Excerpt from Annals of the Boston Primary School Committee: From Its First Establishment in 1818, to Its Dissolution in 1855

Annals, are generally set forth in the letter to His Honor the Mayor, tendering the manuscript to the City Government.

A few words, however, appear to be proper, if not necessary, in rela tion to the origin Of the work, and some of the circumstances connected with it.

The compiler was elected a member of the Grammar School Committee for 1847, at which time the agitation in regard to the organization and management of the Public Schools was at its height. Aware of his want of knowledge, it was his endeavor, during the four years he was honored with a seat at the Board, to obtain such information in relation to the Operation of the school system as would justify the conservative course he desired to adopt in reference to the changes which were proposed.

Surrounded with experienced and learned associates, and receiving from them a degree of courtesy and attention which deserves the most grateful acknowledgments, it was from no feeling but that of an imperative sense of duty, that any difference of Opinion existed between some of them and the compiler, as to the value and expediency of some of the important changes which were proposed to be made in the administration of the schools.

Actuated by a sincere desire to avoid all rash changes in a system of education which had stood the test of time and experience, and having been frequently required to draw up the reports of sub-committees, on important questions, an investigation into the elementary history of our Public Schools became a necessary duty.

The connection of the compiler with the Primary School Committee, at the same time, placed him in the position of a defender of that organiza tion, against the various attacks to which it was subjected, from time to time, for several years previous to its dissolution.

Under these circumstances, was commenced the collection of those facts in relation to the history of the Primary Schools, which are herewith pre sented. As a historical record for reference, the compiler has endeavored to give the documents and votes in the language of those by whom they were prepared, particularly in those cases in which accurate information was desirable, for a correct understanding of the condition of the schools at particular times.

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