The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-06-08
Historical
From The Ansriean historical Record.


"reminiscences Of Thos johnson.
Thomas johnson was one Of the most
active patriots in Maryland, in the struggle
neutrality-suspicious. ofthe Anglo American
Colonies, and be WIS the first Chief Mag.
islrate ofthe Republican STATE of Maryland,
succeeding the royal Governor Sir William
Eden, with whom he had been on terms Of
social intimacy. He was member Of the
first Continental Congress, having for his
colleagues, Robert Goldsb- rough, Sam'l
Chase, Matthew Tilghman and VIM. Paca.
When in the Congress of 1875, it was
resolved to appoint commander n-ehief
of 'all the continental forces raised and to
be rnised, : the choice Of a person for sch
commander was a most delicate and diff.
cult task, for there were already leaders in
the field who deserved the highest praise
for their patriotism, but lacked many OF the
essential qualifications for general leader
ship. Artemas Ward was then the com.
mander in,chief Of all the New England
forces which really constituted the suddenly
improyised army Of the Revolution and
while his merits commanded universal
appreciation, it was conceived he was not
precisely the man wanted to fill the Office
OF genercllissime. It seemed essential,
however, toplease the New England people,
and herein lay the chief difficulty. John
Adams, the New England leader in council,
removed that difficulty, when, before the
adoption Of the forces then June, lT75)
gathered near Boston, as Continental
Army, the subject was discussed. At the
conclusion Of remarks on that topic, Mr..
Adams expressed his intention to propose
amember Of Congress then in session, from
Virginia, as Chief of that Army. Where.
upon Thomas johnson, delegate from
Maryland, arose and nominated Colonel
George Washington, and be was chosen by
the unanimous vote of the Congress.
All through the war that followed, Mr..
johnson was an active participator in civil
duties; and was a member Of the frs,
committee appointed by Congress lale in
l7T5, for carrying on foreign correspond.
ence through friends in Europe. His
associates were Benjamin Harrison, DR..
Franklin, John Dickensou and John Jay.
The following "reminiscences of r. John.
son, was communicated TO the writer Of
this many years ago, by the Rev. Charles
H. Ham, Of Gloucester Court House,
Virginia, who was personally acquainted
with the Governor, and received the snec.
dotes from his lips:
In 1915, a dinner party was given a,
Annapolis, by Governor Eden, the royal
representative. The invitation to all the
prominen, men ofihe city, was very earnest,
aud many good Wings had suspicious that
there was a motive for il, Besides hospitality.
Thomas johnson was among the guests.
he was an eminent lawyer and staunch
Wing. When the cloth was removed,
Eden arose, and as usual, gave us the first
toast, ellis Majesty George ILL.," /. was
customary TO drink that toast standing.
Now it was considered test of public
feeling. Though every man raised his glass,
i was returned to the table in silence,
When the company was about to retire, in
an unpleasant mood, johnson invited the
company to dine with him the next day.
provided the Governor had no engagements.
aud would form one of the party. Eden
tried TO excuse himself, but johnson woald
not listen. The next dav the same 49,.
again met at dinner. johnson arose =
propose the first toast. He said that The
King generally received the first bopors ~
such occasions, but as i, WINS mora /,
accordance with his own feelings and ina,
cfhis guests, ercepi The Governor, he woaId
propose The Independence Of the Colonies.
Eden was startled. He turned pale, set
down his glass. and soon retired. That
night a cargo Of tea was burnt in the
harbcrt Of Annapolis, aud Eden could not
DC found the next morning. He had taken
refuge IN the Maggatty Bay Mountain, as
we hills Of Anne Arundel, at the month
81 The Paiaps co, were then called. Eden
was refined and elegant gentleman, and
very auriable in all the relations Of life.
ms Official station placed his private