The Hon. Peter C. Brooks offered a clock as a gift to the town, expressing in his letter a true and deep feeling of attachment to the inhabitants. The town accepted the generous donation, and in their letter express their gratitude and their sense of high respect for their prosperous townsTo this letter Mr. Brooks replies as follows: man. "BOSTON, March 12, 1810. "Dear Sir,- The vote of the inhabitants of the town of Medford, on the subject of the clock, I received with those feelings which this general expression of thanks is calculated to inspire; and you will permit me to add, sir, that the pleasure I experienced is not a little heightened by the very agreeable manner in which the knowledge of this transaction has been conveyed to me. "The gift to which it alludes, I now, with great satisfaction, confirm; and shall be amply rewarded, should it be considered an ornament to the town in which many of iny days have been happily spent, and a convenience to its inhabitants, for whom I entertain a very sincere regard. "I am, &c., "ABNER BARTLETT, ESQ." "P. C. BROOKS. A new bridge across Charles River, from Charlestown to Boston, is proposed; and Nov. 1, 1824, the town voted to petition the Legislature in favor of its erection. They proposed to call it "Warren Bridge." The bridge was built, though, as many thought, against the pledged faith of a former Legislature. 1828: Heretofore the Selectmen had met at times agreed upon by themselves; but now the town voted "that it shall henceforth be the duty of the Selectmen to meet on the first Monday of every month for business;" and no business shall be done by them at other times. "May 7, 1836: Voted that in future the practice or custom of allowing the town-officers an annual supper, at the town's expense, be dispensed with." April 6, 1840: The town adopted the following by laws: "1. If any one deface a building, fence, &c., he shall be fined not more than twenty dollars. "2. If any one neglect to keep in repair any cellar-door which projects into the street, he shall be fined $20. "3. If any cellar-door be left open in the night, without a light to reveal it, the owner shall be fined $20. "4. No awnings to project more than eight feet from the front wall. "5. No gate swing across the street; and no coal left on sidewalk; penalty $5. "6. Notice to build shall be given; penalty $5. "7. No post put up in the street without permission from the selectmen; penalty $10. "8. No obstructions of the street; penalty $5. "9. No dirt, ashes, &c., put in the streets; penalty $10. 66 10. No wheelbarrow or cart on side-walks; penalty $5. "11. Snow-balling, throwing stones, &c., whereby persons may be annoyed in the streets; penalty $5. 12. No bathing in exposed places; penalty $5. "13. Fast driving forbidden; penalty $10: "14. Clerk of the market shall be appointed annually. "15. Dogs without a collar, between 1st May and 1st October, to be killed by the police. "16. No dog shall disturb any neighborhood, and after being warned, penalty $1 for each day after notice is served. "17. Police shall see to the peace of the town, and complain of all disorderly boys. "18. All fines to be paid into the treasury." While these by-laws show the care of the inhabitants of Medford for externals, the following votes show a deeper care for moral interests: "Feb. 13, 1843: Voted that all good citizens should cease using spirituous and intoxicating liquors, and should unite to prosecute those who sell them." "March 8, 1847: Voted that a Committee of twelve be chosen to enforce the License Law. "Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to oppose the granting of licenses for the sale of intoxicating drinks in this town; and draw on the treasury for all necessary expenses in this duty. "Voted that said Committee prosecute without lenity in all cases of the breach of the license law. "Voted that the overseers of the poor be instructed not to pur chase any thing for the poor and alms-house, where intoxicating drinks are sold." July 19, 1852: "Whereas the Legislature of this Commonwealth passed at the last session a law for the suppression of places for the sale of intoxicating drinks, therefore "Resolved, that the officers of this town be instructed to execute the law in every instance of its violation." These votes and resolutions contrast strongly with the vote of 1831, when the town voted not to restrain retailers. Feb. 15, 1855: "The town-agency for the sale of spirituous liquors," say the Selectmen, "has been in existence two and a half years. The agent has given general satisfaction. The experiment thus far has been satisfactory, and the agency is sufficient to meet all the reasonable demands of the inhabitants for spirituous liquors." March 13, 1848: Voted to give the Selectmen one hundred dollars per annum for their services. The petition of certain inhabitants of Medford, Woburn, and West Cambridge, to be set off from their several towns, and to be united in a new town, named Winchester, called forth the following vote of the town of Medford: March 4, 1850: "Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to oppose the petition of E. S. Parker and others of South Woburn, to set off a part of Medford to a proposed new town." Strenuous efforts were made to defeat the petition, but without success. Some inhabitants of Medford, who would be included in the new town, opposed this separation from their old friends. The act of separation and the act for the incorporation of Winchester were passed together, April 30, 1850. The act defines the bounds of Winchester, but does not state what territory was taken from each of the old towns, out of which the new town is made. The regulations and conditions respecting debts, paupers, congressional districts, &c., were made, which usually accompany such acts. Medford lost a large tract of excellent land, and became separated territorially from many long-cherished and valuable friends. Thus The last record of town-officers, elected at the annual March meeting, which we can insert, is that of 1850; and it is as follows: The first book kept by the Treasurer is lost. From the second, which begins in 1729, and others of later date, the following items of expenses are taken. The modern modes of book-keeping were not known to our fathers. There were sometimes two or three rates made in a year, varying from £20 to £200. The money collected by the Constable was paid into the treasury; but the accounts of the Treasurer were not examined until a new Treasurer was chosen. Then a Committee was appointed to examine the accounts, and transfer the books. A natural consequence of such bookkeeping was, that the accounts of one year ran into those of the next; and, thus mixed up, the items of several years were summed up in one footing. After 1775, more regularity obtained. Another fact should be noticed in the following accounts, the bewildering depreciation in the value of money. For fluctuations in the currency, see the tables. Samuel Brooks, Treasurer from 1729 to 1732. Old Tenor. £1,446 9 1 2,265 0 7 4,886 10 1 Aaron Hall, Treasurer from 1761 to 1767. James Wyman, Treasurer from 1767 to 1771. Lawful Money. $674 19 7 2,162 12 2 In these four years are included the expenses of building the meeting-house, in 1769. part. Expenses from 1771 to 1772. The pews paid the greater Lawful Money. £558 3 4 1,414 4 4 Extra expenses on account of the war 1780. Raised by tax Borrowed (Depreciated money) 1786. March, to March, 1787 1790. Expenses of town for one year 2,850 0 0 5,311 18 6 8,814 0 0 8,635 4 4 1800. $3,188.11 Since the year 1820, all the public buildings have been erected, such as town-house, school-houses, and enginehouses. The establishment of a fire-department and the opening of new streets have swelled the recent expenses. When the government of the United States distributed their surplus revenue among the people, the amount that came to Medford was three thousand eight hundred and seventyeight dollars fifty-nine cents. The inhabitants voted, April 3, 1837, to receive it according to the terms of the grant, and to use it in paying the debts and expenses of the town. It may be interesting to compare the expenses of 1818 and 1855. They are as follows. For 1818: |