USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records > Part 31
USA > Maryland > Howard County > The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records > Part 31
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The Republicans, in 1816, elected twelve of the electoral college. The Federal returns were twenty-eight, but twenty-two of these represented only 93,265, while the other six and the twelve Repub- lican electors represented 176,000 people. Yet a solid Federal Senate was chosen for five years. In 1821 an entire Republican Senate was chosen by an electoral college of twenty-eight Republicans and twelve Federalists. In 1826, a like Republican majority was returned, but six of the twenty-two voted with the fourteen Feder- alists and elected a mixed Senate of eleven Republicans and four Federalists.
In 1831 an electoral college of twenty-eight National Repub- licans and twelve Jackson men elected a Senate entirely composed of National Republicans. This was the last peaceful election under that system. The spirit of reform was in the air. The election of Jackson as the Democratic President swept the country.
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In Maryland, Jackson and VanBuren found their supporters chiefly in Baltimore and the large counties. In 1836 Van Buren supporters elected nineteen electors and the Whigs twenty-one. In that election, Baltimore with a vote of 10,000 and Annapolis with a vote of 300 each sent one elector, while Frederick County with a vote of 6,000 and Charles County with a vote of 567 each sent two. Baltimore, Harford, Washington, Frederick and Baltimore City sent Van Buren electors. Montgomery sent one of each party.
Congressman Francis Thomas, of Frederick County, finding that the majority of the electoral college represented but 85,179 white men, while the minority was chosen from counties and towns with a population of 205,922 white men, organized a revolt. The Whigs had but twenty-one and a quorum required twenty-four. The nine- teen Van Buren men determined to refuse to enter the college until assured by the Whig members that they would not vote for a Senator who would oppose calling a Convention of the people and also to elect eight Van Buren men as Senators, so as to give a majority of that body known to be favorable to a radical revision of the Consti- tution, granting equal rights and privileges. No action having been taken in reply, the nineteen Van Buren electors met at City Hotel and offered propositions. Mr. Thomas was in Annapolis directing the negotiations. As no compromise was in sight the "nineteen" went to their homes, leaving the Whigs in Annapolis, waiting for help to organize.
In the meantime meetings were held. At one in Baltimore, John V. L. McMahon, the historian, spoke eloquently in support of the Whig position and opposed "the bold proposition to overthrow the whole Government at one blow."
The Whig electors issued an address in reply to that of the Van Buren nineteen, claiming that if they had gone into the college they would have found advocates of their reforms, and thus discussions filled all channels until another election day for members of the House came, which proved to be a defeat for the Van Buren nineteen. Counties which had sent Democrats now returned Whigs. In all there were sixty Whigs to nineteen Van Buren men. Immediately upon this election Mr. John S. Sellman, of Anne Arundel, regarding the election as an instruction from his constituents, entered the college. Mr. Wesley Linthicum from Anne Arundel refused to enter.
Dr. Washington Duval from Montgomery refused, not consider- ing the election a defeat to Van Buren, but demanded a Convention.
Criticisms were loud upon the revolutionary conduct of Gov- ernor Francis Thomas. Mr. Sellman, of Anne Arundel, attempted to bring about a compromise, saying that he would not enter the college until a quorum was secured, and such a quorum could not be obtained without a compromise of conflicting interests.
The Whigs only replied by calling his attention to their address to the people. Thus his efforts proved futile.
The National election, a few days later, proved a complete over- throw of the Van Buren party in Maryland.
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Governor Veazey now came to the front and issued his proclama- tion, declaring the Senate elected in 1831 shall continue, to be the Senate of Maryland, and shall so continue until superseded by the election of successors, as constitutionally and lawfully provided for, and with the house elected in October last, now constitute the general assembly of this State. . He assembled it to meet on November 21, assigning as his reason the failure of eighteen electors to do their duty. He further declared, that he would use all the powers in his office to break up such lawless proceedings. He con- cluded with a solemn declaration, "that the Constitution of the State must be preserved until altered, in the manner constitutionally provided for." Great excitement followed. Major John Contee called the people of Prince George together and offered "our services to the executive in case of necessity." Mr. Wesley Linthicum, of Anne Arundel, determined to yield. Mr. Sellman again addressed the Whigs to know if they were in favor of Constitutional reform. They answered, yes, not in a restricted, but a comprehensive sense, and would elect a Senate in favor of amendment. The Van Buren men were compelled to surrender unconditionally.
Fifteen Whig Senators were elected, the new Legislature, at the suggestion of the Governor, provided for the amendments urged by the nineteen and provided that the election of Governor should be by the people.
The electoral college was abolished. The Senate was to consist of one member from each county and the City of Baltimore, elected by popular vote for six years, one-third going out of office every two years. The executive council was abolished and a Secretary of State substituted.
When the first election under the reformed Constitution occurred, October 2, 1838, the Van Buren candidate for Governor, William Grason, "The Queen Anne Farmer," won by a very narrow margin, while the Legislature was Whig by small majorities in each house. The so-called "glorious nineteen" claimed much of the credit for these changes.
Governor Veazey was the last Governor elected by the Senate. He died in Cecil, June 30, 1842.
GOVERNOR WILLIAM GRASON.
Governor William Grason, twenty-eighth Governor (1838-1841), was born 1786, in Queen Anne County. He was a Federalist of the old school and in after years a Jackson Democrat. He served in both branches of the State Legislature. In 1836, he became the leader of his party in the contest for a new Constitution and became the first Governor under it by a very small majority of 300. The excitement of the close campaign was followed by a riot in Baltimore as the returns came in. Governor Grason was known as the "Queen Anne Farmer."
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During his administration, President Louis McLane announced the completion of the Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the advance of the main stem to Harper's Ferry.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, by its report of 1839, showed progress as far as Cumberland. Three millions of dollars had already been expended, for which the company had receipted. "The State retained $500,000 to pay premium. The work had proved to be a stupendous one and the company asked for a modification of the law of 1836, in order to render certificates more available. When com- pleted the Canal ought to pay six per cent. dividends, but with the present appropriation, the company can not keep work going more than six months."
Governor Grason sent in the first report of the President and Directors of the Eastern Shore Railroad, showing receipts $40,000 above expenses, he also sent in a report on abolishing imprisonment for debt, and the report of the Elk Ridge Railroad and its progress.
His message upon the pecuniary embarrassment of the State and his criticism of. the condition of the State's internal improvements was considered the most important measure of his administration.
The public debt was shown to be $14,587,689. The annual revenues were barely sufficient to pay the ordinary expenses of $250,000. We cannot expect the companies now in process of organi- zation to pay their annual interest promptly.
In 1836 the State had authorized a loan of $8,000,000 from foreign sources. The money was plentiful and securities in demand. This has changed and it is impossible to sell our bonds. The Northern Central Railroad owes the State $200,000; the Eastern Shore road owes $100,000 more. These debts are due to the wild spirit of internal improvements. We must resort to rigid economy and increase our revenues by a moderate tax on real and personal estate. Two hundred thousand dollars in addition to our present revenue might be enough for present emergencies.
Governor Grason also urged a change in the Constitution to limit the power of the Legislature. "Ours is a Constitution for the judiciary and executive, but not for the Legislature."
His communication to President Van Buren urging the United States Government to deliver its stock in the Canal Company to the State upon its assumption of the working expenses, was an able pre- sentation of the State's demand. Governor Grason's message led to widespread discussion. It was answered by President Louis McLane, of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Governor issued an additional message maintaining his position, that the wholesale hypothecation of the State's bonds was disastrous to the State and must cause trouble.
In 1840, Governor Grason showed the debt had increased over one million more whilst the deficits for the year were over a half a million. His message pointed out the hopeless prospect of realizing from the Government anything like enough to pay the State's indebtedness.
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He reported the Susquehanna road, Elk Ridge road and the Tidewater Canal, all finished, whilst there was nothing to be reported from the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
Francis Thomas, President of the Canal, later made an exhaustive report in which he showed it had already expended $7,000,000, and when completed it would amount to $9,500,000. The Legislature thereupon insituted an investigation, on the ground that its manage- ment was in the interest of the political ambition of its President.
The campaign of 1840, known as the "hard cider and log cabin campaign," resulted in the election of William Henry Harrison. His sudden death and the desertion of John Tyler ruined the Whig party, and in 1841 Francis Thomas, Democrat, was made Governor.
Governor Grason was afterward the nominee for the United States Senate, but was defeated by the Senate refusing to go into an election. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1851.
His wife was a daughter of Dr. James Sullivane, of Dorchester. Their son Richard, born 1820, was educated at St. John's College and was admitted to the bar in 1841. He removed to Elkton, where he was appointed deputy attorney, then State's attorney. Removing to Towson, in 1864, he was elected Judge, but was unseated by the Legislature. Under the Constitution of 1867 he was elected Chief Judge for fifteen years.
In 1847, he married the eldest daughter of General Charles Sterrett Ridgely, of Howard County. He died of paralysis at Towson, in 1893. His father died in 1868.
GOVERNOR FRANCIS THOMAS.
Governor Francis Thomas, twenty-ninth Governor of Maryland (1841-44), was born in Frederick County, February 3, 1799. He was the son of Francis and Grace (Metcalfe) Thomas, who was the son of William Thomas, son of Hugh Thomas and Betty Edwards, of "Montevue." This progenitor descended from the family of Bishop William Thomas, of Caermarthen, who came from Wales to Pennsylvania.
Francis Thomas, seventh child of his father, entered St. John's College, Annapolis, as early as 1811, but as there were no classes from that date until 1822 was not graduated. He was admitted to the bar in 1820 and settled in Frankville, Maryland, to practice.
In 1822, 1827 and 1829 he represented his county in the Legisla- ture, rising to Speaker the last year.
In 1831 he was sent to Congress. He became President of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in 1839-40. When a candidate for Gov- ernor he fought a duel with William Price. He was the second Governor under the provision making elections triennial.
Governor Thomas in his message of 1842, made this stirring review: "The public debt, destroying public credit, has been our burden. Met by your predecessors in a public spirit, the means are yet inadequate, a decided course is needed.
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" Baltimore City had borrowed by legislative act nearly $5,000,000, to pay the interest on which requires $270,000. The public debt of the State is $15,000,000. The assessment of $196,000,- 000 requires a tax of seventy-one cents in Baltimore and thirty-one cents in the State.
"The general stagnation of business, depression in prices and diminution of currency all tend to urge the necessity for an exten- sion of time for paying taxes. The expediency of using the bank stock of the State by transferring it to creditors is entitled to consideration.
"In 1830 the State had means for all its uses, but within seven years our State debt has been increased $12,000,000 for internal improvements, and now our State of 10,000 square miles and a popula- tion of 318,194 is staggering with an undertaking that would test the resources of Great Britain. Now we must either repudiate or submit to the tax-gather.
"The 'glorious 19' of Van Buren's forces accomplished good results, modifying the difficulties of a minority ruling the majority, but even now the majority of the Senate can repudiate any means for expressing the will of the two-third majority of the State. The House and Senate cannot concur in the appointment of officers controlling the works of improvement. The Governor cannot appoint.
"The power of these companies is great in its effect upon the destiny of the State. Their influence has created this debt. If the minority are to direct and the majority to pay there will always be difficulty.
"The distributive share of the proceeds of the public lands is hereby made known. Maryland gets $15,000, but the Government claims against the State amount to $20,000. So the United States retains the whole amount and lays claim to the balance. This cry that the United States would pay our State demands has been our delusion. High tariff and land sales were the delusions that we thought would enrich us. These have made our debt, and the result is a fund not sufficient to pay the interest on bonds held in trust for the Indians.
"The land bill is as fruitless as ashes. Our public debt, if paid, must be taken out of our own resources. Whoever thinks otherwise follows a phantom. Reject any idea that the National Government can be made to pay State debts.
"The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal reports are not encouraging. It ought to be completed. The people are willing to be taxed if any results of returns for outlays are visible. To do so we must amend the Charter and grant preferred stock to an amount sufficient to complete the work and to pay the debts."
Governor Thomas also opposed the payment of unnecessary salaries to Judges. He charged that $500,000 had been wasted. In his message of 1843 he announced " that our debt had been increased to over $16,000,000. Our ordinary revenues are only sufficient to
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pay ordinary expenses. The assessment has been reduced from $196,000,000 to $178,000,000. With interest upon the debt nearly $2,000,000 in arrears, the tax system, now imperfect, must be improved. Even the executive office has been curtailed and no power is given to it to help the State. Political ascendency has done it. The executive can only suggest. There is a feeling of discontent by taxpayers. It is unjust to make a portion pay the burden. The Legislature must see that the law is vigorously carried out. The sale of stock for internal improvements would not pay our debt. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad has not been a burden. It has paid its interest. The general Government needs all the land sales. We must remodel our tax laws; exchange the State's stocks in public works and use its bank stock for debts. This will give relief."
His third message, in 1844, still pointed out a failure to meet the State's obligations. The Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad was not able to pay its interest.
The repudiation talk induced by Governor Thomas' message became a campaign cry in the next election and resulted in a Whig victory. Governor Thomas G. Pratt succeeded.
When an attempt was made in 1867 to take the Naval Academy from Annapolis because of the atmosphere of disloyalty, Governor Thomas, then in Congress, joined Congressman Philips in an eloquent defence, which resulted in retaining the Academy. but when the people were trying to adopt the Constitution of 1867 he asked Congress to give Maryland a Republican form of Government, declaring, "I deny utterly here, and have denied it for thirty years, that there is a Republican form of government in Maryland."
Congress failed to follow the Governor's advice, though many petitions were sent in from the Federal men of Maryland. The Constitution of 1867 was secured, notwithstanding all opposition. Governor Thomas was fearless, active and eloquent and his influence in every sphere was remarkable. For a long time he lived the recluse life of his mountain home.
In 1850, as a Delegate to the State Convention, he exerted his influence to reduce the power of the slave-holding counties of the State.
On the outbreak of the Civil War Governor Thomas raised a volunteer regiment of 3,000 men for the Union Army, but refused to command it. In 1866 he was a Delegate to the Loyalist Conven- tion at Philadelphia and became a strong opposer of the policy of President Johnson. In April, 1870, Governor Thomas was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the Cumberland District and served until March 25, 1872, when he was appointed Minister to Peru.
He resigned this position in 1875, and returned to his farm, "Montevue," near Frankville. While walking on a railroad track he was killed by a locomotive, January 22, 1876.
Governor Thomas was married to Sallie Campbell Preston, daughter of Governor James McDowell, of Virginia.
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GOVERNOR THOMAS GEORGE PRATT.
Governor Thomas George Pratt, thirtieth Governor of Maryland (1844-47), was born in Georgetown, D. C., February 18, 1804. He was a descendant of Thomas Pratt, of Prince George, by his wife, Eleanor Magruder. Educated in his native town, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and began his career in Upper Marlborough, in 1823. In 1832-35 he was sent to the House of Delegates; in 1836 was a member of the electoral college and President of the last Executive Council of Maryland. In 1838 he was State Senator.
After a fierce contest on the Whig ticket, opposed to repudiation, he was elected Governor. During his administration he succeeded in restoring the public credit.
Governor Pratt began his administration by calling on the Legislature for power to enforce the laws already existing for the collection of taxes. "From the abundant harvest now at hand, now is the time to pay our debts;" proposed the renewment of revenue laws; called for a new assessment and the collection of all bank direct taxes amounting to $1,000,000; proposed an improvement of the indirect tax law, especially in executor's and administrator's accounts; advised to return to the stamp tax; urged the extension of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to Ohio. In his message of 1847 his resumption law had brightened prospects and reduced the debt; referred to the good office of Mr. George Peabody in enabling the State to borrow and sell in foreign markets; condemned the course of the Governor of Pennsylvania in his action against the fugitive slave law.
The Legislature of 1845 passed the biennial Assembly of the Legislature, thereby saving $30,000 yearly; referred the question of a new Constitution back to the people; reduced the salaries of Governor and Legislature and his Secretary of State; abolished the Chancery Court. In the election of 1846 the Government and Legislature were sustained by large Whig gains.
During 1846, Governor Pratt in his Proclamation, calling for two regiments of infantry for the Mexican War, said: "The sons of Maryland have always obeyed the call of patriotism and duty, and will now sustain the honor of the State."
Volunteers came from every section, but only one battalion of Maryland and District of Columbia Volunteers was at first selected, but companies of volunteers in nearly every county awaited. the call and many went as independent companies. During the war Maryland supplied 2,500 men. He afterward resumed the practice of law in Annapolis.
In 1849 he was elected United States Senator to fill the unex- pired term of Reverdy Johnson, resigned, and was elected for a full term in 1850. Upon the expiration of his Senatorial term he settled in Baltimore, becoming an ardent advocate for secession. For a few weeks he has confined in Fortress Monroe. In 1864 he was a
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Delegate to the Chicago National Democratic Convention and to the Philadelphia Union Convention in 1866. In 1837 he was a presi- dential elector on the Van Buren ticket.
Governor Pratt married Adelaide, daughter of Governor Joseph Kent. He bought the Governor Ogle residence in Annapolis, corner of King George and College Avenues. He was a man of distinguished presence and an able speaker. He died in Baltimore, November 9, 1869, when the following resolutions were passed by the bar of Baltimore:
"Resolved, That we remember with gratitude and with pride the noble disregard of personal popularity to the discharge of his duty which marked the official course of our lamented brother, when, as executive of Maryland, helinked his name forever with the re-estab- lishment of good faith of the State." He was with Clay, Webster and Calhoun in the Senate and his arguments in the Maryland reports showed his ability. His funeral services were held from St. Anne's Church, Annapolis, November 11, 1869. Governor Oden Bowie and Staff were in attendance. George Peabody, whose aid was combined with Governor Pratt in redeeming the State, died on November 4th of that year. Governor Pratt left a widow and several children.
GOVERNOR PHILIP FRANCIS THOMAS.
Philip Francis Thomas, thirty-first Governor of Maryland (1848-51), was born at Easton, September 24, 1810. He was the oldest son of Dr. Tristram and Maria (Francis) Thomas and grandson of Tristram and Elizabeth (Martin), and great-grandson of Tristram Ann (Coursey) Thomas, daughter of Christopher. His mother was the daughter of Philip and Henrietta Maria (Goldsborough) Francis, granddaughter of Tench Francis, Attorney-General of Pennsylvania, in 1744, a descendant of Philip Francis, Mayor of Plymouth, in 1644, and father of Sir Philip Francis, the reputed author of "Letters of Junius."
Philip Francis Thomas was educated at Easton Academy and Dickinson College; was admitted to the bar in 1831; was a member of the Legislature in 1838 and subsequently was in Congress in 1839- 41; was elected Governor in 1848.
On January 3, 1848, he laid before the Legislature a message of great force on constitutional reforms and retrenchments; he was in favor of the resumption of the payment of State debts; urged the effective collections of taxes; favored a call for a Constitutional Convention; started a "Reform Party," which re-elected him. His next message showed marked financial improvements; removed the doubts and restored confidence by meeting all obligations; and predicted by strict adherence to his suggestions the entire debt would be extinguished in thirteen years. His closing words were, in urging a new Constitution, "unless the Legislature yields to the wishes of the people, the sanction of the Legislature will no longer be invoked." This warning resulted in a "reform bill," which passed both Houses. It called a Convention; adopted a Constitution which went into
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effect in 1851. By that Constitution Baltimore City gained five members and the counties lost seventeen members in the Assembly. Governor Thomas was elected Comptroller of the Treasury in 1851; resigned it in 1853, and was made Collector of the Port in Baltimore under President Pierce; was offered, but declined, the Governorship of Eutah; was appointed by President Buchanan Secretary of the Treasury, which he resigned in 1861; was again elected a member of the Legislature, during which session he was elected United States Senator, but was refused admission because of alleged disloyalty. In 1868 he was elected to Congress, where he became an able repre- sentative. He was afterward returned to the Maryland Legislature and became Chairman of Ways and Means.
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