In 1760 the Committee of Tradesmen advise voters to "put on Sabbath Day Clothes" and "wash their Hands and Faces" before going to town meeting the next day. They also speak of the "New and Grand Corcas," meaning probably caucus. This is from the "Boston Gazette," May 12.
The Committee of Tradeſmen hereby adviſe their Conſtituents and others to ſet apart a decent Portion of Time (at leaſt one Hour) previous to the Opening of the Town-Meeting To-Morrow to ſhift themſelves and put on their Sabbath Day Clothes, alſo to waſh their Hands and Faces, that they may appear neat and cleanly; Inaſmuch as it hath been reported to ſaid Committee of Tradeſmen that Votes are to be GIVEN AWAY by the delicate Hands of the New and Grand Corcas; and they would have no Offence given to Turk or Jew, much leſs to Gentlemen who attend upon so charitable a deſign.—Nothing of the leaſt Significancy was tranſacted at a late Meeting of the ſaid new and grand Corcas to require any further Attention of ſaid Committee.
Boston Gazette, May 12, 1760.
Some one is "desired to refresh his memory" in 1767. Such mistakes remind us of Willis Gaylord Clark's account of an announcement he once heard at a revival meeting somewhere in New York State. The minister said: "I would adnounce to this codingregation [through his nose] that, prebably by mistake, there was left at this house of prayer this morning a small cotting umbrella, very much worn and of an exceedinglie pale blue color; in the place whereof was taken one that was new and of great beauty. I say, brethren and sisters, that it was prebably by mistake that of these two articles the one was taken and the other left; but it was a very improper mistake, and should be discountenanced if possible. Blunders of this sort are getting to be a leetle too common."
Taken (as is ſuppoſed by Miſtake)
laſt Wedneſday from the Repreſentatives Chamber in Boſton, a long Camblet Cloak, lin'd with red Baize: Whoever has taken the ſame is deſired to refreſh his Memory, and return it to Mr. Baker, Keeper of the Court-Houſe.
Sept. 5, 1767.