USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > A history of Anne Arundel County in Maryland : adapted for use in the schools of the county > Part 8
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3. Hood made a clandestine landing shortly afterward, but the citizens burned down a house that he was building for the storage of his goods as a merchant, and so terrified him that he feared for his life, and caused him to flee to New York State for safety. When he had resigned the office, he was permitted to return to Anmap- olis in peace and to pursue his business.
PARAGRAPH 1. (@) Who proceeded to the frontier From Anne Arundel after the defeat of Brad- dock? (b) What did the delegates vote for during this war? (c) What prevented most of the bills from becoming effective?
PARAGRAPH 2. (a) Where was Maryland in the initial opposition to British encroachments? (b) What resistance did Anne Arundel give? (4) What happened when Zachariah Blood, the Stamp Ollicer, arrived in Annapolis? (d) Name some of those who took part in resisting Hood's landing?
PARAGRAPH 3. (#) Did Hood land? (b) What was burned then by the citizens? (4) What became of Hood? (d) When Hood resigned his office what was permitted him?
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A HISTORY OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.
4. Roused to a fervid state of resistance to British encroachments from abroad upon their rights, the people of Maryland were scarcely less incensed at the per- sistent attempts by Lord Baltimore's Governor at home to filch from them their chartered privileges. The crisis came, when, in 1770, after the Legislature had refused to pass a new fee bill because the two Houses could not agree upon their terms, the Lower House favoring a reduction of officers' fees and the Upper House, several of whose members enjoyed the benefits of these fees, resisting, Gov. Eden issued proclamations settling the fees of the officers and raising the tithes of the clergy from thirty to forty pounds of tobacco per poll. The Lower House, elected by the Free Men of the Province, considered this a gross infringement of the rights of the people, for these fees and these tithes were in the nature of taxes, and, if not paid, their settlement was placed immediately in the hands of the Sheriff, who could, without further process, sell the debtor s property and make payment to the creditor.
5. A bitter contest at once began, which progressed with unabated zeal until 1773, when Gov. Eden dissolved the Legislature and appealed to the people. The elections were set for May. From the beginning of the year down to the day of election, the Maryland Gazette teemed with bitter and learned disquisitions upon both proclamations. Public interest centered upon two writers- one of which, under the title of " Antilon," defended Gov. Eden's course, and the other, under the name of "First Citizen," opposed the proclamations. These papers have become national in their history, and are splendid specimen's of diction, learning and classic vituper- ation. Daniel Dulany was Antilon, and Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, First Citizen. While the discussion was well-nigh even-handed in ability and cogency, the readers of that age and posterity have awarded the merit of victory to Carroll. The Lower House thought so well of his achievements that the members repaired in a body to his honse to thank Carroll for his defence of the rights of the people. At the elec- tions not a single member of the Lower House was chosen who favored Gov. Eden's policy-even Annapolis, the stronghold of the administration, sent opposition members.
6. The boldest act of resistance to British usurpation was committed in Mary- land, in February, 1770. It should be remembered that this date was nearly four years before the "Boston Tea" party, and, unlike that emnete, was openly executed in solemn conclave assembled. In June, 1769, the citizens of Maryland had, by deputies, met in Convention at Annapolis, and had resolved that they would not import certain articles of British goods. In February following, the Brig Good Intent, Captain William Errington, arrived at Annapolis, from London, loaded with
PARAGRAPH 4. (a) At what were the people scarcely less inseensed ? (b) When did the crisis come? (c) What was the cause of this crisis?
PARAGRAPH 5. (a) What immediately began on the issuing of these proclamations? (b) With what did the Maryland Gazette teem? (c) Upon what did public interest centre? (d) What was the conduct of the Lower House to Charles Carroll. of Carrollton? (e) What was the result of the elections?
PARAGRAPH 6. (a) When was the boldest act of resistance to British usurpations committed? (b) How long was this before the Boston Tea Party? (c) What had the citizens of Maryland done in
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McDOWELL HALL, ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, known as Bladen's Folley, commenced as a Governor's Mansion, in 1744.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AUTOA, LENAR ONG TILDEN FOLADAI ONS
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A HISTORY OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.
British goods, part of them being interdieted articles. The Committee of Merchants from Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Baltimore counties immediately assembled and made a thorough examination of the matter, and, in the end, resolved that, as the interdieted goods were so mixed with the unobjectionable part of the cargo, that, one could not be nuloaded without landing the others, not one pound of the Good Intent's fifty thousand dollar cargo of British goods should be landed !
7. While the question was being discussed before the Committees, James Dick, the attorney for the agent of the Good Intent, asked the Committee these questions :
" In what Vessel are they, (the goods), to be sent back, the Good Intent, Cap- tain Errington, being engaged by agreement, with Mr. Thomas Farrar, to load with wheat for Cork, upon doing which the brig enters upon his Pay ?
"There are also Two Cargoes, or more, on board the Brig, shipt by other Persons than John Buchanan.
" Is the Brig to keep those Goods on Board, or what is to be done with them ?
" In what manner is the attorney of John Buchanan to be indemnified in taking upon himself the conduet and management of the sending back of all the goods, pro- vided all the others concerned should refuse to trouble themselves, or take any charge of the goods, which is found to be really the case, several having refused, particularly Messrs. Ridgely and Goodwin, to be any concerned with them ? Is Mr. Buchanan's attorney to run the risk of his whole fortune without any indemnification ?
" It must be observed that no partial entry can be made of the goods on board the Good Intent, the Custom House will not receive such, the whole must be made ; and that many of the goods cannot be returned to England, withont subjecting the ship and all on board to confiscation, of which you may be satisfied by application to the Collector."
8. To these insistent questions the committees made this brief reply : "Gen- tlemen, we deliberated upon the subject matter before us with so much caution and attention, that no re-consideration can shake or alter our Opinion Already signified to you : As for the Reasons and Grounds of that Opinion, which you call upon us, for we shall give them in the Maryland Gazette ; and you will be pleased to take this as our final answer." The gentlemen interested then retired, and Mr. Anthony Stewart, a partner of Mr. Dick's, returned with a letter. " To preclude at once, all evasion, alteration, so trifling," the letter was given back unopened to Mr. Stenart. The next day, February 10th, Captain Errington received a written letter, signed by Messrs. Dick and Steuart, to return to England.
9. The Committee, in the next issue of the Gazette, gave its reasons at length, acquitting some who had received goods by the vessel from any intention of
June, 1769? (d) What vessels arrived in February, 1770? (e) What action was taken upon her arrival?
PARAGRAPH 7. (a) What part did Mr. James Dick, agent of the Good Intent, take in this matter?
PARAGRAPH 8. (a) What answer did the committees make to him?
PARAGRAPH 9. (4) What did the Committees give in the next issue of the Gazette? (b) Who
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violating the agreement of the Association on the 23d of May, that no goods should be ordered until the 30th of June, when it could be determined, whether or not, the non-importation of goods could be generally carried into effect. The reasons assigned for allowing none of the Good Intent's cargo to be landed, were that the prohibited and non-prohibited articles were so " blended, mixed and packed " with each other that they ought not to be landed. The Gazette adds that the Good Intent only awaited to take on sufficient bread for its return voyage to London with its cargo of ten thousand pounds. The members of the Committee from Anne Arundel were : Thomas Sprigg, Brice T. B. Worthington, John Weems and William Paca. So this brave deed was consummated in open daylight, without masks, and with the names of participants known to all the Province and by King George and his agents in Maryland.
10. When the news of the blockade of the harbor of Boston reached Annapolis, a meeting of its citizens was called. On Wednesday the 25th of May, 1774, the people convened, when it was-
" Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that the town of Boston is now suffering in the common cause of America, and that it is ineumbent on every colony in America, to unite in effectual measures to obtain a repeal of the late act of Parliament, for the blocking up of the harbor of Boston.
" That it is the opinion of this meeting, that, if the colonies come into a joint resolution to stop all importation from, and exportation to, Great Britain, till the said act be repealed, the same will preserve North America, and her liberties.
" Resolved, therefore, That the inhabitants of this city will join in an Asso- ciation with the several counties of this province, and the principal provinces of America, to put an immediate stop to all exports to Great Britain, and that, after a short day, hereafter to be agreed on, there shall be no imports from Great Britain, till the said act be repealed, and that such association be on oath.
" That it is the opinion of this meeting, that the gentlemen of the law of this province bring no suit for the recovery of any debt due from any inhabitant of this province, to any inhabitant of Great Britain, until the said act be repealed.
" That the inhabitants of this city will, and it is the opinion of this meeting, that this province ought immediately to break off all trade and dealings with that colony or province, which shall refuse or decline to come into similar resolutions with a majority of the colonies.
" That Messieurs John Hall, Charles Carroll, Thomas Johnson, Jr., William Paca, Matthias Hammond and Samuel Chase, be a committee for this city, to join with those who shall be appointed for Baltimore Town, and other parts of this province, to constitute one general committee ; and that the gentlemen appointed
were the members of the Committee from Anne Arundel? (e) How was this brave deed consum- mated?
PARAGRAPH 10. (a) When the news of the blockade of Boston reached Annapolis what was called? (b) What resolutions were passed at this meeting? (e) Who were appointed a committee from Annapolis to effect what the Association resolved upon?
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for this city immediately correspond with Baltimore Town, and other parts of this province, to effect such association."
Il. William Eddis, the English collector of customs of Annapolis, writing to England, three days after this meeting, said :
" All America is in a flame ! I hear strange language every day. The colonists are ripe for any measures that will tend to the preservation of what they call their natural liberty. I enclose you the resolves of our citizens ; they have caught the general contagion.
" Expresses are flying from province to province. It is the universal opinion here, that the mother country cannot support a contention with these settlements, if they abide strictly to the letter and spirit of their associations."
12. On the 22nd of June following, the committees appointed by the several counties of Maryland met at Annapolis. The delegates from Anne Arundel county and the city of Annapolis were-Charles Carroll, Esq., barrister, Brice T. B. Worth- ington, Thomas Johnson, Jr., Samuel Chase, John Hall, William Paca, Matthias Hammond, Samuel Chew, John Weems, Thomas Dorsey, Rezin Hammond. The Convention passed resolutions declaring Boston was suffering the common cause of America, and that, if the proposed Acts of Parliament, oppressive of the city of Boston, were passed, they would lay the foundation for the utter destruction of British America. The Assembly, also, passed resolutions declaring it to be the duty of the colonies to unite for their protection ; to stop importations from and exporta- tions to Great Britain ; to join non-exportation and importation associations ; to agree to stop the same from the West Indies ; to allow indispensable articles to be imported ; recommending merchants to take no advantage of non-importation agreements ; to provide a relief fund for Boston ; thanked the friends of liberty in Great Britain ; appointed a delegation to the Colonial Congress ; threatened to break trade with any town or province in America that would not join their association ; and directed publication of the resolutions in the Maryland Gazette.
13. While the Province was in a state of patriotic indignation over the oppres- sive acts of the British Government, the brig Peggy Steuart, on the 14th of October, 1774, arrived at Annapolis, consigned to Thomas C. Williams and Company, having seventeen chests of tea on board. The committee for Anne Arundel immediately met, convening at three o'clock. in the afternoon, and was then informed that the brig had been regularly entered that morning, "and the duty on the tea paid to the collector by Mr. Anthony Steuart, one of the owners of said brig." Four of the committee only were present, the other members from the county being at an
PARAGRAPH 11. (a) What did William Eddis, the English collector of Customs, at Annapolis, write three days after this meeting?
PARAGRAPH 12. (a) When did the delegates from the several counties meet, and where? (b) Who were the delegates from Annapolis and Anne Arundel? (c) What resolutions did the Assembly pass? (d) What delegation did the Assembly appoint? (e) What threat did the Assembly make?
PARAGRAPH 13. (a) What arrived while the Province was in a state of patriotic indignation? (b) What was done by the citizens and the committees?
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inaccessible distance. The town members, therefore, called a meeting of the citizens, to be held at five o'clock in the afternoon. The Provincial Court, being in session at Annapolis, a number of persons from the counties of Anne Arundel, Balti- more and other parts of the Province, met with the citizens of Annapolis. The importers, the captain of the brig, and the deputy collector of the port were called before the meeting and examined. The importers explained that the tea had been ordered in May and that only after a previous cargo had been disposed of and no objection made. Captain Jackson, of the brig, under affidavit, declared that the tea was put on board without his knowledge. The meeting adjourned. At that time the ship had been regularly entered at the port. As no part of the cargo could be discharged unless all was, after the meeting adjourned, Mr. Steuart, the owner, pleading the leaky condition of the brig, and fifty-three souls on board, where they had been for nearly three months, paid the duty upon the tea, "leaving its disposi- tion to the committee."
14. A third meeting was held on the 19th of October, and the indignation of the people was very intense because the duty on the tea had been paid ; but, after mueh contention, it was agreed that the majority of the meeting would be satisfied if the owner burned the tea. This did not please the strong minority present, chiefly persons from the county of Anne Arundel outside the city of Annapolis. Amongst those who had been attracted to the city by the arrival of the Peggy Steuart with the tea, was Major Charles Alexander Warfield, commanding what was called a " Whig CInb," but was really the initial organization of a rebel military company, it having as early as 1772 paraded, at its drilling grounds one day, with the legend "Independence or death," placarded upon their caps. When the decision of the meeting became known, Major Warfield led his company to Steuart's residence upon Hanover street, and erected on a tree, in front of Steuart's house, a gallows. Steuart came out upon his porch and, with great indignation, denounced the company as rebels and threatened them with the vengeance of the King. When Steuart had ended his harangue, Major Warfield, pointing to the gallows, in a tone whose thrilling accents have been handed down the generations, calmly said : " Burn or hang !" Steuart immediately sent for Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, and together they went to the harbor. Stewart entered a small boat and occupied a seat holding a lighted torch in his hands. Major Warfield, grasping another lighted faggot, took his place in the other end of the boat, in this quiet, but dramatic manner saying to Stenart, "Burn or I will." Mr. Steuart applied the fire, and, as an offering and atonement to the offended patriotism of the people and an open defiance to the British Crown, the Peggy Steuart and the obnoxious tea chests were, in a few hours, reduced to ashes.
PARAGRAPH 14. (a) When was the third meeting held? (b) What was the sentiment of the people on the tea? (e) Who had been attracted to Annapolis by the arrival of the Peggy Steuart? (d) What did Major Warfield command? (e) Describe this company? (f) Tell what incident hap- pened in front of Steuart's house? (g) What was done then by Steuart?
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A HISTORY OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.
15. The people of Anne Arundel again on the 18th of April, 1775, showed their opposition of British encroachments. On that day, the ship Totness, Captain Harding, belonging to Mr. Gildard, of Liverpool, having on board a cargo of salt and dry goods, in coming np the bay, ran aground near the Three Islands, at the month of West River. Upon this the committee immediately met, after considera- tion, determined she should proceed on to Baltimore, her intended port ; but, before she could get off, highly resenting so daring an infringment of the Con- tinental Association, a number of people met, went on board, and set the ship on fire.
16. Thus the people of Anne Arundel should ever remember that their ancestors in the open, long before regular hostilities commenced, executed three daring deeds for liberty-driving the Stamp Officer from Annapolis, in 1765 ; sending back the Good Intent to England with its prohibited cargo in 1770; and burning the Peggy Steuart and her obnoxious tea in 1774, and, in the same month and year that Con- cord was fought, and, before the news could reach Province, burnt the Totness for doing defiance to the resolutions of the Maryland Association of Free Men.
CHAPTER TWENTIETH.
ANNAPOLIS BECOMES THE CHIEF CITY OF THE PROVINCE.
1. Upon the removal of the capital to Annapolis, it became at once not only the chief town of the county, but it rapidly developed into the most important city in the Province-a position it maintained until near the beginning of the American Revolution, when Baltimore, the great metropolis of the State, began to assume the place of leading port and city of Maryland.
2. The first State House was built in Annapolis in 1696, and a plat of the town was made by Mr. Richard Beard. The State House and the plat were both destroyed with many valuable records when this building was burned in 1704.
3. An attempt was made in 1707 to burn Annapolis. Richard Clarke was the author of this plot. It created great excitement at the capital. Clarke was charged
PARAGRAPH 15. (a) What ship grounded in April, 1775, at the mouth of West River? (b) What was done to this vessel?
PARAGRAPH 16. (a) What should the people of Maryland ever remember of their ancestors?
PARAGRAPH 1. (#) Upon the removal of the capital to Annapolis, what did it become? (b) When was the first State House built at Annapolis?
PARAGRAPH 2. () Who made a plat of the town? (b) When were the State House and plat destroyed ?
PARAGRAPH 3. (#) Who made an attempt to burn the town in 1707? (b) What bill was passed against Clarke?
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with treason and a bill of attainder passed. He does not seem to have been appre- hended.
4. On the 10th of August, 1708, Annapolis received its charter as a city, that honor being granted it by the Honorable John Seymour, the royal Governor of Maryland. The City Council at that date was : Mayor-Amos Garrett. Recorder- Wornell Hunt. Aldermen-Win. Bladen, John Freemen, Benjamin Fordham, Evan Jones, Thomas Boardley and Josiah Wilson.
5. The Lower House of Assembly considered that the power to erect cities and to grant charters was a prerogative that could be exercised only by the Crown itself, and when the delegates from Annapolis made their appearance at the September session of the General Assembly of 1708, that body, denying the authority of the Governor " to confer a charter to Annapolis, expelled the delegates elected under it." The Governor attempted to win the Legislature over to his views by conciliatory measures. The members of the Lower Honse were summoned to the Chamber of the Upper House, where they were addressed by the Governor, who disclaimed any intention to interfere with the rights and privileges of the Lower House in deter- mining the election of their own members ; but claimed for himself the competency to judge of his own prerogatives, and they were urged to return to their House and to rescind their resolution. In justification of their conduct the Lower House replied that the course that it had pursued was founded upon the complaint of some of the freeholders and inhabitants of Annapolis, who conceived that the charter affected their rights as freemen, and particularly so as to the privilege of voting for delegates ; that the right to erect cities was not expressly vested in the Governor, and ought not, therefore, to be exercised until the Queen's, pleasure was known ; but that they would cheerfully concur with him in granting the charter, if all the inhabitants and freeholders of the place desired, and were secured in their equal privileges, to which they were entitled by the Laws of England, and if the public lands and buildings were secured to the uses for which they were purchased. The Governor thereupon dissolved the Assembly.
6. The new Legislature would not grant the Governor the right to erect cities, and the first message of the Lower House to the Governor was this pertinent inquiry-" Would he inform the House if he had received any instructions from her Majesty authorizing the grant of charters and the erection of cities which were not contained in his commission?" The Governor briefly replied :- " That he had no doubt of his own right, and if the exercise of the power was unwarranted, he was answerable to her Majesty, and not to them." A conference was then held between
PARAGRAPH 4. () When did Annapolis receive its charter as a city? (b) Who granted this charter? (c) Who composed its city council?
PARAGRAPH 5. (a) Where did the Lower House consider the power to erect cities lay? (b) What action did the Lower House take when the delegates from Annapolis appeared in that body? (c) What did the Governor attempt? ({/) To what place was the Lower House summoned? (e) What did the Governor say to them? (f) What did the Lower House reply? (g) What action did the Governor then take?
PARAGRAPH 6. (a) What did the new Legislature refuse to grant ? (b) What inquiry did the
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the two Houses, that terminated in a compromise, and in the passage of the Act of 1708, chapter 7, by which the charter of the City of Annapolis was confirmed, but with certain reservations placed in it regarding the public buildings and with restric- tions of municipal power. The city was given two delegates, but they were to be " only allowed half the wages to the Delegates and representatives, as is and shall be allowed to the Delegates of the several Counties."
7. The life and importance of Annapolis as shown in a kaleidoscopic view of the leading events in its history :
In 1720, "A Prospect to Annapolis" was laid off on May 24th, and com- prised two lots of ground, one called Durand's Place, the other Woodchurch's Rest. It lay on the North Side of Severn.
In 1718, ten acres were laid off into half acre lots, and donated to tradesmen.
In 1720, Mr. Edward Smith was granted 120 feet of ground in the City of Annapolis for a sawyer's yard.
In 1726, William Parks, the Public Printer, established the first Maryland Gazette. This was printed only a short period.
In 1728, a lot was allotted for a custom house and a market. The present market house is on the same site.
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