143 



8. That on the arrival of the books at Boston you deliver them to 

 Stephen Higginson, Esq., or order, on account of the members, as soon 

 as they can be conveniently sent, at the rate of 12.^ old tenor for one 

 shilling, he paying you cash at the time of delivery. 



An invoice of the books, dated London, 19th Dec'r, 1760^ 

 Avas shipped by J. Richardson, on board the Hawke, Capt. New- 

 ton, being at the account and risque of Mr. J. Condy. 



The number of distinct books 182, contained in 415 vols. — 

 cost £104 5 1 sterling. 



The books arrived at Salem in the early part of the year 

 1761, and on the 20th of May of that year the first meeting of 

 the subscribers was held. Hon. Benjamin Pickman, modera- 

 tor—Nathan Goodale, clerk. The account exhibited by Ste- 

 phen Higginson, Esq., of the cost of the books, the charges 

 thereon, together with the cost of account books, expenses of 

 the committee at Mrs. Pratt's and the cost of forms and boxes be 

 hereby accepted, approved and allowed, and the said account is 

 hereby directed to be recorded and each member's account 

 charged with his proportion of the whole amount. 



From the above account the following items may be speci- 

 fied :— 



Cost of books from Mr. Condy £172 7 i lawful. 



" " from Proprietors Gl 17 00 



Other expenses 11 10 5 



£245 14 5^ 

 This amount, divided by 32, number of shares, 



makes the price of a share, £7 13 7 lawful. 



The number of volumes at the opening of the Library — 



Purchased of Mr. Condy 415 



" Proprietors 124 



539 

 The Library was first deposited in the brick school house in 

 School street, and there continued till 1786, when it was 

 removed to the new middle school house, until 1842 the centre 

 school house in Washington street ; the brick school house was 

 taken down to erect on or near its site the court house, and this 

 last building was also taken down in 1839 for the accommoda- 



