The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-10-14
Dottings by the Way.
MARYLAND.

Id ILLS aye Vi progress anu ueFeioPA3"',
Messrs. Editors, in everything material we
are apt to pass unnoticed spots endeared to
every lover of our country's history for their
enerated associations with the past. Not
lying, perhaps, along the great highways of
national commerce and traffic, they are re-
garded as but, at best perhaps, SLEEPY
Hollows," not deserving the notice of even
the traveller, much less the man of business.
From one of those quiet and comparatively
secluded spots, known, perhaps, only to the
antiquarian or to those concerned or inter-
ested in Naval affairs, most beloved, how
ever, by those wont to thread its time
honored courts, now venture to give you
few "dottings by the way" which you
may use for what they are worth.
Annapolis, the Capital of the State of
Maryland, and County Seat of Anne Arun-
del County, is beautifully situated on the
banks of the Severn river, with the waters
of the noble Chesapeake spread out like
vast mirror at full length before it. 1t is
accessible both by land and water, being
equidstant from Baltimore and Washing
ton, (only forty miles from each) cars
running regularly twice day between these
respective points. 1t commands one of the
finest harbors on the entire coast; and but
for the short.sightedness and want of bust
ness talent, and of Yankee enterprise, may
also add, which characterised its early
founders, must have been what Baltimore is
now, city of size and Importance, and des
tined, from the rapid strides it has been of
late years taking, to become one of the
first cities in the Union. Annapolis is we'll
known to the student of history as the spot
where Congress was wont to hold its ses-
sions in Revolutionary times, but more
especially as the one where the beloved
Father OF his Country at the end OF that
rgeat struggle delivered up the sword, which
he had worn so gracefully, to the body who
had so wisely bestowed it. The exact spot
in the old Senate Chamber, where this
scene took place, is still pointed out by the
old inhabitants to those curious in such
matters. At a later day the eIoquence OF
CLAY, and subsequently of KossUTH, have
reverberated through the same time-honored
chambers. The old State House has of late
been much improved, and while not equal
in elegance to some of more modern date
its model at least will compare most favora-
bly, with that of any other among us. The
Legislature holds its biennial session at this
place the early part of next January, when
# is understood q movement will be made
to restore the annual sessions, the present
system having been found inefficient for the
purposes of government. The Governor
has his residence in the old dwelling on the
banks of the Severn, formerly occupied by
the Governors of the State (well remembered
as among the "Old Thirteen'0 during the
colonial times. The house is built in the
ancient style, like very many of the private
residences here, with most ample accommo-
dations of every kind, and large and
capacious yard and garden, supplying
the substantials, as we'll as flowers and
fruits in the greatest abundance. A "Gov-
eminent House" en- PEASANT, it may be
remarked, should be found in every
State and we hope to see the day. in the
good times predicted among us, when
we shall W illness such an one among US that
shall prove an ornament both to our City
and > tate. This city is likewise known as
the site where the first " Tea Burning" took
place, just upon the eve of the Revolution
fan authentic account of which may be
found in BENroN's "Thirty Years. but
more recently as the site of the Naval
Academy established here by Act of Con-
gress in the year 1876. From feeble be-
ginning it has been gradually rising in size
and Importance until the Naval Academy
Indianapolis may be regarded as to the Navy
lust what West Point is to the Army, al
though, perhaps, difficult to convince a
Western man, who sees and hears little of
Naval affairs, of any such thing. The
Practice Ship" Plymouth" sloop of war
of the first class has just returned from her
summers cruise to England, Spain, the
Isla i'd of Madeira, &C., bringing with her
the young Midshipmen who will commence
again their regular studies at the School on
its re-opening the 1st Monday of October.
A vessel of still larger size, the Constitu-
tion," is shortly to be added likewise. This,
with the fleet sailing, as it is called, in the
small boats at the Yard, makes of them in
time most proficient seamen, while their
Academic course, as thorough, perhaps now
nc that of even West Point ITSELF sends
them forth to the world as scientific men
likewise. The number of students exceeds
sometimes two hundred, which, with the
large corps of Professors. &C., makes quite
large complement. The grounds are beau
tifully and tastefully laid off nicely orna.
mented with trees of different varieties, lend
ing an additional charm to the scene (some-
thing certainly much needed among us);
indeed it may be questioned whether spot
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