ANNAPOLIS. 13

This building is greatly admired for its fine architectural
proportions, its commanding site and lofty dome, but its
chief attraction is its historic associations; in it and on its
site the freemen of Maryland have always maintained their
rights; here the Father of his Country returned his military
commission to his countrymen; here the treaty of peace with
Great Britain, that made us thirteen free and independent
colonies was ratified; and here, tradition tells, the first con-
ference of States was held that led to the adoption of the
Constitution and the formation of a more perfect union of
States.