CHAPTER VII.

General Washington arrives at Annapolis-Public Dinner-BallThe Citizens address him-His Answer-He leaves the CityThe Birth of a Dauphin celebrated at Annapolis-Count Rochambeau arrives at Annapolis-Embarks for France—Cessation of Hostilities-Public Rejoicing-Public Dinner-Toasts on the Occasion-State-House Illuminated-Ball-Peace-General Greene arrives at Annapolis-Corporate Authorities of the City address him-General Greene's Reply-The Society of Cincinnatti for the State of Maryland formed in Annapolis-Officers of the Maryland Line-Congress in Session at Annapolis-General Washington arrives there-Is entertained by the Citizens-Corporate Authorities address him-His Reply-General Washington resigns his Commission into the hands of the Congress-Proceedings of Congress thereon-General Washington again visits Annapolis accompanied by General Lafayette-They are entertained by the General Assembly-General Lafayette-Addressed by the Governor and Council, and by the Legislature-His Answers-The General Assembly naturalizes General Lafayette St. John's College-The President of the United States arrives at Annapolis-His Reception-Annapolis-Baltimore-Citizens of Annapolis address the President of the United States-The President's Reply-Defence of Annapolis-Tribute to the Memory of Washington-General Tureau, arrives at Annapolis-His Reception-William Pinkney arrives at Annapolis-His Reception-Public Dinner-Officers and Crew of the Frigate Philadelphia-Meeting of the Citizens of Annapolis-Frigate Chesapeake-Proceedings of the CitizensPiracy in the Chesapeake Bay-Pirates Captured-Conclusion.

On Wednesday, the 21st of November, 1781, general Washington arrived in this city, on his way to the northward. "When the citizens received the pleasing information of his excellency's arrival, all business ceased, and every consideration gave way to their impatience to behold their benefactor, and the deliverer of his country. On his appearance in the streets, people of every rank and every age eagerly pressed forward to feed their eyes with gazing on the man, to whom,

under Providence, and the generous aid of our great and good ally, they owed their security, and hopes of future liberty and peace; the courteous affability, with which he returned their salutes, lighted up ineffable joy in every countenance, and diffused the most animated gratitude through every breast.'

"You would have thought the very windows spoke. So many greedy looks of young and old through casements darted their desiring eyes upon his visage; and that all the walls, with painted imagery, had said at once, 'God save thee, Washington.'

'The general's arrival was announced by the discharge of cannon, and he was accompanied to his excellency the governor's, by the honest acclamations of the whigs; a few tories, to expiate their crimes, and shuffle off the opprobium of their characters, feebly joined in applauding the man whose successes had annihilated their hopes, and whose conduct was a satire on their principles. The president of the senate, speaker of the house of delegates, members of the general assembly and council, and many of the citizens, hastened to offer their tribute of affection, which was richly repaid by the engaging frankness and affectionate politeness of the reception. The evening was spent at the governor's elegant and hospitable board with festive joy, enlivened by good-humour, wit, and beauty.'

"On the next day the general partook of a public dinner given by the legislature, as a mark of their respect, and to render the participation of his company as general as possible. In the evening the city was beautifully illuminated, and an assembly prepared for the ladies, to afford them an opportunity of beholding

their friend, and thanking their protector with their smiles.'

'His excellency, to gratify the wishes of the fair, crowned the entertainment with his presence, and with graceful dignity and familiar ease so framed his looks, his gestures, and his words, that every heart overflowed with gratitude and love, and every tongue grew eloquent in his praise. When he retired from the assembly—with one united voice, all present exclaimed:

'Unrivalled and unmatched shall be his fame,
And his own laurels shade his envied name.'

The day on which general Washington reached Annapolis, the following address was presented by the citizens:

"To his Excellency General Washington:

'The citizens of Annapolis feel themselves happy in having an opportunity, personally, to express their affection for, and gratitude to, your excellency. Your private character forces admiration from the foes of virtue and freedom.

'We derive peculiar pleasure from the contemplation, that the successes at Trenton and Princetown laid the corner stone of our freedom and independence, and that the capture of Earl Cornwallis and his army has completed the edifice, and secured the temple of liberty to us and our posterity. These brilliant and important events are the more agreeable to every American, from the reflection that they were planned by, and executed under, the immediate command of your excellency.

'The love of your country alone, which induced you to accept the command of our armies at the expense

of domestic happiness; the persevering fortitude and equanimity of soul you have displayed on every occasion, and the very important services rendered America, justify us in saluting you as the patriot, the hero, and the saviour of your country.

'Our prayers, with those of millions, are daily offered up to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, for your health, safety and happiness.

(Signed,)

JOHN BULLEN, Mayor.

'ANNAPOLIS, November 21, 1781.'

To which address general Washington made the following reply:

'Sir, I am obliged by the polite and affectionate address of the citizens of Annapolis. Nothing can be more flattering to me than to know, that my general conduct has met the approbation of my countrymen : it is the most grateful reward for those services which I have ever, in the course of my command, endeavoured to render them, but which their too great partiality has oftentimes over-rated. That the State in general, and this city in particular, may long enjoy the benefits which they have a right to expect from their very spirited exertions in the prosecution of this just war, is the sincere wish of,

'Sir, your most obedient and

'Very humble servant,

'G. WASHINGTON.

'The Worshipful JOHN BULLEN, Esq.,

'Mayor of the City of Annapolis.

'ANNAPOLIS, November 21, 1781.'

By this visit Annapolis had an early opportunity of manifesting the gratitude and love which pervaded

every American bosom, to the father of his country; and the honour of making one of the first public addresses after the crowning act of all his other successes during the Revolutionary war. For the reader will observe, it was presented but a short time after the capitulation at Yorktown.

On Friday the 23d, general Washington left the city, attended by the prayers of her citizens for his health, safety and happiness.

On Tuesday, the 25th of June, the birth of a Dauphin, was celebrated here-a public dinner was given in the state-house, to a numerous and most respectable assembly, where many toasts were drunk, suitable to the occasion. Five hundred discharges of cannon were fired through the day; and at night a splendid ball was given to 'the fairer part of creation.'

1783.

On the 4th of January, 1783, his excellency, general count Rochambeau, with his suite, arrived in this city, and the next morning embarked on board his most christian majesty's frigate 'Le Emeraude,' for France.

Official intelligence being received by his excellency the governor, of a general cessation of hostilitiesThursday, the 24th of April, in this year, was appointed as the day of public rejoicing. And on which occasion, a convenient and extensive building was erected on Carroll's Green, sufficient for the accommodation of many hundreds. Thirteen pieces of artillery were planted, and an elegant dinner provided.

The proclamation being read-thirteen cannon were discharged, to announce the glorious and memorable event. The gentlemen then repaired to dinner, at which were present, 'his excellency the governor, the