Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-02-23
LANCASTER i:
TUEsD Az MORNING, FEB. %. 1880.

TUEsD DAY MORNING, FEB. 2S. 1880
BosroN. A committee Of the Mass. Hist.
Society, in pursuance of vote Of the Socie-
ty, have addressed letter to the City Gov
eminent, which we copy below, in relation
to the centennial celebration of the first set
Element of Boston. If by the first settlement
be intended the first occupation by Euro
pean, then the second century terminated
some time ago for VIM. Blackstone, who
had been an Episcopal clergyman, had cot
tage on the peninsula long before the arri-
val Of the Arbella. The proper time would
seem to be the first permanent settlement,
with the intention of building up colony.
And If this be regarded preference would
naturally be due tothe second period men,
toned, viz. July 80, o. s. when Blackstone
invited the Governor over from Charles
town to his side of the river.
aMr. johnson and the principal gentle
men of the company induced by this invita-
tien, crossed the river, and finding as eligi-
bic as they had been led to expect they
began settlement there by the erection Of
small cottages"
The GOVERNOR, it is true, with most of
the assistants, did not move over till Sep
TENDER: but this had nothing to do with the
origin of the plantation. Take the time
when the first church was formed, when
johnson, that . holy man, and wise, and his
beautiful wife, the lady Arbella, and divers
Of the principal gentlemen Of the company"
first took up their residence in fremont
Street, and towards the eastern shore of the
plantation, and we think the citizens of Bos-
ton will be nearly right in fact and feeling.
90 far as regards this subject =
BOSTON 4TH FEBRUARY, 1880.
SIR:-The arrival Of the year. in which two GEN.
turies are completed since the foundation of Boston
was laid, deserving, in the opinion in the Massachu-
sets Historical Society, some appropriate observan-
ces they at the first meeting held this year appoint
ted the subscribers Committee to address the
City Authorities on the subject
The practice of all communities, especially of
those who have the satisfaction of referring their
national birth to honoured ancestors, may well be
followed BY us, whom the ewes Of all people, in
distant quarters of the earth turned with admir-
alton at the happy union which we enjoy Of civil,
political and religious liberty beyond any whom his
tory records However highly we appreciate our
Institution Of government, framed principally in
own day. can never forget that their origin is ie
gitim1tely derived from the unwavering constancy,
dauntless courage, sound learning sober judgment,
enlightened equity, and pure principles Of the true
heated, selt-exiled Fathers Of New-England, the
exslted characters from whoma vast majority of
fellow-citizens are descended.
With these impressions, and in performance Of
the duty of our commission, we would respectfully
request the City Authorities to take into consdera
ton the expediency of adopting such timely meas
for celebration of the second century Of Bos
ton, as TO their wisdom may seem proper.
In regard to the particular day to be selected,
some differences of opinion may be expected to &C.
cur. There are three dates. which seem to have
claim to this distinction; September lin the cur
rent STYLE September H. July 80 august N. s J
and June ls l22 ". 81 On the 7th September.
$780, at the second Court Of Assistants held at
Charlestown,l IT was ordered, that TrimoUntaia be
called Boston. Before that time, however, many
Of those whe had then recently arrived from Eng
land and among them several Of the leading charac
tiers, had decided on settlement upon this peninsu
Ia. This consideration has induced preference in
the minds Of some for the 30th of July, when the
krst covenant was entered into BY Governour VIM
thrcp Deputy Governor Dudley Isaac Johnson,
ESQ., and the Rev. John Wilson, BY which the foun-
dation ofthe first Church of Christ in Boston was
established The still earlier date of 18th June is
recommended by the interesting Circumstance. that
Il was the day ofthe arrival OF the Arbela Admir-
al Of the England feet" with the Charter, de-
sersedly so dear our ancestors and with Govern
our Winthrop and several of the Assistants on
board.
The selection of the day and the whole subject is
cheerully submitted to the decision Of the City Au
thorities. to whom these suggestions may be COM
municated.
Very respectfully, we are. Sir, your ob't servants,
mo- DAVIS.
THOS. l. WINTHROP.
JAS. SAVAGE.
THADDS. MASON HARRIS.
Hox. HARRIsoS G. 0ris, Mayor of Boston.