The Boston magazine

The great frefhet on Tuesday laft, carried away part of the great bridge in Watertown.

It is univerfally agreed, that the late heavy rains and unfettled weather have rendered the roads fo exceedingly bad, that a like inftance cannot be noticed by the oldeft perfon living.

In the fnow form on Friday laft, two fishing boats, belonging to this town, were loft and 'tis reported three perfons perished.

On Wednesday the 21ft of Jan. uary the General Court or Affembly of this Commonwealth, met according to adjournment, at the State Houfe in this town.

A sketch of the proceedings at the prefent Seffion of the Legiflature, we conceive will not be disagreeable to our readers: for, although it is impoffible for us to foretel, what will be the final refult of many measures that are now before them; yet the variety of bufinefs which it is probable will be tranfa&ted, and the importance of its object in many inftances we think muft render it in fome degree amufing and inftru&tive. Certain it is, the period at which this Seffion opened, was a period of great expectation. The Definitive Treaty was to arrive, and the conjectures of fpeculative men were about to be finished, by an actual decifion upon the recommendatory articles of peace. Provifion

too was to be made for the improving of fuch advantages and the remedying of fuch evils as might arife either from the Treaty, or from the fubfequent measures adopted by the negofiating powers.

The reftrictions laid upon Amert. can trade in the British Weft-Indies were not unattended to, and early in the feffion a committee of both Houfes was appointed to confider of fuitable measures for removing this difficulty. The refult, no doubt, will be either positive reftrictions of a fimilar nature Apon British trade in this State, or a tender of powers to Congrefs for that ¡urpose.

The interefting point, to which the Attention of all ranks of men appear to be turned, is the Articles of the Creaty Aipulating that Congrefs

fhould recomend the return of the Refugees. Although nothing decifive has yet been done relative to this momentous affair, the opinion of the lower Houfe feems to have been anticipated on the fubject by an accidental circumftance. Mr. Archibald McNeill a profcribed perfon, returned to Bofton at this juncture. A complaint was entered against him before two Juftices, who for special reafons adjourned their court feve. ral times. Some members ftruck with what appeared to them to be an evafion of the law, which pointed out a moft fummary mode of proceeding against the objects of it, moved and carried their motion, for a committee to examine into the conduct of Juftices of the Peace, relative to their executing the laws provided

against the return of the absentees This committee was fucceeded by another, who drew up articles of im peachment against the Juftices: and the Houfe began feriously to turn their attention to fuch evidence, as might warrant them in laying thefe articles before the fenate. This proceedure afforded time for the law to operate upon Mr. McNeil, who was immediately tranfported out of the ftate, and upon the Juftices producing an exemplification of their record before the Houfe, agreably to directions for that purpose, the whole matter was ordered to fubfide; not however as many people fuppofed, before the majority of the House had evidenced a difpofition by no means prož pitious to the interefts of the refugees.

This fcrutiny did not ftop with the examination of officers without doors. In the laft Seffion a committee was appointed to correfpond with the. delegates at Congrefs; and it was fuggefted that letters had been received, by them relative to the long contefted grant of an' Impoft tothat body, which were never communicated to the House. Having been made into this matter by a committee, it was found neceffary for a member who was privy to the receipt of the letters, to give his reafons in writing for not making this circumftance known. Thefe reafons were voted unfatisfactory, though the' X

An enquiry

House

Houfe thought fit to take no further teps in the matter. In the heat of this debate a question arose, whether Collectors of Excife were eligible to a feat in the Legiflature and it was

finally determined, that they came within the terms of " Officers of the Cuftoms" and fo were excluded from The Houfe by the Conflitution. This decifiou deprived two members of their places; and fo far was this prin cipal of fern republicanifm carried, that it was hinted from feveral quarrers, that by ftri& constitutional rules, Juftices of the Peace had no right to make the Laws they themselves were afterwards to execute. But a question, which, if determined against the fitting Juftices, poffibly might have left the Houfe without a quorum, was not prefied to a final decifion.

Much time has been spent in passing the Bills reported by a Committee, Jong fince appointed to revife the fanding Laws of the Commonwealth. Of this bufinefs an idea may be formed from a lift of A&s which will be published; we only obferve at prefent, that the moft material alteration that has been agreed upon by the two Houfes, is extending the jurifdition of Juftices of the Peace to actions, where the judgment for debt or damages may amount to the fum of four pounds.

The granting of taxes has been ufually confidered as a fubject of great importance, and attended with much debate in all countries. We cannot, therefore expect, nor ought we to with, fuch measures to be silently affented to, in our own. After feveral debates upon an estimate 'of the neceffary expences of government the prefent year, the lower Houfe finally voted the fum of £39,000 for the fupport of the civil lift, and 91,000 for difcharging the public. fecurities given to the officers and Soldiers of the army, which became due in January laft, with 90,000 more for paying the intereft on governmental confolidated. fecurities for the prefent year,amountting in the whole to 220,000.

A committee on ways and means to raife the aforegoing fum, reported an excife upon the foilowing articles, deeds registered in the county records,

appeals from the judgment of any court, papers taken out of the Secrétary's office, for the benefit of private perf ons, cyder and dogs. In addition to this, they computed 50,000l on the ftate impoft and excife already laid, and they also reported a dry tax of of 100,000. Of all thefe articles, that alone, relating to papers taken out of the Secretary's office, was accepted, and the report was again committed for the purpofe of devifing ways and means, more agreeable to the minds of the Houfe. In this ftage we fhall leave it with the other affairs of the Légiflature for the prefent month.

February 17. This being the third Tuesday of the month, the day appointed by law, for the fitting of the fupreme judicial court of the Commonwealth, for the county of Suffolk, the Honourable the Judges arrayed in their scarlet robes, the Attorney-General and other Barrifters at Law, in their proper habits, walked in proceffion from State Street, preceeded by their Prothonotary, and the High Sheriff, with his officers and fervahts, to the County Court House. There was a large concourse of refpectable citizens collected on the occafion, who fhewed much pleafure in this additional proof of confirmed peace, liberty and law. The court being opened in form, the grand jury were impannelled, to whom Mr. Chief Juftice Cushing gave a learned and animated charge. The Rev. Mr. Howard then at the request of the court, made an excellent prayer, well adapted to the, occafion. After which the following gentlemen, pra&ifing attornies, were, by fpecial, writ called to the bar, to take upon them the character, degree, and dignity of a Barrister at Law,viz Caleb Strong, Efq; of Northampton, Theodore Sedgwick, Efq; of Sheffield, John Sprague, Efq; of Lancafter, Wil Jiam Tudor, Benjamin Hitchborn and Perez Morton, Efq'rs. of Boften, William Wetmore, Efq; of Salem, and Levi Lincoln, Efq; of Worcester. To whom the Chief Juftice gave the following charge:

THE Court have thought fit to Theophilus Parfons, Efq; of New bury Port, being by ficknefs hindred from attending, had day given him to appear at a future term, to take the degree of a Barrifter.

pall ́each of you gentlemen, to the Bar, by fpecial writ, to take upon you the character, dignity and degree of a Barrister at Law. The qualifications neceffary for which, are a competent degree of knowledge and learning in general; particular fkill and experience in the honorable profeffion, to which you have devoted yourselves; clofe induftry and application to ftudy, by which knowledge is acquired and increafed; joined with that firm probity, that inflexible integrity of mind, producing rectitude of conduct, and fairness of practice, by which those talents are directed to the most useful purpofes, and without which the greaten abilities may be but the occafion of the greatest mi chief to mankind: Thefe qualifcations united,' muft form the ufeful member of focięty, and be fubfervient to the great and good purposes of promoting public and private justice, of preferving the freedom and advancing the general welfare and happiness of the people. Tis a perfuafion of your being poffeffed of thefe qualifi cations, that has induced the court to call you to this honor. There is a wide field open for the exertion and difplay of the greatest humin powers and abilities The union of the States is in its infancy, and ought to be firmly cemented on the principles of equality and juftice. Our conftitution is new, and wants the vigour and fupport of its framers and their conftituents. Our fyftem of laws is imperfect and needs the skilful finishing hand of the lawyer. There ever will be parties, more or less, even in the best conBruted gove,nment, and fome to foment them; while the wifdom of the faresmen and the patriot, moderates, Conciliates and refrains, or directs all to the public good. There are the weighty affairs to be tranfacted for fetting public credit upon a fure and permanent foundation; a point most effential to our fecurity and happiness. As, from your character and fituati on in life, you may expect to be called to take part in carrying into effect thefe great public defigns, of which you readily comprehend, and feel the Importance; permit me to remind you, that the love of our country will ever, under all circumftances and upon all occafions, guide and direct

I THEREFORE NOW, in the name of theCourt, folemnly CHARGE YOU,foto conduct yourselves, and fo improve the talents and abilities, both natural and acquired, with which you are bleifed, as to be of fingular service to your country, by ever defending its conft tutional freedom; by ftrengthening, as opportunity calls you, that union of the ftates, which has been the groundwork of the prefent revolution, and muft continue the basis of our liberty, so long as liberty shall endure; and in your general conduct and behavionr, as well as in your pirticular profeffion, fo to demean yourfelves, as to continue and increase. the reputation you have already ac quired, and thereby do fignal honour. to the court and to the bar.

An Obituary for the Month of Feb.

DIED.

February 1. At Northfield, Mrs. Hannah Whitney, confort of Aaron Whitney, Efq; member of the General Court for that town, and daughterof the late Rev. Mr. Stearns of Lu nenburgh, aged 36.

5. At Cambridge, Mifs Elizabeth Cooke, daughter of the late Rev. Samuel Cooke.

5. At Marblehead, Mrs. Ruth Mansfield, confort of Ifaac Mansfield Efq; Register of the maritime court, aged 64.

7. At Bofton, very fuddenly, Mrs. Hannah Shaw, confort of Mr. Wil hamShaw, of Gouldsboro', and eldest daughter of Edward Proctor, Efq; of this town, aged 26.

9. Mrs. Mary Yorke, widow of the late Dr. Yorke, of this town, aged 75.

9. At Cambridge, Rev. Door Nathanael Appleton, fenior paftor of the first church in that town, in the gift year of his age, and 67th of his miniftry.

12. At Salem, Mrs. Elizabeth Bar ton, widow of Samuel Barton, El;; late of that town, aged 83.

11. At Bofton, Mrs. Elizabeth Render, aged 97.

13. At Marblehead, Mr. John Pearce,in the 97th year of his age,having fuflained the office of a deacon in the fecond congregational church in that town, 42 years. Of 17 Cons and daughters, with which Providence had bleffed him fix were twin childien: The first two arrived at an age to bear the last twins to the temple, for a folemn dedication by their mu tual parent, who, with the then paftor of that church, ranked under the fame defcription: Thefe, with other c.rcomflances concurring, gave rife to the following anecdote. "Twins carried out twins, a twin held up twins, and a twin baptized them. On the hift day of the week, on the first day of the month, and on the first day of the year."

13. In the fame town, lately, Mr. Henry Webber, aged 86.

Mrs. Diman, aged 82.
Lately, at Northampton in New-
Hampshire, Rev. Henry Alline of
Falmouth, in Nova-Scotia.

At Newbury Port, Mrs. Dorothy Carnes, widow of the late Col. John Carnes of this town, aged 84.

16. At Danvers, Mrs. Ruth Goodale. She went to bed as well as ufual and in the morning was found dead by her husband, Mr. AbrahamGoodale, in her 70th year.

22. At Bofton, Mrs. LucyCufhing, the amiable confort of Thomas Cufhing, jun. Efq; and daughter of the late Mr. William Whitwell, aged 26.

24. Very fuddenly, Mifs Nancy Amory, third daughter of Mr. Thomas Amory, aged 14.

25. Mifs Polly Henderfon, eldest daughter of Joseph Henderson, Efq; aged 20.

Buried in the town of Bofton, in February, 39 Whites, 4 Blacks. In all 43. Baptized 34.

Buried the town of Saren, in the month of January, 15. Baptized 11. Buried in Marblehead, in the year 1783, 40 adults, 76 children, 3 blacks. In all 1.9. Baptiz-1 182.

Meteorological Obfervations, February, 1784.

D. Barometer. Thermometer 30.00 29.99 29.99||20,5 25 28,5 W.

Wind.

2 29.90 79 5930 33,541

S. E.

S. 4.

78 47 140