History of Amesbury - Merrill.org

282 HISTORY OF AMESBURY.
The vote on the adoption of the Form of Government stood
twenty-one yeas to nineteen nays. So it seems that Amesbury
people were not much pleased with the new government,
especially the third article of Rights, which allowed "every
denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves peaceably,
and as good subjects of the Commonwealth protection under
the law." Although for nearly a century the town had been
obliged to tolerate other denominations, yet it was never allowed
willingly or deemed necessary for the public good. This newmove
was hardly in accordance with public feeling.
June 12th. A town meeting was held to take measures to
raise the men called for as soldiers for the army. The com-
mittee of safety and the selectmen were authorized to hire the
men, and the meeting was adjourned for one week.
At the adjourned meeting a committee was appointed to hire
all the men called for during the year.
July 24th. A meeting was held to raise money for town
expenses.
"Voted to raise the sum of forty eight thousand four hund-
red pounds by a tax on the polls and estates for the use of
the town." This large sum really amounted to but little, owing
to the depreciation of the paper money.
Sept. 4th. At the state election to-day only twenty-one votes
were cast for governor, of which number John Hancock, Esq.,
had fifteen.
The General Court called upon the town for ten thousand
three hundred and seventy pounds of beef forthwith.
Oct. 10th. A meeting was called to see how the beef should
be procured and to choose a representative under the new
government.
At this meeting Ezra Jewell and Seth Kendrick were chosen
to procure the beef "as cheap as they can." Mr. Kendrick
was a butcher at the Landing.
"At the same meeting voted to raise ^16,000 to buy the
said beef and also voted to make the rate by the old tenor."
Col. Jonathan Bagley was chosen representative.
Dec. 28th. A town meeting was held at the Sandy Hill