History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

HISTORY OF AMESBURY. 251
son, Moses Chase and Enoch Bagley were chosen "to see that
the regulating prices are kept."
At the same meeting Deacon Orlando Sargent, Peleg Challis
and Capt. John Currier were chosen a committee to see if there
is a convenient place on the highway below Charles Weed's
shop, against the land of Peleg Challis, for Charles Weed to
set a house on, and make report at the next meeting.
Oct. 13th. More men having been called for, the meeting
held this day chose William Williams and Capt. William Bayley
to procure the men.
Lieut. George Worthen and Ezra Worthen attended the con-
vention at Concord to regulate the prices this year.
Jacob Merrill and Mr. Robinson were school-masters.
1780.
Ezra Jewell was chosen constable this year and allowed six
pence on the pound for collecting.
The committee of safety was still continued, and consisted of
Ezra Jewell, David Blaisdell, Enoch Rogers, Stephen Kelley and
Robert Rogers. This committee have had large powers during
the war and, no doubt, rendered valuable service to the town.
The depreciation of paper money is well shown by the fol-
lowing vote: "Voted Enoch Rogers nine pounds, ten shillings
a week for keeping Widow Hookley."
May 4th. A meeting was called to consider the new Form
of Government and the following vote was passed : " Voted to
choose a committee to peruse the form of Gover c for amend-
ment and report at the adjournment of this meeting." Five
persons were chosen for the purpose, viz. : Col.
Jonathan
Bagley, Simeon Bartlett, Christopher Sargent, Timothy Barnard
and Willis Patten. This was an able orthodox committee, and
it is pretty certain that no part of the Form of Government
escaped a critical examination.
May 2 2d. We find no report of the foregoing committee,
but the matter was referred to an adjournment of this meeting
to be held on the 29th instant. At the adjournment, the third
article of the Bill of Rights was rejected by thirteen yeas to four-
teen nays. The remainder was approved by eight yeas to two
nays. 36