as it now stands, in the affirmative 115-in the negative 124. When the question was decided by the Convention, Mr. Symmes, one of the Delegates from the town, voted in favour of its adoption.

The disagreement on this subject was the occasion of a lasting division in the town. Those in favour of the Constitution were called federalists, and those opposed to it were denominated antifederalists. Under these or other similar names, the town has been divided in politics and in almost all their proceedings, till within a few years these party names and feelings have become nearly extinct.

1794, Sept. Voted, that John Farnum Esq. and Capt. Moses Abbot, surveyors, take an accurate plan of the town, to carry into effect a resolve of the General Court of June last.

1796, May 2. The first record of the election of Representative on the town book, at which time Joshua Holt Esq. was chosen.

A memorial to the Honorable House of Representatives of the United States, "earnestly requesting that provision may be made for the complete fulfilment of the treaty" with Great Britain was approved in town meeting, and voted to be forwarded by the town clerk when signed, to Hon. Theophilus Bradbury, or some other Representative from this Commonwealth, to be presented;-231 votes for it, and 9 against it.

1797, May 8. Voted to recommend to the inhabitants of the town to form themselves into voluntary associations for the purpose of detecting thefts that may be committed in the town.

Voted, that any person who shall detect a thief that shall steal any of the town's property, or the property of any individual of the town, provided the thief shall be prosecuted to conviction, shall receive a reward, to be paid

out of the town treasury, of the sum of ten dollars, provided the property thus stolen shall amount to that value; and when the property stolen shall not amount to ten dollars, the reward shall be equal to the one half of the goods stolen.

Voted, That the selectmen be specially requested to carry into full and prompt execution the laws against disorderly and intemperate persons; and the laws which respect the selling of spirituous liquors.

1798, May 14. Voted the Hon. Samuel Phillips, Mr. Moody Bridges, Doct. Thomas Kittredge, Joshua Holt Esq. Doct. George Osgood a Committee to prepare an address to the President of the United States.---After a short adjournment the Committee made the following Report;

viz.

"To the President of the United States,

"Sir, We, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Andover, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, beg leave to join the multitude of our fellow citizens in presenting you our warmest gratitude, for that wisdom, vigilance, integrity, and patriotism, which have marked your administration; and in particular, for your persevering solicitude to preserve to these States the blessings of peace and neutrality, upon such terms as would consist with the preservation of our essential rights and interests.

"Although repeated attempts to accommodate subsisting differences with the French Republic have not produced the effect which might have been reasonably expected, they may prove essential means of our political salvation, by unfolding the designs and enormous demands of that government, which we have been unwilling to conclude our enemy. This disclosure must produce universal conviction, that no hope of safety is left for us without our own united, virtuous exertion.

"We therefore again thank you, Sir, for your solemn and repeated calls on the proper departments to make the most speedy and effectual provision against the worst events; for your firm resolution that you will never surrender the independence or essential interests of the country;—and for summoning the people to unite with you in supplicating the direction and blessing of that Almighty Being, under whose patronage, if not criminal ourselves, we have nothing to fear from any power on earth.-In the same resolution, we hold it to be our duty, with that of every American, cordially to concur.

66

Every attempt to detach us from our Government, which is the work of our own hands, and from whence we have already derived blessings far surpassing the highest expectations of its warmest admirers,--we repel with indignation.

"To abandon such a Government, and the invaluable privileges civil and religious enjoyed under it, from any considerations whatever, would be acting a part unworthy the descendants of our renowned ancestors, bring indelible infamy on ourselves,—be an act of treachery to our posterity, and betray the basest ingratitude to, and distrust of that Supreme Being, who gave us these blessings.

With an humble reliance therefore on this Being, whom we do, and ever will acknowledge, as the Arbiter of nations; and confiding in the wisdom, patriotism and firmness of the constituted authorities of our country, we are determined, at every hazard, to support those measures which they shall prescribe for the defence of these blessings."

At a legal and very full meeting of the freeholders and other qualified voters of the town of Andover, specially warned for the purpose, and holden on Monday the 14th of May, 1798-Voted unanimously, that the foregoing address be accepted and forwarded by the town clerk to the Rep

resentative of this district in Congress, to be by him

ted to the President of the United States.

presen

The answer of the President of the United States to the address of the town of Andover.

"To the Freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Andover, in the state of Massachusetts—

"Gentlemen,-Your address unanimously adopted at a legal and very fuil meeting, has been presented to me by your Representative in Congress, Mr. Bartlett, and received with great pleasure. When you acknowledge in my administration, wisdom, vigilance, integrity, patriotism, and persevering solicitude to preserve to these States, the blessings of peace and neutrality, upon such terms as would consist with the preservation of our essential rights and interests, you command my sincere gratitude.

"The unfriendly designs and unreasonable demands of that Government, whom we have been unwilling to conclude our enemy, have been long suspected by many, upon very probable grounds; but never so clearly avowed and demonstrated as of late. May the discovery prove the essential means of our political salvation. The conviction appears now to be nearly universal, that no hope of safety is left for us, without our own virtuous exertions.

"The indignation with which you repel every attempt to detach you from that government, which is the work of your own hands, and from whence you have derived blessings far surpassing the highest expectations of its warmest admirers; and in short, all the sentiments of this excellent address, do you great honour.

Philadelphia, May 25, 1798.

JOHN ADAMS."

CHAP. V.

ECCLESIASTICAL AND PAROCHIAL

AFFAIRS.

THE town made early provisions for the stated and regular worship of God, and for moral and religious instruction on the Sabbath. Mr. Woodbridge was an inhabitant a short time after the settlement was begun, if he did not go there with the first adventurers. "1664 September 19, two churches," says Hubbard, "were appointed to be gathered, the one at Haverhill, the other at Andover, both on Merrimack river. They had given notice thereof to the magistrates and ministers of the neighbouring churches, as the manner is with them in New England. The meeting of the assembly was to be at that time at Rowley; the forementioned plantations, being but newly erected, were not capable to entertain them that were likely to be gathered together on that occasion. But when they were assembled, most of those who were to join together in church fellowship, at that time, refused to make confession of their faith and repentance, because, as was said, they declared it openly before in other churches, upon their admission into them. Whereupon the messengers of the churches not being satisfied, the assembly brake up, before they had accomplished what they intended." In this transaction, it may be seen, how highly they valued their christian liberty, and how apprehensive they were of the least encroachment, or imposition.

"In 24 October 1645, Messengers of churches met to