what is proper to be farther done with respect to Faneuil Hall Market " was read & considered whereupon

Voted, that it be left to the Selectmen to make such Agreement with the Butchers, who occupy the Stalls in Faneuil Hall Market, respecting the Meat that is cut up, and may be left at the Market, as they may judge proper.

Then the Meeting was dissolved.

At a Meeting of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, duely qualified and legally warned, in public Town Meeting assembled at Faneuil Hall, on the 20 Day of January Anno Domini 1778

Warrant for calling the Meeting

read

The Inhabitants were directed to bring in their votes for a Moderator of this Meeting, & the same being brought in & Sorted, it appeard, that

The Honble. John Hancock Esq. was chosen

The Article in the Warrant relative to the Articles of Confederation was read

The Article in the Warrant, Viz: "Whether any Steps shall be taken, for the farther Security of the Town, by enlarging the Town Watch, or otherwise " was read, & considered

Whereupon

[147.] Voted, that the Selectmen be directed to encrease the Number of the Town Watch to forty eight good & suitable Men, & that they be directed to patrole the Streets, from Sunsetting to 10 O'Clock at Night, at which time the Watch is to be set: And the Watchmen of the respective Watches are to continue to patrole the Streets, from that Time, every Hour, giving the time of Night & Circumstances.

The Article in the Warrant, Viz: "To determine on the Request of the Fire Wards, That some effectual Measures may be taken to put the Enginemen upon such a Footing, as that the several Engines may be properly attended, & taken care of, as the preservation of the Town, in case of fire, greatly depends upon it" was read, together with the Recommendation of the Fire Wards, relative to the Encouragement which it might be proper to afford the Engine-Men and the same being considered

Voted, that the Selectmen be a Committee to consider & report upon this Matter, & also what will be a sufficient Premium for such Companies, as bring their Engines to work first upon the Fire that may break out in any Building in this Town.

were

The Article in the Warrant relative to Confederation, together with the Articles of Confederation, & perpetual Union between the united States of America, lately formed & proposed by the Honble. Congress, to the Legislative Body of this State distinctly read-It was then moved that this Meeting be adjourned to To-morrow Morning, 10 O'Clock, for the farther Consideration of said Articles of Confederation; and that the Selectmen take Measures to notify the Inhabitants of the Adjournment & the

Business to be transacted-The Question being put

Passed in

the Affirmative, & the Meeting was accordingly adjourned. [148.] Town met, according to Adjournment, January 21'. 10 O'Clock Ante Meridiem.

The Report of the Committee appointed to consider the Article in the Warrant, relative to the Engine Companies also the Recommendion of the Fire Wards, with respect to said Companies was read- Whereupon

Voted, that the farther Consideration of this Report be referred over to the Adjournment of this Meeting.

The Article in the Warrant, Viz. "To consider & determine, whether, agreeable to the Recommendation of the General Assembly of this State, the Town will intrust their Representatives, to act & do, as they shall judge most for the Advantage of this & the other united States, relative to the Articles of Confederation & prepetual Union between the United States of America, lately formed & proposed by the Honble. Congress, to the Legislative Body of this State was read as also the Articles of Confederation - Whereupon the following Resolve passed unanimously.

The Articles of Confederation & perpetual Union, between the several States, now Represented in the Continental Congress, having been laid before this Town were distinctly & repeatedly read, & maturely considered -- Whereupon Resolved, as the Opinion of this Town, "That the said Articles appear to be well adapted to Cement the Union of the said States, to confirm their mutual Friendship, establish their Freedom & Independence & promote their General Welfare." - And the Representatives of the Town are hereby instructed to give their Votes in the General Assembly, that the Delegates of this State may be authorized to ratify the said Articles of Confederation, in order that the same may become Conclusive.

Voted, that this Meeting be adjourned to Fryday next, the 23a. day of January instant, 10 O'Clock, Forenoon

[149.] And the Meeting was accordingly adjourned.

January the 23d. 10 'Clock, met according to the Adjourn

ment.

The Report of the Committee chosen to consider the Article in the Warrant, relative to Engine Men, & also the Proposal of the Fire Wards, respecting the Engine Companies was again readand also the Amendment proposed - After considerable Debate thereon, it was moved, & the Question accordingly put, That this Meeting be adjourned to Monday next, being the 26th Instant, 10 O'Clock Before Noon, which passed in the Affirmative, and the Meeting was accordingly adjourned

Monday the 26th. Day of January, 10 'Clock A M. met according to Adjournment.

The Committee appointed & report on the Article of the Warrant, relative to the Engine Companies, & the Recommendation of the Fire Wards, again Report with the Amendment Vizt. — That they have conferred with the Captains of the several Engine Companies, & find, That nothing short of a total Exemption from all

Military Duty will be sufficient to satisfy & encourage the Men belonging to those Companies -They would therefore propose, that Application be made to the General Court; that, in Consideration of the great Quantity of Stores belonging to the State & Continent, stored in this Town, together with the valuable Buildings, the Property of the State, the Enginemen, necessary for the Town under these Circumstances, may be deducted from the Number of the Inhabitants, & not subject to raise their Proportion of any Draughts of Men, or do any Military Duty, excepting in Cases of Alarm, when they are ready to appear & do their Duty, as the Law directs. And as a farther Encouragement, the Committee propose, that the Premium [150.] For the Engine Company, who first bring their Engine to work first upon any Fire which shall break out in any Building in this Town, shall be advanced to Three Pounds Lawful Money.

JOHN SCOLLAY p Order

the

The foregoing Report having been duely consideredQuestion was put — Viz: "Whether the same shall be accepted? Passed in the Affirmative — also

Voted, that a Copy of the foregoing Report & Vote thereon be taken & attested by the Town Clerk, & then delivered to each of the Gentlemen, who represent this Town in the General Assembly.

Voted, that the Thanks of the Town be given hereby are given to the Honble. John Hancock Esq'. the Moderator, for his good Services.

Then the Meeting was dissolved.

INDEX OF NAMES.