CHAPTER VIII.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS, AND ITS MORE PROMINENT PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

City of Annapolis-Its Population-Shipping-Its Site-Its Advantages-Naval Academy-The Round Bay-Rail Road-Its proximity to the seat of the National Government-Its Harbour-The Treasury-The Government-house-St. John's College-Episcopal Church-Roman Catholic Chapel-Methodist ChurchAfrican House of Worship-The Farmers' Bank of Maryland— Court-house-City Hall-City Hotel-Ball-room-Theatre-The Garrison at Fort Severn.

ANNAPOLIS, the capital of Maryland, received its name in 1708, in honour of Queen Anne, the then reigning monarch of England. It is situated on the south branch of the river Severn, thirty miles south from Baltimore, and forty miles east-north-east from Washington, in latitude 38° 58′ north; longitude, Washington city, 0° 31′ east.

Its population is about three thousand; shipping, 4006 tons. It stands on a peninsula formed by Acton's creek on the south, and Covey's creek on the north; the heads of these two creeks being within half a mile of each other. Its greatest length is little more than a mile, and in breadth something more than half a mile. It covers an area of about an hundred and forty-three acres. The site of the city is one of great beauty, commanding an extensive view of the Chesapeake and the surrounding country, which exhibits a great diversity of landscape and picturesque scenery. The appellation of the 'beautiful city,' has often been applied to her, especially when clothed in nature's brightest livery.

Annapolis is the natal place of some of the most distinguished men America can boast of; and has the honour of being the native place of five of the most beautiful and accomplished peeresses of our mother land.

This city is admirably adapted as a location for a Naval Academy, an institution which has long been desired by all classes of our citizens. Her central position between the north and the south; her proximity to the seat of our national government; her fine and commodious harbour, which gives her great commercial advantages-all combine to recommend her to the general government as decidedly the best location in the Union for the site of such an institution. There is water bold and extensive enough for all desirable purposes; and only seven miles from the mouth of the Severn is the Round Bay, a beautiful sheet of water, which of itself presents a commodious and secure harbour for ships-of-war, and in every respect is an eligible depot for naval stores. The Annapolis and Elkridge rail road being finished, the distance between Annapolis and Washington can be accomplished in less than three hours, which removes at once all the force of the objection heretofore made on the ground of its difficulty of access during the winter.

It now occupies three hours by steamboat travel between this place and Baltimore; by the rail road, two hours, and perhaps less, will suffice to pass from one to the other. And thus will Annapolis be rendered a suitable and convenient outer or winter harbour for the great emporium of our State, whose harbour is frequently closed by ice, while this is open all the winter, unless it be one of unusual severity.

The public buildings are the state-house, the treasury, the government-house, St. John's college, Episcopal church, Roman Catholic chapel, Methodist church, African house of worship, the Farmers' Bank of Maryland, court-house, city hall, city hotel, ballroom, theatre, the garrison at fort Severn.

THE STATE-HOUSE.

The state-house is situated on a beautiful elevation in the centre of the city. It has elicited alike the admiration of the citizen, the sojourner, and the stranger, for the beauty of its structure.

The main building is of brick, and the superstructure which surmounts it is of wood.

The height from the base to the top of the spire is two hundred feet. From the platform of the dome, which is one hundred and thirty-five feet high, the spectator has one of the most delightful panoramic views to be found within the United States. It commands a view of nature in all the beauty of poetic scenery-the ancient city-its environs--the adjacent country-the noble Chesapeake, and the eastern shore beyond it, for an extent of thirty miles around, breaks upon the view of the delighted eye.

The hill on which stands this noble edifice, is enclosed by a neat and substantial granite wall, surmounted by a handsome iron railing, which is entered by three gates, one situated at the head of Francis street, and in front of the building, the second to the south-west, and the third to the north-east of the circle,

The main entrance to the building is through a portico of but modest pretensions, and opens into a spa

cious and beautiful hall, in which is had a view of the interior of the dome, the stucco work of which was made from plaster brought from St. Mary's county.

On the right hand of the hall is the senate chamber. This room is judiciously and tastefully fitted up for the use of the senators of our State. It is 34 feet by 40; it has a lobby and gallery for the accommodation of visitors. Persons of distinction are often invited within the bar of the senate, where seats are provided for them. Portraits at full length, of the distinguished Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Samuel Chase, William Paca, and Thomas Stone, ornament the walls. These gentlemen were the four signers of the declaration of independence, on the part of Maryland, and were at that period all citizens of Annapolis; each of them in his day filled various posts of honour and responsibility, and shared largely the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

The first named gentleman was the last survivor of that illustrious band of patriots who signed the declaration of American independence.

There is also in this room a portrait of the 'hero of the Cowpens,' the virtuous and excellent John Eager Howard, who has with the rest of his compatriots, gone to the land of his fathers, there to reap the rewards of an honourable and well-spent life. In 1788289 and '90, Mr. Howard was governor of Maryland. The first and last named portraits were painted by Mr. Sully; the others by Mr. Bordley, both native artists. There is likewise in this room a portrait of the elder Pitt, the friend of America. In this picture lord Chatham is represented at full length, in

the attitude and costume of a Roman orator-with decorations of emblematical figures, expressive of his noble principles. It was painted by Charles Wilson Peale, (who was a native of Annapolis,) while in England, and presented by him in the year 1794, to his native State.

This room is still more memorable as being the spot upon which was consummated the greatest act in the life of the greatest man of any age. It was here that Washington, after having rescued his country from foreign dominion and usurpation, nobly laid down his authority on the altar of liberty-resigning his commission into the hands of congress.

And in this room, too, was ratified by the same congress, the treaty of peace with Great Britain, of 1783, recognizing our independence.

Adjoining the senate chamber is the committee room, neatly fitted up for the purposes to which it is applied.

On the left of the hall, immediately opposite to the senate chamber, is the chamber of the house of delegates, of the same dimensions of the senate chamber, neatly fitted up, and accommodates seventy-nine members, who sit at desks conveniently arranged. It has also a lobby and gallery for the accommodation of spectators, and with it are connected committee rooms. From the walls of this room is suspended a large picture, presenting a full length likeness of general Washington, attended by general La Fayette and colonel Tilghman, his aids-de-camp; the continental army passing in review. In his hand he holds the articles of capitulation at Yorktown.

This picture was painted by Charles Wilson Peale,