The principal performers belonging to this company, appear to have been Messrs. Wynell, Herbert, Eyanson, Kean, and Miss Osborne-they performed while here, "The Busy Body,' 'Beaux Stratagem,' 'Recruiting Officer,' 'London Merchant,' 'Cato,' 'Richard III,' with many others. After leaving Annapolis, they performed at 'Upper Marlborough,' 'Piscattaway,’. on the Western Shore, and at 'Chester Town,' in Kent county, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

During the time they performed here, a Mr. Richard Bricknell and company, exhibited some curious waxfigures, representing the 'Queen of Hungary sitting on her throne, and the Duke, her son,' and courtiers in attendance.

1753.

The first lottery drawn in this province, was at Annapolis, on the 21st September, 1753, for the purchase of a 'town clock, and clearing the dock.' The highest prize 100 pistoles-tickets half a pistole. The managers were Benj. Tasker, junior, George Stewart, Walter Dulany, and ten other gentlemen of this place.

On the 11th of August, of this year, Horatio Sharpe, Esq., governor of the province, arrived here, in the ship Molly, captain Nicholas Coxen, from London.

In September, (1753) several companies under the command of captain Dagworthy, lieutenants Forty, and Bacon, marched from Annapolis against the French on the Ohio.

1755.

On the 3d of April, 1755, general Braddock, governor Dinwiddie and commodore Keppel arrived here, on their way to Virginia. And on the 11th and 12th of the same month, arrived governor Sherley, of Boston, governor De Lancy, of New York, and

governor Morris, of Philadelphia, with a number of distinguished gentlemen-they left here accompanied by governor Sharpe, for Alexandria, and on the 17th they returned to Annapolis on their way to their respective governments. A few days after, governor Sharpe set out for Frederick Town.

This period, which just preceded the defeat of general Braddock, near Fort Du Quesne, appears to have been a busy time with their excellencies.

On the 29th of September, of this year, doctor Charles Carroll departed this life, aged sixty-four years—–he had resided in Annapolis about forty years. For some years after his coming to this city, he 'practised physic with good success; but laying that aside, he commenced trade and merchandise, by which he amassed a very considerable fortune.' In 1737, he was chosen a member to the lower house of assembly, in which station he is said to have spared no pains or application to render himself serviceable to the county, and his constituents, to the time of his death. He is represented to have been 'a gentleman of good sense and breeding, courteous and affable,' and was held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens. Dr. Carroll owned all of the ground on the lower part of Church street, on the south side, extending back to the Duke of Gloster street; and in 1749 opened Green street,-advertising to sell or lease lots on either side of the same.

Mr. Green says in his Gazette of the 6th of Nov., of this year, 'we are now about entrenching the town. If the gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Annapolis, were to send their forces to assist in it, a few days would complete the work.'

This measure it would seem, was taken by the citi

zens, in consequence of the 'dreadful murders and massacres' committed by the French and Indians upon the border country, and serious apprehensions were entertained by the inhabitants, that Annapolis would fall into the hands of their 'politic, cruel and cunning ene mies.' It was asserted by a writer for the Gazette, that the Indians 'were but a little way from the city, and that so entire was their defenceless situation, that even a small party of twenty or thirty Indians, by marching in the night and skulking in the day time, might come upon them unawares in the dead of night, burn their houses, and cut their throats, before they could put themselves in a posture of defence.' Other writers of the day, seemed to think that there was no more danger of 'Annapolis being attacked by the Indians, than London.' The fears of the inhabitants were soon quieted, by the return of several gentlemen who had gone as volunteers to the westward, and who reported they had seen no Indians, except one, and he was 'very quiet,' for they found him dead.

1757.

On the 29th of March, of this year, (1757) governor Sharpe arrived here from the northward, accompanied by governor Dobbs, of North Carolina, and governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia.

In this year, the small-pox made its appearance in Annapolis, and continued to afflict and alarm the inhabitants for nine months. Scarcely one of them escaped the disease. Of about one hundred persons who were inoculated, not one died, while those who had it in the natural way, at least one in every six died. On this occasion the physicians of the town inoculated every person who desired it, without fee or reward.

In consequence of the disease being here, the ge

neral assembly was prorogued to meet in Baltimore, where it held its sesion for this year.

In the winter of this year, (1757,) five companies of Royal Americans, were quartered upon the town.

CHAPTER V.

Forts on the Border Country-Fort Frederick-Reduction of Quebec-A Company of Comedians at Annapolis-Stone Wind-mill erected-Collection for the sufferers by fire at Boston-Ball-roomCold winter-Stamp Act-Proceeding at Annapolis on—Maryland Gazette-Sons of Liberty-Repeal of the Stamp Act-A new Theatre opened-Gov. Eden arrives at Annapolis-His characterDeath and burial-Articles of Non-importation, &c.-Arrival of Brig Good Intent-Resolute course pursued by the AssociationIts results-Mr. Wm. Eddis-Annapolis described-WhitehallGovernor Sharpe-His character-Appropriation to build the present. State-House-Commissioners appointed-The Foundation laid-Incident-Dimensions of the building-The Architect-Anniversary of the Proprietary's birth-Rejoicings at Annapolis-Ladies of Annapolis-Saint Tamina Society-Their ProceedingsTheatre opened-Trustees appointed by the Legislature, to the Theatre Theatre pulled down-Causes which led to it-Mr. Dunlap-Trustees appointed to build a new Church-Meeting of the Citizens of Annapolis-Their proceedings on the Act of Parliament for blockading the Harbour of Boston-Some portion of their Resolves dissented from by many Citizens-Proceedings of the Dissentients-Burning of the Brig Peggy Stewart-And the tea on board-The Proceedings had thereon.

BELIEVING the following statement of distances between the several forts which were erected for the defence of the border country, will be interesting to many, it is here subjoined.

'Fort Frederick and Fort Cumberland stood on the north bank of Potomac river, about fifty miles distant

from each other, the first twelve miles beyond Conococheague, the then most western settlement. Fort Loudoun was about twenty-five miles north from Fort Frederick; Rays Town fifty-three miles west from Fort Loudoun, and thirty-five miles northward from Fort Cumberland; the distance from Rays Town to the Loylhanning, is said to have been fifty-eight miles, and thence to Fort Du Quesne, was computed to be about thirty-five miles.'

Fort Frederick being 'the only monument of the ante-revolutionary times,' now remaining in the western parts of our State, deserves to have handed down to posterity all that can be now collected relative to its origin and present ruins. It is stated by Mr. McMahon, in his history of Maryland, to have been situated on an elevated and rather commanding position in the plains along the Potomac, distant about one-fourth of a mile from that river, and about ten or eleven miles above the mouth of Conococheague creek. It was constructed of the most durable materials, and in the most approved manner, at an expense of upwards of £6000. When Mr. McMahon saw its ruins in 1828, the greater part of it was still standing, and in a high state of preservation, in the midst of cultivated fields. According to a description given of it at its construction, its exterior lines were each one hundred and twenty yards in length, (the fort being quadrangular,) its curtains and bastions were faced by a thick stone wall, and it contained barracks sufficient for the accommodation of several hundred men. This garrison was built under the personal supervision of governor Sharpe, and by a plan of his own; he appears to have taken great interest in its construction. Its first commander