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 17
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THE BALL ROOM
Is on the Duke of Gloucester street, and is a spacious edifice. The dancing room is large and of elegant construction, and when illuminated, shows to great advantage; the walls are decorated by a full length likeness of Charles Lord Baltimore, and portraits of several of the former governors of Maryland. At the lower extremity is the supper room, which was for- merly the revenue office of the province. At the upper end is a card room, for the use of the gentlemen who may choose to enjoy the 'circulation of the party- coloured gentry,' without having their attention di- verted by the sound of the violin, and the evolutions of youthful performers.
This building was used as our legislative hall, during the erection of the present state-house.
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ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
THE THEATRE
Is also situated on the Duke of Gloucester street, and is of late construction. It is built of wood, and is rarely opened, not having votaries of the dramatic muse sufficient to sustain it even for a season.
THE GARRISON AT FORT SEVERN
Occupies an area of several acres, tastefully laid off. A substantial brick wall encloses in part the garrison, consisting of several handsome buildings; the river Severn encloses the residue. On approaching this establishment by water, your admiration is elicited by a romantic and picturesque landscape, ornamented by the dwellings, cottages, fort, trees and shrubbery.
There can be no site better suited for the purpose to which it is applied. Great labour has been be- stowed in rendering it perfectly healthy. The quarters or barracks are preserved with all imaginable neatness, and whatever belongs to the soldiers' apartments is kept in the neatest order. The section of the town where the garrison is located was formerly much neglected, and had a very desolate appearance. Now the entire aspect of the ground is greatly changed and improved from the water's edge, where the fort stands, to the extent of the enclosures.
The main building, occupied by the commandant of the post, was erected by a Mr. Duff, (the architect of St. John's college,) and by him sold to Mr. Walter Dulany, who resided there for many years.
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ANNALS OF ANNAPOLIS.
Governors of the Province and State of Maryland from the First Settlement in 1633 to 1840.
UNDER THE PROPRIETARY GOVERNMENT.
1633. Leonard Calvert. 1715. John Hart.
1647. Thomas Greene.
1720. Charles Calvert.
1649. William Stone. 1727. Benedict Leonard Calvert.
1654. Commissioners under Par- 1732. Samuel Ogle.
liament. 1733. Charles Lord Baltimore.
1658. Josiah Fendall.
1735. Samuel Ogle.
1661. Philip Calvert.
1742. Thomas Bladen.
1662. Charles Calvert.
1747. Samuel Ogle.
1676. Charles Lord Baltimore.
1753. Horatio Sharpe.
1678. Thomas Notley.
1769. Robert Eden.
1681. Charles Lord Baltimore.
UNDER THE ROYAL GOVERNMENT.
1699. Government seized by the 1699. Nathaniel Blackiston. crown of England. 1704. John Seymour.
1692. Lyonel Copley. 1714. John Hart.
1694. Francis Nicholson.
PRESIDENTS OF THE PROVINCE.
1703. Thomas Tench. 1752. Benjamin Tasker.
1709. Edward Lloyd.
UNDER THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
1776. Provisional Government. 1811. Robert Bowie.
1777. Thomas Johnson.
1812. Levin Winder.
1779. Thomas Sim Lee.
1782. William Paca.
1785. William Smallwood.
1818. Charles Goldsborough.
1788. John Eager Howard.
1819. Samuel Sprigg.
1822. Samuel Stevens, Jr.
1825. Joseph Kent.
1828. Daniel Martin.
1829. Thomas King Carroll.
1830. Daniel Martin.
1831. George Howard.
1832. James Thomas.
1835. Thomas W. Veazey.
1809. Edward Lloyd.
1815. Charles Ridgely, of Hampton.
1791. George Plater.
1792. Thomas Sim Lee.
1794. John H. Stone.
1797. John Henry.
1798. Benjamin Ogle.
1801. John Francis Mercer.
1803. Robert Bowie.
1806. Robert Wright.
1838. William Grason.
APPENDIX.
Letter from General Charles Lee to the Honourable Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq., President of the Council of Safety of Maryland.
'WILLIAMSBURG, May the 6th, 1776.
'Dear Sir,-I find that I am extremely censured not only by your board, but by a multitude of others, for my letter to Mr. Purviance with respect to the seizure of Mr. Eden's person and papers-but I really think when the circumstances are explained, that the censure will appear unjust, and that I was neither violent, assuming nor preci- pitate. When the secretary of state's letter to your go- vernor was put into my hands, I naturally concluded that could we possess ourselves of all Mr. Eden's papers, the whole machinations of the ministry might be discovered ; that this discovery might enable us to prevent their effects, and perhaps defeat the whole plan. The possession of these papers could not be hoped for without previously securing his person, and to accomplish this, the utmost secrecy and expedition were necessary. Now, sir, as I imagined you had no troops at Annapolis to execute the purpose, (but in this I find I was mistaken,) and as I knew there were troops in readiness at Baltimore, and as there was no con- tinental general or other officer in Maryland, Mr. Purvi- ance, chairman of the committee, on the spot where I had conceived troops alone to be stationed, occurred to me as the only person to whom I could with propriety and effect
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make application. Had I known, sir, that a regiment or any troops were stationed at Annapolis, I should undoubt- edly, sir, have addressed myself to you as president of the council of safety.
'It is said, sir, that Maryland was out of the district of my command; that consequently to intrude myself into the business and concerns of that province, was assuming and arrogant. I really conceive, sir, that when the safety or very being of the whole community appears at stake, the part I have acted in this affair cannot with justice be esteemed arrogance. I did not presume authoritatively to order, but as one servant of the public earnestly to entreat and consider another servant who alone appeared to me to have the means in his hands, to take a certain step of the best importance to the public cause. I must, therefore, repeat, sir, that my reason for addressing myself to Mr. Purviance, at Baltimore, proceeded entirely from my igno- rance of there being any troops at Annapolis, and not (as I have been told has been thrown out) from any indif- ference in your virtue and decision. I suppose the com- mittee of safety here viewed it in the same light, for I read my letter to them, and it was approved of. In times like these, sir, I conceive that when we have received sufficient evidences of any treasonable practices being carried on, and that when it appears to us that the imme- diate seizure of a particular traitor's person, may lead to discoveries on which the salvation of the State may de- pend; that when the utmost secrecy and expedition are necessary to the seizure of his person, it is the duty of a good citizen not to delay a single instant, if a single instant's delay may prevent the execution. This was the manner I thought it my duty to proceed in the case of Mr. Wormley. On the discovery of his correspondence with the enemy, I gave orders for the security of his per- son and papers, and then referred the affair to the proper tribunal, the committee of safety. The measure. was so
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far from giving umbrage or creating jealousy, that it met with their unanimous approbation. If this method is pro- scribed at a juncture like the present, the great check on dangerous correspondence and conspiracies will be taken off; if councils are to be held previously to the seizure of any traitor's person or papers, notwithstanding the strongest evidences against him, I am much mistaken if every traitor does not slip through your hands.
'I must now, sir, conclude, with assuring you, and the respectable body over which you preside, that if they sup- pose me capable of aiming or wishing to extend the mili- tary authority, or trespass on the civil, they do me the most cruel injustice. Although I was bred in the army, I thank God the spirit and principles of the citizen were ever predominant, and I solemnly declare that if I thought it possible I should ever be so far intoxicated by military command, as to harbour a wish injurious to the civil supre- macy in all things, I would now, whilst I retain my senses, beg leave to divest myself of my present office, and serve as a volunteer in the glorious cause in which I have em- barked my person, fortune and reputation. What I did in this affair, I did in the character of a common zealous member of the community, not of an officer; what ap- peared irregular or offensive in the mode, I hope I have explained to your satisfaction, and I entreat that it may be entirely attributed to a mistake for which I am heartily concerned, as it has prejudiced me in the opinion of men whose esteem I am most ambitious of obtaining.
'I am, dear sir, your most obd't, humble serv't,
-
'CHARLES LEE.
. 'To Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq.
President of the Council of Safety of Maryland.'
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APPENDIX.
Letter from the Honourable John Hancock to the Honourable Convention of Maryland.
'PHILADELPHIA, June 4th, 1776.
'Gentlemen,-Our affairs are hastening fast to a crisis ; and the approaching campaign will, in all probability, determine forever the fate of America.
'Such is the unrelenting spirit which possesses the tyrant of Britain and his parliament, that they have left no measure unessayed that had a tendency to accomplish our destruction.
'Not satisfied with having lined our coasts with ships-of- war, to starve us into a surrender of our liberties, and to prevent us from being supplied with arms and ammuni- tion, they are now about to pour in a number of foreign troops, who from their want of connections, and those feel- ings of sympathy which frequently bind together the dif- ferent parts of the same empire, will be more likely to do the business of their masters without remorse or com- punction.
'By the best intelligence from Canada, it appears that our affairs in that quarter wear a melancholy aspect. Should the Canadians and Indians take up arms against us, (which there is too much reason to fear,) we shall then have the whole force of that country to contend with, joined to that of Great Britain, and all her foreign auxilia- ries. In this situation what steps must we pursue? The continental troops alone, are unable to stem the torrent; nor is it possible at this day to raise and discipline men ready to take the field by the time they will be wanting.
'From the secrecy with which the ministry carry on their machinations, we neither know their views, or how near our enemies may be. Perhaps at this moment they are landing on some part of our country.
'In this difficult and trying situation of our affairs, the congress have come to the enclosed resolves, which I have it in command to transmit you by express, containing
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matters of the greatest importance, and to which I beg leave to request your attention. You will there find the congress have judged it necessary to call upon the militia at this alarming crisis.
'Should the united colonies be able to keep their ground this campaign, I am under no apprehensions on account of any future one. We have many disadvantages at present to struggle with, which time and progress in the art of war will remove.
'But this circumstance should rouse us to superior exer- tions on the occasion.
'The militia of the united colonies are a body of troops that may be depended upon.
'To their virtue, their delegates in congress now make the most solemn appeal.
'They are called upon to say, whether they will live slaves or die freemen. They are requested to step forth in defence of their wives, their children, their liberty and every thing they hold dear. The cause is certainly a most glorious one, and I hope every man in the colony of Mary- land is determined to see it gloriously ended, or to perish in the ruins of it.
'In short, on your exertions at this critical period, to- gether with those of the other colonies in the common cause, the salvation of America now evidently depends.
'Your colony, I am persuaded, will not be behind hand. Exert, therefore, every nerve to distinguish yourselves. Quicken your preparations, and stimulate the good people of your government, and there is no danger, notwith- standing the mighty armament with which we are threat- ened, but they will be led on to victory, to liberty, and to happiness
'I have'the honour to be, with great respect, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant,
'JOHN HANCOCK, President.
'The Honourable the Convention of Maryland.'
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APPENDIX.
Letter from John Hancock, Esquire, President of Congress, to the Honourable Convention of Maryland. 'PHILADELPHIA, July 8th, 1776.
' Gentlemen,-Although it is not possible to foresee the consequences of human action, yet it is nevertheless a duty we owe ourselves and posterity, in all our public councils, to decide in the best manner we are able, and to trust the event to that Being, who controls both causes and events, so as to bring about his own determinations.
'Impressed with this sentiment, and at the same time fully convinced that our affairs may take a more favour- able turn, the congress have judged it neccessary to dissolve all connection between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and to declare them Free and Inde- pendent States, as you will perceive by the enclosed declaration, which I am directed by congress to transmit to you, and to request you will have it proclaimed in your colony, in the way you shall think most proper.
'The important consequences to the American States from this Declaration of Independence, considered as the ground and foundation of a future government, will natu- rally suggest the propriety of proclaiming it in such a man- ner, as that the people may be universally informed of it.
'I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obe- dient and very humble servant,
'JOHN HANCOCK, President. 'The Hon'ble Convention of Maryland.'
Letter from Colonel Smallwood to the Hon'ble Matthew Tilghman, Esq. President of the Convention of Mary- land.
'CAMP OF THE MARYLAND REGULARS, HEAD-QUARTERS, October 12th, 1776.
'Sir,-Through your hands I must beg leave to address the honourable Convention of Maryland, and must confess, not without an apprehension, that I have incurred their
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displeasure for having omitted writing when on our march from Maryland for New York, and since our arrival here. Nor shall I in a pointed manner urge any thing in my defence, but leave them at large to condemn or excuse me, upon a presumption, that should they condemn, they will at least pardon, and judge me perhaps less culpable, when they reflect, in the first instance, on the exertions necessary to procure baggage wagons, provisions and house room for seven hundred and fifty men, marched the whole distance in a body, generally from fifteen to twenty miles per day, as the several stages made it necessary. And in the latter, I trust they will give some indulgence for this neglect, for since our arrival at New York, it has been the fate of this corps to be generally stationed at advanced posts, and to act as a covering party, which must una- voidably expose troops to extraordinary duty and hazard, not to mention the extraordinary vigilance and attention in the commandant of such a party, in disposing in the best manner, and having it regularly supplied, for here the commanders of regiments, exclusive of their military duty, are often obliged to exert themselves in the departments of commissary and quarter-master-general, and even di- rectors of their regimental hospitals.
'Perhaps it may not be improper to give a short detail of occurrences upon our march to Long Island, and since that period.
'The enemy, from the 21st to the 27th of August, were landing their troops on the lower part of Long Island, where they pitched a large encampment, and ours and their advanced parties were daily skirmishing at long shot, in which neither party suffered much.
'On the 26th the Maryland and Delaware troops, which composed part of Lord Sterling's brigade, were ordered over.
'Col. Haslet and his lieut. col. Bedford, of the Delaware battalion, with lieut. col. Hare and myself, were detained 22*
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on the trial of lieut. col. Zedwitz, and though I waited on general Washington, and urged the necessity of attending our troops, yet he refused to discharge us, alledging there was a necessity for the trials coming on, and that no other field-officers could be then had.
'After our dismission from the court martial, it was too late to get over, but pushing over early next morning, found our regiment engaged. Lord Sterling having marched them off before day, to take possession of the woods and difficult passes between our lines and the enemy's encampment ; but the enemy the over night had stole a march on our generals, having got through those passes, met and surrounded our troops on the plain grounds, within two miles of our lines. Lord Sterling drew up his brigade on an advantageous rising ground, where he was attacked by two brigades in front, headed by the generals Cornwallis and Grant, and in his rear the enemy's main body stood ready drawn up to support their awn parties and intercept the retreat of ours. This excel- lent disposition and their superior numbers, ought to have taught our generals there was no time to be lost in secu- ring their retreat, which might at first have been effected, had the troops formed into a heavy column and pushed their retreat, but the longer this was delayed, it became the more dangerous, as they were then landing more troops in front from the ships.
'Our brigade kept their ground for several hours, and in general behaved well, having received some heavy fires from the artillery and musquetry of the enemy, whom they repulsed several times ; but their attacks were neither so lasting or vigorous as was expected, owing, as it was imagined, to their being certain of making the whole brigade prisoners of war; for by this time they had so secured the passes on the road to our lines, (seeing our parties were not supported from thence, which indeed our numbers would not admit of,) that there was no possibility
1
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of retreating that way. Between the place of action and our lines there lay a large marsh and deep creek, not above eighty yards across at the mouth, (the place of action upon a direct line, did not exceed a mile from a part of our lines,) towards the head of which creek there was a mill and bridge, across which a certain col. Ward, from New England, (who is charged with having acted a bashful part that day,) passed over with his regiment and then burnt them down, though under cover of our cannon, which would have checked the enemy's pursuit at any time, otherwise this bridge might have afforded a secure retreat. There then remained no other prospect but to surrender or attempt to retreat over this marsh and creek at the mouth, where no person had ever been known to cross. In the interim, I applied to general Washington for some regiments to march out to support and cover their retreat, which he urged would be attended with too great risk to the party and the lines ; he immediately afterwards sent for and ordered me to march down a New England regi- ment, and captain Thomas' company, which had just come over from York, to the mouth of the creek, opposite where the brigade was drawn up, and ordered two field pieces down, to support and cover their retreat, should they make a push that way. Soon after our march, they began to retreat, and for a small time the fire was very heavy on both sides, till our troops came to the marsh, where they were obliged to break their order, and escape as quick as they could to the edge of the creek, under a brisk fire, notwithstanding which they brought off twenty-eight prisoners.
'The enemy taking advantage of a commanding ground, kept up a continual fire from four field pieces, which were well served and directed, and a heavy column advancing on the marsh must have cut our people off, their guns being wet and muddy, not one of them could have fired ; but having drawn up the musquetry and disposed of some
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riflemen conveniently, with orders to fire on them when they came within shot; however, the latter began their fire rather too soon, being at two hundred yards distance, which, notwithstanding, had the desired effect, for the enemy immediately retreated to the fast land, where they continued parading within six hundred yards, till our troops were brought over; most of those who swam over, and others who attempted to cross before the covering party got down, lost their arms and accoutrements in the mud and creek, and some poor fellows their lives, particu- larly two of the Maryland, two of the Delaware, one of Astley's Pennsylvania, and two Hessian prisoners, were drowned.
"Thomas' men contributed much in bringing over this party-have enclosed a list of the killed and missing, amounting to 256, officers included. It has been said the enemy during the action also attacked our lines, but this was a mistake; not knowing the ground, one of their columns advanced within long shot, without knowing they were so near, and upon our artillery and part of the mus- quetry's firing on them, they immediately fled.
'The 28th, during a very hard rain, there was an alarm that the enemy had advanced to attack our lines, which alarmed the troops much, but was without foundation.
'The 29th, it was found by a council of war, that our fortifications were not tenable, and it was therefore judged expedient that the army should retreat from the island that night; to effect which, notwithstanding the Maryland troops had had but one day's respite, and many other troops had been many days clear of any detail of duty, they were ordered on the advanced post at fort Putnam, within 250 yards of the enemy's approaches, and joined with two Pennsylvania regiments on the left, were to re- main and cover the retreat of the army, which was hap- pily completed under cover of a thick fog and a south- west wind, both which favoured our retreat, otherwise the
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fear, disorder, and confusion of some of the eastern troops, must have retarded and discovered our retreat, and sub- jected numbers to be cut off.
'After remaining two days in New York, our next sta- tion was at Harlaem, nine miles above, at an advanced post opposite to Montresore's and Bohana's islands, which in a few days the enemy got possession of without oppo- sition, from the former of which we daily discoursed with them, being within two hundred yards, and only a small creek between.
'It being judged expedient to abandon New York and retreat to our lines below fort Washington, the military stores, &c. had been removing some days, when on the 15th. September, the enemy effected a landing on several parts of the island below, and it is cutting to say, without the least opposition.
'I have often read and heard of instances of cowardice, but hitherto have had but a faint idea of it till now. I never could have thought human nature subject to such baseness. I could wish the transactions of this day blotted out of the annals of America. Nothing appeared but flight, disgrace and confusion ; let it suffice to say that 60 light infantry upon the first fire put to flight two brigades of the Connecticut troops-wretches who, however strange it may appear, from the brigadier-general down to the pri- vate sentinel, were caned and whipped by the generals Washington, Putnam and Mifflin, but even this indignity had no weight, they could not be brought to stand one shot. General Washington expressly sent and drew our regiment from its brigade, to march down towards New York, to cover the retreat and to defend the baggage, with direction to take possession of an advantageous eminence near the enemy, upon the main road, where we remained under arms the best part of the day, till Sargent's brigade came in with their baggage, who were the last troops coming in, upon which the enemy divided their main
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body into two columns, one filing off on the North river, endeavoured to flank and surround us; we had orders to retreat in good order, which was done, our corps getting within the lines a little after dusk.
'The next day about 1000 of them made an attempt upon our lines, and were first attacked by the brave col. Knolton, of New England, who lost his life in the action, and the third Virginia regiment, who were immediately joined by three independent companies under major Price, and some part of the Maryland flying camp, who drove them back to their lines, it is supposed with the loss of 400 men killed and wounded; our party had about 100 killed and wounded, of the former only 15. Since which we have been viewing each other at a distance, and strongly entrenching, till the 9th October, when three of their men-of-war passed up the North river, above King's bridge, under a heavy cannonade from our batteries, which has effectually cut off our communication by water, with Albany.
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