Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-19
MARYLAND TEA PARTY
TODAY ITS ONE HUNDRED AND
THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
The Burning Of the Brig Peggy Stewart
at Annapolis Because She Brought
British Tea.

Wednesday, October 10, is the one hun
dred and thirtieth anniversary of one of the
earliest stirring events of revolutionary
days as well as the one hundred and
twenty-third of the browning event of the
struggle for independence. The first is that
OF the burning of the Peggy Stewart at
Annapolis, on which some of the "detestable
weed tea had been imported and duty paid
thereon, and the second the surrender of
CORVALLIS at Yorktown, the crowning act
IN the drama of the revolution. The pa
trlotic societies throughout the country
VIII doubtless observe both Of these events,
out the former, having been a provincial af-
1air and its enactment being almost within
SOUND of the capital, will be more than
usually ho~ored in Maryland. In the court
house IN baltimore mural paintings by
charles G. Turner depicting the event have
been placed on the walls and these will be
unveiled with appropriate ceremonies and
mucn Will be made over the exploits of the
maryland tea party of TIA.
Inc Boston tea party antedated this some
months, but the same spirit was involved
opposition to taxed goods. Annapolis,
though 1t had been port of entry and the
capital of the province of Maryland and
county-seat since the preceding century
had not more than 1890 inhabitants. in
some Oo houses. 1t was, however, regard
ed as the wealthiest town of its size in
america and was a rival of Boston in the
claim of being the modern Athens MANY
of its people kept up their relations with
the OLD families of England from whence
tney came, and some of the leading men
OF the nation had their domiciles there
When the news of the blockade of Ros-
ION narbor reached that place in Nav l774
the people Were stirred, and at a public
neetihs expressed their sympathy with that
CITY, appointed committee of correspond
ence, declared against importing or ex-
hot
sul.s De nled against American debtors for
brltlsh creditors, etc. The committee an
pointed included Charles Carroll, VIM
Paca and Samuel Chase, three of the sign
ers of the Declaration of Independence.
and Thomas Johnson, the first governor
Oh the state. There was however a .nu-
Inerlously signed protest against the resolu-
ton relating to suits published and the
prevalence of English sentiment was ap-
parent. month later, June % the com
mlttees OF the several counties met in An
napohs and resolutions stronger in sent-
ment were adopted, and delegates to Con-
gress We're appointed and an adjournment
had till December
The Peggy Stewards Arrival.
There was considerable trade with Lon
don and the West Indies from Annapolis,
engaged in which was the brig Peggy Stew
art, owned there, and she arrived from
London, Friday, October A. consigned to
the house of T. C. Williams & Co In her
cargo were seventeen chests of tea, and
when this was known there wast much eX-
element The county committee met,
called general meeting of citizens and
summoned the captain, owner and consign-
ees. After learning that the duty had not
been paid a committee was appoihted to SUI
perintend the discharge of cargo save the
tea, which they had decided should not be
landed, and the meeting adjourned to We'd
nesday, the 10Th. Before that time, how
ever, the consignees, through Mr.. Carroll,
oil cd into 1nir.
offered to destroy the tea themselves. Hand
bills, calling the people to a meeting, were
circulated when it was found THAT Mr..
Stewart had entered the vessel and paid the
duty. The provincial court was then In
session and all parts of the colony repre-
scented. so when the meeting was called to
order, there was large attendance.
Letters were read from Anthony Stewart
and Williams & Company acknowledging
that they had committed a daring insult
first in paying the duty on the ten and then
in importing it-asked pardon promising to
commit no act injurious to the hberties of
the people, and to show their desire to live
in amity with the people they would COM
nit the detestable article to the fames. 1t
was claimed by the Williamses that though
they had acted candidIy this card implied
that they were equally culpable With Stew
art.
1t was soon seen that the indignation was
centered in Stewart for his compliance with
the act of parliament taxing tea4 In fact,
that morning, under the lead ofyDr. c. A.
Warfeld, a gallows had been erected for
Stewart and threats of tar and feathers
made, and these were repeated in the meet
ing. There was a division of sentiment as
to whether the vessel should be destroyed,
and it was decided in the negative but the
minority seemed determined and when
Charles Carroll advised Stewart, ilhe offered
to destroy 1t with his own handsh. This an
nouncement satisfied all and the meeting
adjourned to the waters edge II In order
that the invalid wife of Stewartffor whom
the brig had been named might Zee the de-
struction, the brig, with sails SGT and col
ors flying, was run aground in sight of her
residence and Stewart under theeprotection
of some who feared personal Violence to
him, went on board and applied 1.-THE torch,
and in few hours the obnoxio,ss tea and
the vessel were in ashes. The ppint where
this took place is now within tie confines
of the Naval Academy.