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PUBLIC GRATITUDE. 133
where he had hid himself as the place of greatest safety, near the famous resolves themselves.
He was instantly torn with indignation from his hiding-place, and dragged away to
immediate execution. To do him justice, he submitted to his fate, with the utmost firmness of mind, and with a countenance which seemed to laugh to scorn the malice of his
enemies, and the utmost efforts of his tormentors. After he had hung the usual time he
wras cut down, and, in humble imitation of the patriotic men of Frederick, he was laid with
Ms face turned downwards, in token of his immediate descent into hell, from whence he
originated, and as a means of his never rising again into judgment, he was then put into
a coffin for that purpose provided, and ' laid low in his narrow house' amidst the approving yells of the spectators of all kinds, and of every complexion and occupation. But, a
phsenomenon ominous indeed, and truly distressing to every genuine patriot who attended
the execution, now presented itself to their astonished view. As the malefactor descended
to the place ' where the weary are at rest,' something was observed to adhere close to his
back, still showing signs of life, and seeming to pursue and persecute him in his grave.
It could not at first be conceived what being was capable of carrying its virulence such
lengths, till a deep groan ascended from the pit, and a voice was heard to say, with
lamentations—lDo not, we beseech you, bury us alive ; we are your friends—the resolves of the
Lower House.' It was then discovered, but alas too late, that the resolves had stood on
the other side of the page from whence the proclamation was torn, and by the most
unfortunate circumstance, were now irrecoverably involved in the same undistinguished
ruin. Their cries grew fainter and fainter, till they were heard no more; and they now
sleep (peace be to their ashes) undisturbed and undisturbing.
"When this transaction, so illustrious in the eyes of Maryland, was finished, the
same motley group which attended the execution, requested the new chosen delegates ' to
testify their thanks to The First Citizen, for his spirited, eloquent and patriotic opposition to the proclamation while alive.'"
The following is a copy of the testimony of thanks referred to:
" To the First Citizen:
" Sir—The honorable service in which you have been employed, the eloquence and
animating spirit with which you have performed it, claim our highest approbation. A
generous and free people seldom fail to be impressed with gratitude for the advocates of
their liberty; and we rejoice in thus publicly testifying at the request of the free-holders
of Baltimore County, (who have lately honored us with the public character of being their
representatives,) our thanks to you, by acknowledging the great esteem in which both
they and we hold your judicious and manly opposition to the proclamation, which wTe
are convinced, if established, would, by its pernicious tendency, involve in ruin the most
sacred rights of a free people. Alarmed at its consequences, we agree with you, that it
cannot—must not—be endured. We are, Sir, most respectfully your very humble servants,
" CHARLES RIDGELY,
" THOMAS COCKEY DEYE,
" AQUILA HALL,
" WALTER TOLLY, Jr."
Similar proceedings took place in every part of the province. At public
meetings at Annapolis, and in Frederick and Anne Arundel Counties, the
thanks of the people were ordered to be formally presented by their delegates
to the "First Citizen." The Gazette of May and June, 1773, published the
action of the delegates, and Mr. Carroll's reply as follows :
| Title | History of Maryland - 2 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000160 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | PUBLIC GRATITUDE. 133 where he had hid himself as the place of greatest safety, near the famous resolves themselves. He was instantly torn with indignation from his hiding-place, and dragged away to immediate execution. To do him justice, he submitted to his fate, with the utmost firmness of mind, and with a countenance which seemed to laugh to scorn the malice of his enemies, and the utmost efforts of his tormentors. After he had hung the usual time he wras cut down, and, in humble imitation of the patriotic men of Frederick, he was laid with Ms face turned downwards, in token of his immediate descent into hell, from whence he originated, and as a means of his never rising again into judgment, he was then put into a coffin for that purpose provided, and ' laid low in his narrow house' amidst the approving yells of the spectators of all kinds, and of every complexion and occupation. But, a phsenomenon ominous indeed, and truly distressing to every genuine patriot who attended the execution, now presented itself to their astonished view. As the malefactor descended to the place ' where the weary are at rest,' something was observed to adhere close to his back, still showing signs of life, and seeming to pursue and persecute him in his grave. It could not at first be conceived what being was capable of carrying its virulence such lengths, till a deep groan ascended from the pit, and a voice was heard to say, with lamentations—lDo not, we beseech you, bury us alive ; we are your friends—the resolves of the Lower House.' It was then discovered, but alas too late, that the resolves had stood on the other side of the page from whence the proclamation was torn, and by the most unfortunate circumstance, were now irrecoverably involved in the same undistinguished ruin. Their cries grew fainter and fainter, till they were heard no more; and they now sleep (peace be to their ashes) undisturbed and undisturbing. "When this transaction, so illustrious in the eyes of Maryland, was finished, the same motley group which attended the execution, requested the new chosen delegates ' to testify their thanks to The First Citizen, for his spirited, eloquent and patriotic opposition to the proclamation while alive.'" The following is a copy of the testimony of thanks referred to: " To the First Citizen: " Sir—The honorable service in which you have been employed, the eloquence and animating spirit with which you have performed it, claim our highest approbation. A generous and free people seldom fail to be impressed with gratitude for the advocates of their liberty; and we rejoice in thus publicly testifying at the request of the free-holders of Baltimore County, (who have lately honored us with the public character of being their representatives,) our thanks to you, by acknowledging the great esteem in which both they and we hold your judicious and manly opposition to the proclamation, which wTe are convinced, if established, would, by its pernicious tendency, involve in ruin the most sacred rights of a free people. Alarmed at its consequences, we agree with you, that it cannot—must not—be endured. We are, Sir, most respectfully your very humble servants, " CHARLES RIDGELY, " THOMAS COCKEY DEYE, " AQUILA HALL, " WALTER TOLLY, Jr." Similar proceedings took place in every part of the province. At public meetings at Annapolis, and in Frederick and Anne Arundel Counties, the thanks of the people were ordered to be formally presented by their delegates to the "First Citizen." The Gazette of May and June, 1773, published the action of the delegates, and Mr. Carroll's reply as follows : |
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