"The Ancient City". A History of Annapolis, in Maryland 1649-1887

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"THE ANCIENT

CITY."

-A

HISTORY -OP""'

AlAPim

ill

llaniaiKl.

1649—1887.

B¥ ELIHl

S.

KILEl.

ANNAPOLIS. RECORD PRINTING OFFICE. 1887.

Enteseb, according S.

RILEY,

ington.

to

Act of Congress

in the year 1887,

by ELIHXJ"

in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at

Wasb

Annapolis, Feb.

1,

1887.

In pursuance of the Act of 1886, Chapter 150, entitled "an Act toprovide for a State subscription to Riley's History of Annapolis," the undersigned, designated by said Act, to examine said History, hereby certify that we have examined said History, as prepared by said Riley, and find that it contains much valuable and interesting matter, a considerable portion of which has not hitherto appeared in any published history and believing, as we do, that the book will be of interest to the people of the State, we, therefore approve the same. Henry Lloyd, R. H. Alvey, E. P. DUVALL. ;

MM ?— ir\

d Wowld IN

Tr.ANsi'i, anted

THE New.

In 1049, when Charles I was executed, Thomas Greene, acting Governor during the absence of Governor Stone, caused the Prince of Wales to be proclaimed in Maryland as the "undoubted, rightful heir to all his father's dominions," This j)roclamation was issued on the loth of November, and on the sixme day another was published "to further the common rejoicing of the inhabitants upon that occasion," declaring a general pardon to all the inhcibitants of the province, who had committed any criminal offence.* This proclamation and the general rejoicing were not in consonance with the sentiments of the Puritan adventurers on the banks of the Severn, and this latent feeling was exhil)ited in their refusal to send delegates to the General AssemV)ly, and. a little later, a more forcible proof of their political animosities was given. The cause of the coinmonwealth triumphant in England. Cromwell turned his attention to the American plantations, and commissioners were sent out to take possession of all that were unfavorable to the Protector. Maryland was not named in the ^^ct of Pai-liament. Vtut Lord Baltimore's enemies contrived to have that colony mentioned in the instructions to the commissioners. * Kidegly's Annal< of AunHpoli>', r. f!5. [1G49.]

who was

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Beuiu'tt and the notorious William Olaiboriie. who luid given so much troulile to the infant colony ot Maryland, were two of the commissioners. [1652.] In March. 1()52. at tlie head of an armed force, the commissioners entered Maryland. They proposed to Grovernor Stone and tlie council of th(> province, •'tiiat they should all remain in their places, confoi-ming- tiiemselves to tlie laws of the commonwealth of England in point of government only, and not infringing the Lord Clovernor Stone and tlie balance of Lord Haltinioie's just rights." ?>altimore's officers of government '"declared that they did in all humility submit themselves to the government of the commonwealtli of

Richard

hi chiefe under God." the proposition, liowever. to issue writs in the name of the commonwealtli instead of Lord Baltimore. Gov. Stone and his counsellors "desired to be excused, because they did conceive tlie parliament intended not to divest the Lord Baltimore of his right in las province, and that they understood out of England, that the Council of State intended not. that any alteration should be made hi Maryland; that the King's name was never used heretofore in said writs, but that they had always been in the name of the lord proprietary, according to the privileges of his patent ever since the beginning of that plantation^" •Whereupon." says Mr. John Langford. "the said commissioners liemanded of Captain Stone the Lord Baltimore commission to him; which he showed them and, then without.any other cause at all. they detained it. and removed him and his lordship's other officers out of their enii)loynient in the province under him. and appointed others to manage the government of iNlaryland. indejiendent of his lordship." Bennett and Claiborne ordered "that all writs, warrants, ami jirocess whatsoever, be issued forth in the name of the keepers of the liberty of England and that they be signed under the hand of one or more Robert Brooke. Esq.. Col. of the council liereafter named, viz Francis Yardley, j\Ir. Job Chandler. Captain Edward Windham, Mr. Richard Preston, and Lieutenant Richard Banks." The new council, or any two or more of its members, was empowered to hold courts, and to direct and govern the affairs of the province. Thus the disaster, that Ijord Baltimore, by his personal intercession with i)arlianieiit. had l)een able to ward off in the legislative branch, was consummated by his enemies through the executive power of the

England,

Prom

;

;

:

—

Council of State.

^Maryland reduced to subjection, the commissioners returned to was made Governor, and Claiborne, Secre-

Virginia, where Bennett tary of State.

Handsomely provided for in Virginia, the commissioners visited Maryland to rivet more firmly their hold upon it. Discovering that Governor Stone was exceedingly popular with the people, as well as affable to the commissioners. Bennett and Claiborne resolved to make him Governor once more. Li order to justify their actions in ousting him at their previous visit, they declared, in their proclamation restoring Governor Stone to his office, and Mr. Hatton as Secretary of State, that these were left out of office "upon some misapprehension or misunderstanding, as they alleged, in that particular of issuing out writs and all other process whatever, in the name of the liberties of England by authority of parliament," that Captain Stone was "contented

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to reassuDie his former pUiL-e." oil coaditiou that ht- might "reserve and save to liimself. as also to the aforesaid Mr. Thomas Hattoii, Robert Brooke, Esq.. and Ca])taiii John Priee. their oaths made to the Lord Baltimore, lord pro])rielor of this i>rovinee. until the pleasiuv ot the State of England be further known. '"t The proclamiition liore date of June 28th. I'i-'O. t

IS.znv.in's .M:,r\lana, V..I. 2,

|>.

4i:.

CHAPTER V. Providence Sends a Petition to TiiECoMMi»!nM.:i;> OF THE C()M:\H'NWEAI/rH. Whilst Maryland was made a shuttle-cock in the hands ol [IG.Jo.] opposing forces, the Puritans of Severn addressed a ]>etition '•To Honorable. Richard Bennett and Col. William Claiborne. Esqrs., Commissioners of the Connnonweaith of England for Virginia "The Humble Petition of the Comand Maryland. It was styled: missioners and Inhabitants of Severne, alias Ann Arundel county. sheweth." It read: '"That whereas, we were invited and encouraged by Captain Stone, tlie Lord Baltimore's Governor of Maryland, ti> remove ourselves and estates into Ins province, with projuiseoi enjoying the liberty of consciences in matter of religioii. and all other privileges of English subjects. And your petitioners did u|)on this ground, witii great cost, labor, and danger, remove ourselves, and have been at great charges in building and clearing: Now the Lord Baltimore imposeth an oath upon us by proclamation, which lie requireth his Lieutenant forthwith to publish; wliich. if we do not take within three months after publication, all our lands are to be seized for his lordship's use. This oath we conceive not agreeable to the terms on which we came hither, nor to the liljerty of our consciences as Christians and free subjects of the Connnonweaith of England: Neither can we be persuaded in our consciences by any light of God. or engagement upon us, to such an oath; but rather humbly conceive it to be a very real grievance and such an oppression as we are not able to bear; neither do we see by what lawful power such an oath, with such extreme penalties can by his Lordship be exacted of us who are free subjects of the Commonwealth of England, and have taken the Engagement to them. We have complairicd of this grievance to the late Honorable Councel of State, in a })etition subscribed by us, which never received an answer, such as might clear the lawfulness of such, his proceedings with us, but au aspersion cast upon us of being factious fellows neither have we received any conviction of our error in not taking the said oath, nor cruer by that power, before wiicn. our petition is still dependiu^;, to take it hereafter; neither can ve believe that the Couimonwealcn. of England will ever expose us to such a numifest and real bondage (who assert themselves, the main;

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taiiiers of the lawful liberties of the subject.) as to make iis swear absolute subjection to a Government, where the Ministers of State are bound by oath to countenance and defend the Roman Popish Religion. which we api^rehend to be contrary to the Fundamental Law of England, the covenant taken in the three Kingdoms, and the conscience of true English, subjects and doth carry on an arbitrary power, so as whatever is done Ijy the people at great costs in assemblies, for the good of the people, is liable to be made null by the negative voice of

But affirmative propositions and commands are incessantly urged, and must not be denied. "In Consideration, whereof, we humbly tender our Condition and Distraction, upon this occasion, falling upon the hearts of the people, to your view and consideration, iutreating your honors to relieve us according to tlie Cause and Power wherewith you are entrusted by the rather, because upon such an exiCommonwealth of England. gent at this, we have none to flie to but yourselves, the Honorable Connnissioners of the Commonwealth of England: not douV)ting but God will direct you into what his mind and will is in this matter concerning us. and that yuu will faithfully apply yourselves to our redress in what is just and our lawful liberty, which is the prayer of your Severn River, the 3d of January. 16o3."* j)oor jietitiouers. This petition was signed by Edward Lloyd and seventy-seven others of the housekeepers, freemen, and inhabitants of Severn. The })e(>ple of nortli Patuxeut sent a similar petition under date of Mareli 1st. \(i~)'^>. This was signed by Richard Preston and sixty othei's. On ]\[arch 13, IGoo, Bennett and Clarborne returned an encouraging answer to the [)etitions from Severn and Patuxent, in which reply they counselled that the settlers "continue in your due ol)e(lience to the" Commonwealth of England, in such manner as you. and they, were then ajipointed and engaged; and not to be drawn aside from tlie same upon any pretence of such uncertain relations as we hear are di\-ulged among you. To which we expect your real conformity, as you will answer the contrary: notwithstanding any I)retence of power from Lord Baltimore's Agents, orauy other whatsohis Lordship.

We

ever to the contrary." * Pawe'H Ti!ici>. vol. 2, ch.

ix. p. JS.

CHAPTER VL Gov. Stoxe Proclaims THE Puritans to be Rebels. [1G54.] Information of Cromwell's elevation to the protectorate having been received Governor Stone proclaimed him protector on the 6th of June, 1654. The same year, on the 4th of July, Governor Stone, in public proclamation, charged the commissioners, Bennett and Ckiborne, and the whole Puritan party, mostly of Anne Arundel, with "drawing away the people, and leading them into faction, sedition, and rebellion against the Lord Baltimore."

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Tliis proclaniatiou is not now extant, but Mr. Leonard Stronfr, a Puritan writer and a leading citizen of Providence, contemporaneous with tlie document, say.s that the paper called "that which was done by commission from the Council of State in England, rebellion against the Lord Baltimore; and those, that were actors in it, factious and seditious persons, which was done by a proclamation full of railing terms, published at Providence in the church meeting."* Bennett and Claiborne promptly returned to Maryland. Eleven days from the date of Gov. Stone's proclamation. "they applied tliemselves to Captain William Stone, t the Governor, and Council of Maryland," "in a peaceable and loving way to persuade them into their due and promised obedience to the commonwealth of England." 'J The commissioners, in their published statement of the occurrence, declared that Governor and Council, "returning only opprobious and uncivil language, presently mustered his wliole power of men and soldiers ill arms, intending to surprise the said commissioners, and (as could be imagined) to destroy all those that liad refused the said unlawful oath, and Only kept themselves in their due obedience to the commonwealth of England under which they were reduced and setThen the said tled by the parliament's authority and commission. commissioners, in quiet and peaceable manner, with some of the people of Patuxent and Severn went over the river of Patuxent, and there at length received a message from the said captain Stone, that the next lay he would meet and treat in the woods; and thereupon being in some fear of a party come from Virginia, he condescended to lay down his power, lately assumed from the lord Baltimore and to submit, (as he had once before done) to such government as the commissionersshould appoint under his highness the lord protector." * Bozman's M my land, vol. p. .'.Ol. '

•_',

t.^tatemeiit ol the Cointni^sioner^.

Jlieonard

Strotifr.

CHAPTER VIL

An Indian Treaty Made on the Severn. [lGo2.] The dissensions of the Maryland colonists did not prevent them from looking to the peace of State with the Indijins. The Governor and Council, sitting as a court, on the 38th of June, 1652, Win. Stone, Governor, Thomas Hatton, Secretary, and Robert Brooke, Col. Francis Yardley. Jol) Chandler, and Richard Preston,

members, bemg present, passed the following "Whereas, this court is informed, that the Susquehanna Indians have a long time desired, and much pressed for the conclusion of a peace with the government and inhabitants of this province, which as is now conceived, may tend very much to the safety and advantage of the mhabitants here, if advisedly effected It is, therefore, ordered,. :

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iiud the court doth hereby give full

power and authority unto Richard Bennett, Esq., Mr. Edward Lloyd, Captain "Williara Fuller, Mr. Thomas Marsh and Mr. Leonard Strong, or and three or more of them whereof tlie said Richard Bennett, Esqr., to be one. at such time and place as they may think convenient, to consult and treat with tlie said Susquehainia Indians, and l)y the use of all lawful and fitting means, (if they can,) to conclude a league and peace, on the behalf of this government and the inhabitants tliereof. with the said Susquehanna Indians, so as the peace, safety, and advantage of the inhabitants here may be, (so far as in them lies,) thereby advanced, settled, and preserved." All of tlie ])ersons named as connnissioners were, with the exception of Richard Bennett, inliabitants of Providence.® .The commissioners proceeded at once to their work. On the fifth of July following, a treaty of peace was concluded with the Sus(|ueliannas, "at the River of Severn, in the Province of Maryland." It is not difficult to picture the canoe of the formidable Susquehanna?, decked with feathers and paint, armed witli bow and tomahawk, dashing with daring skillfulness from Greenljury's to Sycamore point, and thence to Windmill, and out again to theohlng, and fading in thw dim sunset up the Chesapeake before the steady gaze of thesturdv Puritans, nor the ripple of excitement that moved the little settlement when these formidable saA'ages appeared in its midst. The following is an exact copy of the treaty made on the Severii. and the quaint style of expression and homely phrases cast a ruddy glare of information upon the environs of the early inhabitants the capital

.of

'"Articles of peace and friendship treated and agreed upon the .5tli day of July, 1653, between the English nation in the province of Maryland on the one party, and the Indian nation of Sasquesahanogh on tiie other parties, as foUoweth :

"Istly. That the English nation shall have, hould, and enjoy to them, their heires, and assigns for ever, all the land lying fi-om Patuxent river unto Palmer's island on the western side of the bay of Chesapeake, and from Choptank river to the northeast branch, whicli lyes to the northward of Elke river on the eastern side of the said bay. with all the islands, rivers, creeks, f fish, fowl, dear, elk, aiid whatsoever else to the same belonging, excepting the isle of Kent and Palmer's island, which belong to Captain Claiborne. But, nevertheless, it shall be lawful for the aforesaid English or Indians to build a house or fort for trade or any such like use or occasion at any tyme. upon Palmer's island.

That if any damage or injury be done on either side at any hereafter, either by the English or Indians aforesaid, or by any other allies, confederates, tributaries, or servants, that reparation be made and satisfaction given from each other from tyme to tyme as the case requires, and as in reason should be done between those that are friends, and that desire soe to continue. "2dly.

tyme

That

if any the people or servants belonging to the EngIndians shall goe away or run away from either side, they shall not be concealed, or kept away from each other. But shall, with all

"3dly.

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conveuieut speede, be returned back, and brought home. And satisfaction to be made in a reasonable way for transportation by land or water to those that bring them in. That, upon any occasion of business to the Englisli, or any •'4thly. message or the Uke, the Indians shall come by water and not by land,That there shall not be above eight or ten at the most at one tyme. And that they bring with them the token given them by tlie English for that purpose, by which they may be known and entertiiined, As also that the English on their partes, when they send to the Indians the messenger shall carry the token wliich wee have received from them. "othly. And lastly, these articles and every particular of them shall be really and invioably observed, kept, and performed liy thetwo nations, before named, and by all the people belonging to tlicm, or that are in amity with them, for ever to the end of the world. And that all former injuries being buried, and forgotten from licncofor-

ward, they doe promise and agree to walke together and carry one towards another in all things as friends, and to assist one another accordingly. But if it so happen at any tyme hereafter that cither party is weary of the peace, and intends war, then that the same shall be signified and mode knowne each to otlier by sending in, and delivering up his writing before any Act of hostility or enmity l)e done or attempted, and that twenty days warning thereof be given beforehand. "Tliese several articles were solemnly and mutually debated and concluded at the river of Severne, in the province of Maryland, by Richard Bennett, Esquire, Mr. Edward Lloyde, Capn. William Fuller, Mr. Thomas Marsh, and Mr. Leonard Strong, commissioners, authorized and appointed by the governor and councell of the aforesaid province. And by Sawahegeh, treasurer, Auroghtaregh, Scarhuhadigh, Ruthchogah, and Nathheldianeh, warr captaines and councillois of Sasquehanogh, commissionors, appointed and sent for that purpose by the nation and state of Sasquehanogh. An were fully ratified, done, and confirmed by several presents, gifts, and tokens of friendship mutually given, received, and accepted on both sides. In witness whereof theaforesaid commissioners, in behalf of the aforesaid nation have hereunto sett their hands and seales the day and the veare above written. "Ri. Bennett— Edw. Lloyd— Thos. Marsh— Will. Puller,— Leo..

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The mark of t^ Sawahegeh The marlv of T C

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from

"Your Friend, "Josiat Fendell,

"29th September."

"Humble

Sir,

I am sorry, yet 39th instant, this day I received. extraordinary occassions will not permit me to be at ye next ProBevi'nciall Court to" be held in Maryland ye 4 of this next month. cause then, God willing, 1 intend to g-et my youn.