with enthusiasm by the people. Every one vied in doing him honor.

6. At twelve o'clock, on the 23d of December, the gallery, and a great part of the floor of the hall of congress, were filled with ladies, with public functionaries of the State, and with general officers. The members of congress were seated and covered, as representatives of the sovereignty of the union, The gentlemen present were standing uncovered.

7. After a decorous silence of a few minutes, Washington rose, and in a dignified and impressive manner, delivered a short address. When he had concluded, he placed into the hands of the President that great commission, under which he had achieved the liberty and independence of America, "commending the interests of our dearest country to the protec

tion of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping."

Questions.-6. Describe the scene in the State House? 7. What did Washington do? What did he say?

WASHINGTON RESIGNS.

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8. The editor of the Maryland Gazette, who was present, says: "Few tragedies ever drew so many tears from so many beautiful eyes, as the moving manner in which his Excellency took his final leave of congress.'

9. Then calmly, as if he had not just resigned the highest place in his country's gift, and broken the sword of his own power for its lasting good, that great man retired from that hall which had thus been consecrated forever by this noble scene.

CHAPTER XVIII.

1783-1789-DEBT-Public Improvement - Susquehanna Canal-Potomac Company-Population of BaltimoreColleges-Constitution of the United States Adopted.

1. The great difficulty the country now had to contend with was the debt incurred both by the general government and the several states. The treasury was empty and credit was gone. So great was the scarcity of money that taxes had to be paid, to a great extent, in merchandise, or, as it is called, in kind.

Questions.-8. What is said by an eye-witness? 9. Repeat this section? 1. What great difficulty had the country to contend with? How had taxes to be raised?

2. Maryland was the most prompt of the States to take efficient measures to raise money, and restore her credit; and looking forward to her future growth, she laid the foundations of those public works which have contributed so materially to her subsequeut prosperity.

3. "The Proprietors of the Susquehanna Canal" were incorporated in 1784. The object of this company was to construct a canal from the Pennsylvania line, along the Susquehanna to tide

water.

4. In the same year, the Potomac Company was organized. The object of this organization was, "the opening and extending of the navigation of the Potomac." The idea originated with the greatest men of the day, and General Washington took great interest in it. It would open a highway for the already increasing travel from the Atlantic to the west.

5. The Potomac Company was subsequently merged in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, and the designs for rendering the river navigable were abandoned, and other plans adopted.

6. The removal of the dangers and impediments which had obstructed commerce during the war, gave the city of Baltimore a new impulse. In

Questions.-2. What is said of Maryland? 3. What company was incorporated? 4. What other company? 5. Into what was the Potomac company subsequently merged? more a new impetus ?

6. What gave Balti

1782 it only numbered eight thousand inhabitants, but from that time it has moved on with rapidity and power, and is now regarded as one of the most prosperous cities in the Union.

7. As early as 1782, Washington College, at Chestertown, on the Eastern Shore, was incorporated. In 1784, St. John's College at Annapolis was instituted. These two colleges, at which many of the principal men of the State have been educated, were in 1805 united under the name of the University of Maryland.

8. On the expiration of the term for which William Paca was eligible, in 1785, Maj. Gen'l Smallwood was elected governor. Though he was honored by the people of Maryland with the highest office in their gift, yet, his memory seems nearly forgotten. He is buried in a lonely grave, on his paternal estate, now in the hands of strangers. He who won so much glory for Maryland lay unhonored, without a stone to mark the spot, or an enclosure to protect his last resting place from desecration, until 1876, when, by private subscription, a monument was erected over his grave

9. During the administration of Smallwood the Constitution of the United States was adopted. It was acceded to by Maryland on the 28th of April, 1788, by a vote of sixty-three to eleven.

Questions.-6. How many inhabitants had it in 1782? 7. What college was established in 1782? In 1784? 8. Who was elected governor in 1785? What is said of him? 9. What important step was taken during his administration?

10. General Smallwood was made Colonel in 1776, and went to New York at the head of a battalion composed of men of the best families in Maryland. He was at the battle at White Plains. In the same year he was made Brigadier General. In 1777, he accompanied General Sullivan on his expedition to Staten Island. When the British arrived he was despatched to assemble the militia of the Western Shore of Maryland, and joined the main army again with about one thousand men, whom he had recruited. He led the American militia at Germantown. In 1780, he was made Major General, during his southern campaign with Gates. After the defeat at Camden, he returned to Maryland. He felt that he had been ill treated by having been out-ranked by Baron Steuben. He represented his State in Congress, and was Governor from 1785 to 1788. He died Feb. 14,

1792.

11. Before the independence of the United States, several of the religious denominations were subject to the ecclesiastical authority of their spiritual superiors in the mother country. It now became desirable to establish separate organizations.

Quest'ons.-10. When did Smallwood receive his commission? In what battles was he engaged? When did he return to Maryland?