USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > The Ancient City.: A History of Annapolis, in Maryland, 1649-1887 > Part 32
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"Resolved, That should anything occur contrary to our views of good order, peace, and tranquility, as inculcated in the word of God, we will use every means and all our influence, to put it down.
"Resolved, That we be grateful to Almighty God for the revelation of his will to man, and that revelation teaches us, that it is our high- est wisdom to live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world, that in the world to come we may be sharers of eternal life.
"Editors friendly to the above resolutions, will confer a favor on this meeting, by giving them a few insertions, particularly those of our city.
Signed, HENRY PRICE, Chairman. JOHN SMITH, JR., Secretary."
It was in November of this year, 1831, that the project to build a railroad between Baltimore and Annapolis was inaugurated. At the same time the practicability of making the road connect Washington, as well as Baltimore, was suggested, hence came the twenty miles of road, known from its charter in 1836, as the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Rail- road. It was not, however, until February 6th, 1832, that the bill was passed to incorporate the Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad Com- pany. Nothing appears to have come of this. In December 1836, another act passed, naming Amos A. Williams, Leonard Iglehart, Alexander Randall, Somerville Pinkney, George Wells, and Elias Elli- cott, as Commissioners to take subscriptions to the capital stock of the Annapolis and Elk Fidge Railroad Company, which was placed at $450,000. The State subscribe $300,000 to the company's stock pro-
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vided first, it was to be certified to the Treasurer for the Western Shore that before the State's subscription was formally made that its quota would complete the road. The Governor and his Council were to appoint a State director for every $100,000 of stock subscribed by the State. The private stockholders were given six directors by the act. In May, 1837, it was publicly announced that sufficient stock had been subscribed to organize the company, and the State's sub- scription was thereupon made.
The first passenger train left Annapolis for the Annapolis Junction, Christmas Day, 1840. Henry H. Bush, now living, was the engineer, and James Miller, the conductor.
[1834.] A monument was suggested in January, to Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, at Annapolis, on the hill on the Priests' property, east cor- ner of Gloucester street, where a large walnut tree stood which tradi- tion says sheltered Washington and Carroll.
In August, the young men of Annapolis crystalized their indigna- tion at the "dispositionto deprive them of any participation in the political benefits of the city," and nominated Sprigg Harwood and Frederick Louis Grammer, as candidates for the Legislature, repre- senting the young men of the city. The nomination led to the usual bitter newspaper warfare that follows a new departure. The opposi- tion put up Nicholas Brewer and George Wells. It was charged that these nominations were coached by William B. Curran, a young man in the employment of Mr. Blair, editor of the Washington Globe. The election, in October, resulted :
Opposition-Sprigg Harwood, 135 ; Fred. L. Gra wmer, 133. Nomi- nation-Nicholas Brewer, 168; George Wells, 164.
[1835.] June 25th, the corner stone of Humphrey Hall, St. John's College, was laid. John Johnson, delivered an eloquent address on the occasion. The building committee were Ramsay Waters, John Johnson, and Nicholas Brewer. . R. C. Long, was the architect, and Elijah Wells, the builder.
[1837.] The political titles of candidates for the Legislature this year show that there was another change in political shibboleths. The result was: Van Buren candidates-Richard J. Jones, 128 ; John H. T. Magruder, 127. Whig candidates-Richard Swann, 154 ; Thos. S. Alexander, 152.
[1839.] On Sunday, April 14th, 1839, Nicholas Brewer, father of the late Judge Nicholas Brewer, died. The following obituary ap- peared in the next issue of the Maryland Republican, evidently from the pen of Jeremiah Hughes, the veteran editor of that Journal :
"Thus in the 68th year of his age, closes the earthly career of another of the most active, firm, steady, and undeviating politicians of this State, and of this age. A man who, as an opponent, was always a MAN, open, undisguised, straight-forward, and high-minded. As a friend, no man was ever more ardent, whole-hearted, and sincere.
"For several years, and until attacked by the disease which finally carried him off, Mr. Brewer, represented this city in the House of Delegates, of which he was one of the most useful and influential members. He seldom spoke in the House : when he did his speech was always brief, to the purpose-and never failed to command at- tention. It may be truly said, that a delegate more devoted to the interests of his constituents has never represented any people. Twice
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or thrice, at earlier periods of his life, he served as Elector of the Senate-a station usually appropriated to the most popular man in each community.
"As a next door-neighbor and most intimate friend-as an associate for the third of a century in every political struggle-in peace and in war-through good and through evil report-in prosperity and in ad- versity-sickness and health-we have known and can truly testify of Nicholas Brewer, as a high-minded, public-spirited, patriotic, amiable man-a man of inflexible integrity in public as in private life."
Mrs. Baldwin, who died in 1749, one hundred years old, the sup- posed first person born in Anne Arundel, was the progenitor of Mrs. Jeremiah Townley Chase, nee Hester Baldwin and Mrs. Samuel Chase, nee Ann Baldwin.
CHAPTER LIII. LOCATION OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY AT ANNAPOLIS.
[1845.] As early as November 15. 1814, Hon. William Jones, Secre- tary of the Navy, under President Madison, suggested the expediency of establishing a Naval Academy. This recommendation, from its in- ception to the establishment of the Naval Academy, in 1845, was fol- lowed by the persistent and intelligent effort of the leading minds in naval knowledge, and the best informed as to the maritime wants of the country.
In 1825, two bills were before Congress, proposing the inauguration of a naval school. Whilst these were pending, the Maryland Legisla- ture January, 1826, passed the following :
"Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That our Sena- tors and Representatives in Congress be, and they are hereby requested to call the attention of their respective houses to the superior advan- tages which the city of Annapolis and its neighborhood possesses as a situation for a Naval Academy, and that they use their best exertions in favor of the establishment of such an institution."
This resolution reached the United States Senate February 7, 1826.
Repeated efforts at legislation had failed, once in 1826 by a single vete in the Senate, to give the United States a Naval Academy, when the illustrious historian George Bancroft became Secretary of the Navy in 1845. "His own profound scholarship, his rich and varied culture, and his personal familiarity with educational methods, enabled him to appreciate the want of the service and to devise a way in which it might be supplied. To him the Navy owes the foundation of the Naval Academy. He saw, as his predecessors had also seen that a dozen separate schools without organization or intelligent supervision, constituted as appendages to navy-yards and seagoing men-of-war, could produce no satisfactory results. He had seen, moreover, the
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HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
failure of many efforts at legislation with a view to reforming the systems. But he discovered what those before him had failed to see, that with him lay the authority to remedy the evils, and that the means were already provided. By placing a large number of pro- fessors upon waiting orders-that is, by dispensing with their services -a large part of the annual ontlay for instruction might be saved ; and by concentrating a few of the best inen of the corps of instructors at a suitable place, a school might be formed with an independent organization."*
On June 2d, 1845, a board of naval officers met at the Philadelphia Naval Asylum for the examination of midshipmen for promotion. The board consisted of Commodores George C. Read, Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, and Matthew C. Perry, and Captains E. A. F. Lavalette and Isaac Mayo.
Amongst the instructions of the board was the following : "NAVY DEPARTMENT. "Washington, June 13, 1845.
"Sir : I desire the assistance of your board in maturing a more efficient system of instructions for the young naval officers. The op- portunity which your present arduous and responsible duties as ex- aminers of the school afford you of giving practical and useful advice leads me to solicit your co-operation by as full a communication of your opinion as is consistent with your convenience.
"Fort Severn has been recommended to me as a more suitable place for such a school than the Naval Asylum, especially as a vessel could be stationed there to serve as a school in gunnery.
"The present term of instruction is too short. Might it not be well to have permanent instruction, and to send all midshipmen on shore to the school ? What plan of studies is most advisable ? I hope your board will find time and will be disposed to aid me by their suggestions.
"I wish, also, that they would nominate, for my consideration, a board of three experienced officers, whose qualifications incline them to give long-continued attention to this subject, and who could have the permanency necessary to assist me until a plan can be matured. If, from your own number, you would select such a board, or would take a wider scope in your selection, it would be acceptable to me."
"I am, respecfully, yours, GEORGE BANCROFT.
Commodore George C. Read,
President Board of Examiners, &c., Philadelphia, Pa."
After a thorough examination of, and deliberation over, the subject, the Board made a lengthy report, in which there occurs the following : "Three of the undersigned are ignorant of the precise situation of Fort Severn, and its fitness for a naval school in regard to its accomo- dation, in healthiness of location, and conveniences of the vicinity for gun-practice, but they are told by their associates, Commodore Jones and Captain Mayo, that the fort embraces sufficient space and the har- bor and neighboring shores offer all the requisite advantages for gun- practice and evolution of steamers and boats. Supposing, then, that Fort Severn is selected, and there is ample accommodation within its walls for the officers and students of the establishment, it may be re-
* History of the Naval Academy, Soley. p. 42.
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marked that the Government already possesses all the necessary means for commencing at once a naval school, which may be enlarged and perfected at some future time."
Shortly after this Secretary Bancroft, Governor Marcy, then Secre- tary of War, and Commodore Warrington, chief of the Bureau of Navy Yards and docks, visited Annapolis, the object of their visit being understood to be to examine the condition of Fort Severn and the im- provements commenced the previous fall. The rumor was also afloat that it was the intention of the government to remove the Naval School from Philadelphia to Fort Severn, which be one of the reasons of this visit.t
Some after this visit, the Secretary ordered a board, composed of Commanders Mckean, Buchanan, and Du Pont. to consider the sub- ject, and to recommend a location and officers. The board decided upon Arnapolis as the site, and Ward, Chanveult, and Lockwood as professors. Commander Franklin Buchanan, & Baltimorean, had already been selected as superintendent.
Fort Severn was an army post, the site of which had been purchased in 1808, at a period when Aunapolis was deemed a place of military importance. The ground consisted of ten acres, almost square, in- closed on the west end and northern side by brick wall, and on the southern and eastern sides by the Severn. At the angle of the water front stood the battery, a small circular rampart, mounting en barbette ten heavy guns, with a magazine in the water. In the grounds was a Wind-mill built here in 1760, and on the shore of the fort the Peggy Stewart was run aground and burned by its owner, to satisfy the de- mands of the patriots of 1774.
The buildings consisted of officers' quarters and barracks. Buch- anan row, (the new building for the Superintendent excepted, ) the house opposite the southern end of the row, and the dwelling occupied by Secretary Richard M. Chase, are all that remain of those that ex- isted when the Fort was transferred Aug 15, 1845, to the Navy De- partment.
October 10th, the school was opened.
The State of Maryland acted promptly in the cession of every right and privilege required by the government.
The young stripling began to grow apace. In 1847, the first addi- tion was made to the grounds. It comprised three lots-one from F. Buchanan and others, the second from Rebecca Nicholson, with a col- lateral deed from Edward Lloyd and R. Nicholson to secure the title of Miss Nicholson's lot. The third from A. Randall, trustee for W. O'Hara and others.
This included land adjacent to the school and lying between Scott street and the Severn, and reached to Northeast street, now Maryland Avenue. This was under Commander Upshur.
The second addition, commenced in 1853, under commander Strip- ling was completed after the arrival of Com. Goldsborough. One part consisted of land lying between Scott street, Governor street, Hanover street, and Northeast street now occupied by the Academy Chapel, and by the row of officers' quarters numbered from one to eleven, and includes the lawns in front as far as the line of Scott street ; and the other part of land lying along the Severn River on the opposite side t Annapolis paper.
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of Northeast street and between it and Tabernacle street, the fourth side being the line of Hanover street extended. The buildings on it are known as Goldsborough row.
The Third addition was Scott street and Northeast street between Hanover and the river. This was in 1853.
The fourth addition was made in 1866, Admiral Porter, superinten- dent. The executive mansion of the state, the residence of the governors since the time of Robert Eden, with the garden adjoining, a place where Washington had been guest, was bought by the United States, and a square's length of Governor's street was taken in with it. This com- prised four acres. The Governor's house is now used as the Academy library, and Porter row has been built on part of the fourth acquisi- tion.
The fifth addition was made in 1867, by the purchase of ten acres of land from St. John's College between the College and Graveyard Creek. This tract has never been joined to the Academy, there being land intermediate between it and the Academy. Another tract of land, Strawberry Hill farm, on which the Alms House of Anne Arun- del county once stood, was bought in 1868. This is not a part proper of the Academy. It adjoins the grounds of the Naval Hospital, (thirty-two acres in extent,) one part being reserved as a naval necropolis.
The sixth addition was accomplished in 1874, being four acres from that part of Lockwoodsville lying on the Severn, between, then Taber- nacle, now College Avenue, Hanovor and Wagner Streets.
The following is the summary of land in use by, and under the con- trol of, the Naval Academy authorities :
ACRES.
Grounds about Fort Severn
.9
Purchases of 1847 and 1853, including streets.
33
Purchase 1866, (Governor's Mansion). 4
Purchase of 1874, Lockwoodsville. .4
Within the Academy 50
ACRES.
Hospital Grounds
.32
Strawberry Hill 67
College Lot 10
Outside of Academy 109
During 1883, one of the ancient landmarks of the State fell. It was the one occupied to that period from 1845, as the residence of the Superintendent of the Naval Academy.
It was built by John Duff, an architect who settled in the colony in 1728. This house was built, at least, in 1751, and probably much earlier. It was the residence of that talented family, the Dulanys, and was occupied by it from 1753 to 1808, and on the cession of the ground to the government as the site of Fort Severn, became the resi- dence of the commander of the fort and so remained to 1845. In 1883, by a commission of officers, Captain Francis M. Ramsay being Super- intendent, the house was condemned as unsafe, and was torn down, and the Superintendent, by funds reserved from the supplies voted the Academy, proceeded to build a residence for the Superintendent. Con- gress that had refused specific monies for this building, resented the
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action of the Superintendent, and, by proviso inserted, declared no money should be used to complete the offensive structure. There it remained until the end of the term of the offending Superintendent, & monument of autocratic independence and congressional indignation.
The location of the Naval Academy at Annapolis has been of large advantage to the business of the place. The social benefits have been well appreciated by its people, and the constant succession of interest- ing events occuring at the Academy, has added to the enjoyment and culture of an already polished community.
CHAPTER LIV. A RIOT IN ANNAPOLIS.
J1847.] On the 5th of July, 1847, the steamboat "Jewess," was chartered by Mr. C. C. Philips, of Baltimore, to make an excursion to St. Michaels, in Talbot county, with the express understanding that the steamer would accommodate at least seven hundred passengers comfortably. About that number took passage on the steamer in- cluding whom were the Eagle Artillerists, Col. Geo. P. Kane, com- manding, and the Columbian Riflemen, Capt. Robert McAllister, com- manding. The military companies were on their way to join with the military of Talbot county in celebrating the National holiday, and the latter had made appropriate preparations to receive the expected visi- tors.
Before reaching the county wharf at Fell's Point, it was discovered that the boat could not accommodate those that were already on board, and on arriving at the county wharf there were the military and several hundred who desired to take passage on the boat. The military alone were allowed to embark.
With this large crowd on board, composed, no doubt, of the motley company that generally gathers on general holidays on cheap excur- sions, the "Jewess" started for St. Michaels, and steamed slowly down the bay. After being out four hours, the captain found it impossible with the large number of passengers he had on board, and the cranky condition of the steamer, to cross the bay. The charter party to the contrary notwithstanding, Captain Sutton determined that the lives of seven hundred passengers were in his keeping, and he was respon- sible if any accident occured. He, therefore, decided that he would put into Annapolis, and if one hundred and fifty passengers would land, he would then proceed to St. Michaels with the balance.
After a passage of five hours, the "Jewess" reached Annapolis. Not a man would go ashore with the understanding that "he had the privilege of finding his way back to Baltimore the best way he could." On this Capt. Sutton decided to proceed no further, tied his boat to the wharf, and let off steam.
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HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS.
"After the boat had been made fast," says an eye witness," who spoke from a Baltimore standpoint, "and the passengers found they could go no further, they generally went on shore for the purpose of amusing themselves as might best suit their fancy, and were received with every mark of respect by some of the citizens. Those who vis- ited the Naval School were kindly received by the officers, as were also those who went up to the State House, but with some of the commu- nity there appeared to be something wrong, as if some past offence had not beeen forgotten or some new aggression had been committed." In contradiction of any bad spirit being shown by the citizens, it is asserted by a citizen living at this day that a part of the excursionists behaved very disorderly. If there was ill-feeling rankling, or bad temper provoked, by fresh affronts, it found some vent when on Church street, a Baltimore youth broke a window, and whilst William F. Smith, of Baltimore, was paying for it, one of the crowd was arrested by an Annapolis constable. Mr. Smith persuaded the balance of the Baltimore boys to return to the "Jewess ;" and the culprit was res- cued by his friends.
At the City Hotel Col. John Walton, proprietor, testified, sev- eral of the party from the steamer entered the kitchen, took posses- sion of it, and insisted upon helping themselves to dinner. They be- haved in the same riotous manner at the bar, and he had to threaten to commit them to jail before they would leave. In other parts of the town. pistols were fired, and curses rent the air. At the Wes- tern Hotel kept by Mr. E. A. Davis, some of the party amused them- selves pitching the bread out of the windows.
A significant fact bearing on the character of the people who com- posed the crowd on board the "Jewess" was brought out in the testimony of Col. Geo. P. Kane, in the examination that followed the affray : "He had left the boat at Annapolis, and had procured a citizen's dress from a friend, which he had exchanged for his uniform, and had de- termined to come up in the cars in the morning ; the conduct of a portion of those who were on board the boat having been so disorderly and riotous as to deter him from returning with them."
Whilst Col. Kane was at dinner in Annapolis, he heard the report of fire-arms. He started for the "Jewess." Before he reached there another prominent character who was to figure in the subsequent pro- ceedings, Judge Nicholas Brewer, who had heard that a friend's son had become involved in a difficulty, and had come down to persuade him out of it, had arrived at the wharf.
At the examination before Justice Walton Gray, in Baltimore, July 9th, Judge Brewer testified that he "saw by the soiled state of the clothes of the young man and injury he had received on his nose, that he had been engaged in a fight. He remonstrated with him, and per- suaded him to leave the wharf. Seeing that there was considerable excitement among those on the wharf, and every probability of a riot ensuing, he decided to remain there and endeavor to prevent it.
"Nothing of any moment occurred from this time for nearly an hour while preparations were making for the departure of the boat, and nearly all belonging to her had got on board."
The testimony of Mr. Daniel T. Hyde, a prominent citizen of An- napolis, then takes up the thread of the story : "He was sitting in his porch, (his house being about a hundred yards from where the boat * Balto. American of July 7, 1847.
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lay,) when he saw Judge Brewer go down to the wharf. The crowd on the boat began to hiss and hoot at him and some one of them called out "bring that big-bellyed man, with a straw hat on board." Think- ing that violence might be offered to the Judge, and that it was his duty to endeavor to prevent it, he immediately went down towards the wharf. There was, however, when Mr. Hyde reached the steamer, no attempt to offer violence to Judge Brewer."
Mr. Hyde used his good offices to promote peace and to suppress the dis- turbanceand was in imminent danger from the ill-feelings of the citizens on the wharf and the visitors on the steamer. The billingsgate and pro- fanity between the two crowds at this moment was terrible. The noise and confusion were so great that it was almost impossible to distin- guish what was said. In preparation for the coming fray several boys from the boat ran on shore, and picked up stones and retreated to the steamer. An old man, whom Judge Brewer thought was William F. Smith, in company with a young man, advanced on the gangway leading to the wharf and seemed ready to fight. Judge Brewer per- suaded them to return to the boat. The lines were now cast off. Mr. Hyde advised Mr. Waters, the Mate of the boat and asked him to say the same thing to Capt. Sutton to move off. Mr. Hyde assisted in casting the lines of the steamer loose from the shore.
"At this time two halves of a lemon were thrown from the boat among the crowd on shore." This was the signal of battle. The crowd on the wharf gave way, a dark object was seen to fly from the boat to the shore, and the Annapolitans returned the attack with a volley of bricks. The Baltimoreans replied with stones and pistols.
The bricks that had come from the shore had fallen amongst the ladies and children, and a cry was made for the rifles of Capt. McAl- lister's company. The captain tried to prevent the men from getting the rifles out of the room in which they had been stowed. He sent James L. Wallace to take charge of this. Mr. Wallace, when he arrived at the temporary armory, found it filled with passengers taking away the rifles. Some of the company attempted to assist Mr. Wallace but they were "thrown aside like an old check shirt," and those in the room helped themselves to the rifles and cartridges and went on deck and used them on the citizens of Annapolis.
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