"
"Second the motion!" called out Abner Stiles.
"Before puttin' the question," said the Moderator slowly, "I want to say
a few words on this matter, and as it may be thought not just proper for
me to speak from the chair, I will call upon the Rev. Caleb Howe to take
the same durin' my remarks."
The well-known clergyman at Mason's Corner came forward, ascended the
platform, took the chair, and recognized Deacon Mason's claim to be
heard.
"I have heerd the motion to accept this check, an' I desire ter say thet
I am teetotally opposed to the town's takin' this money. If the
Honorable Nathaniel Sawyer, who's the dead man's brother, or Mr. Quincy
Adams Sawyer, who's his nephew, had known that he wuz a pauper, they
would 'er relieved the town of any further charge. We hev no legal claim
agin either of these two gentlemen. Our claim is agin ther town of
Amesbury, in which Mr. James Sawyer was a citizen and a taxpayer. If Mr.
Quincy Adams Sawyer wishes to pay ther town of Amesbury after ther town
of Amesbury has paid us, thet's his affair and none o' our business, but
we've no legal right to accept a dollar from him, when our legal claim
is agin the town in which he hed a settlement, and I hope this motion
will not prevail.
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