Chronicles of Baltimore - Part 5



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1777. Early in February, the "Whig Club," a revolutionary society 
composed, so far as we can understand it, of the more radical members of 
the old committees, was formed in the town of Baltimore, and was governed 
by the following rules:

"At a time when secret and disguised enemies, whom we have fostered in our 
bosoms, are, in conjunction with a cruel and foreign foe, doing everything 
in their power to effect our destruction, it will not be thought strange 
that the true friends to their country, who have stood, and are still 
determined to stand, forth, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, in 
defence of her sacred rights, should take every step in their power to 
strengthen the hands and encourage the spirit of their friends at this 
critical period. We would

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not mean to reflect on the present governing powers, or rob them of any of 
the prerogatives; but it must appear evident to every thinking man that it 
matters not how wise and salutary the regulations of any State may be, 
unless they are justly executed, nor can they be well executed, till great 
pains are taken to apprehend and bring to justice, offenders, who very 
often escape deserved punishment from an unwillingness in individuals to 
interfere; nor is it less certain that, however judiciously laws are 
framed, artful villains will evade them, and dignified Tories, under the 
cloak of moderation, find ways and means to counteract their intentions. 
To remedy such evils, as far as in us lies, and to strengthen the hands of 
our present government, We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do 
associate ourselves together, under the name of the Whig Club, and do 
mutually pledge our faith to each other, that we will, as members of the 
said Club, jointly and severally, do all that in our power lies TO SAVE 
OUR INVADED COUNTRY, and do promise and oblige ourselves, as members of 
the Whig Club, to submit to and be governed by the following Rules:

"I. That the Club do, at this present meeting, proceed to elect by ballot 
a president, vice-president, and secretary, who shall continue in office 
during the space of two months, at the expiration of which period a new 
election shall take place. 
"II. That the secretary, when chosen, shall procure a proper book, in 
which he shall enter the association and rules of this Club; and also such 
future proceedings as the Club may order to be recorded. 
"III. That the Club may adjourn to such times and places as they shall 
think proper, and that the president is invested with power to call them 
together before the day of adjournment, should occasion require it. 
"IV. That no new business be proposed to the Club unless the same be 
reduced to writing, and signed by the members proposing it; nor shall any 
member speak on business, without rising from his feet, and addressing 
himself respectfully to the president. No member shall speak more than 
twice on the same subject without leave. 
"V. That all indecent behavior and personal altercation be carefully 
avoided, and any member guilty thereof shall be punished by fine, at the 
discretion of the president. 
"VI. That no person accused as an enemy to America, shall be convicted 
thereof without being heard in his defence, nor shall such accusation be 
determined in the same sitting in which it is brought; but the president, 
by direction of the Club, shall appoint the time of trial. No person shall 
be adjudged an enemy to his country but by the voice of at least two-
thirds of the members present. 
"VII. That no person be admitted a member of this Club without an 
application in writing, signed by the person seeking admission,

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and that such application must be seconded by two members at least, and 
approved by two-thirds of the Club, in order to be effectual. 

"VIII. That no person be admitted a member of this Club, without taking 
the following oath, viz: I,-- --, do swear that I will, as far as in me 
lies, detect all traitors (and discover all traitorous conspiracies 
against this State as established by the authority of the people) without 
fear or affection; that I will not prosecute or complain against any 
person through envy, hatred, or malice, or any private quarrel; and, in 
all my determinations, I will, to the best of my knowledge, be governed by 
virtue and justice; and that I will well and truly keep secret the 
proceedings of this Club so far as shall be directed me by the Club."

The Maryland Journal of February 25th published the following article:

"For the Maryland Journal.--To the printer.--Through the channel of your 
paper, I take the liberty to congratulate my countrymen on the important 
intelligence this day received by Congress. The terms of peace offered by 
General Howe to America, manifest the magnanimity, generosity, humanity, 
and virtue of the British nation. The offers of peace, and in return to 
require only our friendship, and a preference in our trade and commerce, 
bespeak the ancient spirit and love of liberty which was once the 
acknowledged and boasted characteristic of an Englishman. My soul 
overflows with gratitude to the patriotic, virtuous King, the august, 
incorruptible Parliament, and wise disinterested ministry of Britain. I am 
lost in the contemplation of their private and public virtues. I 
disbelieve and forget--nay, will readily believe assertion, that the 
monarch of Britain is a sullen and inexorable tyrant, the Parliament venal 
and corrupt, and the Ministry abandoned and bloody, as wicked and base 
calumnies. I am not able to express the feelings of my soul on the 
prospect of immediately seeing my native country blessed with peace and 
plenty. I am almost induced to complain of Congress for concealing one 
moment these glad tidings; however I will anticipate the pleasure, and 
claim thanks from all lovers of peace for thus early communicating what 
may be relied on as literally true.

"Yours, &c.,   Tom Tell-truth.

"Baltimore, Feb. 20, 1777."

The publication of this article by Mr. Goddard, excited against him no 
little feeling and excitement, and from the papers now in our possession 
we glean the following facts. Mr. Goddard says:--"That on Monday evening 
last, the third of March, Col. Ramsay, attended by Mr. George Turnbull, 
called at my house in Baltimore Town, and requested, in behalf of the Whig 
Club, of which he was a member, that I would inform him who was the author 
of a piece published in the last Maryland Journal, and on the signature of

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Tom Telltruth, which I refused to comply with for reasons assigned. During 
the course of the evening of that day Capt. John Slaymaker, attended by 
some other person unknown to me, came to my house with a paper of which 
the following is a copy:

"'Requested that Mr. William Goddard do attend the Whig Club to-morrow 
evening at six o'clock, at the house of Mr. Rusk, to answer such questions 
as may be asked him by the Club, relative to a publication in the Maryland 
Journal of last week, under the signature of Tom Telltruth, which has 
given great offence to many of your Whig readers.

Legion.

'Monday Evening, 3d March, 1777.'

"The next evening a little after six o'clock Jno. Tors, Benjamin 
Nicholson, Nathaniel Ramsay, Robert Buchanan, Hugh Young, James Smith, and 
one other person unknown to me, some of whom had their side-arms, came 
into my house, and began the former conversation as to the author of Tom 
Telltruth, whom they requested me to make known; but I declined for 
reasons before given, on which they required me to attend the Whig Club. 
This I refused, urging my indisposition; but afterwards in the course of 
conversation I told them I would not go if I was well, because they had no 
right to make the demand they had done. They then declared their 
resolution to carry me before the Club; and upon my attempting to leave 
the room, forcibly detained me--and on this I attended them to the Club. 
There I saw a large concourse of people at the house of Mr. David Rusk, a 
mixture of all ranks and occupation. Commodore James Nicholson in the 
chair, David Stewart, Esq., Secretary, Mr. Robert Purviance, Capt. 
Nathaniel Smith, and the gents who had been deputed to wait on me that 
evening and the evening before, together with a great number of others 
whose names I cannot now recollect, were present. They put on the 
appearance of a legal assembly, ordered my hat to be taken off, and then 
proceeding respecting the author of Tom Tell-truth to be read, then put 
the question to me whether I would disclose the author or not, to which I 
refused to comply with. I was then ordered to withdraw, and a party of men 
set over me as a guard. I was detained in this manner some time in the Bar 
Room, then I was ordered in again; and had a Resolve read, which I took 
for granted had been prepared in my absence to this effect that as I 
thought myself bound in honor not to disclose the author, they gave me 
till Monday next to speak with them; and immediately after the question 
was put whether I would at that time disclose the author. This I answered, 
that considering the violence with which I had been treated I would not 
give myself any further trouble about the affair; at the same time 
proposed my willingness to oblige any particular gentleman. I was again 
ordered to withdraw guarded as before--remained in that situation some 
time, and was ordered in again, and fresh proceedings were read that had 
been

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prepared in my absence, representing the piece called Tom Tell-truth as a 
performance of the most dangerous tendency, fixing me as the author, and 
of course an enemy to this country, and ordered me to leave the town the 
next day, and the county in three days. I then requested a copy of their 
proceedings, and the same evening about ten or eleven o'clock, a paper of 
which the following is a copy, was brought to me by Capt. David Plunkett:

"'In Whig Club, March 4th, 1777.

"'Resolved, That Mr. William Goddard, do leave this Town by twelve o'clock 
to-morrow morning, and the County in three days. Should he refuse due 
obedience to this notice, he will be subject to the resentment of a   
Legion.'

"Before I left the place where the Club was held, I told them I was not 
the author, that I disclaimed their authority, and would not submit to 
their violent proceedings, recommended to them to pursue their lawful 
occupations, resume their awl and needles, retire to their counting 
houses, and cease to usurp the powers of Government."

It seems that Mr. Goddard entirely disregarded their summons, as the 
following extracts from the same papers will show. Mr. Goddard says: "That 
on Tuesday morning last [25th March], about nine o'clock, a company of 
men, some of them armed with swords and some having sticks, came to my 
house and took possession of the doors and staircases, after which several 
gents, headed by Commodore Nicholson, came up stairs into the printing-
office where I then was. The gents remained on or near the stair-case, 
Commodore Nicholson entered the room and seized on me, on which a struggle 
ensued. The door was shut by a workman of mine, which was burst open by 
the gents who stayed behind, who were pressing forward to assist Commodore 
Nicholson. Several of the company seized me, and whilst in that situation 
I received several blows given with their fists. My workmen in the office 
were treated in the same manner, thrown down and much abused. The workmen, 
I believe, were struck in that manner because they were busy in attempting 
to shut the persons out who were coming in. I was then dragged down 
stairs, when Commodore Nicholson, being apprehensive of firearms, searched 
my pockets, and so did several others. The names of the persons who then 
entered my house and treated me and my workmen as above, were to the best 
of my remembrance as followeth: Commodore James Nicholson, Benjamin 
Nicholson, Esq., Col. Nath'l Ramsey, Mr. James Cox, David Stewart, Esq., 
Mr. David Plunkett, Mr. George Turnbull, Mr. Daniel Bowley, Mr. John 
Gordon, Mr. George Welsh, Mr. Mark Alexander, Mr. Hugh Young, Mr. John 
McClure, Mr. David Poe, Mr. Daniel Lawrence, Capt. Hallock and Campbell. I 
was then carried out into the street, and surrounded

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by a great number of people, most of whom I believed belonged to the Whig 
Club, and carried thence to the tavern kept by Mr. David Rusk, and into 
the room where the Whig Club generally meet, where I was treated with 
great indignity by several present. The company were greatly increased, 
and I, besides those already mentioned, remember Mr. Benjamin Griffith, 
Capt. Nathaniel Smith, Lieut. Thomas Morgan, John McCabe, Cornelius 
Garratson, Job Garratson, James Smith, son of William, and William 
Aisquith. After I had been for some time in the Club room, Commodore 
Nicholson proposed a private conference in another room, into which a 
number withdrew, leaving me in the outer room under guard. After 
deliberation they returned, and Commodore Nicholson, as chief or head of 
the assembly, told me they had come to a determination that I should 
either engage to depart the State immediately, or be subjected to suffer 
their original designs. I then told them before I could make my choice, I 
should know what their original designs were. The Commodore observed that 
was yet a secret; however, my person was unsafe, and they were prepared to 
execute their purposes. I then asked how long they would give me to make 
preparation. Six hours were mentioned, at the same time it was doubted 
whether at their previous meeting, the State, or the town and county only 
were intended, and finally determined that the town and county only were 
intended. They also gave me leave to stay till night, but to be no longer 
seen there until the new form of government, or a new form of government, 
bad taken place, or until the wheels of government were in motion. I then 
told them as I considered myself unsafe (to which some of the company 
immediately replied that I was) I would consent to depart, hoping that 
another form of government would speedily take place, I was then released 
from the crowd, and suffered to go home to prepare for my journey. I 
stayed at home till night, then put myself under the protection of Capt. 
Galbraith, who commanded the guard in Baltimore Town that night, and in 
the morning set off to Annapolis."

Miss Goddard went to Capt. Galbraith, the commander of the guard in town, 
and requested that he would assist in rescuing her brother from the mob. 
lie replied that he could do nothing "without the directions of the 
chairman of the Committee," and further said, that he "had dispatched one 
of his people for orders." Miss Goddard, who expressed much uneasiness on 
account of her brother, and apprehensive relief would come too late, said 
she "would go herself for orders." Mr. Robert Welsh, who was opposite Mr. 
Goddard's house, says he came up to Capt. Smith who was passing by with 
Mr. Murdoch Kennedy, and asked the Captain if there was no way of 
preventing the mob from tarring and feathering Mr. Goddard. Capt. Smith 
says, "D--e I know no way, do you?" addressing himself to Mr. Welsh. "No," 
answered Mr. Welsh, "you ought to be the best judge of that." Upon which 
Capt.

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Smith said, "I know of no way. D--my blood! if my commission was worth ten 
thousand a year I would throw it up before I would fire upon any of those 
gentlemen." Mr. Murdoch Kennedy said "he heard Mr. Daniel Bowley and Mr. 
David McMechan say, let us get the cart; and he afterwards saw a cart of 
Andrew Stiger's brought before the Club House door."

Mr. Goddard makes no reference to this mob in the Journal, but at once 
made a complaint against the Club before the Legislature of the State, who 
promptly passed resolutions: "That every subject in this State is entitled 
to the benefit and protection of the laws and government thereof. That 
this house highly disapprove of any body of men assembling or exercising 
any of the powers of government without proper authority from the 
Constitution. That the proceedings of the persons in Baltimore Town, 
associated and styled the Whig Club, are a most daring infringement and 
manifest violation of the Constitution of this State, directly contrary to 
the Declaration of Rights, and tend in their consequences (unless timely 
checked) to the destruction of all regular government. That the Governor 
be requested to issue his Proclamation declaring all bodies of men 
associating together or meeting for the purpose of usurping any of the 
powers of government, and presuming to exercise any power over the persons 
or property of any subject of this State, or to carry into execution any 
of the laws thereof, unlawful, assemblies, and requiring all such 
assemblies and meetings instantly to disperse. That the Governor be 
requested to afford the said William Goddard the protection of the law of 
the land, and to direct the Justices of Baltimore County to give him every 
protection in their power against all violence or injury to his person or 
property. That Mr. Speaker be requested to communicate the above 
resolutions to the Governor, and that the above resolutions be published 
in the Maryland Gazette." In conformity to these resolutions, Governor 
Thomas Johnson issued the following proclamation on the 17th of April, 
censuring the Club, and sustaining Mr. Goddard--the first vindication of 
the liberty of the press in Maryland:

"Annapolis, April 17th.

"By His Excellency Thomas Johnson, Esq., Governor of Maryland.

"A Proclamation.

"Whereas, the Honorable House of Delegates have unanimously requested me 
to issue my Proclamation, declaring all bodies of men associating 
together, or meeting for the purpose, and usurping any of the powers of 
government, and presuming to exercise any power over the persons or 
property of any subject of this State, or to carry into execution any of 
the laws thereof, unlawful assemblies, and requiring all such assemblies 
and meetings instantly to disperse. Wherefore, I have issued this, my 
Proclamation, hereby declaring all bodies of men associating together, or 
meeting for the

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purpose of usurping any of the powers of government, and presuming to 
exercise any powers over the persons or property of any subject of this 
State, or to carry into execution any of the laws thereof on their own 
authority, unlawful assemblies. And I do hereby warn and strictly charge 
and command all such assemblies and meetings instantly to disperse, as 
they will answer the contrary at their peril. And that due notice may be 
had of this, my Proclamation, and that no person may pretend ignorance 
thereof, the several sheriffs within this State are hereby commanded to 
cause the same to be made public in their respective counties.

"Given at Annapolis, this seventeenth day of April, seventeen hundred and 
seventy-seven.

Tho. Johnson.

"By his Excellency's command,
"R. Ridgely, Sec., God save the State."

On the 11th of February, the Assembly directed a proclamation to be issued 
against the disaffected in Worcester and Somerset Counties, who, only 
repressed for a time by the active measures of the Committee of Safety for 
the Eastern Shore, had again broken out in open insurrection and erected 
the standard of Great Britain. They exhorted them to return due obedience 
to the laws of their country and immediately disperse, and offered pardon 
to all who would repair to the commanding officer in the counties of 
Somerset and Worcester within forty days, and there deliver up all their 
fire and side arms, and take the oath of allegiance, excepting, however, 
fourteen of the leaders. As the disturbed condition of these counties 
appeared to require active measures to over-awe the malcontents, on 
Sunday, Feb. 9th, a detachment of Virginia troops, who were in Baltimore 
on their way to join General Washington's army in New Jersey, and a part 
of the militia of the town, embarked and sailed from Fell's Point for the 
scene of the disturbance, in order to assist in quelling the insurgents. 
Another body, with a company of artillery, was to join them from 
Annapolis, the whole under the command of Gen. Smallwood and Col. Gist, 
who were then in the State superintending the formation of the new Line. 
The promptness of these measures secured submission: The disaffected were 
disarmed--the most influential sent in custody to other and more loyal 
counties, and their estates placed in the hands of commissioners for safe-
keeping. The Independent Company of Baltimore had the honor of lowering 
the abandoned King's colors.

The establishment of the new government was attended by no internal 
difficulties of importance. Charles Carroll, Esq., barrister, of Mount 
Clare, one of the late Convention and Council of Safety, was selected a 
member of the first Senate of the State, and the town and county 
respectively returned the delegates who had represented them in the 
Convention. Mr. Carroll, barrister, was appointed Chief Justice of the 
General Court, but did not accept.

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Most of the gentlemen who were in the commission of the county and town 
were reappointed county justices by the new government. Andrew Buchanan, 
Esq., being the presiding justice, was also Lieutenant of the county 
militia. Seven of the justices were constituted an Orphans' Court, and 
Thomas Jones, Esq., Register of Wills. Thomas Jennings was appointed 
Attorney-General, but declining, was succeeded by James Tilghman and B. 
Galloway, Esqs., successively, and in 1778 Luther Martin, Esq., being 
appointed, settled in Baltimore. Mr. W. Gibson is appointed Clerk of the 
County Court. Mr. Lawson, former County Clerk, retiring to the Eastern 
Shore, returned after the Revolution, and resided here until his death. 
Mr. Robert Christie, appointed Sheriff in 1774, was superseded, and at the 
election in accordance to the constitution, Henry Stevenson, Esq., was 
elected. Mr. Christie in the meantime was compelled to leave the town, but 
declaring the public was indebted to him, and appointed Mr. Moses Galloway 
to settle his affairs, and went to England. The auction business was 
carried on by Mr. James Long and Mr. Thomas Brereton.

The conscientious scruples of the ministers of the late establishment, 
relative to the form of prayer for the new instead of the old government, 
the Quakers, and Methodist preachers and others, were subjected to pay the 
treble tax imposed on non-jurors, or leave the county, as most of the 
rectors and ministers of the establishment did.

By an Act of the Legislature passed this year, Baltimore town and county 
were to furnish 281 militia, which was about one eleventh of the whole 
population. On the 21st of August, Lord Howe's fleet, composed of three 
hundred sail of men-of-war and transports, &c., came to anchor just below 
Bodkin Point, where they continued until next day, when they weighed 
anchor and sailed for Elk River; they ultimately reached Philadelphia. The 
Governor of Maryland issued a proclamation requiring and commanding the 
county Lieutenants, &c., to march at least two full companies of each 
battalion of the militia, to the neighborhood of the Susquehanna river in 
Cecil and Harford counties, where they were to receive orders. "To defend 
our liberties requires our exertions; our wives, our children, and our 
country, implore our assistance--motives amply sufficient to arm every one 
who can be called a man." The call was obeyed. Capt. Stricker's 
independent company, trained as infantry, mounted their own horses, 
proceeded to watch the enemy on the bay side, and arrived before them at 
the head of it; joined the main army, including the Maryland Line near 
Newport; but were then ordered back by the commander-in-chief, to assist 
in protecting their homes.

The following order was written by Wm. Buchanan, Lieut. of the County, to 
Capt. James Cox:

"Baltimore, June 30th, 1777.

"Sir:--In consequence of a very pressing requisition from the

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Congress, for a reinforcement to General Washington from the Militia of 
Maryland, and orders from the Council of Safety to Brigadier-General 
Buchanan, I have it in orders from him, to hold my battalion in readiness 
to march with all possible expedition for that purpose. I therefore desire 
a meeting of the battalion, on the usual ground on Tuesday, the fourth of 
February, precisely at ten o'clock, when (all excuses apart) you will not 
tail to attend with every effective enroller in your company. The 
emergency is such that arguments are useless, to such as have the least 
sense of duty they owe the country, themselves and family; and with such 
as neither reason nor duty will prevail, other measures must be taken; but 
I flatter myself there are very few such in the battalion I have the honor 
to command.

"I am, Sir, your humble servant,   Wm. Buchanan."

On the 11th of September was fought the battle of Brandywine, at which the 
Maryland Line was present and shared the disasters of the day. General 
Smallwood, with the Maryland militia, including Captains Sterritt, Cox and 
Bailey's companies from Baltimore, joined General Wayne the 21st of 
September, immediately after Grey's sanguinary night attack on the 
Americans at the Paolia.

Those companies, in which many citizens, who left numerous families 
dispersed about the county, or exposed to the depredations of the maritime 
forces of the enemy in the bay, went in the ranks as volunteers, shared in 
the rout of Wayne, and in the more equal conflict at Germantown on the 4th 
October, at which place the patriotic Cox, with several of his townsmen, 
laid down their lives in their country's cause. At the same time Colonel 
Samuel Smith, commanding a small detachment of Continental troops at Fort 
Mifflin, with the aid of Commodore Hazlewood's flotilla, in which 
Lieutenant Barney then served, was successfully opposing the passage of 
Howe's fleet, which had returned from the Chesapeake into the Delaware, 
for which Congress voted the Colonel a sword; however, the fort was not 
long tenable, and it was abandoned some days after he had been wounded and 
retired across the river.

Extracts from very important and interesting letters never before 
published, relating to some of the important engagements in which the 
Maryland troops bore such an important part:

Mrs. Mary Cox to her Husband.

"Baltimore Town, Sept. 8th, 1777.

"My Dear:--* * * * I am greatly alarmed at the usage the inhabitants meet 
with that fall into the regulars' hands. I greatly want your advice in 
regard to moving my things before trouble comes, for then there will be 
such confusion that I may only escape with my life; for it is allowed by 
all, that the enemy

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will visit us before they leave our bay. Don't laugh at my fears, for they 
are not groundless, as you well know I am a person of great fortitude; but 
fortitude without reason is mere chimera, therefore do let me have your 
advice as soon as possible. A plot was laid for destroying our magazines 
at Carlisle and York, but the All-wise Providence has frustrated the 
design. There are several concerned already secured. Our light-horse has 
just set out in search of the spies. There are a number of the leading men 
in Philadelphia put in prison, and are now on their way to Virginia under 
a strong guard. * * * * My Dear, in all your hurry mind the one thing 
needful--an interest in Jesus Christ, which is the desire and prayer of 
your affectionate wife.

"Mary Cox."

"Downing's Town on the Lancaster Road, "Sept. 20th, 1777.

"Dear Wife:--I take this opportunity to acquaint you that I am yet well 
and hearty, and I thank God for all his mercies. We marched 20 odd miles 
yesterday, which, marching in brigade, made it a little severe on the men, 
and fagged them. We are now about marching, and expect to join General 
Wayne this day. Col. Gist has joined us, which makes us upwards of 2000 
strong. The enemy are pushing for Philadelphia as hard as they can, but i 
hope they will not get there. Howe stole a march on Gen. Washington the 
night before last, which I fear will prove to his disadvantage. A few days 
will determine the fate of Philadelphia. * * * * Last night we had two 
more deserters, Michael Diffendaffer and John Tinges. * * * * May Heaven 
guard and protect us all, and return us safe to our respective homes. * * *

"James Cox."

"Head-Quarters Parkiomin, Oct. 7th, 1777.

"Dear Cousin:--The disagreeable task is devolved on me, to let you know 
(though doubtless the news will have reached you before this will come to 
hand), that your loving husband, and America's best friend, on the fourth 
instant, near Germantown, nobly defending his country's cause, having, 
repulsed the enemy, driving them from their breastworks, received a ball 
through his body, by which he expired in about three-quarters of an hour 
afterwards. He was carried off the field to a house, his most valuable 
things secured, and as our people lost the ground, we were obliged to 
leave him there; the people of the house promised to have him interred. 
Mr. Lindenberger about the same time was wounded through the arm, but 
being only a flesh wound, is not dangerous. The bearer, Mr. Lemon, will be 
able to give you a more particular account of that day's action. May the 
great God support you and your dear family under your present distress, 
and give you enough

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of Christian fortitude and resignation, of which nature has not been 
sparing.

"I am your loving and affectionate cousin,   Geo. Welsh."

Gen. Smallwood, writing to Gov. Johnson, said: "Capt. Cox, of Baltimore, a 
brave and valuable officer, with Lieut. Crost, of Johnson's regiment, and 
several other brave officers and men, were killed within twenty paces of 
the enemy's lodgment before they were dispossessed of it." Capt. Cox was 
in his day, the most fashionable tailor in Baltimore town. On the 19th of 
September he was promoted to Major, but before he received his commission 
he was unfortunately killed. His widow, for many years, carried on a 
fashionable millinery establishment, and died on the 20th of February, 
1789, in reduced circumstances. The following very interesting letter, 
never before published, was written by Col. John H. Stone, afterwards 
Governor of Maryland, to William Paca, Esq., of Chestertown, also at a 
latter period Governor:

"Camp in Philadelphia, County Schuylkill,
"September 23d, 1777.

"Dear Sir--I received yours by Mr. Foreman, and will give you an account 
of the engagement of the 11th instant. In the morning about six o'clock, 
the enemy appeared on the opposite side of the Brandywine, on which a 
brisk cannonade ensued, but with little execution on either side. The 
enemy did not appear numerous, and began to intrench themselves, by which 
we readily concluded their main body was taking another route. To be 
certain of this, light horse were dispatched to scour the country; but 
unfortunately for us, their discoveries did not give us the proper 
intelligence. Gen'l Washington ordered Gen'l Maxwell to cross the ford 
with his light corps and attack the enemy, which he did with success. His 
Excellency then gave orders for the greatest part of the army to cross the 
several fords, but before this order was put in execution it was 
countermanded. In this situation things remained till near three o'clock 
in the afternoon, when certain accounts were brought to his Excellency, 
that the enemy had crossed the Brandywine four or five miles above the 
right of our army; their numbers were not known. Three divisions of our 
army were immediately ordered to march and meet them, but the enemy had 
got possession of the most advantageous grounds, and drawn within one and 
a half miles of our right before we marched. Gen'l Sullivan, Lord 
Stirling, and Gen'l Greene's division marched to oppose the enemy, and 
perhaps might have routed them if things had been properly managed. Our 
division marched to join Lord Stirling, who was on the ground where the 
enemy appeared, and where they seemed to intend their attack; by the time 
we reached the ground, they had begun to cannonade the ground allotted for 
us, which was very bad, and the enemy within musket shot of it, before we 
were

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ordered to form the line of battle. I marched in front of Gen'l Sullivan's 
division, when I received orders from him to wheel to the left and take 
possession of a rising ground about 100 yards in our front, to which the 
enemy were marching rapidly. I wheeled off, but had not marched to the 
ground before we were attacked on all quarters, which prevented our 
forming regularly, and by wheeling to the left it doubled our division on 
the brigade immediately in the rear of the other. Thus we were in 
confusion, and no person to undue us to order, when the enemy pushed on 
and soon made us all run off. Of all the Maryland regiments only two ever 
had an opportunity to form, Gist's and mine; and as soon as they began to 
fire, those who were in our rear could not be prevented from firing also. 
In a few minutes we were attacked in front and flank, and by our people in 
the rear. Our men ran off in confusion, and were very hard to be rallied. 
Although my men did not behave so well as I expected, yet I can scarcely 
blame them, when I consider their situation; nor are they censured by any 
part of the army. My horse threw in the time of action, but I did not 
receive any great injury from it. Lord Stirling's division, who were 
attacked at the same time we were, and routed at the same time. We 
retreated about a quarter of a mile and rallied all the men we could, when 
we were reinforced by Greene's and Nath's corps, who had not till that 
time got up. Greene had his men posted on a good piece of ground, which 
they maintained for some time, and I dare say did great execution. At this 
time the enemy, who were left at the fords, crossed, which was after five 
o'clock, when firing began from almost every quarter, and I expected a 
general and bloody action. The enemy, however, moved with caution, which 
gave those who were obliged to give way, an opportunity to make their 
retreat with safety. Never was a more constant and heavy fire while it 
lasted; and I was much amazed when I knew the numbers that were killed and 
wounded. We did not lose 1000 men, officers and all, to speak say. I lost 
23 privates and two serg'ts killed, wounded and taken, and one captain 
(Ford) wounded; he will recover. Never was a more favorable opportunity 
for us: fortune seemed in the morning to count us to victory and honor; 
but the scene was much changed in the evening. Had our intelligence been 
as good as it ought to have been, or had we crossed the fords when Gen. 
Washington first ordered it, it is almost as certain as that two and two 
make four, that the whole British army would have been routed, and, 
perhaps, this war ended. Gen. Howe played a deep but dangerous card. He 
left about 2000 men to guard the fords opposite to us, and marched their 
main army round for more than ten miles, so that the two parties had not 
any connection or dependence on each other. If we had crossed, the 2000 
men must inevitably have fallen into our hands, which would have reduced 
the enemy's strength to meet, that before this time they would all either 
have

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been captives or driven from this land; upon the whole, I do not think we 
have lost anything by that day. My manner of carrying on this war would be 
so different from the present system that I should frequently expect to be 
driven from the ground. We ought to attack them everywhere we meet them. 
By this method it would make our men soldiers, and be constantly reducing 
the enemy, and ensure us success in a few months. We are now within 4 
miles of Pottsgrove, on the Schuylkill; the enemy are about as many miles 
below on the other side. You may expect to hear of an engagement every 
day. Gen. Wayne and Gen. Smallwood's camps were surprised a few nights 
ago, by a party of the British light-horse. Our men were put in confusion, 
but no great damage done.

From your humble serv't,
"J. H. Stone."

Mr. John Pearce built for Messrs. John Sterett and others, the topsail 
schooner Antelope, and armed with fourteen guns, was put under the command 
of Jeremiah Yellott, which made a great many narrow escapes and some 
captures, but always fortunate voyages. The Felicity, commanded by Capt. 
Frederick Folger, who had been first officer of the Antelope, was scarcely 
less successful. The ship Buckskin, Capt. Jones, and the Nonesuch, Capt. 
C. Wells, and some other vessels, safely went to and returned from France. 
A part of a committee of Congress, then at Little York, constituted a navy 
board, of which William Smith, Esq., was a member, assembled here. The 
Virginia frigate, of 28 guns, was built on the Point, west side of the 
public wharf, by Mr. Wells.

Wm. Buchanan, Esq., was appointed by Congress, commissary general of 
purchases for the Continental army. James Calhoun, Esq., his deputy, made 
purchases of supplies here.

In this year died, at an advanced age, at his seat in the county, 
Cornelius Howard, Esq., who laid out that part of the town called Howard's 
Hill, leaving three sons, the eldest of whom was Col. John E. Howard, and 
two daughters.

1778. Count Pulaski was appointed a brigadier in the Continental army, on 
the 15th of September, 1777, just after the battle on the Brandy wine, in 
which he participated, and was honored with the command of the cavalry. He 
resigned this honor within a few months, and asked and obtained permission 
from Congress to raise and command an independent corps, to consist of 
sixty-eight horse and two hundred foot. The mode of raising these was left 
to the direction of General Washington. This corps was chiefly raised, and 
fully organized in Baltimore in March, 1778. Pulaski visited La Fayette, 
while that wounded officer was a recipient of the pious care and 
hospitality of Moravians at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His presence, and 
eventful history, made a deep impression upon the minds of that community. 
When it was known that the bray Pole was organizing a corps of cavalry in 
Baltimore, the nuns of

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Bethlehem prepared a banner of crimson silk, with designs beautifully 
wrought with the needle by their own hands, and sent it to Pulaski, with 
their blessing. The memory of this event is embalmed in verse by 
Longfellow, known as the "Hymn of the Moravian Nuns at the Consecration of 
Pulaski's Banner." Pulaski received the banner with grateful 
acknowledgments, and bore it gallantly through many a martial scene, until 
he fell in conflict at Savannah in the autumn of 1779. His banner was 
saved by his first lieutenant (who received fourteen wounds), and 
delivered to Captain Bentalou, who, on retiring from the army, took the 
banner home with him to Baltimore. It was used in the procession that 
welcomed La Fayette to this city in 1824, and was then deposited in 
Peale's Museum. On that occasion it was ceremoniously received by several 
young ladies. Mr. Edmund Peale presented it to the Maryland Historical 
Society in 1844, where it is now carefully preserved in a glass case. But 
little of its former beauty remains. It is composed of double silk, now 
faded to a dull brownish red. The designs on each side are embroidered 
with yellow silk, the letters shaded with green. A deep green bullion 
fringe ornaments the edges, and the size of the banner is twenty inches 
square. It was attached to a lance when borne to the field. On one side of 
the banner are the letters U. S., and in a circle around them the words 
"Unita Virtus Fortior,"--United valor is stronger. On the other side, in 
the centre is the All-seeing Eye, with the words "Non alius regit"--No 
other governs.

On the twenty-eighth of June, the British were unsuccessfully attacked, 
but finally retired from the fields of Monmouth, in Jersey, where the 
Maryland Line shared the danger and the glory of the day. Washington on 
this occasion seeing Lieut.-Col. Ramsay's Maryland battalion, called to 
him that he "was one of the officers he should rely upon to check the 
enemy that day." In the militia of the town, Messrs. John McClellan, 
Benjamin Griffith, George Lindenberger, James Calhoun, David Bowley, Mark 
Alexander, Stephen Stewart, James Young, Isaac Griest, Briton, Dickinson, 
Henry Schaeffer, and George Wells, held commissions, most of whom had been 
at camp with Captains Moore, Sterrett, Cox, or Bailey.

On the organization of the Court of Appeals, Thomas Jones, Esq., was 
appointed one of the Judges, and William Buchanan, Esq., youngest son of 
Doctor George Buchanan, deceased, succeeds to the office of Register of 
Wills the next year, in place of Mr. Jones.

British goods having become scarce, several manufactures, which had been 
prohibited in the colonies, were now established in or near this town. 
Among others, a bleach-yard by Mr. Riddle; a linen factory by Mr. McFadon; 
a paper mill by Mr. Goddard; a slitting mill by Mr. Whitcroft; a card 
factory by Mr. McCabe; a woollen and linen factory by Mr. Charles Carroll; 
a nail factory

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each by Mr. Geo. Matthews and Mr. Richardson Stewart. Mr. Charles Williams 
carried on the dyeing business, and Mr. William Stenson, who had sometime 
kept a coffee-house near the corner of Holliday and East, now Fayette 
streets, opened another on a modern and extensive scale, at the southwest 
corner of South and Baltimore streets.

The intelligence of the alliance which had taken place between France and 
the United States, in virtue of the treaty entered into between the two 
powers, was received in Baltimore on the 5th of May, and in demonstration 
of the joy it created, the town was splendidly illuminated on the night of 
that day. This alliance gave a different aspect to our affairs. Wherever 
there was despondency, it yielded to confidence; and the contest was ever 
afterwards maintained, under the deep conviction that the independence of 
America was established on a basis that could only be shaken, by one of 
those convulsions which, in the order of Providence, overturn the 
mightiest empires.

During the very heat of the war, twenty gentlemen came to Baltimore as 
residents, among whom we find the names of Messrs. Richard Curson, William 
Patterson, Robert Gilmor, Charles Torrence, Andrew Boyd, Aaron Levering, 
Henry Payson, Joseph Williams, Peter Frick, George Reinecker, Michael 
Diffenderffer, Christopher Raborg, John Leypold, Abraham Sitler, George 
Heide, John Shultze, Baltzer Schaeffer and others, who, by their wealth, 
credit and enterprise, contributed to revive the business of the place.

On the 31st of March, the Virginia frigate, the first built in this city, 
made an attempt to get to sea in the night, in which she would certainly 
have succeeded, in spite of the vigilance of the enemy's squadron, but 
that the pilot ran her on the middle ground, between the Capes; and on the 
first of April she was taken possession of by His Majesty's frigate the 
Emerald, Captain Caldwell. Captain Nicholson, the commander, escaped in 
the ship's barge; but Lieut. Barney, with his brother William, who was an 
officer of the marines, and the rest of the crew fell into the hands of 
the enemy.

1779. The following letter, never before published, was written by General 
Washington to the Governor of Maryland. It certainly shows that his 
capacious and ever-active mind, embraced all the extensive limits of his 
country--not excepting the then insignificant town of Baltimore, which, 
perhaps owing to his discernment, was prevented from falling into the 
hands of the enemy:

"Head Quarters, Middlebrook, 1st March, 1779.

"Dear Sir:--Sir Henry Clinton, in order to supply the British prisoners at 
Fort Frederick and Winchester with necessaries and money, has twice 
requested a passport for a vessel to go with the same to the port of 
Baltimore. As it is necessary that the prisoners should be supplied, I 
have granted permission to a schooner

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to proceed to Hampton road--where the cargo is to be received into some of 
the bay craft, and sent to Alexandria or Georgetown, under the conduct and 
escort of our own people, and from thence to its place of destination. I 
refused the passport to Baltimore especially, as it was twice pressed upon 
me--as that port did not appear to be the nearest to Fort Frederick and 
Winchester, and as it might be made use of for the purpose of exploring a 
navigation with which they may be in some measure unacquainted. I have 
been thus particular lest, under a color of hard weather, the vessel 
should run toward Baltimore.

"I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient servant,
"Geo. Washington."

A committee of merchants was formed at the beginning of the year, whose 
duty it seems to have been to provide a suitable defence for the private 
navigation of the Chesapeake bay. Galleys were provided, and the direction 
of them had been confided to Commodore Nicholson, who, a short time 
before, had lost the Virginia frigate at the mouth of the capes, in 
attempting to elude the vigilance of a British squadron stationed there, 
and who in consequence had no immediate command. The command of the galley 
Conqueror was bestowed upon him by the committee, with the approbation of 
the Governor. The gentlemen who were united with the Commodore as officers 
on board this galley, deemed it proper to petition the committee on the 
subject of the relation which they would hold to the committee in case of 
their capture. They thought it but reasonable, in case such an event 
should occur, that their wages should go on. They present a gloomy 
prospect of their situation in such a case. The horrors of a prison-ship 
were more intimidating to them than the cannonading of an enemy; and it 
was against these that they wanted some provision made. "But," in the 
language of a patriotism which peculiarly characterizes the seamen of 
America, "should we receive no redress, it shall not in the least detain 
our services from the cause in which we are now engaged." Their petition 
was granted, and the Conqueror began her cruise. For three months she was 
stationed at and near Cape Henry, and in other parts of the bay. The 
protection she and the others of the squadron gave to the navigation of 
Baltimore, is almost incredible. Commodore Nicholson was one of those men 
who never flagged in any duty he undertook, and the skill with which all 
his maritime operations were conducted, was an earnest of that which, in 
later days, has so pre-eminently characterized the American seaman.

On the 4th of February, Mr. Sterritt's extensive brewery, with the 
warehouse on the southwest corner of Frederick and Second streets, then 
occupied by Mr. Hugh Young, were set on fire, designedly as was supposed, 
and both entirely consumed.

Early in the year the Maryland Line was formed into two brigades, the 
second of which was put under the command of Col.

Page 172

Gist, promoted Brigadier-General. Benjamin Nicholson, Esq., Colonel of the 
town militia, resigned the command to Colonel Smith--this being the only 
corps kept up after peace.

There were published in Goddard's Maryland Journal of July 6th, 1779, a 
number of queries, styled "political and military," evidently tending to 
bring in question the military qualifications of General Washington for 
the august station he then occupied, and to create a prejudice against the 
French nation, which a short time before had entered into an alliance with 
the United States. As the following "queries" have often been quoted in 
history, but never published in full, we give them as they appeared in the 
Maryland Journal:

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,--1779.

"Some queries, political and military, humbly offered to the consideration 
of the public.

"I. Whether George the First did not, on his accession to the throne of 
Great Britain, by making himself king of a party, instead of the whole 
nation, sow the seeds not only of the subversion of the liberties of the 
people, but of the ruin of the whole empire? 
"II. Whether, by proscribing that class of men to which his ministry were 
pleased to give the appellation of Tories, he did not, in the end, make 
them not only real Tories, but even Jacobites? 
"III. Whether the consequence of this distinction, now become real, was 
not two rebellious; and whether the fruit of those rebellions, although 
defeated, were not septennial Parliaments, a large standing army, an 
enormous additional weight and pecuniary influence thrown into the scale 
of the crown, which in a few years have borne down not only the substance, 
but almost the form of liberty, all sense of patriotism, the morals of the 
people, and, in the end, overturned the mighty fabric of the British 
Empire? 
"IV. Whether the present men in power in this State do not tread exactly 
in the steps of this pernicious ministry, by proscribing and 
disfranchising so large a proportion of citizens as those men whom they 
find in their interest to brand with the determination of Tories? 
"V. Whether liberty, to be durable, should not be constructed on as broad 
a basis as possible? And whether the same causes, in all ages, and in all 
countries, do not produce the same effects? 
"VI. Whether it is not natural, and even justifiable, for that class of 
people (let the pretext be ever so plausible) who have been stripped of 
their rights as men, by the hard hand of power, to wish for and endeavor 
to bring about by any means whatever, a revolution in that State, which 
they cannot but consider as an usurpation and tyranny? 
"VII. Whether a subject of Morocco is not (when we consider human nature) 
a happier mortal than a disfranchised citizen of

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Pennsylvania, as the former has the comfort of seeing all about him in the 
same predicament with himself; the latter, the misery of being a slave in 
the precious bosom of liberty--the former drinks the cup, but the latter 
alone can taste the bitterness of it? 

"VIII. Whether an enlightened member of a French Parliament is not a 
thousand times more wretched than a Russian serf or peasant? As to the 
former, the chains, from his sensibility, must be extremely galling; and 
on the latter, they fit as easy as the skin of his back. 
"IX. Whether it is salutary or dangerous, consistent with or abhorrent 
from, the principles and spirit of Liberty and Republicanism, to inculcate 
and encourage in the people an idea, that their welfare, safety and glory 
depend on one man? Whether they really do depend on one man? 
"X. Whether, amongst the late warm, or rather loyal addresses, in this 
city, to his Excellency General Washington, there was a single mortal, one 
gentleman excepted, who could possibly be acquainted with his merits? 
"XI. Whether this gentleman excepted, does really think his Excellency a 
great man, or whether evidences could not be produced of his sentiments 
being quite the reverse? 
"XlI. Whether the armies under Gates and Arnold, and the detachment under 
Stark, to the northward, or that immediately under his Excellency, in 
Pennsylvania, gave the decisive turn to the fortune of war? 
"XIII. Whether, therefore, when Mons. Gerard, and Don Juan de Miralles, 
sent over to their respective courts the pictures of his Excellency 
General Washington at full length, by Mr. Peale, there would have been any 
impropriety in sending over, at the same time, at least a couple of little 
heads of Gates and Arnold, by M. de Simitierre? 
"XIV. On What principle was it that Congress, in the year 1776, sent for 
General Lee quite from Georgia, with injunctions to join the army under 
General Washington, then in York Island, without loss of time? 
"XV. Whether Congress had reason to be satisfied or dissatisfied with this 
their recall of General Lee, from what subsequently happened on York 
Island, and at the White Plains? 
"XVI. Whether Fort Washington was or was not tenable? Whether there were 
barracks, casemates, fuel, or water within the body of the place? Whether, 
in the outworks, the defences were in any decent order? And whether there 
were even platforms for the guns? 
"XVII. Whether, if it had been tenable, it could have answered any one 
single purpose? Did it cover, did it protect a valuable country? Did it 
pt'event the enemy's ships from passing or repassing with impunity? 
"XVIII. Whether, when General Howe manifestly gave over

Page 174

all thoughts of attacking General Washington in the last strong position 
in the rear of White Plains, and fell back towards York Island, orders 
should not bare been immediately dispatched for the evacuation of Fort 
Washington, and for the removal of all the stores of value from Fort Lee 
to some secure spot more removed from the river? Whether this was not 
proposed, and the proposal slighted? 

"XIX. Whether the loss of the garrison of Fort Washington, and its 
consequent loss of Fort Lee, with the tents, stores, &c., had not such an 
effect on the spirits of the people as to make the difference of twenty 
thousand men to America? 
"XX. Whether, in the defeat of Brandywine, General Sullivan was really the 
person who ought to have been censured? 
"XXI. Whether, if Duke Ferdinand had commanded at Germantown, after having 
gained by the valor of his troops and the negligence of his enemy a 
partial victory, he would have contrived by a single stroke of the bathos, 
to have corrupted this partial victory into a defeat?*
[Note : * "In one of the numerous publications which have lately infested 
Philadelphia, it was brought as a crime against Mr. De?ne that he had 
directly or indirectly EaSe some overtures to Prince Ferdinand of 
Brunswick to accept the command of the American army, who must of course 
have superseded General Washington This crime speared to all the foreign 
officers who are acquainted with the Prince's reputation of a soldier, in 
so very ridiculous a light that they can never think or speak of it 
without being thrown into violent fi?s of laughter."] 

"XXII. Whether our position at Valley Forge was not such, that if General 
Howe, or afterwards General Clinton, had been well-informed of its 
circumstances, defects and vices, they might not, at the head of ten, or 
even of eight thousand men, have reduced the American army to the same 
fatal necessity as the Americans did General Burgoyne? 
"XXIII. Whether the trials of General St. Clair, of which court-martial 
General Lincoln was president, and that on General Lee, were conducted in 
the same forms and on the same principles? Whether, in the former, all 
hearsay evidences were not absolutely rejected, and, in the latter, 
hearsay evidence did not constitute a very considerable part? 
"XXIV. Whether if the Generals Schuyler and St. Clair had been tried by 
the same court-martial as General Lee was, and instead of Congress, 
General Washington had been the prosecutor, those gentlemen 
(unexceptionable as their conduct was) would not have stood a very ugly 
chance of being condemned? And whether if instead of General Washington, 
Congress had been the prosecutor, General Lee would not probably have been 
acquitted with the highest honor? 
"XXV. Whether it must not appear to every man who has read General 
Washington's letter to Congress on the affair at Monmouth, and the 
proceedings of the court-martial by which General Lee was tried, that if 
the contents of the former are a test, not only General Lee's defence must 
be a tissue of the most abominable

Page 175

audacious lies, but that the whole string of evidences, both on the part 
of the prosecution and prosecuted, must be guilty of rank perjury, as the 
testimonies of these gentlemen, near forty in number, delivered on oath, 
scarcely in one article coincide with the detail given in his Excellency's 
letter?"

On the publication of the "Queries" great excitement was produced against 
the author, and a demand was made for him upon Mr. Goddard by many 
citizens. Mr. Goddard at first refused to give his name, but when he found 
that the citizens were determined to know who was the calumniator of the 
venerated chief; Mr. Goddard gave the name of General Charles Lee as the 
author, and disavowed for himself any intention to reflect on Gen. 
Washington. He signed a paper, and in the next issue of his Journal 
published the following:

"A publication entitled, 'Some Queries, political, and military, humbly 
offered to the consideration of the public,' having appeared in the 
Maryland Journal, of the 6th inst., derogatory of the French nation; 
tending to distract the minds of the people; and in particular aimed at 
the reputation of the Commander-in-Chief of the American Army--the 
inhabitants of this town, resenting this publication, and considering it 
as calculated for invidious and malevolent purposes, called on the printer 
for the author of the piece which had given offence; and have directed to 
be published, in the same paper, his acknowledgment on the occasion, with 
the annexed letters from General Lee, the author of the aforesaid Queries:

"I, William Goddard, do hereby acknowledge, that by publishing certain 
'Queries, political and military,' in the Maryland Journal of the 6th 
inst., I have transgressed against truth, justice, and my duty as a good 
citizen, and in reparation, I do most humbly beg his Excellency General 
Washington's pardon, and hope the good people of this town will excuse my 
having published therein, a piece so replete with the nonsense and 
malevolence of a disappointed man.

W. Goddard.

"Baltimore Town, July 9, 1779."

"Needwood, June 7th.

"Dear Sir:--As I am acquainted with your just way of thinking, liberality 
and impartiality, and as I think the time has arrived when the people will 
bear the truth, I enclose to you some Queries, which I believe you have 
seen before. If you are of opinion that they will be of use, I could wish 
you would insert them in your paper, with the following introduction:

"Baltimore, (the date you may put youself.)

"Mr. Goddard:--The following Queries, political and military, were 
sometime ago handed about Philadelphia. The import of some of 'em is so 
curious, that they may, perhaps, afford amusement,

Page 176

if not information to your readers. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant.

"Now I think of it, I beg you will consider me as a subscriber to your 
paper, and direct one weekly, inclosed to Mr. Woolford, at Shepherds-Town, 
Berkley County, Virginia. Is Col. Oswald with you? If he is, I beg my love 
to him; and be assured that I am dear Sir, yours most truly,

Charles Lee."

"To Mr. Goddard:

"Shephards-Town, June 17th.

Dear Sir:--I understand that my friend Col. Oswald is entered into 
partnership, with you. Without this consideration, I should have done your 
press all the service in my power, as I have a very particular regard for 
yourself personally; but I have now a double motive. I have many papers 
which will be of service to you, and you may be assured that to you alone 
they shall be consigned. I hope that you will not think it improper to 
insert the Queries I enclose. You have, and ought to have the first 
reputation for impartiality, as a printer on the Continent.

"Adieu, dear Sir, Charles Lee."

On the 8th of June Colonel Eleazer Oswald, late of the Continental army, 
entered into partnership with Mr. Wm. Goddard in the publication of the 
Maryland Journal, and for a long time the paper continued to publish 
"cards," among them we reproduce the following:

"To the Printers.

"Sir:--A knot of base slanderers, who infest the town of Baltimore, now, 
unhappily, become a theatre of anarchy and licentiousness, being deeply 
engaged in the inhuman business of murdering my character--a knot who are 
composed, principally, of vermin who have crept out of the putrid carcase 
of that many-headed monster Legion, who was executed, pursuant to a 
memorable sentence passed in this Capital upwards of two years ago, I hope 
you will do me the justice to publish, in your next paper, the following 
memorial, which now lies before his Excellency the Governor of this State 
and his Honorable Council, containing a concise and just view of the late 
disgraceful outrages which have been committed in Baltimore Town. I am 
irresistibly impelled to make this request, by an ardent desire implanted 
in my breast by the Great Author of Nature, to secure the esteem of the 
virtuous members of society; which, I flatter myself, no part of my 
conduct hitherto hath justly forfeited. The result of my application to 
the supreme authority of the State, will, as early as it is possible, be 
laid before the public; and I doubt not but it will add to the dignity of 
Government, as well as prove 'a terror to evil-doers.'

"I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
W. Goddard."

"Annapolis, July 14th, 1779.

Page 177

"To His Excellency Thomas Johnson, Esq., Governor of the State of 
Maryland, and to his Honorable Council, the memorial of William Goddard, 
late of Baltimore, printer, humbly sheweth:

"That your memorialist being deeply impressed with the importance of 
supporting the liberty of the press, which the 38th section of the Bill of 
Rights Of this State asserts, 'ought to be inviolably preserved,' and from 
a candid examination of the trial of Major-General Lee, being fully 
convinced of the injustice done him, not only by the sentences of the 
court-martial, but in its confirmation by Congress, judged it his 
indispensable duty, as an honest man, to admit without partiality, into 
the Maryland Journal, &c., of the 6th instant, at the request of that 
gentleman, a number of 'Queries Political and Military,' which your 
memorialist considered merely as introductory to a full vindication of the 
unfortunate General's character. Actuated by the purest principles of 
justice on the one hand, and love to his country on the other, and far 
from wishing, if it were possible, to injure the reputation of that 
distinguished character, now gloriously struggling in the cause of freedom 
and virtue, at the head of the army of the United States, or to give just 
cause of offence to any worthy man whatsoever, your memorialist felt no 
other emotion on the occasion than what must necessarily arise in every 
generous mind on a consideration of the unhappy difference subsisting 
between the two personages he has mentioned, and whom, with proper 
allowances for the frailties incident to humanity, he esteems as brave and 
wise man.

"Not imagining, for a moment, that in a country of civilized enlightened 
people, contending for the rights of mankind, there could be found a set 
of men so irrational, so inconsistent and depraved as to attempt to 
abridge or subvert the liberty of the press, which is justly valued as the 
palladium of all our rights, by preventing the decent investigation of the 
conduct of public men, the free discussion of public measures, or the 
vindication of an injured character. Your memorialist hath, however, 
unhappily found himself egregiously mistaken; for, on the appearance of 
the Queries aforesaid, an angry Cabal, who, fearing they knew not what, 
immediately formed themselves in Baltimore town, for the cruel purpose of 
wreaking their vengeance on the head of your memorialist, the innocent, 
but devoted printer, who was ridiculously accused, before a deluded 
rabble, of printing nonsense for the destruction of General Washington and 
his country. Folly, passion, and prejudice usurping the empire of reason 
and justice, a band of ruffians, composed of Continental recruits, 
mulattoes, or negroes, fifers and drummers, to the number of about thirty, 
headed by Thomas Cromwell, John Bayley, and Stephen Shermadine, 
Continental officers, were detached from the headquarters of your 
memorialist's prosecutors, to invade the sanctuary of his dwelling and 
seize on his person. Under the shade of night, on the 8th instant, at a 
late

Page 178

hour, when Nature herself seemed hushed in silence and repose, this motley 
crew burst into the house of your memorialist, and entering his 
bedchamber, demanded his surrender and appearance before their main body, 
then assembled at the coffee-house for the trial and punishment of your 
memorialist. Your memorialist had only time to snatch a sword from its 
scabbard, and take a proper position for defence, when he was pressed upon 
by this lawless band, who added insult to injury. Your memorialist, 
knowing himself to be amenable to no illegal tribunal, refused to obey the 
menacing summons he had received, and calling on his friend Colonel Oswald 
to bear witness, he entreated Captain Cromwell, the leader of the party, 
not to put him to the fatal necessity of laying him dead at his feet, 
which should be his or any man's fate who should attempt to seize on your 
memorialist. The solemnity of this declaration, added to the view of the 
weapon, seemed to stagger the resolution of the besiegers. At this 
critical moment, expecting to be overpowered by increasing numbers, your 
memorialist declared his readiness to meet respectable citizens who had 
anything to say to him by daylight, and that he would cheerfully appear at 
the coffee-house the next morning, and give every satisfaction that could 
be expected by rational men, or becoming a man of honor to give; at the 
same time utterly refusing to sign a stupid paper, reprobating his own 
conduct, which was read to him by the said Captain Cromwell. The 
proposition of your memorialist being, through fear, accepted, a 
Convention was agreed on, in the presence of Colonel Oswald, that your 
memorialist should appear at the coffee-house at 9 o'clock the next 
morning, and that the detachment, without further hostility, should 
immediately retire, which they did accordingly.

"The next morning (being the 9th inst.) your memorialist, from an anxious 
desire to preserve the public tranquillity, and to prevent the effusion of 
human blood, waited on William Spear, George Lindenberger, Abraham 
Vanbibber, and James Calhoun, Esquires, magistrates in the Town of 
Baltimore, and after representing to them the outrages of the preceding 
night, the prospect of their repetition, and the painful necessity your 
memorialist was under of appearing in arms for the defence of his person, 
he entreated their interposition for the support of law and government, in 
his person most inhumanly violated. Messieurs Spear and Lindenberger both 
solemnly engaged to exert their authority as magistrates; the latter 
making this condition, that your memorialist should appear unarmed. 
Vanbibber declined interfering, alleging his youth and inexperience in 
office. Calhoun, instead of doing his duty as he promised, shut the door 
of justice against your memorialist. Confiding in the promises of the two 
first mentioned magistrates, your memorialist laid aside his arms, and 
observing a number of people collected at Calhoun's door, opposite the 
intended scene of action (Calhoun and Spear being present),

Page 179

he ventured to approach them. Your memorialist had scarcely got on the 
threshold of Mr. Justice Calhoun, when he found himself surrounded by a 
frantic mob, whose resentment had been artfully excited against him by a 
variety of suggestions as false as they were cruel. Calhoun at this 
delicate crisis, so far from exercising the power vested in him, ordered 
your memorialist from his door, and thus gave him up a sacrifice to the 
surrounding mob. Spear, observing his son-in-law Colonel Samuel Smith 
placing himself at the head of the mob, left your memorialist a prey to 
their fury.

"The inexperienced infant, Justice Vanbibber, though he refused to act in 
the honorable character of magistrate for the most noble purpose, degraded 
himself so far as to appear before the mob as an evidence against your 
memorialist, to relate a private conversation he had accidentally heard 
between Colonel Jenifer and him, a conversation which was perfectly 
innocent, though aggravated and distorted into criminality. Your 
memorialist was then left to the mercy of the judges and executioners he 
has already described, who stood ready to cart him through the streets 
with a halter about his neck, and with many other circumstances of inhuman 
insult and indignity. Unrestrained by law or the feelings of humanity, 
they proceeded to interrogate your memorialist, to extort under the above-
mentioned penalties the secrets of his business, and even to pillage his 
house of his private correspondence, which, however, afforded no materials 
for their purpose. To elude the proposed indignities and outrages against 
his person, his friends advised him to submit to their arbitrary demands, 
and even to sign a paper, containing the most ridiculous and absurd 
concessions, altogether foreign to the language of his pen and his heart, 
and for which he is persuaded his Excellency General Washington will 
execrate these self constituted advocates and champions. Your memorialist 
flattering himself that in such a situation no man of honor would censure 
for his condescension, he reluctantly submitted to the detestable tyranny 
he was under. By these means your memorialist happily extricated himself 
from their power, while he observed with anguish of soul two of his less 
fortunate neighbors, whose sensibility of heart got the better of their 
prudence, dragged (amidst the din of insulting music) in carts through the 
streets, with halters about their necks, and occasionally cudgelled for 
the diversion of the inhuman part of the spectators. One of these hapless 
men, an officer in the militia, having effected his escape, fled to his 
own house for refuge. His faithful wife in attempting to secure him was 
beaten and abused, with circumstances of barbarity that must have melted 
the flinty heart of a savage.

"When your memorialist considers the 17th section of our Bill of Rights, 
he humbly thinks he has just excuse of complaint against the magistrates 
he hath named for their criminal delinquency;

Page 180

he doth therefore impeach them before your Excellency and your Honorable 
Council for the offences he hath enumerated, and which he stands ready to 
prove by witnesses of unexceptional characters, whenever the parties can 
be brought face to face.

"Your memorialist, for the benefit of himself and the community he lives 
in (the majority of whom approve his conduct and reprobate that of his 
persecutors, though awed into silence by their rage and licentiousness), 
begs leave further to represent to your Excellency and your Honorable 
Council, that all law and government are now at an end in Baltimore Town, 
and that the persons and property of your memorialist and other peaceable 
and faithful subjects of this State, friends to American freedom, are 
continually exposed to the wanton fury of men who, hurried by passion and 
blinded by prejudice, see not their own or their country's good, and are 
deaf to all laws, divine and human. Your memorialist therefore, thinking 
his case peculiarly distressing, entreats your Excellency to extend to him 
the benefit and protection of the law of the land for the security of his 
person and property. This being the unhappy situation of that part of the 
government committed to your Excellency's rule, your memorialist doubts 
not from the idea he entertained of your justice and magnanimity, as well 
as that of the Honorable Council, that your Excellency's administration 
will be rendered memorable and glorious by your present exertions to 
secure to your injured countrymen, the invaluable blessings of law and 
liberty.

William Goddard.

"Annapolis, July 13th, 1779."

"I do hereby certify, on my word and honor, that the Memorial this day 
presented to his Excellency the Governor and Council of this State, by Mr. 
William Goddard, contains a faithful and just narrative of the late 
outrages and injustice which, to the disgrace of humanity, lately took 
place in Baltimore Town, having been an eye-witness to the shameful scene.

"Eleazer Oswald.

"Dated at Annapolis, this 14th day of July, 1779."

Gen. Lee, if not hostile before, became after the battle of Monmouth, the 
undisguised enemy of General Washington, and seemed to have embraced every 
occasion to manifest this hostility towards him. These queries were about 
the first of his vindictive ebullitions, and the attempt to make them 
subserve his purpose in Baltimore, was met in the manner which Mr. Goddard 
related in his memorial to the Governor. Growing out of this difficulty, 
the following sharp correspondence took place between Col. Oswald, Mr. 
Goddard's partner, and Gen. Samuel Smith, which Mr. Oswald afterwards 
published:

"Baltimore, Sunday morning, 8 o'clock, 11th July, 1779.

"Sir--Not doubting but my friend and partner, Mr. Goddard,

Page 181

will obtain from the energy of the laws of this State and the justice and 
firmness of its supreme magistrates, the redress which, for the benefit of 
that community of which he is a member, he is perseveringly seeking, not 
only for the violence and outrage committed on his person and property by 
a 'band of ruffians' under your direction, but for your villainous 
attempt, at the head of the band I have mentioned, to subvert the freedom 
of the press, by compelling him to deliver up his private correspondence 
with General Lee, and extorting from him the name of the author of certain 
'Queries, Political and Military,' with concessions for their publication--
concessions which, I am persuaded, not a man of your confederacy would 
have presumed singly, or on equal terms, to have proposed to him--I now 
seriously call on you, sir, personally, for that satisfaction which one 
gentleman has a right to demand of another for gross insults and injuries. 
Being a stranger in the town, you, in a base and ungenerous manner, under 
cover of a deluded mob devoted to your service, made an unprovoked attack 
on my reputation, which, I flatter myself, stands in as fair a point of 
view as Colonel Samuel Smith's, notwithstanding he is styled the 'Mud-
Island Hero,' and wears a double portion of laurels, composed of the brave 
Major Thayre's and his own. Add to this the efforts you have made and are 
still meanly pursuing to destroy my future prospects in business in this 
town, which, thank God, did not depend on you or your infamous associates. 
Nothing, sir, but the outrages of the mob you had the glory of leading, 
whom you consider as your weapons and your fort, prevented me from doing 
myself immediate justice. But, as it is my unalterable determination that 
no man shall insult me with impunity, I therefore think it becomes my 
honor, on this occasion, to call upon you to meet me as early as possible, 
armed with pistols, and attended by your friend only, at any place you may 
appoint, to enter into such an ecclaircissement as will then be suitable 
to the affair in question, and which I consider indispensable. For my 
part, I am this moment ready to attend you to the field, or to meet you in 
a private room, as may be most agreeable to yourself. My friend -- will 
wait on you at the twelfth hour from the delivery of this for your 
explicit answer.

"I am, sir, your humble servant,
Eleazer Oswald."

"To Col. Samuel Smith.

"The foregoing letter having been delivered, Col. Smith rode out with my 
friend, to the place where I was waiting his answer. Here he endeavored to 
palliate his offences by various mean arts and low subterfuges, but 
appeared averse to decide our dispute by arms. After some conversation, he 
acquainted me that he would send an immediate answer to the post-office. 
We then parted. Soon after we met again in the street, and, taking a walk 
on Church Hill, he handed me the following letter, which is indeed too 
ridiculous to need a comment:

Page 182

"Sir--I received your note by Mr. Micnamara, in which you say I insulted 
you and must give you satisfaction. That I cannot do in your present 
situation, perhaps (altho', if possible, I am determined never to fight a 
duel), yet had you addressed me unconnected with Mr. Goddard, I might have 
thought myself obliged to accept your invitation, however it might have 
been against my inclination. At present I cannot think it consistent to 
wait on you. I should be sorry to think I had insulted you intentionally.

"Yours,

Sam. Smith. 
"Col. Oswald."
"On perusal of the above letter, I acquainted Col. Smith that its contents 
were totally unsatisfactory, and that nothing short of the most ample 
concessions for the injustice he had done me, should swerve me from my 
purpose of exposing him to the world, since he had declined fighting me. 
He then asked me whether I intended to publish the transaction, which, on 
assuring him I would, he requested I would suspend it for a few days, to 
give him an opportunity to consider farther of my demand. To this I 
consented, so far as not to publish the affair in Tuesday's paper. As my 
reputation may suffer by a longer silence, I think it now becomes me to 
lay this short statement of what hath happened before the public, leaving 
Colonel Smith to exercise his address and ingenuity, in strengthening his 
nerves and in redeeming his character, though it appears at present to be 
a worthless one. A celebrated writer having justly observed that he is but 
a dauber who writes rogue and rascal under his picture. I shall therefore, 
after exhibiting this portraiture of Col. Smith, submit it to the public 
to fix those epithets upon him which they shall think he merits.

"I am, the public's devoted humble servant,
Eleazer Oswald."

"Annapolis, 15th July, 1779.

Mr. William Goddard, on the 17th of July, published another declaration, 
in which he said: "By publishing certain queries, political and military, 
in the Maryland Journal of the 6th inst., I have not transgressed against, 
truth, justice, or my duty as a good citizen; and, as I have never given 
just cause or offence to his Excellency Gen. Washington, or the good 
people of this town, I have no reparation to make them, or pardon to 
solicit."

A society was formed by the principal merchants, and contributions were 
made by them in October, to the amount of £93,000, to be employed in 
reducing the price of salt by retail, which article they bought and sold 
at about forty-five pounds, or 120 dollars per bushel, paper money, 
reserving only the expenses.

David McMechen and Mark Alexander, Esqs., succeeded Messrs. Smith and 
Chase as delegates, and Joseph Baxter, Esq., is elected sheriff, in place 
of Mr. Stevenson, whose term had expired.

Mr. Edward Biddle, one of the representatives of Pennsylvania in Congress, 
died here while on a visit to his relatives.

Page 183

We find the following publication in the Maryland Gazette of Jan. 5th, 
1779, in relation to Capt. Norwood, who was court-martialled and dismissed 
from service for disobedience of orders. It was followed by another of 
March 1st, 1780, which shows the feeling of certain Continental officers 
towards Gen. Smallwood:

"For the Maryland Gazette:

"Mr. Printer:--As I have been dismissed from a service to which a love of 
country had attached me, and apprehensive the public would not (without 
evidence to the contrary) discriminate between me and those who have been 
dismissed for dishonorable conduct, I beg leave to assure them through 
your paper, that I have suffered this heavy misfortune for only saying 
General Smallwood was a partial man and no gentleman. The following 
certificate voluntarily given me, will satisfy them of the general tenor 
of my conduct, and I reserve myself to a proper time, to lay open to the 
world the whole proceedings of the several Courts which have led to my 
dismission, where, I am sorry to say, such a system of despotism will 
appear to be springing up in our army, that an officer who does his duty 
ever so exactly, and has neglected to pay a servile court to a haughty 
superior, holds his commission by a very precarious tenure. I am, Sir, 
yours and the public's most humble servant,

"Edward Norwood.

"Dec. 28th, 1778."

"The officers of the 2d Maryland brigade do testify that Captain Norwood, 
(who is discharged the service by the sentence of a court-martial on a 
disagreement with Gen. Smallwood) during the campaigns in which he served 
with us, has ever conducted himself in such a manner as to command our 
warmest friendship and esteem, as an officer and a man of honor; and that 
notwithstanding his dismission, is and ought to be, esteemed as a 
gentleman, and valued as a warm friend and advocate for the liberties of 
his country.

"Second Regiment: Thomas Price, Col.; Lilbourn Williams, Capt.; James 
McCalmont, Surgeon; Hezekiah Ford, Ensign; Edward Edgely, Adjutant; John 
Gassaway, Lieut.; Edward Dyer, Lieut. and B. Q. M.; Benjamin Price, 
Lieut.; John Read, Ensign; James Ewing, Lieut.

"Fourth Regiment: Josias Carvel Hall, Col.; Samuel Smith, Lieut.-Col.; 
John E. Howard, Major; Alexander L. Smith, Capt.; Thomas Lansdale, Capt.; 
Joseph Burgess, Capt.; Edward Oldham, Capt.; James Smith, Lieut.; John S. 
Belt, Lieut.; Edward Spurrier, Lieut.; Thomas Cromwell, Lieut.; Adam 
Hoops, Lieut.; Stephen Shelmedine, Lieut.; John Hamilton, Ensign; 
Nathaniel Twining, Ensign; John Bowen, Ensign; Parker H. Lee, Ensign; John 
Hartshorn, Adjutant; Richard Pindell, Surgeon; William Riley, Lieut.

"Sixth Regiment: Otho H. Williams, Col.; Benjamin Ford,

Page 184

Lieut.-Col.; Andrew Hynes, Capt.; Henry Dobson, Capt.; James Bruff, 
Lieut.; Joshua Miles, Capt.; Jacob Norris, Lieut.; Richard Donovan, 
Adjutant; George Jacobs, Lieut.; Benjamin Wright, Lieut.; Charles Beaver, 
Lieut.; Thomas Parran, Surgeon.

"German Regiment: Ludwick Weltner, Lieut.-Col.; Daniel Buchores, Major; 
George Hubley, Capt.; Peter Boyer, Capt.; Charles Baltzel, Capt.; Bernard 
Hubley, Capt.; Michael Boyer, Capt.; Martin Shughart, Lieut.; Christian 
Myers, Capt.; James F. Armstrong, Chaplain."

"Camp, March 1st, 1780.

"To William Smallwood, Esq., Brigadier-General:

"Sir:--We have no doubt but the joint assertion of a small number of 
inferior officers will be as much credited, by that part of mankind who 
have spirit to think for themselves, as the mere ipse dixit of a 
brigadier; therefore, choose only to remark, that your scurrilous 
observations on the testimony we gave of our favorable opinion of Capt. 
Norwood, discovers the malevolence and presumption, more than the probity 
and liberality of your mind.

"With due respect, we are yours, Otho H. Williams, Benjamin Price, 
Benjamin Ford, Edward Edgerly, John E. Howard, Hezekiah Foard, Harry 
Dobson, William Reily, James Bruff, Adam Hoops, Thomas Parran, John 
Hamilton, R. Donovan, John Hartshorn, Lil Williams, Richard Pendleton, 
John Gassaway.

"N. B.--The other gentlemen, whom you took occasion to abuse in your 
ungentlemanly performance of 105 pages, are out of camp."

The winter of 1779 to '80 being the severest known in Baltimore up to this 
time, navigation was closed by ice until the 9th of March. The suffering 
poor were relieved at their own houses by distributions of meal and fuel; 
£9000 being subscribed by the more fortunate inhabitants for their relief.

Thomas Sollers, Esq., was appointed naval officer, and was authorised to 
grant registers for vessels.

Matthew Ridley, Esq., of the house of Ridley and Pringle, was authorised 
to borrow and negotiate a loan in Holland for the use of the State. Such 
were the difficulties attending the transition of our currency to another, 
that seizures of provisions for the troops were authorised, which in 
ordinary times would have been intolerable; and the rate of the levy 
which, in the early part of the year, had been fixed at one-fourth of the 
whole valuation of the taxable property, was reduced to one and one-half 
per cent, with the option of paying wheat at seven shillings and sixpence, 
tobacco at twenty shillings, &c., and a scale of depreciation for the 
settlement of public and private contracts was established on equitable 
principles.

It appears that no body of men ever watched over the interests of a 
community of which they were members, with a more sleepless

Page 185

or intense anxiety, than did the merchants of Baltimore during the 
Revolutionary struggle. They were among the first to suggest the measures 
which were necessary to be adopted to meet the crisis; they were never 
backward with their means in giving efficacy to these measures, and the 
march of armies, the equipment of vessels of war, were accelerated by 
their unceasing exertions. Indeed, such was the reputation they had 
acquired for their patriotism abroad, that when it was determined that a 
detachment of troops from Gen. Washington's army should be sent to the 
south, under the command of Marquis de la Fayette, Congress confided in 
the merchants of Baltimore supplying them with such flour as they might 
want in case of need, passing through Baltimore, which was on their way. 
Mr. Pickering, at that time Quartermaster-General, and Mr. Charles 
Stewart, Commissary-General, in a letter addressed to Mr. Samuel 
Purviance, advising of this intended movement of the army, under the 
Command of the Marquis, says: "We shall make no further apology at present 
for giving you this trouble, as we are assured of your readiness to do 
essential service to your country on every occasion." The army of the 
Marquis came to Baltimore, on its way to Virginia, and received not only 
the flour which the above letter looked to have supplied here, but a 
considerable sum of money was raised by subscription, and paid over to him 
for the purpose of purchasing materials for the clothing of his army. It 
is due to the memory of the ladies of that day, in our town, to record the 
fact, that that clothing was principally made up by their fair hands. When 
the Marquis reached Baltimore, his destitution was not confined to the 
want of flour, but for nearly all the equipments without which no army can 
ever be efficacious. There was but little money at that time in the State 
treasury, and the supply which was furnished by the patriotic gentlemen of 
Baltimore, is thus acknowledged in a letter from Thomas Sim Lee, Esq., 
Governor of Maryland, addressed to Robert Purviance, Matthew Ridley, and 
William Patterson, Esqrs.: "We very much applaud the zeal and activity of 
the gentlemen of Baltimore, and think their readiness to assist the 
executive, at a time when they were destitute of the means of providing 
those things, which were immediately necessary for the detachment under 
the command of the Marquis de la Fayette, justly entitle them to the 
thanks of the public."

The movements of Earl Cornwallis in August gave reason to apprehend that 
he meant to make an invasion of Maryland and possess himself of Baltimore. 
In consequence of this apprehension, there assembled in the town a force 
of about 2800 men. These came from this and adjacent counties, within two 
days after the alarm. Advice was soon after received that the destination 
of Cornwallis was to Virginia, in consequence of which these troops were 
dismissed. This was the last serious alarm which excited the people of 
Baltimore during the war. The events which occurred

Page 186

soon after in Virginia gave a hope that the end for which they struggled 
was near at hand.

General Lincoln had been obliged to surrender Charleston 12th May, 1780, 
and the three Southern States seemed to have been entirely lost to the 
Union, when General Gates took command of the Southern army, including all 
the troops from Delaware and Maryland south; and notwithstanding the 
determined valor of these troops, the disasters at Camden and other 
places, where the Maryland Line suffered severely, made it necessary to 
recall Major-General Gates, and place that department under the command of 
Major-General Nathaniel Greene. The new commander-in-chief of the Southern 
army passed through Baltimore with M. Gen. Baron Steuben on the 6th of 
November.

The following letter was written by Major David Poe, Quartermaster in 
Baltimore, of whom Gen. Lafayette always spoke so kindly in his visits to 
this city:

"Baltimore Town, 18th February, 1780.

"Sir:--I make bold to trouble you with a few lines, to let you know that 
my situation at present is difficult in purchasing forage to supply the 
public demand in this place. I have bought some grain and hay within these 
few days, but am under some apprehension that I may be troubled for 
acting, as I have not received your Excellency's license since the late 
law passed. I beg that you would let me know by the bearer if I may expect 
them or not, that I may conduct myself accordingly. I have purchased what 
is done with my own money, and need not apply to the Quartermaster-General 
for cash until I have your license. This post requires a large quantity of 
forage to supply it, besides many more articles in the department a 
wanting, so that a supply of cash in a short time will be necessary. The 
recruits at this place are in great want of camp-kettles; there is not one 
belonging to the United States in this town. If you would please to send 
an order to Capt. Keyport to deliver a few in his charge, belonging to the 
State, it would give content among the men. Relying on your assistance in 
the above matter,

"I am, with due respect, your Excellency's most obedient and humble 
servant,

David Poe. 
"Thomas Sim Lee, Esq."
Mr. Poe was a faithful officer, and was held in great estimation by all 
who had business to transact with him. Such was his devotion to his 
country that it was almost proverbial; and so unabated was it, long after 
the peace was proclaimed, that by the public sentiment he became a 
brevetted general, and in his latter days was better known as General Poe 
than by any other name.

During this year the Legislature made provision for the defence of the bay 
by equipping one large galley, one sloop or schooner, and

Page 187

four large barges, and for recruiting the army, besides calling out 1200 
militia volunteers. They also contributed largely among themselves to 
supply the soldiers with necessaries for a campaign, as the following 
subscription list will show:

"Annapolis, June 16th, 1780.

"The General Assembly having, by the act for a loan, called on the 
citizens of this State to advance paper money, tobacco, or specie, to 
assist their country in the present hour of distress and difficulty, we, 
the subscribers, members of the Senate and House of Delegates, have 
subscribed the sum of paper money, tobacco, or specie, to our names 
respectively annexed, according to our abilities and circumstances, to be 
paid on or before the twentieth day of July next:

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