Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-04-24
History Of Faneull Ha.l.

We copy the following number of
Dealings with the Dead" that still con-
tinue to be published in the Boston Tran
script. They have reached No. l34, and
we believe are written by Col. Luclus
M. SARaEANr. This number will be in
teresting to the general reader.
One may, as successfully, search for
that identical peck Of picked peppers that
Peter Piper picked, as for the original
hall that Peter Faneuil built. Like Ra-
chers first born, II is not. After all the
reparations, and changes, and hard ham
merings she has undergone, we may as
we'll search within the walls Of Old Iron
sides for those very ribs of live oak which
some fifty years ago, were launched in
the frigate Constitution.
In the olden time, the market men, like
the mourners, went, "about the streets" !"
The inhabitants were served at their
doors. As early as 1884, Gov. Winthrop,
in his journal, speaks Of market which
was kept in Boston, son Thursday the
fifth day Of the week." This weekly
market, on the fifth day, is mentioned BY
Douglass, as Of 1859, vol. l, page 434.
This, think, refers only to a gathering
Of sellers and buyers at one spot, and not
to any "visible temple" for storage and
shelter. Citizens differed as TO the best
method OF getting their prorant, some pre-
ferred the old mode, as il was supposed
to save time, others were in favor OF hav-
ing common point with covered build
ing. Parties were formed, the citizens
waxed wroth, and qua.relled about their
meat like dogs. Those who were in fa-
vor of market houses prevailed. Three
were erected, one at the old North Square,
one near Liberty Tree. People were no
longer supplied at their houses.
1t seems very strange that this sensi-
ble arrangement, should have led to vio-
lent outrage. The malcontents assembled
together in the night ''dissuised like cler-
gymen, ~ the devil sometimes assumes
this exterior--and totally demolished the
centre market house. This occurred a.
bout the year 1867, or aboat the time
Of Andrew Faneuil's death. Such is the
account OF good old Thomas Pemberton.
Nj. II. c. Ill, 255.
The popular sentiment prevented the
reconstruction of the centre market house
till, in l740, July ii, town meeting wa,
held to consider petition for the object,
from Thomas Palmer and three hundred
and forty others. AT this meeting it was
stated, that Peter Faneuil had offered, al
his own cost, TO build market house on
the towns land, in Dock Square. for the
use Of the tnwn, If the citizens would le-
gally empower him so to do; place the
same under proper regulations, and main.
tain it for that use.
An impression has somewhat exten.
sively prevailed, that Mr.. Faneuil's pro-
posal was not courteously received by his
fellow citizens, and that majority ol
seven only were in favor Of it.
On the contrary, Mr.. Faneuil's propo-
sal was received with the most ample de.
,, mons,rations of grateful respect. There
were two questions before the meeting
first, shall a vote Of thanks he passed te
, Peter Faneuil for his liberal offer? Sc.
} condly, shall we give up the itinerant sys.
TEN, and have market house, on any
conditions
Upon the first question there was bu
one mind, on the second, there were two
: A vote Of thanks to Mr.. Faneuil was in
t stantly passed, without dissen.ient. Blu
a the second question was the vexed ques
tion revived, and excited the passions o
: the people. OF 727 persons present So,
only voted in favor Of granting the peti
ton Of Palmer and others, giving a ma
t jority Of seven only.
Accordingly, the work was commenc
ed, and it was completed September 10th
: l742; "on which day." says DR.. Snow
e "Mr. Samuel Ruggles, who was employ
, ed in building the market house, waitet
on the select men, by order of Peter Fan
euil, Esq, and delivered them the key o
i said house.
!, Peter was a magnificent fellow. Al
: antiquarian friend, to whom the fancy ha
lineally descended through line Of high
: ly respectable antiquarian ancestors, in
# forms me that his father handed down I
him tradition, which is certainly plaus
# ible. It runs thus: while the marke
house was in progrcss-probably on pa
pert was suggested 10 Peter, that wit
very little additional expense, splendit
town hall might be constructed over il
: Peters heart was quite as roonay as tn
market house and town hall together, an,
a he cheerfully embraced the suggestion
The tradition goes little farther-whe
a the cost was summed up Peter scolded-
r little. Very likely. Mr.. Peter Fan
: euil was not an exception, l presume, t
: the common rule.
e The keys, as have stated, were pre-
d sen,ed TO the town September 10, l742
: with all that courtesy, doubtless, for whic
e he was remarkable. Peters relatives an
i connexions are somewhat numerous. Th
d descendants Of Benjamin, his brother, ar
" scattered over the country. 1t will b
\ equally grateful to them, and honorable
e our forelathers, to exhibit portion Of th
- record.
), September 18th, l742, at meeting
: the new hall, vote of thanks was mo.
ed by the Hon. John Jeffries, uncle Of Ill
late DR.. John Jei1ries. In this vote, ii
!. stated, that, whereas, Peter Faneuil ha
k "at very great expense, erected nobl
d structure, far exceeding his first propo,
is al, inasmuch as it contains not only lare
,, and sufficient accommodation for mark,