William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 2

The city-clerk during all these years was George R. Rowe. The city-treasurer during the years 1861, 1862, and 1863, was Nathaniel Wilson; during 1864 and 1865, Robert H. Tewksbury.

1861. The first meeting of the city council, to act upon matters connected with the war, was a special meeting held April 16th, at which the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:—

Whereas the President of the United States, in view of the dangerous Rebellion now existing in several of the Federal States, threatening alike the security and liberty of our homes, has seen fit to make a requisition upon the Governor of this Commonwealth for a certain number of troops to assist in quelling said Rebellion; and as the two millitary companies of Lawrence comprise a portion of the Sixth Regiment of militia who, in obedience to said requisition, are now on their way to report themselves at headquarters; therefore be it—

Resolved, By the city of Lawrence, that the sum of five thousand dollars be, and hereby is, appropriated, to be used in case of need, to provide for the wants of those who comprise these companies, or their families.

May 16th, Five thousand dollars additional were appropriated for the same purpose, and in October following another appropriation of three thousand dollars was made.

On the 18th of April a petition of Daniel Saunders, Jr., and others, was presented to the city council, asking an appropriation for the purpose of equipping a regiment of volunteer militia; and five thousand dollars were appropriated for that purpose. At the same meeting the mayor was requested to cause the national flag to be raised upon the flagstaff on Lawrence Common, ‘there to remain as a permanent evidence of our devotion to our country.’ April 24th, Fifteen hundred dollars were