The Eagle Pub. Liverpool was so important during the 18th Century that President George Washington appointed James Maury, an American merchant already trading in Liverpool, as America's first Consul on 7 June 1790. One of Maury's roles was to help American sailors when they got into trouble, which was not difficult with a pub on virtually every corner and the press gang roaming the streets looking for drunken sailors to impress. For a time James Maury had an office here on Paradise Street. He lived in Liverpool for 44 years (1786-1830). This building became the Eagle Public House and acquired the American bald eagle, probably off a sailing ship.