Sheweth.

That YOUR PETITIONER as soon as he heard that a Club was intended to be instituted, consisting of many very venerable and worthy Gentlemen, his intimate and particular acquaintance, did apply, or in other words, did make application to one of the respectable members; That is to say, one of the worthy Gentlemen who originally proposed the establishment of said Club to be a member thereof, and the said Gentleman being a particular friend of your Petitioner, and knowing that he was properly qualified to be a member of said Club, did say, that is, did promise unto your Petitioner, that he, the said Petitioner should be enrolled an original member of said Club, with which promise your Petitioner rested quite satisfied and contented, but what was his grief and his astonishment to find when the happy day arrived in which the so much desired, and so much to be celebrated Club was to be and really was established, your Petitioner was told that for reasons best known to the worshipfull, venerable and worthy members, he, the Petitioner, could not be admitted a member thereof which said answer your Petitioner took very much to heart, that is to say was sorely grieved thereat and the more so as your petitioner has mentioned to several of his Friends, on the faith of what the aforesaid member had promised him, that he the said Petitioner was to be an original member of your Club. Your Petitioner had declared that he was to be a member thereof and his not being admitted has been the occasion of many Jeers and Flouts, that is to say malicious insinuations against his, your Petitioners character, whereby he has not only greatly suffered in his mind, but is likely to suffer greatly in his worldly affairs, by being deemed unworthy of the countenance and protection of his Friends and acquaintance, being as they say, thrown off from your society for some unworthy Act or

deed, as such a Resolution of such a worshipfull venerable and most respectable Club, could not proceed but from the most cogent reasons to inforce such Resolves. Wherefore your Petitioner humbly prays to be admitted a member of your Club, that his character may be reestablished in the world and that he may have it in his power to convince his Friends that he is thought worthy to be a member of the Homony Club: and your Petitioner will as in duty be ever bound to pray."

ANTHONY STEWART.

This petition accomplished the desired purpose and Mr. Stewart was elected and admitted a member, as was also Mr. Charles Wallace. A special memorandum is made in the minutes of this night's proceedings of the Club, "That Mr. Dennis Dulany is always to be considered as the founder of this Society."

At a meeting held on the 5th of January,

Ceremonies, whereupon Mr. John Hall was appointed to fill the office, he being a Gentleman delighting much in ceremony. The Secretary received instructions to make a minute of the extraordinary Behavior of Mr. William Stewart, "who to the astonishment of the Club, when called upon by the President for a toast, gave one of such a nature, that he either could not or was ashamed to explain, for which the said Mr. William Stewart now lies under the censure of the Society, and is to be heard in his defence the next Club night."

Mr. Reuben Meriweather is also to give his reasons for his extraordinary motion of desiring the Rev. Mr. Boucher to quit the Room that Mr. William Stewart might have an opportunity to explain the Toast above mentioned.

At the meeting on the 12th of January, a motion was made that Mr. William Stewart might be heard in his defence, but some doubts arising whether the proceedings in that Gentleman's Trial were consistent with the regularity and decorum of the Society for want of a legal prosecution, a Prosecutor was agreed to be chosen as an officer very material to the well being of the Society, Mr. John Brice was chosen to fill that office, and instructed to draw Mr. William Stewart's indictment, to present him with a copy of the same, and to give him notice of Trial, which must positively be next Club night.

It was suggested to the Worthy President and the members of the Society, That as it might be very necessary in order to illustrate the meaning of several expressions used by several of the members in their learned debates, to make use of Similies, and as it might very possibly happen that a member (tho' extreamly clever in debate) may be at a loss for one, such member it was humbly proposed, might have right to call upon Mr. Reverdy Ghieslyn for a similie rather than an elegant piece of Oratory and Elocution should suffer for want of such an Assistant; and with the same great deference to the Society it was proposed, that if a Simile-maker should be appointed that the last mentioned Gen

tleman may be nominated the first, being very happy in Similies, and always prepared with a proper quantity of Thunder and combustibles, used upon those occasions.

On the 26th of Jan., Rev. Mr. Boucher in the chair, the Secretary read the indictment of Mr. Stewart, and the trial proceeded. It was an amusing affair. The Prosecutor declared it to be his opinion that Mr. Stewart "had an evil meaning at the time he gave the toast," and moved for judgment. The criminal was found guilty, and sentenced to a deprivation of the privilege of giving a toast at the next Club night.

"It is worthy observation" the record says, "that the Council for the Criminal in giving his opinion as a Judge agreeable to the rules of this Club pronounced his Client guilty, which may be presumed to arise from the difference in a mans feelings when acting as a lawyer and one acting as a Judge by the dictates of his conscience."

It was observed with sorrow, that notwithstanding the severe sentence passed on Mr. Stewart "for his immoral conduct" Mr. Clapham, when asked for a toast, gave one which the President could not understand. He gave a satisfactory explanation, and escaped a trial.

The question arose whether the President had a right to confer the honors of Knighthood upon the Master of Ceremonies. Many learned arguments pro and con were offered. It was suggested that great caution should be used in assuming the right to confer titles lest they might excite the attention and jealousy of some of the powers of Europe. This argument was answered by a member, who deplored such an exhibition of timidity. He was for exercising the power, and challenged all the "Potentates and princes" of the known world to come into that club and dispute any of the rights of the Society. He would be "the first man to throw down the guantlet and to take it up who dare!" At the next meeting (Febr. 9. 1771,) it was resolved that the President should have it in his power to confer the honor of knighthood upon the Master of Ceremonies.

At that meeting the following Gentlemen were proposed for membership to be ballotted for the next Club night in the order as nominated, to Wit: Mr. William Eddis Mr. Thomas Johnson' and Mr. Wm. Paca.3

"It was observed that a certain member of this Club when called upon for a toast gave one in these words:

"Evil to him that Evil thinks;" which wish is thought by this Club not quite consistent with the Benevolence of a Christian. Therefore Mr. Reverdy Ghieslyn, the Gentleman who gave the toast, is desired to explain it, which is not doubted he can do, as he has given the same Toast invariably ever since the existence. of this Club.

On the 23d of February the Secretary read a letter from the newly elected President, Mr. John Hall, pleading indisposition, and fatigue from haranguing in Courts of Justice, as an excuse for his absence. Then the Master of Ceremonies very politely introduced Messrs. Eddis and Johnson, to the President, who gave them a cordial reception in the name of the Club.

Mr. Ghieslyn was called upon for an explanation of his toast,-"Evil to him that evil thinks," which he did to the satisfaction of the Club, when he was acquitted: "nevertheless" says the record, "it is the sense of the Club that the same toast repeated again, shall not go unpunished unless given on a similar occasion."

At the meeting on the 2d of March a Letter to the President and other worthy

* Afterwards governor of Maryland. See page 100 of the RECORD

3 A delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was, at practising law in Annapolis. This same year (1771) he was this time, a young man a little past 30 years of age and was elected a member of the Maryland legislature in which he took a stand in opposition to the royal government. He held high judicial positions in his state and was a member of the convention of Maryland which ratified the National Constitution. He married a daughter of Samuel Chew, of Pennsyivania.

To Lloyd Dulany Esq' of Annapolis Lord Mayor, And Thomas Jennings Alderman, a wit-nurtured Pair,

The Homony Club reply, that because of their Petition,

Which they cannot but own to be most excellent composition;

1 Son of the eminent lawyer of Annapolis, Daniel Dulany, who held several offices of trust in Maryland, before the Revolution. Like his father, Lloyd Dulany was a loyalist, and headed a list of thirty-five of the leading men of Annapolis who in 1774, signed a protest against certain revolutionary resolutions passed at a public meeting, Among these were the Stewarts, William Eddis James Brice and John Hall, mentioned as members of the Homony Club. EDITOR.]

I fully assent to what above said is,
And am your most obedient Will Eddis,

And so do I, tho' I cannot but think we take a
Rash Step in so doing, but no more from Will Paca,
'Tis a Curious mess that here we cook up,
At least so it seems, to the Prosecutor John Lookup.
Be it what it will, you'l split your sides with Laugh-
ing and Wheezeling

For we've rare sport among us witness my Rhyme: R Ghieslyn

Nay if you talk of Rhyming is not mine a Job hard At present Robert Couden hereafter Sir Robard. There's a difficulty in it I'll do't in a trice Gentlemen your very humble servant John Brice, Nor think, I beseech you, my consequence small is, Tho I sign so late, plainly Chas Wallace?

To confirm as becomes me, and give sanction to All You have it attested by the President John Hall.

1 This, I persume, was the Rev. Jonathan Boucher, an Episcopal Clergyman, and a native of England, and at this time a man about thirty-three years of age. He came to America in 1754, and was, for sometime, engaged in the business of private tutor. He was first pastor of an Episcopal Church at Hanover, Virginia, and afterwards at St. Mary's, in Maryland. In 1775, he was a loyalist. His estate was confiscated and he returned to England, where he died in 1804, vicar of Epsom. Mr. Boucher, in 1797, published "A View of the Causes and Consequences of the American Revolution, a series of thirteen sermons published between 1763 and 1775." He was also the author of a "Glossary of Provincial and Archæological words," a MS. which was purchased of his family in 1831, for the proprietors of Webster's Dictionary."-[EDITOR.]

Mr. Wallace was one of the commissioners appointed by the General Assembly of Maryland to superintend the building of the State-house, in Annapolis (yet standing,) which has a national interest as being the place wherein Washingtonresigned his commission to Congress, as Commander-in-chief of the continental army. The commissioners were Daniel Dulany, Thomas Johnson, - Johnson, John Hall, William Paca, Charles Carroll Bannister, Rancelot Gaynes and Charles Wallace: all members of the " Homony Club," but three.-EDITOR.]

"The President having installed the above two Gentlemen as Visitors for this night only and also Mess" Rob' Christie Alex' Lawson and James Cheston as strangers were introduced. The Master of Ceremonies then, with the utmost quintescence of politeness, presents Mr. Paca to the chair whom the President received very graciously."

"The President after expatiating largely on the shining abilities of the Master of the Ceremonies, declared him worthy of distinction and was accordingly pleased to confer on him the honour of Knighthood, consequently he is strictly and legally entitled to the Title of Sir Robert Coudon during his continuance in that office, the first to whom this mark of Merit was attached."

At the next meeting of the Club, the Secretary received instructions to send the following letter to Messrs Thomas Johnson and William Paca, acquainting those gentlemen they had by a breach of the 39th Law' of this Club vacated their seats. Sir

In consequence of a breach of the 39th Law of our Club, I am instructed by the President and members of the said Club to inform you that you are no longer members of the said Club.

I believe it will be needless to say that whenever you will be pleased to be put in nomination, there will be more than a common chance of your being elected, at least, however, that I can answer for one vote, and am Sir with great Respect

W. DEARDS Sec.

The Prosecutor (tenacious of his Dignity) made a motion that as he had accepted the Post with great cheerfulness, and would act with great cheerfulness, he humbly begged that the Title of his place might be changed to some one that carried more consequence with it.

"This being a matter of some weight" says the record" and was thought necessary to take the sense of the whole Club upon, the motion was unanimously put off for the present. In consequence of which Mr. Anthony Stewart must be under the

1 That any member absenting himself four nights successively from the club, and being in the city, not detained by ill health, nor giving, or sending an apology, on the fifth night shall be expelled.

necessity of making the Tour of England nay (what is worse), of Scotland too, with no higher Rank than that of Prosecutor to the Homony Club."

At the meeting on the 30th of March, it was resolved that the sessions of the Club should be held monthly, from the first of April until the first of November, and weekly from the first of November, to the first of April. The Club adjourned to Saturday, April 27th, to meet not at the Coffee house as was designed but at the house of Mr. Cornelius Garretson "lately opened, in order to assist Mr. Garretson in his new undertaking." There were many members of the Club present, and many of the gentlemen of the City of Annapolis as well as strangers.

Mr. Anthony Stewart was "voted into the chair, being the only gentleman whose vociferation was thought a counterpoise to a gentleman then a Visitor to the Society."

The May meeting was held at the house of Mr. Isaac M'Hard for the same laudable purpose for which they met at Mr. Garretson's." The June meeting

was held at the house of William Faris, and the Secretary recorded "that a certain gloom or melancholy was visible on the countenances of the members present, on account of the departure of our worthy President for England."

There seems to have been no meeting in August, but in September, they met, and the President, John Lookup, with a number of the members "Supported by attended the the Master of Ceremonies,' theatre to witness the opera of "Love in a Village.'

"It was remarkable" says the record, "that our President was, on his entrance into the Theatre received by the whole audience with great Satisfaction, and even with Repeated bursts of Applause. He was pleased to express great pleasure at the representation of this excellent composition. As the particular good Spirits. that appeared in all the performers upon this occasion was manifest to the whole Audience, it may not be improper to remark that it was the opinion of several