^ 1 A = Al CO m ^ == :u M = :i: 3 ^ o 3 = - — i— 8 = I— 3 = ^^ 3> 9 1 3> 3 ^ "■ 1 — ^^2 ^ 1 / 6/3- ■^^^ STATEMENT OF THE PROCEEDINGS RESULTING IN THE PUIiClIASE OF THE Newburyport Public Library Building. WITH A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY. PREPARED BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTORS, FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION. " Books are a part of man's prorogativo : In formal ink, they tliought and voices hold, That wo to tliem our solitude may give. And make time present travel that of old. Our life, fame piecotli longer at tlie end: And books it farther backward doth extend." NEWBURYPORT : WM. II. IIUSE & CO., PRINTERS, 42 STATE STREET. 18 0G. fe^- -e^ pa- ^ ""^^ ) .'; * I-- ,T INTRODUCTORY. It was intended, when the buikling designed for the use of the Newburyport Public Library was completed, that a formal dedication of it should take place. That purpose, however, was frustrated through the pressing professional engagements of the distinguished gentle- man who was to have delivered the address. The delay occasioned thereby was so prolonged, that it was finally deemed advisable to dispense altogether with the dedication. The following pages have, in consequence, been' prepared by order of the Directors of the Library, for the purpose of giving publicity and permanency to a statement of the prominent facts in relation to the pur- chase of the building, and its preparation for its present use. This is considered due to those by whose public spirit and generosity the work was vuidertaken and suc- cessfully completed. The accomplishment of an enterprise of great public usefulness, through the agency of private contributions, is deemed worthy of record to the lasting honor of those engaged in it. Great pains have been taken, therefore, to include the names of all who have rendered assist- jcfe^S- ^^- -e^^ 4 INTROD UCTOR Y. ance in tlie undertaking in the following pages. If, however, any such individuals have failed to receive an appropriate acknowledgment for their share in the work, •no one will regret the omission more deeply than the writer. While desiring in the following pages to avoid the appearance of invidiousness, where all have con- tributed so freely, it is nevertheless felt that some special mention of the important services rendered by Edward S. MosELEY, Esq., is justly due. AX great personal sacrifice, he undertook the collection of the funds, and also supervised their expenditure. One of the first to discern the wants of the Library, Mr. Moseley has been foremost and indefatigable in his efforts to secure for it its present tasteful and commodious quarters. H. A. T. Newburyport, Nov. 1, 1866. S I l^"^^ THE NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. — o-O^JijIPjCK^ Soon after the Newburyport Public Library went into operation, it was found (so great was the de- mand for its books, and so apparent the prospect of its futnre increase) that the room it then occupied would prove entirely inadequate for its purposes, and that larger and better accommodations would shortly be needed. The subject, therefore, began at that time to interest some of the more zealous friends of the Library ; and inquiries were instituted relative to the best means for obtainino- a buildina: that should be suited to its ""rowing; wants. An appeal to the city authorities to supply the requi- site funds was considered impolitic, inasmuch as it was felt that the ordinary demands upon the city treasury were already onerous. The general desire, therefore, seemed to be, that some feasible mode of raising the money, without resort to public taxa- tion, should be adopted. As no organized body existed for the purpose, it was necessarily incumbent upon individual eflbrt to -e^ i! 6 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. commence the undertaking. Consequently, Edavard S. MosELEY, Esq., in the spring of 1858, with a view of stimulating others to similar action, pledged a donation, on the condition that a sum sufficient to accomplish the object should be obtained in the same way. But the offer not being made sufficient- ly public, or for some other reason, the necessary responses were not received ; and thus no definite result was attained. Various other propositions were considered ; but, as none of them gave promise of ultimate success, they were not adopted. In the mean time, each successive Annual Report of the Di- rectors of the Public Library continued to set forth its pressing need of better accommodations. Thus things remained until the close of the lecture- season of 1859-60, when it was proposed to use the Lyceum as an agency, and by that means to se- cure a sufficient amount to serve as a nucleus ; to which might be added whatever sums should in the future be obtained, and finally devote the whole amount towards providing a building for the Library. Accordingly, at the Annual Meeting of the Newbury- port Lyceum, held on the 10th of February, 1860, the following resolution, offered by George J. L. Col- by, Esq., was unanimously adopted : — '•'- Ptesolved^ That tlic officers of the Lyceum invite per- sons, who, from being natives or residents of Old Newbury, or from some otiier cause, arc interested in the welfare of this community, to deliver lectures gratuitously ; the pro- ^£^ >^- NEWBURYrORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. 7 ceeds of the sale of tickets to be devoted to the erection of a building, to be owned by the city, for the better accommo- dation of the Public Library." A course of lectures was instituted the next season, in conformity with the resolution ; which re- sulted in placing five hundred and seventy-six dol- lars and eighty-five cents to the credit of a Library- building Fund. The following are the names of the lecturers whose services were gratuitous : — *C. C. FELTON, President of Harvard University. Rev. J. C. FLETCHER, Neivhuryport. Hon. C. gushing, Newbimjport. *Rt. Rev. T. M. CLARK, Bishop of Rhode Island. ^ARTHUR GILMAN, Esq., Boston. Rev. ORVILLE DEWEY, T).D. Dr. GEORGE B. LORING, Salem. *DANIEL N. HASKELL, Esq., Boston. Hon. STEPHEN H. PHILLIPS, Salem. Rev. A. H. QUINT, New Bedford. tREV. E. A. WASHBURN, D.D., Rector Calvary Church, N. T. tC. W. TUTTLE, Esq., Boston. tREV. T. B. FOX, Boston. Rev. a. p. PEABODY, D.D., Professor Harvard University. *Rev. R. W. CLARK, D.D., Albany, N. Y. *Rev. BENJ. hale, V>.T>., President of Hohart College. N.Y. Rev. R. C. WATERSTON, Boston. * Those marked thus * are natives of" Old Newbury." Those niarked t have been residents of Newbnrviiort. -e^ ^^^ 8 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. The same plan was continued for the two follow- ing seasons, which increased the fund to a thou- sand and thirty-eight dollars and seventeen cents. The lecturers were — *Rt. Rev. T. M. CLARK, D.D., Bishoji of Rhode Island. *HoN. GEORGE LUNT, Boston. Rev. S. R. CALTHROP, MarUelwad. Dr. GEORGE B. LORING, Salem. *AMOS NO YES, Esq., Neivhuryport. IRev. ELIAS NASON, Exeter, N.H. *JOHN J. CURRIER, Esq., Newburyport. Rev. M. skinner, Gloucester. Rev. THOMAS HILL, V).V)., President of Harvard University. C. F. BROWN, Esq. (" Artemus Ward.'') Rev. J. C. H1.ETCHER, Newburyport. Rev. R. H. NEALE, D.D., Boston. *Rev. GEORGE \). WILDES, S(dem. Rev. CHARLES BEECHER, Geonjetoum. Rev. JAMES N. SYKES, Newburyport. Prof. J. R. LOWEIiL, Harvard University. Here, then, was a fund of upwards of one thou- sand dollars deposited for use in providing a Library Building. A moderate sum, indeed, for the purpose ; yet, when considered as the foundation of the enter- prise, it assumes more than a relative importance, inasmuch as it gave renewed encouragement to the hope, that, with persevering efforts, ultimate success might confidently be expected. K^^- s^ ^ NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. 9 At this juncture, Mr. Mosel£y again came forward with a subscription-Hst, headed with his own name and subscription of one thousand dollars. With this he applied to persons of wealth at home, and to others, wdio, being either natives or former residents of our city, had met with success in life elsewhere. The responses which followed were of the most cheering character, as will be seen by the annexed copy of the circular and subscription-list : — Newburyport, Sept. 12, 1863. The undersigned hereby agree to pay the sums set against their respective names, for the purpose of building or purchasing a suitable building for the Public Library, provided the sum of ten thousand dollars is subscribed before the close of the present year. The money is to be expended under the direction of a committee appointed for that purpose, and the building presented to the city under such limita- tions as may be thought advisable. NEWBURYPORT. Edward S. Moseley $1,000 Edward S. Rand ...... 1 ,000 JosiAH L. AND Joshua Hale .... 1,000 John Porter 1,000 Caleb, John N., and AVillia.m Cushin.g 1,000 Charles H. Coffin 500 Robert and Charles M. Baylky . 500 Mrs. Nancy Horton ..... 500 John Currier, Jun 500 Mica.iah Lunt 500 Mrs. Sarah W. IIalk 250 Josiah Little . . . • i • 250 Henry Cook ....... 200 William Guaves ...... 200 -e^ 10 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. Eben F. Stone . Benjamin F. Cuuriiji Moses E. Hale Albert W. Stevens George L. Rogers . William Forbes Henry C. Perkins . Mark Symons . Jeremiah Colman . William Ashby John Osgood . R. Wills and Son John N. Pike . Amos Noyes Nathan A. Moulton William H. Savasey David Wood Edward H. and George J. G\< ORGl- LONDON. William Wheelwright Mrs. M. G. Wheelwright SAN FRANCISCO. John R. Spring BOSTON. John Atkinson William P. Pierce . Michael H. Simpson Stephen Tilton and Co. Samuel Stevens James Reed George W. A. Williams Balch AV. Pierce George W. Wheelavright Stephen W. Marston, Jim. Charles G. Wood . Si 00 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 1 00 100 100 100 50 50 50 50 •M) 10 SI, 000 1,000 Si,ooo S500 500 500 500 •250 250 250 '250 '200 1 00 50 -^& NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. Andrew L. Haskell John M. Bradbury N. Foster, Jun. . R. B. Williams, Jun. John Tilton John H. Bradbury Caleb Norris S. K. Whipple . George Butler . E. P. Wilbur $50 50 25 25 25 10 10 5 5 5 NEW YORK. Daniel I. Tenney S500 Jacob Little 500 PHILADELPHIA. Lemuel Coffin . . $500 George A. Wood 250 CLEVELAND. Joseph B. Hervey ....... $150 WASHINGTON. William B. Todd SlOO 11 By this means, the sum of eigliteen thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars was obtained ; which, added to the amount already on hand (sub- sequent additions having been received from the Lyceum), made the whole amount twenty thousand two hundred and seventy-three dollars and seventy- eight cents : and the funds for accomplishing the work were thus fully secured. The necessary means having been obtained, the next step was, either to purchase a building suitable for library-purposes, or a -e^S^S -ev? 1*2 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-UBRARY BUILDING. location on which one could be built. In this the parties were eminently fortunate in finding the " Tracy House," so called, situated on State Street, for sale ; w^liich was accordingly purchased. A meeting of the subscribers to the fund was now^ held to take the necessary action in relation to the premises ; at wdiich Edward S. Moseley was chosen Chairman ; and Hiram A. Tenney, Secretary. The meeting then proceeded to select a Building Committee ; and the followintr-named o-entlemen were chosen : Edward S. Moseley, Charles M. Bay- ley, and Joshua Hale, Committee. M. E. Hale con- sented to act as Treasurer. In commencing the work, the Committee made application to Arthur Gilman, Esq., of Boston, a na- tive of Newburyport, to prepare the plans for alter- ing the building ; which he promptly consented to do, making no charge for his services. The plans were furnished by Mr. Oilman for the alteration of the exterior, and for the arrangement and finish of the interior, and found to be highly satisfactory. Operations, therefore, were soon com- menced under the superintendence of Hon. Al- bert Currier, whose services were rendered gratui- tously ; and to whose mechanical experience, and economy of management, the accomplishment of the undertaking, with so great a degree of artistic skill and with such a moderate expenditure, is mainly due. h^ NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. 13 The opinion has been expressed by persons who understand the subject, that such a structure could not have been commenced anew and completed at less than twice the cost of the present one. The frontispiece presents a good view of the new build- ino;. Its exterior walls are covered with a coatino^ of mastic, giving the appearance of sandstone, which greatly enhances the beauty of its fine architectural proportions. The appearance of the grounds, also, has been changed, so as to comport with the improve- ments in the rest of the estate. In the corner-stone of the building was deposited a small leaden box, which, in the distant future, may be of interest to those who shall open it. The box encloses a silver plate, with the following inscrip- tion : — -<2/Q is^ ^^e- -^^ THIS BUILDING, INTENDED FOR THE I>UBLIC LIBRA.IIY, IS A FREE GIFT TO THE CITY FROM PERSONS WHOSE NAMES ARE DEPOSITED IN THE SMALL BOX HEREWITH. -oo^^^oo— DIRECTORS OF LIBRARY. GEORGE W. JACKMAN, Jun., Mayor, ) - EX OFFICIO. L. DAME, Pres. Com. Council, ) D. T. FISKE. P. K. HILLS. WM. CUSHING. J. N. PIKE. C. M. BAYLEY. JOSHUA HALE. LIBRARIAN. HIRAM A. TENNEY. BUILDING COMMITTEE. EDWARD S. MOSELEY, JOSHUA HALE, C. M. BAYLEY, ARCHITECT. ARTHUR GILMAN. SUPERINTENDKXT. ALBERT CUIUUEK. NKWl'.UIiYl'oRT, Apiil (I, ISd;"). ^^e- -e^ !^- NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. 15 The box referred to contains the names of all the subscribers, inscribed on parchment, with their places of residence, and the several amounts given by them. With a single exception, they are all natives or residents of Newburyport. In addition to the above, it contains a list of all the officers connected with the City Government of 1865 ; a report of the Library Committee of 1864 ; a copy of " The Newburyport Herald ; " and a copy of "The Herald of Gospel Liberty," published in this city, — the oldest religious newspaper in the world. On the 17th of July, 1865, the work being com- pleted, and the building ready to be transferred to the city, a meeting of the subscribers to the fund was held, due notice having been previously given to each party interested, in order to arrange suitable terms for its transfer. At this meeting, after a report of the expenditure of money raised by subscription had been made by the chairman, on motion of Josiah L. Hale, Esq., it was Voted, That, in offering the building to the city, one condition of its acceptance shall be, that it never shall be opened for public use on the Lord's Day. On motion of lion. Micajah Lunt, it was further Voted, That the subject of other conditions be referred to the Building Committee to prepare a suitable state- ment, and report at the next meeting of the sub- scribers. Hon. C. CusHiNG was also added to that committee. 5^^ o w^ 16 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. On the 14th of August following, another meeting in reference to the same subject was held, at which Mr. Gushing, for the committee, submitted a report, as follows: "That the estate be conveyed to the Mayor and Aldermen, as trustees, with the follow- ing provisoes : " — First, That it sluill forever be dedicated exclusively to use as the City Library, and for the reception of appropriate objects of science and art. Second, That the library shall be administered by a Board of Directors chosen by the City Council. Third, That the library shall not be open for public use on the Lord's Day. Fourth, That the surphis cash in the hands of the com- mittee shall be conveyed to three trustees by name, which trustees shall fdl vacancies in that Board ; the income of the fund to be appropriated for the maintenance, repair, improvement, and insurance of the edifice. Fifth, That the said three trustees shall be members of the Board of Directors of the library, in addition to those chosen by the City Council. A meeting of a committee appointed by the City Council, for the purpose of conferring with a com- mittee of the subscribers, was subsequently held, and attended by Hon. George W. Jackman, Mayor ; Warren Currier, Alderman; Luther Dame, John E. Bavley, and J. T. Rowe, Common Coundhnen, on the part of the City Council ; and Edward S. Mose- LEY and Hon. C. Cushing, on the part of subscri- L. ( 5^^ e^ e^ NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. 17 bers. At this meeting, the conditions of transfer prepared by the subscribers to the Library-building Fund were approved by the committee of the City Council, to be recommended to the City Govern- ment for adoption. On the 4th of September, the estate was pre- sented to the City Government by the following deed: — Ktwiv all men by these presents, — That we, Edward S. Moseley, Joshua Hale, and Charles M. Bayley, all of Newburyport, in the County of Essex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for good and lawful con- siderations us hereunto moving, do hereby give, grant, and convey unto the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of New- buryport for the time being, all the right, title, and interest which we have in and to a certain piece of laud, with the buildings thereon, situate in said Newburyport, and bounded as follows ; namely : — Beginning at the southerly corner thereof, on State Street, by land of Dana Dodge and William Dodge ; and thence running by said last-mentioned land, and by land of Moses Emery, deceased, north 52° 15' west, one hundred and sixty- eight feet eight inches, to land of the heirs of Benjamin Hale, deceased ; thence, by said heirs' land, north 30° 30' east, ninety-eight feet five inches; thence, by said heirs' land, south 57° east, one hundred and sixty-two feet three inches, to said State Street ; thence, by said State Street, south 32° 45' west, one hundred and twelve feet two inches, to the bound first mentioned ; containing, in all, sixty-three rods and AV'' of a rod ; being the same conveyed to us by Jere- -©^ ^€^^ 18 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. MiAH CoLMAN and William Ashby by deed of April IG, A. D. 1864. To have and to hold the above-granted premises to the said Mayor and Aldermen, and their successors in office, to them and their use and behoof forever. In trust, neverthe- less, for the subscribers to the fund for a Public-library Building, under and subject to the following conditions ; namely : — First, That all the property and estate conveyed shall be dedicated, and appropriated in perpetuity, to use exclusively for the City Library, and for the reception of suitable objects of science and art. Secondly, That the library shall not be open for public use on the Lord's Day. Tliirdly, That the library shall be administered by a Board of Directors chosen and appointed by the City Coun- cil, together with the three persons, or their successors, con- stituted by the subscribers to be trustees of the surplus fund of subscription. And we, the said grantors, for ourselves, and our heirs, executors, and administrators, do covenant with the said grantees, and their successors in office, that we are lawfully seized in fee-simple of the aforegranted premises ; that they are free from all encumbrances done or suffered by us ; that we have good right to give, grant, and convey the same to the said grantees, and their successors in office, forever, as aforesaid ; and that we will, and our heirs, executors, and administrators shall, warrant and defend the same to the said grantees, and their successors in office, forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons claim- ing the same by, fi'om, or under us. d^^- --^^ NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. 19 In witness whereof, we, Edward S. Moseley, Joshua Hale, and Charles M. Bayley, and we, Charlotte A., wife of said Edward, and Sophia C, wife of said Joshua, and Charlotte C, wife of said Charles, in token of our release of all right and title of and to both dower and homestead in the abovegranted premises, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five. Witnesses. Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of CIharles Thurlow, B. Gardiner Gerrish, Edward S. Moseley.- Joshua Hale. Charles M. Bayley. Charlotte A. Moseley. Sophia C. Hale. Charlotte C. Bayley. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Essex ss., 22d Sept., 1865. Then personally appeared the within-named Edward S. Moseley, Joshua Hale, and Charles M. Bayley, and ac- knowledged the foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed. Before me, M. E. Hale, Justice of the Peace. An order was then passed by the City Council in acceptance of the gift : — -e^ <:>ry I ^^e e^ '?> 20 NEWBURYPORT PVBLIC-LIBIiATiY BUILDING. CITY OF NEWBURYPORT. In Board of Aldermen, Sept. 4, 18G5. Ordered (the Common Council concurring), That the Mavor and this Board, in behalf of themselves and their successors in office, hereby accept the conveyance of prop- erty and estate for the reception of the Public Library, made to us this day by Edward S. Moseley, Joshua Hale, and Charles M. Bayley, in trust, subject to the conditions therein prescril)ed ; and, for ourselves and our successors, assume said trust, to be executed according to the con- ditions of said conveyance. In Board of Aldermen, Sept. 4, 1865. Adopted. Attest: E. Johnson, Cily Clerk. In Common Council, Sept. 4, 1865. Adopted in concurrence. Attest : A. W. Greenleap, Clerk. The following ordinance, in conformity to the terms of the deed, was also passed at the same date : — CITY OF NEWBURYPORT. AN OKDINANCE CONCEKNING THE PUliLIC LIRRARY. Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Nein- huryport as follows : — In addition to the number of the Board of Directors of the Public Library, as now constituted, shall be members thereof, ex oj/icio, the three persons appointed by deed of the subscribers to the fund for a Public4ibrary Building, to hold in trust the overplus funds provided by said subscri- bers for the reparation and improvement of said building, fe^va- e^ NEWBURYPOliT PUBLIC-LIBRAEY BUILDING. 21 and their successors in office, conformably to the tenor of said trust-deed ; provided that a duplicate copy of said deed shall be filed with the City Clerk, and that due notice of all changes of said trustees shall be communicated by them in writing, addressed to the City Council. In Common Council, Sept. 4, 18G5. Passed to be ordained. Luther Dai\ie, President. In Board of Aldermen, Sept. 4, 1805. Passed to be ordained. Geo. W. Jackman, Mayor. On the 2d of October, a meeting of the sub- scril)ers to the fond was held, to make choice of three trustees, agreeably to the conditions of trans- fer of the Library Building to the city. Monday, Oct. 2, 1865. Meeting called to order at half-past four o'clock, p.m. Records of the previous meeting read and approved. On motion of Josiah L. Hale, Esq., it was Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to nominate a list of three candidates, to be balloted for as trustees of the surplus fund. Messrs. J. L. Hale, John Currier, Jun., M. Symons, were appointed by the Chair. The committee reported the names of Edward S. Moseley, Caleb Cushing, Henry C. Perkins; who were unanimously chosen. Voted.; That the trustees be authorized to expend annu- ally the sum of fifty dollars, to supply magazines and re- views, at their discretion. On motion of Josiah L. Hale, it was Voted, That the fe^- ■o^ 22 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRABY BUILDING. trustees be required to make an annual report of the state of the fund, with any expenditures from the income of the same, to be published in connection with the Annual Report of the Directors of the Library. Voted, That the accounts of the late acting treasurer of the fund be audited by the trustees now chosen. On motion of Hon. Mica J ah Lunt, it was Voted, That all matters relating to questions that may arise in reference to the care of the Library Building, or other general interests appertaining thereto, be placed in the hands of the trustees now chosen ; and that they be empowered to make such arrangements of the same, and also such expenditures from the income of the fund, as they may deem expedient. Adjourned. H. A. Tenney, Secretary. The following deed was passed, conveying the balance of the fund, amounting to five thousand dollars, from the hands of the Building Committee to the trustees : — DEED OF TRUST. Whereas certain persons, with a view of donating a suitable building to the city of Newburyport for the Public Library, subscribed sums of money for that purpose, and at a meeting duly notified, held on the third day of February, A.D. 1864, appointed Edward S. Moseley, Joshua Hale, and Charles M. Bayley, a committee, with full powers to carry their views into effect ; and whereas, in pursuance thereof, the building has been purchased and prepared, and a deed thereof, on certain conditions, has been given to the city, leaving, how- ever, money in the hands of said committee unexpended : — c£^a- : e/^ -^^B£ NEWBURYFORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. 28 Now, this indentiire, made and concluded this thir- teenth day of October, A.D. 18(35, by and between said MosELEY, Hale, and Bayley, in their official capacity as the representatives of the subscribers, party of the first part ; and Edward S. Moseley, Caleb Gushing, and Henry C. Perkins, subsequently chosen by said subscribers at a meeting duly called for that purpose, — namely, on the second day of Oc- tober, A.D. 1865, — as trustees of the unexpended balance of said subscription, party of the second part, — Witnesseth, That for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to tliem, the said committee, paid by the said trustees (tlie receipt whereof the said party of the first part doth hereby acknowledge), the said committee — namely, Moseley, Hale, and Bayley — hath given, granted, and conveyed, and by these presents doth hereby give, grant, and convey, unto the said Moseley, Gushing, and Perkins, trustees, and to their successors, the balance of the funds subscribed and unexpended by said committee, amounting to five thousand dollars, or thereabouts ; provided always, and these presents are on this condition nevertheless, that the said trustees, party of the second part, shall keep the principal of the same invested, according to their best judg- ment, either by depositing in any savings bank, or by in- vestments now authorized by this Gommonwealth for such institutions, with power to expend the income thereof in tlic repair of the Library Building, or its general maintenance, in accordance with votes heretofore passed by the said sub- scribers ; making an annual report to the Directors of the Public Library of their action in the premises ; with the au- thority, on the resignation or decease of any one of the said trustees, for the survivors to appoint his successor with full powers to act as aforesaid ; and in case of the dcatli or fe^ 24 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. ,s resignation of two of said trustees, without the vacancy thereby created having been filled, then the sole survivor shall have power to fill both vacancies. And in case the places of all of the trustees become va- cant, then new trustees may be appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court, on application of the city of Newburyport. And it is further agreed, that tlie city of Newburyport shall have right at any time to make due application to the Su- preme Judicial Court for the prevention or correction of any act of malfeasance in the execution of said trust ; said court to have the same jurisdiction in the premises as in other matters of trust, under the statutes of the Common- wealth. In witness whereof, the parties aforesaid have hereunto set their hands and seals, this thirteenth day of October, A. D. 1805. Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of M. E. Hale. Edward S. Moseley. Joshua Hale. Charles M. Bayley. Edward S. Moseley. Caleb Cushing. Henry C. Perkins. Til conclusion, it may be said that the conversion of the Tracy House to the use of the Public Library is an event that our citizens may regard with just pride and satisfaction. Its location could not be ex- celled. Situated on a prominent thoroughfare of business, it is at the same time so retired from the noise of the street as to secure a proper degree of ^^ ■^^ -o €^- - — e^^ NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. '25 seclusion and quiet to visitors in their use of the library. Its historical associations render its appro- priation to such a purpose an event of peculiar interest. Built a century since, it stands a fitting representative of the few palatial structures which the country at that time afforded. Clustering around its walls, too, are memories of many who have gone from its precincts, and added lustre to the ancient fame of our city. Names might also be added of persons of high distinction from abroad, who have found beneath its hospitable roof a temporary home. The edifice, therefore, now blends its own measure of renown in the past with the popular daily life of the present; while each will be hallowed to the dis- tant future by the benign influence, which, like in- cense from a shrine, arises from the noble work to which it is now devoted. Thus, as an enduring testimony of their affection- ate regard for the well-being of the home of their childhood, the beneficent donors have fitted up this . building with taste and convenience, and have pre- sented it a FREE GIFT to the city, to be hereafter known as the Newburyport Public-Library Building. Note. — This estate, although allowed of late years to fall somewhat into neglect, was formerly supported in a style of almost princely grandeur. The house was built by Patrick Tkacy, an opulent merchant of that day, for his son Nathaniel, who occupied it, and through whose great Avealth and iin])onnded hospitality it ac(|uired a wide celebrity. Natiiamki. b -so dO^ w^ •20 NEWnURYPORT rUBLKJ-LIBRARY BUILDING. TitACY was a gentleman of high chai-acter and standing, contributing very greatly' by his public spirit towards the improvement of his native town. He married a lady belonging to one oi' the first families of the State. She was reputed to be a lady of great personal beauty, and was the daughter of the illustrious patriot of our Revolution, Col. Lee of Marblehead. Mr. Tracy was at one time the o'.vner of a hundred and ten merchant-ves- sels, a part of which were used as letters-of-marque during the Revolution- ary AVar. So Midas-like did he appear to accumulate his riches, that he seemed justified in lavishing vast sums to maintain his establishment in the most sumptuous manner. His stables were famed for containing the most spirited horses and finest equipages of the day ; and the grounds were the most beautiful in Essex County. In front of the mansion were orna- mental trees which he imported from England ; and the garden in the rear, stocked with the choicest fruit-trees, which were also imported, was the local wonder of the time. Throughout the whole, there was displayed an air of aristocratic taste and luxurious habit, rivalling the establishments of the Dutch burgomasters of an earlier date. Mr. Tuacy had an admira- ble farm in Newbury, and another in Medtbrd. He was also the owner of the Vassal House in Cambridge, which Gen. Washington made his headquarters while stationed there. But the close of the Revolutionary War brought sad reverses of fortune to Mr. Tracy. British cruisers had seized many of his privateers; and, through some unlucky mercantile transactions, he was stripped of his vast wealth, and compelled to retire to his farm in Newbury, which had been secured to his family by his father. Here he spent the remainder of bis days. During his prosperity, he was universally loved and honored ; and, j in his adversity, he retained the esteem of his fellow-citizens. ' Tlie mansion, after being vacated by Mr. Tjsacy, went into the posses- sion of Hon. Jonathan Jackson, his brotlier-in-law and ibrmer business- partner, who for several years occupied it with his family, and by his intellectual qualities and courtly manners, added to the great moral purity of his life, made it an attractive centre of the refined society of the period. It was the birth-place of his sons, of whom a contemporary writes, " Charles, counsellor at law, and judge of our Supreme Judicial Court ; James, physician, and professor at Ilarvai-d University; and Patrick Tracy, manufacturer and I'ailroad constructor, — have never been sur- passed in our country in their professions." I )nring the visit f)f Gen. Wash- L- ^' f^^ — ^ NEWBUKYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. 27 INGTON to Newburyport in 1789, Mr. Jackson loaned a part of his man- sion to the town authorities for his entertainment. Lafayette, as guest of the town, Talleyrand, Marquis De Ciiastellux, Bhissot De Warville, Louis Philippe, and, it is believed, other distinguished per- sons, partook at different times of its hospitalities. But the mutations incident to the affairs of men again brought a change in the ownership of this property ; and we find the house at a later period used as a hotel, kept by Jacob Coburn. As such, it became famous ; and j^jossibly some of the copperplate engravings of it may still be in existence. Soon afterwards, it went into the hands of James Prince, who was at one time collector of the jiort. The house, in conse- quence, has become better known to the present generation as the " Prince House." Mr. Prince was a gentleman of wealth and influence, who, by his frank manners and generous disposition, did much towards reviving the early splendor of the house. After the decease of Mr. Prince, it went through the various vicissitudes incident to being rented as a dwelling-house, until it finally has been purchased and occupied for its present use. i e^ te^ ^ 28 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. RECEIPTS. Amount received from Subscriptions, City Lyceum, Accumulation of Interest, Sale of Iron Fence, &c., Rent, Returned Premium on In surance. 118,375 00 1,898 78 754 70 440 05 60 00 30 64 EXPENDITURES. Purchase of House and Land, Improvements, Deposited in Savings Bank, Cash on hand, $21,568 26 16,000 00 10,314 96 5,000 00 1^21,314 96 253 30 $21,568 26 While the subject of a formal dedication of the new building wiis in contemplation, the authors of the following eftusions were invited to contribute some poetic tribute for the occasion ; which they kindly consented to do. The spirit of each breathes such warm interest in the enterprise, that, aside from their intrinsic merits, they are justly entitled to pres- ervation in this connection. fe^^ -©^ c^) f^ es^ ) \) NEWBUEYPOET PUDLIC-LIBEAEY BUILDING. 29 ODE. BY REV. GEORGE 1). WILDES. Gather them here around, — The guests of thought, the friendships of tlie minuryi)ort parfiitn.go, and nf Scuttish (Icsccnf,. I . >^ 32 NEWBvmroRr fublic-library building. Gio him a niclie amang tlie great Antl classic o' your sages : My troth, ye never need be blate When turnin' o'er liis pages! To him who wrote o' " Walhice wiglit," But nameless left his verses, Ye'll surely gie a welcome right To store what he rehearses, Wi' gentle Ramsay's jiastoral sweet, And Tannahill's winsome singing, And Motherwell's strain that gars ye greet, Its mournfu' music bringing. An alcove for the Minstrel's lays, And tales o' wondrous beauty. Where wild Romance her witcheries plays, And Honor walks wi' Duty. A })laintive tone froni Katrine comes, And tln-ough the mountain-passes A solemn sound like muffled drums, Or midnight-chanted masses. Lo ! Roderick bold beside the grave Where sleeps the Avizard sweetly ; And, sword in hand, Fitz-James the bra\ e ; And Ellen tripping featly. And Flodden's heroes, sweeping by, Here pause wi' dr()(>j)ing bajniers; While Rose and Flora lins^er niuh. Wi' lords o' many manors. d£^ ---^Q3 o fe^ 1^ NEWRURYPORT PUBLKJ-LIUUARY BUILDING. 38 O Robie Burns! sae tender- true, Sae leal, sae manly-hearted! Auld Scotia lang and sair iiiann rue Thy liarp o' liarps departed. Yc'll hae his carols on your shelves ; And there at morn and gloamin', Wi' dainty dance, the merrie elves Will in and out be roamin'. Wi' droutliie Tarn ye'll tak a ride Past Alloway's ghaistly shadow ; Or "pu' the gowans fine" that hide In hazel-co])se and meadow ; Or roam by Clyde's or Lugar's stream, By Lomond's frowning ridges, Or where Ayr's siller waters gleain Beneath the neebor bridges. Your Scottish alcove thus to fill, My humble plea I offer: It will na, sure, o'ertax your skill, Nor much dejilete your cofTer. -^^^ -e^a?^- lIISTORrCAI. SKETC'II OV TIIK NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Newbnryport Puljlic Library, although assum- ing but uiodcst proportions, and having had only a few years' existence, has still, as we may hope, suffi- ciently won the confidence of the community to jus- tify the expectation that it hereafter is to be cher- ished as an institution of substantial public useful- ness. A sketch of its history, therefore, w^ill not be void of interest. It was founded in September, A.D. 1854, by the Hon. JosiAH Little, who gave to the city the liber.il sum of five thousand dollars for the object. Hon. Charles Jackson and Col. Samuel Swett, of Boston, added large donations in books and money. The terms of the donation were as follows : — " Wc the subscribors agree to furnish the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Newbnryport witli the books, or sums of money, affixed to our nam(!s, to form a Public Library for the use of the inhabitants of said city, to be "^^^:i ft 1 NEWnUh'YI'OKT PUBLKJ-LIBliARY BUILDING. 85 managed Ijy said Mayor and Aldermen, and their successors in office, as trustees ; and also for the use of the inhal)it- ants of the towns of Newbury and West Newbury, equally with those of said city, provided said towns pay tlieir pro- portion of the expenses of managing said Library compared with those incurred by said city for that purpose, said jjro- portion to be in the ratio of the respective appraisement of said city and towns in the State valuation ; and also that said towns pay one per cent jointly per annum on the cost of the ajjartments or building employed for said Library ; the General Regulations of said Lil)rary to be adoi)ted by the City Government of Newburyport." On the 18th of September, 1854, the Mayor laid before the City Council the aljove communication, which was referred to the Joint Committee on Public Instruction. The Committee on Public Instruction reported, on the 2d of October, as follows : — That we recommend the acceptance of the proposition, as made in the communication of the Hon. Josiah Little, Hon. Charles Jackson, and Col. Samuel Swett ; and also that Ward Room No. 4 be appropriated for the Library, and that the room be prepared for that purpose. A committee was appointed to prepare Rules and Regulations for the government of the Library. On the 20tli of November, the Mayor presented the Report of the Joint SjDccial Committee appoint- ed by the City Council to prepare Rules and Regu- lations for the fiibrary ; which was accepted, vvitli the ?. -^^ =g/e- - -€v^ 36 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. Rules and Regulations ;. and the following order was adopted : — Ordered (the Common Council concurring), That a Pub- lic Library is hereby established, to bo called the Public Library of the city of Nevvburyport, founded by the Hon. JosiAH Little. Ah ordinance was also passed by the City Coun- cil, defining the various duties of the trustees in relation to the care and control of the Public Li- brary. A committee, consisting of the Hon. Moses Daven- port, Rev. L. WiTiiiNGTON, Rev. L. F. Dimmick, Rev. D. T. FiSKE, and Nathaniel Hills, Esq., was appointed by the founder for the purpose of selecting and pur- chasing the books for the Library. The books having been purchased, and prepared for the shelves, on the 5th of September, 1855, the Library was opened for public use ; and the occasion was made interesting by an appropriate address, delivered by the Rev. D. T. Fiske, D.D. It being deemed advisable, after consulting the founder, to delegate the immediate charge and con- trol of the Library to a body of citizens less con- nected with the aflairs of the city, the City Council, on the 17th of Deceinl)er, passed an ordinance, enti- tled " An Ordinance concerning the Public Library," which provided for the election of a Board of Direct- ors, to whom should 1)0 deleirated the care nnd ^&" 1 J '■r^ ^Ml t NEWBURYPORT PUBLlCrLIBRARY BUILDINd. 37 superintendence of the Library. On the 27th of January, 1856, the Board was duly constituted in the manner prescribed in the fifth section of the ordinance ; and, on the 7th of February following, the first meeting was held at the Mayor and Alder- men's room, when the Board was duly organized ; and the members thereof, who were chosen by the concurrent vote of the City Council, were, agreeably to the second section of the ordinance, divided by lot into two classes, — those of the first cla.ss to serve until January, 1857; and those of the second class to serve until January, 1858. This ordinance was repealed in August, 18G3, to give place to another which went into effect at that time, and under which the affairs of the Library are at present administered (see Appendix). In March, 1857, by the decease of the late Ma- THiAS Plant Sawyer, Esq., of Boston, the city received the sum of five thousand dollars through a bequest made by that gentleman, the terms of which were, — " I give to the city of Newburyport the sum of five thou- sand dollars, in trust, to hold the same, and invest and re- invest the same in such public stocks as the government of said city for the time being may think best; and to pay over the income thereof, as often as once in each year, to the persons having the control and charge of the Public Library in said city, to be by them invested in the purchase of books." Mr. Sawver was a gentleman of refined tastes, and Jp^ ^^^ 38 NEWBURYPORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. took this method thus gratefully to remember his native place. By means of the Sawyer Fund, the Library has been enabled to purchase a moderate supply of new works each year ; and, as this bequest has been its only source of income, the service it thus has rendered may be regarded as of the utmost consequence. In the fall of 1865, the Library was removed to the new hall on State Street. The books were there arranged and classified in alcoves, in accordance with the arrangement of the room. The classification was divided under eight general heads ; viz.. History, Biography, Fiction, Travels, Morals and Politics, Sci- ence, Belles-Lettres, and Religion. On the first day of January, 1866, the Library was re-opened to the public, under such favorable auspi- ces as, it is hoped, will secure for it a long career of public usefulness. It only needs that those, who, cher- ishing a love of literature themselves, desire also that a similar taste may be more widely disseminated, and more abundant facilities supplied for its gratification, should take a deeper interest in the welfare of this institution, and, by judiciously presenting its appeal for support to men of wealth and generous pur- poses on whom our community has some claim, enable the Library thereby to obtain the means for it ' to accomplish more efficiently its beneficent design. Its present income is by far too limited to meet the wants of the community. In consequence of the in- I NKWHVUYPOUT PUHLIC-LIBn ARY liUILDING. 39 creased cost of books, the fund affords only a very moderate supply of the new publications, leaving entirely out of sight the necessity of substitnting new ones in place of those that from time to time wear out and are discarded from the shelves. Such a fund is needed as will be adequate to procure all the useful publications as they issue from the press, and also to purchase duplicate copies of many of the more popular works, as well as to provide a new supply for those that wear out. To obtain this much-needed increase, we must depend upon the williui'- hearts of those who have been blessed with a large share of this world's goods, and who can enjoy the luxury of doing a good action. Of the persons named in connection with the establishment of the Library, Col. Samuel Swett'^' is the only survivor ; and he, by his continued active interest in its welfare and progress, has contributed much towards its success. At the time that the munificent gift for the establishment of the Li- brary was made, and before the fact had become publicly know^n, Col. Swett was making strenuous ex- ertions among tlie friends and natives of our city in Boston for the accomplishment of the same object ; tendering for the purpose his own large and choice collection of books, which he afterwards forwarded * It is with reeiiiif!;s ot sorrow tluit we U'uni, while these sheets arc ]);issiiiti- through tlie press, of the decease oC Va\\. Swirr'i', wlio ijled at lils i-esiilence in Boston in tlie eiglitv-fif'th year of iiis age. ^^ -^^B£^ 40 NEWBURY PORT PUBLIC-LIBRARY BUILDING. as a donation to the Library. Having passed here the days of his youth and early manhood, he now, in his advanced years, turns his ripened affection to the phice of his nativity, where the ashes of a loved and highly-honored parent repose. Commending anew the interests of the Library to this community, and to its friends elsewhere, the hope is confidently expressed, that the favor which it has received heretofore is but an earnest of that which is to come. cy^ APPENDIX. The followino' ordinance now reojulates the man- ao-ement of the Library : — CITY OF NEWBURYFOKT. AN OKDIXAXCE CONCERNING THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. He it ordained hy tJte City Council of the city of Newhuryport as follotos : — Section 1. — The Mayor and Aldermen of the city of New- huryport sliall be Trustees of the Public Library of said city; and, as such, shall have and exercise a general supervision over its aftairs. Sect. "2. — Innnediately after tlie passage of this ordinance, the Directors of the Public Liln-ary, excepting those only who are directors ex officio, shall be divided by lot into seven classes of one each : the first class shall serve until January, 1864 ; and, of the remaining classes, the term of one class shall expire in January of each subsequent year ; and no one shall be re- elected within one year after the expiration of his term of office. And hereafter, in the month of January, annually, there shall be elected by the concurrent vote of the City Council, voting by ballot, one legal voter of the city, who, together with the six remaining in office, and the Mayor, and President of the Common Council, ex officio, shall constitute a Board of Direct- ors of the Public Library. The director elected in January, annually, shall hold his office for seven years. Such