And it is understood that the city government, accepting these donations for the above purposes, shall assume and bear the current expenses of said building, grounds and appurtenances, after the Library building shall have been completed and furnished.

    If the above proposition is accepted I shall proceed to carry
    out the same as soon as it can conveniently be done.

    Rodney Wallace. 
    Fitchburg, March 17, 1884.

Mayor Davis said this act on the part of our esteemed fellow citizen calls forth the profound gratitude of all the inhabitants of our city.  I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without expressing my thanks, as a citizen, for the munificent gift.  May his life be long and his prosperity increasing.

    The following order, introduced by Mayor Davis, was then
    unanimously adopted: 

Ordered, That the City of Fitchburg accept the donation of Honorable Rodney Wallace to it of the lot of land on the corner of Main street and Newton place, and the Library building to be erected by him thereon, upon the conditions and in accordance with the terms and provisions contained in his written communication and proposal to the Mayor and City Council; and places on record its profound appreciation of the public spirit and munificence of the donor, and its recognition of the incalculable benefits which will result to his fellow citizens and their descendants and successors for all time from this noble gift.

Alderman Joel said the surprise was so great and so agreeable that words were not at his command to express the thanks he, in common with all other members, felt for the munificent gift presented by Mr. Wallace.  He moved that a committee be appointed to prepare and forward a vote of thanks to Honorable Rodney Wallace for his gift.  The motion was unanimously adopted, and Mayor Davis appointed Alderman Joel, Councilmen Flaherty and Parkhill as the committee.”

From the Sentinel of April 10, 1884, I clip the following: 

    “The following resolutions have been presented to Honorable
    Rodney Wallace by the special committee appointed at the joint
    convention of the two branches of the City Council, March 25: 

    To honorable Rodney Wallace:  Fitchburg, Mass.

Whereas, the Mayor and City Council of the city of Fitchburg have received and accepted a proposition tendered by Honorable Rodney Wallace of this city, by the terms of which a lot of land situated at the corner of Main street and Newton place is donated to the city of Fitchburg, and a sum not less than forty thousand dollars is to be expended by him, with the advice and approval of the Trustees of the Public Library, within the next