The British, however, retreated without venturing a battle.

14. In July, the army was concentrated at West Point, New York. The Maryland line formed its right wing.

CHAPTER IX.

1779 AND 1781-Maryland's Quota Large and always Full

Early Harvests· - Arrival of French Fleet - Paper Money-Pensions to Troops-Depreciation of Currency --Confiscation—Tax-The Price of Liberty.

1. Maryland had always kept its quota of troops full, and at one time its quota was one-third more than any other State, except Delaware, according to proportions fixed by congress.

2. But it was not only for men that the State was looked to; its wheat, ripening before that of the other wheat-growing States, was always required for the first supplies of the army. It was also bought up by the north for the use of the States, in that section.

3. This gave rise to a commerce that had to be protected from the British fleet. Maryland was, therefore, obliged to keep up a marine force of her

Questions.-1. What of the Maryland quota? 2. What besides men was required from Maryland? 3. What did this give rise to?

own. The fleet consisted of the ship Defence and several galleys, a sloop of war, and four barges.

4. The prize money, arising from captures made by these vessels, was distributed among the victorious crews, and was an incentive to exertion, which increased their usefulness.

5. The arrival of the French fleet, however, at a later period, rendered it unnecessary to maintain this force. The distressed condition of the finances made the reduction of the marine very desirable, as thereby the State was relieved of a great expense, and the men were employed as a portion of the State's quota for the campaign.

6. The expenses of the war increased so rapidly that it was found impossible to keep up with them by taxation. To furnish money, therefore, to pay the troops and to supply the necessities of trade, the States resorted to the means with which this generation is so familiar, namely, of issuing bills of credit, or paper money, which were made legal tender for the payment of debts.

7. The difference between the nominal value of this paper money and specie, was so great that forty dollars in paper were worth only one dollar in gold, or silver. An officer having been dis

Questions.-3. What did the State fleet consist of? 4. What is said of the prize money? 5. What is said of the arrival of the French fleet? What was done with the marines? 6. To what did the State resort to raise money? 7. What is said of the value of this paper money?

patched to Baltimore to buy cloth for coats, after great difficulty, bought fifteen yards, for fifteen hundred pounds.

8. To ensure a just payment of the troops, the legislature of Maryland resolved that the officers of the Maryland line, who should serve to the close of the war, should be entitled to half-pay during life, to commence after the expiration of their pay from congress. This provision was also extended

to their widows, during widowhood.

9. Thomas Johnsor, having served three years as governor, was succeeded by Thomas Sim Lee. The depreciation of the currency, and the consequent high prices of provisions, compelled the legislature to enact very stringent laws against speculators, who bought up the necessities of life, in order to grow rich upon the distresses of the army.

10. It was also determined, as a matter of relief, to confiscate the estates of all those who had adhered to the royal cause. 'Their property was sold as that of British subjects, found within the State, as fair spoil of war. That injustice might not be done, an opportunity was allowed to the owners to come in and take the oath of allegiance to the State, prior to the first of March, 1782. This measure of confiscation, necessary as it was, was not passed without reluctance and serious opposi

Questions.-8. What did the legislature do? 9. Who succeeded Gov. Johnson? What laws did the legislature pass? 10. What measure of relief was determined upon? What opportunity was given the disaffected?

14

tion, but the tax was one hundred pounds of paper money for every hundred pounds worth of property, nominally the whole worth of their property, but as paper money was worth only one-fortieth, the real tax was two and a half per cent. on all property, amounting often to more than half of the owner's income.

11. This tax was endured the more cheerfully because it was part of the price of liberty, and men. knew that no price was too dear for that blessing. It was not a tax to support a party or a power, nor was it a tax to pay the cost of conquest; yet, even with all these advantages in its favor, the currency was in effect repudiated, and the governor's salary had to be paid in wheat, at the rate of forty-five hundred bushels per year.

CHAPTER X.

THE CONFEDERATION - Delay of Confederation — Difficulty of adjusting Public Lands — Clause secured by Virginia-Maryland Objects-Compromise proposed by New York--Sovereign States-Maryland's efforts in the Common Cause.

1. Early in the revolutionary struggle, a plan was introduced into congress for the confederation

Questions.-10. What rendered this act necessary? 11. What is said of the tax? How was the governor's salary paid? 1. What plan had been proposed in congress?

of the colonies.

The matter had to be deferred

from time to time, to give way to the pressing needs of the army.

2. One source of difficulty was the adjustment of the question of the public lands. Maryland was determined not to relinquish her claim to a portion of them, and was the last to hold out. Virginia claimed the unsettled territory of the west; Maryland maintained that if the dominion of those lands should be established by the blood and treasure of the United States, such lands ought to be considered as common property.

3. Virginia had succeeded in securing, in the articles of confederation, a clause, "that no State should be deprived of her territory, for the benefit of the United States." Maryland would not give in her adherence while that clause existed.

4. The compromise proposed by New York was, that each State should limit its western boundary, and cede to congress its claim to lands beyond it, in the purpose of erecting new States hereafter, and for no other purpose whatever. This effected a settlement and the articles of confederation were signed on the first day of March, 1781.

5. This was the germ of the Union. Each State preserved its separate and distinct sover

Questions.-2. What was one source of difficulty? What position did Maryland take? 3. What clause had Virginia secured? 4. What compromise was offered, and by whom? 5. What is said in this section ?