USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > The Ancient City.: A History of Annapolis, in Maryland, 1649-1887 > Part 22
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"The parliament of Great Britian has of late claimed an uncon- trollable right of binding these colonies in all cases whatsoever, to force an unconditional submission to this claim the legislative and executive powers of that state have invariably pursued, for these ten years past, a studied system of oppression, by passing many impolitic, severe, and cruel acts for raising a revenue from the colonists, by de- priving them in many cases of trial by jury, by altering the chartered constitution of one colony, and the entire stoppage of the trade of its capital, by cutting offall intercourse between the colonies, by restrain- ing them from fishing on their own coasts, by extending the limits of, and erecting, an arbitrary government in the province of Quebec, by confiscating the property of the colonists taken on the seas, and com- pelling the crews of their vessels, under the pain of death, to act against their native country and dearest friends, by declaring all seizures, detention, or destruction of the persons, or property of the colonists, to be legal and just.
"A war, unjustly commenced, hath been prosecuted against the united colonies with cruelty, outrageous violence, and perfidy ; slaves, savages, and foreign mercenaries have been meanly hired to rob a peo- ple of their property, liberty, and lives ; a people guilty of no other crime than deeming the last of no estimation without the secure enjoyment of the former. Their humble and dutiful petitions for peace, liberty, and safety have been rejected with scorn ; secure of, and relying on, foreign aid, not on his national forces, the unrelent- ing monarch of Britian hath, at length, avowed by his answer to the city of London, his determined and inexorable resolution of reducing these colonies to abject slavery.
N
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"Compelled by dire necessity, either to surrender our properties, liberties, and lives, into the hands of a British king and parliament, or to use such means as will most probably secure to us and our pos- terity those invaluable blessings,
"We, the delegates of Maryland, in convention assembled, do de- clare, that the king of Great Britian has violated his compact with this people, and that they owe no allegiance to him. We have, there- fore thought it just and necessary to empower our deputies in congress to join with a majority of the united colonies in declaring them free and independent States, in framing such other confederacy between them, in making foreign alliances. and in adopting such other meas- ures as shall be judged necessary for the preservation of their liber- ties ; provided the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal polity and government of this colony be reserved to the people thereof. We have also thought proper to call a new convention, for the pur- pose of establishing a government in this colony. Noambitious views, no desire of independence, induce the people of Maryland to form an union with the other colonies. To procure an exemption from parlia- mentary taxation and to continue to the legislatures of these colonies the sole and exclusive right of regulating their internal polity, was our original and only motive.
"To maintain inviolate our liberties, and to transmit them unim- paired to posterity, was our duty and first wish ; our next, to con- tinue connected with. and dependent on Great Britain. For the truth of these assertions, we appeal to that Almighty Being who is emphatically styled the searcher of hearts, and from whose omnis- cience nothing is concealed. Relying on his divine protection and as- sistance, and trusting to the justice of our cause, we exhort and con- jure every virtuous citizen to join cordially in defence of our common rights, and in maintenance of the freedom of this and her sister col- onies." **
At a meeting of the associators of the city of Annapolis, on Thurs- day, the 11th of July, 1776, WILLIAM ROBERTS, EsQ., Chairman, and JNO. DUCKETT, Clerk, it was
"1st Resolved, That it is the duty of every inhabitant of the city of Annapolis, and all persons having property therein, to contribute every assistance in their power for the protection and defence of the city and the inhabitants thereof, and that Mr. James Brice, Mr. John Bullen, Mr. Charles Wallace, Mr. William Wilkins, Mr. Beriah May- bury, Mr. John Brice and Mr. John Campbell, or a majority of them, or of any three or more of them, be a committee to act on behalf of the inhabitants of this city, and that they wait on the Council of Safety, and inform them that the inhabitants will afford every assis- tance in their power for putting the city into the best posture of de- fence ; and that the inhabitants will, in person, or by others employed at their expense, labour on any intrenchments or works, which the council shall think necessary.
"2d. Resolved, That the said committee be empowered to call on every person, having property therein, to labor in person, or to furnish some person to labor in his stead, at such time and place as the com- mittee shall think proper, on the works as may be ordered by the Council of Safety, to be erected for the defence of the city.
* Annals of Annapolis, p. 177.
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"3d. Resolved, That the said committee be authorized to execute all matters which may be recommended by the Council of Safety, for the defence of the city, or for keeping the peace and good order therein.
"4th. Resolved, That no member of this meeting will, and that it is the opinion of meeting that no inhabitant of the city of Annapolis ought, to buy from or employ, any merchant, tradesman, or any other person who hath not subscribed the association.
"5th. Resolved, That application be made by the committee to the Council of Safety not to employ in the public service any non-associa- tor, and that they be requested to give a preference to such tradesmen and others have manifested their attachment and zeal to the liberties of America.
"Ordered, That copies of the above resolutions be transmitted by the chairman to the associators of Baltimore town for their opinion and concurrence.
"Ordered, That the names of the non-associators in this city be published and distributed among the inhabitants.
"Resolved, That this meeting be adjourned to the 10th day of Au- gust next, and that the committee have power to call a meeting at any time before, if they shall think proper.
"True copy of the proceedings,
'Test :- JNO. DUCKETT, Clerk."t
July 10th, six companies of the first battalion of Maryland troops, stationed at Annapolis, and commanded by Col. Wm. Smallwood, em- barked for the head of Elk in high spirits, and three companies of the same battalion, stationed in Baltimore town, embarked the same day for the same place, from thence they were to proceed to Phila- delphia.
[1777.] In the latter part of June, 1776, Gov. Eden left Annapo- . lis ; but Mr. Eddis and another English officer continued to discharge their duties to May 30th, 1777, eleven months after the Declaration of Independence, when they were given a most "ample and honora- ble discharge from that employment." June 7th, Mr. Eddis took leave with a distressed mind of a few faithful friends in Annapolis, and set sail for England.
March 5th, Martha, wife of George Washington, passed through Annapolis, on her way northward.
On Friday. March 21st, 1777, Thomas Johnson, the first republican " governor of Maryland, was proclaimed the executive of the State at the State house, in the presence of a great concourse of people "all of whom expressed the highest pleasure in the proceedings.'
The procession began at the assembly house, and proceeded in the following order, to wit :
High Sheriff. The Hon. the President of the Senate. Senators. Governor. Council. Sergeant at Arms with the Mace. The Hon. the Speaker of the House of Delegates. Delegates. t Annals of Annapolis, p. 180.
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Mayor of the city and Recorder. Aldermen. Common Council. Military Officers. Gentlemen Strangers. Citizens. Silence being commanded, the high sheriff then proclaimed the governor.
On the signal three vollies of small-arms from the soldiers, who were paraded in front of the State house, and thirteen cannons were fired.
The procession then returned as follows : High Sheriff. His Excellency the Governor. The Council. The Hon. the President of the Senate. Senators. The Sergeant at Arms with his Mace. The Hon. the Speaker of the House of Delegates. Delegates. Mayor and Recorder of the city. Aldermen. Common Council. Military Officers. Gentlemen Strangers. Citizens, and repaired to the coffee-house, where an entertainment was pro- vided, the field officers of the army and strangers then in town being all present.
After dinner the following toasts were drank :
1. Perpetual union and friendship between the States of America.
2. The freedom and independency of the American States.
3. Prosperity to Maryland.
4. The Congress.
5. General Washington and the American army.
6. The American navy.
7. The arts and sciences.
S. Agriculture.
9. Trade and navigation.
10. The friends of liberty throughout the world.
11. The memory of the brave patriots who have fallen in the cause of America.
12. General Lee and our other friends in captivity.
13. Wisdom and unanimity in the councils of America, and un- daunted courage in her forces to execute her measures.
The whole concluded with an elegant ball in the evening.
A matross, belonging to one of the companies stationed here, getting in the smoke before one of the cannons, just as it was fired, unhappily lost his life.
About 9 A. M., on Thursday, the 21st of August, a considerable number of British men of war, transports and other vessels, passed the mouth of the Severn, and stood up the bay. Immediately after the fleet had passed Annapolis, Governor Johnson issued a proclama-
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tion calling on all the county lieutenants, field and other officers of the militia of Maryland, of the United States, to march at least, two full companies of each battalion at once, to the neigh- borhood of the Susquehanna River, in Ceciland Harford counties. He concluded his proclamation : "To defend our liberties, requires our exertions ; our wives, our children, and our country, implore our as- sistance ; motives amply sufficient to arm every one who can be called a man." The Governor was encouraged in his patriotic efforts by in- formation that the Eastern Shore militia were collecting in great num- bers, determined to make the most obstinate resistance against the in- vasion of the State.
The British fleet proceeded to Turkey Point, on Elk River, near which the British army, under Sir William Howe, was quartered.
October 9. Samuel Chase and John Brice, Esq., were chosen to represent this city in the General Assembly-the first gentleman de- clining to serve, Allen Quynn, Esq., was elected.
[1778.] Early in 1778, Count Pulaski's legion of cavalry and in- fantry, raised partly in this State, was organized at Annapolis. The corps suffered severely in New Jersey the same year, and the next lost their heroic leader in Georgia.
Allen Quynn and Samuel Chase were elected this year delegates from Annapolis to the Legislature.
The Gazette, in consequence of the high price of provisions, raised its subscription to five pounds per annum.
During this year, a considerable number of citizens of Armapo- lis, assembled in meeting, Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, in the chair, and passed resolutions that a certain Mr. John Lawrence of the State of Pennsylvania, "ought to depart the city and not return without permission of the Governor and Council," for having made threats of violence and attempted to put them in execution against Governor Johnson, for carrying into operation against him a law that looked to the ascertainment of the fact, or not, if the person has taken the oath of fealty required by this State, and to require him to take the one prescribed by Maryland, or be fined, imprisoned, or returned to his own State. Mr. Carroll, Mr. Jenning, Mr. Brice, Mr. Davidson, and Mr. Paca were appointed a committee to present the respective parties- with the meaning of the resolution. On the certificate of the ill- health of Mr. Lawrence by Dr. Murray, he was allowed to remain in the city until he could be removed with safety.
The Legislature which adjourned December 30th, passed an act to enable the corporation of the city of Annapolis to sell certain lands, to lay a further tax on property, within the said city and its precincts, to regulate and license ordinaries and retailers of spirituous liquors within the said city and precincts thereof.
[1780.] The Gazette of January 28th, 1780, reduced by the war to a half sheet, said "several persons have gone from this to Poplar Is- land, Rock-Hall, and Baltimore-Town, on the ice, and are crossing to and from Kent Island every day, which has not been known before by our oldest inhabitants, nor has the like ever happened, we believe, since the memory of man."
On the 4th of February, the Gazette office was burned. The prin- ters returned their sincere thanks ' to their fellow-citizens for their assistance on that unhappy occasion, and in a particular manner to
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those, whose exertions preserved their goods and rescued their dwell- ing-house from the flames."
An elaborate discussion, by means of communications in the Gazette, took place in the early part of this year upon the question of confiscating the property of British subjects. It was participated in by a number of correspondents under various signatures such as "A Senator," "Publicola," "A Plebian," "A Sentry," and "A Native of North-Britain." To show the warmth, with which the contest was carried on. the following is extracted from a communication published under date of February 27th :
"It is justly alarming to see principles like the Senator's (the Sena- tor defended the action of the Senate in not agreeing to the House Act to confiscate the property in question. ) spread in a free country, when two years ago, if any man had talked in that manner, he would as soon have dared to put himself in the fire, and be tarred and feathered, especially a member of our assembly. Good God! What is this State come to, to be the subjects of Great Britain ? and we can- not take the property of our enemies to pay our taxes when, if it was in their power, they would take our lives. It is time for men to trim and make fair werther on both sides; but I can say this, though I cannot write, I can think ; and I have borne a firelock ; and I can say it is toryism. The Plebian is the echo of his voice, and the hot-bed of a furnace in all diabolical plots and conspiracies. God deliver this country from them. I am, your humble servant, a SENTRY, ELK RIDGE, FEBRUARY 27, 1780."
In the same paper, "A Native of North-Britain." exhibited in him- self the great personal liberty enjoyed in this intensely patriotic com- monwealth by writing under date of February 28, and saying that by the bill of rights of this county "we are still the subjects of Britain, and under the realm of that kingdom ;" and remarks that "it would be a great force put on any who have come to my time of day, to cast off their native country." He naively adds: "I would give the best coat on my back to see a termination of the dispute." Whether it was the debate or the Revolution itself, for which this handsome sacrifice would be made, is not known.
"A Maryland Officer," under the same date as the above says : "The Senator, I take to be a scary fellow. France and Spain will not suffer us to confiscate British property ! I would see France and Spain to-before they should hinder us from doing what is right. Was I of the legislative body I would have him cashiered for his mean spiritedness. He may do well enough in private life, but I'll be-, if he is fit to wear a commission in a pub- lie station."
Notwithstanding the wide margin the editor allowed for doubtful personal epithets, it seems that even his doubtful taste was put to a great strain, for, in the issue of March 3rd, he says : "SCORVOLA to the Senator, contains several questionable passages, and will be re- turned to the author." "VINDEX is likewise too personal and cannot be published." For the most part, however, it seems the discussion was carried on in a proper, though animated, spirit.
Major-General Nathaniel Greene and Major-General Baron De Steu- ben, with their suites, arrived in Annapolis on Wednesday, November 7th. 1780, on their way southward, the former to relieve General Gates of the command of the Southern Troops.
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''THE ANCIENT CITY. "'
On the 8th of September, 1780. the news of Baron De Kalb's death reached Annapolis. He died from wounds received at the battle of Camden, South Carolina. DeKalb was leading his troops, his be- loved Marylanders, in a vigorous attack, when he fell pierced with eleven wounds. Col. DuBuysson his aid-de-camp, embraced him, and, announcing his rank and nationality to the encircling foes. begged them to spare his life. The gallant Englishmen responded with a soldier's answer to the generous comrade, who, in protecting his Gen- eral, received several dangerous wounds, and who, with DeKalb, was taken prisoner. Although the brave officer received the most con- siderate attention from his captors, he died in a few days. His latest moments were spent in dictating a letter declaring his warinest affec- tion for the officers and soldiers of his command ; of the intense pleasure it gave him to hear from British officers the bravery of his troops ; of his own admiration of the heroic stand they made against superior numbers, after being forsaken by the remainder of the army ; of the unmeasured delight he experienced from the gallant conduct of the Delaware regiment and the companies of artillery of his command, and of the affectionate regard he entertained for his entire division.
The citizens of Annapolis particularly mourned DeKalb ; for his manly virtues, exhibited whilst he sojourned in the city recruiting his troops together with his patriotic conduct, had greatly endeared him to them.
Congress, from a deep sense of gratitude for his gallant services, in October, 1780, "Resolved, That a monument be erected. to the memory of the late major-general, the Baron DeKalb, in the city of Annapolis, in the State of Maryland," with the following inscription : "Sacred to the memory of The Baron DeKalb, Knight of the royal order of military merit, Brigadier of the armies of France, and Major-general in the service of the United States of America. Having served with honour and reputation for three years, He gave a last and glorious proof of his attachment to the liberties of mankind, and the cause of America, In the action near Camden, in the State of South Carolina, on the 16th August, 1780 : Where, leading on the troops of the Maryland and Delaware lines, against, superior numbers, and animating them by his example to decds of valour. He was pierced with many wounds and .on the 19th following expired, in the 48th year of his age. The Congress of the United States of America, in gratitude to his zeal, services and merit, have erected this monument."
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HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
This debt of one hundred years standing was paid by the Congress of 1883, and on the 16th of August, 1886, the statue of DeKalb, by Ephraim Keyser, was unveiled with appropriate ceremonies.
[1781.] In March, 1781, Annapolis was blockaded by the Hope and the Monk, British sloops of war. These prevented the French troops from reaching the Head of Elk. La Fayette found on arriving at Annapolis, the people greatly alarmed at the proximity of the British vessels, and very anxious to retain the French troops in the city. Meanwhile La Fayette contemplated making a land march to the Elk ; but wagons and horses were scarce and a trip that could be made in a day by boat, promised to consume ten days by the fre- quent ferriages across the mouths of rivers. The brave soldier obtained a small sloop and on it placed two 18-pounders, and, with this ridiculously unequal force, under Commodore Nicholson. sallied forth to meet the foe.
The little sloop that had excited the contempt of some of the timor- ous citizens, accompanied by another vessel, alarmed the British so that after several mancuvers they dropped so far down the Bay, that La Fayette was enabled to embark with this army.
On July, 18, 1781, a meeting of the citizens of Annapolis was held Charles Wallace in the chair, George Ranken clerk, to take into con- sideration the late law of the general assembly, for the emission of two hundred thousand pounds, to defray the expenses of the present campaign ; and the subscription and association recommended by the legislature, to support the credit and value of said emission-it was among other things, resolved by the said meeting-that, as suffi- cient means could not be raised to carry on war by taxes-that the emitting of bills of credit was necessary, and deemed it to be the duty, and real interest of every citizen of the State-who was de- termined to prosecute the war in defence of his property and liberty, to exert every effort to support, the value of the said bills of credit, at par with gold and silver-and that every i: an ought to associate to receive the said bills at par.
James Brice, Jeremiah T. Chase, Allen Quynn, Frederick Green, Nicholas Maccubbin, Jr., Samuel H. Howard, and Thomas Harwood, Esqrs., were appointed a committee, to attend to the conduct of as- sociators, and to see that none of them violated their faith and honour, by wilfully depreciating the said bills of credit-and that they should publish the name of any such offender, who should be deemed in- famous, and that to deal or associate thereafter with such an one, should be considered as dishonourable. That the credit of the paper money depended solely on public opinion, and must receive its value from the association of the principal merchants aud inhabitants of Baltimore town, and the principal farmers in the several counties-all of whom were earnestly recommended to receive it at par with specie.
The scenes at Annapolis at this period were well calculated to exsite the populace to the utmost of patriotic resolve. At one day's notice twenty-three hundred militia assembled at Annapolis from Baltimore to meet an expected attack of the British fleet, regiment after regi- ment of that glorious old Maryland line was recruited at Annapolis and sent to the front, French frigates sentinelled the mouth of the Severn, and thousands of French auxiliaries passed through the city towards Yorktown.
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The British fleet, however. August 1781, passed up York River, and landed the British troops at York and Gloucester.
On the 28th of August, the third Maryland Regiment, Lieut. Col. Peter Adams, commanding, marched from Annapolis to join the Southern army. This regiment was recruited here, and had all the appearance of a veteran corps. They were enlisted for three years, and were well equipped for the field. The friendships, engendered by the agreeable social relations between officers and citizens, whilst the recruiting was in progress, made the departure of the regiment one of general regret. Theardor of the soldiers on the prospect of meeting the enemy, and the martial appearance of the regiment inspired the sincerest anticipations that the Third would render marked service to- their country and prove an honor to its State. It did not disappoint the hopes it had created-but these Maryland troops proved, as they had the instincts of gentlemen at home, they possessed the mettle of soldiers in the field.
The recruiting service at Annapolis was under the direction of that intrepid soldier, Major-General Smallwood, whose distinguished qualities on the field. especially fitted him for this important part of the service. He gave it his unremitting attention.
On the 7th of September, ten days after the Third, the Fourth Maryland Regiment, Major Alexander Roxburg, marched from An- napolis to join La Fayette. The Regiment numbered 600 men, its full complement. Washington was concentrating his forces for the decisive blow at Yorktown. All was ardor and zeal in Maryland-a State that never flinched in its duty during the whole of the fiery or- deal of the Revolution. Annapolis was a focal point in its patriotism and preparation. On the 12th of September, transports with the artillery, the grenadiers, and the Light Artillery, of the allied army, arrived from the Head of the Elk, en route for James River. On the 18th, four thousand French troops, with a train of artillery, marched into Annapolis from the North, on their way also to join Washington in Virginia. It was at this time, off the mouth of the Severn, were the Romulus, the Gentile and several other French frigates. The very air was martial and the inspiriting scenes in the busy and throbbing little city well foreshadowed the final victory of the Revolution.
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