more persons to represent the Town in the next General
Court.
The Poll was closed at half past One O'clock when it appeared
that the whole number of votes given in was — 796
necessary to make a choice — 399
The following Gentlemen had a majority of Votes, and were
declared to be duly elected Representatives for the year ensuing.
Viz.
Mess. Stephen Codman Benjamin Russell
Benjamin Whitman Charles Davis
William H. Sumner Nathan1. Curtis
John Howe Jonathan Loring
Benjamin Gorham Benjamin Smith
John Cotton Benjamin Rand
David Sears Francis Bassett
Enoch Silsby
Then this Meeting was Dissolved.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818. 99
[161.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 25th. day of May
A.D. 1818.
10 O'clock. A.M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Joseph Phillips Esqr. chosen Moderator.
Edward Tuckerman William Hammatt
William Dall Peter O. Thatcher Esqr. &
Joshua Davis Thomas Dawes Esqr. were
Chosen Trustees of Neck Lands.
Mess. Romanus Emerson &
Abel He wens were chosen
Fence Viewers for the District of South Boston.
The Article in the Warrant " to determine if the Town will
furnish the funds necessary for erecting two additional School
houses, which the School Committee at a legal Meeting on the
15th inst voted were necessary " was taken up & on
Motion
Voted That the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow on the
credit of the Town a sum not exceeding twenty thousand Dollars
for the express purpose of erecting two additional School houses
in the Town for the use of the Town ; which schools shall be
called the Boylston town Schools and that the like sum of twenty
thousand Dollars from the money secured to be paid to the
Town [162] by Ward N. Boylston Esqr. arising out of the
will of the late Thomas Boylston of London Esqr. deceased, with
the Interest accruing thereon, be appropriated to the discharge of
this debt.
The Report of the Auditors of the Town Treasurers Accounts
and of the Committee of Finance being read.
It was Voted, That the Report of the Committee on the
finances of the Town be Committed to
Benjamin Austin James Savage
Benjamin AVeld Joseph Adams
Alexander Townsend Esqr8-
who are authorized to print the whole or any part of said report
they may think proper, and distribute the same for the informa-
tion of the inhabitants, four days previous to the 4th. June next.
The Committee appointed by the Town to take into consider-
ation the petition of David Greenough and others before the
Legislature for a new Market, and also instructed to consider the
expediency of enlarging the Market and the mode of effecting
100 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
that Object have attended to the Duty assigned them and with
due respect for the character & enterprize of the petitioners ask
leave to report.
That in the year 1633 a grant of a fair or Market was made
to the Town of Boston — and that independently of this grant it
is a right [163] of the Town to hold the present Market called
Faneuil Hall Market in virtue of long continued usage undis-
turbed by the erection of any other Market place in its vicinity.
Your Committee are decided in their opinion that it would be
highly inexpedient to consent to the establishment of a Market
near to or (like the one proposed by the petitioners) in contact
with Faneuil Hall Market as it would not only endanger the gov-
ernment, regulation and control thereof, but would essentially
injure the rights and property of the town, by competition and
interference and a diminution of the rents & income of the Town
which might be exposed to a total loss and that this effect might
and probably would be produced without any corresponding benefit
to the inhabitants in the reduction of the prices of provisions.
That the public convenience does not require the erection of
the proposed market, as the Boy Is ton market is far from being
crowded, and alterations may be made in Faneuil Hall Market
which will render it, as convenient as the inhabitants can reason-
ably expect in the present state of the town, and will besides
effect many important alterations in the streets which are near
the Market place.
The Committee are therefore unanimously of opinion that the
selectmen should be requested to oppose the petition of David
Greenough Esq. and others now before the legislature for a new
Market — this part of the report was accepted [164] and,
Voted, Unanimously, That the petition of David Greenough
Esqr. & Others to erect a new Market in the vicinity of the old
Market near Faneuil Hall would if granted operate injuriously to
the rights and interest of the town, and that the Selectmen be
requested to use their influence to prevent the same being granted
by the legislature.
The remainder of the Report was ordered to be printed and
distributed for the information of the Inhabitants.
The application of a number of the Inhabitants for the estab-
lishment of Schools for the instruction of children under seven
years of age, was read, and Committed to
Bedford Webster Samuel May
Thomas L. Winthrop John D. Williams
Elisha Ticknor James Savage
James Prince Benjamin West &
Thomas Jackson Esqr.
to consider and report thereon at the Adjournment.
Adjourned to Thursday the 4th day of June next 10 O'clock
A.M.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818. 101
[165.] Thursday June 4th 1818
The Town met according to adjournment.
The Moderator being absent
Benjamin Weld Esqr. was chosen Moderator. Pro. Tern.
The Committee appointed by the Town of Boston on the 9th.
day of March last " To audit the Accounts of the Town Treas-
urer & Collector " with directions also to report the sum necessary
to be raised for the services of the present year, Respectfully
Report, that they have so far attended the services assign'd them,
by examining the Town Treasurer & Collectors Accounts of
receipts and payments for the year past, and find them right cast
and well vouched, and that there results a balance in the hands
of Andrew Sigourney Esqr. the Treasurer, of Twenty one thou-
sand, five hundred and fifty four dollars and eighty three cents
belonging to the Town, this Account which is handed herewith,
includes all the drafts made on the Treasurer by the Boards of
Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and the board of health, who
are authorized by the Town to appropriate the Town's money for
the several purposes within their respective departments, the par-
ticulars of which will appear by the statements which are annu-
ally made to the Town by the standing Committee of Finance,
to which report your Committee also refer the Town for amount
of the Sum necessary to be raised for the services of the present
year — All which is respectfully submitted by order of the Com-
mittee of Auditors. Boston May 18, 1818 Stephen Codman
Chairman.
[166.] The Committee to whom was submitted on the 25th.
ult. the report of the Committee of Finance made the following
report
The Committee to whom was referred the report of the Commit-
tee of Finance ha\ing complied with the request of the Town in
" printing and distributing the same for the information of the
Citizens," have also taken into consideration the mode to be
adopted in future, previous to granting the Annual Taxes —
which will be submitted to the Town at the adjournment on
Thursday next.
It is requested there may be a full meeting to consider the
Subject as it is of the highest importance, that while the Citizens
are so prompt in the payment of taxes, a more particular detail
of such expences should in future be exhibited, in order that
they may obtain the fullest information on their money concerns,
before they assemble in Town Meeting to grant the supplies
Benjamin Austin
Chairman.
102 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Sixth annual Report of the Committee of Finance of the Town
of Boston
The Committee of finance of the Town of Boston consisting of
the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Board of health, having
attended to the duty assign'd them by the Town, have examined the
books of the Treasurer and collector, and are [167] satisfied with
the diligence and attention of that officer and with the accuracy
of his accounts. They present the following Report.
The Amount of Warrants for taxes in 1817 given to the
Treasurer and Collector, were for State Tax
$22,000.00
Town & County tax 141,643.40
$163,643.40
Amount received by the Treasurer from October 1, 1817 to
May 18. 1818 $153,669.00
Amount of abatements 6,943.60
Balance remaining uncollected 3,030.80
$163,643.40
From which it appears, that the whole tax has been paid or
settled in less than eight months, excepting about $3000 dollars,
from which the Treasurer estimates nearly 1000 may be collected ;
your committee cannot refrain from expressing their opinion that
this promptness is honorable to the Treasurer and to the Inhab-
itants ; and is an evidence of well arrang'd financial concerns.
The following is a statement of the Towns Debts and Credits.
Town of Boston Dr.
On State Tax $10,000.
County of Suffolk 8,000
Notes due to several Persons 21,500
Selectmen of Boston for Mrs. Brooker's Dona-
tion, a fund, the Interest of which is paid
annually to Widows & Sick Persons - - - 1230.
Balances unpaid on Selectmen & Overseers
Ace". 223.44
Unliquidated Accounts - 5,046.56
46,000.00
[168.] Town of Boston Cr.
By Several Notes for land &c. 3,739.73
Due for State Poor 7,000.
Taxes uncollected estimated to produce - - 1,000.
Cash in Treasury 21,554.83
Balance - - - 12,705.44
46,000.00
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818. 103
The balance of the Account current last year
was 38,601.87
The above Statement shows it to be at present 12,705.44
And exhibits the Sum paid this year of the
old debt 25,396.43
A calculation was made in the last years report to pay off
14,000 dollars, of the old debt, this has not only been realized
but a much larger sum has been paid.
The demands on the Town as before stated - $46,000
Add thereto for current expences of the year as
follows :
For Selectmen's department - - 70,000.
For Overseers of the Poor - - - 30,000.
For Board of Health 7,000
107,000.
Amount of State Tax 22,000.
Amount of County Tax 22,000.
Interest on Outstanding debts 2,700.
Exhibits the Amount to be paid this year = $199,700.00
To be Provided for as follows.
From Money in the Treasury 21,554.83
From Notes becoming due -- - 3,739.73
From Commonwealth for Poor - 7,000.00
Rents of Town House &c 15,000.00
Taxes receivable outstanding - 1,000.00
Amount assessed for State Tax $22,000.
Amount assessed for County Tax 22,000.
Amount assessed for Town Tax 107,405.44= 151,405.44
$199,700,00
[169.] Bro*. forward $199,700.00
Addition for probable abatement 10,000.00
$209,700.00
The Committee recommend that the Town should vote a Tax of
107,405 Dollars and 10,000 in addition, to meet the abatements,
this Amount will defray the current expences of the year and
pay off the balance of the towns debt.
Respectfully submitted by order of the
Committee of Finance.
Turner Phillips
Chairman.
The foregoing report was read and accepted by the Town —
and
104 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted That the sum of One hundred and seventeen thousand
four hundred and five Dollars, be" raised by a Tax to be assessed
upon the Polls and Estates of the Inhabitants of the Town to de-
fray the expences of the Town the present year.
Upon the representation and exhibition of the doings and pro-
ceedings of Andrew Sigourney Esq. Treasurer and Collector of
Taxes of the Town of Boston the last year.
Voted That the Town of Boston highly approve of the conduct
of said Andrew Sigourney Esq. in the said Offices of Treasurer &
Collector and that he has faithfully and fully as was in his power
completed the execution of his duty in said offices to which he has
been appointed as aforesaid and that he be excused from all de-
linquency [17O] or default in not having effected the full and
complete settlement of the Taxes by him to have been received or
collected according to law.
Voted That the Treasurer be authorized to borrow a sum not
exceeding Seventy thousand Dollars if the same should be found
necessary for the Service of the Town.
The proposition of the Committee of which the Hon. Benjamin
Austin was chairman were committed to
Mess. H. G. Otis James Prince
James T. Austin S. A. Wells
S. Swett
to consider and report at a future meeting.
Voted That the report of the Committee of which the Hon.
John Wells is Chairman subside for the present and the com-
munication of David Greenough Esqr. & others committed to
Mess. H. G. Otis J. Wells
J. Prince B. Austin
J. Savage B. Weld
R. Webster Esq™.
Voted there be allowed and paid unto the Hon. Thomas Dawes
the sum of Seven hundred and fifty Dollars as his Salary as
Judge of the Municipal Court for this present year.
[171.] Voted That there be allowed and paid unto Thomas
Clark, Town Clerk, the sum of One thousand Dollars as his Salary
for the present year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid out of the Treasury of
the Town of Boston the Sum of One thousand Dollars to each of
the permanent Assessors of the Town of Boston for the present
year.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818. 105
Voted That the consideration of the Salary of Andrew Sigourney
Esqr. be deferred to the Adjournment.
Adjourned to Thursday June 11th
Thursday June 11th 1818 —
The Town met agreeable to adjournment.
The Moderator pro-Tempore, inform 'd the Inhabitants that the
Town Clerk was unable to attend at this meeting, being confined
at his house by sickness, whereupon it was moved and voted to
choose a Clerk pro. tempore a nomination being called for, and the
question taken, Turner Phillips was declared to be chosen.
The following report of the Committee of which Redford
Webster Esqr. was Chairman was then read.
The Committee appointed at the Town Meeting on the 25th.
ultimo to consider the subject of the petition of a number of the
inhabitants for the establishment by the Town, of schools for
children under Seven years of [172] age, having attentively
considered it, ask leave respectfully to Report
That in their opinion the opening of such schools for children
under the age of seven years is highly expedient and necessary ;
that several hundred children of that age do not attend any
school, because the charity schools are in most instances provided
only for female children being under the inspection of ladies,
their founders, and the private schools are so expensive, that
many parents find it difficult to defray that expense ; that the
examination of the circumstances of the several parts of the
Town in this respect made last July, presented a return by which
it is found, that two hundred and eighty three children between
the age of four & seven years did not attend any school, but
from enquiry of some of the Gentlemen who made the return, the
committee are satisfied, that many children of that age were
omitted, their parents or guardians being unwilling to acknowl-
edge that they were sent to no school ; that the Committee with
greater confidence recommend the the adoption of such a course,
because most of the towns in this Commonwealth provide
Schools for Children of four years old equally with others, and
[173] particularly is this adhered to in the large Towns of
Salem, Newbury Port and Portland ; that the best mode of
providing such schools seems to them to be by the guidance and
direction of three Gentlemen from each Ward, of sufficient
activity, firmness, discretion and energy, to be nominated by the
School Committee ; Wherefore they conclude by submitting the
following resolutions to introduce the proposed experiment.
Voted That the School Committee be instructed in the month
of June annually to nominate and appoint three Gentlemen in
each ward, whose duty collectively, shall be to provide instruc-
106 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
tion for children between four & seven years of age, and appor-
tion the expences among the several schools.
Voted, that five thousand dollars be appropriated out of the
Town Treasury for the purpose in the foregoing vote expressed,
to be paid by the Treasurer on warrants drawn on him in the
same manner as warrants are for the expences of the other Town
Schools
By Order of the Committee
Redford Webster
June 3rd 1818.
[174.] The foregoing report of the Committee to consider the
petition of a number of the inhabitants for the establishment by
the town, of schools for children under seven years of age was
accepted and five thousand dollars added to the estimate of the
expenses of the ensuing year to carry the same into effect.
Voted That the Committee who have under consideration the
propositions made to the town by the Committee to whom was
referred the report of the Committee of finance be requested to
report at the adjournment.
The consideration of the report of the Committee to whom was
referred the proposals of David Greenough & others was post-
poned to the adjournment.
Adjourned to Thursday 25th. inst.
[175.] Thursday June 25th 1818.
The Town met according to adjournment.
The Committee to whom was referred the proposals of David
Greenough & others of the 4th inst. made a report, which was
read & considered, & the subject referred to the next March
meeting.
The printed report of the Committee on subject of the Market
was indefinitely postponed.
The Committee to whom was referred sundry Motions referred
by a former Committee for the consideration of the Town, beg
leave to report the same as taken into a new draft as follows.
Voted, That the annual report and estimate of the Committee
of finance on the subject of Taxes and supplies for the current
year shall in future be printed under the direction of the Select-
men and distributed by the Constables among the Inhabitants
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818. 107
four days at least previously to the meeting of the Town to act
upon those subjects ; and that said report be accompanied by
statements of the receipts and expenditures of the Town for the
past year as far as the same can be ascertained, distinguishing as
nearly as may be the expenses incurred for paving, laying out
and improving the streets, for compensations made to individuals,
for land taken for public uses ; for the purchase of oil and light-
ing the lamps ; for the pay of Watchmen, salaries for police &
Municipal Officers, For [176] Public Schools and salaries to the
preceptors & assistants, For Printing and Stationery ; for the
improvement and repairs of the Common. Also — a statement
of the receipts arising from the Franklin, Boylston and other
donations and their appropriations, from licenses to hackney
coachmen and others, from the market house, stalls and
public buildings, from fines and forfeitures paid into the
Treasury of the Town, and generally of all other receipts and
expenditures, so as to afford a clear & succinct view of the same.
Also a statement of the real estate and other property belonging
to the Town, with the respective rents and incomes thereof.
Voted, That a Committee of three persons be appointed by the
Town at their annual meeting to examine the report of receipts
and expenditures made by the Committee of Finance, in order to
ascertain whether any savings or retrenchments may be made in
the public expences.
Voted That the Selectmen be requested to use all the means in
their power to obtain from the Court of Sessions from time to
time, the estimates for County Taxes, intended to be applied for
to the Legislature before the making of any such application
and that such estimates together with the sums which from year
to year may be assessed upon the inhabitants for the Towns
proportion of county taxes be [177] also printed and distributed
with the report of the Committee of Finance.
H. G. Otis
Chairman per Order.
The foregoing Report was read & accepted.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid to Andrew Sigourney
Esqr. Three thousand five hundred Dollars, in full for his services
as Town Treasurer & Collector of Taxes, for Clerk hire and all
other expences in the delivery of tax bills and collection of
Taxes.
John Bray Esq. was chosen a Fireward in place of Bryant P.
Tilden Esqr. resigned.
Joseph Cabot was chosen a Hogreeve & Hay ward.
108 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[178.] At a meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants
of the Town of Boston held at Faneuil Hall on Saturday, the 4th.
day of July A.D. 1818, 10 o'clock A.M.
Warrant for calling the meeting read.
Thomas Clark was chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a
Gentleman to deliver an oration on the Anniversary of Indepen-
dence ; Reported : That they had chosen Francis C. Gray, Esqr.
who had accepted the appointment.
Adjourned to meet at the Old South Church at 12 o'clock, M.
Met at the Old South Church where an oration was delivered
by Francis C. Gray Esqr. to commemorate the Independence of
the United States of America.
Voted : that the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a
Committee to wait on Francis C. Gray Esqr. in the name of the
Town, and thank him for the elegant and spirited Oration this
day delivered by him, at the request of the Town, upon the anni-
versary of American Independence, in which were considered the
feelings, manners, and principles, which produced the great
national event, and the important and happy effects general and
domestic which have already, or will forever flow from that
auspicious epoch, and to request of him a copy for the press.
[179.] Voted: that the Gentlemen Selectmen be and hereby
are appointed a Committee to apply to some able and learned
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the 5th. day of July, 1819
(the 4th. day of July in that year falling on a Sunday) The 5tu.
will be celebrated as the anniversary of the Independence of the
United Stales of America : wherein the orator is to consider the
feelings, manners and principles which led to this great national
event, as well as the important and happy effects, which have
already, or will forever flow from that Auspicious Epoch.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[18O.] At a convention of the boards of Selectmen, Over-
seers of the Poor and board of Health of the Town of Boston,
held in Faneuil Hall on Monday the 13th. day of July A.D. 1818
4£ O'Clock P.M.
Present a Majority of each Board
viz. Mess. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Dorr & Farnam, of
the Selectmen.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1818. 109
Mess. Perkins, Webster, Snelling, Mackay, Coolidge Jr.
Richards & Walley of the Board of Overseers — and
Messrs. Badger, Otis, Weld, Hitchborn, Davis, Kilham &
Fitch of the Board of Health.
Voted to proceed to the choice of a Town Treasurer for the
year ensuing.
Messrs. Oliver & Perkins were appointed a committee to
receive, sort & count the votes.
Votes being taken for a Town Treasurer Andrew Sigourney
Esqr. was declared to be unamimously chosen.
Voted, to come to the choice of one Collector of Taxes for the
ensuing year.
Votes being taken Andrew Sigourney Esqr. was chosen unani-
mously.
Mr. Sigourney having been notified of his appointment to the
above offices, declared his acceptance and proposed Hon. Jona-
than Hunnewell and Benjamin Weld Esqr. as his Bondsmen.
Voted that the above named Gentlemen [181] be accepted
as Mr. Sigourney's Bondsmen, and that they execute a Bond of
Twenty thousand Dollars as Treasurer and another Bond for the
same sum as Collector of Taxes.
Mess18. Oliver, Mackay & Badger, were appointed a Committee
to see that the Bonds are given by the Treasurer and Collector of
Taxes, and that he is qualified according to Law.
Then the Convention was Dissolved.
[182.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston, qualified to vote for Representatives to the General
Court of this Commonwealth ; held at Faneuil Hall on Monday
the 2nd. day of November A.D. 1818, 10 O'Clock A.M.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Palfrey.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
The Resolve of the General Court for choosing one Represen-
tative in Congress of the United States for the District of Suf-
folk— read.
110 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Chairman of the Selectmen requested the Inhabitants to
bring in their Votes for a Representative to Congress for the
Suffolk District & informed them that the Poll would be closed at
half past One O'Clock.
Persons Voted for as a Representative for the Suffolk District
in this Commonwealth in the next Congress of the United States
viz.
Hon. Jonathan Mason — 641 Sam1. Hammond — 2
" Andrew Ritchie — 385 Caleb Hay ward — 1
Daniel Webster — 4 James Lloyd — 1
James T. Austin— 2 Ebenr. Clough — 1
Joseph Ruggles — 1 Moses Williams — 2
Sam1. A. Wells - 1 Daniel Dunton 1
Paul Dean 1 Alexander H. Everett — 1
[183] and declaration thereof was made in open Town Meeting.
A return of the doings of this meeting was made out conform-
ably to the directions of the General Court and delivered to the
Secretary of the Commonwealth by the Town Clerk.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
1819.
[184.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of
Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 8th. day of March
A.D. 1819 10 0 Clock A.M.
Prayer by Revd. Mr. Greenwood.
Warrant for Calling the Meeting read.
Law respecting the Election of Town Officers read.
Benjamin Russell Esqr. was chosen Moderator.
Thomas Clark was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing ;
The Oath of Office was administered to him by the Moderator.
Voted to choose 9 Selectmen, poll to close at 12 Oclock.
Voted That Nathan Webb, Oliver Johonnot, Alden Bradford,
Jacob Stearns & William Sturgis be a Committee to assist the
Moderator & Town Clerk in sorting & counting the Votes for
Selectmen.
Turner Phillips Joseph Austin
Ebenezer Oliver Henry Bass
Jonathan Hunnewell Samuel Don-
Joseph Levering Enoch Silsby and
Lemuel Shaw Esquires
were chosen Selectmen for the ensuing year.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. Ill
[185.] The oath of Office was administered to Turner
Phillips, Joseph Lovering, Joseph Austin, Henry Bass, Samuel
Dorr & Enoch Silsby Esqr. by the Moderator.
Voted That the Thanks of the Town be given to Henry Farn-
ham Esqr. for his faithful services as one of the Selectmen the
years past.
Hon. William Phillips Esqr. Joseph Richards
Redford Webster Jonathan Phillips
Thomas Perkins Samuel May
Samuel Snelling Jacob Hall
William Mackay Edward Tuckerman &
Joseph Coolidge Jr. Sam1. H. Walley Esqre.
were cnosen Overseers of the Poor and of the Workhouse for the
year ensuing.
Voted That in addition to the Selectmen twelve persons shall
now be chosen a School Committee and the votes being collected
it appeared that the following Gentlemen were Chosen viz.
Doct. Aaron Dexter Peter O. Thatcher
Doct. Thomas Welch Francis J. Oliver
Rev. Charles Lowell William Wells
Rev. Joshua Huntington Benjamin Russell
Rev. Nath1. L. Frothingham Henry J. Oliver &
[186.] Charles Davis Benjamin West Esq™.
Voted That the above named Gentlemen who conjointly with
the Selectmen are termed the School Committee, be and hereby
are directed to carry the System of education adopted by the
Town into operation ; and that said Committee be also author-
ized and empowered conjointly to manage and regulate the Gov-
ernment of the Schools ; and to exercise all the powers relative
to the Schools and School Masters which the Selectmen or Such
committees are authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth or
by the votes of the Town to exercise. —
Voted That the thanks of the Town be given to the Rev.
Horace Holley for his faithful services as one of the School Com-
mittee for several years past.
Voted That the Thanks of the Town be given to Doct. John C.
Warren for his faithful services as one of the School Committee
for several years past.
[187.] Thomas Melvill Benjamin Rich
John Winslow Joseph Lovering
Stephen Codman Gedney King
John Bray Francis J. Oliver
Daniel Messinger John D. Williams
112 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Joshua Davis William Harris
Benjamin Smith Jonathan Loring
Nathaniel Curtis John Mackay
James Phillips Turner Phillips
Nathan Webb Lemuel Shaw
Samuel M. Thayer Benjamin Russell &
Joseph Austin Thomas Jackson Esquires,
were Chosen Firewards for the year ensuing.
Voted That the thanks of the Town be given to Andrew
Cunningham Esqr. for his faithful services as a Fire Ward for
many years past.
[188.] Voted That the Thanks of the Town be given to the
Hon1. Jonathan Hunnewell Esqr. for his faithful services as a
Fire Ward for many years past.
Votes were received for a Treasurer for the County of Suffolk,
by the Moderator & Town Clerk ; on counting the Votes it
appeared that there was one hundred and forty five, all for John
Winslow Esqr.
Mess. Benjamin White William Ellison
William Clouston Nathaniel Glover
Nathaniel Bradlee John Howe Jr.
Noah Daggett Richard Thayer
Braddock Loring Edward J. Robbins
Thomas Christie Henry Blake
William Green Joseph Tucker
Eleazer Homer Moses Eyers Jr.
Joseph Stodder Benjamin Harris &
Allen Bowker Oliver Mills
were chosen Surveyors of Boards and other Lumber.
[189.] Voted to choose Six firewards (in addition to the
number chosen this day) at the Meeting in May next.
Adjourned to Monday next 15th inst 10 Oclock A.M.
Monday March 15th 1819.
Met according to Adjournment.
Mess. Henry Purkitt Benjamin Clark
Benjamin Owen James Brown and
Nathaniel Howe Charles Pook
were Chosen Cullers of Hoops and Staves.
Mess™. Benjamin Clark John F. Bannister
Nathaniel Howe Thomas Lewis
Claries Pook William Spear
Benjamin Owen Jacob Barstow and
James Brown Ebenezer Berry
were Chosen Cullers of Dry Fish.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 113
Mess™. Benjamin White [19O] John Howe Jr.
Nathaniel Bradlee Romanus Emerson &
William Ellison Abel Hewins,
were chosen Fence Viewers for the year ensuing.
Mess. Joseph Champney Neddy Curtis and
Joseph Cabot James Baxter
were chosen Hogreeves & Haywards for the year ensuing
Samuel Emmons and
James Phillips Esqrs. were Chosen Survey-
ors of Hemp.
Josiah Snelling and
Thomas Howe Esqrs. were Chosen Sur-
veyors of Wheat.
Mess™. John Wells and
Nathaniel Alley
were Chosen Assay Masters.
Mess. Michael Homer
Francis James and
Samuel Sprague were chosen inspec-
tors of Lime.
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of the High Way.
Voted that Stephen Codman
Francis J. Oliver and
Robert G. Shaw Esqre.
be and hereby are appointed a Committee to audit the Accounts
of the Town Treasurer [191] and said Committee are directed
to report the Sum necessary to be raised for the service of the
present year.
Voted That the consideration of all money matters be referred
to the May Meeting
James Prince
Nathaniel Goddard and
Isaac Winslow Esq18.
were appointed a Committee to examine the Report of receipts
and expenditures made by the Committee of finance in order to
ascertain whether any savings or retrenchments may be made in
the public expences, agreeable to a Vote of the Town of the 25th
June last.
A Communication from the Board of Health on the Subject of
the Burial Ground at South Boston was read. On Motion
114 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted to refer the same to a Committee consisting of one
person from each ward ; The Committee to report at the May
Meeting
The following Gentlemen were chosen on the Committee viz.
William Harris Sam1. A. Wells
Jacob Rhodes [192] Thomas Dean
Nathan Webb Benjamin Russell
Josiah Marshall Lewis Tappan
Oliver Johonnot Winslow Lewis and
Thomas Howe Barzilla Holmes Esqr.
Voted That the Thanks of the Town be given to the Moderator
for his Services at this Meeting.
Then this Meeting was Dissolved.
[193.] At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston of Twenty one years of Age and upwards, qualified as
the Constitution prescribes, and legally warned and assembled at
Faneuil Hall on Monday the 5th day of April A.D. 1819 —
9 OClock A.M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Frothingham.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Paragraphs of the Constitution or Frame of Government rela-
tive to the Choice of Governor Lieutenant Governor & Senators,
read.
Law of the Commonwealth dividing the State into Districts for
the choice of Councillors and Senators — read
On Motion Voted That the Poll be closed at 2 Oclock — The
Bells to commence toling at half past One.
Persons voted for as Governor, with the number of Votes for
each person, viz.
His ExcelR John Brooks 3641
Hon. Benjamin W. Crowninshield 1724
" William Eustis 5
u John Adams ----- 2
" Timothy Pickering 1
George Reed 1
5374
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 115
Persons voted for as Lieut. Governor with the Number of
Votes for each person, viz.
[194.] His Honor William Phillips 3626
Hon1. Benjamin Austin --------- 1720
" James Lloyd ----_--_- 2
" John Phillips 1
" B. W. Crowninshield 1
James Prince _-.. 1
William Eustis 1
Ebenr. Clough 1
William Dehon _..- l
Moses Ballou _._ l
John Chandler .._ l
William Gray --------- l
Peter O. Thatcher 1
Levi Lincoln --__. l
Samuel A. Wells 1
Jacob Bender 1
Nath1. Silsby 1
Persons voted for as Councillors and Senators, for the Dis-
trict of Suffolk, with the Number of Votes for each person —
viz —
Hon. John Phillips 3620
" Josiah Quincy 3349
" Jonathan Hunnewell 3583
" Artemas Ward 3580
" Andrew Ritchie 3582
Benjamin Gorham Esq. ------- 3542
Hon. Henry Dearborn - - 1738
'' William Gray ---------- 1775
" Samuel Brown 1762
Col. Thomas Badger 1723
[195.] Doctr. William Ingalls 1738
James T. Austin Esqr. 1761
Joseph Tilden 14
William Sullivan 10
Benjamin Russell -------- 8
William Sturgis -.. 5
Nathaniel Goddard - - 4 James Lloyd - - - - 4
Lemuel Shaw - 4 Isaac Winslow - - 4
Sam1. G. Perkins - - - 3 Augustus Peabody - - 3
Henry Orne - - - - 3 Daniel Webster - - - 3
Israel Thorndike - - - 3 Joseph Head - ... 2
Richard Sullivan - - - 2 Thos. H. Perkins - - - 7
Charles CaUender - - - 2 William Little - - - - 2
David W. Child - - - 2 William Lawrence - - 2
Benjamin Austin - - - 6 Joel Prouty - - - - 2
John Roulstone - - - 2 George Wells - - - - 2
John Wells 3 Jonathan Amory - - - 2
116
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
George Hallet .... 2
Daniel Sargent - - - - 1
Jeremiah Fitch ... 1
H. G. Otis 1
David Greenough - - - 1
Henry Lee ----- 1
John N Howe - - - - 1
John Lepean - ... 1
Issac Davis ----- 1
Edward Cruft - - - - 1
Zebedee Cook - ... 1
Nath1. P. Hunt - - - 1
Horace Draper - - - - 1
David Melcher - - - - 1
[196.] Daniel Adams - 1
Joshua Clapp - ... 1
Thomas K. Jones - - - 1
Peter C. Brooks ... 1
Joseph Coolidge Jr. - - 1
Jonathan Whitney - - 1
David Thatcher - - - 1
Oliver Johonnot - - - 1
Oliver Train - - - - 1
Henry S. Low - - - - 1
Henry Williams - - - 1
Harvey Hartshorn - - - 1
Tim0. M. Clapp - - - 1
Josiah Bradlee - - - - 1
James Prince - - - - 1
Benf. Ward - -
Samuel Dexter - -
George Blake -
Caleb Loring - -
John Webly - -
John Lee - - -
Charles T. Austin -
Benjn. Jarvis - -
Stephen Codman -
H. H. Tuckerman -
Jos. B. Bradlee
Tristram Barnard -
William Parsons -
Moses Randall - -
Levi Haskell - -
Samuel A. Wells -
John Osborn -
Benf. Rich - - -
Benjn. Whitman -
John Dyer - - -
David Sears - -
Amos Binney - -
John Fitch - - -
John Kuhn - - -
William Eustis - -
Theo. Bainbridge -
Joseph Jenkins
John C. Hicks - -
Abraham H. Quincy
Attested Copies of return of Persons Voted for as Governor,
Lieut. Governor Councillors & Senators for the District of
Suffolk, were sealed up in open Town Meeting (after the Vote
had been declared) to be transmitted to the Secretary of the
Commonwealth, as prescribed by law and directed as follows viz.
To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
Votes of the Town of Boston for Governor and Lieut. Gov-
ernor, sealed up in open Town Meeting.
Also for Six Councillors & Senators for the District of Suffolk
directed in the same manner.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[197.] At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town of
Boston of twenty one years of age and upwards qualified as the
Constitution prescribes held at Faneuil Hall on Thursday the 13th
day of May A.D. 1819. 10 OClock A.M.
Prayer by Revd. Mr. Pierpont.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 117
Paragraphs of the Constitution relative to the Choice of Repre-
sentatives read ; also a law of the Commonwealth relating to the
qualifications of voters, on taking the question of number of
representatives to be elected, was read.
By a Return from the Assessors it appeared that there were
eleven thousand one hundred and ninety seven rateable Polls
within the Town, which number authorized the Election of Fifty
Representatives.
A Motion was made and seconded, that the Town should elect
Forty five representatives for the year ensuing which (after an
animated debate) passed in the affirmative.
The Chairman of the Selectmen requested the Inhabitants to
withdraw & bring in their votes, for Representatives not exceed-
ing forty five, & informed them that the Poll would be closed at
half past 2 Oclock.
[198.] The votes were received, sorted and counted by the
Selectmen ; when it appeared that the whole number of votes
given in was 2799 ; necessary to make a choice 1400. The fol-
lowing Forty five Gentlemen had the number of Votes set against
their respective names and were declared to be elected Represen-
tatives for the year ensuing, viz.
Mess. William Sullivan - 1888 Mess. James Perkins - 1888
Benjamin Russell - 1875 [199] Bryant P. Tilden 1885
Benjamin Whitman 1882 Nathan Hall - - - 1887
Israel Thorndike - 1855 Thomas Motley- - 1887
Charles Davis - - 1888 Samuel Dorr - - 1888
Joseph Coolidge Jr 1889 Joseph Lovering - 1887
Daniel Messenger - 1887 Augustus Peabody- 1885
Jonathan Whitney 1887 JohnKnapp- - - T878
Barzilla Holmes - 1888 Joseph Sewall - - 1887
Peter O Thatcher - 1882 George W. Otis - 1886
William Sturgis - 1885 Henry Purkitt - - 1886
Josiah Marshall - 1888 Phineas Upham - - 1873
John French - - 1886 Jonathan Phillips - 1887
Jonathan Loring - 1887 Samuel Appleton - 1885
Joseph W. Revere 1888 Thomas Jackson - 1885
Benjamin Smith - 1885 Edmund Winchester 1886
Benjamin Rand - 1885 Heman Lincoln - - 1887
Francis Bassett - 1886 Francis Welch - - 1882
John Cotter - - 1848 Thomas Parsons - 1873
Enoch Silsby - - 1888 Joseph Austin - - 1887
Peter C. Brooks - 1887 Elijah Morse - - 1876
George Bond - - 1884 William Jackson - 1879
Benjamin Watson - 1876
118 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The following gentlemen had the Number of Votes set against
their names, viz. —
Mess. John Brazier - - - 879 Mess. Winslow Lewis - - 881
Joseph W.Howe - 882 Samuel A. Wells - 879
Edmund Wright - - 881 George Hallet - - 882
William B. Bradford 880 Charles Hood - - 881
Samuel Billings - - 883 David Henshaw - - 879
Joseph Stodder - - 878 James Lloyd - - 25
[2OO.] Thaddeus Page - 881
William Mackay - - - 7 Nath1. Curtis .... 3
J. C. Merrill .... 3 William Gray .... 2
Samuel Brown - ... 2 James T. Austin - - - 2
Ebenr. Clough .... 2 Jeremiah Fitch ... - 2
Benjamin Austin - - - 2 and Elijah Withington, Henry
Orne, Nathaniel Wright, Jon° D. Howard Jr. James H. Foster,
James Ellison, Sam1. Whitwell, Samuel Swett, John Tyler,
William Eustis, H. Dearborn, P. P. F. Degrand, The0. Bain-
bridge, Israel Munroe, Zack. G. Whitman, James Russell, John
Fox, Perez Bryant, John Hathaway, Henry H. Tuckerman,
Thomas Brewer, James Davis, H. S. Waldo, Thomas Badger,
Tho8. K. Thomas, Harvey Bates, Samuel Adams, Thomas Rowe,
S. Gardner, Jonathan Emery Jr. Francis C. Gray, Joseph Lewis,
Isaac Stevens, A. Young, Job Drew, Dan1. Wise, Tho8. Sawyer,
one each. Declaration of the State of the Votes being made,
The Meeting was Dissolved.
[2O1.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 31st. day of May
A.D. 1819 — 10 O'Clock A.M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
Stephen Codman Esqr. was chosen
— Moderator. —
The Committee appointed by a Vote of the Town on the 8th
day of March last, ' ' to audit the Accounts of the Town Treas-
urer, and to report the sum necessary to be raised for the services
of the present year " have attended that service and make the
following Report.
That they have very particularly and minutely examined the
Town Treasurers Accounts for all the Monies received and paid
by him during the past year, that they find them right cast, and
well vouched and there appears a balance due to the Town, in the
hands of the Treasurer of $43973.^ dollars as pr. the Account
herewith submitted up to the 10th day of May instant.
The Committee refer the Town to the Report and estimates of
the Standing committee of finance for the sum necessary to be
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 119
raised for the services of the ensuing year which estimate meets
the concurrence and approbation of this Committee.
[2O2.] The Committee embrace the present occasion to bear
their testimony to the unexampled diligence and successful exer-
tions of Andrew Sigourney Esqr. the present Treasurer & col-
lector in collecting so large a proportion of the Taxes assessed
the last year as well as of the back taxes which were due before
his entrance into office by which means the Town has saved a
very considerable Sum, which but for his extraordinary exertions
and abilities would have been lost.
Respectfully Submitted
Stephen Codman ) ~
w • T /M- ^Committee.
Francis J. Oliver j
Boston May 11th. 1819.
The foregoing Report was read and accepted May 1819.
Seventh Annual report of the Committee of Finance of the
Town of Boston.
The Committee of Finance of the Town of Boston consisting
of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and the Board of
Health, have attended to the Duty assigned to them by the Town,
have examined the Books of the Treasurer and Collector and are
satisfied with the accuracy of his Accounts, They present the
following Report
[2O3.] The Amount of Taxes assessed in 1818 given to the
Collector & Treasurer — were
for State Tax $21,965 33
" Town & County Tax 150,623 97
$172,589 30
Amount received by the Treasurer from October
1818 to May 8th 1819 162,512 59
Amount of Abatements 5,350 27
Balance remaining uncollected ----- 4,726 44
$172,589 30
From which it appears that the whole Tax has been paid or
settled in seven Months, excepting about 5,000 Dollars, from
which the treasurer estimates nearly 1500 dollars may be col-
lected ; your Committee are again compelled to express their
opinion that this promptness is honorable to the Treasurer and to
the Inhabitants.
By the Town Treasurer's account it appears that there is a
balance of Forty three thousand, nine hundred and seventy three
120
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Dollars, 69 Cents in the Treasury, Statement as follows, The
Account is on file.
Town of Boston Dr.
1819. May Due on State Tax of 1818 -
County of Suffolk - ...
Note Due to E. B. - - - -
Selectmen of Boston for M".
Brackers & other Donations -
Boylston Donation appropriated
for Building School Houses
On Selectmen & Overseers Drafts
Unliquidated Accounts ...
Balance in favor of the Town
10,000 00
8,000 00
6,000 00
1,230 00
8,691 33
3,717 43
14,000 00
14,273 18
$65,911 94
[804.]
1819. May
Town of Boston
By W. N. Boylstons Bond -
" J. Tidd Jr's Notes - -
" John Hancocks - - -
" Rea & Wrights - - -
" Joseph Rowe - - - -
" Uriah Cottings - - -
'• William Tukesbury - -
" William Witmore - -
** Abraham Moore - - -
*' Jabez Hunting - - -
" Isaac Rand Jr - - - -
" Uncollected Taxes - -
" Cash in the Treasury
15,000 00
1,890 00
930 00
700 00
535 50
516 00
371 55
235 00
124 00
90 00
46 20
1,500 00
43,973 69
$65,911 94
The balance of the Account current last year
was against the Town 12,705 44
The above Statement shows it to be at present in
favor of the Town 14,273 18
The Demands on the Town being as before
stated 51,638 76
Add thereto for current expenses of the year as
follows
For Selectmens Department - - - - 79,000 00
" Overseers of the Poor 30,000 00
" Board of Health 7,000 00
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 121
For Committee for providing schools for
Children under 7 years of age - - 8,000 00
" Amount of State Tax 22,000 00
" D°. of County of Suffolk - - - 16,000 00
$213,638 76
[2O5.] To be provided for as follows
From Money in the Treasury - ... $43,973 69
" Notes payable this year - - - - 3,180 00
" Rents of Market, Town House &c. 16,000 00
" Taxes Receivable outstanding - - 1,500 00
" Amount State Tax assessed - - 22,000 00
" Ditto of County D°. D°. - - - 16,000 00
" Ditto of Town D°. D°. - - - 110,985 07
$213,638 76
The Committee recommend that the Town should vote a tax of
111,000 Dollars which will defray the current expenses of the
year.
Respectfully Submitted
By Order of the Committee of Finance
Turner Phillips, Chairman.
The foregoing Report was read and accepted by the Town,
and
Voted That the Sum of One hundred & eleven thousand
Dollars be raised by a Tax to be assessed upon the Polls and
Estates of the Inhabitants of the Town to defray the expenses
of the town the present year.
William Dall Thomas Dawes
Joshua Davis Barzillai Holmes, and
Peter O. Thatcher [2O6] George Bond Esq™.
were chosen Trustees of Neck Lands.
Bryant P. Tilden Geo. W. Otis
Winslow Lewis John Howe
Amos Binney Joseph Jones
Enoch Silsby William Howe
Isaac Harris Jonathan Whitney &
Jeremiah Fitch Esq™.
were chosen Fire Wards, agreeably to a vote of the Town in
March last, to increase the number of Fire Wards & to supply
vacancies occasioned by the resignation of five Gentlemen who
were Chosen at that Meeting.
122 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to John Winslow,
Benjamin Rich, Gedney King, Francis J. . Oliver & William
Harris Esqra. for their faithful services as Fire Wards for many
years past.
Rev'd John Pierpont was chosen one of the School Committee,
in place of Benj". [2O7] West Esqr who has declined serving
on that Committee.
Oliver Greary was chosen a Hogreeve and Hayward.
The Committee to whom was referred the report of the Board
of Health for the Town of Boston, detailing the plan of a Burial
ground which they propose to locate on the land now owned by
the Town at South Boston, and which they intend to call the
" Boston Cemetery " have attended to .the duty Assigned them,
& beg leave respectfully to report.
That on an examination of the Aforesaid report they find, that
the principal subjects of it are not under the control of the Town,
but the execution of which are delegated solely to that Board.
By a law of this Commonwealth the Board of Health is fully
invested with the requisite authority to carry their propos'd plan
into operation, so far as it is practicable upon the land owned
by the Town at South Boston, and appropriated for the interment
of the dead : But that Board conceive that the land so appropri-
ated is not of sufficient extent to admit of all the improvements
and advantages, which are set forth in their report, they conse-
quently thereon recommend the expediency of purchasing an addi-
tional extent [2O8] of seventy thousand square feet of ground,
adjoining that now owned by the Town.
This being the only branch of the report on which the Town
has the power to act, the Committee have confined themselves
to the consideration of the expediency of purchasing the land
designated by the board of Health for the purposes specified in
their report.
After a view of the premises, and a mature consideration of all
the circumstances connected with the subject, the Committee were
of opinion that the local position of the ground is not well chosen
for the contemplated object ; that its distance from the Center
of the old Town is so great, that the burial of the dead would be
attended with augmented inconveniences, and an increase of
expense to the inhabitants generally, but more particularly to
those of the northern sections of it ; that during the inclement
seasons of the year, it would at times be utterly impracticable
to proceed to that situation for the intended purposes ; which in
the opinion of the Committee, are insuperable objections against
the situation of that site as a place for the interment of the dead
from the Town of Boston.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 123
They therefore were unanimously of opinion that it is inexpe-
dient for the town to purchase the additional number of square
feet of [2O9] ground recommended by the board of Health for
the purposes stated in their report on this subject.
But the Committee having been informed by the President of
the Board of Health that if the Town refused to purchase the
land as recommended, that agreeably to the power with which the
Board are by law invested, it is their intention to carry their plan
into effect upon the ground owned by the Town at South Boston
and located for a Burial Ground, by which procedure the inhabi-
tants will be subjected to all the inconveniences that have already
been stated.
To obviate, therefore, the difficulties and disadvantages pre-
viously enumerated by having the burial Ground at so great a
distance from the Center of the old Town, and in order that
the plan of this Board of Health may be executed upon a field of
sufficiently large [area] to secure all its proposed advantages, & as
the Committee considered the expense of the land to be of no com-
parative consequence to that which the Board of Health intend
to expend in its execution ; they deem it their duty for these
reasons to recommend to the Town the expediency of purchasing
three & an half acres of Land at South Boston for the purpose of
locating a new Cemetery for the Town upon the plan stated
[55 1O] in the aforesaid report of the Board of Health, Provided
it can be procured for that purpose within one fourth of a mile of
the eastern extremity of South Boston Bridge, so called : and
they further recommend, should the Town accept this part of
their report, the appointment of a Committee to purchase said
land for the Town on the best possible terms.
Benj". Russell pr. Order.
Boston May 31. 1819.
The foregoing Report was read, and so far accepted as that
it was voted, That,
Thomas Badger
Samuel A. Wells and
Henry Bass Esquires,
be a Committee, to ascertain at what rate (per acre) land can be
purchased for, suitable for a Burial Ground at South Boston,
and report at the Adjournment of this meeting.
A Communication from the Justices of the Court of Sessions,
on the subject of erecting a new Prison, was read.
Whereupon it was Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to
Co-operate with the Court in that undertaking. —
[211.] The following Report was read, accepted, ordered to
be printed, and distributed for the information of the Inhabitants.
124 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Report,
Pursuant to a vote of the Town on the 11th day of June last,
the School Committee soon after nominated and appointed three
Gentlemen in each ward "To provide instruction for children
between four and seven years of age, and apportion the expenses
among the several Schools." — Of these gentlemen all but two
accepted and have served. — The Board was organized on the 23d
day of June by choosing Thomas L. Winthrop Esq., Chairman,
and James Savage Esq. Secretary. —
On the 2d. day of July the board resolved, that the Committee of
each ward " ascertain by personal inquiry, the number of Children
between the ages of four & seven, state who do and who do not
attend any school, as also those, whose parents are desirous of
availing themselves of this right, and report the names and place
of residence." — This was a very arduous duty, and the result of
the inquiry was highly interesting to the board.
The number between four and seven years old, exclusive of
about half of Ward N°. 7. from which the Committee made no
return, amounted to two thousand eight hundred & forty three. —
Of these, though five hundred and thirty two only did not attend
any school, thirteen hundred and thirty were desirous of instruc-
tion at the new schools. — The number who attended no school was
nearly double that of the return made the preceding year, but not
larger than was expected to be found. — a comparison of the
result, in each year, from all the Wards will assist us in judging
of their correctness. —
[213.]
Wards - - -
N°. 1 - - -
2 - - -
1817 - - -
57 - - -
52 - - -
1818
46
86
3 - - -
26 - - -
45
4 - - -
9 - - -
14
5 - - -
8 - - -
20
6 - - -
20 - - -
37
7 - - -
7 - - -
34
8 - - -
6 - - -
29
9 - - -
13 - - -
72
10 - - -
6 - - -
2
11 ...
23 - - -
46
12 -.- -
56 - - -
101
Total 283 532
To provide instruction for that number the grant of money by
the town was very liberal, and was indeed considered by the
favourers of the experiment adequate to furnish schooling for
seven or eight hundred children. —
But when we ascertained, that above thirteen hundred would
demand the care of the board, it became a matter of great diffi-
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 125
culty to divide the sum granted in such a way as to approach
nearest to a fulfilment of the vote of the town, with which a per-
fect compliance seemed utterly impracticable. We could not
satisfactorily arrange this difficulty before the 20th. of July.
As the pupils were of such tender .age, they could not be
required to go far from home ; and schools must therefore be
opened in sections of the Wards. — To insure health and improve-
ment their number in each [313] school should be small; and
to such an instructor as alone ought to be employed, the compen-
sation could hardly fall short of two hundred dollars. — Rent,
fuel, benches and other incidental charges might have reasonably
been expected to exceed fifty dollars for each. But the Board
were resolved to open twenty Schools, and we were of necessity
stinted to that amount. — It was generally agreed by us, that
the children in one school should not exceed forty five, and be
confined if practicable, to forty. The money was divided by
vote among the several Committees from the Wards, and schools
were opened exclusively for such free scholars as the Committees
received in every Ward but two. These two Wards were unit-
edly allowed from our fund enough to maintain two schools, or
one tenth of the whole ;' — but it seemed expedient to the Commit-
tee of that united District to agree with mistresses, having
already established schools, to receive from the Committee an
addition of pupils at a stated rate for each. Five teachers have
been by them employed in this manner. The rate of ten cents
per week, with allowance of two dollars for winter's fuel, for
each child, making seven dollars & twenty cents a year, is now
found to be much higher than that which the instruction jn other
Wards demanded, where the expense of each pupil has fallen
short of five dollars.
Most of the Schools were opened [214] in August, and all
by the first week in September & all have continued without inter-
ruption. —
The calculations, even of such citizens as were most solicitous
for the establishment of these schools, have all estimated too low
the number of children for whom we find it necessary to provide
instruction. —
Though a large portion, probably half of our people, would
prefer to pay teachers of their own private selection for instruct-
ing their children of such an age, and though the never tiring
benevolence of many has provided schools for several hundred
others, yet in every instance the schools opened by the board have
been filled beyond the limit we desired to prescribe. — We should
however observe, that several of the instructors, having daughters
of age to afford assistance to their mothers, the Committees have
been satisfied with permitting sixty, and in one instance seventy,
in another eighty pupils in one school. In only two of those
eighteen schools provided solely for the free instruction has the
number been smaller than fifty, and on the second week of March,
when our instructors returned all under their tuition, the amount
was eleven hundred and eighteen. —
126 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Large as this number will appear, the board are satisfied, that a
considerable addition should the current year be provided for;
aud from computation carefully made we conceive thirty two
schools for such children will be needed.
[215.] At two hundred and fifty dollars each, a grant of
eight thousand dollars would be requisite.
Two considerations, among several others more apparent,
powerfully operate to produce, in the minds of the gentlemen of
the board the year past, a conviction of the importance and
necessity of this system of free schools for young children,
which they wish to submit to the consideration of their fellow
citizens. — The first is, that our schools have been constantly
pressed to admit a number of children in every part of the town
above seven years old, who, having been unable to acquire a
little acquaintance with English reading or even the letters of
our alphabet, are excluded from the public schools. This griev-
ance we could not remedy ; but if the new Schools for children
of younger age be continued, the evil will in a great measure
soon be removed. — The second is, that very many children,
whose parents are able in summer to afford them schooling at
nine pence or a shilling per week, are deprived, in winter, (when
fire money is asked by the instructors which the parents cannot
easily pay) of all teaching, and so lose at that season all their
former acquisition in letters. — Three private schools in one
Ward, where the mistresses had twelve scholars each, have been
by this defect, reduced, one to nine & the other two to six pupils
each. — But the children for whom we have been required to pro-
vide instruction have attended with remarkable punctuality, nor
less in winter than in summer. —
[216.] The result of our experiment has certainly been en-
couraging, and we confidently state that the improvement in all
our schools has been far superior to our expectations. We found
many parents, on our first inquiry, indifferent about sending their
children to these schools, though they regularly attended no other.
Perhaps mistaking the establishment for a charitable one, their
pride revolted from acknowledging that they needed assistance,
yet since the operation has proceeded, they have almost invari-
ably desired admission for them. Of the children received, one
half in some parts of the town, and one third in general were
ignorant of their letters, of whom many can now read in the New
Testament, and several from each school are prepared for admis-
sion at the town grammar schools who must have been, we are
confident, otherwise rejected.
In most of our schools the girls have been taught knitting or
sewing as well as reading. The several Committees are by a
regulation of the board required once a month at least to visit
the schools under their particular care, and a return of the state
of each is demanded at our quarterly meetings.
All which is submitted.
Elisha Ticknor, Benj. Austin, Tho. B. Wait, Nathan Webb, Tho.
Baldwin, Henry Ware, J. Savage. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 127
[217.] Voted, That the School Committee be requested, to
take into consideration the expediency of making any alteration
in the Salaries of the Public School Masters, and report the
result of their deliberations to the town at their next meeting.
Voted, That the Committee of Finance be requested to take into
consideration and Report, the salary which ought to be allowed
the Town Treasurer & Collector for the ensuing year.
Letters were read from James Prince & Isaac Winslow
Esquires, by which it appeared, that the Committee chosen by
the Town in March last ' ' to examine the Report of receipts and
expenditures made by the Committee of Finance in order to
ascertain whether any savings or retrenchments may be made in
the public expenses ' ' — had declined the appointment. —
The article in the Warrant "to consider whether the town will
increase the pay, which has been hitherto allowed to the Watch-
men of the Town by the Selectmen." was taken up and after a
short debate — it was Voted, That the Selectmen be directed to
pay to each and every one of the men now employed, or who
may be hereafter employed as Watchmen of the Town, the sum ef
twenty-five cents a night in addition to what they now receive for
their services. —
A motion was made to reconsider the vote — forty six voting
in the affirmative & upwards of sixty in the negative ; the motion
was lost. —
Adjourned to Monday 21st June next — 10 o'clk A.M.
[218.] At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 14th day of
June, A.D. 1819 — 10 O'Clock A.M.
Benjamin Russell Esq.
was chosen Moderator.
This Meeting was called, " To consider whether the Town will
adopt any measures relative to the Petition of David Grreenough
and others, now pending before the Hon. General Court for an
act to incorporate them by the name of the Dock Square Cor-
poration, and authorize them to erect buildings for any purpose
which they may think expedient in the vicinity of Dock Square
and the Market, which subject is to be acted on by the Hon.
Legislature on Wednesday the 16th. instant." —
The Petition of David Greenough & others to the Legislature,
with the order of notice thereon, from the Honble. General Court
to the Town being read. — The subject was taken up, considered,
128 CITY DOCUMEMT No. 128.
and after a short debate, the following votes were (nearly) unani-
mously passed by the Town. — viz.
Voted, That the Selectmen of the Town of Boston be, and they
hereby are requested [219] to represent to the Legislature, that
the Petition of David Greenough & Thomas Motley, is injurious
to the general interest of the Town, and pray that the petitioners
have leave to withdraw their petition.
Voted, That the rights and interests of the Town would be inju-
riously affected by the erection of any new Market in the vicinity
of the old Market near Faneuil Hall by any individual citizens
and for their private benefit ; and that the Selectmen be a .Com-
mittee, to represent a suitable remonstrance to the Legislature of
this Commonwealth against the Petition of Mess18. David Green-
ough and Thomas Motley, which is now pending before that Hon-
orable Body ; And in their remonstrance to pray, that in any act
of incorporation, which may be granted to said Greenough &
Motley upon their petition, or upon any other petition which may
at any time hereafter be presented to them by said Greenough &
Motley, or by any other persons on this subject, a restrictive
clause may be inserted so as effectually to protect the rights and
interests of the town from injury in this respect. —
Voted, That the Senators of the County of Suffolk, and the
Representatives of this town in the General Court be requested, to
oppose the grant of any [22O] act of incorporation to Mess".
Greenough & Motley, which shall not contain a restriction upon
them and their associates against erecting any new market in the
vicinity of the old market near Faneuil Hall, or any other build-
ing, which may be contrary to law.
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to Benjamin
Russell Esq. for his services as Moderator of this Meeting. —
Then the Meeting was
Dissolved.
Monday June 21st. 1819 .—
Met according to Adjournment from the 31st. ultimo.
Samuel Adams Wells Esq.
was chosen a Fire Ward, in place of John Howe Esq. who
declined serving in that office.
Mr. Levi Sherman, was chosen a Hogreeve & Hayward for the
year ensuing.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 129
The following Report was made by the School Committee. —
viz. —
The School Committee of the Town of Boston have attended
to the subject, which was referred to them by the vote of the
inhabitants on the 31st day of May, and respectfully Report.
That in the year 1816, the Salaries of the reading & writing
Masters, which prior to that time had been eight hundred dollars
per annum were raised to one thousand — And in consequence of
the high price of the necessaries of life, a grant was made them
of two hundred dollars which has been annually renewed to the
present time. —
The Committee have had no reason [223] to suppose, that
this was insufficient for their comfortable support, and they have
the satisfaction to believe, that the Schools in general, are
flourishing under the care of able & faithful teachers. — With
respect to the Salary of the principal Master of the Latin gram-
mar School, The Committee ask leave to observe, that it was fixed
after much deliberation, and with a clue regard to the qualifications,
which the Master of that School ought to possess. — It was
found impracticable without increasing the Salary, to induce a
young gentleman of talents and scholarship, to forego the pros-
pects which the learned professions opened to him, & to devote
himself to the care of this School with the reputation of which
his fame and his hopes in life should be identified. — The present
Master having filled the office to the entire satisfaction of the
public, the Committee are, unanimously of opinion that, as he
accepted the office after the Salary was raised, it ought not to be
reduced, while he continues to merit their confidence and esteem.
— In addition to the Latin & greek languages, the boys at the
latin School are now taught such branches of the Mathematics &
geography, with the Elements of Geometry & algebra, as are
requisite for admission to Harvard College. — In consequence of
the great [223] increase of the number of pupils, and of the
particular alteration requisite in order to form them to habits of
accuracy, in which all success in scholarship depends — and con-
sidering too, that the standard of qualifications for admission to
the University has been much elevated, the Committee have
thought it necessary, to add an Assistant master, to increase the
number of Ushers, and to hold out inducements to them, to con-
tinue in the School for the term of three years at least, that the
inconveniences arising from inexperienced Instructors might be
avoided. — The Committee think they have reason to congratulate
the town on the flourishing condition of this School, which they
believe to be second to none in our Country, & they rely on the
liberal spirit and enlightened views of the Inhabitants, who have
ever been attentive to the education of the rising generation and
130 CITY' DOCUMENT No. 128.
to the best interests of their Country, to continue to afford it
their protection and support.
By order of the School Committee,
Turner Phillips, Chairman.
The foregoing report was read & accepted. —
The Committee appointed to ascertain the price of land for a,
Burial Ground at South Boston, made a Report, which was not
accepted ; — The subject was referred to the Selectmen and Board
of Health, with full powers to make additions to the present
Burial Grounds, if they should deem it necessary.
The Committee of Finance having been directed by a
vote of the Town to take into consideration and report the Salary
which shall be allowed the Town Treasurer & Collector for the
ensuing year have attended the duty assigned them and Report. —
That the Treasurer & Collector furnished the Committee with
a statement of the expense of his office, amounting to $1160.82
on examining this statement some of the Committee were of opin-
ion the sum charged for the Clerks Salary too high, as they
doubted not 5 or 600 dollars would command the services of a
person well qualified to discharge the duties of that office ; in
answer to this it was said, that in conversation with the Treas-
urer on this subject he had observed "if the Town would take
the responsibility of the Clerks conduct he was perfectly willing
they should procure one at the lowest rate, but if he was to be
responsible for his Clerks fidelity it was incumbent on him to
employ one in whom he could place the utmost confidence, and
to such a person he must give more than a common Salary." —
It appears on the records of the Committee of Finance from the
first appointment of the Town Treasurer & Collector it was their
desire and intention he should receive $2,000 pr. annum for his
services. — And the Committee were now unanimously of opinion
that for [225] the able, diligent and faithful manner in which
he has hitherto discharged the duties of his office, and which they
doubt not he will continue to do, that he should receive that sum
for the ensuing year, — they therefore recommend that the town
should vote the sum of three thousand one hundred dollars in full
for the Salary of the town Treasurer and Collector for the ensuing
year, and for Clerk hire, expenses of office, and pay of his dep-
uties — this sum at the Salaries he now pays will not produce
$2,000 — but the Committee are of opinion a reduction may be
made in the Salaries of his Clerk or deputies as will reduce the
expense of his office to $1,900. — which is respectfully submitted,
By order of the Committee,
Turner Phillips, Chairman.
The foregoing Report was read and accepted — and Voted,
That the sum of three thousand one hundred dollars, be allowed
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 131
& paid unto the Town Treasurer & Collector for the ensuing year,
in full for his Salary, for Clerk hire, expenses of office & pay of
his Deputies.
Upon the representation and exhibition of the doings and
proceedings of Andrew Sigourney Esq. Treasurer & Collector of
taxes of the Town of Boston the last year.
Voted, That the Town of Boston highly [226] approve of
the conduct of said Andrew Sigourney Esq. in the said offices of
Treasurer and Collector, and that he has faithfully and fully as
was in his power completed the execution of his duty in said
offices, to which he has been appointed as aforesaid, and that he
be excused from all delinquency or default in not having effected
the full and complete settlement of the taxes by him to have
been received or collected according to law. —
Voted, That the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow a
sum not exceeding Seventy thousand dollars, if the same should
be found necessary for the service of the town.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto the Hon. Thomas
Dawes Esq. the sum of Seven hundred and fifty dollars for his
Salary as Judge of the Municipal Court the present year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto Thomas Clark,
Town Clerk, the sum of One thousand dollars as his Salary the
present year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid out of the Treasury of
the town of Boston, the sum of one thousand dollars to each of
the [227] permanent Assessors of the town for the present year.
A motion was made and seconded, That the vote of the Town
passed the thirty first ultimo, increasing the pay of the Watch-
men be reconsidered ; — and that the subject be referred to the
Selectmen to act on it as they shall think proper. — The question
being put it passed in the affirmative. —
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be presented to Stephen
Codmau Esq, for his able and impartial discharge of the duties
of Moderator of this Meeting. —
Then the Meeting was
Dissolved.
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
132 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday
the 5th. day of July A.D. 1819 — 10 O'clock A.M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting, read.
Thomas Clark, was chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Indepen-
dence Reported, That they had chosen Franklin Dexter Esq. —
who had accepted the appointment. —
Adjourned to meet at the Old South Church at 12 O' Clock M.
Met according to Adjournment at the Old South Church, where
an Oration was delivered by Franklin Dexter Esq. to commem-
orate the Independence of the United States of America.
Voted, That the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a
Committee to wait on Franklin Dexter Esq. in the name of the
Town, and thank him for the elegant & spirited Oration this day
delivered by him at the request of the town, upon the anniver-
sary of American Independence ; — wherein were considered the
feelings, manners [2 29] and principles which produced the
great national event, and the important and happy effects general
& domestic, which have already, or will forever flow from that
auspicious epoch ; — and to request of him a copy for the press.
Voted, That the Gentlemen Selectmen be, and hereby are
appointed a Committee to apply to some able and learned
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the 4th. of July 1820 — That
day being the Anniversary of the Independence of the United
States of America ; — wherein the Orator is to consider the
feelings manners & principles which led to this great National
event, as well as the important and happy effects which have
already or will forever flow from that auspicious Epoch.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[23O.] At a Convention of the Boards of Selectmen, Over-
seers of the Poor & Board of Health, held at Faneuil Hall on
Wednesday the 7th. day of July A.D. 1819.—
Present a Majority of each Board, viz. —
Mess™. Phillips, Oliver, Lovering, Austin, Dorr & Shaw —
Selectmen.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1819. 133
His Honor W. Phillips, Mess™. Webster, Snelling, Mackay,
Coolidge, Richards, Hall & Walley, Overseers of the Poor. —
and, Mess". Whitman, Loring, Jackson, Otis, Kilham, Colla-
more, Fitch, Carver, Darricott, & Alley, of the Board of Health.
Voted, To proceed to the choice of a Town Treasurer, for the
year ensuing. —
Messra. Levering & Dorr, to receive sort and count the Votes.
Votes being received for Town Treasurer; — Andrew Sigourney
Esq. was declared to be unanimously elected. —
[23 1.3 It was then voted to come to the choice of a Collector
of taxes for the year ensuing; — and the votes being collected it
appeared that Andrew Sigourney Esq. was unanimously chosen.
Mr. Sigourney having been notified of his appointment to the
above offices, declared his acceptance; — and proposed Hon.
Jonathan Hunnewell & Benjamin Weld Esq. as his Bondsmen. —
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen be accepted as Mr.
Sigourney' s Bondsmen, and that they execute a Bond of twenty
thousand Dollars, as Treasurer, and another Bond for twenty
thousand dollars as Collector of taxes.
Voted, That Mess™. Shaw, Mackay & Jackson, be a Com-
mittee to examine the Bonds given by the Treasurer & Collector,
see that they are correctly drawn and legally executed, and to
report their doings to the Chairman of the Selectmen.
Then the Convention was Dissolved.
[232.3 The following Report was received from the Com-
mittee appointed by the Convention on the 7th. instant. — viz.
The Committee appointed at a Meeting of the Convention on
the 7th. instant to examine the Bonds offered by Andrew Sigour-
ney Esq. as Treasurer & Collector of taxes for the town of Bos-
ton, Report,
That A. Sigourney Esq. has delivered to them two bonds each
in the penalty of twenty thousand dollars ; one conditioned for
the faithful performance of his duties as Treasurer, the other as
Collector, each executed by said Sigourney as Principal, and by
Jonathan Hunnewell & Benjamin Weld Esq,'s as Sureties. The
134 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
said Bonds which are herewith transmitted, appear to your Com-
mittee to be correctly drawn and legally executed, and that the
Sureties are those approved by the Convention. —
All which is respectfully submitted
By order of the Committee
Lemuel Shaw,
Chairman.
Boston July 26th. 1819 —
18 SO.
[233.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of
Boston held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 13th day of March
A.D. 1820 10 "Clock A.M.
Prayer by Rev*1. Mr. Sharp.
Warrant for Calling the Meeting read.
Law respecting the Election of Town Officers read.
Hon : John Phillips Esqr. was Chosen Moderator.
Thomas Clark was chosen Town Clerk, for the Year ensuing,
the Oath of Office was administered to him by the Hon : Mod-
erator.
The Moderator directed the Inhabitants to prepare and bring
in their Votes for Nine Selectmen.
Voted, That the Poll shall be closed at 1 °Clock.
Voted, That William Little, Nathan Webb, Thomas Jackson,
Thaddeus Page & Henry J. Oliver Esqre. be a Committee to sort
and count the Votes for Selectmen.
The Votes being sorted & counted it appeared that
Hon. Benjamin Austin
Daniel Baxter
Jonathan Loring
Benjamin T. Wells
Samuel Billings
Eliphalet Williams
George Brinley and
Jeremiah Fitch Esquire
were chosen Selectmen.
Adjourned to Monday next 10 °Clock A.M.
[234.] Met according to Adjournment.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 135
Messrs. Wells & Brinley chosen Selectmen, at the last Meeting,
having declined accepting the appointment. The Inhabitants
were directed by the Moderator to bring in their Votes for three
Selectmen.
On Motion, Voted, That the Poll be closed at 2 °Clock.
On the close of the Poll it appeared that
Abram Babcock
Robert Fennelly and
Samuel A. Wells Esqr8.
were chosen, to complete the board of Selectmen for the Year
ensuing. —
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be presented to the
Members of the former board of Selectmen, for their able, faith-
ful & impartial Services, during Years past.
Adjourned to tomorrow Morning at £ past 9 °Clock.
Met according to Adjournment. —
Hon. William Phillips Redford Webster
Thomas Perkins Samuel Snelling
William Mackay Joseph Coolidge Jr.
Jonathan Phillips Samuel May
Jacob Hall Edward Tuckerman
Edward Phillips and Henry Bass Esqrs.
were chosen Overseers of the Poor and of the Workhouse for the
Year ensuing.
Voted. That the thanks of the Town be given to Joseph
Richards & Samuel H. Walley Esqrs. for their faithful Services
as Overseers of the Poor for several Years past.
[235.] Thomas Melville Stephen Codman
Daniel Messinger Joshua Davis
Benjamin Smith Nathaniel Curtis
James Phillips Samuel M. Thayer
Joseph Love ring John D. Williams
Jonathan Loring John Mackay
Lemuel Shaw Benjamin Russell
Bryant P. Tilden Winslow Lewis
Thomas Jackson Amos Binney
Enoch Silsby Isaac Harris
George W. Otis Joseph Jones
William Howe Jonathan Whitney
Jeremiah Fitch Samuel A. Wells
William Burrows Samuel Hichborn Junr.
EdmundWinchester & Jonathan Thaxter Esquires
were chosen Firewards for the Year ensuing.
136 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted. That the Thanks of the Town be given to John Bray,
Nathan Webb, Joseph Austin & Turner Phillips, Esqrs. for their
faithful Services as Fire Wards for many Years past.
Doctr. Thomas Welsh Henry J. Oliver Esqr.
Doctr. Aaron Dexter Rev : John Pierpont
Rev : Charles Lowell Lemuel Shaw Esqr. and
William Wells Esqr. Rev. Daniel Sharp,
were chosen on the School Committee. —
Voted. That the above named Gentlemen who conjunctly
[236] with the Selectmen, are termed the School Committee, be
and hereby are directed to carry the System of education adopted
by the Town into Operation : and that said Committee be also
authorized and empowered, conjunctly to manage and regulate the
Government of the Schools ; and to execute all the powers rela-
tive to the Schools and Schoolmasters, which the Selectmen, or
such Committees are authorized by the Laws of this Common-
wealth or by the Votes of the Town to exercise. —
Votes. Were received for a Treasurer for the County of Suf-
folk ; which were sorted & counted by the Moderator & Town
Clerk. — the Votes given in were for
Col. Thaddeus Page - - 873 Charles Newell - - - - 1
Benjamin Weld Esqr. - - 752 Washington Munroe - - 1
Charles Hammatt - - - 283 John Colton 1
Turner Phillips Esq1'. - - 93 James Savage - - - - 1
Nathan Webb Esqr. - - 32
2037
Adjourned to half past 3 °Clock. P. M.
Met According to Adjournment at £ past 3 °Clock.
Mess™. Benjamin White William Clouston
Nathaniel Bradlee Noah Doggett
Thomas Christie Bradock Loring
William Green Eleazer Homer
Joseph Stodder Allen Bowker
William Ellison Nathaniel Glover
John Howe Junr. Richard Thayer
[237.] Edward J. Robbins Henry Blake
Joseph Tucker Moses Eayres Junr.
Benjamin Harris and Oliver Mills
were chosen Surveyors of Boards and Other Lumber. —
Mess™. Henry Purkitt Benjamin Owen
Nathaniel Howe Benjamin Clark
James Brown and Charles Pook
were chosen Cullers of Hoops and Staves.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 137
Mess". Benjamin Clark Nathaniel Howe
Charles Pook Benjamin Owen
James Brown John F. Bannister
William Spear, Jacob Barstow & Ebenr. Perry
were Chosen Cullers of Dry Fish.
Messrs. Benjamin White Nathaniel Bradlee
Romanus Emerson Abel Hewins
Rolun Hartshorn and John Howe Junr.
were chosen Fence Viewers for the Year ensuing.
Mess". Joseph Cabot John Kimball
William Andrews and Royal Oliver
were chosen Hogreeves, Haywards & field drivers for the Year
ensuing.
Mess". Michael Homer, Francis James and Samuel Sprague
were Chosen Inspectors of Lime.
Samuel Emmons and James Phillips Esqr". were Chosen Sur-
veyors of Hemp.
Thomas Howe and John Tuckerman Esq. were chosen Sur-
veyors of Wheat.
[238.] John Wells and Nathaniel Alley Esq". were Chosen
Assay Masters.
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of Highway.
Voted, That Stephen Codman, Francis J. Oliver and Robert
G. Shaw Esquires be and hereby are appointed a Committee to
Audit the Accounts of the Town Treasurer; and said Com-
mittee are directed to report the sum necessary to be raised for
the services of the present Year.
Voted, That the consideration of all Money Matters.be referred
to the May Meeting. —
James Prince, Isaac Winslow & Samuel May Esq™. were ap-
pointed a Committee to examine the report of Receipts & expen-
ditures made by the Committee of Finance, in Order to Ascertain
whether any savings or retrenchments may be made in the public
expences and Report at the May Meeting.
The Article in the Warrant "To consider the request of a
number of the Inhabitants for permission to continue the Range
of Tombs in the South Burial Ground, under the direction of the
Board of Health " was taken up and committed to the Selectmen,
to report thereon at the May Meeting. —
138 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Application of the Boston & Roxbury Mill Corporation,
to be allowed further time to complete their Works, was also
Committed to the Selectmen.
[239.] The Votes for four persons to complete the School
Committee, were received sorted & Counted ; when it appeared,
the whole number was 1582. necessary to make a choice 792.
The highest number of Votes given for any candidate was 754.
There being no choice. — It was Moved & Voted, That the choice
of four Gentlemen to complete the School Committee be referred
to the May Meeting. —
The Article in the Warrant ' ' To see if the Town will Lease to
the Freemasons the Rooms over the First Storey in the Old State
House for a long term of Years." was taken up and the Subject
referred to the Selectmen to consider and report thereon at the
May Meeting. —
Voted, Unanimously. That the Thanks of the Town be pre-
sented to the Hon : John Phillips Esqr. for his able and impartial
services as Moderator of this Meeting.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
Attest Tho8. Clark. Town Clerk.
[24O.] At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of
Boston held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the third day of April.
A.D. 1820. 9 oClock A.M.
Prayer by the Rev : Paul Dean.
Warrant for calling the Meeting and the return thereon read
by the Chairman of the Selectmen. —
Thomas Clark Esqr. Town Clerk being absent by reason of
indisposition, Samuel F. Mc.Cleary Esqr. was chosen Clerk pro
tempore and the Oath of Office was administered to him in open
Town Meeting, by Zebedee Cook Jr. Esqr. a Justice of the peace
for the County of Suffolk.
The Constitution and Laws were read respecting the election
of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Councillors & Senators.
The Selectmen presiding, the Chairman requested the legal
Voters to prepare & bring in their Votes for Governor, Lieuten-
ant Governor & Six Senators for the County of Suffolk.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 139
On Motion made and seconded, it was Voted. That the poll
shall be closed at 2 oClock P.M.
Persons voted for as Governor, with the number of Votes for
each person viz1.
His Excellency John Brooks 3521
Hon: William Eustis 1682
John Phillips ----- 1
Benjamin Parsons -------- i
Daniel Adams - 1
Hosea Ballon -- 1
Parson Channing 1
Benjamin R. Grosman 1
5209
[241.] Persons voted for for Lieut. Governor, with the num-
ber of Votes for each person viz*.
His Honor William Phillips 3489
Hon. Benjamin Austin - 1701
William Eustis 1
Levi Lincoln - 1
William Sullivan 1
John H. Smith 1
Elias Smith - 1
Joshua Sears -..._ i
Stephen Shelton 1
5197
Persons Voted for as Councillors and Senators for the Dis-
trict of Suffolk, with the number of Votes for each person viz*.
Hon. John Phillips 5187
" Peter C. Brooks 5151
" John Welles 5112
" Jonathan Hunnewell 3304
" Benjamin Gorham 3387
William Sullivan Esqr. 3398
Hon. William Gray 1818
Samuel A. Wells Esqr. 1793
David Sears Esqr. 1813
James T. Austin _.. 59
Josiah Quincy 32
Henry Dearborn - 8 Abram Babcock - ... 1
Thomas Badger - 3 Artemas Ward - ... 2
Jacob Rhodes - 1 Nathaniel Goddard - - - 2
William Phillips - 2 Henry Orne 8
William Ingalls - 4 Isaac Winslow - - - - 2
Samuel P. Gardner 1 Joseph C. Smith - - - - 2
Thomas L. Win- Josiah Salisbury - ... 3
throp - - - 2 Russell Sturgis - - - - 3
140 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Joseph Coolidge Benjamin Hunnewell - - 1
Jr. . ... l James Lloyd 2
Samuel Brown - 4 Jeremiah Evarts - - - - 3
Isaac Dapee - - 1 Joseph Tilden .... 2
Samuel Hubbard - 5 Moses Wallack - - - - 1
Amos Binney - - 1 David Townsend - - - - 1
Jesse Putnam - 3 William Gale ----- 1
Lemuel Shaw - - 1 Samuel A. Walley - - - 1
Peter O.Thacher - 2 James Perkins - - - - 1
James Prince - - 1 Charles Willis - - - - 1
George Blake - - 1 Henry White ---.-- 1
William P. Felton 1 Benjamin Whitman - - - 2
Benjamin T. Wells 1 Charles Davis - - - - 1
John Minchin - - 1 William Jennings 1
Ebenezer Kick- Samuel Salisbury - - - 1
shins - - - - 1 Ebenr. Clough - - - - 1
Attested Copies of return of Persons Voted for as Governor
Lieutenant Governor, Counsellors & Senators for the District of
Suffolk, were sealed up in Open Town Meeting, (after the
Vote had been declared) to be transmitted to the Secretary of
the Commonwealth, as prescribed by Law, and directed as
follows, viz*.
" To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
Votes of the Town of Boston, for Governor & Lieutenant
Governor, sealed up in Open Town Meeting."
"To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Votes of the Town of Boston, for Six Senators and Counsellors,
for the District of Suffolk, sealed up in Open Town Meeting." —
The Meeting was then Dissolved.
Attest
S. F. McCleary Town Clerk pro tern.
[243.] At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston of twenty one Years of age & upwards qualified as
the Constitution prescribes, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the
15th day of May A.D. 1820.
10 °Clock A.M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Eaton.
Warrant for Calling the Meeting, read.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 141
Paragraph of the Constitution relative, to the choice of Repre-
sentatives, read. Also the Laws of the Commonwealth regulat-
ing Town Meetings and relating to the qualification of Voters,
were read. —
A Communication from the Assessors was read, wherein it was
stated that ' ' they have not yet completed taking the Polls in all
the Wards the present Year. — the whole number found the last
Year was eleven thousand one hundred & ninety Seven, and so
far as they have already progressed, they have no hesitation in
saying, that the number will not be diminished the present
Year. — "
Voted to proceed to the Choice of Fifteen persons to represent
this Town in the General Court the present Year. —
Voted, That the Poll be closed at 2 °Clock P.M.
The Votes being collected, Sorted & Counted it appeared thai
the whole number given in was 2498
Necessary to make a choice 1250 the
following Gentlemen had the number of Votes set against their
respective names and were declared to be duly elected.
Representatives for the Year ensuing — viz1.
[244.] Josiah Quincy 1482 Benjamin Russell - 1500
Warren Button 1551 William Tudor - - 1549
Lemuel Shaw 2446 William Sturgis - 1555
Samuel Hubbard 2460 Joseph Coolidge Jr. 1556
Heman Lincoln 2464 Edmund Winchester 2445
Nathan Hale 1570 George Bond - - 1522
Joseph Austin 1542 Francis C. Gray - 1567 and
Theodore Lyman Jr. 2377 —
The following Gentlemen, had the number of Votes set against
their respective Names. — viz1.
Benjamin Whit- Josiah Salisbury - - - 953
man - - - 938 David Sears 931
James T Austin 936 Jeremiah Evarts - - - 953
John Brazer - - 897 James Loring .... 950
Thaddeus Page - 913 Samuel A. Wells - - - 923
John P. Boyd - 902 D. Messinger - - - - 3
S. E. Dwight - 3 Henry Dearborn - - - 2
Theodore Lyman 2 L. Packard Jr. - - - - 1
J. Levering - - 1 Benj. Rich ----- 1
George Hallett - 1 Sam1. L. Knapp ... 2
Js. Thorndike - 1 Jos. Hall Jr. 1
Wm. R. Gray - 1 Jona. Whitney - - - - 1
Thomas Badger - 5 B. P. Tilden 4
Joseph Eustis - 1 Thomas Baldwin ... 2
142
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
G. King - - -
Jona. Simonds -
J. N. Howe - -
David Mosely -
Fitch Tufts - -
Mat. M. Hunt -
Sam1. Dorr - -
Issac Stevens
J. C. Rainsford -
F. Welsh - - -
E. Ticknor - -
Henry Rice - -
John Fox - - -
James Prince
John Campbell -
D. W. Child - -
[245] H. Purkitt - -
L. Tappan
Ch8. Tappan - -
Joel Thayer - -
Joseph West- -
Arnold Welles -
D. Baxter - -
Jacob Hall - -
Sam1. Hitchborn
Henry H. Fuller
Jacob Rhodes
Wm. B. Bradford
H. G. Otis - -
Joshua Child
Alex Bliss - -
Caleb Adams
Timothy Wil-
liams - - -
Aaron Hill - -
John Dorr - -
Jos. Grafton - -
John D. Dyer -
John Brown - -
John Cotton - -
Elisha Ticknor -
T. Vose - - -
Eben Fro thing-
ham - - - -
Sam1. Whitwell -
Fredk. Cabot -
Sam1. Brown -
R. G. Shaw - -
Jona. Loring - -
S. Parkrnan Jr. -
1
T. K. Jones -----
1
1
T. L. Winthrop - - - -
4
1
D. Hale Jr.
1
2
Jos. Coolidge -
1
1
William Gray - - - -
8
1
Henry Orne - - - - -
8
4
James Savage - - - -
2
1
R. B. Callender - - - -
1
1
Wm. Ingalls
1
4
Josiah Vose
1
1
David W. Bradlee - - -
1
1
Dan1. Wild - - - -
1
1
Otis Everett
1
1
Sam1. F. Armstrong - -
4
1
Wm. Minot
1
2
4
Wm. Little
4
1
J. C. Ballard - - - -
1
1
Alfred Curtis ... -
1
1
George Odiorne - - - -
4
i
fi W (Hid
i
X
2
Dean Willis
JL
1
4
Geo. Frothingham - - -
1
1
Fra James -
1
i
DVinnl
I
i.
1
Wm. Gale
2
3
S. H. Walley - - - -
2
1
John Levering - - - -
1
2
1
1
Thomas Wigglesworth - -
1
1
Thomas Jackson - - -
1
1
1
i
James S. Lovell - -
1
1
Archibald McNeill - - -
1
TTHflCi Smith
1
1
Tho. Melville - - - -
1
2
Jos. Foster - - . - -^
1
1
James Phillips - - - -
1
1
Asa Whitney - - - -
1
2
Barz Holmes
1
2
Phineas Upham - - - -
1
1
Edmund Wright J1. - -
1
T g \ 1 »i -rv^o
1
1
Peter C. Brooks - - - -
1
4
T. Goddard - - - - -
1
1
Turner Phillips - - - -
1
4
Sam1. Appleton - - - -
1
5
Jona. Phillips - - - -
1
1
Ebenr. Francis - - - -
1
1
Josiah Whitney - - - -
1
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820-
143
Franklin Dexter 1
Jesse Putnam - 2
Ephm. Marsh - 2
Geo. Burroughs - 1
Jos. Tilden - - 2
Nath1. Curtis - 1
S. Snelling - - 1
David Stanwood 1
J. Kilharu - - 1
R. D. Tucker - 1
Theo Bainbridge 1
Tho8. Sawyer - 1
John G. Rodgers 1
James Sabine - 1
Benja. West - - 1
[246] H. Homes - - 1
B. Rand - - - 1
S. Bean - - - 1
Amos Fitch - . 1
David C. Mosely 2
Martin Brimmer 1
Sam1. Billings - 2
Jona. Loring - - 1
J. Dorr - - - 1
Gidney King - - 1
D. Webster - - 1
A. Peabody - - 1
John Fitch - - 1
David Hale -
James Smith -
Dan1. Dunton
Henry Emmons -
Wm. Wells - -
Jona. L. Austin -
Redford Webster
Tho. Hunting -
W". Jackson
Ch8. Davis - -
Isaac Winslow -
David Henshaw -
J. C. Ransford -
Jos. Woodward -
Ensign Lincoln -
Benj. Rich - -
Moses Grant- -
R. Faxon - - -
Fredk. Weld - -
Jos. Grafton - -
E. Jones -
T. Motley -
Jer11. Fitch - -
H. G. Otis Junr.
John Cotton - -
F. Bassett - -
John Clark -
J. Phillips - -
Declaration of the State of the Votes being made, The Meeting
was Dissolved
Attest
Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
At a Meeting of the Male Citizens of the Town of Boston,
liable to be taxed, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 29th. day
of May A.D. 1820 — 9 °Clock A.M.
Warrant for Calling the Meeting — read.
Stephen Codman Esqr. was chosen Moderator.
William Dall Joshua Davis
Thomas Dawes Peter O. Thacher
Barzillai Homes and George Bond Esqrs.
were chosen Trustees of Neck Lands.
George Darracott Esqr. was chosen a Fire ward.
144 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[247.] Francis J. Oliver Esqr. Rev. Nath1. L. Frothingham
Benjamin Russell and John G. Coffin Esqrs.
were chosen to supply the vacancies in the School Committee.
Thomas Hammond, was chosen Pound Keeper at South Boston.
Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to cause a Pound
to be built on G Street South Boston.
Thomas Hammond Jeremiah Cotting and
Simon J. Stoddard
were appointed Hogreeves, Hay wards & Field Drivers for the
Year ensuing.
Joseph Cabot John Kimball
Joseph Harris and William Andrews
were chosen Field Drivers for the Year ensuing.
The Petition of a number of the inhabitants "That a new
School House may be erected at the Westerly part of the Town ' '
was referred to the School Committee.
The Committee to whom was referred the Application of John
T. Apthorp & Benjamin Gorham Esq™. in Behalf of the Boston
& Roxbury Mill Corporation have attended the duty assigned
them & ask leave to Report.
At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Boston on
the 11th. day of June 1813. — on the Petition of Isaac P; Davis
and others for liberty to build a Mill Dam & Turnpike Road
from the bottom of Beacon Street and for other Mill Improve-
ments.— it was Voted, to refer the same to a Committee, con-
sisting of the [248] Board of Selectmen & one Gentleman
from each Ward in the Town, to consider the subject and report
at a future Meeting. —
The Committee thus appointed reported in favor of the request
of the petitioners on certain conditions expressed in their report,
allowing them five years from the first day of January 1815 — to
complete their Work — Provided however, that in case said Cor-
poration shall fail to perform either of the above conditions
within the time aforesaid then the grant from the Town of Boston
shall be wholly Void, and the land and flats shall revert to the
town. — Your Committee are well aware that the Work is not
completed, and that the property then conditionally conveyed has
reverted to the Town.
Your Committee have confined themselves principally to the
consideration of the interests of the town, and as they are satis-
fied the delay in the completion of this Work was not the fault of
the corporation, but the effect of circumstances, beyond their
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 145
control, they recommend that an extension of time be allowed the
Proprietors of the Boston & Roxbury Mill Corporation, under all
the conditions, limitations & restrictions originally prescribed,
of Two Years from the first day [of J January 1820. —
submitted by Eliphalet Williams,
by order of the Committee.
The foregoing Report was Read & Accepted. — And —
Voted, That the Proprietors of the Boston and Roxbury Mill Cor-
poration be allowed two years from the first day of January
1820 — to complete their Works, agreeably to the Report. —
[249.] The Committee to whom was referred the Application
of Joseph Balch and Others to continue the range of Tombs in
the South Burying Ground — have attended that service and ask
leave to Report. —
That by a Law of this Commonwealth passed 20t]?. June
1816 — The Board of Health of the Town of Boston are fully
authorized & empowered from time to time to make and establish,
such rules orders and regulations, for the interment of the Dead
in said Town, — to establish the Police of the burying grounds,
appoint and locate the places for the deposit of the dead in said
town, and to cause the burying grounds to be repaired and prop-
erly enclosed. —
Your Committee are therefore unanimously of opinion that the
application of the petitioners ought to be referred to the Board
of Health who only are empowered to act in the premises.
Submitted by Eliphalet Williams,
Chairman of the Committee.
The above Report was read and Accepted. —
The Committee appointed to consider the application of Daniel
Baxter and Others " To see if the Town will Lease to the Free-
masons the rooms over the first Story in the Old State House, "
made a report against the petitioners which was not accepted ;
the subject after a lengthy debate was indefinitely postponed.
The Article in the Warrant relating to the Claim of Mess".
David Hinckley & Luther Ellis was taken up, and after a short
debate, the subject was dismissed. —
[25O.] The Application of Lemuel Packard Junr. & Others
' ' to take into consideration the expediency of uniting the Offices
and duties of the County & Town Treasurers, was read and re-
ferred to the Committee of Finance, to consider the Subject and
report thereon at the Adjournment of this Meeting. —
It was Voted, to fill the Vacancy at the Board of Selectmen ;
and the adjournment of this Meeting was assigned as the time
for this purpose. —
146 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Subscribers having been appointed a Committee by a Vote
of the Town on the 21st day of March 1820. — " to Audit the
Accounts of the Town Treasurer, with directions to report the
sura necessary to be raised, for the services of the present
Year. — Report that they have so far attended that service as to
examine the Treasurer's Accounts for all Monies received and
paid by him from the 10th day of May 1819 to the 22nd day of
May 1820. — with all the Vouchers. — That they find the same
correctly stated, well vouched & right cast : by which it appears
that there remains a balance due to the Town, in the hands of the
Treasurer of Forty five thousand, one hundred and Seventy dol-
lars & T7ffeff up to the said 22d day of May instant. —
With regard to the remaining part of the duty assigned them
by their Commission, viz1, to Report the sum necessary to be
raised for the services of the present year, the Committee would
observe, that since the establishment of a Standing Committee of
finance, who are composed of the members of the Boards of
Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor & Health for the time being,
that Service has been performed by them, and therefore this
Committee [251] beg leave to refer the town, to their Report
on this subject, which they presume will be made at this
Meeting. —
Your Committee take this Occasion to congratulate the Town
on the pleasing situation of their Monied concerns, it appears
by the Treasurer's Accounts, that the Town is .now entirely
free of debt, and that a handsome sum remains in the Treas-
ury. — This very happy state must be attributed to the liberality
& punctuality of the citizens in promptly discharging the duties
the}7 owe each Other, by their readiness to pay their taxes, as
well as to the good arrangements of the Treasurer & Collector,
in the discharge of his duty.
All which is respectfully submitted
Step Codman ^
Francis J. Oliver }- Committee.
Rob*, G. Shaw )
The foregoing Report was read and Accepted.
The Report of the Committee of Finance was Ordered to be
printed.
Adjourned to Thursday the 8th day June next at 10 °Clock
A.M.
[252.] Thursday June 8th. Met according to adjournment.
Eighth Annual Report
of the Committee of Finance.
The Committee of Finance consisting of the Selectmen, Over-
seers of the Poor and Board of Health, have attended to the duty
assigned them by the Town, and present the following report.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 147
That they have carefully examined the Books and Accounts of
the Treasurer & Collector, which they found to be clearly and
accurately kept and adjusted ; that they have examined the Books
& Accounts of the Board of Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor
& Board of Health for receipts and expenditures in their several
departments, all of which they found accurately adjusted ; and
have examined generally into the monied concerns of the Town,
and present the following Statements as the result of their inves-
tigations. —
N°. 1.
The Amount of Taxes Assessed in 1819 was as follows viz*.
State Tax 22,061.33
Town & County Tax - - - 147,797.77
$169,859.10
Amount received by the Treasurer, on
Account of said Taxes 156,293.90
Amount of Abatement of Taxes agree-
ably to certificates of the Assessors - 8,073.20
Balance Uncollected 5,492. —
169,859.10
[253.] Amount received by the Treasurer on Account of
Uncollected Taxes of preceding Years and outstanding at last
settlement
1813 & 1814 43.40
1815 111.—
1816 190.30
1817 349.80
1818 2,661. 3
1819 156,293.90
$159,649.43
whole Amount received for Taxes by the Treasurer from May
1819 to May 1820 $159,649.43.—
N°. 2.
The Town of Boston in Account with A. Sigourney Treas1. - Dr.
1819
May 10 To amount due the Com-
monwealth on Tax of
1818 10,000.
To Amount due County
of Suffolk on d°.— - 8,000
148 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
d° on Selectmens &
Overseers drafts - - - 3,717.43
1820
Jany. 10. To Cash paid Boston
Bank for my Note as
Treasurer, dated Octr.
1. 1819 10,000.—
Feb?. 29 To ditto Massachusetts
Bank for d°. dated
Aug1 --.:.. 10,000.—
41,717.43
April 10. To ditto Elizabeth Brad-
lee for d°. dated Decr.
10. 1818 6,000.—
28 To ditto Commonwealth
Tax for 1819 - - - 22,061.33
" To ditto County of Suf-
folk d°. 15,871.—
" To ditto Interest on Sun-
dry Notes ---. 1,023.80
" To John Stuarts Note - 125. —
*• " J & A Huntings d°. - 40. —
45,121 13
Amount of the Board
of Healths drafts
from June 11th to
Decr. 27th. 1819 in-
clusive - ... 9,000. —
Amount of the Over-
seers drafts from
June 2nd. 1819 to
May 3rd. 1820, in-
clusive - --- 32,518.76
Amount of Selectmens
drafts from May
318t. 1819 to May
3. 1820 inclusive - 94,967.92
Carried over - ... $136,486.68 86,838.56
[254.] Amount brought forward, 136,486.68 86,838.56
Amount of d°. for Boylston
Town Schools from 31st. May
1819 to Novr. 29th. inclusive, 1,397.89 137,884.57
Counterfeit Bills received for
Taxes 11.—
1820
May 22. Balance due the Town to
New Account - - - 45,170.76 45,181.76
$269,904.89
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 149
The Town of Boston in % with A Sigourney Treasurer. Cr.
1819
May 10. By Balance due the Town Tr % of this
date, rendered 43,973.69
29 By Cash of Jabez Hunt-
ing for his Note - - 90 . —
June 1 By d°. of Jacob Tidd Jr.
ford0. 378.—
July 2 By d°. of Wm. Tukesbury
in part of d°. - - - 354.—
July 24 By d°. of Rea & Wright
in part of d°. - - - 100.—
24. By Cash of A Moore in
part of his Note - - 39 . 2
29. By d°. of the State Treas-
urer for the maintain-
ance of State Paupers
to June 1 - - - - 8,088.24
9,049.26
Aug*. 30. By d°. of Massachusetts
Bank for my Note as
Treasurer - - - - 10,000. —
Sep*. 11. By d°. of Wm. Wetmore
in part of his Note - 100. —
27 By d°. of Wm. Wetmore
in full of his Note - - 135. —
Octr. 2. By d°. of Boston Bank for
my Note as Treasurer, 10,000. —
20,235.—
1820
Jany. 7. By d°. of Uriah Cotting
balance of Bond - - 516. —
" 15. By d°. of Abraham Moore
in part of his Note - 14.90
Mar. 14 By d°. of State Treasurer
for Maintainance of
State Paupers to DecM, 8,495.86
By d°. of Ralph Haskins
by Lemuel Shaw Esqr.
for paving Tremont and
Court Streets - - - 13.68
April 26. By d°. of Ward N. Boyl-
ston in part of his Bond, 5,000. —
29 By d°. of Rea & Wright, 100.—
May 18 By d°. of Abraham Moore
balance of his Note - 70.8
14,210 52
150 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
20 By d°. for Licenses to
Auctioneers - - - - 124. —
By d°. for d°. to Hackney
Carriages - ... 74. —
By d°. for breaches of
Laws 79.33
By d°. of the Fire Wards
their proportion of the
fines received for breach
of Gunpowder Laws - 62.8
May 20. By Cash of Militia
Exempts ----- 258. —
By Balance due on Select-
mens & Overseers
drafts 226.24
823.65 87,468.47
1820
[255.] May 20. By Amount
Brought Forward - - 823.65 87,468.47
May 20. By Cash recd. for Interest
on Bonds & Notes 3483.2
4,306.67
By Cash recd. for Rent of
Lands on Neck - - - 186.20
By Cash reed. for Rent on
Prince & Merrimack
Streets ..... 31. —
By Cash recd. for Hay
Scales 297.47
By Cash recd. for House
in Union Street ... 48. —
By Cash recd. for Stalls
& on Market - - - 9694.74
By Cash recd. for Stalls &
Cellars under Faneuil
Hall 4002.50
By Cash recd. for Shops
& Offices in Old State
House 4220.41
18,480.32
By Cash recd. for Taxes
of 1813, 1814, 1815,
1816, 1817, 1818 &
1819 159,649.43
$269,904.89
Boston 22 May 1820.
Errors Excepted
Andrew Sigourney — Town Treasurer
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820.
151
N°. 3.
Statements of the Debts & Credits of
May 1820.
Town of Boston --------
To Selectmen of Boston - - - -
" Overseers Drafts - - - - -
" Selectmens d°. ----- -
" Boylston Town Schools ...
" Unliquidated Accounts - - -
the Town of Boston
Dr
1230.—
187.45
38.79
7738.10
5182.67
Balance in favor of the Town - -
Town of Boston Cr.
By Ward N. Boylston Bond - - - 10,000
" Jacob Tidd Junr 1512
" John Hancock 930
" Joseph Rowe 535.50
" Rea & Wright 500.—
" John Stuart 125.—
" Isaac Rand 46.20
" J. & A. Hunting 40.
Carried Forward - - - - 13688.70
[356.] By Amount Brought
Forward 13688.70
By William Tewksbury - 17.55
By Commonwealth of
Massachusetts - - - 7000. —
By Uncollected Taxes - - 1500. —
By Cash in the Treasury - 45170.76
14377.01
53.000
67377.01
67,377.01
Boston May 22, 1820.
Errors Excepted
Andrew Sigourney Town Treasurer.
Dr. Boylston Town Schools in % with the Town of Boston. Cr.
1819
June 1 To Cash pr. Sun-
dry bills
July To Cash
Aug4. " do
Novr " do
Decr " do
- 923.14
- 7617
- 250.63
- 54.—
- 93.95
1819
May 10, By Balance
due as pr. account of
this date - - - 8691.33
Int*. on do. 1 year - 521.47
1397.89
Interest on the above
sums - - - - 76.81
1474.70
1820
May 22 To balance to
New Ace*. - -
7738.10
9212.80
9212.80
152 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
N°. 4.
Statement exhibiting the Amount of Debts now due from the
Town of Boston ; the Amount which will Accrue for Expendi-
tures the Year ensuing, the Amount to be received from the
various Sources of revenue enumerated, and the amount to be
Assessed upon the Inhabitants to meet and pay the balance. —
Amount now due Tr. Statement N° 3 • 14377.1
d°. required by the Board of
Selectmen ----- 56445. —
d°. required by the School
Committee 28000.
d°. required by the Board of
Overseers of the Poor - 30000.
d°. required by the Board of
Health 9000.
d°. required by the Primary
School 8000.
d°. required for State Tax - - 22061.33
d°. " " County Tax - 20000.—
d°. Probable expence of a New
School House - - - - 10000.—
$197,883.34
[257.] Amount of Balance in the Treasury - - 45,170.76
Rents of Market, Town House &c - - 16,000. —
Outstanding taxes estimated ... - 1500. —
62,670.76
Balance to be raised as follows : —
Amount assessed by State
for State Tax - - - - 22,061.33
Amount assessed by State
for County Tax - - - 20,000.—
Amount assessed by Town
for Town Tax . . . 93,151.25
135,212.58
$197,883.34
The Committee therefore recommend that a Tax of One hun-
dred & four thousand Dollars, be levied to pay the Current
expenses of the Year, which amount includes a sum of ten
thousand Dollars as a provision to meet the probable Amount of
abatements of taxes. —
Submitted by order of the Committee of Finance.
Eliphalet Williams, Chairman.
Selectmens Room May 24, 1820.—
BOSTON Towx RECORDS, 1820. 153
•The" foregoing Report was Read and Accepted. — And Voted.
That the sum of One hundred & four thousand dollars be raised
by a tax, to be Assessed upon the Polls and Estates of the Inhab-
itants of the Town to defray the expenses of the Town the pres-
ent Year. —
Upon the representation & exhibition of the doings & pro-
ceedings of Andrew Sigourney Esqr. Treasurer & Collector of
taxes of the Town of Boston the last year.
Voted. That the Town of Boston approve of the conduct of
said Andrew Sigourney Esqr. in the said offices of Treasurer and
Collector, and that he has faithfully & fully as was in his power
completed the execution of his duty in said Offices, to which he
has been appointed as aforesaid, and that he be excused from all
delinquency or default in not having effected the full and com-
plete settlement of the taxes, by him to have been received or col-
lected according to Law. —
[258.] Voted. That the Town Treasurer, be authorized to
borrow with the approbation of the Committee of Finance, a Sum
not exceeding Seventy Thousand Dollars : if the same should be
found necessary for the service of the Town.
Voted. That the sum of eight thousand dollars appropriated
for primary Schools, be augmented to Eight thousand five hun-
dred the present Year. —
The Selectmen in conformity to a Law of this Commonwealth,
laid before the Town a list of persons they had Selected to serve
as Grand and Traverse Jurors at the Courts of this State, and at
the United States Courts. — The Report of the Selectmen waa
considered, and it was Voted, That the Town confirm their
doings. —
David W. Child Esqr. was chosen to fill the vacancy at the
Board of Selectmen, occasioned by the death of Hon Benjamin
Austin.
A Report from the Committee of Primary Schools was read
and referred to the School Committee, to consider & report
thereon at the adjournment of this Meeting.
The Committee to whom was referred the subject of uniting
the offices of Town & County Treasurers, requested further time
to report on that subject, which was granted.
Voted, That there be allowed & paid unto Hon. Thomas Dawes,
the sum of Seven hundred & fifty dollars for his Salary as Judge
of the Municipal Court the present Year. —
154 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[259.] Voted that there be allowed and paid unto Thomas
Clark, Town Clerk, the sum of one thousand dollars as his sal-
ary the present Year.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto each of the perma-
nent Assessors, the sum of one thousand dollars, as their Salary
for the present Year. —
The Subject of a Salary for the Town Treasurer & Collector
was referred to the adjournment of this Meeting.
The Subject of leasing the upper stories of the old State
House to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was again brought
before the Town and after debate was referred to the adjourn-
ment ; notice thereof to be given in the Public Papers. —
Adjourned to Thursday 22nd. Instant 10 °Clock A.M.
Thursday June 22nd. 1820 —
The Town met according to Adjournment at 10 °Clock A.M.
The Application of Joseph Stone & Others, " That the Town
would grant a sum of money towards defraying the expense of
removing the Gun House from Copps Hill & rebuilding the same
for the accommodation of the Artillery & Infantry companies "
was read & Committed to.
Eliphalet Williams Benjamin Whitman
Joseph E. Smith Thomas Badger and
Henry J. Oliver Esqre. to consider the subject and [26O]
Report at this Meeting.
The Committee informed the Town, that they were not ready to
report at this Meeting.
They requested further time ; which was granted.
The Committee of Finance to whom was referred the subject of
uniting the offices of Town & County Treasurer Report. — That
in their opinion the two offices may be united, and the duties per-
formed by one person ; They therefore recommend that a com-
mittee be chosen by the Town, to apply to the Legislature, to
obtain such an alteration in the Law relating to the Election &
Duties of the County Treasurer, as may be necessary to effect a
junction of the offices in one person. —
Submitted Pr. Order,
Eliphalet Williams Chairman.
Selectmens Room June 16th. 1820.
The foregoing Report was read and accepted and the Select-
men were chosen a Committee to apply to the Legislature for
such alterations in the Law, as may be necessary to effect the
object of the Report.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 155
The following Report was laid before the Town by the Chair-
man of the Committee of Finance. — Viz*.
At a Meeting of the Committee of Finance, at the Selectmens
Room June 13th. 1820.
Voted. That the sum of Twenty five hundred dollars per
Annum be allowed to the Town Treasurer & Collector for the
performance of the duties of those offices ; which sum is to in-
clude all the expenses of office, contained in the Accounts of the
Treasurer & Collector of the last Year, and paid by him.
Voted, that the Chairman prepare a report of the
proceedings of the Board on this subject, and present the same at
the next Town Meeting. —
Eliphalet Williams, Chairman per Order.
Selectmens Room June 13 h. 1820.
The foregoing Report was read & upon motion it was voted,
that the sum of two thousand, five hundred dollars, be allowed &
paid into the Town Treasurer and Collector, for the ensuing Year,
for his Salary, for Clerk hire, expenses of Office, and pay of his
Deputies. —
Voted, That the Town will Lease to the Grand Lodge of Massa-
chusetts, all the rooms, above the lower story in the Old State
House, except the two rooms, on Cornhill, for the sum of Six
hundred dollars per Annum, and upon such conditions as may
be agreed upon by said Grand Lodge & the Selectmen of the
Town.
The School Committee to whom was referred, the Report from
the Committee of Primary Schools. — Have given the Subject
such consideration as the time allowed them would permit. —
they ask for further time to consider the subject, with liberty to
report at some future Meeting of the Town.
Submitted by Order. — Eliphalet Williams, Chairman.
The foregoing Report was Read & Accepted, and further time
was allowed to the Committee agreeably to their request. —
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be presented to Stephen
Codman Esqr. for his able, faithful & impartial Services as Mod-
erator of this Meeting. -
The Meeting was then Dissolved.
Attest. Tho. Clark Town Clerk. —
156 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[^ 6 2.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & Other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Tuesday the 4th
day of July A.D. 1820 — 9 °Clock A.M.
Warrant for Calling the Meeting. — Read. —
Thomas Clark, was chosen, Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last Year, to make choice of a
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the Anniversary of Indepen-
dence, Reported, That they had chosen Theodore Lyman Junr.
Esqr. who had Accepted the Appointment.
Adjourned to the Old South Church, to meet at 12 "Clock M.
Met at the Old South according to adjournment where an Ora-
tion was delivered by Theodore Lyman Junr. Esqr. to commemo-
rate the Independence of the
United States of America.
Voted, That the Selectmen be and hereby are appointed a Com-
mittee to wait on Theodore Lyman Junr. Esqr. in the name of the
Town, and thank him for the elegant & spirited oration this day
delivered by him at the request of the Town, upon the Anniver-
sary of American Independence wherein were considered the feel-
ings, manners & principles which produced the great National
event, and the important & happy effects, general & domestic,
which have already, or will forever flow, from that auspicious
epoch and to request of him a copy, for the press.
[263.] Voted, That the Gentlemen, Selectmen be & hereby
are appointed, a Committee to apply to some able and learned
gentleman to deliver an oration, on the 4th. of July 1821. — that
day being the anniversary of the Independence of the United
States of America ; wherein the Orator is to consider the feelings,
manners and principles, which led to this great National event,
as well as the important and happy effects, which have already or
will forever flow from that Auspicious Epoch.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
[264.] At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 218t. day of
August A.D. 1820. 10 °Clock A.M.
Prayer by the Rev : Doctr. Baldwin.
Warrant for Calling the Meeting, Read
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 157
The Act of the Legislature of the Commonwealth for Calling
the Meeting, read, also an extract from a Law regulating Elec-
tions, was read. —
The Chairman of the Selectmen stated the question before the
Town, to be this. —
"Is it expedient that Delegates should be chosen to meet in
Convention for the purpose of revising or altering the Constitu-
tion of Government, of this Commonwealth." and requested all
those in favor of calling a Convention, to bring in a written ballot.
Yes : and all those opposed to the measure, a written ballot,
Wo.
Voted, That the Poll be Closed at 2 °Clock.
Upon the close of the Poll, it appeared that there were One
thousand & twenty nine Yeas, and Fifty Nays.
A Return was signed and directed to the Secretary of the Com-
monwealth, as the Act directs. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
Attest, Tho : Clark, Town Clerk. —
- [265.] At a Meeting of the Committee of Finance held by
adjournment at the Selectmens Room June 13th. 1820.
Present, the Chairman, Messrs. Billings, Child, Fennelly Fitch,
Babcock, Baxter and Wells, of the Selectmen. Mess™. Coolidge,
Webster, May, E. Phillips & Hall of the Overseers of the Poor,
and Messrs Whitman, Welch, Bass, Thayer, Homes & Bordman
of the Board of Health.
Voted, That the Board proceed to elect by ballot a Town Treas-
urer & Collector, for the Year ensuing & that Messrs. Welch &
May, collect, count & sort the Votes.
The Committee reported that they had attended the service
assigned them, and that the whole number of votes was nineteen,
and that they were all for Andrew Sigourney Esqr. who accord-
ingly was declared to be unanimously chosen.
Voted, That a Committee of three, be chosen by ballot to wait
upon Mr. Sigourney to inform him that the board had unani-
mously elected him Town Treasurer and Collector for the Year
ensuing ; the sum fixed as a Salary for the perfonnance of the
duties of those Offices, & to require of him the names of the
158 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
gentlemen, whom he proposes, to give as his Bondsmen on his
acceptance of the Offices, and report at the adjournment of this
Meeting. —
Voted, That the former Committee, collect, count, & Sort the
Votes. — The Committee reported the whole number of Votes to
be eighteen & that the majority was for Messrs. Whitman, Web-
ster, & Wells, who were declared to be elected. —
[266.] Doctr. Webster requested to be excused from the
service which was granted and Mr. Chairman was added to the
Committee.
A true Copy from the proceedings of the Committee of Fin-
ance. —
Attest Tho : Clark, Town Clerk. —
At a Meeting, in Convention, of the Selectmen, Overseers of
the Poor, and board of Health, at the Selectmens Room July 28th
1820.—
Present, Mr Chairman, Babcock, Billings, Wells, Loring, Child
& Fennelly of the Selectmen, Mess18. Perkins, Mackay, Snelling,
Coolidge, May, Bass, Webster & Hall of the Overseers, and
Messrs. Whitman, Homes, Bradlee, Davis, Carver, Thayer, Tiles,
ston, Otis, Bordman, Welch & Jackson of the Board of Health. —
S. A. Wells was chosen Secretary. —
The Chairman of the Committee chosen at the Meeting (of the
Committee of Finance) of the 13tb June to wait upon the Town
Treasurer and Collector and inform him of his appointment to
these Offices, Reported, that they called at the Treasurers
Office for the above purpose and were informed by his Clerk,
that the Treasurer was absent from Town and would be absent
many days ; That on return of the Treasurer, he waited upon &
informed him that he had been unanimously chosen Treasurer &
Collector for the Year ensuing. — Mr. Sigourney replied that
he declined accepting the Offices, and was ready to deliver up
the books & papers to any person or persons duly authorized
to receive them. — It was then moved by Mr. Whitman ; "That
the Convention now proceed to make choice of a [267] Treas-
urer & Collector for the Year ensuing. " which being put, after
some debate passed in the negative. —
On motion of Mr. Coolidge Wednesday next 10 "Clock A.M.
was assigned for the Choosing of a Town Treasurer and Collector
for the Year ensuing — It was Voted, that the Secretary be
requested to insert in the several newspapers, the Vote of this
Convention relative to a choice of Town Treasurer & Collector.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 159
The Committee chosen to examine the Books and to adopt some
mode relating to the disposition of the money of the Town in the
hands of the Treasurer &c. were requested to report at the
adjournment.
Voted, That all legal Meetings of the Convention must be
composed of a Majority of the members of each Board.
The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday next. —
At an Adjourned Meeting of the Convention, consisting, of
the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Board of Health at
the Selectmens Room August 2nd. 1820. Present Mr. Chairman,
Child, Billings, Loring, Fennelly, Babcock, Wells, Webster,
Perkins, Snelling, Hall, May, Bass, Coolidge, Mackay, Whit-
man, Thayer, Bordman, Bradlee, Carver, Welch, Jackson, Wil-
kinson, Otis, Tileston, Davis, Homes. — The Meeting being
called to order. — The Chairman laid before the Convention
Applications of the following persons for the Offices of Town
Treasurer & Collector. — Viz'. Peter Coffin, Gamaliel Bradford,
Andrew C. Dorr, John Pickens Jr. Daniel Munroe Jr. Charles
Hammatt, Samuel Norwood, Turner Phillips and Bryant P.
Tilden. — Whereupon it was — Voted, That, [268] the Con-
vention proceed by ballot for selection of Candidates for Town
Treasurer, and that the three candidates having the highest
number of Votes, shall be the candidates Voted for at a Second
trial for that office.
Voted, that a Committee be chosen to collect, sort and count
the votes and Messrs. Welch, May & Loring were chosen. — This
Committee reported, that they had attended to the duty, and
that the whole number of Votes was twenty seven, of which
Turner Phillips had 13. Bryant P. Tilden 8. Samuel A. Wells 2.
E. Williams 1. A. C. Dorr 1. John Pickens 1. Charles Hammat
1. The Three highest candidates being the first named were to
be voted for at the next trial, whereupon S. A. Wells declined
being considered a candidate. — The Committee then proceeded to
collect the votes, who retired and reported the whole number to be
27. — of which Turner Phillips had sixteen & Bryant P. Tilden
eleven, whereupon Mr. Phillips was declared to have been chosen. —
Voted, That the Convention now proceed to elect by ballot a
Collector for the Year ensuing and the same Committee was
chosen to collect, sort & count the votes ; who reported the whole
number to be twenty seven and that all were for Turner Phillips —
Voted, That the same Committee be requested to wait on
Turner Phillips and inform him that he had been chosen Town
Treasurer & Collector for the Year ensuing and to require the
names of his bondsmen.
The Committee reported that they had attended to the Service ;
that Mr. Phillips declared his acceptance of the offices, & pro-
posed Jonathan Hunnewell and Ebenezer T. Andrews as his
bondsmen.
160 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[269.] Voted, That the same Committee be requested to
retire and report, whether in their opinion the Bondsmen offered
by Mr. Phillips were good and sufficient sureties. —
The Committee reported that the Bondsmen were good and
sufficient, which report was Accepted.
Voted, That the Town Clerk be directed to make a record of
the proceedings of this Convention in the Town Records kept by
him, According to Law. —
Voted, that the vote passed at the last Meeting relating to the
number that is necessary to do business shall be amended to
read as follows. —
Voted, that all legal Meetings of the Convention and adjourn-
ments of the same, must be composed of a Majority of the
members of each board. —
Voted, that the Convention now resolve itself into a Com-
mittee of Finance. —
Attest S. A. Wells Sec*.
A true record of the Proceedings of the Convention
Attest
Tho : Clark, Town Clerk —
[27O.] At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhab-
itants of the Town of Boston, qualified to vote for Representa-
tives to the General Court of the Commonwealth held at Faneuil
Hall on Monday the 16th. day. of October A.D. 1820. 9 °Clock
A.M.
Prayer by the Revd. Mr. Dwight.
Warrant for Calling the Meeting, Read —
This Meeting was called in conformity to an Act of the Legis-
lature, and a proclamation by the Governor of the Common-
wealth, for the purpose of Choosing one or more Delegates, to
meet Delegates, from the Other Towns in Convention at the
State House, in Boston, on the third Wednesday of November
next, to take into consideration the propriety and expediency of
making any (and if any what) alterations or amendments in the
present Constitution of Government of the Commonwealth. —
The Chairman of the Selectmen having read the Governors
Proclamation ; stated to the Inhabitants, that by a return of the
rateable Polls, made by the Assessors, the Town was entitled to
send forty eight Representatives to the General Court of this
Commonwealth. Whereupon a Motion was made & seconded
BOSTON TOWN RECOEDS, 1820.
161
that the Town proceed to elect Forty five Delegates to represent
the Inhabitants of this Town, in the Convention to be held in
November next, which Motion being put by the Chairman, passed
unanimously in the affirmative. It was then voted to close the
Poll at 1 °Clock, P.M.
[271.] The Votes having been received, sorted & counted,
it appeared that the following (forty five) named gentlemen had
the number of Votes set against their respective names, and were
declared to be chosen — viz*.
His Honor William Phil-
lips
Hon. Isaac Parker
u Thomas Dawes -
" Daniel Davis
" Artemas Ward
Rev. James Freeman -
Hon. Josiah Quincy -
" John Welles - -
u Jonathan Hunewell
Thomas Melville Esqr.
Redford Webster Esqr.
Hon. Daniel Webster -
Benjamin Russell Esqr.
Warren Dutton Esqr.
John Cotton Esqr.
Joseph Tilden Esqr. -
William Harris Esqr. -
Rev. Paul Dean -
James T Austin Esqr.
James Savage Esqr. -
Rev. Henry Ware - -
Samuel A. Wells Esqr.
George Bond
1503
1285
1665
1078
1090
1081
1049
1090
1654
1074
1074
1223
1585
1072
1054
1089
1623
1638
1644
1058
1073
1208
969
Hon. William Gray -
Hon. Charles Jackson
" John Davis - -
" William Prescott
James Prince Esqr. -
Hon. John Phillips -
" Peter C. Brooks -
" Israel Thorndike
Rev. Thomas Baldwin
Hon. William Sullivan
George Blake Esqr. -
John T. Apthorp Esqr.
Daniel Messiuger Esqr
Joseph Coolidge Esq.
Lemuel Shaw Esqr. -
Doctr. John C Warren
Samuel Hubbard Esqr,
Eliphalet Williams Esqr
William Sturgis Esqr.
Heman Lincoln - -
NathanHale Esqr.
Lynde Walter - - -
1682
1091
1083
1096
1087
1689
1095
1050
1652
1535
1658
1066
1630
1058
1084
1078
1077
1640
1055
1613
1039
1573
Votes given for the following persons, who did not obtain a
Majority viz4. William Phillips 191*
Isaac Parker
Hon. Henry Dearborn - - 608
[272] Amos BinneyEsq1. 599
Benjamin Whitman Esqr. 591
Benjamin Rich Esqr. - - 608
Daniel Baxter Esq1. - - 604
Doctr. Wm. Ingalls - - 597
Hon. Jonathan Mason - 574
William Foster Junr. - - 579
Joseph Hall Esqr. - - - 602
Stephen Codman Esqr. - 576
John P. Rice .... 579
Giles Lodge 560
Thomas B. Wait - - - 589
- - - - 193*
Revd. William Jenks - - 595
Samuel H. Walley Esqr. - 602
William Little Esqr. - - 602
S L Knapp Esqr - - - 593
David Sears Esqr. - - - 597
John Bellows - - - - 567
Rev. Daniel Sharp - - - 594
Col Thomas Badger - - 600
Col Thad8 Page .... 584
George Hallet .... 603
Joseph Jenkins - - - - 577
Rev. Hosea Ballou - - - 579
Davis C. Ballard - - - 593
162
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Thomas K. Thomas
Samuel Billings - - -
John Lowell - - - -
Horace Bean ...
John Brazer - - - -
Josiah Rainsford
Tho8. Wigglesworth
Francis J. Oliver - -
John Gallison - - -
Nathan Webb - - -
Rev J G Palfrey - -
William Donnison - -
Jona. Amory - - -
Thomas Jackson - -
John Bryant - - - -
William B. Bradford -
Henry Orne - - - -
Thomas L. Winthrop -
Martin Brimmer
William R. Gray - -
Isaac Winslow - - -
Aaron Dexter -
Samuel Brown - - -
Richd. D. Tucker - -
Dr. James Jackson
Benjamin West - - -
Josiah C. Rainsford -
Simon Wilkinson - -
Rev Asa Eaton - - -
George Sullivan - -
[273] Turner Phillips
Reuben Carver - - -
J. Frothingham -
James Ridgway - - -
J. C. Jones - - - -
Jesse Putnam ...
Wm Channing - - -
J. C. Merrill - - -
Wm D. Sohier - - -
Thomas Kendall - -
William Minot - - -
Jos Salisbury - - -
Edward Tuckerman
S. D. Parker - - -
George G. Channing -
Samuel Hastings - -
Isaac Stevens - - -
S. A. Shed ....
Joseph May - - - -
John Baker - - - -
- 566
- 19
- 9
7
- 6
5
5
- 5
- 4
4
- 4
- 4
- 3
- 3
- 3
3
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 16
- 8
7
- 6
5
- 5
5
- 4
- 4
- 4
- 2
2
- 2
2
2
2
- 2
- 2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
- 2
1
- 1
Right Rev John Cheverus 410
- 3
- 3
3
- 3
3
- 4
- 3
- 3
- 2
- 10
H. G. Otis
Peter O. Thacher - -
Tho8. K. Jones - - -
Elbridge Gerry - - -
Sam1. Snelling -
David Townsend - -
Edward Jones - - -
Augustus Peabody - -
David Henshaw - -
Charles Hood ...
Revd. John Pierpont -
Rev Charles Lowell
AVilliam Gray - - -
Sereno E. D wight - -
Aaron Hill - ...
Arnold Welles - - -
Ebenr. Francis - _ -
Israel Munson - - -
Asa Whitney - - -
Rev Wm E. Channing -
Joseph Austin - - -
Daniel Carney - - -
Leach Han-is ...
James Perkins - - -
Francis Bassett - - -
Benja. Rand - - - -
D. W. Child - ---
John Richards - - -
Benja. Huntington - -
William Thurston - -
Sam1. Soley - - - -
Sam1. McClary ...
Thomas Eaton - - -
Henry Bass - - - -
Horace Gray - - -
Tho8. Parsons ...
Elijah Williams - - -
J. P. Boyd -
Rev Francis Parkman -
E. Gushing ....
Tho8. Savage - - -
S. K. Williams - - -
William Jackson - -
Jona. Symonds - - -
David Hale - - - -
James S. Lovel - - -
Abm H. Quincy - - -
Jacob Sternes - - -
5 &
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820.
163
William Gale .... 1
Isaac Harris ----- 1
Francis C. Gray - - - 1
Patrick Jackson ... 1
Thomas Dennie - - - - 1
Ab Babcock 1
Tho8 Howe ----- 1
A W Fuller 1
Nath Goddard - - - - 1
Theop8. Parsons - - - 1
Zeb Cook Jr. - - - - 1
Henry Hall 1
Joseph Adams - - - - 1
Patrick T Jackson - - - 2
Fitch Tufts 2
Edmund Wright - - - 2
Darius Boardman - - - 2
Gerry Fairbanks - 2
Caleb Loring - - - - 2
Benja. Wells 2
Daniel Adams - - - - 3
J. S. J. Gardner - - - 2
H. H. Fuller - - - - 2
J. D. Harris 2
E. Ticknor 2
Phineas Upham - - - - 2
Win8. Lewis 2
Robert Fennelly ... 1
Is Cook 1
Josiah Knapp - - - - 1
[274] Samuel Dorr - - 1
G. W. Otis 1
Thomas Vose - - 1
Nath1. Curtis - - - - 1
Sam1. Hichborn - - - - 1
W. J. Spooner - - - - 1
J. G. Coffin 1
H. K. May ----- 1
Nath1. Willis - - - - 1
Neheh Parsons - - - - 1
William Foster - - - - 1
William Brown ----- 1
Joseph Bradlee - - - - 1
Matthew Lodge - - 4
The0. Lyman Junr. - - 1
Benja. Joy 1
George Brinley - - - - 1
Joseph Eaton - - - - 1
Fra Barrett 1
Sam1. Parkman - - - - 1
Roland Hartshorn
Daniel Sargent -
Josiah Marshall
William Cochran
J. K. Simpson -
Jacob Hall - -
Thomas Motley -
H. J. Oliver
B. P. Tilden
Thomas Davis .
D. E. Powers -
Zeal Shidmore -
Joseph Balch
Alden Bradford -
Henry Purkitt -
Jona. Chapman -
Elijah Morse
Sam1 H. Howe -
John Belknap -
Elijah Loring
Amos Fitch - -
George Burroughs
Samuel Adams - "
S. P. Gardner -
T. Barnard - -
Dan1. Tuttle - -
Willard Phillips
Thad8. Clap - -
J. F. Boardman
Barza Homes
Lemuel Packard
George Cabot -
Timothy Bigelow
John D. Williams
John Hurd - -
Samuel Danforth
Joseph Head
Jona. Whitney -
Jona. Loring
Jacob Bigelow -
Joseph Balch
James Robinson
Tho : Minns -
Gardner Green -
Jerh Evarts - -
James Lloyd
John Pratt - -
Henry Lee - -
James Andrews -
164 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Benja Smith 1 Thomas Bradlee ... 1
John Randall .... 1 William Shimmin ... 1
John Callender ---- 1 Tho8 Ward 1
N. B. The whole number of Tickets given in
was 1708
necessary to make a choice — 855
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
Attest, Tho : Clark, Town Clerk.
[275.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston qualified to vote for Representatives
to the General Court of the Commonwealth held at Faneuil Hall
on Monday the 23rd. day of October A.D. 1820. 10 °Clock A.M.
Prayer by Rev : Mr. Ware
Warrant for Calling the Meeting, Read —
A Precept from the Governor and Council directing the Select-
men to call the Meeting, for Choice of a Member of Congress, in
place of Hon Jonathan Mason, resigned, was also read. —
Voted, That the Poll be closed at 2 °Clock.—
The Chairman of the Selectmen requested the Inhabitants to
prepare and bring in their Votes for a Representative for the
Suffolk District in the Congress of the United States.
Persons voted for a Representative, for the Suffolk District, in
the present Congress of the United States Viz. —
Hon : Benjamin Gorham ---. 1618
Samuel A. Wells Esqr. 842
Henry Orne Esqr. 652
Daniel Webster 2 Peter C. Brooks 1 - - - - 3
Daniel Brown 1 Samuel Billings 1 - - - - 2
William Blaney 1 Ebenr. Clough 1 - - - - 2
David Ellis 1 William Sturgis 1 .... 2
Benjamin Gorham for Senator 2
Whole number 3123
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1820. 165
[276.] A return of the doings of this Meeting was made
out, conformably to the printed direction of the General Court ;
— sealed up in Open Town Meeting, and directed to the Secretary
of the Commonwealth. —
Declaration of the State of the Votes, being made ;
The Meeting was Dissolved. —
Attest Tho : Clark, Town Clerk. —
[277.] At a Legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston, qualified to Vote for Representatives to the General
Court, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the 6th day of November
A. D. 1820.
10 °Clock, A. M.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Frothingham —
Warrant for Calling the Meeting, read.
Resolve of the General Court, regulating the Choice of Electors
of President & Vice President of the United States, read. — Also
a Precept from the Governor and Council, directing the Select-
men to call a Meeting for choice of a Member of Congress in
place of Mr. Mason resigned, there having been no choice at the
Meeting held on the 23rd Ultimo. — And the Law regulating the
Choice of Representatives to Congress, being read. —
The Chairman of the Selectmen requested the Inhabitants to
prepare and bring in their Votes, for one person as an Elector of
President & Vice President of the United States, for the District
of Suffolk, Also for Two persons, as Electors at large, Also for
one person as a Member of the Sixteenth Congress and for one
person as a Member of the Seventeenth Congress of the United
States. —
Voted, That the Poll be closed at Two "Clock
Persons, Voted for as an Elector for the District of Suffolk,
with the number of Votes for each person, viz1.
Hon: Daniel Webster 3404
Samuel Brown 1 — Henry Orne 1 2
David Ellis 1 — Winslow Lewis 2 3
Thomas H. Perkins ------------- 1
Hon : Henry Dearborn 209
166 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[278.] Persons, Voted, for as Electors at large — viz*
Hon : William Phillips 3431)
" William Gray 3455
" Henry Dearborn _.. 1
" Benjamin W. Crowninshield 173
" Levi Lincoln 175
Doddridge Spear 1 S. A. Wells 1 - - - - 2
Winslow Lewis 3 John Adams 1 - - - - 4
William Sullivan 1 Peter C. Brooks 1 .... 2
George Cabot 1 Joseph Storey 1 .... 2
Persons Voted for as Member of the Sixteenth Congress, viz1.
Hon Benja. Gorham _ 2187
Samuel A. Wells 1363
Samuel Hubbard 1 Jesse Putnam 50 - - - - 51
D. Webster 2 Louis Lincoln 1 - - - - 3
Wm. Ingalls 1 Wm. Sturgis 3 - - - - 4
Henry Orne 1 Wm. Little 2 - - - - 3
Fitch Tufts 2 Dan1. Adams I .... i 3
John Brazer 2 John Fitch 1 - - - - 3
Samuel Brown 2 John Welles 1 - - - - 3
Levi Dame one not designated —
Persons, Voted for as a Member of the Seventeenth Congress
viz*. —
Hon Benjamin Gorham 2187
Samuel A. Wells 1363
Jesse Putnam 49
Daniel Webster 2
Samuel Hubbard 1 Lewis Lincoln 1
William Ingalls 1 William Sturgis 3
[£79] Henry Orne 1 William Little 2
Fitch Tufts 2 Daniel Adams 1
John Brazer 2 Amos Fitch 1
Charles Hood 1 Samuel Brown 2
Winslow Lewis 1
Declaration of the state of the Votes, was made and three sev-
eral returns, were signed, sealed up in Open Town Meeting, and
directed to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
Attest, Tho : Clark, Town Clerk. —
1821.
[28O.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & Other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston, qualified to vote in Town Affairs, Assem-
bled in Faneuil Hall on Monday the 15th. day of January A.D.
1821. 10 °Clock. A.M.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 167
Warrant for Calling the Meeting. Read. —
Francis J . Oliver Esqr. was Chosen Moderator.
The Petition of Thomas K. Jones and Others. "That the
Town would permit them (at their own expense) to close a draw
under Merchants Hall, and to raise & pave Water Street in such
a manner as the waste water may be conveyed into the common
sewer in Kilby Street " was taken up and after some debate
committed to Messr8. Robert Williams, John Dorr, Joseph W.
Revere, Michael Roulstone, Josiah Marshall, Benjamin Whitman
and Samuel H. Wailey to consider the subject and report at a
future Meeting —
The Petition of William Payne and Others was read and the
following Bye Law passed, Viz*.
Bye Law.
It is hereby Ordered, That every Owner of unoccupied Land,
Tenant, or Occupant of Real Estate situated on any Street, Lane
or Alley within the Town of Boston, where there is a foot way
or side Walk, shall within twenty four hours after the falling of
Snow, cause the same to be removed from the said Foot Way or
Side Walk, under the penalty of Four Dollars, and the further
sum of Two Dollars for every twenty four hours [281] the
same may remain after the first forfeiture, to be sued for and
collected from either the owner of unoccupied Land, tenant or
Occupant of said Real Estate. Provided that no prosecution
shall be made under this Law, but by one of the Selectmen, or
some person Authorized by one of them. And provided also
that all fines or forfeitures recovered under this Law shall be
paid to the Treasurer of the Town of Boston for the Use of said
Town. —
Voted, That the Town Clerk be directed to Lay an attested copy
of the foregoing Bye Law, before the Justices of the Hon Court
of Sessions for their Approbation and Confirmation. —
Proceedings of the School Committee, respecting an English
Classical School. —
In School Committee June 17th. 1820.
Voted, That such of the Resolutions offered by S. A. Wells as
relate to the establishment of an English Classical School in the
Town of Boston, be referred to a Sub Committee of five, 'and the
following Gentlemen were Chosen. — Mr. Samuel A. Wells,
Rev : John Pierpont, Rev : Nath1. L. Frothingham, Lemuel
Shaw and Benjamin Russell EsqrB.
At a Meeting of the School Committee on the 26th October, the
above Committee made a report which was Read ; it was then
168 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, That it is expedient to establish an English Classical
School, upon the Plan stated in the Report in the Town of Bos-
ton, and that the further consideration thereof be referred to an
adjourned Meeting, and that it be printed for the Use of the
members of the Committee. —
[282.] At a Meeting of the School Committee on the 9th
November, 1820. the Report of the Sub-Committee on the Eng-
lish Classical School, having been printed for the Use of the
Board, was read and considered by paragraphs, Amended, and
Unanimously Accepted as follows
The Sub-Committee to whom was referred the resolutions
offered to the School Committee at a Meeting on the 17th June
proposing to establish an English Classical School in the Town
of Boston, having taken the subject of those resolutions into
consideration, and devoted to it that attention which its import-
ance demanded, Respectfully ask leave to Report. —
Though the present system of education, and the munificence
with which it is supported are highly beneficial and honorable to
the Town, Yet in the Opinion of the Committee it is susceptible
of a greater degree of perfection and usefulness without Materially
Augmenting the Weight of the public burdens. — Till recently
our system Occupied a middle Station : it neither commenced with
the rudiments of education, nor extended to the higher branches
of knowledge. — This system was supported by the town at a very
great expense, and to be admitted to its advantages, certain
preliminary qualifications were required at individual cost which
had the effect of excluding many children of the poor and un-
fortunate classes of the community from the benefits of a public
education. The Town saw & felt this inconsistency in the plan
and have removed the defect, by providing Schools, in which the
children of the poor can be fitted for admission into the public
seminaries.
[283.] The present system, in the Opinion of the Committee
requires, still further amendment. — the studies that are pursued
at the English Grammar Schools, are merely elementary, and
more time than is necessary is devoted to their acquisition. A
Scholar is admitted at seven, and is dismissed at fourteen Years
of Age ; thus seven years are expended in the acquisition of a
degree of knowledge, which with ordinary diligence and common
capacity, may be easily & perfectly acquired in five. If, then, a
Boy remain the usual term, a large portion of the time will have
been idly, or uselessly expended, as he may have learned all that
he has been taught long before its expiration. This loss of time
Occurs at that interesting and critical period of life, when the
habits and inclinations are forming by which the future character
will be fixed & determined.
This evil therefore should be removed, by enlarging the present
system, not merely that the time now lost may be saved, but that
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 169
those early habits of industry and application may be acquired,
which are so essential in leading to a future life of Virtue and use-
fullness.
Nor are these the only existing evils. The mode of education
now adopted and the branches of knowledge that are taught at our
English Grammar Schools, are not sufficiently extensive, nor
otherwise calculated to bring the powers of the mind into opera-
tion, nor to qualify a youth to fill usefully and respectably
many of those Stations, both public and private in which he may
be placed. — A parent who wishes to give a Child an education
that shall fit him for Active life, and shall serve as a foundation
for [284] eminence in his profession, whether Mercantile or
Mechanical, is under the necessity of giving him a different edu-
cation from any which our public Schools can now furnish. —
Hence many children are separated from their parents, an'd sent
to private academies in this vicinity, to acquire that instruction
which cannot be obtained at the public seminaries. — Thus many
parents who contribute largely to the Support of these institu-
tions, are subjected to heavy expense, for the same object in
other Towns.
The Committee for these and many other weighty considerations
that might be offered ; and in Order to render the present system
of public education more nearly perfect, are of Opinion that an
additional school is required. — They, therefore, recommend the
founding of a seminary to be called the English classical School,
and submit the following as a general outline of a plan for its
organization and of the course of studies to be pursued. —
I8t. That the term of time for pursuing the course of studies
proposed be three Years. —
2n<Uy. That the School be divided into three Classes, and one
Year be assigned to the studies of each Class. —
S^y. That the age of admission be not less than twelve Years.
4tmy. That, the School be for Boys exclusively.
5thly. That Candidates for admission be proposed on a given
day annually, but scholars with suitable qualifications
may be admitted at any intermediate time to an advanced
standing.
6thly. That Candidates for admission shall be subject to a strict
examination, in such manner as the School Committee
may direct, to Ascertain their qualifications [285]
according to these Rules. —
7tmy. That it be required of every candidate to qualify him for
admission, that he be well acquainted with reading,
writing, English Grammar in all its branches, & Arith-
metic as far as simple proportion. —
That it be required of the Masters & Ushers, as a necessary
qualification, that they shall have been regularly educated
at some University.
170 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Studies of the first Class to be as follows. —
Composition ;
Reading from the most approved Authors; — Exercises in
criticism, comprising critical analyses of the language,
grammar and stile of the best English Authors, their
errors and beauties ; Declamation ;
Geography ; Arithmetic, continued ; Algebra.
The Studies of the Second Class.
Composition ; Reading ; | ~
Exercises in Criticism Declamation ; Algebra : }
Ancient & Modern history & chronology ; Logic ; Geometry ;
Plane Trigonometry, and its application to mensuration of
heights and distances ;
Navigation ; Surveying ;
Mensuration of Superficies and Solids ;
Forensic discussions.
The Studies of the third Class. —
Composition ; Exercises in Criticism ; Decla- )
mation ; Mathematics ; Logic ; History, >• Continued
particularly that of the United States. )
[286] Natural Philosophy, including Astronomy ; Moral &
Political Philosophy.
To conduct a seminary of this description, the Committee are
of Opinion, that one principal Master, one submaster and two
Ushers, will be required ;
The Principal at a Salary of $1500 Pr. Ann
Sub Master 1200 — "-
Two Ushers, one at $700. one
at $600 1300 — " —
This sum in the opinion of the Committee, with other annual
expenses of Schools, will be adequate to the support of such an
institution. No additional building will be required; as those
which are now built, and authorized by the Town to be built will
be sufficient. —
The Committee therefore recommend, that an annual Appro-
priation of this sum, be obtained from the Town, and that a fur-
ther sum be raised either by private subscription, or from public
Munificence, to furnish the School, with the necessary instru-
ments and philosophical Apparatus. — The Committee are fur-
ther of Opinion, that the expense which would be incurred, by the
establishment, of such an institution, would be fully justified by
its great and manifold advantages — No money can be better
expended, than that which is appropriated to the support of pub-
lic Schools. — If anything will preserve tranquility and order in
a community, perpetuate the blessing of society and free govern-
ment and promote the happiness and prosperity of a people, it
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 171
must be the general diffusion of knowledge. — These Salutary
effects the Committee conceive would flow from the institution of
this seminary. — Its establishment, they think would raise the
literary and scientific character of the Town, would incite our
Youth to [287] a laudable ambition of distinguishing them-
selves in the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge, and would
give strength and stability to the civil and religious institutions
of our Country.
All of which is respectfully submitted by Order of the Commit-
tee. — S. A. Wells, Chairman
Boston Octr 26. 1820.
Voted that this Report with the proceedings thereon be printed
and distributed among the citizens of the Town, and that the
Plan of the School therein stated be recommended by this Com-
mittee to the people for acceptance. —
Voted, That the Selectmen be requested to carry this vote into
effect, and to call a public Meeting of the inhabitants of the
town to consider and act thereon at such time as they shall deem
expedient.
By Order of the School Committee
Eliphalet Williams Chairman
The foregoing plan for the establishment of an English Class/ -
cal School was read and after debate, was nearly unanimous^
Accepted by the Town, but three persons voting in the negative,
and the School Committee were Authorized to carry the same
into effect. —
And it was further, Voted, That the School Committee from
Year to Year, be & hereby are instructed to revise the course of
Studies proposed in the report this day made and Accepted for
the New School, and adopt such measures as experience shall dic-
tate and the object of its establishment require. —
The Petition of Benjamin Humphries and Others relating to
the Town Dock was read, & Committed to the Selectmen, and
one Gentleman from each Ward. The [288] following nomina-
tion was made from the Chair and accepted by the Town, viz*.
Ward N° 1. George Darracott Ward N° 2. Dr. R e d f o r d
" "3. Enoch Silsby Webster
" " 5. Henry Farnham " " 4. Nathaniel Alley
" " 7. Daniel Davis Esqr. " " 6. George W. Otis
" "9. Samuel May " "8. Francis Welch
" "11. Jona. Hunnewell " "10. Benja. Whitman
Esqr. Esqr.
" "12. John D. Williams
The Petition of Ephraim Hall and Others, to Ascertain what
measures the Town will adopt to defray the expense of laying a
172 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
large and expensive Common Sewer in and contiguous to Atkin-
son Street was read & referred to the Selectmen and Board of
Health. —
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to Francis J.
Oliver Esqr. for his faithful Services as Moderator of this Meet-
ing.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
Attest Tho : Clark, Town Clerk.
[289.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & Other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston, qualified to Vote in Town affairs,
Assembled in Faneuil Hall on Monday the 22nd day of January
1821. — 10 °Clock A.M.
Warrant for Calling the Meeting, read. —
Benjamin Russell Esqr. was chosen, Moderator.
The proposition of a number of the Inhabitants, that an appli-
cation may be made by the Town, to the Legislature for an altera-
tion in the Law, authorizing the taking the Valuation of Real &
personal estates for taxation from the first day of May to the
first day of February Annually, was Read & after some debate,
It was Voted, That a Committee be appointed to apply to the
Legislature at the present Session to authorize the Assessors of
the Town of Boston to take the Valuation on the first Wednesday
of February annually, instead of the first day of May. —
Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to petition the Leg-
islature agreeably to the foregoing Vote. —
The Committee to whom was referred the petition of Ephraim
Hall & Others, was requested to report at the next Meeting. —
Voted, That the Thanks of the Town be given to the Moder-
ator for his Services at this Meeting.
Then the Meeting was Diasolved. —
Attest, Tho : Clark, Town Clerk. —
[29O.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders& other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston, holden at Fanueil Hall on Monday the
12th. day of March A.D. 1821 at 10 o'clock A.M.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 173
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Lowell. —
Warrant for calling the Meeting read —
Law respecting the election of Town Officers read. —
Hon. John Phillips Esqr., was chosen Moderator. —
Thomas Clark, was chosen Town Clerk, for the year ensu-
ing. — The Oath of Office was administered to him by the Moder-
ator. —
Voted, That when this Meeting is adjourned, it shall be to
tomorrow at 10 o'clock A.M. and that time be assigned to
come to choose on the part of the Town of a Register of Deeds
for the County of Suffolk.
The Moderator directed the Inhabitants to prepare and bring
in their votes for Nine Selectmen.
Voted, That the Polls shall be closed at 12 o'clock.
At the close of the Poll it appeared the whole number of votes
given in for Selectmen, was, 2443
necessary to make a choice 1222
The following Gentlemen had the number of Votes set against
their respective names & were declared to be chosen. —
viz Eliphalet Williams Esq. - - 2420
Daniel Baxter 2235
Jona. Loring 1815
Abram Babcock 2289
David W. Child 2410
[291] Samuel Billings Esq. 2386
Jeremiah Fiteh 2289
Robert Fennelly 2388
Samuel A. Wells 2125
G. W. Otis had 436 George Hallet 224
E. Ticknor " 156 Adam Bent 94
N. P. Russell 30 and some scattering votes.
Hon. William Phillips Redford Webster
Thomas Perkins Samuel Snelling
William Mackay Joseph Coolidge
Jona. Phillips Samuel May
Henry Bass Edward Phillips
Joseph Austin and Gedney King
were chosen Overseers of the Poor & of the Workhouse for the
year ensuing.
174 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted. That the thanks of the Town be presented to Jacob
Hall & Edward Tuckerman Esq18. for their faithful services as
Overseers of the Poor for several years past. —
Thomas Melville Stephen Codman
Daniel Messenger Benjamin Smith
James Phillips Samuel M. Thayer
Joseph Lovering John D. Williams
Jona. Loring John Mackay
Lemuel Shaw Benja. Russell
Thomas Jackson Winslow Lewis
Amos Binney Enoch Silsby
Isaac Harris George W. Otis
Joseph Jones William Howe
Jona. Whitney Jeremiah Fitch
[292] Samuel A. Wells William Burrows
Samuel Hichborn Jr. Jonathan Thaxter
George Darracott William Sturgis
James Davis and George Trott Esq™.
were chosen Fire Wards for the year ensuing.
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be presented to Joshua
Davis, Nathaniel Curtis & Bryant P. Tilden. Esq1"8. for their
faithful services as Fire Wards for many years past.
Messre. Benjamin White John Howe Jr
William Clouston Richard Thayer
Nathaniel Bradlee Edward J. Robbins
Noah Doggett Henry Blake
Thomas Christy Moses Ayres Jr.
William Green Oliver Mills
Eleazer Homer Charles Tuttle
Joseph Stodder Samuel Ellison
Allan Bowker William Mills and
Nathaniel Glover Rolun [Rowland] Hartshorn
were chosen Surveyors of Boards and other Lumber.
[293.] Messra. Benja. White Nath1. Bradlee
John Howe Jr. Rolun [Rowland] Hartshorn
Roman us Emer-
son & Abel Hewins,
were chosen Fence Viewers for the year ensuing.
Mess". Henry Purkitt Benja. Clark
Benja. Owen James Brown and
Nathaniel Howe Charles Pook,
were chosen Cullers of Hoops & Staves. —
Mess1'8. Benjamin Clark Nathaniel Howe
Charles Pook Benjamin Owen
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 175
James Brown Jn°. F. Bannister
William Spear Jacob Barstow and
Ebenezer Perry. —
were chosen Cullers of Dry Fish. —
Mess". Joseph Cabot John Kimball
William Andrews Royal Oliver
were chosen Hogreeves, Haywards and Field Drivers for the year
ensuing.
Messre. Michael Homer
Francis James and
Samuel Sprague,
were chosen Inspectors of Lime. —
Samuel Emmons and James Phillips Esqra. were chosen Sur-
veyors of Hemp. —
Thomas Howe and John Tuckerman Esq™. were chosen Sur-
veyors of Wheat.
[294.] John Wells and Nathaniel Alley Esq18. were chosen
Assay Masters. —
The Selectmen were chosen Surveyors of High Way. —
Voted, That Stephen Codman, Francis J. Oliver and Robert G.
Shaw Esqrs. be, & hereby are appointed, a Committee to Audit
the Accounts of the Town Treasurer; and said Committee are
directed to report the sum necessary to be raised for the services
of the present year.
Voted, That the consideration of all Money matters, be referred
to the May meeting. —
Adjourned to tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock.
Met according to adjournment.
The Moderator directed the Inhabitants to prepare and bring
in their votes for a Register of Deeds for the County of Suffolk. —
Voted That the Poll be closed at half past 11 o'clock.
The Selectmen were appointed a Committee to receive, sort
and count the Votes. —
The Chairman reported that the Selectmen had received,
sorted & counted the votes for a Register of Deeds and that they
were for
176
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Henry Alline - - •
Samuel £lark - - •
Henry N. Rogers - •
Thomas Jackson - -
John Mackay - - •
[295] Charles Hammatt - 94
Gershom Cobb - - 71
Thomas Lewis - - 54
Ol. W. Champney - 44
John Marston - - 32
Henry Robinson - - 20
John Winslow - - 17
Lemuel P. Grosvener 15
I Ingalls .... 2
Ebenr. Andrews - - 1
D. Callender - - - 1
T Page 1
O. W. Champney - 1
J. T. Buckingham - 1
- - 1605
- - 175
- - 174
- - 120
- - 120
Henry Codman - - 88
David Higgins - - 70
James Foster - - - 52
Dudley Walker - - 36
Benja. Whitwell - - 27
Edmund Munroe - - 17
Leader Dam - - - 15
William Foster Jr. - 6
O. Champney - - - 1
N. Clark .... 1
B. Parsons- - - - 1
J. Brigham ... 1
J. H. Smith ... 1
Voted, That in addition to the Selectmen, twelve persons shall
now be chosen a School Committee, & the votes being collected,
it appeared that the following Gentlemen were chosen — viz —
Doct. Thomas Welsh Henry J. Oliver Esq.
Rev. Charles Lowell Lemuel Shaw
Francis J. Oliver Esqr. Rev. John Pierpont
William Wells " Daniel Sharp
Benja. Russell Doct. Jn°. G. Coffin
Rev. Nath1. L. Frothingham Rev. Paul Dean
Voted, That the above named Gentlemen who [296] con-
junctly with the Selectmen are termed the School Committee, be,
and hereby are directed, to carry the System of Education
adopted by the Town into operation ; and that said Committee
be also authorised & empowered conjunctly to manage and regu-
late the Government of the Schools ; and to execute all the
powers relative to the Schools and Schoolmasters which the
Selectmen or such Committees are authorised by the Laws of this
Commonwealth or by the votes of the Town to exercise. —
Voted, That the thanks of the Town be presented to Aaron
Dexter Esq'. for his able, impartial & faithful services, as a
member of the School Committee for thirty two years past.
The Petition of Abraham Gould and others ' ' That the Town
would appoint a Committee to superintend the Municipal con-
cerns of South Boston ' ' was read — also a remonstrance against
the said Petition, after some debate it was Voted, That the Peti-
tioners have leave to withdraw their Petition. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 177
The Petitions of Joseph May and others & of Thomas Howe
and others, on the subject of erecting a Work House were read —
Whereupon it was Voted, That the subject be referred to a Com-
mittee of thirteen, to be nominated from the chair: the said
[Committee] to consider the subject at large and report ; and that
the report be printed and distributed among the Inhabitants, and
the Selectmen are requested to call a Meeting to act on said
report. —
The following Gentlemen were nominated and [297] appointed
on the Committee — viz.
Hon. Josiah Quincy William Thurston
Joseph Lovering Abram Babcock
James Savage Samuel A. Wells
Henry J. Oliver James T. Austin
Francis Welsh Benja. Eich and
Joseph May Joseph Woodward Esqrs
Thomas Howe
The Subscribers, a Committee, to whom was referred, by the
Town of Boston, the Petition of Thomas K. Jones Esqr. & others
respecting a Drain, under the building called Merchants Hall,
situated on Water Street, in said Boston — have attended to the
duty assigned them and ask leave to report. —
That they have viewed the
said Drain, have examined the title, which the Town of Boston has,
to an interest in said Drain, & have heard the parties interested
in said subject, & are of opinion, and do report, that the said
Drain can be made tight, and so secured, as to prevent any mate-
rial injury to persons doing business in said Merchants Hall, at
no very great expence, and that the owners of said Merchants
Hall, are under obligation to the Town of Boston and that it is
their duty to keep said Drain in repair, so as to prevent any nui-
sance to the Inhabitants therefrom. — This [298] Committee
are further satisfied, that the inconvenience in the Cellar under
said Merchants Hall for several years past in the hot seasons,
has existed from said Drain not being sufficiently tight and secured,
and from the waste water from the streets flowing into said cellar ;
and this Committee cannot learn, that the owners of said Mer-
chants Hall, have, for several years last passed attempted, effect-
ually to remedy said evil — probably from a belief that it would
be impracticable to remedy the evil, but by removing the said
drain from under ye said building — This Committee however are
of opinion, that if the owners of said Merchants Hall shall put
the said drain in complete repair : raise the side walk adjoining
their said building, so as to prevent the water running on the
streets adjacent to the said building from entering the cellar of
the same, and fill up a part of said cellar, adjoining said drain,
in that case all nuisance from said drain would be prevented, and
178 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
the cellar under said Merchants Hall, be rendered inoffensive to
the citizens — This Committee therefore recommend, that it is
inexpedient, at present, for the Town of Boston, to take any further
order on this subject, untill after the owners of said Merchants
Hall, have attempted to remedy the aforesaid evil, in the manner
suggested, as aforesaid, by this Committee — all of which is
respectfully submitted by said Committee —
Robert Williams John Dorr
Benja. Whitman Josiah Marshall
Joseph W. Revere M. Roulstone
Boston Feby 24th. A.D. 1821. S. H. Walley
[299.] The foregoing Report was read and accepted. —
The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Joseph
Stone and others, to see if the Town would render them any
assistance in building a new Gunhouse at the north part of the
Town ; have attended that service and respectfully ask leave to
Report. —
That the land on which the Gun House now stands be appro-
priated, for the building of Tombs under the permission of the
Board of Health — and that the nett proceeds, which may be
realized from said appropriation, be applied towards erecting a
new Gun House, for the use of said company, on any land
belonging to the Town, which the Selectmen may appropriate for
that purpose, should the said Company wish for the same. —
By order of the Committee
Eliphalet Williams Chairn.
Boston March 10th 1821.
The above Report was read and accepted.
Voted, Unanimously, that the thanks of the Town be presented
to the Hon. John Phillips, for his able & impartial services as
Moderator of this Meeting.
Then the Meeting was Dissolved. —
Attest Thomas Clark, Town Clerk.
[3OO.] At a Meeting of the Male Inhabitants of the Town
of Boston, held at Faneuil Hall on Monday the second day of
April A.D. 1821. at 9 o'clock A.M.
Prayer by Revd. Mr. Wisner. —
Warrant for calling the Meeting read. —
The Constitution respecting the election of Governor, Lieuten-
ant Governor, Counsellors & Senators was read. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 179
The Chairman of the Selectmen requested the Inhabitants to
prepare and bring in their votes for Governor & Lieutenant Gov-
ernor of the Commonwealth and Six Senators for the District of
Suffolk.—
Voted, That the Poll shall be closed at 2. o'clock P.M.—
Persons voted for as Governor, with the number of votes for
each person — viz —
His Excellency John Brooks ------- 3088
Hon. William Eustis 1303
John Phillips 1
Joseph B. Varnum 1
Joseph Woodward ----- 1
Daniel Webster 1
Ebenr. Clough 1
Francis Waldo ------ 1
Napon. Buonaparte ----- 1
Rev. Hosea Ballou 1
4399
Persons voted for as Lieutenant Governor with the number of
votes for each person — viz —
His Honor William Phillips 3064
Hon. Levi Lincoln - 1319
[3O1] William Eustis - 2 Edw. H. Robbins - - - 1
Josiah Quincy - - - - 1 William Gray - - - - 1
Elisha Ticknor - - - l Elias Smith - - - - 1
George Bond - - - - 1 George Read - - - - 1
Sam1. Adams - - - - 1 Simon Gardner - - - 1
Persons voted for as Counsellors and Senators for the District of
Suffolk, with the number of votes for each Person — viz.
Hon. John Phillips 3074
" John Welles 3059
" Jona. Hunnewell - 3011
Joseph Tilden Esqr. - - - - - - - - - 3040
Warren Dutton 2719
Lemuel Shaw 2747
Hon. William Gray 1578
Henry Dearborn - -1309
Col. Thomas Badger 1275
Rev. Thomas Baldwin 1279
James T. Austin Esqr. 1303
Doct. William Ingalls 1484
Samuel A. Wells - - - 12 J. Salisbury - - - - 4
Sam1. Hubbard - - - 10 Isaac Winslow ... 3
Josiah Quincy - - - - 6 T. L. Winthrop - - - 2
D. Baxter ----- 4 David Sears - - - - 29
W. Sullivan .... 3 Henry Orne ... - 7
Hosea Ballou - - - - 3D. Webster - - - - 4
180
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Benj*. Russell - ...
John D. Dyer - - - -
Ebenr. Clough - - - -
J. Evarts -
J. Lloyd -----
C. M. Dommett - - -
S. G. Perkins - ...
S. L. Knapp - - - -
N. Snow -----
G. Sullivan - - - -
T. Brigham - - - -
S. Billings - - - - -
W. Little
J. Mason - - -
J. Loring - - - - -
P. Richardson - - - -
S. Waldo
D. Willis
[3O2] S. H. Walley -
E. Vose
J. H. Schaffer - - -
D. Townsend - - - -
F. Lane
W. Phillips - - - -
S. Goodnow - - _ -
N. Gamage - - - -
J. H. Smith - - - -
R. Sturgis -----
J. Coolidge - - - -
Tho8. Howe - - - -
W. Tudor
A. Hill
J. Russell - - - - -
R. Bacon Jr. - - - -
J. Parker -----
J. S. Lovell - - - -
N. Brooks - - - - -
P. F. Jackson - - - -
F. Baker
T. Bartlett
S. Wells
W. Jackson - - - -
30 T. H. Perkins -
8 P. P. F. Degrand
6 T. Lyman - -
2 W. Parmenter -
2 J. Brooks - -
2 B. Whitmam -
2 P. C. Brooks -
1 T. Page - - -
1 S. Gardner - -
1 H. Lincoln - -
2 S. Adams - -
2 J. Putnam - -
2 J. Howe - -
2 W. Sturgis - -
1 W. H. Sumner -
1 E. Torry - -
1 W. Ropes - -
2
1 W. D. Sohier -
1 S. A. Shurtleff
1 J. F. Freeman
1 A. Dunlap - -
1 W. Tileston -
1 J. Eaton - -
1 E. Williams -
1 J. Harris - -
1 F. Bassett - -
1 M. M. Hunt -
1 T. K. Jones -
3 B. V. French -
1 W. Pelby - -
1 S. Soper - -
1 W. P. Shelton -
1 W. Eustis - -
1 W. Lawrence -
1 S. Walter - -
1 G. Cabot - -
1 T. Melville
1 N. Curtis - -
1 G. Bond - -
1 J. Hall Jr. - -
3 Edward Jones -
Attested copies of return of Persons voted for as Governor
Lieutenant Governor, Counsellors and Senators for the District of
Suffolk were sealed up in open Town Meeting (after the vote had
been declared) to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Common-
wealth as prescribed by law, and directed as follows — viz —
"To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 181
Votes of the Town of Boston, for Governor and Lieutenant
Governor sealed up in open Town Meeting."
u To Alden Bradford Esqr. Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. —
Votes of the Town of Boston, for Six Counsellors and Senators,
for the District of Suffolk, sealed up in open Town Meeting." —
Then the Meeting was Dissolved. —
Attest Thomas Clark
Town Clerk
[303. ] At a legal Meeting of the Freeholders and other
Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, qualified to vote for Senators
or Representatives, holden at Faneuil Hall, on Monday the 9th
day of April A.D. 1821. being the second Monday in said
month, pursuant to a Resolution of the Convention of Delegates,
assembled at Boston, on the 15th of November, A.D. 1820. for
the purpose of revising the Constitution of the Commonwealth.
Prayer by Revd. Mr. Palfrey.
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.
The Articles proposed as Amendments to the Constitution,
were read by [the] Chairman of the Selectmen. —
Voted, That the Poll be closed at 2 o'clock. —
The Chairman directed the Inhabitants to prepare & bring in
their votes on the Amendments to the Constitution, with the
words Yes, or No, annexed to each article. —
At the close of the Poll it appeared that the Votes on the
several Amendments submitted by the Convention, were as
follows —
Yeas Nays
Article First 1768 888
Article Second 1515 1133
Article Third 2553 99
Article Fourth 2462 185
Article Fifth 1642 1006
Article Sixth 2526 118
Article Seventh 1826 832
Article Eighth 2410 238
Article Ninth 1771 888
Article Tenth 1419 1230
Article Eleventh 2504 129
182 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[3O4] Article Twelfth 2442 Yeas 197 Nays
Article Thirteenth 2558 " 85 "
Article Fourteenth 2458 " 194 "
Declaration of the Votes for and against each article was
made and then the Meeting was Dissolved.
Attest Thomas Clark
Town Clerk —
[3O5.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston, assembled at Faneuil Hall, on Monday
the 7th day of May A.D. 1821. at 9 o'clock A.M. —
Warrant for calling the Meeting read —
Francis J. Oliver Esqr. was chosen Moderator —
William Dall Barzillia Homes
Joshua Davis George Bond and
Moses Williams Benja. Rich Esquires
were chosen Trustees of Neck Lands for the year ensuing —
Voted, That the Trustees of the Neck Lands be authorized
and empowered to lease or sell the lands in such manner as they
may think proper, any former vote of the Town to the contrary
notwithstanding. —
Thomas Hammond, was chosen Pound Keeper for the year
ensuing.
William Briggs was chosen a Surveyor of Lumber and of Wood
for the year ensuing. —
On the Petition of Daniel Carney and others; it was Voted,
That
Messrs. Daniel Carney
Jonathan Simonds, and
Henry H. Fuller Esqr.
be a Committee to form a Table, stating all the Fees of office
established by law ; and that the same be published with the
annual report of the Committee of Finance.
[3O6.] Eliphalet Williams and John H. Wheeler Esquires
were chosen Fire Wards. —
On the Petition of Lot Wheelright and others, inhabitants of
South Boston, It was Voted, That the Town consent that the
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 183
Laws restricting buildings of Wood, more than ten feet high,
may be suspended for the term of five years, so far as relates to
that Section of the Town. —
On the Petition of the Overseers of the Poor " to see if the
Town will authorise some person to execute a Deed of a lot of
Land, set off to the Town, in Alfred, County of York, in the
State of Maine." It was Voted, that Doctor Bedford Webster
be authorised & empowered to execute a good and sufficient
Deed of a piece of land, situated in the Town of Alfred, County
of York and State of Maine, in behalf of the inhabitants of this
Town. —
It was voted, not to authorise the appointment of an additional
Sealer of Weights and Measures ; as prayed for, in the Petition
of John Thompson and others. —
On the representation of the Selectmen of the situation of the
present Vegetable Market : — It was Voted, That they be author-
ised to build a New Vegetable Market. —
The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Ben-
jamin Humphrey and others, " to take the sense of the Town
what further disposition shall [3O7] be made of the Town Dock ;
whether the Town will sell out their interest in the same, purchase
the rights of others ; — or cause the same to be filled up have
attended the duty assigned them and respectfully ask leave to
report. —
They have taken the subject into their consideration and are
unanimously of opinion [that] the Town owns a valuable property in
The Town Dock — but your Committee have not been able to learn
that any persons are at present desirous of purchasing the rights
belonging to the Town — your Committee therefore confined their
inquiries more particularly to the latter clause of their commission
viz — to see if the Town will purchase the rights of the abutters
or fill up the same : — Your Committee taking into consideration
the proposition, that is now before the town, for a considerable
enlargement of the present Vegetable & Fish Market, do not
deem it expedient that any method should be proposed quieting
the abutters or filling up the same the present season. — but your
Committee recommend that the town request the Selectmen to
improve the Towns right in the Dock, either by letting or using
the same as they may think proper. —
By order of the Committee
May 3d. 1821. Eliphalet Williams, Chairman.
The foregoing Report was read and accepted.
The Committee appointed by the Inhabitants of the Town of
Boston, at a legal Meeting, holden on the 12th day of March
184 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
last " on the subject of Pauperism, at large, and on the expedi-
ency of erecting a Work House," within the said Town, having
taken [3O8] those subjects into their consideration, in con-
formity to their instructions, ask leave to
REPORT.
That in prosecuting their inquiries, concerning the subjects
referred to their consideration, they have examined the state of
the present Town Alms House and compared it with institutions
of a similar character, in this vicinity, particularly with those at
Marblehead and Salem, and they are unanimously of opinion
that the accommodations, provided for the poor, at the Alms
House, in Boston are not such as comport with the honor and
interests of the Town. — They are also unanimously of opinion,
that in aid of the present establishment, a work house to be de-
nominated a House of Industry, should be erected, with a suffi-
cient quantity of land attached to it, so as to enable the poor,
compelled to resort to it, to have the benefit resulting from air,
employment and exercka, and the town to derive that advantage,
which other towns in this vicinity experience from the well
directed labour of the poor, in similar institutions. —
The document marked A, being the report of a sub-committee,
appointed to inquire into the existing state of the establishments
of the town, in this respect, will farther evidence and illustrate
the importance and necessity of an immediate attention to these
subjects. —
It is not the intention of your Committee to enter upon a
laboured statement of the benefits to be derived from well man-
aged houses of industry. The general reasonings, by which the
utility of such establishments might be maintained, are super-
seded by a concurrence [3O9] of experience, which can neither
be controverted, nor resisted. —
It appears, by a report made by a Committee of the Massachu-
setts Legislature, at their last session, that the experience, both
of England and of Massachusetts, concur in establishing the
fact " that of all modes of maintaining the poor, the most eco-
nomical, is that of work houses, or houses of industry : in which
work is provided for every degree and species of ability in the
pauper / and also, that of all modes of employing the labour of
the poor, the best, the most healthy, and the most certainly profit-
able is that of agriculture ; whereby the poor are enabled always,
to raise, at least their own provisions."
It appears also, by the same report, that every town in the
Commonwealth, which had resorted to such establishments, and
persevered in their support, had derived from them, very great
and sensible relief from the burden of maintaining the poor, to
which they had been antecedently subjected, and this also had
been effected by the use of means, which added both to the health,
the comforts, and the happiness of the paupers themselves. —
In order, however, to leave no degree of satisfaction unattained,
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 185
which it was in their power to acquire, your Committee appointed
another sub-committee to visit the Marblehead and Salem Alms
Houses, two establishments in high repute, for the vigor and in-
telligence, with which they were conducted, and the experience,
resulting from which, was likely to be decisive, in relation to the
general expediency of such institutions, from the distinguished
character, the inhabitants [31O] of those towns have acquired
throughout the Commonwealth, for their enterprise, prudence and
intelligence. —
It appeared, by the report of this sub-committee, that "the
request to be permitted to visit and examine those establishments,
was received, by their respective Overseers in the most friendly
and polite manner : that they were permitted to inspect every
department of each institution, and that they obtained frank and
unreserved answers, to all their inquiries." This examination
resulted, "in the extreme gratification of the sub-committee, at
the order and neatness, which prevailed, and the content and
comfort of the poor, which was apparent, in both those
institutions. —
The satisfaction, which the sub-committee derived from this
general survey was equalled only, by that, which was consequent
on the examination and consideration of the details, given by
those Overseers, in relation to the success of those establishments. —
The Overseers of the Marblehead Alms House stated to the
sub-committee, that the town of Marblehead had no general fund
applicable to the support of the poor, except the Treasury of the
town ; — that the annual average of the poor, in point of number,
supported in their Alms House, somewhat exceeded one hundred ;
— that the expence of the poor of Marblehead, from March 1820.
to March 1821, was justly represented in the annexed schedule,
(marked B.) by which it appears that the whole expence of sup-
porting one hundred poor, within the Alms House, for that year,
was only thirteen, hundred, and seventy five dollars, forty seven
cents.
[311.] Those Overseers, farther stated that, in their
opinion, every thing considered, the annual expense, within the
Alms House did not exceed nine, or ten dollars per head per year.
The sub-committee were satisfied, that this estimate did not
underrate the actual expense ; particularly as there is no credit
allowed in it, for one thousand days labour done upon the high-
ways, by that portion of the able bodied tenants of the Alms
House, who were capable of this species of labor. — All the high-
way work of Marblehead being done, by the poor of their Alms
House. —
A similar and not less satisfactory result was obtained, by the
examination made, by this sub-committee, of the Alms House at
Salem; — By the printed report of the Overseers of that town,
dated I8t March 1821, (see Schedule, C,) it appears that since
the erection of their Alms House, in 1815, the expences of the
town of Salem, for the support of their poor, have been reduced
186 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
from $12,779.21 cents, which it was in 1814, to $4,296.40 C'ts,
which it was in the year, ending the 1st of March last. The poor,
supported out of the Alms House, being included in both
estimates. —
If from this amount be deducted $1,090.87 cents, the estimated
value of supplies, furnished poor persons, not inhabitants of the
Alms House, the whole net expense of the Salem Alms House,
for the last year was only three thousand, two hundred and five
dollars fifty three cents. The average number of poor being
about three hundred and twenty, supported within the Alms
House during the year, makes the arithmetical result, of the
whole expense, averaged upon the tenants about $10. — p head
per annum ! The same as that of Marblehead. The Overseers
[312] of Salem, also stated, that it was their expectation to
reduce considerably, the expenses of the establishment, the
ensuing year. Here, also, as in Marblehead, the sub-committee
were satisfied that circumstances existed, which considerably
reduced the actual expense below the estimated average. —
The schedule marked D will exhibit the whole expense of the
Boston Alms House, during the year 1820, — The average num-
ber within the house, somewhat exceeding four hundred persons.
It will not be necessary, for the purpose of establishing a con-
viction of the necessity of a resort to a similar institution, in the
town of Boston, to enter into any comparison of the result of
these inquiries, with that of similar inquiries made in relation to
the Alms House in this town. In order to satisfy every mind of
the interest and duty in this respect, it will be sufficient to state
generally, that the support of the whole poor of the town of
Salem, including all out pensioners, and an average of three hun-
dred and sixty five within the house, cost the town of Salem last
year, $4,296.40 cents. That the whole poor of the town of Bos-
ton including all out pensioners and an average of about four
hundred within the House, cost the Town of Boston last year,
$19,934.53 c'ts.
It is apparent to your Committee that this difference is greatly
owing to the contracted state of the Alms House, in comparison
with the wants of the Town.
This establishment being the. receptacle of all that class, which
are naturally the objects of a house of industry, the consequence
is that out pensioners [313] are multiplied; and this most
wasteful, and most expensive mode of supplying the poor, in
their own families ; as well as the most liable to abuse, is
rendered, in a great degree, inevitable. The entire want of land,
suited to employ the poor, in any species of agriculture, or
out-of-door labour, and the impracticability in so confined a
space, to introduce the necessary separation of age and sex, and
to provide each with employment suited to it, are also causes of
this difference of expense in supporting their poor, to these
towns respectively.
Your Committee, therefore, from the preceding facts and rea-
BOSTON TOWN RECOKDS. 1821. 187
soning came, unanimously to the conclusion that a house of
Industry ought forthwith to be erected, with a quantity of land,
attached to it, sufficient for all the objects of such an institution.
In forming this opinion, your committee were influenced by
considerations of economy ; — the strong conviction that a great
saving would in consequence, result to the town, in point of
expense ; — and above all, by a sense of the salutary influence
of a well managed institution of this kind on the public morals.
The obligations, which every society owes to those classes of
citizens, which are liable to become pensioners on its charity,
were not overlooked, in making this estimate of the Town's
interest and duty. —
There are four classes of persons, to which the public arrange-
ments, on these subjects, ought to extend, and to whose peculiari-
ties of condition they ought, as far as any general system is
practicable, to be accommodated ; — 1st, the poor by reason of
age ; 2nd, the poor by reason of misfortune ; — 3rd, the poor, by
reason of infancy ; 4th the poor, by reason of vice. —
[314.] It is very plain, that each of these classes of poor
have claims upon society, differing both in their nature and
degree, founded upon different principles ; the sources of differ-
ent duties, and requiring different proportions of sympathy and
solicitude. —
Of all classes of the poor, that of virtuous old age, has the
most unexceptionable claims upon society ; and is that, in rela-
tion to which its charitable establishments should be so con-
structed as to extend, not only comfort, but a reasonable degree
of indulgence. This cause of helplessness cannot successfully
be feigned. — It is the consequence of a general law of our nature,
to which all are equally liable. Hope and pleasure are, for this
life, in a great measure extinguished. Its condition requires,
therefore, a peculiar degree of consideration. Although the old,
should not wholly be excused from labour, yet it is apparent that
such ought to be provided as is suited to their age ; if possible
to their habits and former employments in life. —
A similar course of remark applies to those, who are helpless,
through corporeal, or intellectual misfortune ; — the effects of no
vice, nor criminal indulgence. Each of these classes is entitled
to particular consideration ; neither should be released from every
degree and kind of labour, yet what is required should be adapted
to their condition, and their particular imbecillity. Something
more of attention should be paid, and of pains taken, to gratify
their inclinations and to supply their humble wants. —
Now the impracticability of making this first and great dis-
crimination, in favor of these two first classes of poor, is the great
defect of the Boston Alms [315] House. — In an establishment
so restricted in point of room ; and open to the indiscriminate
influx of characters of all descriptions, it is impossible to make
those distinctions, either in food, or in treatment, which is due to
age and misfortune.
188 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
If the aged and virtuous poor are reduced to the food, and
made obnoxious to the severity, or the labour, to which the
vicious are subjected, it is to them a degradation, and a new and
undeserved source of misery and misfortune. On the other hand,
if the vicious are permitted to enjoy the comforts, or partake of
the indulgence, which is due to age and misfortune, their con-
dition becomes, not only supportable, but eligible. The fear of
poverty is diminished, and the shame of dependence obliterated.
Public establishments become thronged ; as will never fail to be
the case, whenever Alms House support is better than or even
equal, in its kind, to the support to be obtained by labour. These
considerations, and others, which will readily present themselves
to the reflections of intelligent men, render it indispensable that
an establishment should be provided which should enable the
Town to make this first, and most important, and just of all dis-
criminations between the poor, in consequence of vice ; and the
poor, in consequence of misfortune.
The third class, consisting of those, who are poor, and in
infancy or childhood, are somewhat differently situated ; and
have a right to require from society a distinct attention and more
scrupulous and precise supervision. Their career of existence is
but just commenced. They may be rendered blessings, or
scourges to society. Their course may be happy or miserable,
honor — [316] able or disgraceful, according to the specific
nature of the provision, made for their support and education.
It follows that the charitable establishments of every wise and
virtuous community ought to be such as to enable it to effect
these interesting objects, in the most perfect and satisfactory
manner. —
The present condition of the Boston Alms House, precludes all
possibility of extending that free air, exercise and healthful
labour, and of attaining that separation from the contamination
of vicious language and example, which is requisite and due to
this class. Intimately connected with this topic is that of pro-
viding for those idle and vicious children, of both sexes, and
different ages, which often under the command, and always with
the permission of thoughtless and abandoned parents, are found
begging in our streets, or haunting our wharfs, or market places,
sometimes under the pretence of employ, at others for the pur-
pose of watching occasions to pilfer small articles, and thus
beginning a system of petty stealing ; which terminate often in the
goal ; often in the penitentiary; and not seldom, at the gallows.
Power enough already exists, in the hands of the constituted
authorities, and if it do not, might easily be obtained, to rid our-
selves of this nuisance, and to place these unfortunate children
under either a system of discipline, or of restraint ; or of useful
labour. At present, however, this is absolutely impracticable.
There is no place, suitable for their reception. The present
Alms House is insufficient for its present tenants ; more it is im-
possible to [317] accommodate. A work house, or house of
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 189
industry, is, therefore, absolutely essential, previously to taking
any steps for the improvement of this unhappy, and abandoned
class, of children. On this point, your committee do not appre-
hend that any thing more forcible can be added, to make the
essential nature of such an establishment as that, which they
recommend, apparent and unquestionable.
The fourth class, — the poor by reason of vice, — constitute,
here, every where, by far the greater part of the poor ; —
amounting always, probably to a full two thirds of the whole
number of adult poor. As it is for these, that the proposed
house of industry is intended, in its first operations, to provide,
the present, seems a proper occasion to explain the general views
of your committee in relation to this establishment ; and to what
objects and plans those views, at present, and to what they ulti-
mately extend. Indolence, intemperance and sensuality, are the
great causes of pauperism in this country. Notwithstanding the
imbecility induced by their habits and vices, it is yet found by
experience, that generally speaking, all this class can do some-
thing ; and very many of them a great deal ; and some of them
fall little, and often not at all, short of the ability to perform,
daily, the complete task of a day labourer. —
The present accommodations of the Boston Alms House, not
furnishing the means, nor the space for actual employ, their
labour is but little, and of small account. The course of the
practice of this class is, to come, or be brought to the Alms
House in a state of disease, or intoxication, or, in the winter in
actual want, and after [318] passing weeks, or months
crowded together within its walls ; after being cured, restored
and supported, during sickness and through inclement seasons,
they are permitted to depart ; to enter upon the same career of
vice and indulgence, until they are brought back again ; to be
again supported and cured ; and again sent forth to commence
and pursue the same circle. Now, it is apparent, that so long
as this class can come when they will, and depart when they will,
— so long as little, or no, work is required of them, within the
walls, and there is no land belonging to the establishment, on
which they can work, without, — so long as Alms House fare is
upon a level, in point of quality and comfort, and often a little
superior to their out-of-door support and comforts, — that they
have little, or no inducement either to labour or to economize,
in order to prevent their being compelled to resort to it ; on the
contrary, it is obvious that the certainty of a comfortable
and easy life, in the winter, is a perpetual and very effectual
encouragement to a thoughtless, dissipated and self indulgent
course, in the summer. Accordingly institutions of this kind, when
from necessity, or any other circumstances, they are conducted
upon such principles, may justly be considered as encouraging
and augmenting the amount of pauperism in a community. It
follows, therefore, from these considerations, that it is the great
duty of every society to take care their Alms Houses should be
190 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
provided with space of land and accommodations, to enable
those, who have the superintendence of them to provide work for
this class; and for every class in it, according to its [319]
ability ; to the end that they should never become the resort of
idleness, for indulgence ; nor of vice for comfort ; nor of disease,
for cure, without cost.
Intimately connected with these vicious poor, is that turbulent
and profligate class, who, travelling the high road of shame and
ruin, are found in the haunts of gambling, intemperance and
debauchery ; and whose quarrels, originating in their cups or
their crimes, give continual occupation to the magistrates and
officers of police. The only means, to which it is now in the
power of the authorities of the town to resort for the purpose of
preserving its peace from being disturbed by this class, are war-
rants of Justices, common law processes, and incurring all that
trouble, vexation and expense, necessarily consequent upon pro-
ceedings of this nature. These means partake little of the char-
acter of punishment ; and have still less the effect of reformation.
Your committee have reason to believe that offences of this kind
have of late, greatly increased ; and they look with confidence
towards the proposed institutions, as a means of diminishing these
evils, of breaking up the haunts, in which they originate, and
relieving the town from a great expense, to which it is at present
subjected.
The great defect of our present establishment is that, for want
of space, and want of accommodation, suitable work cannot be
provided. — Previous to its being practicable to make any
improvement in the existing arrangements for the poor, it is there-
fore, indispensable that such a house of industry should be estab-
lished. —
Having unanimously come to this conclusion, [3I3O] the atten-
tion of your committee was next directed to the subject of the
place, where such an establishment, taking into consideration all
the interests of the town, had best be located ; — its extent ; —
probable cost ; — and the general principles on which it ought to
be conducted. The result of their investigations, so far as they
deem it necessary or practicable, they now ask leave to suggest.
With respect to the location of the establishment, a great pre-
dilection prevailed in the minds of a majority of your committee,
in favor of an Island, for that purpose ; and Deer Island it was
thought would be very proper and suitable. In order to satisfy
themselves upon that point, they paid a visit to it, and surveyed
every part of it, and after inspection and consideration of all its
relations, they came to an unanimous opinion, that to attempt to
locate it upon any island, and certainly upon that, would be
highly inexpedient. The soil was found to be extremely poor,
the situation exposed, and the great difficulty of access to it and
return from it, at all seasons of the year, with certainty, and its
absolute impracticability some times for many days, or even
weeks, in winter, were, in the opinion of your Committee decisive
objections.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 191
There is no truth, in relation, to these establishments more satis-
factorily evidenced, by all the experience, both of England and
Massachusetts, than that their success depends upon their being
subjected to the constant supervision and inspection of a board of
superintendents, composed of substantial, intelligent and active
inhabitants of the town, or vicinity. It is [321] not suf-
ficient that these should be men, merely in easy circumstances,
prudent, intelligent and humane. It is requisite that such a
board should be composed of men, bred to business, and accus-
tomed to deal with men, in the laborious walks of life ; who know
what labor is ; — when work is done ; — and are capable of judg-
ing by the eye, or by examination, whether neglect, or refusal to
work, be through mere indolence, or real imbecility. It may be
adopted as a principle, applicable to all establishments of this
kind, that they cannot be well conducted, for any great length of
time, unless at least a considerable part of the board be men of
such habits and experience. Now men, of this class, are always
men, engaged in active business. To command their services,
it is necessary that every facility should be given to their superin-
tendence ; that it should be enabled to be regular, uninterrupted
and certain. The location of the establishment in a situation
where access to it will, at all times, be easy and certain, for those
charged with its superintendence, is therefore, in the opinion of
your Committee, essential to its success ; and that therefore a
location upon an island is highly inexpedient. —
The soil of Deer island is also, in the apprehension of your
Committee, another and, if not in itself, a sufficient objection, is
yet, in a high degree corroborative of the opinion, they have
formed. The opportunity, which agriculture affords for the
economical employment of pauper industry, is one of the most
favorable circumstances, to promote the success of such establish-
ments. It is plain, that [322] success in this respect, depends
upon whatever promotes, or prevents, the success in other agri-
cultural operations. If therefore, the first location of such estab-
lishment be on a soil, singularly inauspicious, inconvenient, or
impracticable, the result must be pro portion ably unfavorable. A
good and an easy soil not only possesses this general advantage,
but there is also an incidental one, resulting from the encourage-
ment and excitement given to the paupers themselves, by such
facility in the course of their labours. It is found, that when
judiciously managed, even the paupers themselves, may be made
to take an interest, and even a pride, in the productive results of
their garden, or cultivated field ; and every thing, which has a
tendency to prevent disappointment, in this respect, has a ten-
dency to excite and support the feeh'ngs, upon which such interest
depends. The soil of Deer island is in a great proportion sand.
Whatever there be of good soil, is high, exposed and inconvenient
of access. On these accounts, as well as others, not necessary
to detail, your Committee came to the unanimous opinion, that
Deer island was not a proper site for the location of the pro-
posed establishment.
192 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Town lands on the neck, also some situations at South
Boston, were suggested to your Committee. But as the deter-
mination upon the site, should it result in favor of land, at
present, the property of any private individual, might, if known,
materially affect the value of those lands, and the price to the
town, your Committee thought it most [323] adviseable not to
proceed farther, until the opinion of the town was ascertained
upon the expediency of establishing a house of industry. After
this was settled, they apprehended that the questions concerning
the location, the form, the extent of both the lands and buildings,
as also of the principles, on which the establishment should be
conducted, would be left best to the discretion of a responsible
Committee, to be appointed by the town.
With respect to the cost of such an establishment, it is obvious
this must depend upon particulars, not at present precisely to be
ascertained, such as — whether the spot, selected for its location,
be on land, at present owned by the town, or on land to be pur-
chased ; in the last case, — the value of such land, — and the
number of the poor, for which it will be necessary to provide in
this institution. On these, and other details, of a very general
character, will ultimately depend the expense of any such new
establishment.
In the opinion of your Committee, however, the establishment
is indispensable, in the actual condition of the pauper relations
of the town ; and that, in no event, the expense can. be such, as
to form a reason against commencing it upon some scale, suited
to the actual necessity existing, in this respect. The general
view and opinions of your Committee, on this subject, are these,
— that measures should be immediately taken to obtain sufficient
land for the location of it ; — not less fifty acres ; — that, in this
location, considerations of local benefit, or of small [324]
difference of price, should have little, or no influence. The best
position for such an establishment should be secured, with a
single eye to the permanent interest of the town, and ultimate
success of the institution; — that buildings should then be
erected on a plan, sufficiently extensive, to accommodate forth-
with, the greatest average of able poor, which are usually ten-
ants of the Alms House every year. — This cannot exceed two
hundred persons ; — that the plan of the establishment should be
such as to be capable of being extended, if hereafter it should be
deemed expedient, and so constructed as to separate and provide
for the distinct accommodation of the different classes of the
poor, whose different claims upon society have herein before been
stated.
For all the purposes of purchasing the requisite land, should a
purchase be deemed expedient, of erecting all the buildings
necessary, the present year, an appropriation of twenty thousand
dollars, will, in the opinion of your Committee, be sufficient.
Should experience justify an increase of the institution, the ex-
penditure required, will of course, have relation to such increase.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 193
It will be perceived by their fellow citizens, that the resolu-
tions, submitted for their consideration and adoption, embrace
topics of a more general character, than that of simply erecting
a house of industry.
In their apprehension, the present occasion shonld not be
omitted to cause full survey to be taken of [325] all the public
pi'ovisipns for the poor, subsisting within the town, and to ascertain,
as far as practicable, in what forms and to what amount every
general public charity is extended and applied ; to the end of pro-
ducing, if possible, a general sentiment and a unity of action
among all the societies and incorporations of this nature, for the
purpose of making industry, morality and economy, in all of
them, indispensable conditions of relief ; and of putting an end,
as far as can be effected, to indiscriminate charity, and to street
beggary.
How far it is possible to adopt any general system, in relation
to these objects, may, perhaps, be questionable. The attempt,
however, cannot be disadvantageous. A full knowledge of all
the pauper relations of the town cannot fail to be useful, and
may lead, through the means of recommendation, or by affecting
public sentiment, or otherwise, to such a course of proceeding,
in relation to the distribution of public bounty, as may tend to
repress the mischievous effects of that weak and listless sensi-
bility, miscalled benevolence, which scatters its bounty without
discrimination, pampering vice, fostering indolence, encouraging
audacious pretence, and thus, while it does little, or no good,
and sometimes positive injury to the individual, increases, and
perpetuates, and makes more troublesome and virulent, the whole
mass of pauperism in the community.
Under these convictions and with these views your Committee
recommend the adoption of the following votes by the town. —
For the Committee.
Josiah Quincy, Chairman —
[326.] Voted, That it is expedient to establish, forthwith
within this town, a House of Industry
Voted, That a Committee be appointed consisting of
persons, with full authority to select a suitable place for the
erection of a House of Industry, with an extent of land, attached
to it, not less than fifty acres ; and that the said Committee be
authorized to take any of the unappropriated lands, belonging to
the town, for that purpose ; or, in case they deem any other spot,
or like extent of land, within the town, a better location for such
an establishment, than any the town now possesses, that they be
authorized to purchase the same ; and that the said Committee be
instructed to proceed forthwith to erect suitable buildings ; and
to form a system for the conduct of such institution, and to
report their proceedings, in the premises, from time to time to the
town as they may deem expedient.
Voted, That the Committee appointed by the preceding vote,
194 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
be authorized to draw on the town treasurer for such sum, or
sums of money, as may from time to time be found necessary,
for the carrying into effect the purposes therein expressed ; Pro-
vided always that the amount of said drafts shall never exceed
Twenty Thousand Dollars.
Voted, That the Report this day made to the Town on the sub-
ject of Pauperism and a House of Industry, be referred to the
Committee, appointed by the preceding votes, and that they be
instructed to take into consideration the various subjects [327]
suggested in it and particularly to inquire into the general state
of the poor and also into the number & condition of the out-of-
door poor assisted by Overseers within the town, and concerning
the operations, effects, modes, and principles of extending relief
to the poor, adopted by the various charitable institutions existing
in it ; and from time to time to report such measures in relation
to the whole, or any, of the subjects aforesaid, as they may deem
it expedient for the town to adopt. —
Appendix
A.
The Sub-Committee appointed to consider what provisions are
made in the nature of a Work House or Bridewell, for vagrants
and dissolute persons, and to inquire into the existing establish-
ments of the town in this respect, ask leave to
Report ;
That on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by several other
members of the general Committee, they waited on the Overseers
of the poor, at the Alms House, in Leverett Street, and were
conducted thro' that building and the smaller buildings within
the enclosure of its yard.
The Sub-Committee found that establishment to be totally
distinct from, and by its construction incompatible with the
arrangements necessary for a Bridewell or place of correction for
vagrant and dissolute persons ; and that whenever any such are
received in that institution, they are placed nearly in the same
situation with those unfortunate and honest members of the
community, whom disease or age have rendered incapable of
[328] procuring a livelihood — The Sub Committee learned that
the buildings formerly belonging to the Town near the Common,
consisted of two ranges; one of which was used as an Alms
House, for the reception of persons whom it became a duty of
charity, to relieve from distress and the other as a Work House,
where disorderly and dissolute persons were restrained of their
liberty, and compelled to work for their support; and that
between these there was a smaller building with grated cells,
called a Bridewell, which served as a place for the punishment of
such as conducted [themselves] improperly while subject to the
discipline of the institution. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 195
When the new buildings were erected in Leverett Street, the
whole sum appropriated to the purpose, was expended in the
erection of a house exclusively designed as an Alms House, or
place for the reception, of infirm, diseased, aged and children of
both sexes ; and the apartments were constructed entirely with
that view. Of course this large and expensive pile of buildings,
which is so honorable to the liberality and benificence of the
town, is incapable without great inconvenience, of being appro-
priated to any other purpose ; there is but one room in which any
kind of labour can be conveniently performed, and the necessity
which is sometimes felt, of converting any part of it to other
purposes, is an infringement on the objects for which it was origi-
nally designed.
Because, however, there is within the town, no place properly
designed as a Work House, and because [329] that class of
vagabonds who would become the tenants of such a building,
are by our laws, under the control, in some degree, of the Over-
seers of the poor, they have from time to time, been sent to that
place ; and many have always been there, whom it was any-
thing but charity to support in idleness, and to provide with the
comforts of such an institution. The Sub-Committee saw many
whom they believed, under proper regulations in a suitable place,
might be made to support themselves. —
From the necessity of the case, the Overseers have been
obliged to enlarge a building originally designed as a bath house,
and use it as a Bridewell ; in which they have constructed
small cells that are occupied by such disorderly persons as seem
most to require to be punished by confinement. But not only
does this seem to the Sub-Committee to be objectionable, by
depriving the institution of a part of its original accommodation
indispensable to cleanliness and health — but because its size and
construction is hardly more than is necessary as a restraint to
perverse order, without any reference to profitable employment.
Confinement in it must be temporary and occasional and the
apprehension of its discipline, forms no part of the terrors of
such a place to persons abroad.
The Sub-Committee find by a reference to the laws of this
country, passed at sundry times by the colonial, provincial and
state authorities, that a Work House, or place where idle and
dissolute persons, should be compelled to labour for subsistence
[33O] was uniformly a part of the system of police. So early
as 1662, authority was given magistrates to arrest " rogues and
vagabonds," and confine them in the " house of correction."
In 1699, a provincial act was passed for suppressing and pun-
ishing of rogues, vagabonds, common beggars, and other lewd,
idle and disorderly persons, and also, for setting the poor to
work, by which, among other things, provision is made for
erecting and governing a house of correction in every county, and
that common drunkards, common night-walkers, pilferers, wanton
and and lascivious persons, either in speech or behaviour, com-
196 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
mon railers and brawlers, such as neglect their calling, and do
not provide for their families, stubborn servants and children,
fortune tellers, strollers and beggars, should be confined, and
made to work.
In 1735, a special act on this subject, relative to the town of
Boston, was passed by the Legislature, and confirmed by the
General Court, under the present Constitution, in 1789, which
confers certain privileges as to the erection and governing these
buildings, suited to the condition of a growing metropolis ; and
under the provisions of which, many of the powers, in this respect
continue to be exercised. — And the necessity of some institution
of a similar plan was so apparent, that in the year 1744, the
G-eneral Court passed an act for all the province, authorising any
one town, or any two or more towns, united together, to erect
and govern a house of correction, for the restraining of the
[331] dissolute poor, and compelling them to labour. The
Statute of this Commonwealth passed 26th March, 1788, seems
to be imperative on the Courts of Sessions for the several coun-
ties to provide houses of correction, and declare that until such
are erected, " the common prison in each county, shall be made
use of for that purpose." But the common prison in Suffolk
County, has long been useless for this object ; and the Sub-Com-
mittee do not learn that the new one erecting by the County, is
planned or adapted to such purpose. — Indeed, the two establish-
ments are so different as to render their union almost imprac-
ticable.—
The Sub- Committee refer to these various laws to show that
the wisdom of the government has always been decidedly
expressed in favor of some establishment for the purpose now
contemplated & which is more obviously necessary in a large sea-
port town than in any other part of the state. The circumstances
already stated will show as they think a satisfactory reason why
at present and for many years past there has been wanting this
necessary part of police within the town of Boston.
The Sub-Committee do not deem it within their province to ex-
tend this report by displaying the various facts and arguments
which may prove the utility of a Bridewell or house of correction
under proper regulations ; but they deem their commission dis-
charged by reporting to the general Committee That There is
Not at Present Any Suitable Institution of This Kind Under
Direction of the Town [332] or County.
James T. Austin, for the Committee.
(B.)
Schedule of the expense of the Poor of Marblehead from March
1820 to March 1821.
Amount of orders drawn on the Town Treasury 4534.17
Deduct amount recd. for State Paupers - 575.90
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 197
ditto paid by other towns 549.31
ditto paid for Cart, Plough, & Cows - - 98. —
ditto amount paid on old account - - 517.69
ditto supplies furnished poor out of the
house 1,417.80 3158.70
Expense of the Poor House --------- $1375.47
In addition to which one thousand days' work were done by
eight men on the highway.
(C.)
Report of the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Salem,
March 1, 1821.
Amount of orders drawn on the Town
Treasury $11268.73
Deduct Amount received from the State
for support of State Poor $5504.84
ditto amount paid for repairs & improve-
ments 1467.49 6972.33
Net amount for Town Poor 4296.40
In the above sum of $4.296.40, are included all supplies to
poor persons not inhabitants of the Alms House, to paupers
belonging to other towns, and the amount paid the gaoler for the
board of poor persons in gaol, including inhabitants of Salem,
State poor, and persons belonging to other towns. A part of
the expense thus incurred for other towns, is now [333] due to
the Town of Salem. — Value of supplies granted to poor persons
not inhabitants of the Alms House, from March 1st 1820, to
March 1st 1821, including State Paupers, and persons belonging
to other towns, estimated at $1090.87.
Number of Paupers in the Alms House Mar. 1, 1820 - - 337
Entered during the year ending March 1, 1821 - - - - 369
706
Discharged and died during the year ------- 341
Whole number in the Alms House, March 1, 1821 ... 365
Whole number in the Alms House, March 1, 1820 - - - 337
Whole number in the Alms House, March 1, 1819 - - - 273
Whole number in the Alms House, March 1, 1818 - - - 292
The average number of Paupers in the old Work House for the
last twenty four years the poor resided there, viz. from 1793 to
1816, was 120.—
Account of the Expenditure of the Town for the support of
the Poor for the last ten years. —
198
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Net Am*, for
Am*, of orders
All Credits to
support of
drawn.
be deducted.
Town Poor. —
Year 1811
$9659.83
$2404.75
$7255.08
1812
10237.06
2679.38
7557.68
1813
13805.86
2850.03
10955.83
1814
15795.96
3016.75
12779.21
1815
11121.52
3622.28
7499.24
1816
13090.67
5442.62
7646.05
1817
16231.44
6585.44
9646.
1818
15886.91
6724.14
. 9162.77
1819
15219.83
8212.36
7007.47
1820
11268.73
6972.33
4296.40
D.
Alms House, April 24th. 1821
Sir,
By direction of the Board of Overseers of the [334] Poor
the following statement is transmitted in answer to your last
inquiry. —
I am, Sir, your very humble
Servant, Redford Webster.
To the Chairman of the Committee of the Town on the subject
of a House of Industry, &c.
Drafts on Town Treasurer 26,374.12
Received of Firewards for forfeiture of Gunpowder 149.30
" for sales Oakum 1312.83
" for rent of Wharf 527.00
" this year balances of accounts settled
with other towns and persons, much of
which had been standing for several
years - 3949.16
Amount received from the State for $32,312.41
the support of State Poor -------- 12,377.88
Net amount for Town Poor $19,934.53
Of the above sum there were paid out of the house
— for paupers in gaol — board of insane poor in
the Asylum and at other places — allowance to
poor persons and families without the house —
and disbursments of the Overseers in the wards,
&c, &c $14433.70
Hon. Josiah Quincy, Joseph Lovering, James Savage, Henry
J. Oliver, Francis Welch, Ebenezer Frances, Thomas Howe,
Wm. Thurston, Abram Babcock, Samuel A. Wells, James T.
Austin, Benja. Rich & Joseph Woodward Esqre., were nominated
from the chair, and appointed a Committee, in conformity to the
second vote. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 199
The Town Meeting was then dissolved. —
Attest Thomas Clark, Town Clerk.
[335.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston, holden at Faueuil Hall, on Mon-
day the 14th. day of May A.D. 1821. 10 o'clock A.M.—
Prayer by Rev. Doct. Baldwin. —
Warrant for calling the Meeting, read. —
Paragraph of the Constitution relative to the choice of Repre-
sentatives — read —
A communication was received from the Assessors stating
" that they have not yet completed the taking the Polls and
Estates in the Town of Boston; they find in the Wards where
they have already been, that the number does not materially differ
from the last year ; they therefore, are of opinion that the whole
number will exceed Ten thousand Polls, the present year, which
will entitle the Town to more than forty five Representatives." —
A motion was made, and seconded, to choose twenty five per-
sons to represent the Town in the General Court, the year ensu-
ing ; The motion being put by the Chairman of the Selectmen, it
passed unanimously in the affirmative. —
Voted, That the Poll shall be closed at 1 o'clock
[336.] The Chairman of the Selectmen requested the Inhab-
itants to prepare and bring in their votes for twenty five persons,
to represent the Town in the General Court the year ensuing.
At the close of the Poll, it appeared that the whole number of
Votes was ___-_ 1610
Necessary to make a choice ---------- 806
The following Gentlemen had the number of votes set against
their respective names, and were declared to be duly elected
Representatives for the ensuing year. — viz.
Hon. Josiah Quincy - - 1094 Nathan Appleton - - 1074
" William Prescott - 1077 Lynde Walter ... 1564
" Peter C. Brooks - 1071 Eliphalet Williams - - 1483
" Tho mas H. Perkins 1081 John Cotton - - - - 988
Benjamin Russell Jonathan Phillips - - 981
Esq. - - - - 1070 Francis C. Gray - - - 1476
200 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
James Savage - - 1085 [337] Theodore Ly-
William Tudor - 1089 man Jr 980
Gedney King - - 1088 Francis J. Oliver - - 979
Heman Lincoln - 1578 George W. Otis - - - 986
Edmund Winchester 1579 Henry Bass - ... 882
Nathan Hale - - 1088 Benjamin West - - - 1276
Joseph Lovering - 1080 William Shimmin - - 858
Enoch Silsby - - 1090
The names of persons voted for, who did not obtain a majority
of votes. — viz —
Lewis Tappan 496, George Sullivan 506, David W. Child 501,
Edw. Cruft 491, Jeremiah Gore 488, Robt. Fennelly 506, David
Ellis 485, Sam. H. Walley 509, Isaac Stevens 502, Sam1. Hich-
born Jr. 494, Ja8. Loring 505, S. P. Tarbell 491, Thomas Dean
499, Geo. W. Coffin 505, Edmd. Kimball 500, Barzillia Homes
511, Eleazer Howard 495, Cyrus Alger 499, A. P. Cleveland
488. — Scattering viz. Sam1. L. Knapp 9, James T. Austin 8,
Sam1. A. Wells 7, H. Dearborn 6, H. Orne 6, Rev. Thomas
Baldwin 5.— S. Billings 5, Wm. Gray 5, Doct Wm. Ingalls 6,
Wm. Gale 5, John Howe 2, David Henshaw 4, Charles Hood 4,
Henry N. Rogers 2, W. D. Sohier 2, Wm. Homer 2, Ab. Wild 2,
Thomas Thaxter 2, Jn°. Tappan 3, G. Bond 2, S. Hooper 2, A.
Peabody 2, D. Messinger 3, R. D. Tucker 3, Sam1. Hubbard 4,
Jos. Haven 2, Wm. Dehon 2, Enoch Bartlett 2, Thomas Cordis 2,
Sam1. Fales 2, Tho8. Wells 2, T. K. Thomas 2, John Fox 2,
Cha8. Winslow 2, Ja8. Read 2, Wm. Sturgis 3, Sam1. Adams 3,
John Lepean 2, D. Wild 2, Luke Eastman 2, Lem1. Shaw 2, Wm.
Wyman 2, J. Sears 3, Joshua Davis 2, Enos Cobb 2, Jn°. Par-
ker 2, Jona. Jewett 2, Thomas Jackson 3, Geo. Hallet 3, Jona.
Mason 4, Benja. Smith 2, D. Sharp 3, P. Dean 4, T. Lewis 3,
D. Baxter 3.— T. Badger 2, R. Sturgis 3, A. Dunlap 4, W.
Donnison 3. — [338] J. Stearns 2, Abram Babcock 2, John
Odin 2, Thomas Holt 2, Lewis Lerow 2, Wm. Sullivan 2, & H.
Atkins, J. Winslow, J. Davis, J. W. Revere, B. Whitman, G.
Fairbanks, S1. Fairbanks, Jon*. Loring, T. Dennie, W. H. Sum-
ner, H. Codman, Benja. Winslow, S. H. Parker, Benja. Loring,
M. Brimmer, H. G. Otis Jr. Ab. Wood, Azor Orne, N. M.
Dearborn, Jo8. Brszer, Asa Whitney, Aaron Hill, Ed. Jones, A.
Binney, T. L. Winthrop, H. Fuller, Lot Wheelright, G. J.
Homer, Asher Adams, J. Putnam, D. Tuttle, Wm. Little, Ja8.
Lloyd, Jn°. Howe, Jn°. Bellows, H. L. Cushman, S. A. Shed,
Ter. Wakefield, A. O. Barton, Josh. Gray, Seth Copeland, Jn°.
Drayton, Ch8. M. Domett, Ben. Porter, Eben White, Jer. Bond,
Ed. Quincy, N. P. Russell, Jos. P. Bradstreet, Horace H. Good-
man, F. Tufts, R. B. Callender, Wm. Plimpton, Jacob Peabody,
Fra8. Welch, James Davis, Jona. Carleton, Geo. J. Homer, Nat.
Willis, Jos. Jones, H. J. Oliver, Jn°. C. Procter, Ab. Moore, N.
Dearborn, James Brewer, Edw. Kendall, J. H. Wheeler, Jona.
Whitney, D. Sears, Jona. Thaxter, Harry Oliver, Henry Ernmons,
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 201
Jonas Bass, Joseph Coolidge, Adam Bent, Cyrus Cyecy, Otis
Everett, Jos. Sewall, C. P. Curtis, Wm. J. Spooner, Asa
Whitney, one each. —
The Meeting was then Dissolved.
Attest Thomas Clark, Town Clerk.
[339.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhab-
itants of the Town of Boston, qualified to vote in town affairs, in
Faneuil Hall on Monday the 28th day of May A.D. 1821.—
The Warrant for calling the Meeting being read. —
Stephen Codman, was chosen Moderator. —
The Town Clerk being absent by reason of sickness, it was
voted, that a Town Clerk pro. tern, be chosen.
Voted, That he be chosen by nomination, and that the nomina-
tion proceed from the chair. Whereupon, Samuel A. Wells, was
nominated, and chosen, and sworn to the faithful performance of
the duties of the office, the Oath being administered by the chair-
man of the Selectmen, in open town meeting. —
The Report of the Committee of Finance was then read. —
The Chairman of the Selectmen stated to the Town, that since
the report of the Committee of Finance had been made out, he
had been informed by the Chairman of the Board of Overseers of
the poor that they should not require so large an amount as they
had stated to be necessary, to the Committee of Finance, by five
thousand dollars, therefore the amount required of the town
would be five thousand dollars less than the amount stated in the
report ; it was then moved, that the sum of One hundred and
thirty four thousand [34O] five hundred Dollars be raised, and
that Two thousand five hundred Dollars be considered as included
in that sum for the purpose of lighting the Lamps during the
Summer, which after debate passed in the negative — Moved and
Voted, That the report of the Committee of Finance be amended,
by reducing the amount required by the Overseers of the Poor,
Five thousand Dollars, and that the sum of One hundred and
thirty two thousand dollars be raised to pay the current expenses
of the Town the ensuing year. —
Moved : That upon the representation of the doings and pro-
ceedings of Turner Phillips, Treasurer and Collector of Taxes of
the Town of Boston, the preceding year : Voted: That the Town
of Boston approve the conduct of said Turner Phillips in the said
Offices of Treasurer and Collector, and that he has faithfully and
202 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
fully as was in his power completed the execution of his duty in
said Offices to which he had been appointed as aforesaid and that
he be excused from all delinquency or default, in not having
effected a full aud complete settlement of Taxes by him to have
been received or collected according to law.
Voted, That the Town Treasurer and Collector be authorized to
borrow with the approbation of the Committee of Finance, such
sum of money, as shall be found necessary for the service of the
Town the ensuing year. —
Voted, That there be allowed and paid, [341] unto Thomas
Dawes, the sum of Seven hundred and fifty Dollars for his Salary
as Judge of the Municipal Court the present year. —
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto Thomas Clark,
Town Clerk, the sum of One thousand dollars, for his Salary the
present year. —
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto each of the per-
manent Assessors, the sum of One thousand dollars as their
salary for the present year. —
Voted, That the Salary of the Town Treasurer and Collector
be referred to the adjournment of this meeting. —
Voted, That there be allowed and paid unto the chairman of
the board of Selectmen the sum of twelve hundred dollars per
year, as the Salary for services in that office. —
The Petition of John R. Child and others requesting that the
Selectmen may be authorized to appoint more than one Sealer of
Weights and Measures, should they deem it expedient, where-
upon Voted, That the prayer of the Petition be granted.
On the Petition of William Andrews and others praying that
the town would make additional allowance, to the Pound Keeper
and Field Driver at South Boston, beyond the fees established by
law.
[342.] It was Voted; That the petitioners have leave to
withdraw their petition. —
On the Petition of Josiah Jones and others, praying that the
Town would petition the Legislature, to alter or repeal the law
restricting the inhabitants from erecting buildings of wood within
the town to ten feet : it was Voted : That the petition be referred
to a Committee, consisting of one from each Ward, in conjunc-
tion with the Moderator of this meeting, who is to be chairman of
the Committee. Voted : That the said Committee be selected,
by a committee of Nomination, and that the three first signers
of the petition, if present, be chosen.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 203
Voted : That three persons in addition be nominated from the
the chair : whereupon
C William W. Blake
of the Petitioners -] Seth Copeland
(^ David C. Jacobs
C Francis J. Oliver
Nominated by \ T
AU ir j * 4 James Reed
the Moderator ) T , ~ ,, ,
(^ Joseph Callender,
were selected and who retired, and reported the following gentle-
men for Committee, all of whom were accepted by the town.
Ward N°. 1. William Harris [343] 7. Samuel A. Wells
2. Redford Webster 8. Asa Richardson
3. Enoch Silsbee 9. Leach Harris
4. Nathaniel Alley 10. Joseph P. Bradlee
5. Joseph Coolidge 11. Thomas Jackson
6. Michael Roulstone 12. Joshua Davis
and the said Committee to report at the adjournment.
On motion made and seconded : it was Voted, that when any
vacancy occurs in the Committee appointed to locate and build
an House of Industry, by death, resignation, or otherwise, that
the remaining members of the Committee be authorized to fill
such vacancy.
On the Petition of Benjamin French and others for the
removal of Hackney Coaches from the streets — it was voted to
refer it to a Committee of three, whereupon,
Samuel Adams
Heman Fay
Samuel L. Knapp,
were chosen for that purpose. —
On the Petition of Lewis Tappan and others requesting the
Town to consider the expediency of assessing the Town and
County Taxes, or either of them at some season of the year,
other than the first day of May. —
Whereupon — Voted, That the Assessors be directed to take
the valuation of personal property for the Town and County
taxes on the first [344] Tuesday of February annually.
John Cleasby was nominated and chosen a Hog Reeve and
Field Driver [for] the year ensuing.
On the Petition of Joseph Willett and others for two additional
Surveyors of Lumber. Voted ; that it is inexpedient to appoint
any additional Surveyors of Lumber. —
204 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted : That this meeting be now adjourned to Wednesday
next at 9 o'clock A.M. —
Wednesday June 6th A.D. 1821.—
Met according to adjournment. —
The report of the Committee of Finance, was read authorizing
the Committee to allow the Town Treasurer and Collector, a sum
not exceeding Twenty jive hundred Dollars. — which was
accepted, and — Voted: The Committee of Finance be author-
ized to allow the Town Treasurer and Collector, such Salary as
they think proper not exceeding twenty five hundred dollars, for
his services in those offices the ensuing year. —
The Committee of Finance having full power to diminish this
sum as much as they shall judge expedient.
The report of the Committee relative to Hacks, was read —
and unanimously accepted. —
[345.] The Committee to whom was referred the Petition
of Benjamin French and others, ask leave to Report. —
That they have attended to the duty assigned them, and find
on examination that the standing of some Hackney Coaches in
the Streets, is an inconvenience, to the Public, but there are
some persons who keep them so situated, that it would be a
hardship for them to be now driven from the Street. The power
of regulation being now vested in the Selectmen, your Commit-
tee believe it is in the most judicious hands that it could any
where be lodged. But your Committee would venture to recom-
mend, that after three months from this date, all Hackney
Coaches should be ordered from the Street, excepting in such parti-
cular Cases as the Selectmen should think proper to exempt. —
Samuel Adams
Heman Fay
June 6th 1821. — Samuel L. Knapp.
The Report of the Committee on the subject of Buildings of
Wood, as expressed in the petition of Josiah Jones and others,
was read, and accepted by a large majority. —
The Committee to whom was referred the Petition of Josiah
Jones and others, to take into consideration the expediency of
Petitioning the Legislature to alter or repeal the Law prohibit-
ing the erection of Wooden buildings within the Town [346]
more than ten feet high, have attended to the subject with all the
diligence and care which the importance of the subject claims. —
The Committee are fully impressed, with the great advantage
which the Town has experienced by the effects of the existing
Law, which has been in operation since the year 1803. by which
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 205
means a great increase of Brick and Stone Walls have been
erected, and the security of the town thereby has been much
increased ; and therefore it is the opinion of the Committee, that
the existing Law may now be modified without any essential in-
jury ; and inasmuch as it appears to be the general wish so to mod-
ify the Law, as to meet the wants and means of a large portion of
respectable citizens, who have not the ability to erect buildings
entirely of Brick or Stone ; and as they are satisfied that dwell-
ing houses not exceeding ten feet high, are injurious to the
health of those who reside in them, as well as to the Inhabitants
generally. The Committee therefore recommend to the town,
to signify its desire that the Legislature should be requested so
far to modify the existing Law, as that in future wooden Build-
ings may be erected, which are to be used for dwelling houses
exclusively, which shall not exceed eighteen feet from the lowest
part of the sill, to the upper part of the plate, and a pitched roof
over the same not exceeding six feet high, from the plate to the
highest point of the roof, provided that such roof shall be
entirely covered with slate & shall not have any Windows on
[347] the sloping part of the said roof, but that in each end
a Window may be placed — And further that where there are two
or more tenements joined, there shall be a brick wall between, of
at least twelve inches in thickness, and extend at least two feet
above the highest point of the Roof and to be covered with a
stone capping. And also that where the ends or sides of any
such building to be erected, shall be situated within fifteen feet
of any other buildings of Wood, such end or side shall be of brick
or stone, the wall of which, shall be of at least twelve inches in
thickness, and extend at least two feet above the highest point
of the Roof, and be capped with Stone.
All which is respectfully submitted
By order of the Committee
Stephen Codman, Chairman
June 6. 1821.—
Voted, That the Selectmen be requested to present a petition
to the Legislature in behalf of the Town to obtain a modification
of the Law agreeable to the preceding vote. —
Voted, That an Assistant Town Clerk be selected whose duty
it shall be to act, as such, in all cases, when the Town Clerk,
either from death, sickness or other cause shall be unable to per-
form the duties of that office.
Voted, That Mr. Charles Hammatt, be selected for that
purpose.
[348.] Voted, That the Selectmen be and hereby are author-
ized to make such compensation to the Assistant Town Clerk as
they may think proper and expedient. —
206 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, To reconsider the vote passed at the last Meeting, on
the petition of Joseph Willett and others respecting two addi-
tional Surveyors of Lumber.
Voted, That the further consideration of this subject be post-
poned 'till next March Meeting. —
Moved, That the Vote accepting the Report of the Committee
of Finance, be reconsidered — which passed in the affirmative.
Moved, That the further consideration of the subject be indefi-
nitely postponed — which was negatived —
Voted, That the Report of the Committee of Finance be recom-
mitted to the same Committee for revision, and that they Report
at the adjournment. —
Voted, That when this Meeting adjourns it adjourn to next
Monday week, — then to meet in this place at 9 o'clock A.M.
The meeting was then adjourned —
[349.] Monday June 18th 1821 — Met according to adjourn-
ment. —
The question having been asked, "why the Taxes assessed
exceeded the Taxes voted by the Town." Moved, that a Com-
mittee be raised to wait on the Assessors and request their attend-
ance at the Meeting. The Police Officer, was directed to attend
to that duty.
Moved, To reconsider the vote authorizing the Selectmen to
make such compensation to the Assistant Town Clerk, as they
may think proper and expedient — which was negatived —
The Committee of Finance made a report, and after some
debate, it was voted that the subject subside for the present.
A long debate on the subject of the Town and County Treas-
urers, being united, then ensued; and the Records of the Con-
vention, authorized to choose County Treasurer, and also the
Records of the Convention authorized to choose the Town Treas-
urer and Collector having been read, it was Moved, that the
whole subject subside. — which was negatived — It was then1
Voted, Unanimously that the subject be referred to the Com-
mittee of Finance, with directions to use all the means in their
power, to unite the two Offices in one person. —
BOSTON TOWN RECOEDS, 1821. 207
The Assessors having attended and made [35O] some expla-
nations.— It was Voted, unanimously, To instruct the Assessors
to assess, precisely the amount of Taxes, levied by the State,
County and Town and to make no addition of the five per Cent,
as allowed by Law the present year. —
The Report of the Committee of Finance was again taken up,
and Voted, that the subject be postponed untill the adjournment,
and that the Report be printed in the meantime and distributed
to the Inhabitants.
After some discussion of the subject of lighting the Lamps all
the year, it was Voted, that the subject subside. —
Voted, That when this meeting does adjourn, it shall be to this
day fortnight, then to meet in this place, at 10 o'clock A.M.
Voted, That this Meeting do now adjourn.
Attest Charles Hammatt,
Assistant Town Clerk.
[351.] Monday July 2nd 1821 — Met according to adjourn-
ment.—
The Report of the Committee of Finance which was made at
the last meeting and ordered to be printed, was taken up. — viz. —
Ninth annual Report of the Committee of Finance. —
N°. 1.
The amount of Taxes assessed in 1820. were as follows — viz —
State Tax 24,117.02
Town & County Tax 141,111.28
$165,228.30
Amount received by the Treasurer on account of
said Taxes 154,519.90
Amount of abatement of Taxes agreeable to Cer-
tificates of Assessors --------- 6,413.10
Balance uncollected 4,295.30
165228.30
208
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Amount received by the Treasurer on account of
uncollected Taxes of preceding years and out-
standing at the time the late Treasurers account
was settled 1815 109.80
1817 27.50
1818 106.96
1819 1145.40
1,389.66
Amount received for 1820 154,519.90
Whole amount received by the Treasurer from
August 1820, to May 1821 155,909.56
Boston May 14, 1821 — Errors Excepted — Turner Phillips,
Town Treasurer. —
[352.] N°. 2.
The Town of Boston in Account Current with Andrew Sigourney
Treasurer Dr.
1820
May 22 To amount due on Selectmen's
& Overseer's drafts - - 226.24
To amount of Note due the
Selectmen 1230.00
June 2d. To do Selectmen's d'fts of the
1st instant - - - - 9554.18
8 To do Overseer's ditto of the
7th do 2388.40
13 To do Board of Health ditto
of the 12th do --- 1000.—
July 3 To do Selectmen's ditto of the
1st do 5010.30
6 To do Overseer's ditto of the
5th do 2373.49
Aug 5 To do ditto ditto of the 5th do 972.25
To do Selectmen's ditto of the
5th 4511.75
To do Jabez Hunting's Note
received for rent - - 40.00
To do Thomas Badger's ditto 22. —
To Counterfeit Bill received
for Taxes .... 3. —
1456.24
20326.37
5549.-
To balance due the Town to new Ac-
count
27331.61
33725.54
61057.15
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821.
209
The Town of Boston in account with Andrew Sigourney, Treas-
urer ----- Cr.
1820
May
June
22 By Balance due the Town
as per accounts of this
date -
3 " Cash rec'd of Jacob Tidd
Jr for his Note - - 378. —
" do of do 12 months
interest on $15 12 - 90.72
30 " do for Rent of land on
the Neck - - - - 12.—
" do for Rent of land on
Mill Pond - - - 20.—
11 do for Rent of House
in Union Street - 12. —
" do for Rent of Stall
under Faneuil Hall 39. —
" do for Rent of Shops
& Offices in Old
State House - - - 217.50
card. ford.
[353.] By Amount brought forward - - -
July 15 By Cash of the State Treas-
urer for maintenance of
State Paupers to June
1st 7313.32
31 By do for rent of land on the
Neck 40. —
By do for rent of Hay Scales 170.87
By do for rent of Shops &
Offices in old State
House 500.83
By do for rent of Stall & Cel-
lars under Faneuil Hall 886.50
Aug. 5 By do for 3 months rent of
Cellars N° 12 & 13 Old
State House - - - 150. —
By do for 3 months of Stalls
&c in the Market - - 2189.18
By do for 3 months Stall N°.
17 37.—
By do for 3 months Offices
N°. 3 & 6 Old State
House 100. —
Aug. 5 By do 12 do Sedge Lands - 5. —
By do Fines for breach of
Laws ------- 2. —
45170.76
769.22
45939.98
45939,98
210
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
By Amount of Selectmen's &
Overseers drafts unpaid - 261.97
By Cash received for Taxes
1817 - - - 25.80
1816 - - - 77.30
1818 - - - 108.62
1819 - - - 2018.78 2230.50
By Amount of Note due to
Selectmen of Boston ------
13887.17
1230.—
$61,057.15
Aug. 5 By Balance due the Town as per Contra, 33.725.54
Boston Sept. 2. 1820. Errors Excepted -
Elizabeth Sigourney, Administratrix
By her Attorney, Joel Stone.
[354.]
N°. 3.
The Town of Boston in account Current with Turner Phillips,
Treasurer & Collector Dr.
1820
Augt. 6 To Cash paid balance of Selectmen's and
Overseer's Drafts 261.97
To Joseph Russells' Note given as Town
Treasurer to the Selectmen of Boston,
dated Dec1. 1. 1793
1821
March 22 To Cash paid MrB. Elizabeth Sigourney
for my Note given as Treasurer, dated
September 4th 1820
April To Amount of Commonwealth
Tax for 1820 - - - - 21,749.33
To ditto County of Suffolk
Tax for 1820 - - - - 29,768.40
May
To balance of Profit & Loss ace*, as pr.
account ----------
To amount of the Selectmen's
Drafts from Sepr. 1. 1820,
, to Ap1. 21, 1821 inclusive, 74,800.59
To amount of the Overseer's
d'fts from Sepr. 6. 1820 to
May 2d. 1821 inclusive - 18,784.77
To amount of the Board of
Health's drafts from Au-
gust 21. 1820 to Apr. 218t.
1821. inclusive - - - 7,500.00
1230.—
33725.54
51517.73
924.05
101,085.36
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 211
To the following Bonds &
Notes remaining unpaid
Ward N. Boylston's Bond, 10,000.00
Jacob Tidd's three notes, 1,134. —
John Hancock's - - - 930. —
Rea & Wrights - - - 300. —
John Stuarts - - - - 125. —
Isaac Rand Jr.'s - - - 46.20
J & A Hunting's - - - 40. —
William Tukesbury's - - 390.92
Jabez Hunting's - 40. —
13,006.12
May 14 To Balance due the Town to New ac-
count 84,874.53
$286,625.30
[355.] The Town of Boston in Account Current with Turner
Phillips, Treasurer & Collector .....___ Cr.
1820
Sept. 2d. By the following Bond & Notes recd.
this day of the Administratrix of the
Estate of Andrew Sigourney Esq.
deceased, late Treasurer and Collector
— viz.
By Ward N. Boylston's Bond 10,000.00
" Jacob Tidd Jrs 3 Notes
$378 each .... 1134.—
" John Hancock's. - - - 930. —
«' Joseph Rowe's ... 535.50
*4 Rea & Wrights - - - 500.—
" John Stuart's - - - - 125. —
** Isaac Rand's Jr - - - 46.20
" Jabez & Asa Hunting's - 40. —
" William Tukesbury's - - 17.55
" Jabez Hunting's - - - 40.00
" Thomas Badger's - - - 22.00
13390.25
Sept 4 By Cash recd. of Mrs. Eliza-
beth Sigourney for my
Note as Treasurer —
viz --.__.
Boston Money- - - - 7313.32
Current Money - - - 25868.22
Bills of the Hollowell &
Augusta, Wiscassett &
Castine Banks - - - 544.00
33725.54
212
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Sept
Oct
1821.
Feby
ditto for one years rent of
Land or Flats northwesterly
from the end of the Rope
Walks N°. 1 & 2- due 24th
December 1820 - - - -
179.70
47.20
273.50
30 By Cash recd. of the Police
Officer for Fines collected
by him for breaches of
Town Laws 3.00
18 By Cash recd of S Gorham
Esq for 16.50
7 By Cash recd. of Wm Donnison
Esq. for D°. 2.00
" Cash recd. for Militia
Exempts 252.00
card. over - $47389.29
1821.
[356.] March 10 By Amount brought forward 047389.29
March 10 By Cash recd. of the State Treasurer for
the maintenance of State Paupers to
Decr. 1. 1820 5064.56
22 " Cash received of Mrs. Elizabeth
Sigourney, administratrix on the
Estate of Andrew Sigourney Esqr.
deceased, for the balance due from
him as Treasurer & Collector of the
Town of Boston, as per adjustment
of his account by the Sub-Committee
of the Committee of Finance - - - 33725.54
May By Cash received for Licenses
for Hackney Carriages - - 62. —
By Cash received for Rent of
Stalls & Cellars under Fan-
euilHall 3037.50
By ditto of the Clerk of the
Market for Rents recd. by
him for Meat & Vegetable
Stalls, &c from the 1st of
Novem. 1820, to 1st May
1821 6767.01
By ditto for Rent of Shops,
Offices & Cellars in Old
State House 2902.92
By ditto for Rent for Lands
on the Neck -----
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 213
By ditto of Jos. N. Howe &
Amos Binney for 2 year's
rent of Land or Flats at the
foot of Rope Walks N°. 5
due 24th December 1820 - 13.20
12947.53
carrd. forward - $99188.92
May By Amount brought for-
ward $99188.92
By Cash recd. for Rent of Land
on Prince & Merrimack
Streets 112.00
By ditto for ditto of Fish Stall
on north Street - - - - 12.00
By ditto for d°. of House on
Union S* 36.00
By ditto for d°. of Deer Island 400. —
By ditto for proceeds of Hay
Scales 360.98
920.98
By Balance of Interest Account per
Account 1495.53
By Amount due the Commonwealth on
Tax of 1820 21749.33
By balce due the County of Suffolk on
ditto - --- 5532.10
By balance due on Selectmen's & Over-
seer's drafts 586.38
By Cash recd. for Taxes of 1815. 1817
1818. 1819. 1820 155909.56
" Cash recd. for an old Stove and Light-
ing a Lamp - 12.50
By Treasurer Russells Note to Selectmen
of Boston 1230.00
Dollars
286,625.30
Boston May 14. 1821. Errors Excepted
Turner Phillips,
Town Treasurer and' Collector. —
Boston May 15. 1821. The Subscribers appointed by the
Town of Boston, on the 12th day of March last to audit the
accounts of the Town Treasurer and Collector, have attended to
the duty assigned them, and find the accounts right cast and well
vouched, and that there results a balance in favour [358] of the
Town of eighty four thousand eight hundred seventy four Dollars
fifty three cents, of which sum they find eighty two Thousand six
hundred sixty one dollars, eighty four cents, now deposited in the
214
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Manufacturers & Mechanic's Bank to the Credit of "Turner
Phillips, Treasurer and Collector of the Town of Boston." —
Stephen Codman ~)
Francis J. Oliver >• Auditors. —
Robert G. Shaw )
N°. 4.
Profit and Loss
Dr
1820
Sept.
15 To loss on the undermentioned Bills
received of the Administratrix on the
Estate of the late Treasurer Andrew
Sigourney, Esq. deceased, & sold this
day, conformably to the advice of
the Sub- Committee of the Committee
of Finance : viz :
Castine Bank $154 at 30 p C'.
discount 46.20
Hall8. Augusta $181 at 42
pCl. discount - - - - 76.02
Wiscassett $209 at 45 p C*.
discount ------
Novem.
Decem.
1821
January
May
To premium on $15,351 Boston
deposited this month
To premium on 17,700 Boston
deposited this month
To premium on 77,000 Boston
deposited this month
To premium on 12,807 Boston
deposited this month
To premium on 352. Boston
deposited this month
94.05
Money
Money
Money
216.27
135.51
173.50
738.96
124.97
3.52
$1392.73
There is now deposited in the Manufacturers & Mechanics
Bank $82,661 ; the premium on which at seven eights per Cent
will Amount to $723.28. —
[359.]
1820
Sept.
Octo.
Nov.
1821.
Jan'y
Feb'y
Profit and Loss ..... Cr.
By premium on $8003 drawn this Month
By - ditto 8277 " " do
By - ditto 649 " " do
By
By
ditto
ditto
3000
4882
do
do
70.54
73.04
5.72
26.25
44.82
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821.
215
Mar. By - ditto 17300 drawn this do
April By - ditto 6150 " " do
May By - ditto 4200 " «* do
" 14. By balance to the debit of the Town of
Boston, in account current - ...
157.75
53.81
36.75
924.05
$1392.73
Boston, May 14. 1821.
Errors Excepted
Turner Phillips, Town Treasurer
N°. 5.
1821
Jan'y
May
Interest Account - - - - Dr.
4. To Cash paid the Selectmen of Boston,
for one year's interest on Treasurer
Russell's Note of $1230.— - - -
14 To balance carried to the credit of the
Town in account current - ...
1820
Octo. 1.
Novem.
Decem.
1821.
Jan'y
Cr.
By Cash received of the Manufacturers
and Mechanic's Bank for interest on
the amount deposited in that Bank
during the Month of September - -
By ditto for the Month of October - -
By ditto «« " do «* November -
By ditto
do " December
Amt carried over
1821
[36O.]
February
March
April
May 1.
By Amount bro'. forward -----
By Interest for the Month of January -
By ditto " " do' " February -
By ditto " " do " March - -
By ditto 'k " do " April - -
By Cash recd. for Interest on T. Badger's
Note
By Cash recd. for Interest on Rea &
Wrights Note --------
May 1. By Cash recd. for Interest on Joseph
Rowe's Note •
By Cash recd. for Interest on Wm. Tukes-
bury's Note
Boston May 14. 1821.
73.80
1495.53
$1569.33
29.32
14.38
24.47
181.77
$249.94
249.94
253.19
244.46
248.40
215.11
1.15
109.71
127.81
119.56
$1569.33
Errors Excepted
Turner Phillips, Town Treasurer
216
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
N°. 6.
Dr. Boylston Town Schools in Account Current with the Town of
Boston. Cr.
1821 1820
May To Amount to new Ac- May 22 By Balance as pr. Ac-
count 8202.38 co unt of this date, 7738.10
By interest on do 1
year 464.28
8202.38
8202.38
Boston May 14. 1821 Errors Excepted
Turner Phillips, Town Treasurer.
N°. 7.
Statement of the Debts & Credits of the Town of Boston,
May 14. 1821.
1821.
May
Town of Boston
- Dr.
To Commonwealth of Massachusetts
44 County of Suffolk
44 Selectmen of Boston - - - -
" Selectmens Drafts - - - - -
" Overseers ditto
21749.33
5532.10
1230.—
258.39
327.99
carr*. forward - $29097,81
[361.] To Amount brought forward - - -
" Boylston Town Schools - - -
44 Unliquidated Accounts, estimated
Balance in favor of the Town
$29097 81
8202 38
3000 —
40300.19
64080.46
$104,380.65
1821
May
Town of Boston
By Ward N. Boylston's Bond
44 Jacob Tidd's three Notes
44 John Hancock's do
44 John Stuart's do
44 Rea & Wrights do
44 Isaac Rand Jr's do
10.000.
1134.
930.
125.
300.
46.20
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 217
By J & A Hunting's do .... 40.—
" Jabez Huntings do - - - - 40. —
" Wm. Tukesbury's do - - - - 390.92
" Commonwealth of Massachusetts
estimated -- - 5000.
" Uncollected Taxes estimated to
produce 1500.
" Cash in the Treasury 84874.53
$104380.65
Boston May 14. 1821 — Errors Excepted
Turner Phillips, Town Treasurer
N°. 8.
Statement of Salaries, annually paid to Town Officers
Chairman of the Selectmen $1200
Three Assessors $1000 each 3000
Assistant to ditto .-. 100
Treasurer's - 2500
card. forward - $6800 —
[362.] Amount brought forward $6800 —
Town Clerk's 1000 —
Judge of Municipal court - 750 —
Police Officer 900 —
Clerk of the Market 800 —
Secretary to the Firewards - 200 —
Messenger to ditto .-.. 30 —
Messenger to Selectmen 365 —
10845 —
School Master & Usher 25430.55
Primary Schools 8500. —
Annual Amount of Salaries $44775.55
£th of which became due on the first day of May - 7462.59
Amount due the Treasurer for last year - - - - 2083. —
Assistant Town Clerk 400. —
$9945.59
Statement exhibiting the amount of Debts due from the Town
of Boston ; the amount which will accrue for the expenditures the
year ensuing ; the amount to be received from the various sources
of Revenue enumerated, and the amount to be assessed upon the
Inhabitants to pay the balance.
218
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Amount due from the Town for State Tax of 1820
unpaid ---------_--_
D°. D°. County Tax D°.
D°. on Selectmen's drafts D°. -----_-
D°. on Overseers Drafts D°. -------
Probable Balance due on account of School House
now building in Derne S*. -------
[363.] Amount brought up - - ' - - - -
Contemplated alterations of North Schools - - -
Estimated amount of unliquidated Accounts - -
Amount of Treasurer Russells Note, due to the
fund of Joanna Brooker & to be paid the ensuing
year
Amount due on account of Salaries to School
Masters and other Town officers on the first of
May 1821 by Statements N°. 8
Amount required by the Selectmen for the year
ensuing 84,700
D°. by the School Committee - - - 36,000
D°. for Primary Schools 8,500
D°. by the board of Health - - - - 7,000
D°. by Overseers of the Poor - - - 25,000
D° to be paid by the Town for State
Tax 22237.33
D°. County Tax 35000. —
Amount allowed for abatement of Taxes - - -
Whole amount to be paid by the Town the year
21749.33
5532 10
258 39
327 99
5000 —
$32867 81
32867.81
3202.38
3000.—
1230.-
40300.19
9945.59
161200.—
57237.33
ensuing & ending May 1. 1822
268,683.11
10 000.—
$278,683.11
Balance due from the Treasurer ------
Amount of Rents receivable on the 1st. of May
1822 17,917.93
Allowance for casualties - - - - - 917.93
Estimated Amount of Rents that will be received
on the 1st May 1822
Probable amount to be recd from the State for
maintenance of State Paupers ------
Uncollected Taxes estimated to produce - - - -
$84,874 53
17.000 —
4.000 00
1.500 —
car*1. forward . $107.374 53
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 219
[364.] Amount brought forward .... $107.374 53
Amount to be assessed on the Town to pay the
Commonwealth Tax 22237.33
Amount to be assessed on the Town to
pay the County Tax 35,000. —
Amount to be assessed on the Town to
pay the balance 114.071.25
171.308 58
Dollars 278.683.11
The Committee therefore recommend that a Tax of One hun-
dred and fifteen thousand Dollars be levied for the payment of
the current expenses of the year ending May 1st. 1822. which sum
includes the sum of Ten thousand Dollars as a provision to meet
the probable amount of abatements of Taxes.
By order of the Committee of Finance,
Eliphalet Williams,
Chairman.
Boston, June 15. 1821 —
A motion to amend the Report of the Committee of Finance, by
reducing the sum proposed to be raised to One hundred thousand
Dollars, was negatived. —
The Report was then accepted — and
Voted, that the sum of One hundred and fifteen thousand Dollars,
be raised by a tax, to be assessed upon the Polls & Estates of
the Inhabitants to defray the expenses of the Town, the present
year. —
It was also Voted, that a further sum of Three thousand
Dollars, be raised by a Tax as [365] aforesaid, for the purpose
of defraying the expense of lighting the Lamps through the Sum-
mer season.
Voted, That on the request of the Committee of Primary
Schools, it is expedient that the sum of One thousand Dollars be
appropriated for the establishment of a School on the System of
mutual instruction, to be under the same regulations and control,
as the other Public Schools of the Town.
On motion, Voted, That the Selectmen be requested to insert
an article in the Warrant for the next Town meeting, " To see
if the Town will appoint a Committee, which, in conjunction with
the Selectmen, shall take into consideration the subject of devis-
ing measures for the celebration of the festival of Independence,
in a manner worthy of that great event ; and as shall conduce to
the advantage and honor of the Town and the general satisfaction
of the Citizens." —
220 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, That a Committee be appointed, who may be authorised
in behalf of the Town of Boston, to request of the Honourable
Court of Sessions, to furnish the town with a statement, giving
the details of the expenditures in their department on account of
the County ; and give such further information to the Committee,
relative to the receipts and expenditures of money on account of
the County, as may be necessary, or as [366] they may require
to enable the Town to form a correct opinion in relation to their
monied concerns ; — and that said Committee report at a future
meeting —
Mess™. William Tudor
Lewis Tappan and
Henry J. Oliver,
were chosen on the Committee —
Voted, Unanimously, That the thanks of the Town be pre-
sented to Benjamin Weld Esq. for his able and faithful services,
during the time he has executed the office of Treasurer for the
County of Suffolk. —
Voted, That the Selectmen be requested to adopt such measures
as they may deem expedient, to show proper respect to the U. S.
Cadets from West Point, when they shall arrive in Town.
Voted, That a Committee be appointed to take into considera-
tion the subject of assessing the Town and County Taxes in a
more equitable and legal manner, with particular reference to the
law of 13th. of February last, to apportion, and assess a tax for
the year 1821 ; and that said Committee be directed to report at
a future meeting.
Mess18. Lewis Tappan Jonathan Simonds
George Hallet Samuel Billings
William Thurston & Abraham Wild Esq™.
were chosen on the Committee. —
[367.] The following Preamble and Resolutions, were read
and passed by the Town — viz —
Whereas, on the 22d day of May 1820, a Petition, signed by a
number of Inhabitants of the Town, was presented to the Select-
men, requesting them to insert in the Warrant for calling the next
Town meeting, the following subject, " To consider the expedi-
ency of uniting the Offices of County and Town Treasurer;" —
and —
Whereas, the Selectmen in conformity to the said petition gave
public notice to the Inhabitants that this, with other subjects,
would be submitted to their consideration on the 29th day of May,
at a public Meeting to be holden at Faneuil Hall — and
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 221
Whereas, at the said Meeting this subject was duly considered
and acted upon, and by the People referred to the Committee of
Finance, with directions to consider the subject and report their
opinions thereon at a future meeting of the Inhabitants — and —
Whereas, at a legal meeting of the Inhabitants holden at Fan-
euil Hall on the 22nd day of June 1820. the said Committee of
Finance reported that they had maturely considered the subject,
and in their opinion the duties of both Offices could be performed
by one person, and that it was proper and expedient that the two
Offices of County and Town Treasurer should be united, and
recommended [368] that a Committee be chosen to petition the
Legislature, in behalf of the Town, so to alter or amend the law
prescribing the mode of electing County Treasurer for the County
of Suffolk, as would enable them to effect that object. — and
Whereas, the Town at the said meeting accepted the report of
the Committee of Finance, and in conformity to the recommen-
dation contained therein, made choice of the Selectmen as a Com-
mittee to petition the Legislature for the necessary alteration of
the Laws — and
Whereas the Legislature in conformity to the petition of the
Selectmen in pursuance of the said vote, proceeded and made
such alterations as were required, and by which the legal impedi-
ments to the effecting of the union of the two offices were not
only entirely removed, but a new law was enacted, and so
constructed as to invest in the Convention, consisting of the
Committee of Finance and the Selectmen of Chelsea, the power
of uniting the offices in one person. — and
Whereas, after the several decisions of the Town, the Com-
mittee of Finance and the Legislature, in favor of the measure,
the Committee of Finance, at a meeting on the 15th day of May
last past, proceeded again to discuss the " propriety and expedi-
ency of the measure," and appointed a Committee for this pur-
pose — and
[369.] Whereas, at a subsequent Meeting of the said Com-
mittee, the yeas and nays were taken on the question, whether it
was " proper and expedient to unite the offices of County and
Town Treasurer and Collector," which was determined in the
affirmative, there being Sixteen yeas and Eleven nays, and —
Whereas, at a Meeting of the said Committee, on the first day
of June last past a motion was made to reconsider the vote by
which it was decided to be " proper and expedient" to unite the
two offices, which motion was determined by yeas and nays, and
passed in the negative, Sixteen Nays and twelve Yeas — and
222 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Whereas the said Committee, at a meeting of the first day of
June last past, considered and fixed the sum that ought to be
allowed and paid as a Salary to the Town Treasurer & Collector,
having in view the intention of electing him to the office of
County Treasurer ; and on motion made and lost for the Sums of
Twenty five hundred Dollars and Twenty two hundred Dollars,
the sum of Two thousand Dollars was voted — and —
Whereas, in execution of the foregoing votes and proceedings,
the Chairman of the Committee of Finance was directed publicly
to advertise for applications from such persons as were desirous
to perform the duties of those offices, and on inquiry of the
applicants to inform them that the Salary was fixt [3 7O] at Thirty
five hundred Dollars for the performance of the duties of both
offices : And whereas a meeting of the County Convention was
holden on the 11th day of June last past, for the election of a
County Treasurer, which being effected, the Town Convention
consisting of the Committee of Finance, proceeded to elect a
Town Treasurer & Collector ; and in violation of their own votes
and decisions, the votes and decisions of the Town, in direct
opposition to the opinions and wishes of the people, and in utter
disregard to the interest of the Town and County, they elected a
different person to this office, thereby separating the two offices,
by choosing two persons to fill them, one on a Salary of Twenty
five hundred Dollars, and the other at a Salary of Fifteen hun-
dred Dollars : — thus preserving at an increased expense, a state
of things which it had been solemnly and repeatedly determined
to be " proper and expedient " to destroy — and —
Whereas, by these extraordinary and anomalous proceedings,
the said Committee have by their conduct evinced a marked dis-
respect to the People, an utter disregard to their interest, a total
want of respect to themselves in their official capacity, and have
thereby degraded the dignity of the stations in which they have
been placed by the public voice — Therefore
Resolved as the sense of the Town, that they highly disapprove
of the proceedings of the Committee of Finance, and that, in the
opinion of the [371] Town, a Board, or such parts of it as
have been instrumental in thus defeating the intentions of the
People, are unworthy of public trust and confidence. —
Resolved, That it is proper that measures be taken to guard
against the reccurrence of effects of a similar nature, and that the
people be not defeated in their intentions, by agents in whom
they have confided the trust of carrying their purposes into
execution, that a Committee be chosen to frame such regulations
and to recommend such measures, as they may deem most
proper to produce the intended effect and that they be desired to
report at a future meeting. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 223
The following Gentlemen were appointed a Committee agree-
ably to the last Resolution — viz
Stephen Codman Esq. Mr. Jonathan Simonds
Thomas Badger Isaac Winslow Esq.
William Thurston Mr. Lewis Tappan and
Mr. Daniel Carney Henry J. Oliver Esq.
Benjamin Weld Esq.
The Meeting was then Dissolved. —
[372.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston, holden at Faneuil Hall, on
Wednesday, the 4th day of July 1821. at nine o'clock A.M. —
Warrant for calling the Meeting read —
Benjamin Russell Esqr, was chosen Moderator.
The Committee appointed the last year to make choice of a
Gentleman to deliver an Oration, on the Anniversary of Inde-
pendence, Reported, That they had chosen Charles G. Loring
Esqr. who had accepted the appointment.
Adjourned to meet at the Old South Church, at 12 o'clock M. —
Met at the Old South Church, according to adjournment,
where an Oration was delivered by Charles G. Loring Esq. to
commemorate the Independence of the United States of America.
Voted, That the Selectmen be, and hereby are appointed a
Committee to wait on Charles G. Loring Esq. in the name of
the Town, and thank him for the elegant and spirited Oration
this day delivered by him at the request of the Town, upon the
Anniversary of American Independence, in which were considered
the feelings, manners and principles which produced the great
national event, and to request of him a Copy for the press. —
[373.] Voted, that the Gentlemen Selectmen be, and hereby
are appointed a Committee, to apply to some able and learned
Gentleman to deliver an Oration on the 4th day of July 1822.
That day being the Anniversary of the Independence of the
United States of America, wherein the Orator, is to consider the
feelings, manners and principles which led to this great National
event, and the important and happy effects which have already, or
will forever flow from that auspicious Epoch.
The Meeting was then Dissolved
Attest Thomas Clark, Town Clerk
224 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
[374.] At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston, holden at Faneuil Hall, on Tuesday
the 25th day of September A.D. 1821. at 10 o'clock A.M.
Warrant for calling the Meeting, read —
Francis J. Oliver Esq. was chosen Moderator. —
The Petition of Edmund Winchester and others, " that the
Town would take into consideration the expediency of rescinding
a Vote passed on the sixth day of June last, by which Hackney
Coaches were to be prohibited from standing on the Streets."
was read : — Whereupon a motion was made and seconded, that
the Town rescind their vote, which prohibits Hackney Coaches
standing in the streets ; — the question being put, it passed in the
negative. —
The Committee appointed on the second day of July last, to
take into consideration certain proceedings of the Committee of
Finance of the Town, relative to the election of County and Town
Treasurer, and ' ' to frame such regulations and recommend such
measures as they may deem most proper to carry into effect cer-
tain previous votes of the Town, declaring it expedient that these
two offices should be united " ; — having attended to the business
assigned them, ask leave to report in part. —
That in order to form a correct opinion of [375] the conduct
of the Committee of Finance, in the election of County and Town
Treasurers, they have examined the Acts of the Legislature, from
whence they derived their authority, and also the proceedings of
the two Conventions of County and Town, which by these acts
are constituted for the express purpose of electing these officers.
— By the Law passed the 13th day of February 1821. the Com-
mittee of Finance, together with the Selectmen of the town of
Chelsea, were authorised to meet in Convention on the second
Monday in June annually, and elect by ballot, a County Treas-
urer ; to decide upon the compensation he should receive for his
services, and the Bonds he should give for the faithful discharge
of the duties of his office. — By the Law passed the 16th of June
1813. the Committee of Finance were empowered to meet in
Convention in the months of June or July annually and elect a
Town Treasurer, and direct as to the bonds to be given by him.
Under the authority derived from the Legislature, the County
Convention met on the day appointed by law to elect a County
Treasurer. — It must be apparent that they acted as a body con-
stituted by the Legislature solely for that purpose and inde-
pendent of any Municipal instructions which a part of that
Convention, in another character might have received from the
Town of Boston ; and which if it had the right to give, the Town
of Chelsea had the same, for the Inhabitants of each town are
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 225
equally eligible to this Office, and the [376] motive would be
equally justifiable in one Town as the other to unite the two
offices ; the effect of such partial and conflicting instructions, in
case the County should be composed of many towns, might be to
enlist local feelings and interest in the election. — But aside from
this consideration, and allowing a part of that Convention, acting
as a Committee of Finance from the town of Boston to be
instructed to unite the two offices of County and Town Treasurer,
this could not be effected 'till a County Treasurer had been first
chosen, the town Convention having no other authority than that
of electing a Town Treasurer, and of course none to unite these
offices in one person, an effect which could be brought about by
them only by waiting until the County Convention had made
choice of their Treasurer, and then, as a Town Convention elect-
ing the same person to the office of Town Treasurer, and thus
accomplishing the purposes of the town as expressed in their
votes. — It will be equally apparent, that under such circum-
stances, the two bodies being independent of each other, the design
of uniting the two offices could be effected only by the Conven-
tion acting with a mutual knowledge of each others designs, and
a certainty that the person who should be elected to fill one office
would agree to accept and discharge the duties of both. — Had the
County Convention elected a person for County Treasurer, who
would have been, in the opinion of the Committee of Finance
[377] an improper person to elect to fill the more responsible
office of Town Treasurer and of course to fill both offices, it
would have been clearly impi-acticable in the latter body to have
effected this Union, without joining them in an individual incom-
petent to so arduous and responsible a station and thus obeying
the letter while they disregarded the spirit of their instructions
from the Town ; it not being pretended that the town was
resolved to unite the two offices in any [person even^j the most
incompetent candidate that should offer, but that if a suitable
person should be found, capable of filling both offices, and willing
to accept, they should be united. — That the Committee of Finance
carried into effect the wishes of the Town, as far as in their opinion,
prudence would warrant, will, it is believed, appear from a plain
statement of Facts.
From the records of the County Convention, we find, that at
the Meeting held, as was before observed, on the second Monday
in June, they proceeded to elect a County Treasurer ; that the
Gentleman who has filled the office of Town Treasurer with so
much general satisfaction, was chosen — and a Sub-Committee
was appointed to notify him of his election, and at the same
time to inform him, that it was the intention of the Committee of
Finance to unite the two offices, but he declined accepting the
appointment in consequence of the proposed union. — This Con-
vention, after directing the Chairman to advertise in [378]
the public Papers for any person disposed to accept the two
offices to make application for the same, adjourned to a day suffi-
226 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
ciently distant to give time for this notice and application to be
made — The notice was given, and eight persons applied. — The
Convention at their adjourned meeting proceeded to elect a
County Treasurer from among the applicants ; but so great was
the difference of opinion, that five ballotings were given, before
any one received a majority of votes, and then only fifteen out
of twenty eight. — The Gentleman chosen accepted, gave satis-
factory bonds and was qualified for the office. — After these pro-
ceedings of the County Convention, the Committee of Finance
held their meeting for the choice of Town Treasurer, and to use
their own language, "were placed under very peculiar circum-
stances at the time, because, while a majority were desirous to
unite the two offices, they had no alternative but to elect a person
wholly unacquainted with town accounts, or to separate the two
offices. — They preferred the latter course, in which they were
more united than in any previous vote, for on the first ballot, the
present Town Treasurer received twenty votes out of twenty
eight votes for that office and the County Treasurer but three
votes. That the Committee, in this final proceeding, " acted
conscientiously and with a sincere desire to promote the best in-
terest of the town," will not, it is believed, be doubted, although
the wishes [379] of the town for a union were not literally com-
plied with. — Could or would the Town have acted differently, if
placed in circumstances similar to those of their Committee?
From an impartial examination and mature consideration of
all the proceedings above detailed, and the laws authorizing them,
this Committee cannot but regret the late vote of censure upon
the Committee of Finance, who have served the town gratui-
tously for a number of years with credit to themselves, and benefit
to the town ; a vote which they think, would not have been
passed, if the Town had been more fully acquainted with the
whole proceedings in the election of County and Town Treasurer,
and the provisions of the statute laws relative thereto. Your
Committee therefore respectfully recommend, that the preamble
and resolve of the town, passed at the Meeting on the second day
of July last, so far as they censure the Committee of Finance be
reconsidered, and expunged from the records of the town, and
not left to be handed down to posterity as a lasting censure upon
so deserving and respectable a body of our fellow Citizens. —
And your Committee, ask leave to sit again, for the purpose of
reporting, on the latter part of their Commission, viz "the
measures most proper to be taken to guard against the recur-
rence of effects of a similar nature."
By order of the Committee
Stephen Codman, chairman
[38O.] The foregoing Report was read and accepted, and it
was voted, that Committee have leave to sit again, and that the
report they may make be printed and distributed among the
Inhabitants to be acted upon at the adjournment of this
Meeting. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 227
The Committee appointed by the Town of Boston July 2nd.
1821. " To take into consideration the subject of assessing the
Town & County Taxes in a more equitable and legal manner ;
with particular reference to the law of February 13th last, to
apportion and assess a tax for the year 1821." have attended to
that duty and present to the Town the following
Report.
There is no subject, in the municipal concerns of the town,
which excites more interest than that of Taxation.
tt is a ground of general complaint and uneasiness ; and those
upon whom it seems to touch most lightly are often the loudest
in remonstrance, and most eager in evasion.
The Committee have turned their attention, First, to ascertain
if there were any legal defects in the system of taxation, /Second,
if the assessing of taxes was attended with any abuses and the
grounds of complaint among the citizens; third to [381] see
if any remedies could be provided to make the levying more equal
and just, and to remove all cause of dissatisfaction on the part of
any portion of the Citizens. —
1. The Committee have examined the laws and find that the
Treasurer of the Commonwealth is directed annually to send his
Warrant to the Selectmen or assessors of each town, requiring
them to assess the sum with which each town stands charged in
the schedule made every tenth year by the Valuation Committee
of the State ; to tax each male poll, above the age of sixteen
years at 'fourteen cents, and the remainder of such sum charged
as aforesaid, to assess upon the respective inhabitants thereof,
according to the value of the real estate therein, possessed or
owned, by each of them, and the amount of their respective per-
sonal estates. — It is thus that the law provides for the assessing
of the State Tax.—
The same law authorizes the Justices of the court of Sessions,
in the respective Counties, to apportion the County Tax on the
several towns according to the proportion at which they are rated
in the Schedule aforesaid. — The law provides also that the Town
Taxes may be levied and collected according to a valuation to be
taken in any town at any time of the year which the Inhabitants
at a legal meeting to be learned for the purpose may determine to
be necessary.
The existing laws are wisely framed, embrace [382] every
suitable subject of taxation, and give ample authority to assessors
in the discharge of their duty. It appears then only necessary
that they should be impartially and firmly enforced to secure the
chief objects desired. — The Committee are unable to percieve any
defect except the law not making real property liable for the
taxes assessed upon it. —
In Cases where estates are mortgaged for their full value, and
the mortgager has no other property but retains the possession,
the taxes must be assessed upon the insolvent owner, and in
default of his paying them they cannot be collected. —
228 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The Committee learn that several very valuable estates have
been, and stll are, in this predicament, and no tax can be col-
lected of the owners in possession. —
2nd Two assistant Assessors are annually chosen in each of the
twelve Wards of the town, by the Freeholders ; and in conven-
tion three principal Assessors are chosen by them to perform the
duty required by law, with the aid afforded by the Assistants.
Accompanied by the Assistant Assessors of the Ward the Assess-
ors visit every dwelling therein to take the Polls and the real
estates, appraising them at their supposed cash value, and assess-
ing the Taxes upon the occupant when he is responsible. After-
wards, the Assessors, by advertising in all the news papers, call
upon the Inhabitants to return [383] lists of all their personal
property. In very few instances is this requisition complied
with. — The Assessors then proceed, with the aid of the Assistants
to estimate or doom the Inhabitants for their personal property
according to the best information they can obtain and their own
judgment. When this duty is completed they again publicly
call upon the inhabitants to examine the assessments at their
office. The invitation is generally neglected. In proper time
the lists are committed to the Collector, who sends Tax bills to
the dwellings of all the inhabitants. — For two years the whole
Board of Assistant Assessors has assembled to revise the doom-
ing made by the ward assessors, and the beneficial effects of this
measure have been apparent. Such is the practice of levying
the taxes. The Committee are of opinion that the principal
Assessors for the time being are competent for the discharge
of their duty and desirous to perform it with fidelity and impar-
tiality, but that they have given too much latitude to the author-
ity to abate taxes. The law authorises them to abate taxes in
certain specified cases. The Finance Committee of the town
annually report that the sum of ten thousand Dollars be raised
in addition to the estimated amount of the disbursements, to pro-
vide for abatements which have usually amounted to about that
sum — The Board of Assessors a year since passed a vote recom-
mending that no abatements should be made by the principal
assessors unless the Assistants for the Ward in which the com-
plainant lived [383£] should concur in the measure. — The
consequence of this judicious vote has been that the abatements
of the last year but little exceeded six thousand dollars. — The
Committee are of opinion that further checks can and ought to be
made on this authority to abate taxes. — They find that opulent
citizens do not hesitate to exert persevering personal application
to the Assessors until they obtain reductions of their taxes. —
The language of the law is imperative. "If there be any per-
sons who by reason of age, infirmity or poverty may be unable
to contribute towards the public charges in the judgment of the
assessors they may exempt the Polls and Estates of such persons
or abate any part of what they are assessed at, as said assessors
may think just and equitable." The Committee are of opinion
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 229
that after publicly requiring the inhabitants to hand in lists of
their property ; after inviting them to examine their assessments ;
and the lists are handed to the collector; the Assessors should
adhere to the strict letter of the law, and make no abatements
unless in cases specified, viz, " age, infirmity or poverty." —
One ground of complaint has been that many rich inhabitants
leave town the last of April to take a temporary residence in the
Country on the first of May where by an agreement with such
places, or otherwise, they pay but a small proportion of the sum
they would be liable for if they continued in town, and escape all
asesssments [384] upon their personal property in this town,
where they reside the greatest part of the year. While many
honorable exceptions exist to this practice, the Committee cannot
but reprobate this conduct in those who are guilty of it. It is
avoiding paying a just quota of the taxes which are assessed for
the protection of these persons and their property, for the
education of their children, and the support of all those valuable
institutions which do honour to the town, and of which such
citizens have their full benefit. —
Of similar character are the threats often used to remove from
town if taxes are not lessened, and even by some who have
amassed large property by residing in a place towards which they
are so ungrateful. — The vote of the town passed last May,
directing the Assessors henceforward to assess Taxes for per-
sonal property upon the inhabitants who have residence in town
the first Tuesday in February annually will, it is believed, check
these abuses and oblige all to pay their reasonable proportion of
the burden of the town and County taxes or take up their
permanent residence in other places. —
Another complaint to a considerable degree well founded is,
that the richer classes of inhabitants are not proportion ably
taxed with those of smaller property. The fact is clear that in
the ratio of a person's ability to pay taxes he is practically
exempted from the weight of taxation. [385] So apparent is
this fact that seldom does a complainant aver that he is taxed
more than his proportion of the aggregate of town and county
taxes. This complaint is that he is unequally taxed in proportion
to those who are as rich or richer. — To remedy as far as possible
this real evil many are desirous that the monied institutions in
the Town should be taxed in their corporate capacities. The
Committee are however of opinion that such a proceeding would
be illegal and unjust. The Tax Act directs Assessors to "assess
upon the respective inhabitants " only ; and gives no authority to
assess upon incorporated companies. — The same Act requires the
Assessors to assess upon the inhabitants according to the pro-
portion of the amount of their respective personal estate, includ-
ing " all Sank Stock or shares in any other incorporated Com-
230 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
pany possessing taxable property, according to the just value
thereof." — In dooming therefore, the Assessors include all the
Stocks owned by the inhabitants, and were the monied institu-
tions to be taxed, the Stockholders would pay a double tax. —
The great cause of dissatisfaction and complaint, among the
inhabitants, it is repeated, is that the taxes are not assessed in
proportion to the pi'operty liable to be taxed. The Committee
are aware that it is impossible to have a perfect system ; that
many will escape [386] owing to their property being under-
valued; that some will pay an unequal proportion, on account of
their property being overestimated, and that mistakes and false
judgments, incident to all, will occasionally operate. — They are
of opinion that the great body of the inhabitants, when they con-
sider that all our taxes are imposed by officers of their own
annual choice ; that the amount of them is small compared with
taxes of other large towns in this country, and almost nothing in
comparison with the heavy taxes of other countries ; that the
amount raised is applied to so valuable purposes ; that the duty
of assessing is an arduous one, and the aim of the Assessors to
do their duty impartially, will cheerfully submit to the operation
of a system, which if imperfect can be rendered more perfect by
themselves.
The Committee submit to the consideration of the Town the
following votes which they recommend for adoption. —
Voted, That previous to the annual assessments being defini-
tively determined, the whole Board of Assistant Assessors and
Principal Assessors shall assemble to revise the dooming of all
the inhabitants whose taxable property shall exceed the sum of
two thousand dollars. —
Voted, That after such revision no alteration shall be made
unless the Assistant Assessors, [387] for the Ward in which the
person taxed shall reside, shall be present and concur with the
principal Assessors in making such alterations ; and provided
that the complainant shall previously render a list of all his per-
sonal property on oath, to said Assessors. —
Voted, That the Assessors be directed to make no abatement of
Taxes, after the lists are committed to the Treasurer and Col-
lector, unless in the cases specified by law, viz age, infirmity or
poverty.
Voted, That the Assessors be directed to assess upon the
amount of what they deem each taxable inhabitants personal
property to be. —
Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to take into con-
sideration the propriety of applying to the Legislature to insert a
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 231
clause in the next tax act making the specific real estates liable
for all taxes levied thereon ; and that said Committee make such
application, on behalf of the Town, if they shall judge the same
to be expedient. —
For the Committee
Lewis Tappan —
The foregoing Report was read and Accepted. —
[388.] The Committee appointed to apply to the Court of
Sessions, for a Statement, giving the details of the expenses of
the County of Suffolk: — made a Report, which was read and
ordered to be printed for the information of the inhabitants ; —
to be acted upon at the adjournment. —
Adjourned to Monday 22d. October, at 10 o'clock A.M.
Boston October 22d. 1821
Met according to adjournment, 10 o'clock A.M.
The two following Reports, which had been printed, and distrib-
uted among the Inhabitants, were read — viz —
The Committee appointed at the Meeting of the second day of
July last, and " authorized in behalf of the Town of Boston, to
request of the Honorable Court of Sessions, to furnish the Town
with a Statement, giving the details of the expenditures in their
department on account of the County ; and give such further
information to the Committee relative to the receipts and expend-
itures on account of the County, as may be necessary, or as they
may require to enable the Town to form a correct opinion in
relation to their monied [389] concerns." — Ask leave respect-
fully to Report : —
That they have attended to the execution of the above duty by
addressing a letter under date of July 10th to the Honorable
Court of Sessions, giving a Copy of the vote of the Town, to
which they have received no answer. In conversation afterwards
with one of the Justices of the said Court, he informed the Com-
mittee, that as the Court was not appointed by the authority of
the Town, it could not without impropriety render an account of
its doings to them, and like all other public officers could be
amenable [only] to those by whom they were appointed. At the
same time this Gentleman observed that the Court had no wish to
conceal any of the affairs under their charge, and that the Commit-
tee might obtain a knowledge of all the monies received and
disbursed by the Court, by inquiry of the County Treasurer and
that he should be very willing to give any information in his
power which might be necessary to enable the Committee to
understand these accounts. —
232 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Your Committee then addressed themselves, to the County
Treasurer, and found from him that all the accounts previously
settled, up to the recent period of his coming into office, were
filed at the Clerk's office in the County Court House. After some
examination of different Accounts, the Committee thought it
would [39O] answer the views of the Town, in part, to exhibit
one of these accounts ; they therefore made a copy of the Treas-
urer's general account for 1820, which is herewith submitted,
and on which they will offer a few remarks. —
The total of this account is much larger than those of common
years, as will be also that of 1821, which is owing to the erection
of the new County Prison. The Committee did not deem it their
dut}T to inquire especially into this expenditure. They may how-
ever, congratulate the County on the erection of a prison which
will relieve it from reproach, to which the defects of the present
prison have long exposed it — The new buildings seem to be con-
structed in the most substantial manner, on the most improved
plans, and as they are superintended by a very capable architect
will no doubt be faithfully executed. The County besides has a
further security, that every thing relating to this prison will be
transacted with the greatest prudence and fidelity, as it appears
by the accounts of the Court of Sessions that three gentlemen are
paid as agents for superintending it. —
So far as the Committee have been able to ascertain, the ordi-
nary expenses of the County are between thirty and forty thou-
sand dollars annually, and the Committee think the best service
they can render, is to call the earnest attention [391] of the
Town to the principal object of this expenditure. It will be seen
by the Treasurer's account for 1820, that without including any
part of the eleventh item, the sum of $29071.76 was charged for
courts and magistrates ; to this article may be added the salaries
of Judge of the Municipal Court, and the Police Officer, paid at
the Town Treasury, amounting to $1650, which added to the
former will make an expense of $30,721.76, for the purposes
almost exclusively of police and criminal jurisdiction ; without
mentioning the sums paid for the Town Watch and employ of
Constables by the Selectmen. It will be recollected that this
expense is independent of what is paid under the jurisdiction of
the United States for criminal purposes ; and that after conviction
for heavy offences, the culprit is transferred to the State prison.
It would seem then obvious that there must be some waste in this
part of our expenditure. —
The character of the Courts, and the Officers, as well as the
entire publicity of their transactions render it unnecessary to
look for any useless expense, except to that branch of the magis-
tracy who do not enjoy the advantage of the last of these circum-
stances, the entire publicity of their transactions. The item for
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 233
44 Justices, Sheriffs, Constables, &c. amounting to $18700.77.
appeared to your Committee to be the one that most required in-
vestigation ; but in attempting to make it, they [392] found
themselves checked in the outset, by a want of the Schedules,
particularizing the annual charges made by these Justices against
the County, all of which for several years past have been taken
out of the files, and the Committee have not been able to find
them. —
But in the files of the first part of the present year, appertain-
ing to the account of Mr. Weld, the late County Treasurer
settled when he left the office ; which account is for a period of
four months and a half only, the schedule of a similar item, is
to be found. By this it appears that for this period the sum
paid to the Justices of the Peace amounted to $3414. — , and
taking the same proportion for twelve months it would be $9104.
— Of the two highest of these charges, the first amounts to
$737.23, which at the same rate for a year would be $1965.95,
and the second to $620.30, which at the same rate for a year
would be $1654.13. The receipts of Constables are not very far
short of that of the Magistrates, though the number of the
former is nearly double. It will be recollected that these charges
of Magistrates and Constables, paid by the public, are only for
the costs that the individuals are not able to pay. The aggregate
therefore received from the community in their individual and
corporate capacities must be a very considerable amount. Now
without imputing blame to any individual, the Committee would
suggest that this inferior department of Justice seems liable to
many [394*] objections under its present system ; that the im-
mediate expence is perhaps one of the least of its evils, and that
the honor and interests of the County render a different organi-
zation of it, a subject of very urgent importance.
Your Committee may perhaps be satisfied, that they have done
all that was required of them ; yet they would have added a few
remarks on some details of minor consequence, which might
require some correction, but as they found in the course of their
enquiries, that another Committee had preceded them, on the
same ground, and were to make their report at the same time,
they were apprehensive they might be troubling the Town
with a repetition of the same facts, and will therefore only add
to this report a very few remarks that arose incidentally from the
subject of their inquiry. The County of Suffolk is composed of
the towns of Boston and Chelsea, the contributions from which
towns for 1821, is stated as follows : —
Boston $25,332.52
Chelsea 187.63
$25,520.15
* Pages of original record book numbered incorrectly, number 393 being omitted.
234 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
By which it appears that the Town of Boston, with the exception
of a very small fraction, pays the whole expense of the County;
and yet the authority that receives and disburses the whole of this
money is not accountable to the Town. But the circumstance that
the Court of Sessions is not accountable to the Town, [395] is
not the only disadvantage arising to the Citizens from its jurisdic-
tion ; but the concurrent authority, without concert which they hold
with the Selectmen in expending the Taxes of the Town, for the
County is virtually the same thing, must often occasion loss and
inconvenience. A single case may be cited to exemplify this.
In October 1820, 10,000 dollars were borrowed under the author-
ity of the Court of Sessions, payable in four years at 5£ PCent.
interest, payable semi-annually, and other sums have been bor-
rowed since,* at 5 Per cent, while at the same, or nearly the same
periods, that these sums were borrowed for the use of the Town
as a County, the Town, as a Town, had money lying in the banks
to meet demands, for which they only received three Per cent,
interest : which interest however, the Committee are pleased in
remarking is an advantage recently secured to the Town, for
until the past year, the Town received no interest on its de-
posits.—
Another disadvantage arising from this kind [396] of double
government, arises under the head of Licenses. By the present
regulations, the application is made to the Selectmen ; if they
approbate the petition, it goes to the Court of Sessions who grant
the license ; but as they do not make regular returns to the Select-
men, there is an uncertainty with regard to persons licensed, and
many retailers of spirits evade the laws requiring licenses.
From a consideration of these circumstances, and of others of
less importance, that might have been enumerated ; from a per-
suasion that great improvements may be made and much un-
necessary expense be saved in the department of petty criminal
jurisdiction, the Committee are induced to recommend that the
following vote should be passed by the Town :
Voted, That a Committee of seven gentlemen be appointed,
who shall be directed to inquire into the expediency of giving
the same limits to the Town and County ; to ascertain whether
the Court of Sessions cannot be modified or abolished ; and to
propose a system for the consideration of a future meeting,
whereby greater unity in administration, more direct responsibility
for expenditures, and more exact economy in the expenses of
Town and County may be effected. —
W. Tudor, Per order.
* The amount of borrowed money which the County owes at the present time Is
65.186.37-lOOths. in addition to which the Treasurer informs the Committee he expects
shortly to b.orrow a further sum of 10,000 dollars, making the whole amount of the
County Debt, Seventy five thousand, one hundred and eighty six dollars, and thirty
seven cents. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 235
[397.] Additional Report of the Committee upon the sub-
ject of uniting the two offices of County and Town Treasurer.
In attending to the remaining part of the business committed
to them, viz. "To frame regulations and to reeommend such
measures as may be deemed most proper to carry into effect the
votes of the Town for the union of the two offices of County and
Town Treasurer — the Committee ask leave to Report : —
Having explained the temporary obstacles which were opposed
to the desired union of the two offices the past year, they
conceive it their duty to point out those which will probably
operate hereafter as permanent ones. The first which presents
itself is, that the County being composed of two Towns, two
distinct sets of books become necessary for the different accounts
of the county treasurer and the treasurer of the town of Boston.
The second which the}' think necessary to enumerate, and which
has operated as a strong ground of objection to the acceptance of
the offices by one person, and will so continue to operate under
the present arrangement of the county business, arises from the
numerous accounts quarterly and yearly brought against the
County for expenses incurred by those criminal prosecutions
which originate in justice courts. — The fees arising upon these
[398] prosecutions are always a charge upon and paid by the
. County, whenever the defendants are acquitted, and whenever
upon their conviction, they are unable to pay. The last obstacle
to the desired union will be found in the fact, that all the pecu-
niary concerns of the County are under the sole control and
direction of the court of sessions, composed of five judges, who
are not accountable to the two towns, of which the county is
composed, for any of their proceedings, have the sole and exclu-
sive authority to direct the county treasurer in all the business of
his office, and to call him to account for all monies collected by
taxes, or borrowed by their authority on the credit of the county.
The obstacles alluded to by the Committee might be removed.
1st — By erecting Boston into an independent county, and thereby
rendering two sets of books for town and county treasurer
unnecessary. 2nd — By rendering the county accounts under this
new arrangement still less multifarious and less burthensome on
the new treasurer ; — which might be effected by transferring the
present criminal jurisdiction now exercised by our justices of the
peace to a more independent and efficient criminal court, and also
by totally abolishing the present court of sessions and vesting its
authority, partly in the Selectmen, and partly in the proposed
new criminal court, as hereafter suggested. —
[399.] As to the benefits which either Boston or Chelsea
derives from being united in one County, none are apparent, but
the disadvantages are very evident. The amount paid by Chelsea
towards the county tax is so very small, that to Boston it can be
236 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
no relief, for out of $30.000, the Tax for 1820, Chelsea paid but
$231.60. On the part of Chelsea no benefit arises, by its being
connected with the County of Suffolk, unless the inhabitants
prefer attending court as jurymen, to staying at home, (which we
cannot presume) for if it was annexed to the county of Essex or
Middlesex, the call for jurymen would not be made but half so
often, and the number of courts would not be half so many to
attend, as at present, while connected with Boston. —
If the town of Boston should become a county by itself,
the Committee of Finance might then be authorized to choose
one treasurer, to discharge the duties now performed by two,
provided those duties can be so simplified as to remove the objec-
tions to the acceptance of this office, and the difficulties in per-
forming the business can be avoided. The erection of Boston
into a county by itself, would not only facilitate the contemplated
union of the two offices in manner above suggested, but would
be attended with other advantages to the town of no small
importance. The contemplated alterations would lessen the
expenses of the town in many other [4OO] respects, besides the
saving to be made by the union of the two offices in one. That
the expenses of the county of Suffolk are at present enormous,
will appear by an examination of the account hereto annexed,
N°. 1 . which is copied from the official return, made by the court
of Sessions to the office of the Secretary of State in January,
1821 — Of the items which makeup the different amounts con-
tained in schedule N°. 3, we could not obtain full and satisfactory
information, but have received enough to authorize- a belief that
much the largest part arises directly, or in consequence of the
present administration of the criminal and penal code of laws, on
prosecutions which originate in our justice courts. That abuses
exist, which, if not a perversion of justice, border upon it, under
the forms of law, has been for a long time believed and regretted,
by those who have an opportunity of knowing the number of war-
rants which have been issued by justices, and the trifling causes
of complaint upon which they have been founded. If to the
large item of $18700.77 contained in schedule N°. 3, we add
that part of the expenses which are charged in N°. 11, amounting
to $3,543.52, paid to the Sheriff for dieting prisoners from the
first of May to the 31st of October 1820, or six months, we
think the present enormous expenses of the county cannot but be
apparent, although we should make due allowance for part of
these expenses which are paid by the State.
[4O1.J We had intended to give a more minute detail ;
which we presume could be found in the schedules referred to in
the above account, and to separate those charges which fall
wholly on the county, from those paid by the state, but could not
find them, either at the office of the secretary of State, where
copies ought to have been left — of the clerk of the Court of
Sessions, or of that of the County Treasurer, where they should
be deposited and kept.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 237
When it is considered, that many justices of the peace in this
county depend upon the fees of their offices for subsistence, that
the power to issue warrants at their discretion is vested in them
by law, as well as the authority to convict, acquit or bind over
delinquents ; that they are subject to no effectual control for the
abuse of their discretionary authority, (though a general con-vic-
tion exists that it is abused;) that their charges are sanctioned
by statute law, and their full amount will eventually be paid by
the county, if delinquents prove unable ; — it would be reposing
a degree of confidence in human weakness which experience will
by no means justify, to expect, that all this unrestrained power
will not be abused, or that such strong motives of interest per-
petually operating, as temptations to misconduct, will be success-
fully resisted. It cannot be expected that under such a system
of things, prosecutions [4O2] will be discouraged, but rather
encouraged and promoted. The consequence is, and will continue
to be, an enormous expense to the county, and an increasing bur-
then upon its treasurer, upon whom devolves the whole duty of
discharging these numerous demands. It is only by appointing
some of the most respectable and virtuous of our fellow-citizens
with authority to hold exclusive original cognizance of all crim-
inal matters, now cognizable by justices of the peace, with fixed
salaries, that these evils can be remedied ; which are as much the
bane of society, as an unnecessary and great charge upon the
county. It is confidently believed, that the fees established by
law, would be sufficient to defray all the expenses of this court,
over and above those paid by the county, and if not, the
deficiency would be several thousands of dollars less, than is now
paid out of the county treasury, to justices, constables, &c &c. —
The other advantages to be derived from the proposed change,
would arise from making those who manage the pecuniary con-
cerns of the county, more amenable to those whose agents they
are, and whose money they expend. A great saving in the an-
nual expenses of the county might be effected by a more direct
accountability of its agents to their constituents, — We have
stated that the court of sessions, in which is vested by law, all
the management [4O3] of the pecuniary concerns of the county,
are but nominally accountable to any body of men. Although
they are bound to render annually to the Legislature an account
of their expenditures of the past year and an estimate of the
probable amount of the ensuing, before they can obtain a resohe
authorizing them to levy a tax on the county ; yet it is too noto-
rious to be doubted that little investigation is usually made, and
for this obvious reason, that the Legislature is not required to
make provision for the payment of county expenses, otherwise
than by passing a resolve authorising the tax to be levied,
which is usually for the amount required; as no complaint is
made by the people, it is undoubtedly taken for granted that the
estimate of the court of sessions is right, the sum asked for
wanted, and therefore leave is granted to lay a tax to raise it.
238 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
How much this legislative authority of superintending the ses-
sions accounts, is exercised for the benefit of the county, may
appear from comparing the estimates of the expenses of 1821,
with those actually incurred in 1820, which is also annexed,
N°. 2.—
In this estimate for Justices' fees, chargeable to the County
for 1821, there appears charged but $3000 ; when the amount
actually paid to one Justice between February and October,
1820, was $1366.45, and to three Justices from January to
October, of the same year was paid $3100.63 [4O4] more
than ten Justices having been paid their accounts that year
against the county ; and the estimate for Constable's fees in
criminal bills of costs for 1821, is but $1800, when the amount
paid to one of them only between March and December, 1820,
was $1121.50. These two items were obtained from a view of
a copy of the official paper, for a short time, containing the
particulars of which the schedule N°. 3, in the account N°. 1, is
made up. As another evidence that great saving might be made
in the expenses of the county if its pecuniary concerns were
managed by the same persons who now so judiciously direct
those of the town, we would mention one fact only, which is,
that while the Court of Sessions, as guardians of the pecuniary
interest of the County of Suffolk, were borrowing money of
Banks and individuals to defray the expenses of the County,
at a rate, it is believed, of not less than Six per cent, per annum
interest, and while they were petitioning, as they did in their
application to the Legislature, in January, 1821, for a tax to be
laid on the county, among other things for raising $2400 to pay
interest on loans the present year, the Committee of Finance
of this town were negotiating with a bank to take the town's
money, lying useless in the Treasury, as it necessarily must
every year, from the fall, when taxes are paid, till the ensuing
summer, when it is wanted, [4O5] and at that very period
actually amounting to 70 or 80,000 dollars, at the rate of 3
per cent, interest per annum. If a less rate of interest is now
paid by the County for a part of money borrowed, we are
indebted to the Chairman of the Committee of Finance, whose
vigilance to promote the best interest and most economical man-
agement of the town's affairs has been so conspicuous.
Many other reasons might be given and facts stated, which would
tend to shew the propriety of the remedy we propose suggesting
to the town ; but believing as we do, that those already offered
are sufficient, we proceed respectfully to recommend as the
most effectual means to accomplish the object for which
this Committee was appointed. That a Committee be chosen
to apply to the Legislature, 1st. To separate the town
of Chelsea from the County of Suffolk, and erect the
town of Boston into a County by itself. 2nd. That the Court of
Sessions of this County be abolished and all the business of the
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 239
County, heretofore under the control of this Court, be transferred
to the Selectmen of the town of Boston, except so far as herein-
after provided. 3a. That the duties heretofore performed by the
Treasurer of the County of Suffolk, shall be performed by the
Treasurer of the Town of Boston, and the two offices, hereafter
be united in one person, and all liabilities, to which the County
Treasurer is by law subjected, shall [4O6] devolve on the
Treasurer of the Town. 4Ul. That a Couit, consisting of three
learned and respectable persons be established, which shall have
exclusive original cognizance of all offences and criminal matters
now cognizable by Justices of the Peace in the County of Suffolk,
one of which Judges shall hold a court every day in the week,
( Sundays excepted ) that they shall account for, and pay over to
the Town Treasurer quarterly, all monies received by them for
fines, fees of office, licenses, &c. that it shall be their duty to keep
a fair and true record of all their doings, to audit and pass upon
all accounts of Sheriffs, Constables, Gaolers, Coroners, and Wit-
nesses on prosecutions before themselves, which are now cogniz-
able by the Court of Sessions ; they shall have the same power
over the gaol, (except in its erection) and of its inmates, as is
now by law vested in the Court of Sessions ; they shall make, twice
in every year, a report thereof to the Justices of the Supreme
Judicial Court ; that they shall, together with the Judge of the
Municipal Court, have the same power with respect to licenses, as
the Court of Sessions now have ; that it shall be the duty of this
court to digest and carry into execution such a system for the pre-
vention of crimes and detection of criminals, as may most effec-
tually secure the lives and property of the citizens from day and
midnight depredations. That the Justices, composing this Court,
shall be appointed [4O7] and commissioned by the Governor
and Council as other judicial officers are ; that they shall, in lieu
of all other -fees, receive an annual and fixed salary, such as the
town may determine, not to be lessened during their continuance
in office ; and have power to commit to the House of Industry,
all vagabonds and others liable by law to be sent to that place,
for such time and under such restrictions as the Legislature shall
prescribe. —
(signed) Stephen Codman —
Chairman.
N°. 1.
Dr. County of Suffolk, in account current from 16th Decr. 1819,
to 318t Decr. 1820, with County Treasurer.
Cash paid Warrants from Hon. Court of Sessions as per
Schedule N°. 1 8,547.11
D°. orders of the County Agents for New Prison
N°. 2 19.335.56
D°. Justices, Sheriffs, Constables &c - - N°. 3 18:700.77
D°. Jurors of several Supreme Judicial Courts " 4 3.656.39
D°. ditto Boston Courts of Common
Pleas — N°. 5. 3.531.94
240 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
D°. Jurors of several Municipal Courts N°. 6 1077.50
D°. Witnesses and Jurors on Inquests & Coroners
N°. 7 294.49
D°. Witnesses in Supreme Judicial Court N°. 8 504.82
D°. D°. in Municipal Court - - - N°. 9 1137.42
D°. D°. in Justices Quarter Bills - N°. 10 168.43
D°. Notes, Dieting Bills, Firing for Oftices &c
N°. 11 23590.62
D°. Balance of Interest Account - - - N°. 12 862.23
81.407.28
Allowance by the Court of Sessions to Treasurer
for 12 m°. 17 days - - 1.780.15
83.187.43
Balance due County of Suffolk 4.634.13
87.821.56
By Balance N°. 13 87.821.56
Examined by William Donnison >
Edward Jones \
[4O8.] N°. 2.
Estimate of the Current Expenses of the County of Suffolk,
A.D. 1821.
Sheriff for Dieting Criminals over and above the sum allowed by
the Commonwealth for Turnkey $3000 -
Sheriff for his Attendance on all the Courts - - 600
Deputy Sheriffs for ditto - - - 500
Constables for Attendance on all the Courts and
Juries 1000
Constables, their fees in Criminal Bills of Costs not
paid by Defendants, but chargeable to the County 1800.
Justices of the Court of Sessions for Attendance &c 350.
Justices of the Peace, their Fees, chargeable to the
County 3000.
Grand & Petit Jurors to all the Courts, after de-
ducting the money received for Jury Verdicts -
Night Watches at the Prison -------
Scavenger at the Prison
Inquests on Dead Bodies
Physician to the Gaol
Keeper of the Court House & Expenses - - - -
Charcoal for Prisoners, Candles for Watch,
Fire Tubs, Room Tubs, Buckets, Lime, Sand,
Brooms &c. 300
Straw Beds, & Blankets, and Clothing for Prisoners, 300
Stationery, Records Books, Binding Dockets,
Printing 300
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 241
Fuel for Court House in Court Rooms & County
Offices & Candles for the Courts, &c. - - - - 400
Carting Dirt, clearing Vaults &c. ------ 100
Witnesses in Criminal Causes before Justices
chargeable to the County ---.---- 300
$18,740
[4O9.] Amount brought forward 18,740.00
Allowance to the County Treasurer ----- 1700.00
Repairs of County Buildings - 160. —
Interest growing due on Loans ------- 2400. —
23.000.00
The foregoing Reports and Documents being read, a lengthy
debate ensued ; — after which it was
Voted, That a Committee consisting of thirteen persons, be
appointed to take the whole subject of the two Reports now pre-
sented to the Town into full consideration ; to consider all the
facts and recommendations therein contained, and to report to
the town, at a future Meeting, a complete system relating to the
administration of the Town and County which shall remedy the
present evils ; and that they be authorized to recommend any
other measures calculated to create a more efficient, responsible,
and acceptable system for Town and County government. —
The following Gentlemen were appointed on the Committee —
viz —
Hon1. John Phillips Hon1. William Sullivan
" Charles Jackson " Josiah Quincy
" William Prescott William Tudor Esq.
George Blake Esq Col. Henry Orne
Hon Daniel Webster Isaac Winslow Esq.
" Lemuel Shaw Stephen Codm an "
" Joseph Tilden
[41O.] The Chairman of the Committee for erecting a
House of Industry, read the following Report — viz —
The Committee, appointed by the Town, on the seventh of
May last, and who were authorized to select a place for the
erection of a House of Industry, with an extent of land attached
to it, not less than Fifty acres, and to erect suitable buildings
thereon ; and who, for those purposes, were invested with certain
powers and charged with certain duties, expressed in the votes of
the town, ask leave to apprise their fellow citizens of the progress
already made in that concern, and of their views in relation to it,
by way of a Report, in part. —
The Committee have been induced to avail themselves of this
early opportunity, which the present meeting of the town offers,
242 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
to communicate the state of the undertaking, partly from a
general sense of the duty, incumbent upon all Committees,
charged with similar duties, and partly from the particular nature
and relations of that, to which, without any agency of their own,
they have been called by their fellow citizens. — The Committee
are deeply impressed with the salutary nature of that principle,
which requires an early and frequent accountability from all
public agents; particularly from those, entrusted [411] with
the expenditures of public monies, and are therefore anxious
now, and will be, hereafter, to keep their fellow citizens apprised,
as early as possible, of every step they have taken, or shall take,
relative to this concern, with the reasons on which it has been
founded ; and this, not only for the purpose of satisfying the wise
curiosity of the thoughtful and intelligent, but also, for that of
being enabled, seasonably, to receive from the Town, or from
individuals, any hints, instructions, or corrections, of which their
course of proceedings may, from time to time, be susceptible.
These general sentiments have been, in this case, strengthened
and quickened by the peculiar character of the service, to
which they have been appointed ; and from reflections, growing
out of that character, resulting from a farther acquaintance with
the whole subject, consequent upon their experience, and which,
as they have had an influence upon some of their proceedings,
they apprehend, ought early to be communicated to their fellow
citizens.
In order to possess the Town of all the reasons, which, thus
far have been the basis of their proceedings, your committee ask
leave to review the origin and progress of this design, until its
execution was committed to their agency, in as much from them,
your Committee have drawn their rules of conduct. [412] A
course of this kind also will have a tendency to recall the recol-
lection of facts and to revive impressions, which are, not only
important, in themselves, but which are essential to be remem-
bered and realized, in order to the perpetuating that general
satisfaction, and unanimity, with which this design originated ;
and which is so essential to the success of every public insti-
tution, connected with the sympathy and interests of a great
community.
The design of a House of Industry originated in the petition of
many most respectable and humane citizens, for the establish-
ment of a workhouse — in other words, a place for the confine-
ment and employment of the idle and vicious poor. The com-
mittee, to whom those petitions were referred, made a report to
the Town, containing facts, statements and reasonings on the
subject, and concluding with certain resolutions, which were sub-
sequently adopted by the Town and were the authority, on which
their present committee were appointed, and under which they
have acted. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 243
The leading principle of that report was, — the duty incumbent
upon society of discriminating in its charitable provisions and
arrangements, between the poor, by reason of [413] infancy,
age or misfortune, and the poor by reason of idleness, or vice.
All the reasonings that report and the propositions, contained in
it, turned upon that principle. And although that committee, in
selecting a name for the new establishment, adopted that of a
House of Industry, which is a term of broader import and is
applied to poor of other descriptions, yet, apprehending that, in
selecting this denomination, reference was had to the moral
effect, which the name an institution bears, has, or is supposed
to have, on its inmates, and not with any intention of making
more comprehensive than the main drift of their argument, the
proposed institution, your present committee have, in all their
proceedings kept in view singly the provision for the idle and
vicious poor ; without any scope, or reference to those of a vir-
tuous character, or description.
With this explanation of their views and of the regulating
principle of their conduct, your committee apprehend that there
are four points, on which it will be satisfactory to their fellow
citizens to receive, and on which, in the present stage of their
proceedings, it may be in their power to give information.
1. The location of the institution, and the reasons, which
governed the committee in selecting it. —
[414.1 2. The size, quality and particular position of
the building, with reference to the tract of land, on which it is
situated, and the reasons on which each were adopted.
3. The monies already expended, in purchase of the land,
and in advancing, thus far, the building.
4. The adequacy of the present appropriation to the object ; —
the present advancement and the probable cost of the establish-
ment ; and the economies and advantages to be anticipated from
it. — .
On each of these points your committee ask leave to make such
statements as facts authorize ; or as their experience and reflec-
tions have suggested.
!&&
1 . In relation to the selection of a place for locating the
establishment, your Committee were authorized to take any
unappropriated land of the Town, or to purchase any other spot,
within the town, which they should deem a better location : — In
both cases, they were limited to take or buy, not less than Fifty
acres.
244 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
As there were no unappropriated lands of the Town, of that
extent, except those on the Neck, your committee proceeded to
make a [415] personal examination of these lands. They
found that these lands were, with the exception of about
three acres, wholly salt-water flats, to bring which into any
advantageous cultivation, would require great previous expendi-
tures, in ditches and embankments. Other objections to the
situation unnecessary to detail, occurred, which would have
been, of themselves, conclusive against the location. The excel-
lence and unexampled adaptation of the situation which they
were fortunate enough to obtain, put, however, all other consider-
ations out of the question ; combining as it did, not only every
anticipated convenience, but the most unquestionable economy.
It was impossible for the committee to hesitate concerning their
duty, in fulfilling this part of their trust ; — there being, on the
question of the superiority, in both respects, of the location
chosen, to any the town lands on the Neck afforded, a perfect
unanimity of opinion, in the committee.
The spot selected was a tract of land at South Boston, con-
taining Fifty-three acres, owned by Samuel Brown, Esq. lying
nearly in the form of a parallelogram, and extending from the
road, leading to Dorchester point to the harbour. The centre
of the tract was a small rising ground, sloping gradually for an
almost equal distance, southerly to the road, and northerly to the
harbour. The land was [416] excellent comprehending as
much variety of soil, as could be expected, within such limits,
and is for all the objects of the contemplated institution one of
the most eligible spots, possible. The whole within one and a
half miles, water, and two and a half, land, communication, of
the centre of the town — The price at which it was purchased was
Six Thousand dollars ; a rate, little more than one hundred and
sixteen dollars an acre ; and a price, which, considering the
quality of the lands, their proximity to the centre of the town,
and the extraordinary beauty of the prospect of the surrounding
country, they commanded, was far less than their real value;
and which the committee are authorized to say that the Town
may, at any moment, receive for them, after deducting, should
such a measure be deemed expedient, any small quantity for the
accommodation of the building, now erecting.
The only real objection to the location, arising from the toll paid
at South Boston Bridge, was obviated by an application to the
Proprietors of that Institution, who readily passed a vote exempt-
ing forever all persons, horses and Vehicles, from toll passing to
or from, the House of Industry, on business of the establishment.
In executing this part of their trust and in purchasing another
tract of land, [417] instead of taking the lands on the Neck,
your committee, in addition to the reasons, above assigned, were
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 245
influenced, also, by a conviction of the superior value of these
last mentioned lands, as a productive fund to the town. This
anticipation of theirs, they are happy to state, events have
justified ; as they are authorized by the chairman of the board of
Selectmen to state that Fifty-eight Thousand feet of those lands
on the Neck, which your committee were thus authorized to take,
have since sold by that board, at a rate, at which, if only three
acres are sold, the proceeds of those three, acres will exceed by
more than a thousand dollars, the whole purchase money paid by
your committee for their Fifty three acres. And that the Town
may be assured, that there is nothing deceptive, in this statement,
your committee are also authorized to state, that the committee
of the lands on the Neck, have been offered and have refused,
considering it less than their value for the residue of the three
acres, a sum, which will more than exceed the whole of the said
purchase money.
Your Committee apprehend that they need not add any thing
to these facts to establish the propriety of their proceedings, in
relation to this part of their commission.
2. In relation to the size, quality and position of the building,
on the tract of land [418] purchased, your committee took for
their guide the considerations suggested in the report of the
former committee above alluded to, viz. " the permanent interest
of the town and the ultimate success of the institution" — "the
accommodation of at least two hundred persons," — "that the
place adopted should be such as to be capable of being extended
should it hereafter be deemed expedient," — "that the buildings
should be so constructed as to provide for the separation and
distinct accommodation of the different classes and sexes of
those, for whom it was destined.
For this purpose they deemed a building, not less than Two
hundred and twenty feet long, and Forty three feet wide, and
Twenty nine feet high, as small as any fair construction of the
views of the Town, indicated, by their vote, could justify. The
building they have therefore commenced on those dimensions.
The material they selected in stone, which being laid rough
and only dimension, was found cheaper than brick, and pref-
erable both on account of durability and dryness. It. was,
originally, contemplated to erect only the centre of the building
and one of the wings, leaving the remaining wing to be erected
subsequently; and also [419] that the length of the building
should be only two hundred feet, and the estimates of the former
committee were made, on that basis. — But upon consultations
with architects, it was found wholly impracticable, to erect two
thirds of that building now, and one third of it, afterwards,
without endangering its strength and symmetry, in consequence
of the inevitable difference in the settling of different parts,
2-16 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
erected at different times. A building of the entire dimensions
was not, in the opinion of the committee, larger than the objects,
proposed in its erection, would require. And if circumstances
rendered it inexpedient to finish this wing at once, its space
could not fail to be greatly commodious, either as a store or
working room. The present expense of carrying up and covering
the external walls bore in the opinion of your committee no com-
parison with the advantages arising from erecting the whole
building at once. So also, on the revisal of the whole plan, your
committee found that by adding Twenty feet to its length, an
increase of accommodation, far exceeding the additional expense,
would be obtained. They, therefore, did not hesitate to adopt
both these alterations, as unquestionable and important improve-
ments, in the original plan, notwithstanding they would occasion
a considerable augmentation of the expense, beyond the [420]
estimate of the former committee. —
In locating the building on the land, they placed it at the
extreme North Easterly corner, from four principal considera-
tions— 1st. there was here a site, very suitable for the building
and surrounded by land, excellently adapted for a garden. 2d.
It adjoined the harbour and made the water communication easy
and expeditious. 3d. It was removed from the high road, and
thus the tenants would be less exposed to the inspection of
travellers and kept in greater retirement and safety. 4Hl. It left
the town free to decide, as it might see fit, hereafter upon expe-
rience, in relation to the residue of the land ; so that, if it chose
at any time, to abandon the cultivation of the land or to apply it
to other uses, or to dispose of it, the building, in its present loca-
tion, would interfere with no such arrangement.
3. In relation to the monies already expended it appears, by
the report of the Treasurer of the committee, that there has been
paid for Fifty three acres of land $6000
For materials and labour -------- 9700
Making a gross aggregate of expenditures to the
present time - - 15.700
And leaving an unexpended balance in the hands of
the Committee of the former appropriation of - 4.300
$20.000
[421.] 4. In relation to the adequacy of the present appro-
priation for the object, the present advancement and the probable
cost of the establishment and the economies and advantages to
be anticipated from it, your committee have great satisfaction in
stating that experience has shown that the estimates of the
former committee were correct, for a building of the dimensions,
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 247
by them contemplated. Had not the experience and the more
minute examination of all the circumstances, connected with the
subject, resulting from the duty and responsibility of erecting
the building, led your present committee to enlarge that plan and
erect-at once all the external walls,, for the reasons above detailed,
the appropriation suggested by the former committee would have
been sufficient, for the present year, as stated by that committee.
Nor if, as authorized, by the vote of the Town, your present com-
mittee had taken the land on the Neck, would any additional
appropriation have been necessary, the present year. It does
not appear, in making those estimates, that the purchase of so
valuable and in all respects so eligible a tract of land, as that at
South Boston, was contemplated. Your Committee, however,
did not deem it their duty to be deterred, by the estimates or cal-
culations of that committee, from effecting an operation, so highly
advantageous to the Town as that at South Boston, [422] in
the purchase, which has been already stated to the Town ; — all
the Town lands on the Neck, being then left unincumbered, and
by the sale of three acres of which more than the whole purchase
money, paid for the fifty three acres will be reimbursed to the
Town. Considering that the lands thus purchased, at South
Boston, may now, and at all times, be sold for more money, than
that given for them, after reserving any small quantity of land
for the use of the establishment, your committee do not deem
that the House of Industry is at present chargeable, under all the
circumstances, with more than the balance of the appropriation,
after deducting the purchase money : viz. with the sum of Four-
teen Thousand Dollars.
One or two other circumstances, also connected with the loca-
tion, or with the arrangements of the present committee, have
occasioned, unavoidably, expenses, unanticipated in the former
estimates.
The exposure of the situation to depredation upon the mate-
rials, collected for building, rendered the establishment of a
superintendent on the premises, important, and a small house,
which will be useful, at all times to the Institution, has been
erected [423] for his residence on the land, at an expense of
six hundred dollars.
It was also necessary to enable the establishment to derive all
the advantages, resulting from the water communication, that a
wharf should be erected. This, in conformity with the principal
that whatever is done for a Town should be executed in a form,
calculated to be beneficial to posterity, as well as to the present
times, has been finished, with permanent materials and in a most
substantial manner. The cost of this, not included in the esti-
mate, was Fourteen hundred dollars.
248 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
The erection of the additional wing and the extension of the
building, beyond the plan originally contemplated, in the esti-
mates, will increase the expense between five and six thousand
dollars. Notwithstanding these different items of unanticipated
expense, (for all of which the Town will receive a complete
remuneration in the strength, durability and greater accommoda-
tion of the building) your committee have the satisfaction to state
that an additional appropriation, equal to that paid for the land,
viz. Six thousand dollars, will be amply sufficient to meet all the
expenditures the present year. They are induced to name this
sum, because such a grant, they are informed, may be made with-
out [424] any change in the fiscal arrangements of the Town,
there now existing an unexpended balance of an appropriation,
for a vegetable market, which will not be wanted the present
year, of that amount.
With respect to the present advancement and probable cost of
the establishment, your committee have to state that, notwith-
standing the late period of the season, at which the determination
of the Town was made and the delay which necessarily occurred,
in fixing upon the location, purchasing the land, and making the
contracts, and also some difficulties, which have happened in the
performance of those contracts, the building has advanced with
great repidity ; and the work has been executed with fidelity,
and, as far as your committee can judge, will be, in every respect
such, as will be honorable to the Town, and suitable for the pur-
pose of the establishment. It is now advancing to the third
story, and will be covered in and completed in the course of the
ensuing autumn and winter. —
In relation to the probable cost of the institution, your com-
mittee will be in a condition to speak, as they apprehend precisely
and definitely, in their report to the Town in May next. In a
new undertaking of this [425] extensive character, circumstances
will continually occur, tending to increase the expenditure
beyond the estimate ; arising not only from the usual deficiency
of calculations, on these topics, but also from new views of
accommodation, or of adaptation of arrangements for permanent
economy or convenience, suggested by the progress of the build-
ing, of which it will be the duty of every committee, charged
with its erection, to take advantage. Your committee have not,
however, in this case, from any thing their experience has
suggested, any reason to apprehend that the expenditure will, in
any material degree, exceed the estimates, as modified by this
report, except in case of new views of accommodation, or interest,
occurring in the progress of the concern, such as have been
already stated, and for which the town will be remunerated in
the improved state of the establishment. But these, according to
the present views of your committee cannot be very great in
number or important in amount ; and of little, or no consequence,
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 249
when taken in connection with all the great and wise purposes,
which the Town has aimed to effect, in commencing this institu-
tion.
In the expenditure of the money entrusted to them, your com-
mittee have applied every principle of wise economy, the nature
[426] of the undertaking justified. For this purpose, at one of
their first meetings, they passed a vote, by which every member
of the committee was precluded from having, directly, or
indirectly, any concern or profit, in any contract, made under
their authority ; intending thereby, to give to the Town a pledge,
that no consideration, but those of the public service should
influence any of their arrangements, or expenditures. The great
principle, which has regulated all their proceedings in this respect,
has been strength, durability and a permanent accommodation ;
with out special regard to the gratification of taste, or to archi-
tectural effect.
In relation to the economies and advantages to be anticipated
from this establishment, your committee cannot close this report,
without recurring to them, and recalling to the minds of their
fellow citizens the nature and object of the institution. — Every
consideration, which has occurred, in the progress of the work,
has convinced your committee of its importance, its necessity
and of its being indispensable to any hope, or to the success of
any plan, for the improving the morals, or to ameliorating the
condition of the poor. Under this conviction, they have not con-
sidered it in the light of making a saving, in the [427] whole
expenditures of the Town ; although they have no doubt, that it
will ultimately produce this effect. Their view of the subject is
of a broader cast, and of a more elevated character. They have
deemed that an institution, such as the one proposed, destined to
receive, restrain, and to employ, that unhappy portion of the
community, who are degraded to the ranks of beggary, by vice,
or idleness, is, in every society, a moral duty ; and in a republi-
can form of government, is connected intimately with the very
principle, on which its preservation depends. In such a form of
government, the great object of attention is the character and
condition of the mass of the community. Whatever tends to
contaminate, to corrupt, or to demoralize the mass, has a direct
effect, not only on the happiness and prosperity of a state, but
also on its safety ; on the security of property, of life, and of
liberty ; all of which are, in a republic, directly dependent upon
the moral character and condition of the people.
The wise policy of our ancestors, from the earliest records of
their history, made the establishment of work-houses indispen-
sable. Owing to the smallness of their early population, and the
consequent scantiness of poverty and crime, those institutions
250 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
were put under the control of overseers of the poor. From
which association, two, unhappy consequences, naturally, and
inevitably resulted.
First, Almshouses became connected with the ideas
of punishment and disgrace, not only in the eyes of the tenants,
but also in those of the community. Hence arose a gi'eat
reluctance, in the worthy and respectable poor, at becoming
inmates ; and also a like reluctance, in overseers, to oblige such
persons to become residents. From both causes the number of
out-of-door pensioners has been increased; and of all modes of
providing for the poor, this has been, every where, found, the
most wasteful, and expensive ; and the most encouraging of
applications, to become pensioners, on the public bounty.
A second effect of this association was that as society increased,
Almshouses became thronged with tenants, from idleness or vice ;
who from the character of the institution, as charitable, claimed,
and for the most part, obtained indulgence, as objects of pity,
when their deserts were restraint and coercive employment, as
being, in reality, objects of correction, and often of punishment.
In a society increased and rapidly increasing, like that of the
capital of Massachusetts, your committee can have no question
that an institution, like that now in progress, is, not only wise,
but indispensable, and that its utility ought not, and cannot be
tested by [429] any narrow scale of pecuniary expense and
saving. Your committee have not, therefore, deemed themselves,
as proceeding in this building and institution, as though it were
an experiment, which, if it failed, might be abandoned, but on
the contrary, with a conviction that it was an institution per-
manent and perpetual in its nature, of which the Town ought
never to be destitute; and-in which, of consequence, they ought
to have reference, in all their plans and arrangements to this, its
real destination and character.
Whether the inmates of such an institution can best and most
profitably be employed, on the land or in manufactures, is a
question, in the opinion of some members of the community,
problematical. And, although, your committee, from 1'eflection
and reasoning upon the subject, as well as from the success of
other, similar institutions, in Massachusetts, are satisfied that
employing them, in cultivating the earth, is the most healthy, the
most conducive to moral habits, and the most economical, yet
they have so arranged the plan and location of the establishment,
as to be adapted to both, or to either, of these employments, as the
experience of future times and the wisdom of the Town may decide.
All which is respectfully submitted.
Josiah Quincy
James Savage
Henry J. Oliver
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 251
[43O.] Francis Welsh Thomas Howe
William Thurston Abram Babcock
Samuel A. Wells Benjamin Rich
David W. Child John Bellows
John French George Darracott
Boston 22d October 1821 —
Voted, That the thanks of the town be given to the chair-
man and members of the Committee for erecting a House of
Industry, for the intelligent and able manner, in which they have
conducted the business entrusted to them, and that they be
requested to proceed in the undertaking.
Voted, That the Report be printed and distributed among the
citizens.
Voted, That the sum of Six Thousand Dollars, voted and
assessed upon the Inhabitants, for the purpose of erecting
a new Vegetable Market, be, and the same hereby is, transferred
and appropriated to the erection of the House of Industry, and
the said amount of six thousand dollars, in addition to that pre-
viously voted, be placed at the disposal of the Committee
appointed by the town for building the House of Industry. —
The Meeting was then adjourned to Monday, the 10th day of
December next at ten o'clock, A.M. —
[431.] Monday December 10th 1821.
Met according to Adjournment.
The Moderator stated to the inhabitants, that since the
Adjournment, the Selectmen had issued a AVarrant for calling a
Town Meeting, at the request of a number of citizens, to be
holden at this time ; The Warrant being read : — The article " To
consider the expediency of augmenting the Town Watch during
the winter season" — was taken up, and after some debate, it
was Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to double the
Watch, until the first day of April next. —
On the Application of the Directors of the Mill Pond Corpora-
tion, the —
Hon. Artemas Ward Enoch Silsby, and
" Jonathan Hunnewell Joseph Lovering Esquires,
" Peter C. Brooks
were appointed a Committee to treat with the Proprietors of the
252 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Mill Pond, respecting the interest of the Town therein ; — and to
report at the adjournment of this meeting. —
Voted, That the Selectmen be, and they hereby are, constituted
a Committee with the authority to fix the boundary lines between
the [432] several towns of (Roxbury,) Brookline, Cambridge &
(Dorchester) respectively and the Town of Boston. —
And whereas, in consequence of the building of the Great
Western Avenue some new relations have come into view con-
cerning this town's boundaries; and it may become necessary to
refer any matter on which there may be a difference of opinion,
between those persons who are as above authorized to represent
and act for the Town of Boston, and those persons who are or
may be appointed to represent and act for the above mentioned
towns or either of them. — -
Voted, That the Selectmen be, and hereby are authorized and
empowered, to appoint Referees on the part of this town to settle
any matter which may in their opinion require to be settled by
Referees, in relation to the boundary lines between this town and
the Towns of Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline and Cambridge
respectively. —
The following Report was made by the School Committee —
viz —
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, in Town Meeting
assembled ; the General School Committee ask leave respectfully
to Report : —
[433.] That in pursuance of a vote of the town passed on
the 2nd day of July last, authorizing and empowering your Com-
mittee, to commence and establish a public school, upon the
system of mutual instruction, they lost no time in taking meas-
ures to carry the proposed object into effect. —
As this measure originated principally in the statements and
representations of the Committee charged with the care of the
primary schools, and in the first instance at least, would probably
embrace children under their particular superintendence, your
Committee are solicitous to act in co-operation with that Com-
mittee, and for that purpose opened a communication and have
acted in concurrence with them. Your Committee took measures
to obtain the services of a Gentleman well versed in the system
particularly intended to be introduced ; but after writing to sev-
eral of the cities of the United States, could not learn of any
instructor of sufficient experience, who was disengaged. — Your
Committee having been informed by one of their correspondents
that a gentleman, Mr. Dale, who is principal teacher of the Lan-
castrian schools in Albany, would undertake to organize and
establish a School, and take charge of it, until a successor could
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1821. 253
be engaged. — This gentleman was so well recommended for his
capacity and experience, and particularly for his thorough knowl-
edge of the peculiar [434] system of instruction contemplated to
be introduced, that your Committee could not hesitate about
engaging him. Accordingly about the first of September, a place
was fitted up for the school in the basement room of the Boylston
School at Fort Hill. — This room was not so large as would have
been desirable ; but as it was an unoccupied public room con-
veniently situated, it was thought that it would be sufficiently
capacious for a beginning. As soon as the room was prepared,
the School was almost immediately filled, and the business of
instruction commenced. Mr. Dale continued in the care and
instruction of the School about five or six weeks, and left it in
the care of a gentleman who appears to be well qualified to con-
duct it. —
The School has been in operation about two months. — Your
Committee at present, hardly feel prepared to pronounce a defini-
tive opinion of its merits ; they can only say that they feel
highly gratified with its prospects of success, and entertain a san-
guine hope, that many of the plans and methods adopted in this
school, may be extended with great benefit, to the numerous pri-
mary schools of the Town, and to all the public schools where
young children are taught the rudiments of learning. They have
no hesitation in saying that as yet, it well deserves care and
encouragement of the [435] town. The expense of fitting up
the school, of providing the necessary arrangements and mate-
rials, of procuring the temporary attendance of an instructor
eminent in his profession, have been necessarily considerable,
and have exhausted the appropriation of the sum of one thousand
dollars, heretofore made for this object. But most of the
expenses it is obvious, are merely temporary ; and yonr Commit-
tee are of opinion that this School once established, will be a
cheap and economical one. Under a full belief that it will be for
the interest of the town, and tend to advance and perfect the Sys-
tem of education adopted by the town that this school, for the
present at least should be continued, your Committee recommend
the adoption of the subjoined vote : all of which is respectfully
submitted. —
By order of the School Committee —
Eliphalet Williams, Chairman.
The foregoing Report, was read and accepted, — and —
Voted, That the Public School, upon the principle of mutual
instruction, commenced in pursuance of a vote of the Town
passed the second day of July last, be placed under the care and
superintendence of the School Committee to be continued, if they
deem it expedient ; that they be authorised to appoint a Master
254 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
therefor, and fix his compensation, and that the said school be
put generally upon the same footing with the other public schools
of the Town. —
[436.] The Committee appointed on the 22d. day of Oetober
last ' ' To take the whole subject of the two reports presented to
the Town into full consideration ; to consider all the facts and
recommendations therein contained, and to report. to the Town at
a future meeting, a complete system relating to the administra-
tion of Town and County," made a Report which was read. — A
lengthy debate ensued ; — - after which, on motion, it was — Voted,
That the Report of the Committee, appointed by the Town on the
22d. of October last, " to take into consideration and report to
the town a complete System relating to the administration, of the
Town & County," be re-committed to the same Committee, with
[the] addition of one person to be chosen from each Ward,
with instructions to report a system of Municipal Government
for this town, with such powers, privileges and immunities, as are
contemplated by the amendment of the Constitution, authorizing
the General Court to constitute City Governments. —
The following Gentlemen were chosen from the several Wards,
in addition to the former Committee — viz —
WardN0. 1. George Darracott 7. John Cotton
2. Redford Webster [437] 8. Lewis G. Pray
3. Thomas Badger 9. Benjamin Russell
4. James Davis 10. William Sturgis
5. Henry Farnam 11. Daniel Messinger
6. Michael Roulstone 12. Gerry Fairbanks
The Meeting was then adjourned, to Monday the 24th day of
December current, at 10, o'clock A.M. —
Monday December 24th 1821 —
Met according to adjournment. —
Mr. Tudor, Secretary to the Committee appointed at the last
meeting "To report a system of Municipal Government for this
town," stated that the Committee had attended to the duty
assigned them, and should have been ready to report, at this
Meeting, if there had been time to have had the report printed
and distributed among the Inhabitants, but as the report could
not be distributed before Wednesday next, he moved that this
Meeting be adjourned to Monday next, at 10, o'clock A.M. which
motion was carried ; and the Meeting was accordingly adjourned
to Monday the 31st day of December current, at 10, o'clock,
A.M.—
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 255
[438.] Monday December 31st 1821.—
Met according to Adjournment —
The Hon1. Mr. Sullivan, Chairman of the Committee appointed
"To report what is usually called a System of Municipal Govern-
ment for this Town, with such powers, privileges, and immunities
as are contemplated by the Amendment of the Constitution,
authorizing the General Court to constitute City Governments."
read a Report, which had been printed and distributed among the
Inhabitants, whereupon it was —
Voted, That the final question on this Report be taken by
ballot, at an adjournment of this Meeting.
Voted, That when this meeting is adjourned to take the final
question by ballot, it be to Monday the 7th day of January next ;
the Poll to be opened at 10 o'clock A.M. and closed at 3 o'clock
P.M.—
It was then voted to take up the report by Paragraphs or Sec-
tions : — an animated debate ensued, during which several altera-
tions or amendments were made in the Report —
A motion for adjournment was made, and earned in the affirm-
ative.—
Adjourned to tomorrow 1st January 1822 at 10, o'clock A.M. —
1822.
[439.] Tuesday January 1st 1822.—
Met according to Adjournment. 10, o'clock A.M. —
The Report of the Committee was further discussed and sev-
eral additional alterations and amendments made. —
Adjourned to Tomorrow, 10 o'clock A.M. —
Wednesday January 2d. 1822 —
Met according to adjournment 10, o'clock A.M.
The debate on the Report was finished : and it was Voted, That
the Report as amended be published in all the News-papers, every
day until and on the day of voting — viz. Monday the 7th day
of January 1822, together with the several resolves which are to
be voted upon ; — and that the Selectmen prepare ballots in man-
ner following, viz —
256 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
1st Resolve, — Shall there be a City Government? —
2nd Resolve — Shall the elective U. S. and State officers be
chosen in Wards ? —
3rd Resolve — Shall the City Council decide the number of
Representatives —
4th Resolve — Shall the Town be a County and have a Police
Court. —
5th Resolve — Shall the name be altered from Town of Boston,
to City of Boston. —
[44O.] Voted, That the Selectmen be appointed a Committee
to receive sort and count, the ballots, on Monday the 7th day of
January instant —
Voted, That the Selectmen cause the lists of qualified voters to
be prepared; and also cause two citizens from each Ward to
attend the meeting of the inhabitants on Monday next, to check
the lists of voters as practised in the election of State Officers. —
Voted, That the Selectmen cause the Town of Boston, to be
divided into twelve Wards, each containing as nearly as may be,
an equal number of Inhabitants in each. —
Report.
As amended by the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, at a
legal Meeting held on the 31st. of December, and the two follow-
ing days —
The enlarged Committee who were instructed by a vote of the
Town meeting, held on the 10th. of December, " To report what
is usually called a System of Municipal Government for this
Town, with such powers, privileges and immunities, as are con-
templated by the amendment of the Constitution, authorizing the
Genera] Court to constitute City governments," have attended
assiduously to the duty with which they were charged, and now
submit the following Report : —
[441.] In place of the first part of the former Report,
which had a reference to prudential affairs, they now propose,
according to their instructions, a regular representative govern-
ment for the Town ; in which they have endeavored to combine,
after much deliberation, a plan that will secure a full represen-
tation of all the interests of the Town, in a body of men annually
chosen, acting for the citizens, with and by their authority, in
assessing Taxes, making expenditures, and enacting by-laws;
and also an efficient, responsible, and active executive officer,
with a suitable council, for the administration of the concerns of
the Town.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 257
The following is an abstract of a representative plan of gov-
ernment, in which care has been taken to introduce all the
fundamental and essential principles, that will be embraced by
the establishment of a City government for this Town, conform-
ably to the following general outline.
That this corporation shall be denominated ' ' the City of
Boston." That the administration of the fiscal, prudential and
municipal concern of this corporation, subject to the limitations
hereinafter mentioned, shall be vested in one principal officer to
be denominated the Mayor. —
One select body to consist of eight persons, [442] to be
denominated the Board of Aldermen.
One more numerous body to be denominated the Board of
Common Councilmen. —
The whole in their aggregate capacity, to be denominated the
City Council. — That the Mayor shall be chosen by the citizens,
voting in their respective wards ; and shall hold his office for the
term of one year, and shall have a suitable compensation to be
determined by the City Council. — Provided, that in the case of
the resignation, decease, or permanent or temporary absence, or
inability of the Mayor, the City Council may elect a person to
supply his place, as the occasion may require. —
That the Board of Aldermen shall be chosen by general
ticket, by the qualified voters of the City, voting in wards, for
the term of one year. —
That the Board of Common Councilmen shall be chosen by
the qualified voters of the City, in, and for their respective
Wards ; each ward having a right to choose four. —
That the Mayor and Aldermen shall compose one Board, shall
sit and act together as one body ; at all meetings of which the
Mayor shall preside ; in his absence the Board to choose a Chair-
man for the time being. They shall choose a Clerk, whose duty
it shall be to keep a journal of their proceedings. Such [443]
Clerk to have all the powers, and perform all the duties now
belonging to the Town Clerk of Boston, except in cases where it
is otherwise expressly provided. —
That the Board of Common Councilmen shall sit and act
together as a separate body, and be organized by the election of
a Presiding Officer and Clerk. —
That the administration of police, and the executive powers of
the corporation generally, including all the powers now by law
258 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
vested in the Selectmen of the Town of Boston, shall be vested
in, and exercised by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City, as
hereby constituted.
That all other powers of the town of Boston, as a municipal
corporation, except those relating to elections, and those other-
wise specially provided for, shall be vested in the Mayor and
Aldermen, and Common Council, in City Council convened, to
be exercised by concurrent vote, each Board as hereby constituted
having a negative upon the other. —
More especially, they shall have power to make all needful and
salutary by-laws ; to lay and assess taxes for all purposes, for
which towns are by law required or [444] authorized to assess,
and grant money ;
To lay and assess taxes for all purposes, for which county
taxes may by law be levied and assessed, whenever the City
shall alone compose one county ;
To provide for the assessment and collection of all such taxes ;
To appropriate all public monies, and provide for the disburse-
ment thereof, and take all suitable measures to ensure a just and
prompt account thereof ;
To provide for the appointment and choice of all necessary
officers, not otherwise provided for ; to prescribe their duties,
and fix their compensation ;
To choose a Register of Deeds, whenever the City shall alone
compose one county ;
To have all the powers now by law vested in the Board of
Health, and provide for the exercise of the same ;
To have the care and superintendence of the public buildings,
and the custody and management of all the property of the City,
to lease or sell the same, (except the Common and Faneuil Hall,)
and purchase property, real or personal, in the name and for the
use of the City, whenever its interest or convenience may, in
their judgment, require it.
That all sittings of the Common Council, and of the Mayor,
and Aldermen, when not engaged in executive business, shall be
public.
[445.] That the City Treasurer shall be chosen by the
Mayor, and Aldermen and Common Council in Convention.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 259
That the Firewards shall be chosen by the citizens, in wards,
in equal numbers to each ward, to be determined by the City
Council ; provided there be not less than three to each ward :
That there shall be one Overseer of the Poor, & one Member of
the School Committee, chosen in each ward. And that the
Mayor and Aldermen, and School Committee, shall have the care
and superintendence of the Public Schools.
That all Boards and Officers shall be accountable to the City
Council, for the expenditure of all monies, committed to their
charge.
That the City Council shall publish and distribute annually, a
statement of all receipts and expenditures of public monies, and
a statement of all City property. —
That in all cases of the appointment of officers, by the Mayor
and Aldermen, the Mayor shall have the power of nomination ;
such nomination, however, to be confirmed or rejected by the
Board. Provided, however, that no officer, whose salary shall be
paid out of the City Treasury, shall be, at the time of his election,
a Member of the Board of Aldermen, or of Common Council. —
That it shall be the duty of the City [446] Council, seasona-
bly in each year, to meet in Convention, and determine the
number of Representatives which it may be expedient for the
Corporation to send to the General Court, within its constitutional
limits, and seasonably to publish such determination, which shall
be conclusive ; and the number thus determined, shall be speci-
fied in the warrant calling a meeting for the election of Repre-
sentatives.
That all elections of State and United States Officers, shall
continue to be held as heretofore, by general meetings of the
qualified voters ; at which meetings the Mayor and Aldermen of
the City shall preside ; or in ward meetings, as the citizens may
decide by ballot, at the adjourned meeting on the 7th.
That general meetings of the citizens, qualified to vote in City
affairs, may from time to time be held, to consult upon the com-
mon good, to give instructions to their Representatives, and to
take all lawful measures to obtain a redress of any grievances,
according to the right secured to the people, by the Constitution
of this Commonwealth. That such meetings shall be duly warned
by the Mayor and Aldermen, upon the requisition of fifty qualified
voters of said City. —
That all warrants for the meetings of [ 447] Citizens for
municipal purposes, either in general meetings or in wards, shall
be issued by the Mayor and Aldermen. —
260 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
That a new arrangement of wards shall be made as soon as
may be, dividing the town into twelve wards, in such manner as
to have equal numbers of inhabitants in each ward, as nearly
as may be, consistently with convenient and well-defined limits. —
That for the orderly conducting of ward meetings, and elections
therein, each ward shall be organized by the election of one
Warden, one Clerk, and five Inspectors, all to be chosen annually,
by the qualified voters in their respective wards. That neither
the Mayor, nor any Alderman, or Common Councilman, shall, at
the same time, hold any other office under the City Government. —
The Committee do not deem it necessary to go into expla-
nations of the system here described, because its operation will be
sufficiently .obvious to a community, who are in the habit of con-
sidering constitutional forms and principles. They will only ask
the attention of their fellow citizens to one observation : The
plan proposed, differs strikingly, and they hope advantageously,
from most if not all other plans of City Government, in keeping
the judicial department entirely [448] distinct from the legis-
lative and executive. This is a great principle in our state and
national governments, and affords a peculiar security to the
rights of the citizens, upon which it is not necessary to enlarge. —
The second part of the part of the former report, related to a
new organization of the County, and the establishment of a
Police Court, to have the cognizance of all civil and criminal
suits, now acted upon by Justices of the Peace. They have only
one amendment to make to this part of that report, which is, that
the jurisdiction of the proposed magistrates should be enlarged
in the cases of notes of hand and specialties, to the sum of one
hundred dollars. —
They would recommend the same plan contained in the former
report, that for the purpose of more convenient discussion, the
substance of the alterations should be contained in five resolves,
viz : —
Resolved, first, That we approve of having an alteration in the
form of town government, according to the report, (as amended)
made to the town, the 24th December 1821. —
Resolved, second, That the United States and Commonwealth's
elective officers, shall [449] be chosen by the citizens, in ward
meetings, and not in town meetings as heretofore practised.
Resolved, third, That the City Council, shall annually determine
the number of Representatives to be voted for to represent the
town in the General Court. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 261
Resolved, fourth, By the inhabitants of Boston, in town meeting
assembled, that we approve of the proposition that the town
should form a county by itself ; that the Treasurer of the Town
should also be the Treasurer for the county ; that the Court of
Sessions should be abolished, and its duties transferred to other
bodies ; and that a Board of Magistrates, to be called the Police
Court of Boston, and paid by salary, shall be established, who
shall have cognizance of all criminal and civil causes, now
brought before Justices of the Peace, and whose jurisdiction in
civil suits shall, in the cases of all notes of hand and specialties,
extend to the sum of one hundred dollars ; and our Senators and
Representatives in the General Court are hereby instructed to
endeavor to procure the passage of a bill for these purposes, on
the principles, and with the limitations, laid down in the report
submitted to the town, the 10th day of December. *And the
Selectmen are hereby authorized to appoint a committee, to pre-
pare a petition and Bill for this purpose. —
*see page 451.
[45O.] Resolved, fifth, That this question be determined by
ballot, viz. : Shall the name of the town be changed from " the
Town of Boston." to " the City of Boston."
The Committee repeat, from the most obvious dictates of rea-
son and justice, the recommendation of the former report, that
the vote should be given by ballot, on the five resolves, saying
yes or no, at an adjourned meeting for this purpose, after the
discussion shall have taken place ; — which meeting shall only be
held for the reception of these ballots. And they will only add,
an earnest expression of their hope, that as it can occasion to
the most busy of the inhabitants, but a slight interruption of
their occupations, to give in their ballots, that every citizen will
perform his duty on this important occasion, by voting on one
side or the other, so that the expression of public opinion may be
complete and decisive. —
Resolved, By the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, in town
meeting assembled, that we approve of having an alteration in
the Government of the Town, by the establishment of a form of
City Government, composed of a Mayor, Aldermen and Common
Council, to have the management of the affairs of the Town con-
formably to the plan detailed in [451] the report made to the
town, on the 24th December, (as amended at this meeting) and
our Senators and Representatives in the General Court are hereby
instructed to endeavor to procure the passage of a bill at the next
session of the Legislature, to carry this resolve into effect ; and
the Selectmen are hereby authorized to appoint a committee, to
prepare a petition and bill for this purpose. —
262 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
* The second Bill which they recommend to be applied for, has
a reference to the affairs of the County, and to the administration
of justice in its first stages. It will provide for making the
County of Suffolk to consist of the Town of Boston only : To
abolish the Court of Sessions, and transfer its several powers to
different bodies ; — To make the Town Treasurer the Treasurer
for the County : And give the cognizance of petty criminal and
civil causes to a Board of Magistrates, whose income will not
depend on the business they transact, and who will therefore have
no temptation to encourage frivolous prosecutions and litigation ;
but who will receive a regular salary for the transaction of the
criminal department, sufficient to secure the services of able,
upright men. —
In thus recommending that the Court of Sessions should be
abolished they wish [452] distinctly to state, that [it] is not from
any blame which attaches to that court, in whose transactions
they have found nothing to censure, but which Court the Com-
mittee believe has acted with fidelity towards the public ; but
because its agency will be no longer necessary, when the County
shall comprise only one Town ; and its various functions can be
transferred to other bodies, with advantage and economy to the
town. — A very considerable saving will be annually made to the
town and State by this arrangement ; yet, however great this sav-
ing may be, it will be one of the least of the benefits that will
result from the change. The present mode of administering jus-
tice in its first stages, is attended with many growing abuses ; and
though they have already attained to a very considerable extent,
they must, unless prevented by an entire change in the system,
produce eventually the most mischievous and immoral conse-
quences.
The second Bill, the Committee propose should provide for the
following general objects, viz. : —
That the County of Suffolk should contain the Town of Boston
only, and the offices of Treasurer for the Town and County be
united : That the civil and criminal business transacted by the
Justices of the Peace [453] in the County, shall be confided to
a Police Court, composed of three able and discreet Magistrates,
with salaries to be paid by the County : That in the distribution
of the powers now exercised by the Court of Sessions, all those
which relate to the estimating and assessing of County taxes,
will be confided to the Town, and exercised in the same manner as
the power of providing for, and assessing Town taxes : That the
Selectmen of Boston, shall have the power of granting licences,
and all the power of the said Court, in the erection and mainte-
nance of Prisons and other County Buildings, and in the disposi-
tion and management of all other County property : That the
Court of Common Pleas shall have all the jurisdiction of said
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 263
Court, in relation to trials which may require a jury : And that
the duty of examining all County accounts, connected in any man-
ner with the administration of justice ; of assigning limits to
the jail yard, and in general all the residue of the powers of the
Court of Sessions not otherwise provided for, and which though
they may be little more than nominal, cannot be exercised by
Selectmen, without their being organized as a judicial body, shall
be confided to a court composed of the Justices of the Police
Court, and such other Judges of the Courts of the County, as
may be connected with them for that purpose. —
Adjourned to Monday next, the 7th day of January current at
10 oclock A.M. —
[454.] Monday January 7th 1822. 10. o'clock, A.M.—
Met according to Adjournment. —
The Moderator stated that this adjourned meeting being held
for the sole purpose of receiving votes upon the several resolves
in the amended report, before the town, the qualified voters
would now proceed to bring in their ballots accordingly, and
that the Poll would be closed at three o'clock P.M. —
At the close of the Poll, it appeared that there was for the
1st Resolve ... - 2805 Yeas 2006 Nays
2nd ditto .... 2611 " 2195 "
3rd ditto .... 2690 " 2128 "
4th ditto .... 4557 u 257 "
5th ditto .... 2727 " 2087 "
The Moderator stated the number of votes, for, and against,
each article, and declared the whole report accepted by the
Town.—
Voted, That the thanks of the Town, be given to the respective
Committees, who were concerned in drawing up the several
reports, on the subject of City Government, and judicial Police. —
The Meeting was then Dissolved.
Thomas Clark, Town Clerk.—
[455.] At a Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi-
tants of the Town of Boston, qualified to vote in town affairs,
held at Faneuil Hall, on Monday the 14th day of January, A.D.
1822. 10 o'clock A.M.
264 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Warrant for calling the meeting read. —
The petition of John H. Wheeler, and others, "That the
Town would petition the Legislature to alter or repeal the Law,
regulating the building within the Town." was read — and after
debate, it was Voted, To petition the Hon1. Legislature, so far
to alter or repeal the existing Laws, regulating the building
within the Town of Boston, as to permit the Citizens thereof, to
erect wooden buildings, upon an elevation not exceeding eighteen
inches above the level of the Streets. — of eighteen feet posts,
with the addition of a roof not to exceed a regular pitch of one
third. — which roof shall be slated, and when two or more build-
ings shall be joined together, there shall be a brick partition wall,
of at least eight inches in thickness ; and in each and every
building so erected there shall be one or more windows, or a
scuttle in the roof thereof. —
Voted, that the Gentlemen Selectmen be requested to prepare
a petition to the Hon1. Legislature conformable to the above vote.
Voted, That our Senators & Representatives [456] be
directed to use their influence in procuring the passage of a Bill
by the Hon1. Legislature conformable to the above vote of the
Town.
Voted, That the Selectmen be requested, to cause tc be pub-
lished and distributed to the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston,
a correct List — stating the amount of Real and Personal Estate
on which the inhabitants of the Town have been valued, doomed,
assessed and taxed for the year 1821 — And also all abatements
that have been made from the estimation if any, previous to the
first day of January 1822.
The meeting was then Dissolved.
Attest, Tho. Clark, Town Clerk.
[457.] At a legal Meeting of the Freeholders and other
Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, holden at Faneuil Hall, on
Monday the 4a day of March A.D. 1822—10, o'clock A.M.—
Warrant for calling the Meeting read —
This Meeting was called in conformity to the twenty third,
and twenty first Sections of an Act entitled "An Act to establish
the City of Boston " passed on the 23d day of February 1822. —
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 265
The Selectmen presiding ; the Chairman stated to the Inhabi-
tants, that the "Act for establishing the City of Boston," had
been printed and distributed with the Notification for calling the
Meeting; — Whereupon it was moved and Voted, that the read-
ing of the Act be dispensed with.
The Chairman submitted the following questions to the qual-
ified voters of th'e Town, and requested them to write yes, or no,
against each Question. —
1st. Question — Will you accept the Charter granted by the Leg-
islature entitled " An Act to establish the City of Boston." —
2d. Question — " Shall the Election for State and United States'
Officers be holden in General Meeting." —
Voted, That the Poll be closed at 3 o'clock. —
At the close of the Poll it appeared, that [458] the whole
number of ballots given in on the first question, was forty six
hundred and seventy eight — 4678 — viz. Yeas 2797 — Nays
1881 — Majority 916 — for accepting the City Charter. —
The whole number of votes given in on the second Question,
was forty seven hundred — 4700 — viz. Yeas 1887 — Nays 2813
— Majority 926 — against electing State and United States'
Officers, in General Meeting. —
The state of the votes was declared by the Chairman of the
Selectmen ; and then the Meeting was
Dissolved
Attest Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.—
[459.] At a Legal Meeting of the Freeholders, and other
Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, holden at Faneuil Hall on
Wednesday the 6th day of March A.D. 1822 — 10, o'clock A.M. -
Warrant for calling the Meeting read. —
It was moved and Voted that the Selectmen be requested to
preside at this Meeting.
The Petition of Asa Lewis and others, " To see if the Town
will vote, to petition the Hon. Legislature at their next Session,
so far to alter or repeal the existing laws regulating the building
266 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
within the said town, as to permit the citizens thereof to erect
wooden buildings to be occupied as dwelling houses, of 18 feet
posts, and roof of a regular pitch of one third ; said build-
ings, in no case, to be elevated more than eighteen inches from
the level of the street to the bottom of the sill ; — in no case to
be more than thirty feet from the bottom of the sill to the highest
point of the roof ; in no case to be more than twenty five by
forty feet upon the ground. — the roof to be slated, and to have
at least one window or scuttle in the same. — Whenever two or
more buildings shall be joined together, there shall be a brick
partition wall of at least eight inches in thickness; — and,
whenever such building shall be erected within six feet of any
other wooden buildings of more than ten feet posts, it shall have
a brick wall [46O] of the like thickness on the side so adjoin-
ing." was read.
A motion was made and seconded, That the prayer of the Peti-
tioners be granted ; and that the question be taken by written
ballots, at this time and place : — The question being put, passed
in the affirmative. —
Voted, That the Poll be closed at 2 o'clock.
The Chairman of the Selectmen stated the Question thus. "• As
many gentlemen as are in favor of granting the request of the
Petitioners will write on a ballot — yes —
As many as are opposed to granting the prayer of the Peti-
tioners will write on their ballot, no —
At the close of the Poll it appeared that the whole number of
votes given in was — 3411 — viz 2837 yeas and 574 Nays — so
the question passed in the affirmative. —
Voted, That the gentlemen now composing the Board of
Selectmen, be appointed a committee to present the Petition of
the Town or City, to the Hon. Legislature at their next session. —
Voted, That the petitioners be empowered to appear by coun-
sel on behalf of the Town, or City, to advocate, and defend the
petition before the Hon. Legislature.
[461.] Voted, That the thanks of the Town be given to
the Selectmen, for their able, and impartial conduct, while pre-
siding at this meeting.
The Meeting was then dissolved.
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 267
. J At a legal Meeting of the Inhabitants of the City
(Town) of Boston, holden on the 28th day of March A.D. 1822.
10 o'clock A.M.—
Warrant for calling the Meeting read.—
Hon1. Josiah Quincy was chosen Moderator.
Hon1. Josiah Quincy Chairman of the Committee on the House
of Industry made the following Report : viz —
At a Meeting of the Committee on the subject of Pauperism
and a House of Industry, holden at the Committee Room, (Fan-
euil Hall) Saturday March 2d. 1822. —
A report from the Sub-Committee appointed on the 5th Febru-
ary last, on the subject of the occupation of the House and
grounds the ensuing year, and also what further monies may be
required for completing the same, being read and considered —
thereupon.
Voted, That the same be adopted and that the Chairman be in-
structed to request the Selectmen to call a town meeting forthwith
in relation to the subject of said report —
A true extract from the records —
Attest, — Henry J. Oliver, Secy.
The Committee appointed by the Town to superintend the
erection of a House of Industry, in obedience to that general
duty of early and exact accountability, incumbent [463] upon
all those entrusted with the management of public monies, ask
leave to lay before their fellow citizens the present state and
progress of that institution ; — their views in relation to it, and
what appropriation it will be expedient for the town to make, for
the completion and general preparation of the establishment, the
ensuing year, by way of report.
Conformably to the original estimate of the Committee, made
in their first report in May last, and modified and explained by
their report in October last, the appropriations made in May and
October have proved ample to cover all the expenditures occurring
during that year. It appears by the report of Francis Welch
Esqr. Treasurer of the Committee, made the 15th instant, and
hereto annexed, that the whole expenditures during the past year
on account of the buildings, exclusive of the land, was $19, 612 —
leaving a balance at that tune, unexpended, in his hands, of
In relation to the present condition and progress of the work,
your committee have great satisfaction in stating that it is, in
268 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
every material respect, conformable to their wishes and anticipa-
tions ; and that no other or greater disappointments have occurred
in the progress of it, than are inevitable, and [464] to be ex-
pected, on occasions of this nature.
In consequence of failure on the part of some of the contractors,
the workmen were prevented from completing the external cov-
ering of the centre building the last Autumn. The external walls,
however, have been raised, the roofs of both wings fixed and
boarded, the internal walls are carried up as high as the centre,
and the upper floor and roof of the centre are also ready to be
put on as soon as the season permits. The carpenters are rap-
idly progressing in fixing the partitions, forming the rooms,
preparing the window frames, doors, sashes and floor, so as to
finish the whole work as early in the present year, as, with regard
to its nature and permanency, can be deemed expedient. —
As stated in their last report, your Committee have been regu-
lated in theif proceedings by regard to "strength, durability
and permanent accommodation, without special attention to grati-
fication of taste or architectural effect." They have, however,
enlarged the building, for reasons stated in their last report, and
sanctioned by the town, to a size, exceeding by at least one
third, the dimensions originally contemplated. The weight and
importance of those reasons continue to be strengthened by all
the views, which have occurred to your Committee, in the course
of the progress of the building. And, notwithstanding [465]
the expenditures will, on this account, exceed the original esti-
mates, yet the town will be amply compensated by the greater
accommodations and permanent arrangements for economy or
convenience, which will result. —
Similar views, in relation to the establishment, have induced
your Committee to cause a barn to be erected, of small dimen-
sions, but such as would be useful and necessary, upon whatever
principle the institution should be conducted after it has been
once put into operation. In addition to the general connexion
of such a building with such an establishment, your Committee
were induced to commence and finish that building forthwith with
reference to the accommodation of the carpenters, during the
winter season, thereby enabling them to use it as a work shop
and a deposit for their finished materials, and expediting the
whole arrangements of the ensuing Spring and Summer. This
building, (sixty two feet long, forty wide, and twenty feet post,)
has -been accordingly erected and completed, and its cost, though
not included in the original estimate, has been paid out of the
expenditures of the past year.
With respect to the requisite appropriations, which will be
expedient, for the present year, and the probable cost of the
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 269
establishment, your Committee apprehend, that they are now
qualified to speak as definitely and precisely, as, [466] from
the nature of the subject is possible, and sufficiently so, for
all purposes of wise decision and satisfactory judgment.
The establishment will be undoubtedly completed, in all its
parts and arrangements, by midsummer or early autumn. The
appropriations of the present year, must have reference to its
completion, and be considered as fixing the whole cost of the
establishment.
In addition to the building of the wharf, the house for the
superintendent, the barn, and all those circumstances, which must
continually occur, in a new undertaking of this extensive charac-
ter, tending continually to enhance the expenditure beyond the
estimate, as specified in the former report, the increase of the
building one third in its dimensions, and various items of arrange-
ments on the land, its fencing, and general preparation have had
a similar tendency, yet in the apprehension of your Committee,
though making a considerable addition in the aggregate, yet none
of them are of a character, when examined either in relation to
their objects or details, to excite any doubt concerning their
expediency.
In contemplating the whole expenditures, for the year, to com-
plete the buildings upon the basis of the calculations heretofore
made with the additions and augmentations, before specified, as
also, contemplating unanticipated contingencies, in a new under-
taking of this character, with the purpose [467] of having no
deficiency within the year, and no additional application of im-
portance, to the town, the committee recommend that the sum of
Fifteen Thousand Dollars be put at the disposition of the Com-
mittee ; — a sum somewhat exceeding the amount of their esti-
mate ; but on occasions of this kind, they are anxious, on the one
hand that nothing should be omitted to fulfil all the wise designs
of the town, in relation to the establishment, and they are, on the
other, also anxious, that they may not be prevented from fulfill-
ing them, acceptably, from any temporary deficiency, happening
from any inadequate appropriation. —
A work of this public nature concerning which the opinions
and views of many intelligent minds must be brought to coincide,
and concerning the economies and accommodations of which new
views are perpetually occurring, cannot be expected to be subject
to the same minuteness of previous estimate, to which works of a
smaller and a private nature may be reduced. With the expen-
ditures which have already occurred, your committee have every
reason to be satisfied, both as it respects the wisdom of the plans
and the excellence of the execution ; and in proposing this
amount; it is for the purpose of enabling them to finish, without
270 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
further resort to the town, all the objects, which have been
entrusted to their superintendence, in a mode, at once honorable
to the Town, and complete as it respects the establishment. —
[468.] And your Committee have the great satisfaction to
state, that not only the whole building has been thus far con-
ducted and executed in a manner, wholly independent of any pri-
vate or personal interest or contract on the part of those charged
with the general superintendence of the work, but in a simplicity
and cheapness of style, which, when its greatness and nature is
contemplated, will bear a comparison in point of accommodation
and economy, with any building heretofore erected by the town,
and far inferior to those general estimates, which, judging from
the cost of buildings of a similar extent, had been anticipated by
their fellow citizens.
In making this statement and estimate, your Committee must
be understood, to comprehend only, the whole cost of the build-
ing, and establishment, complete for occupation. — The powers
and authorities of the present committee, in their apprehension,
extend no farther. But in the present advanced stage of the
undertaking, they deem it their duty and within the scope of their
instructions to recall the attention of their fellow citizens to its
original design, and to those arrangements, which have now
become necessary, in order to put the Institution into a train of
prosperous activity, in relation to the objects, for which it was
originally designed ; for the purpose [469] of bringing before
their fellow citizens, the powers and authorities, which ought now
be given and exercised for these purposes.
This Institution had its foundation in two petitions, brought
forward by Thomas Howe and others, and by Joseph May and
other*. — The objects as specified in the former petition, were ;
" for the establishment of a House of Industry, Work House, or
Penitentiary, where means might be afforded for the employment,
instruction, and reformation of the idle or vicious poor, and of
those capable of doing any thing towards their own support, and
yet claim public charity." The objects, proposed by the latter,
were the establishment of " a Workhouse, in some secluded situ-
ation, as a receptacle for the idle, the dissolute, and intemperate,
where ; under a strong and vigilant government, they may be
employed and kept secluded from a mischievious intercourse with
the town, their labour made to contribute to their own support,
their habits improved, if not reformed, their number diminished,
and the growth of the alarming evil of pauperism checked, and
the public burthens ultimately lightened."
These objects, thus developed, have been the basis of two dis-
tinct reports to the Town made by the Committee, charged with
the consideration of those petitions, and afterwards with the erec-
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 271
tion of the House of Industry, and have [4:70] been strictly
kept in view, in all their plans and arrangements made upon the
subject.
The great, primary objects of the Institution, your Committee
have always deemed to be, moral effect, upon the idle and vicious
poor.
1st. By restraining them. — 2d. By compelling them to
work. — 3d. By secluding them from their old haunts and giving
them new habits. 4th. By affording them moral and religious
instruction suited to their age or condition. 5th. Relief to
society from open drunkenness and street beggary, and the petty
pilfering carried on under the forms of poverty by children of the
idle and vicious poor on our wharves, in our streets, and in our
Market places.
The secondary objects of this institution, in the apprehension
of your committee has always been the diminution of the expenses
of the town and of the burthen at present sustained, in supporting
the idle and the vicious, and that part of the poor capable of
labor. This object, however, your Committee consider not only
as secondary, but as incidental ; and though a certain consequence
of a well arranged and well conducted system of management, of
this establishment, yet not as the test either of the importance of
the original design, or the success of the institution.
Your Committee apprehend that, altho' the institution should
not by [any] possibility effect [471] an immediate or early
reduction of the expenses of the Town, in this relation, yet that
a good to society, greatly surpassing a pecuniary benefit, will
result ; — not to be estimated by money and superior to all con-
siderations of that nature.
Without pressing general reflections of this kind farther on the
attention of their fellow citizens, already sufficiently satisfied and
sensible of them, as the origin and the present progress of this
Institution abundantly evidences, your committee restrict them-
selves on the present occasion simply to remark, that in the
present stage of the establishment, it is proper that a system of
management, conduct, and discipline should be in train of prepa-
ration — that the land connected with it should be put under the
control of some superintendence, having reference to the general
design of the Institution, — that measures should be adopted,
and authorities given for the selection of a suitable Overseer, so
that as soon as it is capable of receiving its inmates it may be in
a condition to begin its work of restraint, labor and discipline.
Whether these objects will be better to be entrusted forthwith
to any special committee, or be referred to those authorities,
which under a City organization are about to be invested with
272 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
the care and management of the [472] concerns of the Town —
your Committee refer to the wisdom of their fellow citizens ; only
remarking, that upon the vigor of the management, the wisdom
of the system, and on the qualifications of the superintending
officer, its economical, if not its moral effect, must obviously, in
a great measure depend.
All the committee apprehend at this time necessary to be done,
is to authorize such a sum of money to be put at their disposition
as will enable them to complete the Institution at the time con-
templated ; and that they should be authorized to make such gen-
eral arrangements of a temporary nature, relative to the manage-
ment and preparations of the land, as the present season may
require, leaving to the new authorities the power of selecting the
superintendent and arranging the general system of discipline and
conduct.
As, however, in the opinion of your Committee, it may be pos-
sible that some modifications of the laws may be useful in form-
ing such a system, and a consequent resort to the Legislature at
their ensuing session, necessary, and as waiting for the organiza-
tion of the city authorities may occasion an inexpedient and dis-
advantageous delay in commencing the operations of the system,
your committee respectfully suggest, that authority should be
invested in and instructions given to this or some committee to
prepare such a system of [473] conduct and discipline, and to
lay the same before the city authorities, as soon after their organ-
ization as may be practicable by way of report, with such elucida-
tions as may be deemed expedient ; and that the town should
recommend to the city authorities, to take early measures, for the
consideration of the subject matter of such report, and for the
adoption of an efficient system of discipline and management;
and for the putting the Institution into effective operation. In
conformity with these views, they present to their fellow citizens,
for their consideration and adoption, the following resolutions. —
For the Committee
Josiah Quincy, Chairman.
March 21. 1822.
Voted, That the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars be put at
the disposition of the Committee for building the House of
Industry, and that the said Committee be authorized to draw on
the Town Treasurer, for any sum or sums of money, not exceed-
ing that amount, whenever they may deem it wise or necessary. —
Voted, That said Committee be instructed to provide for the
temporary care, management, and preparation of the land, as
may be necessary during the present spring and summer, and
until arrangements on that subject be made by the authorities to
be [474] established under the city organization.
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822. 273
Voted, That the Committee having care of the erection of the
House of Industry, be instructed as soon as possible to make use
of any able bodied poor in the ahnshouse — And the Overseers
of the Poor be requested to deliver over any such poor to the
care of said Committee upon their application.
Voted, That the Committee charged with the care of the House
of Industry be authorized to prepare a system for the general
conduct, management, and discipline of said House, and of the
land connected with it, and to lay the same before the said city
authorities, for their consideration, as soon as practicable after
their organization ; and that the said city authorities, be and
hereby are requested to take the same and the subject matter of
such report into their early consideration, and to adopt such
measures in relation to the same as will ensure the attainment of
an efficient system of discipline and management, and as may put
the said Institution forthwith into effective operation.
A statement of cash paid towards the materials for, and labor
done on the House of Industry, barn, wharf &c &c —
For lumber for wharf, barn & house $5691 -
For stone 3266
8,957
[475.] Amount brought up 8,957
For bricks 1291
Eor sand and lime - 799
For labor in filling up wharf, digging cellar and
well, &c &c 1379
To masons 4211
To carpenters ---- 1740
To the Superintendent and to the laborers employed
to take care of the materials, &c. 831
For incidental expenses 404
$19.612
Cash on hand 388
$20,000
Francis "Welch, Treasurer —
Boston March 15. 1822.—
Voted, That the foregoing report be accepted, and published in
three of the Newspapers printed in this City. —
The Petition of Henry Davis and others, for a new school
house at the north part of the town being rea<5 — it was —
274 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Voted, The Petition of Henry Davis and others be committed
to the School Committee with instructions to them to proceed
forthwith to build a school house at the north part of the town,
and to locate the same in some suitable place. —
[476.] Voted, That the School Committee be requested in
building the said School House, to take into consideration the
connecting with it an Engine House, a Watch house and a Room
for Ward Meetings. —
The Meeting was then Dissolved.
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
[477.] At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the City [Town]
of Boston, qualified as the Constitution prescribes, holden at
Faneuil Hall, on Monday, the 1st day of April A.D. 1822 — 9
o'clock A.M.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Parkman.
The Constitution respecting the election of Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, Counsellors and Senators was read — also the law divid-
ing the Commonwealth into Districts for the choice of Senators
read —
Voted, that the poll shall be closed at 2 o'clock P.M.
The Chairman of the selectmen requested the inhabitants to
prepare and bring in their votes for Governor and Lieutenant
Governor of the Commonwealth ; and six Senators for the District
of Suffolk.—
Persons voted for as Governor, with the number of Votes for
each person — viz —
His Excellency John Geo. G. Channing - - 1
Brooks - - - 3114 Jacob Eustis - - - - 1
Hon1. William p:ustis - 1421 [478] George W. Otis 1
John Phillips - - ID. Webster - ... 1
William Phillips - 1 James N. Maffitt - - 1
John Lowell - - 1 Benjamin Loring - - - 1
Stephen Fairbanks 1 Benja. J. French - - - 1
Jonathan Simonds 1 Ez Hawkes - ... 1
Persons voted for as Lieutenant Governor, with the number of
votes for each Person — viz —
His Ho nor William Hon1. Levi Lincoln - - 1425
Phillips - - - 3115 William Eustis -
BOSTON TOWN RECORDS, 1822.
275
James Brewer - - 2
William Ernmons 1
Josiah Bradlee - 1
Mich1. Roulstone - 1
D Webster - - 1
Ben Russell
Eben Thayer -
Simon Gardner
J. D. Howard
E. H. Bobbins
Persons voted for as Counsellors
Suffolk, with the number of votes
Hon1. John Phillips - - 4273
" Thomas H. Per-
kins - --- 2331
' ' Jonathan Hunne-
well .... 2188
Lem1. Shaw - - 2305
Joseph Tilden - - 2370
Benjamin Russell - 2098
Hon1. Henry Dearborn - 2106
George Sullivan - 2044
Sam1. L. Knapp - - - 14
Henry Orne ----- 7
James Lloyd - ... 8
Wm. Sullivan - - - - 5
William Gray - ... 5
Wm Prescott - - - - 4
Sam1. Brown - - - - 3
Warren Button ... 3
Jesse Putnam - ... 2
Thomas H. Parker - - 2
Gerry Fairbanks - - - 2
H. Emmons - - - - 2
Tho8. Jackson - ... 1
Jona. Howard - ... 1
George Darracott - - - 1
Edw. Tuckerman - - - 1
Quincy Tufts - - - - 1
A. B. C. Dow - ... 1
H. A. S. Dearborn - - 1
John B. Brown - - - - 1
Henry Gassett - - - - 1
Jos. Bumstead - - - - 1
Nath1. G. Snelling - - - 1
John Lepean - - - - 1
Jona. Simonds - ... 1
Holbrook, Dexter & C°. - 1
Elijah Morse - - - - 1
Heman Lincoln - - - 1
Samuel Hubbard - - - 14
Isaac Winslow - - - - 6
Joseph Jenkins - - - 8
Daniel Sargent - - - - 5
and Senators for the District of
for each person — viz —
Thomas L. Win-
throp - - - 2055
[479] Benjamin Whit-
man - - - - 1885
Samuel A. Wells 1884
Samuel Billings .- 261
Jacob Hall - - 258
Daniel Baxter - 236
Doct. William Ingalls - 224
John Brazer - - 211
S. A. Whitman - - - 1
Eleazer Pratt .... 1
Geo. W. Bazin ... 1
Wm Tudor 1
David Sears - - - -' 1
Abrm. Babcock ... 1
David Hill 1
Joshua Eayres - - - - 1
Rufus Barrus .... 1
George Blake .... 1
Jona. Phillips .... 1
Redfd. Webster ... 1
Sam1. Frothinghain - - 1
Geo. W. Otis ...» 1
Jn°. Wells 14
Dan1. Webster - ... 6
Lynde Walter .... 6
Eb. Clough 5
P. C. Brooks .... 4
Jn°. Cotton 3
Josiah Quincy - ... 3
Fra. J. Oliver .... 2
John Brooks .... 2
Jona. Amory - - - - 2
Ja8. Savage 2
Jn°. BeUows .... 1
Tho' L. Whitman - - 1
George Cabot - ... 1
Jos. Bosed 1
Tho' K. Thomas - - - 1
Lewis Tappan ... - 1
En. Silsby 1
276 CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
M Roulstone ---- 4 Wm D. Sohier - - - - 1
Benja. Loring - - - - 4 John C. Watts - - - - 1
Jn°. T. Apthorp 3 Benja Rand - ... 1
Jos. T. Buckingham - - 2 B Homer 1
Tho8. Melville - - - - 2 J. F. Trueman - - - - 1
Nath1. Tracy .... 2 Tho' K. Jones - - - - 1
D Messenger - - - - 2 Sam1. Cobb ----- 1
Francis C. Gray - - - 2 Wm. Minot - - - - - 1
B. L. Russell - - - - 1 Thad8. Page - - - - 1
John Sears ----- 1 Benja. West - - - - 1
[48O] Henry Williams - 1 Benj. Rich 1
Thomas Badger - - - 1 Benj. Abrahams - - - 1
Wm. P. Codman - - - 1 Jas. Loring 1
Benj. Whittemore - - - 1 Fra8. Welch - - - - 1
Benja. Winthrop - - - 1 Enos Cobb ----- 1
Wm. Plympton - - - - 1 Win. Lewis - - - - 1
Thomas Paul - - - - 1 James T. Austin - - - 1
Attested copies of return of Persons voted for as Governor,
Lieutenant Governor, Counsellors and Senators for the District
of Suffolk were sealed up in open Town Meeting, (after the vote
had been declared) to be transmitted to the Secretary of the
Commonwealth as prescribed by law, and directed as follows —
viz —
"To Alden Bradford Esq. Secretary of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts —
Votes of the Town of Boston, for Governor and Lieutenant
[Governor] , sealed up in open Town Meeting."
"To Alden Bradford Esq. Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts —
Votes of the Town of Boston, for six Counsellors & Senators,
for the District of Suffolk sealed up in open Town Meeting."
Then the Meeting was Dissolved.
Attest, Tho' Clark, Town Clerk.
N. B. — The record of the meeting of April 1, 1822, is that of the last
meeting of the inhabitants under the town form of government, conse-
quently the last town meeting, so-called. The new City Government
was organized on the first of May, 1822, under John Phillips as the lirst
Mayor of Boston.
INDEX,
INDEX.
Abutters of Town-dock, 183.
Abrahams, Benjamin, 276.
Academies, Private, 169.
Accounts, Board of Health to audit, 3, 27,
53, 68, 74.
Court of Sessions, Legislative
authority
relative
to, 238.
report of
co m m i t-
tee on,
231,239.
House of Industry, report of,
273.
Overseers of Poor to audit, 3,
27, 53, 68, 74.
Town treasurer to audit, 3, 4,
7, 11, 27, 32, 53, 59, 68, 74, 95,
99, 101, 118, 137, 146, 175, 213.
Act to erect work-house, 22, 195.
establish City of Boston, 264, 266.
fpr governing work-house, 195, 196.
to incorporate Town, petition for, 32.
for suppressing and punishing
rogues, etc., 22.
Actions against grantees of laud on Neck,
31.
Adams, Asher, 200.
Caleb, 142.
Daniel, 116, 139, 163, 166.
James, 142.
John, 114, 166.
Joseph, 99, 163.
Samuel, 118, 163, 179, 180, 200, 203,
204.
Address of inhabitants to President, 87.
President to inhabitants, 89.
Agents, to collect for street repairs, 31.
deliver releases to adminis-
trator of will of Thos. Boyl-
ston, 85.
repair streets, 31.
Albany, 252.
Aldermen, 258, 260, 261.
Board of, 257.
choice of, 257.
confirmations by, 259.
power of, 258.
Alfred, Me., deed of town land in, 183.
Alger, Cyrus, 200.
Alley, Nathaniel, 95, 113, 133, 137, 171, 175,
203.
Alline, Henry, 176.
William, 50.
Allison, William, Jr., 51.
Almshouse (see House of Industry:
work-house), 184, 185, 186,
187, 188, 194.
accomodations of, 184, 189.
Board of Superintendence
for, 191.
character of inmates, 250.
cost of, 192.
expenses of, 76, 186.
Immediate necessity of, 184.
Almshouse, in Leverett street, 194, 195.
inspection of, 191.
insufficiency of, 188.
Marblehead, 185, 186.
examination of.
185.
expense of, 185.
new, Deer Island, proposed
for, 190.
ob j e c-
tionsto,
190.
Salem, examination of, 185.
expense of, 185.
use of inmates for work on
House of Industry, 273.
Amory, Jonathan, 115, 162, 275.
R. G.,92.
Armstrong, Samuel F., 142.
Andrews, Ebenezer, 159, 176.
Ebenezer T., 48.
James, 163.
William, 137, 144, 175, 202.
Anniversary of Independence, 37, 108,
132, 156, 219, 223.
Appleton, Nathan, 30, 58, 199.
Samuel, 117, 142.
Appointment of chief executive by Gov-
ernor, 40.
Appropriations of money, 11, 13, 194, 218,
219, 246, 269, 272.
Apthorp, John T., 48, 144, 161, 276.
Army, commander of, 89.
Arsenals, naval destruction of, 18.
Artificers, privileges to, 44.
regulations and restriction
of, 47.
Artillery company, 154.
Assay-masters, choice of, 3, 27, 52, 67, 95,
113, 137, 175.
Assessors, to assess on personal prop-
erty, 230.
assistant, 6, 29, 47, 57. 73, 230.
choice of, 228.
committee to wait on, 206.
to furnish selectmen with list
of ratable polls, 6, 57, 73, 117,
141, 160.
petition from, for increase in
compensation, 59.
relative- to valuation
of estates by, 172.
power of, to assess taxes, 229.
to receive yearly warrant
from secretary of Common-
wealth, 227.
salary of, 14, 36, 79, 104, 131,
154, 199, 202, 217.
Atkins, H., 200.
Auction of stalls in market, 69.
Auctioneers, licenses to, 160.
Augusta, 214.
Austin, Benjamin, 5, 28, 57, 97, 99, 104, 116,
118, 126, 134, 139, 153.
Charles, 97.
Charles T., 116.
(279)
280
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Austin, James T., 23, 28, 71, 74, 85, 86, 92,
95, 97, 104, 110, 116, 118, 139, 141,
161, 177, 179, 196, 198, 200, 276.
Jonathan L., 6, 143.
Joseph, 1, 24, 25, 31, 49, 50, 65, 66,
93, 94, 110, 111, 112, 117, 136, 141,
162, 173.
Mr., 108, 13-2.
Richard, 3, 27, 52, 67.
Ayres, Moses Jr., 26, 174.
Babcock, Abram, 135, 139, 163, 173, 177,
198, 200, 251, 275.
Mr., 157, 158, 159.
Bacheldor (Balchelder), Josiah, 24, 30,
58, 74.
Bacon. R. Jr., 180.
Badger, Col. Thomas, 52, 197.
Mr., 52, 109.
Thomas, 30, 48, 55, 71, 73, 81, 95,
97, 115, 118, 123, 139, HI, 154,
161, 208, 223, 254, 276.
T.,200, 215.
William, 211.
Bainbridge, Theo., 116, 118, 143.
Baker, F., 180.
John, 162.
Bakers, weight of bread to be sold by, 52.
Balcb, Joseph, 145, 163.
Baldwin, Rev. Thomas, 23, 71, 156, 161,
179, 199, 200.
Thomas, 29, 126, 141, 200.
Ballard, Davis C., 161.
J. C., 142.
Ballots, Committee to sort and count, 256.
Selectmen to prepare, 255.
Ballou, Hosea, 139, 161, 179.
Moses, 116.
Rev., 93, 161.
Bangs, William, 72.
Banking Institutions, 43.
Bankruptcy, commission, 84.
Banks, Augusta, 211.
Boston, 148, 149.
Cnstine, 211, 214.
Halls, 214.
Hollowell, 211.
Manufactures and Mechanics, 214,
215.
Massachusetts, 148.
Wiscassett, 211,214.
bills of, 211.
debts to, 4, 33.
stock taxation of, 229.
Bannister, John, 3, 26, 51, 67, 95.
John P., 112, 137.
Jonathan F., 175.
Barbour, Thomas, 3, 26, 51, 67, 95.
Burn, in connection with House of
Industry, erection of, 268.
Barnard, Tristram, 29, 57, 72, 97, 116.
T., 163.
Barrett, Fra., 163.
Barstow, Jacob, 112, 137, 175.
Bartlett, Enoch, 200.
T., 80.
Barton, A. O., 200.
Barrus, Rufus. 276.
Barry, Thomas, 7, 30, 58, 74.
Bass, Henry, 65, 93, 110, 111, 123, 135, 162,
173.
Bass, Jonas, 201.
Mr., 157, 168, 159.
Bassett, Francis, 74, 98, 117, 162, 180.
Bates, Harvey, 118.
Baxter, Daniel, 134, 145, 161, 173, 275.
D., 142, 179, 200.
James, 95, 113.
Mr., 157.
Bazin, George W., 275.
Bean, Horace, 162.
S., 143.
Beggars, 195.
Beggars, Act for suppression and pun-
ishing of, 22.
Beggary, methods of relief from, 271.
Belknap, John, 163.
Bell, Thuball, 10.
Bellows, John, 30, 97, 161, 200, 251, 275.
Bells, tolling of, 5, 28, 56, 71, 96, 114.
Bender, Jacob, 115.
Bent, Adam, 173, 201.
Berry, Ebenezer, 112.
Bequest of Thos. Boylston, 83.
Bigelow, Jacob, 163.
Timothy, 163.
William, 13, 20.
Bill relative to incorporating town of
Boston, 261, 262.
town government, 38,
45, 261.
to transfer business of Justices of
Peace to Police Court, 262.
Billings, Mr., 157, 158, 159.
Samuel, 72, 118, 134, 143, 162, 164,
173, 180, 200, 220, 275.
Bingham, Caleb, 6, 28.
Binney, Amos, 97, 116, 121, 140, 161, 174,
200, 213.
Andrew, 135.
Blake, Benjamin, 116.
George, 48, 57, 86, 140, 161, 241.
Henry, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 136, 174.
William, 164, 203.
Blanchard, George, 2, 7, 15, 25.
Bliss, Alex., 142.
Board of Aldermen, 257.
Health, 8, 12, 15, 32, 34, 35, 36,
39, 43, 45, 46, 47, 52,
53, 59, 63, 75, 77, 91,
102, 103, 108, 109, 119,
123, 130, 132, 133, 137,
146, 147, 152, 157, 158,
159, 170, 178, 208, 258.
accounts to audit, 3,
27, 53, 68, 74.
appropriation for, 218.
authority of, 122. 123.
communication from,
113.
current expenses of,
61, 120.
drafts Of, 61, 101, 208,
210.
powers of, 46, 47, 54.
power of to alter quar-
antine regulations,
54.
powers of interfering
with those of select-
men, 54.
power of, to isolate
contagious disease,
54.
powers of, relative to
burial-grounds, 145.
president of, 123.
proposed change in,
39.
compensa-
tion for,
53.
recommendation o 1 ,
123.
report of, relative to
burial-ground in
South Boston, 122.
Boardman, Darius, 36, 163.
J. F., 163.
Mr., 157, 159.
William, 72.
Boards and shingles, surveyors of , choice
Of, 3, 26, 51, 67, 112^.136, 174.
Bond, George, 117, 141, 161, 179, 180, 182.
Jeremiah, 200.
of Joseph Field, 4.
Uriah Cotting, 149.
INDEX.
281
Bond of Ward N. Boylston, 120, 149, 151,
216.
town treasurer, 15, 64, 109, 133,
159.
Bonds, interest on, 150.
Bondsmen, 11, 15, 37, 64, 91, 133, 158, 159.
responsibility of, 4.
of town collector, 11, 15, 31,
64,91,133, 158.
treasurer, 11, 15, 37,
64, 91, 133, 158.
Bosed, Joseph, 275.
Boston; 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19,
20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33,
35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45,
46, 49, 53, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 63, 64,
65, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78,
79, 8-2, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88,89, 90, 96, 98,
99,100, 102, 104, 108, 110, 114, 116,
118, 119, 120, 122, 126, 127, 128,
129, 131, 132, 134, 138, 140, 144,
145, 147, 151, 156, 160, 164, 166,
167, 168, 171, 172, 177, 178, 181,
182, 183, 196, 201, 208, 209, 210,
212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 219,
220, 223, 224, 2'25, 227, 231, 233,
23o, 236, 238, 251, 252, 256, 258,
260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 267,
273, 274, 276.
act relative to, 196.
almshouse, 187.
bank. (See Banks.)
brigade, 38.
cemetery, 122.
city of, 256, 257.
act to establish, 264, 265.
bill for government of, 45.
committee to fix boundary lines
of, 252.
corporation of, 45.
intendant of town and city of, 45.
mill corporation, 138, 144, 145.
Keck, land on, 4, 244, 247.
for almshouse, 192.
choice of trustees,
12, 30, 58, 78, 99,
121, 143, 182.
injury to, 13.
rent of, 150, 209,
212.
report of trustees,
13.
to sell or lease, 162.
proposed change in government
of, 38.
name of, 45.
proposition to make into separate
county, 235.
Bowker, Allen," 2, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 136,
174.
Boyd, John P., 141, 162.
Boylston, Dr., 151, 216.
Mr., 84, 85.
Thomas, 83, 85, 86, 99.
Ward N., 74, 83, 85, 86, 99, 120,
149, 151,211,216.
donation, publishing receipts
from, 107,
market. (Vee Market.)
Bradford, Alden, 6, 29. 98, 110, 116, 140,
163, 180, 181, 276.
Gamaliel, 159.
William B., 118, 162.
Bradlee (Bradley), David, 142.
Elizabeth, 148.
J., 9, 33.
Joseph P., 23, 116, 163,
203.
Josiah, 58, 73, 74, 81,
116, 275.
Mr., 158, 159.
Nathaniel, 2,3,26,51,
67, 94, 95, 112, 113,
136, 137, 174.
Bradlee (Bradley), Thomas, 164.
Bradstreet, Joseph P., 200.
Brawlers, 196.
Bray, John, 49, 50, 65, 107, 111, 136.
Ma)., 2.
Brazer (Brazier), Joseph, 200.
John, 9, 97, 118, 141,162,
166, 275.
Bread, market inspectors to enforce law
relative to weight of, 53.
weight of, 52.
Brewer, James, 200, 275.
Thomas, 118.
Bridewell, 196.
cells in, 195.
use of bath-house as, 195.
Bridges, South Boston, 123, 244.
toll from, 244.
Briggs, William, 182.
Brigham, Caleb, 56.
J., 176.
T., ISO.
Brimmer, Martin, 143, 162, 200.
Brinley, George, 134, 163.
Mr., 135.
Brookers, Mrs., 33, 60, 76, 102, 120, 218.
Brooks, John, 56, 71, 96, 114, 139, 179, 180,
274, 275.
N., 180.
Peter C., 28, 116, 117, 139, 142,
161, 164, 166, 180, 199, 251, 275.
Brookline, 252.
Brown, Daniel, 164.
James, 3, 26, 51, 67, 95, 112, 136, 137,
174, 175.
John, 142, 275.
Samuel, 5, 28, 67. 71, 97, 115, US,
140, 142, 162, 165, 166, 244, 275.
William, 7, 12, 29, 163.
Bryant, John, 162.
Perez, 118.
Buckingham, Joseph T., 176, 276.
Buildings, brick, 205.
house of industry, description
of, 245.
location of,
244.
laws relative to erection of,
183, 204, 205.
public superintendence of,
258.
wooden.law relative to,264,266.
Bulflnch, Charles, 1, 10, 12, 13, 15, 18, 24,
25, 35, 49, 57, 62, 65, 77, 89, 93.
Bullard, Lamson, 72.
Bumstead, Joseph, 275.
Buonaparte, Napoleon, 179.
Burial-grounds on Xeck, change in site
of, 13.
police of, 145.
repairs of, 145.
south, article in warrant
to extend, 137.
South Boston, committee,
114, 123.
commu n 1-
ca ti o n
from
Board of
Health
rela t i v e
to, 113.
propos e d,
1 n c o n-
venlence
of, 122.
proposed,
purchase
Of land
for, 122.
report of
com m i t-
tee, 122,
130.
282
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Burroughs, George, 143, 163.
Burrows, William, 135, 174.
Business, obstruction to, by trucks, 80, 81.
stagnation of, 76.
Bussell, Benjamin, 275.
By-laws, 42, 46, 69, 70, 72, 73, 81.
enacting of, 256.
relative to carts and trucks, 72,
73.
obstruction of streets,
81.
obstructing walks, 14.
market, report of
committee on, to
revise, 68.
removing snow from
walks, 167.
throwing snow from
roofs, 14.
weight of loads to be
drawn in streets,
80, 82.
Cabot, Frederick, 142.
George, 28, 57, 72, 97, 163, 166, 188,
275.
Joseph, 107, 113, 137, 144, 175.
Mr., 28.
Cadets from West Point, 220.
Callander, Charles, 97, 115.
D., 176.
John, 164.
Joseph, 55, 70, 203.
B. B., 142, 200.
Cambridge, 262.
Campbell, John, 142.
Carleton, Jonathan, 200.
Carney, Daniel, 72, 162, 182, 223.
Carter, Charles, 56.
James, 72, 142.
Carts, by-law regulating loads carried
in, 82.
in Dock square, 69.
regulation of, 72, 73, 82.
regulating standing of, in market,
70.
Carver, Mr., 133, 158, 159.
Ruben, 162,
Cary, Rev. Samuel, 2, 25.
Cellar under Merchant's Hall, 177.
Cemetery. (See Burial-grounds.)
Champney, Joseph, 3, 26, 51, 67, 95, 113.
O. W., 176.
Chandler, John, 115.
Channlng, Edward T., 58, 74, 90.
George G., 274.
G. C., 162.
Mr., 2.
Rev. William E., 27, 139, 162.
Chapman, Jonathan, 163.
Charlestown, 42.
Chelsea, 233, 235, 236, 238.
amount of county tax paid by,
236.
Selectmen of, 221, 224.
Cheverus, Rt. Rev. John, 162.
Chief executive, appointment of, by gov-
ernor, 40.
Child, David W., 115, 142, 153, 162, 173,
200, 251.
John R., 202.
Joshua, 142.
Children, cost of educating, 168.
money for education of, 124, 125.
petition to establish school for
those under seven, 100.
report of
commi t-
tee on,
105.
schools for, 125.
under seven years not attend-
ing school, 1"4.
Christie, Thomas, 2, 3, 6, 51, 67, 94, 112, 136,
174.
Church, New South, passageway re-
quested by proprietors of, 4.
Churches, Old South, 16, 37, 63, 90, 108,
132, 156.
City authorities, 272.
City of Boston, 45, 46, 256, 257, 261.
charter, act of Legislature granting,
265.
vote for,. 265.
council, 256, 257, 260.
duties of, 268.
powers of, 268, 259.
public meeting of, 258.
to publish annual statement
of public monevs, 259.
Cities, southern, 80.
City government, 254, 255, 266, 260, 261.
bill relative to, 261.
plan of, 257.
proposed, 38, 39.
report of committee,
254, 255, 256.
votes for resolves rel-
ative to, 263.
officers, nominations of, 259.
rejection of, 259.
salary of, 259.
organization, 271.
property, 44.
council to publish annual
statement of, 259.
treasurer, choice of, 258.
how chosen, 259.
treasury, 259.
Civil rights, 89.
suits, 260.
Claim against estate of Thomas Boylston,
84.
of David Hinckley, 145.
Luther Ellis, 145.
Clapp (Clap), Joshua, 72, 116.
Thadius, 163.
Timothy M., 116.
Clark, Benjamin, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 95, 112,
136, 137, 174.
John, 143.
N., 176.
Samuel, 176.
Thomas, 1, 16, 24, 36, 37, 49, 62, 65,
79, 90, 93, 104, 108, 110, 131, 132,
134, 138, 143, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158,
160, 164, 165, 166, 172, 173, 178, 181,
182, 199, 201, 202, 223, 263, 264, 265,
266, 274, 276.
Cleasby, John, 203.
Clerk, Board of Aldermen, choice of, 257.
of market, additional, 69.
salary of, 69, 217.
police court, appointment of, 48.
compensation of, 48.
duties of, 48.
town treasurer, conduct of, 130.
salary of, 130.
Cleveland, A. P., 200.
Clough, Ebenezer, 97, 110, 115, 118, 140,
164, 179, 200, 275.
Clouston, William, 2. 26, 51, 67, 94, 112,
136, 174.
Coal, law relating to carrying in streets,
80.
Cobb, Enos, 28, 57, 200, 276.
Gershom, 176.
Samuel, 6, 28, 97, 276.
Cochran, William, 163.
Codman, Henry, 176, 200.
Stephen, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 14, 16, 19r
22, 25, 30, 32, 36, 50, 53, 58, 59,
66, 67, 74, 75, 79, 83, 85, 86, 94,
95, 98, 101, 111, 113, 116, 118,
119, 131, 135, 137, 143, 146, 155,
161, 174, 175, 201, 205, 214, 223,
226, 239, 241.
INDEX.
283
Codman, William P., 276.
Coffin, Dr. Jonathan G., 176.
George W., 200.
John G., 144, 163.
Peter, 159.
Cogswell, John, 2, 26, 51, 67.
Collamore, Mr., 133.
Colton, John, 136.
Commission of Bankruptcy, 84.
Commissioner! in cities, duties of, 39.
for defence of State, 18.
Committee!" accounts, to audit, 5, 7, 8, 11,
27, 32, 63, 59, 95, 113, 146, 176.
report of, 15, 16, 20, 21, 31, 32,
36,37,38,50,53,59,63,
68, 74, 79, 80, 83, 86,
99, 100,101, 105, 106,
108, 118, 119, 122, 124,
129, 130, 132, 133, 144,
145, 146, 153, 154, 155,
158, 167, 168, 172, 175,
177, 178, 183, 184, 194,
201, 204, 206, 207, 224,
227, 231, 235, 241, 252,
254, 267.
rejection of, 55.
municipal government, 32,
255, 256.
from wards, 144, 254.
relative to new
school for chil-
dren, 124.
relative to peti-
tion of Benja-
min Hum-
phries, 171.
to receive and count votes, 15,
24, 99, 109, 110, 133, 134, 157,
159, 175, 256.
finance, 8, 10, 12, 75, 77, 99, 101,
113, 118, 119, 130, 145,
204, 206, 207, 236, 238.
to report on salary of
town treasurer, 127.
choose county treas-
urer proposed, 236.
town treasurer, to examine
bonds of, 133.
administration of town and
county, 241, 254.
relative to uniting offices of
town and county
treasurer, 235.
health of town, 55.
town boundaries, to fix, 252.
taxes, to consider assessing
of, 227.
delinquency of collec-
tor, 20.
School. (See School.)
on petition for new schools,
79,
visit of President, 66.
market, to enlarge, 96.
South Boston, to superintend
municipal concerns of, 176.
burial-ground for South Bos-
ton, 114.
for South Bos-
ton, to pur-
chase land,
123.
on pound for South Boston,
78.
orator, to provide for July
Fourth, 16, 68, 90, 108,
182, 219, 223.
petition relative to carts and
trucks,
73.
workhouse,
177.
buil dings,
204.
Committees, petition of William Bigelow,
13,20.
Joseph Field, 16.
David Green-
ough, 95, 128.
Isaac P. Davis,
144.
Josiah Jones, 203,
204.
inhabitants, 52, 53.
to dispose of land on Ivers
and Portland sts., 96.
ascertain amount of out-
standing taxes, 11, 20.
consider responsibility of
bondsmen, 15, 91, 109.
wait on Ben j. Whitwell, 16.
confer with board of health,
53.
hackney coaches, removal of,
from streets, 203.
court, general, 53.
to petition legislature, 238,
266.
Court of Sessions, expenses
of, 220.
abolish-
m e i) t
of, 234.
mill pond, 251.
House of Industry, to select
site f or,
193.
erecting
of, 241.
to prepare
system
of man-
age-
m e n t
of,
272, 273.
filling va-
cancies
in, 203.
to make
use of
able-
bod led
poor,
273.
sub.report
of, l'J5.
Common, the, 258.
repairs of the, 107.
town buildings near, 194.
council, 257, 259, 261.
clerk of, 257.
powers of, 258, 259.
president of, 257.
councilmeu, choice of, 257.
prison.useof as workhouse, 196.
Commonwealth, the, 5, 9, 10, 15, 17, 19, 22,
23, 39, 47, 50, 64, 65, 66,
68, 92, 94, 96, 109, 110,
111, 127, 148, 157, 176,
179,184,185,210,219,260.
amount due the, 147, 213.
convention for revising
constitution of, 160,
181.
laws dividing into dis-
tricts, 5, 114, 274.
of, relative to elec-
tion of repre-
sentatives, 6, 29.
law of, relative to House
of Cor-
rection,
196.
to qualifi-
cation
o f vot-
ers, 117.
284
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Commonwealth, law of, relative to
schools, W, 136.
secretary of, 6, 29, 57, 72,
98,116, 140,157,165,166,
181, 236, 276.
Communication from board of health, 113.
justices of Court of
Sessions, 123.
Ward N. Boylston,
74.
Congress, 92, 109, 110, 164, 165, 166.
Constables, 17, 232, 233, 237, 239.
appropriation for, 240.
distribution of estimates by,
106.
method of choosing, 47.
return of warrants by, 47.
Constitution or frame of government, 5,
6, 27, 29, 32, 42, 46, 47, 55, 56,
57,64,71,73,96,98,114,117,
138, 178, 196, 199, 254, 259,
274.
amendments to, 181.
votes on, 181.
convention to alter, dele-
gates to, 157.
change, 160.
proposed change in, 39, 181.
Contract with Mr. Boylston, 85.
Convention to alter constitution of Com-
monwealth, 160, 181.
delegates to,
157, 181.
choose city treasurer, 258.
county treasurer,
206, 226.
Cook, I., 163.
Zebedee, 116.
Zebedee, Jr., 138, 163.
Coolidge, Joseph, 140, 142, 161, 173, 201, 203.
Joseph, Jr., 2, 22, 24, 25, 49, 64, 65,
93, 109, 111, 116, 117, 135, 141.
J., 180.
Mr., 133, 157, 158, 159.
Copeland, Elisha, 12.
Seth, 200, 203.
Copp's Hill gun-house, removal of, 154.
Cordis, Thomas, 200.
Cornhill, 155.
Coroners, 239, 240.
Corporations, Boston and Boxbury Mill,
application of, 138.
report of committee on
petition of, 144.
Dock Square, 127.
exemption from taxes, 229.
organization of, 43.
Cotter, John, 117.
Cotting, Jeremiah, 144.
Uriah, 120, 149.
Cotton, John, 48, 58, 74, 98, 142, 143, 161,
199, 254, 275.
Councillors, choice of, 5, 97, 115, 139, 179,
275.
constitution relative to elec-
tion of, 114, 138, 178, 274.
County. (See Suffolk.)
of Essex, 236.
Middlesex, 236.
Courts, County, 263.
judges of, 263.
money expended by, 232,
070
Common Pleas, 40, 54, 239.
jurisdiction of,262.
foreign, 84.
General, 23, 38, 45, 64, 92, 98, 109,
127, 128, 164, 165, 196,254,
255, 256, 261.
act of, relative to choice
of president and vice-
president, 165.
acts of, relative to work-
house, 196.
Courts, General, representatives to, 160,
199, 260.
House, allowance of keeper, 240.
jurisdiction of, 54.
jurors for, 78, 153.
Municipal, 40, 240.
judge of, 62, 239.
salary of judge, 13, 36,
62, 79, 104, 131, 153,
202, 217, 232.
new, appointment of justices, 239.
criminal, proposed, 235.
duties of, 239.
powers of, 239.
salary of justices, 239.
Police, 40, 41, 47, 256, 261
choice of justices, 47.
compensation of clerk, 48.
justices,
48.
duties of clerk, 48.
justices of, 263.
justices of the peace as
members of, 40.
powers of, 40.
records of proceedings to
be kept by clerk, 48.
sessions of, 47.
selection of justices of, 48.
Of Sessions, 70, 196, 234, 239, 240.
abolishing of, 261.
accounts of, 239.
to apportion county
tax, 227.
approval of by-law
by, 81, 167.
bill to abolish, 262.
clerk of, 236.
communication from,
123.
committee relative to
modification or
abolishment of, 234.
estimate of county
tax by, 107, 237.
granting of licenses
by, 234.
justices of, 70, 167.
legislative authority
relative to accounts
of, 238.
modification or abol-
ishment of, 234.
money borrowed by,
238.
received and
disb ur sed
by, 231.
petition to abolish,
238.
report of committee
on application of,
231.
report of committee
on expenses of, 231.
return of annual ex-
pense ac-
count to
legisla-
ture, 287.
exp e n s e s
of, 236.
Selectmen to assume
powers of, 262.
statement of expenses
of, 220.
transfer of powers
and authority of,
47.
transfer of functions
of, 262, 263.
Supreme, 53.
judicial, 239, 240.
Crime, protection against, 239.
INDEX.
285
Criminal bills, 240.
business, 47.
records of, 48.
jurisdiction, 232.
saving in expense
of, 234.
prosecutions, 235.
prosecution, abuses existing in,
236.
suits, 11, 260.
trials, by Board of Magistrates,
262.
Criminals, detection of, 239.
expenses for keep of, 240.
Crocker, A., 48.
Crosby, Walter, 17.
Crowninshield, Benjamin W., 96, 114, 115,
166.
Cruft, Edward, 2, 25, 50, 66, 116, 200.
Cullers of fish, choice of, 51, 59, 67, 95, 112,
137.
hoops and staves, 51, 67, 94, 112,
136, 174.
Cunningham, Andrew, 2, 25, 50, 66, 94, 112.
Curtis, Alfred, 142.
C. P., 201.
Nathaniel, 2, 7, 25, 30, 50, 58, 66, 94,
98, 112, 118, 135, 143, 163, 174, 180.
Neddy, 3, 12, 27, 30, 51, 67, 95, 113.
Gushing, E., 162.
Thomas, 72.
Cushman, H. L., 200.
Cyecy, Cyrus, 201.
Dale, Mr., 252, 253.
Dall, William, 30, 58, 78, 99, 121, 143, 183.
Dam, Leader, 176.
Dame, Levi, 166.
Danforth, Samuel, 163.
Darricott, George, 57, 133, 143, 171,. 174,
251, 254, 275.
Davis, Charles, 2, 7, 25, 28, 30, 49, 58, 66, 74,
93,97, 111,117,140,143.
Daniel, 161, 171.
Henry, 273.
Isaac, 116, 144.
J., 200.
James, 118, 174, 200, 254.
John, 161.
Joshua, 12, 30, 58, 66, 78, 94, 95, 99,
112, 121, 135, 143, 174, 182, 200, 203.
Mr., 109, 158, 159.
Thomas, 163.
Dawes, Thomas, 12, 13, 17, 30, 58, 62, 78,
79,99,104,121,131,143,153,161,202.
Dean, Rev. Paul, 57, 110, 138, 161, 176, 200.
Thomas, 114, 200.
Dearborn, Gen., 87.
Henry, 5, 28, 56, 71, 96, 97, 115,
118, 139, 141, 161, 165, 166, 179,
200, 275.
Henry A. S., 56, 72, 275.
N., 200.
Debit and credit, 4, 9, 10, 21, 33, 66, 151,
152, 216.
Deeds, choice of register, 50, 173, 175, 258.
to town land in Maine, 133.
property, 46.
Deer Island, for almshouse, 190.
rent of, 213.
Dedham, inspection of militia at, 38.
Degrand (Dagrand), P. P. E., 118, 180.
P. F., 72.
Dehon, William, 115, 200.
Delegates, choice of, by wards, 45.
to convention to revise consti-
tution of Commonwealth,
157, 160, 181.
superintending board, 41.
Dennie, Thomas, 163, 200.
Dexter, Dr. Aaron, 2, 25, 49, 66, 93, 111,
136, 162, 176.
Dexter, Franklin, 132, 143.
Holbrook & Co., 275.
Dexter, Samuel, 5, 28, 56, 116.
Disease, contagious, board of health to
isolate, 54.
Dock. (See Town.)
Dock Square Corporation, 127.
erection o f
buildings
by, 127.
erection of buildings near,
127.
sale of produce in, 69.
Doggett, Noah, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 136, 174.
Dommett, C. M., ISO, 200.
Donation of Mrs. Brooker,60, 102, 120, 218.
Boylston, 120.
publishing receipts
of, 107.
Franklin, publishing receipts
of, 107.
Donnison, William, 16'.>, 200, 212, 240.
Dorchester, 252.
point, 244.
Dorr, Andrew C., 159.
John, 142, 143, 167, 178.
Mr., 108, 132, 133.
Samuel, 65, 93, 111, 117, 142, 163.
Dow, A. B. C., 275.
Josiah, 5T.72.
Drafts, board of health, 208, 210.
overseers of poor, 9, 60, 76, 148,
150, 151, 208, 210, 213, 216, 218.
selectmen, 9, 60, 76, 120, 148, 150,
151, 208, 210, 213, 216, 218.
Drain under Merchant's Hall, injury to,
177.
owners to
keep in
r e p a ir,
177.
petition
relati v e
to, 177.
Draper, Horace, 116.
Lorenzo, 72.
Draw under Merchant's Hall, petition to
close, 167.
Dray ton, Jonathan, 200.
Drew, Job, 118.
Drunkards, 195.
Drunkenness, relief from, 271.
Dunlap, A., 180, 200.
Dunn, Samuel, 7, 30.
Dunton, Daniel, 110, 143.
Dupee, Isaac, 140.
Dutton, Warren, 141, 161, 275.
Dwight, Rev., 160.
Sereno E., 141, 162.
Dyer, John, 116,142,180.
Eastman, Luke, 200.
Eaton, Joseph, 98, 163.
J., 180.
Rev., 96, 140, 162.
Thomas, 162.
Eayres (Eyers), Joshua, 275.
Moses, Jr., 3, 51, 67, 94,
112, 136.
Education, mode of, 169.
system of, 26, 49, 66, 94.
amendments
needed to, 168.
extent of, 168.
evils of the, 16S.
school committee
a u t h o r i z e d to
carry out, 111,
136, 176.
time required for elementary,
168.
Electors, choice of, 166.
Elliot (Eliot), Ephraim, 2, 22, 25.
Ellis, David, 164, 165, 200.
Luther, 145.
Ellison, James, 118.
286
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Ellison. Samuel, 174.
William, 2, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 95, 112,
113, 136.
William, Jr., 2, 26, 51.
Emery, Jonathan, Jr., 118.
Emmerson, Romanus, 12, 78, 99, 113, 137,
174.
Emmons, Henry, 143, 200, 275.
Samuel, 3, 26, 51, 67, 95, 113, 137,
175.
William, 275.
Engine-house in connection with school-
house, 274.
England, 84, 184, 191.
English grammar schools. (See Schools.)
Estates, appraising of, by assessors, 2'28.
Thomas Boylston, 83.
administra-
tor of, 86.
taxes on mortgaged, 227, 228.
personal, petition relative to
method of valuing.
172.
publishing list of ,264.
real, publishing list of, 264.
Estimate of county taxes, by court of ses-
sions, 107, 237.
Europe, 42.
European nations, 42.
Eustis, Jacob, 274.
Joseph, 141.
William, 5, 114, 115, 116, 118, 139,
179, 180, 274.
Evarts, Jeremiah, 140, 141, 163.
J., 180.
Everett, Alexander, 29, 97, 110.
Otis, 142, 201.
Samuel, 29.
Expenses, control of, 43.
county, 236.
current, 139.
report of committee,
231.
saving in, 237.
waste in, 232.
current, of overseers of poor,
120.
board of health, 120.
of county, 139.
selectmen, 120.
tax for, 121, 219.
of town, 103, 201.
of Almshouse, 186.
criminal jurisdiction, 234.
dieting prisoners, 236.
drain under Merchant's
Hall, 177.
ensuing year, 106, 152, 217.
building House of Industry,
246, 247, 248.
Marblehead almshouse, 185.
Salem almshouse, 185.
public, committee to ascertain
method of improving, 107.
repairs of streets, 31.
Fairbanks, Gerry, 72, 163, 200, 254, 275.
Stephen, 274.
S., 200.
Fales, Samuel, 200.
William A., 72.
Faneuil Hall, 1, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 19, 23, 27,
29, 30, 32, 36, 37, 38, 49, 57,
58, 63, 64, 65, 71,72, 73, 74,
86, 90, 91, 92, 96, 98, 99, 108,
109, 110, 114, 116,118,127,
132, 134, 138, 140, 143, 156,
160, 164, 165, 166, 172, 178,
181, 182, 199, 201, 220, 221,
223, 224, 256, 263, 264, 265,
267, 274.
Market. (See Market.)
rent of, 212.
Faneuil Hall, rent of cellars under, 150,
209.
stalls in, 209.
under, 150.
Farley, Ebenezer, 73, 81, 93.
Farnham (Farnam, Farnum),Henrv, 111,
171, 254.
Mr., 108.
Faxon, Richard, 7, 30, 58, 143.
Fay, Heman, 203, 204.
Fees. (See Salaries and Allowances.)
of office, committee to form table
of, 182.
Felton, William P., 140.
Fence viewers, choice of, 3, 12, 26, 51, 67,
78, 95, 99, 113, J37, 174.
Fennelly, Robert, 135, 157, 158, 159, 163,
173, 200.
Field, Deacon Joseph, 4, 13.
Field-drivers, 144, 175, 203.
petition to increase allow-
ances of, 202.
Finance, committec"on,'8, 10, 12, 58, 101,
119, 146, 207, 228.
plans, 43.
Fines, 4, 14, 107, 209.
collected by police officers, 212.
for failure to remove snow from
sidewalks, 167.
relative to offences in market, 70.
Firewards, 47, 122, 136, 150, 198.
choice of, 2, 25, 50, 58, 66, 94,
107, 112, 121, 128, 135, 143, 174,
182.
how chosen, 259.
increase in number of, 121.
resignation of, 107, 121.
salary of messenger, 217.
secretary, 217.
Fish, choice of cullers of, 3, 26, 51, 59, 67,
95, 112, 137, 174, 175.
stall on North street, rent of, 213.
Fisher, Nathaniel, 72.
Fitch, Amos, 143, 163, 166.
Jeremiah, 97, 116, 118, 134, 135, 143,
173, 174.
John, 97, 116, 143.
Mr., 109, 133, 157.
Foreigners, 42.
Forfeitures, 107.
Fort Hill, Boylston School at, 253.
Fortune tellers, 196.
Foster, James, 24, 118, 176.
Joseph, 50, 142.
William, 72, 163.
William, Jr., 161, 176.
Fox, John, 118, 142, 200.
Francis, Ebenezer, 142, 162, 198.
Franklin donation, publishing of receipts
from, 107.
Freeman, fiev. James, 161.
Freemasons, application of, for lease of
rooms in Old State House,
145.
lease of rooms In Old State
House to, 138, 154, 155.
French, Benjamin, 204.
Benjamin J., 274.
B. V., 180.
John, 58, 74, 117, 251.
Frothingham, Ebenezer, 142.
George, 142.
J., 162.
Rev. Nathaniel L., 49, 111,
114, 144, 165, 167, 176.
Samuel, 275.
Fuel for schools, 125.
Fuller, Abraham W., 14, 22, 57, 163.
Henry H., 142, 163, 182, 200.
Funeral processions, 13.
Gale, William, 140, 142, 163, 200.
Gallison, John, 162.
INDEX.
287
Gamage.N., 180.
Gardner, J. S. J., 163.
.Rev., 29.
Samuel P., 139, 163.
Simeon, 97.
Simon, 197,275.
S., 118, 180.
Gassell, Henry, 276.
Gerry, Elbridge, 162.
Gill, Mr., 84.
Glover, Nathaniel, 2, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112,
136, 174.
Goal, 198.
allowance to physician of, 240.
power over to be assumed by new
court, 239.
Goalcrs, 289.
Goddard, Nathaniel, 98, 113, 115, 139, 163.
Thacher, 7, 30, 58, 142.
Goodman, Horace H., 200.
Goortnow, S.,180.
Goodrich, H., 72.
Goodwin, Ozias, 2, 22, 25, 49, 65, 91, 93.
Gore, Jeremiah, 200.
Gorham, Benjamin, 7, 30, 58, 74, 97, 98, 115,
139, 144, 164, 166.
S., 212.
Gould, Abraham, 176.
Government, City, 254, 256.
Municipal, 40.
committee rela-
tive to, 254.
proposed alter-
ations in, 44.
report of com-
mittee on, 255.
system of, 32.
national, protection by, 18.
of schools, 26, 94, 136, 176.
town and City of Boston,
a bill for, 45.
Governor, 18, 19, 27, 92, 98.
and Lieut. -Governor, choice
Of, 5, 28, 56, 71, 96, 115, 139,
179.
Graf ton, Joseph, 142, 143.
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. (See
Freemasons.)
Grant, Moses, 143.
Gray, Edward, 97.
Francis C., 108, 118, 141, 163, 199, 276.
Horace, 162.
John, 97.
Joshua, 200.
Sylvester, 28.
William, 5, 28, 56, 57, 71, 86, 97, 115,
118, 139, 142, 161, 162, 166, 179, 200,
275.
William K., 141, 162.
Greary, Oliver, 122.
Great Britain, 85.
Green, Gardner, 163.
William, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 136,
174.
Greene, Charles W., 58.
Greenough, David, 4, 95, 99, 104, 106, 116,
127, 128.
Greenwood, Benjamin R., 139.
Rev., 110.
Grosvenor, Lemuel P., 176.
Gun-house, land of, to be used for build-
ing tombs, 178.
money for removal of, 54.
new, petition town to assist
in building, 178.
proceeds of land to go
toward building, 178.
Gunpowder laws, 150.
use of money obtained by
forfeiture of, 198.
Hackney carriages, committee relative
to, 204.
Hackney carriages In streets, petition
relative to re-
moval of, 203, 224.
licenses, 150.
money received for
licenses, 212.
selectmen to regu-
late, 204.
Hale, David, 143, 162.
D., Jr., 142.
Nathan, 141,161.
Hall, Ephraim, 171, 172.
Henry, 163.
Jacob, 25, 36, 49, 65, 93, 111, 142, 163,
174, 275.
Joseph, 6, 28, 135, 161.
Jr., 141.
J., Jr., 180.
Mr., 133, 157, 158, 159.
Nathan, 117.
Hallett, George, 97, 116, 118, 141, 161, 172,
. 200, 220.
Hammatt, Charles, 136, 176, 205, 207.
Mr., 159.
William, 7, 12, 30, 58, 78, 99.
William J., 3, 26; 51, 67, 95.
Hammond, Samuel, 110.
Thomas, 182.
Hancock, John, 120, 151, 211, 216.
Hand-bills, publishing of accounts on, 46.
Harbor, expediency of defense for, 18.
Harris, Benjamin, 67, 94, 112, 136.
Isaac, 121, 135, 163, 174.
Joseph, 144.
J., 180.
J. D., 163.
Leach, 162, 203.
Richard H., 72.
William, 2, 7, 25, 30, 50, 58, 66, 94,
112,114,122,203.
Hart, Edmund, 24, 50.
Hartshorn, Harvey 116.
Roland, 137, 163, 174.
• Harvard College, 129.
Haskell, Levi, 116.
Haskins, Ralph, 149.
Hastings, George, 162.
Samuel, 162.
Hathaway, John, 118.
Haven, Joseph, 200.
Hawkes, Ezra, 274.
Hay scales, 150.
rent of, 209, 213.
Haywards choice of, 3, 12, 26, 51, 67, 95,
107, 113, 122, 128, 137, 144, 175.
Haywood, Caleb, 12, 31, 52, 110.
Head, Joseph, 97, 115, 163.
Heard, John, 2, 66.
Jr., 25, 49.
Hemp, choice of surveyors, 3, 26, 51, 87,
95, 113, 137.
Henshaw, David, 118, 143, 162, 200.
Hewins, Abel, 12, 78, 99, 113, 137, 174.
Hichborn (Hitchborn), Mr., 109.
Samuel, 12, 30, 52, 142, 163.
Jr., 135, 174, 200.
Hicks, John C., 116.
Higgins, David, 176.
Highways, choice of surveyors, 3, 27, 47,
52,67,95,113,137,175.
labor of paupers on, 185.
Hiler, Jacob, 24.
Hill, Aaron, 29, 87, 97, 142, 162, 200.
David, 275.
Hinckley, David, 145.
Hogreeves, choice of, 3, 26, 30, 61, 67, 95,
107, 113, 122, 128, 137, 144, 203.
Holbrook, Dexter* Co., 275.
Holley, Rev. Horace, 2, 25, 28, 49, 66, 73,
93, 111.
Holt, Thomas, 200.
Homer, B., 276.
Eleazer, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 136,
174.
288
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Homer, G. J., 200.
Henry, 97.
Michael, 27, 67, 95, 113, 137, 175.
Richard, 3.
William, 200.
Homes (Holmes), Barzillia, 52, 55, 114,
117, 121, 142, 143, 163,
182, 200.
H., 143.
John, 5, 28, 56.
Mr., 157, 158, 159.
Samuel, 12.
William, 48.
Hood, Charles, 118, 162, 166, 200.
Hooper, S., 200.
Hoops and Staves, choice of cullers, 8, 26,
51, 67, 94, 1123 136, 174.
Horses, fine for cruelty to, 83.
suppression of cruelty to, 81.
Hospitals, bequest for building of, 78.
removal of cases of contagious
disease to, 54.
Massachusetts General, 78.
Home of Correction. (See House of
Industry, Workhouse, Alms-
house.)
Industry. (See Woi kh.ou se,
Almshouse.)
184, 193, 242, 243, 247,
251,270,271,272.
appropriation, 194,
246, 251, 267, 272.
arrangements for
management o f,
272.
barn in connection
with, 268.
building for, 193, 245,
267.
choice of site, 244.
committee author-
ized to
buy
land1
for,
193.
to prepare
s y e-
tem of
man-
age-
ment,
273.
sel ect
site
for,
193.
va c a n c y
in, 203.
discipline in, 272, 273.
erection of, commit-
tee report, 241.
expense of, addi-
tional, 248,
267, 269.
of building
246,247,248.
financial report, 273.
objects of, 270, 271.
overseer of, 271, 272.
petition to establish,
270.
power of court to
commit to, 239.
publishing report of
committee of, 251,
273.
religious instruction
for inmates, 271.
report of committee
relative to, 267.
situation of, 248.
superintendent of,
247.
House of Industry, superintendence of
land of, 271, 272.
wharf of, 247, 269.
on Union street, rent of, 150, 213.
Howard, John D., 7, 12, 30, 58, 74.
Jonathan, 118, 275.
Howe, Abraham F., 92.
John, 30, 58, 74, 98, 121, 127, 200.
John, Jr., 2, 26, 61, 67, 94, 95, 112,
113, 136, 137, 174.
John N., 116, 142.
Jonathan, 200.
Joseph N., 48, 72, 97, 213.
Joseph W., 118.
J., 180.
Nathaniel, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 05, 112,
136, 174.
Richard S., 72.
Samuel H., 163.
Thomas, 113, 114, 137, 163, 177, 180,
198, 251,270.
William, 121, 135, 174.
Hubbard, Samuel, 74, 95, 97, 140, 141, 160,
161,179,200,275.
Humphry (Humphries), Benjamin, 171,
183.
Hunnewell, Benjamin, 140.
Jonathan, 1, 2, 7, 15, 24, 25, 28,
37, 38, 49, 50, 56, 64, 65, 66, 71,
91, 93, 94, 97, 109, 110, 112,
115, 133, 139, 159, 161, 171,
179, 251, 275.
Hunt, Matthew M., 142, 180.
Nathaniel P., 97, 116.
Hunting A., 148, 151, 211, 217.
Jabez, 120, 148, 149, 151, 208, 211,
217.
J. and A. ,217.
Thomas, 143.
Huntington, Benjamin, 162.
Rev. Joshua, 6, 55, 66, 93, 111.
Kurd, JohB, 163.
Idle persons, care of, 270, 271.
Idle and disorderly persons, 195.
Independence Day, celebration of, 16,
63, 90, 108, 132, 156, 219, 223.
Industry, promotion of, 44.
Ingalls, I., 176.
Dr. William, 28, 56, 71, 97, 115,
139, 142, Itil, 166, 179, 200, 275.
Inhabitants, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 19, 23,
24, 27, 29, 30, 32, 35, 37, 38,
41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49,
57, 58, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 70,
71, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 84,
86, 90, 91, 92, 98, 99, 102, 105,
106, 107, 109, 110, 114, 116,
117, 118, 119, 12), 12-2, 123,
127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 13$,
140, 143, 144, 152, 153, 156,
160, 161, 164, 165, 166, 172,
173, 175, 177, 178, 179, 181,
182, 183, 191, 199, 201, 205,
207, 217, 221, 223, 226, 227,
228, 229, 230, 231, 236, 251,
252, 254, 255, 256, 260, 261,
263, 264, 265, 267, 274.
evading of taxes by, 229.
distribution of committee re-
port among, 46, 99, 100.
petition of number of, 32, 38,
52, 53, 72, 91, 105, 106, 220.
unequal taxation of, 229.
Inspectors of lime. (See Lime.)
markets. (See Markets.)
Institutions, taxation of, 229, 230.
Insurance companies, 42.
Intendant, The, 42, 45, 46.
to be chairman of Selectmen
and school committee, 45.
direct prosecutions, 45.
have care and management
of town property, 46.
INDEX.
289
Intendant to receive complaints of in-
dividuals, 45.
superintend police, 45.
death or resignation of, 45.
power of, to lease or sell prop-
erty, 46.
selection of justices of police
courts by, 47.
Jackson, Charles, 161,241.
Daniel, 97.
Dr. James, 162.
Mr., 64, 91, 133, 158, 159.
Patrick, 163, 180.
Thomas, 100. 112, 117, 134, 135,
142, 162, 174, 176, 200, J03, 275.
Jacobs, David C., 203.
Jail yard, 263.
James, Francis, 3, 27, 67, 95, 113, 137, 142,
175.
Jftrvis, Benjamin, 116.
Jenkins, Joseph, 116, 161, 275.
Jenks, Rev. William, 161.
Jennings, William, 140.
Jewett, Jonathan, 200.
Johonnot, Oliver, 110, 114, 116.
Jones, Abraham, 57.
Edward, 57, 143, 162, 180, 200, 240.
John C., 72, 162.
Joseph, 121, 135, 174, 200.
Thoma6 K., 6, 57, 72, 116, 142, 162,
167, 177, 180.
Joy, Benjamin, 163.
Judge of probate, 86.
Judicial powers of chief executive, 40.
Judiciary, authority, 4X>.
Jurors, 236, 239, 240.
list of, 78.
grand, 153.
allowance to, 240.
petit, allowance to, 240.
traverse, 153.
Jury, jurisdiction of trials by, 263.
Justices, county, 47, 48.
selection of, 40.
of Court of Sessions, 231.
communi-
ca tion
from
123.
police courts, 263.
compensation
for, 48.
selection of, 47,
4?.
the peace, abuses of, 237.
allowance to, 240.
authority of, 237.
abuse of,
40.
control of, 237.
election of, by
wards, 41.
fees of, 237.
fines and forfeit-
ures received by,
10.
new court to as-
sume powers of,
239.
payment of, fees
of, 237.
powers of, 40.
Keating, Oliver, 7.
Kendall, Edward, 200.
Thomas, 162.
Kickshins, Ebenezer, 140.
Kilham, J., 143.
Mr., 109.
Kilman, Mr., 133.
Kimball, Edmund, 200.
John, 137, 144, 176.
King, Gedney, 2, 12, 25, 50, 56, 58, 66, 71,
94, 111, 122, 142, 143, 173, 200.
Kittridge, Thomas, 97.
Knapp, John, 117.
Josiah, 1(,3.
Lorenzo, 97.
Samuel L., 141, 161, 180, 200, 203,
204, 275.
Lambert, Thomas, 3, 26, 51.
Lamps, lighting appropriation, 201.
of, 207
compensation for, 107.
tax for, -219.
Land, for burial ground in South Boston,
proposed
purchase.
of, 122, 123.
South Boston,
report of com-
mittee, 130.
by-law relative to removal of snow
from walks, along, 167.
for House of Industry, 241.
choice of,
244.
commit tee
a u t hor-
ized t o
pur-
chase,
193.
cost of,
244, 267.
descrip-
tion of,
244.
objections
to, 244.
su per i n-
te ndent
of, 271,
272.
unappro-
priated
for, 343.
to revert to town, 144.
in South Boston, committee rela-
tive to purchase of, 123.
near South Boston bridge, pro-
posed purchase of, 123.
notes on, 34, 62, 102.
on Neck, 247
actions against heirs or
assigns of, 31.
cost of, 245.
for almshouse, 192.
town's, in South Boston, burial
ground on, 122.
York Co., Me., deed of,
183.
near ropewalk, rent of,
212.
on Ivers and Portland
streets, committee
to sell, 96.
Merrimac street, rent
of, 213.
the Neck, choice of
trustees, 78,
99, 121,
143, 182.
rent of, 190,
209, 213.
street In
front of ,31.
Trustees
empow-
ered to
sell or
lease,
182.
Prince street, rent of,
213.
290
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Land, town's, proceeds to go toward
erecting new gun-house, 178.
Lane, Frederick F., 92, 180.
Lascivious persons, 195.
Lathrop, John, 29.
Rev., 23.
Lawrence, William, 71, 72, 97, 115, 180.
Laws, breach of, 150.
building, petition for repeal of, 264,
265.
collection of taxes according to,
31, 33.
dividing state into districts, 5, 27,
96, 114, 274.
fines for breach of, 209, 212.
gunpowder, 150.
modification of, 65.
of the Commonwealth, 15, 42.
relative to
authority
of board
of health,
122.
regulating sale of spirits, 234.
weight of bread, 53.
relative to abatement of taxes,
228, 230.
board of health, 54.
change in valuation of
estates, 172.
elections, 1, 23, 29, 49,
110, 154, 157, 221, 226.
erection of wooden
buildings, 183, 204,
205.
health, 54.
idle and disorderly per-
sons, 195.
jurors, 153.
obstructing Bidewalks,4.
payment of fees of jus-
tices of the peace, 237.
qualification of voters,
117.
schools, 29, 136.
town officers.1,23,49,110.
Lease of Old State House to Grand Lodge
of Massachusetts, 155.
rooms in Old State House to
Freemasons, application for,
145.
Lee, George G., 7, 80, 49, 58.
Henry, 116, 163.
John, 116.
Legislature, 44, 54, 79, 95, 99, 128, 204, 205,
238,239,261,272.
acts of, 137.
relative to election of
town and county
treasurer, 224.
authority of, relative to
accounts of court of ses-
sions, 238.
charter granted by, 265.
petition to, 32, 99, 128, 154, 172,
202, 221, 230, 238, 264,266.
power of, relative to levying
county tax, 237.
(See, also, General Court.)
Lepean, John, 116, 200, 275.
Lerow, Lewis, 200.
Lewis, Asa, 265.
Henry, 97.
Joseph, 118.
Thomas, 112, 176, 200.
Winslow, 17, 114, 121, 135, 168, 165,
166, 174, 276.
Licenses, granting of, 234, 262.
to auctioneers, 150.
Hackney carriages, 107.
money
receiv-
ed for,
212.
Lime, choice of inspectors, 3, 27, 67, 95,
113, 137, 175.
Lincoln, Ensign, 143.
Heman, 117, 141, 161, 179, 180, 200,
275.
Levl, 115, 139, 166, 274.
Lewis, 166.
Little, William, 6, 28, 56, 71, 97, 115, 134,
142, 161, 166, 180, 200.
Lloyd, James, 5, 6, 28, 56, 65, 97, 110, 115,
118, 140, 163, 180, 200, 275.
Loans for defence of town, 19.
interest on, 241.
tax to pay interest on, 238.
Lodge, Giles, 116.
Matthew, 116.
Lombard, Thomas, 67, 95.
London, 85, 99.
Loring, Benjamin, 200, 274, 276.
Bradford, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 136.
Caleb, 6, 28, 97, 116, 163.
Charles'G., 223.
C.,57.
James, 28, 141, 200, 276.
John J., 50.
Jonathan, 7, 25, 30, 50, 58, 66, 74, 95,
97, 98, 112, 117, 134, 135, 143, 163,
173, 174, 200.
J., 180.
Mr., 133, 158, 159.
Lovell, James S., 162, 180.
Lovering, John, 142.
Jonathan, 94.
Joseph, 1, 2, 24, 25, 50, 65, 66,
93, 94, 110, 111, 135, 174, 177, 200,
251.
J., 141.
Mr. 108, 132, 133.
Low, Henry S., 97, 116.
Lowell, John, 97, 162, 274.
Rev. Charles, 2, 5, 25, 49, 66, 93,
111, 136, 162, 173, 176.
Lumber. (See Boards and Shingles.)
choice of surveyors, 3, 26, 94,
182, 206.
petition relative to additional
surveyors, 203.
Lyman, Theodore' 141, 180.
Jr., 141, 156,163, 200.
Mackay, John, 25, 48, 50, 58, 66, 74, 94, 112,
135, 174, 176.
Mr., 109, 133, 158, 159.
William, 2, 13, 22, 25, 48, 49, 65,
72, 93, 111, 118, 135, 173.
Maffitt, James N. , 274.
Magistrates, 190, 195, 233, 260.
Board of, 261, 262.
Maine, town land in state of, 183.
Manufacturers, privileges to, 44.
Marblehead, 184.
Almshouse, 185, 186.
commi tt ee to
visit, 185.
overseers of, 185.
expense of supporting pau-
pers in, 185.
support of paupers, state-
ment of, 196.
Markets, alterations in, 100.
Boylston, 100.
Clerks of, 70, 212.
compensation, 69.
to enforce regulation of,
69.
committee before the Legisla-
ture, 99.
on enlarging, 96.
to revise by-laws rel-
ative to, 55, 68.
report, 69, 106.
erection of buildings near, 127.
facility in bringing produce to,
INDEX.
291
Market-house, publishing receipts from,
107.
income from, 100.
Inspectors, choice of, 12, 30, 52.
discontinuance of, 69,
70.
powers of, 55.
Insufficient limits of, 68.
new, 251.
Injury to town by erection
of, 100, 128.
petition for, 95.
report of committee on,
100.
offences against, 68.
old, 1-28.
penalty for allowing offence
against, 69.
place, 100.
places, pilfering in, 271.
proposed regulations of, 68, 69.
prosecutions for offences against,
68.
regulation of carts and sleighs
in, 69, 70.
horses In, 69, 70.
remedy of evils in, 68.
rents of, 62, 69, 70, 77, 100, 121, 150,
152, 209.
report of inspectors, 68.
Bale of produce in, 70.
stalls, conduct of occupants, 69.
streets leading to, 70.
vegetable, 248.
enlargement of, 183.
selectmen authorized
to build, 183.
Marshall, Josiah, 62, 55, 58, 74, 114, 117,
163, 167, 178.
Marston, John, 176.
Mason, Jonathan, 28, 72, 92, 110, 161, 164,
180, 200.
May, H. K., 163.
Joseph, 162, 170, 177.
Mr. 157, 158, 159.
Samuel, 25, 49, 65, 93, 100, 111, 135,
137, 171, 173.
Mayor, 40, 257, 258, 260, 261.
choice of, 257.
compensation of, 257.
filling vacancy in place of, 257.
nominations by, 259.
powers of, 258, 259.
McCleary, Samuel F., 138, 140, 162.
Mclntosh, Peter, 97.
McNeill, Archibald, 142.
Mechanics, privileges to, 44.
regulation and restriction of,
47.
Meeting House, Old South, 37, 63, 90, 118,
132, 223.
Melcher, David, 116.
Melville, Thomas, 2, 25, 50, 56, 66, 94, 97,
111, 142, 161, 174, 180, 276.
Merchants Hall, 177.
cellar under, 177.
draw under, 167.
petition relative to drain
under, 177.
Merrill, J. C., 118, 162.
Metropolis, 44, 87.
Military escort for the President, 87.
Militia, 18, 150.
inspection of, 38.
provisions for, 38.
Mill Corporation, Boston and Roxbury,
application of, 138.
extension of time for
completing work of,
145.
report of committee on
petition of, 144.
dam, petition to build, 144.
improvements, 144.
Mill Pond Corporation, application of,
251.
proprietors of, 252.
rent of land on, 209.
Oliver, 94, 112, 136, 174.
William, 174.
Minchin, John, 140.
Minno, Thomas, 163.
Minot, William, 142, 162, 276.
Moderator, 3, 4, 10, 16, 19, 22, 27, 48, 50, 55,
66, 70, 73, 79, 83, 87, 94, 96, 111,
112, 114, 131, 135, 136, 156, 176,
178,202,203,251,263.
choice ol, 1, 7, 17, 24, 30, 32, 37,
38, 49, 58, 63, 65, 72,
74, 86, 90,93, 99, 108,
110,118,127,132,134.
143,156,167,172,173,
182,201,223,224,267,
pro. tern., 79, 83, 101, 105.
Money, 4, 9, 10, 21, 53, 59, 95, 101, 102, 103,
137, 146, 159, 196, 197, 198, 201,208,
209, 211, 213, 214, 216, 235, 239.
borrowed, 22, 78, 104, 238.
by Court of Sessions.
238.
City Council authorized to appro-
priate, 258.
to publish annual
statement of, 259.
counterfeit, 148, 208.
due banks, 33.
County of Suffolk, 143, 213,
240.
on notes, 33.
State, 33, 147, 213.
expended by courts, 232, 233.
for almshouse, 192.
House of Industry, 194, 243,
246, 251, 267,272.
lighting lamps, 201.
removing Gunhouse, 154.
schools, 13, 99, 106, 124, 125, 153.
in banks, 148, 214.
Town Treasury, 33, 59, 61, 62,
76, 76, 102, 120, 121, 146, 161,
152, 217.
paid Bigelow, William, 20.
Bradley, J., 33.
lor expense of prisoners,
236.
jurors, 239, 240.
on order of County Agents,
lor new prison, 239.
on warrants from Court of
Sessions, 239.
to Constables, 239.
Justices of the Peace, 11.
Sheriffs, 239.
witnesses, 240.
received and disbursed by Court
of Sessions, 231.
by courts, disposition
of, 239.
for fines, 212.
licenses of Hackney
carriages, 212.
rent of land on
Neck, 212.
Old State
House, 212,
taxes, 33, 119, 147, 160.
207, 208, 210, 213.
from clerk ol market,
212.
Justices, 10.
Mrs. Brooker's
donation, 33.
Town Treasurer authorized to
borrow, 53, 62, 99, 131, 202.
Moore, Abraham, 120, 149, 200.
Morse, Elijah, 117. 142, 163, 275.
Mosely, David, 142, 143.
Motley, Thomas, 117, 128, 143, 163.
292
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Municipal Government (see Govern.
ment), 40, 44.
committee on,
254, 256.
plan of, 257.
officers, publishing of salaries
of, 107.
court. (See Court.)
Municipality, 45, 46, 47.
composition of government
of, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46.
to assume powers and
authority of Court of
Sessions, 47.
regulation and restrictions
of occupations by, 47.
selection of Justices of Po-
lice Courts by, 47.
Munroe, Daniel, Jr., 159.
Edmund, 176.
Israel, 118.
James, 90.
Washington, 136.
M un son, Israel, 162.
Nation, foreign and domestic relations
Of, 88.
National prosperity, 88.
Newburyport, 105.
Newell, Charles, 136.
New England Insurance office, 9.
Newspapers, advertising call for return
o f personal
property in,
228.
notice relative
to choice of
town treas-
urer and col-
lector, 158.
report of com-
mittee in, 273.
report of com-
mittee on
municipal
governm e n t
In, 255.
publications in, 25.
New Testament, 126.
Nightwalkers, 195.
Norwood, Samuel, 159.
Notes, 102, 148, 208, 211, 215.
due, 33, 60, 77.
for land, 34, 102.
interest on, 148, 150.
private, 9.
of Thomas Badger, 208.
John Hancock, 216.
J. and A. Hunting, 148, 217.
Jabez Hunting, 149, 208, 217.
Massachusetts Bank, 149.
A. Moore, 149.
Bea and Wright, 149, 215, 216.
Israel Rand, 216.
Joseph Rowe, 215.
Joseph Russell, 210.
John Stuart, 148,216.
Jacob Tidd, 209, 216.
Jacob Tidd, Jr., 120, 149.
William Tukesbury, 149, 216, 217.
William Wetmore, 149.
Notification of sale of real estate, 46.
Noyes, Nathaniel, 71.
Oakum, sale of, 198.
Oath of office, 1, 24, 25, 37, 49, 50, 65, 69, 70,
93, 110, 111, 134, 138, 173, 201.
Odin, John, 200.
Odiorne, George, 142.
Offices In Old State House, rent of, 150.
Oil, 34, 107.
Old South Church, 37, 63, 90, 118, 132, 223.
Old State House, lease of rooms in, to-
Freemasons, 138, 145,
154, 155.
rent for, 150, 209, 212.
Oliver, Benjamin, 94.
Ebenezer, 1, 24, 49, 64, 65, 93, 110.
Francis J., 2, 3, 11, 25, 27, 49, 50, 53,
66, 67, 93, 94, 95, 111, 113, 122, 137,
144, 146, 162, 167, 172, 175, 176, 182,
200, 203, 214, 224, 275.
Harry, 200.
Henry J., 93, 111, 134, 136, 154, 163,
176, 177, 198, 220, 223, 250, 267.
Mr., 37, 64, 108, 132.
Royal, 137, 175.
Oration, on Anniversary of Independ-
ence, 16, 37, 68, 90, 132, 156, 223.
choice of orator, 1, 37, 63, 90,
132, 156, 223.
copy of, to be furnished the
press, 1, 37, 63, 90, 132, 156, 223.
to be delivered at Old South
Church, 1, 37, 63, 90, 132, 156,
223.
Orne, Azor, 200.
Henry, 71, 97, 115, 118, 139, 162, 164,
166, 166, 179, 200, 241, 275.
William, 142.
Osborn, John, 3, 11, 27, 36, 53, 68, 116.
Otis, George W., 12, 31, 52, 117, 121, 135,
142, 163, 171, 173, 174, 200, 274, 275.
Harrison G., 5, 28, 56, 72, 86, 104, 107,
116, 142, 162.
H. G., Jr., 143, 200
Mr., 109, 133, 158, 159.
Overseers of the Poor. ( See Poor.)
Workhouse. (See Work-
house.)
Owen, Benjamin, 3, 26, 51, 67, 95, 112, 136,
137, 174.
Packard, Lemuel, 163.
Lemuel, Jr., 145,
L. J., 141.
Page, Thaddeus, 118, 134, 136, 141, 161, 176,
180, 276.
Palfrey, Rev. J. G., 109, 162, 181.
Parker, Isaac, 161.
Jonathan, 200.
J., 180.
S. D., 162.
S. H.,200.
Thomas H., 275.
Parkman, Daniel, 97.
Samuel, 163.
S., Jr., 142.
Rev. Francis, 1, 98, 162, 274.
Parmenter, W., 180.
Parsons, Benjamin, 139, 176.
N., 163.
Theopholis, 163.
Thomas, 117,162.
William, 28, 116.
Passageway requested by New South
Church proprietors, 4.
Patterson, Enoch, 31, 52.
Paul, Thomas, 276.
Pauperism, 187, 188, 189, 190, 267.
causes of, 187.
checking of, 270.
effects, 193.
report of committee on, 184.
Paupers, accommodations for, 192.
claims of, upon town, 187.
comforts of, 184.
employment for, 184, 186, 187,
188, 189, 190.
labor of, on highways, 185.
maintainance of, 119, 184, 212.
relations of town to, 193.
State, 196.
allowance for, 218.
Payne, William, 167.
INDEX.
293
Peabody, Augustus, 115, 117, 143, 162, 200.
Jacob, 200.
Pelby, W., 180.
Penitentiary, 270.
People, welfare of, SS.
Perkins, James, 140, 162.
Mr., 37, 109, 158, 159.
Samuel G., 115, 180.
Thomas, 2, 22, 25, 49, 65, 93, 135,
173.
Thomas H., 5, 28, 52, 55, 56, 71, 87,
92,115, 165,180, 199,275.
Perry, Ebenezer, 137, 175.
Petition for common sewer in Atkinson
street, 171, 172.
erection of workhouse, 177,
270.
law against incumbering
sidewalks, 4.
new market, 95.
school-house, 144, 274.
of assessors, 59.
Balch, Joseph, 145.
Baxter, Daniel, 145.
Bigelow, William, 13, 20.
Boston and Roxbury Mill
Corporation, 138.
Carney, Daniel, 182.
Child, John R., 202.
Davis, Henry, 273, 274.
Isaac P., 144.
Field-drivers, 202.
Field, Joseph, 4, 13.
French, Benjamin, 203, 204.
Gould, Abraham, 176.
Greenough, David, 95, 100, 106,
127, 128.
Hall, Ephraim, 171.
Howe, Thomas, 177, 270.
Humphries, Benjamin, 171,
183.
Jones, Josiah, 202.
Thomas K. 167, 177.
Lewis, Asa, 205.
May, Joseph, 177, 270.
number of Inhabitants, 17, 18,
32, 38, 52, 53, 72, 78, 79, 91, 100,
105, 144, 145, 171, 172, 182, 220.
Overseers of the Poor, 18S.
Packard, Lemuel, Jr., 145.
Payne, William, 167.
Pound-keeper, 202.
Smith, Adam, 79.
Stone, Joseph, 154, 178.
Tappan, Lewis, 203.
Thompson, John, 203.
Tidd, Jacob, Jr., 96.
Willett, Joseph, 206.
Winchester, Edmund, 224.
Wheeler, John H., 264.
Wheelwright Lot, 182.
to abolish Court of Sessions, 238,
239.
alter Town Government, 261.
build new gun-house, 178.
increase number of Sealers of
Weights
and
Meas-
ures,
202.
Survey-
or s o f
L u m-
ber, 203,
206.
lease rooms in Old State House,
145.
Legislature, 154, 205, 238.
remove Hackney carriages
from streets, 203, 204, 224.
repeal building law, 264, 265.
unite offices of town and
county treasurer, 145, 220.
Phelps, Charles P., 30.
Phillips, Edward, 135, 157, 173.
James, 2, 25, 26, 50, 51, 66, 94, 95,
112, 113, 135, 137, 142, 175.
Hon. John, 1, 3, 4, 5, 24, 27, 38,
48, 55, 56, 58, 65, 71, 72, 74, 93,
97, 115, 134, 138, 139, 161, 173,
178, 179, 241, 274, 275.
Jonathan, 2, 22, 25,49, 65, 93, 111,
117, 135, 142, 173, 199, 275.
Joseph, 99.
J.. 143.
Mr., 108, 132.
Thomas, 49.
Turner, 50, 58, 65, 66, 91, 93, 84,
103, 105, 111, 112, 121, 130, 136,
142, 159, 162, 201, 208, 210, 211,
213, 214, 215, 216, 217.
Willard, 163.
William, 2, 5, 22, 25, 28, 49, 56, 65,
71, 78, 93, 97, 111, 133, 135, 139,
161,166,173,179,180,274.
Physician to the goal, 240.
Pickens, John, Jr., 169.
Pickering, Timothy, 114.
Pierce, Joseph, 7, 30, 58.
Pierpont, Rev. John, 116, 122, 136, 162, 167,
176.
Pilferers, 195.
Plimpton, William, 200, 276.
Police, judicial, 263.
officers, 83, 206.
choosing of, 47.
intendant to receive re-
ports of, 45.
removal of, 47.
salary of, 107, 217.
superintendent of, 41. (See In-
tendant.)
Polls, closing of, 5, 7, 23, 28, 29, 56, 57, 64,
71, 73, 92, 96, 98, 110, 114, 117, 135,
139,141, 157,161, 164, 165,173,175,
179, 181, 199, 255, 263, 265, 266, 274.
return of, by assessors, 6, 29, 57, 73,
117, 141, 160, 199.
Pook, Benjamin, 51.
Charles, 3, 26, 67, 95, 112, 186, 137,
174.
Poor, accommodations for, 184.
admission of, into public semi-
naries, 168.
employment for, 270.
hardships of, 76.
idle, 242, 243.
care of, 271.
Incapable to work, 271.
Insane, board of, 198.
Overseers of the, 8, 12, 15, 22, 32, 34,
35, 36, 39, 43, 45,
46, 47, 68, 59, 63,
75, 77, 91, 101,
102, 103, 108, 109,
110, 111, 13S, 133,
146, 147, 152, 157,
158, 159, 174, 194,
195,198,201,250,
273.
accounts to audit,
3, 27, 53, 68, 74,
147.
annual election
of, 47.
choice of, 2, 25,
49, 61, 66, 93, 135,
173. 259.
disbursements of,
198.
drafts of, 61, 101,
120, 148, 150, 208,
210, 213, 216, 218.
Marblehead, re-
port of, 196.
Salem, report of,
197.
294
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Poor, Overseers of the, petition of, 183.
proposed change
in, 39.
to aid in choosing
Superintendent
of Police, 41.
vacancy in, 68.
State, 9, 76, 102.
money for, 34, 61, 103, 196, 197,
198.
Porter, Benjamin, 200.
Portland, 105.
Pound in G street, 14*.
South Boston, to build, 78.
keeper, choice of, 12, 27, 144, 182.
petition for increased al-
lowance to, 202.
Powers, D. E., 163.
Pratt, Eleazer, 275.
John, 163.
Pray, Lewis G., 254.
Prescott, Samuel J., 30.
William, 72, 161, 199, 241, 275.
President of United States, 89.
address to
inhabitants
of Boston
by, 87.
expected visit
of, 86, 87.
receptionof,87.
reply to a d-
dress by, 89.
Prince, James, 29, 56, 87, 100, 104, 118, 115,
116,127,137,140, 142,161.
Princetown, 84.
Printing act to establish City of Boston,
266.
estimate from Court of Ses-
sions, 107.
of supplies and taxes,
106.
list of real and personal estates,
264.
oration commemorative of the
anniversary of Independence,
1, 37, 63, 90," 182, 156, 223.
report of committee on cou n t y
ex pen -
s e s,
231.
election
of town
and
c ounty
treas-
urer,
226.
Englie h
Classi-
c a 1
School,
171.
finance,
146,207.
House
of In-
dustry,
251.
Marke t,
106.
munlci-
p a 1
govern-
men t,
255.
new
Bch o o 1
for
child-
ren,123.
w o r k-
h o n se,
177.
Prison, allowance to night watches of, 240.
scavengers, 240.
erection of, 262.
maintenance of, 262.
new, 239.
communication relative to
erection of, 123.
county, erection of new, 232.
superintendence of, 232.
State, 232.
Prisoners, expense of keeping, 236.
Proclamation of Governor, 160.
Proctor, Jonathan C., 200.
Produce, sale of, in market, 69.
Property, city, management of, 44.
public, income of, 43.
town, management of, 46.
sale and lease of, 46.
unequal taxation of, 230.
Proprietors of Mill Pond, 251.
Corporation, 145.
Prouty, Joel, 115.
Public buildings, receipts from, 107.
superintendence of, 258.
expenses, committee to seek sav-
ing in, 107, 113.
property, income of, 43.
seminaries, 168.
Purkett (Purkit, Purkitt), Henry, 3, 26,
5), 67, 94, 112, 117, 136, 142, 163, 174.
Putnam, Jesse, 6, 28, 72, 140, 143, 162, 166,
180, 200, 275.
Quarantine regulations, 54.
Quincy, Abraham H., 116, 162.
Edward, 200.
Josiah, 5, 28, 48, 56, 71, 97, 115,
139, 141, 161, 177, 179, 193, 198,
199, 241, 250, 267, 272, 276.
Railers, 196.
Rainsford, Josiah C., 48, 142, 143, 162.
Rand, Benjamin, 28, 58,74, 98,117, 143,162,
276.
Isaac, 151, 211.
Isaac, Jr., 120,216.
Randall, John, 164.
Moses, 116.
Rea, Mr., 120, 149, 151.
and Wright, 151, 211, 215, 216.
Read (Reed), George, 114, 179.
James, 200, 203.
Real Estate, 46, 84, 167.
mortgages of 86.
owners, 167.
petition relative to valuing,
172.
sale of, 46.
Reception to President of United States,
87.
Records of convention to choose town
treasurer, 206.
police court, 47.
Referees to settle town boundaries, 252.
Religious instruction in House of Indus-
try, 271.
rights, 89.
Rents, 34, 218.
Deer Island, 213.
Faneuil Hall, stalls and cellars
under, 150, 209, 212.
hay scales, 209.
house in Union street, 209, 213.
land near ropewalk, 212, 213.
on Merrimack street, 150, 213.
Mill Pond, 2d9.
Neck, 13, 150, 209, 212.
Prince street, 150, 213.
Market, 62, 69, 70, 100, 121, 150, 152.
Old State House, 150, 209, 212.
Town House, 103, 152.
Town property, 107.
INDEX.
295
Reports of committees, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 20,
21 , 31, 32, 38, 48, 50, 53, 59, 03, 68, 70, 74,
79, 80, 83, 86, 99, 100, 101, 102, 105, 106,
108, 118, 119, 122, 124, J-29, 130, 132, 133,
143, 144, 145, 146, 153, 154, 155, 158, 167,
168, 172, 177, 178, 183, 184, 194, 195, 196,
197, 201, 204, 206, 207, 224, 227, 231, 235,
241, 252, 254, 255, 256, 267, 273.
Representatives, 23, 29, 38, 64, 92, 109, 160,
164, 256, 259 261, 264.
choice of 7, 23, 30, 58, 65,
74, 92, 98, 110, 117, 141,
161, 199.
House of, 46.
number of, in General
Court, 160.
to oppose petition of
David Greenough, 128.
Resolutions of S. A. Wells, 167.
on unprotected condition of
town, 18.
relative to English Classical
School, 167.
to Governor, 19.
Restriction and regulation of occupa-
tions, 47.
Revere, Joseph W., 58, 74, 117, 167, 178, 200.
Rhodes (Rhoades), Jacob, 48, 114, 139, 142.
Rice, Henry, 142.
John P., 161.
Rich, Benjamin, 2, 50 66, 73, 81, 94 111, 116,
122, 141, 143, 161, 177, 182, 251.
Richards, John, 162.
Joseph, 2, 22, 25, 49, 65, 93, 111,
135.
Mr., 109, 133.
Richardson, Asa, 203.
P., 180.
Richie (Ritchie), Andrew, 23, 28, 30, 92, 97,
110, 115.
Ridgway, James, 162.
Robbing Edward H., 71, 179, 275.
Edward J., 3, 26, 61, 67, 94, 112,
136, 174.
Roberts, Frank, 57, 72.
Robinson, Charles, 30.
Col., 15.
Henry, 176.
James, 48, 68, 72, 97, 163.
Mr., 7.
Rogers (Rodgers), Henry N., 176, 200.
John G., 143.
Rogues, 195.
Act for punishing and suppress-
ing, 22.
Roofs, by-law relating to throwing mow
from, 14.
Rope-walk, rent of land near, 212, 213.
Ropes, W., 180.
Roulston, John, 12, 31, 62, 98, 116.
Roulstone, Michael, 167, 178, 203, 254, 275,
276.
Rowe, Joseph, 120, 151, 211, 215.
Thomas, 118.
Roxbury, 145, 252.
Ruggles, Joseph, 110.
Russell, Benjamin, 7, 13, 24, 25, 28, 30, 56,
57, 58, 66, 70, 74, 86, 92, 93, 97, 98,
UO, 111, 112, 114, 115, 117, 123,
127, 128, 136, 141, 144, 161, 167,
172, 174, 176, 180, 199, 223, 254,
276.
B. L., 276.
James, 118.
Joseph, 210.
J., 180.
Mr., 218.
Sabine, James, 143.
Salary or allowances, assessors, 14, 36,
59,62,79,104,154,
202, 217.
Bigelow, William,
20.
Salary, or allowances, Board of Health,
63.
clerk cf market,
217.
constables, 238,
240.
county treasurer,
47, 241.
court house keep-
er, 240.
court, municipal,
judge of, 13, 62,
79, 104, 131, 153,
202,217,232.
court of sessions,
justices of, 238.
Dawes, Thomas,
36.
fire-wards, m e s -
sengcr of, 217.
justices of the
peace, 240.
night watches,
240.
police officers, 217,
232.
school masters,
127, 129, 170, 218.
school ushers, 170.
selectmen, chair-
man of, 91, 202,
217.
selectmen, mes-
senger to, 217.
sheriff, 240.
town clerk, 13, 36,
62, 79, 104, 131,
154, 202, 217.
town clerk, assist-
ant, 206, 206, 217.
town collecter, 12,
36, 63, 79, 107,
127, 130, 155, 204,
222.
town treasurer,
12, 36, 63, 79, 105,
107, 127, 130, 154,
165, 204, 217, 222.
town treasurer,
clerks of, 130.
Salem, 105, 184.
Almshouse, 185, 197.
Salisbury, Josiah, 139, 141, 162, 179.
Samuel, 140.
Sargent, Daniel, 5, 23, 29, 52, 55, 57, 72, 116,
163, 275.
Henry, 30, 58, 74.
Savage, James, 99, 100, 104, 124, 1-Jti, 142,
161,177,198,200,250,275.
Thomas, 162.
Sawyer, Thomas, 118, 143.
School, African, 13.
appropriations, 13, 120, 121, 153,
218, 219.
committee, annual election of, 47.
Boylston, 151,253.
money for, 148.
building In Derne street, 218.
committee, 20, 47, 99, 124, 127, 152,
155, 169, 171, 253.
Choice of, 25, 26, 49, 66,
93,111,136,
176.
to fill va-
c a n c y,
122.
duties of, 26, 60, 66,
94, 111, 136, 176.
failure to choose, 138.
Low chosen, 259.
report of, 252.
English classical, 167.
admission to,
169.
296
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
School, English classical, committee to
revise course
of study, 171.
course of study,
168, 170.
expense of ,170.
for boys, ex-
clusively, 169.
public sub-
scription to
furnish, 170.
require m e n t s
of masters
and ushers.
169.
resolution t o
establish, 167.
salary of sub-
master, 170.
salary of
ushers, 170.
erection, town treasurer to borrow
money for, 9H.
instructors, 129.
of mutual instruction, teacher
for, 252, 253.
grammar, 126.
land, sale of, in West street, 4.
Latin, compensation of master, 20.
course of studies, 129.
petition of master of, 13, 20.
laws relative to, 136.
masters, 2, 26, 50, 66, 111, 125, 127,
136, 176, 252, 253.
salaries of, 129, 170, 217,
218, 254.
new, 171, 252.
Boylston town, 99.
engine-house in connection
with, 274.
erection of, 99.
expense of, 152.
for children under seven
years, 124, 125, 126.
in School street, 20.
of mutual instruction, 252.
petition for, 79, 100, 144, 27S,
274.
ward meetings in connec-
tion with, 274.
watchhouse in connection
with, 274.
North, alterations in, 218.
petition to establish for children
under seven, 100.
primary, 152, 153, 155, 217, 218, 252.
private, 105, 126.
ushers, 20.
qualifications of, 169.
salary of, 217.
Schools, charity, 105.
fuel for, 125. '
public, 169, 219, 252, 253.
care of, 259.
committee, empowered
to establish, 252.
salaries of preceptors
and assistants, 107.
superintendent of, 259.
Sears, David, 74, 98, 116, 139, 141, 161, 179,
200, 275.
David, Jr., 58.
John, 276.
Joshua, 139.
J., 200.
Selaway, Joseph, 3, 26, 51, 67, 95.
Selectmen, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 16, 17, 18, 23,
25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35,
36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 63, 54, 57,
59, 63, 65, 67, 69, 70, 72, 73, 75,
76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86,
87, 90, 91, 92, 94, 95, 100, 102,
103, 107, 108, 110, 119, 127, 130,
Selectmen, 131, 132, 137, 138, 144, 146, 147,
151, 152, 153, 155, 156, 157, 158,
159, 160, 164, 167, 171, 172, 175,
176, 178, 183, 205, 206, 210, 215,
216, 220, 221, 224, 230, 232, 234,
235, 245, 251, 252, 256, 261, 263,
265, 266, 267, 274.
accounts, to audit, 74, 147.
agents on Mr. Boylston's will,
84.
annual election of, 47.
authority of, to expend taxes,
234.
authorized to build new mar-
ket, 183.
chairman of, 117, 138, 165, 179,
181, 199, 201.
salary of, 78, 91,
202, 217.
choice of, 1, 24, 49, 58, 65, 93,
110, 134, 135, 173.
to fill vacancy, 153.
chosen surveyors of high-
ways, 113, 175.
committee to erect new prison,
123.
to petition legisla-
ture, 154, 266.
relative to town
boundaries, 252.
to repair streets on
Neck, 31.
to sell land on
Ivers and Port-
laud streets, 96.
current expenses of, 61, 120.
decline to serve, 135.
drafts of, 9, 61, 101, 120, 148,
150, 151, 208, 210, 213, 216, 218.
duties and powers, 46, 47.
empowered to sell land on
West street, 4.
to improve town rights in
Dock, 183.
Intendant to be chairman of,
45.
powers interfering with Board
of Health, 54.
relative to hackney
carriages, 204.
petition referred to, 4.
proposed change in, 39.
regulations of, relative to
market, 69, 70.
rejection of compromise of
Boylston heirs, 85.
salary of messenger, 217.
to assume powers of Court of
Sessions, 239, 262.
choose Superintendent of
Police, 41.
decide complaints against
market, 69.
increase pay of watchmen,
127.
prepare petition relative to
building laws, 264, 265.
receive yearly warrant
from State Treasurer,
227.
regulate loads drawn in
streets, 82.
vacancy in, 145.
filling of, 58.
Seminaries, public, 168, 169.
Senators, 96, 98, 128, 261, 264.
choice of, 5, 29, 56, 71, 97, 115,
139, 179.
Servant*, stubborn, 196.
Sewell, Joseph, 117, 201.
Sewer in Kilby street, 167.
petition relative to, in Atkinson
street, 172.
Shaffer, J. H., 180.
INDEX.
297
Sharp (Sharpe), Rev. Daniel, 56, 134, 136,
161,176,200.
Shaw, Lemuel, 7, 13, 37, 97, 110, 112, 115,
134, 135, 136, 140, 141, 149, 161, 167,
174, 176, 179, 200, 241, 275.
Mr., 132, 133.
Robert G., 67, 95, 113, 137, 142, 146,
175, 214.
Shed, 8. A., 162, 200.
Shelton, Stephen, 139.
W. P., 180.
Sherman, Levi, 128.
Sheriff, 92, 233, 23«, 239, 240.
Shidmore, Zeal, 108.
Shimmin, William, 164,200.
Shops in Old State House, rent of, 150.
Shurtleff, S. A., 180.
Sidewalks adjacent to Merchant's Hall,
repair of, 177.
removal of snow from, 167.
Sigourney, Andrew, 7,8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 24,
30, 31, 35, 36, 52, 55, 58, 59, 63,
64, 77, 78, 79, 91, 101, 104, 105,
107, 109, 119, 131, 133, 147, 149,
150, 151, 153, 157, 158, 208, 209,
211,214.
Elizabeth, 210, 211, 212.
Silsby, Enoch, 65, 93, 98, 110, 111, 117, 121,
135, 171, 174, 200, 203, 251, 275.
Nathaniel, 115.
Simonds (Symonds), Jonathan, 142, 162,
182, 220, 223, 274, 275.
Simpson, Isaac P., 12, 31, 52.
J. K., 163.
Sinking-fund, 76.
recommendation of, 34.
Sloan, Barney, 8, 26, 51, 67, 95.
Smith, Adam, 79.
Barney, 72.
Benjamin, 2, 24, 25, 48,. 50, 52, 55,57,
68, 66, 74, 94, 97, 98, 112, 117, 164,
174, 200.
Elins, 139, 142, 179.
James, 143,
John, 3, 26, 51.
JohnH., 139, 176, 180.
Joseph, 6, 72, 139, 154.
William, 2, 7, 20, 21, 22, 25, 30, 49, 58.
Snelling, Josiah, 3, 26, 29, 51, 67, 95, 113.
Mr., 64, 109, 133, 158, 159.
Nathaniel G., 275.
Samuel, 2, 22, 25, 49, 65, 72, 93,
111, 135, 143, 162, 173.
Snow, Gideon, 98.
N., 180.
Sohier, William D., 162, 180, 200, 276.
Soley, Samuel, 162.
Soper, S., 180.
South Boston, 12, 26, 30, 123, 244, 247.
burial-ground for, 113, 114,
123, 130.
choice of fence viewers for,
78, 99.
land for almshoiise in, 192.
petition of inhabitants, 182.
pound in new, 78.
keeper of, 202.
bridge, proposed purchase
of land near, 123.
toll from, 244.
South Carolina, 42.
Southern cities, 80.
Spear, Doddridge, 166.
Gershom, 3, 26.
Samuel, 26.
William, 112, 187, 175.
Spirits, sale of, 234.
Spooner, William J., 6, 163, 201.
Sprague, Samuel, 3, 12, 27, 31, 52, 67, 95,
113,137,175.
Stanwood, David, 143.
State Government, 43, 260.
of Maine, town land in, 183.
Officers, 256, 259, 260, 265.
State paupers, 196, 197, 218.
support of, 9, 149, 209.
prison, 232.
treasurer, 149, 209, 212.
Stationery, publishing of, estimate for,
107.
Stearns, Jacob, 92, 110, 162, 200.
Stevens, Isaac, 118, 142, 162, 200.
Stoddard, Simon J., 144.
Stodder, Joseph, 2, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 118,
136, 174.
Stone, Joel, 210.
Joseph, 154, 178.
Storey, Joseph, 166.
Streets, agent empowered to repair, 31.
Atkinson, laying sewer, 171.
Beacon, petition to build mill-
dam and turnpike from, 144.
by-laws regulating loads to be
carried in, 80, 82.
relative to obstruction
of, 14,82.
removal of
snow from
walks
along, 167.
court, paving of, 149.
Derne, school-house in, 218.
elevation of buildings from, 264,
266.
G, pound in, 144.
Ivers, committee to dispose of
land on, 96.
Kilby, common sewer in, 167.
Leverett, almshoyise in, 194.
new buildings in, 195.
workhouse in, 195.
leading to market, 69.
Merrimack, rent of land on, 150,
213.
near market, alterations in, 100.
North, rent of fish stalls on,
213.
obstruction of, 80.
paving of, 107, 149, 167.
petition relative to hackney car-
riages in, 203, 204, 224.
pilfering in, 271.
Portland, committee to dispose
of land on, 96.
Prince, rent on, 150, 213.
regulations of trucking in, 80.
repairs and maintainance of, on
Neck, 31.
expense of, 31.
rights of citizens to use, 81.
School, new school-house In, 20,
sewer in Atkinson, 171.
Tremont, paving of, 149.
Union, 70.
rent of house on, 150, 209,
213.
water, drain under Merchant's
Hall in, 177.
West, sale of land in, 4.
Western avenue, 252.
Strong, Caleb, 5, 28, 56.
Stuart, John, 151, 211, 216.
Sturgis, Russell, 6, 28, 56, 139, 180, 200.
William, 7, 30, 58, 98, 110, 115, 117,
141, 161, 164, 166, 174, 180, 200,
254.
Suffolk County, 17, 23, 29, 47, 56, 57, 64, 72,
76, 98, 138, 148, 216, 221,
235, 236, 238, 239, 240,
262.
prison, new, 232.
use of, as work-
house, 196.
register of deeds, 173.
sheriff, 92, 240, 241.
treasurer, 220, 224, 225,
232, 233, 235,
298
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Suffolk County, treasurer, applicants
for position
of, 226.
choice of, 3,
27, 50, 66, 94,
112, 136.
uniting office
with town
treasurer,
145, 220, 224,
225, 236, 239,
261, 262.
District, 65, 109, 110, 164, 179, 180,
181.
Suits, civil, 260, 261.
criminal, 11, 260,
Sullivan, George, 58, 63, 97, 162, 180, 200,
275.
Richard, 7, 28, 56, 71, 92, 97, 115.
William, 2, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 22, 25,
28, 51, 65, 72, 73, 81, 86, 92, 95,
97, 115, 117, 139, 161, 166, 179,
200,241,255,275.
Sumnei\, Charles P., 97.
Thomas W., 14, 22, 68, 74.
William H., 7, 14, 22, 23, 52, 55,
58, 74, 86, 92, 98.
Superintendents, 53.
Superintending Board, 41.
Surveyors of Boards and Lumber, choice
of, 3, 26, 51, 67, 112.
Hemp, choice of, 3, 26, 51,
67. 113.
Highways, choice of, 3, 26,
51, 67, 113.
Wheat, choice of, 3, 26, 51,
67, 113.
Swett, Samuel, 74, 85, 86, 97, 104, 118.
Tappan, Charles, 142.
Jonathan, 200.
Lewis, 114, 142, 200, 220, 223, 231,
275.
Tarbell, S. P., 200.
Tax Act, 229.
Taxation of estates, petition relative to,
172.
report of committee on, 227.
Taxes, abatement of, 8, 9, 22, S3, 35, 60, 62,
75, 77, 102,103, 119,
147, 152, 207, 218,
228, 229, 230.
assessed, 8, 33, 35, 60, 77, 119, 121,
147, 153, 207, 228, 266.
alteration in time of assessing,
203, 229.
bank stock, 229.
bills, 63, 107, 228.
city council authorized to assess,
258.
collection of, by law, 33.
change in system, 20.
deficiency in, 4, 11, 14,
31,33.
collector of, 9, 21, 77, 104.
choice of, 15, 36, 91, 109,
133.
discharge of, 21.
county, 8, 9, 10, 33. 34, 35, 60, 61, 75,
77,102, 103, 119, 120, 121,
147, 152, 203, 207, 210, 218,
219, -Z20, 229.
Chelsea's share of, 236.
court of sessions to ap-
portion, 227.
estimate of. from court of
sessions, 107.
resolve in legislature rel-
ative to, 237.
exemption of corporations from,
229.
money received from, 33, 150,210,
213.
Taxes, on mortgaged estates, 227, 228.
personal property, 228, 229, 230.
outstanding, 4, 9, 34, 60, 75, 76, 102,
119, 120, 121, 147, 151, 152, 207, 217,
218.
poll, 35, 62, 77, 104, 153, 219, 227.
printing, estimate of, 106.
real estate, 35, 77, 104, 121, 153, 219.
revision of, 230.
state, 9, 10, 33, 34, 35, 60, 61, 62, 75,
76, 77, 102, 103, 119, 120, 121,
147, 148, 152, 207, 218, 219.
method of assessing, 227.
to pay Interest on loans, 238.
town, 8, 9, 10, 33, 35, 60, 62, 75, 101,
102, 119, 131, 147, 152, 206,
207, 219, 220, 229, 230, 234,
262.
laws relative to levying, 227.
warrants for, 102.
Thacher (Thatcher), David, 116.
Peter O., 2, 12, 25, 30, 31, 49, 55,
68, 66, 70, 74, 78, 92, 93, 99, 111,
115, 117, 121, 140, 143, 162.
Rev. Samuel C., 49, 55.
Thaxter, Jonathan, 135, 174, 200
Thomas, 200.
Thayer, Ebenezer, 275.
Ephraim, 7, 30, 58.
Joel, 142.
Mr., 157, 158, 159.
Richard, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 174.
Samuel M., 2, 7, 25, 50, 66, 94, 112,
135, 174.
Thomas, Thomas K.,118, 162, 200, 275.
Thompson, John, 183.
William, Jr., 72.
Thorndike, Israel, 5, 29, 86, 115, 161.
Israel P., Jr., 30, 58.
John P., 12, 31, 52.
Thurston, William, 162, 177, 198, 220, 223,
251.
Ticknor, Elisha, 24, 100, 126, 142, 163, 173,
179.
Tldd, Jacob, 209, 211, 216.
Jacob, Jr., 96, 120, 149, 151.
Tilden, Bryant P., 2, 22, 25, 50, 58, 66, 72,
94, 107, 117, 121. 141, 159, 163, 174.
John, 28,
Jos-ph, 2, 24, 25, 50, 66,72, 94, 97,
115, 140, 143, 161, 179, 241, 275.
Major, 15.
Tileston, Mr., 15S, 159.
William, 31, 52, 180.
Toll from South Boston bridge, 244.
Tombs in South Burial Ground. 137, 145.
to be built on guuhouse land, 178.
Torry, E., 180.
Town, act relative to workhouse in, 196.
to Incorporate, 32.
almshouse, accommodations of,
184.
bequest of Thomas Boylston to, 83.
boundaries committee to settle,
252.
buildings near the Common, 194.
chief executive of, 40-41.
clerk, 3, 19, 27, 42, 47, 50, 62, 65, 66,
70, 92, 94, 105, 112, 136, 138,
143, 155, 157, 158, 160, 164,
165, 166, 167, 172, 178, 181,
182, 199, 201, 205, 223, 263,
264, 265, 266, 274, 276
change in duties of, 257.
choice of, 1, 24, 49, 65, 93, 110,
134, 173.
salary of, 79, 104, 131, 154,
202, 217.
assistant, 205, 207.
salary of, 206, 217.
pro tern., 105, 138, 140.
collector, 11, 35, 43, 61, 77, 104, 119,
131, 153, 201, 202, 210,
212, 213, 314.
INDEX.
299
Town collector, accounts, to audit, 32, 59,
75, 101, 208, 211, 213.
applications for office
of, 159.
books of, 75, 102, 147.
choice of, 36, 109, 157,
158, 159.
declines to serve, 158.
deficiency in collection
of taxes by, 33.
salary of, 36, 107, 130,
154, 204, 222, 230.
corporate name of, 42.
creditors, 10.
debit and credit of, 33, 60, 151, 208,
209.
debt, interest on, 61, 103.
statement of, 9, 217.
division of, into wards, 256, 260.
dock, abutters, 183.
disposition of, 183.
petition relative to, 171.
exposed condition of, 17.
government of, 261.
alteration of, 41, 42,
260.
committee on change
in, 32, 255.
house, rent of, 62, 77, 103, 121, 152.
income from market, 100.
land, burial ground on, in South
Boston, 122.
in Alfred, Me., deed of, 183.
South Boston, authority
of Board of Health
over, 122.
on Neck. (See Land.)
sale of, in West street, 4.
laws relative to health, 55.
management by superintending
board, 41.
meetings, 1, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 19, 23, 27,
29, 30, 37, 38, 48, 49, 55, 57,
58, 63, 64, 71, 72, 73, 74,
90, 92, 96, 98, 99, 105,
106, 109, 114, 116, 118,
127, 132, 134, 138, 140,
143, 144, 156, 164, 165, 166,
172, 178, 181, 182, 199,
201, 223, 251, 252, 263,
264, 265, 267, 274, 276.
continuance of, 42.
petition to call, 17.
money bequeathed to, 78.
officers, 1.
Choice Of, 47, 65, 93.
laws respecting, 23, 110,
173.
removal of, 47.
property, care and management
of, by intendant, 46.
statement to be pub-
lished of, 107.
records, 160.
rights iclative to dock, !83.
sidewalks, 4.
standing of, compared with other
cities, 42.
treasurer, 4, 8, 11, 12, 31, 35, 36, 43,
61, 75, 77,104, 119,131,
150, 153. 158, 167, 201,
-203, 208, 210, 212, 213,
214, 215, 216, 224, 235,
272.
accounts, to audit, 7, 8,
11, 32, 53, 59, P8, 74, 79,
95,99, 113,137, 146, 175,
208, 211, 213.
advertising for candi-
dates in newspapers,
225.
annual election of, 46.
applications for office
of, 159.
Town treasurer, bonds of, 15, 37, 64, 91,
159.
books of, 75, 102, 119, 147,
158.
choice Of, 15, 36, 64, 91,
109, 133, 157, 158, 159.
clerks of, 130, 131.
committee on uniting
o ffi c e with county
treasurer, 224.
convention to choose,
15, 206, 226.
declines election, 158.
deputies, 131.
drafts of, 198.
empowered to borrow
money, 10, 22, 62, 78, 99,
202.
money from, for House
of Industry, 194.
notes of, 148.
office of, to be united
with county treasurer,
154.
payment to William
Bigelow by, 20.
petition to unite with
county treasurer, 145,
220.
prosecution aganst, 14.
report of committee on
delinquency of, 20.
report of committee on
uniting office with
county treasurer, 235.
salary of, 79, 107, 154,
204, 217,
222.
report of
committee,
130.
clerks, 130.
taxes received by, 60.
to assume duties of
county treasurer, 239.
to receive all money
from courts, 239.
union of office with
county treasurer, 225,
261, 262.
treasury, 91, 104, 107, 232.
money in, 9, 60, 75, 102,
120.
receipts from justices of
the peace, 4.
watch, 232.
increase in, 251.
Townsend, Alexander, 99.
David, 6, 28, 56, 72, 140, 162.
180.
Tracy, Nathaniel, 276.
Train, Oliver, 116.
Treadwell, Daniel, 92.
Trefrey, William, 59.
Trials before police, right to claim, 47.
by jury, jurisdiction of, 263.
Trott, George, 174.
Trucks, 81.
by-law regulating length of, 81,
82.
obstruction to business by, 80,
81.
owners of, 81.
Truckmen, petition of, 79.
Trueman, J. F., 276.
Trustees, 86.
of land on Neck, 4, 121.
choice of, 12,
30, 58, 99, 182.
empowered to
sell or lease,
182.
Tucker, Joseph, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 112, 136.
Richard D., 73, 143, 162, '200.
300
CITY DOCUMENT No. 128.
Tuckerman, Edward, 3, 12, 26, 30, 51, 58,
67, 78, 95, 99, 111, 135, 162,
174, 275.
Ed\vard, Jr., 58, 65, 93.
Henry H., 72, 116, 118.
John, 137, 175.
Tudor, Mr., 254.
William, 57, 141, 180, 200, 220, 234,
241, 275.
William, Jr., 28, 30, 58, 74, 97.
Tufts, Fitch, 14-2, 163, 166, 200.
Quincy, 275.
Tukesbury, William, 120, 149, 151, 211,
215, 217.
Turnpike, petition to build, 144.
Tuttle, Charles, 174.
Daniel, 72, 163, 200.
Turell, 12, 30, 52.
Turell, Jr., 12.
Tyler, John, 118.
Tythingmen, 31.
choice of, 12.
United States, 32, 37, 43, 63, 64, 65, 88, 108,
132, 223, 232, 252.
army, 6.
cities of, 42.
president of, 86, 87.
University, 129, 169.
Unknown, Benjamin, 37.
Upham, Phiueas, 117, 142, 163.
Vacancies, filling of, in committee on
House of In-
dustry, 21)3.
. town offices,
45, 47.
Vagabonds, 195.
act for suppressing and pun-
ishing, 22.
commitment of, 239.
Vagrants, workhouse for, 194.
Varnum, Joseph B., 28, 71, 97, 197.
Vessels, quarantine of, 54.
Vose, E., 180.
Josiah, 142.
Thomas, 142, 163.
Votes for amendments to state constitu-
tion, 181.
delegates to convention for
revising state constitution, 161.
electing state officers, 265.
governor, lieutenant governor
and senators, 5, 27, 56, 71, 96,
114, 139, 179, 274.
presidential electors, 165.
register of deeds, 176.
representatives, 30, 57, 74, 98, 117,
141, 199.
to congress, 92,
110, 164, 166,
170.
resolve, relative to city govern-
ment, 263.
selectmen, 173.
town treasurer and collector, 15,
36, 64, 91, 109, 183, 157, 158, 159.
to accept city charter, 265.
Vinal, D., 142.
Wagons in streets, 80.
Wait, Thomas B., 126, 161.
Wakefleld, Ter., 200.
Waldo, Francis, 179.
H. 8., 118.
8., 180.
Walker, Dudlev, 176.
Wallack, Moses, 140.
Walley, Mr., 109, 133.
Samuel A., 140.
Samuel H., 57, 93, 97, 111, 135, 142,
161, 167, 178, 180, 200.
Walter, Lynde, 7, 30, 48, 58, 161, 180, 199,
275.
Wanton persons, 195.
Wrar, 18.
expenses arising from, 34.
Ward, Artemus, 23, 29, 72, 97, 115, 139, 161,
251. •
Benjamin, 116.
Thomas, 164.
Warden, 260.
Wards, choice of delegates by, 45.
committee from, 105, 171, 254.
elections, 260.
election of Justices of the Peace
by, 41.
meetings of, 260.
redivision of, 260.
to choose committee on municipal
government, 32.
town to be divided into, 256.
Ware, Rev. Henry, 65, 126, 161, 164.
Warrants, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 23, 27, 29,
30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 46, 48,
49, 56, 57, 58, 63, 64, 65, 71, 72,
73, 74, 86, 90, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98,
99, 106, 108, 109, 110, 114, 116,
118, 127, 132, 134, 138, 140, 143,
156, 160, 164, 165, 167, 172, 173,
178, 181, 199, 201, 219, 220, 223,
224, 251,259, 264, 265, 267.
article in, relative to claim of
David Hiuckley
and Luther Ellis,
145.
to continue range of
tombs in South
burial ground, 137.
lease, rooms in Old
State House to
Freemasons, 138.
from treasurer of the common-
wealth, 227.
return of, to police court, 47.
Warren, Dr. John C., 2, 25, 49, 66, 93, 111,
161.
Watch-house in connection with school,
274.
Watchmen, salary of, 107.
increase of, 127,
131.
Watson, Benjamin, 117.
Watts, John C., 276.
Webb, Nathan, 1, 2, 7, 24, 25, 50, 66, 74, 85,
86, 94, 110, 112, 114, 126, 134, 136, 162.
Webster, Daniel, 92, 97, 110, 115, 143, 161,
164, 165, 166, 179, 241, 274, 275.
Mr., 15, 109, 133, 157, 158, 159.
Bedford, 2, 22, 25, 48, 49, 52, 55,
65, 93, 100, 104, 105, 106, 111, 135,
143, 158, 161, 171, 173, 183, 198,
203, 254, 275.
Weights and measures, sealers, petition
to appoint additional, 183, 202.
Welch, Francis, 48, 52, 55, 117, 142, 171, 177,
198, 200, 251, 267, 273, 276.
Mr., 157, 158, 159.
Dr. Thomas, 2, 25, 49, 66, 93, 111,
136, 176.
Weld, Benjamin, 1, 7, 15, 24, 30, 50, 52, 55,
64, 91, 99, 101, 104, 109, 133, 136, 220,
223.
Frederick, 143.
Mr., 233.
Wells (Welles), Arnold, 24 57, 74, 85, 86,
142, 162.
Benjamin T., 134, 140, 163.
George, 1 15.
John, 3, 27, 28, 52, 67, 71, 92, 95, 97,
104, 113, 115, 137, 139, 161, 166, 175,
179, 275.
Mr., 135, 157, 158, 159.
Samuel A., 104, 110, 114, 115, 116,
118, 123, 128, 135, 139, 141, 158, 159,
160, 161, 164, 166, 167, 171, 173, 177,
179, 180, 198, 200, 201, 203, 251, 275.
Thomas, 200.
INDEX.
301
Wells, William, 2, 25, 49, 66, 93, 111, 136,
143, 176.
West, Benjamin, 30, 48, 100, 111, 122, 143,
162, 200, 276.
Joseph, 142.
West Point Cadets, 220.
Wetmore, William, 17, 120, 149.
Wharves for House of Industry, erection
of, 247, 269.
in connection with House of In-
dustry, 269.
rent of, 198.
pilfering from, 271.
Wheat surveyors, choice of, 3, 26, 51, 67,
95,113, 137,175.
Wheeler, John H., 182, 200, 264.
Wheelwright Lot, 200.
White, Benjamin, 2, 3, 26, 51, 67, 94, 95,112,
113, 136, 137, 174.
Eben, 200.
Henry, 140.
William, 67.
Whitman, Benjamin, 7,13,20, 30,58,74,91,
97, 98, 116, 117, 140,141, 154,
161, 167, 171, 178, 180, 200, 275.
Mr., 15, 37, 133, 157, 158, 159.
S. A., 275.
Thomas L., 276.
Zachary G., 118.
Whitney, Asa, 142, 162, 200, 201.
Jonathan, 7, 30, 48, 58, 116, 117,
121, 135,141,163,174,200.
Josiah, 142.
Whittemore, Benjamin, 276.
Whitwell, Benjamin, 16, 58, 74, 176.
Samuel, 72, 118, 142.
Wiggin, Timothy, 29.
Wigglesworth, Thomas, 58, 66, 94, 142, 162.
Wild, Abraham, 200, 220.
D., 200.
Wilkinson, Mr., 159.
Simon, 72, 162.
Will of Thomas Boylston, administrator
of, 84,85.
agents to de-
li v e r r e-
leases to ad-
ministrator
of, 85.
compromise
on, 85.
controversy
over, 83.
difficulties
in prose-
cution o f
town
claims
against, 84.
testator of,
83,84.
value of be-
quest to
townln,83.
money from
t o p a y
for new
Bchools,99.
Willett, Joseph, 203, 206.
Williams, Elijah, 162.
Eliphalet, 134, 145, 152, 154, 155,
161, 171, 173, 180, 182, 183, 199,
253.
Henry, 116, 276.
John D., 25, 50, 66, 94, 100, 111,
135, 163, 171, 174.
Moses, 110,182.
Robert, 1, 24, 49, 65.
S. K., 162.
Timothy, 142.
Willis, Charles, 140.
Dean, 142, 180.
Nathaniel, 163, 200.
Winchell, Rev., 64.
Winchester, Edmund, 117, 135, 141, 200.
Winslow, Benjamin, 200.
Charles, 200.
Isaac, 75, 81, 113, 115, 127, 137,
139,143,162,179,223,241.
John, 2, 3, 25, 27, 50, 66, 94, 111,
112, 122, 176, 200.
John, Jr., 2, 25, 50, 66.
Winthrop, Thomas L., 6, 100, 124, 139, 142,
162, 179, 200, 275.
Wisner, Mr., 178.
Withington, Elijah, 118.
Witnesses, 239, 240.
Wise, Daniel, 118.
Wood, Abraham, 200.
John, 24,48,52,55.
William, 92.
laws relating to carrying of, in
streets, 80.
Woodward, Joseph, 143, 177, 179, 198.
Richard, 198.
Workhouse, 194, 195, 270.
act for erection of, 22.
of General Court relative
to, 196.
relative to erection and
govern m e n t of, 195,
196.
as part of system of police,
195.
committee on petition rela-
tive to, 177.
overseers of, choice of, 22, 25,
49, 66, 93, 111,
135, 173.
accounts, to
audit, 53, 68.
petition to erect, 177.
report of committee on erec-
tion of, 184.
Wright, Edmund, 118, 163.
Edmund, Jr., 142.
Mr., 120, 149, 151,
Nathaniel, 118.
Wyman, William, 200.
York county, Maine, deed of town land
in, 183.
Young, A., 66, 118.
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