Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-06-21


subject was discussed. At the conclusion
of remarks on that topic, Mr.. Adams ex-
pressed his intention to propose member
of Congress then in session, from Virgil
MIA. as Chief of that Army. Whereupon
Thomas johnson, delegate from Mary
land, arose and nominated Colonel George
Washington, and he was chosen by the
unanimous vote of the Congress-
All through the war that followed, Mr..
johnson was an active partici pator in civil
duties; and was Enember of the first
committee appointed by Congress late in
Its, for carrying on foreign correspond
ence through friends in Europe. His as
sociates were Benjamin Harrison, DR..
Franklin, John Dickinson and John Jay.
The following "reminiscences of Mr..
johnson, was communicated to the writer
of this many years ago, by the Rev. Chas.
Fl. Ham, of Gloucester Court House,
Virginia, who was personally acquainted
with the Governor, and received the anec-
iotes from his lips:
In 1I75, dinner party was given at
Annapolis. by Governor Eden, the royal
representative. The invitation to all the
prominent men of the city was very earn
est, and many good Wings had suspicious
that there was motive for it, besides hos
pitality. 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, His Majesty George
Ill" Itwas customary to drink that toast
standing Now it was considered a test
of public feeling. Though every man
raised his glass, it was returned to the ia
bic 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, and would form one
Of the party. Eden tried to excuse him.
|self, but johnson would not listen. The
next day the same party again met at din
ner. johnson arose to propose the first
toast. He said that the King generally
received the first honors on such occasions,
but as it was more in accordance with bis
own feelings and that of his guests, Except
the Governor, he would propose the Iade-
pendence Of the Colonies. Eden Was star
tied. He turned pale, set down his glass
and soon retired. That night cargo of
tea was burnt in the harbor* of Annapo-
lis, and Eden could not be found the next
morning. He had taken refuge in the
Maggatty Bay Mountains, as the hills of
Anne Arundel, at the mouth of the Pa
tapsco, were then called. Eden was re-
fined and elegant gentleman, aud very a
miable in all the relations of life. His
official station placed his private character
in false position The aristocratic char
acteristics of the nobility were brought
out, and he often offended men by his
naughty demeanor, when he thought his
dignity demanded it.
In his retreat among the Magatty Hills,
Edo was called upon by many to sign
patents for lands that had been issued
He did SO after the declaration had been
promrl gated. For this he was accused of
and tried for high treason, but his motives
being just, he was acquitted.
Under the new Republican Constitution
for Maryland, Tom johnson, as. he was
familiarly called, was made the first Gov
ernor. johnson received a unanimous
vote, save one, and that of true patriot,
and one of the wealthiest men in the State.
The only reason he gave was, that he did
not wish to fatter johnson by an unani-
NOUS vote. LAS if, said johnson, in after
years, "any man of that name could NOR
tify Tom Johnson" This was said with
a sheer, forty years afterward, showing
that he yet felt the modification, even
when asserting his Indifference.
johnson was firm and energetic. When
the American army was stationed at Elk
ton, large bodies of militia were called to
assemble at Annapolis. preparatory to
joining Washington. The day before they
were to march, the Colonel of one of the
regiments went to johnson, and told him
that the men refused to 60 beyond Balti-
more. He suspected the Colonel, and or
dered him to draw the regiment up into
the hollow square. The Governor enter
ed it and addressed the Colonel and said,
q understand you to say that your men
have said they will not march further than
Baltimore. Now, Colonel, I give you
positive orders that if any man deserts be-
fore you join the army, and hand them
over to the Adjutant General, you are to
follow, arrest, and hang him, and I will
be responsible for the act; and mark you,
Colonel, if you do not obey this order,
will hang you on that Poplar treet (stood
on the College green) as soon as you re-
turn" The consequence was that it was
the only full regiment that reached the
army. They broke in the first skirmish,
and fled. following their Colonel. His
arrival at Annapolis was the first medium
of intelligence of fight, but he bore a
certificate from the Adjutant General, that
the regiment arrived at the camp unbrohen.
When Gen. Washington was at Valley
Forge, johnson wentthere on special bust
&The vessel was run aground at Windmill
Point, and burnt to the waters edge
fThis tree is still standing on st. Johns
College grounds, and was in healthy, -four
ishing condition, until struck by lightning a
few years SINCE from which it has not entirely