[145] until it should be determined whether or not they should petition the Legislature for a road over the one surveyed to West Cambridge, to extend to Lexington. Such a project had already been determined upon, and in view of these circumstances, the committee asked to be discharged from the subject matter, which was done. A petition for the West Cambridge Branch Road, signed by Timothy Wellington and others, was presented to the Legislature, and an order of notice was passed January 17, 1845. At a hearing of both petitions from the citizens of the respective towns, in March following, before the committee of the Legislature, Hon. G. Washington Warren appearing for the Lexington petition, and W. W. Warren for that of West Cambridge, it was agreed by a compromise, that the two enterprises should be merged in one, and an act of incorporation was prepared and presented in the same month, which, in the House Document No. 48, was passed under the title of ‘the Lexington and West Cambridge Branch Rail Road.’ Under the Act the first meeting of the new corporation took place at Cutler's tavern in Lexington, April 14, 1845. Larkin Turner was chosen President, and W. W. Warren, Secretary. The act of incorporation was accepted, and a committee of nine was chosen to cause books of subscription to be opened, first of May, 1845, to the capital stock, not to exceed $200,000. This committee consisted of Benjamin Muzzey and Samuel Chandler, of Lexington; Doctor T. Wellington and John Schouler, of West Cambridge; John Wesson and John W. Mulliken, of Charlestown; Edward Munroe and Otis Dana, of Boston; and J. W. Simonds, of Bedford. The meeting then adjourned to meet in Parish Hall at West Cambridge, April 21, to confer with its citizens. This conference meeting was largely attended, and indicated a mutual interest and good feeling of the citizens of both towns. Benjamin Muzzey, who presided (Mr. Warren acting as secretary), stated that no business was contemplated at this meeting but only an interchange of views desired. Estimates were discussed, and harmony prevailed in the discussion, indicating a prompt action and successful commencement of the road, which by the compromise act was to be finished and running from West Cambridge within one year from date of the act, or its charter be void. The adjournment of this meeting was the finality of the series preceding the organization of the road under its charter.
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Boston: David Clapp and son. 564 Washington Street, 1880.
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