54: HISTORY OF THE 



pleasure, as I have no voice in making' a price between 

 20 per cent, and 100 per cent, of my holdings. 



I*^o\v in the exercise of this arbitrary power accorded 

 to your commission, ostensibly for the benefit of the 

 public, it should be so modified and tempered with jus- 

 tice, that it shall not trample upon individual rights, but 

 that equitable, not niggardly terms, shall be made to 

 satisfy the owner for his sacrifice in parting with his 

 lands. Instead of fair and honorable treatment, as above 

 suggested, I feel that my property has been ruthlessly 

 seized by your commission, after marking it down, down 

 and down, from its previous valuation by the assessors, 

 which was f 42,900. On this sum the writer has annu- 

 ally paid his taxes, even down to the absurd valuation 

 of |18,G00, simply to accommodate the stingy appropri- 

 ation of only |G00,O00, made by the city government 

 with which to buy this large area of park lands, worth 

 .f 2,000,000 at least. 



If the city requii-es my charming property for luxu- 

 rious purposes it must pay for it fairly, and not jew me. 

 I ask no fiivor, )3ut simplj^ to let my lands alone, that I 

 may continue to hold them in ni}^ own right. 



It has often l)eeii said to me that Walnut avenue 

 is destined to be the CDurt and of Boston, both on 

 account of its accessibihty and its elevated position, for 

 aristocratic dwellings. But whether this prediction is 

 hereafter proved to l)e true or not, I do know that the 

 lands in this section of the city are most picturesque 

 and attractive, and they will soon be wanted for the 

 erection of fine mansions. 



Since my property was doomed, and so tied up that 

 I could neither improve it nor oiler it for sale, I have 



