United States was being developed? At that time Mendon was 120 years old. Interesting fact: John Hancock, Esq. was elected as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in April, 1787 At annual town meeting in Mendon, May, 1787 (from the Annals of Mendon): (Note: one pound at today’s exchange rate is roughly $1.80) Voted to raise L60 (pounds) to defray Town charges for the current year; voted to raise L40 (pounds) for schooling; voted to raise L150 (pounds) for roads and bridges; voted that Selectmen be directed to provide some suitable house or houses for the reception of the poor for the present year Voted to give one shilling (about $ .09) as a bounty upon every crow that shall be killed by any of the inhabitants of this Town before the 1st day of July next, and shall deliver the same to the Board of Selectmen. At the same meeting: Edward Thompson Esq. was chosen as Representative to the General Court and was instructed by the Town as follows “Your constituents having chosen you to represent the Town of Mendon in the General Court the present year, think fit to give you some hints (by way of instructions) of what we apprehend might be beneficial to the public.” 1st. To use your influence to have the General Court removed out of the Town of Boston to some convenient inland town as soon as may be 2nd. That you use your influence that the Troops raised by order of the Government and now under pay, be immediately discharged 3dly. That you use your influence that a fee pardon and indemnity be granted to all those that have been any ways concerned in the late Insurrection in this Commonwealth, so long as they demean themselves quiet and peaceable subjects, without exception (Shay’s Rebellion) 4thly. That you use your influence to have all those acts repealed known by the name of Disqualifying Acts, as we conceive they are unnatural, unjust and oppressive 5hly. That there be a Bank of paper money emitted upon as good footing as can be 6thly. That you use your influence that all public securities be scaled at the going price 7thly. That you use your influence that all Courts of Common Pleas be entirely abolished and some other mode be adopted in lieu thereof that is more agreeable and less chargeable 8thly. That the Probate business be done in each Town and likewise a Register of Deeds be appointed in each of said Towns; also that all licensed persons obtain their licenses in the towns where they dwell, from the Selectmen 9thly. That there be a large Duty or impost laid on all foreign articles imported, except Salt, Cotton, Wool and Warlike Stores, and that all excise be collected by the respective towns where such excise shall become due, free from any charge to the State 10thly. That all monies arising from Impost and Excise be appropriated to payment of the foreign debt only 11thly. That the Salaries of all public officers of Government be reduced in proportion as Country produce has fallen since such salaries were granted 12thly. That all encouragement be given to raising Sheep and Flax and Manufacturing the produce of our own Country 13thly. That a settlement of accounts with Congress be obtained as soon as possible, so as this State’s Quota of the Continental debts may be ascertained 14thly. That some other mode of taxation be adopted, and that the tax be not laid so high on the landed interest, and that all Polls under the age of 21 years be exempted from taxation 15thly. That there be a completion of the Revision of the Laws so that we may have a code of laws of our own Signed by Dan Aldrich, Moderator Attest, Seth Chapin, Town Clerk Edward Thomson, Esq, must have done a good job for the Town of Mendon because he was chosen a Delegate to the State Convention, to be held at Boston on the Second Wednesday in January next, for the purpose of ratifying or rejecting the Continental constitution, or Frame of Government, agreed on by the late Federal Convention. Of the 15 articles of importance to the inhabitants of Mendon, 7 were concerned with State and local issues. Eight articles found their way into the Constitution of the United States and the ensuing Bill of Rights. I share this information with you because I want you to realize that the votes from Mendon residents made a difference in helping to build this country. The Constitution and Bill of Rights is their Legacy to you. I urge each of you to accept and embrace this precious gift for your 18th birthday. Take five minutes of your time to register to vote with the Town Clerk’s Office and then exercise your right to vote at the polls. In doing so, you become a part of the solution. In doing so, everyone elected to serve you from the President of this great nation to the Selectmen of you local community work for you. In doing so, you become the Boss. Not a bad place to be. Only in America!! Mendon |
Constitution Day Presentation September 17, 2004 By Selectman Sharon Cutler Given to the Eighth Grade Class at Nipmuc Regional High School |