In 1798, Mr. Packard requested the town to make up the depreciations which had taken place in his salary since his settlement. This request, when it came before the town, was dismissed without much discussion and without even referring it to a com mittee to consider and report thereon. At a subsequent town meeting in Dec. 1798,it was voted to add 201.to Mr.Packard's salary yearly,for six years; but at the next meeting in March 1799, it was voted to reconsider the grant of 201.; which therefore was not assessed, until it was found to be recoverable by a suit at law. In 1802, an arrangement was made for Mr. Packard's dismission. It was agreed to allow him for the depreciations of his salary and betterments made on the ministerial land over and above the receipts. And July 5, 1802, his ministerial relation was dissolved.

Now therefore considering the obligations of a christian people to know those, that labor among them in word and doctrine, and see that they are among them without fear; considering the express declaration of the Apostle, thus hath the Lord ordained, that those who preach the gospel shall live by the gospel; considering also the insufficiency of my salary in its original, much more in its present depreciated state to answer the demands of the station fill, I cannot but construe the extraordinary transactions of the town in refusing to make up depreciations in my salary, or reimburse the money laid out in making great and permanent improvements on the ministerial land,' or give me any assistance in any way to enable me to carry on the work of the gospel ministry. I cannot but view these transactions as a virtual declaration on the part of the town, that they wish the sacred relation between them and me dissolved; and as pointing out to me the imperious duty of asking for its dissolution.

At the same time I wish it might be remember

ed that nothing but the utter impossibility of ful filling the duties of the ministry under present circumstances, united with the belief, that I stand in the way of some other person, who would fill the place with more honor and usefulness to you, could induce me to ask for a dismission. If my removal create trouble and expense to you, it will cause much

more to me.

I have to acknowledge as an act of justice I owe to the town, the punctuality with which my salary has been quarterly paid. I shall also carry with me to the grave, a grateful sense of the kindness and friendly aid of many individuals, to whose charity, and that of private friends out of town, I am indebted for those supplies, which have enabled me to continue with you so long.

On the whole I cannot but consider it a duty, which I owe to my family, to religion and to you, after having so frequently acquainted you with my necessities, to no purpose; to seek imployment elsewhere, where I may have a better prospect of competency and usefulness.

Thirteen years of my life have been spent in indefatigable labors for your good, without laying up any thing at all for the education of a rising family, or my own comfort in sickness and old age. During this period I have been favored with such health as to be able to meet you in the house of God, on every weekly sabbath but one; and have been providentially absent but three or four sabbaths, though according to agreement I might have been absent 26 sab baths.

The poor remains of my mortal existence, I feel it my duty to devote to my family in providing something for the education of my children, and for my own comfort in those evil days, when a minister's active labors cease and his past services are forgotten; and when he who has spent his life in the service of

others, without providing comfortably for himself. must expect to meet the ingratitude and neglect of those to whose good his better days have been de. voted.

I

am, brethren, yours to serve in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. WILKES ALLEN.

March 1, 1817.

At the town meeting in March various proposals were made by individuals for affording Mr. Allen asŝistance, but none met the approbation of the town. A committee was chosen to agree with him on the terms of his dismission, agreeable to his request; and the following were offered to said committee.

I. That the town pay him 500 dollars in consideration for betterments made on the ministerial land and depreciations in his salary.

II. That the town be at the expence of a dismis sing council which shall be called immediately.

III. The dissolution of the civil contract between him and the town shall take effect at the end of the present year of his ministry, which will be on the 16th Nov. next.

At the next town meeting in April the above report was read by the Moderator, and the following vote passed.

Voted, That this Town allow and pay unto the Rev. Wilkes Allen, the sum of five hundred dolFars which sum shall be in full compensation for the Betterments made by him on the ministerial lands and in full consideration of the depreciation of his salary to be paid in two equal annual payments, provided he will sign and execute a release in full for the aforesaid claims and file the same with the Town-Clerk, withdraw his request for a dismission and consent to remain with the Town according to the terms of his settlement.

Attest, NATHANIEL HOWARD, Town-Clerk.
Chelmsford, April 9, 1817.

Rev. Wilkes Allens

1818

Mr. Hale, to whose enterprize and industry, the inhabitants of the town are indebted for the introduction of several useful machines,and the erection of sundry mills,set up at his own expence and as sole proprietor; works for the manufacture of gunpowder. The manufactory consists of five or six small buildings at the distance of fifteen or twenty rods from one another. The mill contains forty pestles.

The powder is of an excellent quality, burns quickly, and has been uniformly found to exceed, in strength, the requirements of the Law.

Cyrus Baldwin Esq. is appointed by the Governor and council, Inspector and Sealer of Powder, at this Manufactory:

1819

The works were enlarged and two other gentlemen taken into partnership with the original proprietor-viz. Mr. Wm. Tileston of Boston, and Mr. Oliver M. Whipple, who superintends the whole business in Chelmsford. From the 1st. Feb. 1819 to the 1st. Jan. 1820 were inspected by C. Baldwin Esq. 79,475lb.*

*Method of proving Gun-powder-Every Inspector of a Magazine or Powder manufactory is furnished by the state with a Howitzer, and a sufficient number of 121b. balls. In order to try the strength of Gunpowder, take one oz. of powder and put into the Howitzer, which is elevated at 45 degrees and if it throw a Ball of 12lb. wt. over 75 yds. it is proof and the Inspection mark to be put on, with the name of the In spector in full-agreeable to the laws of this Commonwealth.

For further particulars respecting making of Gun-powder see Dict's Arts and Sciences Vol. 2. page 1531, also Rees Cy'a. Vol. xvii. part 2d., 1819. Two new roads made-one from Pawtucket falls to the head of Middlesex canal, the other beginning at Capt. Sherebiah Spalding's house and thence running to Hill's Bridge, Billerica, which was rebuilt the same year.

The same year the Ladies of Chelmsford subscribed $30 for constitut ing their minister a life-member of the American Bible-Society.

N

REVIEW,

AND CONCLUDING ADDRESS

TO THE INHABITANTS OF CHELMSFORD.

I have endeavored to give you a faithful account of what your ancestors did, and of what they were ; that you may have their image constantly before your eyes, to excite you to virtuous activity; and that you may be enabled to transmit the knowledge of their character and deeds to your children, your children to their children, and their children to the generations that shall come after them, that they all may learn to place their trust in God and not forget his wonderful works of old."

In the men of other times, who have passed in review before us, we see a uniform, predominant zeal for the interest of religion, blended with a strong love of peace and order, and issuing in the fruits of righteousness. Like the Romans in their primitive purity, they cultivated good morals at home and abroad. They lived in the greatest harmony without avarice. They practiced justice and equity from principles of virtue, rather than from the restraints of laws."

They contended with one another only in the cause of virtue. They were liberal in their religious offerings, sparing and prudent in their domestic

*Igitur domi militiæque boni mores colebantur; concordia maxima, minima avaricia erat; jus bonumque apud eos non legibus magis quam natura, valebant. Cives cum civibus de virtute certabant. In suppliciis deorum magnifici, domi parci, in amicos fideles erant.

Salust.