USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > The Ancient City.: A History of Annapolis, in Maryland, 1649-1887 > Part 24
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"I beg, sir, your Excellency and Council will accept the warmest acknowledgments, and sincerest wishes that an affectionate heart can most respectfully bestow.
"LA FAYETTE." ."November 30th, 1784.
"Sir,-The General Assembly of Maryland, are happy in having an opportunity of personally testifying the grateful sense they and their constituents entertain of the important services which you rendered these United States during the late war. The strong attachment which you have manifested to its interests in situations the most try- ing and difficult, still continues to actuate your conduct ; to this at- tachment and predilection we partly attribute the commercial ar- rangements lately adopted by his Most Christian Majesty, which bid fair to perpetuate and extend the friendly intercourse and connexions between his subjects and the citizens of these United States.
"May the Great Ruler of the Universe long preserve a life which has been so early dedicated to the service of humanity, and engaged in the most useful and brilliant actions.
"GEORGE PLATER, President of the Senate. "THOMAS C. DEYE. Speaker of the House of Delegates.
"The Marquis de la Fayette.
"To the Honorable the General Assembly of Maryland :
"Gentlemen,-On this opportunity so pleasingly anticipated, of my respectful congratulations to your General Assembly, I meet such precious marks of your partiality, as most happily complete my satis- faction.
"Amidst the enjoyments of allied successes, affection conspires with interest to cherish a mutual intercourse ; and in France you will ever find that sympathizing good will, which leaves no great room for private exertions. With the ardor of a most zealous heart, I earnestly hope this State, ever mindful of the public spirit she has conspicuously displayed, will to the fullest extent improve her natural advantages, and in the Federal Union so necessary to all, attain the highest degree of particular happiness and prosperity.
"While you are pleased, gentlemen, to consider my life as being de - voted to the service of humanity, I feel not less gratified by so flatter- ing an observation than by your friendly wishes for its welfare, and the pleasure I now experience in presenting you with the tribute of my attachment and gratitude.
"LA FAYETTE."
During the sitting of this legislature, the following act was passed : "An act to naturalize Major-General, the Marquis de la Fayette and his heirs male forever.
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"Whereas, the General Assembly of Maryland, anxious to perpet- uate a name dear to the State, and to recognize the Marquis de la Fayette for one of its citizens, who, at the age of nineteen, left his- native country, and risked his life in the late revolution ; who, on his joining the American army, after being appointed by congress to the rank of Major-General, disinterestedly refused the usual rewards of command, and sought only to deserve, what he attained, the charac- ter of patriot and soldier ; who, when appointed to conduct an in- cursion into Canada, called forth by his prudence and extraordinary discretion, the approbation of Congress ; who, at the head of an army in Virginia, baffled the manœuvres of a distinguished general, and ex- cited the admiration of the oldest commanders; who early attracted the notice and obtained the friendship of the illustrious General Washington ; and who laboured and succeeded in raising the honour and name of the United States of America ; therefore,
"Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the Marquis de la Fayette, and his heirs male forever, shall be, and they and each of them are hereby deemed, adjudged, and taken to be natural born citizens of this State, and shall henceforth be entitled to all the immunities, rights, and privileges of natural born citizens thereof, they and every one of them conforming to the constitution and laws of this State, in the enjoyment and exercise of such immuni- ties, rights and privileges."
CHAPTER XLI. ANNAPOLIS WANTS TO BE THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES .*
[1783.] In the proceedings of the corporation of Annapolis, Mon- day the 12th of May, 1783 ; at which were present, James Brice, Esq., Mayor ; Samuel Chase, Esq., Recorder ; Allen Quynn, Esq., John Bullen, Esq., John Brice, Esq., Aldermen : Frederick Green, Esq., John Davidson, Esq., William Goldsmith, Esq., Samuel H. Howard, Esq., Beriah Maybury, Esq., John Chalmers, Esq., Common Council- men,
"It being represented to the Corporation, that the welfare and in- terest of the United States require that Congress should have a fixed place of residence, and with jurisdiction and Executive and Judicial powers within the same, and over all persons inhabiting or residing within the district allotted for their residence ; and this city from its central situation to the federal States, and the convenience of the members of Congress to repair thither by land or water; the facility of receiving and conveying intelligence to Europe ; and its remarka- ble healthiness ; and capacity of defence from any attack of an- * From Council proceedings of 1782.
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enemy ; being. in the opinion of this corporation, the most eligible place in the United States, for the residence of the Honorable Con- gress, and their officers and foreign ministers,
"Resolved, That the members of this Corporation be directed to con- sult the citizens thereon and report the same to this Corporation on Wednesday next.
"Ordered, That the following notice be set up at the State House and Market House and other public places in the city, to wit ;
"A meeting of the citizens of Annapolis is requested by the Cor- poration on Wednesday, at 10 o'clock in the morning, at the house of Mr. Charles Ridgely to express their sentiments, if the General As- sembly will offer this city and its precinets to Congress for their per- manent residence ; whether they will agree to such offer and consent to be subject to such jurisdiction and power within the city and its precincts and over the inhabitants and residents thereof as the General Assembly shall think proper to grant to the United States in Congress Assembled."
On the 14th, the Corporation met again.
"The members of the Corporation having reported that they had consulted the citizens and taken their opinion, whether this city and its precincts, ought to be offered to the Honorable Congress for their permanent residence, with jurisdiction over the same and the citizens having unanimously agreed thereto,
"Resolved, Unanimously, that if the Honorable the General Assem- bly will offer this city and its precincts containing about three hundred acres of land to the Honorable Congress for the permanent residence of that body and successors, that this corporation, and their constitu- ents most cheerfully agree to such offer and consent to be subject to such jurisdiction and power within the city and its precincts, and over the Inhabitants and residents thereof as the General Assembly shall think proper to grant ; to the United States in Congress Assembled.
"Resolved, That the Worshipfull the Mayor, authenticate this Act under the Seal of the Corporation and present the same to the General Assembly."
On the 7th of July at another session of the City Council :
"The Worshipfull, the Mayor, laid before the Corporation a letter to him from the Honorable James McHenry, Delegate of this State to Congress, Dated the 30th of last month, requesting to be furnished with an accurate account of the births and deaths in this city for the last 15 or 20 years which was read, and it appearing on enquiry that no regular and complete register of deaths or births has been kept be- fore the war, and that no register of any kind has been kept since that time,
"Ordered, That Messrs. Goldsmith, Fairbrother, Chalmers, Mills, and Reynolds be appointed to inquire and report to the Mayor the number of births and deaths of the inhabitants within this city and its precinets between the 1st day of July, 1778, and the 1st day of this present month ascertaining as far as can be the number of whites and blacks, infants and grown persons, and the cause of death, and that they report the number of inhabitants in this city during the last year,
"Mr. Mayor is requested to transmit the said report to Mr. McHenry . "Ordered, That a plat of this city and its precincts be made out and Mr. Mayor is requested to transmit the same to Mr. McHenry."
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The proceedings were continued on a kindred subject on Saturday, the 1st of November, 1783, when
"The Mayor laid before the Corporation a letter from the Honor- able James McHenry and Daniel Carroll, Delegates of Congress for this State, dated the 23rd day of October last, to the late Mayor enclosing the resolution of Congress of the same date respecting the temporary residence of Congress in this city and also a letter from the Hon. James MeHenry requiring suitable provision might be made for the reception of the Members, Ministers, and Officers of Congress-all which being considered, it was ordered that a committee of the Mem- bers of the Corporation be appointed to inquire what houses can be procured for Congress and for what rent, and also how many boarding houses are in town, the accommodation of each and the sums upon which members can be boarded."
"Messrs. Allen Quynn, John Brice, John Davidson, and John Chal- mers were accordingly appointed."
The council loaned Isaac Melland £100 Continental Currency "to enable him to provide for the accommodation of members of Congress."
The legislature of Maryland appears to have taken no steps to further the ambitious aspiration of Annapolis. On Tuesday, Octo- ber 31st, Congress settled the question as to the seat of government, so far as Annapolis was concerned by the passage of the following :
"WHEREAS, there is reason to expect that the providing buildings for the alternate residence of Congress in two places, will be produc- tive of the most salutary effects, by securing the mutual confidence and affections of the States :
'Resolved, That buildings likewise erected for the use of congress, at or near the lower falls of Potowmack or Georgetown, provided a suitable district on the banks of the river can be procured for a fed- eral town, and the right of soil, and an exclusive jurisdiction, or such other as congress may direct, shall be vested in the United States : and that until the buildings to be erected on the banks of the Dela- ware and Patowmack shall be prepared for the reception of Congress, their residence shall be alternately, at equal periods of not more than one year and not less than six months, in Trenton and Annapolis: and the president is hereby authorised and directed to adjourn congress, on the 12th day on November next, to meet at Annapolis on the 26th of the same month, for the dispatch of public business."
CHAPTER XLII. GENERAL WASHINGTON RESIGNS HIS MILITARY COM- MISSION AT ANNAPOLIS.
1783.
Annapolis became the scene of the resignation of General Washing- ton's military commission not from any peculiar fitness of things, but from one of those accidents that sometimes makes places, as well as men. famous.
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HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
Congress had resolved that, until the public buildings then in course of erection on the Delaware and Potomac were finished, it would hold its sessions alternately at Trenton and Annapolis. The latter place was selected because it had a commodious State-House. It was chosen for the first six months of the session of 1783. Thus it became the scene of a renowned event.
Hastening from the affecting incidents of his farewell audience with the officers of his army, by a triumphal journey Washington arrived, on the 19th of December, in the City of Annapolis.
The news of General Washington's approach had preceded him, and a few miles from Annapolis he was met by Generals Gates and Small- wood, "and several of the principal inhabitants, who attended him to Mr. Mann's, where apartments had been prepared for his reception. His Excellency's arrival," continues the local authority from which we quote, "was announced by the discharge of cannon. After re- ceiving the heartfelt welcome of all who had the honor of knowing him, His Excellency waited on the President of Congress (General Mifflin, of South Carolina, ) with whom he and the members of that body, together with the principal civil and military officers of this State, dined on Saturday."
Mann's Hotel, at which Washington had been provided quarters, still stands in Annapolis, an imposing structure even in this day of improvements. It is now the City Hotel, and is situated on the corner of Conduit and Main streets. The room, which Washington occupied, yet remains, and is in one of the wings. "No. 9" is its designation. It is about sixteen feet by sixteen, with a ceiling of about twelve. There are two great windows in it that look out upon the court-yard of the hotel. Until a few years ago the very bedstead that the Com- mander-in-Chief occupied remained in the room. When the hotel passed from the heirs of Colonel John Walton, who was for many years "mine host" of the City Hotel, his son, Dr. J. Randolph Walton, took the illustrious relic away. He lives in Washington and when last heard from on this subject still had the bedstead in his possession .
Annapolis, at the time of this interesting event, was a quaint and agreeable city. The hip-roofs and odd gables still left here bear evi- dence of the picturesque period of 1783. Mr. William Eddis, the English surveyor of the port, who wrote of it in 1769, said that then it had "more the appearance of an agreeable village than the metropolis of an opulent province, as it contains within its limits a number of small fields which are intended for future erections. But in a few years it will probably be one of the best built cities in America, as a spirit of improvement is predominant, and the situation isallowed to be equally healthy and pleasant with any on this side the Atlantic. Many of the principal families have chosen this place for their residence, and there are few towns of the same size in any part of the British domains that can boast of a more polished society. * * Several modern edi- fices make a good appearance. There are few habitations without gardens, some of which, planted in decent style, are well stocked."
Washington, with his accustomed promptness, set himself at once to the business he had in hand. On Saturday, December 20th, 1783, headdressed a letter to Congress, informing that body of his arrival in Annapolis, with the intention of asking leave to resign the com- · Maryland Gazette.
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mission he had the honor of holding in their service, and desiring to know their pleasure in what manner it will be most proper to offer his resignation ; whether in writing or at an audience.
Congress resolved "that His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief be admitted to a public audience on Tuesday next at 12 o'clock, M."
It was further resolved "that a public entertainment be given to the Commander-in-Chief on Monday next."
The State of Maryland was not behind in offering to Washington the courtesies demanded by the auspicious occasion. The Council of State began the formal addresses of the ceremonies with the follow- ing :
"Annapolis, December 20, 1783. In Council.
"Sir :- Amidst the general joy on the happy and honorable termina- tion of the war, we beg leave to welcome your Excellency's return to this city, with hearts full of gratitude and affection.
"As long, sir, as mankind shall return a proper sense of the bless- ings of Peace, Liberty, and Safety, your character in every country, and in every age wills, be honored, admired. rnd revered ; but to a mind elevated as your the consciousness of having done great and illustrious deeds, from the purest principles of patriotism of having by your wisdom and magnanimity, arrested the arm of tyranny, saved a dear country and millions of fellow-citizens, and millions yet unborn, from slavery and all the horrors and calamities of slavery, and placed their rights and liberties on a permanent foundation, must yield a satisfaction infinitely superior to all the pomp and eclat of applauding ages and admiring worlds.
"Attached to your excellency by the strongest obligations ; and feeling the most lively impressions of your unequalled worth and pub- lic usefulness ; we beg you to accept our warmest wishes that your life may be prolonged to a far distant period ! and that it may be as happy in your retirement as it has been glorious in the field."
The letter was signed with the usual prolonged and courteous protestations of affection and respect by Wm. Paca, President of the Council and Governor of Maryland.
General Washington replied to this prophetic and eloquent address :
"Sir :- I shall ever cherish apleasing remembrance of the welcome reception I have experienced from your excellency and the Council, on my return to this city after the happy and honorable termination of the war.
"The flattering sentiments you entertain of my exertions in defence of our country, and the favorable point of light in which you place my character, too strongly demonstrates your friendship, not to claim the most grateful return from me.
"Convinced from experience, of the wisdom and decision which have signalized the government of Maryland, I cannot form a better wish for the future prosperity of the state than that the same spirit of jus- tice and patriotism, which actuated its councils during a long and eventful war, may continue to dictate its measures through a durable and happy peace."
The following morning, (Sunday. ) General Washington devoted to the return of the visits of citizens of Annapolis and others who had waited on him. He then dined, with a number of others, with Mr. Harford.
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Monday, the 22d of December, had a great deal crowded into it. There were the formal addresses of the city Annapolis, those of the Senate aud House of Delegates of Maryland, a public diuner to Gen- eral Washington, the illumination of the State House and a Ball by the General Assembly of Maryland.
Annapolis, by its Mayor, J. T. Chase, said "The Mayor, recorder, alder- men, and common council of the city of Annapolis congratulate your excellency on the restoration of peace, and the establishment of the free- dom and independence of the United States of America. The citizens feel themselves particularly happy in this opportunity afforded them, of expressing their sincere approbation of your most disinterested and unexampled conduct through every stage of the war, and the high sense they entertain of your excellent virtues, fortitude, and unremit- ting perseverance, under the pressure of the greatest difficulties. To you they esteem themselves principally indebted under the favor and smiles of Providence, for the inestimable blessings of peace and free- dom. This acknowledgement flows from hearts filled with gratitude and the most perfect respect and veneration for your person and character.
"In your retirement to the peaceful and pleasing scenes of domestic tranquility, may America long experience the benign influence of your example, and benefit by the salutary suggestions of your wisdom and may you sir, long enjoying your health and the heavenly sensa- tions arising from a consciousness of having done every thing for your country, and wrested her from the oppressive hand of unrelenting tyranny, without the hope of any reward, but the approbation of a free people."
To this flattering and very personal address, General Washington replied :
"To the worshipful, the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common- Council of the city of Annapolis :
"Permit me, Gentlemen, to offer to you my sincere thanks for your congratulations on the happy events of peace, and the establishment of our independence.
"If my conduct throughout the war has merited the confidence of my fellow citizens, and has been instrumental in obtaining for my country the blessings of peace and freedom-I owe it that Supreme Being who guides the hearts of all-who has so signally interposed his aid in every stage of the contest, and who has graciously been pleased to bestow on me the greatest of earthly rewards-the appro- bation and affections of a free people.
"Though I retire from the employments of public life, I shall never cease to entertain the most anxious care for the welfare of my coun- try. May the Almighty dispose the heart of every citizen of the United States to improve the great prospect of happiness before us ! And may you, Gentlemen, and the inhabitants of this city, long enjoy every felicity this world can afford !"
The State of Maryland, through its General Assembly, then in ses- sion, followed with another congratulatory address. The surprise is- that all being upon the same theme-the glories of Washington's personal character and his military achievements, there should be found so many variations of the subject ; but the object glowed and the changes rang with every one that began the note of praise. Mary- Tand said :
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"The General Assembly of Maryland embrace this opportunity, of expressing the grateful sense which they and their constituents enter- tain of your distinguished services ; services which, under the smiles of Divine Providence, have secured the peace, liberty, and indepen- dence, of these States! Your retirement to private life is a full evi- dence of that true patriotism which induced you to draw your sword in defence of your injured country, and made you persevere to the end of the arduous struggle, in which you have surmounted difficulties, that, with prudence less than yours, could not have been surmounted. Having, by your conduct in the field, gloriously terminated the war, you have taught us, by your last circular letter, how to value, how to preserve, and to improve that liberty, for which we have been con- tending. Weare convinced that public liberty cannot be long pre- served. but by wisdom, integrity, and a strict adherence to public jus- tice and public engagements. 'This justice and these engagements, as far as the influence and example of one State can extend, we are de- termined to promote and fulfil ; and if the powers given to Congress by the confederation. should be found to be incompetent to the purposes of the Union, we doubt not our constituents will readily consent to en- large them. In expressing these sentiments, and by thus engaging to comply with the dictates of public faith and justice, and to satisfy the just demands of a meritorious army. we make the most acceptable returns for all those cares which you have felt, and all the toils you have undergone. during your command. Permit us. in addressing you for the last time in your public character, to express our warmest wishes that you may long enjoy the sweets of domestic ease and retire- ment, and that cordial satisfaction which must arise from a conscious- ness of having merited and gained the universal love of your country- men."
The reply of General Washington, to this patriotic address of the State whose representative, Thomas Johnson, had nominated him in 1775 for command of the Continental Army, was "particularly happy." Here it is in full :
"Gentlemen :- I feel myself particularly happy in receiving the ap- probation of the General Assembly of Maryland, for those services which my country had a right to demand, and which it was my duty to render in defence of it.
"Having happily attained the object for which we had drawn the sword, I felicitated myself on my approaching return to private life, and I must acknowledge, I anticipated an unusual degree of self-gratifica- tion, in that retirement, which you are pleased to consider as an evi- dence of patriotism.
"You have rightly judged. gentlemen, that public liberty cannot be long preserved, without the influence of those public virtues, which you have enumerated. May the example you have exhibited. and the disposition you have manifested, prevail extensively, and have the most salutary operation ! For I am well-assured, it isonly by a general adoption of wise and equitable measures, that I can derive any per- sonal satisfaction, or the public any permanent advantages, from the successful issue of the contest.
"I am deeply penetrated with the liberal sentiments and wishes contained in your last address to me as a public character ; and while I am bidding you a final farewell in that capacity, be assured, gentle-
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men, that it will be my study in retirement not to forfeit the favorable opinion of my fellow-citizens."
Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, delivered, in person, Washington's reply to the address of the Maryland Legislature ..
The public dinner that Congress had tendered to General Washing- ton was given on Monday, December 22nd, at the ball-room.
The building still remains, and strangers are shown with pardonable pride the place where Washington. the grave and dignified Comman- der-in-Chief of the Continental armies, was wont, in "the piping days of peace," to come and dance, perhaps, the stately minuet. "Up- wards of two hundred persons of distinction were present at the din- ner," says the local chronicler of that period, and "everything was provided by Mr. Mann in the most elegant and profuse style."
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