Evening star., 1939-09-03

tice of law in Frederick, in 1901, he
moved to the District of Columbia,
where he formed partnership with
his uncle, Philip Barton Key. He
was an Episcopalian and vestry-
man of st. Johns Church, George
town, and wrote for the church
hymnal, Lord, With Glowing Heart
I Praise Thee" During the admin
istrations of Presidents Jackson and
Van Buren he was three times ap-
pointed United States attorney for
the District.
Much of the authors life was
spent in this city, at his residence
in old Georgetown, a part of which
is still standing at 3516 M street,
near the Washington end of the
Francis Scott Key Bridge, which
was named by Congress in his honor.
Here he resided from 1903 to 1923.
and here, it is said, his IL chill
dren-siX boys and five girls-Were
born. His later residence, at 3O8 c
street NV, was subsequently re-
placed with an apartment house
and this, too, has been removed for
the Municipal Center. The c street
house was built about 1885 by Henry
Weightman, brother of Gen. Roger
C. Weightman, Mayor of Washing
ton from 1924 to 1926, and occupied
by Key for some time prior to his
death, in 1843, after which 1t was
disposed of by his widow. A por-
ton of the west side of the G street
residence was devoted to Keys Of
fee.
Fitted for Task.
AS a lawyer, Key stood in high
repute, and we can easily see that
West could not have selected a bet
ter man for the purpose of securing
the release of DR.. Beanes, which he
Immediately proceeded to do.
In letter to his mother, under
date, Georgetown, I'd September,
1914, Key wrote: II am going in the
morning to Baltimore to proceed In
flag to Gen. Ross. Old Doct.
Beanes of Marlboro is taken pris-
oner by the enemy, who threaten
to carry him off. Some of his
friends have urged me to apply for
flag to go and try to procure his
release. I hope to return in about
or 10 days, though it is uncer-
tain, as I do not know where to
find the fleet"
Key was soon on his way to Bal
timore, where he met John S. Skim
ner, who was in charge of the ex-
change of prisoners, and, the con-
sent of President Madison having
been obtained, together they pro-
ceeded to Chesapeake Bay, aboard
the Minden, under a flag of truce, in
search of the British feet.
He went as far as the mouth of
the Patuxent River, where he fell
in with the British, and was courte-
ously received on board the Royal
Oak by Admiral Cochrane. How
ever, the admiral and likewise Gen.
Ross, did not take kindly to the
suggestion of releasing DR.. Beanes
and the general even scathingly de-
nounced Beanes to the utmost.
Agreed to Release.
Fortunately, Skinner had come
prepared with letters from the
wounded left by Ross at Bladens-
burg, and when the latter found,
from reading these, that his own
men were extremely grateful for the
Kind treatment they were receiving
from their foe, he agreed to the re-
lease.
Key was then permitted to inter-
the forward part Of the ship. among
the sailors and soldiers. He was
constantly treated with indignity by
those around him, and this keen
humiliation continued while he re-
manned aboard the British vessel.
Key ano Skinner were transferred
to the frigate Surprise and remained
on that vessel until the fleet, con-
sisting of ships Of the line. heavy
frigates and bomb vessels-30 craft
in all-reached the mouth of the
Patapsco, when they and DR.. Beanes
were transferred to their own vessel,
with guard of sailors and marines
to prevent them from landing.
On the morning of September II
the enemy sailed up the Patapsco
River and, during the day and night,
brought 16 vessels, of which were
bomb vessels, within about 21a miles
of the fort. Keys vessel was an
chored in position from which
he could see distinctly the flag of
Fort McHenry, which was erected on
high mast not far from the bastion.
Long Bombardment.
About sunrise on the 18th five
bomb vessels of the British took up
q position a little more than 2 miles
opposite the fort and kept up an
incessant and wel1-directed bonn
bardment, with slight intermiSsions,