Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-11
Maryland to Celebrate Her
Own "Tea Party"
RIVALS BOSTON AFFAIR
How Owner Was Forced to Burn
His Brig and Cargo.
MOBBED AT ANNAPOLIS IN 1774
Apologized for Paying Tax, But
dignant Countrymen.

BALTIMORE. October October ~.
commonly known in Maryland as
Peggy Stewart day." one Of the most
picturesque anniversaries in the states
history, will be observed BY the diffe:-
ent historical societies of this city.
While as yet no definite arrangements
have been made 1t is probable that the
Sons Of the American Revolution, the
Daughters of the American Revolution
and other historical organizations will
celebrate the day with appropriate cere-
monies. Five years ago the mural
painting Of the burning of the Peggy
Stewart was unveiled on the west wall
Of the criminal court vestibule of the
courthouse. and the history of that
momentous occasion. when the citizens
of Annapolis rivaled the historic "Bos-
ton Tea Party" was wildly recalled To
Marylanders.
The Peggy Stewart was brig, which,
October 10, 1774, arrived in the harbOr
of Annapolis from England with an as
sorted cargo, in which were seventeen
cases of tea consigned to James and
Joseph Williams, merchants of that
town. Anthony Stewart. the owner OF
the vessel, was one of the signers of
the non-importation agreement. but In
order to land the rest of his cargo
rashly paid the duty on the tea In
which he had no interest. The colonists
were indignant at what they considered
not only treason. but defiance
offered to Destroy Cargo.
A guard was placed on the brig and a
convention was assembled to decide
what was to be done. BY this time
Stewart had become thoroughly fright
ened. and begged to be allowed to APP
pear before meeting of his fellow
citizens of Annapolis and purge himself
will of the colonists. The offending
parties appeared before a meeting of
the residents and, with much cOntri-
ton, offered to land the tea and burn
1t publicly. This proposal. however.
though satisfactory to some, was not
tority.
At the convention Stewart and the two
Williamses came forward in very humble
manner and signed a paper confessing
their offense, with many expressions OF
regret and self-condemnation, and reiter-
ated their offer to destroy the tea in the
sight Of all men, This course. as seen
by the colonists. was sufficient punish
ment for the Williamses. but left Stewart.
who was especially obnoxious. unpunish-
brig. but this course was negatived by
the majority. The minority, however.
would not be content. and as they avow-
ed that they would organize party and
burn the brig. Stewart. In order to avoid
the violence Of mob. volunteered to burn
the vessel with his own hand. The offer
was accepted and the vessel was run
around near Windmill Point. Stewart. the
owner. then went to her side in small
boat and set her afire, including all her
soils rt0Q1n0
pie standing at the waters edge to watch
the brig burn.
Briggs Last Entry.
An interesting entry in one Of the time
tinted manuscripts Of the Maryland His
torical Society, entitled IA List Of All
Ships and Vessels Which Have Entered
Inwards in the Port Of Annapolis. in
Maryland, Covering a Period Between
April, 1855. and October, 1775." is the
following descriptive Of the Peggy Stew
art on her last entry into Annapolis:
Time and entry-October H. TIA. Ship
or vessels name-Brig Peggy Stewart.
Masters name-Richd: Jackson. Kind Of
Where Rn,tavs and Shen built"Maryland. III
Where and when registered-Patuxent.
18th April, 1918. The names Of the own
ers of this present voyage-Anthony Stew
art, and three others. The general cargo
european ana E<dSt SOOoS 1I
cockets, SO servants. From whence
London Where and when bond given
London. July q, 1774."
Another paper which gives an account
Of the burning Of the vessel Is letter
written by John Galloway Of Julip HILL
Anne Arundel county, to his father on
October 20. 1774 the day following the
act The letter reads: AFTER the vote
for violent measures was lost to the ma
jority. DR.. Warfield "a youth that prac-
ticed under DR.. Thompson at the Ridge
for some time) made a motion that the
gentlemen should make their concessions
on their knees The gentlemen than came
and read their concessions to the public
and then Mr.. Stewart went on board the
vessel and set fire to her with his own
hands. and she was aburning when left
town."
The celebration Of Peggy Stewart day.
which is generally observed throughout
the state. brings back to the minds Of
Marylanders that the colonists of this
state, as we'll as the participants in the
famous Boston Tea Party" were fore
most in declaring. through their acts,
their protest against taxation without
representation by the mother country.