Chapter IV
Realizing the New Republic
I. begins with visitor's view of Baltimore in 1790s
II. backs up to 1783, discusses Samuel Chase's speculations, 1780 confiscation
(Chase "without control") (134); notes Chase's wavering on paper money
depending on his own fortunes. Notes high taxes, efforts re Paper Money
(Chase for, Carroll against) (136); Charles County riots of 1786.
"Thus, to advocates of order and friends of property rights, the postwar Maryland experience illustrated well how fragile, how vulnerable to unrest, self-government could be --within the states and among them alike."
(137)
Skips lightly over the Constitutional Convention of 1787 (138) notes
that Maryland supports the Constitution because it is it is in its economic
interest to do so.
III. back to Baltimore in 1790. Quotes Bruchey's quote from Robert Oliver:
"Men generally persue their own interests, without regard to any other
persons." (141) notes Rumsey's steam engine 1787 (142). Patenting process
greatly simplified by Federal law; (notes 53 ships to Baltimore from Saint-Dominque
in 1793) (144) changing character of the city; draws on Bernard, "Portrait
of Baltimore in 1800, ... Occupational patterns" MHM 69 (1974), 341; and
Stickle, MHM 74 (1979), 284. Hodge podge of wealth and color (145)
[should use Varle's map at this point with that of Folie of Baltimore]
in context of Adams's remark about the aloof gentry of the city, discusses
the fine houses of the city. (145)
IV. discusses municipal organization, notes that "A city of newcomers,
Baltimore at times left its thousands of low- and middling-income workers
anxious and afraid." (146); discusses fire protection, churches, women
account for large share of demoninational growth (151). Notes slaves in
the shipyards (Stodder, p. 152); use of orphan's court as source of labor;
[no source but argues that 1794-1800, orphan's court handled average
of 109 contracts; 1811-15, average of 300. Cloathing, woodworking, shoemaking
trade. Probably taken from Steffen, WMQ 36 (1979), 101; 1809 strike of
shoemakers (152); no source;]
V. Baltimore expands its trade connections: susquehanna canal; western
Maryland (152-153); Roads to Frederick, Reisterstown, York, Pennsylvania;
In the end it was private enterprise that did the trick (turnpikes; bridge
corporations, 153) notes but does not evaluate, explain Frederick town's
involvement in road building, etc. (154) Follows the roads westward, then
returns to the Potomac (156);
[minor error: State House not by Buckland (158)]. Accepts soil exhaustion
without a wimper (159). Notes Weld's amazement at how easily Marylander's
picked up and left. Weld writes that southern Maryland looked as "if it
had been deserted by one half its inhabitants."
[could examine loss of market for cheap tobacco, awareness of the West,
new lands in south brought about by promotion, soldiers traveling, meeting
others during war, but did not]
Eastern Shore fares better in 90s (159), but increasingly isolated (two
treasurers, etc, 159-60); antagonism towards Baltimore banks (160)
VI. Tries to explain politics in the 1790s in terms of coping with Hamilton's
plan (security owners win out, 160-161) and Potomac vs. Chesapeake factions
in the legislature. Tries to explain the flip flops of political alliances
in simplistic terms. Federalists are the Potomac interests; Chesapeake
(most) become Republicans (163).
Problem of impact of French Revolution: black vs. red Cockade
1793: British seize 250 vessels including Sampson (Captain Barney)
Jay treaty, Smith luke warm towards (164).
1794 Whiskey rebellion (factions united, march) (165), with 5,418 Maryland
troops under Smith in the field.
Chase, partisan Federalist on the Bench; "Earlier than in most other
states, partisans in Maryland, besides employing the Newspaper essays and
barbeques of colonial days, used parades, bonfires, and even illegal voting
to fatten their tallies, and such campaign competition sharpened differences
between Federalists and Republicans." (165)
Most important change: Taney's 1797 proposal, universal manhood suffrage
(166). Joseph Hopper Nicholson opposed, suggests women and children should
be next. (166).
1802-suffrage; 1810 property qualification ended, along with suffrage
reform extended to Federal elections. "Even so, the amendments of 1802
and 1810 transformed one of the most conservative constitutions of the
revolutionary years into one of the earliest examples of democracy in the
country." (166)
change result of economic and social diversity.
VII. "To jump the ruts of common belief one had to reflect with studied
detachment or feel a peculiar urge. The religious doctrines of inner light
and universal redemption supplied such powerful impulses." (167) Methodists,
Nicholites, too, along with Quakers, opposed slavery. Notes Nicholas Hammond,
Charles Carroll of Carrollton's bill to abolish slavery (1789) (168); failure;
cites Brackett, Negro in Maryland, 1889.
[Nicholas Hammond's bill in Hammond Papers]; notes easing of laws permitting
the freeing of slaves. Notes successes of some free Blacks (Joshua Johnson,
Benjamin Banneker; Daniel Coker) As numbers increased, so did restrictions
(171) Women given opportunity through philanthropy (171-172).
Samuel Knox's advocacy of of nonreligous public education (173) . From
1797-1803 principal of the Frederick Academy. Cites Steiner's History of
Education in Maryland, 1894. Looks at Religious schools, but skirts the
problem the dynamics of the need for education. Notes Bishop Carroll's
membership in the Baltimore Library Company, nearly 90 members and 4,000
vols in 1800 (175).
VIII. Baltimore's economic rise, reexport trade;
1807 British Warship Leopard v. Chesapeake
Embargo: previous profits diverted to manufacturing? (177)
1812 mob violence in Baltimore directed against Alexander Contee Hanson,
Lingan killed.
Baltimore thrives as home of privateers (179)
Never seen Rockets like the British had (180)
Remainder of chapter focuses on the successful organization of the defenses
of Baltimore by Samuel Smith (182) (based on Dawn's Early Light by Walter
Lord)
Baltimore gives the country something to cheer about.