On Wednesday the Court of County Commissioners for Dukes, met at the Selectmen’s Room in the Town Hall. Hon. Thomas H. Lambert, having taken the customary oath, took his seat with the board. Hon. Benjamin Davis was re-elected Chairman.
 
The following order was passed and the read by the Clerk: -
 
Dukes County, ss. In Court of County Commissioners, November Term, by adjournment, to February 3d, 1858.
 
Whereas, the County Commissioners have been directed by a writ of Mandamus from the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts to comply with the statutes of the Commonwealth made and provided for the erection of a fire-proof building for the safe keeping of the records and other public documents belonging to the County of Dukes County, and whereas the Commissioners took action in relation to this subject, which action was suspended, (as will appear of record among the doings of the Commissioners,) upon the application of many citizens of the Country, who desired an opportunity to petition the Legislature to make Tisbury the shire town of the County, - and such application having been made, and the petitioners having had leave to withdraw - it is now
 
Ordered, That we will cause to be erected, upon the lot on which the present Court House stands, a building for County purposes, with fire-proof rooms, as speedily as practicable; the size and plan to be in accordance with the specifications to be subsequently adopted.
 
Benjamin Davis,
Edwin A. Luce,
Thomas H. Lambert,
Co. Com’rs.
 
David Davis, Esq., after the order was read, said that he had nothing particular to say at this stage of the proceedings; but was opposed to the plan of the building as heretofore submitted.
 
Rev. Hebron Vincent was in favor of altering the old plan. It might be cut down in size, and some of the ornamental parts might be dispensed with.
 
Mr. Davis said $500 was enough for the building to cost, if the jail was to remain where it now is. He was in favor of a good building, if the jail could be removed.
 
Joseph Mayhew, Esq., was opposed to all extravagance. He hoped the County Commissioners would be prudent. $6,000 or $7,000 would be enough to pay for the building.
 
The Chairman of the Commissioners stated that there was a perfect agreement among the Commissioners in reference to erecting a building with fire-proof rooms; but they wished to do it as low as it could be done. The law requires it - the Mandamus requires it - and their object now was to put it up as soon as possible. They could not delay longer - they must act.
 
Hon. Leavitt Thaxter said, that gentlemen in traveling through the country generally make up their minds relative to the inhabitants of a place by the public buildings and the roads. His idea was that such buildings should stand out pre-eminently above all other buildings in the vicinity. He did not advocate extravagance, however. The lower story should be the first idea; that should receive the most careful attention; and it should be ample for all the purposes required. The Commissioners have a duty to perform - a duty they owe the public - they should not, however, violate the feelings in the construction of the building. He should be gratified to use a very respectable building; but let no mark of extreme extravagance be seen upon it.
 
The following orders were then read by the Clerk: -
 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. - Dukes County, ss. In Court of County commissioners, November Term, by adjournment to February 3, 1858.
 
Ordered, That Joseph T. Pease, Benj. Davis, and Edwin A. Luce, Esquires, be and they are hereby authorized and appointed to act as a committee to prepare specification and issue proposals, according to law, for the erection of a building for County purposes, with fire-proof rooms. The proposals to be specific and not general, and to be sealed up and addressed to the County Commissioners. Said proposals to be opened at eleven o’clock in the forenoon of the twenty-fourth day of March, A.D., 1858, at the office of the Clerk of Courts.
 
Benj. Davis,
Edwin A. Luce,
Thos. H. Lambert,
Co. Com’rs.
 
Dukes County ss. In Court of County Commissioners, February 3rd, 1858, Ordered, That the present Court House be sold at public auction, on Monday, the 29th day of March next, at 1 o’clock, P.M.; and the Chairman of this Board is hereby authorized to make sale thereof, giving due notice of the same in the Vineyard Gazette. Said building to be removed within ten days from the time of sale.
 
Benj. Davis,
Edwin A. Luce,
Thos. H. Lambert,
Co. Com’rs.
 
The Court was adjourned to meet at the Clerk’s office, on the 24th day of March next.
 
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From the March 26, 1858 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

 
J.W. Howland, Esq., of Holmes’ Hole, has entered into contract to erect the County Building, in accordance with the plan heretofore advertised, &c., for the sum of $4,973. Said building is to be completed on or before the last day of September next.
 
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From the September 10, 1858 edition of the Vineyard Gazette:

 
Mr. Howland, having completed this building, so far as he contracted to do it, a majority of the Commissioners, at their meeting on Wednesday, accepted of the same, and ordered the amount due Mr. H. to be paid. The Chairman of the Commissioners could not accept of the building as a whole, and his reasons were placed on file.
 
We take especial pleasure in saying, that the building makes a fine appearance; that it is finished inside in a superior workmanlike manner; and that, with some exceptions, which occurred at the start, it gives perfect satisfaction to the people of the county. It may well be considered an ornament to our town and County.
 
The reader’s attention is invited to the advertisement in another column, for proposals for finishing the Court room.