USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Baltimore City > History of Baltimore, Maryland, from its founding as a town to the current year, 1729-1898, including its early settlement and development; a description of its historic and interesting localities; political, military, civil, and religious statistcs; biographies of representative citizens, etc., etc > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131
At an election held in Baltimore, in 1776, within its limits, four hundred and seventy- two votes were polled. Including "Fell's Point," there was a population of six thou- sand seven hundred and fifty-five people.
So important an event as the public read- ing of the Declaration of Independence at the court house door must not be omitted. The audience was immense and the public acclaim generous and enthusiastic. King George the Third was carted in effigy through the town and burned. The sheriff having refused to read the "Declaration," was compelled to leave town, a proceed- ing which threatened to incite a riot and serve the sheriff with a coat of tar and feathers.
Prior to 1776, Baltimore was without in- dependent recognition in the election of delegates to the Legislature. At that time the power was conferred on it to elect two representatives to that body. At the close of the Revolution the struggle between the Federalist party and their opponents for su- premacy at once began. The people of Baltimore, however, showed intense feeling as to their political representation in the Legislature, and it had its birth with the commencement of parties inside its borders.
1788.
October 6th, the election for delegates to the General Assembly begun as provided by statute and continued under its pro- visions. It was not until 7.30 o'clock of the evening of the Ioth that the polls were closed.
The Federal candidates were James Mc- Henry and John Coulter. The candidates of the anti-Federalists were Samuel Chase (a signer of the Declaration of Independ- ence) and David McMeahen. The vote stood: McHenry, 635; Coulter, 622; Chase, 502, and McMeahen, 494. The following account of how that election was conducted has survived. On the first day, McHenry's and Coulter's partisans had a large parade. In their procession was a ship and a pilot boat. Drums were beating, fifes playing and colors flying. A large body of citizens were in line, some of them the most respect- able people in the city, and there was also in the procession a large percentage of persons who were not entitled to vote. They kept in line with those who were, and took pos- session of the voting place and blockaded it throughout the first day. The casting of ballots, the highest exercise of a freeman's will, was for that day at their pleasure.
On the second day of the election the adherents of Chase and McMeahen, think- ing there were advantages to be gained in holding the window, took possession of it. They must have been correct in their sur- mises after they had held it long enough to learn the value of it. The McHenry and Coulter forces considered they had best re- take the window, so they manoeuvred the Chase and McMeahen contingent to the rear and stationed themselves well up to the front.
72
HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
Such proceedings on the part of our fathers in the good old times long ago dis- gusted some of their more sober and sedate fellow-citizens, who, hearing of what was in progress, declined to go to the polls. Others who made the attempt were not suc- cessful in reaching there. The town was served with hand-bills every evening, in which threats were made to publish the names of the respectable participants in the election outrages; it was a mild way of ap- pealing to them to behave or take the con- sequences.
1789-1790.
The first constitutional election for mem- bers of Congress and for Presidential elect- ors was held in January. The total vote cast in Baltimore was 1,200; the Federalist ticket was successful.
The Maryland Journal of January 13th, said: "Long has been the struggles be- tween the Federal and anti-Federals in this town, and every artifice and exertion has been used by the latter to unfetter them- selves from the disgraceful, just and self- acquired name of anti-Federalists. They disclaimed the title but they would not aban- don the detested principles. This town has been truly distinguished, and we hope, known and honored through America as truly Federal. The election for representa- tives to Congress and electors of President and Vice-President was finally to establish the political character of the citizens of Baltimore, and therefore both parties ex- erted their utmost power to maintain the character they set up. A very respectable committee of this place addressed the Fed- eralists and called upon them to support the Federacy ticket in which William Smith, Esq., of this town, a genuine Federalist, a
merchant of the first reputation, of an inde- pendent fortune and considerable family connections, was named for this district against whom the anti-Federalists ap- pointed Mr. Samuel Sterrett, a young gen- tleman with fair character and reputable connections. The contest lasted four days (almost the whole time allowed by law) and the Federals were crowned with success, Mr. Smith having at the close of the polls a majority of seven votes. Thus our beloved Constitution was triumphant over its base enemies and the triumph of Federalisni drowned the dying cries of the anti-Fed- 'eralists of this town. The Federalists have used their victory with temperance and moderation.
" Now all our factions, all our wars shall cease And Federals rule our happy land in peace."
Mr. Smith had a fewer number of votes than his associates on the ticket. Of the anti-Federalists Mr. Sterrett had the largest number of votes. In Baltimore county, Mr. Sterrett polled five times as many votes as Mr. Smith, consequent upon the county al- ways going anti-Federal and Sterrett being influentially connected; besides, reports were spread prejudicial to Mr. Smith's char- acter for the purpose of rendering him un- popular.
It was charged that three hundred and eighty aliens were naturalized in Baltimore in October by Judge Hanson while the election was progressing; fifty of them of- fered to vote for Smith, and twenty-two for Mr. Sterrett. The judges of election re- fused to receive their votes, declaring it to be their opinion that a foreigner naturalized according to act of Assembly for naturaliza- tion, passed July session, 1779, was not en- titled to vote, unless such foreigner resided
grave + 3w 2 K Comeball. NY.
Ja Afar
73
HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
in Baltimore Town one year after such naturalization, although such foreigner had lived in Baltimore Town one year preceding the day of holding the election and was oth- erwise qualified to vote. The judges held that the foreigner coming into the State to settle was immaterial and they would not take his oath to that effect.
In October of this year James McHenry and Samuel Sterrett were elected to the General Assembly from Baltimore Town without opposition. At the same time three persons were chosen comptrollers and four delegates to the General Assembly were elected from Baltimore county. Under the Constitution of the United States, Mary- land originally sent six members to Con- gress from separate districts into which the State was divided. The entire vote of the State was necessary to the election of each of them. In 1789, Baltimore Town cast a small vote, nearly equally divided between the two sets of candidates. That result called attention to the method of election which was emphasized afterwards when the town became dissatisfied with the records made by five of the delegation. Previous to holding the election for their successors, in 1790, the dissatisfied citizens held a cau- cus and nominated for Congress Philip Key, Joseph Seney, William Pinkney, Sam- uel Sterrett, William Vans Murray and Up- ton Sheredine. The counties were agitated over such a procedure and called a conven- tion and1 designated Baltimore as its place of meeting to nominate other candidates. The convention was held on the 23rd of September, 1790, Michael Jenifer Stone, Benjamin Contee, George Gale and Daniel Carroll were re-nominated and James Tilghman, of James, and Samuel Sterrett
nominated. The presiding officer of the convention was Gen. William Smallwood, a soldier of courage and success in the Revo- lution.
Baltimore, undaunted, went into the con- flict with colors flying and drums beating. At the election which followed she gave her nominees each three thousand votes. Six votes was the highest any one of the county convention candidates received. The vote in the counties was divided between the two tickets; in consequence the Baltimore ticket was successful by an immense majority. That act was not to be repeated; at the en- suing session of the Legislature in 1790 a change was made in the method of electing members of Congress and the district sys- tem was inaugurated.
1792.
The Maryland Journal of October 12th, assailed the city fathers because "of lack of watchmen and lights." It was a serious shortcoming, reflecting " on a place rapidly developing in wealth" and prosperity. There was too much politics at the root of the evil as is shown by this concluding para- graph: "The heat and battle of election having at length subsided, and two gentle- men having been chosen to watch over the interests of the town," it is presumed there- after the lamps were lighted and the watch- men on their beats.
1796.
When James Calhoun administered the ordinances as Mayor under the charter of the City of Baltimore passed by the Legis- lature of Maryland the 31st day of Septem- ber, 1796, and amended the following year so as to make it perpetual, he had no splen- did quarters richly fitted up to cause him
5
74
HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
to be envied in the enjoyment of power. He had been one of the elected town com- mittee, under a recommendatory resolution that passed Congress, and in 1776 he was designated to be one of a committee author- ized by Congress to sign bills of credit or money, and he was also at that time a jus- tice of the peace, familiar with ordinary pro- cess and having had considerable experi- ence in affairs, he was selected to head the long line of Mayors without regard to who shall end them.
The Mayors of Baltimore have been:
James Calhoun, 1791
Thoregood Smith, 1804
Edward Johnson, 1808
George Stiles, 1816
Edward Johnson, 1819
John Montgomery, 1820
Edward Johnson, 1823
Jacob Small, 1826
William Stewart, 1831
Jesse Hunt, 1832 Samuel Smith, 1835
Samuel Smith, 1837
Sheppard C. Leakin, 1838 Samuel Brady, 1840
Solomon Hillen, Jr., 1842
James O. Law, 1843
Jacob G. Davies, 1844 Elijah Stansbury, 1848
J. H. T. Jerome,
1850
J. Smith Hollins, 1852 Samuel Hinks, 1854
Thomas Swann,
1856
George W. Brown,
1860
John L. Chapman, 1861 John L. Chapman, 1862
Robert T. Banks, 1867
Joshua Vansant,
1871
F. C. Latrobe, 1875
George P. Kane, 1877
F. C. Latrobe, 1878
F. C. Latrobe, 1879
Wm. P. Whyte, 1881
F. C. Latrobe, 1883
James Hodges, 1885
F. C. Latrobe, 1887
Robert C. Davidson, 1889
F. C. Latrobe,
1891
F. C. Latrobe, 1893
Alcacus Hooper,
1895
William T. Malster, 1897
The town over which Mr. Calhoun pre- sided had one hundred and thirty-one streets, lanes and alleys. Baltimore street was three-quarters of a mile in extent. The dense part of the city was in the area be- tween Howard street and the Falls. There were eleven churches, thirty-five hundred houses, one hundred and seventy ware- houses and other buildings mostly of brick. The principal articles of trade and mer- chandise were sugar, rum, tobacco, snuff, cordage paper, wool, cotton cards, nails, saddles, boots and shoes, and there were mills, factories and forges. The inhabi- tants numbered eighteen thousand, ani- mated by those aims and purposes that de- velop and expand cities and communities.
I797.
Among Mayor Calhoun's early acts was to write George Washington a letter of congratulation on his return through Bal- timore to his home at Mount Vernon at the expiration of his second term as Presi- dent. General Washington closed his short reply by saying: "Let me reciprocate most cordially all the good wishes you have been pleased to extend to me and my family, for our temporal and eternal happiness."
75
HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
1798.
Commenting on the congressional elec- tion canvass of this year, the New York Daily Advertiser said: "The election in Baltimore for members of Congress which takes place this week is very warmly con- tested. Mr. Winchester and General Smith are the rival candidates. For several weeks the papers of that town have been almost exclusively devoted to the canvassing the respective merits of these gentlemen. Party spirit ran high. No means are left unem- ployed by either side to secure its object. The public conduct and private walks of the two candidates have been scrutinized with the closest and keenest eyes. Deposi- tions are brought forward, conversations are related and the most sacred secrets are unfolded to general view. Nor have their exertions of zeal rested here; to rouse their partisans, entertainments have been given, toasts drunk and processions formed. Some houses have been threatened and one or two actually assaulted to work up the pas- sions of the multitude to the highest pitch. The adherents of the respective champions have resolved to distinguish themselves by different badges on the day of election."
The Federal Gazette, reviewing the fore- going, added: "Unfortunately heated as the minds of the people were after election, and as they ever will be in large cities where votes are taken viva voce," what occurred was not remarkable, "but one house was assaulted" and "the contest terminated more peaceably than could have been ex- pected.'
The first anti-slavery society formed in Maryland was in Baltimore Septem- ber 8th. It was known as "The Maryland Society for Promoting the Abolition of
Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes and Others Unlawfully Held in Bondage." This society was the fourth of its kind in the world, succeeding those formed in Phila- delphia, New York, London and Paris.
To punish disorderly elections the Legis- lature this year divided Baltimore City into voting districts and in 1801 the use of bal- lots were required at elections.
1800.
After the census of 1800, Baltimore City and county constituted the 5th Congres- sional District of the State. Gen. Smith, of the city, and Col. Nicholas A. Moore were elected to Congress. The General subsequently was elevated to the United States Senate and William McCrury took his place in Congress.
October 6th, two members of the General Assembly were elected; the members of the First Branch of the City Council and the electors to choose a Mayor.
On November 3rd, the electors charged with the election of a Mayor assembled for that purpose. The charter required that the wards when electing members of the First Branch should, viva voce, elect one person as elector of the Mayor and of members of the Second Branch. James Calhoun was re-elected Mayor for a term of two years.
November 10th, G. Duval received 1,497 votes for Presidential elector and J. T. Chase 439. The State was equally divided on the Presidency between the Federals and anti-Federalists.
1801.
The election this year was for two mem- bers of the General Assembly, in which the Federals and anti-Federalists had their us-
76
HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
ual bout. The eight wards elected the mem- bers of the First Branch of the City Coun- cil. Baltimore was anti-Federal and was so recorded.
I802.
At the election held October 5th of this year an average vote of 3,269 was cast. Two members of the Legislature, sixteen members of the First Branch of the Coun- cil and the electors to designate who should be Mayor were selected. Mr. Calhoun was a third time the recipient of that honor.
1804.
An election was held October Ist for members of Congress, First Branch City Council, electors for Mayor and for mem- bers of the General Assembly. William McCrury received 1,795 votes, Nicholas R. Moore 1, 152 and Robert G. Harper 37 for Congress. Edward Johnson was chosen Presidential elector and Andrew Ellicott and John Stevens to the lower house of the Legislature. The electoral college on No- vember 5th decided on Thoregood Smith for Mayor.
Edward Johnson received 378 votes for Presidential elector, George P. Keeport 463 and John Johnson 758. Andrew Ellicott and John Stevens were elected to the lower house of the General Assembly.
1805.
An effort was put forth in the Legislature this year to increase the representation of the city and permit it three representatives. On the second reading of the bill it was defeated by a vote of sixty-two nays to two yeas.
The election for Assemblymen and for the First Branch of the City Council was held October 7th. Aquila Miles had been
elected a member of the Council and it was afterwards ascertained that he was ineligi- ble, not being assessed in taxation as re- quired by the act of incorporation. He proceeded to acquire the necessary quali- fications and at a called election was re- elected.
1806.
In the Congressional election of this year William McCrury received 1,889 votes; Joshua Barney 1, 143 votes; John Scott 245 votes and N. R. Moore 3,046 votes. There were seven candidates for the General As- sembly, of whom E. Aisquith received 1,430 votes and R. Stewart received 1,170 votes, were elected. The Mayoralty electoral con- vention chosen this year continued Thore- good Smith in his office.
1807.
Ten candidates were announced for the House of Delegates this year. The great- est number of votes cast for any one of them was 927, received by T. B. Dorsey. The lowest number was 82, cast for T. Bland. The yearly election for members of the First Branch of the City Council was also held.
Luther Martin, the great lawyer, who was counsel for Aaron Burr when tried in Richmond for treason, was in effigy paraded through the streets of Baltimore in Novem- ber and at the end of the route publicly burned amid the vehement execrations of the crowd.
1808.
General elections were held this year. October 3rd, McKim received 3,539 votes for Congress, Moore 3,553 and Winder 814. McKim and Moore were called Republi- cans and Winder Federal. Edward Johnson
-
77
HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
and John Johnson were elected anti-Fed- eral electors for the district of which the city was a part, receiving a vote of 3,012 to 1,281 in Baltimore cast for the Federals. Edward Johnson was elected Mayor by the electoral college.
Baltimoreans were always partial to po- litical displays; so on the occasion of Mr. Johnson's elevation to the chief magistracy of his city one was gotten up to commemo- rate that event. The indispensable boat was mounted on wheels and drawn by horses; on board of it was the mayor-elect. The chariot might convey the Roman citi- zen in his triumphal procession, but the conquest of ancient arms was insignificant compared to the mastery over the wave by the boat that baffled its billows and landed the pilgrim fathers on the golden sands of the Western world. A bon-fire was kin- dled on Gallow's Hill and six pipes of im- ported gin from Holland, which in com- ing over had paid tribute to England, were added to the fire to give its flame a brighter glow.
1809.
Two Assemblymen, T. Bland and Mr. Martin, were elected, in the fall of this year. Bland had 2,338 votes and Martin 1,707 votes. At an election for members of the First Branch the old members were elected, except in the Second Ward, where a resig- nation compelled another nomination.
1810.
Besides the Council election, the election for electors to name a Mayor and Second Branch Council, there was also held one for Congress. McKim had 2,811 votes, Moore 2,480, Little 2,604, and Barney 2,256.
18II.
James Lowery Donaldson was elected this year to the Legislature, and a Mr. Pe- chim as his associate. Their votes were re- spectively 1,593 and 1,634. A Mr. Martin polled 1,163 votes. At the election for members of the First Branch, fraud was charged; it was alleged that four tickets were illegally cast, two being folded to- gether in two separate parts. Five others were said to have been irregular. The judges of election were asked what they were going to do with them. They an- swered tartly, "Count them."
1812.
On the 16th of May, 1812, a war meeting was held at the Fountain Inn, occupying the site of the present Carrollton Hall. Jo- seph H. Nicholson, a prominent citizen, who occupied a seat in Congress and who was the brother-in-law of Francis Scott Key, whose name is associated with Key's in connection with the publication of the "Star Spangled Banner," presided. Mayor Johnson was secretary. Nicholson closed an animated speech in favor of war with this peroration: "We have assembled here to- night for the purpose of determining wheth- er we will give it our support in the mighty struggle in which it is about to enter. This, my countrymen, is the awful subject for deliberation, and on such a sub- ject can there be any difference of opinion ? Shall we suffer any matter of local con- cern to withhold us from a cause like this ? Is there an American heart that does not pant with resentment? Is there an Amer- ican sword that will not leap from its scab- bard to avenge the wrongs and contumely under which we have so long suffered? No,
78
HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
my countrymen! it is impossible! Let us act with one heart, with one hand; let us show to an admiring world that however we may differ among ourselves about some of our internal concerns, yet in the great cause of our country the American people are animated by one soul and by one spirit."
The resolutions adopted by the meeting were of the most radical order. They were favorable to preparation for war. The spirit of the assemblage was indicative of the undaunted determination of Baltimore, which was gloriously maintained through- out the war, until the foeman was driven from her doors to take refuge on board his ships.
The Federal Republican opposed the war. Its editor ured vigorous language and brought upon himself the fury of a mob that destroyed his paper. After an interval of weeks he resumed its publication on Charles street. Anticipating another mob visitation, he armed his office with his friends, among whom were Generals Henry Lee and James H. Lingan, officers of the Revolution, and the eminent lawyer, David Hoffman.
The mob on the outside and the armed men inside the office were brought face to face. The authorities marched the office garrison to jail under the promise of pro- tection which was not afforded. The jail was broken open on the evening of July 27th by the connivance of the keeper and Gen. Lingan was killed. Gen. Lee and others were brutally wounded. Prior to this a Dr. Gale was shot and killed by the firing of a gun from the Charles street house.
The October election returned Lowery to the Legislature by a vote of 2,835. Barney
received 2,523 and Pechim 1,406. For Congress, McKim polled 2,999 and Little 2,146, while Moore brought up the rear with 1,788 votes. City electors and Presi- dential electors were chosen as also the Councilmen of the First Branch. The city electors re-elected Mayor Johnson his own successor, and the Presidential electors were favorable to Madison, who received 2,624 votes to Clinton's 811. The General Assembly elected Levin Winder, Governor.
1813.
Barney and Donaldson were elected to. the lower branch of the Legislature. The former received 2,355 votes and the latter 1,939. Mr. Hughes had 1,373 votes. This was Donaldson's last election, save to fame. Before another was held he lay dead on the North Point battlefield.
1814.
In the Congressional election of this year William Pinkney had 2,516 votes, Moore 2,408 and Howard 1,284. Barney and Kell were elected to the Legislature and Johnson was again elected Mayor.
1815.
Upon the conclusion of the war in 1815, the majority of the people realized that the minority had long been in control of the State Government. One man in certain counties exercised political privileges equal to ten men in certain other counties. This inequality was forcibly illustrated in the fact that Annapolis and Baltimore had each one elector of the Senate. The counties were respectively allotted two; Annapolis con- tained 260 voters, Baltimore 5,000. At an election held in 1815 seven counties and two cities having a majority of 9,000 voters
79
HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
were represented by 32 members. A minor- ity of twelve counties had 48 members. The realization of this fact kindled in Baltimore an irrepressible agitation, which did not cease until a remedy had been effected. Stewart, who had 2,580 votes, and Hughes, who received 2,496 votes, were elected to the lower branch of the General Assembly.
1816.
A bitterly contested election was con- ducted in the fall of the year 1816. The Federalists had no resources but their party battle cry, and with a nerve that proved them courageous they arranged themselves in line and advanced gaily to the fray. Their opponents were in the possession of the patronage of both the State and United States Governments. This early campaign opened in the dead of winter, when fire-side logs were blazing on the hearth. Those who believe polluted elections are controlled by corruption of modern origin will be startled to learn that the opponents of the Federalists transported voters from their preponderating voting districts to those where the Federalists had slim majorities and thus overcome them. A number of United States troops were dispatched from Baltimore to Annapolis to vote for corpora- tion officers of that town. The scheme failed in consequence of their inability to reach the ancient city six months prior to the election. In Baltimore money was bar- tered for votes. Papers, pamphlets and publications, thick as leaves in autumn, and teeming with perversions of the truth, were scattered broadcast by both parties. The tide of defamation reached its highest flood. Under such benign and civilizing influences Smith had 5,326 votes for Con-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.