Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1902-02-22
NAS|NGTON'S Anniversary.
HIS VISITS TO THE CITY
OF ANNAPOLIS
By The Rev. Robert Il. Williams, D. d., Of
Walbrook- When Annapolis Was
The Resort Of The Polite,
The Wealthy And
Fashionable.

While Washington was still a young
man, between the ages of twenty y-seven
and thirty two, h: was frequent visitor
to Annapolis. which. at that time. was
the resort of "the polite. the wealthy and
fashionable" OF the land
The most notable visit was in Decem-
Der, 1888. when he came to resign his
commission as commander-in-chieto OF the
army OF these United States. As he
apr cached Annapolis. he was met BY
Generals Gates and Smallwood and many
OF the principal residents of the city. and
escorted to Mann's Hotel, where apart
ments had been prepared tor him.
Booming OF canon was heard in honor
OF his arrival A dinner for many guests
was provided in elegant style, and the
State House and other buildings were
brilliantly illuminated at night. The au-
thorities Of the city presented TO Wash
ington token OF the appreciation Of his
services in an address. which was ac.
knowledged by him in graceful man
ner. On the z3rd ol December Congress,
then in session in Annapolis. received
him with many evidences OF their esteem.
Bancroft. referring TO the scene pre-
IL
that he seem, even greater than he
was at the head OF the armies OF the
United States. Parton Remarked: "The
spectacle presented in the chamber at
Annapolis impressed mankind. The two
| addresses-W Washington and Niffln's-
winged then way around the world, al
fording lesson useful to those who in
| hict and to those who feel oppression. p"
The Legislature OF Maryland. at its
sessions in 1880, appointed a committee
| to consider the manner in which the
| hundfedth anniversary should be observ.
ed, ard it was proposed that the Presi-
| dent Of the United States and his cabinet
| should be invited 10 Annapolis; that the
| Governors of all the States should have
an invitation; that an Grafton should be
| delivered; that banquet should be pre-
pared and that ball should complete
the programme.
Twenty thousand dollars was the sum
! suggestt d that would be needed TO cele-
brate the event in becoming manner.
The members OF the Legislature OF 1882
did not see their way clear to appropriate
that amount OF money, and all plans for
a suitable remembrance OF this great
event in public manner were allowed d
to drop. As the one hundredth ami
versary Of this great event approached.
Congress, through the President Of the
United States, asked the clergy to refer
to it in their usual services on that day.
They asked the President TO ordera salute
from all the forts and arsenals Of the
land on the following day.
AS this great event occurred at the
| Capital OF our State, and had no proper
/ recognition at its one hundredth ami
versary, we hope tba. the one hundred
and twenty fifth anniversary may not
! pass without suitable celebration. On
his way TO Philadelphia in 1884, we are
| told that Washington stopped in Annap-
oils and conversed with Jefferson from 8
| p. m. until midnight, abou, the affairs oi
the country. The thoroughiare between
Philadelphia and Mt. Vernon seems to
have been in that day through Annap
oils. In 1891, when President OF the
United States. he was in Annapolis. We
have the record that he walked TO the
State House from Mann's Hotel, and
found the State House much out OF re.
pair. He saw St. Johns College. al
which there were eighty students ol
| every deSctiption.