USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > Annals of Annapolis : comprising sundry notices of that old city from the period of the first settlements in its vicinity in the year 1649, until the war of 1812 ; together with various incidents in the history of Maryland, derived from early records, public documents, and other sources ; with an appendix, containing a number of letters from General Washington, and other distinguished persons, which letters have never been published before > Part 16
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It now occupies three hours by steamboat travel be- tween this place and Baltimore; by the rail road, two hours, and perhaps less, will suffice to pass from one to the other. And thus will Annapolis be rendered a suitable and convenient outer or winter harbour for the great emporium of our State, whose harbour is fre- quently closed by ice, while this is open all the winter, unless it be one of unusual severity.
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The public buildings are the state-house, the trea- sury, the government-house, St. John's college, Epis- copal church, Roman Catholic chapel, Methodist church, African house of worship, the Farmers' Bank of Maryland, court-house, city hall, city hotel, ball- room, theatre, the garrison at fort Severn.
THE STATE-HOUSE.
The state-house is situated on a beautiful elevation in the centre of the city. . It has elicited alike the ad- miration of the citizen, the sojourner, and the stranger, for the beauty of its structure.
The main building is of brick, and the superstruc- ture which surmounts it is of wood.
The height from the base to the top of the spire is two hundred feet. From the platform of the dome, which is one hundred and thirty-five feet high, the spectator has one of the most delightful panoramic views to be found within the United States. It com- mands a view of nature in all the beauty of poetic scenery-the ancient city-its environs-the adjacent country-the noble Chesapeake, and the eastern shore beyond it, for an extent of thirty miles around, breaks upon the view of the delighted eye.
The hill on which stands this noble edifice, is enclosed by a neat and substantial granite wall, sur- mounted by a handsome iron railing, which is entered by three gates, one situated at the head of Francis street, and in front of the building, the second to the south-west, and the third to the north-east of the circle.
The main entrance to the building is through a por- tico of but modest pretensions, and opens into a spa-
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cious and beautiful hall, in which is had a view of the interior of the dome, the stucco work of which was made from plaster brought from St. Mary's county.
On the right hand of the hall is the senate chamber. This room is judiciously and tastefully fitted up for the use of the senators of our State. It is 34 feet by 40; it has a lobby and gallery for the accommodation of visitors. Persons of distinction are often invited within the bar of the senate, where seats are provided for them. Portraits at full length, of the distinguished Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Samuel Chase, William Paca, and Thomas Stone, ornament the walls. These gentlemen were the four signers of the declaration of independence, on the part of Maryland, and were at that period all citizens of Annapolis ; each of them in his day filled various posts of honour and responsibi- lity, and shared largely the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.
The first named gentleman was the last survivor of that illustrious band of patriots who signed the decla- ration of American independence.
There is also in this room a portrait of the 'hero of the Cowpens,' the virtuous and excellent John Eager Howard, who has with the rest of his compatriots, gone to the land of his fathers, there to reap the re- wards of an honourable and well-spent life. In 1788- '89 and '90, Mr. Howard was governor of Maryland. The first and last named portraits were painted by Mr. Sully; the others by Mr. Bordley, both native artists. There is likewise in this room a portrait of the elder Pitt, the friend of America. In this picture lord Chatham is represented at full length, in
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the attitude and costume of a Roman orator-with decorations of emblematical figures, expressive of his noble principles. It was painted by Charles Wilson Peale, (who was a native of Annapolis,) while in Eng- land, and presented by him in the year 1794, to his native State.
This room is still more memorable as being the spot upon which was consummated the greatest act in the life of the greatest man of any age. It was here that Washington, after having rescued his country from foreign dominion and usurpation, nobly laid down his authority on the altar of liberty-resigning his com- mission into the hands of congress.
And in this room, too, was ratified by the same con- gress, the treaty of peace with Great Britain, of 1783, recognizing our independence.
Adjoining the senate chamber is the committee room, neatly fitted up for the purposes to which it is applied.
On the left of the hall, immediately opposite to the senate chamber, is the chamber of the house of dele- gates, of the same dimensions of the senate chamber, neatly fitted up, and accommodates seventy-nine mem- bers, who sit at desks conveniently arranged. It has also a lobby and gallery for the accommodation of spectators, and with it are connected committee rooms. From the walls of this room is suspended a large pic- ture, presenting a full length likeness of general Wash- ington, attended by general La Fayette and colonel 'Tilghman, his aids-de-camp; the continental army passing in review. In his hand he holds the articles of capitulation at Yorktown.
This picture was painted by Charles Wilson Peale,
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in pursuance of a resolution of the general assembly of Maryland.
At the termination of the hall of entrance, the State library is situated, which is appropriately fitted up. There are seven alcoves on the first floor, and ten arches on the gallery. It contains at this time twelve thousand volumes, and is calculated to hold 'twenty thousand. It is of but recent origin, and has for the short period of its existence, under the fostering care of the legislature, already become valuable as a State institution.
This portion of the hall was formerly occupied by the general court of Maryland, and used as a hall of justice until 1804, when that court was abolished. It remained unoccupied from that period until the year 1834, when it was fitted up and appropriated to its present purpose.
In the public hall are two archways, the one on the right, leads by a flight of stairs to the State department, directly over the senate chamber. This room was occupied under the late constitution of the State, by the governor and council. It has recently undergone repair, and is neatly and appropriately furnished.
The executive business is here transacted by the governor and the secretary of State.
A room north of the State department, formerly occupied as the State library, is now the office of the adjutant-general.
Opposite to the door of the State department, a gal- lery leads to the armory, and to the dome of the build- ing. The arrangement of the armory is considered by many as one of great beauty, the arms being disposed of upon the ceiling and walls of the room.
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The archway on the left of the public hall, leads by a flight of stairs to the court of appeals' chamber, im- mediately over the hall of the house of delegates, and to the chancery office, which occupies the west angle on the second floor; likewise to one of the committee rooms of the house of delegates.
In the rear of the building are two entrances, the one on the west leads to the land office, and the other to record rooms of the court of appeals.
THE TREASURY.
Within the circle enclosing the state-house, on the eastern margin of the hill, stands the treasury depart- ment. This building is venerable as well as memora- ble, for having been the legislative hall of the provin- cial government. In the larger room, the lower house, and in the smaller one, the upper house of assembly sat for many years; such accommodations contrast strikingly with those of the present day.
From the state-house and Episcopal church circles, respectively, many of the streets radiate, and inter- sect each other at convenient points. The plan is a peculiar and an agreeable one, when viewed from some prominent point.
GOVERNMENT-HOUSE.
The main building of the government-house, was erected by Edmund Jennings, Esq., and was pur- chased from him by governor Eden, when he presided over the province of Maryland; and by whom were built the wings and long room.
This edifice has a handsome court and garden, ex- tending, with the exception of an intervening lot, to
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the water's edge. From the portico looking to the garden, a fine prospect regales the vision. The build- ing consists of two stories, and presents an extensive front; there are on the lower floor a large room on each side of the hall as you enter, and several smaller ones; the saloon, on the same floor, is nearly the length of the house. On each side of the edifice are commodious kitchens, carriage-houses and stables, with spacious lots. Towards the water, the building rises in the middle in a turreted shape. It stands detached from other structures, and is altogether a delightful and suitable mansion for the residence of the chief magistrate of our State.
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE.
In 1784, the general assembly of Maryland passed an act for founding a college on the western shore, and incorporated the institution by the name of the 'Visitors and Governors of St. John's College;' and for the purpose of providing a 'permanent fund for the further encouragement and establishment of the said college,' the sum of £1750 was 'annually and forever thereafter given and granted, as a donation by the public, to the use of the said college.'
The legislature also granted for the use of the insti- tution, four acres of land, (now known by the name of the College Green,) and which land had been in the year 1744, conveyed by Stephen Boardley to Mr. Bladen, the then governor of Maryland. Mr. Bladen projected the present college building, as a noble man- sion for the residence of the governors of Maryland. A Mr. Duff (the architect) came over from Scotland to superintend the construction of the building. Mate-
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rials of every kind were provided equal to the spirit of public liberality, and the edifice was nearly completed in a style of superior magnificence, when an unhappy contention took place between the governor and legis- lature, which increased to such a degree, that at a period when a very trifling sum would have rendered it a noble residence, the further prosecution of the de- sign was discontinued, and it remained for a long time a melancholy and mouldering monument of the con- sequences resulting from political dissensions. It received the cognomen of the 'governor's folly.'
The depredations of time had greatly injured the interior of the building, which in an unfinished state, continued many years exposed to the inclemency of the weather. But the legislature, actuated by sentiments which reflect the highest credit on their patriotism and wisdom, having determined to endow and found a col- lege for the education of youth in every liberal and useful branch of science, wisely resolved to repair the damages sustained, and to apply the building to the purposes of education.
The agents appointed by the legislature for solicit- ing subscriptions and donations for St. John's college, were the Rev. John Carroll, the Rev. Wm. Smith and Patrick Allison, Doctors of Divinity, and Richard Sprigg, John Steret and George Diggs, Esqs., with power to appoint other agents.
By an act of assembly passed in 1785, the funds of 'King William's school,' which had been founded at Annapolis ever since the year 1696, were conveyed to St. John's college.
In thus establishing a seminary of learning at the seat of government, our patriots and statesmen mani-
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fested their sense of the great importance of, and the happy results which would flow from an institution of this character, under the State patronage, and how inseparably it was connected with the interest and happiness of our people. For years the flourishing condition of St. John's fully realized the most sanguine expectations of its noble and enlightened founders. Scholars and statesmen were sent forth from her halls, who have been the pride of her own and the admira- tion of other States, and who have earned for them- selves the highest reputation, and reflected honour on their alma mater. But alas ! this noble and efficient monument of the wisdom of our progenitors, was but too soon to meet a sad reverse of fortune. For as early as the year 1805, we find that political discord- that horrible hydra with its hundred heads-reared its crest against this institution, and by an act of the legis- lature in that year, the funds of the college were with- drawn. This paralyzed its energies, and reduced it to a languishing condition, in which posture it remained until 1811, when the legislature, partially awakened to a sense of duty and justice to the cause of education, granted $1000 annually, and again in 1821, granted to its visitors and governors a scheme of a lottery, by which was added to its permanent funds, twenty thou- sand dollars.
In 1831, when the efforts of its visitors and govern- ors were crowned with success in obtaining the ser- vices of its present able principal, a still brighter prospect dawned upon this old and favoured institu- tion of our State. By the united and unceasing exer- tions of the faculty, visitors and governors of the insti- tution, it was again placed in a prosperous condition.
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The efforts thus made to revive this venerable seminary of learning, could not but attract the further attention of our legislature. In 1833, the State came nobly to the rescue of good old St. John's, and passed an act of compromise, by which $2000 per annum, in addition to former grants, were secured to the college forever, and which the visitors and governors accepted in full of their legal and equitable claims ; and a deed of release, enjoined by the provisions of the act, was executed and entered upon the records of the court of appeals.
At a meeting of the board of the visitors and govern- ors of the college, held on the 15th of February, 1834, the principal was authorized and requested to collect subscriptions, to be applied to the erection of suitable buildings for the accommodation of students, and for the improving and extending the library and the philo- sophical apparatus of the institution.
For the purpose of carrying this object into effect, the principal visited several parts of the State, and succeeded in obtaining a subscription of more than twelve thousand dollars. From the proceeds of which has been erected a beautiful edifice, finished in a style of elegance that reflects great credit upon its pro- jectors.
This building is designed for one of the professors, and the students ; there are twenty private rooms in it, intended for separate studies for members of the ad- vanced classes, and two large dormitories for pupils in the preparatory branches. A building like this had long been greatly needed, and will add much to the prosperity of the institution. It will accommodate at least sixty students in all the departments.
There is a library in the institution, but by no means
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such an one as it should be; although there is a large collection of books, and some of them of rare and curious editions, yet they are not of the kind most needed in an institution of the highest order of science. And it is ardently hoped that the State, under whose auspices this institution has been so recently revived, will bestow an adequate fund for furnishing its library with all the standard authors in literature, in science and the arts ; and especially with all the philosophical and scientific journals published in this country and in Europe.
There have been at all times at least ten students in the institution, who receive instruction free of expense, under the provisions of an act of assembly. Provision is also made by the visitors and governors to receive in addition, one scholar from each county in the State.
The cabinet of minerals belonging to the college, consists of various and interesting specimens of ores and marls found within the borders of our own State, which have been collected and arranged by Mr. Duca- tel, the distinguished professor who was recently at the head of that branch of science; also, some very valu- able specimens of minerals and ores of other States and foreign countries. And valuable contributions are con- tinued to be made from various quarters.
St. John's college stands on an eminence at the ter- mination of Prince George street, and is a four-storied structure, including the basement, and has recently undergone considerable repairs. A more delightful situation was never appropriated than this for its pur- poses. It is situated on the banks of the Severn, within the limits of the city, commanding, in every point of view, the most interesting and beautiful ob-
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jects. The adjacent country is open and healthy ; the contiguous grounds are sufficiently extensive for the advantages of exercise and amusement; and the fabric contains a variety of spacious and convenient apart- ments for the accommodation of the professors and students.
The peculiar advantages to youth in being educated at this seminary, are numerous and evident; with re- spect to health, as far as a high and dry soil, with pure air, will contribute to its preservation, or restore it when impaired, few places can be put in competition with, and none can excel it. The sessions of the general assembly, and the meeting of the courts of appeals, chancery and county, are so obviously bene- ficial to those young men who may be called to the public service, or enter into the profession of the law, that no parent, especially a citizen of our State, should hesitate a moment to send his son, whom he desires to become eminent in any of the professions, to a place where he is the most likely to acquire those qualifica- tions which will render him useful and distinguished as a statesman, or afford him the greatest chance of professional improvement.
Large cities often defeat the salutary purposes of education, by furnishing incitements to vice, and af- fording opportunities of concealment. Annapolis is happily free from these objections ; and the discipline of this institution is such as to prevent the student from deviating from the path of rectitude, even if so inclined. The forming of manners, so essential to those who are intended for any public or private pur- suit, will keep pace with the improvement of the intel- lect, and a youth when qualified to enter on the scene
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. of action, will be enabled to perform his part with ease to himself and satisfaction to the observer.
If all the advantages mentioned are united in this institution, and which it is presumed no one will dis- pute, why, we may inquire, should the citizens of Maryland send their sons abroad to other seminaries, instead of patronizing an institution of our own? An institution, we will venture to assert, that has sent forth to the world, a constant and regular supply of alumni, who by their talents at the bar, in the sacred desk, and in our legislative halls, have proved them- selves inferior to none from any other seminary in the Union.
The college green, in the revolutionary war, was used as the encampment of the French army; and also by the American troops assembled in the war of 1812. Traces of these encampments still remain, and render it an object of touching interest; parts of it exhibit mounds raised to those who died in service ; and though 'no storied urn' designates the spot where the remains of any distinguished warrior repose-all being indiscriminately inhumed-yet the interest of their fate is undiminished by this circumstance, when we reflect that they died in the same glorious cause.
On the grounds east of the college, stands a large forest poplar, or 'American tulip tree,' the age of which is not known. It is highly probable that it formed a part of the forest which was growing when Annapolis was first settled by the puritans in 1649. This tree has been commemorated in verse by a distinguished graduate of St. John's, (the lamented Doctor John Shaw, who was a native of our city,) and is held to this day in great veneration by our
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citizens. But a short time since, it was accidentally set on fire. The occurrence excited as much interest in, and exertion on the part of our inhabitants to extinguish it, and save the old favourite tree from de- struction, as if it had been one of the finest buildings of the town. It was truly gratifying to see the inte- rest elicited and the delight manifested by many when the progress of the fire was arrested.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Is a large and commodious building,* and stands about two hundred yards west of the state-house. It is enclosed by a post and rail fence. Between the church and the enclosure, are arranged in a circular form, Lombardy poplars, which in the summer afford an agreeable shade. The interior of the church is plain and neat, and is capable of containing a nume- rous congregation. A large and fine toned bell hangs in the belfry, and is said to have been presented to the city by Queen Anne. It has an old but fine organ in the gallery. Fronting the reading-desk and pulpit, affixed to the wall, is a marble statue of chaste and beautiful sculpture, erected in memory of one of the Dulany family. In the church-yard are several sculp- tured tombs enclosed with iron railing, which contain the remains of the Tasker family. There is also a monument erected in memory of some of the members of the Carroll family.
* This church was erected soon after the American revolution. Its architect was Mr. Robert Key, long a worthy and respectable citizen of Annapolis.
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THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL
Is a small structure, and is situated on the Duke of Gloucester street. It was built mainly through the in- strumentality of the venerable and generous Charles Carroll of Carrollton. It has been erected but a few years, and has a neat appearance outside. The interior is very appropriate, and the general arrangement is convenient and comfortable. It has a fine new organ in the gallery. Near the chapel is a house for the mi- nister, which is one of a row of buildings that formerly stood there, then known as 'Mac Namara's row,' and is said to be one of the oldest houses in the city.
THE METHODIST CHURCH
Was built about twenty years ago, and is capable of accommodating a large congregation. This building is of plain structure, and is situated on the north side of the state-house circle. It is larger than the Roman chapel, but smaller than the episcopal church, its inte- rior is like the outside, plain, but becomingly neat.
THE AFRICAN HOUSE OF WORHIP
Is situated on West street, in the suburbs of the city. It is of brick and but recently erected, large and com- modious, and accommodates the coloured population of the place, who deserve great credit for their liberal contributions towards its erection.
THE FARMERS' BANK OF MARYLAND
Is situate at the corner of West street, fronting the church circle. It consists of one story, and is of singu- lar form externally, though the interior, particularly the 21*
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banking room, is well calculated for the purpose for which it is intended. It may be truly said of this institution, that it has ever been, and still is con- sidered as sound and as safe as any other banking establishment in this country.
THE COURT-HOUSE
Is quite a modern edifice, and stands on the south-west of the church circle. As you enter there is a spacious hall, on each side of which are two commodious offices. The one on the right hand is occupied by the register of wills, the other by the clerk of the county. Immediately in the rear of the clerk's office, is the sheriff's, and at the end of the hall is the court room. This is a fine, spacious room, and well suited to the purposes to which it is appropriated. On the second floor are the jury rooms, surveyor's office, and rooms used by the commissioners of the county. The front roof of the building, compared with the rear, exhibits the appearance of wings. It is enclosed by a brick wall, surmounted by a neat wood railing.
THE CITY HALL
Is situate on Church street. It is a neat edifice, and contains a hall on the upper floor the whole length of the house, and is the place of meeting for the corpo- rate authorities of the city. Rising from the roof is a belfry, and under the hall the fire engines and appa- ratus belonging the city are kept.
THE CITY HOTEL
Stands at the corner of Church and Conduit streets, and has been in the occupancy of several individuals
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since its establishment as such. The old building, as it is termed, originally belonged to, and was occupied by, Mr. Lloyd Dulany, as his residence. It is two stories high ; the new building is three ; and a large building of two stories has recently been added, ex- tending back to the Duke of Gloucester street. The present worthy and enterprising proprietors have added greatly to its appearance and comfort. The court front- ing the main building is tastefully embellished by neat enclosures and shrubbery. This structure, with its appendages, covers a large space of ground. It is an excellent establishment, and in every respect well cal- culated for the comfortable accommodation of travel- ers, and others, who make it a place of abode or resort.
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