The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-02-13

shirt of the first Assembly had descended
to each succeeding convention. and never
had they receded from the position hrst
assumed that all laws and taxes must De by
consent of the freemen. Every interference
in the affairs of the colony, either by the
proprietary or the mother country, had
been sternly resisted, and the spirit OF the
Assembly was such as to call forth strong
reproofs from George Ill at the rebelllous
spirit evidenced by the people of Mary
land.
Maryland was firm in opposing the en-
forcement of the stamp act and the tax on
tea before the Revolution began. The
British government, after importation OF tea
had been temporarily stopped owing to the
unpopularity of the tax, finally determined
to make last effort to subdue the colonies
by forcing the obnoxious tea upon them.
To secure this result drawback equal in
amount to the duty laid upon the tea was
offered to the East India Company, by
which means the cost Of the tea with the
duty upon it would not be increased to the
coonists. But there was principle III
volved, and the love offreedom was stronger
than that of gain The vast majority OF
the people were planters and yeomen, who
valued their brithright above the paltry
mess of pottage, and their principles above
the fattery of kings Their rights were
not to be bought by British gold, and to
this new form of coercion they would not
submit. Fate hastened events, and acting
upon the privilege granted by Parliament,
the East India Company at once COM
menced shipping tea to America. Cargoes
were sent to Charleston, Philadelphia,
New York. Boston. That sent to Charles
ton was landed, but never offered for sale
The Philadelphia and New York consig-
ments were returned At Boston body
of patriots disguised as Indians entered
the ships and despite military force
under command of General Gage, broke
omen the chests and threw the detestable
weed overheard. This bold act called
for British vengeance, and Boston was
at once deprived of her privilege as IA
port of entry and discharge, and steps
were taken by Parliament to strip the people
of Massachusetts ola portion Of their rights
and franchises and coerce them into sub
nilsson.
This outrage upon the liberties Of a
sister colony aroused the people of Mary
land and proved they were not wanting IN
resisting oppression or assisting the oppress-
ed. \ general convention was called for.
| Public meetings were held in all the coun-
ties and delegates were chosen who met at
Annapolis June -. l774. This convention
was composed Of the most prominent men
of the colony. selected for their tried patri-
otism. ability, courage and great intellec-
! tual attainments. One of the first acts
was to appoint Thomas johnson, Jr,,
| Matthew Tilghman, Robert Goldsborough,
William Paca and Samuel Chase deputies
to attend Il general congress Of the colonies
to effect general plan of conduct toward
the mother country and also to render
relief to Boston and adopt measures for the
preservation of American liberties. 1t was
while pnblic feeling was at fever heat that
it was announced that the brig Peggy
Stewart had arrived at Annapolis with
seventeen chests Of tea on board, consigned
to Thomas Williams Il Co, the duty on
which had been paid by Mr.. Anthony
Stewart. the owner of the vessel. \ public
meeting was at once called and open threats
loudly INDUCED in toward Mr.. Stewart
Justly alarmed for his personal safety and
to appease the peoples rage, Mr. Stewart,
by the advice of Charles Carroll Of
GarroIlton. offered to destroy both the
BRIG and her cargo with his own hands,
which he accordingly did, October 10,
l7T4. off Windmill Point, Annapolis,
witnessed by great concourse OF people
from the city and surrounding country.
when war commenced Maryland ac
cepted the issue Her sword was drawn
and the seabbard cast away. From hence
forth it was to be victory OF humiliation
No other colony was more loyal to the
cause of freedom and no blood was SO
lavishy spilled as that Of Marylands sons
on the fields of Long Island, White Plains,
before Fort Washington and Fort Miffiin, at
Cowpens, Eutaw Spring and in the trenches
of Yorktown. When will poet arise
worthy to sing the fame of those glorious
heroes on whose bayonets flashed the
lightning of war i'll every conflict and
who 50 often snatched victory from defeat?
Balaklava does not parallel the charge Of
Maryland's four hundred under Gist at
Long Island, nor the stand Of the Old
Guard at Waterloo the logged defence
of Fort Washington by the brigade OF
Maryland rihemen under Colonel Rawlings.
Maryland was spared the horrors Of war
and upon her soil was split not one drop
of blood. Still her sons went forth, and
from Massachusetts to South Carolina the
blood of the noblest names of the State
was poured in lavish streams for the defense
of her sister colonies. OF population
approxjmating 100, 900 whites, male and
female, Maryland furnished 10000 resu-
lars and 5000 militia to the causc OF IN
dependence, indicating that every male in
the State capable of bearing arms must
have been soldier.
] ELECTIONS were held throughout the
counties for delegates to attend conven-
ton at Annapolis, July 20, 1775. Each
county of the State sent five representa-
tives, who formed Maryland S revolutionary
government, the Association of the Free
men of Maryland Never before had Ma
ryland been represented by more dis
tinguished body of men than those assem-
blcd at the Capitol on July 20. Their frs
act was the adoption and declaration OF ar
ticles of association, which formed the ba
sis of the provisional government they rep
resented Copies of this resolution wer
sent To the counties and subscribed to b.
all the patriots. The declaration ofthe N
sembly was bold and fearless one. Ever,
member had thereby pledged his life an'
fortune to the cause of American freedom
Success meant impoverished estates and tn
shifting of the frst-born son of every Mary
land home by the angel Of death. Defea
must bring coniiscation and the halter
Yet the boon Of liberty was so sweet, tn
cause so just, that it was worth the risk +
the patriotic Carroll, who, from the frs
overt act of Maryland, had boldly added %
I Al. IL, ,t,.1