The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-10-21
Burning of the Peggy Stewart.
Written for the Democratic Advocate.
BY CHARLES L. sHIPLEY.

Written for the Democratic Advocate.
RY CHARLES l. sHIPLEY.
Every student of American history is
familiar with the story of the overthrow Of
the tea in Boston harbor. If they are not
familiar with the details of that event, it
is not the fault of the New England
historians, who have never failed to sound
the praises Of their countrymen on all oe-
casions and events, and totally, in many
instances, completely ignoring equally as
brave acts and thrilling exploits Of the re-
naming portion of their American breth-
ren, in the stirring period preceding the
outbreak of the Revolution
During the stirring period following
the passage Of the Stamp Act, no colony
Of the original thirteen then composing the
colonial confederation, took more decided
stand for their rights than did Maryland,
who was peopled with class that We're
liberal in their sentiments, proud of their
liberties, and We're ready to maintain them
at the point of the bayonet in the struggle
which they saw was inevitable with the
mother country.
This was her position, when, on the
l4th of October, l774, the brig Peggy
Stewart sailed into the Annapolis harbor,
having in her cargo a large consignment Of
tea, imported by Joseph and james Viii
liams. The duty was paid by Anthony
Stewart, the owner of the vessel The
people of the entire province were insulted.
! by this submission to the contested
claim of the British Parliament to tax the
American colonies. The greatest indigna-
tion prevailed; public meeting was held,
at which it was determined that the tea
should not be landed.
The vessel was put under a guard of
citizens, until the sentiment of the people
could be ascertained concerning the disposal
of the vessel and its obnoxious contents.
Courriers were dispatched throughout the
surrounding country, to spread the news,
and soon the roads leading to Annapolis
were filled with angry and determined men
and boys hurrying towards the town.
Among the chief leaders of the move
ment was Dr. Charles Alexander War6eld,
who was chief of the Wing Club Of the
manor neighborhood OF Howard county
Commissioned as major in the colonial
militia OF the province, he turned his
political club into military battalion,
drilling them as cavalry. When the news
came of tho arrival of the tea at Annapolis,
Major War6eld had a number Of hat
bands printed on white cloth, with the
words, Liberty, Independence, Death in
the pursuit of it, which were put around
the hats of the Wing Battalion. This
sinister sentence struck terror to the hearts
of many Of those who were as yet undecid-
ed on the course to pursue in the coming
struggle Charles Carroll, the father Of
Carroll the signer, hurriedly waited upon
Dr. Wariield's father "Do you know
that your son Charles is committing treason
against the King" he said to- the old
gentleman. Il know, was the reply of
the old patriot, athat the King has com
mitted treason against us; he is our enemy
and we are his, and the sword must de-
eide. My son Charles is right stand
with him, and we will live or die on that
issue"
10 the meantime, DIR. Warfield, at the,
heud of his battalion, rode into Annapolis,
and straight for the State House. In his
hand he carried an unlighted torch. At
the State House an immense meeting was
in progress concerning what disposal
should be made of the vessel. Samuel
Chase, counsel for the owner Of the brig,
had mounted stump and was earnestly
pleading for lenity and moderation on 1ile
part of the people in the crisis at hands
He pleaded so eloquently and earnestly
the cause Of Mr.. Stewart, as to produce n
deep impression upon the assembled
multitude. Seeing the effect Of his
speech upon his audience, Warield decided,
upon immediate action, lighting his
torch, he rode out in front OF the
ranks of his battalion, and waving il
around his head, shouted the following
ever memorable words-"This is no time
to talk, but let all the towards stay behind;
follow me men : His example was in
fatuation Down to the wharf swept the
entire crowd Here they offered Mr..
Stewart the stern alternative of setting his
vessel a6re, or being hung up before his
own door He chose the former and there
in broad daylight on the 18th Of October.
I774, one hundred and nineteen years ago,
in the presence of the assembled multitude
the owner Of the vessel applied the torch
with his own hand-expiating his oiense
against the people Of Maryland By the de-
struction Of his property.
The striking features Of this transaction
we're not only the boldness with which il