Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1921-12-23
ANNIVERSARY Of
DAY WASHINGTON
LEFT THE ARMY
Congress. Then In Session Here,
Received Sword OF Com
mander-ln-Chief OF Continen-
tai Army l3s Years Ago
d. A. X. HISTORIAN
DESCRIBES EVENT

One hundred and thirty eight years
ago today General George Washington
resigned his commission as Com
mander-in Chief Of The Continental
Army in the Old Senate Chamber OF
the capital. This is the event in the
early history OF Annapolis OF which its
citizens are proulest, and the Old
Senate Chamber. restored 10 it's origi-
nal state Of beauty. is regarded as one
Of the handsomest memorials OF Col
onial days to be found in the State
That this notable event took place
al Annapolis is due TO the progress
sive spirit Of The people Of Maryland.
At that period Congress had no per-
manent location to meet in. and
sought such convenient Accommodations
as they could obtain Trenton. New
Jersey. had fine State House and so
had Annapolis, and Congress. taking
advantage OF these buildings in which
10 meet. selected them for their as
sembling in alternate years. II fell 10
the fortunate lot of Annapolis for
Congress 10 meet here in the year
Washington returned hts illustrious
commission 10 Congress.
~ the last meeting Of the Peggy
Stewart CHAPTER of the y. 4. r. which
very appropriately holds its sessions
in the Old Senate Chamber It's his
tHian. Miss Katherine Walton. read
a most interesting paper on this event.
in WashingtOn's career II is mat
ter OF local interest that the Father
of his Country opened the ball givth
in his honor at that time with Miss
Waltons great-grandmother Mrs.
James Mackubin. one Of the most
beautiful women of the day
The historians paper said in part.
Miss Walton's Paper
mid the rush OF modern life let us
pause moment 20 recall a great event
which took place herein this. his
toric State House, within these hall
lowed walls, ana o., this sacred spot.
around which all the dream, and charm,
and spell Of yesterday. still linger TO
tell Of the past, and the illustrious per-
sonages who have passed this way
Of the great Washington. who 1873
years ago, laid down his sword az
Commander-in-Chief OF the Continen-
IA Army.
When Patrick Henry was asked
whom he considered The greatest man
in the first Congress he replied; ne
you speak Of eloquence, Mr.. Rutledge1
Of South Carolina. is By far tho grea,-
est orator, but If you speak OF solid
judgment and wide information, Col.
Washington is unquestionably the
greatest man on the floor
Thus when the second Congress
met, May 10, 1915. Col Washington
was again among the number. The
great drama had opened. the war OF
Independence had begun and men
whose excellence has rarely been re-
corded in history. assembled 10 de-
eide the interest Of millions of in
juTed freem en--mon whom money
could not buy nor danger terrify.
After providing for the raising Of an
army Gen. Washington was nominated
by Thomas Johnson. tsome historians
nam John Adams). and unani-
mously elected CommaDder-n-Chief
OF the Continental Army of the
/ United Province. June -, 1775. Col.
Washington received his appointment
with great diffidence OF his military
experience. but declared his determi-
nation 10 exert every power for his
country's service and the success Of
a glorious cause.
Con June 19. 1775, he received his
commission and with laudable prompt
ness prepared for duty. On his ar
rival al Boston he found an army OF
5000 men--Zealous, courageous, but,
far from possessing any efficiency. He
! organized the army into brigades, and
divisions and drilled them with untir-
! ing perseverance. II is thus we fol-
I low his career through the spring Of
1916. when on July 4, 1875, the Dec
+ laration OF Independence proclaimed
+ at Philadelphia infused new life into
those who felt they had huge OBJ
ject for which TO work, blessing to
/ themselves, their children and their
descendants. Passing over the hard
ships Of battles lost, and battles won.
/ we see triumphant success crowning
the arduOus labors Of Col. Washing1
I ton.
! Early in 1888. a definite Treaty OF
Peace acknowledging the Independ%
ence of the United States was signed
+ by Great Britain, and on December A
/