4956

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Preamble

On June 20, 1632, the King of England granted the
charter of Maryland to Cecil Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore.
On March 25, 1634, after almost 2 years of strenuous
promotion and careful planning, 140 intrepid adventurers
stepped forth on the shores of St. Clement's Island in the
Potomac River. The settlements they found founded in
Maryland were among the earliest in North America to welcome
European settlers searching for a better life. During the
years that the first capital of Maryland was at St. Mary's
City from 1634 to 1694, Marylanders made significant and
unique contributions to the development of the American
nation, the greatest of which is the first successful
experiment in religious toleration.

Maryland can look back with pride on 350 years of
political, social and cultural achievement as one of the
original 13 colonies that created these United States. The
Anniversary Year of 1984 will provide an opportunity to
celebrate these achievements with visitors from all over
America and around the world. There is no more fitting way
to celebrate the 350th anniversaries of the Charter and the
founding of Maryland than to recognize at the same time the
conclusion of the War of Independence in Annapolis where, on
December 23, 1783, General George Washington resigned his
commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and
where, on January 14, 1784, the Treaty of Paris ending that
war was ratified by the Congress of the United States.

WHEREAS, It is appropriate for the State of Maryland to
plan and conduct certain observances marking the 350th
anniversaries of the granting of the Charter of Maryland on
June 20, 1632, and the founding of Maryland on March 25,
1634; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate for the State of Maryland to
plan and conduct certain observances marking the 200th
anniversaries of George Washington resigning his commission
as Commander-in-Chief of the Army on December 23, 1783 in
Annapolis and the Ratification of the Treaty of Paris in
Annapolis on January 14, 1784 ending the American
Revolution; and

WHEREAS, Article 41, Sections 365 through 374A of the
Annotated Code of Maryland established the St. Mary's City
Commission to preserve, develop, and maintain ancient St.
Mary's City, Maryland's first settlement under the charter;
and

WHEREAS, Article 41, Section 181E(m) of the Annotated
Code of Maryland directs a joint committee appointed by the
Maryland Historical Trust and the Maryland Hall of Records
Commission to plan and conduct observances in the Maryland
State House for the bicentennial anniversaries of the