Yale University Library illill 'Ft II: lln li,',i inn inn .. * 39002005634689 YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY HISTORY OF BOSTON, Mttvopolte ot MumndiUBetts, ORIGIN TO THE PRESENT PERIOD; WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ENVIRONS. BY CALEB H. SNOW, M. D. Mons Icteus ubi et gentis cunabula nostra;.— Virgil. .: ~rt?i , , , , S. Ptrr!jzri*/ Srtiool . B 0 M Worth C Old Soutt, D^/n abaprisr Y.Ejnsj's Chapet. Y Brattle St G 0u&ker_ TLire-w Jforett. \Jfew Sozitti. K French,. i... 1650 I6tr>> .11/ SO . jeee I6!>9 ..f/tt J7I6.1716 J.Jfeza Brich—.j-\.J7Z1 ¦sardwy (c j/ci cf f2r/tff/vss\&if A-Xfuren. HISTORY OF BOSTON. INTRODUCTION, The City of Boston owes its origin to a spirit of civil and religious liberty, which was excited to action by the persecu tions that prevailed in England, during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth, and Kings James and Charles the First. Most of those who can properly be considered as first settlers arrived here, and in other parts of New-England, prior to the year sixteen hundred and forty-three. By that time, it is compu ted, the number of emigrants amounted to twenty-one thou sand two hundred souls, or thereabouts.* Had this multitude been composed of barbarian hordes, who, in their wanderings for sustenance, might have chanced to light upon this fair theatre in its wild and savage state, we should have had no interest in tracing their history. The wilderness they found, would have remained a wilderness still, and their descendants have been dancing yet to the or gies of Woonand and Mannit, or listening to the powaws of Hobbamoc |ind Kiehtan. Not so with us : the hand of re finement has beautified the charms of nature ; monuments of art in our own habitations and in the temples of our God, a thousand endearments and ten thousand privileges enjoyed, invite us on every side to inquire into the character of the men that have preceded us, and to review the steps in which our fathers and ourselves have been led from infancy to our present state. To do this is the object we have now set be fore us ; and we are animated to the work by the persuasion, * Neat, N. E.ch. V. states the number at 4000, and thinks the above computation very ex travagant, on the ground that only 298 transports were employed. A Uttle calculation, how ever, would have shown that if each of those had brought 72 persons, the number would be accounted for : whereas some of them were ships of good burthen that carried about two 2 10 INTRODUCTIONS that a familiar acquaintance with the story of our early ^m^s will tend to generate in the reader ' a love of country of the best compfexion, and ofthe highest order ; a love of country chastened and improved by elevated sentiments and dignined examples f while the recapitulation of events more recent may serve to gratify the pride, which springs from a con sciousness of having borne a part in transactions worthy to be recorded. hundred passengers apiece. Besides, if any confidence is to be placed in the following estimate, which Neal cites without any doubts, the matter is almost certainly decided. Johnson, in his Wonder-Working Providence, published in London, 1654, has thus stated Ihe costs of the expedition. Chap. 13, 14. The passage of the persons - - 95,000?- The transportation of swine, goats, sheep, neate and horse, exclusive of their cost - - - - - - - 12,000 Getting food for all the persons until they could get the wood to tillage 45,000 Nayles, glasse, and other iron worke for their meeting-houses, and other dwelling houses, before they could raise any other meanes in the country to, purchase them - - ......... 18,000 Armesr powder, bullet, and match, with great artillery - - 22,000 - 192,000/. " Tbe whole sum amounts unto 192,000/. beside that which the adventurers laid out in England— neither let any man think tbe sum above expressed did defray the whole charge of this army." The charge for a passage was 5 pounds for a person -, — nursing- children not to be reckon ed ; those under four years old, three for one; under eight years, two for one ; under twelve years, three for two.— Princcy Dec 1. 1629.— Judge Davis'' Disc. HISTOET OF BOSTON. 11 CHAPTER I. From torturing racks and burning flame, Through seas of their own blood, they came. V&r. Lect. The fathers of Boston entered upon the stage of life while Elizabeth enjoyed the throne, and they learnt in the nursery, the tale of former persecution and of deaths for conscience sake. It would have been happy for them, if her reigri had afforded no occasion to recollect the relation she bore to her tyrannical father and more cruel sister. She indeed discoun tenanced popery, but established a church herself, to whose rites and ceremonies it was most unpardonable heresy not to conform. ' My masters and ye ministers of London,' was the word, ' the Council's pleasure is, that ye strictly keep'the unity of apparel, like this man who stands here, canonically habited, with a square cap^ a scholar's gown, priest-like, with a tippet, and in the church a linen surplice. Ye that will subscribe, write Volo ; those that will not subscribe, write Nolo ; be brief ; make no words.' The consequence of a refusal was immediate suspension, with threats of deprivation in case of not conforming within three months. Many were accordingly suspended and deprived, and rules were enacted which forbid printers and booksellers to publish any appeal the sufferers might desire to make. The weight of this harsh treatment fell in the first instance upon ministers. Great numbers of the laity, however, sym pathized with them ; they abhorred the habits, and would not" frequent the churches where they were used. Several of the deprived ministers, therefore, and their friends, associated and resolved to break off from the public churches, and to assemble for worship in private houses, or elsewhere as they had opportunity ; this step was the era or date of the Separa tion, 1566. , Such a procedure could not fail to heighten the displeasure of the Queen and her bishops. The commission ers were enjoined to be still more severe ; and thereupon twenty -four men and seven women were seized and cast into prison, for attending a sermon and communion service in a private hall, and having the boldness to defend their conduct before the bishop of London and other magistrates. But neither their arguments nor their sufferings had any influence to effect the deliverance of the puritans. As we approach 12 HISTORY OF BOSTON. nearer to the period of our particular history, we find them exposed to impositions less and less tolerable ; and as a nat ural result of persecution, more and more convinced, both ot the correctness of their own principles, and of the errors ot their persecutors. Most of their objections had hitherto been made to the ceremonies of the church : to these they came by degrees to add doubts concerning her doctrines. 1 his widened the extent of their criminality, and the more certain ly to convict them, they were compelled to answer upon oath against themselves. Jn the midst of so much wrong, it is gratifying to discover that there was a spirit in the parliament which convened in 1571, to attempt something in favour of the puritans. An act was passed with that view, but no material benefit ever accru ed from it. The commissioners went on rigorously executing the old laws against all opponents of the established church. Among others, two anabaptists suffered under the act for burn ing of hereticks, in Smithfield, July 1575. The narrowness of the terms of conformity reduced the number of able preachers : most of the incumbents were disguised papists, or such conformists as were incapableof performing the ministe rial duties. A fourth part at least of all the preachers in England were under suspension, and so many parishes were vacated that persons who wished to hear a sermon must go five, seven, twelve, and even twenty miles, and that too under the penalty of a fine for being absent from their parish church, where no service was performed. More effectually to distress both people and ministers, the former were forbidden to em ploy any of the latter as instructers of their children. The people of London and Cornwall petitioned parliament for relief: the whole country exclaimed against the bishops fortheir high proceedings, but all to little purpose. Some slight appearances of milder measures were now and then to be seen, but the next day would dissipate all hope, and the dissenters would be called to witness the public execution of their friends on the gallows. The Queen continued resolutely bent on perfect obedience to her requirements, and in 1583 established a court of high commission, with powers to inquire into misdemeanors by every way and means they could de vise, and to punish by fine or imprisonment according to their discretion. The proceedings of this, tribunal were as merci less as its powers were boundless : and jvhen the Commons inclined to remedy some of the evils that arose from this and other measures of the Queen, they found out the iniquity of the act of supremacy, which vested the whole power of re forming the policy of the church in the single person of her Majesty, who would permit no infringement on her preroga tive from any quarter whatsoever. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 13 Under these circumstances the puritans could expect no amelioration of their condition during her reign : they there fore looked forward with anxious hopes, to the probable ac cession of King James, who, having been bred a puritan, they anticipated would redress their wrongs. Elizabeth died on the 24th of March, 1603, and James came to the throne only to disappoint these hopes. He had hardly been king a year before a proclamation was issued, in which he ordered the puritan ministers either to conform by a given day, or dispose of themselves and families some other way. He was determined to be rid of them, and to sanction his own will, procured the opinion of several judges, that it was lawful to deprive such ministers as would not conform, that it was not necessary to furnish one accused, with a copy of his charge, and that it was treasonable to frame petitions and collect nu merous signatures to the same, as the puritans had done. Af ter these determinations, the Archbishop, Bancroft, resumed fresh courage and pursued the nonconformists without the least compassion. The most trifling causes furnished ground for the prosecution of the laity, and three hundred of the clergy were either silenced, or deprived, or excommunicated, or cast into prison, or forced to leave their country; by the end of the year 1604. A considerable number pf religious people had left Eng land, in the time of Mary's persecutions, and some of them returned on Elizabeth's accession. We have detailed suffi ciently the reception they met, and we behold them now reduced to the alternatives of stifling their consciences or quitting their homes. Among those who preferred the latter, we perceive a company, to whose unwavering attachment to pure and undefiled religion we are indebted for the settlement of our country. In the spring of 1608, the persecution grow ing still hotter, the Rev. John Robinson with a church under his care removed into Holland and settled at Leyden.* They had not long been there, before they found themselves en countered with many inconveniences : they, felt that they were neither for health, nor purse, nor language, well accom modated, but the concern which they most of all had, was. for their posterity. They could not^ with ten years' endeavours, bring their neighbours to any suitable observance of the Lord's day, without which they knew that all practical relig ion must wither miserably : their children left them, some be coming soldiers, and others sailors; in a few years more their * Their first attempt to escape was made at Boston, in Lincolnshire, where they were seiz ed and searched, rifled of their money, books, &c. and then committed to prison. After a month's confinement the greatest part were dismissed, but seven of the principal men were detained arid bound over to the assizes.^-ffw/cA. ii. app* No, t. 14 HISTORY OF BOSTON. descendants would be Dutch, and their church extinct. Ihe and other reasons they considered deeply, and after muc e- liberation took up the resolution, under the conduct ot xie v- en, to remove into America.* CHAPTER II. The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. Milton. At the time when that resolution was taken, very little was known of the state of this part of America. Columbus, who was a Genoese, had discovered the West Indies in 1492, un der Spanish patronage. In the spring of 1497. John Cabot, a Venetian, obtained a commission from Henry VII. under which he made a voyage from England, and discovered the continent of North America, in the latitude of forty-five de grees. He proceeded first northerly to the sixty-seventh de gree, and then returning coasted to the south as far as Florida. The southern continent was found by Columbus in 1498. The first voyage from France to America was made in 1 524, by Verrazano, a Florentine. By these voyages and discover ies, the princes of. the several states, which authorized them, fancied themselves to have acquired the rights of territory and jurisdiction. The Spanish and French made various settlements in the course of a century. On the part of the English little or nothing seems to have been done, until Sir Walter Raleigh attempted the colonization of Virginia, be tween 1584 and 1607, when Jamestown was established. An effort was made to plant a colony near the mouth of the river Kennebeck, under the auspices of some very able persons, about the year 1607, but the severity of the winter and the loss of their storehouse by fire disheartened them, and the men took advantage of the first shipping to return to England, the next year. A settlement was commenced at Newfound land in 1610, and in 1614 some Dutch adventurers built a fort at Albany, and laid the foundation of that city, and of New- York., Massachusetts Bay, the bottom of which forms the harbour of Boston, had not been much explored previous to that time. Twelve years before, Bartholomew Gosnold, the first English man who came in a direct course to this part of America, * Magnalia. HISTORY OF BOSTON. IS sailed from Falmouth in March, and made some part of the eastern coast on the 14th of May. Before this, the usual route had been by the Canaries and the West Indies. He did not enter tbe bay, but steered directly from Cape Ann to the opposite headland, to which he gave the name of Cape Cod, from the multitude of that sort of fish, which abounded there. In the year 1614, the celebrated traveller and navigator, Capt. John Smith, sailed from England with two ships under his command. He explored the coast from Manhegan, an island near Penobscot river, to Cape Cod. This trip he made in a boat with eight men, for the purpose of bartering with the natives, and making such discoveries as might be of fu ture advantage to his employers., and his country. Speaking of these parts, he says, 1 have seen at least forty several habitations upon the sea coast, and sounded about five-and-twenty excellent good harbours. Of all the four parts of the world, I have yet seen uninhabited, could I have but means to transplant a colony, I would rather live here than any where ; and if it did not maintain itself, were we but once indifferently well fitted, let us starve. Here are many isles planted with corn, groves, mulberries, savage gardens and good harbours. The sea coasts, as you pass them, show you all along large cornfields and great troops of well proportioned people--— Massachusetts, in particular, he calls the paradise of these parts, notices its high mountain, and its river which doth pierce many days' journey into- the entrails of that country. But (adds he) the French having remained here near six weeks left nothing for us to examine. On his return to England, he formed a map from his rough draught and observations, which he presented to Prince Charles ; who was so well pleased with his description of this new discovered region, that he gave it the name of New- England. In this map, Smith gave names to the most re markable places on the coast, none of which are retained — among others he gave the name of Boston to Agamenlicus. This voyage was completed within the period of six months, and produced a clear profit of fifteen hundred pounds to the principals. Doubtless the spirit of commercial enterprise was more powerfully excited by this substantial result, than by the high coloured and wonderful description which the Cap tain gave of the country. When Smith embarked for London, he left his largest ship under the command of Thomas Hunt, to load her with fish for Spain. Hunt, when he was ready to sail, enticed into the ship twenty-seven Indians from Patuxet and Nauset (since Plymouth and Eastham) under pretence of trading with them. Immediately he seized upon the poor innocent creatures and 16 HISTORY OF BOSTON. stowing them under his hatches, carried them off to Malaga, where he sold a number of them for twenty pounds a man. This atrocious act enraged the Indians, but was eventually ot some service to the settlers, as we shall have occasion to men tion. During a number of years after this, the coast was annually visited by vessels, mostly fitted out by merchants, for taking fish, and trading with the Indians for furs. Of these voyages we have little information. No attempt was made to estab lish a plantation within the bay till 1620, when a permanent settlement was made at Plymouth. The company which we left in Leyden, at the close of our last chapter, furnished the interesting band that made this settlement. . With mutual embraces and many tears, they took leave of their pastor and sailed for Southampton, in Eng land, where they were to meet another vessel prepared for the same expedition. On Wednesday the 6th of September, 1620, they loosed from Plymouth, and after many difficulties, ih boisterous storms, upon the ninth of November, by break of day, they espied land, which proved to be Cape Cod. It was not their intention to have come so far to the northward. They therefore made some attempts to proceed towards the Hudson, but the wind proving contrary, were compelled to stop. Being thus thrown upon a coast where their patent gave them no right or power, and some strangers, who had joined them from London, disputing the authority of the Gov- ernour and assistants, they did, as the light of nature itself directed them, forthwith form themselves into a body politic, by a solemn contract to which they subscribed their names. This first of American constitutions was in the following form : — " In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord king James, by the grace of God, of G. B. France and Ire land king, defender of the faith, &c. having undertaken for tbe glory of God and the advancement of the christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together in a civil body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the endaforesaid — and by virtue hereof, to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, or dinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony. In witness whereof, we have hereunder subscribed our names. Cape Cod, eleventh of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord K. James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth and Of Scotland the fifty-fourth, A.D. 1620." HISTORY OF BOSTON. 17 Having adopted this measure, they proceeded to the choic« of Mr. John Carver for their Governour, and on the same day sent ashore fifteen or sixteen men well armed, to look for a convenient spot for their intended residence. Their first and second search was unsatisfactory ; and it was not till the 16th of December, that the ship arrived and anchored in the harbour of Patuxet, where the pilgrims at length took up theif abode, and named the place New-Plymouth.* CHAPTER HI. " Welcome, welcome, Englishmen ! Samoset. The winter, which lay before these pilgrims, though not se verely cold, proved a doleful one, on account of the sickness and deaths among their number ; but the spring favourably advanced more early than usual. They had seen only very few of the natives, and met with no one near enough to hold any communication, until, on the 16th of March 1621, they were suddenly alarmed by the appearance of an Indian, who presented himself fearlessly, and in broken English, gave them a friendly salutation. His name was Samoset ; a saga more, of lord of Moratiggon he. ' He had a bow and two ar rows : he Avasa tall straight man : the hair of his head was black, long behind, only short before, none on his face at all. He asked some beer, but we gave him strong water, and bis cuit, and butter, and cheese, and pudding, and a piece of mal lard, (roast duck,) all which he liked very well.' Their visitor gave the party much useful information, and they sent him, the next day, on a message to their Indian neighbours. Through him they had frequent intercourse with small parties of the sav ages, and at last he brought and introduced to them Squanto, Squantum of Tisquantum, the only surviving native of the place they had taken possession of. Squanto was one of the twen ty, that Hunt had carried to Spain^ and had found his way in to England, where he received kindness, which he was now disposed to requite. Our new comers found him very faith ful to them, on most occasions, as long as he lived, serving them in their expeditions as a guide, mediator and interpreter. Before the expiration of a year from the time of their land ing, the people at Plymouth had, by kind dealing and prudent * Winslmti's Journal in Mass. Hist. Coll. 2, ix. 40. 18 HISTORY OF BOSTON. management, induced nine of the Indian sachems to sign a treaty with them, and acknowledge submission to king James. This gave them sufficient confidence in the peaceable disposi tion of the natives, to justify their undertaking to explore the country, farther than had before been done. One of the first excursions for this purpose was a voyage to the Massachusetts, in which they discovered the harbour of Boston. Ihe fol lowing relation gives us the fullest account of that voyage, and being written by one of the party, deserves a place in his own words, as a specimen of the minuteness with which they recorded all occurrences.! ' It seemed good to the company in general, that though the Massachusetts had often threatened us, (as we were in formed) yet we should go amongst them, partly to see the country, partly to make peace with them, and partly to pro cure their truck. For these ends the governours chose ten men, fit for the purpose, and sent Tisquantum, and two other savages, to bring us to speech with the people, and interpret for us. ' [On the 18th September 1621, being Tuesday] we set out about midnight, the tide then serving for us ; we, supposing it to be nearer than it is, thought to be there the next morning betimes : but it proved we'll near twenty leagues from New- Plymouth. We came into the bottom of the bay, but being late we anchored and lay in the shallop, not having seen any of the people. The next morning we put in for the shore. There we found many lobsters, that had been gathered togeth er by the savages, which we made ready under a cliff.J The captain sent two sentinels behind the cliff, to the land ward, to secure the shallop, and taking a guide with him, and four of our company went to seek the inhabitants, where they met a woman coming for her lobsters ; they told her of them and contented her for them. She told them where the people were : Tisquantum went to them : the rest returned, having direction which way to bring the shallop to them. ' The sachem, or governour of this place, is called Obba- tinewat, and though he live in the bottom of the Massachuset Bay, yet he is under Massasoyt. He used us very kindly ; he told us he durst not remain in any settled place, for fear of the TaTentines. Also the squaw sachem or Massachusets queen was an enemy to him. We told him of divers sachems that had acknowledged themselves to be king James his men, and if he also would submit himself, we would be his safe guard from his enemies ; which he did, and went along with us to bring us to the squaw sachem. * Originally the name of the Indian nation inhabiting Boston and its vicinity. t Mass. Hist. Coll 2. ix. 57. j Supposed to have been Copp's hill. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 19 ' Again we crossed the bay, which is very large and hath at least fifty islands in it, but the certain number is not known to the inhabitants. Night it was before we came to that side of the bay where this people were. rthat night also we rid at anchor aboard the shallop. On the morrow we went ashore all but two men, and marched in arms up the country. Having gone three miles, we came to a place where corn had been newly gathered, a house pulled down, and the people gone. A mile from hence, Nanepashemet their king in his life time had lived. His house was not like others, but a scaf fold was largely built, with poles and planks some six foot from ground, and the house upon that, being situated on the top of a hill. ' Not far from hence, in a bottom, we came to a fort built by their deceased king, the manner thus : there were poles some thirty or forty foot long, stuck in the ground as thick as they could be set one by another, and with these they enclo sed a ring some forty or fifty foot over. A trench breast high was digged on each side : one way there was to go into it with a bridge. In the midst of this palisado stood the frame of an house, wherein being dead he lay buried. ' About a mile from hence we came to such another, but seated on the top of an hill ; here Nanepashemet was killed, none dwelling in it since the time of his death. At this place we staid, and sent two savages to look the inhabitants, and to inform them of our ends in coming, that they might not be fearful of us. Within a mile of this place they found the wo men of the place together, with their corn on heaps, whither we supposed them to be fled for fear of us, and the more, be cause in divers places they had newly pulled down their hou ses, and for haste in one place had left some of their corn, covered with a mat, and nobody with it. ' With much fear they entertained us at first, but seeing our gentle carriage towards them, they took heart and entertained us in the best manner they could, boiling cod and such other things as they had for us.' At length with much sending for, came one of their men, shaking and trembling for fear. But when he saw that we intended them no hurt, but came to truck, he promised us with his skins also. Of him we inquired for their queen ; but it seemed she was far from thence, at least we could not see her. Here Tisquantum would have had us rifled the savage women, and taken their skins, and all such things as might be serviceable for us : for, (said he) they are a bad people, and have oft threatened you : but our answer was, were they never so bad, we would not wrong them, or give them any just occasion against us ; for their words, we little weighed them, but if they once attempted any thing against us, then we would deal far worse than he desired. Having well spent the day, we returned to the shallop, almost 20 HISTORY OF BOSTON. all the women accompanying us to the shore. We promised them to come again to them, and they us, to keep their skins. ' Within this bay, the savages say there are two rivers ; the one whereof we saw, having a fair entrance, but we had no time to discover it. Better harbours for shipping cannot be than here are. At the entrance of the bay are many rocks ; and in all likelihood good fishing ground. Many, yea, most of the islands have been inhabited, some being cleared from end to end, but the people are all dead or removed. Our victual growing scarce, the wind coming fair, and having a light moon, we set out at evening, and through the goodness of God, came safely home before noon the day following,' with a considerable quantity of beaver and a good report of the place, wishing we had been seated there. In the spring of 1622, another voyage was made from Plym outh to the Massachusetts, but from the accounts we have of it, we gain no particular description of the places visited. The .fisheries in these parts soon increased greatly, thirty to sixty vessels sometimes coming in the course of a season. In May, 1622, Mr. Thomas Weston, who was one of the adventurers at first engaged in the foundation of Plymouth Colony, but afterwards deserted it, sent over two ships with '50 or 60 men, at his own charge, to settle a plantation for him. They resorted to the place afterwards called Weymouth, but the dissolute conduct of the people soon reduced them to pov erty and distress, and the company was broken up, the follow ing year. Another attempt by Captain Gorges to settle a plantation at the same place also failed. Early in 1624, Mr. David Thompson, Gent, a Scotchman who the year before had begun a plantation about Pascataqua (near Portsmouth N. H.) on account of a mercantile concern, either disliking his place or his employers, removed down into the Massachu setts Bay. There he possessed himself of a fruitful island (now Thompson's island, belonging to Dorchester,) and a very desirable neck of land, which were afterwards confirmed to him by the General Court. Not long after this, several of the Plymouth people, among whom was Mr. Roger Conant, removed and settled themselves at Nantasket, (Hull) at the en trance of the Massachusetts bay, where a building had before been set up, to accommodate those that traded with the na tives. The only remaining party, which it seems necessary to mention, is that which was brought in 1625, by Captain Wol- aston, and left at a place not far from Weston's, in what is now called Braintree, but was for some years considered a part of Boston. He located them in the northerly mountain ous part ofthe place, which he named Mount Wolaston. This enterprise was a speculation of his and three or four partners, who brought with them a number of servants, with HISTORY OF BOSTON. SI suitable provisions, and Qther requisites to raise a plantation : and they might have effected their purpose well enough, had it not been for one Thomas Morton, a master of misrule, that some time had been a pettifogger of Furnival's Inn, (a law- school in Holborn, London,) and possibly might have brought some small adventure of his own or other men's, with the rest. The Captain and his chief partner, having gone with part of the company, to Virginia, Morton in their absence made the remainder merry one night, and persuaded them to turn out the lieutenant, who had been left in command. This counsel was easy to be taken, as suiting well the genius of the young men, and so, with Morton at their head, they spent their time in eating, drinking and dancing right merrily about a may-pole ; and as if they had found a mine or spring of plenty, tbey changed the name of the place to Merry-Mount.* This school of profaneness was broken up, soon after a regu lar government became established in Massachusetts. Having thus, glanced at most, if not all of the prior settle ments and attempts to settle in these parts, we are now pre pared to speak of the origin and proceedings of the compa ny of the Massachusetts Bay. CHAPTER IV. Religion stands on tiptoe in our land, Read^ to pass to the 'Merican strand. Herbert in Goolein, The death of King James took place on the twenty-seventh day of March, 1625, and he was succeeded in the throne, by his son Charles .the First, who committed the government of the church to men of arbitrary principles, passionately fond of the established rites and ceremonies, and disposed to press the observance of them with rigid exactness. Neither learn ing, nor piety, nor diligence and success in his profession, nor any other qualification could save a man from ruin, that scru pled conformity to the injunctions of the bishops. The king had put the reins into their hands, and they drove on so furi ously, that the whole nation groaned under their tyranny, till, at last, the very name of bishop grew odious to the people : and when they could get rid of their tyranny no other way, they were forced to draw their swords in defence of their lib erties, whereby the kingdom was involved in a civil war.t * Hubbard's Hist, of N. E. p. 103, t ^eal. 22 HISTORY OF BOSTON. This being the melancholy state pf affairs, the Rev. John White, minister of Dorchester, England, encouraged by the success of the Plymouth colony, projected a new settlement in the Massachusetts bay. He had prevailed with Roger Conant, a most religious, prudent, worthy gentleman, to make a beginning as early as the year 1625. He removed from Nantasket, first to Cape Ann, and thence in the course of the fall of 1626, to Naumkeag, Salem. Mr. Conant's companions were soon disheartened, and mostly quitted the place ; but he was urged by Mr. White to remain, with assurances, that if he and three honest men more would yet stay upon the spot; he would procure a patent for them, and send them over friends, goods and provisions. ' Well,' says the Magnalia, ' it was not long before the Council of Plymouth, in England, had by a deed bearing date March 19th, 1627-8, sold unto some six knights and gentlemen about Dorchester, that part of New-England, which lies between a great river called Merrimack and a certain other river there called Charles. But shortly after this, Mr. White brought the said honourable persons into an acquaintance with several other persons of quality, about London ; who associated with them, and joint ly petitioned the king to confirm their right by a new patent, which he did on the 4th of March, in the fourth year of his reign.' This patent, or charter, constituted the associates and all others who should be admitted free of the association, one corporate body politick, by the name of the Governour and company of the Massachusetts bay in New-England, whose jurisdiction was to extend in breadth, from three miles north of any and every part of the Merrimack, to three miles south of any and every part of the Charles river, including all lands within the space of three miles to the southward of the southernmost part of the Massachusetts bay, and to reach in length from the Atlantic ocean to the South sea^ Their general business was to be disposed and ordered by a court composed of a Governour, Deputy Governour, and eighteen Assistants.* * See the charter at length in Hutch. Coll. of papers, p. I. The following were the patentees, who are named in the order in which they are number ed. Those marked) were the six original associates : 20. Thomas Adams 19. Thomas Goffe S. Sir Richard Saltonstall 9. Samuel Aldersey 12. George Harwood 4. Sir Thomas Southcott 15. Richard Bellingham 5. John Humphrey t 17. Samuel Vassall 21. John Brown 23. Thomas Hutchins 24. William Vassall 22. Samuel Brown 8. Isaac Johnson 10. John Ven ' 11. Matthew Craddock 13. Increase Nowell 7. Simon Wbetcomb t ' 18. Theophilus Eaton 14. Richard Perry 16. Nathaniel Wright 6. John Endicott t 25. William Pincheon 2. Sir John Young f 26. George Foxcroft l. Sir Henry Rosewell t HISTORY OF BOSTON. 23 Soon after the first purchase abovementioned, and previous to the procuring of this charter, Mr. John Endicott, who was one of the company, was sent over with a few men (in June, 1628) and uniting his own men with those formerly in the country, they made up in all not much above fifty or sixty persons. Another supply was sent over in the spring of 1629, which consisted of three hundred and eighty-six men, women, maids and children. They arrived in June. The Rev. Francis Higginson was a principal member of this last com pany. They found but six houses built, besides that of Mr. Endicott, at which Mr. Higginson was kindly entertained.* . About a hundred of this party, under the conduct of Mr. Thomas Graves, soon removed to Charlestown, where a small settlement Avas already made. By Mr. Endicott's permission, three brothers, of the name of Ralph, Richard, and William Sprague, had started from Salem, in the preceding summer, with three or four more, to explore the country westward ; and after travelling above twelve miles through the woods, they light on a neck of land, called by the Indians, Mishaw- um. Their old sachem being dead, his eldest son John Saga more was chief in power. He is described as a man of gen tle and good disposition, and freely consented to their settling there. Probably he Avas the more, readily induced to this, by the good conduct, and the advantages he derived from the skill of Thomas Walford, a blacksmith, who had previously taken up his residence, and built himself a house, which he had thatched and palisadoed, at the south end of the west hill, not far from the river. Both the town and river receiv ed their name in honour of the king. The success, which now attended the plantation, encour aged the company to persevere : and several of the principal members entered into an agreement! to remove with them selves and families, provided the whole government, together with the patent, might first be legally transferred and estab lished, to remain with them and others who should be inhabi tants therein. The proposal of this measure occasioned con siderable debate ; and it was finally adopted, both for the sake of avoiding the inconveniences attending the administration of the government, at such a distance, and also for the sake of inducing gentlemen of wealth and quality to embark in the expedition, with their property and families. This was an act of great political importance. Neither the advocates, nor the opposers of it, could have truly estimated its magnitude, * In 1628, the Plymouth people, having obtained a patent for Kennebeck, where they had traded for two years in conjunction with David Thompson, erected a house up tbe river in a convenient place for business. — Prince. t Hutch. Coll. p. 25. 24 HISTORY OF BOSTON. or have foreseen the great events, which it ultimately produ- This alteration in the management of the company affairs, was made in August 1629, and on the 20th of October follow ing, a special court was held for the purpose of electing a new Governour, deputy and assistants, who should be willing to re move. Mr. John Winthrop was chosen for the Governour, and Mr. Humphrey for the deputy, to hold their places for a year ; but Mr. Humphrey, not being likely to be ready to sail, when the rest expected to be, Mr. Thomas Dudley was afterwards chosen in his stead. Preparations then began to be made with vigour, fof the em barkation of a great colony. The Company appointed ten persons,* as undertakers,who after much intreaty, accepted the- charge of the management of the stock, and were ordered to provide a sufficient number of vessels, for the transportation of passengers and goods. Accordingly, by the end of Feb ruary, 1630, a fleet of fourteen sail was furnished with men, women, children, all necessaries, men of handicrafts, and oth ers of good condition, wealth and quality, to make a firm Plantation.! In this fleet were congregated our fathers, with their wives and their little ones, about to quit forever their native country, kindred, friends and acquaintance. Let us pause a moment, and mingle our sympathy with their sorrows, ' as hand in hand we see them lead each other to the sandy banks of the brinish ocean.' ' They Avere about to leave the land of their fathers' sepul chres, perhaps forever ; to break asunder those cords of affec tion, which so powerfully bind a good man to his native soil ; and to dissolve those tender associations which constitute the bliss of civil society. In ordinary cases, the pain of separa tion is lessened by the promises of hope^the pleasure of an other interview ; but here adieu, to most of them at least, was to be the last, like the final farewell to a departing spirits' * Of whom five were to remain in England, and five to go with the colony. Messrs. Winthrop, Dudley, Johnson, Saltonstall and John Revel were the five that came over.— -Eliot . Biog. Diet. Johnson. t Prince. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 25 CHAPTER V. " Westward the star of empire rolls its way." The fleet above mentioned all sailed before the ,end of May, and reached America in safety. The first vessel that arrived was the Mary-John, which brought over the Rev. Messrs. John Warham and John Maverick, with many godly families and people, under their care, from Devonshire, Dor setshire, and Somersetshire, together with Messrs. EdAvard Rossiter and Roger Ludlow, two of the assistants, and Roger Clap, who was afterwards captain of the castle in Boston harbour. They had some difficulty on the passage, with the master of the vessel, Capt. Squibb, Avho, like a merciless man, put them and their goods ashore on Nantasket point, notwith standing his engagement was to bring them up Charles river. They succeeded, however, in obtaining a boat from some of the old planters ; and having laden her writh goods, and manned her with some able men Avell armed, (not more than • ten, under Captain Southcot, a brave low country soldier) they went up towards Charlestown. There they found some wigwams, a few English people, and one English house. They continued their course up the river till it became nar row and shallow, which is at Watertown, where they landed their goods with much labour on a steep bank. At evening they were much alarmed with information, that there was a body of three hundred savages encamped near by them. Fortunately they had been accompanied from Charlestown by an old planter, who knew enough of the Indian tongue and Indian disposition, to succeed in persuading them not to molest the party during the night. In the morning, some of the savages made their appearance, but stood awhile at a dis tance : at last one of them held out a bass, and the English sent a man with a biscuit, to exchange for it ; and thus com menced a friendly intercourse. A shelter for their goods was erected at the place, but they did not long remain there, for their companions discovered a neck of land* fit to keep cattle upon, adjoining Mattapan, (Dorchester,) and these were or dered to join them. This all took place before the fourteenth of June, on which day the admiral of the New England fleet arrived in Salem * This neckof land included what is now called South Boston. 26 HISTORY OF BOSTON. harbour. In the vessel which bore that distinction^ Gov. Winthrop and Mr. Isaac Johnson came passengers, and the Governour has left us, in his journal, a circumstantial account of the voyage, from which we select the following particulars. On Monday, March -29, 1630, they were riding at the Cowes, near the Isle of Wight, in the Arabella (for so they called the Eagle, in honour ofthe Lady Arabella, wife of Mr. Johnson) a ship of three hundred and fifty tons, Capt. Peter Milbourne, manned with fifty-two seamen, and carrying twenty-eight guns. The Ambrose, Jewel, and Talbot were riding by thei!- side. On that day it was agreed, that, foras much as it was uncertain when the rest of the ¦fleet would be ready, these four ships should consort together, the Arabella to be admiral, Talbot vice admiral, Ambrose rear admiral, and the Jewel a captain. By head winds and other causes they were detained a week, during which they improved one day as a fasti. On the 8th of April, about six in the morning, the wind being E. and by N. and fair weather, We weighed anchor and set sail. By daylight on the 9th we Avere come to Portland, but the Other ships not being able to hold up with us, we were forced to spare our mainsail, and went on with a merry gale. In the morning we descried, from the top, eight sail astern of us, and supposing they might be Dunkirkers,* our captain caus ed the gun room and gun deck to be cleared, all the ham mocks taken down, our ordnance loaded, powder chests and fire works made ready, and our landsmen were quartered among the seamen,' twenty-five appointed musketeers, and every man assigned to his post. The wind continued N. with fair weather, and after noon it calmed, and we still saw those eight ships to stand towards us. Having more wind than Ave, they came up again, so that our captain and the masters of our consorts were more occasioned to think they might be Dunkirkers ! for we were told at Yarmouth there were ten sail of them waiting for us ! Whereupon we all prepared to fight with them ; took down some cabins which were in the way of our guns, threw out of every ship such bed matters as were subject to fire, hove out our long boat, and put up our waste cloths, and drew1 forth our men, and armed them with muskets and other weapons, and instruments for fireworks j and for an experiment, our captain shot a ball of wildfire, fas tened to an arrow, ont of a cross-bow, which burnt in the water a good time. The Lady Arabella, arid the other * Dunkirk was then a part of the Spanish Netherlands, and war existed between Great Britain and Spain. HI9T0RY OF BOSTON. 27 women and children, were removed into the lower deck, that they might be out of danger. All things being thus fitted, we went to prayer. It was much to see how cheerful and comfortable all the company appeared ; not a woman or child that showed fear, though all did apprehend the danger to be great ; for there had been eight against four, and the least of the enemy's ships Avas re puted to carry thirty brass pieces : but our trust was in. the Lord of hosts : and the courage of our captain, and his care and diligence, did much encourage us. It was now about one of the clock, and the fleet seemed to be within a league of us ; therefore the captain, because he would show he Avas not afraid of them, and that he might see the issue before night, tacked about and stood to meet them, and when we came within hail, Ave perceived them to be our friends : and so, God be praised, our fear and danger Avas turned into mirth and friendly entertainment. The weather during the remainder of the voyage was va riable, sometimes mild, and sometimes boisterous. The pas sengers, as may well be supposed, suffered from sea-sickness, and that contributed to the amusement of the hardy sailors. * Our children and others that Avere sick, and lay groaning in the cabins, we fetched out, and having a rope stretched from the steerage to the mainmast, Ave made them stand, some on one side and some on the other, and swing it up and down till they Avere weary, and by this means they soon grew well and merry. The captain set our children and grown men to some other harmless exercises, which the seamen were very active in, and which did our people much good, though the sailors would sometimes play the wag with them.' Very strict attention to religious duties was observed, and the most rigid discipline enforced. On one occasion, two of the landsmen were laid in the bolts all night, for piercing a rundlet of strong water, and stealing some of the same ; and the next morning, the principal was openly whipped, and both were kept on bread and water aJl day. Two young men falling at odds, and fighting, contrary to orders which were set up in the ship, Avere sentenced to walk upon deck till night, with their hands tied behind them : and another man, 4 for using contemptuous speech in our presence? was laid in bolts, till he made open confession of his offence. A servant of one of the company had made a bargain with a child, to sell him a trinket box worth three pence, for three biscuits a day all the voyage, and the rogue had received about forty, and sold them to his comrades, before he was found out. ' We caused his hands to be tied up to a bar, and hung a basket full of stones about his neck, and so he stood for tAVO hours.' 28 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Thus they commenced their state, with the maintenance of dignity, sobriety, good order, and honesty. No accident of any moment occurred on board the Arabel la. They saw one or two whales (one with a bunch on his back, about a yard above water !) and all the way were birds flying and swimming, when they had no land near, by tAvo hundred leagues. On the third of June, they approached near enough to the coast, to get soundings in eighty fathoms, and on the seventh, in thirty fathoms, they Avere regaling themselves with fresh fish of their own catching. On the eighth, they had sight of land, which they supposed Man hegan, but it proved to be Mount Desert. So pleasant a scene here they had, as did much refresh them, and there came a smell off the shore, like the smell of a garden : and Noah could hardly have been more gratified to behold his dove, with the olive leaf in her mouth, than they must have been delighted, to receive a visit from a wild pigeon, and another small bird from the land. All day on the eleventh, they stood to and again, within sight of Cape Ann. On Saturday the tAvelfth, at four in the morning, they gave notice of their approach, from two pieces of ordnance, and sent their skiff ashore. In the course of the day, passing through the narrow strait between Baker's isle and another little island, they came to an anchor, a short dis tance from Salem harbour. Mr. Endicott and others went on board ; and we that were assistants, and some other gentlemen, and some of the women and our captain, returned with him to Salem, where we sup ped on a good venison pasty and good beer. Next morning, many of the rest ofthe people went on shore, upon the other side of the harbour, and feasted themselves with strawberries, which they found in such abundance that they named the place Strawberry bank. Early in the morning of Monday the fourteenth, ' we weigh ed anchor, and the wind being against us, and the channel so narrow that we could not well turn, we warped in our ship, and came to an anchor in the inward harbour. In the after noon, we went with the most of our company on shore,, and our captain gave us a salute of five guns.' The other ships of the fleet fell in daily, and by the sixth of July, thirteen out of the fourteen had arrived safe in New- England, without the loss of more than fifteen lives by sick ness or accident. A day of publick thanksgiving was there fore kept, on the eighth of that month, through all the plan tations. HISTORY OF BOSTON., 29 CHAPTER VI. Whate'er in life may be my varied lot, Boston, dear Boston, ne'er shall be forgot. R. T. Paine. It appears to have been the original design, that the prin cipal part of this colony of fifteen hundred persons should have settled in one place, which they intended to call by the name of Boston. This design was frustrated by such circum stances as the following.* They found the colony at Salem in a sad and unexpected condition. Above eighty deaths had occurred the winter be fore, and of those that remained alive, many were weak and sickly. All the corn and bread, amongst them all, was hardly sufficient to feed them a fortnight ; so that lvhen the remainder of the great company of servants, sent over two years before, applied for sustenance, they found themselves wholly unable to afford it, ' by reason that the provisions shipped for them were taken out ofthe ship they were put in, and they who were trusted to ship them in another, failed us and left them behind. Whereupon necessity forced us, to our extreme loss, to give them all liberty, who had cost us about sixteen or twenty pound a person, furnishing and send ing over.' ' But bearing these things as we might, we began to consult about a place for our sitting down: for Salem, where we land ed, pleased us not. So some were sent to the bay, to search up the rivers for a convenient place, who upon their return reported to have found a good place upon Mystick : but some others of us seconding these, to approve or dislike of their judgement, we found a place liked us better, three leagues up Charles river. Thereupon we unshipped our goods into other vessels, with much cost and labour, and brought them in July to Charlestoivn. But there receiving information (by some ofthe ships lately arrived) of some French preparations against us, Ave were forced to change our counsel ; for many of our people were sick of fevers and the scurvy, and Ave Avere thereby weakened and unable to carry our baggage and ordnance so far up the river as we proposed. For our pres ent shelter, therefore, we were obliged to plant dispersedly, (in various directions from Saugus to Dorchester.) This dis- * From Dudley's letter to the Countess of Lincoln. Mass. H. C 1. viii. 38. 30 HISTORY OF BOSTON. persion troubled some of us, but help it we could not, want ing ability to remove to any place fit to build a town upon, and the time being too short to deliberate any longer, lest tne winter should surprize us before we had erected our houses. So ceasing to consult further, for that time, they who had health to labour fell to building.' Governour Winthrop was among those who stopped at Charlestown. He and other publick officers were accommo dated in a building, called the great house, on the westerly side of the present market square. The remainder resided in cottages, booths, and tents, where their lodgings were so cold and moist, as to cause a continued prevalence of disease among them, to such an extent as that there Avere not enough of the well, to take care ofthe sick. Dr. Samuel Fuller, a deacon of the church of Plymouth, appears to have spent several weeks in the neighbourhood in attendance upon them, but without doing much good (as he complained) for the want of drugs and things fitting to, Avork with. Deaths spread around them, and almost every family was filled with lamentation for the loss of some of its members. In consequence of this affliction, the Governour proposed to Mr. Johnson, that a day should be set apart for fasting and prayer. Accordingly, Friday, the 30th of July, was agreed upon, and devoted for that purpose. After the services of the day,* it had been proposed, that such godly persons among them, as knew each other, should enter into a church covenant. Conformably to this arrangement, Governour Win throp, Deputy Governour Dudley, Mr. Johnson, and the Rev. Mr. Wilson, on that day signed the following covenant : " In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in obedience to his holy will and divine ordinance, " We, whose names are here underwritten, being by his most wise and good providence brought together into this part of America, in the Bay of Massachusetts, and desirous to unite into one congregation or church, under the Lord Jesus Christ, our head, in such sort, as becometh all those, whom he hath redeemed, and sanctified to himself, do hereby solemnly and religiously, as in his most holy presence, promise and bind ourselves to walk in all our ways according to the rule of the gospel, and in all sincere conformity to his holy ordi nances, and in mutual love and respect to each other so near, as God shall give us grace." * The first meetings of the congregation were held in the open air, under the shade of an oak tree, and probably continued to be so for some time ; for here, says Roger Clap, I have heard Mr. Wilson ami Mr. Phillips preach many a good sermon they afterwards met In the great house. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 31 On the Lord's day following, five more were added to the church, namely, Increase Nowell, Thomas Sharp, Simon Bradstreet, assistants, William Gager, a surgeon, and William Colburn. At this time they had no other intention than that of making Charlestown the place of their permanent abode, and the Governour had ordered timber to be cut, and a house framed for himself there. But the sickness increasing, and the weath er being hot, the people grew uneasy and discontented for the want of water. Strange as it may seem to those Avho now know that Charlestown abounds with good water, yet they could then only find one brackish spring, and that upon the beach, on the west side of the northwest field, (near the pres ent site of the state prison) which was not to be come at, but when the tide Avas down.* This spring could not supply half the necessities of the multitude, and the death of many was thought to be owing to the want of Avholesome drink. Sev eral persons were therefore induced to make excursions, for the discovery of some more heathful spot. Besides the English who were located at Charlestown, when the Governour and his colony arrived, there lived on Noddle's island, one Mr. Samuel Maverick, a man of very loving and courteous behaviour, very ready to entertain strangers. The Governour lay a night at his house, while on the first explor ing party. He had thrown up a small fort on the island, by the aid of Mr. Thompson, and had four cannon mounted in it to protect him from the Indians. Mr. Maverick was a man that made some figure in the history of after times, and had a grant or confirmation of the island from the general court.t On the south side of the mouth of Charles river there also resided, in a small cottage, one Mr. William Blackstone. The spot upon which he had pitched, was near a point on the western side of a peninsula, which, at high water, appeared in those days like two islands, the north and south parts being connected only by a narrow isthmus. The Indian name of the place Avas Shawmut, and the English at CharlestOAvn call ed it Trimountain. Mr. Blackstone's self interest did not stifle his feelings of humanity, and though he might claim the peninsula for his property, as having been the first Englishman, that slept upon it, he communicated to the Governour the information that he had found an excellent spring on his side of the river, and urged him with pressing invitations to remove thither. This incident, and the fact of their being much pleased with the * Johnson's W. W. P. ch. 17. and Dr. Bartlett's bist. sketch of Charlestown in M. II. Coll. 2. ii. 88. 165. t August 20. Tbe Gift, being the fourteenth and last vessel of the N. E. fleet, arrives with the loss of but one passenger, though she had been twelve weeks at sea. 32 HISTORY OF BOSTON. plain neck (which then bore the name of Blackstone's neck,) at the south end of the peninsula, induced Mr. Johnson, who was a very influential and leading man, to remove with sev eral others and begin a settlement. This took place in Au gust. On Monday the 23d of August, the first Court of Assist ants, under the authority of the patent, was holden on board the Arabella, at Charlestown. The first question propound ed, was, How shall the ministers be maintained ? — and it was ordered that houses be built for them at the public charge, and their salaries were established. The minister at Watertown, Rev. George Phillips, was to have thirty pounds a year, and Mr. Wilson twenty pounds a year till his wife came over, be ginning from the tenth of July preceding. All this was at the common charge, excepting that the people at Dorchester and Salem were not to be taxed for this object. Governour Winthrop undertook to see the above orders carried into ef fect, at his plantation, which embraced Charlestown and Boston. On Friday, the 27th of the same month, the congregation kept a fast, and chose Mr. Wilson for their teacher, Mr. In crease Nowel an elder, and Dr. Gager and Mr. William As- pinwall for deacons. These were all installed by the impo sition of hands, with a solemn protest, that it was only by way of election and confirmation, and not designed to in validate, or disparage Mr. Wilson's previous ordination in England. At the second court of Assistants, which was also holden at Charlestown, an order was passed, that no person plant in any place within the limits of the patent, ivithout leave from the Governour and Assistants, or a major part of them. At this court it was also ordered, that the town at Mattapan be call ed Dorchester, that upon Charles River, Watertown, and that Trimountain be called BOSTON. This was on the 7th day of September, 1630, and from that day we date the founda tion of our pity. Whence originated the two latter of these three names, Shawmut, Trimountain and Boston, is matter of historical rec ord. In regard to the signification of Shawmut we can only state conjecture. It seems to have been a universal custom, derived from the first fathers of mankind, to denominate pla ces, from some peculiar excellences discovered in them : and the names appropriated were generally drawn from fancied resemblances, in these peculiarities, to parts of the human body. Before the art of sinking wells was known, fountains or springs of water were of infinite value ; and the practice of giv ing names to places from them, was prevalent among the ab origines of Massachusetts. It was very common with the Jews HISTORY OF BOSTON. 33 and other Eastern nations, to call such springs by the terras appropriated in their languages to the eye, whose piercing brilliancy sparkles in the visage, as the gurgling fountain does upon the grassy plain. Those that believe, with many who are not altogether unwise, that the native American tribes were descendants of the ten tribes of Israel, will have little difficulty to discover in Shauimut the radicals ofthe twoeyes, that shoot forth on either side of the ridge of high land be tween Charles and Congress streets, and the termination, wf, which is a particle of place, equivalent to at. Such will readily coincide in the ingenious conclusion lately drawn, that ShaAvmut signified living fountains, to which the- natives were probably in the daily habit of crossing over, in their canoes, from the opposite peninsula, ,to procure fresh water when the great spring there was overflowed by the tide.* The etymology of the word Trimountain leads us directly to the origin of that name. Shawmut presented to those who vieAv- ed it from Charlestown, the appearance only of three large hills ; one on the- north, one far to the east, and another form ing the whole western extremity of the place. On the last Avere three lofty and majestic eminences, and on the brow ofthe easternmost of these, three little rising hillocks appear ed in a contiguous range. The combination of these circum stances doubtless gave rise to the name of Trimountain. No reason is assigned on the records of the court for changing the name of Trimountain for that of Boston. It is however universally agreed, that the name itself had been se lected in compliment to the Rev. John Cotton, who at that time was a preacher at Boston, in Lincolnshire, and whom they expected very soon to come over and take part in the establishment of their colony. Boston, moreover, had been a place of note in the annals of the persecuted puritans, and several of those who first settled here Avere born there : and * Mass. H. C. 2. x. 174. To the examples there adduced, may be added Moshawsick the name of Providence, where is still shown a venerated spring, which induced Roger Wil liams to stop his canoe and land at that place. Our Shawmut is still remarkable for tbe great number of its productive springs of excel lent water. A well has recently been dug for the accommodation of a bouse, building at the bead of School street, opposite the Stone Chapel. When the workmen had reached the depth of about sixty-five feet, a spring burst into the well several feet from the bottom, and flowed with'such rapidity as to fill it to the height of forty feet in twenty-five minutes. Next morning they undertook to draw out tbe water by means of a whip tackle. In the course of seven hours, during which time several men with two horses raised at the rate of five barrels of water in two minutes, making in all more than a thousand barrels, they suc ceeded iu exhausting the water so far as to admit of lay ing the wall. In a few days tho water assumed the usual level of that in other wells. 34 HISTORY OF BOSTON. it is also not improbable, that the sagacity of Winthrop and Johnson seeing ' the prognosticks. of its future &ef"ess. WV" ten on the face of nature, too legibly and too indelibly to oe mistaken,' they may have claimed for the place of their clioice, the name originally intended for their chief city. Boston, in Lincolnshire, is a borough town, seated on bom sides of the river Witham, near its mouth. It is a hundred and seventeen miles north of London. In 1811, it contained 8113 inhabitants. It is governed by a mayor and sends two members to parliament. It is famous for the tower ot its Gothick church, which is two hundred and eighty-two teet high, being one bf the most lofty and elegant of the kind, and a noted sea-mark. The English name, Boston, appears to have been a contraction of Botolph's town, which name the place bore in old time, in honour of Botolph, a pious Saxon, who had a monastery there. It is worthy of notice, however, that Iccan-hoe, which was a more ancient Saxon appellation, signifies Oxen-town, between which and the mean ing of Boston there is a fancied resemblance. CHAPTER VII. Better to sit iu Freedom's ball, With a cold damp floor and mouldering wall, Than to bend the neck, and to bow the knee In the proudest palace of slavery. German Epigram. The third court of Assistants sat at Charlestown, Septem* ber 28th, 1630. The first General Court of the colony was holden at Boston, not by representatives, but by every one that was free ofthe corporation, in person, on the 19 th of Oc tober following. Between these two dates, Gov. Winthrop and most of the people had removed from Charlestown, where there remained but seventeen male inhabitants. The rank Avhich the several towns held in point of population and wealth combined, may be discovered from the apportionment of a tax of fifty pounds, levied for some military purposes. 1. Charlestown was to pay £. 7 6. Medford . £.3 2. Boston 11 7. Salem ... 3 3. Dorchester. . .* 7 8. (Weymouth) 2 4. Roxbury 5 9. Nantasket. . 1 5. WatertoAvn 11 £. 50 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 35 The publick object of most importance which first engaged the attention of those in office, was the selection of a proper place for a fortified town, of which they supposed there would be great necessity, to secure them from the natives. Several places were proposed. At one meeting, December 6th, they resolved to build upon the neck between Roxbury and Bos ton, and appointed a committee to attend to the business. The committee met, and growing wiser by deliberation, con cluded that the location was not a suitable one for the purpose, and agreed to meet again at Watertown to consider farther on the subject. There, on the 21st, they made up their minds to erect their fortifications at a spot a mile below, Avhere they thought was a fit place for a fortified town ; but at last on the 28th. they finally decided on building about three miles above Charlestown, on the northwest side of the river. They called the place Newtown (at present Cambridge) and the Governour and Deputy, with all the assistants, except Messrs. Sharp and Endicott obliged themselves to build houses there, in the fol lowing spring. But before much was done in compliance with this obligation, Chicatabot, the chief of the Indians near Boston, came to visit the Governour, and made such high professions of friendship as to diminish the apprehensions of danger, so that the necessity of having a fortified town gradu ally appeared less and less, until the plan was wholly laid aside. This result must have been doubly gratifying to the people of Boston, who would have regarded the formal estab lishment of the seat of government at Newtown as fatal to their own prosperity. About a year had now elapsed since the colony had left their native land. Many of them had there enjoyed the best of society. Their family connexions Avere honourable: their professions -and occupations in life had been reputable and profitable, and eA'ery comfort, which the possession of ' fruitful lands, stately buildings, goodly orchards and gardens' could afford, had been at their command. Here they could expect to find nothing but a desert, without any worldly allurement to recommend it; but they calculated on the free enjoyment of religious privileges, and that sufficed to counterbalance every other consideration. On that they relied with confi dence that it would encourage them to sustain affliction and hardship of every description, that the imagination could an ticipate. The tenour of every memorial which our first set tlers have left behind them, proves this to have been their pre dominant feeling. Questionless there were some among them whose object Avas merchandize, and who devoted themselves to commercial pursuits with the hope of gain : doubtless, too, says Foxcroft, in his observations on the rise and primitive state of 'NeAV-England, ' They had a mixture, of false profes- 36 HISTORY OF BOSTON. sors among them, but let me speak it freely, Avithout offence to any, the first beginners of this plantation, as to the body ot them, were an excellent set of real and living Christians,, And their religion exhibited itself pure and undefiled in the scenes of distress which they witnessed, and the firmness of their faith was manifested by the patience with which they submitted to privation, and the perseverance with which they pursued their object. We have mentioned the prevalence of a mortal sickness among them previous to the removal from Charlestown. Its ravages did npt abate immediately in consequence of that change of residence, but continued till December, by which time two hundred at least had fallen its victims.* With char- acteristick impartiality death swept away the wealthy and the poor, the bondman and his master. Besides others of note they had to mourn over the ladies of Messrs. Codding. ton and Pincheon, two of the Assistants, and the Lady Ara bella. The death of the last named personage excited a very general interest. . She Avas the pride of the colony. There were several other women of distinction, who encountered the fatigue and perils of the day Avith laudable resolution, but the devotedness of the lady Arabella shone peculiarly conspicu ous. She was a daughter of the Earl of Lincoln, and her union with Mr. Johnson Avas a very happy one. The lan guage of her soul to him vras such as is ascribed to an ancient Spanish lady — ' whithersoever your fatall destinie shall dryve you, ey ther by the furious waves ofthe great ocean, or by the many-folde and horrible dangers ofthe lande, I wyl sure ly beare you company. There .can no peryll chaunce to me so terrible, nor any kinde of death so cruell, that shall not be much easier for me to abyde, than to live so farre separate from you.' Pattern of fidelity ! her desire was gratified : she left the paradise of peace and plenty Avhich she enjoyed in the'family of her noble father, and came into a wilderness of wants, that proved too severe a trial for her. The virtues of her mind could not protect her body from the tide of adversi ties, Avhich overwhelmed her soon after her arrival : ' O'er her soft form diseases sternly crept, And gave the lovely victim to the 'tomb.' She died and was buried at Salem in the month of August. The tears which this event occasioned had scarcely ceased to flow, when the people of Boston were called to weep for the loss of Mr. Johnson himself. The death of such a man spread a melancholy paleness on every countenance. All * When the fleet returned this fall, about 200 of the people either returned borne or left Massachusetts for various reasons.— Dudley's Lette?. I HISTORY OF BOSTON. 3f considered him as their principal patron. He might be cal- led the father of Boston, as it was he that persuaded Gover nour Winthrop and the rest of the company to cross the river. He was the richest man of all the planters, and had early bent 4iimself with pious zeal to advance the interests of the colony. He assisted many good people with means to come over, be queathed a portion of his property to tbe company, and order ed his, executors to carry on bis share or part in it. He was the son of Abraham Johnson, Esq. of Clipsham, in the county of Rutland, and his estates lay in Rutland, North amptonshire, and Lincolnshire. The first mention made of him, in connexion Avith the Massachusetts company, is that he was chosen one of the Assistants on the thirteenth of May, sixteen hundred and twenty-nine. The confidence which the corporation had in him is evident, from their soon after elect. ing him as a referee, in a case of dispute which arose between Mr. Endicott and John, and Samuel Brown at Salem. He was one of those that signed the agreement to remove, in case the government and patent might be transferred, and one of the arguraentators appointed to discuss the expediency of that measure. After the .decision in favour of that step, he was nominated at the same time with Winthrop, Saltonstall and Humphrey, as a candidate for the office of first Governour. On his arrival here, he was clothed with the powers of a Jus tice of the. peace, and in thatcapacity presided with Winthrop at a jury of inquest on the 18th of September. This is the last of his official acts recorded. The weight of publick cares, added to the burden of his grief for the loss of his Avife, over powered the strength of his constitution, and be yielded up his life, ' in SAveet peace,' on the 30th of that month. Mr, Johnson had chosen for his lot the square Avhich lies between Court Street, Washington,, School and Common Streets. Tradition locates his house about the centre of the Northeast side, that is, near the present site of the old Court- House. According to his particular desire expressed on his death bed, he was buried at the Southwest corner of the lot, and the people exhibited their attachment to him, by ordering their bodies to be buried near him. This was the origin of the first burying place, at present the Chapel burial ground. There is a mournful pleasure in marking the terms of affec tion and respect, in which the early writers uniformly speak of Mr. Johnson'* character. Governour Winthrop says 'he was a holy man and wise.' Dudley, that 'he was a prime man among us, zealous for -religion, and made a most godly end, dying willingly and professing his life better spent in promoting this plantation, than it could have been any other way ; he left to us a loss greater than the most conceived.' His namesake, the author of the Wonder Working Providence, 38 HISTORY OF BOSTON. speaks of him as ' endued with many precious gifts, and a chief pillar to support this new erected building ; so that at his departure there were not only many Aveeping eyes, but some fainting hearts, fearing the failure of the undertaking :' and Cotton Mather comprehends all in the report, that he was a perfect and upright man. In the midst of these afflictions Dr. Gager died. He was their principal, if not their only physician and sur geon. He is represented as a man of skill in his profession, and we have seen that the soundness of his faith, and the pu rity of his life had promoted him to the office of a deacon in the infant church. He was considered a publick servant, and the same court, which provided for the salaries of the minis ters, ordered that a house should be built for him against the coming spring, that he should be furnished with a cow, and be paid twenty pounds for his first year, and afterwards have thirty pounds per annum at the common charge.* Several other deaths are recorded which added to the grief ofthe people; among them that of Mr. Robert Welden, who had been chosen to be a military captain, but died at Charlestown, before having an Opportunity to act in that ca pacity. He was a young gentleman of high promise, and considerable experience as a soldier. His remains were brought to Boston, and interred with military honours, ' three volleys of shot' being then, as at present, the customary trib ute of respect. There was yet one other distress to be endured, and that was the danger of famine. We know they arrived too late in the season to plant, and brought too small a stock of pro visions with them, and the extreme drought of the summer had threatened a total consumption of the fruits of the earth. When the winter set in, which was on the 24th of December, the cold came on with violence. Till that day the weather had been for the most part fair, and open, with gentle frosts at night; but, by the 26th, the river was so frozen over that they of Charlestown could not come to the sermon at Boston, till afternoon at high water. From that time their chief care was to keep themselves warm, and as comfortable in other respects as their scanty means would permit. They were so short of provisions that many were obliged to live upon mus cles, clams and other shell fish, with groundnuts and acorns instead of bread. ' Oh,' says Roger Clap, ' the hunger that many suffered, and saw no hope in the eye of reason to be relieved. Flesh, of all kinds was a rare thing, and bread so very scarce that sometimes I thought the very crumbs of my * Douglass, in his way, says, ' Winthrop was very charitable particularly in distributing his medicinal Van Belmont nostrums among the poor.' HISTORY OF BOSTON. 39 father's table would have been sweet to me; and when I could have meal and water and salt boiled together' (the ele ments of a favourite New England dish) ' who could wish better !' Being thus situated, they beheld with much joy the return of Captain William Pierce on the 5th of February 1631, in the ship Lion, laden with provisions, according to a contract which he had made previous to his sailing away in the fall. We close this chapter of calamities with an account of the first fire which is recorded to have happened in Boston. About noon on the 16th of March, 1631, the chimney of Mr. Thomas Sharp's house caught fire, the splinters not being clayed at the top, and taking the thatch burnt it down. The wind being Northwest drove the fire to Mr. Colburn's house* which was some rods off, and burnt that down also. Both of these gentlemen's houses were as good and as well furnished as the most in the plantation. Much of their own furniture was destroyed, together with the goods of some other families, which occupied parts of their houses. Captain Pierce was soon ready to return, and Mr. Wilson had made arrangements to go Avith him. On the 29th of March he had an affectionate meeting at the Governour's, with a number of his people. He recommended to them the strict observance of religious duties during his absence, and designated Messrs. Winthrop, Dudley and Nowell, as the per sons in his opinion best qualified to lead the devotions of the congregation. He sailed from Salem on the first of April, and the Boston church was thus left destitute of a preacher, until the arrival of Mr. John Eliot in the November following. chronological items. With a view to exhibit some traces of the early progress in trade, and of the customs of the times, we introduce a few miscellaneous articles, in this place. 1630. Aug. 23. Ordered that carpenters, joiners, brick layers, sawyers and thatchers take no more than tAvo shillings a day under pain of ten shillings to giver and taker.— Orders similar to this were frequently made, regulating and altering the prices of labour and of commodities. Six years after, it was left to towns to agree upon prices among themselves. * Mr. Colburn was chosen deacon after the death of Dr. Gager, but is always called by his title of Mr. whicb in those days was used as the term Esquire is at present. Church mem ber were invariably distinguished as ' our brother' or 'our sister.' Goodman and Goodwife were common appellations. 40 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Oct. 25. The Governour began to discourage the practice of drinking toasts at table : so it greAV by little and httle to be disused. The Ambrose was new masted at Charlestown. Messrs. Winthrop and Dudley joined with S. Maverick in sending out a pinnace to trade for corn. She went as far as Rhode Island and procured a hundred bushels. Nov. 9. Proposals are issued to have a ferry set up be tween Boston and Charlestown. 30. One man is to be whipped for stealing a loaf of bread and another for shooting a fowl on the sabbath day. 1631. March 4. Nicholas Knopp was fined five pounds for taking upon him to cure the scurvy by a water of no value, which he sold at a very dear rate; to be imprisoned till he pay his fine, or give security for it, or else be whipped, and be liable to any man's action, of whom he had received money for the said water. 22. All who have cards, dice or gaming tables in their houses shall make way with them before the next court. May 18. Election day at Boston ; Winthrop and Dudley are rechosen by general cqnsent. William Cheeseborough's house burnt at Boston, all the ' people being present. Thomas Williams undertakes to set up the first ferry : has four pence a person from Winnesimet to Boston. June 14. Edward Convers sets up another ferry. July 4. The Governour built a bark at Mystick, which was launched this day, and called the Blessing of the Bay. In the course of the season this vessel made several coasting trips. 26. A night watch of six persons is established at Boston. CharlestoAvn and Roxbury were to furnish two men each, and Boston the other two. Monthly trainings are ordered. Aug. 16. Four men fined for drinking too much. Sept. 27. Mr. Josias is fined for stealing from the In dians and condemned to forfeit his title and henceforth to be called Josias. Oct. 25. Gov. Winthrop notes ' a plentiful crop.' 30. A stone house which the Governour was erecting, at Mystick was washed down to the ground, in a violent storm, the walls being laid in clay instead of lime. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 4} CHAPTER VIIL Some are, and must be, greater than the rest. Pope. On the second of November, 1631, the Lion arrived again from England, and brought the Governour's wife and some of his children, together Avith the Rev. John Eliot and about sixty others. This event afforded the Bostonians an oppor tunity to exhibit their attachment to Mr. Winthrop by one of those publick demonstrations, in which they have always delighted. The vessel was detained below the town two days, and in that time preparation was made for the recep tion of the honourable passengers. When the Governour and his family left the ship, the Captain gave them a salute of six or seven guns, and at the landing, the military officers re ceived them Avith a guard, and welcomed them with divers volleys of shot and three artillery pieces. Several of the as sistants and most of the people of the neighbourhood assem bled to witness the scene and to enhance the joyfulness of the occasion, marvellous store of kids, venison, poultry, geese and partridges, and other luxuries were brought and sent as presents. The like manifestation of love had never been seen in New England. It is hardly necessary to add that on the ilth of November they kept a day of thanksgiving at Boston. The succeeding winter passed away without any material occurrences. At the General Court, in Boston, ou the 8th of May, 1632, the same Governour and Deputy were elected, and it Avas then thought expedient to pass an order that two men should be chosen from each town, to confer with the Court of Assistants about raising a publick stock. This or der was the first step towards a house of representatives.* * More of form was given to this branch of the government in April 1634, when it was determined, that the freemen of each plantation should choose two or three before every general court, and that such persons so deputed should have full power to deal in all the affairs of the commonwealth, wherein the freemen have to do, excepting only the election of magistrates, at which every man was still to give his own voice. In 1636 the number of rep resentatives was apportioned according to the number of inhabitants, no town to have more than three, and persons might send their written votes, endorsed by tbe name of the voter, Instead of attending in person at the court on Election day. 6 42 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The delegates were at that time called deputies or committees, and Messrs. William Colburn and William Cheeseborough had the honour to be the first from Boston. Mr. Wilson returned from London, bringing his wife with him, on the 26th of May, and the congregation began in Au gust to build a house for publick worship, and one for the residence of their pastor. Towards these purposes they made a voluntary contribution of a hundred and twenty pounds. The meeting house was erected on the south side of State Street, opposite.the neAv building now erecting at the head of Wilson's lane, for the accommodation of the United States' Branch Bank. Its roof was thatched and its walls were of mud. It would be pleasant to be able to point to the very ground whereon this first temple stood. Mr. Emerson, in his histori cal sketch ofthe church, fixes it not far from the spot on which the Exchange Coffee House had been newly reared. But our search for that edifice is equally unavailing: literally, not one, stone of that enormous structure is left upon another. A writer in seventeen hundred ninety-five says it was on the ground on which the Branch bank then stood : Ave trust it will never be so difficult to direct the future inquirer to the new office of the present Branch,* As the season grew late and the weather severe, those members of tMe church who belonged to Charlestown, found it inconvenient to attend worship in Boston. They therefore signified their desire to constitute a new society on the other side of the river. The eleventh of October Avas set apart for seeking the direction of Heaven, and on the fourteenth, eigh teen men and fifteen women were peaceably dismissed from their relation to the church. These afterwards elected Mr. Thomas James for their teacher, and formed the first, congre gational church in CharlestOAvn. Up to that period one hundred and fifty one members, of whom one hundred and thirty were brethren, had joined the Boston church in full communion. In those days they had a distinction of offices in the church which does not prevail among us. Mr. Wilson was at first ordained as teacher, and on the 22d of November he was chosen pastor. Mr. Thomas Oliver was also chosen ruling elder. They were both ordained in form; the two deacons first imposing hands upon the elder, and then the elder and two deacons upoirthe pastor. The church made considerable effort to retain Mr. Eliot with them in the capacity of teacher, but were disap pointed by his fixed resolution to settle at Roxbury. Boston was now gradually assuming preeminence over the other towns. The court had resolved by general consent, in * The Dorchester people had built a meeting house prior to March 1632. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 43 October, that it was the fittest place for publick meetings of any in the bay, and ordered a house of correction to be built here, and also a house for the beadle, which Avas a corpora tion officer, something similar to a sheriff. Considerable progress had been made towards the fortification of the town, by works on Fort Hill, which was then called Corn Hill, and the people had increased so rapidly that the land within the peninsula was not sufficient for their use. The right of improving several places, in the neighbourhood, for their cattle and the procuring of wood, had therefore been granted them. Another ferry had also become necessary be tween this and Charlestown, and the Avind mill had been brought from Watertown. The latter was a source of profit. It would seem that Dudley did not Avitness this advance of Boston with perfect satisfaction. According to the agreement before mentioned, he Avith Mr. Secretary Bradstreet and oth er gentlemen of note, went forward in the spring of sixteen hundred thirty-one, with their design to build at Newtown. The Deputy finished his house in a style which the Governour thought too expensive and showy, both on account of the hard ness of the times, and of the example, which might lead others to undue extravagance. A wainscoting of clapboards con stituted this offensive peculiarity. The GoA'ernour himself had also set up a bouse at Newtown, but in the course ofthe fall he had it taken down and removed to Boston, where he had resolved in future to reside. This step was no small dis appointment to the rest, and occasioned some ill Avill between the Governour and Deputy. The latter accused the former of a breach of his promise to build at NewtoAvn. The dis content became so great that their mutual friends advised them to submit tlie subject to the opinion of several ministers. The Governour's answer to the accusation against him Avas, that he had fulfilled the words of his promise, having had a house up, and servants living in it by the day appointed. As to the remoA'al of the house, he alleged that he perceived the other assistants did not go forward in building : and more over, the people of Boston having been discouraged by the Deputy from removing to Newtown, had petitioned him, under all their hands, not to leave them, according to the promise he had made to them, when they first sat down Avith him.at Boston. On these and similar explanations, the referees agreed that the Governour's conduct was in some degree ex cusable, and he acknowledged himself faulty, so far as hey declared him to be so. They awarded that he should pay the Deputy twenty pounds towards his expenses in building, or else provide a minister for the people at NeAvtoAvn, and contribute something towards his maintenance for a time. The Governour Avisely chose to do the former, and remitted the 44 HISTORY OF BOSTON. money. The Deputy was not behind him in complaisance,, and returned the same with assurances that he was so well satisfied of the Governour's good will, that he should not have been tempted to accept it, if it had been a hundred pounds instead of twenty. Thus this difficulty terminated, and they afterwards kept peace and friendly correspondency together. Fac simile of the Governour and Deputy's Signatures. The rising importance of the Massachusetts colony early attracted the attention of travellers as well as of statesmen, and perhaps the fair report of some of the former may have had as much influence in awakening the jealousy ofthe latter, as the misrepresentations of some disaffected persons are supposed to have had. William Wood, the author of New England's Prospect, has furnished us with the result of his observations in and about Boston in the year 1633. His descriptions are so accurate that they could hardly be amended, and the facts noticed by him are mostly corroborated by other accounts. They are therefore peculiarly entitled to a place here. ' First I will begin with the outmost plantation in the patent, to the southward, Avhich is called Wichaguscusset [Wey mouth.] This is but a small village, yet is well timbered and hath good store of hay ground. — Three miles to the north of this is Mount Wolaston, a very fertile soil, and a place very convenient for farmers' houses, there being great store of plain ground, without trees — Six miles further to the north lieth Dorchester, which is the greatest town in New England, Avell wooded and Avatered, very good arable and hay grounds. The inhabitants of this town Avere the first that set upon the trade of fishing in the bay. — A mile from this town lieth Rox bury which is a fair and handsome country town ; the inhab itants of it being all very rich : a clear and fresh brook _runs HISTORY OF BOSTON. 45 through the town, and a quarter of a mile to the north is A small river called Stony River, upon which is built a water mill. Up westward it is something rocky, whence it hath the name of Roxbury. Here is no harbour for ships, because the town is seated in tbe bottom of a shallow bay; which is made by the neck of land on which Boston is built, so that they can transport all their goods from the ships in boats from Boston, which is the nearest harbour. ' This harbour is made by a great company of islands, whose high cliffs shoulder out the boisterous seas ; yet may ea sily deceive any unskilful pilot ; presenting many fair openings and broad sounds, which afford too shallow water for ships, though navigable for boats, and pinnaces. It is a safe and pleasant harbour within, having but one common and safe en trance, and that not very broad ; there scarce being room for three ships to come in board and board at a time ; but being once in, there is room for the anchorage of 500 ships. The seamen having spent their old store of wood and water, may here have fresh supplies from the adjacent islands, with good timber to repair their weather beaten ships. ' Boston is two miles N. E. of Roxbury. Its situation is very pleasant, being a peninsula hemmed in on the south side by the bay of Roxbury,. and on the north side, Avith Charles river, the marshes on the back-side, being not half a quarter of a mile over ; so that a little fencing will secure their cattle from the wolves.. The greatest wants are wood and meadow ground, which never Avere in this place ;* being constrained to fetch their building timber, and fire wood from the islands in boats, and their- hay in loyters ; it being a neck, and bare of wood, they are not troubled with these great annoyances, wolves, rattlesnakes and muspuetos. Those, that live here upon their cattle, must be constrained to take farms in the country, or else they cannot subsist ; the place being too small to contain many, and fittest for such as can trade into England, for such commodities as the country Avants, being the chief place for shipping and merchandize. ' This neck of land is not above four miles in compass, in form almost square, having on the south side, at one corner, * Mr. Wood was wrong in asserting that ' wood was never in this place.' It had doubtless been the favourite residence of the natives for many years, and a considerable portion had been cleared by burning, as was tbeir custom for the culture of corn ; hence it was sometimes called the -plain -neck, and compared with the surrounding country, covered with intermina ble forests, it might, with propriety be callpd plain. There were, however, many large clumps left, sufiicient for fuel and timber. The growth was probably similar to that of the islands. Had the peninsula been wholly denuded of trees, even the temptation of Mr. Black- stoneVspring of fresh water, could not have induced tbe first planters to settle at Shawmut qn the approach of a rigorous winter — Shaw. 46 HISTORY OF BOSTON. a great broad hill, whereon is planted a fort, Avhichcan com mand any ship, as she sails into the harbour within the stilt bay. On the north side is another hill, equal in bigness, whereon stands a windmill. To the northwest is a high mountain, with three little rising hills on the top of it, where fore it is called THE TRAMOUNT. 'From the top of this mountain, a man may overlook all the islands which lie within the bay, and descry such ships as are on the sea coast. ' This town although it be neither the greatest nor the rich est, yet is the most noted and frequented, being the centre of the plantations, where the monthly courts are kept. Here likewise dwells the Governour. This place hath very good land affording rich corn-fields and fruitful gardens, having likewise sweet and pleasant springs. The inhabitants of this place, for their enlargement, have taken to themselves farm houses in a place called Muddy River, [Brookline] two miles from the town, where there is good ground, large tim ber, and store of marsh land and meadow. In this place they keep their swine and other cattle in the summer, whilst the corn is in the ground at Boston, and bring them to town in the Avinter. ' NeAvtown [Cambridge] is one of the neatest and best com pacted towns in New England, having many fair structures, with many handsome contrived streets : the inhabitants most of them are very rich. — Hatf a mile westward of this is Wa tertown, a place nothing inferior for land, wood, meadows and water to Newtown. Within half a mile of this town is a great pond which is divided between the two towns, and di vides their bounds to the northward. Both towns are on the north side of the river Charles. ' On the same side of that river is CharlestoAvn, which is another neck of land, on whose north side runs Mystick river. At this town there is kept a ferry boat to convey passengers over Charles river, which between the banks is a quarter of a mile over, being a very deep channel. Up higher is a broad fe HISTORY OF BOSTON. 47 bay, being above two miles between the shores, into which run Stony river and Muddy river. ToAvards the southwest in the midst of this bay is a great oyster bank : towards the northeast is a great creek, upon whose shore is situated a small village [included within the bounds of Charlestown.] At the bottom of this bay, the river begins to be narrower, being but half a quarter bfa mile broad. ' The next town is Mystick [Medford] which is three miles from Charlestown by land, and a league and a half by water. It is seated by the water side very pleasantly; there are not many houses as yet. On the west side of this river the Gov ernour hath a farm, where he keeps most of his cattle. On the east side is Mr. Craddoek's plantation, where he hath a park impaled and keeps his cattle, till he can store it with deer. Here likeAvise he is at charges of building ships. The last year one Avas upon the stocks of an hundred tons ; that being finished they are to build one of twice her burden. ' The last town in the still bay is Winnesimet [Chelsea,] a very sweet place for situation : it is Avithin a mile of Charles town, the river only parting them. ' The next plantation is Saugus [including Lynn] six miles northeast from Winnesimet. This town is pleasant fbr situa tion, seated at the, bottom of a bay, whichis made on one side with the surrounding shore, and on fhe other side with a long sandy beach, which is tAvo miles long to the end, whereon is a neck of land called Nahant. Upon the south side of the sandy beach the sea heateth, Avhich is a true prognostication, to presage storms and foul weather, and the breaking up of the frost : for when a storm hath been or is likely to be, it will roar like thunder, so as to be heard six miles. Upon the north side of this bay are two great marshes which are made two by a pleasant river which runs between them. At the mouth of this river runs up a great creek into that great marsh which is called Romney Marsh, and is four miles long and two miles broad, half of it being marsh ground, and half up land grass without tree or bush.' These descriptions Avere sketched before the fifteenth of August, 1633, on Avhich day Wood set sail for England, and were published Xhe next year accompanied with a curious map, engraved on Avood. 48 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER IX. " Lands ydu may have, we value not the soil, Accounting tillage too severe a toil." While the people of Boston depended in good measure upon the productions of their farms and gardens for subsist ence, their wants could not be supplied from the land within the peninsula, which did not originally exceed seven hundred acres. They were therefore allowed to extend themselves into various parts of the adjacent territory, and many of the places described in the extract we have just finished, were under the improvement of Bostonians. Conant's Island [Governour's I.] was granted to Gov. Winthrop for a nominal rent, and thus became a part of Boston, in April sixteen hundred and thirty-two. In the same year, that part of Chel sea between Powder-horn hill and Pull-in point was assigned to Boston forever, and not a long time after, the whole of Win nesimet was annexed. Brookline or Muddy river was owned and occupied by persons considered as belonging to Boston. As early as April 1634, Long Island, Hog and Deer Islands, were granted to Boston by the court for a nominal yearly rent, and convenient enlargement at Mount Wolaston was al lowed to her inhabitants. They were allowed to cut wood on Dorchester neck, but the jurisdiction was to remain with Dorchester. Romney Marsh, Spectacle Island, and Noddle's Island were added before the end of sixteen hundred and thirty-six. These grants are recorded in the colony records, and it is probable the remaining Islands were occasionally annexed afterwards. At these several places, portions were allotted to every family in Boston according to their number and necessities. The question has been asked, by what right did our ances tors take and retain possession of the landswe inherit? The answer is as complete and satisfactory as such a case admits. So far as the King of England's title was conberned, the grant of the council of Plymouth to the six gentlemen and their asso ciates, and the subsequent confirmation of the King, which empowered them and others to dispose of the lands to the best advantage, were considered sufficient to cancel his claim to property in the soil. The Indians that formerly possessed these parts werefewin number when our fathers arrived. A pestilence had not long HISTORY OF BOSTON. 49 before carried off whole tribes in a manner almost in credible. Of such as remained near Boston, the greater part were peaceably disposed, and Chicatabot, the reigning sa chem, instead of repelling the settlers from his dominions by force of arms, administered to their comfort, and finally sold them this speck of his extensive territory for a valuable con sideration. The evidence ofthe conveyance is found in a quit claim deed of one of his grandsons : it is a very curious docu ment, dated in March sixteen hundred eighty-five,* and we insert it for the satisfaction or amusement of the present inhabitants. At this distance of time, to be sure, there is no danger of disturbance from the descendants of Chicatabot ; still the peaceable and upright manner, in Avhich our ancestors obtained a title to the soil, is not to be forgotten. To understand the occasion of this and similar instruments drawn about the same period, it is necessary to anticipate the fact that the charter, or patent under which the Massachusetts colony held, was likely then to be vacated ; and the people were told that in that case their title to their estates would be of no value. Besides, even if the vacating of- the charter might not annihilate the rights acquired under it in legal form, it was said that the General Court had not made their grants of land under the seal of the colony. This was represented as a glaring defect, which possession and improvement could not supply. When the patent was annulled (of which official information was received July 2, 1685) and a new govern ment established, writs of intrusion were brought against some ofthe principal persons _in the colony, and the landholders were obliged to acknowledge the insufficiency of their title, and pay the fees for a new deed. Randolph, a notable char acter, petitioned for half an acre of land, to be taken out of the common in Boston, and other favourites looked with a longing eye on some of the best estates, especially where the property was in a town or company : hence it was important to have in readiness every possible proof to evidence the rightful possession of the occupants.! * See a copy of this Indian Quitclaim in Appendix No. I. t See Hutch. Hist. i. ch. iii. There was no registry of deeds here before 1652. 5Q history ok boston. CHAPTER X. A gentleman that is very singular in his behaviour, but his singularities proceed from bis good sense. — Spectator. There was another claim beside that of the Indians and the king of England, which the settlers at Boston were bound to satisfy. By right of previous possession, Mr. Blackstone had a title to proprietorship in the whole peninsula. It was in fact for a time called Blackstone's neck. How far he con sidered himself the owner of the soil, and what agreement he made with Mr. Johnson when he invited him to cross the river, does not now appear. The records of the colony inform us that in April 1633, the court ordered fifty acres of ground to be set out for him, near to his house in Boston, to belong to him forever. This quantity amounted to at least a fourteenth part of , the whole place, which shows that his rights as orig inal possessor were not regarded altogether null. On the Boston records under date of November 10, 1634, among other, taxes assigned to William Cheeseborough the constable, and others for assessment and collection, we find a rate of thirty pounds to Mr. Blackstone : for what purpose it was levied will appear from the following DEPOSITION. The deposition of John Odlin, aged about Eighty two yeares, Robert Walker aged about Seventy Eight yeares, Francis Hudson aged about Sixty eight yeares, and Wil liam Lytherland aged about Seventy Six yeares. These Deponents, being ancient dwellers and Inhabitants of the Town of Boston in New-England from the first planting and Setling thereof and continuing so at this day, do jointly testify and depose that in or about the yeare of our Lord One thousand Six hundred thirty and four the then present Inhabitants of said Town of Boston (of whome the Honour able John Winthrop Esq. Governour of the Colony was chiefe) did treate and agree with Mr. William Blackstone for the purchase of his Estate and right in any Lands lying within the said neck of Land called Boston, and for said purchase agreed that every householder should pay Six Shillings, which was accordingly collected, none paying less, some considerably more than Six Shillings, and the said sume collected, was delivered and paid to Mr: Black stone to his full content and Satisfaction, in consideration HISTORY of boston. 51 whereof hee Sold unto the then Inhabitants of said Town and their heirs and assigns for ever his whole right and interest in all and every of the Lands lying within the said Neck Reserveing onely unto him selfe about Six acres of Land on the point commonly called Blackstons point on part whereof his then dwelling house stood ; after which purchase the Town laid out a place for a trayning field ; which ever since and now is used for that purpose, and for the feeding of cattell : Robert Walker, and William Lytherland farther Testify that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of Cows Avith the Money he received as above, and Removed and dwelt near Providence where he liv'd till the day of his Death. Deposed this 10th of June 1684, by John Odlin, Robert Walker, Francis Hudson, and William Lytherland according to their respective Testimonye Before us S. JfJratiStmt, Governour. Sam. Scfoall, Assist. Precisely at what time Mr. Blackstone ceased to be an in habitant of Boston we are not informed, His name appears once more in the colony records under date of April 7, 1635, Avhen.Nahanton was ordered to pay him two skins of beaver for damages done his swine by setting of traps. An allotment of fifteen acres at Muddy river was made to him by the allot- ters of Boston, in January 1638, and on the ninth of March in the same year, his name is mentioned for the last time, in des cribing the boundaries of certain lots of lands. It is stated by one author* that he left Boston about that time, Avhich cor responds with the statement of another t that he lived in Bos ton nine or ten years. Mr. Blackstone was a very eccentrick character. He was a man of learning, and had receiA'ed episcopal ordination in England ; seems to have been of the puritan persuasion and to have left his native country for his nonconformity. Johnson says he was here before the vernal of twenty-nine, which makes him to have come over with Mr. Endicott. Hubbard adopts the authority and tells us he began to hew stones in the mountains, wherewith to build, but Avhen he saw all sorts of stones would not suit in the building, as he supposed, he betook himself to till the ground, wherein probably he was more skilled, or at least had a better faculty ; retaining no symbol of his former profession but his canonical coat. Mather is less rude, and allows him to have been a godly * Bachus Vol. i. 58. t Lechford, who wrote bis 'Plain Dealing' in 1611. Hutch. 1. ch. i. v. 52 HISTORY OF BOSTON. episcopalian, though he was of a particular humour, and would never join himself to any of our churches, giving this reason for it : / came from England, because I did not like the lord-bishops ; but I cannot join with you, because I would not be under the lord-brethren.* . He had been admitted to take the freeman's oath in May, 1631, before the order was passed, which restricted that privilege to church members only. He cultivated with success the six acres which he retained, and; soon had a gar den plot and an orchard, near his cottage and spring. These we take to have been situated in the neighbourhood , of the present Alms House. The point, at which Cragie's bridge commences, is called, on the ancient plans of, the town, Barton's point, and is the same referred to in the foregoing deposition. It was not very long before Mr. Blackstone found that there might be more than one kind of nonconformity, and was virtu ally obliged to leave the remainder of his estate here, and re move a second time into the wilderness. We have no thought that ' he was driven from Boston because he was an episcopal minister,' but a man may be very ill at ease in many a place where he may be allowed to stay by sufferance. Let the cause of his removal have been what it may, certain it is that he went and settled by the Pawtucket river, ' built a house and cultivated part of the land noAV Comprising the Whipple farm in Cumberland,' Rhode Island. The place to which he removed, the ' Attleborough Gore ' of history, fell within the limits of Plymouth colony, in the records of which colony we find still farther memoirs of this respectable and memorable man. His name, however, does not occur in those records until the year 1661, when mention is made of a place ' called by tbe natives Waweepoonseag, ¦where one Blackstone now Hveth.' This was probably sthe aboriginal name of a rivulet, at present known as Abbot's Run, which is tributary to the Pawtucket. At this his new plantation he lived uninterrupted for many years, and there raised an orchard, the first that ever bore apples in Rhode Island. He had the first of the sort called yellow sweetings, that were ever in the world, and is said to have planted the first orchard in Massachusetts also. Mr. Blackstope's house was situated near the banks of the river, on a knoll Avhich he named Study Hill. It was sur rounded by a park, Avhich was his favourite and daily walk for a series of years. Though he Avas far from agreeing in opinion with Roger Williams, he used frequently to go to Providence to preach the gospel; and to encourage- his younger hearers, while he gratified his own benevolent dispo- * Hubbard N.E. p. lis. Johnson W. W. P. ch. ix. Magnalia i. 221. MLEETCJLS JLWW EASTI 'Sie.flKIDIH-SDK'IIV i HISTORY OF BOSTON. 53 sition, he would give them of his apples, which were the first they ever saw. It is said that when he grew old and unable to travel on foot, not having any horse, he used to ride on a bull, which he had tamed and tutored to that use. He died May 26, 1675, and lies buried on classick ground, on Study Hill, where a flat stone marks his grave. Concerning Mr. Blackstone's family we infer that it con sisted of but three persons while he continued in Boston : he having had a portion for three heads allotted to him at Muddy River. His wife, whose name Avas Sarah, died about two years before him. He left a son named John, for whom guardians were appointed in 1675, and a daughter who was married to Mr. John Stevenson. The death of this venerable pilgrim happened at a critical period, the beginning of an Indian war. His estate was des olated, and his house burnt by the natives. His library which contained a hundred and eighty-six volumes, from folios to pamphlets, shared the same fate. His family is now ex tinct : but we hope and trust the musing stranger will hereaf ter find his name on some marble tablet of historical inscrip tions erected by the munificent hand of some Bostonian.* CHAPTER XI. For empire formed, and fit to rule the rest. Dn/den. The long desired arrival of Mr. Cotton took place on the fourth of September, 1633. He came in the Griffin, a ship of three hundred tons, Avhich brought about two hundred other passengers. His celebrity which was great in England, had already filled the American settlements, and prepared him a most welcome reception. His talents were considered common property, and it was the immediate concern of the wise and good, where he should fix his residence and how receive an honourable support. He might have selected any situation in the country, and was indeed urged to accept seve ral invitations other than Avhat he received in Boston, but he was somewhat compelled by the advice ofthe Governour and a council of the elders in the colony, as well as the unanimous voice of the First Church here to bestow his principal labours. It was at first proposed that Mr. Cotton should be maintained from the treasury, in consideration of the political as well as ecclesiastical benefits, that were expected from his ministry ; * Mass. H. C 2. ix: 174. x. 170. 54 HISTORY OF BOSTON. but the maturer judgment of a majority of the council quash ed the proposal. Mr. Cotton was ordained teacher of the First Church on the tenth of October ; and on the same day Mr. Thomas Leverett was chosen a ruling elder, and Mr. Giles Firmin, sen. a godly apothecary from Sudbury in England was chosen deacon.* In addition to the imposition ofthe hands ofthe elders, as in the case of Mr. Wilson, the ceremony of calling on the people to signify their election of the candidate, and on him to ac knowledge his acceptance of their call, and also the presenta tion of the right hand of fellowship by the neighbouring min isters, was introduced on this occasion. Immediately upon his induction, Mr. Cotton entered upon the duties of his office ; and so great was his influence both in ecclesiastical and civil affairs, that the measures he recommended were forthwith adopted in the church, and his private political counsels were with equal readiness enforced by the government.! Considerable trading had already been carried on at Bose ton, but there appears not to have been any regular system introduced, until March, 1 634. In Gov. Winthrop's journal for that month, it is stated that by order of court a market was erected at Boston to be kept upon Thursday the fifth day of the week, being lecture day. J Samuel Cole set up the first house of entertainment, and John Cogan, merchant, the first shop. In July of the preceding year, a proposition had been made by the Plymouth people, to have the Bostonians join with them in trading to Connecticut, but they thought fit not to meddle with it. The General Court this year held their session in Mr. Cot ton's meeting house. It fell to his lot to preach the Election sermon, and he improved the occasion to deliver this doctrine, that a magistrate ought not to be turned into the condition of a private man, without just cause and on publick conviction, any more than a magistrate may turn a private man out of his freehold without publick trial. His sermon, however, did not have the effect he probably intended; for the freemen pro ceeding forthwith to vote for a Governour and Deputy, Mr. Winthrop Avas left out, Mr. Dudley chosen in his place, and Mr. Roger Ludlow elected Deputy. A consequence of this change was that Newtown became the seat of government for the year ensuing. * This Mr. Firmin's son Giles practised physick at Ipswich and afterwards returned to England. f Emerson's Hist. First Church. j: This is the earliest notice of the Thursday lectures in the Journal, but an order of court, passed in October 1633, regulating the hours at which lectures should be held (l.P.M^ shows that they had been earlier established. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 55 In the course of the fall, a little affair occurred which serves ^o. show us somewhat ofthe spirit ofthe times. Some of the people had been abused and insulted on board a vessel in the harbour, and it was thought best'' not to suffer the insult tp pass unnoticed., The power of the government and the ad vice of the ministers was put in requisition, and the supercar go of the ship being on shore was summarily seized, and committed to custody till he gave bail that the offender should be forthcoming. Upon examination, not much could be made ofthe matter, and the bail was discharged with advice to the master not to bring any such disorderly persons this way again. It will hardly be credited, yet it is true that so early as the period of which we are treating, Mr. Cotton found it necessary to exert his influence to suppress superfluous and unnecessarily expensive fashions, The court in September of this year made a law, that tobacco should not be taken in company, or before strangers, and condemned to disuse a great variety of articles of dress. Gold or silver laces, girdles, or hat-bands, embroidered caps, immoderate great veils and immoderate great sleeves incurred special disapprobation. Such things were all subject to forfeiture, with an exception that some of the articles already in use might be worn out. But a sermon of Mr. Cotton's at Salem had as powerful, an effect as the fear of the laAv. He taught the women there, that they had no occasion to wear the veil, in compliance Avith any scriptural direction, and they were so enlightened and convinced by his discourse, that every woman in the afternoon appeared without her veil, and ever after considered it a shame to wear one. Mr.Cotton had before urged the same doctrine at Boston ; we may safely add, with like success.* We have now reached the date of the oldest volume of the tpwn records, that remains extant. The first page comment ces with the doings of the first day of the seventh month,t 1634. This entry, and those made for a short time after, appear in the handwriting of Gov. Winthrop ; a circumstance which makes us regret the more, that the records of the four first years should have been lost. We are thus left without direct information of the course pursued in regard to the di vision of land among the settlers, and of other steps they must have taken to bring their affairs into so good order as we find them in, at this period. It is apparent from this first record that the manage ment of the affairs of the town had been committed to a select body of men. The number at this period was ten, as ap pears from the following extract : * Winthrop, March 4, 16S4. Hubbard, N. E. 285. 1 Equivalent to September; March being considered the first month, S6 HISTORY OF BOSTON. ' Month 8th, day 6th. At a general meeting upon publick notice given the fifth day of the last week it was ordered and agreed as follows : ' Imprimis. Richard Bellingham, Esquire, and J. Cogan, merchant, Avere chosen in the place of Giles Firmin [senior] deceased, to make up the number 10, to manage the affairs of the town.' The persons thus chosen are not distinguished by the ap pellation of Selectmen, till the year sixteen hundred and forty five : they were sometimes called Townsmen. Dorchester chose such a body in 1633, for the first time : it is probable that the measure had been previously adopted in Boston: Charlestown did not choose them till 1634. The courts of the colony had made no provision for any such form of town gov ernment. It is not till May 3d. 1636, that we find an order to the following effect : — The freemen of every town are em powered to dispose of lands, grant lots and make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their town, hot repugnant to laws of court or kingdom; also to lay fines not exceeding twenty shillings, appoint officers, constables and surveyors. — It is clear that the town of Boston exercised all this authority long before the passing of this order. The course had proba bly been adopted by common consent, and some event may have occurred, which rendered it necessary to give the sanc tion of court to the procedure. The names of the first board of Selectmen on record are John Winthrop Giles Firmin [sen.] William Coddington John Coggeshall Capt. [John] Underhill William Pierce Thomas Oliver Robert Harding Thomas Leverett William Brenton. It was customary for the inhabitants to meet to transact business relative to the police of the town immediately after the Thursday lecture. On the 1 1th of December they met to choose seven men who should divide the town lands among them. They chose by ballot and elected all ' of the inferior sort ' except one of the elders and a deacon. This was done through fear that the richer gentlemen would not give the poorer class so large a proportion of the land as they thought should be allotted to them, but would rather leave a greater part at liberty for new comers and for Common, which Gov. Winthrop had often persuaded them was best for the town. Mr. Cotton and others were offended at this proceeding. Mr. Winthrop expressed his regret that Boston should be the first to shake off her magistrates ; whereupon, on motion of Mr. Cotton, who shoAved them that it was scriptural to have all such business committed to the elders, they all agreed to have a new election, which was deferred to the next lecture day. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 57 The town records are silent as to the names of the first ' inferior sort :' those who Avere chosen at the second meet ing, December 18th, 1634, were, Mr. Winthrop, Mr, Colburn, Mr. Coddjngton, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Oliver, and Mr. Bellingham, William Balston. The jealousy, manifested by the people on this Occasion, was natural, and the exhibition of their power may have been politick and prudent : their submission to the arguments of Mr. Cotton and Mr. Winthrop was reasonable, and evinces a character, of which their posterity may without vanity be proud. CHAPTER XII. These drew not for their fields the sword Like, tenants of a feudal lord. Scott. This committee was empowered ' to divide and dispose of all such lands, belonging to the town, as are not yet in the lawful possession of any particular person, according to the orders of the court, leaving such portions in common, for the use of new comers, and the further benefit of the town, as in their best discretion they shall think fit — the islands hired by the town to be also included in this order.' On the ninth of February following, ' it is agreed by general consent, that all the inhabitants shall plant only upon such ground as is al ready broken up, or inclosed, in the neck,* or else upon the ground at Noddle's Island from Mr. Maverick's grant, and that every able man, fit to plant, shall have allowed to him two acres to plant on, and every able youth one acre, to be allotted out by Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Cogan, Mr. Sampford, and Wil liam Cheeseborough, and Mr. Brenton, or any three of them.' Neither of these, it will be perceived, were on the former committee : their duties were different, the one regarding chiefly the lands within the peninsula, the other having refer- * Those who have occasion to search the early records of the town, should know, that sometimes the whole peninsula was called tbe Neck ; sometimes that part only, which con nects Boston with Roxbury j and sometimes they will meet with the expression, within the Neck, (and the two Necks, and the inward Neck.) These distinctions are to be particularly observed in tracing the original titles of the allotments .— Shaw.. 8 £8 HISTORY OF BOSTON. ence to the lands at Muddy river, Pullin point, and other pla ces assigned to Boston people for their improvement. What special care they took to preserve themselves a pe culiar people, will appear from the record of the 30th No vember, 1635. ' It is agreed, that no further allotments shall be granted unto any new comers, but such as may be likely to be received members ofthe congregation. — Item, that none shall sell their houses or allotments to any new comers, but with the consent and allowance of those that are appointed allotters Item, that all such as have allotments for habitation allotted unto them shall build thereon, before the first of the first month next, called March, or else it shall be in the power of the allotters to dispose of them.' Several instances occur red in which these orders were faithfully executed : fines were inflicted on some who ventured to bargain for lands without permission, and sales were declared void. Those who failed to build were compelled to offer satisfactory excuse.* Four days after the passing of the above order, il was further agreed ' that in regard of the unequal disposing of the planting ground heretofore, none shall be accounted to have any estate of inheritance in any planting ground upon the neck save only in their house plots, gardens, and yards, until the town shall take order for a more equal disposing thereof by distribution. And on the 14th of December, ten days after the last, it is agreed by general consent, that the poorer sort of inhabitants, such as are members, or likely so to be, and, have no cattle, shall have their proportion of allotments for planting ground and other assigned unto them by the al lotters, and laid out at Muddy river by the aforenamed five persons, [viz. Messrs. Colburn, Aspinwall, Sampford, Balston, and Richard Wright] or four of them — those that fall between the foot of the hill and the water, lo have but four acres upon a head, and those that are farther off to have five acres for every head, the plot to begin next Muddy river side.' Conformably to the preceding orders a distribution was declared on the 8th of January 1638. The names ofthe heads of families are recorded and the quantity of land allot ted to each, with the boundaries of the same. The number of families of ' the poorer sort' provided forv was eighty-six, * Town Records, June 6, 1636. 'We find that Richard Fairbank hath sold unto two strangers the two houses in Sudbury end, that were Wm. Balston's, contrary to a former or der, and therefore the sale to be wrong, and the said R. F. to forfeit for his breaking thereof five pounds. March 30, 1641. Notice shall be given by the constables unto such as have not built upon their house lots, which have been set out to tbem above a year, that they come to the next meeting to show cause why their lots should not be granted to others, according to the orig inal grant ; and if they come not, that then the town will dispose of them. HISTORY OE BOSTON. Sd and the number of heads 337. Besides these, allotments were assigned to thirty other families, such as Gov. Win- throp's, Mr. Wilson's, Mr. Cotton's, Mr. Robert Keayne's and other principal persons, some of Avhom had upwards of 300 acres apiece. On the tenth of January 1642, it was found necessary to adopt the following vote. ' Notwithstanding the order made concerning the disposing of land in this neck, on the fourth of the tenth, sixteen hundred thirty-five, yet for peace sake and for avoiding of confusion in the town, many lands having been bought and sold at dear rates, the rights of all lands disposed of, shall belong to the present owners as they should have done, if the former order had never been, and the said former order is hereby repealed. Provided, that this order shall not concern such marsh ground as hath been let from year to year.' Under date of March 4th ensuing we find another record on this subject, when it is ordered that the residue of the town's lands, not yet disposed of (excepting those that are laid out for commons at Boston, Braintree, and Muddy River) shall be divided amongst the present inhabitants, together with such as shall be admitted within two months now next following, and that in this manner, viz. a greater proportion to them that have had less than their due, and the less to them that have had more, and proportionally to them that have had none, and this is to be done by the Selectmen, chosen for the town's business. Finally on the 7th Sept. 1645, we have this important entry; 'whereas the several grants of house lots and other lands, recorded in this town book, are entered only as granted to the proprietors them selves, without mention of their heirs, it has been thought fit to be hereby declared and ordered, that all such grants Avere and shall be intended to be estates in fee simple, with all due and usual privileges and appurtenances, and are to be so construed and taken, to all intents, except in such ca ses wherein any particular estate for term of years is spe* cially expressed.' The foregoing citations present all our direct information ofthe course pursued, in regard to the division of land among the settlers at Boston. All the lands in the colony had be come the property of the company by their charter, and Hubbard informs us, that at a court in May 1629, it was agreed, that every adventurer who had advanced fifty pounds should have 200 acres of land allowed him ; and that 50 acres apiece should be allowed those, that went over at their own charge. This may account for some pf the great lots Ave have mentioned. In the settlement of Salem, at first, the smallest families were entitled to ten-acre lots, with a reserve tK> HISTORY OF BOSTON. of such common lands for pasture, as might accommodate' tbem, hear their own houses.* Johnson, in bis account of Woburn, gives us a more particular account of ' the manner how this people have populated their towns,' than we have discovered elsewhere. ' This town, as all others? saith he, ' had its bounds fixed by the General Court, to the contents of four miles square : the grant is to seven men of good and honest report, upon condition, that, within two years, they erect houses thereon, and so go on to make a town thereof upon the Act of Court. These seven men have power to give and grant out lands unto any persons, who are willing to take up their dwellings within the said precinct, and to be ad mitted to all common privileges of the said town, giving them such an ample portion, both of meado»v and upland, as their present and future stock of cattle and hands were like to im prove, with eye had to others, that might after come to popu late the said town. This they did without any respect' of persons ; yet such as were exorbitant, and of a turbulent spirit,, unfit for a civil society, they would reject: till they come to mend their manners, such came not to enjoy any freehold. These seven men ordered and disposed ofthe streets of the town, as might be best for the improvement of the land, and that civil and religious society maintained. To Avhich end, those that had land nearest the place for Sabbath assembly, hid a lesser quantity at home and more farther off, to improve for corn of all kinds. They refused not men for their poverty, but according to their ability were helpful to the poorest sort, in building their houses, and distributed to them land accordingly : the poorest had six or seven acres of meadow and twenty-five of upland or thereabouts. Thus was this town populated, and after this manner are the towns of NeAv England peopled.' That the inhabitants of Boston Avere equally careful as to the character of those they received among them, as were the people of Woburn, we have already seen, and they continued to be so for a series of years. At a Selectmen's meeting^ January, 1637, ' it was agreed that Widow Bushnell, George Harwood, and John Low, the wheelwright, shall have house lots and gardens upon the usual condition of inoffensive carriage. In 1652, Feb. Richard' Woody is admitted an inhabitant on condition he shall not be offensive by his trade. August, 1657, John Pierce is admitted an inhabitant upon the testimony of James Everill and Isaac Collamore. Care was also taken, to secure the town from charge on account of new comers, and bonds were required to that effect, before leave to reside * Hubbard, N. E. 123—Mnss. H. C 1. vi. 2D2.-W. W.P. ch. xxii. See also Hutch, colt of jftpers, p. 88. 91. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 61 here could be obtained. This practice commenced as early as 1652, and the bonds are recorded in this stile, sc. ' Marga* ret Norris, an Irishwoman is admitted into the town, and David Faulkoner is bound to secure the town from any charge as respecting her, in a bond of seven pounds. Witness his hand ^ . Mark Bai)fi» d. f. jpaulftmier. 26th, of 5th. 1658.' One of the privileges of being admitted an inhabitant was the right to improve the common lands, which so far as we can learn appear to have been reserved in every town. Prior to 1640 mention is frequently made of town fields, in the Boston records, and they seem to have been jnclosed by gen eral fence. Thus,, in Feb. 1635 we read, ' all the fences are to be made sufficient by the seventh ofthe second month, and they to be looked unto by our brother Grubb and Hudson for the new field ; brother Penniman and brother Colburn for the field by him, and by brother Pean and brother Belcher for the fort-field ; brother Matson and brother Everill at the milUfhldJ' "> Again, March J T 1636. All the fences belonging to the town fields are to be overseen and looked unto thus, ' the field towards Roxbury by Jacob Eliot and Jonathan Neegoose; the fort field by James Penn and Richard Gridley ; tjhe mill field by John, Button and Edward Bendall, and the new field by John Audley and Thomas Fairweather.' In June, ' a suf ficient footway is ordered to be made from W. Colburn' s field and unto Samuel Wilbour's field next Roxbury, by the sur veyors of high ways.' Ofthe aboyenamed fields tha^t next to Roxbury * comprised what we at present call the neck ; the fort field that portion of the town lying round about Fort hill : the mill field was at the north part of the town, and was so called from the wind mill, which stood on what is at present called Copp's hill : the new field was that purchased of Mr. Blackstone, and included the ground in the vicinity of the General Hospital ;* out of all these, lots were from time to time granted to individuals. The field by Mr. Colburn contained the greater part t of the present Common, and probably extended at that time as far as Beacon street. * See town records Dec. 26, 1642, and Oct. 28, 1639. t On the 6th October 1787 Wm. Foster conveyed to the town of Boston "a certain tract of land containing two acres and one eighth of an acre situafed lying and being near the Com mon and bounded E. on the highway, 324 ft. North on the Common 295 ft. 5 in. W- on the new burial ground, 302 ft. 3 in. S. on Pleasant St. 281 ft. 9 inches," which makes the Southeast corner ofthe present Common. 62 history of Boston. Respecting this the following vote was passed on the 30th of March 1640, 'Henceforth there shall be no land granted either for house plot or garden to any person, out of the open ground or common field, which is left between the Sentry hill and Mr. Colburn's end, except three or four lots to make up the street from brother Robert Walker's to the round marsh,' This vote was followed in May, 1646, by these, 1.— It is grant ed that all the inhabitants shall have equal right of com monage in the town : those who are admitted by the town are to be inhabitants. 2. — It is ordered that all who shall after the date hereof, come to be an inhabitant in the town of Bos ton shall not have right of commonage, unless he hire it of them that are commoners. 3. — There shall be kept out of the Common by the inhabitants of the town but seventy milch kine. 4. — No dry cattle, young cattle, or horse, shall be free to go on the common this year, but one horse of Elder Oliver. 5.— No inhabitant shall sell his right of commonage, but may only let it out to hire from year to year. 6.— -No common marsh or pasture ground shall hereafter, by gift or sale, exchange or otherwise, be counted unto propriety, with out consent of the major part of the inhabitants of the town.' Thus stood the subject of the Common until May 1660, when ' upon motion of some the inhabitants of Boston, the General Court ordered, that the selectmen of the town from time to time shall, and are hereby empowered to order the improvement and feeding of their commons, within the neck of land, by such cattle as they shall deem meet, any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.' It seemed expedient to throw these materials together in this place, in order that the reader might acquire some idea of the manner in which the tOAvn and individuals obtained their title to their several estates. We leave the after history of the Common to be introduced in another place. chronological items. Continued from p. 40. 1632. July. The congregation, i. e. the church at Boston wrote to the elders and brethren of the other churches for their advice on these questions, to wit, whether one person might be a civil magistrate and a ruling elder at the same time ? if not, then which should he lay down ? and whether there might be divers pastors in the same church ? The first was agreed by all negatively ; the second, doubtful ; the third, doubtful also. In consequence of this decision, Mr. HISTORY of boston. 65 Nowell, who was then an Elder in the Boston church, relin quished that office and devoted himself to the duties of a ci vilian. Aug. 20. Gov. Winthrop has a son born, who is baptized by the name of William. The Governour himself held the child, as others in the congregation did use. William (saith he) signifies a common man.* Sept. 4. Court at Boston. Order a man to be severely whipt for cursing, swearing, justifying the same, and glorying in it. Oct. 3. Every one shall pay a penny sterling for every time of taking tobacco in any place. 18. Capt. Camock and Mr. Vesy, a merchant from Pisca- taqua, bring* sixteen hogsheads of corn to the windmill at Boston. 1633. March 4. Roxbury, Watertown, and Newtown arc assessed six pounds, and Boston only five pounds, of a tax of £30. The first notorious thief in Massachusetts is censured thus : all his estate forfeited ; out of which double restitution shall be made to those whom he hath wronged ; shall be whipt, and bound as a servant to any that will retain him for three years, and after to be disposed of by the court, as they shall think meet. May. We had sent forth a pinnace aftej; the pirate Dixey Bull, but when she had been gone two weeks, she came home, having not found him. Aug. 220 persons had joined Boston church : men 1 30. Sept. Every hand, except magistrates and ministers, is to assist in finishing the fort at Boston. Mr, Cotton desired baptism for his son, born on their pas sage, whom he therefore named Seaborn. Oct. 2. The bark Blessing which had been sent to the Southward returned : she had been at Long Island. Nov. A small ship of about sixty tons Avas built at Med- ford and called the Rebecca. Mr. Wilson, by leave ofthe congregation of Boston, went to Agawam (Ipswich) to teach the people of that plantation. Chicatabot dies, and many of his people. This chief used frequently to come to Boston, and Avas on very friendly terms with Gov. Winthrop. At one time he came Avith his sannops and squaws, and presented the governour with a bushel of corn. After taking some refreshments, and having each a * Journal. Prime, under date Oct. 29, 1630, says, ' The first recorded as baptized in the Boston church are said to be baptized in said church in this month, and are .only three, namely, Joy and Recompence, daughters of Br. John Mines ; and Pitie, daughter of our brother Wni. Baulstone. 64 HISTORY OF BOSTON, cup of sack, with a taste of tobacco, he ordered the whole party away in a thunderstorm. Only himself, with one squaw and sannop staid over night, and the Governbur allow ed him to sit at his table, where he behaved himself as sober ly as an Englishman. He sometimes wore English clothes, and as his best dress had become rather the worse fpr age, he applied to the Governour, in honest simplicity, to sell him a suit. The Governour, assuming the dignity of his office, told him that English sagamores did not use to truck ; and calling his tailor he ordered him to make a full suit for Chica tabot. They were to be ready in three days, and he engag ed to come for them : but as he had no wish to be under an obligation, he left two good skins of beaver as a present for the Governour. He returned at the time appointed, and his regimentals Avere in readiness. They suited him finely and . he was mightily pleased. The Governour complimented him farther with a collation, ' but he would not eat till the Gover nour had given thanks, and after meal he desired him to do the like, and so departed.' In this he exhibited more polite ness than some of his brother chiefs, who while on a visit here were invited to attend a sermon ; for they got weary of the service, and went out and broke into a neighbouring house, and without ceremony satisfied their hungry appetites with the best they could find. This year a water mill Avas built at Roxbury. 1634. March. Boston and Roxbury disagree about their bounds. 4. A man that had often been punished for drunkenness, is now ordered to wear a red D about his neck for a year. There was stirred up a spirit of jealousy between Mr. James the pastor of Charlestown and many of his people, so as Mr. Nowell, and some others who had been dismissed from Boston, began to question the fact of breaking from Bos ton, and it grew to such a scruple of conscience among them, that the advice of the other ministers was taken in it, who after two meetings could not agree about their continuanceor return. April 3. Gov. Winthrop went on foot to Agawam, and because the people there wanted for a minister, spent the sabbath with them, and exercised by way of prophecy. 20. John Coggeshall, gent, being dismissed from the church of Roxbury to Boston, though he were well known and ap proved, yet was not received but by confession of his faith. May. By this time the fort at Boston was in defence, and divers pieces of ordnance mounted in it. The week the court was, there arrived six ships with store of passengers and cattle. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 65 Nov. The Rebecca came from Narraganset with 500 bush els of corn. 1635. Jan. 13. The church of Boston kept a day of hu miliation, for the absence of their pastor and other brethren gone to England, and like to be troubled and detained there, and for that the Lord had made a breach upon them (by .the drowning of two men and tAvo boys a short time previous.) Mr. Cotton preached out of Numbers xxxv. 13, and one of the members taught from these Avords, Wherefore doth a living man complain ? Match 23. Whereas the wood upon the neck of land toward Roxbury gate, this last Avinter, hath been disorderly cut off and wasted, whereby the poor inhabitants are disap pointed of relief they might have had there, in after and needful times, now it is generally agreed that Mr. Treasurer [Coddington], Mr. Bellingham, and Mr. Win. Hutchinson, with the three deacons, shall consider who have been faulty herein, and set down what restitution of wood unto the poor such shall make, according to their several proportions, allot ted by the major part of these six. (&~ Item. That Avhosoever at any publique meeting shall fall into any private conference to ye hindring of ye publique businesses, shall forfeit for every such offence twelve pence to be paid into ye constable's hand for publique uses. May 6. A general court was held at Newtown, when John Haynes, Esq. (of NewtoAvn) was chosen Gov. and Richard Bellingham, Esq. (of Boston) Dep. Gov. The Governour and Deputy were elected by papers wherein their names Avere written, but the Assistants were chosen by papers with out names ; thus the Governour propounded one to the peo ple, when they all went out, and came in at one door, and every man delivered a paper, into a hat — such as voted for the party named, gave in a paper with some figure or scroll on it, others gave in a blank. A beacon is to be set on the Sentry hill at Boston, to give notice to the country of any danger ; to be guarded by one man stationed near, and fired as occasion may be. Boston differs with Dorchester about their bounds at Mt. Wolaston, and with CharlestOAvn concerning Romney Marsh. These matters are considered in General Court. Absence from church meetings on the Lord's day is com plained of, and the subject submitted to cognizance of two Assistants, who may correct offenders at discretion, by fine not to exceed 10s. or by imprisonment. It is worthy of note here, that hitherto the punishments in flicted for crimes had been in most cases ea; post facto, and some of them pretty severe, putting in jeopardy both life and 9 gg HISTORY OE BOSTON. limb : branding with a hot iron, and clipping off the ears were very common things. But now ' the deputies having conceived greater danger to our state, in regard that our ma gistrates, for want of positive laws in many cases, might pro* ceed according to their discretions, it was agreed that some men should be appointed to frame abody of grounds ot laws, in resemblance to a Magna Charta, which being allowed by some of the ministers and the General Court, should be receiv ed for fundamental laws.' Messrs. Cotton and Bellingham Avere members of the commission for this important purpose, and had the greatest share in the work. CHAPTER XIII. " My father was as brave a lord As ever Europe might afford ; My mother was a lady bright." On the sixth of October, 1635, there arrived at Boston two ships, the Defence and the Abigail. Mr. Wilson the pastor of Boston church was one of the passengers, and Mr. Henry Vane was another. The fame acquired by the latter in the course of his life, renders his character and history while here peculiarly interesting. Gov. Winthrop thus intro duces him : ' one Mr. Henry Vane (son and heir to Sir Henry Vane, comptroller of the King's house,) a young gentleman of excellent parts, who had been employed by his father, when he was embassador, in foreign affairs, yet being calle.d to the obedience of the gospel, forsook the honours and pre ferment of the gourt to enjoy the ordinances qf Christ in their purity here. His father, being very averse to this way, would hardly have consented to his coming hither; but that on acquainting the King with his son's disposition and desire, he commanded him to send him hither, and gave him license to stay three years.' English authors represent him as a man of profound dissim ulation, and of quick conception : very eloquent, ready, sharp, and weighty in his expressions : of a pleasant wit, and great understanding, piercing into and discerning the pur poses of other men with wonderful sagacity, whilst he had himself a true vultum clausum, such a singular countenance that no man could guess from it what he intended. , At .the time of his arrival here, Mr. Vane was but twenty- three years of age : he made great professions of religion, HISTORY OF BOSTON. 67 was enthusiastick, and conformed to the peculiar scruples of the day. The people of Boston very soon became attached to him. He was admitted into the church on the first of No vember, and on the 30th of that month we find his name in the following important regulation, adopted in a general town- meeting : ' None of the members of this congregation, or inhabitants amongst us, shall sue one another at the laAv, before that Mr. Henry Vane and the two elders, Mr. Thomas Oliver and Thomas Leverett, have had the hearing and deciding of the cause, if they can.' It does not appear that it Avas found expedient to renew this order, in any future year. The next notice we find of- Mr. Vane is that he united with Hugh Peters, also a famous man afterwards, in endeavours to procure a reconciliation between the magistrates and some other ' persons of quality.' There was not indeed any pub lick or notorious disagreement existing, that required this interference, but there Avas evidently some alienation of affec tion, and the result of it had been that factions Avere beginning to rise among the people, some adhering more to Winthrop and some more to Dudley, of whom the former was thought to be too lenient and the latter too severe. At the meeting now procured by Vane and Peters, explanations were made on all sides, and harmony restored on terms which were sat isfactory to all. It is not strange that the man whom the people of Boston had thought Worthy of their highest confidence, and Avho had shown so good a faculty at regulating magistrates themselves, should be thought worthy to be himself elected to some office. Accordingly, having been admitted a freeman on the third of March, Mr. Vane Avas at the next Election, in May 1636, chosen Governour of the colony.* Mr. Winthrop Avas at the same time chosen Dep. Governour. On this occasion Hutch inson remarks, that Gov. Haynes who Geemed to stand most in the way of Mr. Winthrop had left the colony, and was set tled in Connecticut ; and Mr. Winthrop would have had a good prospect of recovering his former share of the people's regard, if Mr. Vane's solemn, grave deportment had not en gaged almost the whole colony in his favour. Gov. Vane had great respect shown to him at first, and took more state upon him than any Governour had ever done before. (' Because he was son and heir to a privy counsellor in England') the ships in the harbour, which were 15 in num ber, congratulated his election with a salute ; and the next * Roger Williams had previously to this received sentence of banishment, on account of bis sentiments, and left this jurisdiction in January 1636. 68 HISTORY OF BOSTON. week he invited all the masters to dinner. This was the first entertainment of the kind in Boston. Mr. Vane took advan tage of the good feelings occasioned, and brought the cap tains to enter into some engagements respecting their trade and conduct here, which promised much utility, but which were never effectually carried into execution. His adminis tration for several months met with much applause, but towards the end of the year the people grew discontented and he perceived it, and grew Aveary of the government. He received letters from his friends in London urging his return home : Messrs. Winthrop and Dudley, to whom as members with himself of the standing council he first communicated them, Avere agreed that the occasion would justify his compli ance with the request. He therefore called a meeting of the general court, and made known to them the necessity there was for his departure, and of course for his quitting the ad ministration. The court took time till the next morning to consider the subject, and Avhen they met, one of the Assist ants so pathetically lamented the loss of such a governour, at a period of so much danger, both from the French and the Indians, that Mr. Vane burst into tears, and avowed, that notwithstanding the occasion on Avhich he proposed to leave the country involved the utter ruin of his estate in England, he would yet have hazarded all that, rather than have left them at such a crisis, if other things had not pressed him more. He alluded to the inevitable danger of the judgments which he feared Avere coming upon them, for the differences and dissensions which he saw among them, and the scandalous imputations brought upon himself, as if he were the cause of all : therefore he thought it was best for him to give place for a time. The addition of ihe last reasons displeased the court, but upon his acknowledgment, that the expression of them slipped from him out of passion, the court silently con sented to his departure. But some of the church of Boston, being loth to part with the Governour, had a meeting and agreed that they did not apprehend the necessity of the Gov ernour's leaving, for the reasons alleged, and sent some of their number to signify as much to the court. The Govern our thereupon expressed himself to be an obedient child of the church, and therefore, notwithstanding the license of the court, he durst not go away contrary to her expressed. will. The differences and dissensions to which the Governour referred, originated in the Boston church, which it will he recollected at that time composed the great body of the peo ple of the town. The members of the church had been ac customed to meet once a week, to repeat the sermons they had heard on the Lord's day, and to debate upon the doc trines that had been delivered. These meetings being pecu- HISTORY OF BOSTON. 69 liar to the men, at least none of the other sex being allowed to take part in the debates, some of the zealous women thought it might be useful for them to have such meetings among themselves. Accordingly, Mrs. Ann, wife of Mr. William Hutchinson, a woman of a bold and masculine spirit, of ready talents and great Aoav of speech, established one at her house. Mr. Hutchinson Avas a man of fair estate and sustained a good reputation in England. His wife, as Mr. Cotton says, was also highly esteemed, and people of piety cultivated her acquaintance. After she came to Boston, which aves on the 18th September 1634, she was treated with respect. Much notice Avas taken of her by Mr. Cotton, and particularly by Mr. Vane. Her husband served in the General Court on several elections as a representative for Boston, until he was excused at the desire of the church. So much attention seems to have increased Mrs. Hutchinson's natural vanity, and produced too much self-confidence. The novelty of the thing and the fame of Mrs. PL quickly gained her a numerous audience at her meetings. They were kept every week, and from sixty to eighty women would usually attend. Mrs. H. took the lead in prayer and in the repetition of Mr. Cotton's sermons, and afterwards made reflections of her own. She grounded her practice on the injunction given by Paul, that the elder women should teach the younger. At first these meetings Avere generally approved, but after some time it appeared that Mrs. H. was in the habit of making an invidious distinction between the ministers in the colony : tAvo or three of them she allowed to be sound men, under the covenant of grace; the rest she con demned as under the covenant of works. Mr. John Wheelwright, a brotheHn-law to Mrs. Hutchin son, a minister of character for learning and piety, joined with her in sentiment. To their fault of classing the clergy under so exceptionable a distinction, as was that of grace and works in those days, they added the propagation of two tenets, Avhich were deemed to be dangerous errours : 1 . That the person of the Holy Ghost dwells in a justified person. 2. That sanctification is no proof of justification. And Mrs. H. maintained the belief, that individuals might,, as herself had been, be favoured with immediate revelations equally infal lible Avith the scriptures. It was not long before it was found, that the far greater part of the Boston church, with Mr. Cotton and Gov. Vane (whom Mr. Winthrop yet styles a wise and godly gentleman, when he records the fact in his journal) held to the doctrine ofthe indwelling of the Holy Ghost : but Mr. Vane went so far before the rest as to maintain the idea of a personal 70 HISTORY OF BOSTON. union. Mr. Winthrop, with Mr. Wilson the pastor, and four or five other members, denied both. The parties discussed their different opinions in writing, and came to this conch> sion ; that they all agreed in the chief matter of substance, namely, that the Holy Ghost is God, and doth dwell in the believer, as the Father and Son are both said also to do; but as the scriptures do not declare the manner of this union, and as the mention of the person of the Holy Ghost is not found in them, nor in the writings of the primitive churches for the three first centuries, it was earnestly desired, and one would think must have been agreed, that the word person should be forborne, as tending only to doubtful disputation. Such were some of the notions that turned the city iipside down, as they are unintelligibly communicated to us. Had the trouble ended here, as it ought to have done, we should probably have -known still less about it. B"t opinions had been expressed too freely, and some persons retained too much attachment to their own notions to let the matter rest. On the contrary, affairs were so managed that the Boston church became embroiled in its own private concerns, and before the close of the difficulty, found herself opposed to all the other churches in the country, and ministers and magis trates in all quarters arrayed against her. Some members of this church were strongly inclined to have Mr. Wheelwright settled as a colleague with Messrs. Wil son and Cotton. It was proposed on a Lord's day, and another day appointed for deciding on the measure. When the question was introduced, one of the members, probably Mr. Winthrop, rose and declared that he could not give his consent. The reason be assigned was, that he considered the church already furnished with able ministers, with whose sentiments and dispositions they were well acquainted, and whose services had been highly blessed : he saw no urgent necessity for the proposed step, and therefore doubted the propriety of putting the welfare of the church to the least hazard, by calling in another man who, was known to hold obnoxious sentiments. Gov. Vane expressed his surprise at such objections, as Mr. Cotton had lately approved Mr. Wheelwright's doctrines. Mr. C. did not precisely recollect, and desired Mr. Wheelwright to explain some expressions attributed to him. He did so, and in such a manner that the first mentioned member was obliged to say he thought it quite likely that he and Mr. Wheelwright might agree; but still, not withstanding he allowed him to be a very good man and very capable minister, he could not consent to choose him for a teacher here, for he Avas at best too apt to raise 'doubtful dis putations.' On the whole, the church concluded to give way, with the understanding that Mr. Wheelwright might be'called HISTORY OF BOSTON. 71 to a new church about to be formed at Mount Wolaston. Thus the influence of one reasonable man, Avho obstinately dares to do his duty, may oftentimes prevent his friends from injuring themselves. Mr. Winthrop, however, Avas not for given for this opposition to the wishes of so many, until he offered an apology for the manner in which he made it. The ministers in the other towns could not be inactive wit nesses of what was taking place in Boston : indeed the Boston ideas had crept into some of their churches. They had re paired hither, to examine the case in a private and friendly way, soon after the obnoxious doctrines Avere broached. On the subject of sanctificrtion, they could not find much difference between themselves ana Messrs.Cotton and Wheelwright, but on the other subject ofthe personal union, they could not agree. The Court at last in a more formal Avay called in the aid of the clergy, and so a joint meeting of ministers and magistrates was held to exterminate heresy. In the course of this conference Mr. Peters took occasion to tell Governour Vane that within less than two years since, the churches were in peace ; and besought him to consider his short experience, and to beware of hasty and peremptory conclu sions, which he perceived him to be very liable to. The bear ing of these kind hints could not be misunderstood. Mr. Wilson made a very sad speech on the condition ofthe churches, and on the unavoidable danger of a separation, if the differences and alienations were not speedily remedied ; and he laid the blame of all the trouble at the door of the new opinionists. All the magistrates except Gov. Vane and two others, (probably Messrs. Coddington & Dummer) and all the ministers except two, confirmed his declaration. This speech of Mr. Wilson was taken so ill by Mr. Cotton and others of his church, that they called on him to obtain satisfaction. But Mr. Wilson, and some others considered that the call of the court made the case a special one, and left him at Uberty, indeed made it his duty, to speak freely. In regard to' any allusion to particular churches, he assured them that he meant not the Boston church or its members more than others. This explanation would not satisfy, and he was called to answer publickly for his offence, on Lord's day, Dec. 31, 1636. There Mr Vane pressed it violently against him, and so did all the church, except Mr. Winthrop and one or two others. It was strange, says the Governour's journal, ' to see how such as had known Mr. Wilson so long, and known what good he had done. fori that church, should fall upon him with such bitterness for justifying himself in a good cause ; for he was a very holy and upright man, and for faith and love inferior to none in the country, and most dear to all men.' Mr. Cotton joined with the church in their 72 HISTORY OF BOSTON. judgment of him, not without some appearance of prejudice, yet with much wisdom and moderation. They were eager to proceed to present censure ; but Mr. Cotton dissuaded them from that, on the ground that ' it might not be done be cause some opposed it :' so he gave him a grave exhortation. Mr. Cotton was three years older than Mr. Wilson, and two years older than Gov. Winthrop. Notwithstanding the ad monition, Mr. Wilson preached on the next Lord's day, and acquitted himself so satisfactorily that Gov. Vane himself, as was the custom in those days, ' gave publick witness to him.' This was not the end of the church's contentions. One re puted heresy paved the Avay for another, till at length the sa gacity of some men could discover at least eighty dangerous doctrines to prevail, either in the form of explicit avowal or of necessary inference. Partly on account of this trouble a gen eral fast was kept in January 1637. But the observance of no rites whatever was able to abolish the existing differences or points of faith. Mr. Cotton alone of all the settled clergy was on one side ; and the very circumstance of his dissenting from his brethren was sufficient to give the dispute a wider notoriety and keener edge. The whole country was by this time divided. One party ranged itself on the side of justifica tion, and the other on that of sanctification; and the distinction between the advocates of free grace, and the adherents to works, was as broad as that Avhich separates protestants from papists. The General Court which commenced its session in March upheld its interest in the controversy. , It had a party in fa vour of Mr. Cotton and his church, but the majority was on the side of Mr. Wilson and his friends. Of course the correct ness of the proceedings against him was questioned, and the church decided to have been in the wrong: his speech in the last court and the whole tenour of his conduct were adjudged not only faultless but reasonable. Mr. Wheelwright had been so injudicious as tp preach a sermon on the late fast day, which was calculated to inflame rather than to allay the irritation already existing. It was understood that he was to be called in question at this court for the seditious tendency of that sermon. Nearly all the church of Boston therefore interposed, and presented a peti tion or remonstrance on the subject, in Avhich they demanded that as freemen they might be present in cases of judicature,' and that the court should declare whether they had a right to deal in cases of conscience before the church. The peti tion was rejected as a groundless and presumptuous act. The court proceeded to adjudge Mr. Wheelwright to be guilty of sedition and also of contempt. Gov. Vane and some others offered a protest which was rejected. The HISTORY OF BOSTON. 73 church of Boston also offered another petition in Avhich they justified Mr. Wheelwright's sermon! In conclusion, sentence was deferred till the next Court. When they were about adjourning, it was moved that the next session should be held at Newtown. Gov. Vane, considering it an undeserved re proach upon the people of Boston, refused to put the vote. The deputy, Mr. Winthrop, being also a Boston man, declin ed doingit, except the court required it: so the honour fell to Mr. Endicott, who put'the question and it Avas carried in the affirmative. We find no event in the course of the history of Boston, wrhich appears to have excited more universal interest in the people of the tOAvn than this Antinomian controversy, as it was called. Whether their religious notions were right or wrong, it is impossible to tell ; but it is evident that they felt their rights as an independent church to be encroached upon, and that they were jealous, for their political privileges. The next court was held, according to vote, on the 17th of May. Soon as the meeting was organized, which av as about one o'clock, a petition was offered by those from Boston. Gov. Vane would haye read it ; but Mr. Winthrop declared it to be out of order, as this was a court of election. Others also opposed the reading; because the petition being upon some ' pretence of liberty' (a favourite Boston notion) would spend the whole day in debate. Mr. Wilson, in his zeal, got upon the bough of a tree (it Avas warm weather, and the election was carried on in the field) and there made a speech, advising the people to look to their charter and proceed to the business of the day. The people applauded him and cried out Elec tion ! .Election ! the great majority was for proceeding. Gov. Vane and his friends Avere not contented, till the deputy told him, that if he would not go on, himself and the rest would proceed without him. Upon this he yielded, and the election resulted in a return to the original establishment, Mr. Win throp for Governour and Mr. Dudley for Deputy. Some new assistants were chosen, and Mr. Vane, Mr. Coddington and Mr. Richard Dummer left entirely out,of office. This meeting was very tumultuous ; some fierce speeches were made and blows struck, but the strength being evidently on one side, the other soon grew quiet. ' Boston had deferred the choice of her representatives till the election for, Governour should be over. The next morn ing, Mr. Vane, Mr. Coddington and Mr. Atherton Hough were chosen. The court considered this selection an insult, and sent them home again, on the ground that two of the freemen of Boston had not been notified. On a new choice the next day, the town returned the same gentlemen, and 'the 10 74 HISTORY OF BOSTON. court not finding how they might reject them, they were admitted.' Upon the election of Mr. Winthrop, the four Serjeants, who had attended the former Governour to the court, being all Boston men, laid down their halberds and went home, refus ing to perform any such service in honour of Gov. Winthrop.* Mr. Vane and Mr. Coddington being discontented that the people had left them out of all office, refused to -sit in the magistrates' seat in the meeting-house, and took their seats with the deacons, although Gov. W. politely invited them to sit with him. Mr. Wheelwright appeared at this court, according to order, but as a day of fasting had been appointed for the 25th of the month, ' when it was agreed that all the churches should choose men to meet and confer about the differences,' the court gave him respite to the next session, which was appoint ed for the first Tuesday in August. They gave him that time to consider whether he would retract his errours and make submission, or abide the decision of the court. His answer was noble : ' if I have been guilty of sedition, let me die ; recan tation is out of the question : if you proceed thus unrighteous ly against me, I shall appeal to the tribunal of my king,' There was some expectation, about this time, of an arrival from England, with a party of emigrants favourable to the sentiments prevailing in Boston. This court therefore seiz ed the opportunity of preventing such a calamity as they supposed their settlement here would be, and passed a law which prohibited all persons to entertain any stranger, who should come with intention to reside, without liberty from one of the standing council or two other assistants. This was a very severe order, and Avas so disliked by fhe people of Boston, that upon the Governour's return from court, they all refused to go out to meet him, or show him any respect. Mr. Cotton was so dissatisfied with this law, that he was on the point of removing to New-Haven. A defence of it was published by Ihe magistrates, and answered by Mr. Vane, who was replied to, probably by Gov. Winthrop. t But ar guments served only to make each party better satisfied of their own correctness. The difference between Mr. Vane and the Governour became so great, that Vane refused an invita tion to a dinner, given by the Governour in honour of Lord Leigh, a young nobleman, who was here on a visit to the * The country taking notice of this, offered to send in some from the neighbouring- towns to carry the halberds by course, and upon that the town of Boston offered to send some men ¦but not the Serjeants t the Governour chose rather to make use of two of his own servants. t See Hutch, coll. of papers, p. §7— 8*. HISTOKY OF BOSTON. 75 country. His lordship and Mr. Vane prepared to return in August. At their departure (Aug. 2) Mr. Vane's friends as sembled and accompanied him to the boat. A military com pany being under arms, gave them ' divers volleys of shot,' and five pieces of ordnance, and they had five more at the castle. The governour was absent, attending court at New town, ' but he had left order with the captain for their hon ourable dismission.' On Mr. Vane's return to England he assumed an active part in the political affairs of the kingdom ; was knighted in 1640; joined the party that was against King Charles, and after the restoration was tried for high treason and beheaded June 14, 1662. He had lived, while in Boston, in the house which now stands on the westerly side of Common Street, (within the square Fh of our plan,) on one of the Tremont hillocks, next northeasterly to the mansion house of Lieut. Gov. Phillips. This is the oldest house in the city of which we have any ac count. It was originally small. Mr. Vane gave it to Mr. Cotton, who made an addition to it, and lived and died there. His family occupied it some time after. The building is of wood : the front part has a modern appearance, but the back exhibits marks of its antiquity. CHAPTER XIV. " Ah me t outstretched I see, In nameless agony, ¦ Woman's imploring hand." Sir Henry Vane has had the credit of being the life-blood of the party, Which Mrs. Hutchinson's notions had created. However that may have been, it is very apparent that his presence here formed a powerful protection for them against the spirit of persecution, which had already been active. Roger Williams had been banished for holding opinions less dangerous, in the mind of Gov. Winthrop ; and it had been declared by Mr. Vane,, that the execution of the law against strangers would be followed by the banishment of such as were already here. We shall see that his forebodings were wofully prophetick. Mrs. Hutchinson continued her lectures, and her admirers are said to have been indefatigable in spreading her senti ments : both church and state were thrown into uproar and 76 HISTORY OF BOSTON. the affections of people strangely alienated; they were fre quently quarrelsome, and upon every occasion ready to come to blows. Both parties claimed Mr. Cotton for their. own man : the one affirmed that the doctrines they taught were regularly deduced from his sermons, the other denied it. At last Mr. Cotton was desired to declare himself freely' from the pulpit, which he accordingly did, and condemned most of the new positions as false and erroneous. This brought upon him the bitterest reproaches : he was called by some a timorous man, that durst not abide by his own sentiments ; by others a deceiver, that taught one thing in publick and another in pri vate. One man, more impudent if more witty than the rest, sent him a pound of candles, bidding his servant tell him it was because he wanted light ; ' upon which the good man be stowed only a silent smile.' The August court probably postponed the business of Mr. Wheelwright, until they should know the result of the synod, which was expected to meet at Newtown, in accordance with the May vote, on the 30th of that month. The object of this assembly having been the purification of Boston from heresy, a particular account of it demands a place here. There were present not only the ministers and messengers from the seve ral churches, but also the magistrates for keeping the peace, who were allowed both to hear, and to speak, if they had a mind. A place was likewise appointed for the favourers of the new opinions, and the doors were set open, for as many as pleased to come in and hear the debates. The first day was spent in choosing Mr. Hooker from Connecticut and Mr. Bulkley minister of Concord, for moderators. Mr. Cotton, though confessedly at the head of the clergy, Avas thought to be too much a party to be honoured with that dignity. A list was then read of eighty-two erroneous opinions, which had been maintained in various parts of the country, some of which were the most monstrous and absurd ever heard of. The fol loAving days were spent in debating the several points. In the morning a committee was employed in forming arguments against the errours to be confuted that day, which in the after noon were produced in the synod. Next day the defenders gave in their reply, and produced their arguments for the sup port of their side of the question ; the third day, the opponents made the last reply. The authors of the errours were neither mentioned nor enquired for by the synod, but the errours themselves were confuted and condemned by reference to particular texts of scripture, which, says Cotton Mather, being briefly applied unto the case, did, unto reasonable men, immediately smite the errour under the fifth rib. All the members of the synod signed the condemnation, except Mr. Cotton, who, though he expressed his dislike of the major part HISTORY OF BOSTON. 77 of the doctrines, refused to condemn them in the lump : the synod endeavoured to convince him of his mistake, but in vain. Yet this did not prevent a reconciliation between him and the rest of the clergy : he agreed to unite with them in opposing what he believed to be false,, and ' thereafter this- reverend and worthy minister regained his former splendour, with his wonted esteem and interest in the hearts of all his friends and acquaintance.' Numbers of the Boston church Avere present at this synod. They, as well as some others were offended that so many errours should be produced, and declared it a reproach laid upon the country without cause. They called for the names of" persons holding this or that doctrine, and were answered, that the evidence was abundant, that such errours had advo cates either in tOAvn or country, yet as the synod had no con cern with persons, but Avith doctrines only, it Avas deemed in^ expedient to name any individual. The minority however were too much Avarmed to suffer any thing to be secreted. They were urgent in their calls for names and witnesses. The moderator, called for order in vain, and the magistrates, on suggesting that if silence were not maintained they should be obliged to interpose, were told that they had no province in such an assembly. One of them retorted, that if immediate silence did not ensue, an opportunity Avould be given for test ing the correctness of the two opinions. There Avas so much severity in this sort of language, that some of the Boston mem bers withdrew from the assembly. Among other things which this synod decreed, this was one; though some few women may meet together for prayer and mutual advice, yet such a set assembly, as is in practice at Boston, is unlawful (where sixty or more meet every week, and one woman takes upon herself the whole exercise.) Ano ther decree Avas, that private members should be very spar ing intheir questions and observations in publick after sermon. These two decisions struck at the root of Iavo Boston evils. Mr. Davenport delivered the decrees of the synod, and after preaching a very seasonable discourse from Philippians iii. 16. dismissed the meeting on the 22d of September. One would have thought, says Neal, ' the unanimous voice ofthe synod should have quieted the minds of the people, but the heads of the faction were not to be vanquished by scrip ture and reason. Mr. Wheelwright continued his preaching, and Mrs. Hutchinson her meeting, and their followers were so influenced by their doctrines, that Avhen Mr. Wilson went up into the pulpit, half the congregation would go out.' In this state of things, the people Avere prepared for further proceed ings against those who maintained the condemned opinions. The court met on the 26th of September, when Mr. Wheel- 78 HISTORY OF BOSTON. wright appeared and was dismissed till further orders. It seems that a major vote of the deputies, to execute the > decrees ofthe late synod, could not be obtained ; therefore* he house was dissolved and a new one chosen. Eleven only out of twentv-six of the former deputies were elected into the new court which met Nov. 2, at Newtown, because the town of Boston was so infected with the new opinions, that they were afraid of a riot.' The representatives from Boston were Messrs. Coddington, Aspinwall and Coggeshall. This court, finding upon consultation that two so opposite parties could not continue in the same body without apparent hazard of ruin to the whole, agreed to send away some of the principals. For this a ' fair opportunity was offered by the remonstrance which was preferred by the Boston people in March last, and rejected by the court as presumptuous.!' The remonstrance was signed by more than sixty hands. The first step was to clear their own body from* all that had any concern in it. Mr Aspinwall was a signer and Mr. Cogges hall had defended it : they were therefore expelled, and war rant issued to the town for a new choice. The people would fain have sent the same men again, but Mr. Cotton appeared at the meeting (Nov. 6.) and with much ado dissuaded them from their resolution. They then chose William Colburn and John Oliver to be joined with Mr. Coddington.§ Oliver was in tbe same condemnation and he was not received. But whether the court had too much discretion to insult the town by a warrant for a third election, or whether the town had too much spirit to choose another does not appear.|| The next business was to dispose of Mr. Wheelwright. The court summoned him to give his peremptory answer, whether he would acknowledge his offence, or abide the sentence of the court. His answer was, ' that he had been guilty of no sedition nor contempt ; that he 'had delivered nothing but the truth, and as for the application of his doctrine, that was made by others and not by himself,' He was then desired to leave the colony of his own accord, and upon refusal, received the following sentence : ' Mr. J. W. being formerly convicted of contempt and sedition and now justifying himself and his for mer practice, being . the disturbance of ihe civil peace, he is by the court disfranchised and banished, having fourteen days to settle his affairs.' Next came on the examination of the petitioners. The first who was sent for was Mr. Coggeshall, who was a deacon * Backus. t Winthrop's Journal. t See this remonstrance in Appendix No. II. § Town records. II Mas9. H. C 2. x, 24. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 79 of the Boston church. The court charged him with contempt for having said that if they expelled Mr. Aspinwall for sign ing the remonstrance, they had better make but one Avork of all; for though his hand was not to it, his heart was in it.' Mr. Coggeshall pleaded that his privilege as a deputy should screen him from any punishment. The court would not ac cede to this and he ' was disfranchised and enjoined not t6 speak any thing to disturb the publick peace upon pain of ban ishment.' Mr. Aspinwall was called next. He not only had signed the remonstrance, but was himself "the author of it, and had carried it about town to get signers to it. He justified himself; and was disfranchised and banished, to depart before the end of the next March. After these, William Balston and Edward Hutchinson two of the Serjeants of Boston appeared. Both their hands were to the remonstrance, and the court took a great deal of pains to make them acknowledge their offence; but they were obsti nate, and uttered a great many affronting speeches against the magistrates who were not of their opinion : so they were both ' turned out of their places, disfranchised and fined, Balston j£20 and Hutchinson £40 : but H. owning his fault the next day was released of his fine, and only disfranchised.' Another day, four or five more of the leading petitioners were called, and they, being obstinate too, were disfranchised. Capt. Underhill had his commission taken from him, and Thomas Marshall, the ferryman, lost his place. Ten others whose names were signed made their appearance, but the court judging that they had been drawn in, by the subtilty of a few active men, they were pardoned, upon acknowledging their offence. As disfranchised men were not likely to be long quiet or to remain friendless, it was judged not improbable that those who had been seduced into the errours of Mr. W. and Mrs. H. might ' as others in Germany in former times, upon some revelation, make sudden irruption upon those that differ from them in judgment; for prevention whereof it is ordered that those whose names are undenvritten shall deliver in at Mr. Keayne's house, at Boston, all such guns, pistols, swords, powder, shot and match as they shall be owners of, or have in their custody — and no man who is to render his arms by this order, may buy, or borrow any guns, swords or pistols, pow der, ..shot or match, until this court shall take further OFder herein.' Seventy-six men are named as being disarmed by this order, only if any of them would disavow the remon strance, they might be freed from its operation. Of these sev enty-six 58 belonged to Boston. The whole number of fam ilies in town did not much exceed 120. 80 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Mrs. Hutchinson's fate remained to be determined. She was accordingly sent for by the court. She was formally ac cused of the errours attributed to her, and witnesses were pro duced to sustain the charges. Several clergymen gave ac count of conferences they had held with her, which exhibited her conduct in an unfavourable light. She demanded that they should be put under oath. After much altercation that course was adopted. Messrs. Eliot, Peters and Weld were sworn, and the amount of their testimony was ' that Mrs. H. averred, that there was a broad difference between them and Mr. Cotton ; that he preached a covenant of grace and they of works ; that they were not able ministers of the New Tes tament and were not clear in their experience, because they Avere not sealed and were but like the apostles before the as cension.' This Avas the head and front of her offending. The trial lasted two days : for the most part she referred her ac cusers and judges to the scriptures, whose words, says Mr. Emerson, it must be confessed, as urged by the Avoman, often caused them some little confusion. She acknoAvledged her confidence in revelations, which she had received in regard to future providences, and this acknowledgment satisfied most of the court of her Avorthiness of banishment. She warned them to forbear, but to no purpose ; the trial con cludes thus: Gov. If it be the mind of the court that Mrs. Hutchinson, for these things that appear before us, is unfit for our society, and if it be the mind of the court that she shall be banish ed out of our liberties, and imprisoned till she be sent away, let them bold np their hands : All but three. Those that are contrary minded, hold up yours : Mr. Coddington and Mr. Colburn only. Mr. Jennison. I cannot hold up my hand one way or the other, and I shall give my rea son if the court require it. Gov. Mrs. Hutchinson ! the sentence of the court you hear is, that you are banished from out of our jurisdiction, as being a woman not fit for our society, and are to be imprisoned- till tbe court shall send you away. Mrs. H. I desire to know wherefore I am banished. Gov. Say no more : the court know wherefore, and is satisfied. After this sentence Mrs. H. remained in Boston and the neighbourhood, in custody of some of the clergy. The church found occasion to disapprove her conduct, and on the 22d of March 1638, she was ' cast out of the church for impenitently persisting in a manifest lie.' She received orders from the nit Governour to leave the jurisdiction before the close of the month, and accordingly departed on the 28th day. She- went with her husband to Rhode Island. In the year 1642, after her husband's death, she removed into the Dutch country beyond New Haven, and the next year she and all her family, consisting of sixteen persons, were killed by the Indians, ex cept one daughter, whom they carried into captivity. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 81 In consequence of these proceedings, which the sufferers felt to be severely oppressive, however justifiable the au thors may have thought themselves, a considerable number of very respectable men contemplated a removal from Boston. It was proposed by Mr. John Clarke, a learned physician, a man of ardent piety and sound understanding, sufficient knowl edge and much usefulness. He with some others were chosen to select a convenient place, and after wandering up and down, in the depth of winter, they concluded upon Rhode Island, whither they removed in the spring of 1638. The court had intimations, that it was their intention to return, when the fer vour, of the times should be abated. To prevent this, an order of banishment was issued against a number, requiring that they should remove their families, whenever they went them selves. Mr. Coddington was included in this order. He was the principal man of the company, but for some reason had not attracted the attentions of the court heretofore, being neither disfranchised nor disarmed. He Avas a gentleman of family, and fortune, from Boston in Lincolnshire, and was one of the first and most eminent merchants here. His prop erty at.Mt. Wolaston was large, and he owned the first brick building which Avas erected in Boston.* The jealousy entertained against Boston at this period was carried so far that an order was passed to have the courts both General antt-Quarter kept at Newtown, till further order. The publick stores of powder and arms were removed to Newtown and Roxbury, and the persons disarmed were ex cused from performing military duty. The courts returned to Boston in the latter part of the next year, but the powder was kept at Roxbury till April 1645, when seventeen barrels of it were blown up. The explosion shook the houses in Boston and Cambridge like an earthquake, and' burning cinders were brought by the winds beyonid the Boston meeting house.t * It is difficult to .say positively where this building stood. Some expert antiquary may hereafter be able to ascertain tbe fact by tracing out the points in the following minute. Town records March 6. 1637. -Our brother WiUyam Balstone shall have the remaining swampe on the backside of Mr. Coddington's swarape unto the widdowBurton's corner' payle leaving out twoe rodde and a halfe for eyther ofthe high wayes that are against it ', the one being the way to the mylne and the other to the cove next unto Mr. Coddington's. It appears that bricks were made here, from a record Dec. 26. 1636 : Th^nas Mount has leave to fence in a 'piece of the marsh before his house for the making of brick. t Cambridge received that name at the court in May 1638, in consequence of the College being established there, and the college received the name of Harvard in the same year. —Hubbard. 237. 430. 11 82 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER XV. Emerging from a sea of dreams Tumultuous Young. The winter of 1637-8 was very severe and the inhabitants of Boston suffered extremely for the want of fuel : the snow lay four feet and a half deep, from the fourth of November to March 23d. Gov. Winthrop relates that a party of thirty men started on a fair day (Jan. 13) for the purpose of cutting wood on Spectacle Island. The next night a N. E. storm set in and Avas followed by two days strong N. W. winds, so that the harbour was all frozen over, except a small channel, in which twelve of the men found their way to the Governour's Garden [Ft. Warren.] Seven more were carried in the ice in a small skiff out to Broad Sound, and kept among the Brew ster rocks without food or fire two days. The rest made for the main from the island, but two of them fell through the ice, and came near being drowned. Of the seven that fell among the rocks; all had their hands and feet frozen, some lost fin gers and toes, and one died. On this occasion the Governour remarks in a letter to his son,-that many were discouraged, and the settlement here was well nigh being broken up. It was probably in reference to the state of things, which exist ed at this juncture, that Boston acquired the proverbial appel lation of Lost Town* A voyager of some little note visited these parts about this lime, and the Avorld has been favoured with his observations, under the title of New England's Rarities. John Josselyn, Gent, anchored in the bay of Massachusetts before Boston, July 3d. 1638. The tenth day, says he, 'I went ashore upon Noddle's Island to Mr. Sam. Maverick, for my passage, the only hospitable man in all the country, giving entertainment to all comers, gratis. Having refreshed myself for a day or two, I crossed the bay [harbour] in a small boat to Boston, which then was rather a village than a town, there being not above twenty or thirty houses : and presenting my respects to Mr. Wintho|pe the Governour, and to Mr. Cotton the teach er of Boston church, to whom I delivered from Mr. Francis Quarlesthe poet, the translation of the 16. 25.51. 88. 113« 137. Psalms in English Metre for his approbation. Being civil ly treated by all I had occasion to converse with, I returned in the evening to my lodgings.' Josselyn left on the twentieth of July for the eastward, where he had a brother, and return ed Sep. 27th. 'Next day I went aboard of Mr. Hinderson, HISTORY OF BOSTON. 85 master of a ship of 500 tons, and Capt. Jackson in the Queen of Bohemia privateer* and from thence I went ashore to Bos ton where I refreshed myself at an Ordinary.' He also men tions one Long's ordinary in Charlestown. There were two such ordinaries or houses of entertainment in Boston, into which if a stranger went, he was presently followed by one appointed to that office, who would thrust himself into his company, uninvited, and if he called for more drink than the officer thought in his judgment he could soberly bear away, he would presently countermand it, and appoint the propor tion beyond which he could not get one drop. 'Oct. 11. our master having been ashore upon the Govern our's Island gave me half a score very fair pippins which he brought from thence, there being not one apple tree nor pear planted yet, in no part of the country, but upon that island.' Several adventures are described by our author, which would do credit to a modern English traveller in America, but con vey no other useful hints, except it be one, that Mr. Maverick had in his family an African slave. Doubts have been somewhere expressed concerning the cor rectness of Josselyn's statement in regard to the number of houses : but he repeats it in another part of his book, and must be understood to speak of the framed buildings then in the place, and not to have included the mud-wall cottages, of which many yet remained. The number of buildings likely to be permanent had become so great as to require such pro visions as these : 1636. Oct. 4. There shall no house at all be built in this town in any of the streets or lanes, but with the advice and consent of the overseers of the town's occasions, for the avoid ing of disorderly building, the inconveniences of streets and lanes, and for the more comely and commodious ordering of them, upon the forfeiture for every house built contrary to this ord^er, of such sum as the overseers shall see fitting, un der the sum of Xs. 17th. Item. John Gallop shall remove his pales at his yards end, within 14 days, and shall range them even with the cor ner of his house, for the preserving the way upon the sea bank. Dec. 10. Not above one dwelling house may be built on any one lot, without the approbation of the town's overseers. 1637. Sept. 25. Special permission is granted to William Hudson to set his new building one foot and a half into the street, towards the sea side where he dwelleth. 1640. March 30. We find this remarkable entry: John Palmer, carpenter, is allowed to be an inhabitant here, if he can get a house, or land to set a house upon, it being not prop er to allow a man an inhabitant without a habitation. 84 HISTORY OF BOSTON. These extracts sufficiently show what many similar records corroborate, that our ancestors were not so neglectful ot the appearance of their town, as we have been in the habit ot supposing them to have been. During the scenes of confusion which formed the subject of our two last chapters, the colonists had occasion to exhibit their power and courage in a short conflict with the Pequod Indians, a tribe inhabiting the parts about Connecticut River. Mr. Endicott with a party of 80 men had chastised them in the summer of 1636, but they remained quiet only while he remained about them. In 1637 the three colonies, Massachu setts, Plymouth and Connecticut, agreed to enter the . Indian country with their joint forces, and attempt their entire des truction. Massachusetts sent 160 men, under the command of Capt. Israel . Stoughton : of these Boston furnished 26.* Mr. Wilson, the pastor of Boston accompanied the expedition as chaplain : it fell to his part by lot; and he is represented to have gone with so much faith and joy, that he professed him self as fully satisfied that God would give the English the victory, as if he had seen it already obtained. So spirited and so prophetick a soothsayer would in ancient times have received the highest veneration. His predictions were ac complished and the army returned in triumph, with the loss only of one man, August 26, 1637. In the next year after this expedition, the Ancient and Honourable Artillery company took its rise. The first notice of its origin appears in Gov. Winthrop's journal, February, 1638 : ' Divers gentlemen and others being joined in a mili tary company, desired to be made a corporation, but the council, considering from the example of the Pretorian band among the Romans, and the Templars in Europe, how dan gerous it might be to erect a standing authority of military men, which might easily in time overtop the civil power, thought fit to stop it betimes, yet they were allowed to be a company, but subordinate to all authority.' From this note Ave should infer, that the associates at first asked to be created into an independent company, which was deemed inadvisable. There appears to have been no objec tion to the association for the purpose of improvement in mili tary tactics, and accordingly Ave find the company recognized as such in the Colony records of the 17th March 1638 : ' The Military Company of Boston, may present two or three to the council to choose a captain out of them.' Also 'Capt. Keayne and the Military Company have power to exercise * In the same year Boston was assessed 59Z, 4s. of a tax of 400?. j These data give us some idea of the proportion which Doston bore to the whole colony. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 85 where they please, and to make use of so many ofthe common arms as they need, and a warrant from any of the council is sufficient for the delivery of them unto Captain Keayne or such as he shall appoint.' The following is a copy of their charter.* ORDERS for the Military Company made by the Governour and Council, and confirmed by the General Court. ' Whereas divers gentlemen and others, out of their care of the public weal and safety, by the advancement of the milita ry art, and exercise of arms, have desired license of the Court to join themselves in one company, and to have the liberty to exercise themselves, as their occasions will best permit ; and that such liberties and privileges might be granted them, as the Court should think meet, for their better encouragement and furtherance, in so useful an employment ; which request of theirs being referred by the Court unto us ofthe Standing Council, we have thought fit, upon serious consideration, and conference with divers of the principal of them, to set down and order herein as followeth : IMPRIMIS. We do order, that Robert Keayne, Nathaniel Duncan, Robert Sedgwick, William Spencer, Gentlemen, and such others as are already joined with them, and such as they shall from time to time take into their company, shall be called the Military Company of the Massachusetts. SECONDLY. They, or the greater number of them, shall have liberty to choose their Captain, Lieutenant, and all other officers. Their Captain and Lieutenant to be always such as the Court or Council shall allow of; and no other officer be put upon them, but of their own choice. THIRDLY. The first Monday in every month is appointed for their meeting and exercise ; and to the end that they may not be hindered from coming together, we do hereby order, that no other training in the , particular towns, nor other ordinary town meetings, shall be appointed on that day ; and if that day prove unseasonable for the exercise of their arms, then the sixth ofthe same week is appointed for supply. This not * ( As extracted from the original records of the colony' and published in Whitman's His torical Sketch ofthe Company — to which the reader is referred for a fund of interesting in formation. Shaw has given a copy which contains the following article between the 3d. and 4th. ' None of the said Military Company (except such as shall be officers of any other train ed band in any particular town) shall be bound to give attendance upon their ordinary train ings.' 86 HISTORY OF BOSTON. to extend to Salem, or the towns beyond, nor to Hinghata, Weymouth, Dedham, nor Concord; FOURTHLY. They have liberty and power to make orders amongst them selves, for the better managing their military affairs ; which orders are fo be of force, when they shall be allowed by the Court or Council; and they may appoint an officer to levy any fines or forfeitures, which they shall impose upon any of jheir own company, for the breach of any such order, so as the same exceed not twenty shillings for any one offence* FIFTHLY. The said Military Company are to have one thousand acres of land, (in some such place as may not be prejudicial to any plantation,) to be granted by the Court to some of the said company, and such as shall succeed in the same ; to be im proved by them within a time convenient, for providing ne cessaries for their military exercises, and defraying of other charges, which may arise by occasion thereof. SIXTHLY. The said company shall have liberty, at the time before appointed, to assemble themselves for their military exercisesr in any town within this jurisdiction, at their own pleasure ; provided always, that this order or grant, or any thing therein contained, shall not extend to free the said company, or any of them, their persons or estates, from the Civil Government and Jurisdiction here established. John Wwthkop, Gov. Thomas Dudley, Dep. Gov. The company was first organized on the first Monday in June, 1638 — when Capt. Robert Keayne was elected com- mander, Daniel Hough, lieutenant, and Joseph Welde, ensign. Of the two last we have no information : Capt. Keayne was by profession a merchant tailor, and had belonged to the Hon ourable Artillery Company in London. Many important of fices and trusts were committed to his charge,. both in town and state affairs. He was a man of large property, was fre^ quently a representative, and in every plan for improvement, or enterprize, his name appears as a patron. Nathaniel Duncan, the second person named in the charter* was a merchant and lived in Dorchester. Robert Sedgwick, the third charter member and next on the roll, belonged to Charlestown : he was, says Johnson, stout and active in all feats of war, nurst up in the London's Artillery Garden, be sides having the help of a very good head-piece. He was the leader of the first train band formed in Charlestown, and afterwards was promoted to the highest military rank in the colony. William Spencer, the fourth and last named in the HISTORY OF BOSTON. 87 charter, was also a merchant and resided at Cambridge. Thus it appears the charter was granted to four persons, re- aiding each in a different town, with their associates, and this may serve to correct a mistaken idea, that the company in its origin and progress has been confined to Boston. It will be observed that the name of this company, which is the ' oldest military establishment in the United States,' was by their charter the Military Company of the Massachusetts. The names of the Artillery Company, and the Great Artillery, and the First Artillery, which were early applied to it, origi nated from the introduction of field pieces into their exercise. The General Court recognized the institution by the name of the Artillery Company as early as sixteen hundred and fifty- seven. The oldest printed sermon, delivered on their anni versary, June 3, 1672, was preached "on the day ofthe Ar tillery Election." Cotton Mather, in his sermon 1691, in his address to the company calls them the Artillery Company. Sept. 2, 1700. The title Ancient and Honourable is first used in the ' original records.' All the sermons printed down to 1708, bear.the name ofthe Artillery Company on the title page, but in the sermon for that year they are styled the Hon ourable Artillery Company. This, is uniformly the style in the title pages until 1 738. The address in the sermon for 1720, uses the appellation Ancient and Honourable, and in that for 1737, the words Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company are once introduced. Dr. Colman's century ser mon, in 1738, has in the title page the Avords "preached be fore the Honourable and Ancient Artillery Company." From that period to the present all the sermons are said to have been preached before the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company. The records of the company do not mention either the words Honourable or Ancient until long after these appella tions had been applied to them by the publick. The present name appears but once, (in 1762,) previous to the year 1789, when the company was revived after the revolution : the Legislature in their militia laws have since confirmed it to them. It is therefore probable they retained the name of Artillery, after they had relinquished the use of field pieces, by common consent. The addition of Honourable was made by the people, in regard to the many distinguished men, who had belonged to and commanded it, and for the great benefit and service the institution had rendered to the community. This name for the same reason they continue to merit ; and the term Ancient has been added by general usage since the expiration of their first century, with that sort of venera- 88 HISTORY OF BOSTON. tion which untarnished reputation always ensures to gray liQirs In May 1639, the whole military ofthe Bay were mustered at Boston in two regiments, to the number of a thousand sol diers, able men, Avell armed and exercised. They were head ed the one by the Governour (Winthrop) who was General of all, and the other by the Deputy Avho was colonel. The cap tains and others showed themselves very skilful and ready in various sorts of skirmishes and other military actions, wherein they spent the whole day.' We notice also another general training in Boston, Sept. 15, 1641, which lasted two days. About 1 200 men were exercised in most sorts of land service ; yet it was observed that there was no man drunk, though there was plenty of wine and strong beer in the town — not an oath sworn, no quarrel, nor any hurt done. A more lofty but less perspicuous account of one of these military displays, is given in a narrative of the first thirty years by Old Planter's. It is said to have taken place at Fox Hill, a spot of rising ground, which formerly existed at the bottom of the Common. The pomp and circumstance of the exhibition were so striking that some people entertained fears, lest offence might be taken in the parent country, as if the colonists were (even then) looking up to a state of independence. While the soldiery at home were thus improving themselves and amusing their neighbours, our seamen were accidentally raising the fame of Boston abroad.! The Viceroys of New Spain and Peru having advice from the court of Spain, that the attempt for finding a Northwest passage, which had been tried before by Capts. Hudson and James, was again attempt ed in 1639 by some industrious navigators from Boston, de spatched Admiral de Fonte to discover and seize them. He sailed from Lima on the 3d of April 1640. On the 17th of July about lat. 61. N. he came to an Indian town, and the natives told his interpreter, that a little way from them lay a great ship, where there never had been one before. He sailed to the place and found only one man advanced in years, and a youth : the man exhibited the greatest skill in the me chanical parts of the mathematics of any that he had ever met. They informed him that their ship was of New-Eng land, from a town called Boston. The owner and the whole ship's company came on board, and the navigator of the ship told the admiral that his owner was a fine gentleman, and a * See Whitman's Sketch, p. 8—12. 104. Mass. H. C. 2. ii. 160. 185. i. xxix. W. W. P- ch. xxvi. t Memoirs of the Curious, April and June 1708, as quoted in an account of the N. W; pas sages, 1748. 0 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 89 Major General in the largest colony in New-England, called the Massachusetts. On this he received him like a gentleman, and told him his commission Avas to make prize of any people seeking a Northwest or West passage into the South Sea, but he would look on them as merchants trading with the natives for beavers and otters and other furs and skins; and so for a small present of provisions which he had no need of, he gave him a diamond ring that cost him 1 200 pieces of eight, which the modest gentleman received Avith difficulty ; and having given the brave navigator Capt. Shapely for his fine chart and journals a thousand pieces of eight, and the owner of the ship, Seimor Gibbons, a quarter cask of good Peruan wine, and the ten seamen each 20 pieces of eight, they set sail on a farther expedition. The behaviour of Admiral de Fonte evinced great politeness. He might have taken Shapely's charts forcibly, but chose to give a considerable price for them, on pretence that they were curious, when the true reason was that they might not be used as guides to others. This story is solemnly related by the Admiral with every particular, and has been copied into foreign works Avith the remark that the ardour of enterprize at that period seemed to have passed from the English to their colonists at Boston.* It probably originated in the following simple fact,t out of which the Magnalia makes a story as doleful as the foregoing is im probable. About this time came home a small pinnace of 30 tons which had be«jn gone eight months and was given up for lost. She went to Bermuda, but by continual tempests was kept from hence and forced to bear up for the W. Indies, and being in great distress .arrived at Hispaniola, and not daring to go into any inhabited place there, the men went ashore in obscure places and lived on turtles and eggs. At last they were forced into a harbour, where lay a French man-of-war with his prize, and had surely made prize of them also, but that the captain, one Petfree, had lived at Piscataqua, and knew the merchant of our bark, one Mr. Gibbons : whereupon he used them courteously, and for such commodities as she carried, furnished her with tallow and hides, and sent home Avith her his prize, which he sold for a small price to be paid in New England. Mr. Gibbons brought home an Alligator, which he gave to the Governour. This may be recollected as the first thing of the kind exhibited here ; since which almost every living thing has found its way to Boston. * See Hist. Gen. de. Voyages, 1757, torn. 15. p. 161. t Winthrop, June 1637. Magnalia 2. 297. 12 90 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER XVI. The bouse of God They first re-edify, and for a while In mean estate live moderate Par. Lost. The temper of these early times is manifest in the continued care of the court to guard against extravagance in dress. Mr. Cotton's lectures against veils appear to have been soon for gotten. Some of the magistrates imagined that the women indulged themselves in too much expense. They accordingly conferred with the ministers on the subject, and charged'them to address themselves to the consciences of their hearers. The ministers promised a compliance, but it was* found that so many of their own and the elders' wives participated in the fault, that there could be little hope of reformation through this means. The appetite as well as the fondness for dress was put under restraint. Colony records, Nov. 1637: No person shall sell any cakes or bunns either in the market or victualling houses, or elsewhere, upon pain of ten shillings fine, provided, that this order shall not extend to such cakes as shall be made for any burial, or marriage, or such like special occa sion. A lesson on morals may be taken from a circumstance which happened in the year 1639. At the General Court holden in November, great complaint was made of the op pression suffered by the people in the. purchase of foreign commodities. Capt. Keayne, who kept a shop in Boston was notoriously above others observed, and charged with such particulars as these ; for taking in some cases above six pence in the shilling profit, in some above eight pence, and in others two for one. He was convicted and fined. After the court had censured him, he was called to account by the church. He acknowledged his fault with tears and bewailed his cove tous and corrupt heart, and a partial defence was set up by him or his friends, on the ground that if a man lost in one commodity, he might make it up in another, and that if through ignorance a man had given more for an article than it Avas worth in Europe, he might sell it for more than it was worth in New-England. ' HI8T0Y OF BOSTON. 91 Some ofthe members were earnest to have Capt. Keayne excommunicated, but Mr. Cotton did not consider his offence to be of that nature which is condemned in the scriptures, and he was excused with a simple admonition, on the presump tion that his errour was rather in his judgment than in his heart: for he was otherwise a liberal man, very hospitable and generous in his contributions toAvards the church expen ses. What would have been the effect on the mercantile character of Boston, if the rigour exercised in this case had continued to be exercised to this day, we leave the reader to surmise. Towards the close of the year 1639, the congregation medi tated the rebuilding of their house of worship. The old one which was erected in 1632, not only having become decayed, but being also too small to accommodate the people, there was no question about the necessity of a new house, but a wide and warm difference of opinion respecting where it should stand. Some of the brethren were for placing it on what was then called the green, which was Gov. Winthrop's first lot, and he had yielded it to the church. There is rea son to suppose this was the lot which the Old South church now owns, at the corner of Milk and Washington streets. Others, particularly the tradesmen, were inclined to build it still nearer the market than where the old one stood, lest in time it should divert the chief trade from thence. The church referred it to the judgment and determination of a committee of five, who agreed that it ought to be placed near the mar ket, but still for peace sake they proposed it should be decid ed by lot. When the church met, the matter was debated with some earnestness, and at last Mr. Cotton thought proper to express his opinion. He made it clear that it Avould be injurious to remove to the green, as many persons had pur chased and settled round the market in the expectation of being accommodated in their proximity to the place of wor ship, whereas it would be no damage to the most to have it by the market-place. It Avas finally determined with a good degree of harmony to erect the new church on the plat which is now covered by the block of buildings in Cornhill-square.* * We find no records of the dimensions of this house : that it had a gaUery is certain, and that it was furnished with a bell is probable from these records on the town boohs; 1643. March 27. Sgt. Johnson and Walter Merry are requested to take ye oversight of tbe boyes in ye galleryes and in case of unruly disorders to acquaint the magistrates there with. 1649. June 26. ' Richard Taylor is appointed to ring the bell at nine of the clock at night, and at half past four in the morning, at four pounds per annum.' This may be considered the origin of our nine o'clock bell, Hingham meeting-house, whieh is said to have been built on the same model, has a bel fry in tbe centre of the roofj 92 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The contractors for the work calculated that it would cost £600. They took the old house for half that sum, and the balance was to be supplied by voluntary contributions of the people. The building however cost about £1000, yet the ex pense was defrayed without any murmurs or assessment, by weekly collections. ' In some other churches,' says the Gov ernour, ' which did it by way of rates there was much diffi culty and compulsion by law to raise a far less sum.' It is pleasing to see in this incident how early the people of Bos ton adopted the practice of supporting religion without re course to law. Mr. Cotton had before this time advanced the doctrine, that when magistrates are obliged to provide. for the maintenance of ministers, the churches are in a" declining condition ; and proved in a sermon that the preachers of the gospel should be supported not by lands, revenues and tithes, which are the occasion of pride, contention and sloth, but by the voluntary contributions of their hearers. Their manner of taking these contributions was different from ours at the present day. Instead of the deacons passing the box to every one, and subjecting all to the tax of a groat or the mortifica* tion of a nod, ' the Governour and all the rest' went down and put their mites into the box at the deacons' seat. The religious society was now in a' prosperous state. That! disaffection which all, save five or six of the members, had for' merly manifested towards the pastor and Mr. Winthrop had happily subsided, and all was tranquillity and love. A while since, these gentlemen were treated with slight as men under a covenant of works and as the greatest enemies of the truth* But under these suspicions and cool treatment, they had be^ haved with great meekness, never complaining of unkind ¦ usage. Though often and strongly solicited to withdraw themselves from the communion, they had withstood the solicitation until now the odium which was upon them had gradually worn aivay, and they found themselves in possession of the wonted confidence and affection of their friends. The GoA'ernour in particular had a proof ofthe returning love of the brethren when suffering a heavy loss through the delinquency of one Luxford, his bailiff, to Avhom he trusted the management of his farm, and Avho incurred a debt of £2300 without his know ledge. The whole country indeed sympathized with him; the Court gave his wife 3000 acres of land and some of the towns sent in liberally. The whole however did not amount to £500 whereof near half came from Boston. Many of the poor to Avhom lots were assigned in Mt. Wolas- ton, finding it inconvenient to improve their lands there while they resided in Boston, petitioned the town for leave to form a church at the mount, which was eventually allowed on cer- HISTORY OF BOSTON. 93 tain conditions. So on Monday the 16th of September, 1 639, they gathered a church in the usual manner, and chose Mr. William Thomson, a pious and learned minister, who was or dained their pastor on the 24th of the same month. Mr. Hen ry Flint was chosen teacher. The churph was the twenti eth formed in the colony. This was a principal step towards the final separation, and the erection of a town in that place. As early as Dec. 10, 1636, measures had been adopted to wards accomplishing the separation. ' The Governour (Vane), Dep. Gov. (Winthrop) Messrs. Oliver, Keayne, John Newgate, Colburn, Coggeshall and Brenlon, are chosen to consider of the Mt. Wolaston business ; how they may be a town and ehurch there with the consent of this town's inhabitants.' On Jan. 17th 1640, the consent of Boston was voted in the fol lowing terms. ' It was agreed with our neighbours and breth ren ofthe Mount, namely, William Cheeseborough, Alexander, Winchester, Richard Wright, James Penniman, Stephen Kins ley* and Martin Saunders, in the name of the rest there, for whom they undertake, that they should give to this town of Boston towards the maintenance [of* the ministers] thereof As. an acre for every two acres of the seven acres formerly granted to divers y" of Boston, upon expectation they should have con tinued with us : and 3s. an acre for every acre that hath been or shall be granted to any others who are not inhabitants of Bos ton. And that in consideration hereof and after that the said portions of money shall be paid to this town's treasury of Bos ton, all the said land shall be free from any town rates or charges to Boston, and also from all country charges when the Mount shall be rated by the court and not assessed with the town of Boston ; and upon these terms if the court shall think fit to grant them to be a toAvn of themselves they shall have free liberty to accept thereof.* , Feb. 13, 1640, at a General Court the petition ofthe inhab itants of Mt. Wolaston Avas voted and granted them to be a town according to the agreement with Boston : provided if they fulfil not the covenant, it shall be in the poAver of Boston to recover their due by action against the said inhabitants, or any of them, and the town is to be called Braintree. Jn February 1792, the people of the first parish in Brain- tree petitioned to be made a distinct town, and were incorpo rated by the name ofQuincy. This name was adopted in honour of one of the earliest and most considerable proprie tors at the Mount. December 14, 1635, a committee of five persons were appointed to go to Mt. W. and bound out lots for Mr. Edmund Quincy and Mr. Coddington, ' what may be * See town records June 26, 1649. Also Appendix No. m. Winthrop, Sept. 1636. 94 HISTORY OF BOSTON. sufficient for them :' in 1636, March 14, the bounds are re corded. Mr. Coddington appears to have given his to Brain- tree for the support of schools ; the lot assigned to Mr. Quincy remains in the possession of one of his descendants, the pre sent mayor of the city. Mr. Quincy was descended from that Sieur de Quincy who was one of the English barons that made that noble stand, in the year 1215, which obliged King John to grant the Magna Charta. He with his wife joined the church in Boston, Nov. 1633 : within a short time five servants belonging to his fami ly also became members. He was a representative in 1634, and died here, aged about thirty-three. His son Edmund who was born in 1 628, settled in Braintree and was a gentle man of distinction among the fathers of that town: he died Jan. 7, 1698, leaving a son Edmund, who was born and resid ed at Braintree, and was a bright ornament and eminent ben efactor of that town and of his country.* Hubbard pronounces the ten years which were noAV (1640) closing, the golden age of New-England, when vice was crush ed as well by the civil as sacred sword, especially oppression and extortion in prices and wages. A remarkable instance was given in one F. P. Avho for asking an excessive price for a pair of stocks which he was hired to frame, had the honour to sit an hour in them first himself.f Women were not ex empt from publick notice. One for reproaching the mag istrates was condemned to be whipped, and bore her pun ishment with a masculine spirit, glorying in her suffering. She was a woman of abilities far before Mrs. Hutchinson, but she was poor and had little acquaintance. The free ex pression of her thoughts brought her again into difficulties for speaking against the elders, and she Avas obliged to stand half an hour with her tongue in a cleft stick. Church discipline reached to still nicer points : one brother ' having purloined out of buckskin leather brought unto him, so much thereof as would make three men's gloves, to the scandal of sundry without as well as of his brethren, and also having been by some ofthe brethren dealt with for it, did often deny and for swear the same, and was therefore cast out of the church.' » Hancock's century sermon, 1730, rep. 1811, and sermon on death of Hon. Edmund Quin cy, 1738. Eliot's Biog. Diet. t See Hubbard, 248, 276. Emerson's Hist. Sketch, 60—67. Winth-op's Jo. Dec. 1638. €ept. and -Nov. 16S9. Feb. 1640. Shaw, 239. Mass. H. C. 1. x.2. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 95 CHAPTER XVII. Let discipline employ her wholesome arts ; Let magistrates alert perform their parts, Let active laws apply the needful curb, To guard the peace that riot would disturb. — Cowper. From the time of a permanent establishment of a house of deputies or representatives in 1634, to the court of election in 1639, Boston had the privilege of sending three members. At that court, May 22, in consequence of the increase of the number of deputies with the increase of the number of towns, it was determined for the convenience both of the country and the court, to reduce all towns to two deputies. The expenses were at that time paid out of the public treasury. This alter ation excited some suspicions. Many were jealous that it was a plan of the assistants and magistrates to keep the num ber of deputies on a nearer equality with their own; and the people in some towns were highly displeased with their re presentatives for consenting to the measure. A motion was made in the next session to return to the former rule ; but after long debate, the order was confirmed, and the reasons for it, and answers to the objections against it, were recorded, and sent to such toAvns as were dissatisfied. From that period until 1680, Boston sent only two deputies. An incident occurred in Boston, hardly worthy of notice, which gave rise to a change also in regard to the Assistants. A thoughtless pig strayed from its owner, one good Mrs. Sherman; and, her husband not being at home to look after the creature, it wandered through the town, breaking into every body's corn as its hunger dictated. About the same time a stray pig was brought to Capt. Keayne, Avho had it cried a number of days, and many people came to see it, but no one would claim the property. He kept it in his yard for nearly a year with a pig "of his own. At the proper season the captain had the latter killed. This was no sooner done than forward came Mrs. Sherman, and claimed the dead pig for hers, because she found that the living one had other marks : she went so far as to accuse the captain of wilfully killing her pig. The matter made so much noise that the church investigated it and were satisfied of his innocence. 96 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The" woman hoAvever was instigated to bring the cause before an inferior court at Boston : there again Capt. Keayne was cleared, and the jury gave him £3 for his costs, and in an action brought by him against her and her instigator for defamation, he recovered £20 damages from each. This result so vexed Story, a London merchant, who was the woman's adviser, that he searched town and country to find matter against Capt. Keayne about this stray pig. At last he prevailed with one of the captain's witnesses to go into Salem court and confess that he had forsworn himself. Upon this he petitioned the General Court, in June .1642, to have the cause heard again, which the court granted and spent the best part of seven days in examining witnesses and debating the case. Yet when the question was put to vote, no decision could be obtained ; for no sentence of law could pass without the consent of the majority, both ofthe deputies and of the magistrates, and here were thirty deputies and nine magistrates, of whom two of the magistrates and fifteen ofthe deputies Avere for the plaintiff, and seven of the magistrates and eight of the deputies for the defendant, and seven deputies standing neutral. There had been great expectation in the country that the case would terminate unfavourably to Capt. Keayne. It happening otherwise, many took occasion to speak disrespectfully of the court, especially of the magistrates, and to attribute the hindrance of the course of justice to their ex ercise of a negative voice upon the doings of the deputies. Some were of a mind that this power of a negative should be taken from the assistants. Nothing was effected at this time, but occasions of altercation becoming more frequent, and the deputies being dissatisfied that their votes should lose their effect, by the non-concurrence of the magistrates who were so much fewer. in number, a formal attempt was made in 1644, to diminish or destroy the power of the latter. Mr. Winthrop and the assistants maintained their right with so much firmness,, that the effort was unavailing ; and it was therefore moved by the deputies, that the two houses might sit apart, and from that time votes were sent in a parliamen tary Avay from one house to the other, and the consent of both was necessary to an act of court. Provision Avas made for some cases in which, if the two houses differed, it was agreed that the major vote of the whole should be decisive. This was the origin of our present Senate. Mrs. Sherman's pig might have been forgotten in the great er interest excited by the difficulties it produced. But she possessed perseverance superior to that of Amy Dardin, in more modern times, and at length the captain yielded to the HISTORY 0* BOSTON. 97 advice of friends, and relinquished the living pig to the wo man, for the sake of the publick peace.* The Boston church enjoying harmony within itself could not forget its members, who had left their places in the Anti- nomian controversy. In March 1640, they sent a deputation of three gentlemen to Rhode Island, with letters to Mr. Cod dington and the rest, to inquire into their opinions on certain points of doctrine formerly maintained by them, and also to demand that they should give an account of themselves to this church, for their unwarrantable practice of communing with excommunicated persons. When the messengers arrived, they found that these people had formed a Church among themselves, and had the independence to refuse to hear the messengers as such, or to receive the Boston letters. When the result of the mission was submitted to the church, the el ders and most of the church were disposed to pass a vote of exclusion against them, ' but all not being agreed, it was de ferred.' Mr. Emerson observes, the mission was worse than useless : it served to foment a party spirit at home, and to ex asperate the minds of those for ivhose benefit the measure was intended. In the year 1640, Mr. Dudley was chosen" governour," and Mr. Bellingham, deputy-governour, Mr. Winthrop, the former governour, being elected an assistant. The election in 1641, notwithstanding the number of votes was great, was determin ed in favour of Mr. Bellingham for governour (Mr. Winthrop being his competitor) by a majority of six votes only. Mr. Endicott was chosen deputy-governour. lt was disputed whether they fairly had the majority, because the votes of some persons were refused, who it Avas thought had a right to vote. Mr. Winthrop Avas silent, though he believed himself injured. The revolutions which, were now taking place in England excited the attention of the colonial government, and it was determined to send three agents thither, to congratulate the parliament on their successes, and to be ready to improve any opportunity Avhich might offer for the advantage of the colony. The men selected for this purpose were Rev. Messrs. Weld and Peters, and Mr. William Hibbins. The two for mer never returned to America. Mr. Hibbins was a princi pal merchant in the colony, and Avas the first town treasurer of Boston whose name appears on record.! * Hutch. Hist. ch.l. Winthrop, June 1642. March 1644. Town records, Sept. 17, 1638. Mr. Winthrop's account would lead us to infer that Capt. Keayne repaid the 3/. costs, which was all that he received ofthe woman ; the pig was worth forty shillings. t Town records, April 27, 1640. Mass. H. C. 1. x. 30. 13 98 HISTORY OF BOSTON. In the years 1642 and 1643, Mr. Winthrop was chosen governour and Mr. Endicott, deputy. In the latter year the colony of Massachusetts was divided into four counties, fcssex, Middlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Essex contained Middlesex. Suffolk. Norfolk. Salem Charlestown Boston SaUsbury Lynn Cambridge Roxbury Haverhill Enon (Wenham) Watertown Dorchester Hampton Ipswich Sudbury Dedham Exeter Rowley Concord Braintree Dover Newbury Woburn Weymouth Strawberry-Bank Gloucester Med ford Hingham (Portsmouth) Chochickawick Lynn Village Xantasket (Hull) The four last towns are now in New-Hampshire. At the election in 1644, Messrs. Winthrop and Endicott ex changed places ; the latter being chosen for governour, and the former for deputy. This success of Mr. Endicott was pecu liarly gratifying to ' those of Essex.' Salem had become a very flourishing place, and it was a favourite object Avith Mr. Endicott to have that town considered the capital of the state. The Essex deputies had introduced a measure at the co.urt previous, by which the deputies of the several counties were directed to meet in the recess and prepare such business as it might be necessary to transact. Under this order they carne prepared, and introduced two bills, the object of which was to aggrandize their oavh section of the country by drawing 1. the seat of government thither : 2. the courts : and 3. a good part of the country stock. They also proposed, 4thly, that four of their neighbourhood should be joined in commission with the magistrates. 'They had made so strong a party among the deputies of the smaller towns, (being most of them mean men, and such as had small understanding in affairs of state) that they easily carried all their points among the depu ties. But when the two bills came up to the magistrates, they discerning the plot and finding them hurtful to the com monwealth, refused to pass them. -A committee from each house was appointed to consider the reasons of both sides, and then the opinion of the upper house prevailed :' ' Boston be ing such a convenient mart for business, and other circumstan ces concurring to increase its population, obtained the prefer ence,' and thereafter ' all hopes were renounced that Salem would become the capital of New-England.* We shall find the authorities here acquiescing under every change of government which occurred during the civil wars Winthrop, June S, 1644. Mass. Hist. Coll. 1, vi. 232—234. Eliot. Biog. Diet. 195. HISTORV OF BOSTON. 99 in England. The parliament prevailing this year, the Gene ral Court passed an order which contains the following article ; ' what person soever shall by word, writing or action, endea vour to disturb our peace directly or indirectly, by drawing a party under pretence that he is for the King of England, and such as join with him against the parliament, shall be account ed as an offender of a high nature against this commonwealth, and to be proceeded against either capitally or otherwise ac cording to the quality and degree of his offence.' A provision was annexed that this order should not be extended against any that came hither merely for purposes of trade. Very soon after the passing of this order, a London ship of 24 guns, Capt. Stagg, arrived at Boston with a cargo of wine from Teneriffe. A Bristol ship of 100 tons, laden with fish, lay in the harbour at the same time. Captain Stagg said nothing of having any commission, but as soon as he had landed the principal part of his wine, he suddenly weighed anchor and sailed round to Charlestown, placed his ship between that town and the Bris tol ship, and moored himself abreast of her. He then order ed the master of the Bristol ship aboard, showed him a com mission, turned up a half-hour glass, and demanded that he should surrender by the time the glass was out. The Bristol captain returned to his own vessel and stated the case to his men ; two or three of them were for fighting, and would rather have blown up the ship than have yielded, but the greater part thought best to secure their property and wages, which Capt. S. promised them, as well as their lives, and the ship was therefore surrendered. In this half hour's time a great many people were gathered upon the Windmill hill (Copp's hill) to see the issue, and as was very natural, some who had an interest in the prize ship (especially a Bristol merchant, a very bold malignant, in the phrase of the times) began to collect a mob and raise a tumult. But some ofthe inhabitants, apprehensive of serious consequen ces, seized the said merchant and some others that were stran gers and brought them before the deputy, Mr. Winthrop, who put them under guard in a room at a publick house. Others who belonged to town he committed to prison, and sent the consta ble to require the people to disperse. Capt. Stagg was im mediately called to account, and produced his commission from the parliament, which was found to give him sufficient authority to make prize of all Bristol vessels in any port or creek. Great excitement was produced by this occurrence. Some of the ministers partook ofthe common feeling, and in their sermons inveighed against the captain, and exhorted the mag istrates and all concerned to maintain the people's liberties, which they said were violated by this act. Many Avere of 100 HISTORY OF BOSTON. opinion that Capt. Stagg should be compelled to restore the ship ; but the majority of the magistrates Avere of a different opinion, on the ground that it would seem like an opposition to parliament. For this and other reasons of state, the cap tain was suffered to enjoy his prize. The merchants who were interested in the property on board the Bristol vessel petitioned to try their right by an action at law, which was granted: but when the governoup and six other magistrates (for the governour did not send for such as dwelt far off) and the jury were assembled, the merchants were persuaded not to insist on the case being submitted lo the jury, but to refer the decision of the whole matter to the court of admiralty^ before which the case must necessarily come. Thus an affair, ivhich in its outset threatened to produce no small trouble, end* ed peaceably. There was a speck of liberty discernible in the part which the Boston people took in this affair. An occasion of a differ ent kind occurred in 1646, in which they manifested their love of freedom more conspicuously. There had been an assem bly of the ministers and elders in 1643, for the purpose of discountenancing an attempt at Newbury to establish some things in the presbyterian way. It probably was a voluntary meeting, and Mr. Cotton of Boston acted as one of the mode rators. In 1646, a synod was called by the General Court, to discuss, dispute and clear up such questions of church gov ernment and discipline as they shall think needful and meet, and to continue so doing till the major part of them should be agreed upon one form of government and discipline, which they judge agreeable to the holy scriptures, to be presented to the court for their approbation. It was of course intended that what this synod should decree, and the court approve, should become the law of the land and binding on the churches. Some of the deputies saw this and opposed the proposition. It was demonstrated that no new powers were assumed ; but out of regard to the scruples of some members, it was agreed - that the synod should be convoked by a vote recommending it to the several churches to send delegates, and not by a pos itive order. But, says Mr. Hubbard, whatever gentle words the order was SAveetened withal, some of the churches could not swal- Ioav it : the principal men who raised objections Avere some lately arrived from England, Avhere a vast liberty Avas allowed by the parliament, Avhich had also sent orders to the West In dia colonies, that all men should enjoy their liberty of con science, and had by their letters also intimated the same to those of New-England. Some few of the church in Boston adhered to these-principles, which made them stickle much against the calling of this synod. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 101 This few formed about three-sevenths of the acting mem bers of the church ; they were influenced in a great degree by the opinion of Mr. Cotton, and their opposition to the mea sure was so determined, that they presented three formal ob jections to it ; that the interference of the court was unneces sary, that the order originated with the ministers, and that the decisions of the synod would be binding on the churches, without their own consent. A motion was however made that the church should send its proportion of delegates, and after two Sabbath days' debate, it was carried in the affirma tive by a vote of forty against thirty. Here arose a great difficulty : some members were in favour of proceeding to se lect and send their delegates : but the church had heretofore done all business by unanimous voles, and it would have grieved many to see so important an act as this, carried, into operation on a bare majority. To relieve the difficulty, some one proposed that the whole church should attend and see for themselves : but this would appear singular and perhaps be thought disrespectful. Some external impulse was necessary to bring the matter to a conclusion. Mr. Norton, then of Ips wich, was at hand, and he was procured to supply the pulpit as Boston, upon a lecture day, where AAras a great audience, and he handled his subject so aptly, and with so much strength of reason and argument, that on the next Sabbath the Boston church agreed to send their elders and three of the brethren as messengers to the synod. This assembly met at Cambridge and had several adjourn ments until October 1648, when its sesssion terminated. Its labours principally consisted in compiling ivhat is called the Cambridge platform, which together with the Westminster con fession they recommended to the court, and which for a long time continued to be standard authorities in the congregational churches in New-England.* * Hubbard, S32. Backus, i. 185. Magnalia, ii. 181— Emerson, 81. Mass. H. 0. 1. x. 3—2. 195. 102 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER XVIII: " Great prince and father of our State, receive The well-earn'd honours that thy Rome wonld give." In the beginning of the year 1649, Boston suffered a mourn ful loss in the death of Governour Winthrop. From the first moment of placing his foot on the peninsula he had been its firmest friend. His resolute perseverance in opposition to Dud ley's plan of establishing the capital at Cambridge, laid the foundation of Boston's greatness, and the endeavours of Endi cott and his party to obtain the same honour for Salem, Avere rendered unavailing through the wisdom and prudence of Win throp. He was one of the earliest Selectmen and frequently served on that board. In almost every event of any moment we find him bearing part, and except for one short' period he was an oracle and favourite Avith the people. Or, as Cotton expresses it, he was their friend in all things by his counsel, a a help for their bodies by physick, and in their estates by law. Governour Winthrop was born at the family mansion house of his ancestors, at Groton in Suffolk, June 12, 1587. Hav ing been educated to the profession of law, he was made a Justice of the peace at the age of eighteen, and soon became conspicuous for his many virtues. In his profession he was exemplary as an upright and impartial magistrate, and in his private character he manifested the traits of a devout and practical christian. He had the wisdom to discern and the fortitude to perform what was right in executing the duties of his office; and as a gentleman was remarkable for liberality and hospitality. These qualities rendered him dear to men of sobriety and religion, and fitted him to engage in the great and difficult work of founding a colony. Previous to his embarking for New-England, he Converted a fine estate of six or seven hundred pounds sterling per an num into money, Avhich he expended principally in the ser vice of the plantation. His time, his study, his exertions, his influence and'his interests, were all employed in the publick service. He maintained the dignity of a governour with the obliging condescension of a gentleman : his wisdom, patience and magnanimity were conspicuous in the most severe trials, HISTORY OF BOSTON. 103 and "his christian-like behaviour added splendour to all his rare qualifications. He was a pattern to the people of that frugality, decency, and temperance, which were necessary in their circumstances, and even denied himself many ofthe elegances and superflui ties of life, which he had enjoyed elsewhere. This he did both that he might set others a proper example, and be the better enabled to exercise that liberality in which he delight ed. His charity indeed was unbounded. He would often send his servants on some errand, at meal times, to the houses of his neighbours to see how they were provided with food, and if there was a deficiency would supply them from his own table. He mingled with his sterner virtues a happy portion of well-timed wit. In one of the very hard and long winters which he endured in this climate, a man came to the gov ernour with a private complaint that a needy person in the neighbourhood stole wood sometimes from his pile. ' Does Ae,' said Mr. Winthrop, ' call him to me and I will take a course with him, that shall cure him of stealing.' The man appeared, trembling under the terrours of the law. ' Friend,' said the governour, ' it is a very cold season, and I doubt you are but poorly provided with wood : you are welcome to supply yourself at my pile till the winter is •over.'' But though condescending and gentle on every occasion of personal ill treatment, yet where the, honour of government or religion and"the interests of the people were concerned, he was equally firm and intrepid, standing foremost in opposition to those whom he judged to be really publick enemies. He defended the course he had pursued in Mrs. Hutchinson's case, on the ground which he maintained on all occasions : ' I have acted according to my conscience and my oath, and by advice of the elders of the church, and am fully satisfied that it would not have been consistent with the publick peace to have done otherwise.' His political opinions were not so favourable to the demo- cratical forms of government as were those of some of the Avise and good men with whom he was associated. On this subject he has left us these remarkable words; ' the best part of a community is always the least, and of that best part the wiser is still less.' His ideas of the right of a publick officer to exercise his own judgment are thus conveyed : 'When you choose us magistrates, the covenant between us and you, is, that we shall govern you and judge your causes according to the laws of God and our best skill ; and as for our skill, you must run the hazard of it : if there be an errour, not in the will, but in the skill, it becomes you to bear it.' Mr. Winthrop, before he left England, was of a more catho lick spirit than some of his brethren. After he came to America 104 HISTORY OF BOSTON. he yielded somewhat to the reigning spirit of intolerance, but as he advanced in life he resumed his former moderation, and in the time of his last sickness, when Dudley pressed him to sign an order for the banishment of a person who was deemed heterodox, he refused, saying, that he had done too much of that work already. He met with much affliction in his family, having buried three wives and six children. These and other troubles join ed with the opposition and ill treatment he frequently received so preyed upon his nature, already worn by the toils and hard ships of planting a colony in a wilderness, that he perceived a decay of his faculties and often spoke of his dissolution as ap proaching, with a calm resignation to the will of heaven. A fever occasioned by a cold, after one month's confinement, put an end to his life on the 26th of March 1649, set. 62. Gov. Winthrop's house stood on the spot occupied by the South Row, about opposite to School street. It was of wood, two stories high, and was demolished by the British in 177S. His remains were deposited in the family tomb, on the north side of the Chapel burial ground. His portrait is preserved in the Land Office at the State House. He is judged to have been about six feet high, not corpulent, long favoured, with a dark blue eye, high forehead, long beard, and dark hair, which he wore in the form of a natural wig. CHAPTER XIX. "See wide dominions ravished from the deep, And changed creation takes its face from man.' We consider the death of Gov. Winthrop to have complet ed an epoch in the history of Boston. The town had then been settled about nineteen years ; its population had become so numerous that they were meditating the formation of a new church : the necessities of the place and the conveniences it afforded for trade, had given occasion for extensive improve ments in the construction of wharves, and other expedients to enlarge the facilities for domestick and foreign commerce : a foundation was laid for the publick instruction of youth, and a regular system of police established. We propose to give in this chapter a view of the progress of these improvements. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 105 The features which in sixteen hundred and thirty were most prominent on the face of Boston have now disappeared. The hill at the north, rising to the height of about 50 feet above the sea, presented then on its northwest brow an ab rupt declivity, long after known 'as Copp's hill steeps. Its summit, almost level, extended between Prince and Charter streets towards Christ's church. Thence south a gentle slope led to the water, which washed the south side of Prince street below, and the north side above Thacher street as far as Salem streeU Eastward from the church, a gradual de scent led to the north battery, which was considered the bot tom of the hill. South-easterly the slope Avas still more grad ual, and terminated at the foot of the north square, leaving a (knoll on the right, where at present stands the meeting-house of the Second church. This hill was the spot selected for the site of the first Avind- mill used in the colony, when it was brought down from Wa tertown, in August 1632, because it would not grind there but with a westerly Avind. Hcneeit obtained the name of Windmill hill. Most probably it was at some period called Snow hill ; but about the time of the revolution in 1775, it bore the name of Copp, which it retained so long as any portion of it was left standing. William Copp was the earliest proprietor of that portion of the hill which latterly bore his name. This appears from the following record in the first book of possessions. " The possession of William Copp within the limits of Boston. " One house and lott of halfe an acre in the Mill field bound ed Avith Thomas Buttolph southeast : John Button northeast : the marsh on the southwest: and the river on the northwest." Copp's hill was at one time in possession of the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company. In 1775 the common was occupied by the British troops, and that company was re fused admittance there to perform their exercise and evolu tions. Major Wm. Bell, who was then commander, therefore marched the company to Copp's hill. Some years after, a question arose in town meeting, ' to whom this hill belonged :' some one said, ' to the Ancient and Honourable.' Col. Jo seph Jackson, their treasurer and past commander, was sent for, and declared that he considered it their property, a mort gage upon it to them having long since run out, and that Capt. Bell, with the company, hadtaken possession of it in 1775. Oapt. Bell Avas then interrogated by Col. Thomas DaAves, the moderator. Why did you march your company to Copp's hill ? Answer. I was prohibited from entering the common, 14 106 HISTORY OF BOSTON. conceiving this hill to be the property of the„ company, I marched them there, as a place no one had a right to exclude them from. Question by moderator. Supposing a party of British troops should have been in possession of it, and should have forbidden you entrance, what would you have done ? Answer. I would have charged bayonets, and forced my way, as surely as I would force my way into my dwelling house, if taken possession of by a gang of thieves. The late Col. William Tudor, who was then present, said, ' Mr. Moderator, The hill clearly belongs to that company, and I wish they would execute a quit claim of it to me for a fair price.' The mortgage was afterwards discharged. The British left a small fort standing on this hill, (near the southwest corner of the burial ground,) which remained a fa vourite resort for the recreation of school-boys, until the im provements commenced in 1807, that have terminated in the levelling of the hill, and the erection of buildings on its sum mit and base.* Lynn-street and Ann-street, as far south as Richmond- street, occupy Avhat was the foot of Windmill hill on the sea board. The land between Richmond-street on the north, and Portland and Elm-streets on the south, was a narrow neck, on either side of which was a spacious cove. Southerly from Richmond-street, Ann-street probably follows the shore, till Ave reach the Mill creek, where a natural inlet commenced, which extended to and covered what is now Hatter's square. As near as can be ascertained the name of ' the cove1 was applied to all the Avater which flowed between the head of Hancock's Avharf and the bottom of State-street. AH the records of possessions north of the former speak of the sea or the bay (as Josselyn called it) for the bounds on the north and east. Then comes Thomas Joy who has the cove soulh- Avest ; Mr. Thomas Clarke next has it south, which probably Avas at the foot of North-square, (for some time called Clark's square.) Southerly from him various owners have the cove southeast, east and north till Ave come to Edward Tyng, who has the bay on the east, and the cove on the north. The western extremity of this, which we will call the. mar ket-cove, has of late years been known as the Town dock ; it was formerly called Bendall's dock, from Edward Bendall, ivho owned a lot near the head of it. His'deed gives him the cove north and east, Avhich brought him not far from the cor ner of Dock-square opposite the Sheep-market : a creek is mentioned near his neAv house, April 1639. The water flow ed near to the foot of Brattle-street. The whole of Dock-square " Whitman's hist, sketch, p. 66, Winthrop's Journal. HISTORY OF BOSTOU. 107 and Market-square, and the west side of Union-street as far as Creek lane, and all east of that to the Mill creek were daily covered by the tide. Between the inlet, which now forms the Mill creek, and the principal arm of the cove, there was a narrow point of low marsh projecting, in the form of a triangle. This was an ciently granted to Mr. Bellingham. In 1644 he sold one half to Christopher Lawson, and the other half in 1646 to Joshua Scottow, who in 1650 appears also to have purchased of James Everill another portion of the same marsh, which was the identical spot on which lately stood the triangular ware house. THE TRIANGULAR WAREHOUSE. VIEW FEOM S. E. COiWEH. OK FANEUIL-HALL. The origin of that singular building is involved in a happy obscurity, which has given rise to much curious speculation. It stood at the head of the Town dock, as it was in July last, on the northside ofthe same. It occupied precisely the space marked by the small triangle, which is to be seen in square He on our plan for 1824, and opposite to the swing bridge, which is shewn on the plan for 1722. Jt measured on the side facing the dock forty-eight feet : on Roe-buck passage fifty-one, and on the back side fifty-five feet. It Avas built of brick, on a stone foundation, and had a slated roof. There were two principal stories in the building with a good cellar underneath. The lower story appeared to have been arched, with very many doors and windoAvs. On each cor- 108 HISTORY OF BOSTON. ner, and in the centre of the roof there was a tower, such as is represented in the plate, topped with a ball. The centre ball was of wood ; the others were of stone, all fixed on iron spires set in lead. Conjecture has made this edifice to have been a fort built for the protection of the town, or a custom-house for the accommodation of government ; there is, however, good reason to believe that it was not erected for any publick purpose, but that it was built about the year 1700, by London merchants, for a commercial warehouse. It had been a place of considerable business and for some time the publick scales for weighing large draughts were kept there. Of late years it had been occupied for minor purposes, until August last, when it was taken down to make room for the great improve ments commenced in the vicinity of the market. It was con structed with great strength, the bricks were of a larger size than those now used, and the foundation stood upon a sandy marsh ; beneath which there is found a solid blue clay, at about thirteen feet below the level of Ann-street. State-street was a primitive highway. The OAvners on both sides, about 1640, can be traced. Edward Tyng before men tioned, owned the North-east corner, which, as we suppose, was the South-west corner of Merchants'-row. William Hud son, senior, held a house and yard at the lower end on the south side, which appears to have been the only lot between the corner of that street and the commencement of Mr. Win- throp's marsh, which afterwards came to be known by the name of Oliver's dock. This lot was probably situated near the corner of Kilby-street now occupied by the New-England bank. From between that corner and the bottom of Milk- street, a cove run up westAvard as far as Spring-lane, where there was a remarkable spring. Mr. Winthrop's garden lay on the south sidei of that lane, and was said to be bounded north with the springate. Mr. Hibbins lay east of him, hav ing also the springate north. Then came John Spoore, who had ' the' creek' north, and the marsh east of him. These three lots bring us doAvn to the block between Congress and Kilby (late Adams) street. Passing the intervening piece of marsh, (or water course,) we then have three lots which have the marsh still on the north, and at the water side have John Compton's house and garden ' bounded with the cove on the east and the fort-hill on the south.' The lots on the north side of Spring-lane and Water-street are all said to be bound ed south, either by the springate or the marsh. We have taken the pains to trace out the above points on the original records, to show how accurately tradition and the memory of our aged citizens agree with the facts thus ascer tained. They substantiate the account in Shaw's description, Avhich we here insert. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 109 ' Oliver's Dock, not many years since, came up to Kilby- street. A fish-shop owned by Mr. Solomon Hewes, used to stand over the water, and parallel to the street. On the side of the dock stood the famous stamp office, occupied by Lieut. Governor Oliver. This small building was tumbled into the water by the patriotic mob in 1765, and with it was over thrown the scheme of taxation which led to the revolution. The building, now (1817) occupied as a grocer's shop, by J. Welsh, stands on the same spot. ' The greater part of Quaker-lane (Congress street,) is made land. An aged gentleman, who lived near the spot, says that when the foundation of Joy's buildings was preparing, the remains of the hull of an old. vessel, or large boat, with frag ments of canvass, and tarred rope, were dug up : which shews the place had been once used for a graving yard, or some similar purpose. A relative of our informant, remembered when lighters and boats carne up the creek (then so called,) as far as the wheat sheaf, now the estate of Mr. Kendall, the baker. On the spot now covered by the corner of Joy's buildings, stood a shop, improved by one Kent, a tanner. His tan-yard was in the rear, and in front Avas a wharf, for the accommodation of his small A'essels. This was one branch of the creek. ' Another branch may be traced thus : — A Mr. Marshall remembered, when a boy, smelts Avere caught at the head of the creek, near the meeting-house in Federal-street, where is now the drain and common sewer. A man descended in this some years ago, and groped his way under ground, till he came out at Oliver's dock. — Here Avere a number of cooper's shops ; the Avorkmen used to soak their hoops in the water, now covered by an oyster shop, and buildings occupied by painters and others. From a A'iew of the ground, there is reason to believe that the greater part of Congress-street, the whole of Kilby-street, and Liberty-square, are built on flats once covered by salt water. In noticing the great storm and tide, in 1 723, the writer says, " we could sail in boats from the southern battery to the rise of ground in King-street." ' Another aged inhabitant states, that he has seen a canoe sail, at different times, over the spot Avhich now makes the corner of Congress and Water-streets ; and thinks he has seen the water three feet deep in Federal-street. He remem bers having heard Dr. Chauncy say, that he had taken smelts in the place, now improved as a garden, belonging to the es tate of the late Judge Paine, in Milk-street, [at the west cor ner of Federal-street.] ' Passing on southerly from the bottom of Milk-street to Battery-march, you walk over a spolf, which Avas formerly oc cupied by Mr. HalloAvell as a ship-yard. — Where the Custom- 110 HISTORY OF BOSTON. house, and the adjoining stores now stand, vessels of great burthen have been built ; and a large and beautiful ship, com pletely rigged, owned by Capt. Fellows was launched there, within the recollection of many now living. ' In very high tides the water has floAved up to the corner of- State-street, formerly called the Admiral Vernon tavern, now occupied by Mr. Sumner as a crockery store. At the bottom of this street not many years since, logs were dug up in a sound state, which, from the knots and remains of the boughs, must have been felled near the spot.' The grocery shop mentioned in this account stood at the corner of Kilby-street, which makes the north-east corner of Liberty-square, being very near the centre of H h. Joy's buildings are on the west side of Congress-street, corner of Water-street. The southern branch of the creek covered a part of the lower end of Pearl-street, and extended across the Atkinson estate, which lay between Pearl and Atkinson- streets, as appears on an ancient plan deposited in the Athe- nffiuni, and is also evident from the course of the larger drain. The head of the creek reached towards Summer-street, and in very high tides, has nearly united with the Avater from South-street at the late Mr. Ebenezer Parsons' garden, now Winthrop-place. In digging for the foundation of the very elegant stone stores recently erected by Waterston, Pray, & Co. at the corner of Kilby and Water-streets, it was necessa ry to pass through marsh and dock mud, and the tide water daily filled the trenches, until the discovery that it was all let in by one aqueduct log. The Admiral Vernon tavern noticed by Shaw, was at the corner of Merchants'-Row. From the south-east margin of this, which we will call the middle-cove, the eastern hill commenced its ascent, and ex tending gradually to the south and west rose to the height of 80 feet above the sea. Its eastern side was also a ragged cliff, that seemed placed by nature in front of the entrance to the harbour for the purposes of defence, to which it Avas very soon applied, and from which it obtained its present name of Fort-hill. It was before called Corn-hill. Southerly and westerly it slopes towards Purchase and Atkinson, and doAvn High-street to the foot of Summer-street. The estates east of High-street had the bay on the east, and when Ave arrive to the lots now in South-street and Essex, they are said to have the cove on the south, which we call the southern cove. Windmill point at the bottom of Sea-street makes one limit of this cove, and South Boston the other, with Dorchester and Roxbury south, and the neck on the Avest. ' The neck now so called within the limits of Boston is one mile and thirty-nine yards in length. A part of it has been HISTORY OF BOSTON. Ill greatly widened and improved by building, and the whole ex tent has been raised by art above its /original level : other wise the neck has undergone but little alteration. It is hard ly necessary to state that the neck has been overflowed in many parts, within the recollection of people now living.' On the west side ofthe neck we have the receiving basin of the mill-dam, and as we advance north from that we enter Charles River, which washes the western shore of the penin sula, and empties itself into the bay between Copp's hill and Charlestown. There its breadth is about 600 yards : towards the south part of the town it widens into a bay of considera ble extent, but the channel becomes narrow and innavigable by large vessels at low tide. Formerly also there Avas a spacious cove on the Boston side, still nearer the mouth of the river. This afterwards became the mill pond by the erection of the causeAvay from Prince-street G c to Leverett street D d. The waters of ' the mill cove' came up to the south-west side of Prince-street below Thacher-street, where they took a turn northerly and up towards the bottom of Snow-hill-street. The northerly end of Thacher-street lay open till within a very few years. The south side of Prince street above this spot was marsh, and so was the west side of Back-street. A causeway was also erected on this side, for the convenience of passengers to the mill ; it lay east of the present site of the First Baptist meeting-house, and opened a few rods east of Thacher-street. Until 1807, when the mill pond began to be filled up, about one half the Baptist meeting-house mentioned stood over the Avater, and the margin of the pond ran in a south by west line to the south mills, which stood at the entrance on Mill-pond- street, near the furniture warehouse of Mr. Beats. Verging thence a little more westerly, it passed across Union, Friends' and Portland-street towards the bottom of Hawkins', whence it took a Avesterly course across Pitt's and Gooch-street to the entrance from Leverett-street, which at one time bore the name of Mill-alley. Not far from this spot we find the record of a ' small creek,' as the west bounds of an estate, Alexan der Beck's, which had ' the cove north, and John Leverit south,' from whom Leverett-street has probably derived its name. The descent to the water here was very steep. The south west side of Leverett-street, opposite this opening, stands on rising ground from which Ave may commence our ascent to one portion of the chief of the three hills. A street was early laid out in the vicinity, if not in the very course of Temple-street, and those among us not very old can well re member Beacon hill steps, which stood at the head of it, to 112 HISTORY OF BOSTON. conduct us to a spot that avc shall ever recollect with pleasure and regret. The top of this beautiful hill was 138 feet and a half above the level of the sea. It afforded ' an extensive and most en chanting prospect of the country round,' and of the islands in the harbour. The spirit of speculation has in a,n evil hour laid it low, and posterity must satisfy themselves with a dull description instead of enjoying the reality. Beacon hill with its two eminences embraced about a hun dred acres of ground, extending through the centre of the peninsula, from the river to the coves. The view given in page 46, exhibits as exact a representation of its original ap pearance seen from Charlestown, as we have been able to ob- tain. Probably it was better wooded. Of late years, while it laid open as a pasture ground for cattle, the barberry and the wild rose grew upon it. The eminence almost contiguous to Beacon hill on the east, was rather higher* than that on its western side. It reached towards Tremont-street (lately so called) and thence with a very slow descent in three di rections led to the Springate, the Market cove, and the Mill pond, through Sudbury-street. The grounds occupied by the gardens of Messrs. Phillips, Green, and Lloyd, we conjecture to have been ' the three little rising, hills,' from which arose the name of Trea-Mount, as the street was first officially designated in 1708.^ The westernmost eminence or left shoulder of this hill, as Johnson might call it, making no unapt comparison of the three to the head and shoulders of a man, was farther from the beacon, and occupied Avhat is now called Mount Vernon. The highest points were probably between Sumner, and Pinckney-streets, giving an easy descent towards Cambridge- street on the north, and a more rapid one to Beacon-street south. On the top, directly opposite the Charles-street meet ing-house, there was, and continues to be, a boiling spring, Avhich is now open in three places, at a height not less than eighty feet above the water. The west side of this hill ap pears to have been rough and precipitous, though several streets are noAv constructed over it, which afford a more gen tle, if not entirely safe approach to the river. ' A certain writer, in mentioning this river, quaintly says, the subject is dry though watery ; and is not considerable, otherwise than in settling the south line of the Massachusetts colony. It is, hoAvever, worthy of particular description, in an account of Boston.! * Miscellanies in library of Historical Society. t See Shaw, p. 60,70, 73, 81, 101, 116. Winthrop, May, 1632. , Hale's Survey, p. 20. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 113 The source ofthe principal branch of this river, is a pond, bordering on Hopkinton. It passes through Holliston and Bellingham, and branches of it divide Medway from Medfield, Wrentham and Franklin, Dover from Sherburne, and passing in a north-easterly course through the S. E. corner of Natick, it there turns to the eastward, and separating Needham and Dover, pursues its way into Dedham; where at about nine miles from Boston, a stream called Mother Brook runs out of this river into the Neponset, and forms a sort of canal between the two. From this place the course of the Charles is north erly between Needham and Newton to the bounds of Weston, ivhence bending eastAvard it separates Weston and Waltham from Newton. From the south-east corner of Waltham, it has Watertown and Cambridge on the north, Newton, Watertown (at the village), Brighton and Brookline on the south, till it reaches the harbour of Boston. The junction of the Charles and Neponset by the medium of Mother Brook, forms a beauti ful island of the towns that lie within them, to wit, Brookline, Brighton, Newton, part of Dedham, Dorchester, Roxbury and Boston. These rivers are interrupted by several elegant falls, and afford a number of seats for mills and manufactories. Besides the hills and water spots mentioned there was one of each, of which nothing noAv remains to be seen ; Fox hill which is delineated on our old plan at the bottom of the com mon, and the town's watering place, Avhich was afterwards called ' the pond,'' on the north side of Bedford-street, near the opening into Chauncy-place. It is most likely that ' Mr. Coddington's swamp' was situated in that vicinity, farther doivn the street. There avbs also a considerable extent of marsh on the north side of Cambridge street below Blossom street. The plans of the town so late as 1796 exhibit no land Avest of a line from the foot of Centre, (No. 69 in Bfi) to Brighton street, in B d. An enumeration of the islands in the harbour will now com plete our design of bringing into one vieAV the original appear ance of Boston. The following table was made in 1793 by that distinguished antiquary Mr. Thomas Pemberton, with great care. ' The distances are from actual survey according to Des Barre's excellent chart. Although not all the islands in the table belong to Boston, the propriety of inserting it en tire will be manifest. The bay or harbour extends from Nantasket to Boston, and spreads from Chelsea to Hingham, containing about 75 square miles, lt is bespangled with up- Avards of 100 islands or rocks, and receives the waters from' Mystick, Charles, Neponset and Manatticut Rivers, with sev eral other smaller streams.' 15 J14 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Distance from Islands and Rocks* Long Wharf, Situation. - In what place. Boston. Apple Island - - - - 2 3-4 miles. Between Snake andGreen islands - - - - 1 Boston. Apthorp's, a part of Calf 9 Island Bird Island. Soil washed 1 1-12 „ Between Noddle's and Boston. away, but dry at low Governour's island water - - - - - Great Brewster. Contains 7 3-4 „ Between Lovell's and Hull. about 25 acres. A high Light-House island cliff, towards tbe sea ; it is lessening every year. Middle Brewster. Rocks, 8 1-8 „ Between tne Great and Hull. with a small portion of Outer Brewster - - soil - - * Outer Brewster - - - 8 1-4 „ East from the Middle Brewster - - - - Hull. Dmukin Island 9 1-4 „ Between Nantasket and Little Hog island - - Hingham. Button Island - - 11 1-4 „ Between Sailor's Island and Hingbain - - - Calf Island. A rock,cover- T3-4 „ Between the GrealBrews- Hull. ed in some parts with soil. ter and Green island - Castle Island, (Fort Inde •2 1-3 „ Between Thomson's island Boston. pendence) - - - and Boston Chandler's Island, called 10 3-4 „ Between Bumkin island Hingham. .Xangley's, in DesBarre's and Hingham - - Chart 1 Deer Island. Wasting- to 4 1-4 „ Between Shirley point Boston. wards the sea, and gain and Lovell's island - ing on the inside, and at tbe East point Egg Rock. A bare rock. 8 3-1 „ East from light-House Gallop's Island - - - - 6 „ Between Lovell's and Rainsford's islands George's Island - - - 6 1-2 „ Between Lovell's and Pettick's islands Hull. Governour's Island, con 1 7-8 „ Between Deer and Bird Boston. taining about 70 acres - Islands - - - Grape Island - - - - 8 7-8 „ Between Bumkin island and Weymouth - . Graves. Bare rocks - - 9 1-4 „ E. by N. from Green Green Island. Rock, cov- I 7 7-8 „ Between Calf island and Hull ered with soil in most 1 the Graves rocks - - parts - - " * Half Moon Island - - - 6 1-8 „ Between Nut island and Squantum - . . _ A small Island - - - - 4 3-4 „ Near Half Moon island - Dorchester. Hangman's Island - - S7-8 „ Between Pettick's and — « , J_ Moon islands - . ( HISTORY OF BOSTOKT. 115 Islands and Rocks. Distance, from Long Wharf Situation. In what place. Boston. Harding's Rocks. Visible 10 3-4 miles. S. E. 1-2 S. from the at low water Light-House - - - 2 1-2 j» Between Noddle's island Boston. - and Chelsea - - Little Hog island - - 3 7-8 )i Between Nantasket and Bumkin island Hull. Light-House island. Rock, 8 1-2 n S. 69 deg. E. Hull. with 3-4ths of an acre of Between Point Alderton soil. A bar, dr}' at low and the Middle Brews water, connects it with ter - - - - - the Great Brewster Long island * - - 4 3-4 » Between Nick's Mate and Spectacle island - - Boston. lovell's island - - - - 6 1-4 » Between Long island and the Great Brewster - Boston. Moon island - - 4 3-4 - Between Thomson's and Hangman's islands Dorchester. kick's Mate. Nearly wash 5 3-4 » Between Long island and Boston. ed away by the sea Gallop's isiand - - Noddle's, or Williams's 3-4 13 Between Boston and Hog Boston. island - ... island - - - - Nut island. Joins the 7 1-4 n Between Pettick's island main at half tide - - and Germantown - - Pettick's island - - - 6 7-8 33 Between George's island and Braintree Great Head - - Hull. Rackoon inland 8 1-4 33 Between Sheep island and Quincy. v Germantown - - - Ragged island - - 10 3-4 H Near Chandler's island - Hingham. Rainsford island - - - - 5 7-8 33 Between Gallop's and Hangman's islands Hull. Rainsford rocks - - - 6 »» S. S. W. from Rainsford island Sailor's island. Called 11 n Between Bumkin island Hingham. Sarah's island, in Des and Hingham - - Barre's chart Sheep island - - 8 3-8 n Between Bumkin and Pet tick's islands 9 3-8 » Between Bumkiu island and Weymouth river Snake island - - - - 3 1-4 » Between Apple island and Shirley point Boston. Spectacle island - - 3 5-8 13 Between Castle and Long islands - - - - Boston. Sunken island - - - 6 1-12 33 Between Long island and Pettick's island - - Thomson's island - - - 3 1-2 3) Between Moon island and Dorchester - Dorchester. A small island Marsh in 2 1-4 ft Near Maiden bridge - - Charlestown. Mystick river Shirley point - - - - 4 1-2 33 Chelsea. Alderton point - - 9 1-2 31 Hull. US HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER XX. It would be no unprofitable thing for you to pass over the several streets and call to mind who lived here so many years ago. Increase Mather. Shaw introduces the above quotation from a lecture preach ed in 1693, entitled the Bostonian Ebenezer, and adds ' who does not regret that the learned preacher has not given us the result of these profitable inquiries ? Retrospection lingers with melancholy delight on the spot to which talents and learning and piety once gave importance.' Presuming that our readers partake in some degree of this feeling", we have been the more 'minute in our researches regarding the early period of our history. We have incidentally noticed the places where Cotton and Winthrop and Vane resided. The book of possessions to which we, have referred, enables us to point out those of other eminent characters, about the period of 1645. Gov. Winthrop's neighbour on the opposite corner of the springate was Elder Thomas Oliver, who from several notices in the town records and in the Governour's journal, appears to have been an experienced and skilful surgeon. He came to Boston quite early, and was a right godly man, and his wife also a very godly woman that could bear the severest of afflictions with much patience and honour.* Elder Thomas Leverett, who prior to his removal hither had been an ancient and sincere professor in Mr. Cotton's congregation in England, had his house and garden on the east side of the old meeting house, with the street on the north, and the marsh of Mr. Winthrop on the south. That part of Congress street north of Water street was long called Leverett's lane or street, in remembrance of him. He was father to John Leverett, whoiiecame a very distinguished man in our annals. This last resided at the south-east corner of Court street. His next neighbour on the south was Richard Parker or Brackett, whose name we find on the colony records as prison keeper so early as 1638. He had ' the market stead1 on the east, the prison yard west, and the meeting house on the south. The other corner of Cornhill square, which used to be called Church square, was owned by Valentine Hill, a * Magnalia, ij. 306. Winthrop. Jan. 9, 1633. Sept. 17, 1644. , Town Records, Sept. 1644. Jan. 1647. MIST0BY OF BOSTON. 117 man of eminence in town affairs. From these data we ascer tain the fact, that the county prison was originally located about the spot where the jail lately stood, and that the spot now oc cupied by the Old State-house was the ancient market-place. Mr. Coggan, who set up the first shop in Boston, lived on the north side of the market, at the corner of State street. He probably purchased of Mr. Wilson the minister, who own ed north and east of him. On this lot Mr. Wilson had a house, two gardens, a barn and a yard : out of this he sold a lot of 45 feet in front, between him and Mr. Coggan, to John Da vies, which makes it quite likely that his dwelling house was very near the new Branch bank, and that Wilson's lane takes its name from him. We may be permitted to add the hope that the name will always be retained. It can do posterity no harm to be reminded that there were good men, though it may be irksome to imitate them. Capt. Keayne lived on the other corner of State street, op posite the market-stead : Major (so they called Major Gene ral) Edward Gibbons' dwelling house, with other housing and a garden, were situated on the bend opposite the lower end of Market street, so as to give him the street on the west and the north. William Pierce owned an estate, extending from State street north to the cove, in the direction of Flagg alley, which a long time bore his name. Samuel Cole, who in the name of Richard, figures so demurely by the side of his wife in the Peep at ihe Pilgrims, lived on the west side of Merchants' row, mid-way from State street to Faneuil Hall, and there kept his tavern; which it will be remembered was the first in the town, and which Lord Leigh declared was so well regulated, that h# could be as private there as he could have been at the Gover nour's own house.* Capt. William Tyng, sometime treasurer for the country, had a house, one close, a garden, one great yard and one little yard before the hall windows, bounded with Mr. Richard Bel lingham and the street that goes to the dock southwards. This sets him on the tongue of land between Brattle and Washing ton streets, now known as Market Row, and gives Mr. B. an estate about the end of Market street. The latter probably resided there, but he had also a garden plot next but one to Mr. Cotton's on Common (late Tremont) street. Mr. Henry Dunster, first president of Harvard college, owned the north east corner of Court street. Daniel Maud, one of the earliest schoolmasters, lived next south of Mr. Cot ton, now the noble mansion of Lt. Gov. Phillips. The corner of Beacon street opposite the chapel was Mr. Coggan's estate, and had then the burying place adjoining it on the east. On x Winthrop, June, 1637. J 18 HISTORY OF BOSTON. the other side of this burial ground, fronting south on School street, was the house and garden of Thomas Scottow, joiner, who, in Feb. 1644, was appointed to superintend the graves, gates and fences. He and Mr. Richard Hutchinson divided the north side of School street. Zaccheus Bosworth lived at the corner on the west end, and those southward of him had the common on their west. The south-east corner of School street was the estate of Mr. Atherton Hough, (sometimes spelt Hoffe :) he was often a representative ofthe town in the gene ral courts. His neighbour on School street was Arthur Perry, worthy of note as town drummer on all important occasions. His services entitled him to a salary of £5 in 1638, and pro vision was made in 1643, for the instruction of such as were candidates to become his successors. A barber by the name of Francis Lisle* kept opposite to where the Old South stands, and three doors above him was William Aspinwall, who was a notary publick and recorder, after his return from banish ment. His estate extended from the main or high street, to the common, and we find the name of Bomsted near him. At the south-east corner of Winter street was the widow Jane Parker, and on the opposite corner, Robert Blott. Boylston market place belonged to an Oliver, and the opposite corner to Robert Wing. Deacon Colburn westward of whom there, were six lots, Belcher, Talmage, Snow, Walker, BriscQj Flacke, liyed on the high street at the northerly corner of Elliot street, and deacon Jacob Elliot, from whom the street derived its name, was his neighbour on the south corner. We find no private property south of this : and the next allotment •n the east side of the high street was Garret Bourne's, at the head of Essex street, but so far down as to give him the cove on the south. His next neighbour was Edward Rainsford, whose name is still retained for the lane that was afterwards opened in the vicinity of his estate. Griffith Bowen was on the north corner of Essex street, and Mr Thomas Fowle's possession was one house and garden five estates north of him. Robert Woodward lived at the south and Thomas Wheeler at the north corner of Bedford street,'the latter having the lane S. the high street W. the watering place E. and Wm. Blaintaine N. who also had the watering place east. The widow Eliza beth Purton lived at the south-west corner of Summer street, and Nath. Woodward, sen. who had a numerous family, op posite to her. Robert Reinolds owned the corner of Milk street opposite the Old South, and two estates below him was Nath. Bishop, from whom came the name of Bishop's alley, once appropriated to Hawley street. * It is not certain whether he was the barber chirurgeon, who lost his life in a snow storm; while on bis way to Roxbury to draw a tooth. W>W. P. b. 2. oh. 15. HISTORY OF BOSTOW. 119- ieremy Houcbin, who was a tanner by trade, was located at the corner, of Hanover and Court streets (Concert hall) and had his tan-pits and tan-yards there. Down that side of Court street were the families of Makepeace, Thwing, Joshua Scottow, (of whom we have a memoir in the fourth volume of the Hist. Coll. 2d. Series.) Beck, Brown and Biggs. Thomas Marshall, who was a shoemaker besides being ferryman, owned a lot which falls near the block between Union street and Marshall lane. He had the street S.W. and N.W. and the marsh south-east : the extent of his lot was about half an acre. At the north end the whole sea board was lotted out, beginning at the mill creek and following the shore to the north end of Snow-hill-street : we shall have occasion to^name the families hereafter. Sudbury street was occupied on both sides, and lots extending from the cove on the north to the lane (Green st.) on the south were improved with dwelling houses and gardens as far as 'Mill alley.' The rest of the north and west parts of the town was owned in large lots, said to be in the mill field and new field. Among others we notice Thomas Buttolph who had about five acres in each of those fields, an acre and a half between Essex and Bedford streets, besides his house and garden midway between Market and Court streets. The name of Buttolph street may proba bly be traced to him. Capt. Christopher Stanley was also a large owner of estates in various parts, and was Buttolph's neighbour on the north. Ensign Thomas Savage atone time owned in the same neighbourhood, and a little above them Capt. Thomas Hawkins, which last had also an estate in the vicinity of the street that bears his name. Near Fort hill we find among others the names of Richard Gridley and Edward Belcher. Part of Purchase street formerly was called by the name of the latter, and we have now in that quarter a Gridley lane. These researches have informed us of the number and ex tent of most ofthe high ways, which existed at the period of twenty years after the settlement of the town. The first or ders on record upon this subject were passed in October, 1636: wc have given some extracts on page 83, and shall be the more copious here, to save the labour of future inquirers. There was a high way, sometimes called the high street, laid out from the head of the dock to Mr. Colburn's field, a little south of Elliot street, and beyond that was the 'foot way unto Samuel Wilbour's field next Roxbury.' On the east side of this high way Essex street was laid out, but had no particular name : so was it with Bedford street, which was afterwards called Pond-street, with reference to the watering place to which it led. Summer street and High street had the name of Mill street or lane, because they led to the widow 120 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Tuttle's mill. • Milk-street. was called the Fort street, it being the thorough fare from the high street to the works at Fort hill. : State street is called the Water street in Mr. Wilson's deed. Court street as far as Market street had the name of Centry hill street. From the chapel burial ground north and from Market street west to the bottom of Sudbury street, the way was known as Sudbury street, doubtless in reference to the part of England from which many of the Boston people emigrated. In March 1640 it was ordered that the street from Mr. Hough's to the Centry hill should be kept open for ever: this was School street and part of Beacon street. Winter, Boylston and Elliot streets were at that time lanes. The first hasat some period borne the name of Blott's lane, from Robert Blott, the first proprietor of one of the eastern corners. Hanover street north from the mill-creek, and also Marshall's lane, we think are described in the following pro vision: 1636, October. 'The streete waye from the gates next James Everill's, toward the Mylne, is to runne straight along in an even line to John Pemberton's house, and to rainge betweene Thomas Marshall's house and Serjeant Sav age's, and to bee within the street betweene payle and payle on each side, two poles broad.* " A layne to goe from cove to cove, between Thomas Paynter and Thomas Marshall's, one pole and a half between payle and payle.' We can trace nothing of Hanover street farther north : in a deed from Thomas Clarke of Dorchester, merchant, to Christopher Stanley we find something like the original of Fleet and Tileston st. though it surprises us to see one of them 'thirty six foote broad unto the lowermost highway and from thence to low water marke thirty foote,' whereas the other ' going towards the mill hill,'' was only twelve foote. This lowermost highway was Ann Street ' upon the sea bank,' and before Walter Merry's at the North battery it was 16 ft, broad. It followed the shore, as we have supposed, to the mill creek inlet, and was completed in the following order. ' The land at the head of the cove, round about by John Glover's, Geo. Burden's, Hugh Gunnison's, Capt. W. Tyng's, Wm. Franklin's, Robert Nash's and eight foot to eastward of it, is high way — as also from the eastward side ofthe 8 feet, and round about by the corner of Edw. Bendall's brick house, and so by S. Cole's house, as also to E. Tyng's wharf 1 — — r— *¦ 1635. Dec. 4. Ordered, a fence to be made between tbe two necks. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 12J shall go a high way of twenty foot.'* Here E. Tyng had a house, yard, warehouse and brew-house. There was a'lso a passage way of seven foot, up from the creek near Bendall's to the lower part of Mr. Keayne's gar den at his mud-wall house, in 1639, which probably answers to Wilson's lane or Exchange street. And there was a lane by the old meeting house : Henry Webb, a merchant who lived at the corner had the market place north, and on the east the old meeting house and the lane, which terminated at the Springate or high way by the spring. CHAPTER XXI. " Full were our cities with the sons of art, And trade and joy in every busy street Mingling were heard." / ' Straits and difficulties,' says Hutchinson, 4 at the beginning of the colony had produced industry and good husbandry, and then they soon raised provisions enough for their own support^ and an overplus for exportation. We hear but little of trade for the first seven years, except a small traffick with the natives, by barter of toys, and the few utensils, tools and clothing they at first thought necessary, in exchange for furs and skins. What the planters brought with them consisted principally of mate rials for their buildings, necessary tools for their husbandry, stock for their farms, and clothing for themselves and fami lies; and those who had more estate than was sufficient for these purposes, were country gentlemen, unacquainted with commerce, and never employed themselves in it. People in general turned their minds to provide comfortable lodgings, and to bring under improvement so much land as would afford them necessary support, and this was enough to employ them. After a few years, by hard labour, and hard fare, the land produced more than was consumed by the inhabitants ; the overplus was sent abroad to the West-Indies, the Wine-Islands, and other places. Returns were made in the produce of the respective countries, and in bullion, the most of which, togeth er with the furs produced from the natives, went to England, * Town Records, Feb. 1649. The precise location of Glover, Sic. is less certain than that of almost any other persons, whose names occur to us. We conclude they were situated along Union street and Dock square, and accordingly have ventured to express ourselves (hus in defining the extent of (be dock. 16 122 HISTORY OF BOSTON. to pay for the manufactures continually necessary from thence. As hands could be spared from husbandry and la bour in providing their houses, they were taken off, and some employed in sawing boards, splitting staves, shingles and hoops, others in the fishery, and as many as were capahle of it, in building small vessels for the fishery, and for coasting and foreign trade. Thus gradually and insensibly they seem to have fallen into that trade most natural to the country, and adapted to their peculiar circumstances, without any premed itated scheme, or projection for .that purpose. Their prima ry views in their removal, were the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. Merchants and others, for the sake of gain, when they saw a prospect of it, afterwards came over, and in corporated with them, and caused a great increase of com merce, and led the legislators to measures for the further im provement of it. For encouraging the fishery, an act was made in 1639 to free all estates, employed in catching, making or transporting fish, from all duties and public taxes, and all persons were restrained by a penalty from using any cod or bass fish, for manuring the ground ; and all fishermen during the season for business, and all ship-builders, were by the same act excused from trainings. ' In the year 1642 the House of Commons passed a memora- rable resolve in favour of the Massachusetts colony, contain ing this ordinance: " that all merchandizing goods, that by any person or persons whatsoever, merchant or other, shall be exported out of this kingdom of England into New-England to be spent, used or employed there, or being of the growth of those colonies, shall be from thence imported hither or shall be laden or put on board any ship or vessel for neces saries in passing to and fro, and all and every the owner or owners thereof shall be freed and discharged of and from paying and yielding any custom, subsidy, taxation or other duty, either inward or outward.''' It had, however, this proviso, " until the House of Commons shall take further order therein to the contrary." ' Johnson's account of the extent of our commerce and its beneficial effects is too lively to be omitted. ' Those,' says he, ' who were formerly forced to fetch most ofthe bread they eat and beer they drank a thousand leagues by sea, are throughthe blessing of the Lord so encreased, that they have not only fed their elder sisters, Virginia, Barbadoes and many ofthe Summer islands, that were preferred before [them] for fruitful- ness, but also the grand mother of us all, even the fertile isle of Great Britain. Beside, Portugal hath had many a mouth ful of bread and fish from us, in exchange of their Madeira liquor, and also Spain; nor could it be imagined that this wil derness should turn a mart for merchants in so short a space. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 123 ' Many a fair ship had her framing and finishing here, be sides lesser vessels, barques and ketches. Many a master, beside common seamen, had their first learning in this colony. Boston, Charlestown, Salem and Ipswich, our maritan towns, began to increase roundly ; especially Boston, the which of a poor country village, in twice seven years is become like unto a small city and is in election to become a mayor town sud denly, chiefly increased by trade by sea. ' All other trades have here fallen into their ranks and pla ces, to their great advantage ; especially Coopers and Shoe makers, who had either of them a Corporation granted, enriching themselves by their trades very much, Coopers hav ing their plenty of stuff at a cheap rate and by reason of trade with foreign parts abundance of work. As for Tanners and Shoemakers, it being naturalized into these occupations, to have a higher reach in managing their manufactures, then other men in N. E. having not changed their nature in this, between them both they have kept men to their stander hith erto, almost doubling the price of their commodities, according to the rate they were sold for in England, and yet the plenty of Leather is beyond what they had there, counting the num ber of the people, but the transportation of Boots and Shoes into foreign parts hath vented all however : as for Tailors, they have not come behind the former, their advantage being in the nurture of new-fashions, all one with England ; Car penters, Joiners, Glaziers, Painters, follow their trades only ; Gun-smiths, Lock-smiths, Blacksmiths, Nailors, Cutlers, have left the husbandmen to follow the plough and cart, and they their trades; Weavers, Brewers, Costermongers, Feltmakers, Braziers, Pewterers and Tinkers, Ropemakers, Masons, Lime, Brick, and Tilemakers, Cardmakers, to work and not to play, Turners, Pumpmakers, and Wheelers, Glovers, Feltmongers, and Furriers, are orderly turned to their trades, besides divers sorts of Shopkeepers, and some who have a mystery beyond others, as have the Vintners.' It would be wrong to pass unnoticed the exertions of Hugh Peters towards exciting a commercial spirit. ' He went from place to place, labouring both publickly and privately to raise up men to a publick frame of spirit,' and induce them to en gage in the fishing business and foreign commerce.* It was to his influence that Salem owed her first glory, and his counsel ad vanced her to that rank in commerce which enabled her to dis pute preeminence with Boston when local advantages gave su periority to the latter. The first page ofthe record September 1, 1634, speaks of ' a common landing place between the creeks' and contains an * Winthrop, Nov. 1635. May 1636. Mass. H. 0. 1. vi. 2SQ. 124 HISTORY OF BOSTON. order for keeping the same clear Of all annoyances.* The nu merous shipping which visited Boston from Holland, France, Spain and Portugal, according to Johnson, early required the erection of wharves for their accommodation. It appears by the records of Jan. 1639, that some important undertaking of this kind had been commenced prior to that time, in which the town felt considerable interest : for on the 21st of that month 'there is granted to the overseers ofthe wharfes and crane an hundred acres of land at Mt. Wolaston next to the allottment' already granted, towards the repairing and maintaining of the said wharfs and crane.' Other wharves are mentioned in 1641 ; particularly, Nov. 29th, Valentine Hill and associates are authorized and agree to build certain wharves, and keep them in repair, on condition that for every hundred pounds thus laid out within five years, they are to have the improve ment nine years thereafter, and to receive tonnage and wharf age. There are no traces by which we can ascertain where the two first of these wharves were situated, or whether the last was not a continuation of the same. This cost per ac count ,£818. 13s. Ad. and the company was granted four score years to possess and improve. There is no doubt that this improvement embraced some of the wharves between the Town dock and Long wharf. At the expiration ofthe term specified in the contract the wharf and buildings thereon were to revert to the town and all be left in good repair. It is apparent from this circumstance that the town claimed the right of ownership in the marsh or dock : the same thing is inferrible from the fact that individu als desiring to wharf before their lots were obliged to ask lib erty of the town, and in granting that, the town reserved the right to inhabitants of coming to and going from such wharves free of charge, on their own accounts ; but no man was al lowed to sail for hire from another man's wharf. Numerous grants of this nature were made almost every year from this " time till 1673, when the great work of constructing what has since been called the Old Wharf was accomplished. The origin of the mill creek is to be traced in the following record. July 31, 1643. There is granted unto Henry Si mons, G. Burden, John Button, John Hill and their partners all that cove (already bounded) on the N. W. side of the causey leading toward Charleston, with all the salt marish bordering thereupon, round about, not formerly granted to any other, reserving liberty from time to time to make use of any part thereof for repairing the said causey, to have and enjoy the said cove and marsh to them and their heirs and assigns for ever. 1 Shaw, 72. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 125 2. The said grant is for this intent and upon this condition ; that the said grantees shall within the space of three years erect and make upon or near the premises one or more corn mills and maintain the same forever. 3. Provides for a flood gate. 4. Appropriates 300 acres of land at Braintree for the use and encouragement of the said mills. 5. That if they shall carry their mill stream through the marsh on the noftheast end of Goodman Low's* house, they have 60 feet in breadth throughout the said marsh granted unto them. 6. They shall have liberty to dig one or more trenches in the highways or waste grounds, so as they make and maintain sufficient passable and safe ways over the same for horse and cart. 7. The town will not allow any other common mill to be erected, except the necessary occasion ofthe town require it. / 8. The selectmen shall procure what free help they can, by persuasion, upon any pressing occasion of use of many hands, about making the banks or trenches etc. for the better furtherance of the work to be speedily effected. The grantees proceeded to carry'into execution their part of this project. We sometimes find the trench which was thus formed called the ditch: but it soon acquired in deeds the name of Mill creek which it still retains. The causey mentioned was not what has in late years been known as such, but the one alluded to, page 111, and in the following record. 1640, March 30. C. Stanley shall have all the marsh on the east side of the way toward Charlestown ferry for £l. 10. reserving eight feet in breadth all along the side ofthe ditch by the said high way : and the swamp compassed by his up land for 6s. 8d. being about half an acre.t The same is also mentioned in 1655. Oct 29. Respecting the great causeway we are not able as yet to say any thing more than we find in Shaw, ' that the Indians had a foot path over the highest part of the marsh or flats, which was raised and widened by a Mr. Crabtree to retain the water of the pond.' There was such a man and he was by trade a joiner. In process of time mills for various purposes were erected at three places on the margin of the pond thus formed. One at the west end of the creek, which was called the South mills ; others at the north-east end of the causeway called * Goodman low's marsh was at the extremity of the triangle. t The same paragraph provides that there shall be a high way reserved through the mill- field, two rods in breadth, from the W. corner of M. Chaffith's garden unto the Httle house by the said swamp, and from thence to the wind mill as directly us the land will bear. 126 HISTORY OF BOSTON. the North mills and the Chocolate mills, and another at the south-west end ofthe causeway. This however did not take place seasonably to prevent the erection of a mill at Fox-hill in 1649, at which time there was also one at Fort hill and anoth er in the new field. There was a watermill previously at Mt. Wolaston, in 1639 : the " first in the colony " was erected at Dorchester, on Neponset river in the year 1633. The creek very soon became a sort of boundary (which has con tinued to this day) between the north and south parts of the town, and we find it so recognised in the appointment of two superintendants of streets in 1651, of whom one was 'for the Northend and one for the Southend, the mill creek to be the division.'' The Northend people seem to have undertaken at their own expence the construction of the north battery. The af fair with Captain Stagg had made the Bostonians a little jeal ous of the armed vessels which visited their port, and they had been at great cost to put the castle and Fort hill in a state of defence. Another difficulty of a similar nature oc curred in 1644 with one Capt. Richardson, who undertook to make seizure of a Dartmouth ship that lay in the harbour, but which the authorities here had determined to seize them selves, by way of reprisal for a Boston ship that had been taken in Wales by the king's party. Officers were put on board the vessel, and Capt. R. was warned to desist; this be either could not or would not do ; his men boarded the vessel and the captain of her was made prisoner. The Governour hereupon ordered Capt. R. to come on shore to account for his conduct. His men were so unruly that he feared to leave them, and he declined obeying the command. Upon this a warning piece was fired at him from the battery, which cut a rope in the head of his ship: one of his men was about to re turn the fire but was providentially prevented. A stranger who was in the battery fired another gun, without orders, which however did no damage, except a slight injury to the prize ship in question. Forty men were then sent aboard and took possession of her, and Capt. Richardson came ashore and acknowledged his errour and his sorrow for what he had done. ' So we ordered him to pay a barrel of powder, and to satisfy the officers and soldiers we had employed and other expenses, and dismissed him.' The reason of their be ing so easy with him was that ' there was no hurt done, nor had he made one shot; for if he had, we were resolved to have taken or sunk him, which we might easily have done, lying close under our battery so as we could have played Mass. H. C. 1. ix. 164. Town Records, Jan. 1651. t Winthrop, Sept. 1644. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 127 upon him, with whole culverin or demi-cul verin, six hours together.' It is not improbable that such occurrences as these led the north-end people to think it prudent to have a suitable work of defence, for the protection of their part of the town from insolent aggressions. Accordingly, preparations were made for fortifying somewhere about Walter Merry's point. It was the point now known by the name of Battery or North Bat tery wharf. The position was well selected, commanding the entrance of the harbour, and the river also, as high up as vessels of large size would have been likely to venture. The work was completed in the course of the year 1646, when we have the following record concerning it : ' Proposicions presented to the townsmen, on the behalfe of the inhabitants ofthe north end of the towne of Boston, the ratification whereof is desired, and the registeringe of them in the towne records, ' 1. That we of this end of the towne, whose harts the Lord hath made willing to set about erecting and maintenance of a fortification att Walter Merry's point, may for the future bee freed from all rates and assessments to what other forti fications bee in the towne, until such time as the other part of the towne, not joyning with us herein, shall have disbursed, and layd out in equall proporcion of their estates with ours, as by trew account may appeare. ' 2. That the land gained at the towne's charge, and stack ed, out to the towne's service by those deputed for that end, to the ray singe of a work upon, may not by any to their pri vate occations, be imployed or made use of ; as that the ground nor flalts, before the sayd worke may not be disposed of by the towne unto any particular man's imployment, to the prejudice of the said worke.' It is easy to imagine what must have been the spirit of the times, when so great a work was undertaken in such a way : it evinced a growing readiness in the people to maintain their rights with their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honour. Johnson's account ofthe castle affords us a pleasant view of this subject. 'To say right,' (says he, b. ii. ch. xxvi.) ' some particular persons may be penurious in laying out their estates upon ammunition, but the general of Officers and soul- diers are very generous that way : the reverend Doctor Wil son gave bountifully for the furthering this Wilderness-work, the which was expended upon great Artillery, his gift being a thousand pound ; beside many persons that came over, the Lord was pleased to indow with a large portion of the things of this life, who were not backward liberally to dispose of it, to procure means of defence. And to that end there was a castle built on an Island, upon the passage into the MattaGhu- 128 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Bay, wholly built at first by the country in general, but by reason the country affords no Lime, but what is burnt of Oyster-shels, it fell to decay in a few years after, which made many of the Towns that lay out of the defence thereof to de- v sert it, although their safety (under God) was much involved in the constant repair and well-mannaging thereof; hereupon the next six Towns lake upon them to rebuild it at their pro per cost and charges, the rest of the country upon the finish ing thereof gave them a small matter toward it ; upon this there was a Captain ordained, and put in possession thereof by the country, having a yearly Stipend allowed him for him self and his souldiers, which he is to keep in a constant readiness upOn the Island, being about eight acres of ground. ' The Castle is built on the North-East of the Island, upona rising hill, very advantageous to make many shot at such ships as shall offer to enter the Harbor without their good leave and liking ; the Commander of it is one Captain Davenport, a man approved for his faithfulness, courage and skill, the Mas ter Canoneer is an active Ingineer ; also this Castle hath cost about four thousand pounds, yet are not this poor pilgrim people weary of maintaining it in good repair ; it is of very good use to awe any insolent persons, that putting confidence in their ship and sails, shall offer any injury to the people, or contemn their Government, and they have certain signals of alarums, which suddenly spread through the whole country.' CHAPTER XXII. It being as unnatural for a right N. E. man to live without an able Minister;,-, as for a Smith to worke his iron without a Fire. W. W. P. It has been so often repeated that it is now generally be lieved the north part of the town was at that period the most populous. We are convinced that the idea is erroneous. We have reason to suppose that almost every householder in Boston was a member of the first church, and it appears there had been admitted only 306 men, down to the latter end of 1652. Of these we know some had died and others removed. The book of possessions records the estates of about 250, the number of their houses, barns, gardens, and sometimes the measurement of their lands. It seems to embrace the period from 1640 to 1650, and we conclude, gives us the names of almost, if not quite, all the freemen of Boston. They were settled through the whole length of the main street' on both HISTORY OF BOSTON. " 129 sides, from Elliot-street to the market, excepting only the small green near the Old South. The cross streets on either side were all occupied : Elm-street, the upper part of Hanover-street, Sudbury-street, and Green-street on the north side, were all appropriated for house lots. It is evident too, that the most wealthy and influential characters lived in what is now the centre of the town. We discover only about thirty names of residents north of the creek. Among them were Copp, Goodwin, Shoare, Sweet, Seaberry, Bourne, Clark, Joy, Rawlins, Cullimer, Merry, Passmer, F . Hudson, Charhe (a"shipwright,) Gallop, Meekins, Millam, John Hill, Bennett, Phillips, Gibson, Jones: some others were owners of field lots : C. Stanley owned fifteen acres.* It is probable, however, that an increase of business began to be perceived at the north end about this time, and that re movals began to be made into it, which resulted in its becom: ing ' for many years the most populous and elegant part ofthe town.' For we find that when another meeting house was judged necessary, to accommodate the population, it was deemed expedient to place it in that quarter. This was done in 1649, when the house was erected at the head of the North Square. A church was gathered there on the fifth day of June the next year, and consisted at first of seven members. Their names were Michael Powell, James Ashwood, Christo pher Gibson, John Phillips, George Davis, Michael Wiils, John Farnam. A sermon was preached on the occasion, by Samuel Mather, a graduate of Harvard College. He was earnestly solicited to remain as pastor of the new church, but declined the invitation. t * The 306, mentioned in this paragraph, joined after Mr. Cotton's arrival : 130 had joined before that : the removals carried away very many to Charlestown, Rhode Island, Exeter, the Somers Islands, besides those who were settled at Braintree, Romney Marsh and Muddy river, and others who had returned to England. t Rev. Mr. Ware's Historical Discourses. Covenant ofthe Old North Church. We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being called of God to enter into church fellow ship, knowing and considering our own great unworthiness and unfitness for so near ap proaches to so holy a God, and how apt we are to start aside from him and from the rules of his gospel and government over us, we therefore desire to lament as in his sight the inconstancy of our own spirits with him and our former neglects of bim, and pollutions of bis house and holy things by our personal corruptions and unworthy walkings : and do be seech him for his name's sake to prevent us with mercy, and accept us under the wings of his own everlasting covenant. And in dependance upon his free grace therein, in his name and strength we freely this day, in the presence of the everliving God, do avouch the Lord to be our God, and ourselves to be his people, and so yield up ourselves to him by an holy covenant of faith and love and 17 130 HISTORY OF BOSTON. This event brings us near to the time when Johnson sketch ed his description of Boston, which was ready for publica tion in 1651. We present the twentieth chapter of his first book, without variation, that our readers may have one speci men of the manner in which the work was executed. Johnson's description. ' After some little space of time the Church of Christ at Charles Towne, having their Sabbath assemblies oftenest on the South side of the River, agreed to leave the people on that side to themselves, and to provide another Pastor for Charles Towne, which accordingly they did. So that the fourth Church of Christ issued out of Charles Towne, and was seated at Boston, being the Center Towne and Metropo lis of this Wildernesse worke (but you must not imagine it to be a Metropolitan Church) invironed it is with Brinish flouds, saving one small Istmos, which gives free accesse to the Neigh bour Townes ; by Land on the South side, on the North-west, and North East,* two constant Faires are kept for daily traffique thereunto, the forme of this Towne is like a heart, naturally scituated for Fortifications, having two Hills on the frontice part thereof next the Sea, the one well fortified on the superfices thereof, with store of great Artillery well mount ed, the other hath a very strong battery built of whole Tim- bef, and filled with Earth, at the descent of the Hill in the extreme poynt thereof betwixt these two strong armes lies a large Cove or Bay, on which the chiefest part of this Town is built, over-topped with a third Hill, all three like over-top ping Towers keepe a constant watch to fore-see the approach of forrein dangers, being furnished with a Beacon and lowd babbling Guns, to give notice by their redoubled eccho to all their Sister-townes, the chief Edifice of this City-like Towne it crowded on the Sea-bankes, and wharfed out with great in dustry and cost, the buildings beautifull and large, some fairely loyalty, to cleave to him and to one another in him, to cleave to God in Christ as our sov ereign good, and to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only mediator and surety of tbe covenant, as our only high priest and atonement to satisfy for us and to save us, and as our only prophet to guide and teach us, and as our only king and lawgiver to reign over us : as also to attend upon him and the service of his holy will, by walking together as a congrega tion and church of Christ in all the ways of his worship and of mutual love and special watchfulness one over another, according to his will whicb is revealed to us by his word ; subjecting ourselves in the Lord to all his holy administrations in bis church, beseeching him to own us for his people, and to delight to dwell in the midst of us, that his kingdom and grace may be advanced by us. Whicb sacred covenant that we may observe and all the branches of it inviolate forever we desire to deny ourselves, and to depend alone upon the promise of his spirit and grace, and upon the merits and mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ for assistance and for acceptance- for healing and forgiving mercy for his own sake. 1 [There is access by ferries, from Charlestown and Winnesimet.] HISTORY OF BOSTON. 131 set forth with Brick, Tile, Stone Slate, and orderly placed with comly streets, whose continuall inlargement presages some sumptuous City. The wonder of this modern Age, that a few yeares should bring forth such great matters by so meane a handfull, and they so far from being inriched by the spoiles of other Nations, that the states of many of them have been spoiled by the Lordly Prelacy, whose Lands must as suredly make Restitutions. But now behold the admirable Acts of Christ, at this his peoples landing, the hideous Thick ets in this place were such, that the Wolfes and Beares nurst up their young from the eyes of all beholders, in those very places where the streets are full of Girles and Boys sporting up and downe, with a continued concourse of people. Good store of Shipping is here yearly built, and some very faire ones : both Tar and Mastes the Countrey affords from its own soile ; also store of Victuall both for their own and Forrein- ers-ships, who resort hither for that end : this Town is the very Mart ofthe Land, French, Portugalls and Dutch, come hither for traffique.' Respecting the second church, which he makes the thirtieth in the colony, he says (Book iii. ch. 7.) ' the north-east part of the town being separated from the other with a narrow stream cut through a neck of land by industry, whereby that part is become an island, it was thought meet that the people inhabiting the same should gather into a church body, and build a meeting-house for their assembly, the which they have already done, but not as yet called any one to office.' Several of the distinguished ministers of that period, who were officers in other churches, but likely to remove from their places, were invited unsuccessfully to take charge of this congregaiion. For a few years, therefore, one of the brethren, Michael Powell, conducted the worship, and to such satisfaction that he would have been ordained teacher, had it not been for the interference of the General Court, who ' would not suffer one that was illiterate, as to academical ed ucation, to be called to the teaching office in such a place as Boston.' There was a law in existence that no minister should be called into office, in any church in this jurisdiction, without the approbation and allowance of some of the ma gistrates. Mr. Powell was a man of sense and good charac ter ; the objection to him was not that he was a layman, but that he was wanting in learning, and they would not suffer him to be a publick teacher, lest occasion should be given to introduce such more generally, if allowed in a particular in stance. The court recommended Mr. Reyner from Plymouth. After four years passed in this condition, Mr. John Mayo, who on account of some difficulties and discouragements had left his people at Nosset, (Eastham?) was called to the pastoral 132 HISTORY OF BOSTON. office here, and ordained the 9th of November, 1655. At the same time, Mr. Powell was ordained as ruling elder of the. church. Mr. M. administered the seals, and Mr. P. continu ed to preach publickly in a constant way. We are told that 'the gatheringof this church was evidently very much to the disadvantage of Mr. Cotton, in many of his interests ; but he was a John, who reckoned his joy fulfilled if in his own decrease he could see the interests of his Master advance ; and therefore, with exemplary self-denial, he en couraged its foundation :' he had not the happiness, however, to live to see it established under any other instructions than those of Mr. Powell. CHAPTER XXI1X 1 1 ' « his- reverend lockes In comelye curies did wave, And on his aged temples grewe The blossomes of the grave." The death of Mr. Cotton took place towards the close ofthe year 1652. In the course of the fall, he had been urgently desired to visit the college at Cambridge and preach a sermon to the students. He was exposed to the wet, in his passage across the ferry for that purpose, and took cold, which was followed with an inflammation of the lungs, attended with asthmatick affections and other symptonts of alarming charac ter. He preached occasionally afterwards, and his last ser mon was on the Lord's day Nov. 21, from John i. 14. We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. His impressions of his near approach to the grave were so strong, that at the preceding Thursday lecture he had hasten ed to close his exposition ofthe second of Timothy, and dwelt with increased emphasis on the last words, grace be with you all : thus, as it were, he bade his people farewell, and his appearance on this sabbath was both to him and to them, like a visit from the unseen world. He spent the succeeding day in private devotion, and on quitting his study at night, said to his wife, I shall go into that room no more ! — The event prov ed the correctness of his forebodings : from that time he went no more out. While he thus lay sick, the magistrates, and the ministers of the country, and christians of all ranks, resorted to him as to a publick father, full of sad apprehensions for the loss HISTORY OF BOSTON. 133 they were about to sustain. A short time before his death he desired to be left alone, that he might fix his thoughts, without interruption, on his great and last change. So, lying speech less a few hours, he expired about noon, on Thursday the 23d of December, having just completed his sixty-seventh year.* Strange and alarming signs appeared in the heavens, while his body lay, according to the custom of the times, till the Tuesday following, ' when it was most honourably interred, with a most numerous concourse of people, and the most grievous and solemn funeral, that was ever known, perhaps, upon the American strand ; and the lectures in his church, the whole winter, were but so many funeral sermons upon the death and worth of this extraordinary person.' Mr. Cotton's memory did not receive so much attention from his cotemporaries without his well deserving it : for in the language of the ' Old Men's Tears' he was in his life, light and learning, the brightest and most shining star in their firmament. He was born at Derby, December 4, 1585. His father, Mr. Roland Cotton, was a lawyer, a man of piety and respectability, and his mother a pious woman. Without a great property to encourage them, ,they resolved on giving their son a learned as well as religious education. He was accordingly qualified for the university, and at the age of thirteen was admitted into Trinity college, Cambridge. His proficiency in his studies excited admiration, and procured him an invitation to Emmanuel college, where he was soon elected to a fellowship, and afterwards became head-lecturer, dean, and catechist. He acquired so exact a knowledge of the Hebrew as to be able to converse in it, was perfectly fa miliar with the Greek, and wrote the Latin language with Ciceronian elegance. In his twenty-eighth year he removed from Cambridge and settled at Boston in Lincolnshire. There his labours and his usefulness were immense, and he was exceedingly belov ed by the best, and reverenced by the worst of his hearers. Through all the times of trouble, which visited the non-con formists, he was maintained in his place by the unanimity of his people. But after the government of the church fell into the hands of Bishop Laud, divisions arose among the parish ioners of Mr. Cotton. An information was lodged against .him, (by a dissolute fellow, who thought in that way to revenge himself on some of Mr. C's friends, for a restraint they had put upon him,) and being cited to appear before the high-com mission court, he thought it more prudent to flee his country, than to expose himself to perpetual imprisonment. He was * Magnalia, Emerson, The town Register of deaths says 15th Dec. 1652. 134 HISTORY OF BOSTON. hesitating whether to choose Holland, Barbadoes or New- England for the place of his retreat, when his mind was de termined by ietters received from Gov. Winthrop, inviting him in the name of the church to come to Boston. He arriv ed here in 1633, which was the forty-eighth year of his age, and immediately commenced the career of usefulness, which ended only with his life. Nineteen years and odd months he spent in this place, doing good publickly and privately to all sorts of men. , Mr. Cotton's personal appearance was strikingly impressive. His complexion was clear and fair, and his countenance florid : in size fye was rather short and inclining to corpulent, but in the whole of an agreeable mediocrity. In his youth, his hair was brown, but as he advanced in life it became as, white as the driven snow. The colour of his eye his ' proso- pographer' omitted ; but we know its glance flashed the keen est rebuke on every appearance of evil, and smiled the heart iest approbation on every worthy action. He had a clear, neat and audible voice, which easily filled the largest halls. His delivery was not noisy and thundering, yet it had in it a very awful majesty, set off with a natural and becoming mo tion of his right hand. His style of preaching was plain, de? signed to be understood by the meanest capacity, while his more discerning hearers could perceive from it that he was a man of more than ordinary abilities and research. He generally devoted twelve hours in a day to his studies, and composed his written sermons with great care, though he sometimes preached without any preparation. It was his practice to expound, both from the old and new testaments, in course, and to draw from each subject a series of ' doctrines and uses.' In this manner he went through the whole bible once, and had proceeded some ways a second time, when he was cut off by the hand of death. The political and religious opinions of so influential a per sonage were matters of importance to the infant plantation. The scope of both may be gleaned from his writings, and they are substantially apparent in many of our customs and laws at the present day. The Magnalia tells us that upon Mr. Cotton's arrival, the points of church order were revived with more of exactness, and received by the churches already formed, and the same were adopted by such as rose after wards. ' It was an uncommonly interesting epoch to the Boston church. A fraternity was to be formed of discordant materi als. Many of those who composed the church had been.edu- cated Episcopalians, and were therefore disinclined to vary from established forms. Others had come to New-England rather as adventurers than as christians, and could hardly be HISTORY OF BOSTON. 133 subjected to any ecclesiastical or political rules. But the sa gacity and ever-watchful discipline of Mr. Cotton was aston ishingly efficacious towards conforming all descriptions of characters to habits of obedience and order.' He prepared a book which was published in 1644 with the title of The keys ofthe kingdom of heaven, in which the princi ples of Congregational church government are explained and defended. This work was long a standard reference and guide to the New England congregationalists. On doctrinal points Mr. C. was a calvinist. He used to say to his private friends, that he knew of no difficult place in the bible which he had not studied somewhat to satisfaction, and that he always loved to sweeten his mouth with a piece of Calvin before he went to sleep. His political writings show him to have been friendly to an elective government, administered on the principles of the Mo saic laws. In a communication to Lord Say and Seal, in 1636, he expresses himself thus : ' Democracy 1 do not conceive that ever God did ordain as a fit government, either for church or commonwealth. As for monarchy and aristocracy, they are both of them clearly approved and directed in Scripture, yet so as referreth the sovereignty to himself, and setteth up the ocracy in both.' But he says in another place, ' the authority of the father is no where communicated with his honours to all his posterity : if God should not delight to furnish some of them with gifts for magistracy, we should expose them rather to reproach and prejudice, and the commonwealth with them, if we should call them forth to publick authority.' One instance of Mr. Cotton's conduct in a political affair is worthy to be repeated. ' It was moved in caucus by a man of some influence, that two of their deputies of long standing, who had fallen into low circumstances should be dropped from office. Mr. C. hearing of the project, took occasion on the next lecture day, pointedly, though prudently, to condemn it. He taught that if old and faithful officers had grown poor in the publick service, they should be maintained at the pubi lick expense. The reproof was clearly understood, and pun- gently felt : for the motion was never renewed.' Mr. C.'s private virtues and domestick life were equally exemplary. His control over his own passions was almost perfect, and his family government was strict, while his cor rections were cool and deliberate. He was liberal of his own property, and, when the necessities of any required his exer tions, would apply to the hearts of others for their assistance. On one occasion he thus collected £200 from the members of his own church, for the relief of a persecuted minister and his people. He lost his first wife a few years before his re moval to this country. His second, whose name was Sarah, 136 history of Boston. accompanied him to Boston. They had three sons and three daughters. The oldest daughter and the youngest son died during their father's lifetime, both of them near together, of the small-pox, which was then (1649) fdr the first time raging in Boston. Of the other four, the elder daughter (and her only child) died within a few years : the youngest became the wife of Increase Mather : Seaborn, the elder son, was set tled in Hampton, and John, the younger, in Plymouth, both ministers of the gospel. Mr. Cotton left a will, in which he provided, that on cer tain contingencies the one half of his estate should revert to Harvard College and the other half to the support of the free school in Boston". Those contingencies, never happened. He gave the church a piece of silver plate to be used in com munion service, which may have been the first they had, for at one time they made use of wooden chalices. Others ofthe first settlers were about this time paying the debt of nature. Capt. Stanley is mentioned in April, 1649, as having left a lot of land in his will to the school's use. The widow Mary Hudson bequeathed ten pounds to the same purpose. William Paddy left something to the town in 1658, and Mr. Henry Webb in 1660 demised £100 to be appropri ated either for the use ofthe school, or the building some neat house for the relief of the poor, or supplying them with need ful articles, as the selectmen might deem best. Capt. Keayne died on the 23d of March, 1656 : he also remembered Boston in his will. This unparalleled document occupies 157 folio pages of the Probate records, and besides providing hand somely for his relatives and his idol, the Great Artillery, for Harvard college, and his revered pastor and teacher, and the poor of the church, he bequeaths to the town about £500 worth towards the erection of a market place and town house, and granary for the benefit of the poor, a conduit for security against fire, and the foundation of a library, and £50 for the free school ; appropriating a portion withal for his own decent and civil burial, which he desired might be performed in a military way. His whole estate which he enjoined should be appraised at its fair value, not at half price as the custom of some was, amounted to £2843 19s. Sd. The estate of Wm. Tyng who died about the same time was valued at £2774 14*. Ad. each about 15000 dollars. The amount of Mr. Cotton's inventory was £1038 4s. We add a fac simile of his writing. Of Lofton. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 137 CHAPTER XXIV. " I'll tear her to pieces ! And dissecting ber heart, find the witchery there." According to usage formally established, by a vote in 1646, appointing eight o'clock A. M. ' of the second second day of the first month, in every year,' as the time to meet for the choice of town officers, the inhabitants assembled in general meeting oh Monday the fourteenth of March, 1653, when the town government was organized as follows : Deputies to General Court. Capts. John Leverett, Thos. Clarke. Selectmen. Ensigns Edw. Hutchinson, Jere. Houchin, Messrs. Wm. Brenton, Sam. Cole, Cornet Peter Oliver, James Oliver, Thos. Marshall. Commissioner to carry iu votes for Magistrates. Mr. Nath. Duncan. Constables for town. Mr. Joseph Rock, Henry Bridgham, Barth. Chevers, Wm. Wenborn. For Romney Marsh. John Doolittle. For Muddy River. Peter Aspenwal. Clerks of the Market. Thomas Buttalls, Corporal Henry Pounding. Sealers of Leather. Wm. Courser, Robert Reade. Surveyors of high ways. Matthew Barnes, Richard Bennet, Thos. Wiburne, James Pemert [?] at Rom. M. Packers of flesh and fish. Serjeant John Barrell, Wm. Dinsdale. and Isaac Collimor f is" chosen to look to carriages and wheels of < the Great Artillery and to be paid by the f Selectmen. These offices had been established from time to time as'the exigencies of affairs demanded : usually there was some vote of the court sanctioning or ' recommending them, and confer ring or limiting their powers. In June, 1650, a petition had been presented from Boston, that they might become a corporation, which was granted, provided the articles and terms, privileges and immunities asked, may be such as rationally should appear, (respecting the mean 18 138 HISTORY OF BOSTON. condition of the country) fit for the court to grant, and that they shall be ready for examination at the next session of the court. The records of that session show nothing that was done upon the subject. Suits at law, however, grew more frequent, and many crimes were committed especially in the town of Boston, by reason of the great concourse of people and the increase of trade.* On this account, 'At a sessions of the general court in October, 1651, an act or order was passed, empowering the town of Boston to choose seven commissioners, to be presented to the court of assist ants ; and, being authorized by them and sworn before them, or before the governour, they or any five of them, or any three together with one magistrate, might hear and determine all civil actions not exceeding ten pounds in value, and all criminal actions where the penalty or fine should not exceed forty shillings, the parties being such as were inhabitants of Boston neck or Noddle's island, or such as did not belong to the /jurisdiction ; and the county court was not to take cog nizance of any such actions. This law was made for one year for trial.' The commissoners were authorised to appoint their own clerk, and ordered to keep a book of records for the entry of all causes, evidences and testimonies, sentences and judg ments as the law provided in like cases. At the second election under this order in October, 1652, Messrs. John Leverett, Nathaniel Duncan, Anthony Stoddard,' William and Edward Tyng, T. Savage and T. Clark were chosen for the year ensuing. The first five had served the year before. These gentlemen, together with those in the foregoing list of town officers, probably comprised the most active and influential part of the citizens in the year 1653. The duties of the Selectmen were very solemnly detailed in a power which was drawn up by a committee appointed for the purpose, in this form : ' 24, 1 mo. 1651. — Directions for the selectmen of Boston commended unto them from the town. Having chosen you for orderinge of towne affaires, this year ensuing, though we doubt not to confide in your wisdom, fidel ity, and care, in seeking and promoting the good and welfaire of the towne, yet according to court we commend unto you the instructions following. First, in generall we require your special care that the good and wholesome orders already made, which you have the records of, be observed and duly executed, and what other acts and orders, shall be established for future benefit * Colony records. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 139 of the towne, that you allsoe cause them to be published and put in execution, and further according to power given, and several lawes of the country to be found in the book of print ed lawes, under these titles, Townships, Ecclesiastick, Free men, High- ways, small Causes, Indians, Corn-fields, Masters and Servants, Pipe Staves, Swyne, Weights, Measures, and any other order in force which concerne your place to regu late yourselves and carry on your worke, and where you finde defect of power to bring your desires to a good issue for well ordering the town, you may draw some good orders in forme to be approved by the towne, and so to be presented to the Generall Court, and our Deputyes for consideration. Secondly, there are some particulars necessary to be con sidered of and ordered by you — as first about accepting and entertaining new inhabitants into the towne and herein, First, it is required that you make some effectuall orders, with such penalt3r as you have powers to impose, that none transplant themselves from other parts of the country to in habit here without giving you notice thereof. Secondly, to inquire of such as so present themselves for in habitants, what calling or employment they will undertake, and if they will live under other men's roofs as inmates, then to deal with them, according to the order of such persons, comprehended under the title of Towneshipes. Thirdly, if such persons were poor and impotent, such as had reliefe in the district whence they came, then to deal with them according to the ordering of settling poore people under that title of poor.' These instructions were continued in force by an annual vote of the people for many years. i Before the year 1637 the townsmen served without com pensation, (as the fashion now is) and defrayed incidental ex penses. In that year it was agreed that their charges at their meetings be borne by the town in general. And in 1641 we find a charge of two pounds eighteen shillings for a select men's dinner. The number of the Selectmen (who used to be chosen twice a year,) varied in different years, from eleven to seven, till 1647, after which seven continuedior a long time to be the number. The year 1653 is rendered memorable by the first great fire.* Neither the part of the town nor of the year in which it occur red, is precisely ascertained by us. We infer that it was near Corn hill, from some expressions in Capt. Keayne's will, where he recommends having a conduit, as ' a good help in danger of * ' A most terrible fire happened iu Charlestown, in 1650, in the depth of winter, which by a violent wind was blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the town.' W. W. P. iii. 9. 140 HISTORY OF BOSTON. fire, the want of which we have found by sad and costly ex perience, not only in other parts of the town, where possibly they have hetter supply of water, but in the heart of the town about the market place — and many fair buildings there be round about it.' We also date it before the 14th of March, for on that day we find a body of regulations adopted for the better preservation of the town from fire. Before this a man was liable to 10s. fine, if he suffered his chimney to become so foul as to take fire and blaze out at the top. Now every house was to be provided with a ladder to reach to the ridge thereof, and a pole about 12 feet long with a good large swabb at the end of it, to reach to the roof of the house. Six good and long ladders were to be furnished by the selectmen and kept at the meeting houses, and four strong iron crooks with chains and ropes fitted to them, and this crook fastened on a good strong pole. No person was to recover damage for his house, if pulled down to stop the progress of fire ; but no house should be so pulled down without the consent of trie major part ofthe magistrates, or commissioners and selectmen present. No fire was to be allowed on board any vessel or near any warehouse after nine o'clock. Bell men are ap pointed to go about during the night. Fire buckets are men tioned soon after, and the selectmen are authorized to agree with Joseph Jenks for an engine to carry water in case of fire. Chimney sweepers were also appointed 'with liberty to cry about the streets, that they may be known:' Robert Wyatt and William Lane had the honour to receive the first appoint ments. In these ordinances we trace the rudiments of our present system for the management of fires. The most remarkable occurrence in the colony in the year 1655 was the trial and condemnation of Mrs. Ann Hibbins of Boston for witchcraft. Her husband, who died July 23, 1654, was an agent for the colony in England, several years one of the assistants, and a merchant of note in the town ; but losses in the latter part of his life had reduced his estate, and in creased the natural crabbedness of his wife's temper, which made her turbulent and quarrelsome, and brought her under church censures,- and at length rendered her so odious to her neighbours as to cause some of them to acuse her of witch craft. The jury brought her in guilty, but the magistrates refused to accept the verdict ; so the cause came to the gene ral court, where the popular clamour prevailed against her, and the miserable old lady was condemned and executed in June 1656. Search was made upon her body for tetts, and in her chests and boxes for puppets or images, but there is no record of any thing of that sort being found. Mr. Beach, a minister in Jamaica, in a letter to Dr. Increase Mather, says, ' You may remember what I have sometimes told you your HISTORY OF BOSTON. 141 famous Mr. Norton once said at his own table, before Mr. Wil son the pastor, elder Penn and myself and wife, and others, who had the honour to be his guests: — That one of your magistrates' wives, as I remember, was hanged for a witch only for having more wit than her neighbours. It was his very expression ; she having, as he explained it, unhappily guessed that two of her persecutors, whom she saw talking in the street, were talking of her, which proving true, cost her her life, notwithstanding all he could do to the contrary, as he himself told us.' This was the third instance of execution for witchcraft in New England. The first occurred in Connecticut : the second was the case of Margaret Jones of Charlestown, who was exe cuted at Boston in June 1648. She was charged with posses sing a malignant touch, which, immediately infected with some violent ail, whoever came in contact with her. Had she lived in our day, she would only have been sent to Rainsford's island. It is not strange that her husband should have been a sus picious character. After witnessing her tragical end, he very naturally desired to leave the scene of distress, and sought passage in a vessel bound to Barbadoes, which was for some cause denied him. The vessel lay in the river between Bos ton and Charlestown, and ' on a sudden she was seen to roll from side to side as if she would turn over.' She. was of 300 tons, in light ballast, and had eighty horses on board. Poor Mr. Jones was accused as the probable cause of this accident, and warrant issued for his apprehension. The constable, as he crossed the ferry, had the prudence to present the war rant in view of the ship ; and the same instant she began to stop her motion and to swim upright, and as soon as Jones was safe lodged in prison, she never moved in that kind any more : so says ' history.' We have the authority of Hutchinson to say, that about this time the scrupulosity of the good people of the colony was at its height. Soon after Mr. Winthrop's death, Mr. En dicott the most rigid of any of the magistrates, being gover nour, he joined with the other assistants in an association against the wearing of long hair^as a thing uncivil and un manly, fit only for Russians and barbarous Indians. They had a law too against long boots, on account of the waste of leather, and a law against dancing on ordinary occasions. Some good men finding that laws were rather ineffectual used the severer lash of ridicule. The Simple Cobler of Aggawam thus lectures our extravagant grandsires and grandames : ' Methinks it should break the hearts of English men to see so many goodly English women imprisoned in French ca ges, peering out of their hood-holes for some men of mercy to 142 HISTORY OF BOSTON. help them with a little wit, and nobody relieves them. We have about five or six of them in our colony : if I see any of them accidentally, I cannot cleanse my phansie of them for a month after. . ' It is a more common than convenient saying that nine taylors make a man : it were well if nineteen could make a woman to her mind : if taylors were men indeed, well fur nished but with meer moral principles, they would disdain to be led about like apes, by such mymick marmosets. It is a most unworthy thing, for men that have bones in them, to spend their lives in making fiddle-cases for futulous womens phansies ; which are the very pettitoes of infirmity, the giblets of perquisquilian toyes. I am so charitable, to think, that "most of that mystery would work the cheerfuller while they live, if they might be well discharged of the tyring slavery of mis-tyring women : it is no little labour to be continually putting up English women into out-landish caskes ; who if they be not shifted anew, once in a few months, growe too sowre for their husbands. He that makes coats for the moon Had need take measure every noon } and he that makes for women as often, to keep them from lunacy. ' It is known more than enough, that I am neither nigard,nor cinick, to the due bravery of the true gentry : if any man mislikes a bullymong drossock more than I, let him take her for his labour : I honour the woman that can honour herself with her attire : a good text always deserves a fair margent ; I am not much offended, if I see a trimme far trimmer than she that wears it : in a word, whatever Christianity or civili ty w}ll allow, I can afford with London measure : but when I hear a nugiperous gentledame inquire what dress the queen is in this week : what the nudiustertian fashion of the court ; with egge to be in it in all haste, whatever it be ; I look at her as the very gizzard of a trifle, the product of a quarter of a cypher, the epitome of nothing, fitter to be kickt, if she were of a kickable substance, than either honoured or humoured.' He is very serious on the subject of dressing the head. ' Knew I how to bring it in, I would speak a word to long hair whereof I will say no more but this : if those who are termed rattle-heads and Impuritans would take up a resolution to be gin in moderation of hair, to the just reproach of those that are called Puritans and round-heads, I would honour their man liness as much as the others' godliness, so long as I knew what man or honour meant. If neither can find a barber's shop, let them turn in to Psalms, Jeremiah and Corinthians, where they may obtain certain directions. If it be thought HISTORY OF BOSTON. 143 no wisdom in men to distinguish themselves in the field by scis sors, let them remember, he is ill kept that is kept by his own sin : a short promise is a far safer guard than a long lock. Though it be not the mark of the beast, it may be the mark of a beast prepared to slaughter : 1 am sure, men used not to wear such manes : 1 am also sure, soldiers used to wear other marklets or notadoes in time of battle.' There must have been something more agreeable than a universal gloom in the society, where a man could be found, and he a minister and solitary widower, whose thoughts could run in such a train. We have been too long taught to believe that in the first generation, every thing bore marks of a pover ty, which though voluntary was real : that austerity of man ners did well enough agree with the horrours of a wilderness, and that content extended only to the supply ofthe first wants, and to a cabin, which the waste of fuel rendered inhabitable. Those who heard the late Dr. Bentley's Antiquarian dis course will recollect how happily he combated that opinion, by introducing his hearers into the mansions of some of the early settlers, and displaying the articles found in the invento ries of their estates. His researches were made in Essex : our own Probate records exhibit similar facts. We find in the prin cipal houses a great hall ornamented with pictures and a great lantern, and a velvet cushion in the window seat, which looks into the garden. On either side is a great parlour, a little par lour, or study. These are furnished with great looking glass es, turkey carpets, window curtains and valance, pictures and a map, a brass clock, red leather-back chairs and a great pair of brass andirons. The chambers are well supplied with feather beds,, warming pans, and every other article that would ,now be thought necessary for comfort or display. The pantry is well filled with substantial fare and dainties, prunes, marmalade and madeira wine. Silver tankards, wine cups, and other articles of plate, are not uncommon : the kitchen is completely stocked with pewter, copper, and iron utensils. Very many families employed servants, and in one we see a Scotch boy valued among the property and invoiced at £14. The wardrobe of Mrs. Hudson exhibited as many articles of finery as usually deck a modern toilet. These legal records furnish the best of testimony concern ing the extent of individual wealth, and the manners of the times. Such things existed in other places as much perhaps as in Boston, but a knowledge of them is not on that account less necessary to those, who would be familiar with the distin guishing traits of our ancestors. The business of the most importance in the town at this period was the erection of the first Town House. A proposal had been made in 1649, 'that those that shall undertake to 144 HISTORY OF BOSTON. build a house for the courts to be kept in, shall have the in come of any rents that might arise, forever.' In Capt. Keayne's will the subject was renewed and urged with much earn estness : he calculated the expenses and bequeathed a sum which he thought would nearly defray the whole. In 1657 a model was presented ; in 1659 the town house is mentioned, and at the meeting that year, which we suppose to have been held in that house, a rule of proceeding was adopted that ' there shall be a moderator chosen annually to regulate pub lick meetings and for this present year Wm. Davis [apothe.- cary] is chosen.' Thomas Joy appears to have been the car penter that built the town house, and a final settlement was made with him in January 1661, when he received £680 ' whereby all contracts with him were performed.' This was double the amount of Capt. Keayne's calculation. Whether any individuals bore part of the expense, does not appear : but in 1664 the town hired some part of the premises for a watch-house. CHAPTER XXV- " A lowering storm, from envy brewing, Shall at a distance menace ruin ; While slander, malice and detraction A host of fiends shall bring in action." The Massachusetts colony originated in the commencement of the reign of King Charles I. The true intent of their patent or charter was, that the government of the colony should be under a corporation in England. The great change which the company made, by transferring the government into New Eng land, produced a clamour against them, and a quo warranto was issued and prosecuted, and judgment obtained against the patentees in 1638. But the troubles which were increas ing in the kingdom, and other circumstances, prevented the execution, and no further demand was made during the life of the king. After various vain expedients to retain his' authority, Charles was brought to a trial, condemned and be headed on the 30th of January 1649. The parliament of Scot land took no part in this transaction, and formally protested against it. On his death they proclaimed his son Charles II. their sovereign. Against him Oliver Cromwell maintained the field, and destroyed the royal army at Worcester in Septem ber 1651. England was now a sort of republick, and continu ed so till April 1653, when Cromwell assumed the power and HISTORY OF BOSTON. 145 became lord protector ofthe three kingdoms. He maintained his place till 1658, when he fell into disease and died, leaving the protectorate to his son Richard, who being utterly unfit for that hazardous situation resigned his office in April 1659. General Monk, taking advantage of the crisis, determined to make an effort to restore the exiled monarch, which was suc cessful, and Charles II. was proclaimed in London, May 29, 1660. The news of this fact arrived in July, but the government did not think proper to proclaim the king here at that time.' In November, official information was received from Mr. Lev erett, the colony's agent, that 'petitions and complaints were preferred against the colony to the king and to the parliament. Thereupon the governour and assistants met and prepared a very loyal address, which was very graciously received and answered in February, 1661. There was, notwithstanding, no small degree of fear, lest the revolution in England should pro duce as great a change in the form of their government, both in church and state. A sort , of prudential committee was ap pointed, to consider what measures the state of things requir ed to be taken, which produced a declaration of rights and duties, which was adopted by the court.* The' king was proclaimed and acknowledged in August, but this submission did not cause all their difficulties to subside. Further com plaints were made, and an order was received from the king, that some persons should be sent over to make answer. Mr. Bradstreet, one ofthe assistants, and Mr. John Norton, teach er of the first church, were sent, and were well received. They made but a short stay,and returned with a letter from the king. It offered to confirm and renew the charter and other privileges, which all thought very favourable ; but then it required among other things,' that all, who desired it, should have liberty to use the book of common prayer, and perform their devotions according to the service established in Eng land ; and that all freeholders of competent estates, though of different persuasions concerning church government, should be electors, and be eligible to all offices for which their wisdom, virtue and integrity qualified them. The old law of 1631 had been enforced by authority in 1660, making church members the only freemen ; and these requirements entered the sanctum sanctorum of our fathers' prejudices, and were admitted with reluctance. The agents met with a very unkind reception on their return. Mr.Norton died soon after (April 5, 1663) of an apoplectick fit : his friends attributed his death to the treatment * See Hutch, vol. 1. app. No. 13. 1'9 146 HISTORY OF BOSTON. he experienced : the Quakers pronounced it a judgment of God upon him, for the part he had taken in their persecution.* The years 1664 and 1665 afforded the people greater occa sion for fears, than they had met with, at any time before. Their compliance with the requisitions of the king's letter were so slow, that his Majesty determined to send over several gen tlemen of distinction, with a commission to hear and determine all matters of complaint, and to settle the peace and security of the country, according to their discretion. With such pow ers, four commissioners arrived in July, 1664. They were Col. Richard Nichols, Geo. Cartwright, esq. Sir Robt. Carr, and Sam'l. Maverick, esq : the latter an implacable enemy to the colony, ever after an unsuccessful petition was preferred by him and others for certain privileges in 1646. They had va rious charges to advance and many demands to make of the government here : numerous interviews took place, and differ ences in opinions about mutual rights were unavoidable. Nothing definitive was effected by their labour ; the commis sioners had to deal with men, who were their equals in knowl edge, and their superiors in every other qualification. Some light is thrown upon the characters of both by the following story. . ' The commissioners with other gentlemen meeting some times at a publick house in Boston, called the Ship tavern (it was at the corner of Clark and Ann streets, then kept by John Vyal, vintner,) one of the constables, named Arthur Mason, expected to find them there upon a Saturday evening, which would have been a breach of law ; but before he came, they had adjourned to Mr. Kellond's, a merchant, who lived opposite to the tavern. Another constable, who had been at the tavern before, had been beaten by them. Mason, who had more courage and zeal, went into the company with his staff and told them he was glad to see them there, for if he had found them on the other side the street he would have carried them all away ; and added that he wondered they should be so uncivil as lo beat a constable and abuse authori ty. Sir Robert Carr said, it was he that beat him, and that he would do it again. Mason replied, that he thought his Majes ty's commissioners would not have beaten his Majesty's ofli cers, and that it was well for them that he was not the con stable who found them there, for he would have carried them before authority. Sir Robert asked, if he dare meddle with the king's commissioners ? Yes, says Mason, and if the king himself had been there, I would have carried him away. Upon which, Maverick cried out, Treason ! Mason, thou shalt be * Mr. Norton left 10 pounds by will to the poor of Boston. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 147 hanged within a twelvemonth ! Sir Robert Carr spake to Sir Thomas Temple and some others of the company, to take notice of what passed ; and the next day Maverick sent a note to Mr. Bellingham, the governour, charging Mason with high treason for the words spoken, and requiring the gover nour to secure him. The governour appointed a time for Ma verick to come to his house, and to oblige" himself to prosecute the constable at the next court of assistants; but Maverick, instead of appearing, thought proper only to send another note, promising to appear against the constable, and charge him home, and therefore required his person should be secured. The governour thought it advisable to cause Mason to recog nize, as principal, in five hundred pounds, with two sufficient sureties in two hundred and fifty each, for his appearance ; but the day before the court, Maverick sent another note to the governour, desiring to withdraw his charge, being " satis fied that although the words were rash and inconsiderate, yet there was no premeditated design in Mason to offer any inju ry to the king or his government." The governour returned for answer, " the affair was of too high a nature for him to interpose in, Mason being bound over to answer." Upon his appearance a bill was laid before the grand jury, wherein he was charged with maliciously and treasonably uttering the treasonable words mentioned. According to liberty taken by grand juries at that day, they only found " that the words charged were spoken ;"- and Mason being brought upon trial, and the words fully proved, the court of assistants suspen ded judgment, and referred the cause to the next general court, where it was resolved, that although the words were rash, insolent, and highly offensive, yet, as his accusers and witnesses all cleared him from any overt act, or evil intended against the king, the court did not see cause to adjudge him a capital offender, but sentenced him to be admonished in sol emn manner by the governour.' Sir Robert Carr was in his turn summoned by Mr. Leverett to appear at his house, with his man James Deane, and answer to a complaint exhibited against them for ' royatous and abu sive carriage to one of his Majesty's officers, Richard Bennet, one of the constables of the town, that the honour and author ity of H. M. or his officers, may be preserved, with the great est respect to yourself the case will admit of.' We find no record of the result. The commissioners drew up a report, in which they speak of Boston as ' the chief town in the colony, seated upon a penin sula, in the bottom of a bay, which is a good harbour and full of fish. It was fortified this year, 1665, with two block houses — Their houses are generally wooden, their streets crooked with little decency and no uniformity ; and there, neither j 48 HISTORY OF BOSTON. months, days, seasons of the year, churches nor inns are known by their English names.-One of the king's loyal sub jects was derided for being so civil as to accompany a com missioner from the town where he lived to Boston, and others in Boston derided those of Rhode Island, for having yielded so much to the commissioners. . ' At our first coming over, many untruths were raised- ana sent into the colonies— Major Hawthorne made a seditious speech at the head of his company, and the late governour another at their meeting house in Boston ; but neither of them were so much as questioned for it by any of the magistrates. The town had for several years given instructions to then- deputies in the general court. The first on record are those for the year 1665, and are not without interest, as exhibiting the first publick act of Boston in support of 'just privileges.' May 4. 1665. Instructions for the deputies, it is agr eed to present these ensuing : • _ . First, that there may be an amicable compliance with his Majesty's hon. commissioners according as duty to God and allegiance to H. M. obligeth, without any receding from our just privileges according to the patent. 2dly. Inasmuch as the number of freemen in this town of B. (consisting of tow distinct churches,) is very large, that either the number of deputies their representatives may be enlarged, according to proportion of freemen, or that there may be [?] show deputies. 3dly. That whereas there be divers offices, as sealers of leather, &c. who after election by law o&- to be sworn to the execution thereof, who yet refuse the same, that there may be some penalty inflicted upon the refuser of the same, that so the work may not be frustrated. 4thly- That whereas the standard for weights in towns exceeds not four pounds, that it may be enlarged to 56lb. weight, whereby fraud may be prevented in greater drafts. 5thly. That whereas for the future there may be more use of bricks than formerly, for prevention of damage ; that the law relating to tiles may be enlarged to bricks, as to clay they are made of, and that there may be a size appointed for their dimension, and that their moulds may be shod, &c.' ' The representations of the commissioners produced another letter from the king, dated April 10, 1666, and requiring that five persons, of whom Gov. Bellingham and Major Harthorne * Gov. Endicot died March 23, 166S. He had made Boston his place of residence for some time. His will is dated here May 2, 1659, and speaks of the house he lived in, which was on the lot now occupied by Gardiner Greene, esq. He left four pounds to the poor of Boston. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 149 were to be two, should be sent over to answer for the conduct of the colony. The court excused themselves with much sagacity from a compliance with this demand.. An increase of troubles at home directed the king and council's attention from the colonies, and the people here had a respite on these matters till 1675. CHAPTER XXVI. We see the ground whereon these woes do lie, But the true ground of all these piteous woes We' cannot without circumstance descry. Romeo and Juliet. Some few of the first settlers in New England were persons inclined to the sentiments of the Baptists, and the rulers of the colony had used every effort to check the spread of their opin ions. Some they fined : some they whipped : some they im prisoned : some they banished : and some were subjec ted year after year to ecclesiastical discipline, and delivered up to Satan for not hearing the church. But now, the king's commissioners, having declared that they would have liberty given to all sorts and sects of men, the baptists in and near Boston took advantage of their pres ence and formed a society, which was the origin of the First Baptist church.* The first record on their books gives the following account of this transaction : 'The 28th ofthe 3d Month, in 1665, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, the Church of Christ, commonly(though falsely) called Anabaptists, were gathered together and entered into fellowship and communion with each other ; engaging to walk together in all the appointments of their Lord and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, as far as he should be pleased to make known his mind and will unto them by his word and spirit ; and then, were baptized Thomas Gould, Thomas ' Osborne, Edward Drinker, John George — and joined with Richard Goodall, William Turner, Robert Lambert, Mary Good all, Mary Newell, who had walked in that order in Old-England — and to whom God hath joined since, Isaac Hull, John Far- num, Jacob Barney, John Russell, jun. John JohnSon, George Farlow, Benjamin Sweetser, Mrs. Sweetser, all before Ellis Callender who was received Nov. 9, 1669.' * This was the first church of the denomination in Massachusetts proper '• there had been one in Rehoboth, which was then in Plymouth colony, since 1663. ISO HISTORY OF BOSTON. This act ofthe baptists was in defiance of a standing law of the colony, as the formation of the first church had been contrary to ,a law of the -kingdom. Shortly after the depar ture of the commissioners, Aug. 20, a warrant was issued to the constable of Charlestown to labour to discover where these people were assembled, and to require them to attend the established worship ; upon refusal to do this, they were brought before the court of assistants in September, when they presented a confession of faith, setting forth their distin guishing sentiments.* The court were not satisfied, but de clared Mr. Gould and his company to be no orderly church assembly, and sentenced them to be disfranchised, and on con viction of any further meetings, to be committed to prison. In April of the next year they were again indicted for non-at tendance on publick worship, and plead their own constant meetings in defence. This was considered an aggravation, and Gould, Osborne and George were fined £4 each, and or dered to give bonds for their appearance at the next court. This they refused, and were therefore committed to prison. They remained in confinement, for a long time, making occa sionally appeals for release, but in vain. In March, 1668, Gould appealed for himself, but the court of assistants again affirmed the judgment against him, and he was recommitted. But the same court appointed him and his associates a day to hold a publick dispute in defence of their principles, ' for their orderly conviction by the labours of some of the rever end elders.' When the day arrived, April 1 4th, the baptists appeared with some of their friends from Newport, and the six selected divines were attended by the governour and oth er magistrates and ministers. A memorandum of the proceed ings is preserved in the Historical Library, but as it remains undeciphered, we can only say that 'the conference seems from the quick alternation of the dialogue, as the speakers' names indicate, to have been more animated than might have been expected, but the eloquence and argument of each is lost in an impartial oblivion.' The result was more palpable. In the following May, Gould, Turner and Farnum were ordered to remove from the jurisdiction before the 20th of July ; and , if seen after that time, they were to be thrown into prison, and there to remain without bail or mainprise. Mr. Gould was thereupon set at liberty, that he might prepare to go into ban ishment : in the mean while, the court ordered that no meet ing should be held or ordinances administered. The bap' tists were determined to suffer imprisonment rather than go into exile. One of them, Turner, lay in prison Nov. 1670, and warrants were then in two marshals' hands against Mr.Gould, * Rev Mr. WimheWs Jubilee sermon. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 151 but he was not then taken ' because he lived on Noddle's Island, and they waited to take him at town.' Many influen tial men in the town ' laboured abundantly as if it had been for their best friends in the world to obtain their release,' and from the documents left on record, we should suppose the op position to this church was more from the country than from the people of Boston.* The church at this time held their meet ing at Noddle's Island every sabbath : Mr. Gould officiated as their pastor,and John Russell, senior, who had joined them from Woburn, held the office of elder. This Mr. Russell and another of their members by the name of Foster, were con fined in prison for nearly six months in 1672, and in the spring of 1673, two others were fined for withdrawing from the pub lick meetings. Gov. Bellingham, who had been opposed to the baptists, had died Dec.7, 1672, and was succeeded at the May election by Maj. Gen. John Leverett, who had always objected to the measures, pursued against them : and one of their number writes in Jan. 1674, ' the church of the baptized do peaceably enjoy their liberty'!' Their pastor died in October, 1675. Encour aged by the lenity of Gov. Leverett's administration, they re solved, in 'Jan. 1678, to erect a place of worship in Boston. They proceeded with so much caution in building their house, that it was not known for what purpose it was erected until it was completed. After it was finished, the church purchased the house, with the land it was built upon, of Philip Squire and Ellis Callender for £60 ; and they met in it for worship on the 15th of February, 1679. It was situated on part of the lot now owned and occupied by the church, nearer to the street than the present meeting-house stands. The society did not enjoy it long unmolested ; in May, their leaders were convented before the court and admonished, and an order was then passed that no meetings should be held in any house, erected without the consent of the town in which it might be, on penalty of forfeiture or demolition. They therefore re frained from meeting, (in the mean time ordaining Mr.Russell as their pastor) until another letter came, July 24, 1679, frorn the king, forbidding that any of his subjects, not being papists, should be subjected to fines or forfeitures or other incapacities for serving God in the way they might desire. Then they ventured to meet again ; and again they were summoned to * A petition (which see in Backus i. 380) was ofiered to the court in behalf of the prisoners. Henry Shrimpton, who died after the 17th of July,1666, when he made his will, left 10 pounds ' to the society of christians that doth now meet at Noddle's Island, of which is Gould and Osborn and the rest, as a token of my love.' Mr. S. left property worth 10,0002. of which he gave some to each of the other churches, and Sdl. to the town, on condition that he might be buried in the tomb with his former wife, otherwise nothing. 152 HISTORY OF BOSTON. desist, and the court ordered the marshal to nail up the house, which he did on March 8, 1680, and posted on the door a paper in these words : ' All persons are to take notice, that by order of the Court, the doors of this house are shut up, and that they are inhibited to hold any meeting therein, or to open the doors thereof, without license from authority, till the Court take further or der, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.' ' The church met in the yard, next Lord's day, and in the week ensuing erected a temporary covering ; but coming the second Lord's day, they found the doors of the house open, and they continued meeting in it till the General Court met in May following, when, having been admonished in open Court, by the Governour, and charged not to meet in their house, they were dismissed ; and the Court agreed to suspend any furt her proceedings against them. Thus were' the baptists ' left to worship God as they chose, although the law forbade it; but neither the church nor the rulers afterwards regarded this prohibition.' While the baptists were thus earnestly contending for the application of , baptism to .believers only, a question arose among the pedobaptists themselves, of most peculiar ' exercise and concernment respecting the ecclesiastical state of their posterity.' To some unpleasant disagreements on this sub ject is to be traced the origin ofthe Old South Church. In 1657 the first church had voted, that it was the duty of a church to exercise church power regularly over the children of their members, who had been baptized in infancy, and to take care that their life and knowledge might be answerable to th'e engagement made by their relatives. ¦ This duty they put into practice. This opinion was sanctioned by a council, and another proposition was adopted, which gave to such per sons the right to bring their children for baptism, on condition of their owning the covenant before the church, though they might not have sufficient confidence of their own regeneration, to justify, themselves in partaking of the sacrament. This was the commencement of the half-way covenant. Some persons feared that a consequence of adopting this rule would be, that before the churches should be aware, ' a worldly part of mankind might carry all things into such a course of proceeding, as would be very disagreeable unto the kingdom of heaven.' Among those who were of this opin ion was the Rev. John Davenport, of New Haven. It happen ed very singularly that the first church, which had acted on the principles recommended by the synod, and whose pastor, Mr. Wilson, had decidedly approved them, should, when call ed to fill the vacancy occasioned by his death, choose Mr. Davenport. Yet so the major part did, in opposition to a HISTORY OF BOSTON. 153 large minority. Mr. Davenport accepted their invitation, and he and the Rev. James Allen, from England, were or dained, the former as pastor, and the latter as teacher of the church, on the 9th of December, 1668. This step created so great a division, that the minority withdrew, and formed a new society, by the advice of ' councils fetched- from other churches in the neighbourhood.' The names of the thirty ' brethren which came off and laid the foundation of the third [pedobaptist] church, partly on May 12, and partly on May 16, 1669, were Capt. Wm. Da*- vis, Messrs. Hez. Usher, John Hull, Edw. Raynsford, Petef Bracket; Jacob Eliot, Peter Oliver, Tho. Brattle, Edw. Raw- son, J. Sdb'ttow, Benja. Gibbs ; Major T. Savage, Messrs. Jo. Rocke, Theodore Atkinson, John Wing, Richard Truesdale, Theophilus Frarye [and] R. Walker, John Aldin, Benja. Thurston, Wm. Salter, John Morse, Josiah Belcher, Seth-Per- ryr Jas. Pemherton, Wm. Dawes, Jo. Davis, Mr. Thomas Thacher [and] Joseph Belknap.' The heading of their covenant* says the church was gath ered in Charlestown, on the 12th of -May, 1669. In July a * Covenant of the Old South Church. We whose names are underwritteiij being called of God to join together into a church, ia heart sense of our unworthiness thereof, disability thereunto, and aptness to forsake the Lord, cast off his government, and neglect our duty one to another, do in the name of J. C. our L. trusting; only in his grace and help, solemnly bind ourselves together' as in the pres ence of God, constantly to walk together as a chh. of Christ, according to all those holy rule3 of God's word given to a chh. body rightly establ. so far as we already know them, or they shall be hereafter farther made known unta us. And particularly, we do first of all ace. to the tenor of the everl. co v. give up ourselves and our offsp. unto God our chief yea only good : unto our L. J. C. as the only mediator, our only spotl. head and Lord, receiving and relying on him not only as our h. p. for satisf. and interc. but also as our prophet to t. and King to reign over us, and unto the H. S. to be a temple to him, that by bis dwelling and working in us we may have and be establ. in fellowship with God in 0. and one with another. And for the furth. of this blessed fp. we do likewise promise to end. to establ. am. ourselves and convey down to post, all the holy truths and ordin. of the g. committed to the ehhs. in faith and observance, opposing to the utm. of our chh. power whatever is diverse therefrom or cont. thereto. Also we do give up ours, unto one an. in the L. andby the will of G. hereby prom'g to cleave one to an. as fellow m. of the same b. in brotherly I. and holy watclif. unto mutual ed. in C J. and to be subj. in and for the L. to all the adm. and cen sures of the congr. so far as the same shall be ord. ace. io the rules of God's most holy wd. -& finally we do hoy. cov. and prom. thro, the help of the same grace to bold, promote & maint. sisterly fp. and comm. with all the chh. of saints in all those holy ways of order app. betw. ym. by our L. J. C. to our utmost, esp. wt. those among wh. the L. hath set us ; that the L. may be one and his u. one in all these chh. thro'out all gen. to his et. gl. in C. J. And now the good Lord be merciful unto us, pardg. ace. to the greatness of his gr. as all our past sins so esp. our Chh. sins in negligence St unfreq. of former enjoym. & accept as a sweet savour in J. C. this our offg. up oursv. unto him in this work— filling this his bouse with his own glory — making us faithf. to himself, & one unto an. ace. to himself, for his holy name sake. Amen. '20 154 HISTOKY OF BOSTON. council was called by Gov. Bellingham, ' fearing,' as he says in the order, ' a sudden tumult ; some persons attempting to set up an edifice for publick worship, which is apprehended by authority to be detrimental to the publick peace.' But the council thought best not to interpose any farther than to caution those, who were about to erect the house, to conform to the laws on that subject. They accordingly applied to the selectmen, who passed a vote 26, 5, 1669, ' that there is need of another meeting-house to be erected in* this town ;' though they judged it did not belong to them to determine the placing of it. The house was erected on the spot where the Old South now stands, and the abovenamed Mr. Thacher was installed as pastor ofthe church, Feb. 16, 1670.* Mr. T. was from Salisbury in England, where his father, Mr. Peter Thacher, was minister. He arrived in this coun try in 1635, at the age of .fifteen, and received his education under Mr. Charles Chauncy, who was afterwards president ofthe college. In 1644 he was settled at Weymouth, where he remained more than twenty years, till after the death of his first wife, when upon, marrying a second, who belonged to Boston, he removed hither, and engaged himself in the prac tice of physick^ to which he had devoted considerable atten tion : this he did not entirely relinquish, after he became pastor ofthe Old South. He was the author of the first med ical tracr which appeared in this state, which was a discourse on the subject of the small-pox and measles, published 1677. CHAPTER XXVII. Sermons in stones, and good in every thine:. Shakspeare. We shall devote this chapter to a variety of miscellaneous facts, which were interesting at the time of their occurrence. The following useful regulation is found in the town records, March 14, 1664. For the more orderly and deliberate car rying on of the affairs of the town, it is ordered, that hence forth there shall be no alteration made in the way of elec tions, or other matters of moment and publick concernment, that hath not been duly considered of, and proposed at a pub- * Mrs. Norton had conveyed the land to several of the above gentlemen in their associate capacity, by a deed, April 1, 1669. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 155 lick town meeting, orderly called, before the meeting when the final determination shall be put to vote. ELEVEN O'CLOCK BILL. The origin of our eleven o'clock bell is found under date of 25. 5. 1664. ' For the more convenient and expeditious despatch of merchants' [and maritime] affairs, or any other relating to strangers or our inhabitants, it is ordered that the bell shall be rung at eleven of the clock every working day, to give notice thereof to all persons concerned ; and that the ringer shall be allowed 1 2d. a year by every person that commonly resorts thereunto, and that they may assemble in the room under the Town-house, for the space of one hour, for the ends above expressed.' NORTH AND SOUTH BATTERIES. Some ofthe letters from the king in 1665 had recommend ed to the court to fortify against the Dutch and other enemies ; how faithfully they obeyed, appears in the subjoined report, which is foundjn the colony records for 1666, p. 222. ' We the subscribers being appointed a committee by the Hon. Court, to view the batteries lately erected by Maj. Gen. John Leverett, with the advice of the committee of the militia in Boston, accordingly attended to that service, and under the conduct of the said Maj. General we entered a well contrived fort called Boston Sconce, the artillery whereof is of good force and well mounted, the gunner attending the same. The form thereof is suitable to the place, so as to scour the harbour to the full length of their shot every way ; it is spa cious within, that the traverse of one gun will not hinder the other's course ; and for defence the foundation is of stone, and well banked with earth, for dulling the shot, and hindering execution. Finally, we apprehend it to be the completest work of the kind, which hitherto hath been ordered in this country. We also took survey of another work, on the north side of Boston, called Merry's point, raised with stones ; the founda tion is defended from the violence of , the sea with spyles and planks ; the wall of a considerable thickness, yet less so than by reason of the sharp edges next the cannon, and wideness of the ports within, which (being faced with strong timber as intended) will be much better. To conclude, we judge the defence to be considerable, and the offence to, be available (by God's blessing) for the thing intended, for which the actors and contrivers, whereof Maj. Gen. L. hath been the chief, both in contriving, acting and disbursing, deserve the thanks of this court and all due encouragement. Boston Sconce hath nine guns mounted and four more intended with- 156 HISTORY OF BOSTON. out, and seven at Merry's point.' Then follows a vote of thanks to Gen. L. and £100 grant for his services. DEATH AND CHARACTER OF REV. MR. WILSON. The death of Mr. Wilson, the first pastor of the First Church, occurred in 1667, on the 7th. of August, in the 79th year of his age. He left an amiable character, and is repre sented as one ofthe most humble, pious, and benevolent men. Cotton Mather, who tells us he never would sit for his like- ness, says ' if the picture of this good, and therein great man, were to be exactly given, great zeal with great love would be the two principal strokes, that joined with orthodoxy should make up his portraiture.' He was the son of Dr. Wilson, a prebend of St. Paul's in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and received his education at King's college, Cambridge. His cotemporaries considered him an excellent poet, though noth ing which he has left behind would lead us to form that opin ion of him. His principal forte lay in the making of ana grams upon the names of his friends, and the happy faculty he possessed, of flattering them in that way for their virtues, probably gained him their compliments in return. His heart was full of compassion for' the distressed and of affection for all : his house was renowned for hospitality, and his purse was continually emptying itself into the hands of the needy. This disposition was so remarkable, that it could not escape unnoticed. One day as he was present at a general muster of the military corps, a gentleman standing by said to him, ' Sir, I'll tell you a great thing : here's a mighty body of people, and there is not seven of them all, but what loves Mr. Wilson.' On which he instantly and pleasantly replied, ' Sir, I'll tell you as good a thing as that : here's a mighty body of people, and there is not so much as one of them all but Mr. -Wilson loves him.' The witty Mr. Ward, (the simple cobler,) passed a very neat encomium on him, when he gave as an anagram of his name, I pray come in, you are heartily welcome. And the following lines upon his hearse are far from being inex pressive, though ' some thought the Muses looked very much dissatisfied' at them: * Anagram. JOHN WILSON. Oh ! change it not : no sweeter name or thing, Throughout the world, within our ears shall ring. , Magnalia. HIST0KY OF BOSTON. 157 Mr. Wilson met with his share of the difficulties of the wil derness. He lost his houses several times by fire ; buried his wife and some of his children and grand children, under trying circumstances ; outlived two of his friends and asso ciates in the ministerial office ; saw errours stalking into the churches, in forms which appeared to him dreadful in the ex treme; and died lamenting, that thezeal and pious devotion of the first generation had died with them, and that theirchildren Eromised nothing better than to prove degenerate plants. He )ft a little property, which was valued at £419. 14s. 6d. and distributed it in small portions to many individuals, not for getting the poor of his own church. The foregoing fac simile represents the signature to his will.* SIGNS OP THE TIMES. The relation of an incident in 1668 will show us the char acter of the age. ' There appeared a meteor in the heavens in the beginning of March, in the form of a spear, of a bright colour, something thicker in the midst than at either end. It was seen several nights together, in the west, about half an hour within night : it stood sto'oping, one end pointing towards the setting of the sun, and moved downwards by little and little, till it descended beneath the horizon.' This and some other occurrences excited the magistrates to make an effort towards ' a reformation of manners :' for it was observed, that the youth of the age had degenerated very much from the strictness of their fathers. A brief was therefore issued to all the ministers in the colony, urging them to a more strict performance of their duty of visiting and instructing families, with the hope, that ' the effectual and constant prosecution hereof will have a tendency to promote the salvation of souls, to suppress the growth of sin and profaneness, to be^et more love and unity among the people, and more reverence and esteem ofthe ministry, and it will assuredly be to the enlarge ment of your crown, and recompense in eternal glory.' lt is evident, that the face of society was now becoming changed, and so strongly marked, that the line was plainly to be drawn, between those who maintained a regard for primitive holiness, and those who preferred to follow the in clination of their own hearts. This comports well with the observation of Hutchinson, that the colony about this time (1669) made a greater figure than it ever did at any other time. Their trade was as extensive as they could wish : no ' * " 1668. May 3. Dorchester chh. records. Role-on-God, the son of Mr. John Cotton, is baptized by virtue of communion of churches : his father being a member of the church at Boston, but there is no officer there to dispense the ordinance at present." 158 HISTORY OF BOSTON. custom-house was established. The acts ,of parliament , of the 12th and 15th of king Charles II. for regulating the plantar tion trade were in force,* but the governour, whose business it was to carry them into execution, was annually to be elected by the people, whose interest it was that they should not be observed. Some of the magistrates and principal merchants grew very rich, and a spirit of industry and economy prevail ed through the colony.' DEATH AND CHARACTER OF REV. MR. DAVENPORT. The first church lost their senior pastor, on the 11th. of March 1670, Mr. Davenport dying suddenly of apoplexy, aged 72. ' Although his career in Boston was short and troublous, it had been long and glorious in New-England. Few men were better qualified for planting the gospel in a new world, and seldom has any man made a happier use of his natural and moral energies. His intrepidity saved king Charles' judges, Whalley and Goffe, who fled to New-Haven, in 1661, and who were hidden in his house, whilst he was preaching in publick, before the officers in pursuit of them, a sermon from the following words : " Take counsel ; execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noon day : hide the outcasts ; bewray not him that wander- eth; let mine outcasts dwell with thee. Moab, be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler." Mr. D. agreed in sentiment with Mr. Cotton respecting the civil as well as religious polity of the bible, and endeavoured a system of order, which should nearly correspond with the Hebrew institutes and the usages of the primitive christians.' JOSSELYN'S DESCRIPTION. Mr. Josselyn, whose former travels are noted in page 82, visited Boston again in 1663 and was hereabouts till 1671, when he published the result of his inquiries. We give the substance of them, omitting somewhat, which he borrowed from Wood and Johnson. ' Boston the metropolis of this colony,or rather of the whole country, is in longitude 315 deg. and 42 deg. 30 min. of north latitude. The buildings are handsome, joining one to the other, as in London, with many large streets, most of them paved with pebble ; in the high street toward the common there are fair buildings, some of stone, and at the east end of the town, one among the rest, built by the shore, by Mr. Gibbs, a merchant ; being a stately edifice, which, it is thought, will stand him in. little less than £3000, before it be fully finished. The houses are for the most part raised, upon * These acts forbade (be introduction of foreign produce, except from England. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 159 the sea banks, and wharfed out with great industry and cost, many of them standing on piles [?] close together on each side of the streets as in London, and are furnished with many fair shops. ' The town is not divided into parishes, yet they have three fair meeting-houses, or churches, which hardly suffice to re ceive the inhabitants and strangers that come in from all parts. There is also a Town-house built upon pillars, where tbe merchants may confer : in the chambers above they hold the monthly courts. Here is the dwelling of the governour [Bellingham]. On the south there is a small but pleasant common, where the gallants, a little before sunset, walk with their marmalet madams as we do in Moor-fields, till the nine- o'clock bell rings them home to their respective habitations : when presently the constables walk the rounds to see good order kept and to take up loose people.' DEATH AND CHARACTER OP MR. BELLINGHAM. Gov. Bellingham, who from the time of his first arrival, in 1635, had been an inhabitant of Boston, died Dec. 7, 1672. He appears to have been a popular man, and was strongly attached to the liberties of the people. He was by education a lawyer. As a man he was benevolent, upright, and active in business : it is always mentioned as a singular part of his character, that "he would never take a bribe. As a christian he was devout, zealous, and attentive to external forms. In politicks, he leaned rather to the democratick side, but in the church was a violent opposer ofthe new sects, that contended for Religious freedom. He was sometimes subject to melan choly and mental derangement, lived to the age of 80 years, and was -the only surviving patentee named in the charter. His will left a large property for charitable and pious uses, but it was made in such a manner, that, after some years' dispute, the general court thought it necessary to supply the defects of it, by making a disposition of his estate themselves.* THE OLD WHARVES. We gather the history of the origin of the Old Wharf, so called, from the following documents : ' Boston, N. E. Sept. 10, 1673. Whereas the Honourable Council of this jurisdiction have lately recommended to the consideration of the selectmen of this town, the necessity of erecting a wall or wharf, upon the fiats before the town, from the Sconce to Capt. Scarlett's wharf, or using some ' * * March 21. 1673, the castle, at the entrance of Boston harbour, being of timber, was burnt down by accident. A new fortress of stone was erected, said thentc- be a strong work.'1 160 HISTORY OF BOSTON. other means for securing the town from fireships, in case of the approach of an enemy, which the selectmen represented to the inhabitants, at a publick meeting, Sept. 5, 1673 ; and whereas the said inhabitants did on that day, by two publick votes, first deny to have the said work carried on at the pub lick charge of the town, and secondly, did grant and give power to the selectmen, that they might order and dispose of the flats before the town, from the Sconce aforesaid to Capt. S.'s wharf for the better security of the town, as they shall think best — Now the aforesaid selectmen, having taken into their serious consideration the necessity of something to be done to the end aforesaid, and of some way of encouragement to such as shall undertake so great a work, do propound to the inhabitants of this town as followeth : 1 . That a wall or wharf of wood or stone be erected from the said sconce to Capt. Scarlett's wharf, which is in length about 2200 ft. ; that it be made in breadth 22 ft. at bottom, and to be raised 6 feet high at the least, with all expedition ; and afterwards as soon as may be to add thereto in height, as shall be judged, convenient for a breastwork to play guns on, which is supposed to be 14 or 15 ft. high in all, and so car ried up to be 20 ft. broad at the top, to be made substantial and uniform, and continued and maintained at the cost and charge of the undertakers according to these propositions. 2. For encouragement hereunto the said selectmen of this town of B. in behalf of themselves and their successors in the , office, do, according to the power committed to them, hereby order and declare, first, that such of the inhabitants of this town as shall undertake and carry on the said work as above expressed, shall possess and enjoy, and hereby is granted to them, their heirs and assigns forever, all those flats that lie before the town, between the town and the said wall or wharf so to be buih ; 200 feet whereof back towards the town, and next adjacent to said wall or wharf, shall be free for them the said undertakers to build wharves and warehou ses upon as they shall see cause, proportionably in breadth to what they build on in the front : the remainder to be for dock or shelter for ships or vessels : Except always, and it is hereby reserved to such of the pres ent abutters or borderers on the said flats, as shall come in undertakers of said w. or wh. and carry an end the, same in convenient time, with the rest ofthe u. that they shall have liberty of carrying out their present wharves, before their own land, in proportion with others about 100 ft. beyond the Hon. Gov. Leverett's and Mr. Alford's present wharves, and to improve it, for the best advantage of them, their heirs and assigns forever, as shall be staked out in a Circular Line, according to a plot or map now taken of the said cove : HISTORY OF BOSTON. 161 Reserving also to such others of the present abutters or borderers on the said flats, who refuse to join in the said wall or whf. aforesaid, liberty of egress and regress of vessels, and lying at their wharves for loading and unlading and graving before them. Secondly, That the said u. and carriers an end of said w. or whf. shall, according to and in proportion to what they build in front, have right, unto all income, advantages and emoluments that may arise or accrue, by dockage or anchorage of any such vessels as shall harbour or be secured within the said cove, as also by. fishing within the said cove, or in the mouth thereof, and all other liberties and privileges, which may arise by virtue of this grant of the .selectmen, between the said wharf or wall, now to be erected, and the wharves and docks now bordering on said flats, or to be made as above expressed, except what is reserved as above. It is further ordered and declared, that no man shall subscribe or under take for less than twenty feet of said wall or wharf.' . The foregoing propositions were signed by the selectmen 5 forty-one persons very soon undertook the work in parcels from 20 ft. to 120 feet in front, and their agreement ' being read to the council Nov. 11, 1673, it was accepted.' The circular line, mentioned in this document, is a very im portant boundary at the present day. A question having arisen concerning it so soon as 1678, it was then, Oct. 28th, determined that the southernmost part of Capt. Scarlett'^ wharf is meant and understood to be the northerly bounds thereof, and the Sconce to be the southerly bounds, and ' from these two places lines to be run the nearest or shortest cut into the channel before the town, arid the channel to be the eastern or easterly bounds, and the western or westerly to be 100 ft. without the Hon. Gov. Leverett's and Mr. Wm. Al- ford's wharf.' Gov. L.'s wharf was at that time the wharf on the south side of the bottom of State-street, and Mr. Alford's that on the north : the Long wharf has since been built be tween them. Capt. Scarlett's wharf was that at the bottom of Fleet-street, and the Sconce was situated not far from the head of India wharf. Stupendous as this undertaking was, for the period when it was projected, it was carried into execution, and the proprie tors received an act of incorporation from the council of the colony, May 11,. 1681. Happily there never was occasion to employ the works for the ends for which they were designed ; no enemy having ever passed the castle. The profits from the concern were found so small, that the wharves were soon suf fered to go into decay, and no trace is now to be seen of them. We have been favoured with the use of a plan, taken after Long-wharf was built,which exhibits the cove and all the 21 162 HISTORY OF BOSTON. wharves between the two extremities of the circular line, the out wharf crossing the Long at the T. with a ' gap or passage of 80 ft. wide into the cove' on the north side of the T, and another narrower gap on the south side of Long wharf. CHAPTER XXVIII. Or fighte with mee, or lose thy lande, No better termes may bee. , Remains of Ancient Poetry. Whatever concerned the welfare'of the colony was deeply felt in Boston, and scenes were, about opening in 1674, which kept alive the-publick anxiety from that time, till the colo nial government was settled under a new charter. The Indians within the Massachusetts bounds were not sub ject to one general sachem, but divided into smaller cantons or tribes. These, one after another, had submitted them selves to the jurisdiction of our government. There was the appearance of amity and good correspondence on all sides, and for forty years together, the people had suffered no great concern from fears of any irruption. But about the year 1670, suspicions were excited, by some strange conduct on the part of the Indians, and measures of precaution were taken against them. Philip, sachem of Mount Hope, was the chief who was destined to give the greatest annoyance. He was a man of high spirit, and could not bear to see the people of Plymouth colony extending their settlements over the domin ions of his ancestors : and although his father had at one time or other conveyed to them all that they were possessed ofr yet he had sense enough to distinguish a free, voluntary cov enant from one made under a sort of duresse, and he could never rest until he brought on the war, which was to end in his destruction. While Philip was making professions of peace and friend ship, he was secretly laying a plot, that all the Indians should rise at once, in all quarters, in the spring of 1 676, and drive the English entirely out of the land : but circumstances con curred to bring on a rupture at an earlier period, that ended in quite a different result. In this contest the people of Bos ton took a very efficient part. Philip's men made an attack on some persons at Swansey, on the 24th of June, 1675, and information being immediately brought to Boston, a company* HISTORY OF BOSTON. 163 of foot under Capt. Daniel Henchman, and a troop of horse under Capt. Thomas Prentice were despatched to their relief on the 26th. An eclipse of the moon, which happened that evening, produced fearful discouragements in this little army. Some melancholy fancies imagined that they saw an unusual black spot in her centre, resembling an Indian's scalp, and this brought to recollection other ominous signs. ' But after the moon had waded through the dark shadow of the earth, and borrowed her light again,' the two companies marched on and arrived at Swansey, within a quarter of a mile of Philip's dominions, some time before night on the 28th. A party of the Boston troop, unwilling to lose their time, made an excur sion into the enemy's territory, but were compelled to retreat with the loss of one man, Wm. Hammond, killed, and one man, corporal Belcher, wounded. The whole body ofthe forces (Mass. and Plymouth) made a sally the next morning, crossed the bridge that led to Mt. Hope, and drove the enemy before them, a mile and a quarter on the other side of it. ' Ensign Savage, that young martial spark,' says Hubbard, ' scarce twenty years of age, had at that time one bullet lodged in his thigh, another shot through the brim of his hat, by ten or twelve of the enemy discharging upon him together, while he boldly held up his colours in the front of his company.' Major Savage arrived soon with supplies and took the command : Capt. Edw. Hutchinson also came up shortly after, with reinforcements and further orders from Boston. A few skirmishes routed the Indians in that quar ter ; Philip fled to the western part of the colony, and some of our troops returned. Capt. Henchman started again from Boston, in November, with another company. Near to Men don they heard of a party of Indians, and it was resolved to give them a camisado, as they called it, in their wigwams. The captain and his lieutenant, Philip Curtis, accordingly led their men out to the fight, but most of them flinched in the moment of need, and Capt. H. and Lieut. C. were left with only five men to finish the combat. The lieutenant and one man were killed, and the object of the excursion was lost. The following winter was marked with numerous rencon-, tres, in which the Indians were sometimes victorious and sometimes obliged to retreat. They, however, advanced to wards Boston, and some of them expressed the hope, that they should yet see that town in ashes. What me will, me do, was their motto, and the people believed so much in its appropri ateness, that they set a watch at the entrance of the town, and no Indian whatever, friendly or not, was allowed to enter unguarded. Next to Philip in insolence, there was a John Monahco, or One-eyed John, who had threatened hardest and boasted loud of what he should accomplish : but before 164 HISTORY OF BOSTON. the, year was closed, Philip himself was hunted to his dens, by Capt. Church, and shot by a friendly Indian ; and this John, 'with a few more bragadocios like him was taken, and was seen marching towards the gallows, through Boston streets, which he threatened to burn at his pleasure, with an baiter about his neck, with which 'he was hanged at the town's end, Sept. 26, 1'676.' Thus ended king Philip's war. What the malice ofthe savages was not permitted to effect, took place through other means. On the 27th of November, the town was alarmed by the discovery of ' a sad fire, acci dentally kindled by the carelessness of an apprentice, that sat up too late over night, as was conceived, which begun an hour before day, continuing three or four, in which time it burned down to the ground 46 dwelling-houses, besides other build ings, together with a meeting-house* of considerable bigness. Some mercy was observed, mixt with the judgment, for if a great rain had not continued all the time, (the roofs and walls of their ordinary buildings consisting of such combustible matter) that whole end of the town had at that time been con sumed.' This is Hubbard's account in his ' Indian wars.' Hutch inson says, ' it broke out about five o'clock in the morning, at one Wakefield's house, by the Red Lion.' The wharf, which opens next north of Richmond-street (late Proctor lane)^ was formerly called the Red Lion wharf, and from the number of buildings destroyed, and the names of persons mentioned in the town records, as interested in the improvements after wards made in the width and course ofthe streets, we infer that the fire extended from that lane as far north as Clark -street.! Great pains appear to have been taken that the new streets might be both wider and straighter than before, and the se lectmen had as much difficulty to persuade the owners to give up an inch of ground then, as the city authorities now have. Some of the wooden houses now standing in Ann- street were probably built immediately after this fire. The house at the head of the slip below Richmond-street is thdught by the occupant to be 150 years old. It is of two stories ; the second projecting about 18 inches over the first. There are houses in several parts of the town, built in the same style.J The fashion is said to have been introduced here * The church met at Dea. Phillips' house, Dec. 3, and took measures for the erection of a new house of worship : it was ready in the course of the next year. No pew was to be built with a door into the street : and if the builder of the pew left the house, the pew was to revert to the church. t Town Records, Jan. and Aug. 1677. t The house on the north side of the New Brick meeting-house is a specimen of this struc ture, and the one on the south side, at the corner of (late) Proctor-lane, is in the previous fashion of two low stories with a high, peaked roof: until late years it retained the ancient small glass windows with leaden sashes HISTORY OF BOSTON. 165 from the country, where this structure was found expedient, to furnish protection from the assaults of the natives. This is not improbable ; but another opinion, that it was the fashion of the times and prevailed also in France at the same period,' is quite as likely. We do not find that the engine authorized in 1654 was ever obtained, but after this fire the town appears to have sent abroad for one. Town Records, 1679. Jan. 27. 'In case of fire in the town, where there is occasion to make use of the engine lately come from England, Thomas Atkins, carpenter, is desired and doth engage to take care of the managing of the said engine, in the work intended, and secure it the best he can from dam age, and hath made choice of the several persons following to be his assistants, which are approved of, and are promised to be paid for their pains about the work: — 'The persons who formed the first engine company, were Obadiah Gill, John Raynsford, John Barnard, Thomas Elbridge, Arthur Smith, John Mills, Caleb Rawlins, John Wakefield," Samuel Green wood, Edward Martin, Thomas Barnard, George Robinson.' The following record shows us the antiquity of their privile ges. May 28, 1683. It is agreed that Ralph Carter and seven others, one man out of each company of the train bands, should take the care and charge of the water engine, to keep it in good order, and be ready upon all occasions to attend the use and service thereof, when the said Carter shall require it, or there be any noise or cry of fire breaking out in any part of this town : In consideration whereof, with consent of the sev eral captains, they shall be exempt from training, and are to attend the said -service upon the penalty the law prefixeth for not training. Another ' terrible fire began about midnight, August 8, 1679, at one Gross's house, the sign ofthe Three Mariners, near the dock. All the warehouses and a great number of dwelling- houses, with the vessels then in the dock, were consumed. It continued till near noon the next day ; the most woful deso lation that Boston had ever seen ; eighty odd dwelling houses and seventy odd warehouses, with several vessels and their lading consumed to ashes. The whole loss computed to be £200,000.' Hubbard says (N.E. 649) ' it was set on fire* by * 1679, October 18. p. 242. Colony Records. Whereas the persons hereafter named are under vehement suspicion of attempting to burn the town of Boston, and some of their en deavours prevailed to the burning of one house, and only by God's providence prevented from further damage : This court doth order that Edward Creelie and Deborah his wife, Hepzibah Codman, John Avis, John Easte, Samuel Dogget, Wm. Penny, Richard Heath, Sypron Jarman, and James Dennis, shall depart the jurisdiction and never return, and be kept in prison until ready for their departure. 166 HISTORY OF BOSTON. some malicious wretches, as is justly suspected, and half ru ined the whole colony, as well as the town.' This devasta tion occasioned such a demand for house timber, that the town petitioned the court to forbid its exportation for a time. It also increased the watchfulness ofthe people, and in some new regulations adopted, we find the singular one that a man should be stationed on each meeting-house during service on the sabbath day, to give the alarm in case of any fire being discovered. A law was made about this time to prevent the erection of wooden buildings, and the houses and warehouses near the town dock, which were rebuilt after the great fire in 1679, were either constructed with brick, or plastered on the outside with a strong cement intermixed with gravel and glass,' and slated on the top. They were two stories high, with a gar ret in the high peaked roof.* One of them is yet standing, and is represented in the following plate. ANCIENT BUILDING AT THE CORNER OF ANN-STREET AND MARKET-SQUARE. VIEW 1-Koyi TKE N. E. CORKER OF ELM-STREET. * Maps. Hist. Co!!, j. iv. 189. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 167 This, says a description furnished by a friend, is perhaps the only wooden building now standing in the city to show what was considered elegance of architecture here, a century and a half ago. The peaks of the roof remain precisely as they were first erected, the frame and external appearance never having been altered. The timber used in the building was principally oak, and, where it has been kept dry, is per fectly sound and intensely hard. The outside is covered with plastering, or what is commonly called rough-cast. But in stead of pebbles, which are generally used at the present day to make a hard surface on the mortar, broken glass was used. This glass appears like that of common junk bottles, broken into pieces of about half an inch diameter, the sharp porners of which penetrate the cement in such a manner, that this great lapse of years has had no perceptible effect upon them. The figures 16 8 0 were impressed into the rough-cast to show the year of its erection, and are now perfectly legible. This surface was also variegated with ornamental squares, diamonds and flowers-de-Juce. The building is only two sto ries high, and is about 32 feet long and 17 wide ; yet tradi tion informs us that it was once the residence of two respect able families, and the front part was at the same time occupi ed for two shops or stores. The water of the dock flowed on the south and southwest sides of it, as represented on the plan for 1722. The principal apothecary' shop in the town was once kept there, and one part of it continues to be improved for the same business. CHAPTER XXIX. He's gone, and who knows how he may report Thy words, by adding fuel to the flame ? Expect another message more imperious, More lordly thund'ring than thou well wilt bear. Swmxon Agonistes. 'In the height ofthe distress ofthe Indian war, and while the authority of the colony was contending with the natives for the possession of the soil, complaints were making in Eng land, which struck at the powers of government ; and an in quiry was set on foot, which was continued from time to time, until it finally issued in a quo warranto and judgment there upon against the charter.' The compliance of the colony with the requisitions of the king had been slow and occasional, as necessity impelled, and whatever alterations they might make in their polity from rea- 368 HISTORY OF BOSTON* son and conviction, of their own motion, they were not easily led to adopt the same when required by a sovereign, to whom they held themselves subject only according to their charter. There were different opinions in regard to the course, which the colony ought to pursue, and from this period we may date the origin of two parties, the. patriots and prerogative men, the whigs and tories, between whora controversy scarcely in termitted, and was never ended, until the separation of the two countries.* A jealousy concerning their political rights infused itself into the people, and henceforward we discover in the acts of the Bostonians an increased sensibility to every shadow of encroachment upon their liberties, whatever may be its source. Thus in April, 1676, in conformity to custom, the town chose by ballot Mr. John Hayward, to be nominated to the county court for the office of clerk of the writs. For reasons not as signed on the town records, that court saw fit to disregard the nomination, and the town resented the affront at a publick meeting, on the 25th of August following. ' Then was presented a paper to the inhabitants, by Rich ard Knight, in the name of himself and others of the town, to represent their dissatisfaction and grievance for a breach of their liberties and privileges, as they apprehend, by the Hon'd* County court's putting in another clerk of the writs than what was nominated by a major vote of the inhabitants, the 24th of April, 1676. The question being put, whether the motion therein should be considered at this time, Resolved in the affirmative. Secondly, it was voted, that Mr. Thomas Deane and Mr. John Fairweather join with the selectmen to represent the dissatisfaction and grievance of the inhabitants to the hon'd. county court, and humbly desire that their privUeges and lib erties, that do belong to the town, may be continued and enjoy ed without any obstruction, and may have satisfaction in their present complaint.' This was an evil of trifling moment, when compared with the troubles that awaited them, in common with their brethren of all New-England. That same summer, king Charles II. sent over to the colony, as bearer of despatches ' to the gov ernor and magistrates of the town of Boston,' Edward Ran dolph, a man who became infamous and hated by the people as a spy upon their liberties ; whose business it was, they said, to go up and down seeking to devour them. The court complied with the principal demands of the king, and sent agents (Wm. Stoughton and Peter Bulkley) to answer the complaints against them. Randolph returned upon their heels, and reported that * Minot, Hist. Mass. i. 43 — 61. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 169 ' the colony refused any obedience to the acts for regulating the trade of the plantations.' ' Several laws were made by the court, while the agents were in England, to remove some of the exceptions which were taken, and the king's arms were ordered to be carved and put up in the court [town] house. But it was a more difficult thing to conform to the acts of trade : they acknowledge in their letter to their agents that they had not done it. They -apprehended them to be an invasion ofthe rights, liberties and property of the subjects of his majesty, they not being repre sented in parliament; however, they had made provision by a law,that the acts should be strictly observed from time to time, although it greatly discouraged trade, and was a great damage tto his majesty's plantation.' Here we perceive that the gov ernment of Massachusetts avowed the principle, that taxation and representation ought to go together, a hundred years before the united colqnies declared».that they should. Randolph kept a continual watch upon the colony, and went divers times to England with complaints, and returned with fresh orders and powers. In 1678 he came over with authority from the commissioners ofthe customs asan inspec tor, and to make seizures for breaches of the acts of trade'; but he was generally, if not always, condemned in costs. In his list of ' articles of high misdemeanour exhibited against a faction of the general court,' besides accusing them of aiming at independence, he alleges that in opposition to him, they had 'confirmed the place and powers of the collector of the^cus- toras and imposts, laid upon wines and strong waters imported into their colony, set up by a law made in their colony in 1645 ;' which officer, he says, had been chief collector of these duties above a year before his own office was ordered. Even this collector, though appointed by the court, it seems met,with some refractory spirits, who were not disposed to submit to the ' acts of trade.' Town Records, 1678, Aug. 26, ' Mr. Paul Dudley, collector of the customs in this port of Bostone, complaining that Robert Orchard, who had received several goods from England, had neglected to make any entry, and refused to produce an invoice of them, the said Mr. D.udT ley desired the assistance of tne selectmen to rate the said Orchard for the said goods, according to their best discretion; as the law directs. And the said collector with the selectmen do, according to the law, rate the said Orchard to pay to the collector £10 in money, for the custom of the said goods.' — And the constable thereupon attached 19lbs. of beaver, as security for the same. Governour Leverett, who had been annually continued in office, from the time of his being first chosen in 1673, died on the 16th of March, 1679. He had been a soldier in early 22 170 HISTORY OF BOSTON. life, and distinguished himself in several actions abroad. Up on his return he was chosen a deputy to the general court for Boston ; in 1664 he was appointed major-general, and elected assistant in 1665 : he succeeded Mr. Francis Wil-. Joughby in the deputy-governour's office, in 1671, and hekj that place till he became governour. The weighty affairs of the war and of the agency during his administration, conduct ed with prudence and steadiness, caused him to be greatly respected, and he was so beloved by the colony, that his elec tion was never contested, and he descended with honour to the grave. His funeral was attended with great solemnity : a sermon was preached by Mr. [Samuel] Nowcl, and military honours were conferred on the occasion.* The agents returned in 1679. In 1681, Randolph obtained a commission from the crown, for collector and surveyor and? searcher of the customs, in New England. He laid his com mission before the general £ ourt, and desired he might be aidi ed in the execution of hi? office with their countenance and authority : but no notice being taken of his application, he se,t up his advertisement in the town-house, to acquaint all per-, sons concerned, that an office was erected, and they must govern themselves accordingly. This, he said, wa,s taken down by the marshal, by order of the general court, or some of the members. He, therefore, demanded a final resolution of the court, whether they would admit his commission to be. in force or not, that he might know how to order his proceed ings. What was their reply to Randolph we have not found ; * Order of march at the funeral of Governor Leverett, who died 16 March 1678, and was buried the first day of the next year, 25 March, 1679. Mr. John Joylifle } Mr! W™ Taller*0"11^ ( *° carry each a Banner Ro11 at the 4 corners ofthe Herse, Mr. Rics. Middtecot ) To march next before the Herse as followeth. 5 Mr. Sam. Shrimpton, or in his absence Capt. Clap to carry the helmet. \ Mr. John Fairweather to carry the Gorget. J Mr. E. Hutchinson Brest I Mr. Charles Lidgett Back < Mr. Samp. Sheafe one tace I Mr. John Pincheon one tace Mr. Dummer in case < Bant. Nich. Page one Gauntlet \ Capt. Jona. Curwin one Gauntlet < Lieut. Edw. Willys the Target J Oapt. Edw. Tyng the Sword CMr. Hez. Usher one Spur \ Mr- Peter Sargeant one Spur Capt. Wm. Ger.rish to lead the Horse per the Rain and Return Waite (as Groom) per the headstall. v to carry Banners mixt with the Banner Roles above. HISTORY OF BOSTON. ill but in an answer to the king we find them declaring, that he ' was acknowledged collector, and his commission enrolled.' Charles II. remained dissatisfied, and required that other agents should be sent over, without delay, with powers to submit to such regulations of government as hi& Majesty should think fit. Mr. Joseph Dudley, a son of the first deputy-gov ernour, and Mr*John Richards, a wealthy merchant of Boston, a man of fair character and one of the assistants, were cho sen, and despatched with all practicable speed. They arrived at London on the latter end of August, 1682, and Randolph was not long after them, ready to disclose every thing they might wish to conceal. They found ' his majesty greatly pro voked ;' and in their first letters to the general court repre sented the case of the colony as desperate, and left it to the; court to determine, whether it was advisable to submit to his pleasure or to suffer a quo warranto to issue. Upon receipt of these advices- it was made a question, not in the court only, but amongst all the inhabitants, whether to surrender or not. On the whole, the agents were instructed to make no conces sions of any privileges conferred upon the colony by the charter. Upon receiving this final resolution of the court, flieir business was at an end : it was immediately determined a Q. W. should go forth, the agents returned to Boston, Oct. 23, 1683, and Randolph arrived the same week with the in strument of death. ' The next day after Randolph arrived, a destructive fire happened in the richest part of the town. Some of the peo ple in their rage and jealousy supposed it to have been kind led by his procurement. It was on the south side of the dock's mouth* and consumed a great number of dwelling houses, warehouses and vessels.' The Bostpneers, as Randolph called them, were forward to oppose his Majesty's demand : this is the record : 1684, Jan. 21. At a meeting of the freemen of this town upon lawful warning, upon reading and publishing his Majes ty's declaration dated 26 July, 1683, relating to the quo war ranto issued out against the charter and privileges claimed by the governour and company of the Mass. Bay in N. E. It being put to the vote, whether the freemen were minded, that the general court should make a full submission and entire resignation, of onr charter and privileges therein granted, fo his majesty's pleasure^ as intimated in the said declaration now read, the question was resolved in the negative,, nemine CONTRADICENT.E. It is impossible to pronounce the two last words without perceiving that the clerk felt himself animated with the assur ance, that he was recording the sentiments of the whole popu- 172 HISTORY OF BOSTON. lation.* Yet the proposition divided the legislature. The Governour (Bradstreet). and the major part of the assistants, says Minot, voted not to contend in law, but to submit to the pleasure of the King; but the representatives, after a fort night's consideration, refused to give this vote their concur rence ; and a letter of attorney was sent to a suitable person to appear and answer in behalf of the Colony. ' It seems that this process was issued from the Court of King's bench, where the attorney was accordingly authorised to appear ; but from some reason or other proceedings were not further prosecuted there, and a scire facias was issued against the colony from the Court of Chancery, on the 16th day of April, and was not received until the return day had ¦expired ; by means of which, judgment was given against the colony on the 18th of June, 1684, subject to an appearance and defence on the next term, without their being heard, or receiving timely notice to appear. Thus fell the good old charter, valuable for its defects so happily supplied, as well as its powers. But with it fell not the habits it had engender ed, nor the principles which the settlement of the country had inspired.' 1 The loss ofthe charter was followed within a few months with the death of King Charles II. (Feb. 6, 1685,) which oc casioned such a crowd of business at home, that the planta tions were neglected for some time. King James II. was proclaimed with great ceremony in the high street in Boston, on the 20th of April. As soon as he was settled in his throne, he sent over a commission to Col. Joseph .Dudley, to take the government of New-England upon him,under the title^of Pres ident, and appointed him a new council, of his majesty's own nomination, with Wm. Stoughton as deputy president. Mr. D. received it (by the Rose frigate, the first we have noticed as arriving in Boston harbour) on the 15th of May, 1686, and it was made publick on the 25th, when the president and council met in form.t ' Mr. Dudley considered himself and the council appointed to preserve the affairs of the colony from confusion, until a governour should be appointed, and a rule of administration be more fully settled. Hutchinson says, that ' in general the former laws and established customs, so far as related to judicial proceedings, seem to have been their rule, although the government which framed them was dissolved. The * See Remarkables of Increase Mather, who attended the meeting and made a spirit-sfii" ring speech on the subject t Neal, X. E. ch. z. Hutch. Hist. 1. ch. iii. The old magistrates had continued to exer cise authority, as a thing of necessity, until May 12, 1686, the date of the last old charter record, when Mr. Bradstreet was chosen Governour. HISTORY OF BOSTOX. 173 affairs of the towns were likewise managed in the same man ner as formerly.' . The power of granting taxes being transferred to the Presi dent and council, it was necessary for the town of Boston to make application for liberty to assess and collect their usual rates. The following articles, from the town records, are the more interesting from the consideration that Randolph thought to have destroyed the publick records from 1686 to 1689. The town record next after May 14,1686,reads thus : *Upon the constables' delaying or neglect to collect the rate for the alms-house or work-house, within mentioned, the President and council were pleased to endorse the warrant following upon each constable's list. By the President and Council. The order and agreement of the town of Boston relating to the alms or work house having been considered, the rate in this paper is allowed, and to be paid as formerly ordered by the Committee and Selectmen, reserving liberty to complain as formerly, to such as are oppressed or aggrieved : and where any have subscribed or made promise and refuse pay ment, the treasurer or his attorney hath power to recover the same by action before any two justices of the peace, if the subscriptions exceed not 40s. or otherwise by the county court. per Edward Randolph, Sec'y. By the President and Council, June 2, 1686. In answer to the motion of the selectmen of Boston showing that their town treasury is so exhausted that they stand in need of a present supply, for the maintenance of the poor, mending the highways, finishing the alms house, and other necessary town occasions, which have been formerly and par ticularly referred to their care and management, the Pres't and council for the present exigency, and having seen the town's votes allowing the said selectmen's power, accordingly do approve the same, and order them to give notice of the sum necessary and to proceed in due and equal manner to levy the same upon the inhabitants and estates of the town. Sec. Copy of a return to the Council, June 7th. Whereas the President and council, June 2, 1686, in answer to the motion of the Selectmen of Boston for the supply of money to maintain the poor, mending of the highways, and other necessary town's occasions, ordering to give notice of the sum to defray the charge, it is found according to former 174 HISTORY OF BOSTON. experience, that rating the town about £600', rate pay, being customary to abate one third part if paid in money, whichs brings it to £400, and abatements for such as have been rated and found not able to pay, and for such as have diedy and such as have gone to sea, removed to other places, before they have been paid, and such as have been abated on com plaint of being overrated, commonly brings it to £340, or £350. And the standing charge of this town at this time is about £400 per ann. and about 200 of which is in maintaining three free schools, mending the highways in Boston, Romney Marsh and Muddy river, the rest to several that have standing! salary for service in the town, and to poor people,, that are not likely to get their livings as long as they do live, besides clothing and burying the poor, and giving to people's necessi ties transiently, repairing the town-house and school-houses, maintaining bastards and poor people when- they are sick and nurses for them, and powder for the town's occasions,, paying house rent for it, and blowing up of houses, and finding, powder for the town as the law requires. Subscribed per Edward Willis, treasurer. CHAPTER XXX. Thy sons, Edina, social, bind, With open arms the stranger hail, Gay as tbe gilded summer sky, Xhy daughters bright thy walks adOrn. Address to Edinburgh. From this review of the course of publick affairs we turn now to exhibit to our readers a picture of private society and manners in the same period : and we shall do it in the words ofthe facetious John Dunton, who visited Boston in 1686, and published an account of his life and errours in 1 705. ' We weighed out of the Downs, Nov. 2, 1685 ; and made the best of our way for the Beachy.— We were above four months at sea, and at last reduced to that extremity that each of us had no more than the allowance of one bottle of water for four days. When we came within ken of Boston, we were all overjoyed, being just upon the point of starving ; we put off to land in the long boat and came ashore near the Castle, which stands about a mile from Boston. The country appeared at first like a barren waste, but we found humanity enough when we came amongst the inhabitants. We lodged HISTORY OF BOSTON. 175 the first night at the Castle, and next mornirig we found the way to Boston lay over the ice, which was but cold comfort, after we had been stowed up so many months in a cabin. The air of New England was sharper than at London, which, with the temptation of fresh provisions, made me eat like a second Mariot of Gray's Inn. The first person that welcom ed me to Boston was Mr. Burroughs, formerly a hearer of my reverend father-in-law, Dr. Annesly. He heaped more civilities upon me than I can reckon up, offered to lend me monies, and made me his bedfellow, till I had provided lodgings. As I was rambling through Boston, I met both with lodg« ings, and a warehouse at Mr. Wilkin's, whose family deserves as well of me, as any in New England. Being thus fixed, I delivered the letters of recommendation I had brought with me from England. I had one from the Reverend Mr. Richard Stretton, to Mr. Stoughton, the deputy governour : and Mr. Morton of Newington-Green, sent another to major Dudley, afterwards president, which, with other letters to the magis trates, had the good effect that I was made freeman of Boston, though very much obliged for it to the friendship of Mr. Burroughs. Immediately upon this, captain Hutchinson gave me an invitation to dine with the governour and the mag istrates in the town hall. The entertainment was very rich and noble, and the governour, deputy-governour, major Dud ley, and the other magistrates gave me a very friendly wel come to Boston, and kindly wished me success in my under taking. He that trades with the inhabitants of Boston, should be well furnished with a Grecian faith : he may get promises enough, but their payments come late. However, under all the disadvantages of that kind, I was now resolved to run the risk, of it, and in order to promote the sale, I made a visit to the Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, the metropolitan clergy man of that country, and rector of Harvard College. He is master of a great stock of learning, and a very eminent divine. His son, the Reverend Mr. Cotton Mather, was then upon finishing his Magnalia Christi Americana, which has lately been published here in England. There is abundance of freedom and familiarity in the humour of this gentleman ; his conversation and his writings are living evidences that he has read much, but there are many that won't allow him the prudence to make a seasonable use of it. His library is very large and- numerous, but had his books been fewer when he writ his history, 'twould have pleased us better. I was next to wait upon the Reverend Mr. Willard, minis ter of the South-Meeting in Boston ; he is well furnished with learning and solid notion, has a natural fluency of speech, 176 HISTORY OF BOSTOxV. and can say what he pleases. Afterwards I went to visit the Reverend Mr. Allen, he is very humble and very rich, and can be generous enough, when the humour is upon him. His son was an eminent minister here in England, and deceased at Northampton. Mr. [Joshua] Moody was assistant to Mr. Allen, and well known by his practical writings. Leaving Mr. Allen's house, I went next to Mr. John and Mr. Thomas Baily. These two are popular preachers, and very generous to strangers; I heard Mr. John upon these words, — Looking unto Jesus, and 1 thought he spake like an angel. They ex press a more than ordinary kindness to Mr. Wilkins, my land lord, and (being persecuted in Limerick for their noncon formity) came over -with him from Ireland. Reader, I might be large in their character ; but when I tell you they are true pictures of Dr. Annesly (whom they count as a second St. Paul) 'tis as high as I need go. The sun being now gone to bed (for though I was up before him, he got to his lodging first) I bid good night to these two brothers, who gave me a hearty welcome to Boston, and as sured me of all the service that lay in their power. Having first paid my visits to the clergy of Boston, and given a character of them, pray give me leave to ask my brethren the booksellers how they do, and that shall be all. For though I know they love to be respected, yet at the same time I am satisfied, that I'm as welcome to them as sour ale in summer, for they look upon my gain to be their loss, and do make good the truth of.that old proverb, that interest will not lie ; but 1 must begin my addresses to them. Mr. [John] Usher, jrour humble servant. This trader makes the best figure in Boston ; he is very rich, adventures much to sea ; but has got his estate by book-selling ; he pro-' posed to me the buying my whole venture, but would not, agree to my terms, and so we parted with a great deal of seeming respect. Mr. Phillips, my old correspondent ! — 'Tis reason I should make you the next visit. He treated me with a noble dinner,' and (if I may trust my eyes) is blest with a pretty obliging wife ; I'll say that for Sam (after dealing with him for some hundred pounds) he is very just, and (as an effect of that) very thriving. I shall add to his character, that he is young' and witty, and the most beautiful man in the town of Boston. But leaving Phillips, I rambled next to visit Minheer Brun- ning, he is a Dutch bookseller from Holland, scrupulously just, plain in his clothes, and if we will believe the printers in Boston (who are notable criticks in such cases) a most excel lent paymaster. Brunning is versed in the knowledge of all. sorts of books, and may well be styled a complete bookseller. He never decries a book, because 'tis not of his own printing; HISTORY OF BOSTON. 177 there are some men that will run down the most elaborate pieces, only because they had none of their midwifery to bring them into publick view, and yet shall give the greatest encomium to the most nauseous trash, when they had the hap, to be concerned in it. But Brunning was none of these ; fdr he would promote a good book whoever printed it ; and I found him a man of that great interest, that I made him my partner in printing Mr. Mather's sermon, preached at the ex ecution of Morgan, who was the only person executed in that country for near seven years. From the Dutch, I went to the Scotch bookseller, one Duncan Cambel, "he is very indus" trious, dresses all-a-mode, and I am told, a young lady of a great fortune, is fallen in love with him. Having visited all the booksellers, I will next give an ac count of what acquaintance I had in Boston. I shall begirt with Mr. Willy, who fled thither on the account of conscience, (and is brother-in-law to the Reverend Mr. Baily) he is a man of a large heart, one who, in relievingothers' wants, con siders not so much his own ability, as their necessity. This Monmouth's forlorn fugitives experienced often, to whom he was the common refuge. The next I shall mention is Mr. White, a merchant, who by trading has clasped islands to the continent, and tacked one country to another ; his knowl edge, both of men and things, is universal. The next was Mr. Green, a printer ; I contracted a great friendship with this man ; to name his trade, will convince the world he was a man of good sense and understanding ; he was so facetious and obliging in his conversation, that f took a great delight in his company, and made use of his house to while away my melancholy hours. Another of my acquaintance was Cap tain Giery [Genista ?] a man as eminent fop his love to his country, as Junius Brutus and the famous ScteVola among the Romans. Another of 'em was George Monk, a person so remarkable, that had I- not been acquainted with him, it would be a hard matter to make any New England man believe that I had been in Boston ; there was no house in Boston more noted' than George Monk's, or where a man might meet with better entertainment ; he was so much the life and spirit of the guests that came to his house, that it was almost impossi ble not to be cheerful in his company. Another was captain Townsend, a gentleman very courteous and affable in his con versation. I might here ramble to Mr. Jollyff, justice Lines, Macarty, and some others ; but least 1 tire you quite, I will next come; to a distinct head, which shall be those of my countrymen that have rambled into this country as well as myself, such of them, I mean, as I came acquainted with in the course of my business : and these were, first, Mr. Mortimer, who came from 23 178 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Ireland ; he was an accomplished merchant, a person of great modesty, and could answer the most abstruse points in algebra, navigation, dialling, &c. The next to these was Mr. King: love was the cause of this gentleman's long ramble hither ; sure his mistress was made of stone, for King had a voice would have charmed the spheres, he sang, Ml Hail to the Myrtle Shades, with a match less grace, and might be called an accomplished person. Another acquaintance was Mr. York, he had his soft min utes as well as other men, and when he unbent the bow, for he was very industrious, he treated the fair sex with so much courtship and address, as if loving had been all his trade. The next I mention shall be Andrew Thorncomb, bookseller from London ; his company was coveted by the best gentle men in Boston, nor is he less acceptable to the fair sex ; for he has something in him so extrsmely charming, as makes them very fond of his company. However, he is a virtuous person, and deserves all the respect they showed him. He visited me often in Boston, and I here declare I've a particular kindness for him. Another acquaintance was Mr. Heath ; were I to write the character of a pious merchant, I would as soon take Heath for the exemplar, as any man I know. There are two things remarkable in him, one is, that he never warrants any ware for good, but what is so indeed ; and the other, that he makes no advantage of his chapman's ignorance, where the con science ofthe seller is all the skill of the buyer; he doth not then so much ask as order what he must pay ; and in such cases he ought to be very scrupulous. Bishop Latimer being told he was cozened in buying a knife, no. replied Latimer, he cozened not me, but his own conscience. This person was my daily visitor, and brought me acquainted with one Gore, of New York, with whom I traded considerably. Mr. Watson shall be the next; formerly a merchant in London, but not thriving there, he left the exchange for Westminster Hall, and in Boston has become as dexterous at splitting of causes, as if he had been bred to it. He is full of fancy and knows the quirks of the law ; but to do him justice, he proves as honest as the best lawyer of 'em all. Another acquaintance is Mr. Mason. He was a blunt, honest Christian ; he will speak his mind, take it how you please. The next I'll mention shall be Mr. Malinson, he is a stiff Independent, (which is rare in a fencer,) and so great a erit- ick, that he would even find a knot in a bullrush. Malinson was one of those unfortunate gentlemen that engaged with Monmouth, and I'm told this day at the Royal Exchange, he now teaches young gentlemen to fence in Boston. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 179 I was so happy as to find particular friends in Boston, whose characters I shall next give you, and I'll begin with Dr. Oakes. — He is an eminent physician, and a religious man ; at his first coming to a patient he persuades him to put his trust in God, the fountain of health ; the want of this hath caused the bad success of most physicians, for they that won't acknowledge God in all their applications, God won't acknowledge them in that success which they might other wise expect. He was a great dissenter whilst he lived in London, and even in New England retains the piety of the first planters; 1 was recommended to him by Mr. Gilson, as also by a relation of his in Ratcliff, and I must own, the doc tor gave me a generous welcome to Boston. — From Dr. Oakes I pass to my good friend Dr. Bullivant, formerly my fellow citizen in London ; I must consider him both as a gen tleman and a physician. As a gentleman, he came of a no ble family, but his good qualities exceeded his birth ; he is a great master of the English tongue, and the Northampton peo ple find him a universal scholar ; his knowledge ofthe laws fitted him for the office of attorney general, which was confer red upon him on the revolution in Boston ; it is true he sought it not, but New England knew his worth, and even forced him to accept of it. While he held this place of attorney general, he was so far from pushing things to that extremity as some hot spirits would have had him, that he was for accommodating things, and making peace. His eloquence is admirable, he never speaks but 'tis a sentence, and no man ever clothed his thoughts in better words. I shall next consider him as a physician, his skill in phar macy was such as had no equal in Boston, nor perhaps Northampton ; he is as intimate with Galen and Hippocrates, at least with their works, as ever I was with Iris. He is so conversant with the great variety of nature, that not a drug or simple escapes his knowledge, so that hejiever practises new experiments upon his patients, except it be in desperate cases, where death must be expelled by death. This also is praiseworthy in him, that to the poor, he always prescribes cheap, but wholesome medicines, not curing them of a con sumption in their bodies, and sending it into their purses, nor yet directing them to the East Indies to look for drugs, when they may have far better out of their gardens. I proceed in the next place to Mr. Gouge, a linen draper from London, son to the charitable divine of that name. He is owner of a deal of wit, his brain is a quiver of smart jests. He pretends to live a bachelor, but is no enemy to a pretty woman. He's high church, yet so great a lover of his father's " christian directions," that he bought two hundred 180 HISTORY OF BOSTON. of me to give away, that so he might, as he used to say, make the Bostonians godly. And this was a noted quality in him, that he would always tell the truth ; which is a practice so uncommon in New England, that I could not but value his friendship. But I must not forget Mr. Tryon. Mr. Tryon is a man of a sweet temper, an excellent husband, and very sincere in his dealings. The next 1 shall mention is Mr. Barnes, he was clerk to the government, a matchless accomptant, a great mu sician, bookish to a proverb, very generous to strangers, and at our first interview, declared a particular friendship to me. To return to my own affairs, the booksellers in Boston per ceived I was very diligent to bring custom to >my warehouse, and thereupon began to make terms with me for my whole venture, but that would not do for me, because there's the loss of thirty per cent, in the return of their money. The books 1 had with me were most of 'em practical, and well suited to the genius of New England, so that, my warehouse being opened, they began to move apace. Palmer, my ap prentice, was very honest and diligent, took the whole charge of my business off my hands, and left me to ramble and di vert myself as my fancy would suggest. But I must make a transition to arms. It is their custom here for all that can bear arms, to go out on a training day ; but I thought a pike was best for a young soldier, and so I carried a pike. And between you and I, reader, there was another reason for it too, and that was, I knew not how to shoot off a musquet, but 'twas the first time I ever was in arms. Being come into the field, the captain called us all into our close order, in order to go to prayer, and then prayed him self. And when our exercise was done, the captain likewise concluded with prayer. I have read that Gustavus Adolphus, the warlike king of Sweden, would before the beginning of a battle kneel down devoutly, at the head of his army, and pray to God, the giver of victory, to give them success against their enemies, which commonly was the event ; and that he was as careful also to return thanks to God for the victory. But solemn prayer in the field upon a day of training, I never knew but in New England, where it seems it is a common cus tom. About three of the clock, both our exercise and pray ers being over, we had a very noble dinner, to which all the clergy were invited. Summer was now well advanced, however my time did not lie much upon my hands, for upon my return from Roxbury, I found several of my friends making ready for a journey to Natick. Every summer there's an Indian lecture preached there, which has been kept on foot ever since the Rev. Mr. Elliot gathered a church there of the converted natives. I HISTORY OF BOSTON. 181 was glad of the opportunity to acquaint myself with the man ners, religion, and government of the Indians. When we were setting forward, I was forced, out of civility and grati tude, to take madam Brick behind me on horseback ; it is true, she was the flower of Boston, but in this case proved no more than a beautiful sort of luggage to me. We had about twen ty miles to Natick, where the best accommodations we could meet with, were very coarse. We ty'd up our horses in two old barns, that were almost laid in ruines, however we cou'd discern where they had stood formerly. But there was no place where we cou'd bestow ourselves, unless, upon the greenswerd, till the lecture began. The wigwams, or Indian houses, are no more than so many tents, amj their way of building 'em is this ; they first take long poles, and make 'em fast in the ground, and then cover them with mats on the outside, which they tye to the poles; Their fire-place is made in the middle, and they leave a little hole upon the top uncover'd with the mats, which serves for a chimney. Their doors are usually two, and made opposite to each other, which they open or shut according as the wind sits, and these are either made of mats, or of the barks of trees. While we were making such discoveries as these, we were informed that the sachim, or the Indian king, and his queen, were there. The place, 'tis true, did not look like the royal residence, however we cou'd easily believe the report, and went immediately to visit their king and queen ; and here my courage did not fail, for I stept up and kissed the Indian queen ; making her two very low bows, which she returned very civilly. The sachim was very tall and well limbed, but had no beard, and a sort of a horse face. The queen was well shaped, and her features might pass pretty well, she had eyes as black as jet, and teeth as white as ivory ; her hair was very black and long, and she was considerably up in years ; her dress peculiar, she had sleeves of moose-skin, very finely dressed, and drawn with lines of various colours, in Asi» atick work, and her buskins were of the same sort ; her man tle was of fine blue cloth, but very short, and tied about her shoulders, and at the middle with a zone, curiously wrought with white and blue beads into pretty figures ; her bracelets and necklace were of the same sort of beads, and she had a little tablet upon her breast, very finely decked with jewels and precious stones ; her hair was combed back and tied up with a border which was neatly worked both with gold and silver. The Natick lecture was done about four in the afternoon, " and we had twenty miles to Boston, so that we were obliged to mount immediately, and make the best of our way. Upon 182 HISTORY OF BOSTON. my coming to Boston, I heard that the Rev. Mr. Morton, so much celebrated in England for his piety and learning, was just arrived from England, and' with him, his kinsman, Dr. Morton, the physician. Mr. Morton did me the honour to declare he was very glad to see me ; and I am sure 1 was glad to see him ; not only as he brought me letters from Iris, but for his own personal worth. In the same ship with Mr. Morton, came over one Mrs. Hicks, with the valuable venture of her beautiful person, which went off at an extraordinary rate ; she marrying a merchant in Salem worth thirty thousand pounds. By this time there were about two thirds of my venture of books gone off, and I was fearful to sell any more at Boston, till the old scores were discharged ; for besides all the money I had taken, there was about four hundred pounds owing me in Boston, and the towns adjacent, at my return from Natick. It began to run in my head, that Mr. Sewel, one of the magis? trates in Salem* had invited me thither, and told me, if 1 sent part of my venture there, he'd do me all the service that was possible, in the sale of them ; upon these thoughts, I made a journey to Salem. ' Having staid some little time, with my worthy friend Mr. Steward, myself and Mrs. Comfort took pur leaves, and made the best of our way for Boston ; where we arrived to the great satisfaction of my good landlord and his wife. I had now no more business in New England, but just to pay a farewell to Mr. Burroughs, (that was so kind to me at my first landing) and to shake hands with Mr. Wilkins (my landlord) his wife, and daughter. And here I shall first take my leave of Mr. Francis Bur roughs, for I wanted till now, an opportunity to thank him for the many civilities he heaped upon me in Boston ; for he not only lent me money (the true touch-stone of friendship) but made me his bed-fellow, got me the freedom of Boston, and was the chief person I advis'd with under any difficulty. " His person is handsome (I don't know whether he know* it or no) and his mind has as many charms ; he's a man of re markable chastity, of a great deal of wit, and his repartees are so quaint, apposite and genteel, 'tis a pleasure to observe how handsomely he acquits himself ; in the mean time he's nei ther scurrilous nor prophane, but a scrupulous, honest, con scientious man, so that he's what we may call a religious mer chant, and (I was going to say) he hates vice almost as much by nature as grace." And this 1 think is his true character ; but I must remember Captain Leg is ready to sail, and I have other farewells to make, and so worthy friend adieu. I come next to honest Wilkins, my landlord, for I should think myself very unkind, should I leave Boston, without HISTORY OF BOSTON. 183 shaking hands with a person I lived with near eight months. His person is tall, his aspect sweet and smiling, and (though but fifty years old) his hair as white as snow. He was form erly a bookseller in Limerick, and fled hither on the account of conscience. He is a person of good sense, keeps up the practice of religion in his family, and (upon a nice search in to all his affairs) I found it had a general influence on all the actions of his life : he was deservedly chosen a member of Mr. Willard's church, and I do think he's a pious man, if there's such a thing in Boston. But dear sir, adieu, for the wind is fair, and 1 must be gone ; but I leave your company with as much regret as ever I did any earthly blessing. ¦ My next farewell shall be to Mrs. Wilkins my obliging landlady. " She's a tender wife, a kind mother, and is a woman well poised in all humours ; or, in other words, Mrs. Wilkins is a person of an even temper, which rendered her conversation more agreeable than those that laugh more, but smile less : some there are, who spend more spirits, in straining, for an hour's mirth, than they can recover in a month, which ren ders them so unequal company ; whilst she is always equal, and the same. 'Tis virtue to know her, wisdom to converse with her, and joy to behold her ; or (to do her justice in few er words) she is the1 counterpart of her pious husband, who without her, is but half himself." I might inlarge, but I fear if I write on, I shall lose my passage, and so (kind landlady) adieu. Having taken leave of the father and mother, my last visit must be to the daughter, and sheer gratitude obliges to this farewell ; for you Mrs. Comfort may well take it amiss, if I should forget your favours to me in your father's house, your pleasant company to Ipswich, your assistance when I was ill, and the noble looking-glass you sent my dear, and all this with a world of innocence. When the ship was ready to sail, I was attended on board by Dr. Bullevant, Mr. Wilkins, Mr. York, Mr. Gouge, Mr. Heath, Mr. Tryon, Mr. Green, and some other of my Boston friends. The captain entertain'd them with wine, beer, cy der, and neats' tongues. So soon as ever my friends were gone off to shore, our cap tain ordered all his guns to fire, which were accompanied with huzzas and shouts, and shaking of hats, till we had lost all sight of our friends. Kind Boston adieu, part we must, though His pity ; But I'm made for mankind, and all the world is my city. Look how on the shore, they whoop and they hollow, Not for joy I am gone, but for grief they can't follow. 184 HISTbRY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER XXXI. " And now the trying hour came on, That each must act a gallant part ; Fate on one grand manoeuvre hung, One mighty stroke, prompt, dangerous, and bold." Mr. Dudley's presidentship was of short duration. Sir Edmund Andros, who had formerly been governour of New York, arrived Dec. 19, 1686, with a commission from king James II. dated July 3d, constituting himself governour of the whole country, and empowering him with four of his council to make laws, and raise money without a general assembly or any consent of the people. He landed at Boston, the 20th of Dec. and his commission was published the same day.* The beginning of his administration gave great encourage ment, but it was too soon evinced that his disposition and aims were tyrannical : many of his council deserted their seats j a few only who lived in or near Boston attended con stantly, and some of those complained that he had always three or four of his creatures, ready to say yes or no to every thing he proposed, after which no opposition was allowed. It was not long before the case of some, who apprehended them selves oppressed, came under consideration, and one of the council told them, ' they must not think the privileges of En glishmen would follow them to the ends of the world.' It was an incautious speech, but it sounded an alarm through the country,, and was never forgotten. The Boston records present the following communication, made Feb* 25, 1687, ' To his Excellency the Governour and Council of H. M. territory and dominion of New England.' ' The humble petition ofthe selectmen of Boston humbly showeth, that forasmuch as this town, being the principal seat of trade within this his M.'s territory, the growth and flour ishing whereof will necessarily influence the prosperity and well-being ofthe whole, and there having been of late years considerable visible decays in the estates thereof, through the adversity ofthe Indian war, desolation by fire, and the failing of trade, which have greatly impoverished the town, so that the number of the poor is much increased, and notwithstand- * He was accompanied by 60 red coats, whom he landed at Fool's wharf (now Central Mreet), and marched to Mr. Gibbs' house on Fort-hill. Holmes. Mass. H. O. 2. ii. 261. Aug. 31,1687. An official return gave 1447 male persons above 16 years of age. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 185 ing some former essays, as yet no effectual remedy is provided for easing the charge of the town, by setting them to work ; there being also several common nuisances, in said town, very . offensive and prejudicial to the inhabitants, and occasion of charge to the town ; we therefore pray, that your Ex. and council will please to order and appoint a committee of some of the members of your council, who are best acquainted with the state and condition of the town, unto whom we may rep resent what we conceive to be necessary for the well order ing and regulating of the affairs of this populous town, respect ing the poor, idle, and disorderly persons, with what else we may propose as conducible to the good and welfare of the place, that so what we shall offer therein may be stated and prepared to be laid before your Ex. and Council for consid eration and approbation, as in your wisdom you shall judge fit. And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.' The people endured insolence and privations of various kind and degree under the new government, yet it is observ ed, that they were, in general, patient.* Opportunely for them, a revolution was about taking place in England, which was to furnish them with a plausible pretext for the overthrow of their oppressors. James second was a devoted papist, and aimed to restore the catholicks to power :' the nation was not prepared to submit to such a change. James had three children, one of which, Mary, was married to William, prince of Orange. William aimed at the throne of England, and, taking advantage of the discontent of the people, he landed with an army, Nov. 15, 1688, and expelled James from the kingdom. An account of this event reached Boston in April, 1689. Mr. Winslow, who brought a printed copy of the Prince of Orange's declaration, was imprisoned on the charge of bringing a ' traitorous and treasonable libel into the coun try.' He offered £2000 bail, but it could not be accepted. A proclamation was issued by Sir Edmund, charging all offi cers and people to be in readiness to hinder the landing of any forces, which the Prince of Orange might send into these parts of the world. The old magistrates and heads of the people silently wished, and secretly prayed for success to the glorious undertaking, and determined quietly to wait the event. The body of the people were more impatient. The * In 1684, Boston bad increased the number of its selectmen from 7 to 9 : in 1688 'by virtue of an act of the Gov. and Council,' it was reduced to 8. < Every town was suffered to meet once a year, to choose their oflicers, but all meetings at other times or for other purposes were strictly forbidden.' And the phraseology of the records is altered specially from 'a meeting of the freemen' to ( a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants.' 24 ]g£ HISTORY OF EOSTON. flame, which had been long smothering in their breasts, burst forth with violence on Thursday, the 18th of April; when Andros, and such of the Council as had been most active, were seized and confined, and the old magistrates were re-. instated. The most circumstantial account of this exploit is contained in the following letter to the governour of Plymouth. ' Boston, April 22d, 89. ' Hon'd Sir, ' The consideration of my sending you a blank, wherein only the declaration was enclosed, seems to deserve a check, and constrains me to an apology, not having so much as liber ty granted me by the messenger to write two or three lines, whereby you might have understood the present state of things, which by this time you are doubtless acquainted with ; but lest it should prove otherwise, I have taken the pains to give a brief account — I knew not any thing of what was inten ded, until it was begun ; yet being at the north end of the town, where I saw boys running along the streets, with clubs in their hands, encouraging one another to fight, I began to mistrust what was intended, and, hastening towards the town- dock, I soon saw men running for their arms ; but before I got to the Red Lion, I was told, that Capt. George and the master of the frigate* were seized and secured in Mr. Col- man's house at the north end ; and when*I came to the town- dock, I understood, that Bullivant and some others of them were laid hold of ; and then, immediately, the drums began to beat, and the people hastened and ran, some with and some for arms. ' Young Dudleyt and Colonel Lidget with some difficulty- attained to the fort. The governour immediately sent Dud ley on an errand, to request the four ministers,! Mr. Joyliffe,|| and one or two more, to come to him at the fort, pretending that, by them, he might still the people, not thinking it safe for him to go to them. They returned for answer, that they did not think it safe for them to go to him. Now, by this time, all the persons, whom they concluded not to be for their side, were seized and secured, except some few who had hid * The Rose. t Mr. Dudley, his father, was absent, holding court in the Narraganset country. Some of Providence went out and seized him. He was brought to Roxbury, and a guard placed round his house, to secure him, as the order expresses it, against violence. He was after wards committed to prison. J Messrs. Allen and Moodey, of the First Church,— Willard, of the Old South,— and Cot ton Mather, ofthe Old North. * A person, who had been many years a leading man in town affairs in Boston, and recorder or tflwn-clerk at the time. • HISTORY OF BOSTON. 187 themselves, who afterwards were found, and dealt by. as the rest. The governour, with Palmer, Randolph, Lidget, West, and one or two more, were in the fort. All the companies were soon rallied together at the town-house ; where assem bled Capt. Winthrop,* Shrimpton,* Page,! and many other substantial men, to consult matters ; in which time the old governourj came among them, at whose appearance there was a great shout by the soldiers. Soon after, the jack was set up at the fort, and a pair of colours at Beacon-hill, which gave notice to some thousand soldiers on Charlestown side that the controversy was now to be ended ; and multitudes would have been there, but that there was no need. The frigate, upon the news, put out all her flags and pendants, and opened all her ports, and with all speed made ready for fight, under the command of the lieutenant, he swearing that he would die before she should be taken ; although the captain sent to him, that if he fired one shot, or did any hurt, they would kill him, whom they had seized already ; but the lieu tenant, not regarding, kept those resolutions all that day. _ ' Now, about four ofthe clock in the afternoon, orders were given to go and demand the fort ; which hour the soldiers longed for'; and had it not beer, just at the nick, the gover nour and all the crew had made their escape on board the frigate, a barge being sent for them ; but the soldiers, being so near, got the barge. The army divided, and part came up on the back side of the fort, part went underneath the hill to the lower battery or sconce, where the red coats were, who immediately upon their approach retired up to the fort to their master, who rebuked them for not firing on our soldiers and, as I am informed, beat some of them. When the soldiers came to the battery or sconce, they presently turned the great guns about, and pointed them against the fort, which did much daunt those within ; and the soldiers were so vbid of fear, that, I presume, had those within the fort been resolute to have lost their lives in fight, they might have killed an hundred of us at once, being so thick together before the mouths of the cannon of the fort, all loaden with small shot ; but God prevented it. Then they demanded a surrender, which was denied, until Mr. West and another should first go to the council, and after their return, we should have an an swer, whether to fight or no. Upon their return, they came forth from the fort, and went disarmed to the town-house, * They were both of tbem of Sir Edmund's council. t .He married president Dudley's sister. t Other accounts say, that he and the old magistrates were guarded by the militia with great formality. 188 HISTORY OF BOSTON. and from thence, some to the close jail, and the governour, under a guard, to Mr. Usher's house.* ' The next day, they sent the two colonels to demand of him the surrender of the castle, which he resolved not to give; but they told him, if he would not give it presently, under his hand and seal, he would be exposed to the rage of the people, and so left him ; but he sent and told them that he would, and did so ; and they went down, and it was sur rendered to them with cursings ; and they brought the men away,! and made Captain Fairweather commander in it. Now, by the time that the men came back from the castle, all the guns, both in ships and batteries, were brought to bear against the frigate, which were enough to have shattered her in pie ces at once, resolving to have her. It is incident to corrupt nature to lay the blame of our evil deeds any where rather than on ourselves ; so Captain George cast all the blame now upon that devil Randolph, (for had it not been for him he had nev er troubled this good people,) earnestly soliciting that he might not be constrained to surrender the ship, for by so doing both himself and all his men would lose their wages, which other wise would be recovered in England, giving leave to go oh board and strike the topmasts and bring the sails on shore ; and so he did. The country people came armed into the town, -in the afternoon, in such rage and heat, that it made us all tremble to think what would follow ; for nothing would satisfy them, but that Gov. Andros must be bound in chains or cords, and put into a more secure place, and that they would see done before (hey went away ; and, to satisfy them, he was guarded by them to the fort.' None ofthe magistrates appear to have been privy to the rising of the people on this occasion : but the former gover nour, Mr. Bradstreet, with several of the assistants chosen in 1686, assembled immediately at the town-house, and assumed the direction of affairs, under the title of ' a council for the safety of the people and conservation of the peace,' and as sociated 22 others with them. Mr. Bradstreet was chosen their president. They recommended to the towns to send deputies (not exceeding two for each town, except Boston fourj) to form an assembly on the 9th of May. This assem- * Mr. John Nelson, a young gentleman of Boston, at the head of the soldiers, demanded the fort the second time ; and then the governour came down, and surrendered himself and the fort. Neal. I Ensign John Pipon was at that time commander there. The veteran Roger Clap, who had succeeded Capt. Richard Davenportin 1665, resigned his office rather than submit to the requisitions of Andros. Prince, Chr. Hist. p. 71.— Col. Rec. 1689. t After many successive petitions for an increase in the number of her representatives, Boston had been allowed to choose three in 1681. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 189 bly declared the officers chosen in 1686 to be the rightful government ; and adjourned to the 22d, when warm disputes occurred on the expediency of reassuming the old charter. This was not done. ' On the 26th, a ship arrived from England, with advice of the proclaiming of King William and Queen Mary. This was the most joyful news ever received in New-England. The fears of the people, of any very bad consequences from their late actions, were now over. On the 29th, the proclamation was published in Boston, with greater ceremony than had been known ; the governour and council, civil and military officers, merchants of the town, and principal gentlemen of the town and country, being on horseback ; the regiment of the town, and many companies of horse and foot from the country, appearing in arms ; a grand entertainment was pre pared in the town-house, and wine was served out to the soldiers.' On the 5th of June, the representatives from the several towns, on a new choice, assembled at Boston. The council immediately proposed to them to consent to the enlargement of the ' gentlemen seized by the people,' upon security ; but this was not agreed to : and on the 27th they resolved, that they were not bailable, and sent up articles against them. Sir Edmund and his friends remained in close custody for upwards of twenty weeks ; excepting the knight himself, who was absent a short time, on his way to Rhode Island, having made his escape through the craftiness of a servant, that ' enticed the centinel to drink, and then to suffer him to be on guard in his stead :' but ' there, Major Sanford stopped him and sent him back to the castle again.' At last an order was received from the king, approving the course pursued by the people and old magistrates, and directing, that Andros and the rest of their prisoners should be sent forthwith to England. This order arrived late in the year, and on the first opportu nity, (Feb. 1690,) Sir Edmund with Mr. Dudley* and several others embarked for England. * ' Of all that were concerned in the late government, Mr. Dudley felt most of the people's resentment. He writes to C. Mather, June 1st, -' I am told that this morning is the last op portunity for rolling away the stone from the mouth of this sepulchre, where I am buried alive, in which I yet trouble you for your assistance.' To governour Bradstreet, Sept. 12th, 1 After twenty weeks unaccountable imprisonment, and many barbarous usages offered me therein, the last seven weeks whereof are upon account of your letters to me, I have now to complain, that on Monday the whole day I could be allowed no victuals till nine of the clock at night, when the keeper's wife offered to kindle her own fire to warm something for me, and the corporal expressly commanded the fire to be put out. — I may be easily op pressed to death God will hear them that complain to him.— I pray your directions for your oppressed kinsman, J. D>' 190 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER XXXII. " This is a beaten track.4' " Is this a track Should not be beaten ? Never beat enough TiU enough learnt the truths it would inspire." There were, in the company of first emigrants, a very few who entertained sentiments in unison with the church of Eng land. We hear very little of them until the year 1646, when Dr. Child, Maverick, Fowle, and others, presented a petition to the court, in which, among other grievances, they complain that ' divers sober, righteous, and godly men — members of the church of England-^and their posterity are detained from the seals of the covenant of grace, because, as it is supposed, they will not take these churches' covenants' ; and ' humbly intreat — liberty to the members of the Church of E.-^-to enjoy all those liberties and ordinances Christ hath purchased — till inconveniences hereby be found, prejudicial to the churches and colony.' This petition met with so unfavoura ble a reception, that it is probable the episcopalian brethren made no attempts afterwards to establish a society of their order for several years. In 1662, the court declared in an official document, that ' none as yet among them had appear ed to desire to use the book of common prayer.' ,But when the commissioners from K. Charles II. were at Boston, in 1665, they had a chaplain with them, and the agents of the colony in England, and the general court, in their answers to complaints made against them in 1677, had promised, that no person should be hindered from the performance of church services. From that time a society seems to have been form ing, and in the year 1686 Randolph writes to the Archbishop of Canterbury, that ' there are 400 persons who are daily fre quenters of our church, and as many more would come over to us, but some being tradesmen, others of mechanick professions, are threatened by the congregational men to be arrested by their creditors, or turned out of their work, if they offer to come.' In disregard, however, of all such discouragements, a meet ing was held on the 15th of June, of that year, which may be considered the origin of the first episcopal society in Bos ton. The persons who then associated were ' Mr. Robert Ratcliffe, our minister, Edw. Randolph, Esq. one of His M.'s HISTORY OF BOSTON. 191 council, Capt. Lidgett, Mr. Luscomb, Mr. White, Mr. Mac- carty, Mr. Ravenscroft, Dr. Clark, Mr. Turfrey, Mr. Richard Banks, and Dr. Benja. Bullivant ; and at a subsequent meeting, July 4, Mr. Proctor, Mr. Steph. Wessendonck, Mr. Thomas Brinley, and Mr. Mallet, are also named. Dr. Bulli vant and Mr. Banks were elected the first wardens. At those meetings it was agreed, that an humble address should be made to the king, to be signed by the gentlemen first named, '" to implore H. M.'s favour to our church, and it is consented that all true sons of the Church of E. may join with us in the same.' In the same method, letters were to be sent ' to the Right Reverend Father in God, the Lord Arch bishop of Canterbury, and to the Reverend Father in God, •the Lord Bishop of London, to implore those prelates' favour;' It was also agreed, that there be a sacrament the second sab bath in August, and that the prayers of the church be said, every Wednesday and Friday in the year, for the present in the library chamber in the town-house in Boston, and that a sober and fit person be sought after for a clerk. Mr. Thomas Hill was selected and held the first office of that name. Mr. Smith was the first sexton. He was a joiner, and was employed to make 12 forms [settees] for the service of the church, and also to clean, place, and remove the pulpit, forms, table, etcetera, and ' do all other things, which shall be conve nient and necessary, in their place of publick assembling.' The first step towards the erection of a church was an ad dress to the [President and] Council, for ' liberty: and author ity, by a brief, to pass through the whole territory of H. M. in N. E. and therein to collect and receive all such voluntary donations, as all persons whatsoever shall be disposed to give us, for and towards the building of a church, in Boston, to be erected for the service of God and for the use of the church of E. as per law established.' This was in July, 1686.* Gov. Andros arriving in Dec. of that year, and not finding the church so well accommodated as the congregations were, made application forthe use of one of the meeting-houses, and having examined ihe three, made choice of the Old South, and sent Randolph to ask for the keys. The proprietors declar ed, that tbey could not in conscience suffer the house to be occupied for such a purpose as the governour proposed. Andros however persisted, and on Friday, the 25th of March, 1687, had a service performed there : ' good man Needham, though he had resolved to the contrary, being prevailed upon to ring the bell and open the door' at the governour's com mand.' * ' Ang. 5. Mr. Harris, boddice-maker, is the first buried with Common Prayer : he was formerly Randolph's landlord.' Sewall's Diary in Holmes' Annals. 192 HISTORY OF BOSTON. It is probable, that the council acceded to the request of the church, and granted them a brief for obtaining subscrip tions, for they proceeded to build a house of worship. It is usually said to have been founded in 1688 : the first record, that speaks of it as if finished, is dated July, 1689, and is a list of those ' that contributed' towards the house. They were 106 in number, and the amount of their contributions was £256. 9*. Od. The cost of the house was £284. 16s. Od. exclusive of some items for which no charge was made. It was a wooden; building, with a steeple, and occupied part of the land on which the Stone Chapel now stands. How the society obtained possession of the lot does not appear. It had been the property of the town ; but whether Johnson, as is the opinion of some, had reserved a portion of it for the site of a church, or whether, according to another opinion, Andros ex ercised the power, which the annihilation of the charter was supposed to give the king over all landed estate, and of his own will appropriated it to the use of the church, must remain undecided. At first there were no pews in the house ; in 1694, fifty-three persons subscribed toward the building of pews ; those probably were all attendants on the service of the church. Down to May, 1698, we find the building called His Majesty's chapel ; in November, King's chapel, and in 1713, Queen's chapel, in honour of queen Anne. Mr. Ratcliffe, the first rector (who had an assistant by the name of Robert Clarke) came over with Mr. Dudley. He is noticed by Dunton, who says, he ' read the common prayer in his surplice and preached in the town-house on Lord's days. -He was an eminent preacher, and his sermons were useful and well dressed : I was once or twice to hear him, and it was noised about; that Dr. Annesley's son-in-law was turned apostate : but I could easily forgive 'em, in regard the common prayer and surplice were religious novelties in New- England.' It may be noted here, that, under the charter government, the clergy had never performed any part of the ceremonies at marriages or funerals, except an occasional prayer, ' lest it might in time introduce the customs of the English church.' Upon Mr. Dudley's being appointed President, in 1686, he published an order of council, authorizing and empowering ministers and justices to " consummate marriages :" and in 1688, we find Mr. Ratcliffe persisting in the performance of the burial service at the grave of one Lilly, in opposition to the will of his executors. After that time our present customs in these respects came slowly into vogue. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 193 CHAPTER XXXIII. She deals in charms— can read the book of fate, And tells the future with unerring skill. Atheneum. The execution of Mrs. Hibbins for witchcraft had been disapproved by many people of note, and it is not unlikely that her death saved the lives of many, who might have been made the victims of a delusion, which, in the thirty years suc ceeding, had brought many to believe that there might exist such a thing as a witch, or person favoured with uncommon communications from the prince of darkness. In 1687 or '88 an instance occurred in Boston, which was more alarm ing than any that had preceded it. It certainly entitles us to divide the credit, which our sister town of Salem has borne away so long. ' Four ofthe children of John Goodwin, a grave man and a good liver at the north part of Boston, were generally be lieved to be bewitched. I have often heard persons, who were of the neighbourhood, speak of the great consternation it occasioned. The children were all remarkable for ingenu ity of temper, had been religiously educated, and were thought to be without guile. The eldest was a girl of thir teen or fourteen years. She had charged a laundress with taking away some of the family linen. The mother of the laundress was one of the wild Irish, of bad character, and gave the girl harsh language ; soon after which she fell into fits, which were said to have something diabolical in tbem. One of her sisters and two brothers followed her example,. and, it is said, were tormented in the same part of their bodies at the same time, although kept in separate apartments, and ignorant of one another's complaints. One or two things were said to be very remarkable ; all their complaints were in the day time, and they slept comfortably all night; they were struck dead at the sight of the assembly's catechism, Cotton's milk for babes, and some other good books, but could read in Oxford's jests, Popish and Quaker books, and the common prayer, without any difficulty. Is it possible the mind of man should be capable of such strong prejudices, as that, a suspi cion of fraud should not immediately arise ? But attachments to modes and forms in religion had such force, that some of these circumstances seem rather to have confirmed the credit of the children. Sometimes they would be deaf, then dumb, 25 194 HISTORY OF BOSTON. then blind ; and sometimes all these disorders together would come upon them. Their tongues would be drawn down their throats, then pulled out upon their chins. Their jaws, necks, shoulders, elbows, and all their joints would appear to be dislo cated ; and they would make most piteous outcries of burnings, of being cut with knives, beat, &c. and the marks of wounds were afterwards to be seen. The ministers of Boston and Charlestown kept a day of fasting and prayer at the troubled house ; after which, the youngest child made no more com plaints. The others persevered, and the magistrates then interposed, and the old woman was apprehended ; but upon examination would neither confess nor deny, and appeared to be disordered in her senses. Upon the report of physicians, that she was compos mentis, she was executed, declaring at her death the children should not be relieved. The eldest, after this, was taken into a minister's family, where at first she be haved orderly, but after some time suddenly fell into her fits. The account of her affliction is in print ; some things are mentioned as extraordinary, which tumblers are every day taught to perform ; others seem more than natural ; but it was a time of great credulity. The children returned to their or dinary behaviour, lived to adult age, made profession of reli gion, and the affliction they had been under they publickly declared to be one motive to it. One of them I knew many years after. She had the character of a very sober, virtuous woman, and never made any acknowledgment of fraud in this transaction. The printed account was published, with a pre face by Mr. Baxter, who says, ' the evidence is so convincing; that he must be a very obdurate Sadducee, who will not he- lieve.' Says Hutchinson, from whom this account is taken, ' it obtained credit sufficient, together with other preparatives, to dispose the whole country to be easily imposed upon by the more extensive and more tragical scene, which was pres ently after acted at Salem and other parts of the county of Essex.' In 1690, August 3d, a fire near the Mill bridge, across the creek in Hanover street, consumed several houses : and the fire known as the fifth great fire happened September 16th, near the [Old] South meeting-house, greatly endangered it, and burnt several houses. A lad was burnt to death in the house where it began. 1691, June 30tb, in the sixth great fire, whicb happened at the King's Head, by Scarlett's wharf, North-end, several houses were consumed. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 195 CHAPTER XXXIV. The senate owns its gratitude to Cato, Who with so great a soul consults its safety, And guards our lives, while he neglects his own. Addison. However true the observation may have been, that the peo ple in general were patient under Andros's government, some of the principal men had thought it an object to endeavour to obtain relief from their sufferings, by a representation of their grievances to King James. It was proposed 'that some one should be sent with an address of thanks to the king, for his gracious declaration, wherein he does promise us the free ex ercise of our religion, and that he will maintain us in the en joyment of our, rights and possessions.' Mr. Increase Mather, (then pastor ofthe Old North church, in conjunction with his son Cotton,) was selected for this purpose, and on propound ing the matter to his church, Dec. 11, 1687, he found them all willing that he should go. He was ready to sail in April, 1688, and did so, notwithstanding the machinations of Ran dolph, who, on false pretences, was bringing an action against him about the same time. Mr. Mather was obliged to keep himself concealed, to avoid the service of the writ ; and when the vessel was ready to sail, some of his church carried him aboard, in the night, in disguise. Mr. Mather was the man of all the clergy, on whom the mantle ofthe departed Cotton seems to have rested. His in fluence on the character of the town, and particularly on that part of it in which he resided, was equal to that of his revered exemplar. ' Ardent, bold, enterprising, and perhaps ambi tious ; conscious of his own power, religiously sensible of his obligations to exercise it usefully ;* born and trained in a young colony struggling with hardships, and forcing its way through peril and fear ,; his mind fashioned by a father, who for conscience' sake had quitted all and settled imrthis hope less land, and. who had all the zeal and firmness which char acterized the puritans of that age, a race eminently formed " to do and to dare ;"— thus gifted and educated, he became peculiarly fit, and no wonder it was felt that he was fit, to have an ascendency and exercise a control. He had rer _ , : : 1 , — . ; ,-i — J, - Rev. Mr. Ware's Discourses. 196 HISTORY OF BOSTON. ceived the best education of his own country, he had com pleted it abroad, he had been driven from place to place, suffering for his religion, and presented with strong temptations to abandon it, thus acting a hurried and various pnrt in the most trying times in the mother country — and after this discipline, so calculated to give firm ness and character, he returned to labour in the service of this infant state. Nothing can be conceived more likely to prepare a man to act well his part in so peculiar a scene. He soon became eminent. Talents, learning, and virtue are al ways commanding. In that age a religious spirit was indis pensable to honour and power. Mather had all. He was conspicuous for rigid piety where all were rigid, and eminent for talents and knowledge, where many had been eminent be fore him. It therefore is not strange that he acquired a con trol to which few are equal, and received and held honours which would not now be bestowed upon ministers.' Mr. Mather's exertions and remonstrances with James II. were unavailing, and he determined to wait the event of the Prince of Orange?s expedition. Soon after the withdrawal of James, he was introduced to the prince, and obtained some partial favours, and royal promises of more. Mr. M. impro ved all his time in unwearied efforts to secure friends for his country. Besides several of the nobility and principal com moners, he had engaged the whole body of the dissenting ministers, whose weight at that time was far from inconsidera ble. Before any thing was completed, the general court thought it advisable to send over two of their members to join with Mr. Mather and Sir Henry Ashurst (whose services he had retained) in maintaining their charges against their op pressors, as well as in soliciting the restoration of the charter, with such additional privileges as should be thought proper. The persons appointed were Doctors Elisha Cooke and Thomas Oakes, both practitioners of medicine in Boston, just rising into eminence in the political theatre, in which both sustained very eminent parts afterwards. The result of all their petitions and remonstrances, suggestions and objections was, that a new charter was formed, in which ' the colony of New Plymouth, the province of Maine and the country of Nova Scotia, with the lands between the two latter, were joined to Massachusetts.' Sir William Phips was appointed the first governour under the new order of things. He arrived at Boston with the charter, Saturday the 14th of May, 1692, towards evening. On Monday he was conducted from his house to the town- house, by the regiment of Boston, the military companies of Charlestown, the magistrates, ministers, and principal gentle- HISTORY OF BOSTON. 197 men of Boston and the adjacent towns. The charter was first published, then the governour's commission ; and thereupon the venerable old charter governour Bradstreet resigned the chair ; not without a deep sigh from many of the spectators. After publishing the lieutenant-governour's' commission, and administering the oaths, the governour was conducted, with the same parade, to the place appointed foe a publick dinner, and from thence to his house again.' His residence was in Charter-street at the corner of Salem- street,, which was then called Green-lane, in the house now occupied by the Asylum for indigent boys, lt is a three-story brick house, in an elevated situation, commanding a delightful view ofthe harbour and ofthe surrounding country. The charter named the persons who were to form the coun cil for the first year, and made provision for the organization of an assembly or house of representatives. Writs were issu ed without delay, and the first court under the new charter met on the 8th of June, 1692. Although a party was formed, which opposed submission to the charter, a majority of the court " thankfully accepted it, and appointed a day of solemn thanksgiving to Almighty God, for granting a safe arrival to his excellency the Governour and the Rev.Mr. I. Mather, who have industriously endeavoured the service of this people, and have brought over with them a settlement of government, in which their majesties have graciously given us distinguishing marks of their royal favour and goodness." The court interpreted their powers with regard to the ap portionment of representatives so as to allow Boston four members in the house, which continued to be her number until the revolution in 1 775. CHAPTER XXXV. u Just a stained stone, To mark the spot so holy once, And with gray moss o'ergrown." The Society of Friends and the French Protestant Church having both become extinct in Boston, we shall introduce in this place the information we have been able to obtain con cerning their history. The denomination of Quakers took its rise in Leicestershire (E.) in 1644. The first that came to Boston were Mary Fisher and Anne Austin, who arrived from Barbadoes in the fore part of the 5th month, 1656. These 198 HISTORY OF BOSTON. women were made prisoners on board the vessel ; the books they brought with them were burnt, and they were taken to gaol and confined, as were seven others, in about a month after. Nicholas Upshall, an aged member of a Boston church, whose humane and tender feelings induced him to apply to the gaoler for leave to furnish them with provisions, and even to purchase that liberty at the price of 5s. a week* was for thus doing and bearing his testimony, weeping, against the persecution of these people, fined £20, and banished the colony, though he was both a freeman and freeholder in the town. He was permitted to return in about five years, and opened his house, and furnished a room in it, .for the use of travelling Friends. Such was the dread of the influence of this sect, that severe laws were immediately passed to prevent their entrance into the jurisdiction, on penalty of fines, stripes, and imprison? ment. This not proving effectual, it was enacted, that any Quaker found here should have one of his ears cut off for the first offence, and lose the other for a second, and have his tongue bored through with a hot iron for the third. Three Quakers, Holden, Copeland, and Rouse, lost each his right ear under this law, by the hand of the hangman, in Boston prison, Sept. 16, 1658. All this severity was of no avail ; the persecutors seem to have been infuriated, and their fury drove the Quakers to acts of desperation. They still came into the colony : the court ordered some to be sold as slaves for the payment of their fines ! this frightened the particular objects of the order, and they were suffered to go to their own homes. The sect' grew under all these disadvantages, and several families went over to it : the magistrates were more provoked, and the gen eral court passed a law to banish all Quakers, not inhabitants, upon pain of death. Four persons suffered death at Boston by virtue of this law ; viz. Wm. Robinson, Marmaduke Ste venson, Wm. Leddra, and Mary Dyer; the last on the first of June, 1660. She had been conspicuous in Mrs. Hutchinson's controversy, and that probabjy aggravated her guilt. Her son came forward and plead for her pardon, but in vain. One of the officers under the gallows at the time of her execution, Edward Wanton, was so affected at the- sight, that he became a convert to the cause of the Friends. The Quakers discov ered, that this law was an exercise of power not authorized by the patent, and made such complaints to the king that no further execution of it ever took place : whipping at a cart's tail, through all the towns in their way out of the jurisdiction, was substituted for death. The first meeting of Friends in Boston, of which we have account, was at the house of Mr. Wanton, on the 4th of May, HISTORY OF BOSTON. 199 1664, when a warrant was issued to apprehend the preacher, and report the names of his hearers to the governour. The spirit of persecution was kept alive and manifested itself in various ways, after this. On the 9th of August, 1675, there were apprehended, at their ordinary place of meeting, Robt. Edmund, Edw. Shippen, John Soames, Jere. Debee, George Danson, Miles Foster, Humphrey Hodges, Bridget Phillips, Tho. Scott, Wm. Neal, Eph. Stratton, Elizabeth Bowers (senior and junior), Geo, Walker. Twelve of these 14 were whipped ; the other two paid their fine. At the next meeting day, 15 were whipped, viz. the eight first abovenamed, with Wm. Richardson, Thomas Holburn, Rebecca Levy, Josiah Southwick, Wm. Mumford, Eliphalet [?] Stratton, and Anna Wilson. We have mentioned the names, to give the best ac count we can obtain, ofthe number of men Friends in and near Boston at the time.* * Under the new charter, the Quakers, Baptists, and Episco palians were placed on more equal ground with their neigh bours, and some laws passed in 1692 exempting them from' taxation. In 1694, the Quakers had a lot in Brattle-street, measuring 108 by 25£ ft. for a meeting-house and burying lot, and built a brick house thereon 24 by 20 ft. which was secured to the society by Messrs. Mumford, Shippen,Soames, Wanton abovenamed, and Walter Clark of Newport and Wm. Chamberlain of Hull, ' to the only, sole, and proper use, for the service and worship of Almighty God, by the society or com munity of people called Quakers.' In 1708, it was concluded to sell the old meeting-house and build a new one, if leave could be obtained to build of wood ; but in 1709 the com mittee, Walter Newberry, John Wing, and Thomas Richard son, reported their disappointment in this respect, and it was therefore concluded to build of brick, a house 35 ft. long and 30 ft. wide. This was the building now standing in Congress. street, which is dated on the old plans ofthe town as if erect ed in 1710 ; the deed, however, by which, the lot was con veyed to the society, June 10, 1717, speaks of ' the brick meeting-house lately erected thereon,' which would leave a doubt whether it was built so early. This is the oldest of * For this and other information we are indebted to a venerable professor of the denomi nation. Town Records, 1678. Alex'r. Coleman, shoemaker, ' the Quaker that came into the third meeting-house in a bloody coat,' is presented to the county court as a person unfit to abide here. At another time Tho. Newhouse went into « meeting-house with a couple of great glass bottles, and breaking them against one another, in tbe face of the congregation, said, Thus will the Lord break you inpiecee. Similar acts of imprudence are attributed to others : all which seem to be the result of phrensy, induced by tbe equally senseless cruelty with which they were goaded. 200 HISTORY OF BOSTON. the meeting-houses now standing in the city. It was burnt in the great fire of 1760, and in the same year it was concluded by the yearly meeting to repair it, which was done. The Friends were never numerous in this place. ' In the eleventh month, 1774,' says our informant, ' I was in Boston and visited every family, and took account of their names as follows : Ebenezer Pope, John Pope, Samuel Pope, James Raymer, John Phillips, Ephraim Silsbee, Nathanael Low, Ezra Collins, Ezra Curten, Daniel Silsbee, Josiah Gorham : these eleven were all the members belonging to Boston meet ing of Friends. I was at a monthly meeting there, which was small ; it was held alternately at Boston and Lynn or Salem ; they were then in a declining state.' Their numbers dimin ished after that, and the meetings were discontinued, by a regular vote in . The house has been deserted, the burying-ground -undisturbed for several years, and we know not now of a single professed Friend in Boston. The French church became embodied about the same time, but did not flourish so long as the Quakers. After, having endured severe persecutions, the Protestants in France were relieved from their distresses by the edict of Nantes, issued by Henry IV. in 1598. Lewis XIV. confirmed it in 1652, but soon after suffered its provisions to be violated.* The protestants were deprived of all offices, hundreds of their churches desolated, and at last, in 1685, tbe edict was formal ly revoked, and multitudes were compelled by this act to flee from the country. Some sought shelter in England and Ireland: others directed their way to America, and some of these settled in Boston. Those who arrived here probab)y came in the summer of 1686, for contributions were taken on their behalf at Salem, in September of that year ; and we also find in Cotton Mather's MS. notes of sermons, under date of Sept. 12. and Oct. 7. minutes of discourses by a Mr. Laurie, from the tenour of which it is is apparent that he was of the number. Pierre Baudouin (the ancestor of the Bow doin family) fled first Jo Ireland, and thence came to Maine in 1687, and soon after to Boston. The first notice we discover of the church in this place is in the Magnalia, (i. 86) where the author enumerates among the churches in Boston, ' a French congregation of Protestant refugees, under the pasto ral care of Monsieur Daille.' ! * ' John Touton, a French doctor and inhabitant of Rochelle in France, made application to tbe court in behalf of himself and other protestants expelled from their habitations on ac count of their religion, that they might have liberty to inhabit here, which was readily grant ed to them.' Hutch, vol. i. Col. rec. 1662. p. 418. t The records of this church are supposed to be in existence, but we have not been able to discover them. A bible presented by Queen Anne is also mentioned in Mass. H. 0. 1. iii- S84. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 201 M. Daille continued to be pastor of this church till his death, which took place on the morning of Friday, May 20, 1 715. He was about 66 years of age ; ' a person of great piety, charity, affable and courteous behaviour,, and of an exemplary life and conversation : much lamented, especially by his flock.' Monsieur D. had buried two wives, Esther- Latonice, who died Dec. 14, 1696, and Seike, who died,Aug. 31,1713; and he left a widow, whose name was Martha. His will required, that his body should be ' decently inter red' according to the discretion of his executor, Mr. James Bowdoin, ' with this restriction, that there be no wine at my funeral, and none of my wife's relations have any mourning clothes furnished them, except gloves.' All the ministers of the. town, together with Mr. Walter, are presented with gloves and scarfs : his books are given to form a library for the church ; £100 for the benefit of the minister, and £10 to be put to interest, until the church should erect a meeting-house, when it was to be appropriated towards the expenses of the same. He remembers his brother ' Paul Daille Vaugelade in Amsfort in Holland,' and signs himself Daille, omitting his baptismal name of Peter. From the above notice of a meeting-house, it appears that the French church, which once. stood in School-street, on the lot next east of the Universal meeting-house, was not erected till after 1715. The lot had come into their possession, Jan. 4, 1 705, by a conveyance from Mears to ' John Tar- tarien, Francis Breedon, Jean Depuis, elders of the said French church, in behalf of themselves and the rest of the 'Congregation — being to erect and build a church upon for the use of the F. congregation in Boston, to meet therein for the worsh ;> and service of Almighty God, according to the way and manner of the reformed churches of France.' On the 7th of Feb. 1705, ' John Portree, F. Breeden, and John Dupee,' petitioned the selectmen for licence to erect a wood en building for a meeting-house of 35 by 30 ft. on that piece of land; It was judged ' not convenient to grant the same, since they have the offer of the free liberty to meet in the new school-house, as they had for some years past done in the old, and that being sufficient for a far greater number of persons than doth belong to their congregation.' The brick building was probably erected in 1716 : it is mentioned by C. Mather in Jan. 1717. M. Daille's successor was the Rev. Andrew Le Mercier, whose name is found on the town records in 1719. He pub lished a church history of Geneva, in 1732, from which it appears that he was educated in that country. This church did not increase in number sufficiently to enable them to 26 202 HISTORY OF BOSTON. support the expenses of a separate house of worship and on that account the society was discontinued. On the 7th of March, 1748, the proprietorship of the house in School-street was transferred to several gentlemen as trustees of a new con gregational church. The transfer was made by Stephen Boutineau, only surviving elder, Zach. Johonnot, Jean Ar nault, John Brown, Andrew Johonnot, James Packonett, Wm. Bowdoin, Andrew Sigourney, members, and Mr. Le Mercier, the minister. Mr. Le M. after that resided at Dorchester, but removed again to Boston, and died here, March, 31, 1764, 'after a long indisposition of body, in the 72d year of his age.' One of his daughters and Mr. Z. Johonnot were joint executors of his will. CHAPTER XXXVI. Buck. You are too senseless obstinate, my lord, Too ceremonious and traditional. Shakspeare. The seventh religious society formed in Boston was the fourth Congregational, or Brattle-street church. ' A number of good men,' says Dr. Thacher's century sermon, 'distin guished for their liberality of thinking, as well as for their regard to the gospel and its ordinances, laid the foundation of this church.' The earliest date, at which we find them associated, is Jan. 10, 1698, on which day Thomas Brattle, Esq. conveyed to them a piece of land called Brattle's close, which makes part ofthe lot now in possession ofthe church. The grantees were Thos. Clark, Thos. Cooper, Benja. Wal ker, Benja. Davis, Wm. Keen, Richard Draper, Wm. Harris, Zech. Tuthill, John Colman, Jos. Allen, John Kilby, John Mico, Thos. Bannister, Timo. Clark, Stephen IVlinot, Abr. Blush, Thos. Palmer, James Meers, Elkanah Pembroke, Addington Davenport. 'As to the doctrines of religion, these good men did not differ professedly from their brethren of other churches, while they thought that in some respects the religious practices of the day might be improved. Under these circumstances it was necessary for them to choose a minister, who agreed with them in sentiment,' and accordingly, in the spring of 1699, they sent a letter of invitation to Mr. Benjamin Colman, a native of Boston and graduate of Harvard College, who was then pursuing his studies in England. ' From an apprehen sion that he might meet with difficulty in procuring ordination HISTORY OF BOSTON. 203 here, they requested him to ask it of the ministers in London, who readily granted his desire, and the solemnity was atten ded on the 4th day of August, after a publick lecture, at the meeting-house of the Rev. Mr. Christopher Taylor.' On the first of the following November, Mr. Colman arri ved at Boston ; and on the 1 7th of that month a publication appeared, with the title of ' A manifesto or declaration, set forth by the undertakers of the new church, now erected in B. in N. E.' in which, ' for preventing all misapprehensions and jealousies,' they say, ' we think it convenient to publish our aims and designs herein, together with those principles and rules we intend, by God's grace, to adhere unto.' ¦-' On Tuesday, Dec. 12th, at a private meeting at Mr. Mico's house, after solemn calling upon God,' the eleven grantees first abovenamed, with Mr. Brattle and Messrs. John and Oliver Noyes, united to form the church, and ' declared their consent and agreement to walk together in all the ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ.' The 24th instant, being Lord's-day, was agreed upon for their first meeting in their ' pleasant new-built church.' Mr. Colman preached on the occasion from 2 Chron. vi. 18. The ' Manifesto' and other ' miscar riages,' which this society had ' fallen into,' gave so great of fence, that some of the clergymen of the town refused to unite with them in the observance of a day of prayer ; but by some means, an accommodation took place prior to Jan. 31, 1 700, when both the Mathers and Mr. Willard joined with them on a similar occasion. The doctrines which this church espoused could not have been exceptionable, .for they declare, ' we approve and sub scribe the confession of faith put forth by the assembly of divines at Westminster ;' but they introduced some changes as to ' modes of order and discipline,' which probably were the cause of alarm and dissatisfaction. They adopted the custom of reading some part of the holy scriptures, and ' con cluded to have the Lord's prayer used once in each season of publick worship.' The admission to full communion was deemed, by the first settlers of this country, as matter of great importance. The general opinion was, that none should partake of this privilege but such as were truly born of Gbd. ' In order that the church might judge of this fact, a relation of his christian experiences, either written or oral, was required of every candidate for this privilege. This usage had degenerated into a matter of mere form, and such a similarity prevailed in these instruments, as gave too much occasion for ridicule. In this church, therefore, the practice was disused ; at least it was not required, while every one was left at liberty to do it.' 204 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 8 In ancient days the choice of minister (as well as the choice of civil officers) was confined to those who were in full communion with the church. In this respect also they dif fered from the general practice. " We cannot, say they, confine the right of choosing a minister to the communicants alone, but we think that every baptized adult person, who contributes to tbe maintenance, should have a vote in elect ing." — But there were many men, some from a reverence to ancient institutions, and a convicton of their propriety, some from dread of innovation, and others from a fear that this new and popular society would diminish their own societies and lessen the influence they held, who exclaimed loudly against this new establishment, which they called, by way of deris ion, the Manifesto church. Respectable and opulent as were the men who formed it, they found it difficult for a time to stem the torrent of publick opinion which ran strongly against them, and overcome the jealousy which their neigh bours felt of being eclipsed by tnem.* Following the order of time, we mention here that the By-laws of the town, which had been accumulating for seventy years, were put into order and renewed by a vote in 1701, and first published in a printed form in 1702. The Seventh Great Fire happened in the year 1702, on the 11th of March, near the dock. Three ware-houses were blown up to stop its progress. The destruction of property was so extensive, as to be mentioned in official papers ' as a great loss to the town.' In 1 704 the first newspaper published in the English colo nies in North America, appeared in Boston. It was printed on half a sheet of pot paper, with a small-pica type, folio, and was entitled, Ji. 3B. Uttmfr. l. The Boston News-Letter. ^ttnltshrfc hg &uthorttg. From HgtoHfcag, April 17, to JWottfcag, April 24, 1704. The proprietor's name was John Campbell, a Scotchman, who was established here as a bookseller. The imprint is, " Boston ; printed by B. Green. Sold by Nicholas Boom, * This church voted to dispense with the custom of singing the psalms in publick worship line by line, Dec. 20, 1689. Between 1717 and 1724 they had a singing society, which was the first in the town; that introduced singing by note.— Chh. Bee— Mass. H. 0- 2- >»¦ M1; Also Appendix, No. IV. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 205 at his Shop near the Old Meeting-House." Green was Camp bell's printer, and Boone was for some weeks his publisher.* The first number contained the following prospectus : — * This News Letter is to be continued Weekly ; and all Per sons who have any Houses, Lands, Tenements, Farmes, Ships, Vessels, Goods, Wares, or Merchandizes &c. to be sold or Lett ; or Servants Runaway : or Goods Stoll or Lost may have the same Inserted at a Reasonable Rate ; from Twelve Pence to Five Shillings, and not to exceed ; Who may agree with Nicholas Boone for the same at his shop next door to MajorDavis's,Apothecary in Boston near the old Meetinghouse. 'All Persons in Town and Country may have said News- Letter Weekly upon reasonable tearms agreeing with John Campbell Post Master for the same.' So early as Dec. 8, 1 686, the inhabitants at Muddy river had obtained an order from the president and council, that said hamlet should henceforth be free from town rates to the town of Boston, and have the privilege of meeting ' annually to choose three men to manage their affairs.' The conditions were, that they should support their own expenses, erect a school- house, and maintain a reading and writing master. After the overthrow of Andros, the town of Boston disannul led this order, by a vote, in March, 1690, ' that M. R. inhabi tants are not discharged from B. to be a hamlet by them selves, but stand related to B. as they did before the year sixteen hundred and eighty-six.' As the inhabitants there increased in numbers and in wealth, they were emboldened again to seek a complete separation. Accordingly, in March, 1701, they requested the consent of Boston, ' to be a district or hamlet separate from the town.' Instead of granting their request, the inhabitants of Boston rigorously exercised over them all the authority they -possessed. Finding their appli cation to Boston ineffectual, they resolved to apply to still higher powers. They therefore in June, 1704, petitioned the governour, council, and assembly. On this, the inhabitants of Boston had several meetings, warmly remonstrated against the petition, and represented the request as highly ingrate- ful in this people, after having experienced so many favours. Their petition was at this time rejected. They however per sisted in their request, and in the summer of 1 705, presented a petition to be incorporated, signed by 32 freeholders, which was finally granted, and the signature of the governour to the act incorporating them as a distinct town, by the name of * At the time this paper was first published, and for many years afterward, there were licensers of the press. " Published by authority,11 1 presume means nothing more than this —what appeared in this publication was not disapproved hy the licensers.— Thomas' Hist. of Printing in America, ii. 191- 206 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Brookline, was passed November 13, 1705. It is supposed that this name was adopted from the circumstance, lhat Smelt brook is a boundary between that town and Cam- bridge, and that another brook, which falls into Muddy river, is a boundary between it and Roxbury.* OLD FRANKLIN HOUSE, in milk-street. view from the south side of the old south meeting-house. The year 1 706 is memorable in the annals of Boston for giving birth to Benjamin Franklin. His parents were named Josiah and Abiah : his father ' was a native of England, where he was bred to the trade of a silk dyer ;' but after set tling in Boston, he devoted his attention to the business of a soap and tallow chandler. Franklin was born on the sixth of January, and is recorded as baptized on the same day, in the Old South church books. * See the order of the P. and C. in Town Records, 1686. We are also referred (Mass. H. C. 2. ii. 142,) ' for this and all other information relating to the incorporation of Brookline, to a bundle of documents on file in the secretary's office of this commonwealth, under the date of 1705.' HISTORY OF^BOSTON. 207 From this circumstance some have inferred that he was born in the house, which lately stood where the Furniture ware house now stands, in Milk-street, nearly opposite the south door of that meeting-house, and where it is. known that his father lived at some period. But we have the testimony of his own declaration to a lady, now living, that the scene of his nativity was at the sign of the Blue Ball, corner of Union and Hanover-streets, where his father exercised his trade. The other house, however, having been more remarakblein its ap pearance, and a drawing of it having been taken shortly before it was burnt (Dec. 29, 1810,) we have given it a place here. We have no record of any attempt to change the form of town government from that established in 1651 (see p. 138) until the year 1 708. The seven Commissioners were annu ally chosen during the old charter government, and the selec tion was made from the most honourable among the inhabi tants : the last choice was in August, 1691. On the 8th of Dec. 1708, the selectmen made the following proposals to the town, respecting a charter of incorporation. ' That the orders and by-laws of this town already made, for directing, ordering and managing the prudential affairs thereof, have not answered the ends for which they were made, and the principal cause thereof is a general defect or neglect in the execution, without which the best laws will signify little, and one great reason why they are no better executed, is the want of a proper head, or town-officer, or officers em powered for that purpose, the law having put the execution of town orders into the hands of the Justices only, who are not town, but county officers ; and it cannot be expected that they should take the trouble and care, or make it so much their businesses a town officer or officers particularly appoint ed or chosen thereunto must needs do, and indeed, for any body or society of men as a town is, to be vested with pow er to make rules and by-laws for their own good regulation, and not have power to appoint and choose the head officer or officers, who shall have power to execute their own orders and by-laws, seems incongruous. And good order is not to be expected while it remains so; for while a town grows more populous, it will stand in need of a more strict regula tion. The selectmen do, therefore, propose that this town do now choose a committee of a considerable number of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town to draw up a scheme or draught of a Charter of Incorporation, [or any other projection] for the encouragement and better govern ment of this town, in the best methods as they shall think suit able, and of the best and most suitable means for procuring and obtaining thereof, and to present the same to the town at their annual meeting.' Accordingly thirty-one of the most 208 HISTORY OF BOSTON. respectable citizens, including the selectmen, were chosen, seventeen of whom were to be a quorum. March 14th, 1709, the committee presented a draught to the town, which was read in the audience of the meeting. On the question whether the town will refer the consideration of the said scheme to some publick meeting to be warned for the same purpose ? — voted in the negative. On the question — whether the town do accept of the scheme or charter now read, yea or nay ? — voted in the negative. Hutchinson tells us, that most of the principal inhabitants were in favour of the measure. But the people entertained the opinion of a champion, who, when the subject was dis cussed in town-meeting, concluded his speech with the pro- phetick warning, " It is a whelp now, it will be a Lion by and by : knock it in the head : Mr. Moderator, put the ques tion." His hearers were ready, and the plan was rejected by a great majority, with a vote of thanks' to the gentlemen, on whom they had imposed the labour of preparing it. CHAPTER XXXVII. " higher still The blazing tide rose awfully." . Ma. Henry Deering had proposed to the town ' to build a house to contain several offices, and a wharf below the Townhouse-street,' in December, 1707, but it does not appear that he met with any encouragement. The subject was re newed in 1709, by Dr. Oliver Noyes and others, and the town referred the consideration of it to the selectmen, who made the following report on the 10th of March, 1710. ' Whereas the selectmen for the year past were by a vote of the inhabitants of this town, at their publick meeting on the 19th day of Dec. last past, appointed a committee to consider the proposals of Capt. Oliver Noyes and some other gentle men, about their building out a wharf from the lower end of King-street down to low-water mark, and to make report to the next town-meeting of what they shall think proper for the town to do concerning the same, the said committee have now presented their report thereof, and is as followeth, viz. ' We are of opinion that the proposal made by Dr. Oliver Noyes and other gentlemen, now signed by them and given in to the town at this meeting, will be a means to have the out-wharves brought into good repair, the doing of which, HISTORY OF BOSTON. 209 with the planting of guns as proposeoVmay be a great safety to this town, in case ofthe attack of an enemy, and will be of publick and general good to the town, Provided the underta kers be under penalty to perform what they have there pro posed and what is intended, viz. that the street shall forever be open, its full breadth, from the end of King-street to the Circular line, and be no ways incumbered by them. ' The aforementioned proposals made by Dr. Oliver Noyes and other gentlemen, signed by them and given in to1 the town at this meeting, and being read are as followeth, viz. ' We the subscribers, some of the inhabitants of the town of Boston, do hereby promise and engage, that we and our associates will at our own cost and charge erect and build a wharf with a sufficient common sewer, at the approbation of the selectmen, at the end of King-street to the Circular Line, as delineated by the plan, and that from thence we will erect, build, and maintain a wharf, the width of King-street, between Mr. [East] Apthorp's and Mr. [Andrew] Faneuil's, and con tinue the same in a direct line to the [out] wharves, common ly called the new wharves, and unto low-water mark, leaving always a way of 30 feet wide, on one of the sides thereof, as a highway for the use of the inhabitants of the said town and others, and to extend from one end of the same unto the ©ther, forever ; and leaving a gap of 16 ft. wide, covered over, for lighters and boats to pass and repass, about the mid dle of said wharf, or where the selectmen shall direct, as also a passage way on the new wharves,on each side,for carts,etc. leaving the end of said wharf free for the town, when they shall see reason to* plant guns for the defence of said town. ' In consideration whereof, the freeh. and other inhabitants ofthe town of B. shall, do, give, grant, bargain, enfeoffee, and confirm unto us, the said subscribers, our heirs, assignees, and associates forever, the said wharf or flats, to be maintained as aforesaid, unto low-water mark, with all the liberties, priv- ileges^comtooditifesi and appurtenances whatsoever, thereunto belonging, to our only, proper, and absolute use and behoof forever : and that the town of B. shall always defend us in the possession 'and peaceable improvement of the granted premises from any claim of the town, etc. And that no wharf beyond the said Circular Line be permitted to join or come nearer to us than sixty ft. forever ; and we do engage and promise to finish said wharf within the space of four years next after the date of the grant,1 if the rightof the outwharves for 12ff ft. where this Me will fall can be procured by us. In •witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, the 20th day of Feb; anno Teginae viii. A. D. 1?09 — 10. i -- Oliver Noyes, James Barnes, John Gerrish, Daniel Oliver, John George, Anthony Stoddardi' 27 210 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Whereupon the town voted ' a grant to Capt. O. N. and company, according to their said proposals and the commit tee's report, so as not to prejudice former grants.' The se lectmen were empowered to execute proper instruments in writing for confirming the grant, which they did on the 13th of May. The work was accomplished within the time limited. In the same year, 1710, it was voted, that a line of defence be forthwith made across the neck between Boston and Rox bury. This constituted the Fortifications, which were con structed of stone and brick work for a foundation, with a parapet of sod work. A convenient number of great guns were ordered to be placed there, and a gate extended across the road. Something like the rudiments of a Post-Office is discovera ble in the colony records, May, 1677, when upon petition of several merchants of Boston, the court appointed Mr. John Hayward, scrivener, ' to take in and convey letters according to their direction.' And the office of post-master appears to have been regulated by the colonial government until 1710, when an act of parliament established the office of P. M. gen eral, who had liberty to keep one chief letter office in New York, and others at other convenient places in America. Campbell, the publisher of the News-Letter, who had been'in the office for several years, was appointed at Boston. In 1711, a southern and eastern mail, to Plymouth and Maine, ran once a week, and a western mail to Conn, and N. Y. once a fortnight. The "prosperity of Boston, which seemed now to be grow ing rapidly, received a check this year by a fire, that broke out on the evening of Tuesday, October 2d, about 7 o'clock. It originated in a building belonging to Capt. Ephraim Sav age, in Williams's Court, from the carelessness of a poor woman, one Mary Morse, who suffered the fire ' to catch the oakum, which she was employed in picking of.' All the houses on both sides' of Cornhill, from School-street to the Dock-square, were laid in ruins- The wind being southerly, the meeting-house of the First Church was early found to be in danger, and some sailors went up into the steeple or cupola to save the bell. Whilst they were engaged in this service, the house was oh fire below, and the stairs were consumed. They were seen at work just before the roof fell in, and all perished in the flames. All the upper part of King, or what is now called State-street, together with the ToWn-house, was lost, and some desolation made in Pudding-lane (Devonshire- street), and between Water-street and Spring-lane, before the violence of the flames could be conquered. There were then but two engines in the town, and the method taken to stop the HISTORY OF BOSTON. 211 progress of the fire, by blowing up the houses, had a contrary effect, and served to scatter it. The number of houses des troyed was computed near a hundred, and, by the best ac count, about a hundred and ten families were turned out of doors. It being also a place of much trade, and filled with well-furnished shops of goods, not a little of the wealth of the town was now Consumed. The rubbish from the ruins was used to fill up the Long-wharf. The houses which were built after this fire ' were of brick, three stories high, with a garret, a flat roof, and balustrade.' Some of them remain on each side of Cornhill ; one, now numbered 38 Washington-street, bears the date of 1712 on the front, with a coat of arms and the letters S. Xi. The First Church commenced building on the same spot where their old house had stood, on the 14th of April, 1712. They erected a large brick edifice of three stories in height, Which was ready for use, and the first service performed in it May 3, 1713.* The general court at their next session after the fire, pass ed a law creating the Board of Firewards, whose number was originally ten. We recognize their symbol of authority in the badge of ' a staff of five feet in length, coloured red, and headed with a bright brass spire of six inches long.' The same court also proposed a plan for rebuilding the Town house, which was concurred in by the town, Nov. 16, 1711. The Province was to bear one half of the expense, the county of Suffolk and town of Boston each one quarter. The house was so far finished, that a town-meeting was held in it, March 8, 1714. CHAPTER XXXVIII. To know, and knowing worship God aright, Is yet more kingly : this attracts the soul, Governs tbe inner man, the- nobler part. Paradise. Regained, In the winter of 1712, seventeen substantial mechanicks as sociated for the purpose of establishing another church at the north part of the town, which, when formed, they named the New North Church. Their first meeting was at the house of * This being the first Congregational meeting-house built of brick, obtained in time the name ofthe Old Brick. It stood till the year 1808; the last service being performed in it on the 17th, and the first in the house in Ohauncy-place on the 21st, of July, in that year. 212 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Matthew Butler, who seems to have been the father of the association, and whose descendants have formed a part of the society to the present time. The projectors were joined by others, and obtained liberty of the proper authority to erect a wooden building.* They procured a lot of land of Col. Thomas Hutchinson, at the corner of Hanover and Clarkr streets, set up a house of small dimensions, and finished it, " as is observed in an ancient manuscript, without the assist ance ofthe more wealthy part of the community, excepting what they derived from their prayers and good wishes." The house was dedicated on the 5th of May, 1714. The two Dr. Mathers officiated in the ceremonies of giving the right hand of fellowship to the new church, and the prayers were as usual on such occasions. On the evening of the same day, the church met at the house of Mr. Butler and sign ed their, covenant. On the 2d of August they came to the choice of a pastor. At the first trial, the suffrages were divi ded between Mr. John Barnard and Mr. John Webb. The majority was for Mr. Webb : on a second trial, he had a unanimous vote. The election was immediately communica ted to the congregation, who were convened in another place, and they " universally" concurred in the choice. An invita tion was presented on the 4th and accepted on the 27th ofthe same month, and the ordination of Mr. Webb took place on the 20th of October following. Dr. I. Mather acted as mod erator, Dr. C. M. made the first prayer, and the pastor elect preached. The covenant was read and acknowledged : the church confirmed their choice, and Mr. Webb his accept ance ; the moderator then gave the charge, and his son the right hand of fellowship, and the exercises were closed with singing and a blessing. The seventeen first associates were, Solomon and Elias Townsend, Erasmus Stevens, Moses Pierce, Caleb Lyman, Alex'r. Sears, Eben. Clough, John Goldthwait, Sam. Gard ner, Wm. Parkman, John Bassett, Joshua Cheever, Matthew Butler, — John Pecker, Isaac Pierce, John Goff, and James Barnard. The first thirteen, together with Mr. Webb, Benja. Gerrish, Nath. Kenney and Lately Gee, were the original signers of the church covenant.! At the session of the general court, July, 1715, a law was passed ' that there be a Light-house erected at the charge of the province on the southernmost part of the Great Brewster, called Beacon Island, to be kept lighted from sunset to sun- rising.' * The governour might grant a licence on certificate of approbation, from th* justices of peace and selectmen of Boston, by the law of 1699. t See Appendix, No. IV.— Historical Notices of the New North. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 213 The, formation ofthe New South Church and Society was the next event of moment. The first meeting on the subject was ' at the Bui} [tavern, in Summer-street] in Boston, on Thursday, the 14th of July, 1715,' when it was voted, ' that the money received of Mr. Nath. Glover, except the charges arising thereon, viz. the balance, be given towards the erect ing a meeting-house at the south-end of Boston, where tbe major part of the proprietors [in Mr. G.'s donation ?] shall be concerned.' Forty-four subscribers were soon found to en gage in ' so good a work,' and ' a petition was drawn and presented to the town, on Tuesday, the 20th of Sept. 1715, and was as follows : ' To the inhabitants ofthe town of Boston, the petition of sundry inhabitants at the southerly end of Boston, showeth, That whereas we the subscribers have entered into a design, if we obtain leave, to erect a meeting-house for the publick worship of God at the south end of Boston, therefore desire a grant from this town of that piece or parcel of land, called Church Green, in Summer-street, for the erecting a meet ing-house of 65 ft. long and 45 ft. broad, it being a suitable place for that service, and by the situation and name thereof intended, no doubt, by our forefathers for that purpose, and pray that the present selectmen of the town may be empow ered to make a conveyance to the undertakers underwritten. Subscribed by Thomas Peck, Nicholas Boon, Samuel Adams, Eneas Salter, jun. Sam'l Greenleaf, Henry Hill, Jona. Simp son, Eleaz. Dorby, David Craige, Wm. Engs, Eneas Salter, Thomas Salter, John Barton, Daniel Legre.' The town granted the petition, ' Provided the said meeting- hquse be erected and improved to that use within the space of three years next ensuing.' This was done, and the dedi cation took place on the Sth of Jan. 1717. Rev. Benj. Wads worth of the Old South and Cotton Mather both preached. Copies of their sermons were desired and published. Jan. 11, a committee was appointed to supply the pulpit, with au thority to allow 20s, for each sermon. Sept. 24, 1718, Mr. Samuel Checkley, of Boston, was unanimously chosen out of several candidates, and invited to become pastor of this church. He accepted, and was ordained, April 15, 1719. The covenant was signed on the same day, by H. Hill, T. Peck, John Clough, T. Salter, S. Adams, Sam'l. Bridgham, Benja. White, and Thos. Downe.* * Covenant of the New South Church. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending ourselves called of God to joyne together in church communion, and acknowledging our unworthiness of such a priviledge, and our inability to keep covenant with God, or to perform any spiritual duty, unless Christ shall enable us thereunto ; due (humbly depending on free grace for assistance and accep- 214 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The Sixth Congregational church originated in a difficulty respecting the settlement of a colleague with the Rev. Mr. Webb, of the New North. Preparatory to that step, the church had adopted the following regulations, on the 13th of May, 1719. " First, the church shall go before and lead in the choice, according to the professed principles and practice of the churches in N. E.— 2cK Since the edification of the brethren of the congregation is to be considered on such an occasion, we are willing they should join with us in the call of a minister : that is to say, after the church have expressed their satisfaction with any particular person, we are willing that a major vote of the church and congregation, assembled together, as is usual in country towns, shall determine wheth er the person, first chosen as aforesaid by the church, be finally settled in the pastoral office over us. And we all of us promise to make ourselves easy, and sit down contented by such determination, and purpose by the grace of God to do so, unless some weighty and conscientious reason oblige us to the contrary : but upon this condition, that our brethren of the congregation are willing to act upon the same princi ples and to submit to the same rules." And those persons were to be allowed the privilege of voting, who had been con stant hearers and contributors towards ;he support of publick worship, and should sign a declaration of their assent to the above rule. The 9th of September following was set apart as a day of prayer, and as soon as the exercises of the day were ended, the members of the church proceeded to cast their votes ; but lest there should be a breach upon the solemnities of the day, they were sealed up, without examination. On the morn- tance) in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, and in the presence of God himself, the blessed angels, and all his servants here present, freely covenant, and solemnly bind ourselves, to serve the God, whose name alone is Jehovah, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, the only living and true God ; cleaving to him, as our chief good, and to our Lord Jesus Christ, as'our only Saviour, Prophet, Priest, and King of our souls, in a way of Gospel obedience ; avouch ing the Lord to be our God, and the God of our children, whom we give unto him, counting it, as a high favour, that the Lord will accept of us, and our children with us, to be his people. We do also give ourselves, one unto another, in the Lord ; covenanting to walk together, as a Church of Christ, in all the ways of his worship— according to the rules given us in his holy word ; promising, in brotherly love, faithfully to watch over one another's souls, and to submit ourselves to the discipline and power oi Christ, in his Church, and duly to attend the Seals and Censures, or whatever ordinances, Christ has commanded to be ob served by his people, so far, as the Lord, by his word, and Spirit, has or shall reveal unto us, to be our duty -, beseeching the Lord, to own us for his people, and to delight to dwell in the midst of us f and that we may keep our Covenant with God, we desire to deny our selves, and to depend entirely on the free mercy of God, and the merits of Jesus Christ, and wherein we shall fail, to wait on him for pardon, through his name -, beseeching the Lord, to own us as a Church of Christ, and to delight to abide in the midst of us, HISTORY OF BOSTON. 215 ing of the 10th, the church, met, when the votes were count ed, and the Rev. Peter Thacher had 34 out of 44. On the 16th day of the same month, the congregation met, by desire, to express their concurrence, if it might be, with the vote of the church. When the question was proposed to the conven tion, a protest against the proceedings was produced, signed by 6 members of the church and 39 of the congregation, in which they charged the church ' with the base design of en snaring them,' by the vote passed professedly in favour of the congregation. They refused to leave this memorial of their grievances, and probably retired, as the records state that the other brethren brought in their votes, which were 46, and all for Mr. Thacher. The 27th of Jan. 1720 was appointed for the installation. The five Congregational churches in Boston, the first in Sa lem, and those at Cambridge, Dorchester, Romney-Marsh, and Milton, were invited to attend. A few days before the time appointed for the installation, ' the aggrieved brethren,' by the advice of Boston ministers, proposed that their differ ences should be referred to a council. The church declined acceding to the proposal, on account of the time and manner in which it was brought forward. The appointed day arrived, and not one ofthe Boston min isters appeared to sit in the council : of those invited from the neighbouring towns, only Mr. Cheever from Romney Marsh, and Mr. Peter Thacher of Milton came ; one with the con sent of his church, accompanied by delegates, the other, alone, in opposition to the vote of his church. They met at the house of Mr. Webb, which was at the corner of North Bennet and Salem-streets. The aggrieved brethren were as sembled at the house of Thomas Lee, Esq. which is the house in N. Bennet-street, next to the Universal meeting-house, and was to be passed, if the council should use the common streets to get to the New North. A deputation from the aggrieved brethren waited upon the council, with a remonstrance against their proceeding to business, which they wished to prevent, peaceably, if they could : if that could not be done, they had resolved to prevent the council from going to the meeting house, by force. After some consideration and debate, the council resolved, that there was nothing offered or objected, which was of suf ficient weight to prevent their proceeding to^business. As going through the publick streets was likely to produce con fusion and uproar, Mr. Webb, after notifying the church that the council were ready, led them out of a back gate into Love-lane (now Tileston- street), and through an alley (Rob inson) which opens immediately opposite to the meeting-house, and thus got quiet possession of the pulpit. The house was 216 HISTORY OF BOSTON. nearly filled with a promiscuous multitude, among whom were some of the aggrieved. These began to raise a clamour, and sent for their friends at Mr. Lee's, who ran to the house in a tumultuous manner, forced their way into the galleries, and in a menacing style forbade the proceedings. Some were very unruly and -indecent, almost beyond credibility. Si lence was repeatedly ordered without effect. The council at length determined to go on, in the best manner they could. Mr. Cheever put the question to such members of the church as were present, who were about 40, ' Whether they confirmed their call of the Rev. Mr. Thach er ?' which being passed in the affirmative, Mr. T. then pub- lickly declared his acceptance of the invitation. Mr. C. thereupon proclaimed ' the Rev, Peter Thacher to be the pastor of the New North church, regularly introduced lo the charge.' The disturbance being still continued, the disaffected party were called upon to say what they wished for. One of them answered, ' that the matters in dispute might be heard and considered by a council.' The Rev. Messrs. W. and T. with the members of the church, severally assented to the proposal. Mr. Thacher, of Milton, then made a prayer ; the newly inducted pastor preached a sermon, prayed afterwards, and the assembly was dismissed with a blessing. On the next day, Mr. Webb sent to every one of the disaf fected brethren of the church, in number nine or ten, to meet at his house, in order to adjust the business of convening a council. Four only appeared, and they refused to have any thing to do about it. The plan of forming another church began to be contemplated. The discontented members had made preparations for the erection of a new meeting-house, as appears from the follow ing record : — ' Sundry of the north end of the town, being moved by the Providence of God for to build a house for the publick worship of God, met sundry times for the promoting of said work, and (Nov. 14, 1719) at a meeting of Alex'r Sears, Solo. Townsend, John Waldo, Owen Harris, James Tileston, Nath. Jarvis, Thomas Lee, Jona. Mountfort, Wm. Arnold, Thaddeus Macarty, James Pecker, Eben'r Bridge, Benj. Edwards, Peter Papillon, Thos. Dogget^ Daniel Ballard, , Rob't Oring, Edw, Pell, Sam'l Burnell, Fras. Parnell, Jas. Barnes, Jas. Halsy, Ephr'm Moore, they voted that some of them, should treat with Mr. Thomas Roby, of Cambridge, for a certain tract or piece of land, it being the land that the meeting-houSe now standeth on.' December 20thy a building committee was appointed, and the number of proprietors in creased to forty before the work was completed. 'Mr. Ed- HISTORY OF BOSTON. 217 ward PeU drew the plan of the house,* which was dedicated on the 10th of May, 1721. A churcht was gathered among the worshippers, on Wednesday, the 23d of May, 1722 ; and on the same day Mr. William Waldron was ordained the first pastor. * The same house is now occupied by the Second and Sixth, united as the Second Con gregational Church. It was proposed by some to denominate it the Revenge Church, but instead thereof it obtained the name of North . Brick, and afterwards of New Brick. The figure of a cock was, however, placed as a vane upon the steeple, in derision of Mr.Thacher whose christian name was Peter. t A. Sears, S. Townsend, J. Waldo, Moses Pierce, J. Tilestone, Josiah Baker, from the New North, together with Wm. Lee, Nath. Loring, Daniel Pecker, and Henry Wheeler j and Wm. Waldron, were the original signers of the Covenant of the New Brick church. Covenant of the New Brick Church. We, whose names are hereunto sub. apprehending ourselves called of God into a chh. state ofthe gospel, do first of all confess ourselves to be unworthy to be so highly favoured of the Lord, and admire that free and rich grace of his, wh. triumphs in weakn. and unworthin. and . then with an humble reliance upon the aids of grace, promised to them that are conscious of their own inability to do any good thing and humbly wait on the L. for the addition of this thing : — We now thankfully lay hold on his cov. and would choose the things that please him. — We declare our serious belief of the christian religion, as contained in the S. S. and heartily resolve to conform our lives to the rules of that holy r. as long as we live in this world. — We give up ourselves to the L- Jehovah, wbo is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and avouch this day to be our G. our Leader, and receive him us our portion. — We give up ourselves to the blessed Jesus, who is the L. Jehovah and adhere to him, as the L. of his peo ple in the cov. of God, and rely on him as our prophet, priest, and king, to bring us to et. blessedness. — We ackn. ourselves under inevitable obligations to glorify G. in all tbe duties of a godly, sober life, and esp. in the duties of a chh. state in obedience to Christ, and the enjoym. of him in all the ord. ofthe gospel : and we therefore depend on his gracious assist ance for the faithful discharge of the duties thus incumbent on us.— We desire and intend, and (depending upon promised grace) we engage to walk together as a chh. ofthe L. J. C. in the f. and order of the gospel, so far as we shall have the same revealed to us, conscien tiously attending the worship of G. the sacraments of the N- T. tbe discipline of his kdm. and all his holy institutions, in communion with one another, lovingly watching over one an other, and watchfully avoiding all' sinful stumbling blocks and contentions, as becomes a p. professing godlin. called ofthe L. into such a holy cov. relation with G. and one another.— We do also at tbe same time present and ofl*er our seed to the L. purposing with divine help * to do our part in methods of a religious edu. training ym. up in the way of the L. that so they may be his. — We do all this, flying to the blood of the ev. cov. for the pdn. of our sins and past failings, praying that the glorious L. who is the sh. of his sheep, would prepare and strengthen us for every good work, working in us that which will be well pi. in his sight, to : whom be glory forever. Amen. \ See Rev. Mr. Ware's Discourses. 28 218 HISTORY OF BOSTON". CHAPTER XXXIX. Of newspapers a constant feast, And something there to every taste. Carrier's Address. 8 The second newspaper which made its appearance in British America was the Boston Gazette, which was first pub lished for Wm. Brooker, who> succeeded Campbell as post master. No. 1 was issued from the press on Monday, Dee. 21, 1719, on a half sheet of printing foolscap, on a small-pica type, folio ; and it was continued on a half sheet of that size of paper for several years, excepting occasionally a whole sheet, and then one page was often left blank. It had a cut of a ship on the left, and one of a postman on the right of the title, and was " published by authority." Its imprint was, " Boston : printed by J. Franklin, and may be had at the Post Ofiice, where advertisements are taken in." There were three Boston Gazettes in succession before the revo lution. This was the first of them.' The people of Boston had suffered severely at five differ ent periods* from the small pox, prior to 1721. Nineteen years had intervened since its last appearance, when it was introduced a sixth time, by the Sal Tortugas fleet, in April of that year. More than half of the inhabitants were probably liable to it. It continued its ravages till the spring of IT 22, when the following account was taken. Number of inhabitants above the Mill-creek - - 6018 , „ „ at North end - - ¦ 4549=10,567 Of these, had the small pox S. of Mill-creek - - 3217 • ,, „ at North end - 2596= 5,813 Died— S. 490 » N. 281= 771 It was at this time that the practice of inoculation was in troduced. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston ' is known to be the first physician in the British dominions that dared to do it.' He commenced with his own family, inoculating his son Thomas and two of his servants on the 26th of June : and he met with success, which at that time seemed wonderful. The clergy of the town supported and encouraged him, but the physicians joined the populace and opposed the practice with * In. 1649, '66, '78-79, '89-90, 1702. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 219 all possible vehemence. By Dr.Boylston's account it appears that of 5759, who had had the disease in the natural*way, 844 died ; whereas of 247 cases attended by himself, and 39 by Drs. Roby of Cambridge and Thompson of Charlestown, only six terminated fatally. A third newspaper appeared on Monday, August 17, 1721, It was the New England Courant, printed and published .by James Franklin, on a half sheet of crown size printing paper, on a small-pica type. Imprint, ' Boston : Printed by James Franklin, in Queen-street, where advertisements are taken in.' We suppose it to have been at the Franklin Head, Court- street. The Courant contained very little news and very few advertisements. More than half the paper was, with few ex ceptions, filled weekly with essays, in which men in office, the clergy, and the prevailing religious opinions of the day were attacked. A society of gentlemen furnished these es says : by moderate people this society was called a set pf Freethinkers ; by others it was denominated the Hell Fire Club. Their essays were at times opposed in the Gazette and News-Letter, and these papers were in turn warmly at tacked in the Courant, but rather by satire than argument* The Courant soon had warm advocates and zealous opposers. It roused the attention of the government and of some of the clergy. Dr. I. Mather openly denounced the paper in an address to the publick, Jan. 29, 1722. James Franklin was shortly after imprisoned and forbidden to print, and the paper was fqr sometime issued in the name of his brother Benjamin, who was an apprentice with him, and was the unknown au thor of some interesting pieces, that were inserted in the Courant. The Second Episcopal society is that which worships in Christ-Church, Salem-street. Its records begin thus : ' Laus Deo. Boston, N.E. the 2d September, 1 722. At the request of several gentlemen, who had purchased a piece of ground at the north end of Boston, to build a church on, the Rev. Samuel Myles ordered his clerk to give notice to his congre gation, that all those who were willing to contribute towards erecting another church, at the north end of Boston, were de sired to meet at King's Chapel, the Wednesday following. Agreeably to which notification, several persons assembled and chose Mr. John Barnes, treasurer, Thomas Greaves, Esq. Messrs. Geo. Craddock, Anthony Blount, John Gibbins, Thos. Selby, and Geo. Monk, a committee to receive subscriptions and build a church on said ground at the north end of Bos ton.' The preamble to their subscription ran thus : * Where as the Church of England, at the south part of Boston, is not large enough to contain all the people that would come to it ; and several well disposed persons having already bought a 220 HISTORY OF BOSTON. piece of ground at the north part of said town ta build a church on : We, the subscribers, being willing to forward so good a work, do accordingly affix to our names what each of us will cheerfully contribute.' The list of subscribers and benefactors contains the names of 214 persons, whose subscriptions amounted to £727. 18s st. On the 15th day of April, 1723, the corner stone of Christ Church was laid by the Rev. Samuel Myles, minister of King's chapel, accompanied by the gentlemen of .his congre gation. The ceremony was concluded with these words, " May the gates of hell never prevail against it." The build ing was completed during the succeeding summer and autumn, and first opened for publick worship on the 29th day of Dec. in the same year, by the Rev. Timothy Cutler, D. D. the first rector of this church. The appropriate passage of scrip ture from which the preacher addressed a numerous audi ence on this interesting occasion was, " For mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." Isaiah Ivi. 7. At the opening of the church, the usual audience is stated to have been about 400 persons : the number of purchasers of pews was fifty-three.* The great tide, (which we alluded to, p. 109,) occurred on the 24th of Feb. 1723, and is thus described by Cotton Mather : ' It rose two feet higher than ever had been known unto the country, and the city of Boston particularly suffered from it incredible mischiefs and losses. It rose two or three feet above the famous Long Wharf, and flowed over the other wharves and streets, to so surprising an height, that we could sail in boats from the Southern battery to the rise of ground in King-street, and from thence to the rise of ground ascend ing toward the North meeting-house. It filled all the cellars, and filled the floors of the lower rooms in the houses and warehouses in town.' The New-England Courant ceased to be published in the beginning of the year 1727, and on Monday, the 20th of March in that year, the fourth newspaper, being the New- England Weekly Journal, appeared. It was issued on a half * See Rev. Mr. Eaton's Historical Discourse. Purchasers of Pews in North or Christ Church, 1723. Wm. Abraham, Jos. Amy, Anthony Blount, Bissell, Ballard, Bedgood, Thos. Bennet, Walter Brown, Geo. Barrow, Boulderson, Dan'l Crackford, Wm. Clarke, Isaac Dickenson, Timo. Daniel, Dr. Thomas Graves, Mary Gibbs, Increase Gatchell, Hooton.Jobn Howard, Eob't Harris, Wm.Hislop, Rob't Harrison, Hender, North Ingham^ Jenkins, Wm. Jones, James King, Lawlor, Moall, G ilium Phillips, Wm. Patten, Wm. Priggs, John Petell, Wm. and Thos. Price, Geo. Pemberton, Henry Pigeon, Step. Perks, John Rachel), Nich. Roach, Wm. Ride- out, Geo. Skinner, Edw. Stanbridge, John Sowerby, Arthur Savage, Adam Tuck, Rob't Temple, Thot Tippen,Mary Tomlins, Henry Venner, Maj. Vassall, Rob't Ward, Abr. Winter. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 221 sheet of foolscap size, folio. Imprint, ' Boston ; Printed by S. Kneeland, at the printing-house in Queen-street, where ap- vertisements are taken in.' Several literary gentlemen furnish ed this paper with short essays on miscellaneous subjects, more of a moral than of a political nature, and which, al though well written did not occasion an excitement in the pub lick mind like that produced by the writers for the Courant. CHAPTER XL. fair Religion's beauteous temples rise, Tbe altars of the heart's best sacrifice ; Various their names, yet still alike their plan. N. H. Wright. The Church in Federal-street (which was the thirteenth re ligious society in Boston) was originally constituted by a num ber of Presbyterian families from the North of Ireland, the descendants of emigrants from Scotland to Ireland in the reign of James I. They arrived in Boston in the year 1727, accompanied by the Rev. John Moorhead, by whose pious zeal and assiduity the society was established. They pur chased a convenient lot at the corner of Bury -street and Long- lane (now called Berry and Federal-streets), and altered a barn, which stood on the ground, into a house of worship. This was inl 729,and the congregation having increased,they af terwards added two wings to the building. This rude and lowly edifice was their place of worship until 1744, when a new and convenient church was erected. At that time the society was in a flourishing condition. There were twelve elders, corres pondent to the number of districts or sections, into which the congregation was divided. Mr. Moorhead (whose settlement took place March 30, 1730) was most cordially attached to his flock, and they cherished for him a reciprocal affection. With the zealous enforcement of doctrines which he sincerely espoused, he was unwearied in his endeavours to promote and maintain virtuous practice among his people. He was fa voured with a strong constitution and his labours were unin terrupted, until a few days before his decease, December 2, 1773, in the seventieth year of his age. We are not inform ed particularly of the history of the church in the interval between the death of Mr. Moorhead and the instalment of the Rev. David Annan as their pastor in 1783. Mr. A. was dis missed at his own request by the Presbytery in 1786 ; and 222 HISTORY OF BOSTON. soon after that event, the society in Federal-street relinquish ed the Presbyterian regimen and embraced the Congrega tional order. ' Dr. Douglass, in his Summary, speaking of Mr. Moor- head's congregation, has the following note. " They erected a Presbyterian meeting-house in Boston, Mr. John Morehead their presbyter, as appears by an inscription, in two col umns, and not elegant. THE FIRST COLUMN. This chh. of presbyterian strangers was congregated an. dom. 1729. Anno. dom. 1 744, by a small but generous Ilia manebit. Labilis e contra si sit erana Suprema. Desiderio J. M. hujus ecclesice. THE SECOND COLUMN. This building was begun anno. dom. 1 742, and finished Number. Hujus fundamen saxum est. Domus Peribit. Gloria Christi lex nostra Christique pastor, and first preached in May 6th. Latin and English interlarded is new, excepting in bur lesque ; likewise the disposition of these lines is singular, and to be rightly understood must be read by joining the several lines of each column." ' This inscription was probably in collateral columns. It is perplexing to read it in the form in which it is placed by Dr. Douglass, and it may be acceptable to have it presented in a more intelligible arrangement. In doing this we take the liberty to include the Latin portion in a parenthesis, and to correct a probable typographical error in the third line of the. inscription, substituting the word arena for erana. ' This Church of Presbyterian strangers was congregated Anno Dom. 1729. This building was begun Anno Dom. 1742, and finished Anno Dom. 1744, by a small but generous num ber. (Hujus fundamen saxum est. Domus ilia manebit. Labilis e contra si sit arena peribit. Gloria Christi lex nos tra suprema. Desiderio J. M. hujus ecclesiae, Christique pastor) and first preached in May 6th.'* • ' We should infer from Dr. D. i. 368, that this inscription was placed in the church. There was none such in the house within the recollection of any of the society.' — See Memoir ¦ appended to the Rev. Dr. Channing's sermon at ord. of Rev. Mr. Gannett. The record of baptisms for the two first years of this church gives us the following family names : Campbell, Knox, Miller, Sloan, Little, McCurdy, Hogg, Moor, Watts, Crosier, Ruth erford, Monon, Smith, Tom, Kirkland, Wilson, Young, Hodge, Shirlow, Hutchinson, Patter son, Patrick, Walker, Lee, Maxwell, Chesnut, MaClure, Harper, Tatt, MaQuistion, Speer, Whipple, MaClean, Stewart, Sinclair, Mitchell, Gwinn, Nicols, Dixon, MacDugall, Pbarr, Ross, Mirkleravie, Awel, Black, Quigg, Bryant. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 223 The Hollis-street Church claims the next rank in point of age. ' Upon a motion made by his Ex. Jonathan Belcher, Esq. unto William Pain, Esq. that if he with a convenient number would associate themselves together and build a house for the publick worship of God, on a piece of land belonging to His Excellency, in Hollis-street, at the south part of Bos ton, that he, viz. His Ex. would make them a present of said land for that use ; upon which motion, divers persons met at the house of Mr. Hopestill Foster, on the 21st of January, 1730-1 [?] and after mature consideration and debate, the fol lowing persons subscribed,' viz. Wm. Pain, Esq. Sam'l Wells, Esq. John Clough, Caleb Eddy, John Bennett, Silence Allen, Thos. Walker, John Walker, Israel How, John Blake, Hen ry Gibbon. Jos. Payson, James Day, Hopestill Foster, Eben'r Clough,Thos.Trott, Thos.Milven, Thos. Clough, Sutton Byles, Alden Bass, Benja. Russell, Jos. Hambleton, Nath. Fairfield, John Goldsmith, Isaac Loring, Wm. Cunningham. On the 2d of March, the governour conveyed the land, and they proceeded to erect a house 40 feet by 30, with a steeple. It was finished and dedicated June 18, 1732. On the 14th of November, ' the church was gathered, with fasting and pray er, assisted by the ministers of the town. The person who more immediately formed them was the Rev. Dr. Joseph Sewall,' of the Old South, who drew the church covenant.* * The Hollis-street Church Covenant. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending ourselves called in the provi dence of God, though unworthy, to unite in ebb. fellowship, and seek tbe settlement of all the gospel institutions among us, do now enter into covenant with G. and one another, as follows : 1. We declare our belief of tbe S. S. as the word of G. and perfect rule of faith and obedience, resolving, by his grace, to conform to them j and we adhere to the faith and order ofthe gospel as exhib. by these chhs. in their conf. of faith and platform of chh. dis cipline, for the substance of them. 2. We give up ourselves in an everlasting covenant to the L. Jehovah, who is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as to our creator, redeemer, and sanctifier, to love, obey, and serve him forever. 3. We own and submit to the L. J. C as the head of his body the chh. receiving and relying upon him as the great high priest, prophet, and king of our salvation. 4. We give ourselves each to other by the will of G. ¦ engaging by his help to carry it towards one another as fellow members in ebb. society, to watch over one another in brotherly 1. and to walk together in a due subjection to, and at-. tendance upon the orders and ordinances appointed by C. and enjoined his ebbs, in the gos pel. 5. We thankfully acknowledge, that our posterity are included in the gospel cove nant, and accordingly promise to bring them up in tbe nurture and adm. of the L. and to own them in their covenant relation, according to the rule of God's word. 6. We promise to do our endeavour 'to procure the settlement and continuance of all the offices and officers appointed by 0. the great shepherd for the edification of his chh. and to do our duty faith fully for their maintenance and encouragement, and to carry it towards them as the gospel requires. 7. We promise to preserve communion with tbe chhs. of C walking together in the faith and order ofthe gospel, by giving and rec. mut. counsel and assistance in all cases Wherein it shall be needful. And now we repair to the Wood of the great sacrifice for tbe 224 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The names of the first members were John Clough, Jos. Pay- son, Henry Gibbon, Jas. Day, Jona. Neal, Hopestill Foster, Eben'r Clough, Nath. Fairfield, John Cravath, Alden Bass, John Blake, Thomas Trott, Isaac Loring. November 20th, they ' voted to call the Rev. Mr.Mather Byles to take the pas toral care and charge of them,' and ' after this the congrega tion were also called together and allowed the privilege of a written vote.' They unanimously concurred, and Mr» Byles, having ' advised with the united ministers of the city,' accep ted the call, and was ordained on Wednesday, the 20th of December, preaching his own ordination sermon, from 2 Tim. ii. 17. ' By reason that the Chapel was full, and no pews to be bought by new comers,' the first step towards the formation of Trinity Church appears to have been taken on the 25th of April, 1728; when the piece of landon which the building stands, at the corner of Summer-street and Bishop-alley (now Hawley-street) was conveyed by Wm. Speakman to Leonard Vassall, John Barnes, John Gibbens, apothecary, on condition; that they shall and will with all convenient speed immedi ately after the said conveyance endeavour to procure a building to be erected on the said land, for the worship of God : — which building or church they, any or either of them,, shall take care to be contrived and disposed, both within and without, as they or any or either of them, in the absence of the other, shall find and judge most conducing to the decent and regular performance of divine service, according to the rubrick of the common prayer book, used by the church of England, as by law established.' A subscription was com menced April 6, 1730, and continued Oct. 17, 1733, and the subscribers were to be ' repaid, in proportion as money arises from the sale of the pews, or any benefactors.' The corner stone was laid, April 15, 1734, and bears the following inscrip-. tion : Trinity Church. This corner stone was laid by the Rev. Mr. Commissary Price, the 15th April, 1734.' On the 15th of August, 1735, ' the Rev. Mr. Thomas Har-. ward read prayers according to the rubrick of the church of England, and the Rev. Roger Price, his lordship's [the Bishop of London's] commissary preached the first sermon in Trinity church, from Heb. x. 23 — which sermon was preach ed before a large number of people, His Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq. being present.' Services were somewhat sta- pardon of all our sins, depending entirely upon our L. J. C. for acceptance with G. and for bis good spirit to enable us to keep his holy covenant. And we humbly ask the pray ers of God's people, that we and our offspring may obtain all the blessings of this covenant, for the soke of Jesus Christ, to whom with Gpd tbe Father, and God the Holy Ghost, be glory in the churches forever. Amen. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 225 tedly performed in this church, by the [episcopal] ministers of the town, until Mr. Addington Davenport, who was assis tant to Mr. Price at the chapel, (and a very popular man among the dissenters,) was invited to become their minister. The first overtures were made to him, Dec. 5, 1737, and he expressed his assent on condition 'the Bishop of London should grant him leave.' A correspondence was instituted to effect this object, which was accomplished ; and on ' May 8, 1740, Mr. Davenport came into the church, with the commit tee, and accepted the invitation : thereupon by the proprie tors was presented and inducted into the church, invested in all the benefits and perquisites of the same, and accordingly put into possession in the mariner of a donative church.'* I There had been several ineffectual efforts towards the es tablishment of a regular market in Boston, previous to the period to which our history has advanced. At length a vote was obtained March 11, 1734, ' to choose a committee to think of and assign three suitable places for erecting markets', and the cost and charge thereof:' 517 being the number in favour of Hhe proposal, and 399 against it. April 24th, in town-meeting, '. It is voted and ordered, that Three places be, and hereby are at present assigned for the aforesaid Market. And that they may be made fit and commodious for the re ception of such as from time to time may bring their Com modities there for Sale, that the Sum of seven hundred pounds be allowed and paid out of the Town-Treasury, to Thomas Fitchj Edward Hutchinsqn, Thomas Palmer, Jacob Wendell, Esqrs. Messieurs Nathanael Cunningham, James Watson, Fransis Willoughby, and John Steel, to enable them to Effect the Buildings, and other necessarys at the Three several pla ces assigned for that use. And that a piece of Land, — front*- ing on the main street leading to Roxbury, known by the Name of Orange-Street, over against the House and Land of Thomas Downe, there measuring seventy feet, is pitch'd upon for one of the Places. That the Town's Ground, or open space on the Town Dock or Wharf commonly call'd Dock- Square, be another' Place. And that the Open Space before and about the Old North Meeting-house, is fixed upon and de termined for the third Place, where the Market is to be kept and carried on.' * The first officers of Trinity church were, Wm. Speakman, Joseph Dowse, Wardens, — Lawrence Lutwica, Charles Apthorp, Wm. Coffin, James Griffin, John Marrett, Henry Laughton, Peter Kenwood, John Arbuthnot, Benjamin Faneuil, Rufus Green, Philip Duma- resq, Thomas Aston, John Hamack, Vestry-men,— John Crosby, clerkf— John Hooker, sextan, chosen April 24, 1739. ' The holy sacrament of the Lord's supper was first administered June 17th, 1739, by Mr. Davenport ; the Rev. Samuel Seabury, of New-London, assisted.' . | 29 226 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Clerks of the market were appointed to attend at each of those places, and with other rules for regulating the markets, it was ' Ordered, that every Day in the Week, except the Lord's Day, or other Days set apart by this Government for Relig ious Service, be a Market Day, and that a Bell be daily rung at the Opening ofthe Market, which shall be at the Rising of the Sun, through the whole Year, from which Hour till the Hour of One, Post Meridiem, shall forever hereafter be deem ed and held Market Hours.' The Court of general sessions of the peace approved the scheme adopted by the town, and publick notice was given by Samuel Gerrish, town clerk, ' that the said markets will be opened on Tuesday the fourth day of June next.' The News-Letter of June 6th, gives the following account and re marks. ' On Tuesday morning last, being the 4th of June, at Sun- rising, the Bell rang the first time for. opening the publick Mar kets the first time in this Town, at the three several places as signed, and now convenientlyprepared therefor, agreeable to an Order or By-Law of the Town, legally approved, ratified, and confirmed by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Suffolk : which Order has been published in this and the other publick News Papers. The Concourse of People (Sellers, Buyers, and Spectators) at the Market Places was very considerable ; abundance of Provisions were brought thither for Sale. Those that exceeded in Goodness and Cheapness, went off quick, but those that were poor or. dear, more slowly. It's tho't the said Markets carried on con formable to the Restrictions, Limitations, and Regulations of the said Order, will by Experience be found very beneficial, as to this great Town in general, and to our Country Friends in particular, in many Respects, but more especially in having certain fixed Places of Resort both for selling and buying the Necessaries of Life from Day to Day : And the cheaper and better the Commodities brought for Sale are, certainly the more vendable they will be ; which no doubt will induce our Country Neighbours to endeavour to bring as good to the Markets as they can : — Their Interest, as well as the Town's*, has been jointly consulted and aimed at herein.' Many people were dissatisfied with this experiment, and in the course of three years the clerks were discontinued, the South end market converted into shops, the North taken down to be used in constructing a work-house, and the one at the Town-dock was demolished by a mob. We proceed to notice the formation of the Ninth Congrega tional society or the church in Lynde-street, called thj West church, which was ' gathered,' to use the technical language of our fathers, 'on the third of January, 1736. The covenant HISTORY OF BOSTON. 227 was subscribed by seventeen persons, after solemn prayer and preaching, in presence of Thomas Prince, pastor of the Old South, and Thomas Foxcroft, pastor of the First church. On the same day Mr. Wm. Hooper, who was employed as a private tutor in a family near town, was unanimously chosen their pastor. Mr. H. was a native of Scotlahd, a man of more than ordinary powers of mind, of a noble aspect, an eloquent, popular preacher : it was on his account chiefly, as there is reason to think, that this church was formed. He was ordained on the 18th of May, 1737. The persons who formed the church were Hugh Hall, Wm. Stoddard, from the Old South ; James Gooch, jr. John Darroli, John Daniells, from the First church ; Jos. Ricks, John Pierce, Samuel Sprague, Jos. Badger, from Brattle-street 5 Wm. Williams, from first church in Cambridge ; Eph. Copeland, Abijah Adams, John Scot, from the New North ; Wm. More, from the Old North ; and Jas. Watson, Robert Watt, John Moffatt, not before church members. All the Congregational church es in town, together with Mr. Le Mercier's, were invited to assist in the ordination. All the parts in the solemnities were assigned by the church, except the right hand of fellowship, which the council claimed a right to assign.* * See Rev. Dr. Lowell's Historical Disc. Dec. 81, 1820. Covenant of the West Church. 1. We declare our belief of tke S. S. as the word of God, and perfect rule of faith and obedience, resolving by his grace to conform to them. And we adhere to the faith and or der of the Gospels, as exhibited by these churches in their confession of faith add platform of church discipline for the substance of them. 2. We give up ourselves in an everlasting cov enant to the Lord Jehovah who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, as to our .Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, to love, obey and serve him forever. 3. We own and submit to the L. J. C. as the head of his body the church, receiving and relying upon him as the great High Priest, Prophet and King of our Salvation. 4. We give ourselves each to other by the will of God, engaging by his help to carry it towards one another as fellow members in chh. society, to watch over one another in brotherly love, and to walk together in a due sub jection to and attendance upon the orders and ordinances appointed by Christ, and enjoyh- ' ed bis churches in the Gospel. 5. We thankfully acknowledge that our posterity are inclu ded io the gospel covenant, and accordingly promise to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and to own them in their covenant relation according to the rules pf God's word. 6. We promise to do our endeavour to procure the settlement and con tinuance of all the officers appointed by Christ the great Shepherd for the edification of his church, and to do our duty faithfully for their maintenance and encouragement, and to car ry it towards them as the Gospel requires. 7. We promise to preserve communion with the churches of Ohrist walking together in the faith and order of the Gospel, by giving arid receiving mutual counsel and assistance in all cases where it shall be needful. And now we repair to the Blood of the great Sacrifice for the pardon of all our sins, depending en tirely upon our L. J. C. for acceptance with God, and for his good Spirit, to enable us to keep his holy covenant. And we humbly ask the prayers of God's people, that we and our offspring may obtain all the blessings of this covenant, for the sake of J. C. to whom with God the Father, and God the Holy Ghost, be glory in the churches forever. Amen. 228 HISTORY OF BOSTON. In 1738 the district of Romney Marsh was separated from Boston, and incorporated into a town by the name of Chelsea. There was great opposition to this step on the part of the old town, and the principal objection was raised on the ground that it would lessen the ability of the town to bear the burden of taxes, some of the wealthy inhabitants residing or own ing property at the Marsh, which would thus be placed be yond the reach of the assessors. An attempt had been made two years before, by the country towns in the county of Suf folk, to rid themselves of the expense of a connection with Boston, by having the town erected into a county by itself, but the opposition from Boston was at that time successful. The religious world had now experienced a state of quiet for more than fifty years. Primitive zeal in practice and strictness in principle had given place to feelings, which sa voured more of indifference and unconcern. Individuals were sometimes emboldened to lift their voices to warn or to re prove, but it was only to be heard and be disregarded. The arrival of the celebrated George Whitefield roused the whole continent from this sort of lethargy. Wherever he appeared, crowds thronged to hear his exhortations. Multitudes atten ded him in his journeys from place to place, and his progress was regularly reported in the papers of the day. We find his entrance and stay in Boston thus related : — 'On Thursday evening (Sept. 18, 1740) the Rev. Mr. Whitefield arrived here by land from Rhode Island, being met on the road and conducted to town by several gentle men. The next day in the forenoon he attended prayers iti the King's Chapel, and in the afternoon he preached to a vast congregation in the Rev. Dr. Colman's meeting-house ; Saturday, in the forenoon, at the [Old] South church, to a crowded audience ; and in the afternoon to about 5000 peo ple on the Common. Lord's-day, A. M. he went to hear Dr. Colman, and in the afternoon, having preached to a great number of people at the Old Brick church, the house not be ing large enough to hold those that crowded to hear him, he went and preached in the field to at least 8000 persons. On Monday he preached in the morning at Mr. Webb's, and was to have served in the afternoon at Mr. Checkley's, but for an accident which happened just before the time when the ser vice was to begin. Some person broke a piece of board, in one of the galleries, to make a seat of it. The noise alarmed some that heard it, and they imprudently cried out that the galleries were giving way. The house being prodigiously crowded, the whole congregation was put into the utmost con fusion and disorder ; so that, being in the greatest concern how to save their lives, some jumped off the gallery into the seats below, others out of the windows ; and those below HISTORY OF BOSTON. 229 pressing to get out of the porch doors in haste, several were thrown down one over another, and trod upon by those who were crowding out. Many were exceedingly bruised, and others had their bones broken : five persons died within two days. Mr. Whitefield's presence of mind did not forsake him ; he led the anxious throng immediately to the Common, and preached to them from the words, Go ye out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in.' Mr. Whitefield continued this incessant labour here for a week,, then travelled eastward a few days, returned and spent the second week of October in and about Boston. He preached his farewell sermon, of a sabbath evening, on the Common, ' where it is supposed upwards of 23,000 people attended.' It is almost needless to observe that opinions were various con cerning the benefit achieved by this visit. Whether evening lectures had been in practice before, we know not, but we find it advertised, as if it were something new, that one is now (Oct. 21.) established, to be held weekly, at Dr. Colman's church. Considering that the Tenth Congregational, the Second Baptist, and the Eleventh Congregational churches, took their rise from circumstances, which l possibly had some con nexion with the religious excitements of this period,' we shall bring an account of those churches into this chapter. The Tenth Congregational was that which is known as Samuel Mather's. This gentleman was a son of the venerated Cotton Mather, and, after his father's death, was chosen, Jan. 28, 1732, to supply his place as colleague with the Rev. Joshua Gee, at the Old North. ' He was recommended to them not only by their respect for the ancient family, but by his own character for diligence, zeal, and learning, of which he certainly pos^ sessed an uncommon share. His union with the people of the Old North continued but nine years, when, on account of some dissatisfaction with his preaching, which was thought by some not to be sufficiently explicit upon certain points of doctrine, together with some other grounds of uneasiness, a division took place in the church.' Mr. Mather first asked a dismission in Feb. 1741, which the church declined to grant, and the matter was submitted to a council, in compliance with whose advice they voted, Oct. 23, to dismiss him from his pastoral relation and allow him a year's salary. On the 21st of Dec. following, a number ofthe ' brethren gave the church to understand, that they conscientiously thought themselves called to promote the building of a new meeting-house,' and were accordingly dismissed. Their number was thirty. On the 29th of the 5th month, 1 742, sixty-three women were dis missed to unite with them, and it is probable that their meet ing-house was ready to be occupied about that time. It was 230 HISTORY OF BOSTON. located at the corner of North Bennet and Hanover streets. Mr. M. received a diploma of doctor of divinity from Har vard College in 1773. He continued in the pastoral office until his death, which took place June 27, 1785, at the advanc ed age of seventy-nine years* ' He left positive orders that his interment should be private and without any ceremony— *¦ also signified his desire that. he might not have any funeral encomiums from any quarter.' Most of the persons who were at that time worshipping with him, returned by his advice to the church from which they came out, and the house was soon after purchased and enlarged for the accommodation of a society of another denomination. It was a wooden building. 'What is called the Second Baptist church in Boston com menced in the following manner. A number of brethren, who had for some time enjoyed communion in the First Bap tist church in this town, became dissatisfied with the doctrinal sentiments of their then pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Condy. They charged him with having departed from the sentiments on which the church originally covenanted.' After stating their views to him in writing, under date of Sept. 29, 1742, and not obtaining any satisfactory answer, they withdrew from his ministry, and on the 27th of July, 1743, three of their num-, ber (James Bownd, John Procter, and Ephraim Bosworth,) covenanted together as a church, ' purposing, by the Lord's grace enabling, to hold fast those great though' now much ex ploded doctrines, of election, justification by faith alone, par ticular redemption, final perseverance, and original sin or the total depravity and absolute enmity of all mankind, by their- fall in Adam, to God and the gospel of his Son, until irresistible grace do change the hearts of those who are the elect of God.' On the same day, John Dabney and Thomas Boucher, then Ephraim Bownd, and then Thomas Lewis, acknowledging the aforenamed persons ' to be the First Bap tist churcli in Boston,' were admitted to be fellow members. The meeting was then adjourned to the evening, when they made choice of Mr- Eph. Bownd to take the pastoral charge of them. His ordination took place on Wednesday, Sept. 7th, at Warwick, R. I. This society held their Lord's-day meetings for publick worship, at the dwelling-house of Mr. James Bownd, in Sheaf-Street, near Copp's hill, from Oct. 3, 1 742, until June 3, 1745, when they removed to Mr. Procter's school-house, and there met until Lord's-day, March 15,1746, when the first sermon was preached in their new meeting-house, which stood on the spot now occupied by the church. It was a wooden building of 45 by 33 ft. finished in a plain, but decent style. Near the head ofthe broad aisle was prepared a font HISTORY OF BOSTON. 231 or cistern, in which their candidates were immersed : it con tinued in use for more than forty years.* A narrative of the founding and settling of the new-gather ed [EleventhJCongregational church in Boston, was publish ed by the Rev. Andrew Croswell, their pastor. It states, that on the 17th of February, 1748, a number of persons, al most all of whom were members of other churches, thinking it for the glory of God to be a distinct, but not a separate church, (as was expressed in several letters sent for dismis sions,) did, after solemn fasting and prayer, embody into a church state. The articles and covenant with which they were embodied are given at large in Mr. Croswell's narrative. The covenant is almost word for word like that of the New Brick church. In their articles they require ' it as agreeable to Scripture, that those who are admitted members of our church should give an account of a work of the law and of the gospel upon their souls,5 first to the minister and after- warc^p the church. They require the same from any can didate for the ministry, ' to prevent, (say they,) as much as * After an introduction, appealing to the S. S. primarily, and to tbe London Baptist print ed Confession, subordinately, as the rule and standard of their faith and practice and church discipline, we find the Covenant ofthe Second Baptist Church. We whose names are hereafter written, vizt. some that it hath pleased God through the riches of his grace to call out of darkn. into his marv. light, and to reveal his son in us, whereby we know that the L. is our God, and having shown unto us our duty and priv. as believers, (vizt. not only to separate from the world both as to doctrine and practice and worship, but also to congregate and embody ourselves into chh. state,) and being- thro1 grace well satisfied concerning our mutual nearness to the Lord, and standing together in the per son of Christ, and being brought in some blessed measure into oneness of sp. being baptized by one s. into one body, and being agreed in the great and sublime truths of the gospel, we do therefore in the name and fear of the L. give up ourselves unto the L. and unto one another by the will of G. to walk together as a chh. of C. in the fp. of the gospel, and in the observance and practice of the laws and ordinances, wh. C. bath appointed his N. T. churches to be in the pract. of, so far as he hath or shall enlighten us into the kn. of our duty and priv. and as the L. shall please to help us. We will freq. assemble ourselves together, as a chh. of C. to attend upon our L. in the service of his house, esp. every first day of the week j and as we shall be enabled by his grace and conducted by his sp. we will stand up together for the truth and cause of C. against all opp. raised against it by the world and carnal pro fessors ; and by the same help we will watch pver one another in the L. And as we shall be under the conduct of Jehovah the Spirit, we will keep the doors of God's house open always to believers in O. who are sound in faith about the salv. of God's elect as it is by the Father's grace thro' the Son's redemption ; and as our G. will help us, we will keep them always shut ag. unbelievers and profligate persons. And now as a test, of our cordial belief of those former doctrines of f. contained in the printed declaration afsd. and of our holy reso lution in the strength of grace to stand and walk together in tbe fp. of the gospel, we call- Hot only heaven and earth to witness but we also subsoribe the same with our hands. See Rev. Dr. Baldwin's Dedication Sermon, 1811, and New Year's Disc. 1824. 232 HISTORY OF BOSTON. in us lies, any unconverted minister being ever concerned with this church.' They maintain, that, in case of incorrigi ble fault in a minister, ' this church hath full power to take from him that power over them which they gave to him, though, as we profess ourselves to be Congregationalists, we think that, in such and other difficult cases, it would become us as Christians to seek the advice and assistance of other churches of Christ :' and they acknowledge the Westminster Confession ' to be an excellent system, though no human com posures are perfect and of divine authority.' Mr. Croswell was invited by this church to become their pastor. The church in Groton (Conn.) over which he had been settled, having voted him"'' liberty to act as he thought duty, he gave an answer in the affirmative in publick, declar ing to all present, that the design of himself and his friends was only to be a distinct church, and that they professed no separation from Calvinistical ministers.' About the latter end of August, the church sent letters to a variety of churches to come and assist in the instalment, which was to be, Oct. 5, 1748. The [Old] South church in Boston utterly refused to be concerned in the affair, judging it had ' an unhappy tendency to crumble the other Congrega tional churches in town into small societies.' The council considered the objections, but thought them of insufficient weight to prevent their proceeding ' to the' instalment, which was carried on in a very reverent and godly manner.' The narrative goes on to say, l God knew the place where we assembled was too strait and the difficulties that would attend our building an house, and therefore he himself found an house for us.' It was the meeting-house of the French Protestant church,* which, as we have before related, was ' about this time dissolved. They disposed of their right in the house in School-street to Thomas Fillebrown, James Dav enport, Wm. Hickling, N. H. Proctor, and ThoSi Handaside Peck, as trustees of Mr. Croswell's church. We have sought in vain for the records of this society, and are therefore una ble to say how long it maintained a visible standing among the churches of Boston. Mr. Croswell became blind in the latter part of his life, but, notwithstanding that infirmity, con tinued his professional labours; and could always be depend ed upon, in cases of emergency, to favour his brethren with an extempore sermon ; he died ' April 12, 1785, in the 77th year of his age.' The meeting-house soon after passed into the hands of another people. * It has not been usual to include this in our enumeration of the Congregational church es : though it appears to have been considered a sister-church in cases of ordination. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 238 CHAPTER XLI. Oh ! is there not some patriot, in whose power That best, that godlike luxury is placed, Of blessing thousands, thousands yet unborn, Through late posterity ? Thomson. After the destruction of the old market-houses, the opin ion of the inhabitants continued to be as various as before, some very earnestly desiring, and others as violently opposing the re-establishment of them. In the year 1740, Peter Faneuil, Esq. made an offer to build, at his own expense, a complete structure or edifice on the town's land in Dock- square, to be improved for a Market, for the sole use, benefit, and advantage of the town, provided that the town would pass a vote authorizing it, and lay the same under such prop er regulations as should be thought necessary, and Constantly support it for the said use. On the 14th of July, a town meet ing was held, when a petition of Thomas Palmer and others to the number of 340 was read, praying that the town would accede to the proposal. A vote of thanks to Mr. F. was im mediately passed without opposition : but when the question came, whether the town would authorize a market to be built, it was carried by a very small majority : 367 yeas to 360 nays. The work was accordingly commenced on the 8th of the following September, and it was finished Sept. 10, 1742, on which day ' Mr. Sam'l Ruggles, who was employed in building the market-house, waited on the selectmen by order of P. Faneuil, Esq. and delivered them the key of said house.' 'On the 13th, a meeting ofthe town was held in the Hall, and a motion was made, by the Hon. John Jeffries, Esq. that the thanks of the town be given to Peter Faneuil, Esq. for his no ble and generous benefaction of the Market-house to the town, which, as an instance of gratitude in the town to its amiable benefactor, we have thought proper to transcribe; ' In Town Meeting, Boston, Sept. 13th, 1742. ' Whereas information was given to this town, at their meet ing, in July, 1740, That Peter Faneuil, Esq. had been gen erously pleased to offer, at his own proper cost and charges, to erect and build a noble and complete structure, or edifice, to be improved for a Market, for the sole use, benefit, and ad vantage of the town ; provided the town of Boston would pass a vote for that purpose, and lay the same under such, proper regulations as shall be thought necessary,and constantly 30 234 HIST0HY OF BOSTON. support it for the said use. And whereas at the said meeting it was determined to accept of the offer or proposal aforesaid; and also voted that the selectmen should be desired to wait upon Peter Faneuil, Esq. and to present the thanks of this town to him, and also to acquaint him,that the town have, by their vote, come to a resolution to accept of his generous offer of erecting a Market House on Dock Square, according to his pro posal. And whereas Peter Fanueil, Esq. has, in pursuance thereof, at a very great expense, erected a noble structure, far exceeding his first proposal, inasmuch as it contains not only a large and sufficient accommodation for a Market place, but has also superadded, a spacious and most beautiful Town Hall, over it, and several other convenient rooms, which may prove very beneficial to the town, for offices, or otherwise. And the said building being now finished, has delivered possession there of to the selectmen, for the use of the town ; it is therefore ' voted, That the town do, with the utmost gratitude, receive and accept this most generous and noble benefaction, for the use and intentions it is designed for, and do appoint tbe Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq. the moderator of this meeting, the Hon. Adam Winthrop, Edward Hutchinson, Ezekiel Lewis, and Samuel Waldo, Esqrs. Thomas Hutchinson, Esq. the Selectmen and the Representatives of the town of Boston, the Hon. Jacob Wendell, Esq. James Bowdoin, Esq. Andrew Oliver, Esq. Capt. Nathaniel Cunningham, Peter Chardon, Esq. and Mr. Charles Apthorp, to wait upon Peter Faneuil, Esq. and in the name of the town, to render him their most hearty thanks for so bountiful a gift, with their prayers, that this, and other expressions of his bounty and charity may be abundantly recompensed with the divine blessing/ A number of laws were passed for the regulation of the Market. A Clerk was to be annually appointed, and Mr. Faneuil had liberty to nominate one to serve until the annual meeting, in March. Another vote unanimously obtained, That in testimony of the town's gratitude to Peter Faneuil, Esq. and to perpetuate his memory, that the Hall oyer the Market place, be named Faneuil Hall, and at all times hereafter, be called and known by that name. And as a further testimony of respect, it was voted, that Mr. Faneuil's picture be drawn at full length, at the expense of the town, and placed in the Hall ; and the Selectmen were charged with the commission, which was ac cordingly executed. The building was of brick, two stories in height, and meas ured 100 ft. by 40. It was esteemed one of the best pieces of workmanship and an ornament to the town. The hall would contain 1000 persons, there were convenient apartments HISTORY OF BOSTON. 235 for the ofiices of the town, besides a room for, a naval office, and a notary publick. Mr. Faneuil did not long survive to enjoy these honours or the gratitude of his townsmen. The town lost its friend by a sudden and premature death, March 3, 1 743 ; and at the next meeting of the inhabitants in the hall, March 14th, a funeral oration was delivered by Mr. John Lovell, master of the South grammar school. As the first specimen of eloquence uttered in the future Cradle of Liberty, this oration js a prec ious relick : to preserve it is, moreover, a tribute due to the memory of Faneuil, and we therefore subjoin it to this account.* FUNERAL ORATION ON PETER FANEUIL, ESQ. ' I stand in this place, my fellow townsmen, and my worthy patrons, at the call of those to whom you have committed the direction of your publick affairs, to condole with you for the loss of your late generous benefactor, the Founder of this house. Certain I am, there are numbers in this great assem bly, who should upon this occasion have done more justice to his memory, and have better discharg'd the office that is en joined me. But the commands of those (for such I must al ways esteem their desires) who have devolved this charge upon me, and the veneration I have for the virtues of the de ceas'd, oblige me to bear what little part I can, in a grateful acknowledgment of the just reward due to the memory of a man, whose name, I am sure, will never be forgotten among us. ' How soon, alas ! is our joy for having found such a bene factor, chang'd into mourning for the loss of him ! But a few months are pass'd, since we were framing votes, and consult ing the best measures to express our gratitude for his unexam pled favours ; and the first annual meeting within these walls that were rais'd by his bounty, finds us assembled in the deepest sorrow for his decease. ' Instances of mortality are never more affecting than in those whose lives have been publick blessings. Surely then, every breast must feel a more than common distress, for the loss of one, whose largeness of heart equalled, great as it was, his power to do good. Honest industry must mourn, for which the exercise of his bounty found an almost constant employment : And they that know how to pity the calami ties of human nature themselves, will mourn for him that al ways reliev'd them. * March 14, 1744, the town voted to purchase the Faneuil arms, elegantly carved and gilt, by Moses Deshon, to be fixed in the hall. The family of Faneuil was among the French Huguenots that fled from France In 1685. The house occupied by Lieut. Gov. Phillips was built by Andrew F. and the summer-house attached to it bears a grasshopper vane, similar to that on Faneuil Hall. After A's death Peter lived and died there. 236 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 1 So soon as he arriv'd to the possession of his large and plentiful estate, instead of fruitlessly hoarding up his treas ures, though no man manag'd his affairs with greater prudence and industry; instead of wasting them in luxury, though plenty always crown'd his board ; instead of neglecting the wants of his fellow creatures, an unhappy circumstance too often attending the possession of riches, he made it manifest that he understood the true improvement of wealth, and was determin'dto pursue it. It was to him the highest enjoyment of riches, to relieve the wants of the needy, from which he was himself exempted, to see mankind rejoicing in the fruits of his bounty, and to feel that divine satisfaction, which re sults from communicating happiness to others. His acts of charity were so secret and unbounded, that none but they who were the objects of it, can compute the sums which he annually distributed among them. His alms flow'd like a fruitful river, that diffuses its streams through a whole country. He fed the hungry, and he clotii'd the naked, he comforted the fatherless, and the widows in their affliction, and his bounties visited the prisoner. So that Almighty God in giving riches to this man, seems to have scattered blessings all abroad among the people. ' But these private charities were not the only effects of his publick spirit, which, not contented with distributing his bene factions to private families, extended them to the whole com munity. Let this stately edifice which bears his name wit ness for him, what sums he expended in publick munificence. This building, erected by him at an immense charge, for the convenience and ornament of the town, is incomparably the greatest benefaction ever yet known to our western shore. Yet this effect of his bounty, however great, is but the first fruits of his generosity, a pledge of what his heart, always devising liberal things, would have done for us, had his life been spar'd. It is an unspeakable loss to the town, that he was taken away in the midst of his days, and in so sudden a man ner, as to prevent his making provision for what his generous heart might design. For I am well assur'd, from those who were acquainted with his purposes, that he had many more blessings in store for us, had heaven prolong'd his days. ' But he is gone ! The town's benefactor, the comforter of the distress'd, and the poor man's friend. ' He is gone ! And all his plans of future bounties with him, they are buried in the grave together. He shall be rai sed to life again : And his intended charities, though they are lost to us, will not be lost to him. Designs of goodness and mercy, prevented as these were, will meet with the reward of actions. ' He is gone ! — And must such men die ! Must the protect ors and fathers of the distress'd be taken away, while their HISTORY OF BOSTON. 237 oppressors are continued, and increase in power ! — Great God ! How unsearchable are thy ways ! — We confess our sins, but just and righteous art thou ! ' To express your gratitude to your generous benefactor, you have passed the most honourable resolves, and to pre serve his memory, you have call'd this house by his name. But in vain, alas ! would you perpetuate his memory by such frail materials. These walls, the present monuments of his fame, shall moulder into dust : These foundations, however deeply laid, shall be forgotten. But his deeds, his charities, shall survive the ruin of Nature. And to have reliev'd the miseries of the distress'd, to have still'd the cries of orphans, and to have dry'd the widow's tears, are acts that shall em balm his memory for many generations on earth, and shall follow him beyond the limits of mortality, into those blissful , regions where endless charity dwells. ' What now remains, but my ardent wishes (in which I know you will all concur with me) that this Hall may be ev er sacred to the interests of Truth, of Justice, of Loyalty, of Honour, of Liberty. May no private views nor party broils ever enter within these walls ; but may the same publick spir it thatglow'd in the breast of the generous Founder, influence all your debates, that society may reap the benefit of them. ' May Liberty always spread its joyful wings over this place : Liberty that opens men's hearts to beneficence, and gives the relish to those who enjoy the effects of it. And may Loyalty to a king, under whom we enjoy this liberty, ever remain our character. A character always justly due to this land, and of which our enemies have in vain attempt ed to rob us. ' May those who are the inheritors of the large estate of our deceased benefactor, inherit likewise the largeness of his soul. May the widow, the orphan, and the helpless, find in them a protector, a father and a support. In a word, to sum up all, may Faneuil live in them. ' May charity, that most excellent of graces, that beam from the breast of the Father of Mercies, which so soon as ever it enters our bosoms it begins our happiness ; charity, the joy of men, of angels, of Almighty God ; which com- Eletes the felicity of earth and heaven ; may it warm the earts of those who are like to our departed friend in their fortunes, to resemble him too in his bounties : May there be rais'd up some new benefactors in the room of him we have lost, who shall, if possible, rival Faneuil's spirit. And may there always remain in this town, the same grateful sen timents, the same virtuous dispositions, to remember their ben efactors with honour.' 238 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER XLII. " He rights such wrong where it is given, If it were in the court of heaven." In the year 1747 there happened a serious tumult in Bos ton. A fleet of men of war were lying in the harbour of Nantasket, under the command of Commodore Knowles. Some of the sailors having deserted, the commodore thought it reasonable that Boston should supply him with as many men as he had lost, and sent his boats up to town early in the morning of Nov. 17th, ' and surprised not only as many seamen as could be found on board any of the ships, outward bound as well as others, but swept the wharves also, taking some ship-carpenters' apprentices and labouring land-men. However tolerable such a surprise might have been in Lon don, it could not be borne here. The people had not been used to it, and men of all orders resented it ; but the lower class were beyond measure enraged, and soon assembled with sticks, clubs, pitchmops,&c. They first seized an inno cent lieutenant, who happened to be ashore upon other busi ness. , They had then formed no scheme, and the speaker of the House [afterwards Gov. Hutchinson] passing by, and assuring them that he knew that the lieutenant had no hand in the press, they suffered him to be led off to a place of safety. The mob increasing, and having received intelligence that several ofthe commanders were at the Gov. [Shirley's] house, it was agreed to go and demand satisfaction. The house was soon surrounded, and the court or yard before the house, fil led ; but many persons of discretion inserted themselves, and prevailed so far as to prevent the mob from entering. Sever; al of the officers had planted themselves at the head of the stair- way with loaded carbines, and seemed determined to preserve their liberty or lose their lives. A deputy "sheriff attempting to exercise his authority, was seized by the mob and carried away in triumph and set in the stocks, which af forded them diversion, and tended to abate their rage, and disposed them to separate and go to dinner.' ' As soon as it was dusk, several thousand people assem bled in King-street, below the town-house, where the gener al court was sitting. Stones and brickbats were thrown through the glass into the council chamber. The governour, however, with several gentlemen of the council and house, ventured into the balcony, and after silence was obtained, HISTORY OF BOSTON. 239 the governour in a well-judged speech expressed his great dis approbation of the impress, and promised his utmost endea vours to obtain the discharge of every one of the inhabitants, and at the same time gently reproved, the irregular proceed ings both of the forenoon and evening. Other gentlemen also attempted to persuade the people to disperse, and wait to see what steps the general court would take. All was to no pur pose. The seizure and restraint of the commanders and oth er oflicers who were in town, was insisted upon as the only effectual method to procure the release of the inhabitants aboard the ships. ' It was thought advisable for the governour to withdraw to his house, many of the officers of the militia and other gentle men attended him. A report was raised, that a barge from one of the ships was come to a wharf in the town. The mob flew to seize it, but by mistake took a boat belonging to a Scotch ship, and dragged it, with as much seeming ease through the streets as if it had been in the water, to the gov ernour's house, and prepared to burn it before the house ; but from a consideration of the danger of setting the town on fire, were diverted, and the boat was burned in a place of less hazard. The next day the governour ordered that the milita ry officers of Boston should cause their companies to be mus tered, and to appear in arms, and that a military watch should be kept the succeeding night; butthedrummers'were interrupt ed, and the militia refused to appear. The governour did not think it for his honour to remain in town another night, and privately withdrew to the castle. A number of gentlemen who had some intimation of his design, sent a message to him by Colonel Hutchinson, assuring him they would stand by him in maintaining the authority of government and restor ing peace and order, but he did not think this sufiicient. ' The governour wrote to Mr. Knowles, representing the confusions occasioned by this extravagant act of his officers ; but he refused all terms of accommodation until the command ers and other officers on shore were suffered to go on board their ships, and he threatened to bring up his ships and bombard the town, and some of them coming to sail, caused different conjectures of his real intention. Captain Erskine, of the Canterbury, had been seized at the house of Colonel Brinley in Roxbury, and given his parole not to go abroad, and divers inferior officers had been secured. ' The 1 7th, 1 8th, and part ofthe 1 9th, the council and'bouse of representatives, sitting in the town, went on with their ordi nary business, not willing to interpose lest they should encourage other commanders of the navy to future acts of the like nature ; but towards noon of the 1 9th, some of the principal members of the house began to think more seriously of the dangerous 240 HISTORY OF BOSTON. consequences of leaving the governour without support, when there was not the least ground of exception to. his conduct. Some high spirits in the town began to question whether his retiring should be deemed a desertion or abdication. It was moved to appoint a committee of the two houses to consider what was proper to be done, This would take time, and was excepted to, and the speaker was desired to draw up such resolves as it was thought necessary the house should imme diately agree to, and they were passed by a considerable majority, and made publick. ' In the house of representatives, Nov. 19th, 1747. 4 Resolved — that there has been and still continues, a tumul tuous, riotous assembling of armed seamen, servants, negroes, and others in the town of Boston, tending to the destruction of all government and order. ' Resolved — that it is incumbent on the civil and military officers in the Province to exert themselves to the utmost, to discourage and suppress all such tumultuous, riotous proceed ings, whensoever they may happen. ' Resolved — that this house will stand by and support with their lives and estates His Ex. the governour and the execu tive part of the government in all endeavours for this purpose. . ' Resolved — that this house will exert themselves by all ways and means possible in redressing such grievances as his majes ty's subjects are and have been under, which may have been the cause of the aforesaid tumultuous, disorderly assembling together. T. Hutchinson, Speaker.' ' The council passed a vote, ordering that Capt. Erskine, and all other officers belonging to his majesty's ships, should be forthwith set at liberty and protected by the government, which was concurred by the house. As soon as these votes were known, the tumultuous spirit began to subside. The in-, habitants ofthe town of Boston assembled in town meeting in the afternoon, having been notified, to consider, in general, what was proper for them to do upon this occasion, and not withstanding it was urged by many that all measures to sup press the present spirit in the people would tend to encourage the like oppressive acts for the future, yet the contrary party prevailed, and the town, although they expressed their sense of the great insult and injury by the impress, condemned the tumultuous, riotous acts of such as had insulted the governour and the other branches of the legislature, and committed many other heinous offences. ' The governour, not expecting so favourable a turn, had written to the secretary to prepare orders for the colonels of the regiments of Cambridge, Roxbury, and Milton, and the regiment of horse, to have their officers and men ready to march at an hour's warning, to such place of rendezvous as HISTORY OF BOSTON. 241 he should direct ; but the next day there was an uncommon appearance of the militia of the town of Boston, many persons taking their muskets who never carried one upon any other occasion, and the governour was conducted to his bouse with as great parade as when he first assumed the government. The commodore* dismissed most, if not all, of the inhabitants who had been impressed, and the squadron sailed, to the joy of the rest of the town.' On the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 9, of the same year, the Town house was discovered to be on fire, and the wIhjJ* interior of it was consumed. The legislature was in session, and made particular inquiry into the occasion of the disaster : they ascertained to the satisfaction of the House, that the fire proceeded from the wood-work under tbe hearth. The se* lectmen immediately offered the use of Faneuil-Hall, but the court preferred to occupy a room in a publick house ' of the late Luke Vardy.'t The court adjourned on the 12th, and met again in February. When the subject of a new court house was introduced, a motion prevailed in the House that the same should be built in Cambridge : this vote was re considered, and another obtained, which proposed to locate it in Roxbury. This was non-concurred, as the former vote had been, by the Council. At length a resolve passed, that the old building should be repaired, and one half the charge be borne by the province, one quarter by the county of Suf folk, and the other quarter by the town of Boston. 1 It was repaired in the year following in its present form, and is in length one hundred and twelve feet, in breadth thirty- six feet, and three stories high. On the centre of the roof is a tower, consisting of three stories, finished according to the Tuscan, Dorick, and Ionick orders. From the upper story is an extensive prospect of the harbour, into the bay, and of the country adjacent. The lower floor of the building served for a covered walk for any of the inhabitants. On this floor were kept the offices of the clerks of the, supreme judicial court and court of common pleas. The chambers over it were occupied by the general court, the senate in one, and the representative body in the opposite chamber. The third story was appropriated for the use of the committees of the general court. On the lower floor were ten pillars of the Dorick order, which supported the chambers occupied by the legislature.7 * Sir. Knowles was afterwards an admiral in the. British navy, and in 1770, being invited by the empress of Russia, went into her service. t The Royal Exchange tavern. 31 242 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER XLIII. " In red and wreathing columns flashed The flame, as loud the ruin crashed, And here and there the crackling dome Was fired before the exploding bomb." We pass by the events of a long and anxious war with the French and Indian natives, which, though materially affect ing the trade and prosperity of Boston, in common' with other parts of the American provinces, were of less immediate in terest than the events which we proceed to detail from the registers of the times. On Wednesday, the 14th of Nov. 1759, a fire happened in some wooden buildings, a little to the southward of Oliver's bridge, and extended to the lower end of Water-street and Milk-st. to Mr. Hallowell's ship-yard. It raged with great violence for two hours. Ten or twelve dwelling-houses, most of them large, besides a number of shops and other buildings, were destroyed, and between 20 and 30 families burnt out. H. Ex. the governour [Pownall] was present during the whole fire, whose direction and influence was very serviceable, and whose paternal care and tenderness for the distressed was quite apparent. ' Between XI. and XII. o'clock at noon on Monday the 17th of March, 1760, a fire broke out at the West part of the town, New Boston so called, by some accident, whereby a joiner's shop was consumed and a large dwelling-house ad joining thereto was a great part of it destroyed and many things therein burnt, and several other houses much damaged in the neighbourhood. The wind blowing very high at N.E. it was a considerable time before it was extinguished. Thq roof of the West meeting-house caught fire in several places, but by the dexterity of the people and a constant supply of water a stop was at length put to it.' And On the day following, in the forenoon, ' a store at the upper end of Griffin's [Liverpool] whf. caught fire. The chamber was used as,a laboratory by a detachment ofthe British. artillery then here. The circumstance of artillery stores being in the building, gave general alarm, and for a time the citizens were afraid to approach near it. The fire communicated to some powder, and the building blew up. In the explosion some men were hurt : twogrenadoes and some small arras went HISTORY OF BOSTON. 243 off but did no damage. The extreme parts of the town were affected by the shock of the explosion. A carpenter's shop was also burnt. It stood between the laboratory and some warehouses on the end of the wharf, where the principal ar tillery stores were deposited ; but the wind being moderate, and a full tide, the flames were prevented from spreading farther.' The day following, different parts of the town, at different times, were alarmed with the cry of fire : it did not, however, then get to a considerable head any where, so as to become dangerous. By these fires was ushered in, that far greater and more fatal one, which happened on the 20th of March. ' It began about two o'clock yesterday morning,' says a paper of Friday, ' and broke out in the dwelling-house of Mrs.Mary Jackson and Son, 'at the Brazen Head in Cornhill. At its first appearance there was little wind ; but this calm was soon followed by a smart gale from the N. W. Then was beheld a perfect torrent of blaze, bearing down all before it : in a seeming instant all was flame. Three or four large buildings* in the front of the 6treet were burnt, and a stop was put to it there, at the house improved by Mrs.' West on the South, and Mr. Peter Cotta on the North. But the fire raged most vio lently towards the East, the wind being strong, and carried all before it from the backsides of those houses. All the stores fronting Pudding-lane, together with every dwelling- house, from thence, (excepting those which front the S. side of King-st. and a store of Mr, Spooner'st on Water-st.) to Quaker-lane, and from thence, only leaving a large old wood en house belonging to the late Cornelius Waldo, Esq. it burnt every house, shop, store, out-house, and shed, to Oliver's Dock. And an eddy of wind carrying the fire contrary to its course, it took the buildings fronting the lower part of Kirig-st. and destroyed the houses from the corner opposite the Bunch of Grapes tavern, to the warehouse of Box & Aus tin, leaving only the warehouse of the Hon. John Erving, and the, dwelling-house of Mr. Hastings standing. The other brick warehouses towards the Long-whf. were considerably damaged. On the S. E. part, the fire extended from Mr. Torrey's, the baker, in Water-st. and damaging some of Mr. Dalton's new shops, proceeded to Mr. Hall's working-house, and from * Mrs. Jackson & Son, Widow McNeal, Jona. Mason, Mrs. Quick [now the sign of the Good Samaritan, formerly Three Kings] northernmost burnt. t The remains of this old house stood until the summer of 1824, when a new brick build ing was erected on the spot. 244 HISTORY OF BOSTON. thence to Milk-st. and consumed every house, from the nerft to Mr. Calfe's dwelling-house [Julien's Restorator], to the bottom of the street. MR. CALEF'S DWELLING-HOUSE, IN 1760. JULIEN'S RESTORATOR, AT THE CORNER OF BULK ARD CONGRESS-STREETS, DEMOLISHED IS JULY 1824. And in the opposite direction from Mr. Dowse's, included, it carried alt before it, every house, to Fort-hill, except the Hon. Sec. Oliver's and two or three tenements opposite ; as also every house, warehouse, shop, and store, from Oliver's Dock along Mr. Hallowell's ship-yard, Mr. H.'s dwelling- house, the Sconce of the S. Battery, all the buildings, shops, and stores, on Col. Wendell's whf, to the house of Mr. Hunt, ship-builder. So that, from Pudding-lane to the water's edge, there is not a building to be seen, excepting those on the side of King-st. and the others mentioned above. Besides which, one large ship and 8 or 9 vessels were burnt. The fire did not extend to any part of the North side of King-st. There was a quantity of powder in the Sconce, which blew up, throwing the stones and timber to a great distance, and caused a very great explosion. The rage of the fire was not over till near noon ; but notwithstanding its long continuance, the explosion, and the falling of walls and chimnies, Divine Providence ap peared merciful, in that not one person's life was lost, and only a few wounded.' HISTORY OF BOSTON. 245 Means were taken by the authorities ofthe town immediate ly to ascertain the amount of losses, and a spirit of sympathy was every where excited in behalf of the sufferers. Every individual furnished a schedule of every article he missed, and his own valuation of it, to a committee appointed for the purpose : where they considered it just, they adopted such valuation : where it was thought too high, they curtailed it. The whole sum,thus ascertained, amounted tO £71,112. 7s. 3d. lawful money : of which £44,121. 6s. 8d. was in real estate. The Quaker meeting-house, 133 dwelling-houses, 36 barns, 63 stores, 66 shops, in all 299 buildings, were destroyed. Sarah Ayers and 4-38 other sufferers petitioned parliament for relief: our accounts do not say that any was obtained : from other sources the donations in full, Up to the 82d of March, 1763, were £22,107. Is. Gd. The town embraced the opportunity offered for improvements in the streets, and a law was passed, in the June session succeeding the fire, to regulate the building of houses on the spots laid waste. Gov. Pownall sailed from Boston, June 3, 1760.' This left the administration in the hands of Lt. Gov. Thomas Hutchin son, until the arrival of His Ex. Francis Bernard, Esq. on the 2d of August following. He was received with great parade. The Sheriff of Suffolk (Greenleaf) and a party of the Gover nour's troop of guards met him at Wrentham, and accompa nied him to Dedham, where the Lt. Gov. and some of the council, attended by Brig. Gen. Royall with the rest of the troop of guards, waited to receive him. A procession of gen tlemen in coaches and chariots escorted them into town and proceeded to the Province House,* where the compahy of of Cadets under Col. Jarvis was drawn up. Thence H. E. walked in procession to fhe Court-house [Old State-house], and the regiment of militia in this town commanded by Col. Phillips being paraded in the main street, fhe officers paid the * The Province House is a large brick building, which stands in the rear of Province- house row, opposite the head of Milk-st. It is three stories in height, stood .back at a con venient distance from the street, having a small garden plat in ¦ front of it, and a fence of iron railing, at the gate of which were tw.o large trees, which agreeably shaded the passage to the house. The entrance was by an ascent of stone steps. Upon tbe cupola on the roof a pedestal supports a figure of bronze, an aboriginal native holding in his hand a bow and arrow, well executed by Dea. Drowne, formerly an ingenious artist in the town. The front of the house was ornamented with the king's arras, elegantly carved and gilt : this is pre served in the museum of the Historical Society. The estate has been given by the State to > the Massachusetts General Hospital and Asylum for the Insane ; the trustees have leased it (nr 100 years, and tbe lessees erected a large brick-pile in front of it, to be used for shops. which entirely prevents its being seen from tbe street. When the Province first obtained possession of it, we have not ascertained. Its builder and the year of its erection are proba bly indicated by the letters and date 1 6 P. S. 7 9 which appear on the rail that 'nrmounts the iron balustrade over the portico. 246 HISTORY OF BOSTON. standing salute as H. E. passed by. At the Court-house the governour's commission was read, and H. E. received the congratulations of the Court, which was succeeded by three vollies from the troop of guards, the regiment of militia and the cadets, and three huzzas from the populace, as also a dis charge from the guns at Castle William, the batteries in this town and Charlestown, and from the Province ship King George and the other ships in the harbour. After which H.E. with the Lieut. Gov. and Council, a number of officers civil and military, and of the clergy and other gentlemen, were entertained' with an elegant dinner, provided at Faneuil-hall. ¦ The death of king George II. took place on the 25th of Oc tober, and on the 27th, his grandson George William, prince of Wales, was proclaimed in London. Authentick advices of these facts were received at Boston in precisely two months after their occurrence, and ceremonies very similar to those just, related took place on the proclamation of king George the Third, from the balcony of the Court-house : 63 guns beiqg fired at the Castle, a dinner at the Hall, and illumina tions in the evening. On the first of the new year, two days after, there was a general mourning on account of George II. All the bells in the town began tolling in the morning and con tinued most partpof the day, and minute guns to the number of 77, the years of His Majesty's age, were discharged at the Castle. These were the last exhibitions here of a similar nature on the like occasions, and furnish some notion of the manner in which such events had been celebrated ever since the new charter. In the month. of January, 1761, the weather at Boston was extremely cold, so that the harbour was for two or three days almost filled with ice. On Tuesday evening, the 13th, ' at about half an hour after nine o'clock, a violent fire broke out in one of the shops opposite the north side of Faneuil-Hall market on Dock-sq. which entirely consumed all the row of wooden buildings, from the store occupied by the Hon. Thos. Hubbard, Esq. to the swing bridge. These buildings belong ed to the town, and were leased to a number of tradesmen, some of whom had their whole stock therein, most of which was either consumed or lost. There were several small schooners in the dock, but they received little damage, nor did the fire proceed to the N. side of the dock ; on the con trary, it communicated itself to that stately edifice, Faneuil- Hall market, the whole of which was entirely consumed, ex cepting the brick walls, which are left standing. The fire then proceeded to a number pf shops improved by some tradesmen, on the South side of the market, and consumed them also. The severity of the weather was such that many persons could scarce stand it, and the water which issued HISTORY OF BOSTON. 247 from the engines congealed into particles of ice before it fell. No dwelling-house was consumed. The records and papers, with such other things as could be conveniently removed, were mostly saved. March 23d, the town voted to repair the building, and the Gen. Court granted the town a lottery for the purpose of defraying the expense-* CHAPTER XLIV. I look with rapture at the opening dawn, And view the glories of the rising morn, When Justice holds her sceptre o'er tbe land, To rescue Freedom from a tyrant hand. Mrs. Warren. At the close of Chapter xxxiv. we quoted the observation that ' a party was formed which opposed submission to the charter.' Their ground of opposition was the extensioajwhich the char ter gave to the royal power and influence in and over the colony. It would be an instructive history, that should ex hibit to us in minute detail the course pursued by that party, from the commencement of Gov. Phipps' administration to that of Gov. Bernard. We might discover in it the progres sive operation of the principles, and the regular and constant increase of the spirit, which in event produced the American Revolution. But such a detail would be too foreign from the subject of this work. The beginning of the reign of George III. was destined to be marked by the more decisive steps ofthe party alluded to, and we therefore proceed to note 'the ' events that occurred in Boston, which we suppose to have been the com mencement ofthe overt acts, which resulted in open rebellion and eventual independence. ' Suffice it to say, that immediately upon the conquest of Canada, in 1759, Great-Britain seemed to be seized with a jealousy against the colonies, and then concerted the plan of changing their forms of government, of restraining their trade within narrower bounds, and raising a revenue within them * The first meeting at Faneuil-Hall, after it was repaired, was on March 14th, 1763. Some slight alterations were made in some parts ofthe work, but the size ofthe building remain ed the same. The enlargement, by which it was extended in width to 80- feet, and a third story added, was proposed by the selectmen in May, 1805, and completed in the course of the next twelve months. The white line in our view of the- Ball exhibits the line of demarcation between the original building and the addition. 248 HISTORY OF BOSTON. by authority of parliament. The first demonstration of the new course, intended to be pursued, was the arrival of an or der sent from the Board of Trade to the custom-house officers in America, to apply to the supreme courts of justice for Writs of Assistance, to enable them to carry into a more rigorous, execution certain acts of parliament called the Acts of trade. In Massachusetts, Charles Paxton, Esq. who was at the head of the customs in Boston, directed his deputy at Salem, Mr. Cockle, in Nov. 1760, to petition the court then sitting in that town for the grant of such writs. The court expressed great doubt ofthe legality of the writ, and of the authority of the court to grant it : but as the application was on the part ofthe crown, it could not be dismissed without a hearing, which was fixed for the next term of the court, to be held in Feb. 1761, at Boston, when the question was ordered fo be argu ed. The proposed form of this writ was such as to give the, officer holding it, upoa bare suspicion, power to enter any houses, ships, cellars, stores, chests, or magazines, to search for goods that bad been imported contrary to the acts of trade. Beside their natural zeal to merit the approbation of the ministry, the custom-house officers had the still stronger in ducement of the prospect of accumulating wealth, to exercise rigour in the performance of their official duties. Hence a rooted aversion subsisted between them and the people con cerned in the foreign trade of the province. And while the question of the issue of Writs of Assistance was pending, a memorial was framed, apparently with a view to counteract their project for gain, and presented to the General Court, Dec. 19, 176Q, charging them with appropriating to their own use, a portion of the goods forfeited, which of right accrued ty the provinpe. The memorialists were 58 in number, and included the most eminent merchants of Boston ; viz. John Avery Jona. WiUiams Tim. Fitch John Dennie John Waldo Thos. Greene, jr. Wm. Mollneaux John Boylston .John Browne Benj. Hallowell Melatiah Bourne Thos. Gray Sam. Austin Josh. Winslow Ezek. Goldthwait Sam. Dexter John Greene John Tudor Sol. Davis John Amory John Gooch Jona. Mason Peter Boyer Sam. Grant Sam. Hughes Benj. Austin Geo. Erving Jo?; Green Sam. Phil. Savage James Perkins Thos. Boylston John Rowe Tim. Newell Jos. Domett John Spooner Wm. Greenleaf John Welch, jr. John Scollay John Baker Wm. Thompson Chr. Clarke John Erving, jr. John Powell Nath. Holmes John Barrett Edw. Davis Fitch Pool Thos. Greene Hendei'son Inches Dan'l Malcorn Thos. Tyler Jona. Amory James Thompson Sam. Welles, jr. Sam. Wentworth Arnold Welles Jona. Sayward James Boutineau HISTORY OF BOSTON. 249 These may perhaps be considered the first men, who set themselves in open array against the officers of the crown. Their memorial was referred to a joint committee of the House and Council, which reported that the province was illegally and ' unjustly kept out of £475, 9s. lid. and that the Treasurer should be empowered to demand and sue for the money. Gov. Bernard opposed his negative to this pro position, but at last assented to it in a message, Jan. 31, 1761, " hoping that they would not require of hirn such another proof of his great desire of preserving a good understanding .with them."* When the time appointed for the discussion of the question of Writs of Assistance drew near, the mercantile part of the community was in a state of great anxiety as to the result. The officers of the customs called upon James Otis, jun. esq. as advocate-general in the court of admiralty, to argue their cause. But he would not prostitute his office to the further ance of an oppressive act ; and being unwilling to retain a station, in which he might be expected to argue in favour of such odious measures, he resigned ; and the merchants of Boston and Salem immediately engaged him and Oxenbridge Thacher, jun. esq. to appear in support of a counter petition, which they had presented to the court. Mr. Otis was a native of the town of Barnstable ; received his education at Harvard College ; graduated in 1743 ; pur sued the study of law in Boston under the direction of Jeremi ah Gridley, Esq. one of the principal lawyers and civilians of the day ; commenced practice in Plymouth ; and about the year 1750 removed to Boston, and very soon rose to the first rank in his profession. His business as a lawyer became very extensive, and his reputation was firmly established for learning, eloquence, and the most high-minded integrity. «He was now' in the vigour of manhood, just thirty-six years of age. An opponent describes him as ' a plump, rourfH-faced, smooth skin, short neck, eagle-eyed politician ;' and another writer dresses him in a wig and a black gown. Mr. Thacher was at this time one of the heads of the bar in Boston. His family had always been distinguished in the province, and his own character and manners were such as to secure affection and esteem : his patriotism was the most pure and ardent, joined to a quick perception of the views of those in power. He was a Bostonian by birth, and now about 41 years of age. * fllinot, ii. 86. Printed Journal of Gen. Court, pp. 231. 339. Also Sup. Court Rec. Aug. term, 1761, p. 235, where, in an appeal from the Inferior Court, judgment is reversed and Paxton recovers against Harrison Gray, Treasurer, costs taxed H. 6s. Si. 32 250 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The trial took place in the Council Chamber of the Old Town-house. This room was situated at the east end of that building ; it was ari imposing and elegant apartment, orna mented with two splendid full-length portraits of Charles II. and James II. The judges in those days, in conformity to European practice, attached a part of their official dignity to a peculiar costume, which in Jater times they have here dis carded. Their dress was composed of voluminous wigs,' broad bands, and robes of scarlet cloth. They were five in number, including Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson who presided as chief justice.* The room was filled with all the officers of government; and the principal citizens, to hear the arguments in a cause that inspired the deepest solicitude. In consequence of Mr. Otis's resignation, the task of sup porting the petition for the Writs devolved on Mr. Gridley, who was then attorney-general. He opened the case with much learning, ingenuity, and dignity, urging every point and authority, that could be found upon the most diligent search ; but made all his reasoning depend on this consideration — " if the parliament of Great Britain is the sovereign legisla ture bf the British empire." He was succeeded by Mr. Thacher on the opposite side, whose reasoning was pertinent and able, delivered in a tone of great mildness and modera tion, which convinced his hearers that he was advocating the cause of truth and justice. As soon as he had concluded, Otis burst forth as with' ' a flame of fire : with a promptitude of classical allusion, a depth of research, a rapid summary of historical events and dates, a profusion of legal authorities, a prophetick glance of his eyes into futurity, and a rapid tor rent of impetuous eloquence, he hurried away all before him. 'Then and there,' Says President John Adams, ' was the first scefte of the first act of opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great Britain. Then, and there^ the child Independence was born. Every man of Sn immense crowded audience appear ed to me to go away, as I did, ready to take arms against Writs of Assistance.' The court adjourned for consideration, and, at the close of that term, the question was continued to the next.t 'Ah epoch in publick affairs may be dated from this trial. Political parties became more distinctly formed, and their several adherents were more marked and decided. " Taxa tion without representation is tyranny" (a phrase that fell froni Otis in the debate,) became a common maxim in the mouth of * The associate judges were Benja. Eynde, John Ousting, Chambers Russell, Peter Oliver. t Thus far we follow TudoA life of Otis, p. 53-86, respecting the Writ, HISTORY OF BOSTON. 251 all the friends of liberty. The crown officers and their fol lowers adopted openly the pretensions of the British ministry and parliament, proclaiming a blind submission as the only safe or reasonable alternative. The people of Boston showed plainly to which party they belonged, by the election of Mr. Otis, almost unanimously, as a representative for the town .ip the next general court. His colleagues were Royal Tyler, John Phillips, and Thomas Cushing, all of them men of great weight in society. Gov. Bernard perceived the spirit that was rising, and some of his friends, whose wisdom has been proved by events, predicted that ' out of this election a fac tion would arise, which would shake the province tq its foun dation.' The Governour, in his speech at the opening of the Gen. Court, advised them to lay aside all divisions, and to give no attention to declamations tending to promote a sus picion of the civil rights of the people being in danger. They replied, that they knew nothing of any such parties as he der scribed, and were not in the least degree suspicious ; but firmly expressed their intention to see for themselves, wheth er the rights of the people were or were not in danger. A final ' hearing was had before the Sup. Court of Judica ture, upon the petition of the officers of the customs for a Writ of Assistance on Wednesday,' the 18th of November. The whols day and evening, (says the Boston Gazette of the 23d) ' was spent in the arguments, and nothing could have induced one to believe they were not conclusive against the petition, but the judgment of the court immediately given in favour of it.' The papers soon exhibited the dissatisfaction which this decision occasioned. On the 7th of Dec. a piece appeared signed ' A fair trader,' complaining that the Acts of trade were no where executed with such rigour as in this colony, and concluding thus : ' We want nothing but to be as free as others are, and that others should be restrained as well as we. This is reasonable. We have a Right to claim it.' The part, which Mr. Otis had taken, designated him as the friend ofthe people, and they therefore took deep interest in a controversy which took place in the papers between him and Lieut. Gov« Hutchinson, respecting the currency of the province. Otis improved the opportunity to turn their thoughts to the circumstance of His Honour's enjoying so many lucrative offices as were united in his person, viz'. that of Lieut. Gov. with the emoluments of captain of the castle, a member of the Council, Judge of Probate, and Chief Justice of the supreme court. O.'s first piece on this subject appeared Dec. 21, 1761, and the last Jan. 11, 1762. ' The question was settled at the next meeting of the legisla ture, according to the principles which Otis had advanced.' Haying thus obtained an ascendancy, the majority attempted 252 HISTORY OF BOSTON. to retrieve the ground which they had lost by the decision on the Writs of Assistance, and a bill was prepared, the sub stance of which was, to prevent the issuing of those writs to any person but a custom-house officer, and that upon special information on oath ; but the attempt was checked by the Governour's refusal to give his assent to the bill. An ineffec tual effort was also made to exclude the Justices of the Sup. Court from a seat in the Council or House of Repre sentatives. These conflicts, though sometimes unavailing, served to prove the strength of parties, aud to keep alive the growing jealousy between them.* Mr. Otis and his colleagues were re-elected in May, 1762, with a decided approbation, in the Gazette, of the course they had pursued in regard to the points in controversy. Brigadier-General Timothy Ruggles, from Hardwick, in the county of Worcester, the leader of the government party in the House, was chosen speaker, at the May session ; and the court was prorogued, June 12th, with some expressions of pleasure from the Governour for their good conduct. In September they met again, and ' on the 14th' His Excellency sent a message informing the house, that, to quiet the fears of those concerned in the fishing vessels, he had increased the armament of the Massachusetts sloop, and sent her out for their protection. A little paper accompanied the message^ With a short account of the difference to the province by the Gov. and Council's enlarging the establishment, which amounted to about j£72. This message gave rise to a re markable discussion, and this trifling expenditure may be considered as one of the preparatory causes of the revolu tion. It was not the measure itself, nor the expense of it, that gave the House so much uneasiness, but the manner of it ; that is, the enlarging the establishment without the knowledge of the house, and paying for it without their privity or consent. The message was referred to a commit tee, of which Mr. Otis was chairman, who reported a remon strance, addressed to the Gov. in which they declared that the proceeding was ' in effect taking from the House their most darling privilege, the right of originating all taxes.— No necessity can be sufficient to justify a house of representatives in giving up such a privilege ; for it would be of little consequence to the people, whether they were subjects to George or Leviis, ihe king of G.B. or the French king, if both were arbitrary, as both would be, if both could levy taxes without Parliament.' ' When the passage in Italics was read, Mr. Paine a member * Town Records, March 8, 1762. ' Upon consideration of that clause in the warrant, viz. that the town will take such methods as shall be judged necessary for the Incorporation of it, the question was put, whether the town would take any such steps ? Passed in the nega tive almost unanimously.' HISTORY OF BOSTON. 253 from Worcester, cried out, Treason, treason ! but after a most animated speech from Otis, the answer was passed entire by a large majority, and Otis was appointed one of the commit tee to present it to the Governour.' H. E. w was so displeased at this passage that he sent a letter to the speaker, returning the message of the House and recommending earnestly, that it might not be entered upon the minutes as it then stood. After some debate the exceptionable clause was struck out, but enough remained to excite a vindication from the Gover nour, which he sent by the secretary at the same time that he gave the house notice to attend him in the council chamber to be prorogued. Soon after this separation, Otis published a pamphlet,* giv ing an account of all these occurrences and justifying the course pursued by the house. This production has been con sidered the original source, from which all subsequent argu ments against taxation were derived.! The principal stress in the argument of Mr. Otis was laid against the constitution ality of the measure, and the position assumed by the Gover nour was not only shown to be untenable, but the dan gerous tendency of constructive power was pointed out with a clearness and force, that effectually roused the publick atten: tion to guard against every step of arbitrary power in future. In the winter session of 1762-3 another occasion of dispute was afforded by an application from the Attorney-General for remuneration for his official services, which was so managed as to give the popular party a triumph, at the same time that the officer received the compensation that was honourably due to him. And this subject had not lost its interest, before another excitement was produced on still a different ground. The project of sending a bishop to America had been in agi tation for ten or fourteen years,* and the minds of people were well prepared for an attack upon the established church. Doctor E. Miller, who was a missionary from the society for propagating the gospel, died at Braintree where he had been officiating to an episcopal church. The manner in which his death was noticed in one ofthe Boston papers brought on a controversy, in which most of the dissenters found themselves ranged on one side, in opposition to the few adherents to the church, among whom were most of the de pendents on the crown. These writings may therefore be considered as having increased the divisions, which were ris ing in Massachusetts. * " A Vindication of the conduct of the House of Representatives," &c. by James Otis, Esq. a member of said house." It was published Nov. 15, 1762. t Franklin had urged similar arguments to Gov. Shirley, 1754. F. was here, Oct. 1763. t See News-Letter, Dec. 13, 1750, and Ev. Post, Aug. 22, 1763. / 254 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The people of Boston manifested their adherence to the popular side by the re-election of Otis, Tyler, and Cushing, for their representatives, with the addition of Oxenbridge Thacher Jr. instead of Col. Phillips, who had just deceased (April, 26, 1763.) Great efforts had been made to prevent the choice of Mr. Otis ; his motives had been traduced, and. his conduct attributed to personal feeling rather than zeal for the publick good. He had however defended himself, in his own name, to the complete discomfiture of his enemies. Through the remainder of the year there were occasional publications, calculated to keep alive the spirit, which had displayed itself in the Province: there was no torpor to in vite encroachments upon civil rights by stealth, but rather an excessive anxiety about the course, which government might resolve to pursue, relative to the regulations of trade. The first evidence on this point was ' an act for tbe further im provement of H. M. revenue, for the encouragement of offi cers making seizures, and for the prevention of the clandestine running of goods,' which was published in Boston, Sept. 22d, and followed on the 16th of November, by Gov. Bernard's proclamation for aid and assistance in the execution of it. In the opening of the year 1 764, Boston was visited again with the small pox, which continued its ravages till the end of June.* The melancholy that attended the prevalence of this horrible disorder, was rendered still more sober, by the daily expectation of unwelcome news from England. Notice of resolutions in parliament proposing duties on various foreign articles imported into the colonies, and a duty upon other arti cles, the produce of the colonies, exported to any other place than Great Britain, was received early in May. Antici pating the worst, the people of Boston, having re-elected the same representatives on the 15th of May, appointed Richard Dana, Esq. Mr. Samuel Adams, John Ruddock, Esq. Nathl. Bethune, Esq. and Jos. Green, Esq. a committee to prepare such instructions, to be given to the representatives, as the ex igencies of the times required. On the 24th the committee reported and the town approved and adopted their report. In this paper the town claim ' the constitutional right of ex pressing their mind' to their representatives ' upon particular matters' and charge them to maintain ' the invaluable rights and privileges of the province — as well those rights, which are derived to us by the royal charter, as those which, being * It may be noted here, that the population of the town was ascertained by actual enume ration to be in 1742 - 16,382 souls, including 1374 blacks. 1752 ... - 15,731 „ „ 1541 „ 1765 - - 15,520 „ The gazettes of May, 1764, give the names of twenty physicians, (besides Dr. Jackson of Portsmouth,) who inoculated the poor of the town. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 255 prior to and independent on it, we hold essentially as free-born subjects of G. B.' Then they prescribe the course they wish tb have pursued in relation to members of the General Court holding offices under the crown or the governour, the excise laws, salaries of judges, war expences; and having mentioned the importance of free trade to the prosperity of the town, and the evils apprehended from the measures of government, they proceed to say, ' There is now no room for further delay, we therefore ex pect that you will use your earliest endeavours in the General Assembly that such methods may be taken as will effectually prevent these proceedings against us. By a proper represen tation, we apprehend, it may easily be made to appear, that such severities will prove detrimental to G. B. itself : upon which account we have reason to hope that an application, even for a repeal ofthe act, should it be already past, will be successful. It is the trade of the colonies that renders them beneficial to the mother country. Our trade, as it now and always has been conducted, centres in G. B. and in return for manufactures affords her more ready cash, beyond any comparison, than can possibly be expected by the most san guine promoters of these extraordinary methods. ' But what still heightens our apprehensions is, that these unexpected proceedings may be preparatory to new taxations upon us : for if our trade may be taxed, why not our lands ? why not the produce of our lands and every thing we possess or make use of ? This we apprehend annihilates our charter right to govern and tax ourselves. It strikes at our British privileges, which as we have never forfeited them we hold in common with our fellow subjects, who are natives of Britain. If taxes are laid upon us in any shape without our having a le gal representation where tbey are made, are we not reduced from the character of free subjects to the miserable state of tributary slaves ? ' We therefore earnestly recommend it to you to use your utmost endeavours to obtain in the Gen. Assembly all neces sary instruction and advice to our Agent at this most critical juncture * * * * that he may be able in the most humble and pressing manner to remonstrate for us all those rights arid privileges, which justly belong to us either by charter or Birth: in acknowledged dependence upon and subordination to G. B. As H. M.'s other N. American colonies are embark ed with us in this most important bottom, we further desire you to use your endeavours that their weight may be added to that of this province, that by the united application of all who are aggrieved, all may happily obtain redress.' The acts were passed, which had been recommended, ex cept that by which it was proposed to lay a stamp duty on 256 HISTORY OF BOSTON. all written or printed papers, in the colonies : this was defer red for one year's consideration, and to obtain the opinion of the colonists respecting it, The legislature instructed the Agent in very strong term6, and Mr, Otis published, (July, 23,) a tract entitled ' The Rights ofthe British colonies asserted and proved,' which was followed on the same side (Sept. 3,) by ' The Sentiments of a British American' written by Mr. Thacher. These two publications gave an importance to the questions between the ' mother country' and the colonies, which led to a closer examination of the subjects, on both sides of the water. CHAPTER XLV. " First of your kind ! Society divine !" Whatever other subjects may have engrossed the general attention, there never has been a period when the people. of Boston lost their interest in those of a religious nature. Tbe letters of Robert Sandeman to Mr. Hervey had excited a de sire in some people to see the former in this quarter of the world. Pressing solicitations were sent to him from different parts of New England by letter from some of the clergy as well as of the laity, and he arrived in Boston on the 18th of October, 1764, in the Ship George and James, Montgomery, from Glasgow. On the next sabbath he performed religious service at Masons' hall. ' Those who first associated with him in Boston were, Edward Foster, Alford Butler, and Geo. Oglevie with their respective wives and families ; and very soon after, Edw. King, Henry Capen, Adam Chizeau, Ebene zer Allen, Barnabas Allen, Hopestill Capen, Benjamin Davies, Isaac Winslow,Colburn Barrell,Walter Barrell, Mr.Peck, Han nah Robinson, Susanna Davies, Mary Cotton, Mary West, Ke- zia West, Mrs. Stayner and some others of both sexes. Mr, Joseph Howe and Samuel Harris and wife joined the soci ety at a later period. 'They first met in a large room at Mr. Foster's house in that part of Prince St. called Black Horse lane, but as much attention was excited, they removed to the Long Room at the Green Dragon. They soon built a house at the bottom of a lane leading to the mill pond, somewhere between the two Baptist meeting houses. It was erected for the sole purpose of HISTORY OF BOSTON. 257 a meeting house, by assistance from many friends.' This house was burnt in a fire which happened on Sunday, April, 4, 1 773, at 4 o'clock P. M. in a building belonging to Mr. Alex ander Edwards, cabinet-maker, and in a short time extended lo several other shops and sheds in the neighbourhood. The spot has since been occupied as a bake-house, and is now within the premises of Mr. Joseph Veazie. Engine house, No. 3, stands at the head of the passage way. The Sandemanian society afterwards convened at Mr. Townsend's in Cross-st. They subsequently built a house in the rear of Middle-street, where they met till within two years, when the attendance became so thin as to occasion the discon tinuance of their meetings. A primary school is now kept in the same building. As to church officers, they always had two elders (teach ers) and deacons : no deaconesses are recollected. Daniel Humphreys, esq. (brother to the late Col. Humphreys) was early a deacon here, but soon removed to Danbury, Conn. to officiate as an elder. Mr. H. is still living and resides at Portsmouth, N. H. being Dist. Attorney ofthe U. S. He is an elder in a small society there, of which Mr. Butler abovena med is also a Jiving member. Mr. Sandeman died at Danbu ry, April 2, 1771, set. 53. CHAPTER XLVI. Canterbury. " That self bill is urg'd Which, in the eleventh year of the last king's reign Was like, and had indeed against us pass'd, But that Ely. But how, my lord, shall we resist it now ? Cant. It must be thought on." It was in vain that all the colonies, in their separate ca pacities, remonstrated against the passage of the proposed Stamp Act. The king gave his assent to it on the 22d of March, 1765, and an unofficial copy of it was received in Boston on the 26th of May.* It consisted of fifty-five sec tions, each proposing a stamp duty, from half a penny to twenty shillings, ' on every skin of vellum or parchment or sheet or piece of paper,' on which any thing should be en grossed, written, or printed, which it was possible to imagine eould be of any use to any person, to have written, printed, * Otis's Botta, Hist. Rev. vol. i. 73, contains a copy. 33 258 HISTORY OE BOSTON. or engrossed. The Mutiny Act was passed at the same ses sion, which required the colonies to provide for quartering the king's troops, while on service in the colonies. The Virginia legislature were in session when the Stamp Act arrived : it is well known that they immediately adopted (May 29lh) the resolutions of Patr. Henry, which fact has given to that state the honour of having been foremost in opposition to the pre tensions of parliament.! The Massachusetts legislature con vened on the 30lh of May, and by resolutions dn the 8th of June, proposed a congress of deputies from all the colonies, to be held in New York on the first Tuesday of October ensu ing. The Stamp Act was to commence operation on the first of November. At this critical moment the cause of liberty lost one of its worthiest advocates by the death of Oxenbridge Thacher jr. esq. on the 9th of July. His place in the house of represen tatives was supplied by the choice of Samuel Adams. The gazettes of July abounded with articles, from all quar ters, exciting the people to watchfulness, and ' it began to be said that some provinces resolve not to pay the stamp duties,' But no business can be legally transacted without the stamps : the courts cannot proceed, without stamps upon their writs and processes : no vessel can enter and rib clearance can be had without a stamp : no collegiate diploma can be issued without a stamp : no marriage can be celebrated without a stamp upon the clerk's certificate : cards must be stamped ; newspapers must be stamped ; almanacks must be stamped ; every thing, in fine, must bear this mark of slavery, or the execution ofthe act must be prevented. What then shall be done ? While the considerate part of the community were ponder ing this important question, information was received in Bos ton, that the secretary of the province, Andrew Oliver, esq. was appointed distributor of stamps for Massachusetts, and that a cargo of the papers might be daily expected to arrive in the harbour. Popular feeling could no longer be suppres sed ; and what calm reasoning could not decide, passion, the love of liberty without restraint, brought to a determination. Near the head of Essex-street there used to be a grove pf ' those majestick elms, ofthe American species, that form one of the greatest ornaments in the landscape of this country,' which obtained the name of Hanover-square, or the neigh bourhood of the Elms. On one of these, which stood in front of a house opposite the Boylston Market, on the edge of t Aug. 11, 1766. At a celebration in Boston the following toast was given : " The nobh Virginians, who first asserted their rights with decent JWmness." B. Gaz HISTORY OF BOSTON. 259 the street, there was discovered hanging, at break of day, on the 14th of August, an effigy representing Mr .1 Oliver, and a Boot (the emblem of Lord Bute, a promoter of American tax ation) with the devil peeping out of it, having the stamp act in his hand, besides various other satirical emblems.* Some ofthe neighbours offered to take it down, but they were given to know, that would not be permitted. The Lieut. Gov. as chief justice, directed the sheriff to order the effigy to be ta ken down, but his officers reported that they could not do it without imminent danger of their lives. Business was almost laid aside during the day, and multi tudes from the country as well as the town flocked to witness the sight. As soon as it began to grow dark, the mob, which had been gathering all the afternoon, came down in proces sion to the Town-house, bearing the effigy with them ; and knowing that the Governour and Council were in session, they gave three huzzas by way of defiance, and passed on towards Kilby-street, where Mr. Oliver had lately erected a building, which people supposed was designed for a stamp office. That they instantly demolished, and bearing each man a portion of the ruins upon his shoulder, they moved in solemn pomp to Fort-hill, where they made a bonfire in view of Mr. Oliver's house, and burnt the effigy upon it. Mr. O. had removed his family, but remained himself with a few friends till the mob approached, when he was persuaded to withdraw. The mob got possession of the house, broke the windows and tore down the garden fences. ' After eleven o'clock, the people seeming to grow quiet, the Lieut. Gov. and the sheriff ventured to go to Mr. Oliver's house, and endeavour to persuade them tq disperse. As soon as they began to speak, a ringleader cried out, " The Governour and the sheriff, to your arms, my boys :", and presently a volley of stones followed, and the two gentlemen narrowly escaped, through favour of the night, not without some bruises. Nothing more being to be done, the mob were * This exhibition was not an original : it was probably an imitation ofone in Devonshire, of which a Boston paper of Aug. 20, 1763, gave the following account : — * About two miles below Honiton there was suspended on an apple-tree, that grew over the road, a figure as big as life, dressed in Scotch plaid, with something to resemble a ribbon over one shoulder. and on a painted board, affixed to the tree, were these lines : ' Behold the man who made the yoke, Now Britons all, join heart and hand, Which doth Old England's sons provoke, His sly-schemed project to withstand, And now he hangs upon a tree, That all our sons, as well as we, An emblem of our liberty. May have our Cider go scot free.' ' LIBERTY, PROPERTY, AND NO EXCISE.' 260 HISTORY OF BOSTON. left to disperse at their own time, which they did about twelve o'clock.' In the afternoon of the next day, ' several gentlemen ap plied to Mr. Oliver, to advise him to make a publick declara tion, that he would resign the office, and never act in it ; without which they said his house would be immediately de stroyed, and his life in continual danger ; upon which he was obliged to authorize some gentlemen to declare in publick, that he would immediately apply for leave to resign, and would not act in the office (as indeed it was impossible for him to do) un til he received further orders.' An officer addressing the lords of trade, writes thus : — ' After the demolition of Mr. Oliver's house was found so practicable and easy, that the government was obliged to look on, without being able to take any one step to prevent it, and the principal people of the town publickly avowed and justi fied the act, the mob, both great and small, became highly elated, and all kinds of ill-humours were set on foot.' ' On Monday, August 26, there was Some small rumour, that mischief would be done that night ; but it was in general disregarded. Towards evening some boys began to light a bonfire before the Town-house, which is an usual signal for a mob. Before it was quite dark, a great company of people gathered together, crying, Liberty and Properly ; which is their usual notice of their intention to plunder and pull down an house. " They went first to Mr. Paxton's house, who is marshall ofthe court of Admiralty, and surveyor of the port; and finding before it the owner of the house (Mr. Paxton be ing only a tenant) he -assured them, that Mr. Paxton had quit ted the house with his best effects, and that the house was his; that he had never injured them, and finally, invited them to go to the tavern and drink a barrel of punch : the offer was accepted, and so that house was saved. As soon as they had drank the punch, they went to the house of Mr. Story, reg ister-deputy of the Admiralty, [opposite the North corner of the Court-house] broke into it, and broke it all to pieces, and took out all the books and papers, among which were all the records of the court of Admiralty, and carried them to the bonfire, and there burnt them ; they also looked about for him with an intention to kill him. From thence they went to Mr. Hallowell's, comptroller of the customs, broke into his house, [recently the mansion house of Hon. John Coffin Jones, in Hanover-street, where the new Trinitarian Church is now building] and destroyed and carried off every thing of value, with about 30l. sterling, in cash. This house was lately built by himself, and fitted and furnished with great elegance. ' But the grand mischief of all was to come. The Lieuten- ant-governour had been apprized, that there was an evil spirit HISTORY OF BOSTON. 261 gone forth against him ; but, being conscious that he had not in the least deserved to be made a party, in regard to the Stamp-act or the Custom-house, he rested in full security that the mob would not attack him ; and he was at supper with his family when he received advice that the mob was coming to him. He immediately sent away his children, and deter mined to stay in the house himself : but, happily, his eldest daughter returned, and declared she would not stir from the house, unless he went with her; by which means she got him away, which was undoubtedly the occasion of saving his life. For, as soon as the mob had got into the house, [it was that now occupied by William Little esq. in Garden-Court street] with a most irresistible fury, they immediately looked about for him, to murder him, and even made diligent enquiry whither he was gone. They went to work with a rage scarce to be exemplified by the most savage people. Every thing moveable was destroyed in a most minute manner, except such things of value as were worth carrying off ; among which were near 10001. sterling, in specie, besides a great quantity of family plate, &c. But the loss to be most lamented is, that there was in one room, kept for that purpose, a large and val uable collection of manuscripts and original papers, which he had been gathering all his life-lime, and to which all persons, who had been in possession of valuable papers of a publick kind, had been contributing, as to a publick Museum. As these related to the history and policy of the country, from the time of its settlement to the present, and was the only collection of its kind, the loss of the publick is great and irretrievable, as it is to himself, the loss of the papers of a family, which had made a figure in this province for a hundred and thirty years. As for the house, which from the structure and inside finish ing, seemed to be from a design of Inigo Jones or his suc cessor, it appears that they were a long while resolved to level it to the ground : they worked three hours at the cupola be fore they could get it down, and they uncovered part of the roof ; but I suppose, that the thickness of the walls, which were of very fine brick-work, adorned with Ionic pilasters worked into the wall, prevented their completing their pur pose, though they worked at it till daylight. The next day, the streets were found scattered with money, plate, gold rings, &c. which had been dropped in carrying off. The whole loss in this house is reckoned at £3168. 17s. 9d. lawful.' The principal citizens, perceiving that such outrages must infallibly injure a cause they considered just, were very strenuous to distinguish this tumultuous conduct from the truly noble opposition which they wished to manifest to the ' imposition of internal taxes by authority of parliament. 2g2 HISTORY OF BOSTON. A town meeting was held, as early as possible on the next day, and the town expressed their ' detestation' of the vio- lent'proceedings of the past night, and unanimously voted, that the selectmen and magistrates be desired to use their ut most endeavours to suppress such disorders for the future. In the month of September* a quantity of the stamps arri ved, and Gov. Bernard, finding that Mr. Oliver could ' not safely meddle with them,' asked the advice of the Gen. Court, in order that they might be preserved safe and secure, but the Court excused themselves from giving any advice or as sistance on the subject, and the stamps were deposited in the Castle for safe keeping. The first of November had been appointed as a sort of Ju bilee, before the riot of the 26th of August happened, and it had for many years been customary to celebrate the fifth of November. The following account of the events of those two days, in 1765, are from the Mass. Gazette, and convey a strong idea of the publick excitement. ' Last Friday being the day the stamp-act was to take place, the publick were not much alarmed or displeased at the morn ing's being ushered in by the tolling of bells in several parts of the town, and the vessels in the harbour displaying their colours half mast high, in token of mourning : and though some previous steps had been taken by authority to prevent any pageantry, fearing lest tumult and disorder might be the consequence, yet the people were soon informed that the Great Tree at the South part of the town (known by the name of the- Tree of Liberty ever since the memorable 14th of Aug ust) was adorned with the effigies of the two famous or rather infamous enemies of American Liberty; G — ge G — nv — e and J-hn H — sk — . The figures continued suspended without any molestation till about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when they were cut down in the view and amid the acclamations of sev eral thousand people of all ranks, and being placed in a cart, were with great solemnity and order followed by the multi tude, formed into regular ranks, to the Court-house, where the Assembly was then sitting ; from thence proceeding to the North end of the town and then returning up Middle Street, they passed back through the town to the gallows on the Neck, where the effigies were again hung up, and after continuing some time were cut down, when the populace, in token of their * Sept. 11. There was a general rejoicing on the change of ministry, of which news was received, and ' On the body of the largest tree was fixed with large deck nails, that it might last (as a poet said, like oaken bench to perpetuity,) a copper plate [2 l-2ft. by 3 1-2] with these words stamped thereon in golden letters ; The tree of liberty, Aug. 14. 1765.' , HISTORY OF BOSTON. 263 utmost detestation of the men they were designed to repre sent, tore them in pieces and flung their limbs with indigna tion into the air. This being done, three cheers were given, and every man was desired to repair to his home, which was so punctually performed, that the evening was more remark able for peace and quietness than common ; a circumstance that would at any time redound to the honour of the town, but was still more agreeable, as the fears of many were great lest it should prove another 26th of August ; for the horrid violences of which night we hope the good order of this will in some measure atone, as it is a proof such conduct was not agreeable to the sentiments of the town, but was only the lawless ravages of some foreign villains, who took advantage of the over-heated temper, of a very few people of this place, and drew them into commit such violences and disorders as they shuddered at with horror in their cooler hours.' ' Tuesday last being the anniversary of the commemora tion of the happy deliverance of the English nation from the Popish Plot, commonly called The Powder Plot, the guns at Castle William and at the batteries in town were fired at 1 o'clock ; as also on board the men of war in the harbour. ' It has long been the custom in this town on the Fifth of November for numbers of persons to exhibit on stages some pageantry, denoting their abhorrence of Popery and the horrid Plot, which was to have been executed on that day in the year 1685 ; these shews of late years had been contin ued in the evening, and we have often seen the bad effects at tending them at such a time ; the servants and negroes would disguise themselves, and being armed with clubs would en gage each other with great violence, whereby many came oft" badly wounded ; in short they carried it to such lengths that two parties were created in the town, under the appellation of North-End and South-End : but the disorders that had been committed from lime to time induced several gentlemen to try a reconciliation between the two parties ; accordingly the chiefs met on the first of this instant, and conducted that af fair in a very orderly manner ; in the evening the command er of the South entered into a treaty with the commander of the North, and after making several overtures they recipro cally engaged on a UNION, and the former distinctions to subside ; at the same time the chiefs with their assistants en gaged upon their honour, no mischiefs should arise by their means, and that they would prevent any disorders on the 5th — when the day arrived the morning was all quietness — about noon the pageantry Representing the Pope, Devil, and several other effigies signifying Tyranny, Oppression, Slavery, &c. were brought on stages from the North and South, and met in King-street, whereUhe Union was established in a very cere- 2S4 HISTORY OF BOSTON, monial manner, and \having given three huzzas, they inter changed ground, the South marched to the North, and. the North to the South, parading through the streets until they met again near the Court-house : the whole then proceeded to the Tree of Liberty, under the shadow of which they refreshed themselves for a while, and then retreated to the northward, agreeable to their plan ;— they reached Copps' Hill before 6 o'clock, where they halted, and having enkindled a fire, the whole pageantry was committed to the flames and consumed : this being finished, every person was requested to retire to their respective homes — It must be noticed to the honour of all those concerned in this business that every thing was con ducted in a most regular manner, and such order observed as could hardly be expected among a concourse of several thou sand people — all seemed to be joined agreeable to their prin cipal motto Lovely Unity— ihe leaders, Mr. Mcintosh from the South, and Mr. Swift from the North, appeared in military habits, with small canes resting on their left arms, having mu sick in front and flank ; their assistants appeared also distin guished with small reeds, then the respective corps followed, among whom were a great number of persons in rank : these with the spectators filled the streets ; not a club was seen among the whole, nor was any negro allowed to approach near the stages ; — after the conflagration the populace retired, and the town remained the whole night in better order than it had ever been on this occasion. — Many gentlemen seeing the af fair so well conducted, contributed to make up a handsome purse to entertain those that carried it on. — This union, and one other* more extensive, may be looked upon as the (perhaps the only) happy effects arising from the S — p A — t.' To relieve the merchants in some measure frorn. the diffi culties to which they were exposed, the custom-house officers gave to vessels destined for foreign ports a certificate, that no stamps could be procured in Boston. Trusting to this secu rity, and perhaps willing to contest the right of parliament to impose the stamp duty before a court in England, John Hancock, esq.t despatched the first ship, the Boston Packet, Capt. Marshall, which arrived safe at London and was ad mitted without any trouble. Some other vessels sailed in the same month of November. In the early part of December the Sons of Liberty (so those who espoused the popular side were called, adopting the appellation given them by Col. Barre on the floor of par- * Referring probably to an agreement not to import goods from England. t Mr. Hancock was one of the selectmen : the year preceding he had come into posses sion of a large estate, left to him by his uncla Thomas H. a great bene%ctor of the town and also of Harvard College. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 265 liament) received information, that there was some probability that Mr. Oliver would accept the commission to distribute stamps, notwithstanding his former resignation. He was challenged by an anonymous writer to give a decided an swer to the question, whether it were so or not. By the fa vour ofthe printer, he was permitted to reply in the same ga zette. This was not satisfactory, and he received a note on the 16th, desiring him to appear ' to-morrow, under Liberty- Tree, at 12 o'clock, to make a publick resignation.' Accord ingly the selectmen, with the merchants and the principal in habitants of the town, to the amount of upwards of 2000, as sembled at the Tree, at the time appointed. Mr. O. sent a note with ' compliments to the gentlemen assembled,' contain ing a proposition to have the ceremony performed at the Town house ; but this not being agreeable, he came up to the Tree and declared as follows : Whereas a Declaration was yesterday inserted in my. name and at my desire, in some of the Boston newspapers, that I would not act as distributor of the Stamps, within this Province, which declaration, I am infoi-med, is not satisfactory : I do hereby in the most explicit and unreserved manner declare, that I have never taken any measures, in consequence of my deputation for that purpose, to act in the ofiice ; and that I never will, directly or indirectly, by myself or any under me, make use of the said deputation, or take any measures for enforcing the Stamp-Act in America, which is so grie vous to the people. Andrew Oliver. Boston, 17 Dec. 1765, Suffolk, «». Boston, Dec. Vlth, 1765. The Honourable Andrew OUver, Esq. subscriber to the above writing, made oath to the same. (Signed) Ri. Dana, Just. Pads. After which three cheers were given, and then Mr. Secretary made a short speech to the following purport, viz. " That he had an utter detestation of tlie Stamp- Act, and would do all that lay in his power to serve this town or province; and desired that they would no longer look on him as an enemy, but as another man." After which three cheers were again given him— and Hanover Square was clear in 10 minutes. It is by no means to be inferred, from the pertinacity with which the people of Boston pursued Mr/Oliver, to compel him to a resignation in their own way, that he was a man of vile or mean character. On the contrary, Dr. Eliot's Biogra phy tells us,"' he was highly respectable for his piety, integ rity, and knowledge of the affairs of the province.' But it was his misfortune to differ from the majority ; and we may gather, from the zeal with which the majority could crowd upon such a man, some notion ofthe height to which popular excitement had reached. The courts of law continuing closed, a memorial was pre: sented, Dec. 18th, to the Governour in Council, from the town of Boston, urging him to exert his influence, 'that under no pretence whatever, we may be any longer deprived of this invaluable blessing.' The committee to present the memorial 34 266 HISTORY OF BOSTON. were S. Adams, John Rowo, Th. Cushing, J. Ruddock, Saml. Sewall, John Hancock, J. Henshaw, B. Kent, and Arnold Welles. At the same time, Jer. Gridley, James Otis, and John Adams, were ' applied to as counsel' to appear in behalf ofthe town in support of said memorial.' The result of the memorial was not immediately satisfactory ; but the courts were opened shortly after. Liberty Tree became a sort of idol. On the 14th of Feb-< ruary, 176'6, ' it was pruned after the best manner, agreeable to a vote passed by the true-born Sons of Liberty,' by a num ber of carpenters appointed for the purpose, and a gentleman well skilled in these affairs as a director. So that the Tree was now become a great ornament to the street. Thursday the 20th was fixed for burning one of the stamped papers in the principal towns in every colony. In Boston, the ceremo ny ' was conducted with great decency and good order,' and the effigies of Bute and Grenville, in full court dress, were ad ded to the bonfire. On the 24th a vessel arrived from Ja maica with stamped clearances. The Sons of Liberty immer diately sent an order to one of their members ' to go and demand in their names, those marks of Creole slavery.' ' Whereupon the person to whom the above was directed, with a number of others, immediately on the receipt thereof, repaired to the vessel, and being told the captain was gone to enter at the Custom-house, they proceeded thither ; when the above warrant being shown, the said stamped clearance . was delivered to them ; they then fixed it on a pole, and car ried it to the Jower end ofthe Court-house, where they put the pole in the stocks and exposed the paper to publick view until the time appointed for execution. At one o'clock the warrant was read with an audible voice, the executions- er then carried the guilty criminal to the centre of King- street, and with a lighted match set fire to one of the S— p- A — ts, and with that burnt the offspring of that hydra-headed monster ; while the smoke was ascending, the executioner pro nounced the following words, viz. — " Behold the smoke as cends to Heaven, to witness between the isle of Britain and an injured people !" Three cheers were then given, and the yCliange was clear in a few minutes, without the least disorder.' The tone of the writers in the publick journals became more decided. In the B. Gazette, March 17th, we find one exclaiming, ' Since the stamp act imposed upon us is uncon stitutional, shall we not then all as one man join ih opposing1 it, and spill the last drop of our blood, if necessity should require, rather than live to see it take place in America !' — This is the first intimation we have discovered, of any thing like the possibility of an appeal to arms : and the author, that his views may not be misunderstood, proceeds, ' any one, af- LIBERTY TREE, 1774, corner of Essex and obakge streets. The world should never forget the spot where once stood Liberty Tree, so famous in your annals.— La Fayette in Bostm. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 267 ter a thorough search and consideration, would, rather than lose his liberty, be bored through the centre of life with the fetal lead.' , Happily the change of ministry was then ab,out producing a change of measures, which served to avert that crisis till a niore favourable season. Information was received in Boston on the 16th of May, that the Stamp Act was repealed It is impossible to express the joy the inhabitants in general were in, on receiving this great and glorious news. The bells were immediately set a ringing, and the cannon fired under Liberty Tree and many other parts of the town, lt is men tioned, as ' worthy of remark, that the vessel which brought this glorious news is owned by that worthy patriot, John Hancock esq.'* Monday the 19th was appointed for a day of general rejoicing on the happy occasion. The ardour Of the people was so great, that, immediately after the clock struck one in the morning, the bell of Dr. Byles's church (as bejng the nearest to Liberty Tree) was set a ringing, which was soon answered by the bells on Christ Church, at the other end of the town. Before two, musick was heard in all fhe streets, the drums beat and guns fired. As soon as it grew light enough to see, Dr. Byles's steeple was hung with Banners, Liberty Tree decorated with flags, and colours and pendants displayed on the tops of houses all round the town. In the evening the town was universally illuminated and shone like day : fire works were every where played off, especially on the -Common: the air was filled with rockets, the ground with bee-hiyes and serpents. Mr. Hancock gave a grand and elegant entertainment to the genteel part of the town, and treated the populace with a pipe of Madeira wine. Mr. Otis and some other gentlemen, who lived near the com mon, kept open hopse. On the common the sons of liberty had a magnificent pyramid erected, illuminated with 280 lamps. About twelve o'clock, upon a signal given and theJbeat of a drum, the populace retired to their respective dwellings, the lights were put out, and the town was hushed in an unusual silence. The evening following, all the gentlemen in the town contributed lanterns to illuminate Liberty Tree, till the boughs could hold no more, which made a most beautiful and splendid appearance. These well conducted rejoicings were ushered in, with a subscription for liberating all the poor per sons in gaol for debt, by which the money was raised, and the debtors were released, to partake of the joy that smiled in every countenance. * Otis, Cushing, Adams, and Hancock constituted the Boston delegation in 1768. Mr. H. was chosen instead of Thomas Gray, who supplied the place of Tyler, chosen into the coun cil in 1764, served also in '65, and this year resigned. 268 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The ministers of religion bore their part in these joyful scenes; the sermons of Mr. Stillman of the Baptist church, Dr. Mayhew of the West, and Dr. Chauncy of the First Church were printed. That of the first was preached on the sabbath after the arrival of the news, Dr. Mayhew's on the Friday succeeding, and Dr. Chauncy's on a day of thanksgiv ing, set apart for the purpose. CHAPTER XLVII- We do say then to-Cajsar, Oar ancestor was that Mulmutius, which Ordain'd our laws, whose use the sword of Cresar Hath too much mangled j whose repair and franchise Shall, by the power we hold, be our good deed. Cymbeline. Notwithstanding these expressions of universal exultation the publick mind was not entirely appeased. Gov. Bernard wassifepected of having promoted the stamp act and other of fensive measures, though he formally disavowed having had any agency in the business. The House of representatives, at the General Election, May 28, 1766, made choice of Mr. Otis of Boston for their speaker. His Excellency saw prop er to disapprove the choice, and Mr. Cushing of Boston was elected in his stead. Samuel Adams was at the same time chosen clerk. This act of the Governour may have been the result of sound discretion ; but it served to exasperate the feelings of the House, and they retaliated by leaving out of the list of counsellors, the Lieut. Governour, the Secretary A. Oliver, Judge Peter Oliver, and the Attorney-General Trowbridge, who all had seats at the board in the preceding year. Thus the spirit of division was reciprocally fomented. On the 2d of June, a series of pieces, signed Paskalos, was commenced in the Boston Gazette, against the Governour, in which his conduct is represented as mean, cowardly, and ut terly unworthy of his station, and strong intimations are given that the people would be glad to see some other person in the chair. The events of the past year were kept in remembrance by a demand from the ministry, that compensation should be made to those who had suffered by the riotous proceedings of the 14th and 26th of August. The demand was brought for ward in an offensive form, but was eventually complied with. Another thing, which also kept alive the fears of the patriots HISTORY OF BOSTON. 269 was the resolve of parliament, that accompanied the repeal of the stamp act, viz. ' that Parliament had, hath, and of right ought to have full power and authority to make laws of suffi cient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America, subject to the crown of G. B. in all cases whatever.' Against this claim, the writers of the day did not hesitate to declare that ' opposition ought to be made.' On the 25th of November, ' a large transport ship, having on board a detachment of H. M. Royal train of artillery bound to Quebec, after making many attempts to get up the river in vain, was obliged to put in here.' The Gov. made provision for them, in pursuance of the late act of parliament, the mutiny act. On the 30th of Jan. 1767, the H. of R. beg ged to be informed, whether this had been done at the ex pense of this government; and on learning that it was so, re monstrated in the strongest terms against the proceeding, as an open violation of constitutional and charter rights. On the 28th of May following, twenty-seven recruits were brought in, and the lieutenant, who had charge of them, called for quarters. The Gov. referred the matter to the Council, and they advised him to submit it to the consideration of the House, and the house ' resolved, that such provision be made for these men as has been heretofore usually made for H. M. regular troops, when occasionally in this province.' v About the last of July an unexpected change took place in the ministry, and, a short time after, the chancellor of the exchequer (Charles Townsend) moved in the H. of Commons to impose duties on tea, glass, and colours, imported from En gland into America : he proposed also to suppress the duties on teas, that should be shipped from E. for A. and impose a duty of three pence per pound upon their introduction into the American ports. These two bills were passed without much op position, and approved by the king. In the preamble, it was declared that the produce ofthe duties should be applied to de fray the expenses of the government in America. It was also enacted that the ministry might, from this fund, grant stipends and salaries to the governours and to the judges in the colo nies, and determine the amount of the same. The act was to take effect on the 20th of November, but, as if it was appre hended that the new tax would be too well received by the colonists, and purposely to irritate their minds, by placing be fore their eyes the picture of the tax-gatherers to be employ ed in the collection of these duties, another act was passed creating a permanent administration of the customs in Amer ica. And to crown the whole, the town of Boston was selec ted for the seat of this new establishment. On the 28th of October a town meeting was held, at which Mr. Otis was chosen moderator ; and a written address to the 270 HISTORY OF BOSTON. inhabitants, subscribed Philo Patrice, recommending economy and manufactures, being read, the town took into considera tion the petition of a number of inhabitants, ' that some effec tual measures might be agreed upon to promote industry, economy, and manufactures ; thereby to prevent the unneces sary importation of Europepn commodities, which threaten the country with poverty and ruin.' Messrs. John Row,e, Wm. Greenleaf Melatiah Bourne, Sam'l Austin, Edw. Payne, Edm. Quinqy, tertius, John Rud.dock, Jona- Williams, Josh- Herishyw, Hend. Inches, Solo. Davis, Joshua Winslow, and Thos. Cushing, were appointed a committee to prepare a subscription paper, for the above object. Accordingly, they brought forward a form, in which the signers agree ' to encourage the use and consumption of all articles manufactured in any of the British Amer. colonies and more especially in this province, and not to purchase, after the 31st of Dec. next, any of certain enu merated articles, imported from abroad ; and also strictly to adhere to the late regulation respecting funerals, and not to use any gloves, but what are manufactured here, nor procure any new garments upon such an occasion, but what shall be absolutely necessary.' Copies of these articles were direct ed to every town in this province, and to all the other princi pal towns in America, where they were generally approved and adopted. In November, Wm. Burch and Henry Hulton, esqrs. two of the five commissioners of the customs, arrived in Boston.* On the 11th of Feb. 1768, the House of Representatives ad dressed a circular to the speakers of other houses on the con tinent, in which, among other complaints of the acts for rais ing a revenue, they enumerate the commission of these men, as a grievance which may become dangerous to the liberty of the people. « On the 18th of March, being the anniversa ry of the repeal of the stamp act, and observed as a day of rejoicing, a few disorderly persons, mostly boys, assembled in the evening, paraded some ofthe streets, and finally repair ed to the house of John Williams, esq. the inspector-general. Whether their design was to do him an injury or not, by his address and soft treatment of them, together with the inter position of some of the neighbouring householders, they soon retired and dispersed without doing any mischief at all.' An occurrence of more importance took place on Friday, the 10th of June. Towards evening the officers of the cus toms made a seizure of a sloop, belonging to and lying at the wharf of John Hancock. The vessel was improved for the * A writer in Sup. to B. Gaz. Dec. 28, 1767, e?ults that ' the trump ot freedom and inde pendence sounds again throughout this continent.' HISTORY OF BOSTON. 27! purpose of storing some barrels Of oil, for which there was not room in the owner's stores.* One of the officers immedi ately made a signal to H. M. ship Romney, Capt. Comer,. then lying in the stream, upon which her boats were manned a'nd armed and made towards the wharf. Several gentlemen present advised the officers not to move the sloOp, as there would be no attempt allowed by the owner to rescue her out of their hands : but notwithstanding this declaration, her fast was cut away, and she carried under the guns of the Rom ney. This provoked the people who had collected on the shore, and in the dispute, the collector (Harrison), and comp troller, and the collector's son, were roughly used and pelted with stones. The noise brought together a mixed multitude, who followed up to the comptroller's house and broke some of his windows, but withdrew by the advice of some prudent gentlemen that interposed. By this time they were joined by a party of sailors and Vagrants, who were suspicious of an intention to impress them On board the ship. These went in search of one ofthe man- of-war's boats, and in their way met the inspector (Irvine) : him they attacked, broke his sword, and tore his clothes ; but by some assistance he escaped to a house in King-st. No boat being ashore, between 8 and 9 o'clock they went to one ofthe docks, and dragged out a large pleasure boat, belong ing to the collector : this they drew along the street, with loud huzzaing all the way into the Common* where they set fire to it and burnt it to ashes : they also broke several win dows in the houses of the collector and inspector-general (Williams) which were nigh the Common. No other outrage was committed that night. Several instances of impressment had occurred under ag gravated circumstances, and one was even attempted and ex ecuted on the Saturday following the above. These things, added to the prospect that the trade and business of the town was in a manner ruined, raised such a spirit of resentment in the people, that the commissioners and their officers, with the collector and comptroller, thought it most prudent to repair on board the Romney, as did also the officers of that ship. On Monday the people in town were in great agitation, but lest any tumult might arise at night, a notification was issued requesting the Sons of Liberty to meet at Liberty-Hall, on Tuesday, at 10 A. M. The expectation of this meeting kept the town in peace. Early on Tuesday morn the colours were * On the 17th of Aug. the Judge of Admiralty ' decreed the sloop Liberty, seized the 10th of June last, to be forfeited ; but the 200 barrels of oil aud six barrels of tar, which were on board her when seized, were cleared.' B. Chron. Aug. 22.-Sept. 19. 272 history of boston. flying on Liberty Tree, and, at the hour appointed, vsfet numbers ofthe inhabitants appeared ; but the weather being wet and uncomfortable in the street, they adjourned to Fan- euil-hall, where it was proposed to have a legal meeting called, which was immediately ordered by the selectmen to take place at 3 o'clock. At three, the inhabitants met, but so great was the concourse, that they were obliged to adjourn to the Old South meeting-house. After very cool and delib erate debates upon the distressed circumstances of the town, a petition to the Governour was unanimously adopted, and a committee of 21 gentlemen appointed to present it. In this petition the town took a bolder stand than any publick assem bly here had before taken. Having commenced with a strong declaration of rights and injuries, they say, ' The town is at this crisis in a situation, nearly such as if war was formally declared against it. To contend with our parent state is in our idea the most shocking and dreadful ex tremity : but tamely to relinquish the only security, we and our posterity retain of the enjoyment of our lives and proper ties, without one struggle, is so humiliating and base, that we cannot support the reflection. We apprehend, Sir, that it is at your option, in your power, and we would hope in your inclination, to prevent this distressed and justly incensed peo ple from effecting too much, and from the shame and reproach of attempting too little.' The Governour received the deputation graciously, but re plied to their petition to have the Romney ordered out ofthe harbour, that he had no authority over H. M.'s ships. Capt. Corner, however, gave publick notice on the 20lh,that he would not take any man belonging to or married in the province, nor any employed in the trade along shore, or to the neighbouring colonies. The legislature being in session, the town gave instructions to their representatives, in terms equally strong with those expressed in the above petition : but they had little opportunity to act in conformity to them : for on the first of July, the House was dissolved by the Gov ernour, in consequence of a refusal to rescind and disavow their circular letter of Feb. 11 th, in compliance with the or ders of the British ministry. On the first of August, 21 1 Boston merchants and traders agreed, that, for one year from the last day of the present year, they would not send for or import* either on their own account or on commission, or purchase of any that may im port, any kind of merchandise from G. B. except coals, salt, and some articles necessary for the fisheries, nor import any tea, glass, paper, or colours, until the acts imposing duties on those articles are repealed. In that month also, another difficulty occurred between some of the town's people and the history of boston. 273 crew of the Romney, in which the former gained their point and compelled the man-of-war's men to quit the wharf, which they did in great fury. On the 14th, a large company cele brated the anniversary of the first opposition to the stamp act at the Tree of Liberty. The combination of all these proceedings on the part of the people of Boston, furnished Gen. Thomas Gage, who was commander of the military forces in North America, with a sufficient pretence for sending a portion of regular trOops into Boston. His intentions to do so became generally known in July, but nothing certain was determined until September. On the 12th of that month, a town meeting was held on the subject in Faneuil-Hall. The meeting was opened with pray er by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Cooper, of Brattle-street crfurcfii -Mr. Otis was chosen moderator, and Messrs. T. Cushing, Sam'l Adams, Richard Dana, John Rowe, John Hancock, Benja. Kent, and Dr. Joseph Warren, were appointed to wait on His Ex. and humbly request him to communicate the rea sons on which he supposed troops would be ordered here. A committee was also appointed to request him forthwith to issue precepts for a general assembly. H. E. replied, that his in formation respecting the troops was only of a private nature, and that the -business of calling another Assembly was before the king, and H. E. could do nothing in it without H. M.'s commands. But it did not please the town of Boston to wait for His Majesty's determination. They met again on the next day, and among other things* resolved to ehoose ' a suitable number of persons to act for them as a committee in convention, with such as may be sent to join them from the several towns in this province, in order that such measures may be consulted and advised as H. M.'s service, and the peace and safety of his subjects in the province may require.' A circular was forth with addressed to the several towns, and on Thursday the 22d of September, upwards of seventy gentlemen appeared as committees from sixty-six towns,f besides districts. Messrs Otis, S. Adams, Hancock, and Cushing. were the members from Boston. Cushing was chosen chairman. Their debates and proceedings were open : and the first step was to prepare a petition to H. E.. for the calling of a General Assembly. H. E. begged to be excused ' from receiving a message from that assembly, which is called a Committee of Convention, * One vote was, that ' as there is at this time a prevailing apprehension of approaching' war with France,' every inhabitant be requested to provide himself with 'a well fixed firelock, musket, accoutrements, and ammunition,' as the law requires. t The number afterwards increased to above 100 from 38 towns and districts. 35 274 HISTORY OF BOSTON. for that would be to admit it to be a legal assembly, which 1 can by no means allow.' On the same day, H. E. sent a message, without a signature, declaring his opinion that this convention was to all intents and purposes ' an assembly of the representatives of the people,' and therefore, says he, ' I do earnestly admonish you, that, instantly and before you do any business, you break, up this assembly and separate your selves.' This message was by vote ordered to be returned to the secretary, and the next day it was sent with the signature of Fra. Bernard. On Saturday, the convention sent an an swer, by way of message, but H. E. refused to receive it. The convention continued their session every day till the 29th, during which time they adopted a letter to be transmit' ted tc»Dennys De Berdt, the agent of the province, at London, and published ' a result of their conference and consultation,' in which they declared their allegiance to the king, their ab horrence of riots, and their determination to yield all assist ance to the civil magistrate towards suppressing them, and also declared their rights, by charter and by nature, and their humble dependence on their gracious sovereign, that their wrongs would be speedily redressed. It is probable, that the convention effected all that was de- . sirable at that moment, and fortunate perhaps that they dis persed so. soon : Otherwise Gov. Bernard might have im proved the opportunity, as he threatened, to ' assert the pre rogative of the crown in a more publick manner.' For on the 28th of Sept. six of H.-M.'s ships of war, from Halifax, came to anchor in Nantasket. ' On Friday, Sept. 30th, 1768, the ships of war, armed schooners, transports, &c. came up the harbour, and anchored round the town ; their cannon loaded and springs on their cables, as for a regular siege. At noon on Saturday, Oct. 1, the 14th and 29th regiments, a de tachment from the 59th, and train of artillery with two pieces of cannon, landed on the Long-wharf, then . formed and marched with insolent parade, drums beating, fifes playing, and colours flying, up King-street : each soldier having re ceived sixteen round of shot.'* ( During various disputes about quarters for the troops, the council maintaining that they were not obliged by law, in- * This quotation is from an engraving of the scene, published by Paul Revere. The view . embraces the front of the town from the Old South meeting-house to the North Battery : Eight ships of war with tenders are seen lying off the wharves : the Red goats landing on the S. side of Long-whf : and a truck placed about midway, under guard, to prevent the peo ple passing down. It is dedicated thus : ' To the Earl of Hillsborough, H. M.'s secretary of state for America, this view of the only well-planned expedition, formed for supporting the dignity of Britain and chastising the insolence of America, is humbly inscribed.' HISTORY OF BOSTON. 275 deed that they were forbidden by law, to quarter them in the town, while the barracks at the Castle were not filled, some of them were lodged in the Town-house, some in Faneuil- hall, and some in stores at Griffin's wharf : and the town was afflicted with all the appearance and inconveniences of a gar risoned place. It was about this time that the luxury of Tea became pro scribed. In Boston 200 families had agreed to abstain en tirely from the use of it, by the 6th of October : other towns followed the example, and entered into similar agreements ; the students of Harvard College are highly applauded for resolving, 'with a spirit becoming Americans, to use no more of that pernicious herb,' and ' a gentleman in town, finding it very little in demand, shipped offa considerable quantity of the despised article.' ' Amusements that would have been at other times innocent and congenial, were now foregone : especially if they were to be partaken with those, who were held to be the instru ments of despotism. A striking example was given, the win ter after the British troops arrived. Some of the crown offi cers, who thought the publick gloom disloyal, circulated a proposal for a regular series of dancing assemblies, with the insidious design of engaging the higher classes in fashionable festivity, to falsify the assertions of the prevailing distress, and also to undermine the stern reserve, that was maintained towards the army, and thereby allay the indignation against the system, which they were sent to enforce. But, out of the contracted limits of their own circle, they could not obtain the presence of any ladies. Elegant manners, gay uniforms, animating bands of musick, the natural impulse of youth, all were resisted : the women of Boston refused to join in osten tatious gaiety, while their country was in mourning.' * CHAPTER XLVIII. Remember March ! the ides of March remember. Shakspeare. ' On Monday, the 30th of January, 1769, at about half af ter 10 o'clock at night, the people adjoining to the gaol were * News-letter, Nov. 10. ' Several transports arrived here this morning from Cork, hav ing on board part of the 64th and 65th regiments : the remainder are not yet in.! ' We hear, the Honourable the Commissioners of Customs leave Castle William this week. Preparations are making to hold their board in town, [at Concert-Hall,l as heretofore.' 276 HISTORY OF BOSTON. alarmed by the prisoners crying Fire i on which the keeper and a number of persons ran there, and found part of the in*- side in a blaze. It was some time before the. prisoners could be got out, the inner keys being lost in the confusion, and the wooden work being so strongly bound with iron, that it was difficult to cut through the doors and partitions. Capt. Wilson of the 59th reg. was particularly active in extricating them. It was expected the fire would be kept under, but the great quantity of inside timber work, occasioned it to rage with great violence, and the flames burst through the windows and reached the roof, which after burning some hours fell in ; the wood work burnt all night, and in the morning nothing remained but the bare stone walls. During the continuance of the fire, the town's people behaved with their usual alacr rity ; and many of the military were very active in assisting them ; the commodore was present, a number of officers and sailors were landed from the ships, and an engine was sent from the Romney. The commander ofthe main guard, with a party offered their service on the first alarm, which was der chned 5 but they were afterwards sent for and took charge of some of the prisoners.' This is the only good deed we have found attributed to the regular soldiers. It was generally understood in Boston, that the occurrences in the town, for some time past, had been represented at home in an unfavourable light : the selectmen* thought it their duty to call upon Governour Bernard, in behalf of the town, to communicate to them such representations of facts as he had sent to England ; and at the annual meeting in March, the town addressed the kiog in a most dutiful and loyal petition, setting forth their grievances, and in the most affecting strains begging his royal protection, against their revilers and op pressors. When the time for the annual choice of representatives came round, the selectmen waited on Gen. Mackay, who com manded the troops in town, with the request that he would or der them out of the town on the day of election. The Gene ral declared that it was not in his power, but engaged to con fine them within their barracks. The town met on the 5th of May, and before proceeding to business, entered upon their records a declaration of their rights, and a protest ' that their proceeding to an election under such circumstances, is wholly from necessity, and not to be considered as a precedent at any time hereafter, or construed as a voluntary receding from the incontestible rights of British subjects and freeholders on so * Joshua Henshaw, Jos. Jackson, J. Ruddock,. J. Hancock, J. Rowe, Saml. Pemberlon; H. Inches. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 277 interesting an affair.' The next day, Messrs. Otis, Cushing, Adams, and Hancock, were chosen again; H. having 505, A. 503, C. and O. 502, out of 508 votes : a result that speaks strongly of the unanimity of the town. When the legislature met, they refused to proceed to busi ness in the Town-house, other than the choice of counsellors and oflicers, unless the fleet and army were removed from the town and harbour. After waiting a fortnight, the Governour adjourned them to Cambridge. There they passed votes of censure upon his conduct. They also passed a petition to the king for his removal, and on the day after (June 28,) he informed them that he was ordered to attend upon the king to lay before him the state of the province. He left Boston, July 31, and Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson officiated in his stead. The occasions of controversy between the people and the servants of the crown were now almost as frequent as the occa sions of intercourse, and every man felt himself interested in every occurrence that interested' his neighbour. But the greatest excitement produced by any thing, that more particu larly concerned an individual, arose from an attack upon Mr. Otis. His name had been introduced, in an offensive manner, in some paper of the commissioners of the customs, and he therefore advertised them by name, Henry Hulton, Charles Paxton, William Burch, and John Robinson, as no more worthy of credit than Sir Francis Bernard, of Nettleham, Baronet. 1 The next evening, (Sept. 5lh,) about 7 o'lock, Mr. O. went to the British Coffee-house, [it was on the spot where the Massachusetts Bank now stands, in State-st.] where Mr. Rob inson was sitting in company with a number of army, navy, and revenue officers. As soon as he came in, an altercation took place, which terminated in Robinson's striking Otis with a cane, which was returned with a weapon ofthe same kind. Great confusion then ensued. The lights were extinguished, and Otis, without a friend, was surrounded by the adherents of Robinson. A young man, by the name of John Gridley, passing by, very boldly entered the Coffee-house, to take the part of Otis against so many foes ; but he was also assaulted, beaten, and turned out of the house. After some time the combatants were separated ; Robinson retreated by a back passage, and Otis was led home wounded and bleeding. The animosity that existed towards the revenue officers, for their insolent and oppressive conduct, the sympathy and admira tion that were cherished for the character, talents, and servi ces; of the leading patriot of his day, all conspired to give this transaction the odium of a scheme of assassination. Mr- O. instituted an action against Robinson, and obtained a verdict in his favour for £2,000 sterling damages. This sum he no- 278 HISTORY OF BOSTON. bly declined receiving, on a suitable apology from the de fendant.* In January, 1770, the merchants renewed their agreement not to import British goods. They held several meetings in Faneuil-Hall, and appointed committees of inspection, who should examine into the truth of reports, concerning the un faithfulness of some who had signed the articles. The names of several were reported, and ordered to be published. Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson sent a message to one of these meetings, by the sheriff, (whose name was Stephen Greenleaf,) ' enjoining and requiring them without delay to separate and disperse, and to forbear all such unlawful assemblies for the fu ture.' After a calm consideration of the message, it was unanimously voted to proceed : and a written answer was sent to His Honour, signifying their opinion that the meeting was warranted by law. Theophilus Lillie, who kept a shop near the New Brick meeting-house, was one of those denounced as Importers. On the 22d of February, some persons erected near Lillie's, a large wooden head, fixed on a pole, on which the faces of several importers were carved. One Ebenezer Richardson living in the neighbourhood, (who had acquired the appella tion ot Informer,) endeavoured to persuade some teamsters from the country, to run the post down with their carts ; but they understanding the nature of the pageantry, would have nothing to do with it. Richardson foolishly persisted, and seized the bridle of the horses, but failed of his intent to guide the team against the post. On this, the boys set up a shout, which being resented by Richardson, they pelted him with dirt till they drove him into his own house. The noise gath ered a considerable number of people. Hard words passed between Richardson and some of the multitude ; stones were thrown on both sides, till at length Richardson discharged a musket at'random from his door, and another from his win dow. One young man was severely injured, and a boy, Christopher Snider, about eleven years of age, received a mortal wound in his breast. Upon this the bells were set to ringing, and a vast concourse of people drawn together. Richardson, and one Wilmot, a seaman, who had taken his part in the affray, were secured and carried to Faneuil-Hall, where they underwent an examination and were committed for trial. The boy died in the course of the evening, and was remo ved to his parents' house in Frog-lane [Boylston-st.] All the friends of liberty were invited to attend the funeral ' of this * Tudor, p. 362— In October, 1769, the town published an Appeal to the World, or Vindi cation of Boston, from the aspersions of Bernard and others. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 279 little hero and first martyr to the noble cause.' This innocent lad was announced a/' the first whose life had been a victim to the cruelty and rage of oppressors. Young as he was, he died in his country's cause, by the hand of one, directed by others,, who could not bear to see the enemies of America made the ridicule of boys.' On Monday, the 26th, his funeral took place. The little corpse wasset down under the Tree of Liberty, from which the procession began. The coffin bore inscriptions appropriate to the times ; on the foot ' Latet an- guis in herba :' on each side, ' Haeret laterilethalis > arundo :' and on the head, ' Innocentia nusquam tuta.' Four or five hun dred school boys, in couples, preceded the, corpse ; six of the lad's playfellows supported the pall ; the relatives followed, and after them a train of 1300 inhabitants on foot, and thirty chariots and chaises closed the procession. A more imposing spectacle than this could . hardly have been contrived, or one better adapted to produce a lasting impression on the hearts of the beholders: but it was* only the prelude to a scene of far greater horrour. The morning papers of M0I,day, the fifth of March, which told of this trans action, gave also several accounts of quarrels between the sol diers and different individuals belonging to the town. The officers were apprehensive of difficulties, and were particular ly active in their endeavours to get all their men into their barracks before night. Murray's Barracks, so called, where the l'4th regiment was principally quartered, were in Brattle- street, in the buildings directly opposite the little alley, which leads from the bottom of Market-street. The 29th regt. was quartered in Water-street and in Atkinson-street. As a meas ure of precaution, there was a sentinel stationed in the alley before mentioned, (then called Boylston's alley) and this very circumstance led to the quarrel which terminated in the Boston Massacre. Three or four young men, who were dispos ed to go through the alley, about nine o'clock, observed the sentinel brandishing his sword against the walls and striking fire for his own amusement. They offered to pass him and were challenged, hut persisted in their attempt, and one of them received a slight wound on his head. The bustle of this rencontre drew together all those who were passing by, and fifteen or twenty persons thronged the alley, and thirty or forty more, gathered in Dock-square, were attempting to force their way to the barracks through Brattle-strret, (which was at that time so narrow that a carriage could with difficulty pass.) Being foiled in this attempt, the party, which was con tinually increased by accessions, gathered in Dock-square round a tall man with a red cloak and white wig, to whom they listened with close attention two or three minutes, and then gave three cheers and huzzaed for the main guard. 280 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The main guard was regularly stationed near the head of State-street, directly opposite the door on the south side of the Town-house. To this place all the soldiers detached for guard duty were daily brought, and from thence marched to the particular posts assigned them. On this d^y the com mand of the guard had devolved on Capt. Thomas Preston, and Lt. Basset underhiim As the party dispersed from Dock-square, some ran up Cornhill, others up Wilson's lane, others up Royal Exchange lane (now Exchange street.) These last found a single senti nel stationed before the door of the Custom house, which was the building now occupied by the Union Bank, and then made one corner of that lane, as the Royal Exchange tavern did the other. As the sentinel was approached, he retreated to the steps ofthe house, and alarmed the inmates by.three or four powerful knocks at the door. Word was sent to Lt. Bas sett that .the sentinel was attacked by the town's people. He immediately sent a message to his captain, who instantly re paired to the guard house, where Lt. Basset informed him that be had just sent a Serjeant and six men to assist the sentry at the Custom house. ' Well,' said the captain, ' I will follow them and see they do no mischief.' He overtook them before tbey reached the Custom house, where they joined the Sentinel and formed a half circle round the steps; •By this time the bells were set to ringing, and people flock ed from all quarters, supposing there was fire. The soldiers were soon surrounded ; many of those nearest to them were armed with clubs and crowded close upon them ; those' at a distance began to throw sticks of wood and snow-balls and pieces of ice at them, while from all sides they were challeng ed to Fire, fire if you dare. At last they thought they heard the order given, and they did fire in succession from right to left. Two or three of the guns flashed, but the rest were fatal. Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, and James Caldwell were killed on the spot, Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr received mortal wounds, of which the former died the next morning, and Carr on the Wednesday of the next week. Several other persons were more or less injured : the greater part, persons passing by chance or 'quiet spectators of the scene. The people instantly retreated, leaving the ¦¦ three un happy men on the ground. All this transpired within 2© minutes from the time of Capt. Preston's joining the guard. ' On the people's assembling again,' says Capt. P. ' to take away the dead bodies, the soldiers, supposing them coming to attack them, were making ready to fire again — which I pre vented by striking up their firelocks with my hand. Immedi ately after, a townsman came and told me that 4 or 5000 people were assembled in the next street, and had sworn to take my 4 tt 3 1 S8 t H ' ti HISTORY OF BOSTON. 281 life with every man's with me ; on which I judged it unsafe to remain there any longer, and therefore sent the party and sentry to the main guard, where the street is narrow and short, then telling them off into street firings, divided and planted them at each end of the street to secure their rear, expecting an attack, as there was a constant cry of the inhab itants, ' To arms, to arms, turn out with your guns,' and the town drums beating to arms. I ordered my drum to beat to arms, and being soon after joined by the several companies ofthe 29th regiment, I formed them, as the guard, into street firings. The 14th regiment also got under arms, but remain ed at their barracks. I immediately sent a serjeant with a party to Col., Dalrymple, the commanding officer, to acquaint him with every particular. Several officers going to . join their regiment were knocked down by the mob, one very much wounded and his sword taken from him. The Lieut. Gov. and Col. Carr soon after met at the head of the 29th regt. and agreed that the regiment should retire to their bar racks, and the- people to their houses : but I kept the piquet to strengthen the guard. It was with great difficulty that the Lieut. Gov. prevailed on the people to be quiet and retire : at last they all went off except about a hundred.' This hun dred was composed of some of the most distinguished inhabi tants, who volunteered to form a citizens' guard. A justices' court was forthwith held, and Capt. Preston surrendered himself, and was committed to prison at three, the next morning : the eight soldiers also were committed early in the forenoon. At eleven o'clock a town meeting was held. Various per sons related to the assembly, what they had witnessed of the events of the preceding day. A committee of fifteen was ap pointed to wait on the Lieut. Governour and Col. Dalrymple, and express to them the sentiment of the town, that it was impossible for the soldiers and inhabitants to live in safety to gether, and their fervent prayer for the immediate removal of the former. The answer received to this application was not such as was wished ; and in the afternoon, seven of the first committee (viz. John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Wm. Moli- neux, Wm. Phillips, Jos. Warren, Joshua Henshaw, and Samuel Pemberton) were again deputed with the following message : ' It is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that the reply made to a vote of the inhabitants presented His Honour, this morning, is by no means satisfactory ; and that nothing less will satisfy them, than a total and immediate re moval of the troops.' Samuel Adams acted as ' chairman of this delegation, and discharged its duties with an ability com mensurate to the occasion. Col. Dalrymple was by the side 36 232 HISTORY OF BOSTON. of Hutchinson, who at the head of the Council received them. He at first denied that he had power to grant the request. Adams plainly, in few words, proved to him that he had the power by the charter. Hutchinson then consulted with Dal rymple in a whisper, the result of which was, a repetition of the offer to remove one ofthe reg'ments, the 14th, which had had no part in the massacre. At that critical moment Adams showed the most admirable presence of mind. Seeming not to represent, but to personify, the universal feeling, he stretch ed forth his arm, as if it were upheld by the strength of thou sands, and with unhesitating promptness and dignified firm ness replied, " If the Lieutenant-Governour, or Colonel Dal rymple, or both together, have authority to remove one regi ment, they have authority to remove two : and nothing short of the total evacuation cf the town, by all the regular troops, will satisfy the publick mind or preserve the peace of the prov ince." The officers, civil and militar}', were in reality abash ed, before this plain committee of a democratick assembly. They knew the imminent danger that impended : the very air was filled with the breathings of compressed indignation. They shrunk, fortunately shrunk, from all the arrogance, which they had hitherto maintained. Their reliance on a standing army faltered before the undaunted, irresistible reso lution of free unarmed citizens.' Hutchinson consulted the Council, and they gave him their unqualified advice, that the troops should be sent out of the town. The commanding officer then pledged his word of honour, that the demand of the town should be complied with, as soon as practicable ; and both regiments were remo ved to the Castle in less than fourteen days. The funeral solemnities, which took place on Thursday, the 8th, brought together the greatest concourse, that probably had ever assembled in America on one occasion. Attucks, who was a friendless mulatto, and Caldwell, who also was a stranger, were borne from Faneuil-Hall ; Maverick, who was about 17 years old, from his mother's house in Union-street, and Gray from his brother's in Royal Exchange lane. The four hearses formed a junction in King-street, and thence the procession marched in columns of six deep through the main street to the middle burial ground, where the four victims were deposited in one sgrave. The trial of Richardon and Wilmot for the murder of Snider came on in April. Wilmot was cleared, but Richard son was brought in guilty of murder. The Lieut. Gov. con sidered it so clear a case of justifiable manslaughter, that he refused to sign the warrant for his execution, and after two HISTORY OF BOSTON. 283 years' confinement, he was ultimately pardoned by the king.* The traders and people had generally adhered in good faith to the agreement not to import or use imported goods. In the session of parliament this spring, a proposition was sustained for repealing the duties on all the articles except tea. Some London traders, supposing this would break up the compact, ventured to send quantities of the proscribed merchandize, and it arrived in the latter part of April.t There was no willingness in Boston to admit of a compromise. On the first intimation ofthe design of the ministry, new resolu tions had been formed, and agreements signed by the ladies throughout the town, that they would drink no more of the obnoxious beverage (except in case of sickness) until all the acts were repealed. There was some tea in the cargoes that had just arrived, and nothing would satisfy the publick mind short of its all being returned. Mr. Hancock offered one of of his vessels, freight free, for the purpose, and she was load ed with great despatch and arrived safe in London, to the amazement and chagrin of those concerned in the consignment. At the time ofthe May election, the health of Mr. Otis had so far declined, in consequence of the injury he had receiv ed, and of the constant excitement, which his devotion to pub lick business had occasioned, that the town was therefore obliged to dispense with his services in the General Court, this year, and elected in his stead the Hon. James Bowdoin. This gentleman was a descendant of the French Protestants, and inherited from his father a large estate, to which he did honour by his talents, his sound principles, and generous views. He had represented the town three years, previous to 1756, when he was chosen into the council, where he re tained a seat till Gov. Bernard negatived him in 1769. At that board he had been a leading member, and ever stood in the front of opposition to what were considered the arbitrary measures of government.! The last Wednesday in May, 1770, exhibited a novel scene. The Court was ordered to meet at the College in Cambridge, and the Lieut. Gov. could not be persuaded to adjourn them to Boston. ' A number of gentlemen, friends to the rights of North America,' anticipating this state of things, * On the 18th of April, there was a Liberty Tree celebration in hononr of John Wilkes, Esq. tin six cargoes, there was about half a common vessel's lading of various proscribed articles. B. Gaz. Ap. 23, and News Letter, Sept. 13, 1770. f\Mr.,Bowdoin was-agaln chosen counsellor, and, unexpectedly, Jtfr.Hntchinson suffered him to go into that board : Mr. John Adams was chosen to supply his place as a represen tative. 284 HISTORY OF BOSTON. made preparations for celebrating this annual festival of our fathers in its ancient seat. In the morning, the attention of people was attracted to the Common, by the roasting of an ox, which had been carried through the town, the day before, dressed with garlands of ribbons and flowers. Religious ser vices were performed at noon : Mr. Samuel Mather, ' a wor thy descendant of those christian patriots, Increase and Cotton,' made the prayers, and Dr. Chauncy, ' that inflexi ble assertor of our civil and religious rights,' preached the sermon. A dinner at Faneuil-Hall, and the distribution of the ox among the poor concluded the day. The melancholy result of the affray at Lillie's did not deter the violent part of the town from attacking another of the Importers. Two or three brothers, by the name of M'Masters, kept shop in King-street, at the corner of Pudding-lane, (late Abiel Smith, esq.'s house,) where they made bold to sell teas or broadcloth to the tories, and arms and ammunition to the whigs, as best suited their interest. But their good servi ces in the last did not screen them from vengeance for their offence in the first. One of them was taken on the 19th of June, and carted, in the heat ofthe day, from the South-end, with a bag of feathers and some tar in a barrel at his side, towards King-street, where it was intended to expose him to publick view, besmeared with the one and coated with the other. But as he drew near to the spot, his colour forsook his lips, his eye sunk, and he was about to fall lifeless in the cart, when some gentlemen compassionated his case, so far as to beg permission to take him into a house. Cordials were exhibited, and M'Masters revived ; and on a solemn promise never to return, he was excused from ' this new-invented mode of punishment,' and carted, sitting in a chair, to the Roxbury line, where he was dismissed with hearty cheers. The trial of Capt. Preston and the soldiers seemed to be unnecessarily delayed, and some apprehensions were mur mured, that they might be rescued by government from tbe hand ofthe law. In September, the Castle, which had hith erto been in charge of a province garrison, was by order from England delivered by the Lieut. Gov. into the command of Col. Dalrymple, and the absence of troops from the town was compensated by the presence of six ships of war and two schooners in the harbour. At length the trial of Capt. Preston was commenced in October. He was defended with masterly ability, by John Adams and Josiah Quincy jr. esqrs.* who, to use the words of Tudor, ' in so doing, gave a proof of that elevated genuine courage, which ennobles, human na- ' Assisted by Sampson Salter Blowers, esq. in the case of the soldierso ' HISTORY OF BOSTON. 285 ture. For leaders on the patriotick side, the attempt, while the publick were in a state of such high exasperation, to de fend an officer who was accused of murdering their fellow citizens, required an effort of no ordinary mind : it was made successfully, and will ever hold a distinguished rank among those causes that adorn the profession of the law ; in which a magnanimous, fearless advocate boldly espouses the side of the unfortunate, against the passions of the people, and haz ards his own safety or fortune in the exertion.' Capt. P. was acquitted and discharged October 29th. The soldiers were afterwards tried, and on the 8th of De cember, six of them were found Not Guilty, and the verdict against the other two, Matthew Killroy and Hugh Montgom ery, was ' Not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.' These two were slightly branded, and all of them liberated and sent to the Castle. At this distance of time, we can look back and rejoice in this result, which was an honourable triumph of law and mer cy over violence and revenge. But in that day of irritation there were many who believed the soldiers worthy of death, and regarded their acquittal as the effect of legal chicanery. Those who still bore in their own limbs the scars of wounds received on the fatal fifth of March, and those who were still mourning for the loss of their friends, could not suffer its an niversary clay to pass unnoticed. It was proposed to substi tute the celebration of the Boston Massacre for that of the Gunpowder plot. Accordingly when the evening arrived, in 1771, an address, was delivered by Dr. Thomas Young to a collection of people at the Manufactory House.* At the north part of the town, Mr. Paul Revere (afterwards Col.) who lived in North square, had his house illuminated, and at one window exhibited a representation of Snider's ghost, at another a view ofthe massacre, and at a third the Genius of America in tears. The whole exhibition was so well execut ed, that it produced a melancholy gloom and solemn silence in several thousand spectators, which was deepened by the * This building stood where Hamilton place now does. It was selected for this occasion, because the first opposition to the soldiers had been made here in October, 1768. Mr. John Brown, having possession of the building as a tenant under the province, refused admission to the military. — The Sheriff was serit by Gov. Bernard to take possession and was refused admittance. On a third attempt be found a window open, and entered by that : upon which, the people gathered about him and made him prisoner. Notice of this being given to an officer of the regiment on the Common, a party of soldiers came and took possession of the yard and relieved the sherifffrom bis confinement. Mr. Brown continued obstinate : the soldiers stood guard all that day and the best part ofthe next, when the council declared to tbe governour, that they would not justify the use of force to dispossess him, and the. sol diers were withdrawn. 286 HISTORY OF BOSTON. dismal sound of the bells tolling from nine to ten o'clock. These were the acts of private individuals, but they proba bly occasioned the resolution to commemorate the fifth of March in a publick way. Master James Lovell was this year appointed and delivered the first ofthe ' Boston Orations' on the 2d of April, and provision was made for a similar cele bration, by tbe timely appointment of Dr. Joseph Warren for the orator of the next year.* CHAPTER XLIX. " For that he has, As much as in him Ues, from time to time Envied against the people, seeking means To pluck away their power." Mr. Hutchinson had received a commission promoting him to the office of Governour on the 8th of March, 1771, and been proclaimed in customary form on the fifteenth. On the third of April, he met the General Court at Cambridge. As soon as they had opportunity, they appointed a committee to pre sent him a verbal message requesting him to ' remove the court to its ancient and legal seat, the town of Boston.' This he declined to do, while the House denied the King's right to order the court to be held where be thought proper. A con troversy was maintained for a long time on this subject, which served to make the governour an object of publick odium. This was not decreased by his proclamation for aid and as sistance to a recruiting party, which arrived here on the 29th of April to enlist for His Majesty's service.! People could not misunderstand this movement, or consider it in any other light than that of a pretext for keeping a guard in the town, to be in readiness to protect the crown officers. And they found it employed for that purpose, on occasion of a ball at Concert-hall, given by Mrs.Gambier, wife ofthe commander of the naval forces on this station, on the king's birth day (June 4,) * The anniversary was observed every year till 178S, inclusive. Tbe orators in order were, Mr. Lovell, Dr. Warren, Dr. Benja. Church, John Hancock, Dr. Warren, Rev. Peter Thacher (of Maiden, at Watertown, 1776,) Benja. Hichborn, Jona. W. Austin, Wm. Tudor, Jona. Mason Jr. Thomas Dawes Jr. Geo. R. Minot, Dr. Thomas Welsh. The orations are published in a separate volume. t From an advertisement of Mr. Hancock's in the B. Gazette of April 15th, it appears that the agreement not to import, had before that time become null, except as to the article o'f Tea on which the duty of three pence per pound was still demanded. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 287 which was attended by the Governour and other friends to government. The General Court,* which was obliged again to assemble at Cambridge, found other causes of complaint, lt had been decided in England that the Governour's salary should be paid by the crown, and thus he was made independent ofthe people. The alarm which thisstep occasioned was very ex tensive, and the indignation expressed against it was couched in no equivocal terms. The language of the whigs became every day more high-toned : ' We know,' say the H. of. R. on one occasion, ' weknow of no commissioners of His Majesty's customs, nor of any revenue His Majesty has a right to establish in North America.' Heretofore the complaint had been against the ministry and parliament; we find it here against the King himself. But this increased determination in favour of liberty produced no popular tumult : Boston remained as quiet throughout the year, as it had ever been before the ar rival of tbe troops, and entirely free from those petty broils, which the soldiers were always creating. The greatest agi tation was occasioned, by an abortive attempt to procure an indictment against Mr. Isaiah Thomas, for an article which appeared in his Massachusetts Spy, November 14th, signed Mucins Sctxvola, which was said to be the most daring produc tion ever published in America. The Spy had been estab lished about a year in Boston, and had taken a very decided stand in favour of liberty, in a stile calculated to engage the middling class of society.! Early in 17724 a prominent writer ma(^e the declaration, ' the dispute between the kingdom and colonies has ceased every where except in this province — We are now left in the lurch — every other colony has made its peace.' On this ground he exhorted the Massachusetts to lay aside their animosities, and submit like dutiful children to parental au thority. Governour H. intimated the same in his messages to the General Court. This drew, from the partizans on the other side, rejoinders equally positive pf the contrary. 'They (the colonies) will soon put in practise their meditated plan of the United Provinces, and form an independent common- * Mr. Otis was returned this year (1771) from Boston instead of Mr. John Adams : but his infirmities had now increased so much that he could no longer give a close and continued attention to business : he withdrew soon after from publick life, and was bereft of his rea son, except at very short intervals, for several years before his death, which happened at Andover, May 23, 1783. t See News Letter, Feb. 6, 1772. Bost. Gai. March 2, May 11, July 17. Thomas' H. of P. ii. 249. The Boston representatives, in 1772, were S. Adams, Hancock, Cushing, and William Phillips, who also served in '73 and '74. 288 HISTORY OF BOSTON. wealth. That the colonies will in some future time be an independent state is morally certain— it is very near— 'tis not probable that it is at the distance of fifteen years.' Again, in May, on a rumour that war was to be expected between En gland and some European power, the people are exhorted to establish a correspondence between the several colonies and unitedly refuse supplies, unless a redress of grievances can be obtained.* Such a war did not take place, but the people of Boston. found an opportunity for commencing a union on a smaller scale, which probably led to the general union of all the col onies. People had remonstrated firmly against the Govern nour's receiving his salary from the crown, but they were answered only by the further indignity of putting the judges on the same footing. As soon as the news of this design reached Boston, a petition was circulated to procure a town meeting, to consult on the measures required at this critical juncture. Several meetings were held, and continued by ad journments to Nov. 2d, when, after ineffectual application to the Governour for information on this important subject, and having obtained from him a refusal to call together the Gen eral Court, the following proceedings took place. ' Nov. 1772. Proceedings of Town Meeting. j It was then moved by Mr. Samuel Adams, that a Commit tee of Correspondence be appointed, to consist of twenty-one persons — to state the Right of these Colonists, and of this Prov ince in particular, as men, as christians, and as subjects : to communicate and publish the same to the several towns in this province and to the world, as the sense of this town, with the infringements and violations thereof, that have been, or from time to time may be made. Also requesting of each town a free communication of their sentiments on this subject ; and the question being accordingly put, passed in the affirmative, nem. con. 'Also voted, that James Otis, S. Adams, Joseph Warren, Dr. B. Church, Wm. Dennie, Wm. Greenleaf, Jos. Greenleaf, Thomas Young, Wm. Powell, Nath. Appleton, Oliver Wen dell, John Sweetser, Josiah Quincy jr. John Bradford, Rich ard Boynton, Wm. Mackay, Nath.Barber, Caleb Davis, Alex. Hill, Wm. Molineux, and Robert Pierpont, be and hereby. are appointed a Committee for the purpose aforesaid, and that they be desired to report to the town as soon as may be.' The committee reported on the 19th of November an elab orate declaration of rights, and a lucid statement of the * June IS, 1772. The Governour removed the Court to Boston, on the opinion of tbe Council that he could do it consistently with his instructions. History of Boston. 289 violations of them, of which the town ordered 600 copies to be printed and distributed, together with a circular letter to every town in the province. These town meetings were rath er thinly attended, and the tories improved that circumstance to represent the whole in a ludicrous light. But their smiles were changed to sadness when they found that almost every town adopted the measures proposed by Boston ; and the Governour considered it so serious a subject as to be worthy of mention to the general court in his message, Jan. 6, 1773. His condemnation ofthe towns drew from the representatives a justification, in which they were emboldened to say to him, ' Notwithstanding ail the terrours which Your Ex. has depict ed to us as the effects of a total independence, there is more rea son to dread the consequences of absolute, uncontrolled pow er, whether of a nation or a monarch, than those of a total independence.' Following up the plan of union, the town, in their instruc tions to their representatives, chosen in May, thus express their approbation of it : ' We recommend to your serious consideration, whether an application to the English colonies on this continent, corres pondent to the plan proposed by our noble patriotick sister colony of Virginia (which in our opinion is a wise and salu tary proposal,) will not secure our threatened liberties, and restore that mutual harmony and confidence between the British nation and the English colonies, so important to both, especially the former, which, if rescinded from her connexion with this continent, must eventually fall a prey to her nume rous and jealous neighbours.' The Virginia proposal, to which these instructions referred, was contained in Resolves, passed by the House of Burges ses in that colony, on the twelfth of March ; and in accord ance with that, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, on motion of Samuel Adams, appointed a committee of corres pondence and inquiry, to consist of 15 members, ' whose business it should be to obtain the most early and authentick intelligence of all such acts and resolutions of the British par liament, or proceedings of administrations, as may relate to, or affect the British colonies in America ; and to keep up and maintain a correspondence and communication with our sister colonies, respecting these important considerations : and the re sult of such their proceedings, from time to time, to lay before the House.' This was adopted (1 10 to 4) on the 28th of May. On the 2d of June, (the galleries of the house being clear ed,) a disclosure was made by Mr. Adams, relative to the dis covery of certain letters written by Messrs. Hutchinson and Oliver, Paxton, Auchmuty, and others, in which it appeared that they had long maintained and favoured the design of m- 37 290 HISTORY OF BOSTON. troducing arbitrary power into this country.* In conse quence of this discovery, the House adopted resolutions of censure, which concluded with a petition to the king for the removal of Hutchinson and Oliver from their ofiices. CHAPTER L. " I do believe (Statist though I am none, nor like to be) That this will prove a war, and you shall hear The legions, now in Gallia, sooner landed In our not-fearing Britain, than have tidings Of any penny tribute paid." Shakspearr. Although the resolution of the Americans not to pay the duty on tea, imported from England, continued firm, there was still a considerable quantity of the article consumed. It could be obtained in Holland, at a less price than the English merchants demanded, and there was no difficulty in smuggling it, on its arrival here. Not one chest in 500 had been seized for the three years past, and the custom-house oflicers seemed unwilling to run any risk to make a seizure. The English East India Company ascertained by very accurate informa tion, that the annual consumption in the colonies was not less than 3,264,000 pounds, and that the net profit, which they might reasonably calculate on realizing from that quantity, after paying the duties themselves, and deducting incidental charges, would amount to £39.320 sterling. They were, therefore, induced to apply for and obtained licence (Aug. 20, 1773) to export a quantity of tea to America, not exceeding 600,000 pounds wt. 'discharged from the payment of any cus- tomsor duties whatsoever' in the kingdom, on the understanding, that they were to pay the three pence per pound duty, at the custom-houses in America.! As soon as this determination ofthe Company was known, a number of American merchants, then in London, petitioned * These letters were originals, which had been obtained in England through the instru mentality of Dr. Franklin, as it afterwards appeared, (News-Letter, March, 1774,) and for warded to Mr. Bowdoin. t MS. account ofthe proceedings of the E. I. Co. relative to the exportation of tea to America, 1773. pp.262. The first tea that paid the American duty arrived in 1768 : from that time to Nov. 1773, there had been entered at Boston, 3092 chests. A chest was estimated 340 pounds wt. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 291 very greedily for the privilege of receiving the consignments or furnishing vessels to convey the tea. Jona. Clarke, of the firm of Richard Clarke and Sons, of Boston, obtained the fa vour for his house, and the friends of Benja. Faneuil jr. and Joshua Winslow, and those of Elisha and Th. Hutchinson jr. obtained similar privileges for them. All these facts became known in Boston early in October, and several caucus meetings were held, ' in various parts of the town, of a large number of persons, to consult and con clude on some method to prevent the execution of the Com pany's plan.' About one o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, the 2d of November, the Messrs. Clarkes were roused out of sleep by a violent knocking at their door, when a letter was delivered to them, purporting to be from the freemen of this province, requiring them to appear at Liberty Tree, at 12 o'clock on Wednesday, to make a publick resignation of their commission as consignees of the tea. On Tuesday, there was a notification to the freemen of this and the other towns, to attend to witness this resignation. On Wednesday the bells began to ring at 11, and continued ringing till 12 o'clock, and the town crier went through the streets summoning the peo ple to assemble. About 500 collected ; (the selectmen were present to prevent disorder ;) but the gentlemen consignees did not appear. A committee was therefore appointed, con sisting of Mr. Molineux, Mr. Wm. Dennie, Dr. Warren, Dr. Church, Major Barber, Mr. Gabriel Johonnot, Mr. Proctor, and Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, to expostulate with them on the high insult they had cast upon the people, and demand their signature to a paper, obligating themselves not to land or pay duty on any tea sent by the E. I. C. The assembly then accompanied the committee to the store of Messrs. C. & Sons, at the lower end of King-street, where all the consignees were assembled, and waited for their answer ; which not being satisfactory, some little indignity was offered to them, but the people were soon persuaded to disperse, without doing any essential injury. The next day a town meeting was notified,, to be held on the 5th, when the consignees were called upon by the Town to resign their appointments ; but they still refused to do it, on the ground 'that they knew not on what terms the tea would be sent to them, nor what obligations of a moral or pe cuniary nature they might be under to fulfil the trust.' The meeting was adjourned to the 6th, when these answers were voted to be daringly affrontive to the town, and the meeting immediately dissolved. On the 1 7th, Mr. Jonathan Clarke arrived, and at night the town was disturbed by an assem blage around his father's house, in School-street. A pistol was fired from the windows, which in return were saluted 292 HISTORY OF BOSTON. with stones, but no personal injury appears to have been done to any one. The consignees threw themselves upon the Gov. and Coun cil for protection ; and, after having the subject under dis cussion for ten days, the Council could only advise His Ex. to order the justices, sheriff, and other officers of the law, to exert themselves to the utmost for the preservation of the pub lick peace. The consignees and custom-house officers there upon took refuge in the Castle. During this time all was expectation. At length, on Sun day, Novi 28, the ship Dartmouth, Capt. James Hall, arrived, with 112 chests ofthe tea. The next morning, the following notice was widely circulated : Friends, Brethren, Countrymen ! That worst of plagues, the detested TEA, shipped for this port by the East India Company, is now arrived in this har bour. The hour of destruction, or manly opposition to the machinations of Tyranny, stares you in the face. Every friend to his country, to himself and to posterity, is now called upon to meet at Faneuil-Hall, at nine o'clock, this day (at which time the bells will ring) to make a united and successful re sistance to this last, worst, and most destructive measure of administration. Boston, Nov. 29, 1773. This notification brought together a vast concourse of ' THE PEOPLE of Boston and the neighbouring towns,' at the time and place appointed. Jona. Williams of B. was cho sen moderator. The first step of this meeting was to confirm the resolve ofthe town, that the tea should ' be returned to the place from whence it came, at all events.' It then appear ing, that the Hall could not contain the people assembled, it was voted to adjourn to the Old South (leave having beefi obtained for this purpose.) There it was further resolved, that ' the tea should not only be sent back, but no duty should be paid thereon.' Then, to give time to the consignees to prepare a communication to this body, the meeting was ad journed to 3 P. M. In the afternoon, Capt. Hall, and Mr. Francis Rotch, the owner of the Dartmouth, were convented and charged not to land the tea at their peril. A watch of 25 persons, under direction of Capt. Edw. Proctor, was ap pointed to prevent the landing of the tea in the night. Cen sure was passed on the Governour for an order he had issued to the law officers. An excuse was then offered by Mr. Hancock, in the name of a friend ofthe consignees, for their delay ; and, ' out of great tenderness' to them, the meeting was adjourned to nine o'clock the next morning. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 293 Tuesday, Nov. 30th, the Body met, according to adjourn ment, and received a letter from the consignees, informing that their orders had arrived from the E. I. C. and stating, that it was entirely out of their power to send the tea back, but that they were willing to store it, until they could send to England for further advice. Before the assembly had time to express their indignation at this communication, Mr. Sheriff Greenleaf came into the meeting, and ' begged leave to read a letter he had received from the Governour,' requiring him to read a proclamation to the people here assembled ; which was granted and done. ' Whereupon it was moved and the question put, whether the sheriff should be permitted to read the proclamation, which passed in the affirmative, nem. con.' It was an order ' forthwith to disperse and surcease all fur ther unlawful proceedings, at their utmost peril. And the same being read by the sheriff, there was immediately after a loud and very general hiss.' — And the question being put, whether the assembly would disperse, &c. according to the Governour's requirement, it passed in the negative, nem. con. There was another meeting in the afternoon, when, after ineffectual conference with Mr. Copley, the friend of the con signees, Captain Hall, and the owners and factors of the Dartmouth and the other vessels expected, were put under solemn injunction not to land a particle of the Tea. Captain Ezekiel Cheever was appointed to command the watch this night, and provision was made for a watch ' tbe following nights, until the vessels leave iheharbour.' If the watch should be molested in the night, the bells were to be tolled, or rung if any thing happened in the day time. Six persons were ap pointed ' to give notice to the country towns, when they shall be required so to do,'on any important occasion.' Resolutions of gentle censure were then passed against those who had inadvertently imported tea from G. B. while subject to a duty, and followed by another, which declared whoever should hereafter import, until the said unrighteous act shall be repealed, an enemy to this country. Then it was ' Voted, that it is the determination of this Body to carry their votes and resolutions into execution, at the risk of their lives and property.' Provision then being made for the disposal of Ihe expected vessels, and thanks from those of the Body belonging to Boston to their brethren from the neighbouring towns, and to the moderator for his good services, the meeting was dissolved. On the first of December, Capt. James Bruce, in the ship Eleanor, arrived with another portion ofthe tea. On the 3d he was ordered to attend the next day, on a committee of the people, in Faneuil-Hall, where he was commanded by Samuel Adams and Jonathan Williams, assembled with John Rowe, 294 HISTORY OF BOSTON. John Hancock, Wm. Phillips, and John Pitts, esqrs. and a great number of others, not to land any of the said tea, bu,t to proceed to Griffin's whf. and there discharge the rest of his cargo. Capt. Hez. Coffin arrived in the brig Beaver, near the same time, and was ordered to pursue the same course. It being perceived, that Mr. Rotch rather lingered in his preparations to return the Dartmouth to London, and the twenty days being nearly expired, after which the collector might seize the ship and cargo, Mr. R. was summoned before the committee, and stated to them, that it would prove his en tire ruin, if he should comply with the resolutions ofthe 29th and 30th of November, and therefore he should not do it. A meeting of the people was assembled at the Old South, on Tuesday p. m. Dec. 14th, when Mr. R. appeared, and was enjoined forthwith to demand a clearance. It was ascertain ed, that one could not be obtained till the next day, and there fore the meeting was adjourned to Thursday. On Thursday, there was the fullest meeting ever known : 2000 men at least were present from the country. Samuel Phillips Savage, esq. of Weston, was appointed moderator. Mr. Rotch reported, that the* collector would not give him a clearance. He was then ordered upon his peril to get his ship ready fqr sea this day, enter a protest immediately against the Custom-house, and proceed directly to the Governour, (then at Milton, 7 miles distant,) and demand a pass for his ship to go by the Castle. An adjournment to 3 P. M. then took place. At three having met, they waited very patiently till five o'clock, when finding that Mr. Rotch did not return, they began to be very uneasy, called for a dissolution of the meeting, and finally obtained a vote for it. But the more judicious, fearing what would be the consequences, begged for a re-consideration of that vote, ' for this reason, that they ought to do every thing in their power to send the tea back, according to their resolves.' This touched the pride of the as sembly, and they agreed to remain together one hour. This interval was improved by Josiah Qirincy jr. to ap prize his fellow citizens of the importance of the crisis, and direct their attention to the probable results of this contro versy. He succeeded in holding them in attentive silence, till Mr. Rotch's return, at three quarters past five o'clock,. The answer which he brought from the governour was, ' that, for the honour of the laws, and from duty towards the king, he could not grant the permit, until the vessel was regularly clear ed.' A violent commotion immediately ensued. A person who was in the gallery, disguised after the manner of the Indians', shouted at this juncture the cry of war : the meeting was dis solved in the twinkling of an eye. The multitude rushed to Griffin's wharf. About thirty persons, some disguised as In- HISTORY OF BOSTON. 295 dians, went on board the ships laden with the tea. In less than two hours, 240 chests and 100 half chests were staved and emptied into the sea. The affair was conducted without any tumult : no damage was done to the vessels or to any other effects whatever. This was executed in the presence of several ships of war lying in the harbour, and almost under the guns of.the castle, where there was a large body of troops at the command of the commissioners. We are left to conjecture for the reasons why no opposition was made to this bold adventure. The names of the men, who dared to engage in it, have never been made publick. Three or four of them are yet living. They had the honour of a part in the act, which brought the king and parliament to a decision that America must be subdued by force of arms. X CHAPTER LI. " Well, let them come, And to the fire-eyed maid of smoky war All hot and bleeding we will ofl'er them." The reception, which the news of this transaction met in En- gland,may readily be anticipated. It produced an instantaneous determination, that ' as the people of Boston had notoriously struck the first blow,' it should be returned with the full force of ministerial vengeance. ' Delenda est Carthago,' said one member of the House of Commons, ' the town of Boston ought to be knocked about their ears and destroyed. 1 am of opinion, you never will meet with that proper obedience to the laws of this country, until you have destroyed that nest of locusts.' A vast majority of parliament was ofthe same mind, and the king, on the 31st of March, 1774, gave' his assent to the Boston Port Bill ; by which it was enacted, that, from and after the first of June, the landing and discharging, lading or shipping of goods at the town, and within the harbour of Boston, should bediscontinued. Information of the passage of this bill was received on the 10th of May. On the 13th, the town was called together upon the subject,, and passed the following vote : Voted, That it is the opinion of this town that if the other colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all importations from G. B. and exportations to G.B. the same will prove ihe 296 HISTORY OF BOSTON. salvation ofN. America and her liberties. On the other hand, if they continue their exports and imports, there is high reason to fear that fraud, power, and the most odious oppression will rise triumphant over right, justice, social happiness, and freedom. And ordered, That this vote be transmitted by the Moderator to all our sister colonies in the name and behalf of this town. It happehed that Gen. Gage arrived here on the same day from England, with the commission of Governour and Vice- Admiral of the Province, Mr. Hutchinson having received permission, at his own request, to come to England.* Gov. Gage stopped a day or two at the castle, and provision was made by the Council that he should be received with military honours ' at the end of Long-wharf, and thence escorted to the State-house,t and a publick dinner be prepared on the oc casion.' H. E. met the two houses in assembly on fhe 26th of May, and in his speech advised them to despatch the busi ness of the session as speedily as possible, because it was made his duty to remove the court to Salem on the first of June. When that day arrived, the court was accordingly adjourned ; and at twelve o'clock, at noon, all business ceas ed in the Custom-house of Boston, and the port was shut against every vessel that offered to enter. The next day, an' arrival from England brought the intelligence, that the bills were before the parliament, which immediately after became acts, whereby the charter of the province was completely subverted, and the administration of justice to criminal offen ders transferred from the province courts to courts in England. These things bore heavily upon Massachusetts, and particu larly upon Boston, but her citizens did not sink under the weight of them. Confiding in the sympathy of their country men, already loudly expressed, the Boston Committee of Cor respondence framed a Solemn League and Covenant, whereby all that signed it bound themselves from henceforth to suspend all commercial intercourse with G. Britain, until a restoration of their charter rights. This League was sent to every part ofthe province ; and, in despite of a proclamation from Gov. Gage, denouncing the authors of it, and cautioning all persons to beware of entering into this traitorous combination, thou sands put their names to it, and faithfully complied \v*ith/its obligations. The air of Salem was no less propitious to Liberty than that of Boston. The Court, after entering a protest against their, * The Privy Council had acted on the petition against Hutchinson and Oliver, and pro nounced ajudgment of acquittal. t It is observable, that this bttilding has been variously called, tbe Town-house, Court house, State-house, old State house, or old Town-house. It belongs now to the city. History of boston. 297 removal, proceeded to make arrangements for the choice of Delegates to the Continental Congress, to be held on the first of September at Philadelphia. On the 17th of June, they elected for this purpose Messrs. Bowdoin, Cushing, S. and J, Adams, and Robert Treat Paine. Gov. Gage could suffer this spirit to progress no farther : on that day he dissolved the court by proclamation. Boston soon began to suffer under the operation of the Port Bill : all business was at a stand, the poor were thrown out of employment, and the means of subsistence became en hanced in price, from the rigour with which the Commission ers executed the act. The town could hardly have support-, ed the affliction, if assistance and encouragement had not been afforded her from all quarters. Donations of all sorts of pro visions were forwarded for the use of the poor, and employ ment was found for many of them at the town's expence. The solemnity of these sad times was heightened by the occurrence of a Fire, on Wednesday, Aug. 10th. It broke out between 10 and 11, P.M. in a large brick dwelling-house, belonging to Mr. Milliken and Mrs. Campbell, in Fish-street, five or six doors north of Mountfort's corner, at the foot of North-square. The lower part ofthe house was in flames be fore the distressed tenants were apprized of it. Several es caped out of the windows, some naked and much burnt, and five others perished in the flames, three women and two small children. The house was entirely consumed with part of a bake-house. The inhabitants speedily assembling, with their usual dexterous management happily put a stop to the further progress of the flames. Earl Percy politely offered the ser vices of some soldiers, who could be depended upon, but was informed that the regulations of the town rendered their as sistance unnecessary. In the course of June, July, and August, troops had been constantly arriving, and the Governour had them employed in the construction of barracks, and the erection of fortifica tions on the neck. The town's people would afford no assist ance in these works, and H. E. was obliged to send to other places for suitable persons to perform that part of the work, which the soldiers did not understand. On the first of Sep tember, 200 troops in 13 boats went from Long- wharf up the Mystick river, landed at Temple's farm, and took from the powder-house on Quarry-hill, 212 half-barrels of powder, be longing to the province. A detachment from the same corps went to Cambridge and brought off two field-pieces. This excursion caused a great alarm, and by the next day, several thousand people were assembled in arms, in the vicinity of Cambridge. Finding no armed foe to combat, they laid aside their muskets, and went in a body to the houses of several 38 298 HISTORY OF BOSTON. individuals, who had taken part on the side of government, and compelled them to recant and forswear all concern in any offices under the law for altering the charter. The same thing was done so effectually in all the other counties, that Gov. Gage had scarcely a mandamus counsellor left to give him advice, except the few that resided in Boston under his protection. The jurors also refused to serve under judges subservient to the crown, or paid by salary from the king, and the province was thus left almost in a state of anarchy. The new Charter, so to call it, made it unlawful that any town meetings should be held, except the March and May meetings, without the previous approbation ofthe Governour, and H. E. had informed the selectmen of Boston, that he should insist on a compliance with this regulation. Instead, therefore, of meeting in Boston, the people of the county of Suffolk assembled at Dedham, on the sixth of September, and thence adjourned to Milton, where, on the 9th, they pass ed a set of spirited resolutions, which were forwarded to the Congress then sitting in Philadelphia. Congress unanimously approved them and recommended them for universal adop tion.* Gov. Gage was pleased to issue His Majesty's writs for con vening a General Assembly at Salem, on the fifth of October. But finding from the many tumults and disorders that were taking place, and ' the instructions given by the town of Bos ton and some other towns to their representatives,' that it would be highly inexpedient to convene a general court at that time, he prorogued the same indefinitely by proclama tion, on the 28th of September. The representatives, howev er, appeared, and after waiting a day for the Governour's no tice, on the 7th of October they resolved themselves into a Provincial Congress, and chose a chairman and clerk, John Hancock and Benjamin Lincoln, and adjourned to meet at Concord, on the 1 1 th of themonth. Dr. Warren, Dr.Churehj and Mr. Nath'l Appleton, together with the representatives, composed the Boston delegation to this assembly. The Provincial Congress continued in session to the 29th of October, during which time they proposed to the people to take measures for an efficient organization of the militia and the supply ofthe town stores with ammunition. They also appointed a treasurer and receiver general, in the room of Mr. Gray, and advised all persons to refrain from paying the publick monies to the latter. They also denounced the man- * The law against town-meetings was obviated in Boston by adjournment of the May meeting and the Boston Fort-bill meeting from time to time. In this way, meetings were continually held, until the next March meeting in 1775. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 299 damus counsellors as rebels against the state. For these and other offensive acts, Gov. Gage denounced the congress by proclamation, as an unlawful assembly, with whose recom mendations it would be dangerous for any person to comply. This, however, did not deter the same persons from meeting again in December, and pursuing similar measures of prepa- ration'ftsr defence, and also for the execution of the plans of the Continental Congress. They created a body, termed the Committee of Safety, which became the real executive of Massachusetts. These were elected anew at every session, and were empowered generally to watch over the safety of the commonwealth, and advise the Congress of such measures as they thought beneficial, and especially to assemble such of the militia as they judged necessary, and station them where they deemed it most conducive to the defence and ser vice of the colony. On the 19th of December, the people of Boston were some what enlivened by news from Portsmouth, N. H. that a party ofthe people of that province, on the 15th, attacked the fort at Newcastle, scaled the walls, disarmed the captain and his men, took possession of 97 barrels of powder, with upwards of 60 stands of small arms, and 16 pieces of cannon, and conveyed them to a safe place in the country. The acqui sition made a partial offset to the loss at Cambridge. Gov. Wentworth, with some propriety, proclaimed the act to be ' in open hostility and direct oppugnation of His Majesty's government.' Affairs were evidently approaching to a crisis in the vicinity of Boston. Exertions were made with the ut most solicitude to procure the arms and ammunition, recom mended by the provincial congress. As these articles were principally held in Boston, the inhabitants employed all their address to transport them to places of safety in the country, by deceiving the guard stationed upon the neck. Cannon, balls, and other implements of war, were carried through the fortification gates, in carts apparently loaded with manure ; powder in the baskets or panniers of the market men ; and cartridges were concealed in candle boxes. At the close of the year 1774, Gov. Gage had under his command, in Boston, eleven regiments, besides four compa nies of artillery. Five hundred men were on duty every day. The behaviour of the troops was generally peaceable : some ofthe officers were gentlemen of the first standing in society, and there appears hitherto to have been no disposition on their part to countenance any licentiousness. 300 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER LII. The army broken, And but the backs of Britons seen, all flying, Through a strait lane, the enemy full hearted, Chickens the way which they stooped eagles. Shakspeare- The soldiery did not maintain their good character through the winter. Several riotous acts were committed, in which both officers and men bore a part, in the course of January,- 1775. On the 23d of that month, a detachment of above a hundred men was sent by water to Marshfield, for the protec tion of some of His Majesty's loyal subjects there, from the fury of the whigs. Tbey found nothing to do, and of course met with no resistance. Another detachment sent to . Salem was received with less complaisance. Gen. Gage had infor mation that some brass cannon were deposited in or near Sa lem, arfd H. E. sent an officer to discover where they were 'lodged, and at the same time ordered a transport to take on board a part of the 64th regiment, under the command of Lieut. Col. Leslie, from the Castle, and convey them to Mar- blehead. This was on Sunday, Feb. 20th. They landed at M. met the officers, and immediately began their march for Salem ; but some of the Marblehead people, suspecting their object, despatched messengers to give warning at S. and be fore the regiment arrived at the North river, which it was ne cessary for them to cross, the Salem people had possession of the bridge, and raised the draw. The colonel ' desired it might be immediately let down ; but thpy refused, saying it was a private road, and he had no authorily to' demand a passage that way. On this he determined to ferry a few men over in a gondola,' of which craft (here were two on the bank ofthe river, but the people scuttled both of them before he could effect his intention. ' Finally the colonel said he must go over, and if the drawbridge was let down so that he might pass, he pledged his honour he would pass not above 30 rods beyond it, and then immediately return. The regiment had now been on the bridge about an hour and a half, and every thing being secured, the people directed the drawbridge to be let down. The regiment passed over, marched a few rods, leaving a party in possession of the bridge till they returned, which they soon did, it being dark, and with great expedition went back again to Marblehead, where they re-embarked on board the transport, between eight and nine o'clock, and HISTORY OF BOSTON. 301 reached Boston the next day.' The result of this expe dition afforded merriment for the wits of the day, and gave the royalists no little chagrin. The soldiery seem to have wreaked their vengeance for this defeat, by tarring and feathering Thomas Ditson, an in habitant of Billerica, who had come lo town (March 8th) for the purpose of purchasing a gun. Supposing, very honestly, that a soldier was a likely person to inform him where be could most advantageously procure the article, he accosted one in the street, who conducted him to his own quarters, and there, having beguiled him out of five dollars on pretence of selling him a gun and equipments, set up a hue and cry, that here was a rebel purchasing king's arms of a king's soldier, and enticing him to desert. On this, Ditson was seized by a Serjeant and a party, and hurried to the barracks. There they tarred and feathered him from head to foot, and escort ed him, with their colonel (Nesbit) at their head, to Liberty- tree, where they let him go. The selectmen of Billerica de manded satisfaction of Gen. Gage, for this outrage, giving him the assurance, that, if the intercourse with Boston must be thus interrupted, they should ' hereafter use a different style from that of petition and complaint.'* The Provincial Congress held tlieir sessions in February, March, and April, without molestation. They appointed general officers for the command ofthe minute-men who should be detached, subject to the orders ofthe Committee of Safety, and appropriated funds for tbe purchase of warlike stores. In April, intelligence reached the congress, that Massachusetts had been declared in a state of rebellion, and that Gov. Gage would receive orders to transport certain of the popular lead ers to England for trial. On the 10th, there was an arrival which brought the official information to Governour Gage. On the 15th, the congress adjourned, having during their, ses sion addressed the people with confidence, and urged them ' effectually to oppose and resist such attempt or attempts as shall be made' for carrying into execution the offensive acts of parliament. For several months past there had been an association in Boston of upwards of thirty persons, chiefly mechanicks, who formed themselves into a committee for the purpose of watch ing the movements ofthe British.! Towards the spring they * The Act for tarring and feathering, as it wasliumorously called, had often been held up, in terrorem, against obnoxious tories, hut never absolutely executed upon more than one. John Malcom, a renowned informer, suffered its penalty in January, 1774, and was most cruelly abused. f See Col. Revere's letter, Mass. H. C. 1. v. 108. 302 HISTORY OF BOSTON. frequently took turns, two and two, to watch the soldiers, by patrolling the streets all night. About twelve o'clock on Sat urday night (April the 15th) tbey discovered that the boats belonging to the transports were all launched and carried un der the sterns of the men-of-war. The grenadiers and light infantry were also observed to be all taken off duty. This movement alarmed Dr. Warren, who despatched Mr. Revere to Lexington to give notice of the same to S. Adams and Hancock, who had been persuaded not to return to Boston, lest they should be exposed to seizure by the Governour. On Tuesday, the 18th, there were strong indications of a speedy movement. The light infantry and grenadiers were concentrated at the Common. About half-past 10 at night, Lieut. Col. Francis Smith ofthe 10th regi. embarked in the boats, with about 800 men, and landed at Lechmere's point, in Cambridge. Here the troops received a day's provision, and began their march about 12 o'clock. The object of this expedition was the destruction of the stores collected at Concord. Profound secrecy had been ob served in the camp, and it was supposed nobody in Boston suspected the movements. But the vigilance of Warren had anticipated the slow processes of regular troops. He had again despatched Reve,re and another messenger, in different directions, to give the alarm to Hancock and Adams, and they forwarded the intelligence to Concord. Lexington is about 12 miles N. W. from Boston, and Con cord six miles farther in the same direction. The road, which the British took, lay through West Cambridge. The moon, which rose upon them as they disembarked, shone clearly, and their progress was undisturbed : their own drums were mute, and all nature wasquiet around them. In this solemn silence they stole their march, and arrived about dawn of day at Lexington. But there the stillness ofthe night was chang ed. The drum was heard beating to arms, and they soon came in sight of an American company, paraded in posture of defiance. The British troops were halted, at about 100 rods distance, ordered to charge their guns, double their ranks, and then to march at double quick time. The Lexington company, pre viously ordered to load with ball, were now commanded to stand their ground and .no man leave his post without orders, and not to fire unless they were attacked. There were about sixty of these brave men, who presented their bodies a living sacrifice to the cause of their country. In the face qf 800 troops., then supposed to be 1500, they maintained their posi tion in two ranks, heard the order from the British Major to disperse, and disobeyed it : heard his command to fire, re ceived the first discharge unhurt, and maintained their ground HISTORY OF BOSTON. 303 till another discharge from the enemy proved fatal to several of their number. Upon this, part of the company, if not all, returned the fire, and then dispersed in various directions. The British drew up on the common, fired a volley, and gave three huzzas in token of victory ; and after a very short halt, marched for Concord, where tbey arrived without further opposition. LEXINGTON MONUMENT.' They reached Concord about nine o'clock. The main body was immediately employed in searching for powder and other warlike stores : a detachment was sent forward to get. command of a bridge north of the town. Tbe alarm had reached Concord early in the morning, and many of the mi litia had assembled, but not having heard ofthe events at Lex ington, they made no attack on the troops, lest they should be the aggressors. They however approached the party stationed at the bridge, and when they had advanced sufficiently near, the British opened a fire upon them, by which several were killed and wounded. The Americans returned the fire, and several of the king's officers and troops fell. The detachment soon after joined the main body, and all prepared, having * Erected in 1799, ia memory of those who fell there on the 19th of April, 1775. 304 HISTORY OF BOSTON. partially effected their object in the destruction of some stores and provisions, to return to Boston, about noon. But,' in place of the high and insulting confidence with which the troops had wheeled into the streets of Concord, they left them, when the order was given to march, with fa ces bent anxiously on the surrounding heights, and with looks that bespoke a consciousness of the clangers that were likely to beset the long road which lay before them. Their appre hensions were not groundless. The troops had hardly com menced their march before a volley was fired upon them from the protection of a barn, and as they advanced, volley suc ceeded volley, and musket answered musket from behind every cover that offered to their assailants. At first these desultory and feeble attacks were but little regarded ; a brisk charge, and a smart fire of a few moments never failing to disperse their enemies, when the troops again proceeded for a short distance unmolested. But the alarm of the preced ing night had gathered the people over an immense extent of country; and, having waited for information, those nearest to the scene of action were already pressing forward to the as sistance of their friends. There was but little order, and no concert among the Americans ; but each party, as it arrived, pushed into the fray, banging on the skirts of their enemies, or making spirited though ineffectual , efforts to stop their progress. On either side of the highway, along the skirts of every wood or orchard, in the open fields and from every bouse, or barn, or cover in sight, the flash of fire arms was to be seen, while the shouts of the British grew at each instant feebler and less inspirited.'* The utmost confusion seized their ranks : they began to run rather than to retreat in or der : the officers attempted to stop the men and form them, but to no purpose; the confusion increased : at last, after they had passed Lexington village, the officers gained the front, presented their bayonets, and told the men if they advanced they should die. Upon this they began to form, under a very heavy fire. But they must, no doubt, have soon surrender ed, had they not been met, about a mile from the meeting house, by a reinforcement under Brig. Gen. Lord Percy, of a thousand men, with' two field pieces. The Americans gave way as the two detachments joined, and the artillery being opened upon them, kept them at some distance, while the British halted about half an hour to rest. But tbe instant the guns were limbered and the files had once more opened for room, the attacks were renewed irom every quarter with redoubled fury. At every step of the retreating army, they met a new cluster of enemies, that constantly annoyed them * Lionel Lincoln. HISTORY OF BOSTON. S05 till they reached Charlestown neck, at about seven o'clock in the evening. Lord Percy took his station at Bunker-hill ; the men-of-war boats were employed first in getting over the wounded, and afterward the rest of the troops. Fresh sol diers were sent to stand guard during the night, and the next day all were removed to Boston. The loss of the British was 73 killed, 26 missing, besides 1 74 wounded. The American loss was 49 killed, 3 missing, and 36 wounded. The news of this transaction spread with the rapidity of the wind, and in the course of two days so great a number of the provincial militia was collected in the vicinity, that the British officers acknowledged themselves ' fairly blocked up iu Boston.' CHAPTER LIII. " Advance our waving colours on the walls, Rescued is Orleans from the English wolves." This state of things rendering the situation of the inhabi tants of Boston very undesirable, a town -meeting was held on Saturday, the 22d of April, and a conference had with Gov. Gage, in which he proposed to permit such of the citizens as would surrender their arms, to depart from the town with their families and effects. This proposition was considered and adopted by the town, at an adjournment on the Sabbath day following, and many people immediately deposited their arms in the place appointed. But the Governour perceiving that, by letting the people go, he deprived himself of a secu rity from destruction, which their presence1 might prevent, found a pretext to detain the greatest part of them, and com pelled the few, who were permitted to retire, to leave their most valuable effects behind. All intercourse between town and country ceased, and the inhabitants and the troops were reduced to the necessity of subsisting on the provisions that happened to have been laid up in store.* On the 5th of May, the Provincial Congress resolved, that Gen. Gage had by the late transactions and many others ' utterly disqualified him- * " 177S, May 17th. On the evening of this day, a store on the south side of the Town- dock, occupied as a barrack by British troops, took fire by the bursting of some cartridges, imprudently handled by the soldiers. About thirty warehouses and buildings were destroy^ ed, with great part of the effects, contained in them, some of which were donations to the town, for relief of the inhabitants, suffering under the oppressive fort Bill."— Shaw. 39 , 30G HISTORY OF BOSTON. self from serving the colony as governour, or in any other capacity, and that therefore no obedience was in future due to him.' Towards the end of May, considerable reinforcements ar rived at Boston from England, and on the 25th, Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne arrived. General Gage pre pared to act with more decision. His troops had had sev eral skirmishes on the islands in the harbour, and the provin cials had in every case been victorious. The latter were also animated with news from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, that the American parties, which had attacked those posts, had been completely successful. The British army burned for what they termed a fair trial of their prowess against the rebels in open fight : the officers demanded more 'elbow room.' Gen. Gage renewed the campaign on his side by is suing a proclamation on the 12th of June, in which he offered pardon to all persons, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock, and proclaimed martial law throughout the province. The congress was about replying by a counter declaration, but were diverted from that design by a movement of more im portance. The American army consisted of about 15,000 men, under Gen. Artemas Ward. Information found its way to the com manders, that the British contemplated posting themselves on Bunker's HiU, and it was immediately determined to make an effort to defeat their design. ' Accordingly on the 16th of June, orders were issued, that a detachment of 1000 men should that evening march to Charlestown, and entrench upon that Hill. Just before 9 o'clock they left Cambridge, and proceeded to Breed's Hill, situated on the further part of the peninsula next to Boston, (for by some mistake this hill was marked out for the entrenchment instead of the other.) Many things being necessary to be done preparatory to the en trenchments being thrown up, which could not be done before, lest the enemy should discover and defeat the design, it was nearly twelve o'clock before the works were entered upon. They were then carried on with the utmost diligence and alacrity ; so that by the dawn of the day they had thrown up a small redoubt, about eight rods square. At this time a heavy fire began from the enemy's ships, a number of float ing batteries, and from a fortification of the enemy's upon Copp's Hill in Boston, directly opposite to our little redoubt. An incessant shower of shot and bombs was rained by these upon our works. The Provincials continued to labour inde- fatigably till they had thrown up a small breast-work, extend ing from the east side of the redoubt to the bottom of the Hill, but were prevented completing it by the intolerable fire ofthe enemy. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 307 ' Between twelve and one o'clock a number of boats and barges, filled with the regular troops from Boston, were ob served approaching towards Charlestown ; these troops land ed at a place called Moreton's Point, situated a little to the eastward of our works. This brigade formed upon their landing, and stood thus formed, till a,second detachment arri ved from Boston to join them ; having sent out large flank guards, they began a very slow march'towards our lines. At this instant smoke and flames were seen to arise from the town of Charlestown, which had been set on fire by the enemy. ' The Provincials within their entrenchments impatiently waited the attack of the enemy, and reserved their fire till they came within 10 or 12 rods, and then began a furious discharge of small arms. This fire arrested the enemy, which they for some time returned, without advancing a step, and then retreated in disorder and with great precipitation to the place of landing, and some of them sought refuge even within their boats. Here the officers were observed, by the specta tors on the opposite shore, to run down to them, using the most passionate gestures, and pushing the men forward with their swords. At length they were rallied, and marched up with apparent reluctance towards the entrenchment ; the Americans again reserved their fire until the enemy came within five or six rods, and a second time put the Regulars to flight, who ran in great confusion towards their boats. Simi lar and superior exertions were now necessarily made by the pfficers, which, notwithstanding the men discovered an almost insuperable reluctance to fighting in. this cause, were again successful. They formed once more, and having brought some cannon to bear in such a manner as to rake the inside of the breast-work from one end of it to the other, the Pro vincials retreated within their little fort. The ministerial ar my now made a decisive effort. The fire from the ships and batteries, as well as from the cannon in the front of their array, was redoubled. The officers in the rear of their army were observed to goad forward the men with renewed exer tions, and they attacked the redoubt on three sides at once. The breast-work on the outside of the fort was abandoned ; the ammunition of the Provincials was expended, and few of their arms were fixed with bayonets. Can it then be won dered that the word was given by the commander of the par ty to retreat ? But this he delayed till the redoubt was half filled with Regulars, and the Provincials had kept the enemy at bay some time, confronting them with the butt ends of their muskets. ' The retreat of this little handful of brave men would have been effectually cut off, had it not happened that the flanking party of the enemy, which was to have come upon 308 HISTORY OF BOSTON. the back of the redoubt, was checked by a party of the Provincials, who fought with the utmost bravery, and kept them from advancing farther than the beach ; the engage ment of these two parties was kept up with the utmost vigour; and it must be acknowledged that this party of the ministerial troops evidenced a courage worthy of a better cause ; all their efforts, however, were insufficient to compel the Provin cials to retreat till their main body had left the Hill; perceiving this was done, they then gave ground, but with more regulars ty than could be expected of troops who had no longer been under discipline, and many of whom never before saw an en gagement. In this retreat, the Americans had to pass over the Neck, which joins the Peninsula of Charlestown to the main land. This Neck was commanded by the Glasgow man-of-war, and two floating batteries, placed in such a man ner, as that their shot raked every part of it. The incessant fire kept up across this Neck had, from the beginning of the engagement, prevented any considerable reinforcements from getting to the Provincials on the Hill, and it was feared it would cut off their retreat, but they retired over it with little or no loss. With a ridiculous parade of triumph, the minis terial generals again took possession of the Hill which had served them as a retreat in flight from the battle of Concord. ' The loss of the New-England army amounted, according to an exact return, to 145 killed and missing, and 304 woun ded ; 30 of the first were wounded and taken prisoners by the enemy. Among the dead was Maj. Gen. Joseph Warren, a man whose memory will be endeared to his countrymen, and to the worthy in every part and age of the world, so long as virtue and valour shall be esteemed among mankind.* The heroick Col. Gardner, of Cambridge, has since died of his wounds; and the brave Lieut. Col. Parker, of Chelmsford, who was wounded and taken prisoner, perished in Boston gaol.' The British loss was 1054, according to the official return. Of these 226 were killed, including 19 officers, and 828 woun ded, including 70 officers. The destruction of Charlestown was regarded by the A- mericans as an act of wanton barbarity : the British justified it, on account ofthe annoyance their troops received from the Provincials stationed in some of the houses. Many of the buildings were valuable. ' The meeting-house, a court-house, prison, county house, two school-houses, and a work-house, * Gen. Warren was Grand Master of Free-Masons for North America, at the time of his death. Near the spot on which he fell, the members of that fraternity in Charlestown erec- .ted a monument, which they dedicated to his memory (Dec 2, 1794). It was a Tuscan pillar, IS feet high, on a brick foundation 10 feet from the ground, eight feet square, and HISTORY OF BOSTON. 309 with upwards of 380 other buildings were totally consumed, together with the furniture and effects of the occupants, be sides much property that belonged to the unhappy sufferers in Boston, who had removed their goods into Charlestown.' The main body of the British troops was stationed, after the battle, in Charlestown, upon Bunker's Hill : the other di vision of it was deeply intrenched and strongly fortified on enclosed by posts. On the top was a gilt urn, with the letters ' J. W. aged 35,' entwined in masonick emblems. Tbe subjoined view was taken a few weeks before the monument was destroyed. On the south side of the pedestal was the following inscription : ' Erected A. D. MDCCXCIV. by King Solomon's Lodge of Free-Masons, constituted in Charlestown, 1783, in memory of Major-General JOSEPH WARREN, and hfe Associates, who were slain on this memorable spot, June 17, 1775. ' None but they who set a just value upon the blessings of Liberty are worthy to enjoy her. In vain we toiled ; in vain we fought ; we bled in vain ; if you, our offspring, want valour to repel the assaults of her invaders.' ' Charlestown settled 1628. Burnt 1775. Rebuilt 1776. ' The enclosed land was given by the Hon. James Russell.' 310 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Boston Neck, leading to Roxbury. The American army lay on both sides of Charles river. Its right occupied the high ground about Roxbury, whence it extended towards Dorches ter, and its left was covered by Mystick river, a space of at least twelve miles. Every pass was effectually guarded, and Boston was absolutely in a state of siege.* No provision of any kind for man or beast was allowed to enter : the troops and inhabitants were together reduced to great necessities : succours which had been ordered from other parts had been intercepted or lost at sea, and the small-pox broke out amdng the soldiers and spread among the people. General Washington had taken command of the American forces July 2d, and Gen. Gage had resigned the British to Gen. Howe, and sailed for England about the first of October. As the winter approached, the scarcity of fuel began to be sensibly felt. The Old North meeting-house and above 100 other large wooden buildings were taken down and distribu ted for firewood. Some of the wharves also at the north end were broken up for the same purpose. The British officers found little to amuse them, except the occasional performance of a farce, in Faneuil Hall, where they themselves were the actors. Their soldiers had enjoyed a single day of mirth, in which they were employed in felling Liberty Tree and cutting it up for fuel. A squadron of cavalry, attached to the army, occasionally exhibited feats of horsemanship in that sanctuary of freedom, the Old South church, which was transformed into a riding-school. Hollis-street, Brattle-street, the West, and the First Baptist meeting-houses were occupied as hospitals or barracks for the troops. Both parties were dissatisfied with so inactive a service. Washington ' had been some time contemplating an attack on Boston, as soon as he could be justified in attempting the execution of so bold a design. About the middle of February, 1776,t the severe cold setting in, and the ice becoming suf ficiently firm to bear the troops, he was disposed to make the attempt ; but a council of war, summoned on tbe occasion, being almost unanimous against the measure, he reluctantly abandoned it. ' The effective regular force of the Americans now amount ed to upwards of fourteen thousand men ; in addition to which the commander in chief called out about six thousand ofthe militia of Massachusetts. With these troops he determined to take possession of the heights of Dorchester, whence it would be in his power greatly to annoy the ships in the har bour and the soldiers in the town. By taking this position, * See an account of the Forts around Boston, in Silliman's Journal, viii. 338. t Holmes' Annals. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 311 from which the enemy would inevitably attempt to drive him, he expected to bring on a general action, during which he intended to cross over from Cambridge side with four thou sand chosen men, and attack the town of Boston. To con ceal his design, and to. divert the attention of the garrison, a heavy bombardment of the town and lines of the enemy was begun on the evening of the 2d of March, and repeated the two succeeding nights. On the night of the 4th, immediately after the firing began, a considerable detachment, under the command of Gen. Thomas, passing from Roxbury, took silent possession of Dorchester heights. The ground was almost impenetrably hard, but the night was mild, and by labouring with great diligence, their works were so far advanced by morn ing, as to cover them in a great measure from the shot of the enemy. When the British after day break discovered these works, which were magnified to the view by a hazy atmos phere, nothing could exceed their astonishment. No alterna tive now remained, but to abandon the town, or to dislodge the provincials. General Howe, with his usual spirit, chose the latter part of the alternative, and took measures for the embarkation on that very evening of five regiments with the light infantry and grenadiers, on the important but most haz ardous service. The transports fell down in the evening to wards the castle, .with the troops, amounting to about two thousand men ; but a tremendous storm at night rendered the execution of the design absolutely impracticable. A council of war was called the next morning, and agreed to evacuate the town as soon as possible. A fortnight elapsed before that measure was effected. Meanwhile the Ameri cans strengthened and extended their works; and on the morning of the seventeenth of March the British discovered a breast work, that had been thrown up in the night at Nook's Hill, on Dorchester peninsula, which perfectly commanded Boston Neck, and the south part of the town. Delay was no longer safe. By four in the morning, the king's troops, with those Americans, who were attached to the royal cause, be gan to embark ; and before ten all of them were under sail. As the rear embarked, general Washington marched trium phantly into Boston, where he was joyfully received, as a de liverer.'* * ' The British fleet, after a detention of nine days in Nantasket roads, set sail for Halifax. The number of the British, who evacuated Boston, exclusive of the staff, was 7575 ; and the addition of the marines and sailors is supposed to have rendered Howe 10,000 strong. Tliey left their barracks standing, and a number of pieces of cannon spiked, 4 large iron sea mor tars, and stores, to the value of 30,000?. They demolished the castle, and knocked off the trunnions of the cannon.' A detachment of the fleet remained to execute the Port Bill, by blockading the harbour, until the 14th of June, when a strong force went down from Boston, and made so effectual 3]2 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER L1V. " The laws, the rights, The generous plan of power delivered down From age to age, by your renown'd forefathers, So dearly bought, the price of so much blood." The inhabitants of Boston speedily returned to their homes, and on the 29th of March they held a regular meeting for the choice of town officers, in the Old Brick church.* May meeting for the choice of representatives was held on the, 23d of that month, and the following step was taken relative to a declaration of independence : ' The article in the warrant, viz : — To consider whether the town will, in conformity to a Resolve of the late Honourable House of Representatives for this Colony [on the 10th of May] advise their Representatives, "That if the Honourable Conti nental Congress should, for the safety of the Colonies, de clare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain they, the inhabitants, will solemnly engage with their lives and for tunes, to support them in the measure," was read, and duly considered, and the question being accordingly put, passed in the affirmative unanimously.' The instructions to the representatives expressed the same sentiments, and contained also many very judicious remarks concerning the establishment of a regular government for the people of Massachusetts. The declaration of Independence, bearing the signature ofthe proscribed Hancock, as President ofthe Congress that issued it, on the 4th of July, 1776, was made publick at Boston on the 1 8th with great parade and exultation.t The subject of a state constitution was taken into consider ation by the general court, without delay : but it was not till the year 1780 that our present form was adopted, after the rejection of a previous plan. Several meetings were held in an attack upon them as to compel them to leave their station, and take the advantage of a westerly wind to sail for Halifax. Had the wind continued from the east, they must inev itably have surrendered. Several transports arrived at different dates some weeks after the evacuation of the town, not having received information of the fact, and were taken. The number of prisoners amounted to about 500. * The people of Boston had assembled twice or three times at Watertown, for the trans action of town affairs, during the siege. Thursday lecture had been continued by Dr. An drew Eliot until about the 23d of Dec. and was renewed immediately after the evacuation of the town, on the 28th of March, when Washington attended. t Bradford, Hist, of Mass. ii. 104, 116, 186, 320, 326. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 313 Boston on the occasion, and the debates were very animated. The town finally agreed to the adoption of the constitution, recommending some amendments. A majority of the people accepting the plan as it stood, the 4th of Sept. was appointed for the election of the state officers. The votes for governour in Boston were 923, of which Hancock had 858, Bowdoin 64, S. Adams 1. The Gen. Court met on the 25th of October, when it was ascertained that Hancock was elected governour by a great majority. There was no choice of Lt. Gov. by the people; Mr.. Bowdoin was chosen by the court, but de clined; so likewise did James Warren Esq. of Plymouth; Thomas Cushing Esq. of Boston accepted the office. The joy, which the people of Boston could not suppress on this occasion, from ' having a Governour who proceeded out of the midst of us,' was signified to Gov. Hancock in an ad dress from the selectmen, to which he returned an answer, concluding with the assurance that in whatever situation his country should please to place him, the metropolis of this commonwealth might ever depend upon his particular atten tion to its interests. From the time of the evacuation of the town and the rout ofthe British fleet from the lower harbour, Boston and its vi cinity had ceased to be the seat of the war. The citizens however bore their full portion in its burdens, and took part in its fatigues and duties by sea and land, as well as in the councils of the Congress and embassies to foreign parts. They maintained throughout the contest that no terms should be made with Britain, unaccompanied with the unconditional acknowledgment of independence. They were not however desirous to prolong the warfare, and received as joyfully as any of their countrymen the intelligence of peace. The proclamation of Congress announcing this event, reached Boston by express, on the 23d of April,1783, and ' the sheriff ofthe co. of Suffolk, Jos. Henderson Esq. announced the same from the balcony of the State-house, at one o'clock, be fore which a large concourse of the most respectable inhab itants of the town were assembled, who demonstrated by three loud huzzas their joy upon this occasion : after which 13 cannon from the fortresses at the castle, and the same number at Fort-hill were fired.' The adoption of the Federal Constitution was an event of equal importance. The Massachusetts convention, which as sembled on this subject, in January 1788, consisted of 360 members, of whom a great portion came with strong prejudi ces against the constitution : but after a discussion of several weeks, when the question of acceptance was finally decided, there were found to be 187 for, and 168 against it, giving a 40 314 HISTORY OF BOSTON. majority of 19. This decision was declared ' on the 6th of Feb. in a manner too impressive to be forgotten by any who were present.'* The citizens of Boston expressed great joy on the occasion, which was manifested by a numerous procession composed of all classes and trades, with their respective and appropriate badges. Many farmers and others attended from the country and joined the procession, with the plough and other implements of husbandry. They formed at Faneuil- hall, and thence proceeded to the houses of the gentlemen, who had represented the town in the convention, and saluted them with cheers and from the guns of a small ship, which made part of the procession. Afterwards, as. many as could find seats partook of an entertainment at the hall ; but mul titudes we are told went away empty. The principal events of the revolutionary war and other important dates having been preserved in the inscriptions oa the monument, which was erected on Beacon Hill, we insert the same here, with a drawing of the monument and of the beacon whose place it occupied. The beacon was blown down (Nov. 26, 1789) and the monument was commenced in the next year, but not finished till the spring of 1791. It was ' a plain column of the Dorick order, raised on its proper pe destal, substantially built of brick and stone. It was encrust ed with a white cement, and had a large eagle of wood, gilt, at the top, supporting the American arms. The height, in cluding the eagle, was 60 feet ; the diameter of the column was 4 feet, the pedestal was 8 feet.' The beacon was about the same height. INSCRIPTION ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE MONUMENT. TO COMMEMORATE THAT TE1I5 OF EVENTS WHICH LED TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, AND FINALLY SECURED HBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE TO THE UNITED STATES, THIS COLUMN IS ERECTED BT THE VOLUNTARY CONTRIBU TION OF THE CITIZENS OP BOSTON, MDCCXC. ON THE WEST SIDE : Stamp Act passed, 1765, repealed, 1766 Board of customs established, 1767.— British troops fired on tbe inhabitants of Boston, March S, 1770—- Tea act passed, 1773.— Tea destroyed in Boston, Decem. 16.— Port of Boston shut and guarded, June 1, 1774.— General Congress at Philadelphia, Sep. 4— Provincial Congress at Concord, Oct. 11.— Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775.— Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17. — Washington took command of the army, July 2 Boston evacuated, March 17, 1776.— Independance declared by Congress, July 4, 1776 ; Hancock President. * Tbe session of the convention on that day was held in the meeting house, in Long-lane, whicb afterwards received the name of Federal-Street, from this circumstance. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 315 ON THE NORTH SIDE : Capture of Hessians at Trenton, Dec. 26, 1776. — Capture of Hessians at Bennington, Aug. 16, 1777— -Capture of British army at Saratoga, Oct. 17.— Alliance with Franae, Fe b. 6, 1778— -Confederation of the United States formed, July 9.— Constitution of Massachu setts formed, 1780 ; Bowdoin President of Convention Capture of British army at York, Oct. 19, 1781.— Prelimenaries of Peace, Nov. 30, 1782 Definitive treaty of Peace, Sept. 10, 1783.— Federal Constitution formed, Sept. 17, 1787, and ratified by the United States, 1787 to 1790.— New Congress assembled at New- York, April 6, 1789.— Washington inaugurated President, April 30. — Publick debts funded, Aug. 4, 1790. ON THE EAST SIDE : AMERICANS WHILE FROM THIS EMINENCE, SCENES OF LUXURIANT FERTILITY, OP FLOUR ISHING COMMERCE, AND THE ABODES OF SOCIAL HAPPINESS MEET YOUR VIEW, EOflGET NOT THOSE, WHO BY THEIR EXERTIONS HAVE SECURED TO YOU THESE BLESSINGS. VIEW OF THE BEACON AND MONUMENT ON BEATON-HILL.* •The stones bearing the inscriptions, (which we have copied literally) with the eagle wliich surmounted the column, may be seen in the new State House. 316 HISJ.OHY OF B0STOX. CHAPTER LV. Famed as the Appian way, The world's first bridge to day All nations shall convey From shore to shore— -Dawes. - Having thus notiqed the principal publick events of general interest, we shall devote the remainder of our work to ac counts of the various' improvements, institutions, and under takings, which have engaged the attention of th'e people- of Boston, since the revolution. The first great undertaking, (which at the time was consid ered the greatest that had ever been projected in America,*) was the erection of ' a bridge over Charles river in the place where the ferry between Boston and Charlestown was kept.' The Act, which incorporated Messrs. John Hancock, Thomas Russell, Nath. Gorham, and Eben Parsons and others, who had subscribed to a fund for executing and completing this purpose, was passed March 9, 1785, and the bridge was so far completed that the last pier was ready to be put down on the 31st of May, 1786. On the 17th of June, the bridge was opened for passengers. Preparations had been made for great festivity on the occa sion. Salutes of 13 guns were fired at sunrise from Bunker and Copps' hills, and the bells of Christ church rang repeat ed peals. This salute formed a contrast so striking^ compar ed with the hostile and bloody one of the same day, of the same month, and of the week, in '75, as to excite in every breast emotions of the happiest kind. At one, P. M. the^ pro prietors ' assembled in the [Old] Stale-house, for the purpose of waiting on the different branches ofthe legislature over the bridge. The procession consisted of almost every respecta ble character in publick and private life ; as they moved from * In a pamphlet on * the distressed state of Boston,' 1 720, we find the following remark : ; if there was a bridge built over Charles River, if 50,0001. were expended to make it durable, and so a moderate toll laid on all carts, coaches, horses, 8tc. this would help us by employ ing the poor, and tbe circulation ofthe bills would be of great service, and other things of this nature might be thought on.' On the town records, we find, April 27, 1720, * Voted that it be given as an instruction to the representatives of this town, now chosen, to promote the building a bridge over Charles River, at the place where the ferry hath been usually kepti viz. between Mr. Gee's and Mr. Hudson's point, and at no other place.' In 1726, Town Rec. p. 467, there is mention of a proposed bridge from Winnessimet feriy to Noddle's Island, by John Yeamans, Esq. ^'al!KPSS"75™"'S! w il F-i FiF't:!- ¦¦!>$.''' ff«§'# HISTORY OF BOSTON. 317 State-street, a salute was fired from the Castle ; and upon their arrival at the entrance ofthe bridge, the attendant com panies of artillery and artificers, formed two lines on the right and left of the proprietors, and moved on to the centre of the bridge, when the President of the proprietary advanced alone, and gave orders to Mr. Cox, the master workman, to fix the draw for the passage of the company, which was im mediately done. At this moment 13 cannon were fired from Copps' hill, and the procession passed forward, attended by the loudest shouts of acclamation, from a concourse of at least 20,000 spectators. As the company ascended Breed's hill, 13 cannon were discharged. The gentlemen took their seats at two tables of 320 feet, united at each end by a semi circular one, which accommodated 800 persons, who spent the day in sober festivity, and separated at 6 o'clock.' The following description of Charles-river bridge was pub lished at the time, as taken from actual survey. ' The abut ment at Charlestown, from the old landing, is 100 feet ; space to the first pier 16f feet ; 36 piers at equal distances to the draw 622f feet; width of the draw 30 feet ; 39 piers at equal distances from the draw 672 feet ; space to the abutment at Boston 16f feet ; abutment at Boston to the old landing 45§ feet; whole length 1503 feet. ' The 75 piers total, upon which this elegant structure stands, are each composed of 7 sticks of oak timber,' united by a cap piece, strong braces and girts, and afterwards driv en into the bed of the river, and firmly secured by a single pile on each side, driven obliquely to a solid bottom. The piers are connected to each other by large string-pieces, which are covered with 4 inch plank. The Bridge is 42 feet in width, and on each side is accommodated with a pas sage 6 feet wide, railed in for the safety of people on foot. The Bridge has a gradual rise from each end, so as to be two feet higher in the middle than at the extremities. Forty ele gant lamps are erected at suitable distances, to illuminate it when necessary. There are four strong stone wharves con nected with three piers each, sunk in various parts of the river. ' The floor of the Bridge at the highest tides, is 4 feet above the water, which generally rises about 12 or 14 feet. The distance where the longest pier is erected, from the floor of the Bridge to the bed of the river, is 46| feet.' The cost of this bridge has been stated at £15,000, lawful, and the property was divided into 150 shares of £100 each. Rates of toll, to be double on Lord's days, were established, by the act of incorporation, which the proprietors were to en joy for forty years, paying to the college at Cambridge an annuity of £200, in consideration of their loss of income from 318 HIST0KY OF BOSTON. the ferry. This period was extended to 70 years, and the. double toll repealed, when the charter was granted for West Boston Bridge, at the expiration of which period the property reverts to the state. There had been considerable effort to have the first bridge carried from West Boston to Cambridge, but the expediency of making the experiment across the narrower part of the river was so apparent, that the town of Boston had expressed an opinion almost unanimous (1238 to 2) in favour of it. West Boston Bridge is a conveyance from the late Pest- house point,at the west end of Cambridge-street, over Charles river, to the opposite shore in Cambridge. A number of gen tlemen, (Francis Dana, Oliver Wendell, James Sullivan, Hen ry Jackson, Mungo Mackay, Wm. Wetmore,) were incorpora ted for the purpose of erecting this bridge, March 9th, 1792. ' The causeway to W. Boston bridge was begun July 15th, 1792, and suspended after the 26th of December, till the 20th of March 1793, when the work was resumed. The wood work of the bridge was begun the 8th of April, 1793, and the bridge and causeway opened for passengers the 23d of No vember following, being seven months and an half from lay ing the first pier. The sides of the causeway are stoned, capstand, and railed ; on each side of which is a canal about thirty feet wide. ' The bridge stands on 180 piers, is - 3483 feet long. Bridge over tbe gore, 14 do. - 275 do. Abutment Boston side, - 87 1-2 Causeway, - - 3344 Distance from end ofthe causeway to Cambridge Meeting-house, 7810 Width of the bridge, - 40 Railed on each side for foot passengers. ' To the proprietors a toll was granted for 70 years from the opening of the bridge,* which together with the causeway was estimated to have cost about £23,000, 1. m. The prin cipal undertaker for building the bridge, was Mr.Whiting.' Those two bridges and the neck continued to be the only avenues to the town, landward, until the opening of South Boston Bridge. This grew out of the project for annexing Dorchester Neck (so called) to Boston, as a part of the same town. In the latter end of 1803, there were but ten families on that peninsula, which comprised an extent of 560 acres of land. These families united with several citizens of Boston in a petition to the town (Dec. 27) for the privilege of being * This term has since been extended to 70 years from the opening of Craigie's bridge. West Boston to pay the College 200Z. annually, and Craigie's to pay West Boston 1001. during their joint existence. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 319 annexed thereto, ' upon the single condition that the inhabi tants [of B.] will procure a bridge to be erected between Bos ton and Dorchester neck.' On the 31st of Jan. 1804, after several confused meetings on the subject, the town agreed to the proposition, on condition ' that the place from which and the terms on which the bridge should be built shall be left entirely to the Legislature.' Application was made to the General Court, and measures were in train for authorising a bridge from South-Street to the point. The inhabitants of the South-end of the town, having opposed this measure in vain thus far in its progress, formed a plan at this juncture, in which they proposed to erect a bridge where the present bridge stands, and, to obviate the objection that such a bridge would not lessen the distance from the point so much as the South-street bridge would, they offered to construct a commo dious street, across the flats from Rainsford's lane to the head of the proposed bridge. They presented a petition to the Court to be incorporated for these purposes ' upon the pre sumption that no liberty will be granted for the erection of any other bridge,' to the northward of their bridge, ' unless at some future period the increased settlement of this part of the country should be such, that the publick exigencies should require the same.' This plan and petition met with so fa vourable a reception, that the Dorchester point proprietors were induced to make a compromise with the South-end peti tioners, in which it was agreed, that the South-Street bridge should be abandoned, and that the South-end bridge "should be transferred to the Dorchester company, and the proposed street be carried forward by the petitioners. A joint com mittee made a report on the bases of this compromise, which was accepted in concurrence, Feb. 23d ; and on the 6th of March, bills were passed for the three objects, the annexation of Dorchester neck to Boston, the incorporation of the Pro prietors of Boston South Bridge, and also of the Front-Street Corporation in the town of Boston. Messrs. William Tudor, Gardiner Green, Jona. Mason, and Harrison Gray Otis, were the proprietors named in Boston South Bridge act.* Seventy years' improvement was allowed, from the date of the first opening of said bridge for passen gers, which took place ' in the summer of 1805.' On the first of October, it was the scene of a military display and sham fight. This bridge is 1551 feet in length, and cost the pro prietors about 56,000 dollars. * The proprietors of Roxbury canal (incorporated Feb. 7, 1796) procured the insertion of a clause in the act, requiring the South Boston bridge proprietors to pay a certain sum to vessels passing above the draw. 320 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Canal or Craigie's Bridge was opened on Commencement- day, August 30, 1 809. It runs from Barton's pt. in Boston, to Lechmere's pt.'in Cambridge. Its length is 2796 ft. ; its width, 40 ft. This bridge on the Cambridge side is united toCharles- town by Prison-point bridge, which is 1821 ft. long, and 35 ft. broad, having but one side railed for foot passengers. All these bridges are well lighted by lamps when the even ings are dark, and the lights, placed at regular distances, have a splendid and romantic appearance. The rates of toll are the same on Charlestown, Craigie's and W. Boston. Pas sengers to and from Cambridge over Prison-point bridge are not subject to toll. Foot passengers are not taxed on South-Boston bridge, but the rates for vehicles, &c. are rather higher. The construction of all these bridges is said to be similar, excepting that Craigie's is covered with a layer of gravel, and some part of it has been recently Macadamized.* The Western Avenue, or Mill Dam, erected by the Boston and Roxbury Mill Corporation, from Beacon-street in Boston to Sewall's point in Brookline, constitutes a sixth avenue into the city. The project for this great work was brought before the town in a petition from Isaac P. Davis and others, June 11, 1813, and the inhabitants having given their assent to its execution, on certain conditions, Messrs. I. P. Davis, Uriah Cotting, Wm. Brown, and their associates, were incorporated for the purpose, June 1 4, 1 8 1 4. Very little was done towards the accomplishment of this object before January 1818, when Mr. Cotting issued an address to the publick, setting forth the advantages to be derived to Boston from the contemplated improvement. Subscription papers were not long after open ed, and all the shares were immediately taken on one day, and the next day were on sale at an advanced price. The work was commenced under the eye of Mr. Cotting, but he did not live to witness its completion : his place was supplied by Col. Loammi Baldwin, and the road was opened for pas sengers, July 2, 1821. There was a splendid ceremony on the occasion : a cavalcade of citizens, under the direction of Adj. Gen. Wm. H. Sumner, at an early hour entered the town over the dam, and were welcomed on this side by the inhabitants, who waited to receive them. The main Dam is composed of solid materials, water-tight: its surface is three or four feet above high- water mark : it is fifty feet in width in the narrowest part, and 100 in the widest, and one mile and a half in length. The rates of toll are the satrie as at West-Boston bridge. * Persons named in act incorporating the Canal Bridge, Feb. 27, 1 807. John C. Jones, Loammi Baldwin, Aaron Dexter, Benjamin Wild, Jos. Coolidge jun. Benja. Joy, Gorham Parsons, Jona. Ingersoll, John Beach, Abijah Oheever, Wm. B. Hutchins, Stephen Howard, and Andrew Craigie. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 321 CHAPTER LVI. " Then Commerce brought into the publick walk The busy merchant ; the big warehouse built ; Then, too, the pillar'd dome, maghifick, heav'd Its ample roof." In noticing the changes which took place in various parts ofthe town, after the peace, prior to the establishment of the city government, we have occasion first to mention an exten sive fire, which occurred on Friday, April 20, 1787. It com menced about sunset, in a malt-house belonging to William Patten, in Beach-street. The wipd at N. E. blowing hard carried the flakes to a great distance, so that many houses were on fire at the same moment. In less than fifteen minutes the spire of tbe Hollis-street meeting-house, nearly 50 rods from where the fire began, was seen to catch, and the whole edifice was in a short time burnt to the ground. The build ings consumed were about 100, of which 60 were dwelling- houses, some elegant and costly. Both sides of the main street were laid waste : the east from Mr. Knapp's to Mr. Bradford's, and from Mrs. Inches' tp Mr. Osborne's on the west : that is, flrom Elliot to Nassau-street on the west side of the main street, and on the east side from Beach-street to the comer opposite Nassau-street. The buildings which were erected on the ruins were mostly of wood, three stories high, some of them neat and very elegant; The first block of brick buildings was the range called the Tontine, in Franklin-street. Until the year 1792, that street had lain in an unimproved state. There was a slough or qtragmire at the lower part of it, and the project to build in its neighbourhood was deemed almost quixotick. A plan was brought forward for erecting a block there, on the principles ofthe tontine, as practised in other parts of the world.* Sub scribers were to furnish stipulated sums towards the accom plishment of the object, to be invested in a capital stock, which was to be improved to the best advantage, and at the expiration of a term of years to be divided among the surviv ing subscribers. The Legislature discouraged this plan by * The slough was first drained by Jos. Barrell, esq. who connected it with his land in Summer-street, and laid it out as a garden : he afterwards sunk a large fish-pond on the same spot, and stored it with gold and silver fish, an^ ornamented it with a hand-. Sine fountain. 41 322 HISTORY OF BOSTON. refusing an act of incorporation : but the work proceeded un der a different arrangement, and the foundation of the build ings on the south side was laid August 8, 1 793. These form ed a Crescent of sixteen dwelling-houses, extending 480 feet in length, three stories high, finished in the modern style. The general appearance is simple and uniform. The outline is varied by a large arch, having publick rooms over it, with an attick in the centre, and two houses at each end, which pro ject in advance and are decorated with pilasters and a balus trade. The open space in front of these buildings is 100 feet wide in the centre and 50 ft. at the ends. A grass plat 300 ft. long occupies the middle of that space : it is inclosed, and con tains a monumental urn, in memory of Dr. Franklin. The opposite side, which is built on a straight line, in a varied style of architecture, consists of eight houses, in four blocks, which constitute what is called Franklin-place. Messrs". William Scollay, Charles Bulfinch, and Charles Vaughan, were the principal agents in this great improvement. A very distressing fire occurred on the morning of July 30, 1794, which laid waste the extensive square between Pearl- street, Milk, Atkinson, and Purchase streets, to the sea. It commenced about 4 A. M. in the rope-walk of Mr. Edward Howe, and communicated to six other walks adjacent, of which one was two stories high, and all 600 feet in length, well stored with hemp and other materials adapted to the trade. The wind holding N.N.E. till near the close of the fire, prevented the devastation from extending so far, as almost any other wind would inevitably have carried it. Ninety-six buildings, of which 43 were dwelling-houses, were consumed. The amount of losses, rendered to a committee of the, town, was $209,861 50, exclusive of several large sums not ex hibited. Great interest was at this time excited in favour of remov ing the ropewalks from the heart of the town. Lechmere's point was proposed by some as a suitable location for them, but the town ' in a moment of sympathy and feeling for the sufferings of particular individuals,' voluntarily gave them the right of using the land at the bottom of the Common.* By this disposition a very fine square was leff open, capable of making many valuable building lots ; it is now covered by some of the most eligible houses in the city. * Six ropewalks were erected at the bottom ofthe Common : they were all destroyed by fire, Feb. 18, 1806: five being rebuilt, four of them were again burnt in the fall of 1819, and in the course of the year 1 824, the city purchased the rights of the ropewalk owners, by which the property has reverted to the inhabitants, and the walks are removed to the neck and mill-dam. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 323 In the month of May, 1795, the town purchased of Gov. Hancock s heirs the spot of land on which the State-house stands, and transferred it to the Commonwealth. On the 4th ot July the corner-stone of this edifice, which makes so strik ing a figure in every view of Boston, was laid with great cer emony. 1 he stone was drawn to the spot by 15 white horses, (then the number of States in the Union,) and laid by the Governoui- assisted by the Grand Masters of. masonick lod ges. A silver plate, bearing the name of the depositors, and many pieces of current money, were placed beneath the stone.* This building is of an oblong form, ' 173 ft. front and.61 deep. It consists externally of a basement story, twenty feet high, and a principal story thirty feet. This, in the centre of the front, is covered with an attic sixty feet wide, twenty feet high, which is covered with a pediment. . Immediately above this.rises a dome, fifty feet diameter, and thirty high ; the whole.; terminates with an elegant circular lantern support ing an elegant pine cone. The basement story is finished •plain on the wings with square windows. . The centre is 94 feet in length, and formed of arches which project 14 feet ; they form a covered walk below; and support a colonnade of Corinthian columns of the same extent above. The outside walls are of large patent bricks, with white marble fascias, imposts, and keystones.' The body of the building is paint ed of a ^Portland-stone colour ; the dome of a bronze. The foundation of this edifice is about 100 feet above the level ofthe harbour, and its elevation and size make it a very conspicuous object. Two flights of stairs lead to the top of theouter.dome, 170 steps from the foundation. The view fromT this dome affords one of the most interesting and beautiful spectacles. The eye embraces at once every avenue and every publick building in the city, and overlooks the towns adjacent ' all speckled with white houses and country seats amidst groves and luxuriant fields.' At our feet, on the right,. we see the mansion house of Hancock, (a venerable stone building of eighty years standing) and in front is spread the common, like a splendid carpet of green, bounded on all sides by the malls closely shaded by trees of various growth, over which'the great elm in the middle ofthe common, (near to an old redoubt and beside a small artificial pond,) seems to com- * The inscription was as follows : This Corner Stone of a building intended for the use of the Legislative and Executive branches of Government ofthe Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was laid'by His Excellency Samuel Adams Esq. Governour of said Commonwealth, assisted bytjie most Worshipful Paul Revere, Grand Master and the Right Worshipful William Sed- ley, Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Wardens and brethren ofthe Grand Lodge ofMassar chusetts on the fourth day of July An. Dom. 1795. A. L. 5795 being the XXth anniversary of American Independence. 324 HISTORY OF BOSTON. mand the whole, with the maj^stick waving of his huge branch es, the growth of a century.* East, lies in full view, the sight unobstructed in its farthest reach, the ocean and the harbour, bespangled with islands, almost as numerous and said to be equally as charming as those which beautify the bay of Na ples : all together combining to make this view one of the most delightful panoramas that the world affords.t ' The New Alms-house, so called,| (which stood till May, 1825, in Leverett-Street) was built in the year 1800: the Overseers of the poor held their first meeting in it, Dec. 3d. It was an oblong building, pleasantly situated on the bank of Charles river, measuring 270 feet front, and 56 deep. It consisted of a basement story, divided into three large kitch ens, and a number of commodious rooms, which were im proved for work-shops and other purposes. Above were three upright stories, which gave forty-eight rooms, 24 by 22 feet ; four staircases, 10 feet in width, leading through the several stories. In the centre was a hall 40 by 50, and a chapel above of the same dimensions ; each of them being about 15 feet in height. The large arched windows were finished with fluted pilasters of the Ionic order. The outside walls were of large bricks, with white marble fascias, imposts and key stones, and the roof covered with slate. Four brick parti tions ran through the building, in which stood the chimnies, containing a funnel for every room. The whole building was enclosed with brick walls and handsome gates. The front and rear yards were 80 by 280 feet.' West Row, the next oldest range of brick buildings, on the west side of Court street, between Hanover street and Bow- * The height of the Great Tree on the Common is 65 feet ; the girth, at 30 inches from the ground, is 21 ft. 8 inches. The extent ofthe branches is 86 feet. ? The new State house was first occupied by the Legislature on the 1 1th of January, 1798. The several branches of the Gen. Court marched in procession from the old state house, and the new building was solemnly dedicated ' lo the honour of God and the people's good.' Rev. Br. Thacher offered the dedicatory prayer. J The old Alms honse, Work house and Bridewell, together with tlie Granary were situa ted pn Park Street. The Granary was a long wooden building at the corner of Common 4t. capable of containing 12000 hushelB of grain, which it was customary for a committee, annually appointed by the town, to have stored in it for the accommodation of tbe poor a»d others who wished to purchase in small quantities, at an advance on the wholesale price not exceeding ten per cent. The Alms house was a two story brick building, in the form of an L, with a gable roof, appropriated to the aged and infirm poor. Tlie Work house was a large brick building, 120 feet long, two stories high with a gable roof for the reception of vagrant, idle and dissolute persons. Bridewell was contiguous to the workhouse, and was a sort of prison for the disorderly : a part of the house was assigned to the insane. The first proposal for an Alms house on the Town records occurs in Nov. 1660. In Feb. 166S, a person is admitted into the Alms house. Dec.18, 1682, the Alms honse being burnt a new one is proposed : H was building June 2, 1686. The Work-house was built in 1738. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 325 doin square, was erected in 1800. South Row, a handsome block of stores belonging to the Old South church, and situate on the land adjoining it, was completed about the same time. On the 16th of December,1801, a destructive fire happened in Fish and Ann streets. It commenced in a large wooden building in the rear of [now] No. 95, Ann st. and immediately communicated to the houses in front. Thence it extended north on the east side of Fish street to Svvelt's wharf, consum ing every house. On the west side of Ann street no house was burnt, although the street was then ten feet narrower than it is at present ; but every building from Cross street to the one opposite Swett's wharf was burnt, or pulled down to arrest the progress of the flames. The next year, 1802, sev eral brick buildings were erected on the ruins, and the block on the west side of Fish street received the name of North Row. The law to prevent the erection of wooden buildings more than ten feet high was passed Feb. 9, 1803. It was an act in addition to an act to secure the town of Boston from damage by fire, and its provisions were so faithfully executed that none other than brick or stone buildings were raised from that time, until the recent modification of the law. The town land, on which the old Alms house &c. stood, had been sold to individuals some time before the removal of the inmates took place, and very shortly after that, the block of four buildings on Park Street, adjoining the meeting house was put up. So far as we can ascertain this was the first of the improvements near the State house and common. By the fall of 1804,the houses on Beacon street at the corner of Park street were erected. Hamilton place was finished in 1806, and Bumstead place not long after. Pinckney street, Myrtle street, Hancock street and the whole extent of Mount Ver non, which in 1799 presented a dreary waste on which only three decent houses were to be seen, began to present the ap pearance of improvement, and in a very little time were cover ed with extensive ranges of some of the best houses in the town. ' By the year 1806, they became the resort of wealth and fashion, and subsequent improvements have made that neighbourhood the most eligible of any part of the city. Beacon hill and the eminences west of it were levelled, and their materials served to fill up the millpond, which the mill proprietors (the successors of Henry Simons, &c. seep. 124) obtained the consent of the town to do, May 1 4, 1 804. The proprietors had been incorporated, by the name of the Boston Mill Corporation, March, 9, 1804 ; and on March 11th, 1806, certain associates were incorporated under the name of the Pond Street Corporation ' for the purpose of making a street from the Boston side of Charles River Bridge, across the Mill 326 HISTORY OF BOSTON. Pond, in the most convenient route to connect with Middle street,' to be laid out by the Selectmen as a publick street and to be at least 60 ft. wide. That street, which by admeasure ment is 1980 ft. in length was commenced without delay. The proprietors having made arrangements for the accommoda tion of the Baptist churches abutting on the pond, they came to a definite agreement with the town July 24, 1807, that the town, ' waive and release the conditions and obligations annex ed to the said original grant, for a just and valuable consid eration, and that the premises should be filled up and made fit for building by excluding the water; and the said Propri etors are content in exchange for such release to fill up and convert the premises into solid land, and to grant and confirm to the town of Boston forever an estate in fee simple, in and to one eighth lot so filled up, of every tract or portion ofthe prem ises, which shall, within. twenty years from this date, be filled up and converted into solid land,within and without the pres ent existing causeway, and one undivided moiety of every lot or portion of the premises, which at the expiration of said term' shall not be filled up and converted into solid land, or boxed out in a manner equivalent to filling up.' The princi pal part ofthe pond is already filled up, and the whole super7 ficies is laid out into squares and streets Of convenient breadth. Several brick buildings were early erected on the made land, at the bottom of Friend street and of Cross street. The New street (as Mill-pond-street, G. d. 35, is yet familiarly called) considerably shortens the distance between Charlestown and the centre of Boston.* A cana.1 passing through the mill- creek unites the river with the harbour,and receives the boats from Middlesex canal with their cargoes of wood, stone and produce. When the pond is wholly filled up, the area of the peninsula will have been increased about 43 acres. It was about this time that Copps' hill began to be dug away, and a few brick buildings were erected in Lynn-street, in 1806, about Hon.Wm.Gray's whf. and on the opposite side of the street. These were the principal improvements at the north part of the town. A fire which happened, Aug. 18th destroyed six houses, between Ann (then Fish) st. and the North square.' It commenced at nine o'clock in the evening, in the third house from Mountfort's. corner. Very great ex ertions were necessary to prevent its extending across the street and communicating to many ofthe neighbouring houses, which at that time were all of wood and very near each oth er. A few brick buildings have risen slowly on this spot, and ¦ Another street (Charlestown st. G. d. 34,) is now almost completed, by which that dis» ranee will be yet more diminished. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 3,27 the width of the street has been greatly improved. But the the prospect of gain from exertions in other parts of the town has hitherto been so much brighter, that very little improve ment has yet been made north of the creek. Here and there an individual has erected a substantial house, and not a few have done their part towards rendering the general appear ance of buildings in that quarter more agreeable, so far as that could be effected by a coat of paint. ' Sundry persons, proprietors ofthe shipyard, and of certain wharves and flats, lying on the harbour of Boston, between Battery March street and State st. associated for the purpose of improving said land and laying out a spacious street near the harbour through their estates,' and were incorporated for that purpose, Feb. 11, 1805, by the name of the Broad Street Association. While the plans of this Association were pro gressing, another company was carrying forward India Wharf, which was finished before Broad Street was complet ed. India Street extending from India Wharf to the head of Long Wharf was the next improvement, and the stores and houses on them all were ready to be occupied in the course of 1807, '08, and '09. The range of four-story brick stores and dwelling-houses, in Broad-street, measures on the west side, from State-street to Purchase-street, 1373 feet, in aline somewhat circular. Broad-street is 70 ft. in width. Custom- House street, in which the Custom-House stands, measures 194 ft. from Broad to India street, and this last measures 989 feet from Long-wharf to India-whf. These admeasure ments give an idea of the extent of space rescued from the water, and converted into commodious stores and dwellings. To these great improvements we must add, in the same quarter, that of Central-wharf, which was completed in the year 1816. It extends into the harbour, from India street about midway between Long and India wharves, and is 1240 feet in length, and 150 in width. There are 54 stores on this wharf, four stories high. There is a spacious hall in the centre, over which is erected an elegant observatory. The stores are fifty feet in width, and stand in the middle of the wharf, so that there is, on either side, the best of accommoda tion for the landing and delivery of merchandize, lt has been remarked, that for extent, convenience, and elegance combined, Central-wharf is not exceeded by any in the com mercial world. While these undertakings were going forward, the same great projector ofthe whole, Mr. Cotting, had his mind em ployed on another. Between the foot of Cornhill and the northerly end of Tremont-street, in a straight course, there was considerable vacant land and many old buildings of lit tle value. Possession was obtained of these estates by pur- 328 HISTORY OF BOSTON. chase, and a street 48 ft. in width was laid out, in as direct a course as the unevenness of the ground would permit. In 1817, a block of stores was erected on each side, which, be tween Cornhill and Court st. measure 432 ft. in length on the north side, and 436 on the south. They are all four stories high and have uniform fronts. The stores on the north side are marked with the odd numbers (1 to 91) and those on the south with the even numbers, (2 to 76) the chambers in each building bearing one number, and the store, below, the odd or even number next in order. It was at first proposed to call this avenue New Cornhill, from the circumstance of its being devoted to* the same kinds of business for which Cornhill had so long been celebrated : to what fancy the present name is to be attributed we know not.* Immediately on the completion of Market-street, part of the building at the east end of Scollay's buildings, (long famous as Master Carter's school, but which became private property, March 4, 1793) was taken down, to make the pas>- sage free from Tremont street into Market-street. In the next year, Brattle street leading E. from Court st. to Dock square by the rear of the stores on Market st. was opened, and an elegant block of 14 houses built on the north side, present. ing a front of hammered stone, 312 ft. in extent and four sto ries high. This was the first stone block erected in the town. While these changes were making mostly for commercial purposes, extensive improvements were going forward in oth er parts of the town, to accommodate a population increasing in wealth and numbers, with dwelling houses suited to their fancies and wants. Fort hill was put into repair and the lots adjacent sold by tbe town to individuals,! who erected the brick block called Washington place, around the mall, or cir cular green which is a walk about 200 ft.in diameter,lined with double rows of poplars. North-Russell,Vine,and Poplar streets, and the neighbourhood of the Massachusetts Hospital to the Alms-house in Leverett st. which had recently been marsh and pasture ground, or improved only for Ropewalks, were con verted into building lots and covered with fashionable and substantial houses. Beacon street on the west side of the * The stores in Market Street were the first erected on granite pillars, a thing now so common, Mr. Tuckerman's store at the corner of Dock sq. and Market Row, was about the first in which the improvement was attempted (1 820) of substituting those pillars for the original brick walls. Extreme caution was deemed necessary, and the work occupied almost a -whole summer. Market Row, which is a continuation of similar buildings from Market street to Dock sq. measures 118 feet, making the whole block on the north side 550 feet. t Tbe town empowered the Selectmen to dispose of the Fort hill lots, May 23, 1805, and sales were made to Messrs. Wells, Bradbury, Tuck, Howland and others, in the month of June, 1806. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 329 Common, and Colonnade row on the east, (mostly built in 181 1,) presented, the one an elegant uniform range of 24 brick dwellings four stories high, and the other an irregular series of single buildings finished in a varied style, according to the taste of the individual owners. Besides these there were nu merous other courts, rows, squares, and places, comprising from six to twelve or more modern brick houses, erected prior to the year 1822, which is the period within which we confine our observations in this chapter. < There were also erected prior to this period several edifices devoted to publick purposes, which are worthy to be noted in this connection. The Custom-House stands on the north side of Custom house street, near the head of Central wharf. ' It is 60 feet square and two stories in height exclusive of the basement, which is divided by brick walk/and brick arches supporting the different passages above. The lower part of the front is built of stone and the upper part of brick, with a colonnade 60 feet long and 10 ft. wide, supported by 10 stone columns of the Doric order, 14 feet in length. The floor is paved with stone, and a broad flight of stone steps with iron railings leads to the several offices. It is finished with a stone frieze and cornice, and the windows ornamented with marble dres sings. The front is crowned by a pediment, on the top of which. is a spread eagle. The basement and first story is cal culated for the storing of goods, and contains a number of com partments occupied by the house-keeper, and some of the under oflicers. The upper story contains 6 rooms 20 feet high, in which the business of the office is transacted. The building is remarkably well contrived for the convenience of business, and exhibits a chaste and elegant specimen of archi tecture. It cost about thirty thousand dollars.' The Boston Exchange Coffee-House, whose name desig nates the purposes to which it was appropriated, was the most capacious building and most extensive establishment of its kind in the U. S. The early history of this structure is that of ah unsuccessful speculation, which involved individuals in ruin, and seriously injured a large portion of the community. lt cost the projector, and through him the publick, upwards of $500,000, and was unfinished when he failed. In other hands it was completed so far as to be tenantable, and went into Operation in 1808, two years and a half from the time it was commenced.* * ' This grand edifice was destroyed by fire, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1813. It was first discov ered near the southwest corner of the attick story, about seven in the evening, and before tea o'clock the whole building was reduced to a melancholy heap of ruins. The most spir- 42 330 HISTORY OF BOSTON. ' The E. C. H. was an immense pile Of building, 7 stories in height, with a cellar under the whole, and covering 12,753 square feet of ground. Its shape was an irregular square, or that of an irregular triangle cut off at the acute angle, meas uring 132 feet in its broadest front, and only 94 feet on its narrowest, from which the line of the sides diverged nearly equally. The base of the building was of hammered granite and the basement of white marble. ' The front in Congress-street was highly ornamented. Six marble pilasters, of the Ionic order, upon a rustic basement supported an architrave and cornice of the same ; and the whole front, which had an arched door way, was crowned with a Corinthian pediment.' On this side there were 48 superb Venetian windows. There was another entrance to wards State-street, through an Ionick porch or vestibule, and this front was ornamented wfth ten Ionick pilasters, and light ed by 58 windows. There was also an entrance, for the lodgers in the hotel, on Salter's court, having a passage for the ingress and egress of carriages. From this door there was a circular stair-case, elegantly decorated, which led without interruption to the attick story. There was also a communication from Devonshire-street, through an adjoining house. ' Upon entering the house, you stood on an interior area 70 feet in length and 40 ft, wide, in the form of a parallelogram, which was lighted from the top by means of a magnificent dome, 100 ft. 10 inches in diameter. Around this area was extended a portico, or rather several porticos, each consisting of 20 columns, which reached from the ground floor to the roof, and supported five galleries leading to the different apart ments. The height of the top of the dome from the; floor was 83 feet. Here was an assemblage of the different orders of architecture, from the ornamental Doric to the Corinthian, which produced a very agreeable impression upon the eyes ofthe spectator, as he passed from the dome which surmount- iled and judicious efforts could only give a temporary check to tbe (lames, whicb were has tily working their way behind the partition walls and round the cornices, in places beyond reach. In a very short time., tbe greater part of the 210 halls, rooms, chambers, &c. exhib ited a mass of intense fire seldom witnessed. About 9 o'clock the noble dome came down with a frightful crash, and, soon after, nearly all the north and part of tbe south walls, each more than 80 feet in height, fell, and damaged many of the neighbouring buildings. Several houses were much damaged, but none wholly burnt out, except the one on Devonshire-street, ad joining the Exchange. On Wednesday morning, the whole isolated front wall of the ruin, 90 feet high by 80 ft. wide, with its marble columns and chimnies, appeared to stand tottering over the people's heads, and threatened in its fall to overwhelm the buildings opposite, whicb stood at the distance of 28 feet only from the wall. But in the course of that and tbe suc ceeding day they were levelled, without the least damage to the neighbourhood or to tbe thousands of spectators, who were witnesses to this sublime wreck of matter.' BOSTON EXCHANGE COFFEE HOUSE, BUILT 1808. ..BURNT 1818. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 331 ed the whole, to the floor upon which he stood. The interior space was as nearly as possible equi-distan,t from the sides of the structure ; and the apartments,, which surrounded it upon the various stories, amounted to about 210. 'The house was divided into two species of rooms ; those which belonged to the hotel, and those which were rented for offices and shops to individuals. The basement story con sisted chiefly of an extensive kitchen, private lodging rooms, larder, and the cellars, with some offices that were entered from the street. The principal floor was originally intended for a public Exchange, which design never was executed, as the merchants from long habit, prefer to stand in the street, even during the inclement winter months. A publick read ing room, with a very large list of subscribers, was also upon this floor, where the lodgers in the hotel had the privilege ot resorting, and in which was regularly kept a journal of the most interesting occurrences ofthe times, whether of a politi cal or commercial nature. A convenient Coffee room, a Bar and withdrawing-room for boarders, were also on this floor ; besides various apartments occupied by publick incorporations and private individuals. On the second floor chiefly devoted to the hotel, upon the southern side, there was a dining room sufficiently spacious to admit tables for three hundred per sons; about fourteen other apartments comprised the whole ofthe second story. ' The third and fourth floors belonged to the tavern. An arched ball-room, finished with great taste in the Corinthian order of architecture, extended through both stories, and was placed immediately over the large dining hall. The other apartments on these floors were either connected with the ball room, or were lodging chambers. ' Upon the northern side of the fifth and sixth floors, a large Masonick Hall was formed from a large number of lodg ing rooms, which were included in the apartments which we have just enumerated. The other rooms were appropri ated for lodging chambers, with the exoeption of an obser vatory on the sixth floor, connected with the news room be low.* The Stone Court-House in Court-square, to which for distinction's sake we have given the name of Johnson HaU on our plate, (with reference to the memory of Isaac Johnson esq. whom we have mentioned as a chief patron of the first settlers of Boston, see p. 37,) was built in 1810. It is de scribed as consisting of an octagon centre, 55 ft. wide, with two wings, 26 by 40 feet, connected by the entrance and pas sages to the centre. The length of the whole building is 140 * For amore particular account ofthe E.C.II. see Omnium Gatherum, Nov. 1809. 332 HISTORY OF BOSTON. ft. The lower story of the centre is improved by the Regis ter of Deeds, and Clerk of the C. C. P.— the second story by the County Courts, and the upper by the Common Council of the city. The Mayor and Aldermen's room is in the upper story of the western wing ; under that are the offices of the Auditor and City Marshal, and on the lower floor the Probate Office. In the eastern wing are the offices of the Clerk of the S. J. Court, rooms for the judges and for theories, and one occupied by the Law Library. Boylston Hall, situated at the corner of Washington and Boylston st. was so named in honour of Ward Nicholas Boylston esq. It was opened in 1810. It is in length 120 ft. and in width 50 feet, of three stories, with a deep cellar. On the first floor are twelve stalls for the sale of provisions. The second is separated by an avenue running lengthwise, on the sides of which are four spacious rooms. The third story con sists of a hall 100 feet in length with the entire width of the building. The central height of the ceiling is 24 feet, lt contains an orchestra, and two convenient withdra wing-rooms adjoining.* Parkman's Market, so called, is a large brick building at the corner of Grove and Cambridge-streets, distinguished by a cupola. It was erected by the late Samuel Parkman, esq. for the purpose of a market to accommodate the population in that neighbourhood. It was built in the fall of 1810. The City Market, so called, at the end of Brattle-street next to Dock-square, is also an extensive brick building, three stories high. The lower story and cellars were appropriated to the sale of provisions. The Gallery of Fine Arts was kept in the rooms above. This building was erected by private cit izens in the year 1819: the town had opposed their wish to be incorporated and their application to the General Court was in consequence unsuccessful. The city has since refused to accept the building as a donation, and a furniture ware house is now kept in the part formerly occupied as a market. We have thus endeavoured to give a general view of the principal local changes, which took place under the town gov ernment. It will be our aim to render that view more definite, as we proceed to the edifices which have been devoted to fash ionable amusements, or to the more sober purposes of relig ious worship, education, and charity. * ' The proprietors were incorporated Feb. 27, 1809, and tbe foundation of the building was commenced in tbe April following. The land belonging to the corporation was for merly owned by Sam'l Welles esq. of whose heirs it was purchased by Mr. Jos. O. Dyer, and by him conveyed to the present proprietors for $20,560. The cost of the building was about $39,000, beside the cupola, which was built by subscription. The clock was a dona tion of Mr. Boylston. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 333 CHAPTER LVIT. This is the place as well as I may guess Whence even now the tumult of loud mirth Was rife, and perfect in my listening ear : a thousand fantasies Begin to throng into my memory, Of calling shapes and beckoning shadows dire. Comus, A Mask. The puritan spirit of our ancestors was transfused into the first and second generations which succeeded them : nothing like the fashionable amusements of our day found any coun tenance with them. A third and fourth generation became by degrees a little more lax in manners and sentiments, and the fifth had so far thrown off restraint as to look upon balls and assemblies without much abhorrence. Probably, the inter course, which under the royal government was constantly ta king place between our people and officers of the army and navy from England, may have tended to introduce this change. ' In the year 1756, Concert Hall, a handsome build ing at the head of Hanover-street, was erected by Mr. Ste phen Deblois, a musician, for the purposes of concerts, danc ing, and other entertainments. A few years ago the build ing was enlarged, and improved at a great expense. The front hall is about 60 feet by 30, in the second story, and is justly admired for its correct proportions and the richness oi its architecture. It is highly finished in the Corinthian style, with an orchestra, and the walls are ornamented with superb mirrors. In the rear is another hall on the same story, finish ed in a plainer style, and well calculated for publick enter tainments, and large parties.' Federal-Street Theatre was erected about the same time with theTontine buildings. Strenuous opposition had been made to the introduction of theatrical exhibitions into Boston. The first attempt of the kind, in 1750 (see Minot, Hist, of Mass. i. 142) was followed by a law of the Province prohibiting them under penalties. During the^, siege the British officers enter tained themselves with amusements of a theatrical sort. From that time we discover no traces of a theatre in Boston till 1789, when the newspapers contain intimations of a design to establish one. While the prohibitory laws remained in force, it was unsafe to proceed openly : an effort* was made to repeal them in the winter session of 1792, which failed, and the ex pedient of exhibiting plays under the title of Moral Lectures, 334 history of boston. was therefore adopted in *be fall of that year. The place of performance was 'the New Exhibition Room in Board-alley,' (now Hawley-street.) A majority of the town had favoured the petition for a repeal of the prohibitory laws, ' as unconsti tutional, inexpedient, and absurd,' and the patronage of the Exhibition Room was so liberal, that the plan of erecting a commodious brick building, purposely for a theatre, was easi ly carried into execution. A lofty and spacious edifice was built on Federal and Franklin streets, 140 feet long, 61 wide, and 40 feet in height.* It was opened on the 3d of February, 1794, with the tragedy of Gustaviis Vasa Erickson, the deliv erer of Sweden. Mr. Charles Stuart Powell was manager. ' In consequence of a misunderstanding between Mr. P. and * This summer (1 825) an addition has been made to the west end of the building, of about 12 feet, and corresponding improvements in the interior. The following memoranda may be gratifying to the lovers of the Drama. 1797. — Mr. Williamson having failed as Manager of tbe Federal street Theatre, it was taken by Messrs. Barrett and Harper. During the season this Theatre was destroyed by fire, on the afternoon of Feb. 2, 1798. Messrs B. and H. applied for the use of tbe Haymarket Theatre and were refused. Oct. 29th, 1798. — The Theatre, having been rebuilt, was opened under the management of Mr. Hodgkinson. The pieces performed were a Prelude, called 'The First Night's Apology, or All in a Bustle,' ' Wives as tbey Were,' and the ' Purse.' * April 29th, 17G9. — Mr. Hodgkinson, having failed in the Federal street concern, removed the Uompany to the Haymarket Theatre, whicb he opened with the ' Stranger,' and ' Ply mouth Rock.' This was the last season Mr. Hodgkinson performed in Boston. Oct. 1799.— Theatre opened under the management of Mr. G. L.Barrett, with the Comedy of ' Laugh when you Can.' Mr. B. failed before the season expired. Oct. 27th, 1 800. — Theatre opened under the management of Mr. Whitlock, who, after ex periencing a loss of about $1000, relinquished the .concern. This season introduced to a Boston audience the celebrated Mrs. Jones. Nov. 80th, 1801 — The Theatre was opened under the joint management of Messrs. Powell and Harper. ' Tbe School for Scandal,' and 'Poor Soldier,' were the entertainments. Oct. 27th, 1802 — The Theatre opened under tbe management of Mr. Snelling Powell, with the ' Poor Gentleman,' and ' Purse.' The Theatre oontinued under the sole management -of Mr. Snelling Powell, until Oct 1806f when it was opened under the joint management of Messrs.Powell, Bernard, and Dickson, who continued it till 1 81 1 .when Mr .Bernard relinquished his part, and Messrs.Powell and Dick son retained the management of it for 11 years. In 1816-17, Mr. D. retired from the stage, and has performed only twice since ; in April, 1819, he appeared in the-character of Hardy, in the ' Belle's Stratagem,' and Oglow, in ' Timour tbe Tartar,' for Mrs. Powell's benefit : and in May, 1821, he performed Sir Robert Bramble, in the ' Poor Gentleman," Will Steady, in the ' Purse,' and Tag, in the ' Spoil'd Child*:' this was likewise for the benefit of Mrs. Powell, who was prevented from appearing before her friends on that occasion, in conse quence of the decease of Mr. Powell, wbich occurred the previous month. Mr. Dickson, although be retired from the stage, continued in the management. Tbe sea son of 1817 commenced under the joint direction of Messrs. Powell, Dickson, and Duff: this connexion continued for three years, when Mr. Duff relinquished his share in the concern. After the lamented decease of Mr. Powell, (April .8, 1821,) the management de volved upon Mr. D. (for Mrs. Powell, who was principally interested, and himself,) aided by HISTORY OF BOSTON. 335 the proprietors, Col. J. S. Tyler was appointed to the manage ment, but not succeeding, he relinquished and was succeeded by John Brown Williamson. In the mean time, the friends of Mr. Powell raised by sub scription a sum sufficient to build of wood ihe Haymarket The atre, which was one of the most spacious and convenient ever erected in America.' It was located near the foot of the Mall, on the spot now occupied by the three-story buildings, next south of Colonnade-row. The house was opened, Dec. 26, 1796, with an Occasional Address, written and delivered by Mr. C. S. Powell, which was followed by the Comedy of the Belle's Stratagem, in which Mr. Dickinson, (since J. A. Dickson, the late Manager,) appeared upon the stage for the first time. The afterpiece was a grand pantomime called Mirza and Lindor, performed by a French Corps du Ballet. It was at this time that Mrs, Darley made her debut as Nar- cissa in ' Inkle and Yarico.' Haymarket Theatre was discontinued in the course of a few years, and no other was established until the year 1819, when the entertainments at Washington Gardens were com menced. At first the managers of the Federal-street house were interested in the performances at the Amphitheatre, but in a short time the control over it passed into the hands of of several amateurs, and the two institutions became in some sort rivals to each other. The Amphitheatre was so con structed as to answer the purposes of a Circus,t and was on that account better adapted to the performance of such plays as required the introduction of troops and caravans, a happy invention for supplying the defects to which the best select ed companies may sometimes be liable, not unknown in Ad dison's day, but not demanded till recently to please a Boston audience. The Museum was commenced in Boston by the exhibition of a few specimens of wax-work, at the American Coffee-house, opposite the Bunch-of-Grapes in State-street. The proprie- Mr. Kilner, as Acting Manager ; this continued until the expiration of their lease from the proprietors, in May, 1824. The next season, in Sept. 1824, Messrs. Kilner and Finn undertook the management, for themselves and Mrs. Powell, on a lease of three years. It is a fact, worthy of record, and highly creditable to the Managers, that, from the time of Mr. Powell's undertaking the management, until the present date, there never has been an instance known of a performer's salary, a tradesman's bill, or any other demand against the Theatre being refused payment. This punctuality has given a respectability and credit to the establishment, that is not surpassed by any other in this country or in England. t Messrs. Pepin andBreschard had established a regular Circus in Charlestown in 1809 : and the Circus at the Washington Gardens has been occasionally used for that specifick ob ject There was also a Circus by Lailson in 1796, and ten years before that, the- Selectmen had granted a licence for the exhibition of /eats of horsemanship. 336 HIS I'ORT OF BOSTON. tor was Mr. Daniel Bowen, whose collection received very handsome notice in the papers of June, 1791. It was soon removed to ' the hall over the New School-house near the Rev. Mr. West's meeting :' additions of natural and artificial curiosities, paintings, &c. were constantly made to the collec tion till 1795, when it assumed the name of Columbian Museum, and was established ' at the bead of the Mall [on the corner of Bromfield's lane], in the longest and perhaps the most ele gant hall in the United States.' This establishment rose in value and in publick estimation, and became a fashionable re sort, till Jan. 15, 1803, when it was destroyed by fire. The liberality ofthe publick and the aid of private friends enabled Mr. Bowen to commence another museum, at the corner of Milk and Oliver streets, in the succeeding May. In 1806, Mr. B. in connexion with Mr. Wm. M. S. Doyle erect ed a costly brick edifice, five stories high, on the lot north of the Chapel burial ground, and removed the collection, which had now become splendid, to that place, which was opened for company, on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 27th. Here they were doomed again to suffer disappointment. On the morning of Jan. 16, 1807, a fire was discovered in the hall over the Museum, and in a very short time all its valuable contents were consumed.* The proprietors, however, were not wholly disheartened. With some encouragement from the publick they rebuilt the house to the height of two stories, and opened it on the 2d of June, 1807. Mr. B. some time af ter removed from Boston, and Mr. Doyle continued the sole manager, until t^e collection was sold to the proprietors of the New England Museum, (Jan. 1, 1825.) The Boston Museum was advertised as ' just opened,' by Ph. Woods, at the large five-story building over No. 6, north side of the market, Feb. 28, 1804. A considerable number of interesting curiosities were collected in this Museum, but it never became so fashionable a place of resort as the Colum bian. It was removed for a short time to a building on the west side of Dock-square, but was returned to its original stand, where it was sold at auction in the summer of 1822. Chief of the articles were transferred to the New England Museum. A collection called the Washington Museum was for a short time exhibited here in 1804. The New York Museum, was opened in Boylston.,, Hall, in 1 812. This latter was the commencement ofthe New England, which is now the only establishment of the kind in Boston. * This building was 108 feet long, and 34 ft. wide. The height was 82 feet from the basement floor to the top of the observatory, which was surmounted by a figure of Minerva. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 337 It is situated on Court street, occupying the chambers over several stores, extending from Market to Brattle street. The collection is the most extensive ever brought together here, both in point of excellence and variety. Mr. E. A. Greenwood has had the superintendance of it, since it assumed its present appellation, under which it was opened, July 4, 1818. Mr. Mix's New Haven Museum was added to it, in 1821. It is not foreign from our purpose to state, that this museum contains, besides its curiosities of a general character, a plan of Boston, engraved by Price in 1743; likenesses of the following persons, whose names occur in this book : viz. Gov, Winthrop, Endicor, Leverett, Bradstreet (from the paintings in the State-house), Hancock, S. Adams, Bowdoin, Gen. War ren, Franklin, Gen. Ward, R. T. Paine, John Adams, J. Q. Adams, — and ofthe following distinguished citizens ; Rev. Drs. Cooper, Stillman, Lathrop, Baldwin, Holley, and Griffin, — Messrs. Ballou, Buckminster, Huntington, Frothingham, Win- chell, and Dean ; Dr. Jeffries, Benjamin Austin, Isaiah Thom as; William Cooper, Mr. John Tileston, Miss Hannah Adams, together with prints of many other eminent persons. CHAPTER LVIII. How all religions should enjoy their liberty, justice its due regularity, civil cohabitation moral honesty, in one and the same jurisdiction, is beyond the artiaue of my comprehen $9Q.— Simple Cobler, A. D. 1647. The churches of Boston had been thrown into great confu sion by the events of the' war. Five of their houses of wor ship had been transformed into barracks or hospitals, or in some way* appropriated to the use of the British troops. All their pastors who were friendly to the American cause (except Dr. Samuel Mather and Dr. Andrew Eliot) had deemed it prudent to leave the town during the siege. The clergymen of the three Episcopal churches fled with Gen. Howe on the memorable 17th of March, 1776, and Dr. Byles of Hollis- street was dismissed, in 1777, by his people, on account of his supposed predilection for the royal cause. Mr. Moorhead's church was vacant, and Mr. Croswell's meeting-house was * The desecration of the Old South excited universal indignation. To fit it for the pur poses of a circus for the dragoons, 'every moveable part within the walls (except the sound ing board over the pulpit, and the east gallery, which was left to accommodate spectators) was taken down, pillars, pews, galleries, and pulpit. About 1 and a half or 2 feet of earth was spread upon the floor, for the horses to exercise upon.' a o 338 HISTORY OF BOSTON. untenantable during the winter season. The Old North, we know, had been entirely destroyed, and Dr. Ebenezer Pem berton, the pastor of the New Brick, had deceased, Sept. 15, 1777. The first change consequent on this state of things was the union of the Old North and New Brick churches, under the name of the Second Church. This event look place June 27, 1779 ; Rev. John Lathrop then became pastor of both socie ties. The Old South church were accommodated in King's chapel, until they were ready to remove to their own house.* At length the remaining proprietors of the Chapel determined to re store their former mode of worship, and invited Rev. James Freeman to perform divine services in their desk. Mr. F. accepted their invitation, and commenced Reader, Oct. 20, 1782. The society adopted the Unitarian liturgy, altered from the common prayer book of the Church of England, after the plan of Dr. Samuel Clarke. On Lord's-day, Nov. 18, 1787, after evening service, Mr. Freeman was ordained as Rector, Priest, &x. by the wardens, vestry, proprietors, and congregation of the Chapel, ' by virtue of the third arti cle in the declaration of rights,' which provides that religious societies shall at all times have the exclusive right of electing itheir publick teachers. A minority protested against this meas ure, because the new proprietors had 'introduced a liturgy dif ferent from any now used in the Episcopal churches in the Uni ted States, and articles of faith which,' say they, ' in our opin ion, are unseriptural and heretical.' Another ' protest or ex communication' was also issued on the same subject, by the rectors of Episcopal churches in Boston, Salem, Marblehead, Newburyport, and Portsmouth, who pronounced the mode of ordination ' diametrically opposite to every principle adopted in any Episcopal churcb.'t The society, however, has pur sued the course of its own choosing, and though discounte nanced by the Episcopal churches, its rectors hold ministerial intercourse with the members of the Boston Association. The origin ofthe denomination of Universalists in America was in the year 1770. Mr. John Murray commenced preach ing near New York ; visited Philadelphia, and several parts of New Jersey ; came in 1773 to Newport and thence to Bos ton, where he arrived on the 26th of October. He delivered his first discourse on the 30th, in the hall over the Factory. In September 1 774, Mr.Murray made another visit, and preached sometimes at a private house, sometimes in Faneuil-hall, at the, * From Nov. 9, 1777, to Feb. 23, 1783. t See Centinel, Nov. 24, 1787, and Jan. 2, 1788. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 339 Factory, or at Masons'-hall, and at length was admitted into Mr. Croswell's pulpit, not, however, without strenuous oppo sition from Mr. C. A society was gradually gathered under the preaching of Mr. Murray and Mr. Adam Streeter, ' and other preachers of the universal gospel of salvation to all mankind;' and on the 29th of Dec. 1785, Messrs. Shippie Townsend, James Prentiss, Jona. Stoddard, John Page, and Josiah Snelling, (' being a committee appointed by a Chris tian congregation commonly called Universalists, now meeting in the said house') purchased the meeting-house then recently vacated by the death of Dr. Sam'l Mather. Mr. Murray was installed over this society, Oct. 24, 1793. r£he solemnities of the occasion were introduced by Dea. Oliver W.Lane, who addressed the brethren of the church and congregaiion. Mr. M. prayed. Then Dea. L. asked of each party a publick recognition of their acceptance of each other as pastor and people, which being signified, the deacon proceeded thus : ' I therefore, in the name and behalf of this church and congre gation, supported by tbe constitution of this commonwealth, declare you, John Murray, to be the pastor and teacher of this first Universal church in Boston.' Dea. L. then present ed a bible to Mr. M. with the pledge that, so long as he con tinued to preach the gospel as therein delineated, he should be considered their pastor and teacher, and no longer ; and concluded with the charge of Paul to Timothy, usually introduced on such occasions. Mr. M. made an affectionate reply ; then followed singing accompanied by the organ. Mr. Murray gave a sermon from 1 Cor. ix. 16. Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel, and the services were concluded with an anthem. The society, known as the Presbyterian church, which had been under the pastoral care of Rev. Robert Annan, from 1783 to 17,86, embraced the Congregational order, and thus became the Twelfth Congregational church. We have dis covered no record of this, fact, but it probably was made known in a formal manner on the day of the installation of their first pastor, Rev. Jeremy Belknap, April, 4, 1787, con cerning which we find the following account. ' After a large and respectable council of churches, assembled on the occa sion, had taken the steps usually previous to such solemnity, they proceeded to the meeting house. An anthem excellent ly performed, began the service. Rev. Mr. Eckley then made the first prayer : Rev. Mr. McClintock of Greenland, (N. H.f delivered a sermon well adapted to the occasion : Rev. Dr. Lathrop made the installation prayer: Rev. Mr. Jackson or Brookline gave the charge ; Rev. Mr. Eliot prayed after it, and Rev. Mr. Thacher gave the right hand of fellowship, and another anthem concluded the service.' 340 HISTORY OF BOSTON. The first Roman Catholick congregation was assembled in Boston, in the year 1 784, from the few French and Irish then resident here, by the Abbe La Poitrie, a chaplain in the French navy. In the year 1788' they obtained possession ofthe old French church in School street, which had become vacant on the death of Mr. Croswell : mass was first performed in it Nov. 2,1788. M. La Poitrie was succeeded by M. Louis de Rousselet, and Mr. John Thayer, a native of Boston, who had renounced the Protestant faith and taken orders under the Romish see, as Catholick Missionary of Boston. Mr. T. be gan his mission here, June 10th, 1790, and exhibited great zeal in the cause he had espoused.* The Rt. Rev. Bp. Car roll (late of Baltimore) visited Boston, in May, 1791, and ad ministered confirmation to a number who bad received bap tism here. In 1792, the Rev. Dr. Francis A. Matignon arri ved in Boston, and by his prudence, judgment, and concilia ting disposition, considerably softened and removed the preju dice's which had impeded the advancement and progress of the Roman Catholick religion. Dr. Matignon was joined by the Rev. John Cheverus, (afterwards R.C. Bishop of this city and at present Bishop of Montauban,) in the year 1796. These two gentlemen made applications to the Protestanis, who generously contributed ; a lot was purchased in Frank lin Place, and the Roman Catholick church, a neat and well proportioned edifice, was dedicated to the worship of God, under the name of " The Church ofthe Holy Cross," by the late Bishop Carroll, on the 29th day of September, 1803.f — Under Dr. Matignon and Bp. Cheverus the congregation increased in numbers and respectability, by accessions, not only from the foreign population of the town, but from native citizsens. Dr. Matignon was removed by death, and the bish op has been called to his native country to the enjoyment of higher honours in the church. The departure of both was deeply lamented, not only by catholicks, but by all who knew them either personally or by character. The origin of the Methodist Society in Boston was attended with some circumstances of discouragement. Rev.Wm.Black, from Halifax, was the first minister of that denomination who preached here. He arrived in October, 1784, and was al lowed to appear in the pulpit of the Second Baptist church. He was here but a short time, yet many persons became Con- * Mass. His. Col. 1. iii. 264. Col. Centinel, Nov. 24, 1790^-Jan. 26, June 24, July SO. 1791. t The Rev. Mr. Thayer, by a disposition in his will, bequeathed money for the erection of an Ursuline Convent, which bas been since erected contigudus to the Church, and in whicb the female children ofthe K. Catholick communion are educated. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 341 verted under his preaching : most of them' joined the Baptist churches. In 1790, Rev. Jesse Lee visited Boston and the vicinity : he preached, as Whitfield had done before him, on the Common. A considerable number adopted his senti ments, and met together for worship at the house of Samuel Burrill, in Sheafe-street, till June 1792* when they obtained the use of the North School-house. At that time, Mr. Jere miah Cosden was their preacher. In August, 1792, twelve persons ' were joined into a society, under the denomination of the Methodist Episcopal church.' After the old schools-house was pulled down, this society met once at the Green Dragon : thence tbey removed to Mr. Conner's in Ship-street, and thence to Mr. John Ruddock's Bouse, opposite Clark's (since Ballard $; Hartt's) ship-yard, in the same street ; a room in this last house was formally dedicated Aug". 17, 1793. Find ing themselves Very unpleasantly situated for the want of a commodious place for their meetings, the society made an ef fort to obtain subscriptions towards a proper house of worship. On tbe 5tb of Sept. 1795, Messrs. Sam. Burrill, Elijah Lewis, Uriah Tufts, Joseph Snelling, Sam'l Mills, and Abraham In- gersoll, as a committee of the society, purchased a lot of land in Methodist alley (now so called), and a house was built thereon, measuring 46 feet by 36, and 22 ft. post. It was first occupied and dedicated May 15, 1796 ; Rev. Geo. Pick ering being the officiating clergyman. The' church at that time consisted of 50 members. In the year 1803, a religious society was commenced, of the denomination of Freewill Baptists. It was at first composed of persons who seceded from the other Baptist churches in town, and adhered to the doctrines at that time promulgated by Messrs. Thomas Jones and Elias Smith. Tbey have since been known under the distinctive appellation of GHRiSTrarcs. Their first meetings were held in a large wooden building in Friend-street, then adjoining the Mill-pond* They have since occupied the hall in Bedford-street, and now.(Oct. 1825) have a brick meeting-house erecting at the corner of Summer and Sea streets. They have had a number of preachers, who have continued with them a short time. " When they have no Elders to preach, they often exhort each other, both male and female. The same privilege is granted to all pious peo ple, when assembled with them, of whatever denomination they may be. They hold to the six principles of the doctrine * Records ofthe Society -In Selectmen's minutes, Sept. 16, 1785, permission is granted to the hearers of Mr. William Black to occupy the North Grammar School until further order. The new Schqol-house was finished, Oct. 1792. 342 HISTORY OF BOSTON. of Christ, viz. ' Repentance from dead works, faith towards God, of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment : urging frequently upon their hearers the necessity of the two first principles above in order for sinners to become ' born again,' or become ' new creatures,' or have the ' divine nature,' or ' holiness,' without which no man shall see the Lord. The safety of those who ' endure to the end,' is firmly believed by them, and that none but such shall have eternal life." In the year 1805, a church was gathered from among the coloured people of this town, which when formed was denom- v inated the African Baptist church. Their number at first was twenty, most of whom were' fruits of the ministry of Rev. Thomas Paul, an ordained clergyman of their own colour, who commenced preaching in Franklin Hall, an apartment in the school-house in Nassau street. The year after this church was formed, they began to make exertions towards building them a place of worship. They chose a committee to make collections, among whom was Cato Gardiner, a nativeof Africa, who had long been one of Dr. Stillman's respectable members. At his importunity Dr. Stillman drew a subscription paper, which Cato circulated in different places, and obtained about 1500 dollars. Others of the church made collections to a con siderable amount, and having received encouragement to go forward in their design, they chose a committee of white men to superintend the building, which was finished and dedicated, Dec. 4, 1806. Mr. Paul was installed at the same time* Rev. Drs. Stillman and Baldwin, Mr. Grafton [of Newton,] Mr. Briggs [of Randolph,] Mr. Stone [of New Boston, N. H.]1 all of the Baptist denomination, officiated on the occasion. This house is built of brick forty feet by forty-eight, three stories high. The lower story is fitted up for a school-room for coloured children, and has been occupied for that purpose from the time it was finished. The two upper stories are well finished with pews, pulpit, galleries, &c. The lot is small, and with the house cost 8,000 dollars. In the year 1806, the Methodist society, on the 3d of March, ' resolved that it was expedient to build another chap el for the worship of Almighty God.' On the 15th of April, the corner stone of the house in Bromfield's lane was laid by Rev. Peter Jayne, and it was completed and dedicated on the 19th of November following. Rev. Samuel Merwin preach ed on the occasion. This chapel is built of brick, its dimen sions are 84 by 54 ft. Near the N. E. corner, in the middle course of hammered stone, in the foundation, is a block taken from the celebrated rock on which our forefathers landed at Plymouth. HISTORY OF BOSTON. 343 Proposals for building another Baptist meeting-house were issued in August, 1806. A lot of land had been previously procured on Charles-street, part of which was given by the Mount Vernon Company, and the greater part purchased by the subscribers to the undertaking. Five members from the First, and nineteen from the Second Baptist church, united on the 5th of Aug. 1807, and were regularly constituted ' as a separate church of Christ, by the name of the Third Baptist church in Boston.' On the same day the house was dedica ted. Rev. Dr. Baldwin preached on the occasion. On the 5th of October, Rev. Caleb Blood accepted the office of pas tor. The sentiments of this church are expressed in the subjoined 'declaration of their views of divine truth.'* The formation of Park-Street Church was first proposed in the latter part of the year 1808, when a subscription was opened for the erection of a place of publick worship. On the 6th of Feb. 1809, ten ofthe subscribers had a meeting, and it was resolved to proceed in the important undertaking. Articles of faith and a church covenant were adopted, and a council called to assist in forming the church. The number of persons who first associated (Feb. 27) was twenty-six, of * Third Baptist church Articles of faith. We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect rule of faith and practice ; and that, among others, it teaches the following all important truths : I. The existence of one only living and true God, infinite in every natural and moral perfec tion. IX. That he has made himself known to his people under tbe name of the Father, and- of tbe Son, and of the Holy Ghost, the same in essence, and equal in every divine perfec tion. III. That man was created holy; but by wilfully violating the law of his Maker, he fell from that state, and from all communion with God ; and as, by divine appointment, Adam was the representative of all his posterity, we in him became wholly defiled, and dead in trespasses and sins : So that by nature we are indisposed to all good, and inclined to all e» il, and are children of wrath, and subjects of death, and of all other miseries, tem poral, spiritual and eternal. IV. That the only way of salvation from this state of guilt and condemnation is through the righteousness and atonement of Jesus Christ, who, as the Good Shepherd, laid down his life for his sheep ; and that those only, who receive the gift of repentance, and faith in him, will be finally saved by bis atonement. V. That all who ever have been, or will be, brought to repentance, and faith in the gospel, were chosen in Christ to salvation before the foundation of the world ; and that in consequence of tbe eter nal love, of God to them, through the atonement, the Holy Ghost is sent to efl'ecl tbe work of regeneration in their hearts, without which regenerating influence, none would ever re pent or believe. VI, That nothing can separate true believers from the love of God, but they will be kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation. VII. That tbe only proper subjects of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are professed believers ; and that baptism is properly adminstered only by immersion, and is, by scriptural example, a pre-requisite to communion at the Lord's table. VIII. That there will be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust ; and that Christ will come a second time to judge both the quick and the dead ; when those who die impenitent, and unreconciled to God, will be sentenced to endless misery, as the just desert of their sins *, and those who have been re newed by grace, and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, will be completely deliv ered from the dominion of sin, and admitted into the holy and heavenly Jerusalem, with songs and everlasting joy. So shall they be ever wit/i the Lord. 344 HISTORY OF BOSTON. whom 21 were dismissed from ether churches, and 5 received by the council on profession of faith. The cornerstone of their meeting-house was laid on the first of May. A plate, bearing the following inscription, was deposited in the south east corner : sc. " Jesus Christ the chief corner stone, in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. This church formed February The destructive fire, which occurred on the 7th of April last,* laid in ruins almost the whole of the square between Doane-st. Broad, Battery march and Kilby streets. The buildings on the square between Adarns:st, Milk, Battery M. street and Liberty square had just been^demolished for the purpose of erecting on the spot a large hlock, of stores. Both these squares are now covered with new and convenient buildings, nearly finished. One, of the stores on Central street was occupied in August. The House of Industry and House of Correction at South Boston, which are two similar buildings, of rough dimension stone, 220 ft. long, 43 ft. wide, and 29 ft. high, have been mostly erected by the city government. The establishment ofthe H, of C. was authorized by a vote ofthe town on the 7th of May, 1821. lt was designed 'for the restraint and em ployment of the idle and vicious poor, for habitual drunkards, beggars and those condemned for petty offences, in the in ferior courts of justice. The House of Industry is destined for the comfort, support, and relief, and as far as they are competent, for tbe employment of the virtuous poor, and of those alone who are reduced to seek this refuge, from mis fortune or age or infancy.' The County Gaol in Leverett street and the House of Correction connected with it, and the MunicipalCourt house, all which are handsome stone buildings, were commenced several years since, but were not finished and occupied till the year 1822. - In 1823, the old gaol was taken down, and its materials were partly used in constructing the Gun house and Ward Room on Thacher street,! The history of Boston furnishes us with many instances of enterprize, which have excited admiration. The construc- * It commenced in Doane street. Five buildings were destroyed on State-st. 6 in, Doanep 6 in Kilby, 19 in Central street (evefy building) 4 on Broad-st. and 13 on Liberty square. Most of them were fire proof brick stores, filled with valuable goods, foreign products and American manufactures. The great fire, at noon-day, July, 7, 1824, destroyed fifteen bricli dwelling houses, besides out houses, on Chesnut, Charles and Beacon streets., t The Old Court House nn the south side of Court-streetlf is a handsome building of brick, three stories high, and has on the roof an octagon cupola. On the lower floor are the offices of the United States District Marshall, and several private offices. In the second story, the floor of which is supported by pillars of the Tuscan order, are held the Circuit and District Courts of the U. S. for the Massachusetts District, and the oflice of the District Clerk. In the third story are convenient rooms for jurors, &c. This building, before the erection of the New Court House, described at page 331, was used by all the courts of law held in the county. H1ST0RS OF BOSTON. 377 tion ofthe sea-wall or out-wharves, in 1673, was a stupendous: undertaking, for that period ; it proved however to be an ob ject of less utility, than was at first supposed. The building of Long wharf was a great arid useful work. These and the partial filling up of the town dock were the principal efforts, made previous to the revolution, for the improvement of the natural advantages which the town possessed. Con cerning the immense and costly works which have been ac complished since that era, we have spoken at large. But the project, which exceeds them all in boldness of design, in promise of publick benefit, and in energy of execution, is that which is now approaching to its accomplishment in the vicin ity of Faneuil Hall Market. Such an undertaking, involving such an amount of property, and affecting so many private rights, was too great to be pro secuted without the express sanction of the people. This was obtained by a very full vote, in city meeting, Jan. 16, 1824, when the following questions were proposed and decided in the affirmative. 1. Is it expedient that Faneuil Hall market should be extended towards the harbour, between Ann-street and the stVeet leading to Bray's wharf, in such direction as the City Council, upon a view of all the circumstances of that vicinity, shall deem most for the publick interest ; and that they be requested to cause the same to be effected ac cordingly 1 — 2. Is it expedient for the City Council to apply to the legislature for such an extension of the powers of the surveyors of highways as the circumstances of the contem plated project, above mentioned, may make necessary, under such limitations and restrictions as the constitution requires, and as respect for private rights may dictate ?' The legislature granted the proposed power, but there has been little occasion to exercise it : most, if not all the estates required, have been obtained with the consent of the parties interested. The old buildings were taken down in August ; the lots on the north side of the dock were sold at auction, Sept. 29th, 1824. The highest price obtained was $20,83 per square foot : the lowest $7. There were 36 lots, cover ing 30,037£ feet, and the amount of sales was $303,495 44 cts. The lots on the south side of the intended market-bouse were sold, March 31, 1825. The highest price $21 per sq. foot, lowest $10. There were 22 lots covering 33,865 ft. and the amount of sales was $403,848 13 cts. The stores on the north side are already finished, as to the exterior, and the one which stands on the corner ofthe Roebuck passage,where The Police Court holds its sessions here daily for the trial of criminal cases, and twice s week, at least, for that of ' civil suits and actions.' 49 378 HISTORY OF BOSTON. tbe triangular warehouse formerly stood, was occupied by a tenant, Sept. 12, 1825. The stores on the south side, and the Market-house also, are rapidly progressing.* The New Market-house stands between these two ranges Of stores, at the distance of 102 ft. from those on the south side, and f35 ft. from the north. The centre part of the build ing is 74 ft. 6 in. by 55 ft. having a hall in the second story. The wings are 231 ft. long by 50 wide, and two stories high. There is a cellar under the whole. The wings have each a portico of 4 columns, 3 ft. 7 in. diameter and 2.3 ft. high ; the shafts are ofgraniteina single piece. The first story has arched windows, and those in the second story are square. The construction of the whole is of hammered granite of a uniform colour. The corner stone of this building was laid with much cere mony. The plate deposited heneatb it bears the names of the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council, Building Com mittee and Principal Architect, and Engraver, besjqes the following inscription : iFaneutT f^all Jftarltet, Established by the City of Boston. This stone was laid April 27, Anno Domini Mdcccxxv. In the forty-ninth year of Amer ican Independence and in the third of the Incorporation of the city. John Quincy Adams, President of the United States. Marcus Morton, Lt. Gov. and Commander in chief of the Com monwealth of Massachusetts. Memoranda. The population ofthe city estimated at 50,000-: that ofthe United States ll,O00,OGO.t * The height and form of the stores were regulated by the conditions of sale. The pur chaser was required to erect, within a limited time, a brick store with hammered stone front, (granite piers) in strict conformity with a plan drawn by Mr. Alex. Parris. This plan re quired that the stores should be four stories high, with a slated roof, and a cellar water tight., The height of the first and second story is 8 ft. 6 inches : the 3d story is 8ft. 9 in. and the 4th is 6 ft. 6 inches, in the clear. The windows in the 2d story are arched : the others are square. The blocks measure about 530 ft. in length, from Merchants-row lo the street at the east end of the Market-house. t The population of Boston, according to the census of 1820, stood thus : Persons. si CO Ct © White males from 16 to 18. CO w o ca 3 O CO "5 s-> O 1 " 10590 of both s 5349 exes, und 877 er 26 vrs. 7832 689 12991 727 4037 285 41,676 1,701 Add for the Islands, 675 ; Persons not taxed, 61 ; Omitted, 31 Total, Males. 21,687— Females, 22,365 » 92 = By the Census of 1810, the population was „ „ 1800 ... . „ „ 1790 ... 767 44,144 33,250 24.937 18,038 HISTORY OF BOSTON. 379 CHAPTER LX1V. " The Hero hath come in the eve of his day, To the land where he planted the tree of his glory." We have omitted to notice the display of pomp and cere mony, in \v hich the people of Boston exhibited their devotion, to President Washington, when he visited the town in 1789, (Oct. 24,) and the similar display which took place on the visit of President Monroe, July 2, 1817. Both these events called forth a burst of patriotick feeling, of which it is pleasant to cherish the recollection. But the splendour of that display has been surpassed, and the height of that feeling has been, if possible, more than equalled by the reception of General La Fayette, and the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the monument on Bunker Hill. Lafayette arrived at New York on the 16th of August, 1824, where he was welcomed in a manner becoming his own character and that ofthe people whom he had come to visit : and the people of Boston gladly heard of his determination to proceed immediately hither, in season to attend the exercises of commencement, at Cambridge. On the evening of Mon day, August 24th, he reached the residence of Gov. Eustis, in Roxbury, and the next morning entered the city. At an early hour, a cavalcade of 800 citizens waited to es cort him to the town line, where the Mayor and Aldermen and Common Council, with a committee Oiarrangements, were in readiness to receive him. A military escort consisting of a corps of Light Dragoons and a battalion of Light Infantry- were also stationed there. On the arrival of General Lafay ette at the line, the Mayor of the City, in the name ofthe City Government and ofthe citizens of Boston, bade him welcome, in an appropriate address, to which the General replied, as follows : To the Mayor and People of Boston : ' The emotions of love and gratitude, whicb I have been accustomed to feel on my entering this city, have ever mingled with a sense of religious reve- The number of polls rated in 1824, was 10,897 : in 1810, it was 7764 : in 1793 it was 3831 : in 1784, it was 1143 : in 1741—2972 ; in 1738—3395; in 1687—1457. See pp. 2l6, 254. The town of Chelsea contains 642 inhabitants ; Charlestown, 6591 ; Medford, 1474 ; Mai den, 1719 ; Watertown, 1518; Cambridge, 3295; Brighton, 702; Brookline, 900; Roxbury, 4135; Dorchester, 3684: these towns constitute the environs of Boston. Their population 24,660 added to that of Boston, as above, makes a total of 68,804. 380 H1SXOUY OF BOSTON. rence for the Cradle of American, and, let us hope it will be hereafter said, of universal liberty. ' What must be, sir, my feelings at the blessed moment when after so long an absence, I feel myself again surrounded by the good citizens of Boston, wheie I am so affectionately, so honourably welcomed, not only by old friends, but by several successive generations ; where I can witness the prosperity, the immense improvement, that have been the just reward of a noble struggle, virtuous morals, and truly republican institutions. ' I beg of you, Mr. Mayor, gentlemen of the City Council, and all of you, beloved citizens of Boston, to accept the respectful and warm thanks of a heart which has for nearly half a century been particularly devoted to your Illustrious City.' The Mayor then entered the barouche of the General, which was drawn by four white horses, and the procession began to move towards the town about 11 o'clock. It passed through Washington, Milk, Broad, State, Court and Common streets to Boylston street, and entered the Common near the south end of the Mall. From this point towards Park street, the children of the publick schools of both sexes w-ere extend ed in two lines, neatly clad and under the direction of their instructors. Between these lines the procession of carriages passed to Park street mall, where the military part of the es cort was drawn up and the General passed them in review, as he went towards the State House. Here he was received and again welcomed, in the name ofthe State, by His Ex cellency Gov. Eustis. He was thence conducted to the residence provided for him, at the corner of Beacon and Park streets. ' The appearance of the entire of this truly grand proces sion was august and imposing. As 'it passed, Lafayette ! La fayette ! sprang from the voice of multitudes that rolled on, and on, like wave after wave of the ocean. Lafayette beat in every heart ; Lafayette glowed on every cheek ; Lafayette glistened in every swimming eye ; every tongue vibrated Lafayette. The whole city and country appeared to have arrayed themselves in all their glory, and beauty, and strength, at once to witness and adorn the majesty of the spectacle.' During the General's stay the popular excitement was con stant and increasing; every thing gave way to the desire of seeing Lafayette, and every means was taken to demonstrate the joy which his arrival had produced, and to manifest the respect which every individual cherished towards him. He left Boston, with the intention, if possible, to prolong his stay in America, until the seventeenth day of the succeeding June, in order to be present at the laying of the corner stone of the Bunker Hill monument ; and he was here on that day : 'it is not necessary to say, indeed it cannot be said, how much his presence added to the interest and pleasure of the occasion.' The day was temperate and fair, and all the arrangements made to honour it were executed with punctuality and good HISTORY OF BOSTON. 381 order. A procession was formed, about half past 10 A. M. near the State house under the direction of Brig. Gen. Theo dore Lyman Jr. The military escort was composed of 16 companies, and a corps of cavalry, all volunteers and in full uniform. Next to them followed the Survivors of the Battle, about 40 in number, and after them about 200 other Revolu tionary officers and soldiers each wearing an appropriate badge : then the subscribers to the Monument, in columns six deep, all wearing the badge of the B. H. M. Association. The Masonick fraternity succeeded. This section of the pro cession was very splendid, and numbered at least 2000 mem bers, all with their jewels and regalia. The President and officers of the Association, the chaplains and committees fol lowed. General Lafayette in a coach and four came next, accompanied by Gen. Lallemand, and followed by a carriage in which were the General's son and suite. The Governour and State officers, distinguished persons from the different states, officers ofthe army, navy and militia, in uniform, and a large body of private citizens closed the procession. In this order the whole moved through Park, Common, School, Washington, Union, Hanover and Prince streets to Charles River Bridge, and thence through the Main, Green, and High streets, in Charlestown, to the Monumental square. The front of the procession had nearly reached the bridge when the rear of it left the Common. Arrived at the spot intended for the monument, (which is a little to the east of the site of the monument to Warren,) the procession formed in squares around it ; and the stone, being squared, levelled and plumbed by the Grand Master, the General, and the Hon. Daniel Webster, (president of the association,) was declared in due form to be true and proper, and the ceremonies closed with the customary religious services. Cheers from the mul titude of witnesses, and salutes from Bunker's and Copp's hills announced the moment ofthe fact to the thousands who could not be gratified with the sight of it. ' The procession then moved to an amphitheatrical area, where preparations had been made, on a most ample scale, for the accommodation of the auditors of the Address of the President of the Association. They included a large portion of the north-eastern declivity of the battle hill. On each side of the bower, seats with awnings had been prepared, and were filled by over one thousand ladies, from all parts ofthe Union. In the centre of the base, a rural arch and bower, surmounted by the American Eagle, was formed for the gov ernment of the Association and some of the guests, in front of which, after the venerable Mr. Thaxter had addressed the Throne of Grace, the Orator, sub cato, pronounced an Address, which none but its author is capable of doing justice to in a 382 HISTOKY OF BOSTON. summary, and which will be read with a pleasure equalled only by that which electrified the vast assemblage who listen ed to it for nearly one hour and a quarter. It is enough for us to say, that il was in every particular worthy of the celeb rity of the orator, and that his address to the silver-headed worthies of the Revolution, and to the distinguished Guest of the Nation, filled every heart with transport.' After the close of the Address the company repaired to Bunker's Hill, where a sumptuous entertainment was provided, at which more than four thousand persons partook. The guests separated at a seasonable hour, and tbe festivities o£- the occasion terminated with a private party at the residence of a distinguished citizen. CHAPTER LXV. Sicut patribus sit Deus nobis. — City Seal. And as thou wast our -fathers' God, be ours. Several religious societies have been organized in Boston, since the acceptance of the city charter. After the Essex street church, first so called, removed to Boylston hall, (p. 346) a minority of that body continued to maintain wor ship in the Essex st. house. On the 22d of March, 1822, they requested ' a regular dismission from the majority' for the purpose of being formed into a regular church. This they received on the 5th of April, and on the 10th of June follow ing, ten of their number, with two members of another church, were embodied according to the custom of Congregational churches. Having received an accession of members from the Old South and Park st. churches and one from Braintree, this body adopted the name by which it is now known, of Union Church, on the i6th of August, 1822, and on the 26tb of March, 1823, the Rev. Samuel Green was installed as their pastor. The Corner stone of the Third Universalist meeting house was laid October, 7, 1822. A silver plate was as usual de posited beneath it, on which the following was the principal inscription : " He that built and sustains all things is Jehovah— This House devoted to the worship of Almighty God, and to the promulgation of his great salvation through Jesus Christ, the chief corner stone, was commenced and this stone laid, October 7th, in the year of our Lord, 1 822, of the independence of the United States the 46th, and ofthe Institution of the City of Boston the First." HISTORY OF BOSTON. 383 The house was dedicated in the forenoon of the 7th of May, 1823, and in the afternoon, the Rev. Paul Dean, having recently dissolved his connection with the First Universalist church,, was installed as pastor of the new , society. This edifice is situated at the corner of Bulfinch street and Bul- finch place. Its dimensions are 74 by 70 feet, and 35 high above the base. It is a brick building and has two towers, One for the accommodation of the. bell and the other for symmetry. In February, 1823, the Rev. Prince Hawes commenced preaching to a small congregation at South Boston. In the spring of that year, one of the members at his own expense greeted a hall for their accommodation. On the 10;h of December a church was organized by the name of the Evan gelical Congregational Church, consisting of 13 members. Mr. Hawes was installed pastor of this church April 28, 1824. The hall in which this society assembled became so crowded that it was desirable they should be provided with a more convenient place for publick worship. Benevolent individu als subscribed for the purpose, and they have built a house pf brick, 70 ft. by 50, every way commodious, but without galleries, except at one of the ends. The house was dedicat ed on the 9th of March, 1825, The church that worships in the house in Chambers st. was the sixteenth Congregational church fprmed in Boston, and is the thirteenth in order of those now existing, but the proprie tors are incorporated under the title of 'The Twelfth Congre gational Spciety in the City of Boston ' The following statement of the leading facts connected with its early history is gathered from a memoir appended to Rev. Dr. Lowell's sermon at the ordination of the first pastor. In the year 1823, several gentlemen conferred together on the apparent want of a new hou^e of worship for the accommodation of the increasing population of the western section ofthe city. It was ascertained that the Rev. Dr. Lowell's, the only Con gregational society in that part of the city, comprised at that time about 350 families, and that many in the neighbourhood could not obtain suitable accommodations within a convenient distance. In view of these circumstances, a plan was origi nated for the erection of a new church, and in the course of a few weeks, 230 shares were subscribed by ninety persons. In January, 1824, an act of incorporation wasobtained. The corner stone of the new house was laid on the 10th of May. The dedication took place October 13th : Rev. Jno. G. Palfrey preached on the occasion, from Matt. xvi. 3. On the 19th of December, Mr. Samuel Barrett, from the Theological school at Cambridge, was invited by the society to become their pastor. January 28, 1825, a church was constituted 384 HISTORY OF BOSTON. from the members ofthe society, and on the 9th of February Mr. Barrett was ordained. The Methodist society erected a house of worship at South Boston in the course of the year 1824. Il was dedicated January 22, 1825. By the regulations of this denomination their clergymen are stationed in Boston, only for two succes sive years : this arrangement has given to the societies here the labours of about 35 different clergymen in the course of thirty -five years. The Trinitarian church in Hanover street was brought fot ward by members of the Old South, Park street and Union churches. The corner stone of their edifice was laid June 20, 1825, in the presence of numerous spectators. A church was organized July 1 8th, consisting of thirty-three mem bers, part from each of the abovenamed churches; They were formally recognized by the name of Hanover Church at a publick meeting in Park street on the succeeding day. 'The walls of this building are of rough granite, 70 feet on the street by 71 in depth, and about 40 ft. high : tower 28 ft. square and about 68 high. The height of walls will be ac counted for, when it is remarked that a basement story, 10 feet in the clear, will occupy the whole extent ofthe ground ; the front part being designed for the Missionary rooms ofthe American Board, and the rest for a spacious vestry. The meeting house in Sea street is built on a similar plan,lhe low er story being designed for tenants. A new Unitarian meeting house is also iti a state of forward ness. It is to be built of stone, and is situated in Purchase street. The cornerstone was laid, September 7th, 1825, with appropriate services, in the presence of about 300 persons. An account of the origin of this undertaking was read by Rev. Alexander Young. A fervent prayer was next offered by Rev. Dr. Lowell. — The inscription on the silver plate to be deposited under the Stone, was read by- Mr. Young. — The Chairman of the Building Committee, John Cotton, Esq. then deposited the box containing the plate, and other ar ticles ; and the stone being duly laid, Rev. Henry Ware Jr. delivered an impressive address commencing with these words, " Except the Lord build the House, they labour in vain that build it." There are also three other meetings regularly maintained at the present time ; one in Charter street by Trinitarian con gregationalists ; one in Purchase street by Baptists : and the other by Methodists at the corner of Castle and Washington streets ; so that the present number of worshipping assemblies in the city is thirty-five. IABLS SHOWING THE DATE OF THE DEDICATION OF CHURCHES, AND OF THE SETTLEMENT OF MINISTERS. Meeting-houses. Dedication. Ministers. Settlement. 1. New Brick. Brick. Steeple. May 10, 1721. Henry Ware jun. Jan. 1, 1817 2. Christ Church. Brick, Steeple. Dec. 29, 1723. Asa Eaton, Oct. 23, 1803 3. Old South. Brick. Steeple. Apr. 26, 1730. B. B. Wisner, Feb. 21, 1821 4. .Trinity. Wood. Plain. Aug. 15,V785. J, S. J. Gardiner, Apr. 12, 1792 5. i. Universal. Wood. Plain. 1742. 'S. Streeter, May 13, 1824 6. King's Chapel. Stone. Tower. Aug. 21, 1754. f James Freeman, Oct. 20, 1782 ,i,F.W.P.Greenwood,Aug.29, 1824 7. l.Baptist. Wood. Plain. Bee. 22, 1771. F. Wayland jun.. Aug. 22, 1821 8. Brattle-street. Brick. Tower. July 25, 1773. J. Of. Palfrey, June 17,1818 9. 1. Methodist. Wood. Plain. May 15, 1796. Isaac Bonney, 1824 10. 1. Catholick. Brick. Cupola. Sep. 29, 1803. William Taylor, 1821 11. Sew North. Brick. Cupola. May 2, 1804. F. Parkman; Bee. 8, 1813 12. 2. Methodist. Brick. Plain. Nov. 19, 1806. Tinto. Merritt, 1825 13. Lynde-street. Brick. Cupola. Nov. 27, 1806. Charles Lowell, Jan. 1, 1806 14. African. Brick. Plain. Bee. 4, 1806. Thomas Paul, Bee. 4, 1806 15. 3. Baptist. Brick. Cupola. Aug. 5, 1 807. Daniel Sharp, April 29,1812 16. Chauncy-place. Brick. Oupola. July 21,1808. N. L. Frothingham, , Mar. 15,1815 17. Federal-street. Brick. Steeple. Nov. 23, 18091 J W. E. Channing, \ E. S. Gannett, June 1, 1803 June 30, 1824 1?. Park -street. Brick. Steeple. Jan. 10, 1810. S. E. Dwight, Sept. 3, 1817 19. 2, Baptist. Brick. Tower. Jan. 1, 1811. Vacant, 20. Hollis-street. Brick. Steeple. Jan. 31, 1811. John Pierpont, Apr. 14, 1819 21. New South. Stone. , Steeple. Dec. 29, 1814. Alex. Young jun, Jan. 19, 1825 22. 2. Universal. Brick. Plain. Oct. 16, 1817. Hosea Ballou, Bee. 25, 1817 23. St. Matthew's. Brick. Cupola. June 24, 1818... J. L. Blake, June, 1824 24. 2. Roman 0. Brick. Gothick. 1819. Patrick Byrne 25. Essex-street. Brick. Steeple. Bee. 15, 1319. S. Green, Mar. 27, 1823 26. St. Paul's. Stone. Plain. June 30, 1820. Vacant, 27. Butolph-street. Brick. Plain. July S, 1821. William Jenks, 28. 3. Universal. Brick. 2 Cupolas, , May 7, 1823. Paul Dean, May 7, 1823 29. Chauibers-st. Brick. Plain. Oct. 13, 1824. Samuel Barrett, Feb. 9, 1825 30. S. Boston Meth . Brick. Plain. Jan. 22, 1825. Solomon Sias, 1824 31. — — - Evange! 1. Brick. Cupola. Mar. 9, 1825. Prince Hawes, AprU 28,1824 32. Sea-street. Brick. Plain. Unfinished. 33. Hanover-street . Stone. Tower. do. 34. Purchase-street. Stone. Cupola. do. Rev. Mr. Bean .previous to his installation over the third Universalist church had bee» set tled 10 years over the First: Rev.Mr. Greenwood officiated as pastor of the New South from IMS to 1820= Rev. Mr. Merritt was located in Boston in the year l»18 : Methodist clergy men officiate interchangeably: Rev. Mr. Sabine, of the Presbyterian church, was settled, Jan. 27, 1819 : the 2d Roman Catholick i* under the charge of the same officers as the tot. 50 386 HISTORY OF BOSTON. CHAPTER LXV1. "LO ! vales that teem with fruits, romantick hills, (Oh ! and these hills uphold a frceborn race) Whereon to gaze the eye with joyaunce fiUV We include in our map of Boston and its environs, some part of each of the towns of Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Brighton, Cambridge, Watertown, Charlestown, and Chelsea. Dorchester is a very pleasant town about 4j miles south from Boston, measuring from the centre of each town. At present it contains about 8000 acres, including Thompson's Island and Moon Island. The soil is generally rich and high ly cultivated. The roads are numerous and crooked, but mostly level and kept in good repair. Many fine country seats and substantial farm-houses are thickly arranged on their sides. The population amounts to 3684. They have a town house, 3 congregational meeting houses, and one for methodists. Savin Hill in this town is a place of considera ble resort, and the peninsula of Squantum is famous for its yearly Feast of Shells. Roxbury, adjoining Dorchester on the west, bas a popula tion of 4135. The portion of the town next to Boston is thickly settled and forms a handsome village. Here are three meeting houses, within a few rods of each other. There are two other churches in different parts of the town. The west part of the town, Jamaica plains, is a delightful spot, orna mented with elegant country seats and well cultivated gardens. The pond which supplies the Boston aqueduct lies in that quarter.* Brookline, next to Roxbury on the west, was formerly considered part of Boston. This town contains about 4400 acres of land. Several gentlemen of Boston have their coun try seats here. The number of inhabitants by the last cen sus was 900. This town lies on the west of the bay, and its hills and wood lands form a pleasing portion of the scenery in the view from Boston common. In a direct line, Brook line is four miles from the city. * The proprietors of the Boston Aqueduct were incorporated to bring water in subterra neous pipes from Jamaica Pond in Roxbury, to the town of Boston, by an Act of the Legis lature, passed February, 27, 1795. Said Pond is about four miles from Boston, and there are four main logs from the pond, to and through most ofthe principal streets. The four main logs, and all the branches connected with them, amount to about forty miles in length. There are generally about eight hundred famUies supplied with water from the Aqueduct. HISTORY OF BOSTON". 387 Brighton was formerly part of the town of Cambridge and known by the name of Little Cambridge. It lies between C. and Brookline. A cattle fair was commenced here during the revolutionary war and has been increasing in importance ever since. Most of the cattle for the supply of Boston mar ket are brought in droves to this place ; often from 2 to 8000 a week : every Monday is the fair day, when the dealers in provisions resort thither to make their purchases. Once a year, in the month of October, the Mass. Agricultural Socie ty encourage a Cattle Show and exhibition of Manufactures, by the offer and award of premiums, for the best animals, products or articles of specified descriptions, produced in any part of this state. Brighton numbers 702 inhabitants. Watertown. The village of Watertown is a flourishing neighbourhood : it is the seat of several extensive manufacto ries. The United States have an arsenal established in this town. Fresh Pond, a place of genteel resort, five miles from Boston, lies partly within this town and partly in Cambridge. Cambridge is celebrated as the seat of Harvard College. This institution was founded in the year 1636,* and received its name from the Rev. John Harvard of Charlestown, who made the first great donation to its funds. Since that the ben efactors of this institution have been numerous and liberal. The income ofthe College for the year 1824, arising from various permanent sources (i.e. exclusive of receipts from students and graduates) amounted to $22244, 74 Gts. The expenditures during the same year amounted to $44841, 36 cts. principally in payment of salaries. The College buildings are situated ' on a delightful plain, three miles from Boston.t They are, University Hall, which is built of granite, 140 by 50 ft. on the ground, and 42 ft. high : Harvard, Massachu setts, Hollis, Stoughton and Holworthy halls, and Holden chapel are all of brick : these buildings all stand within the enclosure of the College fence. (See plate, p. 81.) Besides these there are a new stone building lately erected and 3 Col lege-houses occupied by students, the President's house, and * Colony Records, Oct. 25, 1636, contain the first notice of the College, towards which the Court makes a grant of 4007. to be paid when the work is finished — the Court to regu late the place and building. — Nov. 2, 1637, it is ordered that the College be at Newtown.— May, 1638, the name of Newtown was altered and it was called Cambridge. — First Com mencement, 1642. t The Massachusetts Medical College is situated in Mason street, near the Boston Common and Mall. The building is brick, 88 feet in length, and 43 in its greatest breadth. Its figure is oblong with a pediment in front, and an octagonal centre rising above the roof, and also forming a three sided projection in the rear of the building. This is surmounted by a dome, with a skylight and balustrade, giving an appearance of elegance to the neatness and fit proportions of the building. 388 HISTORY OF BOSTON. those of several ofthe professors, and the Medical College in Boston, all which belong to the University. The number of alumni, down to the last Wednesday of August, 1825, bas been 4828. The present number of undergraduates is 234. Cambridge contains 3295 inhabitants : it has a court house, jail, state arsenal, and 5 houses of publick worship. There are three principal villages, Lechmere's point, Cambridge- port, and the neighbourhood ofthe Colleges. Charlestown is a town of singular shape extending in a northwesterly direction from Boston harbour, about nine miles in length and not averaging a breadth of one mile, and in some parts it is not a quarter of a mile in width. The com pact or thickly settled part ofthe town is situated on a penin sula next to Boston, which is about 1^ mile in length, and \ of a mile in breadth, and is laid out in regular streets. Charlestown contains a population of 6591. It has 5 houses of publick worship, a spacious almshouse, and a hand some market house. It is a port of entry in conjunction with Boston : Bunker Hill Bank is recently established here. Besides Charlestown and Prison point bridges, which con nect this town with Boston, there is Chelsea Bridge on the Salem turnpike, and Maiden Bridge, both over the Mystick ¦river.. Breed's hill, and Bunker hill lie within this peninsula : the former is 62 feet in height, the latter 110 feet. The U. S. Navy-yard consists of about 60 acres of land,, on which are built a large brick warehouse, several arsenals, magazines for various kinds of stores, a large brick mansion house for the superintending officer, and a marine hospital. The State Prison is at the west end of the town, and is built of granite, 200 feet by 44, of 5 stories. The prison yard is 500 feet by 400, enclosed by a wall 15 feet high. The Mas sachusetts Insane Hospital is delightfully situated upon Pleas ant hill, on the west side of the town. It has an elegant hous* for the superintendant, with 2 buildings, one on each side, handsomely built of brick, 3 stories high. Chelsea is situated on the north side of Boston harbour and Mystick river, and on the west of Lynn bay: much of the land is low marsh or fen. The surface of the body of the town is broken into small eminences, the highest of which is Powder-Horn Hill, 220 feet above the sea. The settle ments are thinly scattered over the town : the number of inhabitants is 642. Chelsea anciently was considered a part of Boston, and has always been connected with it as part of the county of Suffolk. By the law which established the City Police Court, the people of Chelsea are exempted from county taxes and deprived of their voice in county concerns. They have one meeting house occupied by a congregational church. APPENDIX. No. I. Page 49. INDIAN QUITCLAIM. To aU to whom these presents shall come, 1, Charles Josias, alias Josias Wampatuclt, son and heir of Josias Wampa- tuck Sachem of the Indians inhabiting the Massachusetts in New-England, and grandson of Chickatabut, the former Sachem, send greeting. Forasmuch as I am informed, and well assured from several antient Indians, as well those of my council as others, that upon the first coming of the English to sit down and settle in these parts of New England, ray above named grandfather, Chickatabut, by and with the advice of his council, for encouragement thereof moving, did give, grant, sell, alienate, and confirm unto the English planters and settlers, respectively and to their several and respective heirs and assigns forever all that neck, tract or parcel of land, lying and being within the Mas sachusetts colony, in order to their settling and building a town there, now known by the name of Boston, as it is environed and compassed by the sea, or salt water, on the northerly, easterly, and westerly sides, and by the line of the town of Roxbury on the southerly side, with all the rivers, harbours, bays, creeks, coves, flats and appurtenances thereunto belonging, as also several other outlands belonging to the said town on the northerly and easterly sides of Charles river, and the Island called Deer Island lying about two leagues easterly from the said town of Boston between Pudding- point Gut and the . Broad Sound, so called, said island containing one hundred and sixty or 200 acres of land, more or less, with the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, which said neck and land have since been distributed and granted out among themselves into particular allotments and other conveniences, and given, alienated, and transferred to and from one another, having been peacea bly and quietly possessed, used, occupied and enjoyed, for the space of about fifty and five years last past, by the said first grantees, their heirs, successors and assigns, and now stand quietly and peaceably possessed thereof at this day. Wherefore, 1 Charles Josias; alias Josias Wampatuck, Sachem, and William Hahaton, Robert Momentauge, and Ahawton, senior, my counsellors, (by and with the allowance and advice of William Stoughton and Joseph Dudley, Es quires, my prochain amys and guardians) as well for the reasons and con siderations abovementioned as for and in consideration of a valuable sum of money to me and them in hand paid by Elisha Cook, Elisha Hutchinson, Esquires, Messrs. Samuel Shrimpton, John Joyliffe, Simon Lynde, John Saffin, Edward Willis, Daniel Turell, senior, Henry Allen, John Fayerweather, Tim othy Prout, senior, and Theophilus Frarey, of Boston aforesaid, for and in be- 390 APPENDIX. half of themselves and the rest of the proprietated inhabitants of the town ot Boston abovesaid, the receipt of which said sum of money as full and lawful consideration we do hereby acknowledge to have received, and thereof, and of every part and parcel thereof, do fully acquit and discharge the said Elisha Cooke, Elisha Hutchinson, Samuel Shrimpton, John Joyliffe, Simon Lynde, John Saffin, Edward Willis, Daniel Turell, senior, Henry Allen, John Fayer weather, Timo. Prout, senior, and Theophilus Frarye, and every of them, their Bnd every of their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns forever, by these presents have and hereby do for the further confirmation and ratification ofthe said gift, grant, bargain or sale ofthe said grand Sachem, Chickatabut, fully freely and willingly approve, ratify, establish, enfeoff and confirm the lame and do also fully and absolutely remise, release and forever quitclaim unto the said Elisha Cooke, Elisha Hutchinson, Samuel Shrimpton, John Joy liffe, Simon Lynde, John Saffin, Edward Willis, Daniel Turell, senior, Henry Allen, John Fayerweather, Timo. Prout, senior, and Theophilus Frarye, their heirs and assigns respectively forever, so far as their own several and respec tive rights and interests are or may be: And further for and in behalf of the rest of the proprietated inhabitants of said town of Boston and precincts thereof, severally and their several and respective heirs and assigns forever, according to the several interests, rights, titles and property, which each person respec tively hath right unto and standeth now seized and possessed of all the afore said neck and tract of land now called and known by the name of the town of Boston, and all' other lands whatsoever with the said township and precincts thereof easterly and southerly of and front Charles River, with all and every the housing, buildings and improvements thereupon and on every part and parcel thereof, and the Island aforesaid called Deer Island and the buildings thereon, with all harbours, streams, coves, flats, waters, rivers, immunities, rights, benefits, advantages, liberties, privileges, hereditaments and appurte nances whatsoever to all and every the aforementioned premises* belonging, or in any manner or wise appertaining, or therewith heretofore or now used, oc cupied or enjoyed, also all tbe estate, right, title, interest, property, claim and demand of me the said Charles Josias, alias Wampatuck, and of all and every my beforenamed counsellors, of, in and to the same and every part, parcel or member thereof : To have and to hold all and singular the abovementioned land, premises and appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof unto them the said Elisha Cooke, Elisha Hutchinson, Samuel Shrimpton, John Joyliffe, Simon Lynde, John Saffin, Edward Willis, Daniel Turell, senior, Henry Allen, John Fayer weather, Timo. Prout, senior, and Theophilus Frarye, their heirs and assigns respectively forever, for and in behalf of themselves so far as their own several and respective rights are or may be therein. And further for and in behalf of the several and respective proprietated inhabitants of the said town and pre cincts thereof, their several and respective heirs and assigns forever according to their interest, title and propriety, which each person hath or may have just right unto and standeth now seized and possessed of, and to their only proper use and benefit and behoof forever, freely, peaceably and quietly, without any manner of reclaim, challenge or contradiction of me, the said Charles Josias, alias Wampatuck, and iny above named cotmsellors or either or any of us, or either or any of our heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and without any accompt, reckoning, answer, sum or sums of money in time to come to be made, yielded, paid or done, so that neither I, the said Charles Josias, alias APPENDIX. 391 Wampatuck,my counsellors, our or either of our heirs, executors nor any others by, from or under me, us or them or any of them, shall or will by any ways or means hereafter have, ask, or claim, challenge or demand any estate, rights title or interest, of, in or to the premises or any part or parcel thereof, but are and shall be utterly excluded and for ever debarred from the same by virtue of these presents; and I the said Charles Josias alias Wampatuck and counsel lors aforesaid for us and every of us, our and every of our heirs, executors, ad ministrators and successors respectively do hereby covenant, promise, grant and oblige unto the aforenamed grantees, their heirs, executors, administra tors and assigns by these presents to warrant, maintain and defend the afore mentioned premises and all and every part and parcel thereof unto them the said grantees, their heirs and assigns forever as aforesaid, for and in behalf of themselves and others the proprietated inhabitants according to their respective rights and interest, against all and every person and persons whomsoever law fully claiming or demanding the same or any part or parcel thereof, and at any time or times hereafter, upon demand, to give and pass more full and am ple release, confirmation and assurance of all and every the said premises un to the said grantees, their heirs and assigns to the uses aforesaid, and to do and perform any other act or acts, device or devices in the law necessary or requisite thereunto, as in law or equity can or may be devised, advised or re quired. In witness whereof, I said Charles Josias alias Wampatuck, William Hahaton, Robert Momentauge and Ahawton, senior my counsellors, have hereunto set our hands and seals the 19th day of March A. D. 1684 — 5 Annoque Ri. Ris. Caroli Secundi Angliae, &c. xxxvii. Charles Josias J± (L- s-) Ahawton Senr. ,/Jft, (l. s.) Willm. Hahaton (r,. s.) Robert 8 Momentauge. (l. s.) Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us, William Williams, E. Lyde. Charles Josias and Wm. Ahawton jr. in behalf of himself and his father Ahawton, Indians, acknowledged the abovesaid writing to be their voluntary act and deed, March 19th, 1684—5. Coram James Russell, Assistant. We underwritten prochain amys and guardians to Charles Josias sachem of the Massachusetts,do consent and approve of the abovesaid confirmation of title and release of claim. William Stoughton, Joseph Dudley. David, Son and heir of Sagamore George and in his right having some claim to Deer Island, doth hereby for just consideration relinquish his right to the town of Boston of all his right and claim thereto, and consents to the abovesaid deed of sale, as witness his hand and seal JJ. In presence of us William WUliams, Benja. Dowse. Feb. 1. 1708. Received and accordingly entered and examined per Addington Davenport, Register. No. II. Page 78. From Welde's Short Story ofthe Antinomians, i\-c.—Ed. 1692, p. 23. 'We whose names are under written (have diligently observed this honoura ble Court's proceedings against our dear and reverend brother u. Christ, Mr. Wheel, now under censure of the Court for the truth of Christ) we do humbly 392 APPENDIX. Jbeseecb. this honourable Court to accept this remonstrance and petition of ours, in all due submission tendered to your worships. For first, whereas our beloved brother Mr. W. is censured for contempt, by the greater part of this honoured Court, we desire your worships to consider the sincere intention of our brother to promote your end in the day of fast : for whereas we do per ceive your principal intention the day of fast looked chiefly at the public peace ofthe churches, our reverend brother did to his best strength and as the Lord assisted him labour to promote your end, and therefore endeavoured to draw us nearer unto Christ the head of our union, that so we might be estab lished in peace, which we conceive to be the true way, sanctified of God, to obtain your end, and therefore deserves no such censure, as we conceive. Secondly, Whereas our dear brother is censured of sedition, we beseech your worships to consider that either the person condemned must be culpable of some seditious fact, or bis doctrine must be seditious, or must breed sedition in the hearts ef his hearers, or else we know not upon what grounds he could be censured. Now to the first, we have not heard any that have witnessed against our brother for any seditious fact. Secondly, neither was the doctrine jtself, being no other but the very expressions of the Holy Ghost himself, and therefore cannot justly be branded with sedition. Thirdly, if you look at the effects of his doctrine upon the hearers, it hath not stirred up sedition in us, not so much as by accident : we have not drawn the sword, as sometimes Peter did rashly, neither have we rescued our innocent brother, as sometimes the Israel ites did Jonathan, and yet they did not seditiously. The covenant of free grace, held forth by our brother, hath taught us rather to become humble suppliants to your Worships, and if we should not prevail, we would rather with patience give our cheeks to the smiters. Since therefore the teacher, the doctrine and the hearers be most free from sedition (as we conceive) we hum bly beseech you in the name of the L. J. C. your Judge and ours, and for the honour of this Court and the proceedings thereof, that you will be pleased either to make it appear to us and all the world, to whom the knowledge of all these things will come, wherein the sedition lies, or else acquit our broth er of such a censure. Farther i we beseech you remember the old method of Satan, the ancient enemy of free grace, in all ages of the churches, who hath raised up such calumnies against the faithful prophets of God; Elija was called the troubler of Israel, 1 Kings, xviii. 17,18. Amos was charged for conspiracy, Amos, vii. 10. Paul was counted a pestilent fellow, or mover of sedition, and a ringleader- of - a sect, Acts, xxiv. 5. and Christ himself as well as Paul was charged to be a teacher of new doctrine, Mark, i. 27. Acts, xvii, 19. Now we beseech you con sider, whether that old Serpent work not after his old method, even in our days. Farther we beseech you consider the danger of meddling against the proph ets of God. Ps. cv. 14, 15. for what ye do unto them, the L. J. takes as done unto himself : if you hurt any of his members, the head is very sensible of it, for so saith the Lord of Hosts, He that touchelh you, toucheth the apple of mine eye, Zech. ii. 8. And better a mill stone were hanged about our necks, and that we were cast into the sea, than that we should offend any of these little ones which believe on him, Matt, xviii. 6. And lastly we beseech you consider, how you should stand in relation to us, as nursing fathers, which give us encouragement to promote our humble re quests to you, or else we would say with the prophet, Isa. xxii. 4. Look from APPENDIX. 393 me that I may weep bitterly, Labour not to comfort me, fyc. or as Jer. ix. 2. Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of a way-faring man. And thus have we made known our griefs and desires to your worships, and leave them upon record with the Lord and with you, knowing that if we should receive repulse from you, with the Lord we shall find grace. Signed by Wm. Aspinwall, Thos. Marshall, Richard Gridley and many others.' No. III. Page 93. Immediately following the words " accept thereof" in ihe agreement respecting the incorporation of Braintree, the Boston records, Jan. 27, 1640, read thus: ' Provided that this order shall not extend to any more or other land than such as shall make payment of the said rates so agreed upon of 4s and 3s an acre, and upon the former consideration there is granted to the mount all the rocky ground lying between tbe fresh brooke and Mr. Coddington's brook ad joining to Mr. Haulghes farme and from the west corner of that farm to the southermost corner of Mr. Hutchinsons farm, to be reserved and used in com mon forever by the inhabitants and landholders there together with one other parcel of rocky ground near to the Knighte neck which was left out by the third company of Lotte, excepting all such ground lying among or neere the sd rocky ground formerly granted out in Lotte to pticular persons. Also there is granted to Mr. William Thompson, pastor ofthe church at the Mount, 120 acre of land there free from the forsd. rate of 3s per acre. Also there is granted to Mr. Henry Flint 80 acre of land therein like sort free from the sd rate of 3s. per acre. Also there is granted to John Lugg a great lot for 9 head at the mount upon the usual terms.' No. IV. Page 212* Original Covenant of the New North Church. We, whose names are subscribed, apprehending ourselves called of God into the chh. state of the gospel, do, first of all, confess ourselves unworthy to be so highly favoured of the Lord, and admire that free and rich grace of his, which triumphs over so great unworthiness ; and then, with a humble reliance upon the aids of grace therein promised to them, that in a sense of their own inability to do any good thing, do humbly wait upon him for all, we do thank fully lay hold on his covenant, and would do the things that please him. We declare our serious belief of the chr. religion, contained in the S. S. and as ex hibited in the confession of faith received in our chhs. ; heartily resolving to conform our lives to the rules of that holy religion, so long as we live in this world. We give ourselves to the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost ; and avouch him to be our God, our Father, our Saviour and Leader, and receive him as our portion. We give up ourselves unto the bles- * P. 204. The Manifesto of the Brattle-street Society is printed at large, in Rev. Mr. Pal frey's Historical Discourse, published recently. 51 394 APPENDIX. sed Jesus, who is the Lord Jehovah, and adhere to him as the head of his peo ple in the cov. of God, and rely on him as our Prophet, our Priest and our King, to bring us into eternal blessedness. We acknowledge our everlasting and indispensable obligations to glorify God in all the duties of a godly, sober, righteous life ; and very particularly in the duties of a church state, and a body of people associated for an obedience to him, and enjoyment of him, in all the ordinances of the gospel. And we therefore depend upon his gracious assis tance for the faithful discharge of the duties thus incumbent upon us. We de sire and intend, and with dependence upon promised and powerful grace, we engage to walk together as a church of our L. J. C. in the faith and order of the gospel, so far as we shall have the same revealed unto us, and will consci entiously attend the worship of God, the sacraments of the N. T. and the disci pline of his kingdom and all his holy instructions, in communion with one another ; — and that we will lovingly watch over one another, carefully avoid stumbling blocks and contentions, as becomes a people whom the Lord has bound up together in the bundle of life. At the same time, we also present our offspring with us unto the Lord, purposing with his help to do our part in the methods of a religious education, that they may be the Lord's. And aU this we do, flying to the blood of the everlasting covenant for the pardon of our many errours, and praying that the glorious Lord, who is the great Shep herd, would prepare and strengthen us for every good work, to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, to whom be glory forever. Amen. FINIS. INDEX. Academy, american, 355 Adams, saml. 254, 282, 323 , john, 250, 266, 284, 297, 337 , J. Q 337, 378 Agamenticus named B. 15 Albany settled, 14 Aldermen chosen, 369, 371, 374 Alligator show, 89 Alms house, 136, 324 Amendments to city charter, 373 Amusements introduced, 333. suspen- Ammunition smuggled, 299 [ded, 275 Andros, gov. 184. prisoner, 189, or der respecting north school, 349 Appeal to arms, 266, 272 Apprentices' library, 359 Aqueduct, 386 Arbella Johnson, lady, 26. dies, 36 Arms delivered to gen. gage, 305 Arsenal, u. s. 387 Artillery ancient and lion. 84, 105 Assemblies worshipping, number, 384 Assistance, writs of, 244, 258 Association of mechanics, 301. mass. Asylums, 360 [ch. 359 Atheneum, 357 Ball, mrs. gambier's, 286 Bancroft, bp. 13 Banks, 375. U. S. ib. stock, ib. Barnard j. rev. 212 Battery, north, 126. south, 155 Beacon hill, 65,111,314 Bell, nine o'clock, 91. eleven, 155 Bentley, wm. rev. 143 Bernard, gov. 245, 268 Blackstone, wm. 31, 50 Boston (E.) 13*, 34 B. harbour explored, 18. named, 32 Botolph, saint, 34 Bowdoin family, 200. jas. 283,313,315 Boylston, dr. zabdiel, 218 hall, 332. school, 353 Bradstreet, simon, 22, 145, 189 Braintree incorporated, 93, 393 Bridewell, 324 Bridges, 316, 320 Brighton, 387 Broad sti eet, 327 Brookline, 46, 205, 386 Brown, enoch? 285* Bunker hill, 305. battle, 307. mon ument, 381. bank, 388 Burial ground, first, 37, common, 61 Burial, episcopal, 191 Bye-laws first printed, 204 Cabot, john, 14 Cambridge, 46, 81, 387 Canal, roxbury, 319 Carver, gov. 17 Castle, 128 Census, 378 Central whf. 327 Charles I. 21, 144. Ch. II. 145, 175 Charter, city, 366 Charter, colony granted, 22. vacated, 172. new, 197. subverted, 296 Charlestown settled, 23. burnt, 308. described, 388. chh. formed, 42 Charles river, 113 Chelsea set off, 228. tax, 365, 388 Chicatabut, 35, 63, 389 Children baptised, 63 Chronological items, 39, 62 Church, dr. benja. 286, 298 Church, first, 30, 91, 211— old north, 129,131,310,338—1 baptist, 149, 310— old south, 152, 337— chapel, 190, 338— quaker, 197, 245, 385— french, 200— brattle St. 202,310— new north ,21 1,393-new south,213 — new brick, 214 — christ chh. 219 — moorhead's, 221,339— hollis st. 223, 310— trinily, 224— lynde st. 226, 310— sam'l. mather's, 229, 339—2 baptist, 230 — croswell's, 231 — san- deuian, 256 — 1 universalist, 338 — federal st. 339^1 toman, 340— 1 methodist, 340— christian, 341— african, 342—2 methodist, 342—3 baptist, 343— park st. 343—2 uni versalist, 344— St. matthew's, 345 — new Jerusalem, 345 — presbyterian, 346—2 roman,346— st. paul's,346— mission house, 347 — 3 universal, 382 — union, 382 — s. boston evangelical, 383 — chambers st. 383 — s. boston methodist, 384— hanover st. 384 — purchase st. 384, — others, ib. Circular line, 160 City, project for (1651) 137, (1708) 207. (1784) 363. (1792, 1804, 1815) 314. (1822) 365 Clap, roger,25, 38,188 Clerk, city, 370 of writs, 168 Cobler, simple, 141, 337 Coddington, wm. 81 Collector of customs, 169 College, 81, 275, 3S7 Colonnade row, 329 Columbus discovers A. 14 Commencement first at college, 387, city, 354 Commissioners of B. 138, king's, 146 Committee of convention, 273, inspec tion, 278, correspondence, 388, safe ty, 299, school, 351 Common, 61, 373 Conant, roger, 20 Concord fight, 303 396 INDEX. Congress, stamp act, 258, continental, 297, provincial, 298 Constitution, plymoutb, 16, massa. 312, U.S.A. 313 Cooke, elisha, 196 Copp's hill, 105 Correction, house of, 376 Cotton, john, rev. 33, 53, 136 role-on-god, 157, mary, 256 Counties formed, 98 Court of high commission, 12 of assistants, 32 first general, 34 police, 370 house, old, 375, new, 331 Coves, 110 Cranes, 124 Cradle of Liberty, 235, 380 Creeks, 107, 108", 109,111,121,123,124 Cromwell, oliver, 144 Customs, board of. 269 Custom house, 329 Davenport, john,rev. 77,152, 158 De berdt, dennys, 274. Dedications, 385 Dispensary, medical, 360 Donation, franklin's, 354, 359 Dorchester, settled, 25, heights, 311, town, 386 Dudley, thos. dep. gov. 24 [son, 189 - jos. col. president, 172, in pri- Dunster, henry, 117 Dnnton's account of B. 174 Elizabeth Q. 11, death, 13 [mon, 324 Elm tree neighbourhood, 258, on.com- Endicot, at salem, 23, at B 148 Engine, fire, first, and company, 165 Environs, 44, 386 Estates made fees simple, 59 Eulogy on faneuil, 235 Evacuation of B. 311 Exchange coffee house, 329 Faneuil, peter, builds hall, 233, his picture, 234, dies, 235, his arms, ib* Faneuil hall, size of, 234, burnt, en larged, 246 Faneuil hall market, 377 Faneuil, andrew, 209, 235 Fencing school, 178 Ferry established, 40 Fires, 39,40,81, 139, 164,165,194,204 210,241,242, 243, 257, 276, 297, 305, 321,322, 325,326, 329,374,376. Fire department, 140, 165, fi rewards, Fire soe. mass. charitable, 358 [211 Fort, indian, 19, on fort hill, 45, 63, 110, 187 Fort hill, 110,328 Fortification gates, 210 Fox hill, 88, 113 Franklin, benja. 206,219, 253, 322, 369 French protestants, 200, 235 French visit B. before english, 15 Fuller, dr. saml. 30 Funerals, 170, 192, 279, 282 Gage, gen. 273, 296 Gager, dr. 38 George II. and III 246 Gibbs' house, 158, 184 Gorges, sir f. 20 Gosnold discovers c. cod, 14 Granary. 136,324 Graves, thos. at charlestown, 23. Gridleyjer. 250 Hancock, john, 266, 270, gov. 313 Harvard college, 81, 387 Hayward, john, 168, postmaster, 210/ Health department, 373 Height of Copp's hill, 105, fort, 110, beacon, 112, bunker and breed!s,388, powder horn, 388 Henry, patrick, 258 Hibbins, mrs. executed, 140 Higginson, rev. f. 23 Historical society, 355 Howard benevolent, 360 Hospital, marine, 388, gen. 361 Humane soe 358 [257 Humphrey, john, d. gov, 22, 24, danl Hunt, capt. kidnaps indians, 15 Hutchinson, ann, 69 thos. lt. gpy. 251, gov. 286, letters, 289 Importers, 278, 284 Impressment, 238, 271 Inauguration of mayor, 369 Independence, 250, 270, 289, 312 Indian king's wigwam, 19, customs, 181 Industry, house of, 376 Installations, date of, 385 Insurance capital, 375 Inventories of ancient estates, 143 Islands granted to B. 48, in B. har bour, 114 Jail, leverett st. 376, old. burnt, 275 Jamestown settled, 14 James k. dies, 21, II. 172 Johnson, isaac, 22, dies, 36, 192 hall, 37, 331 Jones, mrs. witch, 141 Josselyn's visits, 82, 158 Judges' dress, 250 Julien's restorator, 244 Jynks,jos 140 Keayi.e, capt. 85, 95, 136 Kennebeck settled, 14 Knowles' mob, 238 Lafayette, 379 Lands allotted, 56, 58 Laws digested, 66 League and cov. solemn, 296 Lecture, thursday, 54, 312 I.emercier, andrew, 202 Love, Susanna, 350 Leverett, gov funpral, 170 Lexington battle, 303 Library, boston, 356, Columbian, ib. apprentices', 359. town, 136 Liberty asserted, 73, 100, 168, 171 tree, 258, 266, in england, 259 — sons of, 264 sloop seized, 270 INDEX. 397 Light house, 212 Lillie, importer, 278 Lincoln, earl of, 36 Long wharf, 208 Lost town, B. so called, 82 Lovell, master, eulogy, 235 mr. james, oration, 286 Mackay, gen. 276 Malls, 159, 323, 328, 372 Manufactory hall, 285« Market, first, 54, 225 [332 boylston, parkman, and city faneuil. hall, 378, street, 327 Marriages, 192 Massachusetts bay, smith discovers, 15 name, 18 Massacre, Sth march, 279 Massasoit, sachem, 18 Mather, increase, 175, 195 , cotton, 175 Mayor chosen, 368 Medals, f. school, 354 Memorial against paxton, 248 Military muster, 88 Miller's, dr. death, 253 Millpond, 111, 125,325 Mill dam, bost. and roxb. 320 Ministers in boston, 385 Molineux, wm. 291 Monroe, president's visit, 379 Morton of merry mt. 21 Muddy river, 48 Mud-wall bouses, 83, 121 Museums, 335 Mutiny act, 258 Nahant, 47 Nantasket settled, 20 Natstock app. schoolmaster, 349 Navy yard, 388 Neck, boston, 57, 110 New england, name, 15 Newfoundland settled, 14 fire at, 346 Newspapers, 204, 218,219, 220 Non-consumption agreement, 270 Non-importation, 272, 296 North end settled, 129 Northwest passage, 88 Norton, rev. john, 101, 145 Officers, town, (1651) 137, (1821) 365 Oliver, stamp officer, 258, 265 dock, 108 Orations, 5th march, 286 Otis, james, 249, vindication, 253, rigbts,256, assaulted,277, death, 287 Ox roasted, 284 Party anti-charter, 197, 247 Paskalos, essays of, 268 Patent mass, and patentees, 22 Paxton, chas. 249 Peace, (1783) 313 Pequod war, . 84 Peter, hugh,67, 71, 97 Philip, king, war, 162 Phillipsjohn, first mayor, 369, 371 Philo pafria;, 271 | Phips, sir w. 197 Pig, capt. keayne's, 95 Plymouth landing at, 16 Ponds, 111, 113,323,387 Pope day, 263 Population, 218, 254, 378 Port bill, 295, relief, 297. squadron Post office, 204, 210 [routed', 31 1 Powder blown up, 81, seized by gage, 297, by americans at portsm. 299 Premiums mech. 359, agr. 387 Preston, capt. account of massacre, 280, trial, 284 Prison, state, 388 Province house, 245 Quackery fined, 40 Quarters refused to troops, 275 [50 Quitclaim, indian, 49,389, blackstone's Quincy family, 94, josiah jr. 294, jo siah, mayor, 371 Raleigh, sir w. 14 Randolph, edward, 168, 349 Rebellion declared, 301 Records, town oldest, 55 Refuge, penitent females, 361 Representatives first chosen, 42, in structed, 148, 254, 289 Residents in B. (1645) 116 Revolt in B. (1689) 186 Revolution commencing, 247 Richardson, capt. 126 , eben. informer, 278, 282 Robinson, john, rev. 13 Ropewalks, 322, 372 Rough cast buildings, 167 Rows, west, north, south, fcc.325, 375 Roxbury, 45,386 Salem settled, 23, resistance to col. Samoset, 17 [leslie, 300 Savings bank, 360 Savin hill, 386 Schools, 174, 348, latin, 349, free writ- ing, ib. Cheney's, inspectors, 350, committee, expenses, 351, 354, pri mary, 352, eng. high, mutual in struction, new houses, 353, exami nations, number of scholars, 354, carter's. 328 Sea, border, 106, wall, 159 Selectmen, first, 56, instructed, 138, Shawmut, etymology, 33 [dinner,139 Ship first built, 40 Shop, first, 54 Sickness, first severe, 36 Signs of times, (1668) 157 Signatures, winthrop and dudley, 44, cotton, 136, wilson, 156, randolph,173 Sloop, mass, case of, 252, liberty seiz- Small pox, 218, 254, 310 [ed, 271 Smith, capt. john, visits B. 15 Snider, boy, killed, 278, inscriptions on his coffin, 279 Societies, literary and charitable, 355-- Spy, newspaper, 287 [362 Squantum, 17, 386 Stagg, captain, 99 398 INDEX. Stamp act, 255—267 State house old, 241, 250, new, 323 , Streets, names of, v. original course, 119 Suffolk resolves, 298 Synod, 76, (of 1648,) 100 Tar and feathers, 284, 301 Tax, colony, 34, county, 365, town, 351, school, 354 Tea proscribed,275,283, destroyed,290 Thacher, oxenbridge jr. 249,254,258 Thanksgiving feast, 41 Theatres, 333 Tide great, 220 Tontine, 321 Town Dock, 106 Townsend, shippie, 257, 339 Town house erected, I43,159,burnt,211 Trade (1650) 121, 157 Treason ! treason ! 146, 253 Triangular warehouse, 107 Trimountain, 33,46, 112 Troops from england, 274 Underhill, capt. 56, 79 Undertakers mass, company, 24 Vane, sir henry, 66 — 75 Veils condemned, 55 Vernon, adm. tavern, 110 Virginia colony, 14, resolves, 258, 289 Ward, rev. nathl. simple cobler, 156 Warren, jos. dr. 273, gen. 308 Washington, 310, 379 Watertown, 32, 387 Webster, danl. orator, 381 Welden, capt. robt. 38 Weston's plantation, 20 Weymouth, 44 Whaley and Goffe, 158 Wharves, vii. 124, out, 159, long, 208, india iind central, 327 Wheelwright, john, rev. 69 White, rev. john, 22 Whitfield's visit, 228 William k. proclaimed, 185 Wills of keayne and others, 136 Wilson, rev. john, 30, 156 Vt inthrop,john, gov. 24 — 104 Witchcraft, 140, 193 Wolaston, capt. at mt. 20 Wonder working providence, 130 Wood's n. e. prospect, 44 Workhouse, 324 ERRATA. Page 20, Une 44, for nom read since. P. 42, I. 34, for 131 were brethren, r. 94 were men and 57 women. P. 51, I. 26. for March, 9, 1638, r. Feb. 27, 1643. P. 56, 1. 6, dele number, and after deceased insert and Robert Harding, now in Virginia. I. 10, for 1645 r. 1642. P. 84, 1. 4,* for Burton's read Barton's. P. 93, 1. 14, for Vlth. r. 21th. P. 119, 1. 4, for Make- peace, r. Wm. Wilson. P. 120, I. 15, for north r. south. P. 115,1. 7, after Randolph insert is. P. 185,* for reduced r. altered. P. 214. 1. 1, and P. 217* for sixth r. seventh. P. 221, 1. 47, for David r. Robert. P. 226, 1. 48, for 173S r. 1737. P. 264 * for on SfC. r. the Stump Act Congress. P. 282, 1. 6, after regiments, insert the 29th, but to retain. P. 286, 1. 4, for Master .. Mr. P. 313, 1, 11, for Plymouth r, Milton. P. 360, I. S, for two r.four. P. 379, note,l. 2, for 1143 r. 2613. INDEX PLATES AND CUTS. 1. South East View of Boston, faces - - Title page. This view is taken from a point at South Boston and includes the front of the city between S. B. Bridge, and the end of Long wharf. 2. Plan of Boston in 1824, faces - - - - page v. The dotted lines in this plate show the boundaries of the wards, and the >- numbers refer to the names of the streets on the catalogue which is insert ed between this plate and 3. Plan of Boston, in 1722, p. viii. This plan is reduced from one of Price's, and corrected by a plan found in an old book of charts. 4. Johnson Hall, Court Square, faces - - - p. 37. This plate exhibits also a view of part of the Ghapel burial ground and the Columbian Museum. 6. Trimountain, -------p. 46. This is drawn to represent Trimountain as it originally appeared from Charlestown, and is copied from old prints. 7. Nahant Hotel, faces - - - - - p. 47- This is a view of the Pavilion erected within a few years by citizens of Boston. 7. Alms House, Leverett-street, faces - - - p. 52 8. South View ofthe several'Halls of Harvard College, faces, p. 81 9. Triangular Warehouse, p. 107 10. Ancient house, -------p. 166 This building exhibits the fashion of 1680. 11. Old Franklin House in Milk-street, ... p. 206 12. Julien's Restorator, p. 244 13. North East View of Faneuil Hall, faces - - p. 247 The white line on the front of the Hall marks the size of the original building : on the right is the old vegetable market, fee. 14. Boston Liberty Tree, faces P- 266 15. View of State-street, and old State House, faces - p. 280 This view was taken from a point about opposite Merchants' row, and com mences on the left at the building next above ,those burnt April 7th, 1825. 400 INDEX TO PLATES. 16. Lexington Monument, p. 303 17. Monument to Warren, p. 309 18. Beacon hill Monument and Beacon, - - - p. 315 19. View of Charlestown, from the dome of the State- house, faces - - - - - - p. 316 In this view is embraced the Navy yard, State prison, Charlestown Bridge,. Bunlf er and Breed's Hill, and part of Boston in the fore-ground. 20. New State-house, faces - .... p. 323 This view includes a portion of the Common, the mansion bouse of Gover nour Hancock, the Great Tree, fee. 21. Boston Exchange Coffee-house, faces p. 330 This plate embraces also the old Quaker meeting house, and the steeple of the Old South in the distance. 22. Boston Theatre, Federal-street, faces - - - p. 334 This plate brings into view the Roman Catholick churcb, and part of Frank lin street, and Franklin Place. 22. Insane Hospital, as seen from Boston, faces - p. 361 24. Massachusetts General Hospital, faces - p. 362 25. United States Branch Bank, faces p. 375 26. Ground Plan of that Bank .... p. 375 22. House of Industry and House of Correction, faces p. 376 This view represents part of Boston in the back ground. 28. East View of Faneuil-Hall Market, faces - - p. 376 This plate represents the new Market and new stores as finished, seen from the harbour. 29. Map of Boston and Environs, faces p. 388 BOSTON: Frinted by Munroe & Francis. DO H