A SKETCH

OF THE

HISTORY OE BALTIMORE.

BALTIMORE, the principal city of Maryland, and of the United States south
of the Delaware, and the third in population in the Union, is situated upon a
branch of the Patapsco River, about 14 miles from its mouth, and 200 miles,
by the Chesapeake Bay, from the sea. This branch is about a mile and three-
quarters long, and varies from one-eighth to three-quarters of a mile in width;
having its greatest breadth opposite to the tract called Canton. It affords an
easy access to the city, and a capacious, safe, and well protected harbor, of a
depth and extent sufficient to float ships of the largest class, and to afford
ample accommodations for at least two thousand vessels.

The harbor consists of an inner Basin, at the wharves of which vessels
drawing ten or twelve feet of water may lie; and an outer bay, lying between
Fell's Point and Canton on the north and east, and Whetstone Point on the
south, with from sixteen to twenty feet of water. Ships of heavy burden do
not go higher up than the Point. From the facilities offered by the depth of
the water, the Point is also the seat of the principal ship-yards; from which
have been launched some of the finest and fleetest vessels of the American
marine, which are especially noted for beauty of proportion and excellence of
construction. The name of " Baltimore Clipper" is synonymous, all over the
world, with all that is beautiful in naval architecture and perfect in the re-
quisites of a staunch and well appointed ship.

The city is built-principally on the north side of the Patapsco, and extends
around its western termination. Its location is picturesque, and its appearance,
especially from the direction of Fort McHenry (situated on the point of a
peninsula at the mouth of the harbor), is attractive and imposing. It stands
upon uneven ground, the higher points of which afford many beautiful views
of the river, the bay, and the adjacent country.

The boundaries of the city are extensive. The streets are broad, and gen-
erally cross each other at right angles, with the exception of those in the
vicinity of Jones's Falls, a stream that traverses the city from north to south,
dividing it into two portions. Indeed, Baltimore may be regarded as made up
of three parts, originally distinct; but which have gradually spread out, so as
to meet each other and form one whole; viz: Baltimore Town, which at
first occupied a small tract on the west side of Jones's Falls; Old Town,
which was early and separately settled, on the east side of the Falls; and the
village of Fell's Point, which grew up to the south east of that stream, on the
outer basin.

A primary object in commencing this sketch was, to pass in review the
present condition, resources, and prospects of Baltimore; but in this connec-
tion it seems not inappropriate to illustrate, by a rapid review, the settlement
of the villages, as noted above, and the principal incidents connected with
their progress from the condition of waste lands and insignificant hamlets, to
that of a united, populous, and prosperous city.