Chronicles of Baltimore - Part 7



Page 235 continued

1784. The winter of 1783--4 proved exceedingly severe; the bay was closed 
by ice almost to the mouth of it, and the harbor, which closed the 2d of 
January, was not clear to admit vessels until the 25th of March--nor then, 
but with much labor in cutting passages--which was sixteen days later than 
in 1780. At both periods much injury was sustained by the shipping in the 
bay and on the coast, and considerable sums were collected to relieve the 
poor. It was stated that the winter had been very moderate in Nova Scotia, 
while at New Orleans the river Mississippi was fast closed with ice, which 
had not been known there before. During the year, the Roman Catholic 
congregation having much increased, the Rev. Mr. Charles Sewall settled in 
Baltimore, and a considerable addition was made to their church on 
Saratoga street.

William Murphy, a bookseller, succeeded in establishing a circulating 
library on the south side of Baltimore street, one door east of Calvert, 
which was soon after purchased and continued by Mr. Hugh Barkley.

Peter Carnes, Esq., exhibited the novel spectacle of raising a balloon 
from Howard's Park.

Up to this period, the old and single market-house at the corner of Gay 
and Baltimore streets had sufficed for Baltimore, but now the inhabitants 
of Old Town and Fell's Point, those on Howard's Hill, and those in the 
centre of the settlements, began to dispute about the site for enlarged 
accommodations for the traffic in provisions. It was soon seen that one 
market would no longer satisfy the three widely-separated classes of 
population, and it was therefore wisely resolved that each should be 
accommodated. In early times it had been intended to get rid of "the 
marsh" on Mr. Harrison's property at the junction of Harrison and 
Baltimore streets, by thoroughly excavating it so as to form a dock 
connecting with the Basin, and extending the whole distance thence to our 
principal street. This scheme was now abandoned, and the executors of Mr. 
Harrison offering to appropriate the space in Harrison

Page 236

street, the inhabitants of the neighborhood subscribed money to erect a 
market-house on the site of our present Maryland Institute. It was 
accordingly resolved to build one market-house in Hanover street, one at 
Fell's Point, and the chief and largest of the three on Harrison street 
upon the bed of the old swamp. These improvements were undertaken and 
completed at once. A great benefaction was conferred upon the town by the 
draining of the marsh, which was successfully accomplished. A large force 
of masons and carpenters was employed to raise the building, and lo! where 
the bulrush and the water-lily grew, and the wild fowl fed, and the 
ortolan and rail flocked amongst reeds, a grand structure arose and loomed 
upon the sight of admiring citizens. A vast roof, supported on brick 
pillars, spread out its broad shelter over a pavement of brick; and 
behold, a new architectural glory! Full many a good-living, provident 
townsman, fond of creature comforts, and skilful to discern their 
qualities, has, since that day, replenished his basket and store with the 
choicest of this world's dainties at the stalls of the Marsh market; 
officially this is known as the Centre market, but the draining of the 
swamp lingered so strongly upon the memory of the last generation, and so 
struck its fancy, that they were not willing to give up a name which so 
significantly suggested its origin. The three market-houses yet survive, 
enlarged and improved, to contribute to the comfort of the city, and to 
remind us of the thrift and foresight of our ancestors.

A new survey was now ordered to be made of the town, and the inhabitants 
began to discuss the necessity of a charter.

Messrs. Garts and Leypold erected a sugar refinery on Peace alley, the 
east side of Hanover street, between Conway and Camden streets; and John 
Frederick Amelung arrived with a number of glass manufacturers from 
Germany, and erected an extensive factory on the Monocacy, and in 1799 was 
established by his son on the south side of the basin.

We have heretofore mentioned that young Barney was the first individual to 
unfurl the banner of the Union in his native State, in October, 1775; it 
is a remarkable coincidence that he was also the last officer to quit its 
service, in July, 1784, having been for many months before the only 
officer retained by the United States. His native city, Baltimore, was the 
scene of both incidents.

Mr. James Rumsey, of Cecil county, procured the exclusive privilege of 
this State for making and vending boats to be propelled with or against 
currents by steam, then lately invented. During this year a man navigated 
a large canoe from the Susquehanna into the basin, by turning a crank with 
a water-wheel on each side, which mechanism, as then applied, is like the 
construction of our present steamboats. Five years after Mr. Cruse erected 
a steam mill near Pratt street wharf, but the experiment failed.

The Marquis de la Fayette visiting General Washington, was

Page 237

entertained in Baltimore by a public dinner on the first of September, and 
received and answered the following congratulatory address from the 
citizens; at which time the Legislature declared the Marquis and his heirs 
male forever citizens of Maryland:

"Sir:--While the citizens of Baltimore embrace the present occasion of 
expressing their pleasure in again seeing you among them, they feel the 
liveliest emotions of gratitude for the many services you have rendered 
their country. They can never forget the early period in which you engaged 
in our cause, when our distressed and precarious situation would have 
deterred a less noble and resolute mind from so hazardous an enterprise: 
nor the perseverance and fortitude with which you shared the fatigues and 
sufferings of a patriotic army. They especially shall never cease to 
remember that the safety of their town is owing to those superior military 
virtues which you so conspicuously displayed against a formidable enemy 
during your important command in Virginia. But your love for this country 
has not terminated with the war. You have laid us under fresh obligations 
by your successful representations, to free trade from those shackles that 
abridge mutual intercourse. To that profound veneration and gratitude 
which we entertain for the singular interposition of your nation and its 
illustrious monarch, we have only to add our sincere wishes that you may 
long enjoy that glory which you, in particular, have so justly merited.

"In the name and behalf of the citizens of Baltimore, we have the honor to 
be, with sentiments of the greatest respect, Sir, your most obedient 
servants,

"John Smith, 
"Samuel Purviance, 
"James Calhoun, 
"Tench Tilghman, 
"Nicholas Rogers."

The General's answer:

"Gentlemen:--Your affectionate welcome makes me feel doubly happy in this 
visit, and I heartily enjoy the flourishing situation in which I find the 
town of Baltimore. Amidst the trying times which you so kindly mention, 
permit me with a grateful heart to remember, not only your personal 
exertions as a volunteer troop, your spirited preparations against a 
threatening attack, but also a former period when, by your generous 
support, an important part of the army under my command was forwarded--
that army to whose perseverance and bravery, not to any merit of mine, you 
are merely indebted. Attending to American concerns, gentlemen, it is to 
me a piece of duty as well as a gratification to my feelings. In the 
enfranchisement of four ports and their peculiar situation, it was 
pleasing to France to think a new convenience is thereby offered to a 
commercial intercourse, which every recollection must

Page 238

render pleasing, and which from its own nature and a mutual goodwill, 
cannot fail to prove highly advantageous and extensive. Your friendly 
wishes to me, gentlemen, are sincerely returned, and i shall ever rejoice 
in every public and private advantage that may attend the citizens of 
Baltimore.

"With every sentiment of an affectionate regard, I have the honor to be, 
gentlemen, your obedient humble servant,

"La Fayette."

During the year it was found necessary to secure the ground in front of 
the First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of North and Fayette streets, 
with a brick wall. It was at first sloped and graded, and enclosed with a 
wood paling, and then the brick wall was erected, and the steps and paved 
walks were made.

A company was incorporated to cut a canal from the basin at Charles street 
to the cove in Ridgely's Addition, and which could have been then 
effected, as was then supposed, by the brick-makers of the vicinity, free 
from expense to the public, if not opposed by some of the proprietors of 
the ground through which the canal would pass.

In November the General Assembly passed an Act for the establishment and 
regulation of a night watch, and the erection of lamps in Baltimore town.

1785. John O'Donnell, Esq., arrived from Canton in the ship Pallas, on the 
9th of August, with a full cargo of China goods, being the first direct 
importation from thence into this port, the value of which he realised 
here. Mr. O'Donnell gave the name of Canton to that section of Baltimore 
still called so from its Chinese rival.

Regular packets to and from Norfolk, Va., were established by Capt. Joseph 
White, and others of this place, during this year.

Mr. Harrison's wharf before spoken of, was extended each side of South 
street, by Daniel Bowley, one of his executors, and it thence became known 
by the name of Bowley's wharf. Messrs. Purviance, McLure, Thomas, and 
Samuel Hollingsworth, William Smith, and Jesse Hollingsworth's wharves, 
and the private wharves generally, with Cheapside, were extended, and 
piles, with the machine for driving them, were introduced by the builders 
of wharves.

During this year, steps were taken by the First Presbyterian Church for 
procuring the burial-ground on the corner of Greene and Fayette streets.

Richard Ridgely, Esq., who had moved from Anne Arundel County, and been 
some time a member of the Baltimore bar, was appointed one of the 
delegates of this State in Congress.

Col. Howard, and George Lux, Esq., presented the commissioners a lot of 
ground on the west side of the town, for the interment of strangers, which 
is sanctioned by Act of Assembly.

No companies were yet chartered for insuring vessels and property

Page 239

at sea, but policies prepared by Hercules Courtenay were subscribed by 
merchants and other individuals, to very large amounts. Similar insurances 
were effected afterwards on policies prepared by Capt. Keeports.

Capt. Philip Graybell was elected sheriff for the ensuing year, by a poll 
for the town and county of 984 votes, after a severe contest with Henry 
Stevenson, who had 859 votes, and Capt. Edward Oldham 837, and several 
other candidates; but no opposition was made to the return of the sitting 
members of the Assembly.

The general meetings of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, in Maryland 
continued to be held at West River and Treadhaven until the 4th of the 6th 
month, 1785, when, in accordance with a minute of adjournment of the 
previous yearly meeting at Third-haven, as it was now called, it was for 
the first time held at Baltimore Town. It had now become strictly an 
annual or yearly meeting, and was held the next year, 1786, at Thirdhaven; 
in 1787 again at Baltimore Town; in 1788 at Thirdhaven; and in the 6th 
month, 1789, for the third time at Baltimore Town, and from that period 
has continued to be held in this city, the autumn being chosen for the 
time, instead of early summer as heretofore. The present meeting-house, at 
the corner of Aisquith and Fayette streets, was built in 1780, and the 
particular meeting moved thereto in January, 1781, from an older house 
which stood on the site of the Quaker burying-ground on the Harford 
turnpike, a short distance beyond the present city limits. The older 
meeting was called "Patapsco," and the lot of ground it occupied was given 
by Joseph Taylor. This meeting is first mentioned in the old manuscripts 
in 1703; but it was then probably held at a private house. Mr. John Giles, 
the first of the family of that name, who have since occupied a prominent 
position in the State of Maryland, settled near the present site of 
Baltimore about 1700, and at his house the Quakers held their meetings. 
His son, Jacob Giles, erected a large brick dwelling about three miles 
from Havre de Grace, which is still standing, and in its octagon hall the 
Friends of Harford County held their meetings for many years. No vestige 
of the building known as Patapsco Meeting now remains; but the ground is 
still used as a cemetery by both of the sections into which the Society is 
now divided. Aged persons recollect the earliest yearly meetings in this 
city, when the throngs attending were so great that a large tent was 
erected for their accommodation on the then green lots south of the 
present site of the Second Presbyterian Church, at the corner of East 
Baltimore and Lloyd streets. The Quaker meeting-house on the south side of 
Lombard street, between Howard and Eutaw streets, was erected in 1805, and 
the one at the northwest intersection of Saratoga and Courtland streets 
was erected in 1830.

1786. At the extreme northern end of Calvert street, one sees at this 
date, 1873, on a bank elevated some twenty feet or more

Page 240

above the level of the street, a spacious and venerable mansion. It 
consists of a stately pile in the centre two stories in height, with a 
colonnade or portico in the rear, connecting with a wing on either hand, 
these wings themselves as large as many of the modern dwelling-houses. 
This noble residence at once arrests the eye, standing as it does at cross 
angles with the lines of the adjacent streets; it further interests the 
visitor as a building which dates back to Revolutionary days, erected as 
it was by Colonel John Eager Howard, one of the famous officers of the 
"old Maryland Line." Shorn of its former wide domain, it still seems to 
bid defiance to the enclosing city, from which it was once remote, 
although it is evident that its destruction is only a question of time. 
Some prosaic city surveyor will at length condemn it, for the line of 
Calvert street passes directly through the site of the house; and some 
ruthless commissioner of paving will drive his carts and set his curb-
stones beneath the spot on which the mansion stands. Bounded by the square 
formed by North, Chase, and Eager streets, and on the north by an alley; 
with some few lordly forest-trees still remaining like guardians of the 
past, is all that yet belongs to the once princely estate of "Belvedere."

When Col. Howard, at the successful close of the Revolutionary war, came 
back to his ancestral seat, laying aside the sword for the peaceful 
pleasures of the country gentleman, he determined on building a "proper 
house and home," and accordingly the north wing of the present mansion was 
erected in 1786. The family resided in this and the southern wing for some 
years, the centre or main house not being completed until 1794. The front 
of the mansion faced the northwest, the colonnade in the rear looked to 
the southeast, but in all directions noble vistas of park scenery opened 
to the view. The vast estate, part of the original "Howard's Patent," 
stretched from near the line of Pratt street to South street and Eutaw 
streets inclusive, thence northerly to the lines of Jones Falls; and 
although the growing "Baltimore Town" had greatly encroached on this 
domain, still at the period when Col. Howard built his house it was a 
country seat, the forest trees covering all the lines of the present 
North, Mulberry, and Eutaw streets; while to Jones Falls and far beyond no 
speculators in corner lots had dreamed of a city. In 1781 the Duke de 
Lauzan's legion encamped where the Cathedral now stands, and even a number 
of years later one of the principal gates to Belvedere was on the line of 
Franklin street, and about where the Maryland Club now stands. Had the 
Howard family been possessed of the commercial spirit of the Rothschilds 
or the Marquis of Westminster, their estates this day would be worth many 
millions of dollars, for all the great lines of Eutaw, Howard, Park, 
Cathedral, Charles, St. Paul's, Calvert and North streets, with the 
crossing avenues, peopled by the wealthiest men of Baltimore, would 
produce prodigious sums in ground rents alone. But in this country at 
least,

Page 241

it is rare that vast landed estates are managed with that skill and 
foresight which ensure wealth to successive generations.

Uniting the triumphs of the patriot soldier to princely fortune, Colonel 
Howard was most happy in his domestic relations. His wife, Margaret Chew, 
was the daughter of Mr. Benjamin Chew, of Philadelphia, who was of 
loyalist principles during the Revolution. She was a lady of much 
animation of character and of genial manners, so that Belvedere was 
celebrated during her lifetime for the kindly welcome of its hostess to 
all who had the right of entree. It is an interesting fact, and one by no 
means generally known, that the most friendly relations existed between 
her and the celebrated and unfortunate Major John André, Adjutant-General 
of the British army, and the lamented victim of Arnold's treason. Major 
Andre visited her father's house on terms of the most cordial intimacy, 
and he wrote for her a full account of the "Meschianza," or the celebrated 
tournament and festival which the British officers in Philadelphia planned 
and consummated for the amusement of their fair admirers. This description 
of the revel, entirely in Major Andre's own handwriting, is now in 
possession of Col. Howard's grandson, Mr. Wm. George Read of Baltimore.

Not less hospitable than his wife, Col. Howard took the greatest delight 
in his friends and in stranger visitors. Very few houses in the country, 
and certainly none in Maryland, have received as many distinguished 
personages as Belvedere. It was long before the days of steamboats and 
railroads, and hospitality was then part of the religion of wealth. Not 
only all the best society of Baltimore itself thronged the hails of the 
mansion, but all worthy strangers from the North or South, representatives 
of noted families, were entertained there. The friends and fellow-soldiers 
of the Revolution were welcomed ever; there were Generals Williams, Smith, 
Smallwood, Gist, &c., of the old Maryland Line; Judge Samuel Chase, the 
bosom friend of Col. Howard; the illustrious Carroll, destined to be the 
last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence; the Catons, 
afterward united to British nobles; and all the flower of Maryland. Then 
there were as stranger sojourners the Middletons, the Pinckneys, the 
Lowndeses, the Hugers and the Rutledges of the South; the Quincys, the 
Adamses, the Winthrops and the Otises of the North. La Fayette, on his 
second visit to America in 1823, was entertained at an elegant dejeuner; 
and scarce a Senator or Representative of note from the Eastern States, on 
their periodic visits to Washington, but delighted to visit this chosen 
seat. The earlier Archbishops of Baltimore, and eminent Protestant 
clergymen, Bishop Kemp and Dr. Allison, and the brilliant lights of the 
Baltimore bar, Pinkney, Harper, Wirt, Winder and Taney, were frequent 
guests. Indeed nearly every celebrity, whether of local or foreign 
reputation, found a welcome. The later heroes of the war of 1812 won the 
cordial friendship of the old victor of Cowpens and Eutaw, and it was not 
until 1827 that he ceased forever to dispense his hospitality.

Page 242

His son, the late General Benjamin C. Howard, inherited Belvedere, and for 
a number of years continued the same generous mode of living to which he 
was born. At length in 1841, the estate passed out of the possession of 
the family, being purchased. by the late John S. McKim. By this time it 
had become much curtailed: the enclosing city, like an enemy investing a 
fortress, mined and entrenched and carried by assault outwork aider 
outwork, still drawing his lines continually closer around the doomed 
citadel, the grand old mansion. Only some twenty years have elapsed since 
the great forest trees filled what is now Charles street north of Madison 
street; and on the very line of Charles street, near the corner of Read 
street, the ancient spring-house and dairy of Belvedere were buried 
intact, when the grade of the modern avenue left them some fifteen feet 
beneath the surface.

All the modern glories of "Druid Hill" can never compensate the venerable 
and middle-aged Baltimoreans for the delights of dear old "Howard's Park." 
The haunts of our childhood, the sweet lawns and the shaded dingles, the 
rambles on the hill-sides, the picnics in the dells, the leafy nooks where 
lovers whispered, and the broad spaces where troops manoeuvred, are known 
no more forever; and even the very bounds of the estate can hardly now be 
recalled to memory. In close proximity to Belvedere was the ruined Chase 
house, destroyed by fire very many years before, picturing in its 
desolation those lines of Rogers:

"Mark yon old mansion freeing thro' the trees,
Whose hollow turret wooes the whistling breeze.
The mouldering gateway strews the grass-grown court,
Once the calm scene of many a simple sport;
When all things pleased, for life itself was new,
And the heart promised what the fancy drew."

Those too were the days of processions and encampments and rough of July 
orations, when the speakers really believed in the glories of the 
Republic, and all these things belonged to "Howard's Park;" as well as the 
great political gatherings, including the Famous "Jackson Barbecue," when 
an ox was roasted whole, and even the little truant school-boys were 
welcome to carve and come again. But now, in closing the sketch of this 
interesting and historic mansion, which must erelong wholly disappear, it 
is with a feeling of deep regret that so-much of the brilliant life which 
illumined its salons for half a century had not been chronicled in a 
complete and worthy manner by the late Gen. Benjamin C. Howard, as he 
intended doing; and that except in our imperfect record, the long array of 
noble names connected with Belvedere must fade away.

After Mr. Harrison's addition to the town in 1747, it became the practice 
to dispose of lots by lewes for long terms, mostly ninety-nine years, 
renewable for ever.

Page 243

The youth of Baltimore intended for the learned professions hitherto were 
sent abroad, and mostly to schools in Pennsylvania; but now an academy was 
established under the patronage of the Rev. Doctors Carroll, West and 
Allison, on Charles street, where Edward Langworthy taught the classics, 
and Andrew Ellicott of Joseph, Surveyor of the United States, the 
mathematics, natural philosophy, &c., which unfortunately was not long 
continued.

James McHenry resigned his seat in the Senate early in 1786. He was 
succeeded by Daniel Bowley, and at the senatorial election afterwards, 
John Smith was re-elected, with Captain Charles Ridgely, Col. John E. 
Howard, and Richard Ridgely electors for this county and town; and in 
1788, James Carroll, who had moved here from Annapolis, was chosen to fill 
a vacancy, and in November, 1789, Daniel Bowley was again chosen to fill 
another in the Senate.

Died on Wednesday, February 22d, Richard Moale, in the 46th year of his 
age.

Jesse Hollingsworth, Esq., was elected one of the delegates in the place 
of Mr. Sterrett.

On the 12th of March, 1786, died at his residence in the county, Andrew 
Buchanan, many years Presiding Justice of the County Court, General of the 
militia, and a most meretorious citizen and merchant of Baltimore. William 
Fell, Esq., son of Edward who laid out the Point, and lately a delegate in 
the Assembly, also died.

Owing to the great impositions which daily arose from the exportation and 
sale of unsound salted provisions, and there not being any regulations for 
the prevention of such frauds, the General Assembly passed an Act for the 
inspection of salted pork, beef and fish exported and imported from and to 
the town of Baltimore.

According to the Gazette of this year, there were entered in the port of 
Baltimore 50 ships, 57 brigs, and 160 schooners and sloops; there were 
cleared for foreign ports 20 ships, 57 brigs, and 150 schooners and sloops.

On Friday, the 3d of March, a number of the Citizens of Baltimore Town 
assembled at Grant's tavern, and formed a society for the purpose of 
"encouraging and improving agriculture and other branches of rural 
economy." Harry Dorsey Gough was appointed president, and Zebulon 
Hollingsworth secretary. After the adoption of a constitution, the 
following committee was appointed to prepare an address to the public, 
after which the meeting adjourned: Hon. Daniel Bowley, Hon. Benjamin 
Nicholson, Col. Nicholas Rogers, Zebulon Hollingsworth, Hon. Richard 
Ridgely, Harry Dorsey Gough, Samuel Purviance.

The Association of Tradesmen and Manufacturers in Baltimore Town, from a 
true patriotic spirit, determined to cloths themselves with home 
manufactures. To promote a valuable but

Page 244

much neglected manufacture, they ordered a considerable number of buckskin 
breeches to be made for the use of the Association, "who hope to find 
American woollen and linen sufficient to clothe their families."

The following is taken from The Maryland Gazette, of October 10th. 1786: 
"It would far exceed the limits of our time and paper to give an ample 
detail of the devastation made by the dreadful swelling of the rivers and 
runs, by means of the late rains, on Thursday evening last, October 5th, 
in that part of this town near Jones's Falls, and in the country adjacent. 
Indeed, there are few pens in any degree capable of giving a just 
description of so awful a scene, and which so strikingly evidences the 
power of that great Being who bade the waters flow. At present we can only 
observe, in general, that this alarming flood, which deluged several 
streets in the town, hath far exceeded, by its destructive progress, any 
event of the kind that hath taken place in these parts in the memory of 
the oldest inhabitant living, and that the damage to this town, in houses, 
stores, bridges, wharves, merchandise, and other valuable property, and to 
the country within the compass of 25 miles, in mills, mill-dams, bridges, 
lumber, stock, &c., &c., &c., is estimated, by competent judges, at one 
hundred thousand pounds, specie, at least. But the loss of the lives of 
several hapless people, who were hurried into eternity by the resistless 
force of the mighty waters, is an affecting addition to the calamity. It 
is much to be lamented that the new German Calvinist Church, an elegant 
dome, which hath lately arisen to adorn the town, near the spot where 
Market street bridge lately stood, was amongst the buildings which were 
materially injured by the recent flood." Among the unfortunate persons who 
perished, we find the names of the following: Mr. Alexander Grant, cooper; 
Mr. John Boyce, attorney-at-law; and Mr. Edward Ryan, butcher.

Colonel Tenth Tilghman took an early and active part in the great, contest 
that secured the independence of the United States of America. He was aide-
de-camp to his Excellency (General George Washington, commander-in-chief 
of the American armies, and was honored with his friendship and confidence 
in an unusual degree. He died after a short illness in this city on the 
18th of April, 1786, in the 42d year of his age, and his remains were 
interred in St. Paul's churchyard. Several of General Washington's 
correspondents spoke of his death with much warmth of feeling. Robert 
Morris said: "You have lost in him a most faithful and valuable friend. He 
was to me the same. I esteemed him very much, and I lament his loss 
exceedingly." Lieutenant-Colonel Tilghman, whilst aide to Washington, rode 
express to Philadelphia to carry the dispatches of the chief, announcing 
the joyful tidings to Congress of the surrender of Cornwallis. It was 
midnight when he entered the city, October 23d, 1781. Thomas McKean was 
then president of the Continental Congress, and resided in

Page 245

High street, near Second. Tilghman knocked at his door so vehemently that 
a watchman was disposed to arrest him as a disturber of the peace. Mr. 
Kean arose, and presently the glad tidings were made known. The watchmen 
throughout the city proclaimed the hour, adding "and Cornwallis is taken!" 
The annunciation ringing out upon the frosty night-air, aroused thousands 
from their beds. Lights were seen moving in almost every house, and soon 
the streets were thronged with men and women all eager to hear the 
details. It was a night of great joy in Philadelphia, for the people had 
anxiously awaited intelligence from Yorktown. The old State House bell 
rang out its notes of gladness, and the first blush of morning was greeted 
with the booming of cannon. Congress assembled at an early hour, and the 
grave orators of that august body could hardly repress their huzzas. 
Secretary Thompson read the letter from Washington announcing the 
capitulation of Cornwallis. On motion of Edmund Randolph, Congress 
resolved to go in procession at two o'clock the same day, October 24th, to 
the Dutch Lutheran Church, "and return thanks to Almighty God for crowning 
the allied armies of the United States and France with success."

1787. In this year Messrs. Septimus Noel, Isaac Vanbibber, Robert 
Henderson, Thomas Johnson, Jeremiah Yellot, James Clarke and Thomas 
Elliot, were constituted a board to examine and license pilots, with power 
of renewals, &c., and the rates of pilotage were established.

The Grand Jury, Stephen Wilson, Esq., foreman, had represented the state 
of the roads as a public grievance, and that the usual method of repairs 
was insufficient. The evil had increased, and the Frederick, Reisterstown 
and York roads were laid out anew, for which special and permanent taxes 
were laid and turnpike gates established with rates of toll, towards 
defraying the expense of the county in making and repairing them.

It was also in 1787 that Baltimore street was extended westwardly beyond 
Col. Howard's addition, and an attempt was made to raise a company to 
introduce into the town a copious supply of wholesome water by pipes, but 
was not effected for several years.

Mr. Asbury and the council of the Methodist Church make some progress in 
establishing Sunday schools for persons of all descriptions, free of 
expense.

To procure the country a greater unanimity in council, the protection of 
domestic manufactures and security to its revenue and intercourse with 
foreign nations, a new form of confederacy was happily resorted to, and 
the Constitution of the present General Government, which was formed in 
1787, was signed by James McHenry, Esq., of this city, one of the members 
of the convention, though opposed by his colleague Mr. Martin.

Page 246

On the 1st of January, 1787, died John Sterett, late Delegate and formerly 
Captain of the Independent Company.

Captain G. P. Keeports is appointed Notary Public. Samuel Chase, Esq., 
having moved from Annapolis, is elected delegate in the place of Mr. 
Hollingsworth, and Col. Howard appointed member of Congress.

On the 31st of December, Mr. D. Stodder is robbed between town and Point, 
and after pursuit, five persons were taken and tried, and two, Donelly and 
Mooney, were condemned and executed.

On the 15th of May, an Act was passed by the General Assembly "for the 
more effectual remedy to extinguish fire in Baltimore Town." By this Act, 
every householder was obliged to keep two leather buckets hung up near the 
door of his house, and the commissioners of the town were authorised to 
dig wells and erect pumps on the sides of the streets.

On Saturday, November 24th, was launched at Harris Creek, in this town, by 
Mr. Stodder, the ship Goliath, of six hundred tons, the property of 
Abraham Vanbibber, who destined her for the East India trade.

Mr. Oliver Evans' newly invented steam carriage, elevator and hopper-boy, 
were patented by the Assembly, and the two last generally introduced into 
the mills about Baltimore, although some of the mill-owners claimed 
originality.

At a meeting of the committees from the several fire companies in 
Baltimore Town, viz.: The Mechanical, Mercantile, Union, and Friendship, 
at the house of Mr. Daniel Grant, on Saturday evening, March 17th, 1787, 
William Smith, Esq., in the chair, they "Resolved, That this committee 
recommend to the inhabitants of this town, that they put lights in their 
windows in time of fire in the night, not only near where the fire is, but 
generally throughout the town, for the convenience of those who are 
repairing to the fire. Resolved, That it be recommended to every 
housekeeper, where one of the family is not enrolled in some fire company, 
to provide, as soon as possible, two good leather buckets, marked with the 
owner's name, and that they send them to the place of fire immediately on 
the alarm being given. Resolved, That each fire company appoint any number 
of men of their own company, for lane-men, who shall each be distinguished 
by a white staff eight feet long, whose business it shall be to form lanes 
for the purpose of handing the water. Resolved, that each fire company 
appoint any number of men of their own company, for property-men, who 
shall each be distinguished by having the crown of his hat painted white, 
and whose business it shall be to take the charge of property to be 
removed in time of fire. The secretary of each company is desired to 
transmit to each secretary of other companies, a list of the names of 
those who shall be appointed to the offices of lane-men and property-men 
of his company. John Weatherburn, Secretary."

About this year a military company was raised by Captain,

Page 247

afterwards Col. Mackenheimer, of the Continental army, which company was 
afterwards commanded for many years by Captain John Schrim. The uniform 
was light-blue, faced with white They paraded on the ground now covered by 
the Front Street Theatre, and when the Western insurrection broke out, 
they volunteered their services in a body, and served through that short 
campaign, occupying the honorable post, it is said, of Washington's body-
guard. They took the name of "The First Baltimore Light Infantry," which 
name they retained for a great number of years, and occupied the right of 
the first battalion of the old 5th regiment. About the year 1792 several 
companies were raised. Among these were the Independent Company, Capt. 
Stricker; the Mechanical Company, Captain Coulson; the Baltimore Sans 
Culottes, Capt. Jas. A. Buchanan; a Rifle Company, Capt. Jessup; and some 
other names not now known. These, when the State militia was organized, 
constituted the Fifth Regiment. About the same time another association 
was formed, which had the name of "The First Baltimore Battalion," under 
the command of Major, subsequently Col. Lowry. This contained a company of 
grenadiers, Capt. Hugh Thompson; two companies of hatmen (as they were 
called) wearing cocked-hats; and a company of light infantry, Capt. Wm. 
Robb. This association adopted a beautiful French uniform -- blue, faced 
with red and edged with white, white vest and breeches, black knee-bands, 
short-laced boots, and white cotton hose. There was associated with them a 
troop of horse, commanded by Captain Jehu Bowen; uniform green, faced with 
red. This body on parade made a splendid appearance, and were drilled 
twice a week in citizen's dress, on the west side of Harford run, near old 
Trinity Church -- this afterwards became the 27th Regiment. The first 
rifle company adopted the dress of Morgan's Riflemen of the Continental 
army--hunting shirt, with a profusion of fringe. The second rifle company 
was raised by Capt. Reese, father of Mr. John Reese, who was for many 
years President of the Firemen's Insurance Company; uniform green faced 
with yellow. There was also at this time a splendid troop of horse, 
commanded by Captain Ruxton Moore; uniform blue and buff. In this troop 
were several gentlemen who had belonged to Palaski's Legion. The uniform 
of the Sans Culottes, afterwards called the Independent Blues, was copied 
from the marine uniform of the frigate Astrea, then lying in our port. It 
was worn buttoned close to the body, with the cartouche-belt inside. It 
was the first company that adopted pantaloons, breeches and stockings 
being then universally worn.

In the year 1794 the Western insurrection broke out, and a requisition for 
Baltimore troops was made by the Governor, in consequence of a report that 
the insurgents, as they were called, had assembled in considerable numbers 
near Cumberland, and that their design was to seize the arms belonging to 
the State, deposited in

Page 248

an arsenal near Frederick. The order came on Sunday while the people were 
at their several places of worship; and Gen. Samuel Smith, who was in the 
First Presbyterian Church, was called out by an express. When the service 
was over the drums were beating to arms, and the troops were ordered to 
assemble on the parade-ground near Harford run; the Governor's letter was 
read, and the several companies volunteered on the spot. Those of the 
Fifth Regiment were ordered to parade at the court-house on Monday morning 
at nine o'clock, and to furnish themselves with knapsacks and blankets. 
They paraded according to order, and took up the line of march under the 
command of Colonel Stricker; the Twenty-seventh Regiment followed on 
Tuesday morning. Knapsacks of coarse linen were made on the spur of the 
occasion (for the troops were not at that time furnished with them), and 
marked with the members' respective names in ink.

In the year 1798, on a prospect of a war with France, a considerable 
revival took place among the volunteers; old companies were filled up and 
new ones were formed. A meeting of the Sans Culottes was called, the name 
changed to "The Baltimore Independent Blues," and a number of new members 
added. Captain Buchanan having been promoted to a major, Lieutenant Reuben 
Etting was chosen captain, and Standish Barry lieutenant, and Swallen 
Barry ensign. Shortly after a band was formed in the company, which made 
it very popular, and it continued to increase more and more until the 
attack on the Chesapeake in 1806, when another revival took place, and 
shortly after it became necessary to form it into two companies. 
Additional officers were elected, and the company provided themselves with 
painted knapsacks, numbered and lettered. It was in the year 1798, when on 
his way to Trenton to organize the army, that the troops were reviewed by 
General Washington. The line was formed in Market (now Baltimore) street, 
the left resting on the corner of Light street, and the right near South 
street. The General, accompanied by Generals Smith and Swann, passed the 
line on foot. He was not in uniform, but in a plain suit of black, with 
his hair in a black silk bag with a rosette. The line afterwards passed 
him while standing on the steps of the Fountain Inn, then kept by Briden.

1788. The ship Chesapeake, of Baltimore, was the first American Vessel 
allowed to hoist the colors of the United States in the river Ganges, and 
to trade there. This was in the fall of 1788. Lord Cornwallis was then 
Gov.-General of the British possessions in India, and being, at the time 
of the ship's arrival, at a great distance in the interior, he was applied 
to by letter to know in what manner the flag of the new nation of America 
was to be received. He answered, on the same footing with those of other 
nations.

On Saturday, May 17th, Capt. John de Corse was killed in a schooner 
belonging to him, employed as a packet between this city and Chestertown. 
Two men, Patrick Cassidy and John Webb,

Page 249

were shortly after arrested for the commission of the deed, and were 
executed.

The Legislature elected Col. Howard, Governor of the State in November, 
1788, and he was re-elected the two succeeding years.

James McHenry and Doctor John Coulter were elected to the Assembly after a 
warm contested election, 600 to 500 votes, and Thomas Rutter was elected 
sheriff.

On the 6th of July, the lightning killed a woman and two children between 
town and Point.

A criminal court was organized for the county and town, consisting of five 
justices, Samuel Chase being appointed chief justice, John Moale, William 
Russell, Otho H. Williams, and Lyde Goodwin; and last of whom were George 
Salmon, George G. Presbury, Job Smith, and Nicholas Rogers. William 
Gibson, clerk of the county, was clerk and the sheriff for the time being, 
and sheriff of this court also. This court appointed the constables, and 
superintended the night-watch, &c., &c.

On the 17th of September, 1787, the delegates from the several States, who 
had been appointed to meet in convention at Philadelphia for the purpose 
of forming a constitution for the United States, completed their work, and 
sent it forth to their respective constituents for approval or rejection. 
In the State of Maryland, there was found a powerful party opposed to the 
adoption of the constitution, and in the election of delegates to a State 
convention, by whom the important question of concurrence was to be 
decided, the contest between the Federalists, or those who were in favor 
of adopting the constitution, and the Anti-Federalists, or those who were 
for rejecting it, was carried on with a warmth and violence that 
threatened to break asunder all social ties and relations. General 
Washington, writing to Thomas Johnson of Maryland, says: "I have but one 
public wish remaining. It is, that in peace and retirement, I may see this 
country rescued from the danger that is pending, and rise into 
respectability, maugre the intrigues of its public and private enemies." 
At length the day of election came, and the Federalists were victorious; a 
delegate (Mr. McHenry) friendly to the proposed constitution was elected 
to the convention by a large majority, which was considered a triumph over 
the enemies of the country. On the 28th of April, 1788, the State 
convention, after an able and animated debate, which forms a rich and 
lasting monument of the talents that then adorned and enlightened the 
councils of Maryland, passed a resolution to adopt the constitution 
without amendments. In July of the same year, eleven of the States having 
in the meantime declared in favor of the adoption, the instrument was 
confirmed and ratified by Congress. The people everywhere testified their 
joy at this happy event by some public demonstration; in Baltimore, a 
procession was formed on Philpot's Hill under the direction of Captains 
Moore and Plunket, in which both parties, forgetting their recent feuds,

Page 250

joined in fraternal harmony. The mechanical trades, the liberal 
professions, all united in the procession, and respectively displayed 
their appropriate banners. Commodore Barney performed a conspicuous part 
on this occasion. He had a small boat fifteen feet in length, completely 
rigged and perfectly equipped as a ship, which was called the Federalist, 
which being mounted upon four wheels and drawn by the same number of 
horses, took its place in the procession; he commanded the ship, and was 
honored with a crew of captains, who at his word and the boatswain's pipe 
went through all the various manoeuvres of making and taking in sail, to 
the great delight of the crowded windows, doors, and balconies by which 
they passed. The ship was immediately followed by all the captains, mates 
and seamen at that time in the porter Baltimore. It was paraded through 
all the principal streets of Fell's Point, and the other portions of the 
city, and finally anchored on the beautiful and lofty bank southwest of 
the Basin, which from that occurrence received, and has ever since borne 
the name of "Federal Hill." On this spot a dinner had been provided, at 
which four thousand persons sat down together, and made the welkin ring 
with shouts of "huzza for the constitution!" This idea of carrying a full 
rigged ship in procession, originated entirely with Captain Barney. The 
evening was ushered in by a bonfire on Federal Hill, and fireworks. After 
the pageant was over, it was resolved to present the ship to General 
Washington in the name of the merchants and ship-masters of Baltimore. It 
was launched and navigated by Commodore Barney, down the Chesapeake Bay to 
the mouth of the Potomac, and thence up the river to Mount Vernon. General 
Washington received it with the following letter:

"To William Smith and others, of Baltimore:

"Mount Vernon, 8th June, 1788.

"Gentlemen:--Captain Barney has just arrived here in the miniature ship, 
called The Federalist, and has done me the honor to offer that beautiful 
curiosity as a present to me on your part. I pray you, gentlemen, to 
accept the warmest expressions of my sensibility for this specimen of 
American ingenuity, in which the exactitude of the proportions, the 
neatness of the workmanship, and the elegance of the decorations, which 
make your present fit to be preserved in a cabinet of curiosities, at the 
same time that they exhibit the skill and taste of the artists, 
demonstrate that Americans are not inferior to any people whatever in the 
use of mechanical instruments, and the art of ship-building. The unanimity 
of the agricultural State of Maryland in general, as well as of the 
commercial town of Baltimore in particular, expressed in their recent 
decision on the subject of a general government, will not, I persuade 
myself, be without its due efficacy on the minds of their neighbors, who, 
in many instances, are intimately connected, not

Page 251

only by the nature of their produce, but by the ties of blood and the 
habits of life. Under these circumstances, I cannot entertain an idea, 
that the voice of the Convention of this State, which is now in session, 
will be dissonant from that of her nearly allied sister, who is only 
separated by the Potomac. You will permit me, gentlemen, to indulge my 
feelings in reiterating the heart-felt wish, that the happiness of this 
country may equal the desires of its sincerest friends, and that the 
patriotic town, of which you are inhabitants, and in the prosperity of 
which I have always found myself strongly interested, may not only 
continue to increase in the same wonderful manner it has formerly done, 
but that its trade, manufactures, and other resources of wealth, may be 
placed permanently in a more flourishing situation than they have hitherto 
been in.

I am, with respect, &c.,
"Geo. Washington."

Intelligence having been received in Baltimore town on Saturday, June 
28th, of the adoption of the Federal Constitution by the Virginia 
Convention, the news was received with the greatest demonstrations of 
patriotic joy. A discharge of artillery took place on Federal Hill, and on 
board several vessels in the harbor, with a display of fire-works from the 
court-house. After which a number of citizens partook of an elegant 
entertainment at the Fountain Inn, where a number of patriotic toasts were 
drunk on the happy occasion.

On Wednesday, July 23d, this town was the scene of one of the most violent 
storms ever experienced here. The wind at E. N. E., blew with unabated 
fury, accompanied with heavy rain for upwards of twelve hours, which 
occasioned a most dreadful inundation of the sea, that deluged all the 
wharves, stores, and low grounds near the basin and at Fell's Point; 
producing a scene of devastation and horror never before known. "The 
industrious merchant beheld with unavailing regret the fruits of his toil 
and enterprise, in one moment, destroyed by the rage of combined elements. 
Immense quantities of sugar, rice, salt, dry-goods, and other valuable 
merchandise were entirely ruined. The damage cannot at present be 
ascertained with precision, but it is estimated at fifty thousand pounds, 
specie." Mr. James Mackintosh unfortunately lost his life in crossing a 
wharf overflowed with water, He was swept by the force of the waves into 
an adjacent dock where he perished. It is asserted that 40 sail of 
vessels, large and small, were on that day forced ashore at Norfolk, Va.

1789. General Washington, having been unanimously chosen President of the 
United States, arrived in Baltimore on his way to Congress at New York, on 
the 17th of April, with Charles Thomson, Esq., and Colonel Humphries. He 
was met some miles from town by a large, body of respectable citizens on 
horseback, and conducted, under a discharge of cannon, to Mr. Grant's 
tavern through crowds

Page 252

of admiring spectators. At six o'clock, a committee chosen in consequence 
of a late notification to adjust the preliminaries for his reception, 
waited upon him with an address which is given hereafter. A great number 
of citizens were presented, and were graciously received by this 
illustrious and truly great man. Having arrived too late for a public 
dinner, he accepted an invitation to supper, from which he retired a 
little after ten o'clock. The next morning he was in his carriage at half 
past five o'clock, when he left town under a discharge of cannon, and 
attended as on his entrance, by a body of citizens on horseback. These 
gentlemen accompanied him seven miles, when alighting from his carriage he 
would not permit them to proceed any further, but took leave, after 
thanking them in an affectionate and obliging manner for their politeness.

Address to the President of the United States of America:

"Sir:--We feel the honor you have this day conferred on the town of 
Baltimore by favoring it with your presence, infinitely heightened and 
enhanced by the desirable event which has produced it. Happy to behold 
your elevation, permit us to reassure you of our purest love and 
affection. In considering the occasion that has once more drawn you from 
scenes of domestic ease and private tranquillity, our thoughts naturally 
turn on the situation of our country previous to the expedient of the late 
general convention. When you became a member of that body which framed our 
new and excellent constitution, you dissipated the fears of good men who 
dreaded the disunion of States, and the loss of our liberties in the death 
of our enfeebled and expiring confederation. And now, Sir, by accepting 
the high authorities of President of the United States of America, you 
teach us to expect every blessing that can result from the wisest 
recommendations to Congress, and the most prudent and judicious exercise 
of those authorities; thus relieving us in the one instance, from the most 
gloomy apprehensions, as when, in a different capacitor, you recrossed the 
Delaware; and in the other opening to our view the most animating 
prospects, as when you captured Cornwallis. But it is from the tenor of 
your whole life, and your uniform and upright political principles and 
conduct, that we derive the fullest assurance that our hopes will be 
realized.

"Believing that a faithful performance of public engagements is essential 
to the prosperity of a people, and their implicit reliance on the promises 
of government to its stability, we recollect with pleasure your well-known 
sentiments on this subject; and have no doubt but the other branches of 
Congress will concur with you in placing public credit on the most solid 
foundation. We have also every reason to conclude, that under the 
administration of a Washington, the useful and ingenious arts of peace, the

Page 253

agriculture, commerce and manufactures of the United States will be duly 
favored and improved, as being far more certain sources of national wealth 
than the richest mines, and surer means to promote the felicity of a 
people than the most successful wars. Thus, Sir, we behold a new era 
springing out of our independence, and a field displayed where your 
talents for governing will not be obscured by the splendor of the greatest 
military exploits. We behold, too, an extraordinary thing in the annals of 
mankind: a free and enlightened people, choosing by a free election, 
without one dissenting voice, the late Commander-in-Chief of their armies, 
to watch over and guard their civil rights and privileges.

"We sincerely pray that you may long enjoy your present health, and the 
citizens of the United States have frequent opportunities to testify their 
veneration of your virtues, by continuing you through many successive 
elections in the first station of human honor and dignity. In these 
expressions of affection and attachment, we are sensible we do not speak 
the wishes of a town only, but the united feelings of a whole people.

"In behalf of the citizens of Baltimore, we have the honor to be, &c., &c.,

"James McHenry, 
"Nicholas Rogers, 
"Joshua Barney, 
"Paul Bentalau, 
"John Bankson, 
"Isaac Griest, 
R. Smith, 
O. H. Williams, 
Thorowgood Smith, 
William Clemm, 
J. Swan."

President Washington gave to the committee, the following answer:

"Gentlemen: The tokens of regard and affection which I have often received 
from the citizens of this town, were always acceptable, because I believed 
them always sincere. Be pleased to receive my best acknowledgments for the 
renewal of them on the present occasion. If the affectionate partiality of 
my fellow-citizens has prompted them to ascribe greater effects to my 
conduct and character than were justly due, I trust the indulgent 
sentiment on their part will not produce any presumption on mine.

"I cannot now, gentlemen, resist my feelings so much as to withhold the 
communication of my ideas respecting the actual situation and prospect of 
our national affairs. It appears to me that little more than common sense 
and common honesty in the transactions of the community at large, would be 
necessary to make us a great and happy nation. For if the general 
government, lately adopted, shall be arranged and administered in such a 
manner as to acquire the full confidence of the American people, I

Page 254

sincerely believe they will have greater advantages from their natural, 
moral and political circumstances, for public felicity, than any other 
people ever possessed. In the contemplation of those advantages, now soon 
to be realized, I have reconciled myself to the sacrifice of my fondest 
wishes, so far as to enter again the stage of public life. I know the 
delicate nature of the duties incident to the part which I am called to 
perform, and I feel my incompetence, without the singular assistance of 
Providence, to discharge them in a satisfactory manner. But having 
undertaken the task from a sense of duty, no fear of encountering 
difficulties, and no dread of losing popularity, shall ever deter me from 
pursuing what I conceive to be the true interests of my country."

In a report made on the 26th of May by Robert Walsh, John Hammond, Leonard 
Harbough, George Franciscus, and Michael Diffenderffer, Commissioners of 
Baltimore town, we find--"For amount of expenses paid from 10th January, 
1788, to 18th May, 1789, for paving and repairing the streets, buildings, 
and repairing bridges, surveys, clerk and collectors' wages, &c., £2,799."

James McHenry and Samuel Sterritt were elected without opposition 
delegates to the General Assembly.

The wife of General Washington arrived in Baltimore town on Tuesday 
evening, May 19th, and set out early next morning to join her husband in 
New York. She was met at Hammond's Ferry by several of the citizens, and 
received with great demonstrations of affection and respect as her short 
stay admitted. Fire-works were discharged before and after supper, and she 
was serenaded by "an excellent band of music conducted by gentlemen of the 
town. We shall only add, that, like her illustrious husband, she was 
clothed in the manufacture of our country, in which her native goodness 
and patriotism appeared to the greatest advantage."

Died on Monday, June 1st, Dr. Charles Frederick Wiesenthal, in the 63d 
year of his age, after having practised physic in this town for 34 years.

During this year the inhabitants of the town had recourse to lotteries on 
every occasion, to raise means for private and public improvements. We 
find the following, with the sums proposed to be raised:

The Episcopal Parsonage house   £2000 
Pratt Street Wharf   600 
George Dowing's Plate Lottery   1400 
Fell's Point--Paving Streets   6500 
German Parsonage house   1750 
Grist Mill to be worked by a Steam Engine   2000 
Circulating Library   2727 
Centre Market   2727 
Presbyterian Church   2780 
Baltimore Canal (straightening Jones Falls)   965 
George Dowing's Second Lottery   2000 
Set of Bells, German Reformed Church   637

Page 255

The physicians of Baltimore, agreeably to notice, met on the 6th of 
November for the purpose of forming themselves into a body which they 
agreed to distinguish by the tame of "The Medical Society of Baltimore," 
when the following gentlemen were elected officers for the first year: 
President, Doctor Edward Johnson; Secretary, Treasurer and Librarian, Dr. 
Andrew Wiesenthal; Court of Correspondence, Dr. John Boyd, Reuben Gilder, 
George Buchanan, George Brown. The body of Cassidy, lately executed, was 
obtained for dissection, but was discovered by the populace, and taken 
from the gentlemen who were then studying anatomy and surgery in the town. 
Dr. George Buchanan delivered a course of lectures on obstetrics. The 
ensuing year Dr. Andrew Wiesenthal delivered a course of lectures on 
anatomy; George Brown, on the theory and practice of physic; Lyde Goodwin, 
on the theory and practice of surgery; and, by Samuel Coale, on chemistry 
and materia medica.

During this year a great many persons joined the Methodist congregation, 
and for the first time a preacher is stationed here, and a church built on 
Exeter near Gay street, which met with great success.

Messrs. Englehard Yeiser and others, owning the grounds, cut a new channel 
for Jones Falls from the lower mill at Bath street across the Meadow to 
Gay street bridge, of which channel the bounds are fixed by ordinance of 
the city in 1803, and the old course of the Falls by the court-house 
gradually filled up. After which it became a dispute to whom the ground 
thus made belonged, which was finally divided between the parties owning 
the adjoining lands where there were distinct owners.

The first anti-slavery society in the State of Maryland--the fourth in the 
United States, and the sixth in the world--was inaugurated in Baltimore, 
September 8th, 1798; the first society having been formed in Philadelphia, 
April 14, 1775; the second in New York, January 25, 1785; the third in 
London, July 17, 1787; the fourth in Paris, February, 1788; and the 
Delaware society the same year. "The Maryland Society for Promoting the 
Abolition of Slavery, and the Relief of Free Negroes and others unlawfully 
held in Bondage," was organized by the election of the following officers: 
President, Philip Rogers; Vice-President, James Carey; Secretary, Joseph 
Townsend; Treasurer, David Brown; Counsellors, Zebulon Hollingsworth, 
Archibald Robinson; Honorary Counsellors, Samuel Chase, Luther Martin; 
Electing Committee, James Ogleby, Isaac Greist, Geo. Matthews, George 
Presstman, Henry Wilson, John Bankson, Adam Fonerden, James Eichelberger, 
William Hawkins, William Wilson, Thomas Dickson, Ger. Hopkins; Acting 
Committee, John Brown, Elisha Tyson, James McCannon, Elias Ellicott, 
William Trimble, George Dent. in the library of the Boston Athenæum there 
is a pamphlet from the library of General Washington which is so rare that 
after a search

Page 256

of over fifteen years there is but one other copy known to be in 
existence. Its title is: "An oration upon the moral and political evil of 
slavery. Delivered at a public meeting of the Maryland Society for 
promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the relief of free Negroes and 
others unlawfully held in Bondage. Baltimore, July 4, 1791. By George 
Buchanan, M. D., Member of the American Philosophical Society, Baltimore. 
Printed by Philip Edwards, MDCCXCIII." Twenty pages, octavo. A Fourth-of-
July oration in Baltimore, on the moral and political evils of slavery, 
only four years after the adoption of the Constitution, is an incident 
worthy of historical recognition and a place in anti-slavery literature. 
The following extracts will give an idea of its style and range of thought:

"God hath created mankind after His own image, and granted them liberty 
and independence; and if varieties may be found in their structure and 
color, these are only to be attributed to the nature of their diet and 
habits, as also to the soil and the climate they may inhabit; and serve as 
flimsy pretexts for enslaving them. What I will you not consider that the 
Africans are men? That they have human souls to be saved? That they are 
born free and independent? A violation of these prerogatives is an 
infringement upon the laws of God. Possessed of Christian sentiments, they 
fail not to exercise them when opportunity offers. Things pleasing rejoice 
them and melancholy circumstances pall their appetites for amusements. 
They brook no insults, and are equally prone to forgiveness as to 
resentments. They have gratitude also, and will even expose their lives to 
wipe off the obligation of past favors; nor do they want any of the 
refinements of taste, so much the boast of those who call themselves 
Christians. The talent for music, both vocal and instrumental, appears 
natural to them; neither is their genius for literature to be despised. 
Many instances are recorded of men of eminence among them. Witness 
Ignatius Sancho, whose letters are admired by all men of taste; Phillis 
Wheatley, who distinguished herself as a poetess; the Physician of New 
Orleans; the Virginia Calculator; Banneker, the Maryland Astronomer, and 
many others, whom it would be needless to mention. These are sufficient to 
show, that the Africans whom you despise, whom you inhumanly treat as 
brutes, and whom you unlawfully subject to slavery, are equally capable of 
improvement with yourselves. This you may think a bold assertion; but it 
is not made without reflection, nor independent of the testimony of many 
who have taken pains in their education. Because you see few, in 
comparison to their number, who make any exertion of ability at all, you 
are ready to enjoy the common opinion that they are an inferior set of 
beings, and destined to the cruelties and hardships you impose upon them. 
But be cautious how long you hold such sentiments; the time may come when 
you will be obliged to abandon them. Consider the pitiable situation of 
these most

Page 257

distressed beings, deprived of their liberty and reduced to slavery. 
Consider also that they toil not for themselves from the rising of the sun 
to its going down, and you will readily conceive the cause of their 
inaction. What time or what incitement has a slave to become wise? There 
is no great art in hilling corn or in running a furrow; and to do this 
they know they are doomed, whether they seek into the mysteries of science 
or remain ignorant as they are. To deprive a man of his liberty has a 
tendency to rob his soul of every spring to virtuous actions; and were 
slaves to become fiends, the wonder could not be great. 'Nothing more 
assimilates a man to a beast,' says the learned Montesquieu, 'than being 
among freemen, himself a slave; for slavery clogs the mind, perverts the 
moral faculty, and reduces the conduct of man to the standard of brutes.' 
What right have you to expect greater things of these poor mortals? You 
would not blame a brute for committing ravages upon his prey; nor ought 
you to censure a slave for making attempts to regain his liberty, even at 
the risk of life itself. Such are the effects of subjecting man to 
slavery, that it destroys every human principle, vitiates the mind, 
instills ideas of unlawful cruelties, and subverts the springs of 
government. What a distressing scene is here before us! America, I start 
at your situation! These direful effects of slavery demand your most 
serious attention. What! shall a people who flew to arms with the valor of 
Roman citizens when encroachments were made upon their liberties by the 
invasion of foreign powers, now basely descend to cherish the seed and 
propagate the growth of the evil which they boldly sought to eradicate? To 
the eternal infamy of our country this will be handed down to posterity, 
written in the blood of African innocence. If your forefathers have been 
degenerate enough to introduce slavery into your country to contaminate 
the minds of her citizens, you ought to have the virtue of extirpating it. 
In the first struggles for American freedom, in the enthusiastic ardor of 
attaining liberty and independence, one of the most noble sentiments that 
ever adorned the human breast was loudly proclaimed in all her councils. 
Deeply penetrated with the sense of equality, they held it as a fixed 
principle, 'that all men are by nature, and of right ought to be free; 
that they were created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain 
inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
happiness.' Nevertheless, when the blessings of peace were showered upon 
them; when they had obtained these rights which they had so boldly 
contended for, then they became apostates to their principles, and riveted 
the fetters of slavery upon the unfortunate African. Fellow-countrymen, 
let the hand of persecution be no longer raised against you; act 
virtuously, 'do unto all men as you would that they should do unto you,' 
and exterminate the pest of slavery from the land."

This remarkable oration suggests some interesting questions

Page 258

of historical inquiry. How far do these opinions represent the current 
sentiments of that time on the subject of slavery? It will be seen that 
they are of the most radical type. We are not aware that Wendell Phillips 
or Wm. Lloyd Garrison ever claimed that the negro race was equal in its 
capacity for improvement to the white race. Forty-four years later 
(October 21st, 1835), Mr. Garrison was waited upon, in open day, by a mob 
of most respectable citizens, while attending, a meeting of the Boston 
Female Anti-Slavery Society, dragged through the streets of Boston with a 
rope around his body, and locked up in jail by the mayor of that sedate 
city. to protect him from his assailants. On the 4th of July, 1834, a 
meeting of the American Anti-slavery Society was broken up in New York, 
and the house of Lewis Tappan was sacked mob violence. A month later, in 
the city of Philadelphia, a mob against anti-slavery and colored men raged 
for three days and nights. On the 28th of July, 1836, a committee of 
thirteen citizens of Cincinnati, appointed by a public meeting, of whom 
Jacob Burnet, late United States Senator and judge of the Supreme Court of 
Ohio, was chairman, waited upon Mr. James G. Birney and other members of 
the executive committee of the Ohio Anti-slavery Society, under whose 
direction the "Philanthropist," an anti-slavery newspaper, was printed 
there, and informed them that unless they desisted from its publication 
the meeting would not be responsible for the consequences. Judge Burnet 
stated that the mob would consist of five thousand persons; and that two-
thirds of the property-holders of the city would join it. The committee 
gave Mr. Birney and his friends till the next day to consider the 
question, when they decided to make no terms with the rioters, and to 
abide the consequences. That night the office was sacked and the press of 
the "Philanthropist" was thrown into the Ohio river. But here was an 
oration delivered in the city of Baltimore in the year 1791, advancing the 
most extreme opinions, and it created not a ripple on the surface of 
Southern society. That the opinions of the oration did not offend those to 
whom it was addressed, the official action of the society, which is 
printed on the third page, attests. It is as follows: "At a special 
meeting of the Maryland Society for promoting the abolition of slavery and 
the relief of free negroes and others unlawfully held in bondage, held at 
Baltimore, July 4th, 1791, unanimously Resolved, That the president 
present the thanks of the society to Dr. George Buchanan, for the 
excellent oration by him delivered this day, and, at the same time, 
request a copy thereof in the name and for the use of the society. Signed--
Samuel Sterett, president; Alex. McKim, vice-president; Joseph Townsend, 
secretary." The oration was dedicated "To the Honorable Thomas Jefferson, 
Esq., Secretary of State."

Dr. George Buchanan was born in Baltimore county, September 19th, 1763, 
and for many years was a practising physician in

Page 259

Baltimore city. He was a son of Andrew Buchanan, who was also born in 
Maryland, and was General in the Continental troops of Maryland during the 
Revolution. Dr. George Buchanan studied medicine, and took a degree at 
Philadelphia. He then went to Europe and studied medicine at Edinburgh, 
and later at Paris, taking degrees at both places. Returning to Baltimore, 
he married on Thursday, June 18th, 1789, Letitia, second daughter of the 
Hon. Thomas McKean, an eminent jurist, who was a member of the Continental 
Congress, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and was 
Governor of Pennsylvania from 1799 to 1806. In 1806 Dr. Buchanan removed 
to Philadelphia, and died the next year of yellow fever, in the discharge 
of his official duties as Lazaretto physician. His eldest son was 
paymaster McKean Buchanan, senior paymaster of the United States navy, 
since deceased. His youngest son was Franklin Buchanan, Captain in the 
United States navy till he resigned, April 19th, 1861, and went into the 
Confederate navy. He was, with the rank of Admiral, in command of the iron-
clad Merrimac, and was wounded in the conflict of that vessel with the 
monitor Ericsson at Hampton Roads, March 9th, 1862, and was later captured 
by Admiral Farragut whilst in command of the Confederate fleet in Mobile 
bay.

The first convention held by the abolition societies of the United States 
met at Philadelphia in the city hall, January 1st, 1794, and was several 
days in session. The "Maryland Society" was represented by the following 
delegates: Samuel Sterett, James Winchester, Joseph Townsend, Adam 
Fonerden, and Jesse Hollingsworth. The "Chestertown" (Md.) society was 
represented by Joseph Wilkinson, James Maslin, and Abraham Ridgely. A 
convention met in the depth of winter, and as travelling was then 
expensive and difficult, it is evidence of a deep interest in the subject 
that the delegates attended. On the 7th of January, 1795, the abolition 
societies again met in Philadelphia, and continued in session till the 
14th of that month. The Maryland society was represented by Samuel 
Sterett, Adam Fonerden, Joseph Townsend, Joseph Thornburgh, George 
Buchanan, John Bankson, and Philip Moore; the Chestertown society by 
Edward Scott and James Houston. The fourth annual convention of the 
abolition societies of the United States was held in the Senate chamber at 
Philadelphia, May 3d, 1797. The Maryland society was represented by the 
following delegates, viz: Francis Johonnett, Jesse Tyson, Gerard T. 
Hopkins. The several societies reported their membership in 1797, and we 
find the Maryland society to have two hundred and thirty-one members, and 
the third largest in the United States. In 1827 there were one hundred and 
thirty abolition societies in the United States, and only four in New 
England and New York. Of these societies, eight were in Virginia, eleven 
in Maryland, two in Delaware, two in the District of Columbia, eight in 
Kentucky, twenty-five in Tennessee, with a membership of one thousand, and

Page 260

fifty in North Carolina, with a membership of three thousand persons.

Mr. Robert Smith was elected one of the eight electors for President and 
Vice-President of the United States. Mr. Wm. Smith was elected a delegate 
to Congress.

The following advertisement appeared in the Maryland Journal and Baltimore 
Advertiser of Feb. 10th, 1789: "We learn with pleasure that the merchants 
and others of this place are subscribing to a provisional loan for the 
purpose of erecting in this town, a house for holding the sessions of 
Congress, and other proper buildings for the great offices of the United 
States. This loan, we understand, is to be handed to our Representatives, 
to be communicated by them to Congress on the first meeting."

1790. As a relief to the pecuniary distresses of the inhabitants, an 
association was formed by Messrs. Caton, Vanbibber, A. McKim, Townsend and 
others, to carry on the manufacture of cotton upon a small scale, and some 
jeans and velvets were also made.

At the November session of the Legislature, Messrs. Samuel Smith, William 
Patterson, Jeremiah Yellot, Englehardt Yeiser, Robert Gilmor, Thorowgood 
Smith, Charles Garts, Thomas Hollingsworth, James Edwards, James Carey, 
Otho H. Williams, and Nicholas Sluby, were authorized to take 
subscriptions for the Bank of Maryland. $200,000 were subscribed in shares 
of $100 each, in fourteen days, being two-thirds of the capital, which was 
paid in during the ensuing year, and the institution went into operation 
upon a portion of the capital--William Patterson being elected president, 
and Ebenezer Mackie cashier. The entire capital of $300,000 was afterward 
paid in. The State granted peculiar advantages to this institution, which 
was perpetual, and reserved no part of the stock or direction. The 
exorbitant dividends made by this bank indicated the want of another, 
notwithstanding the loans afforded by the office of the United States 
Bank, which had opened a branch here in 1792, of which Mr. George Gale was 
president, and David Harris cashier; but by their means, a much larger sum 
was obtained, with much less difficulty, for a new one. Accordingly, in 
1795, the "Bank of Baltimore" was chartered, after an ineffectual attempt 
to increase the capital of the first bank. The capital of this was $1,200,
000; George Salmon president, and James Cox cashier. The charter of this 
bank was limited to twenty years, and the State reserved the right to 
subscribe 6000 shares at $300 each, and appointed two of seventeen 
directors annually chosen. The charter of this bank has been a model 
others, and has been itself renewed. By an act passed the same session, 
Messrs. John Hollins and Joshua Barney were appointed auctioneers, and 
commenced business under the firm of John Hollins & Co., after which the 
limitation was removed, and, by the charter, the auctions are licensed by 
the city.

On the 7th of May, the first session of the Circuit Court of the

Page 261

United States for this district was held here, by John Blair, of Virginia, 
one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and William Paca, District Judge.

Samuel Sterrett was elected one of the six representatives in Congress. 
David McMechen and Col. Samuel Smith were returned to the House of 
Delegates without opposition. Charles Ridgely, one of the framers of the 
Constitution, died at his residence near town on the 28th of June.

On Wednesday, September 8th, President Washington and his wife, attended 
by their suite, arrived here from Philadelphia on their way to Mount 
Vernon. On their entrance into town they were received and saluted by a 
federal discharge from Captain Stodder's artillery company, and such other 
public demonstrations were manifested by the citizens as showed the most 
unfeigned affection and veneration for the illustrious travellers. On 
Thursday forenoon the President was waited on by a number of the citizens, 
whom he received with his usual politeness and attention, and at four 
o'clock he honored the merchants with his company at an elegant 
entertainment prepared at Mr. Grant's tavern, at which his suite and 
several other gentlemen were present. During the same week General Gates 
and wife also passed through this town from Virginia, on their way to take 
possession of their new residence on the banks of the East river, in the 
vicinity of the city of New York.

About this time papering the walls of the houses was first introduced; 
whitewash having been previously used.

1791. Messrs. Robert Gilmor, John O'Donnell, Stephen Wilson, Charles 
Ghequiere, John Holmes, and others erected a powder-house on Gwinn's 
Falls, which was continued by the same or others until the 17th of 
September, 1812; it was blown up a second time and not rebuilt. Other 
mills were built on the same stream at different times, some of which blew 
up, and on each occasion several lives were lost.

Benjamin Nicholson was appointed Chief Judge of Baltimore Town, with 
General Williams and James Carroll as associates. Judge Nicholson died one 
year after his appointment, and was succeeded by Joshua Seney, who 
resigned in 1796, and Henry Ridgely succeeds. In 1792 Col. Howard and 
William Russell were appointed the associate judges of this court, and 
successively Samuel Sterrett, William Owings, William Winchester, Edward 
Johnson, and Elias Glenn, the two last, with Judge H. Ridgely, forming the 
court when reorganized in 1805.

Messrs. William Buchanan, Campbell Smith and George Chase took commissions 
under the General Government for the defence of the frontiers. On the 4th 
of November Gen. St. Clair with a part of his army were surrounded by an 
immense number of Indians near the Miami, but defended themselves with 
great bravery, and finally fought their way through the enemy, but lost in 
killed

Page 262

and wounded above 800 men. Ensign Chase of Baltimore was killed and 
Captain Buchanan wounded. Capt. Smith was afterwards wounded under Gen. 
Anthony Wayne.

James Calhoun and William Russell and Colonel N. Rogers were appointed 
Justices of the Orphans' Court for the ensuing year. Colonel Smith and Mr. 
Mechen were again returned to the Assembly, and Robert Gorsuch was elected 
Sheriff.

Samuel Sterrett, agent of Messrs. Vanstaphorst & Co., procured from the 
State and paid them the amount borrowed during the Revolutionary War.

At the periodical election of 1791, John O'Donnell was chosen an elector 
of the Senate, and John E. Howard, Samuel Chase and James McHenry were 
elected members of the Senate of Maryland. Mr. Chase declined, and Daniel 
Bowley was chosen in his place, and he resigning in 1793, was succeeded by 
Robert Smith.

On the 27th of December the General Assembly authorized Elisha Tyson, 
William and Charles Jessop, John Ellicott, George Leggett, Robert Long, 
Jacob Hart, and John Stricker, to lay out a road, not exceeding forty feet 
wide, from their mill-seats on Jones Falls in Baltimore County to 
Baltimore Town, now known as the Falls road.

On the 30th of December Alexander Rigdon, John Stump, John Carlile, John 
Weston, Samuel Raine, John Treadway, and James Johnson were appointed 
commissioners by the General Assembly to lay out the Philadelphia, Belair 
and Harford roads as public roads.

On Friday morning, April 29th, in "Howard's Park," Mr. David Sterrett, 
aged 26 years, was killed in a duel with Mr. Thomas Hadfield.

In the course of the year 1791, there arrived in the port of Baltimore as 
follows: 68 ships and barques, 159 scows and brigs, 94 schooners, 45 
sloops, and 370 coasters, making in the whole 746 vessels entered at the 
Custom House; and there were cleared out of that office 387 for foreign 
ports, and 662 coasters.

1792. A number of respectable retailers having met on the 4th of July and 
considered the great inconvenience attending the circulation of copper 
cents, agreed that it would be improper to pass them in future for less 
than four to one.

In pursuance to notice, the citizens of the town met on the 27th of July 
and adopted resolutions expressive of their disapprobation of the proposed 
treaty with Great Britain (Jay's.) David McMechen, Solomon Etting, 
Alexander McKim, David Stodder, James A. Buchanan, Adam Fonerden, and John 
Steel were appointed a committee to forward the same to the President of 
the United States, General Washington.

Died, Thursday, March 8th, Captain Jacob Keeports, in the 74th year of his 
age. He was formerly purchasing agent for the State in Baltimore during 
the Revolutionary War.

Page 263

On the 23d of December, the General Assembly passed an Act allowing the 
Maryland Insurance Company a number of privileges, amongst which was an 
Act, "To supply the town with water by pipes from a sufficient reservoir 
or source," and that it may be distinguished by the name and style of The 
Baltimore Water Company. An Act was also passed to enable John McKim and 
John Brown, of Baltimore County, to convey a tract of land containing 
about thirty acres, called Darley Hall, in Baltimore County, "to the use 
of the religious society of people called Quakers, in Baltimore town." An 
Act was also passed on the 22d of December, regulating the width of 
chimneys, and imposing a penalty on all chimneys catching fire within the 
town-- of three pounds if a three-story house, of twenty shillings if a 
two-story house, and fifteen shillings if a house of one story.

The first New Jerusalem Church was, by permission, opened in the Court 
House of this town, by the Rev. Mr. Wilmer, amidst a large assemblage of 
hearers of various denominations. The Hon. Judge Chase was present, as 
well as several other liberal and enlightened gentlemen of the bar.

Several of the inhabitants petitioned to the General Assembly "that there 
are no other commodious ways for the inhabitants of the western part of 
Baltimore Town, and the parts adjacent, to approach the Centre market, but 
through Baltimore, commonly called Market street, which is so often 
crowded with carts, wagons, and drays, that there is not sufficient room 
for the inhabitants to pass and repass to and from the said market, 
without incommoding and mutually obstructing each other, and have prayed 
that an Act may pass, empowering and appointing commissioners to extend 
and open the following streets to communicate with each other: that is to 
say, Fayette street, in Howard's addition to the said town, to King 
Tammany street, from thence to Chatham street, and from thence to Calvert 
street, and that by opening the said streets, nearly a direct 
communication with the aforesaid market will be obtained." This act was 
passed on the 22d of December, and Messrs. Stephen Wilson, Charles 
Crookshanks, Hercules Courtenay, John Holmes and John Mickle were 
appointed commissioners to lay off and open the following streets of the 
width of forty feet: that is to say, from Fayette street, which ran west 
from Liberty street, to King Tammany street, which ran from Liberty to 
Charles street, where Chatham street began, and thence east to Calvert 
street. From time immemorial there had been a road leading from Baltimore 
Town to the town of Frederick, by Dillon's field, Ellicott's upper mills, 
Cummings' new buildings, Fox's, the Red-House tavern, Cook's tavern and 
the Poplar Spring, but it had never been made a public road by law, and 
sundry inhabitants of Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and Frederick counties, who 
had been deprived of the benefit and utility of the same, to their great 
injury and inconvenience, petitioned the General Assembly to establish the 
road

Page 264

as a public one, which was granted; and on the 22d of December, Charles 
Alexander Warfield, Levin Lawrence, and Thomas Hobbs, were appointed 
commissioners for the aforesaid road for Anne Arundel County, and Thomas 
Worthington, Zachariah Maccubbin, and Daniel Carroll for Baltimore County, 
who were empowered to lay out said road 40 feet wide, &c.

In October, Mr. Potts resigned the office of Attorney of the United States 
for this district, and was succeeded by Zebulon Hollingsworth.

In this year the clergymen and ministers of the different sects or 
churches were incorporated, to receive alms for the poor of every society. 
The Roman Catholic clergy were incorporated trustees of that Church this 
year; also the German Reformed. In 1797, the German Evangelical Reformed 
and Presbyterian Churches, and in 1798 the Baptist congregation and the 
vestry of every parish; in 1800 the Methodist and Lutheran, and in 1802 
every Christian Church in the State.

Col. Samuel Smith was elected one of the eight members of Congress the 
State was entitled to. Messrs. William Smith and J. E. Howard were elected 
two of the ten electors of President for this State.

Seldom more than three of the Justices attended the Orphans' Court, and 
the Governor and Council were directed to appoint that number only, any 
two of whom to act; and, by special commission, Colonel N. Rogers, G. 
Salmon, and William McLaughlan were appointed.

John O'Donnell was elected delegate to the Assembly.

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, President Washington, with his wife and suite, 
arrived in Baltimore from Mount Vernon, on his way to Philadelphia, and 
the same evening favored a number of merchants and other gentlemen with 
his company at an elegant supper at Mr. Grant's, at which many patriotic 
toasts were drunk, amid the discharge of artillery by Capt. Stodder's 
company. The next morning the President started on his journey, escorted 
by Capt. Mackenheimer's light infantry company and many citizens.

Mordecai Gist was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1743. His ancestors, 
early emigrants to Maryland, were English. He was educated for commercial 
pursuits, and was engaged in the vocation of a merchant when the storm of 
the Revolution began to lower. The young men of Baltimore associated under 
the title of the "Baltimore Independent Company," and elected Gist 
captain. This was the first company raised in Maryland for the defence of 
popular liberty. Gist was appointed major of a battalion of Maryland 
regulars in 1776, and was with them in the battle near Brooklyn, at the 
close of the summer of that year. In January, 1779, Congress appointed him 
a brigadier in the Continental army, and he was honored with the command 
of the 2d Maryland brigade. He fought bravely, and suffered defeat in the 
battle near Camden,

Page 265

in 1780. Gist was present at the surrender of Cornwallis, and afterward 
joined the Southern army under Greene. When that commander remodeled the 
army in 1782, while lying near Charleston, he gave General Gist the 
command of the "light corps." It was a part of his command, under Colonel 
Laurens, that dealt one of the last blows upon the enemy, in an engagement 
upon the banks of the Combahee. At the close of the war he retired to a 
plantation which he bought near Charleston, where he resided until his 
death, which occurred in Charleston on the 2d of August, 1792. General 
Gist had but two children, sons; one he named Independent, and the other 
States.

William Smallwood was a native of Maryland, and was among the patriots of 
that colony who earliest expressed their attachment to Republican 
principles. He was appointed a Brigadier by the Continental Congress in 
October, 1776, and Major-General in September, 1780. He was in the battle 
near Brooklyn, in August, 1776, where his command suffered severely. It 
was chiefly composed of young men from Maryland, many of them members of 
the most respectable families of the State. He was in the Brandywine and 
Germantown battles in 1777. He accompanied Gates to the South, and shared 
in the mortification of defeat near Camden. It was a month after that 
event that Congress promoted him to Major-General. He was elected a 
delegate in Congress for Maryland in 1785, and the same year was chosen to 
succeed William Paca as Governor of the State. He was succeeded in office 
by John Eager Howard in 1788. General Smallwood died on the 12th of 
February, 1792, at the "Wood-Yard," in Prince George's County, aged about 
60 years. A distinguished writer says: "Colonel Smallwood's battalion was 
one of the finest in the army, in dress, equipment, and discipline. Their 
scarlet and buff uniforms and well-burnished arms contrasted strongly with 
those of the New England troops," and were "distinguished at this time," 
says Graydon, "by the most fashionable cut coat, the most macaroni cocked 
hat, and hottest blood in the Union." Another writer says: "Small-wood's 
regiment arrived in Philadelphia about the middle of July, 1776, the day 
after the York, Pennsylvania, militia got there. I happened to be in 
Market street when the regiment was marching down it. They turned up Front 
street, till they reached the Quaker meeting-house, called the Bank 
meeting, where they halted for some time, which I presumed was owing to a 
delicacy on the part of the officers, seeing they were about to be 
quartered in a place of worship. After a time they moved forward to the 
door, where the officers halted, and their platoons came up and stood with 
their hats off, while the soldiers with recovered arms marched into the 
meeting-house. The officers then retired, and sought quarters elsewhere. 
The regiment was then said to be eleven hundred strong; and never did a 
finer, more dignified, and braver body of men face an enemy. They were 
composed of the flower of Maryland,

Page 266

being young gentlemen, the sons of opulent planters, farmers and 
mechanics. From the Colonel to the private, all were attired in hunting-
shirts. I afterwards saw this fine corps on their march to join General 
Washington. In the battle of Long Island, Smallwood's regiment, when 
engaged with an enemy of overwhelmingly superior force, displayed a 
courage and discipline that sheds upon its memory an undying lustre, while 
it was so cut to pieces that in October following, when I again saw the 
regiment, its remains did not exceed a hundred men. The wreck of the once 
superb regiment of Smallwood fought in the battles of the White Plains, 
and the subsequent actions in the Jerseys, and in the memorable campaign 
of 1776, terminating with the battle of Princeton, January 1777, where the 
remains of the regiment, reduced to a little more than a company, were 
commanded by Captain, afterward Governor Stone, of Maryland." Another 
distinguished writer says: "Smallwood's battalion of Marylanders were 
distinguished in the field by the most intrepid courage, the most regular 
use of the musket, and the judicious movements of the body. When our party 
was overpowered and broken by superior numbers surrounding them on all 
sides, three companies of the Maryland battalion broke the enemy's lines 
and fought their way through. Captain Veazey and Lieutenant Butler are 
among the honorable slain. The Maryland battalion lost 200 men and twelve 
officers--severe fate. It is said our whole loss is five or six hundred."