EARLY QUARANTINE ARRANGEMENTS OF SALEM. 43 



[March 28, 1777, a class of 149 was admitted ; May 2, a 

 class of 227 ; and June 5, a third class of 214.] 

 Meeting of Selectmen, May 30, 1777. 

 " Order'd that the town clerk forthwith issue out War- 

 rants to warn the freeholders, & other inhabitants of the 

 town of Salem, lawfully qualified to vote in town affairs, 

 to assemble at tlie town house, on Monday, the second day 

 of June next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, — to con- 

 sider & determine upon the petition of Ichabod Nicholls & 

 others whether the town will consent that a general innoc- 

 ulation for the small pox shall take place throughout the 

 town, or any part thereof, or whether they will do any 

 thing respecting that matter." 



Town Meeting, June 2, 1777. 



" The question was put whether the town will consent 

 that a general innoculation for the small pox shall take 

 place, throughout the town, & it unanimously passed in 

 the negative." 



" Voted, that a certain number of houses in the town 

 be taken up for the purpose of innoculation." 



" Voted, that three persons be a committee for the above 

 purpose." " For this Committee Geo : Crowningshield, 

 Benj^ Ward, & Sam^ Williams." 



"Voted, that the above Comm. post up notifications 

 desiring all persons (inhabitants of Salem) who have a 

 mind to receive the small pox by innoculation to give in 

 their names to the Comm : chosen for that purpose." 



" Voted, that y^ report of the Comm. to take up Judge 

 Lynde's Castle hill house for innoculation be not com- 

 plied with." 



Our Maritime importance was promptly recognized at 

 the outbreak of the Revolution as it had been in the pre- 

 vious French war. Washington took command of the 

 armies at Cambridge, July 3, 1775, and without awaiting 



