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Military Force.-The militia is embodied by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council. In 1814 the number was 41,410. The amount of claims for pay and rations of militia called into service, in the course of the summer 1818, exceeded 106,000 dollars. Nearly 170,000 were in that year appropriated for the purchase of arms and military stores.

Religion. The different sects in this state are Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, German Calvinists, Lutherans, Friends, Baptists, Menonists, Methodists, Swedenborgians, and Nicolists, or New Quakers. In 1811 the number of Episcopalian churches was thirty, of clergymen thirty-five. The Presbyterians have nearly the same number of both; but the most numerous sect are the Roman Catholics, of whom there are more in this than in all the other states. Of the bishop it has been remarked, that he does not assume the title of lordship, or father in God, but simply that of doctor or bishop. The clergymen are supported by voluntary subscription. * According to the report of the general convention of Baptists, held at Philadelphia, in May 1817, the number of their churches was 33, members 570.

Every person appointed to any office, besides the oath of allegiance, is obliged to make a declaration of belief in the Christian religion; but, by the second article of amendment, Quakers, Menonists,

Before the Revolution the rector received forty pounds of tobacco, or nearly one half of the capitation tax; and was paid in proportion to the number of taxable inhabitants.

Dunkers or Nicolists, or New Quakers, who are conscientiously averse to taking an oath, are qualified for office, on making affirmation; and this substitution is also allowed, when the parties appear as witnesses in a court of justice.

Slaves are treated in the same manner as in Virginia. The annual importation into these two states, before the revolution, was about 4000; 1300 were owned by one planter. Each slave generally raised 1000 pounds, or 6000 plants of tobacco, with some barrels of corn, and had a weekly allowance, a peck of corn, with the necessary portion of salt.

*

Education.-The legislature has lately granted considerable funds for the encouragement of education. In 1811 25,000 dollars a-year were appropriated to the support of common schools, which are established in every county; and the incorporated banks are also bound to contribute for their advantage. Those of the city of Baltimore, and that at Hagarstown, are to pay the sum of 20,000 dollars annually, in proportion to their capitals, for the use of county schools, during the extension of their charters from 1813.

Washington College, at Chestertown, in Kent county, was founded in 1782, and placed under the direction of twenty-four visitors, or governors, who have power to fill up vacancies, and to hold estates, of which the yearly value shall not exceed 6000 dollars current money. In 1787 a permanent annual

* Dougas's Summary. Article Maryland.

fund was granted by law to this seminary, of 1250 pounds currency, accruing from fees, forfeitures, and marriage licences, on the eastern shore; and in 1811 1000 dollars a-year was appropriated by the legislature for its support. St John's College, at Annapolis, was instituted in 1784, under the direction of twenty-four trustees, with a permanent fund of 1750 pounds currency, arising from the same sources of revenue on the western shore; but part of this fund has been withdrawn by the legislature, and, in 1811, the number of students has diminished from 150 to 60. These two colleges constitute the "University of Maryland," whereof the governor is chancellor. The price of boarding in this college is 140 dollars a-year, payable quarterly, the price of tuition, 10 dollars; the whole expence, including washing, does not exceed 180 dollars. St Mary's College is under the direction of French clergymen, priests of St Sulpicius, to whom the establishment belongs. The price of boarding, lodging, and washing, is nearly 400 dollars. The number of students is about 120. There is a religious seminary attached to the college, for the education of priests. Cokesbury College, at Abington, was established by persons of the Methodist profession, in 1785, and is supported by subscription and voluntary donations. The students are the sons of travelling preachers, of annual subscribers, orphans, and members of the Methodist society. There are classes for the English, Latin, and Greek languages; logic, rhetoric, history, geography, natural philosophy, and astronomy. In the intervals of study the stu

dents are employed in gardening, walking, riding, and in the practice of the mechanical arts.

The Medical College of the university of Maryland consists of the following lectureships. 1. Institutes of the principles of physic. 2. Anatomy. 3. Prin ciples and practice of surgery. 4. Chemistry. 5. Materia Medica. 6. Midwifery. 7. Practice of Physic. The lectures commence on the last Monday in October, and continue till the first of March. Candidates for the degree of doctor of medicine must have attended two courses of lectures, unless they have attended one in some other medical school. Twenty dollars are paid on the delivery of a diploma.

Washington Academy, in Somerset county, was instituted by law, in 1799, under the direction of fifteen trustees, and is supported by voluntary subscriptions and private donations, which it is authorized to receive; and also to hold land to the extent of 2000 acres. The public library of Baltimore, from which books may be taken out for use by the owners of shares, contains about 12,000 volumes. A handsome building is now erecting for this institution,

Societies.-There are several literary and humane societies, and one for the encouragement of manufactures, trade, and commerce. In the year 1800 a society was formed, called the Maryland Society, for promoting useful and ornamental knowledge. The society for the encouragement of emigrants has been of great service to the numerous foreigners who arrive here. An hospital is nearly finished, of which the expence, including furniture, will amount to 70,000 dollars.

Law.-Young men destined for this profession generally receive a regular education; and, after prosecuting their legal studies, from three to five years, under the direction of a lawyer, they are admitted by the courts, upon proper examination. Young men generally commence the study of law at the age of eighteen or nineteen. The profits of this profession, among the first class of lawyers, have been estimated at 8000 dollars a-year; of the second class at 5000; and the third class at 3000 dollars. The greatest fees are given in admiralty cases and cases of ejectment. The number of lawyers at Baltimore is about sixty.

Newspapers-In the year 1817 four daily and nine weekly newspapers were printed in this state.

Agriculture.-Wheat, Indian corn, and tobacco, are the staple crops. Rye and oats are also cultivated. The sweet potatoe thrives; and the apples, pears, plums, and peaches, are of a good quality. The true white or Sicilian wheat, and the bright kite's foot tobacco, which grow on a light clayey soil, are said to be peculiar to Maryland. The growth of tobacco in 1816 was estimated at 19,000 hogsheads. * 1000 lbs. of tobacco is the product of about 6000 plants. It is stronger than that of Virginia, and is preferred by the northern and eastern nations of Europe. Hemp and flax are raised on the uplands, in the interior country, to a considerable extent. The produce of wheat is from twelve to sixteen bushels per acre, on the best

Circular letter of Messrs Stump and Williams, Balumore, March 1817.

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