Inn every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 7 A. M.-each coachee to carry six passengers only, and each passenger entitled to fifteen pounds of baggage. The mail line of the same period left Baltimore at 4 o'clock, A. M., and by dint of great energy and skill, was promised to arrive in Philadelphia the next morning at 9 o'clock.

The modes of transportation of merchandize were yet more dilatory -three or four days being the time then ordinarily consumed in carrying goods from and to Philadelphia. Messrs. William McDonald & Co., who were in 1795 among the prominent forwarding houses of Baltimore, gave the following notice in July of that year:

"The subscribers respectfully inform the citizens of Baltimore town and the public in general, that for the sake of expediting the carriage of merchandize and baggage of every kind, they have established a line of packet boats, which leaves Bowly's Wharf every day, precisely at 8 o'clock, (Saturday excepted,) for Philadelphia, via Frenchtown and New Castle. They arrive at Frenchtown on the evening after leaving Baltimore, where there are two stages ready to start the next morning at 4 o'clock for New Castle, from whence a packet boat will immediately proceed to Philadelphia."

The Baltimore Daily Gazette of October 3d, 1795, gives extracts from Boston papers of the 23d September, as the latest dates, with important foreign news. This exciting intelligence, when France and England were both making havoc with American merchantmen, was received at Boston by a clipper schooner in the short space of fifty three days.

Among the new facilities of the same period, a regular packet was established for passengers and merchandize between Baltimore and Easton, (Md.) The packet to leave Baltimore every Wednesday at 9 A. M., (weather permitting.)

Fells Point (Baltimore) was not then "sold to the Dutch." The bulk of the shipping business was transacted at the Point, although there was much done at and near Bowly's wharf. Vessels were then loaded in the basin, fronting on Charles street, and in a dock which occupied that portion of the city now known as Cheapside, from Pratt to Water street. In March, 1795, Abraham Van Bibber advertised for sale "two large warehouses on my wharf, on Charles street, suitable for small dwellings or compting rooms."

Propositions were made at the same period for constructing stone bridges in lieu of old wooden ones, over Jones' Falls. Exceptions were taken on the ground of the enormous expense and the tax that would be entailed upon the city. A writer in the Gazette said:

"I see in the papers a notification from the Board of Special Commissioners of Baltimore town, intimating the necessity of making provision for three stone bridges over Jones' Falls, and suggesting the propriety of petitioning the next General Assembly on the occasion. As this is a subject of importance to the citizens at large, it is worthy of consideration, what would be the most eligible means of raising money for building said bridges, and this to be done with equity to individuals.

"I would submit the propriety of these bridges being built by private citizens, and giving them a toll by way of compensation, and obliging them to keep the same in good order. By this means, the public will always have good bridges without any expense, and the individuals who used them would pay for them."

Public notice was given in September of an intention to petition the General Assembly for an act to open and extend Charles street from Pratt to Barre street. This portion of the city is now the location of two rail road depots. A card was published in the same month by an inhabitant of Camden street, presenting his "compliments to the owners of the ground between Pratt and Camden streets, covered with stagnant and putrid water, and acquaints them that if they do not fill up that ground very soon, he shall take legal means to compel them."

Trade.-Notice was published in June, 1795, that "the Justices of the Peace for Baltimore county are requested to attend at the Court House in Baltimore town, for the purpose of choosing an inspector of tobacco for the present year." Tobacco then formed an important article among the exports of Baltimore town. The trade was active with Hamburg, Bremen, Liverpool, West Indies, Madeira, &c.; and the Baltimore clippers had even then great reputation for fast sailing. The following table exhibits the comparative duties received at the custom houses of the then principal ports, for the year 1793, also the duties on tonnage for the same year:

And it was then observed, "Baltimore, which in 1763 was not known as a town, has outstripped the great town of Boston, and treads close on the heels of New York."

At that period the act of Congress "for laying duties upon carriages for the conveyance of persons," established the following rates:

For and upon every coach, the sum of

For and upon every chariot, the sum of -
For and upon every phaeton and coachee, the sum of
For and upon every other four wheel and two wheel top-carriage,

$10

8

Such were the great risks upon the high seas that the premiums of marine insurance necessarily kept pace with the increased hazard arising from the seizures by the English and French, and the numerous condemnations of American vessels and cargoes-evils further aggravated by the measures adopted by the English Government to press our seamen. The published rates for the year beforementioned were as follows, from Boston:

To any port in Europe, (Mediterranean and Baltic excepted,)

To any port in Europe, out and home,

To any port in Mediterranean and Baltic, warranted free from seizures, 66 out and home,

2 a 3 4 a

3

5 a 6

To North and South Carolina, Georgia, Bahamas, &c.,

To New York, Maryland and Virginia,

The course of exchange on 22d September, 1795, was as follows: Bills on London

2

1 a 2

1 per cent above par.
par.

30 days,

66

60 66

90 66

1 per cent discount.
28 per cent advance.
28 46

Banking and Insurance.-The Bank of Maryland was in operation at the time we are now describing. We find in February, 1795, a notice by Ebenezer MacKie, cashier, to the stockholders of the Bank of Maryland, requesting them to meet at the Fountain Inn, (the source of many good things then as well as in 1848,) for the election of twelve directors. The bank declared a half yearly dividend of six per cent in March, and another of six per cent in September of the same year. These were better dividends than are declared in the prosperous times of 1847-8, when the maximum rate of the Baltimore banks is 3 per cent for six months.

The cashier of the "Baltimore Office of Discount and Deposit," (David Harris,) gave notice in February that the directors would proceed to the election of a porter. "The present salary is £75 per annum, but it is expected the board will raise it to £100." The directors at the parent bank, elected in January, 1795, were Thomas Willing, Robert Smith, Joseph Anthony, Samuel Breck, Jeremiah Parker, Thomas Ewing, Archibald McCall, Matthew Clarkson, Joseph Ball, Matthew McConnell, John M. Nisbitt, Isaac Wharton, James C. Fisher, William Bingham and Jacob Downing. J. Lawrence, R. Harrison, A. Hamm.ond, N. Hoffman, W. Bayard and G. Scriba, of New York: Henry Nichols and James Cox, of Maryland: John Perot and Elias Boudinot.

The Maryland Insurance Company gave notice that they would commence business on the 13th April, 1795. This, we believe, was the first insurance company started in Baltimore town. The stockholders were required to pay 10 per cent in cash and their notes for the remainder, with two approved endorsers, negotiable at the Bank of Maryland. The first set of directors were the following, among whom will be seen the names of merchants then and afterwards eminent for enterprise and wealth:-David Stewart (President,) Robert Gilmor, William Patterson, Robert Oliver, John Hollins, James A. Buchanan, Thorowgood Smith, Henry Nichols, Jeremiah Yellott, Archibald Campbell, Adrian Valck, Charles Ghequire and James Clarke. Hercules Courtenay, Secretary. It seems that the Maryland Insurance Company could not underwrite for all the risks of the period. We find the following notice, issued on the 26th September, 1795:

"Whereas many of the merchants residing in Baltimore find it impossible to get insured, at this place, the property they send abroad, they think it expedient to have a company incorporated for the purpose of effecting insurances, and are convinced that if such a company were established with a competent capital, on liberal principles and under judicious regulations, it will easily obtain general confidence and be attended with manifold advantages to the community at large. It is therefore proposed that the next General Assembly of this State should be applied to for its sanction."

"This call was signed by James Barry, Richard Carson, Jr., William Wilson, John P. Pleasants, A. Brown, Jr., William MacCreery, Stephen Casnave. The capital to be $300,000, and the company to be styled "the Baltimore Insurance Company."

"On the 30th April, 1795, proposals were issued under the signatures of David Stewart, Henry Payson, William Wilson, Joseph Swan, Elias Ellciott and others, for the charter of a new Bank, application to be made to the following General Assembly. The Bank to be formed upon the following conditions:

1. Capital $3,000,000, in shares of three hundred dollars:

2. The Bank to pay the State one-half the profits exceeding ten per cent annually-the other half to the stockholders:

3. The State to be a stockholder for any amount subscribed by order of the Assembly:

4. A junction to be formed with the "Bank of Maryland."

This meeting probably led to the incorporation of the oldest banking institution now in Maryland, viz: The Bank of Baltimore. This bank was chartered at the November session, 1795, with an authorised capital of twelve hundred thousand dollars. Subscriptions were received to the same during the following year; and on the 19th October, 1796, the directors met for the first time. The following gentlemen composed the first board of directors, not one of whom is now living, viz: David Stewart, William Wilson, William Winchester, George Salmon, James West, Elias Ellicott, John Stump, William Lorman, John Stricker, Charles Ghequire, Christopher Johnson, Solomon Etting, Lewis Pascault and Charles Ridgely. At this meeting of the board, George Salmon was elected President, at a salary of $2,500, and James Cox was afterwards elected Cashier. Mr. Salmon continued President until 1807.

It is remarkable that all the successive presidents of the bank, from 1797 till 1841, were members of the first board, viz: William Wilson, John Stricker and William Lorman. It is yet more remarkable that during a period of fifty-one years, there have been only two cashiers of the same institution.

William Wilson was elected President on the 18th September, 1807, and at his death, General John Stricker became President on the 2d of April, 1824. General Stricker remained in office a few months only. He died June 23d, 1825, and William Lorman was chosen his successor on the 28th of the same month.

Mr. Lorman held the office during the 16 years following, embracing two suspensions of specie payment by the banks generally: and resigned in December, 1841. The present President, James H. McCullouch, was chosen immediately following Mr. Lorman's resignation.

Mr. Cox held the post of cashier of the Bank of Baltimore from 1796 till 1st June, 1841, and was succeeded on that day by Mr. Jamison, who is now cashier. The bank commenced business operations on the 2d January, 1797; the hours being then as now throughout the year, from 9 till 3 o'clock. The first officers were Thomas Donaldson, notary public, John Thomas and Richard Nicholls, tellers, John Wetherburn and Thomas Goldsmith, book-keepers, Lemuel Warfield, discount clerk, James Winchester, counsel.

The bank has in some instances declared dividends of $12 and $15 per share; but there has been no interruption to the regular semi-annual dividends from its first organization until 1848.

In

The "Federal Intelligencer and Baltimore Daily Gazette" was published in that year. One daily was not however considered sufficient for the wants of Baltimore, then "treading on the heels of New York." January a new daily was projectel, to be called the "Baltimore Telegraphe," by Messrs. Clayland, Dobbin & Co., at seven dollars per annum. "It is proposed to publish this paper every morning (Sundays excepted.) The name will indicate the intention of the editors, that like the new machine, lately invented in France, it may communicate the earliest and most interesting intelligence."

Proposals were issued at the same period for the publication of the Fell's Point Telegraphe. "It will be published as often as the post arrives, three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays," at two dollars and a half per annum.

Slavery Society."The Maryland Society for promoting the abolition of slavery and the relief of free negroes and others unlawfully held in bondage," had a long list of counsellors, conimittees, secretary, treasurer, &c., for the year. Small sums were usually offered by owners for the apprehension of runaway slaves-six dollars in one instance for the recovery of "a French negro man." Eight dollars was the usual reward in such cases, and rarely the sum exceeded thirty dollars. Occasionally a sale would be effected of a wild Irish girl. In May, 1795, was offered "For sale―an Irish servant girl, who has about two years to serve, and is strong and healthy;" and a few days afterwards

Just arrived, the ship Sally, from Limerick, with a number of men and women, servants and redemptioners, all in good health, whose times will be disposed of."

The "free soil party" had not then organized itself: nor was the Maryland Colony in Liberia dreamed of. Slavery was in vogue in Pennsylvania and New York, and the southern line of Pennsylvania was not then the desired goal for runaways. Eight dollars reward was offered by John Carrere, of Baltimore, John B. Desdoity, of New York, and L. Croussillat, of Philadelphia, for the apprehension of a negro man named Dalmas, and his delivery in either of the three named cities.

A notice of insolvency was couched in the following language: "Take notice, that I, mean to petition the Assembly at their next session for an act of insolvency, for debts which I am unable to pay."

Thus the creditors had due notice of contemplated insolvency, and the applicant would be enabled to effect compromises before the time for consummation of the act.

Lotteries. Among other lottery schemes for raising money, the most popular was that for raising a fund for cleaning and deepening the harbor and basin. This scheme was for $50,000, of which $41,490 was in prizes and $8,510 (the available surplus) in blanks. The lottery to be drawn under the control of five port wardens and three special commissioners. It was reserved for a subsequent period to create lotteries for the erection of churches and for other public purposes. Howard's Hill