Chronicles of Baltimore - Part 11



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1815. The privateer York of Baltimore having returned homo from a 
successful cruise on the coast of Brazil and among the islands in the West 
Indies, her prizes were valued at least a million and a half of dollars.

The following prizes were taken by the very fortunate privateer vessel 
Surprise of Baltimore, and burnt; Brigs Charlotte, Lively, William Maid, 
Polly, ship Milnes, and schooners Prince Regent and Sally. The English 
privateer Lively, one gun and seventeen men, was brought into Salem. Ship 
Caledonia from Cork, worth $250000, was divested of her goods to the value 
of $50,000. Brigs Eagle, Traveller, Wellington (four guns and fifteen men) 
and Eliza were made cartels of to release the prisoners. The Surprise also 
captured the brig Albion, schooner Charlotte Ann, and recaptured the boat 
Ann. During her last cruise, which only occupied one month, she captured 
twenty sail of British merchantmen, including one small privateer. She 
made 197 prisoners, released 160, and brought into port thirty-seven. 
Ketch Expedition, with seventy-five pipes of wine and 1,150 quintals of 
barilla, was sent into New York by the Grampus of Baltimore. Brig 
Catharine and William, prize to the Grampus, was lost near Beaufort, S. C. 
Cutter Flying-Fish captured by the Sabine and sent in. Brig Aaron captured 
by the same and sent into port. Two ships taken by the Syren of Baltimore 
off the British coast, and destroyed.

The Amelia of Baltimore captured the following vessels: Brigs Colier, 
Harmony, Ann, Elizabeth, and ship --, of eight guns. She had a short 
combat with the Neptune. Brig Sir John Sherbrook, twelve guns, was 
captured by the Syren of Baltimore. Ann and Eliza was captured by the 
Mammoth, and destroyed. The following vessels were also captured by the 
same: Brigs Uniza, Sarah, Sir Home Popham, and schooners Two Brothers, 
Rapid, and ship Champion. The Mammoth also captured and ordered into port 
the bark Mary, brigs Alexander and Charlotte, and the ship Mentor, with 
valuable cargoes, and gave up the schooners Thomas and Good Intent and 
brigs Joseph and Eliza. She made in all twenty-one prizes and paroled 
about 300 prisoners. This privateer arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., full of 
rich spoils from the enemy.

The Harpy of Baltimore sailed from Portsmouth, N. H., and returned there 
after a cruise of twenty days, laden with the choicest spoils of the foe, 
and sixty prisoners. She captured the schooner Britannia, and burnt her 
and the brig Halifax, packet, with a valuable cargo. Also the transport-
ship Amazon, six guns and eighteen men, an elegant vessel with a cargo of 
provisions. Also, the transport-ship Budges, 440 tons, six eighteen-pound 
carronades, and a large cargo of rum, &c. The prizes of the Harpy were 
valued at $500,000.

The valuable brig Europa, of eight eighteen-pound carronades, two long 
nines and twenty-two men, with 175 tons of sweet oil,

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was sent into port by the Patapsco of Baltimore. Brig Canada, ten guns, 
was sent into Wilmington by the Lawrence of Baltimore. The English brig 
William, from the coast of Africa, laden with 194,087 pounds of gum, 
estimated to be worth $60,000, was sent into Newbern, N. C., by a 
Baltimore privateer whose name is not given. The privateer Syren of 
Baltimore, returning from a cruise, was lost on making the Delaware, being 
run ashore by the pilot, where she was attacked by three barges from a 
razes at anchor, which were kept at bay for two hours. The privateer was 
set on fire by the crew and escaped. Brig Cossack was sent into Boston by 
the Surprise of Baltimore. This vessel had been captured by the Grand 
Turk, of Salem, recaptured by the Bulwark seventy-four, and retaken by the 
Surprise. Schooner Mary captured by the Surprise, and sunk. Schooners 
Eugene and Stinger captured by the Midas of Baltimore, and destroyed. 
British schooner -- captured by the Resolution of Baltimore, and sent into 
Charleston, South Carolina.

On the 3d of December, the privateer Kemp of Baltimore, on a cruise to the 
West Indies, descried a small fleet of merchant ships, eight in number, 
under convoy of a frigate. The privateer attacked the fleet, and carried 
off after a severe contest four of the largest vessels; one of the brigs 
and her cargo was estimated to be worth $300,000. The privateer schooner 
Caroline of Baltimore captured the British brig Stephen, fourteen guns and 
thirty men. Brig Lord Wellington was captured by the letter-of-marque 
Diamond of Baltimore.

The privateer Amelia of Baltimore arrived safe at Philadelphia in April, 
1815, with a full cargo of valuable goods taken from the enemy. During her 
cruise she captured ten British vessels; some she destroyed and some she 
ordered into port. The Amelia carried but six guns and seventy-five men. 
The captured vessels amounted to 2,270 tons, 112 prisoners, and thirty-two 
carriage guns. She was frequently chased by the enemy, and once for fifty-
three hours, but was fortunate enough to evade all her pursuers.

Cutter Eliza and Peggy was captured by the Lawrence of Baltimore; also 
captured cutter Dart, ship Christian, and schooner Atalanta. The privateer 
Lawrence arrived at New York on the 25th of January. During her cruise she 
took thirteen prizes, eight of which were manned; some of them were very 
valuable. She made 106 prisoners, and her prizes in the aggregate amounted 
to more than 3,000 tons.

British brig Lord Wellington was captured by the Expedition of Baltimore 
and burnt. Ship Jane was captured by the Harpy, of Baltimore, and burnt, 
also brig William Nelson, brig Louisa, and schooner Nine Sisters. The 
Harpy captured the English ship William and Alfred, ship Jane, and the 
valuable ship Garland. The Harpy arrived at Salem in April, 1815. She had 
on board a valuable cargo of rich merchandise of every description, taken 
from

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several of her prizes made while cruising on the coast of England, in the 
Bay of Biscay, and along the coast of Spain and Portugal. She had among 
other articles upwards of £100,000 sterling in British treasury notes and 
bills of exchange. She was a noble vessel of 349 tons, carrying 14 heavy 
guns, and about 100 men.

The privateer Harrison arrived at Wilmington, N. C., with a full cargo of 
goods taken from the enemy, with the loss of her captain in an engagement 
with a British sloop-of-war, after the capture of several vessels. Brig 
Peter was captured and sent into North Carolina by the Lawrence, of 
Baltimore. Brig John, and brig Nancy, were captured by the Perry, of 
Baltimore, which arrived in the Delaware about the 1st of February, with a 
full cargo of chosen spoils. She was chased some eight or ten times by 
brigs, sloops-of-war, frigates, and razees, but laughed at them all.

English brig -- was sent in by the Kemp, of Baltimore. Sloop Enterprise 
was captured by the Whig, of Baltimore, as were also brigs Brunswick, Race 
Horse, and schooner Britannia. Brig Athill, eight guns, was captured by 
the Lawrence, of Baltimore, and sent into Brest, France.

We find it stated, that on the 24th of December, 1814, the Baltimore 
privateer Surprise was at Brest, and there fired a salute, which was 
answered by the French Admiral with 11 guns. British schooner Lucy Ann was 
captured by the Surprise, as was the brig Forth. As the Surprise left the 
port of Brest she was chased for several hours by a British sloop-of-war, 
who fired fifty guns at her without effect. On the 28th of January the 
Surprise captured, aider a short engagement, the English ship Star, 
mounting eight twelve-pound guns, with 26 men. The prize was sent into New 
York, and proved to be an exceedingly valuable one, being valued at $300,
000. It consisted of the following articles: 1180 bags of sugar, 5,021 
bags of coffee, 45 tubs of camphor, 297 bags of sago, 224 cwt. of sapan 
wood, 22 bales of nankeens, 83 cases of cinnamon, and 45 cases of tortoise-
shell.

The Chasseur, of Baltimore, captured the very valuable vessels, ship Mary 
and Susan, of 470 tons, the schooner Arrow, and the ship Adventure. Ship 
Emulation was captured by the Syren. The Kemp arrived safe in Baltimore 
loaded with goods, after capturing a British brig mounting 14 guns and 40 
men, after a warm action. of forty minutes, when the enemy struck his 
colors. Brig Alexander was captured by the Leo, of Baltimore. Brig Eagle 
captured by the Lawrence. Ship Anne, 417 tons, captured by the Zebec 
Ultor, of Baltimore, and sent into New York. The Zebec Ultor also captured 
the brigs Maria Annabella, Mohawk, and the sloops Twins and l'Esperance, 
and sloop Constitution.

The Chasseur was a very formidable vessel, carrying sixteen long twelve-
pounders, with a crew of one hundred men, including officers, seamen and 
marines. On her last trip she captured the

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following vessels (by no means all): Sloop Christiana, brigs Reindeer, 
Marquis of Cornwallis, Albert, Harmony, Eclipse, Commerce, Antelope, 
Atlantic, and Amicus, schooner Favorite, and ships Carlbury, James, and 
Theodore. The whole number of vessels captured by Capt. Boyle on this 
cruise was eighteen, and many of them very valuable, lie brought into port 
forty-three prisoners, and paroled one hundred and fifty. During Captain 
Boyle's cruise in the British Channel and around the coast of Great 
Britain, he made many hairbreadth escapes.

At this period it was the general custom for the British Admirals on our 
coast to issue what the Americans called paper blockades, declaring the 
whole coast of North America in a strict state of blockade. Several of 
these blockade-proclamations had recently been issued by Admiral Sir John 
Borlaise Warren, and Sir Alexander Cochrane. As a burlesque on these paper-
blockades, Captain Boyle, while in the British Channel, issued the 
following proclamation and sent it by a cartel to London, with a request 
to have it posted up at Lloyd's Coffee House:

"By Thomas Boyle, Esq., Commander of the privateer armed brig Chasseur, 
&c., &c.--Proclamation:

"Whereas it has become customary with the Admirals of Great Britain, 
commanding small forces on the coast of the United States, particularly 
Sir John Borlaise Warren and Sir Alexander Cochrane, to declare all the 
coast of the United States in a state of strict and rigorous blockade, 
without possessing the power to justify such a declaration, or stationing 
an adequate force to maintain said blockade. I do therefore, by virtue of 
the power and authority in me vested (possessing sufficient force) declare 
all the ports, harbors, bays, creeks, rivers, inlets, outlets, islands and 
seacoast of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in a state of 
strict and rigorous blockade. And I do further declare, that I consider 
the force under my command adequate to maintain strictly, rigorously, and 
effectually, the said blockade. And I do hereby require the respective 
officers, whether captains, commanders, or commanding officers, under my 
command, employed or to be employed on the coasts of England, Ireland, and 
Scotland, to pay strict attention to the execution of this my 
proclamation. And I do hereby caution and forbid the ships and vessels of 
all and every nation, in amity and peace with the United States, from 
entering or attempting to enter, or from coming or attempting to come out 
of any of the said ports, bays, creeks, rivers, inlets, outlets, islands, 
or seacoasts, under any pretence whatsoever. And that no person may plead 
ignorance of this my proclamation, I have ordered the same to be made 
public in England.

"Given under my hand, on board the Chasseur, day and date as above.   
Thomas Boyle.

"(By command of the commanding officer)

"J. J. Stanbury, Secretary."

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On the 26th of February, Capt. Boyle in the Chasseur, after a severe 
contest, captured his Britannic Majesty's schooner St. Lawrence, commanded 
by Lieut. J. C. Gordon, formerly the famous privateer Atlas of 
Philadelphia, built on the Chesapeake, and mounting 15 guns with a 
complement of 75 men, and had on board a number of soldiers, marines, and 
some gentlemen of the navy passengers, bound express to the squadron off 
New Orleans. She had, by the report of her commander, 6 men killed and 17 
wounded, most of them badly, and several of them mortally. She was a 
perfect wreck, cut to pieces in the hull, and scarcely a rope left 
standing, and had not an officer on board that was not either killed or 
wounded. The Chasseur had five men killed and eight wounded--Capt. Boyle 
among the latter, slightly. The Chasseur arrived in Baltimore on the 15th 
of April, 1815, full of rich goods. On entering the port, the Chasseur 
saluted Fort McHenry in a handsome style, and her brave captain and crew 
were welcomed by all classes of the community. The Chasseur was a fine 
large brig, and familiarly called "The Pride of Baltimore." She was indeed 
a fine specimen of naval architecture, and perhaps the most beautiful 
vessel that had floated on the ocean. She certainly carried dismay and 
terror to her enemies.

The Saranac of Baltimore captured and sunk a small English schooner, a 
tender to the "74" Dragon, and also captured and sunk a British packet in 
the West Indies. British brig Polly was captured and sent into Cadiz by 
the privateer Amelia of Baltimore.

The war continued about three years, and the result, as near as we have 
been able to ascertain, was a loss to Great Britain of about two thousand 
ships and vessels of every description, including men-of-war and 
merchantmen. A Northern writer, speaking of this period, says:--"When I 
call to mind the spirit and acts of the Baltimoreans during our last war 
with England, I am inspired with a feeling of esteem and veneration for 
them as a brave and patriotic people that will endure with me to the end 
of my existence. During the whole struggle against an inveterate foe, they 
did all they could to aid and strengthen the hands of the general 
government, and generally took the lead in fitting out efficient 
privateers and letters-of-marque to annoy and distress the enemy, and even 
to 'beard the old lion in his den,' for it is well known that their 
privateers captured many English vessels at the very mouths of their own 
ports in the British Channel. When their own beautiful city was attacked 
by a powerful fleet and army, how nobly did they defend themselves against 
the hand of the spoiler! The whole venom of the modern Goths seemed 
concentrated against the Baltimoreans, for no other reason but that they 
had too much spirit to submit to insult and tyrannical oppression. Many of 
the eastern people made a grand mistake in counting on the magnanimity of 
the British nation to do them justice by mild and persuasive arguments. In 
making these remarks in praise of

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Baltimore, I do not mean to disparage the noble patriotism of many other 
cities of our glorious Union; but I do mean to say that if the same spirit 
that fired the hearts and souls of the Baltimoreans had evinced itself 
throughout our entire country, it would have saved every American heart 
much pain and mortification, and would, in my opinion, have shortened the 
war."

The whole number of privateers and private-armed ships that were 
commissioned as cruising vessels, and all others actively engaged in 
commerce during our war with Great Britain in the years 1812, 1813, and 
1814, were two hundred and fifty sail. They belonged to the different 
ports in the United States as follows:

From Baltimore, 58; from New York, 55; from Salem, 40; from Boston, 32; 
from Philadelphia, 14; from Portsmouth, N. H., 11; from Charleston, 10; 
from Marblehead, 4; from Bristol, R. I., 4; from Portland, 3; from 
Newburyport, 2; from Norfolk, 2; from Newbern, N. C., 2; from New Orleans, 
2; from New London, 1; from Newport, R. I., 1; from Providence, R. I., 1; 
from Barnstable, Mass., 1; from Fair Haven, Mass., 1; from Gloucester, 
Mass., 1; from Washington City, 1; from Wilmington, N. C., 1; from other 
places, belonging to Eastern ports, 3; Total, 250.

Observing with great regret the neglect of proper provision for the 
education of poor females, Rev. John Francis Moranville, pastor of St. 
Patrick's Church, determined to establish a school to supply the 
deficiency. He organized an association of charitable ladies, under the 
name of "St. Patrick's Benevolent Society," who by monthly contributions 
supplied funds for the support of the school and for the relief of the 
suffering poor. This society was founded in June, 1815, and the school 
went into operation the same year. At this period public schools under the 
State and city authorities had not yet been established; nor had any of 
those admirable schools since conducted by the Sisters of Charity been 
instituted in Baltimore. St. Patrick's free school admitted poor children 
without distinction of creeds.

Right Reverend John Carroll, D. D., was the first Bishop of the Roman 
Catholic Church in the United States. He was born at Upper Marlborough, 
Maryland, on the 8th of January, 1735. At the age of thirteen years he was 
sent to the College of St. Omer in French Flanders, where he remained 
until he was transferred to the Jesuits' College at Liege six years 
afterward. He was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1769, became a teacher in 
the College of Liege, and in 1773, when the Jesuits were expelled from 
France, he was obliged to abandon a professorship at Bruges, to which he 
had lately been appointed, and retire to England. He travelled much, and 
returned to his native country in 1775. He accompanied Dr. Franklin, 
Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton on a political mission to 
Canada, with the view of inducing the French Canadians to join the 
Americans, or at least to observe a neutrality. In the spring of the 
following year, and

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throughout the War of Independence, he was attached to the patriot cause. 
In 1786 he was appointed Vicar-General of the Roman Catholic Church in 
America. In 1790 he was consecrated a bishop, and the following year 
founded the college at Georgetown. On the invitation of Congress, he 
delivered a eulogy on Washington in St. Peter's Church, Baltimore, on the 
22d of February, 1800. In 1808 Dr. Carroll was made archbishop, with four 
suffragan bishops. With every additional duty his zeal for his Zion seemed 
to increase, and he labored faithfully until his death, which occurred at 
Baltimore, on the 3d of December, 1815, when he was eighty years of age.

On Saturday, January 7th, Col. Michell and Lieut.-Col. Towson, both of the 
U. S. artillery, partook of a splendid entertainment gotten up in honor of 
them by the citizens of Baltimore at Barney's Inn. About 160 gentlemen 
attended, and among the invited guests were Major-Gen. Scott, Brig.-Gen. 
Stricker, Lieut.-Col. Armistead, and all the principal military and naval 
officers in the city. Edward Johnson, Esq., Mayor, presided, assisted by 
the gentlemen composing the committee of arrangements, five Democrats and 
five Federalists--"all republicans."

After the funds of the city treasury had been exhausted, individuals 
advanced large sums for the public defence. But the banks were called upon 
by the Committee of Safety, and loans were made, which enabled them to 
expend $79,000 on public account, and this, when assumed by the city, 
became the nucleus of the present debt. In the year 1816 the rate of tax 
was 121/2 cents on each $100, or one-eighth of one per centum on the 
amount of assessment.

The news of peace, with the repulse of the British at New Orleans, was 
received here with every demonstration of joy, and in accordance with the 
proclamation of the Mayor, all the houses were splendidly illuminated on 
the evening of the 15th of February.

In accordance with the previous arrangements, the managers of the 
Washington Monument met in Howard's Park at 12 o'clock, on Tuesday the 4th 
of July, and in presence of from 25,000 to 30,000 of their fellow-
citizens, amongst whom were a number of the reverend clergy, the president 
and members of the Cincinnati of Maryland, his Excellency the Governor, R. 
W. G. M. and members of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and the subordinate 
lodges of Baltimore, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, officers of 
the army and navy, Major-General R. G. Harper and aides, and the 3d 
brigade of Maryland militia under the command of Brigadier-General 
Sterett, they proceeded to perform the pleasing duty assigned them by the 
Legislature of Maryland, of laying the first corner-stone of a monument, 
to be erected in the city of Baltimore, to the memory of General 
Washington, the father of the republic. In an elevated situation near the 
spot prepared for laying

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the corner-stone, was exhibited an excellent likeness of the deceased hero 
and sage, an original portrait painted by Rembrandt Peale; and immediately 
under the picture, a correct and beautiful representation of the monument 
to be erected, as designed by Mr. Mills, painted by Mr. Hugh Findley. 
These were richly decorated, and formed altogether an appropriate trophy 
for the occasion. At the beginning of the ceremony, the ensigns from the 
attending volunteer corps displayed their flags, on which were painted the 
arms of the United States around the trophy. The ceremonies of the day 
were commenced by some national airs from a volunteer band of amateurs, 
Mr. Bunzie leader. A salute of 39 guns, commemorative of the number of 
years which were on that day completed since the declaration of 
Independence. Washington's march by the band. James A. Buchanan, Esq., 
president of the board of managers, then addressed the audience. At the 
conclusion of the address, prayer was offered by the Right Rev. Bishop 
Kemp. The president, accompanied by the board of managers, then descended 
to the place where the corner-stone was suspended, and by their secretary 
invited his Excellency Levin Winder, R. W. G. Master of Masons, Col. J. E. 
Howard, president, and General S. Smith, vice-president of the Cincinnati, 
and Edward Johnson, Mayor of the city of Baltimore, to witness the laying 
of the stone. To whom when assembled, the president made the following 
address:

"I have, gentlemen, been requested by the board of managers to ask your 
participation with them on this interesting occasion; and, Worshipful Sir, 
(addressing R. W. G. Master) to present you with these implements, 
(handing the square, plumb and level) used by your ancient fraternity, 
with which you will be pleased to proceed and ascertain the fitness of 
this stone."

The R. W. G. Master replied: "Honorable Sir, on behalf of the free and 
accepted Masons of this State, I accept with pleasure your invitation; and 
it will afford us peculiar satisfaction to render all the assistance 
within our power, so that the stone may be laid agreeably to the ancient, 
usages of the Order, especially as the object of the building to be 
erected is to hand down to the latest posterity, the virtues and 
patriotism of the greatest of men; who, during his valuable life, honored 
our Order by becoming a zealous and faithful member of the fraternity." 
His Excellency the R. W. G. Master then proceeded to try the fitness of 
the stone; and, addressing the President, pronounced the same "true and 
trusty." The architect, assisted by Messrs. William Steuart and Thomas 
Towson, the operative masons, under the direction of the president, placed 
the stone in its proper position. The Secretary then deposited in the 
stone a copper plate, on one side of which was engraved:

On the 4th of July, A. D. 1815, was laid this Foundation Stone

Of a monument to be erected to the memory of GEORGE WASHINGTON.

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On the reverse:

Managers. 
John Comegys, 
James A. Buchanan, 
Robert Gilmor, Jr., 
Isaac McKim, 
William H. Winder, 
David Winchester, 
Fielding Lucas, Jr., 
James Calhoun, Jr., 
James Cocke, 
John Frick, 
James Williams, 
Washington Hall, 
Lemuel Taylor, 
George Hoffman, 
Edward J. Coale, 
James Partridge, 
Nicholas G. Ridgely, 
Robert Miller, 
Nathaniel F. Williams, 
Levi Hollingsworth, 
William Gwynn, 
Benjamin H. Millikin, 
James Barroll. 
Eli Simkins, Secretary. 
Robert Mills, Architect.

The site presented by John Eager Howard, Esq. Edward Johnson, Mayor of the 
city.

A sealed glass bottle was also deposited, containing a likeness of 
Washington, his valedictory address, the several newspapers printed in 
this city, and the different coins of the United States. On the stone was 
engraved--

William Steuart and Thomas Towson, Stone Cutters; Sater Stevenson, Stone 
Mason.

The President, accompanied by the R. W. G. Master, the President and Vice-
President of the Cincinnati, and the Mayor of the city, proceeded and 
settled the stone. The Grand Master then pronounced, "May the Grand 
Architect of the Universe grant a blessing on this foundation-stone which 
we have now laid, and by His Providence enable us to finish this and every 
other work which may be undertaken for the benefit of the republic and the 
perpetuity of our free institutions." The R. W. G. Master then received 
the several vessels containing corn, wine and oil, and addressed the 
President said: "Sir, as the scattering of corn and the pouring out of 
wine and oil on such occasions are a part of our ancient ceremonies, with 
your assent I will perform that duty." The President signified his assent, 
when the Grand Master scattered the corn and poured out the wine and oil 
on the stone, saying, "May the All-Bountiful Author of Nature bless this 
city with an abundance of corn, wine and oil, and with all the 
necessaries, conveniences and comforts of life; and may the same Almighty 
power preserve the city from ruin and decay, to the latest posterity." The 
R. W. G. Master, then addressing the Rev. John Hargrove, Grand Chaplain, 
said: "Have we here the first and greatest light of Masonry?" He replied, 
"It is in my hands, Right Worshipful." The R. W. G. Master asked "What 
instruction does it give on this occasion?" The Grand Chaplain read the 
following select passages from the Holy Writings: "Thus saith the Lord 
God, behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a 
precious corner-stone, a sure foundation, &c. Judgment also will I lay to 
the line and

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righteousness unto the plummet." (Isaiah xxviii. 16--17.) "For behold the 
stone which I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes; 
behold I will engrave the engraving thereof, saith the Lord of Hosts." 
(Zech. iii. 9.) "Bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord; lift up 
your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord; the Lord that made heaven 
and earth bless thee out of Zion." (Psalm cxxxiv.) Grand honors by the 
Masons.

The president then addressed Mr. Mills: "The managers appointed by the 
Legislature of Maryland to superintend the erection of this monument, 
intended to hand down to the latest generation the love of country, the 
disinterestedness, the valor, and the patriotism of one of the greatest 
and best of men that ever lived in any age, having the most unbounded 
confidence in your skill and integrity as an architect, do now entrust you 
with these symbols (handing the S. L. P.) by which you are to prosecute 
according to that design, (pointing to a representation of the monument as 
designed by Mr. Mills, painted by W. H. Warren) a monument which may do 
honor to yourself as an architect, as well as those who have confided in 
you, and be in some degree commensurate with its object." Mr. Mills 
replied: "The honor, sir. you have been pleased to confer upon me, I hope 
to prove that I duly appreciate, by a faithful performance of the duties 
incumbent on me as an architect. I feel a double inducement to use my best 
exertions to execute faithfully, and with ability, the important duty 
intrusted to me, from the recollection that the work to be performed is 
the execution of a monument to perpetuate our country's gratitude to the 
Father of her Liberties, and that you have given a preference to native 
genius in the choice of a design for the work." The Rev. Dr. Inglis then 
pronounced prayer and benedicion. After which followed music, first 
solemn, then national. Grand salute of 100 guns, the band playing Yankee 
Doodle. The whole ceremonies of the day were concluded by three volleys 
from the whole line of infantry. The evening sky was beautifully 
bespangled by rockets thrown from Fort McHenry and the Columbian Gardens.

Attempts had been made to regulate the meetings for business of the 
merchants before, but in 1815 a more decisive plan of effecting this 
object was undertaken by Messrs. William Patterson, Robert G. Harper, 
Dennis A. Smith, John Oliver, Thomas Tennant, Robert Smith, Henry Payson, 
Isaac McKim, Henry Thompson, and others who purchased the grounds fronting 
on Gay street, from Second to Lombard streets, and began building in solid 
brick-work and rough-cast the building known as the Exchange according tea 
design of Benjamin H. Latrobe. Col. Jacob Small, carpenter, Col. Wm. 
Stewart, stone cutter, and Mr. T. Henning, bricklayer, were the builders. 
A part of the grounds being the N. W. corner of Gay and Lombard streets, 
was purchased, finished, and occupied by the United States as a custom-
house, and the S. W. corner of Gay and Second streets was in like manner 
taken by the Bank of the United

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States, but now occupied by the Merchants' Bank. The company was 
incorporated from its origin and organized in 1821, Robert Gilmor 
president, William Cooke secretary.

The Committee of Vigilance and Safety of the city of Baltimore, on the 1st 
of March, deeply impressed with the grateful recollection of the 
distinguished gallantry of their late fellow-citizens who fell nobly 
fighting in defence of their country on the ever-memorable 12th and 13th 
of September, 1814, unanimously resolved upon the erection of a monument 
to perpetuate their memories, and appointed James A. Buchanan, Samuel 
Hollingsworth, Richard Frisby, Joseph Jamieson, and Henry Payson, five of 
their members, to carry into effect the said resolution. "And that the 
cornerstone be laid on the 12th of September next, that there be then a 
grand procession, that the relatives of the deceased be invited to attend, 
and that a suitable address be delivered on the occasion."

Agreeably to the foregoing resolution, on the 12th of September, a 
procession was formed in Great York street (now East Baltimore street,) 
which proceeded by the intended route to Monument square. The funeral car, 
surmounted by a plan of the intended monument as designed by Mr. 
Maximilian Godefroy, and executed by Mr. John Finley assisted by Mr. 
Rembrandt Peale, was drawn by six white horses, caparisoned and led by six 
men in military uniform, and guarded by the Independent Blues, commanded 
by Capt. Levering. On the arrival at the square, the band, under direction 
of Professors Neninger and Bunzie, performed the music selected for the 
occasion. The Right Rev. Bishop Kemp then addressed the Throne of Grace in 
prayer, when the cornerstone of the monument was laid by the architect and 
his assistants, under the direction of General Smith, General Stricker, 
Colonel Armstead, and the Mayor. The book containing the names of the 
subscribers to the building of the monument, the newspapers of the 
preceding day, gold, silver, and copper coin of the United States, were 
deposited therein, together with a plate of copper on which was engraved--

September XII.

A. D. MDCCCXV.

In the XL year of Independence.

James Madison being President of the U. S.

To the memory of the brave defenders of this city, who gloriously fell in 
the Battle at North Point on the XII. September, 1814,

And at the bombardment of Fort McHenry on the XIII. of the same month; 
Edward Johnson, Mayor of the City.

Maj.-Gen. Samuel Smith, Brig.-Gen. John Stricker, and Lieut.-Col. G. 
Armistead of the U. S. Artillery,

Laid the corner stone of this Monument of public gratitude and the 
deliverance of this city,

Page 380

Raised by the munificence of the citizens of Baltimore, and under the 
superintendence of the Committee of Vigilance and Safety.

J. Maximilian M. Godefroy, Architect. J.G. Neale, S. Baughman, and E. 
Hore, Stone-cutters. W. Attley, Stone-mason.

The Rev. Dr. Inglis then delivered the address, after which the Mayor 
announced to Gen. Harper that the laying of the cornerstone was completed, 
when a federal salute was fired by the detachment of artillery, and the 
assembly was dismissed. Minute-guns were fired, and the bells of Christ 
Church were rung muffled during the moving of the procession, and all 
business was suspended for the day.

The following inscriptions appear on the different sides of this monument:

BATTLE OF NORTH POINT,
12th of September, A. D. 1814, and of the Independence of the United 
States the thirty-ninth. 
BOMBARDMENT OF FORT McHENRY,
September 13, A. D. 1814. 
John Lowry Donaldson, Adjutant, 27th Regiment. 
Gregorius Andre, Lieut. 1st Rifle Battalion. 
Levi Clagett, 3d Lieut. in Nicholson's Artillerists.

G. Jenkins, 
J. Richardson, 
W. Alexander, 
T. V. Beeston, 
D. Howard, 
J. H. Marriott of John, 
J. Armstrong, 
M. Desk, 
J. Craig, 
R. Neale, 
J. Evans, 
J. Haubert, 
D. Davis, 
H. G. McComas, 
J. Burneston, 
G. Fallier, 
J. Jephson, 
E. Marriott, 
J. Dunn, 
P. Byard, 
B. Reynolds, 
J. Gregg, 
A. Randall, 
J. H. Cox, 
J. Wolf, 
D. Wells, 
R. K. Cooksey, 
J. Wallack, 
J. C. Byrd, 
W. Ways, 
C. Bell, 
J. Clemm, 
T. Garrett, 
J. Merriken, 
C. Cox, 
U. Prosser, 
B. Bond.

1816. Messrs. Richard Caton, Benjamin and James Ellicott, Levy 
Hollingsworth, and others, obtained licenses from several proprietors, and 
employed John Leadbetter to bore for coal in the neighborhood of Saratoga 
and North streets, but without success.

Subscriptions to the new Bank of the United States were opened for a 
capital of twenty-eight millions, and $4,014,100 was subscribed here in 
the name of 15,610 persons, principals and proxies. A branch office was 
opened early in the next year, of which James A. Buchanan was appointed by 
the parent board president, and James W. McCulloch cashier; and then the 
banks generally resumed specie payments, which had been suspended since 
1814.

The Mayor and City Council resolved "to employ on behalf of the city of 
Baltimore, on such terms as they may deem proper,

Page 381

any artist in the United States to execute two superb paintings, one of 
the Battle of North Point near Baltimore on the 12th September, 1814, the 
other of the Bombardment of Fort McHenry on the 13th September, 1814. The 
said paintings to be as nearly as may be of the following dimensions, viz: 
fifteen feet long by ten feet high." In addition to the paintings 
mentioned, the City Council passed a resolution requesting Maj.-Gen. 
Samuel Smith, Brig.-Gen. Stricker, and Lieut.-Col. Armistead to sit for 
their respective portraits; also a vote of thanks to Brig.-Gen. Winder and 
Commodore Rogers for the important services rendered by them during the 
late attack of the enemy upon Baltimore.

On the 11th of May, John E. Howard, Thos. Tennant, William Lorman, Isaac 
McKim, Robert Gilmor, Jr., and F. Lucas, Jr., a committee appointed by the 
citizens, proceeded to Fort McHenry and presented to Lieut.-Col. Armistead 
a superb silver punch-bowl, representing one of the largest bomb-shells 
thrown into the fort by the British. The vase was accompanied by silver 
cans and ladle, the latter in the form of a shrapnel-shell, and the whole 
placed on a large silver tray. The same committee presented an elegant 
sword to Lieut. Webster, famous for the services he rendered at the "six-
gun battery," and afterwards one to Lieut. Newcomb of "Fort Covington."

At the session of 1816 the Legislature passed an Act to annex the 
Precincts, as they were called, to the city of Baltimore, against the 
consent of nine-tenths, perhaps, of the people of both. By this procedure 
the city acquired a population of 16,000 or 17,000 souls, and still had 
only two members in the House of Delegates -- a fortieth part of the power 
of legislation, and a fifth, if not a fourth, of all the white persons in 
the whole State. The mere addition thus made to Baltimore city for 
population or value of property was far greater than that of any one of 
seven or eight of the counties of the State, and equal or superior to that 
of two several pairs of united counties. But each county sent four members 
to the Legislature.

On the decease of the Right Rev. Bishop Clagett, this year, Rev. Dr. James 
Kemp becomes Bishop of the Diocese, and the first Bishop of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church residing in Baltimore.

Messrs. John E. Howard, William Patterson, William Gibson, William Lorman, 
Solomon Etting, George Warner, Owen Dorsey, Geo. Winchester, James Mosher, 
W. McMechen, John Hillen, Joseph Townsend, and Henry Thompson are 
appointed commissioners to survey and lay off streets, lanes and alleys 
added to the city.

Messrs. Jonathan Meredith, Thomas Kell, and D. Hoffman are appointed 
insolvent commissioners, to examine applicants and grant provisional 
relief.

Capt. George Stiles was elected Mayor of the city.

On the 16th of May, departed this life James McHenry, one of

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the framers of the Constitution of the United States, a secretary to Gen. 
Washington in the war of Independence, and of the Department of War in 
1798. On the 14th of August, at an advanced age, James Calhoun, first 
Mayor of Baltimore; and on the 7th of October, at his residence in the 
county, Col. N. R. Moore, commandant of cavalry and late member of 
Congress.

On the 26th of December, an elegant public entertainment was given to the 
gallant Commodore Decatur, at Barney's Fountain Inn, in the handsomest 
style of that day. General S. Smith, in the absence of the Mayor, 
presided. Among the many toasts given, Com. Decatur gave the following: 
"The citizens of Baltimore: their patriotism and valor defeated the 
veteran forces of their enemy, who came, saw, and fled!"

The Maryland Hospital was incorporated on the 29th of January, and on 
February 1st, the St. Andrew's Society of Baltimore, and on the same day 
the Medical Society of Maryland.

The following very interesting letter, giving some of the unpublished 
history of the war of 1812, was written by Major-General Samuel Smith, to 
Acting Secretary of War George Graham, Esq.:

"Washington, 30th December, 1816.

"George Graham, Esq., Acting Secretary of War:

"I have the honor to inform you that I have deposited with the accountant 
of the War Department the accounts of the Mayor and corporation of the 
city of Baltimore, for expenditures paid by them, principally in 1813, 
viz: For repairs in Fort McHenry, for new platforms for the guns of the 
water-battery, gun-carriages for some of the cannon appertaining to the 
fort, and for the guns borrowed from the French Consul, for balls for the 
same, for ammunition, for erecting furnaces, for booms in front of the 
fort to prevent a surprise by night, for a small flotilla to row guard by 
night some distance in advance to give notice by signal of the approach of 
the enemy, for a seaman's corps to man the same and the great guns, which 
being mounted on ship-carriages and worked with tackles, could not be 
worked by common artillerists, for labor in removing the earth and 
throwing up works within the precincts of Fort McHenry, for liquor to the 
persons employed, and for a variety of charges incidental to the 
preparations necessary for the defence of Fort McHenry; all of which were 
made conformably to orders given by General Swift (chief-engineer to Major 
Beall, the commanding officer of that garrison), or by directions of Col. 
Wadsworth.

"Those expenses were admitted by General Armstrong to be charges against 
the United States, and would have been paid by his order, but on the agent 
(James W. McCulloch) presenting the papers to the accountant, they were 
found to be unprepared settlement, and were all seat hack to be better 
arranged, except

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for the pay due the militia, which had been advanced by the city, and 
which the paymaster by order of the Secretary of War refunded, I repeat 
that General Armstrong had agreed to pay all those charges, and nothing 
but the informality of the papers prevented the adjustment and payment of 
those accounts. The muster and pay-rolls of the militia, which had been 
paid by the city, being in proper form, were presented at the same time, 
and the amount repaid to the city. Those expenditures were made at my 
request, and under my orders as Major-General commanding at Baltimore; 
they were addressed to the committee appointed by the Mayor and 
corporation, because there was at that time no Quartermaster-General at 
that port or other military officer authorized to act. Had such officers 
been appointed, all such accounts as came within their powers would have 
been paid by them, which I shall show was the case; when a pro tem. 
quartermaster was appointed on my pressing solicitation. The following 
view may not be deemed unnecessary to a complete understanding of the 
subject:

"On the 11th of March, 1813, the Governor of Maryland visited Baltimore 
with a view to ascertain its situation as to defence, and at his request I 
addressed him a letter. On the 12th or 13th he issued a general order 
directing me to purchase powder, ball, &c., &c., to a small amount, which 
has been paid for by the State, and in which he ordered me 'to take the 
earliest opportunity of making the necessary arrangements of the militia 
for the defence of the port of Baltimore.' In consequence of this order I 
commenced immediately to make the necessary preparations to repel the 
enemy in case of an attack. My letter-book, which I submit to your 
perusal, will show you copies of Gov. Winder's orders, by correspondence 
between the Secretary of War and Navy departments and myself, by which you 
will see that my command was by them fully acknowledged, both of those 
gentlemen having directed the officers under their command to co-operate 
with me, which order was obeyed by Major Beall of the land troops, and 
Captain Gordon of the navy. General Armstrong's letter of 15th of May, 
1813, admits that I was in full command, and therefore my right to do what 
was necessary is fully admitted. At my solicitations, Mr. James W. 
McCulloch was appointed in April, 1813, as acting Deputy-Quartermaster-
General, and in that capacity was directed by General Armstrong to obey my 
orders; that he did so, will be seen by his letter to me, by my order to 
him of 27th April, 1813, and by his accounts herewith settled at the War 
Department; my orders being his only vouchers. I state those facts to show 
that I acted, was obeyed, and recognized as in full command, and therefore 
fully authorized to make every necessary preparation for the defence of 
the port where I commanded. Colonel Wadsworth, then at the head of the 
Ordnance Department, was sent as engineer to direct any new works that 
might be deemed necessary. He directed a very extensive work to protect 
the gate, and caused

Page 384

Fort Covington to be erected; and on his first arrival he promised (the 
enemy then in sight) that the gun-carriages and ball for the French guns 
should be paid for as well as those for the guns belonging to the fort; 
however, after the enemy had gone, he declined taking that responsibility 
on himself, and referred to the Secretary of War, who assured me that they 
should be paid for. The guns are still mounted, and the balls are still in 
the fort, except those expended in practising and in resisting the bomb-
vessels when the attack was made upon the fort. Seven of those balls 
pierced one of them, and compelled her to take a safe distance; indeed, I 
may attribute the preservation of the fort to those French guns and balls. 
The enemy knew they were mounted, and knew they carried balls of 41 lbs. 
weight, and that furnaces had been prepared to make them red hot.

"When I assumed the command I visited Fort McHenry. found that one of the 
platforms was rotten; that the water battery was totally destroyed; that 
the ground between the fort and the water was in its natural state, 
affording a good cover to an attacking enemy; that some of the carriages 
within the fort on the battery were unfit for service; that there were no 
furnaces; in fine, that the fort was not in a condition to repel a serious 
attack. On my representation to the Secretary of War, Col. Swift was sent 
to Baltimore. He gave us but one day, but during that day he sketched 
directions to Major Beall, which were highly approved of by me, and were 
executed under the Major's superintendence; but much of the expense was 
paid for by the city. Those orders directed an extensive line of water 
battery, which made it necessary to remove an immense quantity of earth, 
to lay a long line of platforms for the guns, on which I caused to be 
mounted the French guns, borrowed from the Consul. On the approach of the 
enemy, I caused hulks to be ballasted, prepared and moored head and stern, 
to be sunk if necessary to prevent the enemy from passing the fort. They 
were not sunk, but their preparation, removal, and injury sustained, was 
paid for by the city, and is certainly a just charge against the United 
States. One of the charges is for flints, powder and ball, and the making 
of cartridges. This was absolutely necessary. There was no public supply; 
a small quantity only had been deposited at the fort, and I had no other 
means of providing ammunition but through the aid of the city. Care was 
taken to preserve the cartridges, and they were used at Bladensburg and at 
North Point. Entrenching tools were indispensable, and were in part 
supplied by the city, and part from the public stores. It is proper for me 
to state, that in the year 1813, in which the great amount of expenses 
were incurred, there was no work to which the city aided (out of Fort 
McHenry) except a small work for six guns which was thrown up by the brick-
makers without charge, and that there cannot be a charge to any great 
amount on that account. That battery destroyed one of the enemy's barges 
in their night attack and compelled them to retreat.

Page 385

"I beg leave to refer you to General Armstrong's letter of 22d of April, 
1813, in which he informed me that he appointed Mr. McCulloch deputy 
Quartermaster-General, and in which he says: 'That the committee of public 
supplies had rendered all the services that he could have obtained from a 
more early appointment of a quartermaster, and that he will of course 
direct him to pay all the expenditures made by them, which may come within 
the purview of his duty,' thus recognising the essential services of the 
committee, and authorising the payment of such expenses paid by them as 
came within the quartermaster's department, some of which were paid by Mr. 
McCulloch. He implicitly admitted thereby that other fair charges on other 
departments would be paid, and that such was his intention is evident from 
his requesting me to desire the Mayor to send forward the accounts for 
adjustment. I repeat that these not being paid was owing to their in 
informality. The committee were not well informed as to what items did 
come under the purview of the Quartermaster's authority, and only 
presented a part. The same principle expressed by the Secretary as good 
reason for paying the items coming under the power of the D. Q. M. G., is 
equally applicable to the payment of ordnance stores, employment of hulks, 
and for powder, lead, &c., &c., to wit: 'That the committee have rendered 
all the services that could have been rendered by officers properly 
authorized.' Had the proper officers been appointed in 1813 as was in 
1814, all or nearly all the expenditures made and paid by the committee 
would have been paid by them, and certainly not with more economy. General 
Armstrong writes, 3d April, 1813: 'You are making yourselves ready 
comparatively with little expense to the United States, and will no doubt 
be prepared to meet the enemy.' In that letter he complains of a want of 
money. The committee supplied that want.

"In fine, I feel confident that on a perusal of my correspondence with the 
Secretaries of War and Navy, you will have no doubt that I was acting with 
their full concurrence, and that the committee under my orders as 
commanding general acted as the officers of Quartermaster and Commissary 
of Purchases would have done had any been then appointed. That all they 
did was economically done cannot be doubted, and of this fact I can assure 
you, that the work done and preparation made in 1813 was the cause of its 
preservation when attacked in 1814, and that the preparations made in 1813 
enabled us to meet the enemy when he attacked us by land in 1814. The city 
was saved by the preparations of 1813, and I cannot doubt but the debt 
then contracted by the city will be honorably discharged by a settlement 
at the War Department. I have the honor to be
"Your obedient servant, Samuel Smith.

"P. S.--It may be proper to state that in April, 1813, Admiral Cockburn 
appeared off the mouth of the Patapsco, and threatened

Page 386

an attack on Fort McHenry. He sent a flag under a pretext of sending a 
letter to the Secretary of State, but in truth to get a view of the fort 
and to sound the river. The flag was met at the distance of four miles by 
my aide-de-camp, and detained by Capt. Chayter, who commanded one of the 
flotilla barges at that distance, until my answer returned, He asked 
whether we had mounted the guns of the French 74, and was answered that we 
had mounted the heaviest: and this information it was afterwards said in 
the fleet prevented an attempt being then made. In August, 1813, on 
Admiral Harvey appearing at a landing at Kent Island, I was called into 
the service of the United States by General Armstrong whilst in Baltimore 
on his way to the North, and on the 26th of August, 1814, I was ordered 
into service as M. G. of the Quota."

On the 19th of June an ordinance was passed by the Mayor and City Council, 
granting permission to the Gas Light Company of Baltimore to mere 
effectually light the streets of Baltimore. The Company obtained their 
charter on the 5th of February, 1817. The original corporators were 
Rembrandt Peale, William Lorman, James Mosher, Robert Carey Long, and 
William Gwynn. Mr. Gwynn was then editor of the old Baltimore Gazette, and 
aided largely by his pen in writing the infant project into public favor. 
The first building in this city lighted with gas was Peale's Museum on 
Holliday street, (now Old City Hall.) This was Mr. Peale's individual 
enterprise, and visitors paid a small fee to see the new light. The 
experiment suggested the idea of lighting the city by the same means, and 
a charter was accordingly obtained from the Legislature, one hundred 
shares being set apart at the time to be assigned to Rembrandt Peale as a 
compensation in full for the privilege of using the invention of Doctor 
Benjamin Kugler of Philadelphia, for manufacturing, collecting, and using 
carburetted hydrogen gas. The Company got fairly under way about 1820, its 
first president being William Lorman. The gas-works were located at the 
corner of North and Saratoga streets, and the first public building 
lighted with gas by the Company was the old "Mud" or "Belvedere" Theatre, 
at the north-west corner of North and Saratoga streets. The first private 
dwelling lighted with gas was that of the late Jacob J. Cohen on North 
Charles street; the second, that of the late Hugh Birckhead, in the same 
street. From that time the consumption of gas steadily increased, until, 
instead of the three original takers in 1820, there were, in 1870, 15,301 
consumers of gas in the city. Besides this, the Company also supplies 3400 
city-lamps for lighting the streets.

1817. On the 11th of February, the Hibernian Society of Baltimore was 
incorporated, and on the 16th of February the Second Dispensary was 
incorporated by the Legislature.

At this period, Sunday-schools were organized by the religious societies 
generally, and the members of the Catholic Church established

Page 387

a free school for both sexes, which was forthwith incorporated. Mr. John 
McKim, deceased this year, had requested his heirs to appropriate six 
hundred dollars of ground rents per annum for the support of a free school 
under the direction of the Friends' Society. This institution, founded by 
John McKim and supported by his endowment, now occupies the beautiful 
structure erected by his son Isaac McKim, at the corner of Baltimore and 
Aisquith streets. It is built in imitation of the temple of Theseus at 
Athens.

On the 5th of March, at night, the wing occupied by the criminals in the 
penitentiary, containing about 300, was set on fire and nearly consumed, 
but no lives were lost.

At a meeting of sundry persons convened at the house of Henry Payson, 
Esq., on the 10th day of February, 1817, for the purpose of taking into 
consideration the expediency of forming a religious society, and of 
building a new church for the accommodation of Christians who are 
Unitarians, and who cherish liberal sentiments on the subject of religion, 
Henry Payson was called to the chair, and Nathanael Williams appointed 
secretary. The object of the meeting having been stated and discussed, it 
was unanimously resolved, that it was expedient and desirable to form a 
society for the purposes aforesaid; and a plan or constitution of 
government being proposed, as provided by an Act of the General Assembly 
of Maryland, entitled "An Act to incorporate certain persons in every 
Christian Church or congregation in this State," the same was debated and 
adopted. From this assembly of gentlemen, most of them originally from New 
England, the First Independent or Unitarian Church of Baltimore took its 
origin. A lot on the northwest corner of Charles and Franklin streets was 
shortly afterward purchased, and Maximilian Godefroy, a distinguished 
architect of the day, was employed to design and build a church. The 
corner-stone of the present noble edifice was accordingly laid with due 
ceremony on June 5th, 1817, and the building having been sufficiently 
advanced for public worship, it was solemnly dedicated to the service of 
Almighty God on the 29th of October, 1818. On November 1st of the same 
year, the first Sunday services were held in it; the Rev. Mr. Colman 
officiating in the morning, and the Rev. Dr. Freeman in the evening. The 
Rev. Jared Sparks of Cambridge, Mass., was engaged to preach for some 
weeks, and on the 31st of January, 1819, he was unanimously called to the 
pastorate of the church. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained 
accordingly on May 5th. The sermon on this occasion was preached by the 
celebrated Dr. William Ellery Channing of Boston, Mass., the most 
distinguished champion of the Unitarian faith, and it was regarded as one 
of the most powerful efforts of his life. Mr. Sparks was a man of much 
ability as a writer and thinker, and greatly beloved for his fine social 
qualities. During his ministry he entered into a controversy with Rev. Dr. 
Wm. E. Wyatt of St. Paul's Church, who had warmly attacked the principles 
of the Unitarian

Page 388

faith; and Mr. Sparks replied in a series of articles defending 
Unitarianism with signal skill. His pastorate lasted until July, 1823, 
when he resigned his charge, partly on account of ill health and a desire 
of change of pursuits, He left the ministry altogether, although he always 
remained a Unitarian. and henceforth devoted himself to literary labors. 
He became widely known as one of the foremost of American historians by 
his "Life and Letters of George Washington," "Life and Letters of
Franklin," and "Correspondence of the Revolution." He was editor of the 
North American Review and of "Sparks' American Biography," for three years 
Professor of History in Harvard University, and became also its president. 
He died universally respected and beloved on March 14th, 1866, in the 
seventy-seventh year of his age. He retained always an affectionate 
interest in the city and people of Baltimore. "The amount of Mr. Sparks' 
literary labor and its popular estimation, may be judged from the fact 
that more than six hundred thousand volumes of his various publications 
have been published and disposed of."

After the retirement of Mr. Sparks the church struggled on for some years 
without a settled minister, various clergymen supplying the pulpit from 
time to time until April 23, 1828, when the Rev. George W. Burnap, who had 
for nearly a year previous been preaching in the church, was ordained as 
its pastor. Mr. Burnap was a young man when he entered on his ministry, 
and he continued to be the devoted and zealous shepherd of his flock for a 
period of near thirty-two years. During this period he became widely known 
as a writer in controversial theology, and also published a number of 
volumes, such as "Lectures to Young Men," "Lectures to Young Women," &c., 
&c., which gave him a deserved and handsome reputation in literature. He 
was universally beloved for his pure and unselfish character, and was on 
terms of cordial friendship with many of the orthodox clergy in Baltimore. 
During the latter part of his ministry some persons seceded from the 
church, and established another congregation under charge of Rev. -- 
Bowen, preaching at the old Masonic Hall. Mr. Bowen continued the pastor 
of this second society until some time after the outbreak of the 
Rebellion, when he entered the Federal army as chaplain. Dr. Burnap died 
suddenly on September 8th, 1859, to the great grief of his congregation.

The Rev. N. H. Chamberlain, of Canton, Mass., was elected to fill the 
vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Burnap, and he was duly installed on 
March 28th, 1860. About a year after he was settled the Civil War broke 
out, and a number of persons left the church on account of politics. Mr. 
Chamberlain continued in charge until January 1st, 1863, when he resigned 
the pastorate, chiefly on account of a change in his religious views. His 
resignation was accepted, and he subsequently united himself to the 
Episcopal Church, and was ordained to its ministry. During

Page 389

Mr. Chamberlain's ministry the Unitarian Church was injured by a fire, 
burning a number of the pews, &c., caused by a defect in the furnace.

The Rev. John F. W. Ware, of Cambridge, Mass., was invited on January 12, 
1864, to become the pastor of the church, and accepting the call, he, 
without any formal installation, began duty on May 15, 1864. He was a 
forcible and able pulpit orator, but becoming dissatisfied with his 
situation, he resigned his charge on June 29, 1867. He continued for some 
time, however, to preach elsewhere in the city, and his Sunday evening 
discourses at Ford's Opera House attracted much attention. After Mr. 
Ware's departure there was another interregnum for some time in the 
affairs of the church, various ministers conducting the services, and 
among them the Rev. Orville Dewey, D.D. A choice was at length made of the 
Rev. Edward C. Guild, of Boston, Mass., who entered upon his duties on 
September 19, 1869. He continued in charge until May 27, 1872, when, 
greatly to the regret of his flock, he sent in his resignation, remaining, 
however, as the pastor until September 1st. The Rev. Charles R. Weld, B. 
D., who had just graduated at the Divinity School of Cambridge, Mass., was 
invited to become the minister in place of Mr. Guild on October 27, 1872. 
He accepted the position thus tendered, and was accordingly ordained as 
the pastor of the church on Thursday, January 2d, 1873. Mr. Weld is a 
descendant of the celebrated Dr. Jonathan Edwards, of Northampton, Mass., 
the famous orthodox divine. Mr. Weld brings to his charge the finest 
mental accomplishments, while his pulpit oratory is remarkable for depth 
of thought and fascination of style. Under his ministry the congregation 
has already largely increased, and the affairs of the church are more 
prosperous than ever before.

A society was formed in aid of the Colonization Society, which was 
established at Washington, to procure the voluntary transportation of free 
blacks to the coast of Africa. Col. Howard, who was vice-president of the 
parent society, was chosen president of this one. Luke Tiernan, treasurer, 
and Edward J. Coale, secretary.

On the 18th of June departed this life at Georgetown, aged 70 years, the 
Most Rev. Leonard Neale, second Archbishop of Baltimore; and was succeeded 
by the Rev. Ambrose Mareschal, who was consecrated on the 14th of December 
of the following year. Bishop Neale was distinguished for sound judgment, 
profound learning, heroic zeal, and unaffected humility. He was born at 
Port Tobacco, in the Province of Maryland, on the 15th of October, 1746, 
of wealthy and respectable parents, whose ancestors emigrated to this 
country with Lord Baltimore, in the year 1632, from Ireland.

On Friday night, the 8th of August, the rain descended with exceeding 
violence. It was almost an incessant and increasing torrent or deluge of 
water, until about 1 o'clock P.M. on Saturday. By this time Jones Falls, 
which runs through the city of

Page 390

Baltimore, and divides that part familiarly called "Old Town" from the 
rest, had swelled to a great height. This stream is about 14 miles long, 
with a very rapid descent; passes through a hilly country, and affords, 
perhaps, more mill-seats than almost any creek of its length in the United 
States; nearly all of which are very highly improved. In general, it may 
be at any point forded without reaching above a horse's knee, and within 
the compact parts of the city is confined by stone-walls built on piles, 
by houses on its banks, or wharved to a space of 60 feet wide above 
Baltimore Street bridge, but of some greater width below to the basin. At 
1 o'clock the wooden bridge at Centre street (the highest on the stream 
within the newly extended limits of the city-limits) was lifted from its 
abutments and happily deposited in a garden below. Many of the mill-dams 
above had, by this time, been swept away, and their accumulated waters 
were added to the torrent. The next bridge, at Bath street, also of wood, 
shared the fate of the former, but passed in an undivided body down the 
stream and lodged against the stone bridge at Gay street. Here it 
instantly collected an immense mass of floating timber, parts of houses, 
&c., and formed a complete dam. The water then spread over the low grounds 
west of the Falls, and impetuously passed down Fish street (now Saratoga) 
to Harrison and Frederick streets,--that part of the city called the 
"Meadow" being overflowed to the depth of 10 to 15 feet. The greatest 
force of the torrent in this part fell against the brick houses near the 
intersection of the south side of Gay with Frederick and Harrison streets, 
and especially in the latter, where some frame buildings were in a moment 
swept off, and those of brick hardly resisted the force of the stream, 
their foundations being near rooted up. Harrison is a very wide street, 
extending northwardly from what is called the "Market Space," or place 
where the principal market-house of the city is located, and afforded vent 
for an immense quantity of water, in many places more than six feet deep, 
and of such power at the head of the market-house as to render it unsafe 
for man or horse to cross it,--though, except for about half an hour, when 
the flood was at its greatest height, it was forded by carts loaded with 
people; but a coach, in attempting it, was swept off and lodged against 
the posts at the market, the horses very narrowly escaping. Market Street 
bridge, built of stone and not being dammed as that at Gay street, was 
protected by the diversion that the damming of the latter caused, stood 
the current which passed under it with the rapidity of an arrow. Before 
this, the two light foot-bridges between Market and George Streets (now 
Lombard Street) bridges, had given way,--and George Street bridge of wood, 
old, and designed to have been speedily supplied by one of stone, soon 
shared the same fate; it lodged crosswise against the stone bridge at 
Pratt street, and soon formed another complete dam. The water then took an 
additional rise, but rather momentary, of about three feet

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in less than three-quarters of a minute; and a large quantity of property, 
until then but partially injured, was sacrificed. This was the lowest 
bridge on the Falls, and the water, after passing it, spread over the low 
grounds in its course to the basin, and did but little comparative damage. 
Of all the bridges on the Falls, that at Market street only escaped 
uninjured. Those at Gay and Pratt streets were so much injured that they 
could only be passed on foot in safety, and were required to be rebuilt,-- 
one arch of each.

It is utterly impossible to embody on paper the scene that this deluge 
presented. Houses, horses, cattle, with many swine, carts, drays, and 
other carriages, with perhaps thousands of cords of wood, and immense 
quantities of heavy timber of all sorts and descriptions, and some entire 
trees, with a multitude of articles of household furniture and mechanical 
industry, hogsheads and barrels of whiskey, flour, &c., &c., and, on two 
or three occasions, human beings, were seen mingled in tremendous 
confusion, dashing against each other, and impelled with irresistible 
force. Women and children in the upper stories of their houses were 
sending forth their shrieks, and calling for assistance from their frail 
fellow-men gallantly risking their lives to rescue them, but without much 
success until after the flood was at its greatest height, which was about 
three o'clock. When we recollect the awful force of the water, and measure 
the depth that it had, we are humbled with a sense of gratitude that so 
few persons were lost--not exceeding six in the whole. There was much 
doubt and considerable dispute whether this freshet was so great as that 
suffered in 1786. "We of ourselves know nothing of the latter, but from 
all that we can hear, are inclined to believe that a greater quantity of 
water came down then than on Saturday last, but that this freshet was 
higher in several places (owing to the encroachments upon the water-course 
and other obstructions of the stream) by 31/2 or 4 feet than the former; 
but, possibly, lower in others, more immediately on the banks of the 
Falls."

On Monday, July 28th, "The First Mechanical Volunteers," one of the 
companies attached to the fifth regiment, erected on the spot where the 
advanced party under Major Heath was engaged with the British forces on 
the battle-field at North Point, a monument to the memory of Aquilla 
Randall, one of the members who fell in that engagement. The company, 
headed by their commander Capt. B. C. Howard, marched from the city at an 
early hour, and were joined on the ground at 11 o'clock by Col. Heath, 
Lieut.Col. Barry, Major Steuart, and several other officers of the 
regiment. The ceremony of putting up the monument was then commenced, and 
in a very short time completed under the direction of Mr. Towson, Lieut. 
of the company. Having completed the necessary labors of the undertaking, 
the company was then drawn up in front of the monument; the officers of 
the regiment attending by invitation were posted in front of the company, 
and Cap-

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tain Howard delivered a modest but impressive address. After firing three 
volleys over the monument, the company was dismissed to partake of a 
handsome collation.

On the 12th of October, Andrew Clemments, an industrious French farmer, at 
the north extremity of Gay street, was killed by another Frenchman, Jean 
Lemarde, in his employ, on the way from market, and his body was concealed 
in the garden. On November 21st, Lemarde was convicted, and on November 
23d he attempted suicide by opening a vein in his arm. On the 9th of 
December, after his sentence to death, he hanged himself in his cell by 
making a rope of his shirt, He left the following writing: "A Chinese 
condemned to death by a special court, it is to his honor to be his own 
executioner. That which is virtue with one nation is vice with another. 
The sun enlightens all. What were you before you existed? Nothing. What 
will you be when you cease to exist? Nothing. So ends Jean Lemarde, aged 
47 years, nine months and nine days. Died victim."

At the anniversaries of the battle of North Point and of the bombardment 
of Fort McHenry, the companies which had assisted in the defence of Fort 
McHenry visited that now very respectable fortress, where they partook of 
a splendid repast in the presence of Commodore Rogers and Lieutenant-
Colonel Armistead. The happy occasion was embraced to present to the 
gallant Commodore Rogers a rich service of plate, prepared for him by the 
citizens of Baltimore, in testimony of his services at the time of need.

The powder mills belonging to Messrs. Levering and others, about seven 
miles from Baltimore, blew up on October 4th, with terrible effect. There 
were three explosions in succession, by which four men were killed and 
several badly wounded.

On the 29th of September, Messrs. Richard Caton, Isaac McKim, and John 
Hoffman, on the part of a number of citizens, presented to Commodore 
Stephen Decatur, then in the city of Washington, a splendid service of 
plate, as a testimonial of their respect for his private virtues, and 
gratitude for his distinguished public services.

Died on Friday morning, the 24th of October, Col. Nathaniel Ramsay of 
Baltimore, who in the Revolutionary war distinguished himself as a brave, 
meritorious, and humane officer, He was loved and esteemed by all the 
army, particularly by the great, good and discerning man, General 
Washington. At the battle of Monmouth, when our army was pressed by the 
enemy advancing rapidly, Gen. Washington asked for an officer. Col. Ramsay 
presented himself; the General took him by the hand and said, "If you can 
stop the British ten minutes (till I form) you will save my army." Col. 
Ramsay answered, "I will stop them or fall." He advanced with his party, 
engaged and kept them in check for half an hour, nor did he retreat until 
the enemy and his troops were mingled; and at last, in the rear of his 
troops, fighting his way, sword in hand, fell pierced with many wounds, in 
sight of both armies.

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The different Marine Insurance Companies determined to have the shoals of 
the river sounded, and buoys fixed to be a guide to the shipping, which 
was undertaken by Capt. Lewis Brantz, and the corporation caused the 
soundings to be carried throughout the harbor. But the General Government 
afterwards assumed the charge of the buoys, and in 1820 erected a light-
house at the Bodkin, and another at North Point.

1818. Departed this life on Saturday the 25th of April, Lieut.-Colonel 
George Armistead, of the United States army, the deluder of Fort McHenry 
on the memorable 13th September, 1814, in the 39th year of his age, and 
was consigned to the tomb on Sunday, with every respect that a grateful 
people could bestow. During the solemnities of the occasion, a detachment 
of the 1st regiment of artillerists of the 3d brigade fired minute guns 
from Federal Hill. The procession was the largest ever witnessed in this 
city on a similar occasion.

The eastern mail was robbed a few hours after it left the city, on the 
night of the 11th of March, and Hare and Alexander were convicted of the 
deed in the United States Court, and having put the driver in jeopardy of 
his life, were hung in the jail yard, on Thursday the 10th of September. 
On this occasion, the mode of execution from a cart was changed to a drop 
or scaffold, with a trap door, and so continued in later executions.

"The Savings Bank" was incorporated, conducted by twenty-four managers, of 
whom Captain Daniel Howland was chosen president.

Joshua Barney was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on the 6th of July, 1759. 
He went to sea when a small boy, and at the age of fourteen years was 
second mate of a vessel, and at sixteen was commander. After many 
adventures abroad, he arrived in the Chesapeake in October, 1775. The 
following June he was appointed a lieutenant in the United States navy, 
and was the first to unfurl the American flag in Maryland. He was a very 
active officer during the whole war. He brought the first news of peace 
with Great Britain on the 12th of March, 1783. Continuing in service, he 
was one of the six commanders appointed under the Act of 1793, but he 
declined the honor. He went to France with Monroe, and was the bearer of 
the American flag to the National Convention. He entered the French 
service in command of two frigates. He resigned his French commission in 
1802, and returned home. He again entered the naval service of the United 
States in 1812, and distinguished himself during the war that ensued. He 
died of bilious fever at Pittsburg on the 1st of December, 1818, at the 
age of fifty-nine years and six months.

A most destructive fire happened in Baltimore on Thursday, the 22d of 
October. It was discovered in one end of the old tobacco inspection 
warehouse on Philpot and Queen streets (near Pratt), Fell's Point. Owing 
to a very strong northwest wind

Page 394

at the time, the conflagration soon increased, and spread very rapidly to 
the east and south, and in a short period a number of warehouses were in 
flames, including two frame dwellings occupied by Messrs. James Morrison 
and John Robinson, also three other frame dwellings and a blockmaker's and 
ship-joiners's shop. The fire then extended to the opposite side of the 
street, and burnt three brick dwellings occupied by Messrs. Samuel 
Kennard, Joseph Coleman, and George Wagner. Six of the frame and two of 
the brick houses belonged to Wm. Patterson.

The loading of tobacco in the rivers being almost wholly discontinued, the 
quantity brought to Baltimore was greatly increased, and a market 
continually open through intermediary dealers. Messrs. Amos and George 
Williams obtained a license to erect an inspection warehouse on 
O'Donnell's wharf. The next year the public warehouse at the Point was 
accidentally burned down, and in 1820 Mr. Moses Shepherd had another 
warehouse licensed for him on Light street wharf, when the warehouses of 
Messrs. O'Donnell and Williams were united under one inspection. The year 
after Messrs. Samuel R. Smith and Christopher Hughes obtained licenses to 
erect a warehouse each on or near Light street wharf, the first of which 
was built accordingly; and two years after Mr. William Patterson obtained 
another license for a warehouse on his wharf near Commerce street.

The number of public carriages licensed and in use at this time was of 
hackney-coaches 100, of carts 350, drays 200, and of scows or lighters 
about 20.

1819. In the summers of 1819 and 1821, the city of Baltimore was visited 
by that dreadful scourge yellow fever. Its ravages were principally 
confined to that section of Baltimore called Fell's Point. The utmost 
effort of medical skill was unable to arrest its progress. The young and 
vigorous, as well as the aged and infirm, were alike victims of the fatal 
malady. Business was in a great measure suspended. Most of those whose 
means enabled them to remove from the "infected district," as it was 
designated, sought refuge in the country, or in distant parts of the city. 
The poor and sick were almost the only inhabitants of a portion of the 
city that had been distinguished for its active enterprise and the thrifty 
industry of its population. Want of employment deprived many families of 
that support which willing industry had never failed to provide. The 
utmost efforts of the well were required throughout the day and night in 
attending the sick. Here a father of a family was nursed by a devoted 
wife, whose little ones required all her care: there a wife was indebted 
to a hardy and athletic husband, who would have toiled with pleasure 
during the long summerday for his loved ones, but was sadly deficient in 
the gentle blandishments of a nurse. Sometimes both were stricken down, 
and the care of parents devolved, upon inexperienced, childhood. Often the 
sad scene was varied by death, and the sick survivors saw the

Page 395

objects most dear to them on earth borne to the silent grave without being 
able to pay the last sacred rites to parent, child, or cherished partner. 
The physicians, with the lofty intrepidity of their profession, exhausted 
their skill and their strength in assiduous attention to the sufferers, 
seconded by some few generous spirits who dared to be nurses in the midst 
of pestilence. Death struck down some of the physicians, and the streets 
became more deserted and the sufferers more desolate. The destitute 
condition of the sufferers awakened the warm sympathy of their more 
favored fellow-citizens, and Baltimore, ever distinguished for its 
generous impulses, made provision for the sick in the Maryland Hospital, 
and established an encampment on the hills on the north-eastern side of 
the city, to which the poor were removed and were provided with provisions 
at the public expense. In the same tents, and on the very spot where they 
had encamped a few years before in military array, many of the inhabitants 
of Fell's Point now found refuge from an enemy far more dreaded than "an 
army with banners." And the beauteous spectacle was exhibited of citizens 
the most distinguished for virtue, talents and wealth, devoting their 
utmost energies to alleviate the sorrows of those who were houseless and 
penniless. Among the survivors the effects were visible long after the 
epidemic had ceased. As winter approached, widowed mothers and orphan 
children occupied the places of once cheerful and happy families. Men who 
had been accustomed to earn a comfortable subsistence for themselves and 
families by their industry, were now to be seen with enfeebled 
constitutions and broken spirits mourning the loss of the wife of their 
bosom, or of children who had been their comfort. With some, want of 
employment, with others, inability to work, made assistance from the 
benevolent necessary. The distresses of the citizens were greatly 
increased by the failure of the "City Bank," and mismanagement of the 
office of the United States and other banks, accompanied by the fall in 
the price of flour and tobacco in foreign markets, affecting the prices of 
all kinds of property here.

After several previous unsuccessful attempts to organize, in the city of 
Baltimore, an association for the promotion of science, in the year 1819 a 
few gentlemen formed a society, which met in a humble room over a stable, 
in the rear of the houses on the north-west corner of Lexington and St. 
Paul streets. Amongst its members were Robert Gilmor and Drs. Ducatel, 
Frick, George Williamson and Macaulay. Notwithstanding the zeal of its 
members, the society was very short-lived. Its funds, however, were 
carefully husbanded; and subsequently, amounting to over $1200, they were 
given to the Academy which was formed in 1822. This was the first 
successful attempt to establish a scientific institution. Dr. L. H. 
Gerardin, a distinguished French savant, who was also Principal of 
Baltimore College, was chosen as the first president. He died in the year 
1825. During his presidency, the Academy

Page 396

met at Baltimore College, and subsequently over the Post-office, at the 
north-east corner of Fayette and North streets. On the 16th of February, 
1826, the members were incorporated, under the name of the "Maryland 
Academy of Science and Literature." After this, the Academy removed to the 
Athenæum, at the south-west corner of Lexington and St. Paul streets. Here 
the collections were greatly increased, a valuable museum was formed, and 
the members were active and zealous, till the 7th of February, 1835, when 
the building, and with it the greater part of the library and collections 
of the Academy, were destroyed by fire (see fire 1835). After this, the 
Academy became almost extinct. There are still living three venerable 
gentlemen who, fifty years ago, were members of this society; viz., Philip 
T. Tyson, Josias Pennington and George W. Andrews. In 1836 the Academy was 
again revived, and the meetings were held over the Post-office, in its old 
room. Dr. Patrick Macaulay was chosen president. In 1837 was published the 
first and only volume of the "Transactions of the Maryland Academy of 
Science and Literature." After a short and languishing existence of about 
8 years, the Academy was dissolved in 1844, and its books and collections 
were distributed amongst its members. After 1844, unless we except the 
Geological and Phrenological Societies, nothing was attempted in Baltimore 
for the cultivation of science. Both these associations were very short-
lived. On the 7th May, 1855, the Maryland Historical Society established a 
"Committee on Natural History." This Committee met at the rooms of the 
Historical Society every fortnight, until the close of the year 1862. On 
the 22d January, 1863, a meeting was held at the house of Philip T. Tyson; 
and the present "Maryland Academy of Sciences" was organized, by the 
adoption era Constitution, and the election of Mr. Tyson as its president. 
The meetings of the Academy were held every fortnight at the house of some 
member of the Academy, until April, 1867, when they were held at the 
building of the Faculty of Art and Sciences of the University of Maryland, 
No. 32 Mulberry Street. On the 15th March, 1867, the Academy was 
incorporated, under the name of the Maryland Academy of Sciences. A room 
was subsequently rented in 1868, in the Chatard Building, southwest corner 
of Lexington and Charles streets; and a museum and a library were 
commenced. In 1873 the Academy obtained a lease on a lot of ground on 
Mulberry street, from the University of Maryland, on which is now being 
erected a commodious building for a museum and hall, for the meetings of 
the Academy. In 1873, a new constitution and by-laws were adopted; and all 
things seem to encourage the hope that this Academy will be more 
prosperous than any that have preceded it.

Gen. Andrew Jackson arrived in Baltimore from Philadelphia on the 27th of 
February, and his approach was announced by discharges of artillery from a 
detachment of Captain Wilson's Independent

Page 397

Blues, stationed on Federal Hill. On landing, he was received by Captain 
Barrett's fine company of Regular Blues, and very handsomely escorted to 
his quarters at Williamson's hotel. During the day he was waited upon by a 
great number of our most respectable citizens, who were received with 
great affability and frankness. At one o'clock the members of the City 
Council and the officers of the corporation, with the Mayor at their head, 
visited him, and presented an appropriate address, to which Gen. Jackson 
made a flattering response.

Died on the 16th of June, aider a most painful and lingering illness, 
Capt. George Stiles, late Mayor of Baltimore, in the 59th year of his age. 
Also on the 1st of July, Major-General Levin Winder, in the 63d year of 
his age, a soldier of the Revolution, late Governor of Maryland, and 
recently Grand Master of Masons therein.

A society was organized for the gratuitous distribution of soup to the 
necessitous, and soon after another one for the prevention of pauperism 
generally. On the 25th of October, the encampment near the city of those 
fearing the yellow-fever was broken up, and the people returned to their 
former homes. The generous people of Taneytown and its neighborhood, in 
Frederick county, transmitted to the commissioners of the poor twenty 
barrels of flour and a large invoice of clothing and other articles for 
the use of those who needed them.

On the 15th of August died, much lamented, the learned and eloquent Rev. 
Dr. James Inglis, pastor of the First Presbyterian congregation, who was 
succeeded by the Rev. William Nevins.

On the 17th of March, certain persons in Baltimore suspended a "stuffed 
paddy" from the masthead of a schooner lying at one of our wharves. A 
number of the natives of Ireland collected and cut down the mast, and 
otherwise injured the vessel; the civil authorities promptly interfered, 
and the chiefs of the party were secured and held to answer for the 
offence at the next sitting of the city court.

1820. The liberal citizens of Baltimore contributed to the sufferers by 
the great fire in Savannah, Ga., the sum of $5,232.

The late James Dall, of Baltimore, bequeathed to the president and 
directors of the Bank of Maryland the sum of $5,000, in trust to establish 
a free school in this city on the plan of the Boston schools.

The Exchange Building was regularly opened for business in June, and the 
great hall was filled with the most important merchants of the city, who 
agreed to meet at a certain hour in each day for the despatch of business. 
The building created universal admiration, and was considered to be one of 
the handsomest establishments of the kind in the world.

On Monday, Nov. 13th, the pews of the Cathedral were offered at auction, 
when one-half were sold, producing upwards of $40,000.

Page 398

On the 2d of March, John F. Ferguson, William Murphy, Thos. O'Brian, 
Charles Weaver, Isaac Allister, John Jackson and Israel Denny, who seized 
upon the privateer Irresistible in the port of Margaretta, in 1819, and 
brought her to the United States, and on the voyage also they were charged 
with the commission of certain acts of piracy of which they were 
convicted, were brought before his Honor Judge Bland, who, after a short 
but impressive address, pronounced upon them the sentence of death. The 
awful sentence of the law was only carried out on two of them, John F. 
Ferguson and Israel Denny, who were executed on Thursday, April 13th.

As the Eastern mail, due at Baltimore, did not arrive on the 25th of May 
on regular time, a suspicion was entertained that it had been robbed. The 
alarm was instantly raised, and parties of citizens went out immediately 
to scour the country in all directions. The driver, mail and carriage were 
found about eight and a half miles from the city, in a thicket near the 
Philadelphia road, where a quantity of brushwood had been laid to obstruct 
it. The driver (John Heaps) was discovered with his arms extended and 
fastened to the trees, murdered by a bullet wound and two stabs in his 
breast, the mail-bags cut open and rifled, and the fragments of letters 
strewed upon the ground. On the afternoon of the same day two persons were 
arrested in Baltimore and committed to jail, charged with the murder and 
robbery, one of them named Perry Hutton, the other named Morris N. B. 
Hull. On their persons were found more than $6000, and their trunks being 
examined, upwards of $10,000 more were recovered. At the time of their 
trial they made a full confession of their guilt to Judge Bland of the 
United States District Court, and on the 14th of July were hung in the 
jail-yard.

With this trial was connected a singular transaction, the only one of its 
kind, we believe, that ever occurred in this country. We have an account 
of it from one who was not himself an eye-witness, but had it described to 
him by one of the participants.

While the trial was pending, and before Hutton had made his confession, 
there was a great desire felt by the excited public that one or the other 
would admit the deed. The evidence so far had been altogether 
circumstantial, and while there was a general belief in the guilt of the 
accused, the erroneous popular view of the more conclusive nature of 
direct testimony made every one feel that a confession from either would 
be a most satisfactory thing. To obtain this recourse was had to a device 
founded upon a form of ordeal used in the Dark Ages; not publicly, but by 
a few persons with the connivance of some of the authorities.

A room in the jail was prepared for the purpose. It was hung with black, 
and in the centre, on a table covered with black cloth, was laid the 
corpse of the murdered man, the breast bare, and a few lights around it. 
This was concealed by a screen from the sight of any one entering the 
room. The prisoners were brought

Page 399

separately out of their cells at night, without any intimation of the 
purport of this summons, were led into the room and to the screen, when 
suddenly each was placed before the table, and a stern voice, breaking the 
silence, commanded, "Lay your hand there!" upon the breast of the corpse.

In ancient times this ordeal had arisen from a superstition that the 
corpse of the victim would bleed again at the touch of the murderer's 
hand, and it is not unlikely that this belief may yet linger in some of 
the dark holes and corners of the earth. Perhaps those who tried the 
experiment thought that the accused men might dread "the judgment of God" 
thus solemnly appealed to; but it is more probable that they only hoped 
that the sudden shock might frighten them from their caution and surprise 
them into a confession.

Hutton, it is said, was so overcome by the sight that he shook in every 
limb, was near fainting, and could barely force himself to touch the body. 
Hull, on the contrary, showed not the slightest emotion; he calmly and 
with a graceful gesture laid his hand lightly upon the breast of the 
corpse, and looked steadily at those around, the least moved of any there. 
So the test was without result so far as any immediate disclosure was 
concerned, unless indeed it led to Hutton's confession afterwards; but we 
have thought it worth recording as the first and last instance, so far as 
we are aware, of the blood-ordeal in America.

In 1823 the mail was again robbed on the same road, for which three 
persons, employed in the neighborhood, were sentenced by the United States 
Court to confinement for several years.

The Bellona powder mills, near the city, again exploded on the morning of 
the 29th of August; three men were killed and several dreadfully wounded.

A meeting of the presidents of the several banks of the city was held on 
the 7th of September, and it was resolved, after the 16th inst., that they 
will not "either issue or reissue any notes less than five dollars, and 
will not receive in payment or on deposit such notes other than their own."

On the morning of the 28th of August some of the prisoners in the Maryland 
Penitentiary made a desperate attempt to escape; one was killed and 
several severely wounded by the officers and their guard.

Rembrandt Peale of Baltimore is engaged on his celebrated picture, the 
"Court of Death," from Bishop Porteus' poem.

John Montgomery, Esq., is elected Mayor of the city.

1821. On the 31st of May, the Roman Catholic Cathedral, which was begun in 
1806, was consecrated by the Most Rev. Archbishop Mareschal, assisted by 
the Bishop of Philadelphia and the Bishop of Boston. This building, 
suspended by the war, was recommenced in 1817, by funds arising from a 
sale of the old cemetery on Charles street, part of their grounds obtained 
for the cathedral itself on

Page 400

Franklin street, and a lottery, together with individual contributions.

On the 21st of August, departed this life, in the seventy-second year of 
his age, Gen. John Swarm, formerly Brig.-General of the third brigade, and 
a meritorious officer of the cavalry of the Revolutionary army.

Four persons were killed and two badly wounded by an explosion of the 
stamping mill at the Bellona powder works, near Baltimore, on Monday, 
October 15th; among the former was the manager of the works.