The inauguration occurred at Faneuil Hall on the 1st of May following.  The ceremonies of the occasion were unusually impressive; the venerable Dr. Thomas Baldwin invoking the favor of Heaven, and Chief Justice Isaac Parker administering the oath.

In discharging the duties of his office, Mr. Phillips wisely avoided sumptuous display on one hand, and a parsimonious economy on the other, but observing that juste milieu which good sense dictated, and the spirit of our republican institutions demanded, succeeded in overcoming all prejudice against the new form of municipal government, and in establishing a precedent, which, followed by succeeding mayors, has saved the city millions of dollars of needless expense, and has served as a worthy example to many other cities in this country.

The result of the first year’s administration under the new charter did not meet the expectations of those who had been instrumental in procuring it.  They were eager for a more energetic system, and they charged Mr. Phillips with pursuing a timid and hesitating course for fear of losing his popularity.  But still when he went out of office, Mr. Josiah Quincy, his successor, could say of him:—­

“After examining and considering the records and proceedings of the city authorities for the past year, it is impossible for me to refrain from expressing the sense I entertain of the services of that high and honorable individual who filled the chair of this city, as well as of the wise, prudent, and faithful citizens who composed during that period the city council.”

Perceiving, towards the expiration of his first term of service, that his health was beginning to fail, Mr. Phillips declined being a candidate for re-election, and on the twenty-ninth day of May, 1823, was suddenly stricken down by disease of the heart,—­he being then in the fifty-third year of his age.  His death was universally lamented, and public honors were paid by all parties to his memory.

John Phillips was a good man, true as steel, and always trustworthy in the various relations of life.  He lived in the fear of God, and from his Word received instruction for the guidance of his conduct.  He lived in stormy times; yet such was the consistency and elevation of his character, such the suavity and dignity of his manner, such the kindness of his heart, the clearness of his conceptions, and the beauty of his language, that he commanded the respect and admiration of his political opponents, wielding perhaps as great an influence as any public man of the State at that period; and he will ever stand as a worthy model for the incumbents of that high municipal office, which his wisdom, prudence, virtue, integrity, and eloquence adorned.

[Illustration]

The following are the names of the children of John and Sally (Walley)
Phillips, all of whom are now dead:—­

1.  Thomas Walley, born Jan. 16, 1797. 2.  Sarah Hurd, born April 24, 1799. 3.  Samuel born Feb. 8, 1801. 4.  Margaret, born Nov. 29, 1802. 5.  Miriam, born Nov. 20, 18—. 6.  John Charles, born Nov. 16, 1807. 7.  George William, born Jan. 3, 1810. 8.  WENDELL, born Nov. 29, 1811. 9.  Grenville Tudor, born Aug. 14, 1816.[4]