Having completed the second volume of the Boston News-Letter and City Record, the publisher acknowledges his gratitude to those gentlemen who have kindly assisted him by their advice and communications. The object of this work, has been to recover the fast decaying memoirs of former times, in connection with occurring circumstances, of historical value. It is believed these pages will transmit to posterity, many important local facts and documents, in illustration of the history of Boston and the early history of our country, which otherwise, might have been irrecoverably lost-or at least have remained in that obscurity from which they were drawn for these pages. Although obliged to suspend the regular publication for an indefinite period, on account of a limited patronage, we shall not forget the habit of PRESERVING materials that may serve for future volumes. The changes which are continually taking place in Boston, are such, that old land marks will soon be obliterated, and our old men will be buried with their fathers. We have here collected their observations and opinions, and interwoven them with the history of their birth-place, distinguished for its enterprise, patriotism and wisdom. BOSTON, Dec. 30, 1826. 1, 1826; on which occasion the scriptures were read by Rev Mr Wisner, and prayers offered by Rev Sereno E. Dwight of Park-street Church. Sermon by Rev Professor Stuart of Andover, from Mat. 18. 20. The sermon has since been published. The construction of this edifice is somewhat peculiar for this country. The body of the house is 71 by 70 feet on the ground, having a tower 28 feet square, projecting 16 feet in front of the main walls. The church rests upon a basement, about 12 feet high. The whole height of the main wall, is about 40 feet, that of the tower, 65 feet. The walls are entirely of undressed granite-those of the tower, buttresses and basement in front, having stones of uniform width and regular joints; the others of irregular and promiscuous form and dimensions. The general and prevailing style of the entire building externally, is of the primitive Gothic. The interior of the basement story is finished with a vestry or conferenceroom about 40 by 38 feet, a room for the Secretary of the American Board, another for the Treasurer, a third for the use of the Prudential Committee, and two others for the storage of missionary articles; and also one other large room for other purposes. The floor of the house is an inclined plane, making 18 inches slope, with middle and side aisles, and 122 pews. The pulpit is partly in an alcove, and projects about three feet in front of the lateral wall. It is of a neat and simple construction, having a stair case in the rear descending to the vestry below, and two flights of stairs in front. A damask cushion and other trimmings, with elegant lamps, constitute its furniture above; while an ample curtain, permanently fixed, decorates the alcove. The Galleries, containing 44 pews and seats for singers, are built without columns-having the breast-work so constructed in the framing, as to require no such support. Both these and the pulpit are uncommonly low; which, by bringing the audience more directly before the minister, afaffords real convenience to himself, and also to them. A single range of tall Gothic windows, extending from the top of the lower pews to within a foot and a half of the ceiling above the Galleries, supplies the house with light. A new and elegant clock has been presented by Rev Dr Codman, of Dorchester, and placed in the interior of the house. The Rev Dr Payson, of Portland, was first invited to become Pastor over this Church, but he did not accept the invitation. The society then invited Rev Dr Beecher, of Litchfield,. Con. who accepted, and was installed as their Pastor, on Wednesday 22d March. The Introductory Prayer was by Rev Dr Codman; Sermon by Rev Dr Humphrey, President of Amherst College; Installing Prayer by Rev Dr Payson; Charge by Rev Dr Holmes of Cambridge; Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev Mr Wisner; Address to the Church by Rev Mr Edwards, of Andover; Concluding Prayer by Rev Dr Jenks, of Boston. The sale of pews took place on Monday, 29th March. The whole number were valued in the aggregate at $36,000. Eighty-two Pews were sold, at an aggregate of $23, 674, including $1279 over and above the valuation thereon, being the amount paid for the privilege of choice. The highest premium bid was 105, upon a pew valued at $450. No valuation was higher than this, and none lower than $40. Of the remaining 80 pews, valued at $13, 605, several have since been applied for and purchased at the rate of valuation. Adding to the $36,000 above mentioned, $6000 the appraisals of the Basement Rooms and a piece of land in the rear, it gives a total value of $42,000-which coincides with the actual cost, viz. land $20,000; contracts for completing the building $19,000; architect and superintendence $1000; sundries, including interest, bell, &c. $20,000. Total $42,000. BOSTON ORATIONS. The occurrence of the great National Jubilee, which has this week been celebrated, renders it timely for us to give some account of the measures by which the event, which it commemorates, has been noticed in Boston. A series of political Orations has been annually delivered for 55 years. After the awful event of the 5th of March, 1770, "It was proposed to substitute the celebration of the Boston Massacre for that of the Gunpowder Plot. Accordingly when the evening arrived, in 1771, an address was delivered by Doctor Thomas Young to a collection of people at the Manufactory House.* At At the north part of the town, Mr Paul Revere (afterwards Col.) who lived in North-square, had his house illuminated, and at one window exhibited a representation of Snider's ghost, at another a view of the massacre, and at a third the Genius of America in tears. The whole exhibition was so well executed, that it produced a melancholy gloom and solemn silence. in several thousand spectators, which was deepened by the dismal sound of the bells tolling from nine to ten o'clock. These were the acts of private individuals, but they probably occasioned the resolution to commemorate the 5th of March in a public way. Mr. James Lovell was this year appointed and delivered the first of the Boston Orations' on the 2d of April, and provision was made for a similar celebration, by the timely appointment of Dr Joseph Warren for the orator of the next year.† After the establishment of peace, the Declaration of Independence be as a * This building stood where Hamilton place now does. It was selected for this occasion, because the first opposition to the soldiers had been made here in October, 1768. Mr Elisha Brown, having possession of the building tenant under the province, refused admission to the military. The Sheriff was sent by Gov. Bernard to take possession; and on a third attempt he found a window open, and entered by that: upon which, the people gathered about him and made him prisoner.-Hist. Bost. The anniversary was observed every year till 1783, inclusive. The orators in order were, Mr Lovell, Dr Warren, Dr Benjamin Church, John Hancock, Dr Warren, Rev Peter Thatcher (of Malden, at Watertown,1776,) Benjamin Hitchborn, Jonathan W. Austin, Wm. Tudor, Jonathan Mason Jr. Thomas Dawes Jr. Geo, R. Minot, Dr Thomas Welsh. The orations are published in a se parate volume. came an event of more importance to be noticed, and the town resolved to make the alteration, agreeably to the following report which we copy from the town records : "Whereas the annual celebration of the Boston Massacre, on the 5th of March, 1770, by the institution of a Public Ora tion has been found to be of eminent advantage to the cause of virtue and patriotism among her citizens; and whereas the im mediate motives which induced the coin memoration of that day, do now no longer exist in their primitive force; while the benefits resulting from the institution to, may and ought to be forever preserved, by exchanging that anniversary for ano her, the foundation of which will last as long as time endures It is therefore resolved that the celebration of the Fifth of March, from henceforwards shall cease, and that instead thereof, the Anniversary of the 4th day of July, A. D. 1776, (a day ever memorable in the Annals of this Country, for the Declaration of our Independence,) shall be constantly celebrated by the delivery of a Public Oration, in such place as the Town shall determine to be most convenient for the purpose, in which, the Orator shall consider the feelings, manners and principles, which led to this great national event, as well as the important and happy effects, whether general or domestic, which already have, and will forever continue to flow from this Auspicious Epoch.” FOURTH OF JULY ORATORS. 1783 John Warren, Boston. 89 Samuel Stillman, 6 F. D. Channing, (Not Printed. 7 Peter [0.] Thatcher, 8 Andrew Ritchie Jr. 9 William Tudor Jr. 10 Alexander Townsend, 11 James Savage, 12 Benja. Pollard, (Not Printed.) 13 Edward St. Loe Livermore, 14 Benjamin Whitwell, 15 Lemuel Shaw, 16 George Sullivan, 20 Theodore Lyman Jr. 24 Francis Bassett, 25 Charles Sprague, 26 Josiah Quincy. In this city, the day was ushered in by the firing of cannon and ringing of bells; and at an early period people arrived from all parts of the country to participate in the festivities of the day. The civic ceremonies commenced at 9 o'clock, by a procession, escorted by the Independent Fusiliers, from the new Market-House to the Central Universalist Church, where, after prayers, an Oration was delivered by DAVID LEE CHILd esq. At noon the EXECUTIVE of the State, met in the Senate Chamber to re GREEK YOUTH.-By the brig Ro-ceive and reciprocate congratulations mulus, from Smyrna, three Greek youth came passengers, to receive an English education in this country. Their names are Gregory Perdicari, Nicolus Prassas, and Nicolus Vlassopoulo. These young men are exceedingly intelligent and interesting, but neither of them can yet speak English. BOSTON, SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1826. OUR NATION'S JUBILEE. The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Independence of these United States, has been celebrated with unusual splendor in most parts of the country. And we may say truly, to use the language of a distinguished editor, that twelve millions of free born citizens retired from their private employments to mingle in the wide ocean of national felicity which rolled through our American land. The "loud speaking artillery" on a thousand hills proclaimed the joyful tidings, and the full echo of a thousand vallies sent it back again, that the glorious morn had broke-that the year of Jubilee had come-that a half century had elapsed since Liberty first raised her star-spangled banner on Columbia's shore, when the patriots of our revolution dared to proclaim to Great Britain and the whole world "that these United States are, and of right ought to be free and independent." on this joyful occasion. A State and Municipal procession was then formed agreeably to previous arrangements, and were escorted by the Independent Cadets to the Old South Meeting House, where, after prayer by the Chaplains of the Legislature, an Oration was pronounced by the Hon JOSIAH QUINCY. The procession again formed and returned to the Doric Hall of the State House, to partake of the Collation. At 3 o'clock the Republicans of this city dined at FANEUIL HALL, the cradle of Liberty, with their guests, suit, His Honor the Lt. Governor His Excellency the Governor and suit, His Honor the Lt. Governor and Members of the Honorable Coun cil, the Mayor and Aldermen, the Hon Messrs. Lloyd and Webster, and others who had received an invitation. Death of John Adams. At Quincy, about 6 o'clock, P. M. on the 4th of July, 1826, the distinguished Patriot of the Revolution, and second President of the United States, John Adams, departed this life, in the XCI year of his age, after serving his country more than sixty years, with distinguished ability, industry, integrity and honor. This event, though to us a melancholy one, will call forth the eloquence of the ablest historians of the nation, and forever render the 50th anniversary of the 4th of July, 1776, memorable. The bells of the churches in this city were |