USA > Maryland > The history of Maryland, to which are added brief biographies of distinguished statesmen, philanthropists, theologians, etc.; prepared for the schools of Maryland > Part 5
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15. In December, 1783, the United States Congress assembled in Annapolis. General 1783.
Washington arrived on the 7th. He was met by Major-Generals Gates and Smallwood, and escorted to Mann's Hotel. After having re-
part in the war ? 14. What had been the effect on Maryland of the last three years of the war ? What were the war ex- penses of the State? What of specie? 15. Of the United 8
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. MARYLAND HISTORY.
ceived many calls, he visited the President, with whom, and the members of Congress and civil
GENERA_ WASHINGTON.
and military officers, he dined the next day. On the 10th he gave them a public dinner; and at night a grand ball was given by the General Assembly at the State-house, which was bril- liantly illuminated. There Washington received an address from the city authorities, to which he replied in fitting terms.
States Congress at Annapolis ? Of General Washington ? Of
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WASHINGTON'S RESIGNATION. 87
16. On the 23d he had a public audience in Congress. On his being seated, the President in- formed him that they had assembled to receive his communications. Thereupon Washington arose, and said that the events on which his resignation depended had taken place. He alluded to the reasons of his acceptance of the command con- ferred upon him,-spoke of the successful termina- tion of the war, as having realized his most san-
WASHINGTON RESIGNING HIS COMMISSION.
guine expectations,-of his gratitude to Divine Providence and to his countrymen, increasing upon
a grand ball ? 16. Of Washington's public audience ? What
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
every review,-and of his good fortune in the choice of his confidential officers,-commended all then in the service to the care of Congress,-and closca his official career by commending his country to Almighty God. Then, bidding an affectionate farewell to the august body under which he had served, he advanced, delivered to the President his commission, and resumed his seat. After an address from the President in reply to the Commander-in-chief, the scene closed.
17. This was all done, as to the United States, in the persons of their representatives, before a thronged assembly of ladies and gentlemen,-but done in ANNAPOLIS. Few tragedies, it was then well said, ever drew more tears from so many beautiful eyes, than did this taking leave of Con- gress by General Washington.
18. Throughout the war the Maryland troops were remarkably efficient, and, under the title of the Maryland line, held a high position in the ental Army. They were in the battles of Long Island, Harlem Heights, White Plains, Trenton, and Princeton. With the exception of the campaign against Burgoyne, there were no prominent battles in which they did not take an
communication did he make? 17. What of the audience ? 18. What of the Maryland troops throughout the war? In
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LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
honorable part, down to the surrender of Corn- wallis at Yorktown.
19. The following letter will serve to show how highly the general-in-chief appreciated the pa- triotic and liberal efforts of Maryland. The original is carefully preserved in the Executive chamber, in the State-house at Annapolis.
TO THOMAS SIM LEE, GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND.
CAMP NEAR YORK, October, 1781. DEAR SIR :-
Enclosed I have the honor of transmitting to your Excel- lency the terms upon which Lord Cornwallis has surren- dered the garrisons of York and Gloucester.
We have not been able yet to get an account of prisoners, ordnance, or stores in the different departments. But, from the best general report, there will be (officers included) up- wards of seven thousand men, besides seamen, more than seventy pieces of brass ordnance, and a hundred of iron, with their stores, as also other valuable articles.
My present engagements will not allow me to add more than my congratulations on this happy event, and to ex- press the high sense I have of the powerful aid which I have derived from the State of Maryland, in complying with my every request to the Executive of it. The prisoners will be divided between Winchester in Virginia, and Fort Frede- rick in Maryland.
With every sentiment of the most perfect esteem and re- gard, I have the honor to be
Your Excellency's most obd't and humble serv't,
G. WASHINGTON.
what battles were they? 19. What of a letter from the general-in-chief on the subject ?
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
CHAPTER XVI.
Tender of Annapolis as the Seat of Government of the United States-Internal Improvements-General William Smallwood-Adoption of the Constitution of the United States-Colonel John Eager Howard-Party Politics- Governors from 1798 to 1812 -- War declared against Great Britain-Destruction of Frenchtown and other Places-Defeat of the American Forces at Washington- Attack on Baltimore-Defeat and Retreat of the British Forces-Francis S. Key-Peace.
1. AT the end of two years, November, 1779, Thomas Sim Lee, of Charles county, was 1779. appointed Governor. In 1782 Lee was suc- ceeded by William Paca, Esq., of Harford county. During Governor Paca's administration 1782.
peace was declared ; and then other subjects than those of war came up for consideration and action.
2. At the April session of the General Assem- bly in 1783, acting upon a memorial from
1783. the corporation of Annapolis, the two houses tendered to Congress, for the purposes of the national government, the use and possession of the State-house, the public square, the Governor's house
1. Who was appointed Governor in 1779 ? Who succeeded bim? What of them? 2. What of the tender of Annapolis
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INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
as a residence for the President, thirteen dwelling- houses to be built at the expense of the State, and jurisdiction over the city and people of Annapolis. Congress consequently adjourned to Annapolis, but in October determined on the se- lection of a site on the Potomac, near George- town.
3. At the session in the following November the Assembly took up the subject of internal improvement, and an act was passed incorpo- rating a' company named " The Proprietors of the Susquehanna Canal," the object of which was to make the river Susquehanna navigable from the Pennsylvania line to tide-water from the Chesa- peake Bay. The Susquehanna Canal is still in use.
4. In the November session of 1784 the sub- ject was again taken up, and an act was passed "establishing a company for open- 1784. ing and extending the navigation of the river Potomac" from tide-water to the highest place practicable on the north branch, by dams, slack- water canals, &c. This would open a way of travel and transportation between the Atlantic and the growing West, leaving only forty miles
as the seat of government ? What did Congress do? 3. What of internal improvements? 4. What other project of internal improvement was afterwards proposed ? What way
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
of land-travel before reaching the Ohio. General Washington took great interest in this company, and was its first president. At a later date it was merged in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Company.
5. At the end of 1785 General William Small- wood became Governor. He was a native of Charles county, and of an old and promi-
1785.
nent family. He was the first and highest officer appointed by Maryland at the breaking out of the war. He. was in at the close of the first battle,-that of Long Island,-as well as in many others, and rose to the rank of major-general. On the expiration of Governor Paca's term of office, General Smallwood was put in his place. This was the highest honor his State could confer upon him.
6. General Smallwood was a neighbor of Gene- ral Washington, and his personal friend. Having served out his term of office as Governor, on his way home from Annapolis he had reached a point six miles south of the county-seat of Prince George county,-the hospitable and splendid residence of the Wests,-when he was taken ill and died. He was a faithful, modest, and brave man.
7. During General Smallwood's administration
would this open ? 5. What is said of General Smallwood ? Whom did he succeed as Governor? 6. What is said of Washington and Smallwood ? What were the circumstances
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COLONEL JOHN EAGER HOWARD.
the Constitution of the United States was adopted, in September, 1787, and was accepted by 1787. the Convention of Maryland on the 28th of April, 1788, by a vote of sixty-three to eleven, after a session of nearly two weeks.
8. In 1788, Colonel John Eager Howard be- came Governor of the State. He was a native of Baltimore county. In the flying 1788. camp of 1776 he was a captain in the Second Battalion of Baltimore and Harford counties. In 1777 he was a major in the Fourth Battalion of Regulars. In the subsequent arrangement he was lieutenant-colonel in the Second Regiment, from March, 1779. In the battles of Cowpens and Eutaw he signally distinguished himself.
9. Howard was a man whom the people de- lighted to honor. In 1786 he was one of the electors of the State Senate. In 1787 1788. he was a member of Congress; in 1788, Gov- ernor of the State, to which office he was twice re-elected ; in 1791, an elector of the Maryland Senate again ; in 1792, a judge of one of the district courts; in 1796, again a member of the State Senate; in 1797, a member of the United States Senate, to which he was reappointed for a second
of Smallwood's death ? 7. What of his administration ? 8. Who was Governor in 1788? What of Howard's military career ? 9. What did the people think of him ? What offices
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
term. When General Washington accepted the command of the armies of the United States in case of a war with the French, he designated Colonel Howard as one of his brigadier-generals.
10. Howard was succeeded as Governor, in 1791, by George Plater, Esq., of St. Mary's 1791. county. Plater died in the same year, and his place was filled by Thomas Sim Lee, who had been Governor from 1779 to 1782. Governor Lee was succeeded-1794-by John H. Stone, Esq., of Charles county ; and Stone was succeeded, in 1797, by John Henry, Esq., of Somerset county.
11. At this time party politics ran high. The 1794.
French Minister had defied the President and appealed to the people. The Democrats sided with France, and the Federalists stood forth in defence of our national rights. Existing treaties were declared void, the United States armies were increased, and General Washington was placed at their head. The storm, however, passed over.
12. In 1798, Benjamin Ogle, Esq., of Prince
George county, was appointed Governor. 1798. He was succeeded, in 1801, by John Fran- cis Mercer, Esq., of Anne Arundel county ; and
had he filled? What compliment had Washington in store for him ? 10. Who were the successors of Governor Howard down to 1797? 11. What of party politics in 1794? Who was again placed at the head of all the armies of the United
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WAR OF 1812.
Mercer, in 1803, by Robert Bowie, Esq., of Prince George county. In 1806, Robert Wright, Esq., of Cecil, became Governor; and in 1809, Ed- ward Lloyd, Esq., of Talbot county. In 1811, Robert Bowie, Esq., was again made Governor ; and in 1812, Levin Winder, Esq., of Somerset county.
13. During Governor Winder's administration, June 11,. 1812, war was declared against 1812. Great Britain by the United States. This was a success of the Democratic party over the Federalists, the Federalists denouncing the war. On the 22d of June the "Federal Republican" office in Baltimore was torn down by a mob. General Lingan was killed, and others were badly wounded and beaten.
14. In March, 1814, a British admiral sailed up the Chesapeake with twelve vessels, and plundered and burned Frenchtown, Havre 1814. de Grace, Fredericktown, and Georgetown, at the head of the bay. Women and children did not escape savage and disgraceful outrages. Going down the bay, the enemy lit up its shores and
States ? 12. Who were Governors from 1798 to 1812? 13. What occurred during Governor Winder's administration ? What of the office of the "Federal Republican" ? 14. What fleet sailed up the Chesapeake ? What towns did they pluu- der and burn? What of the women and children? What
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
waters by night with the light of their incen- diary fires. .
15. On the 24th of August, 1814, the British fleet sailed up the Patuxent River to Bene- 1814. dict, and there landed four thousand sol- diers, who thence marched to Bladensburg. There
BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MCHENRY.
the American forces, hastily gathered, were in- gloriously defeated, and the enemy proceeded to Washington City, where, meeting no opposition, they burned the Capitol, the President's House, the public offices, the navy-yard, and the records ;
did the fleet do going down the bay ? 15. What next of the" British fleet ? Where did they land ? What havoc did they
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BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MCHENRY.
after which they returned to the Patuxent, with a loss of upwards of one thousand killed and wounded.
16. Turning his eyes on Baltimore, on the 11th of September the British commander entered the Patapsco, with a fleet of fifty sail and five thousand men. This force was landed at North Point, fourteen miles from the city ; and soon after a battle ensued, in which the British com- mander fell. Failing to take the city by land, on the 13th the fleet bombarded Fort McHenry. The bombardment continued during that day and the following night, but was unsuccessful. Baf- fled by land and by water, the fleet dropped down the river and bay, destroying along the shores, as : before, the property of the defenceless, and were seen no more.
17. Just previous to the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis S. Key, Esq., under a flag of truce, had gone on board the enemy's flag-ship, to . obtain the release of a friend who had been ar- rested at Upper Marlboro, and was now confined on board the ship. Mr. Key was detained by the commander till after the bombardment. During the night, and before being released, he composed.
commit ? 16. Where did the fleet then go? Where did they land ? What was the fate of the British commander ? What . was then attempted ? Failing in both attacks, what became .
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
that noble national song, which has made his name immortal, "The Star-Spangled Banner:"-
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"Oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave !"
, On the 24th of December, 1815, a treaty of peace was made, and the war came to an end.
of the fleet ? 17. What of Francis S. Key ? Of his famous song ? When was peace made ?
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INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
CHAPTER XVII.
Internal Improvements-Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Com- pany-African Colonization-Amending the Constitution -Northeast Boundary Corner-Stone-Revising the State Constitution -The Great Rebellion -- Invasion by the Southern Armies-Battles-Constitutional Convention- State Board of Education-Declaration of Rights-In- vasion-Ransom of Frederick-Governor Swann.
1. IN December, 1815, Charles Ridgely, Esq., of Hampton, Baltimore county, became Gov- 1815.
ernor of the State. In 1818, Charles Goldsborough, Esq., of Dorchester county, be- came the incumbent of this office. In the follow- ing year-1819-Goldsborough was succeeded by Samuel Sprigg, Esq., of Prince George county. Then followed, in 1822, Samuel Stevens, Esq., of Talbot county.
2. During Governor Stevens's administration internal improvements became an absorbing 1823. theme in Maryland. The rich mines of iron-ore, the inexhaustible beds of coal, and the immense quantities of timber in the western part of the State, made it highly important that the
1. Who was Governor in 1815? In 1818? In 1819? In 1822? 2. What occurred during Governor Stevens's admi-
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
early designs of the Potomac Company should be fully carried out. With this view, a conven- tion of delegates from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland was held in Washington City, November 6, 1823. Soon after, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Company was incorporated.
3. In 1825, Joseph Kent, Esq., of Prince George county, was appointed Governor. 1825.
At the session of Assembly of 1831, the legislature, "highly approving of African coloni- zation," directed its treasurer to pay one thousand dollars to the American Colonization Society for the colonization of free colored people, and the same sum for each year thereafter. In 1831 the sum was increased for that year to twenty thousand dollars. In 1836 the legislature granted the So- ciety an act of incorporation.
4. Governor Kent was succeeded, in 1828, by Daniel Martin, Esq., of Dorchester county.
1828. In 1829 Martin was succeeded by Thomas King Carroll, Esq., of Dorchester county ; and in 1830 Daniel Martin was again made Governor. Martin was succeeded in 1831 by George Howard, Esq., of Baltimore. In 1832 Howard was suc- ceeded by James Thomas, Esq., of St. Mary's.
nistration ? What of a convention ? 3. Of Governor Kent ? Of the legislature? What did the legislature direct ? 4. Who was Governor in'1828? In 1829? In 1830? In 1831 ?
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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
5. In 1835, Thomas W. Veazy, Esq., of Cecil county, became Governor. At the Novem- 1835.
ber session of the Assembly an act was passed amending the Constitution and form of govern- ment of the State. It gave the election of the Governor to the people, instead of to two electors from each county as theretofore; abolished the Council to the Governor; gave one senator to each county and one to the city of Baltimore, and changed the apportionment of delegates, giving five to Baltimore and to each of two of the counties, four to each of eight of the counties, three to each `of the remaining counties, and one to Annapolis. This change was attended by a bitter opposi- tion.
6. Governor Veazy was succeeded, in 1838, by Thomas Grason, Esq., of Harford county. 1838.
In 1841, Grason was succeeded by Francis Thomas, Esq., of Frederick county. In 1844, Thomas G. Pratt, Esq., of Prince George county, was made Governor, and in 1847, Philip F. Thomas, Esq., of Talbot county. In 1850,. Thomas was succeeded by E. Louis Lowe, Esq.,, of Frederick county.
In 1832 ? 5. In 1835? What of the session of the Assembly of November, 1835? How did it change the mode of elec- tion of Governor? What else did it do ? What of the oppo- sition to these measures ? 6. Who succeeded Governor Veazy ? Who was Governor in 1841 ? In 1844? In 1847? In 1850 ? 9*
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
7. The stone at the northeast corner of Mary- land having been removed, a revision of the 1849. survey made by Mason and Dixon was de- termined upon. Commissioners were appointed by the States of Delaware, Maryland, and Penn- sylvania, who, with the aid of Colonel James D. Graham, verified in all important points the work of their predecessors. A slight change was made, which increased by one acre and eighty-seven- hundredths the area of Maryland.
8. In 1851 a State Convention assembled for the purpose of revising the Constitution.
1851. The principal changes were-conforming the representations of the counties more to the popu- lation,-giving Baltimore City ten ; to Annapolis none; to two of the counties, six; to one, five ; to two, four; to six, three; and to the remaining ones, two each ;- making the judiciary elective by the people, and making the sessions of the legis- lature biennial.
9. Governor Lowe was succeeded, in 1854, by T. Watkins Ligon, Esq., of Howard county. He was succeeded, in 1857, by Thomas Holliday . Hicks, Esq., of Dorchester county. During Gov- · ernor Hicks's term of office the great rebellion
' 7. What of the northeast boundary corner-stone ? What of ; the commissioners ? What change was made ? 8. Of the State · convention of 1851 ? The principal revisions ? 9. Who suc-
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· RIOT IN BALTIMORE.
broke out. On the 13th of April, 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, S.C., was attacked, and surrendered to the Southern army ; and 1861. on the 19th following, a terrible riot took place in Baltimore City, in which a number of Massa- chusetts troops, passing through to Washington City, were murdered in the streets.
10. In December, 1861, Governor Hicks was succeeded by Augustus W. Bradford, Esq., 1861. of Baltimore county. Maryland did not, as did the States south of her, secede from the Union. Her territory was thrice invaded by the Southern armies. On the 3d of September, 1862, with nearly one hundred thousand men, they crossed the Potomac, below Harper's Ferry, into Maryland. On the 14th was fought the bat- tle of South Mountain, northwest of Frede- rick City, and on the 17th, another, at An- 1862. tietam, west of the city. Soon after this, the South- ern army retreated across the river into Virginia.
11. In June of 1863 General Lee again invaded Maryland, with greater numbers than before, crossing the Potomac in Washington county, 1863.
ceeded Governor Lowe? Who was Governor at the com- mencement of the great rebellion ? What occurred on the 14th of April, 1861? On the 19th? 10. Who succeeded Governor Hicks? What of Maryland? Of the invasion by the Southern armies? Where did the enemy enter on the 3d of September, 1862? What occurred on the 14th and 17th
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
at Williamsport, and marched through into Pennsylvania. On the 3d of July the terrible battle of Gettysburg took place, and a great vic- tory was gained by the Union troops. Soon after this, the enemy retreated again into Virginia.
12. In April, 1864, a convention was held for a further revision of the State Constitu-
1864.
tion. By this convention a registration of voters was provided for; the principle of repre- sentation according to population was adopted ; to Baltimore City were given three senators and eighteen representatives, to each county one sen- ator, to two counties six representatives, to two five, to two four, to two three, to two eight, and to four one; the power of appointing magistrates was restored to the Governor; and a State Board of Education was created, consisting of the Gov- ernor, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and the State Super- intendent of Education.
13. Besides these changes, it was declared- Article 24th, Declaration of Rights-"that here- after, in this State, there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in punishment
of September, 1862? 11. In June, 1863? On the 3d of July ? 12. What of the convention in April, 1864? Of the registration of voters? Of representation ? State Board
of Education ? 13. What other changes? 14. Of the in-
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INVASION.
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of crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted ; and all persons held to service or labor as slaves are hereby declared free."
14. In June, the enemy crossed the Potomac again into Maryland,-in Montgomery county, opposite to Poolesville. South of Frederick a battle took place, when the Union army re- treated. A portion of the enemy made a raid across the country almost to the Chesapeake, and in their way burned the Governor's residence. Returning, they joined those whom they had left, and marched for Washington. There they at- tacked the garrison, but were defeated, and im- mediately recrossed the Potomac.
15. During July, 1864, several thousand South- ern troops entered Washington and Frederick counties. To save the city of Frederick from burning, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars was paid to General Early ; and nearly one hundred thousand dollars was paid to McCausland, in money and goods, by the citizens of Hagerstown.
16. In December, 1865, Governor Brad- ford was succeeded by Thomas Swann, Esq., of Baltimore City.
1865.
vasion in June, 1864? What of a raid? What did the enemy then do? 15. What occurred in July ? What of Frederick and Hagerstown? Who succeeded Governor Bradford ?
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MARYLAND HISTORY.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
RELIGION.
Church of England-Roman Catholics-Lutherans-Puri- tans-Quakers-Presbyterians.
1. THE religion of the first settlers of Mary- land-that is, of the Kent Island colony, A.D. 1629-was that of the Church of England. In 1634, with Lord Baltimore's colony, the Roman Catholics with their priests came into the St. Mary's settlement. Soon after, the Lutherans, from the Delaware, were established in what afterwards became Cecil county.
2. About 1650 the Puritans settled on the Severn, in Anne Arundel county, and Church-of- England men established themselves south there- from on the bay, and up the Patapsco. Shortly after 1660, the Quakers found a home in Anne Arundel county. About 1665, Presbyterians from Scotland, together with Church-of-England men, settled in Somerset.
1. What was the religion of the first settlers of Maryland ? Who came in with Lord Baltimore's colony ? What of the Lutherans? 2. Of the Puritans ? Of the Quakers? Of the Presbyterians? 3. What further of the Lutherans ?
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RELIGION.
3. At a later date, Lutherans settled the north- western part of the State. All these denomina- tions were found in Maryland at the time of the Protestant Revolution in 1689; but in all places Church-of-England men constituted the majority.
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