Produced by ellinora, RichardW, and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
A CHARACTER OF THE PROVINCE OF MARYLAND BY GEORGE ALSOP
A Character of the Province of MARYLAND.
[Illustration]
By GEORGE ALSOP.
1666.
Baltimore, 1880.
ALSOP’S MARYLAND.
1666.
REISSUED AS
Fund-Publication, No. 15.
A Character of the Province of MARYLAND.
[Illustration]
By GEORGE ALSOP.
1666.
Baltimore, 1880.
GOWANS’ BIBLIOTHECA AMERICANA. 5
“Thy fathers went down into Egypt with three score and ten persons,
and now the Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for
multitude.” . . . _Moses._
“Two things are to be considered in writing history, truth and
elocution, for in truth consisteth the soul, and in elocution the
body of history; the latter without the former, is but a picture
of history; the former without the latter, unapt to instruct. The
principle and proper work of history, being to instruct, and enable
men by their knowledge of actions past, to bear themselves prudently
in the present, and providently towards the future.” . . . _T. Hobbes._
[Illustration]
NEW YORK:
WILLIAM GOWANS.
1869.
64 COPIES PRINTED ON LARGE PAPER 4TO.
A
CHARACTER OF THE PROVINCE
OF
MARYLAND.
DESCRIBED IN FOUR DISTINCT PARTS.
ALSO
A SMALL TREATISE ON THE WILD AND NAKED INDIANS (OR
SUSQUEHANOKES) OF MARYLAND, THEIR CUSTOMS,
MANNERS, ABSURDITIES, AND RELIGION.
TOGETHER WITH
A COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL LETTERS.
BY
GEORGE ALSOP.
A NEW EDITION WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND COPIOUS
HISTORICAL NOTES.
BY JOHN GILMARY SHEA, LL.D.,
MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
_Our western world, with all its matchless floods,_
_Our vast transparent lakes and boundless woods,_
_Stamped with the traits of majesty sublime,_
_Unhonored weep the silent lapse of time,_
_Spread their wild grandeur to the unconscious sky,_
_In sweetest seasons pass unheeded by;_
_While scarce one muse returns the songs they gave,_
_Or seeks to snatch their glories from the grave._
ALEXANDER WILSON, The Ornithologist.
_The greater part of the magnificent countries east of the Alleghanies
is in a high state of cultivation and commercial prosperity, with
natural advantages not surpassed in any country. Nature, however, still
maintains her sway in some parts, especially where pine-barrens and
swamps prevail. The territory of the United States covers an area of
2,963,666 square miles, about one-half of which is capable of producing
everything that is useful to man, but not more than a twenty-sixth
part of it has been cleared. The climate is generally healthy, the
soil fertile, abounding in mineral treasures, and it possesses every
advantage from navigable rivers and excellent harbors_ . . . MRS.
SOMERVILLE.
[Illustration]
NEW YORK: WILLIAM GOWANS.
1869.
5
Not entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by
W. GOWANS,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for
the Southern District of New York.
J. MUNSELL, PRINTER,
ALBANY.
DEDICATED
TO
THE MEMORY
OF
LORD BALTIMORE.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The subscriber announces to the public, that he intends publishing
a series of works, relating to the history, literature, biography,
antiquities and curiosities of the Continent of America. To be entitled
GOWANS’ BIBLIOTHECA AMERICANA.
The books to form this collection, will chiefly consist of reprints
from old and scarce works, difficult to be produced in this country,
and often also of very rare occurrence in Europe; occasionally an
original work will be introduced into the series, designed to throw
light upon some obscure point of American history, or to elucidate
the biography of some of the distinguished men of our land. Faithful
reprints of every work published will be given to the public; nothing
will be added, except in the way of notes, or introduction, which will
be presented entirely distinct from the body of the work. They will
be brought out in the best style, both as to type, press work and
paper, and in such a manner as to make them well worthy a place in any
gentleman’s library.
A part will appear about once in every six months, or oftener, if the
public taste demand it; each part forming an entire work, either an
original production, or a reprint of some valuable, and at the same
time scarce tract. From eight or twelve parts will form a handsome
octavo volume, which the publisher is well assured, will be esteemed
entitled to a high rank in every collection of American history and
literature.
Should reasonable encouragement be given, the whole collection may in
the course of no long period of time become not less voluminous, and
quite as valuable to the student in American history, as the celebrated
Harleian Miscellany is now to the student and lover of British
historical antiquities.
W. GOWANS, _Publisher_.
INTRODUCTION.
George Alsop, the author of this curious tract, was born according
to the inscription on his portrait, in 1638. He served a two years’
apprenticeship to some trade in London, but seems to have been wild
enough. His portrait and his language alike bespeak the rollicking
roysterer of the days of the restoration, thoroughly familiar with
all the less reputable haunts of London. He expresses a hearty
contempt for Cromwell and his party, and it may be that the fate which
confined him to a four years’ servitude in Maryland was an order of
transportation issued in the name of the commonwealth of England. He
speaks disdainfully of the “mighty low and distracted life” of such as
could not pay their passage, then, according to _Leah and Rachel_ (p.
14), generally six pounds, as though want of money was not in his case
the cause of his emigrating from England. He gives the letters he wrote
to his family and friends on starting, but omits the date, although
from allusions to the death of Cromwell in a letter dated at Gravesend,
September 7th, he evidently sailed in 1658, the protector having died
on the 3d of September in that year.
In Maryland he fell to the lot of Thomas Stockett, Esq., one of three
brothers who came to Maryland in 1658, {10} perhaps at the same time
as Alsop, and settled originally it would seem in Baltimore county. It
was on this estate that Alsop spent the four years which enabled him to
write the following tract. He speaks highly of his treatment and the
abundance that reigned in the Stockett mansion.
Alsop’s book appeared in 1666. One of the laudatory verses that preface
it is dated January, 1665 (5/6), and as it would appear that he did
not remain in Maryland after the expiration of his four years, except
perhaps for a short time in consequence of a fit of sickness to which
he alludes, he probably returned to London to resume his old career.
Of his subsequent life nothing is known, and though Allison ascribes to
him a volume of Sermons, we may safely express our grave doubts whether
the author of this tract can be suspected of anything of the kind.
The book, written in a most extravagant style, contains no facts as to
the stirring events in Maryland history which preceded its date, and
in view, doubtless, of the still exasperated state of public feeling,
seems to have studiously avoided all allusion to so unattractive a
subject. As an historical tract it derives its chief value from the
portion which comprises its _Relation of the Susquehanna Indians_.
The object for which the tract was issued seems evident. It was
designed to stimulate emigration to Maryland, and is written in
a vulgar style to suit the class it was to reach. While from its
dedication to Lord Baltimore, and the merchant adventurers, we may
infer that it was paid for by them, in order to encourage emigration,
especially of redemptioners. {11}
Much of the early emigration to America was effected by what was called
the redemption system. Under this, one disposed to emigrate, but unable
to raise the £6, entered into a contract in the following form, with a
merchant adventurer, ship owner or ship master, and occasionally with
a gentleman emigrant of means, under which the latter gave him his
passage and supplies:
THE FORME OF BINDING A SERVANT.
[From _A Relation of Maryland_, &c., 1635.]
This indenture made the ...... day of .............. in the .........
yeere of our Soveraigne Lord King Charles &c betweene ..............
of the one party, and .............. on the other party, Witnesseth
that the said .............. doth hereby covenant, promise and grant
to and with the said .............. his Executors and Assignes, to
serve him from the day of the date hereof, vntill his first and next
arrivall in Maryland, and after for and during the tearme of ......
yeeres, in such service and employment as the said ..............
or his assignes shall there employ him, according to the custome
of the countrey in the like kind. In consideration whereof, the
said .............. doth promise and grant, to and with the said
.............. to pay for his passing and to find him with Meat,
Drinke, Apparell and Lodging, with other necessaries during the said
terme; and at the end of the said terme, to give him one Whole yeeres
provision of Corne and fifty acres of Land, according to the order
of the countrey. In witnesse whereof, the said .............. hath
hereunto put his hand and seale the day and yeere above written.
Sealed and delivered
in the presence of
The term of service, at first limited to five years (_Relation of
Maryland_, 1635, p. 63), was subsequently reduced to four (Act of 1638,
&c.), and so remained into the next {12} century (Act of April, 1715).
Thus a woman in the _Sot Weed Factor_, after speaking of her life in
England, says:
Not then a slave for twice two year,
My cloaths were fashionably new,
Nor were my shifts of linnen Blue;
But things are changed; now at the Hoe,
I daily work and Barefoot go,
In weeding Corn or feeding Swine,
I spend my melancholy Time.
Disputes arose as to the time when the term began, and it was finally
fixed at the anchoring of the vessel in the province, but not more than
fourteen days were to be allowed for anchoring after they passed the
Capes (Act of 1715). When these agreements were made with the merchant
adventurer, ship owner or ship captain, the servants were sold at
auctions, which were conducted on the principle of our tax sales, the
condition being the payment of the advances, and the bidding being for
the term of service, descending from the legal limit according to his
supposed value as a mechanic or hand, the best man being taken for
the shortest term. Where the emigrants made their agreement with the
gentleman emigrant, they proceeded at once to the land he took up, and
in the name of the servant the planter took up at least one hundred
acres of land, fifty of which, under the agreement, he conveyed to the
servant at the expiration of his term of service.
Alsop seems to have made an agreement, perhaps on the voyage, with
Thomas Stockett, Esq., as his first letter from America mentions his
being in the service of that gentleman. His last letter is dated at
Gravesend, the 7th of September, and his first in Maryland January 17
(1659), making a voyage of four months, which he loosely calls five,
and describes as “a blowing and dangerous passage.” {13}
Through the kindness of George Lynn Lachlin Davis, Esq., I have been
enabled to obtain from J. Shaaf Stockett, Esq., a descendant of Captain
Stockett, some details as to his ancestor, the master of our author,
during his four years’ servitude, which was not very grievous to
him, for he says, “had I known my yoak would have been so easie (as
I conceive it will) I would have been here long before now, rather
than to have dwelt under the pressure of a Rebellious and Trayterous
government so long as I did.”
A manuscript statement made some years later by one Joseph Tilly,
states: “About or in y^e year of o^r Lord 1667 or 8 I became acquainted
w^{th} 4 Gent^n y^t were brethren & then dwellers here in Maryland the
elder of them went by y^e name of Coll^o Lewis Stockett & y^e second
by y^e name of Capt^n Thomas Stockett, y^e third was Doct^r Francis
Stockett & y^e Fourth Brother was M^r Henry Stockett. These men were
but y^n newly seated or seating in Anne Arunndell County & they had
much business w^h the Lord Baltimore then pp^{etor} of y^e Provinces,
my house standing convenient they were often entertained there: they
told mee y^t they were Kentish men or Men of Kent & y^t for that they
had been concerned for King Charles y^e first, were out of favour
w^{th} y^e following Governm^t they Mortgaged a Good an estate to
follow King Charles the second in his exile & at their Return they
had not money to redeem their mortgage, w^{ch} was y^e cause of their
coming hither. JOSEPH TILLY.”
Of the brothers, who are said to have arrived in the spring or summer
of 1658, only Captain Thomas Stockett remained in Maryland, the others
having, according to family tradition, returned to England. As stated
in the {14} document just given, they settled in Anne Arundell county,
and on the 19th of July, 1669, “Obligation,” a tract of 664 acres of
land was patented to Captain Thomas Stockett, and a part still after
the lapse of nearly two centuries remains in the family, being owned by
Frank H. Stockett, Esq., of the Annapolis bar.
By his wife Mary (_Wells_ it is supposed), Captain Thomas Stockett had
one son, Thomas, born April 17, 1667, from whose marriage with Mary,
daughter of Thomas Sprigg, of West River, gentleman (March 12, 1689),
and subsequent marriage with Damarris Welch, the Stocketts of Maryland,
Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey are descended.
The arms of this branch, as given in the family archives, are “Or a
Lyon rampant sable armed and Langued Gules a cheife of y^e second a
castle Tripple towred argent betwixt two Beausants—to y^e crest upon a
helm on a wreath of y^e colours, a Lyon Proper segeant supporte on a
stock ragged and trunked argent Borne by the name of Stockett with a
mantle Gules doubled Argent.” These agree with the arms given by Burke
as the arms of the Stocketts of St. Stephens, county of Kent.
Thomas Stockett’s will, dated April 23, 1671, was proved on the 4th of
May in the same year, so that his death must have occurred within the
ten intervening days. He left his estate to his wife for life, then his
lands to his son Thomas, and his posthumous child if a son, and his
personal estate to be divided among his daughters. His executors were
his brothers Francis and Henry and his brother (in-law) Richard Wells.
His dispositions of property are brief, much of the will consisting of
pious expressions and wishes. {15}
To return to the early Maryland emigration, at the time there was
evident need for some popular tract to remove a prejudice that had been
created against that colony, especially in regard to the redemptioners.
The condition of those held for service in Maryland had been
represented as pitiable indeed, the labor intolerable, the usage bad,
the diet hard, and that no beds were allowed but the bare boards. Such
calumnies had already been refuted in 1656 by Hammond, in his _Leah
and Rachel_. Yet it would seem that ten years later the proprietor of
Maryland found it necessary to give Alsop’s flattering picture as a new
antidote.
The original tract is reproduced so nearly in fac simile here that
little need be said about it. The original is a very small volume, the
printed matter on the page being only 2 1/8 inches by 4 7/8. (See note
No. 1).
At the end are two pages of advertisements headed “These Books, with
others, are Printed for Peter Dring, and are to be sold at his Shop, at
the Sun in the Poultrey, next door to the Rose Tavern.”
Among the books are Eliana, Holesworth’s Valley of Vision, Robotham’s
Exposition of Solomon’s Song, N. Byfields’ Marrow of the Oracle of
God, Pheteplace’s Scrutinia Sacra, Featly Tears in Time of Pestilence,
Templum Musicum by Joannes Henricus Alstedius, two cook books, a jest
book, Troads Englished, and ends with A Comment upon the Two Tales of
our Renowned Poet Sir Jeffray Chaucer, Knight.
At the end of this is the following by way of erratum: “Courteous
Reader. In the first Epistle Dedicatory, for Felton read Feltham.”
[Illustration:
_View here the Shadow whoſe Ingenious Hand_
_Hath drawne exact the Province Mary Land_
_Diſplay’d her Glory in ſuch Scænes of Witt_
_That thoſe that read must fall in Love with it_
_For which his Labour hee deſerves the praiſe_
_As well as Poets doe the wreath of Bays ._
_Anno Dõ: 1666. Ætatis Suæ 28._ _H.W._
_AM PHOTO-LITHOGR. OC (OSBORNES PROCESS.)_]
A
CHARACTER
Of the PROVINCE of
MARY-LAND,
Wherein is Deſcribed in four diſtinct
Parts, (_Viz._)
I. _The Scituation, and plenty of the Province._
II. _The Laws, Cuſtoms, and natural Demeanor
of the Inhabitant._
III. _The worſt and beſt Vſage of a Mary-Land
Servant, opened in view._
IV. _The Traffique, and Vendable Commodities
of the Countrey._
ALSO
A SMALL _Treatiſe_ on the Wilde and
Naked INDIANS (or _Suſquehanokes_)
of _Mary-Land_, their Cuſtoms, Manners,
Abſurdities, & Religion.
Together with a Collection of Hiſtorical
LETTERS.
By GEORGE ALSOP.
_London_, Printed by _T. J._ for _Peter Dring_,
at the ſign of the Sun in the _Poultrey_; 1666.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
CÆCILIUS LORD BALTEMORE, (see note No. 2)
Absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Provinces of _Mary-Land_ and
_Avalon_ (see note No. 3) in _America_.
MY LORD,
I have adventured on your Lordships acceptance by guess; if presumption
has led me into an Error that deserves correction, I heartily beg
Indempnity, and resolve to repent soundly for it, and do so no
more. What I present I know to be true, Experientia docet; It being
an infallible Maxim, _That there is no Globe like the occular and
experimental view of a Countrey_. And had not Fate by a necessary
imployment, consin’d me within the narrow walks of a four years
Servitude, and by degrees led me through the most intricate and dubious
paths of this Countrey, by a commanding and undeniable Enjoyment, I
could not, nor should I ever have undertaken to have written a line of
this nature.
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
If I have wrote or composed any thing that’s wilde and confused, it is
because I am so my self, and the world, as far as I can perceive, is
not much out of the same trim; therefore I resolve, if I am brought to
the Bar of _Common Law_ for any thing I have done here, to plead _Non
compos mentis_, to save my Bacon.
There is an old Saying in English, _He must rise betimes that would
please every one_. And I am afraid I have lain so long a bed, that
I think I shall please no body; if it must be so, I cannot help it.
But as _Feltham_ (see note No. 4) in his _Resolves_ says, _In things
that must be, ’tis good to be resolute_; And therefore what Destiny
has ordained, I am resolved to wink, and stand to it. So leaving your
Honour to more serious meditations, I subscribe my self,
My Lord
Your Lordship most
Humble Servant,
GEORGE ALSOP.
To all the Merchant Adventurers for MARY-LAND,
together with those Commanders of Ships
that saile into that Province.
SIRS,
_You are both Adventurers, the one of Estate, the other of Life: I
could tell you I am an Adventurer too, if I durst presume to come into
your Company. I have ventured to come abroad in Print, and if I should
be laughed at for my good meaning, it would so break the credit of
my understanding, that I should never dare to shew my face upon the
Exchange of (conceited) Wits again._
_This dish of Discourse was intended for you at first, but it was
manners to let my Lord have the first cut, the Pye being his own. I
beseech you accept of the matter as ’tis drest, only to stay your
stomachs, and I’le promise you the next shall be better done, ’Tis
all as I can serve you in at present, and it may be questionable
whether I have served you in this or no. Here I present you with_ A
Character of Mary-Land_, it may be you will say ’tis weakly done, if
you do I cannot help it, ’tis as well as I could do it, considering
several Obstacles that like blocks were thrown in my way to hinder my
proceeding: The major part thereof was written in the intermitting
time of my sickness, therefore I hope the afflicting weakness of {24}
my Microcosm may plead a just excuse for some imperfections of my
pen. I protest what I have writ is from an experimental knowledge of
the Country, and not from any imaginary supposition. If I am blamed
for what I have done too much, it is the first, and I will irrevocably
promise it shall be the last. There’s a Maxim upon Tryals at Assizes,
That if a thief be taken upon the first fault, if it be not to
hainous, they only burn him in the hand and let him go_ (see note No.
5): _So I desire you to do by me, if you find any thing that bears a
criminal absurdity in it, only burn me for my first fact and let me
go. But I am afraid I have kept you too long in the Entry, I shall
desire you therefore to come in and sit down._
G. ALSOP.
THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
The Reason why I appear in this place is, lest the general Reader
should conclude I have nothing to say for my self; and truly he’s in
the right on’t, for I have but little to say (for my self) at this
time: For I have had so large a Journey, and so heavy a Burden to
bring _Mary-Land_ into _England_, that I am almost out of breath: I’le
promise you after I am come to my self, you shall hear more of me. Good
Reader, because you see me make a brief Apologetical excuse for my
self, don’t judge me; for I am so self-conceited of my own merits, that
I almost think I want none. _De Lege non judicandum ex solâ linea_,
saith the Civilian; We must not pass judgement upon a Law by one line:
And because we see but a small Bush at a Tavern door, conclude there is
no Canary (see note No. 6). For as in our vulgar Resolves ’tis said, _A
good face needs no Band, and an ill one deserves none_: So the French
Proverb sayes, Bon Vien il n’a faut point de Ensigne, Good Wine needs
no Bush. I suppose by this time some of my speculative observers {26}
have judged me vainglorious; but if they did but rightly consider me,
they would not be so censorious. For I dwell so far from Neighbors,
that if I do not praise my self, no body else will: And since I am left
alone, I am resolved to summon the _Magna Charta_ of Fowles to the Bar
for my excuse, and by their irrevocable Statutes plead my discharge.
_For its an ill Bird will befoule her own Nest_: Besides, I have a
thousand _Billings-gate_ (see note No. 7) Collegians that will give in
their testimony, _That they never knew a Fish-woman cry stinking Fish_.
Thus leaving the Nostrils of the Citizens Wives to demonstrate what
they please as to that, and thee (Good Reader) to say what thou wilt, I
bid thee Farewel.
GEO. ALSOP.
THE
AUTHOR
TO HIS
BOOK.
When first _Apollo_ got my brain with Childe,
He made large promise never to beguile,
But like an honest Father, he would keep
Whatever Issue from my Brain did creep:
With that I gave consent, and up he threw
Me on a Bench, and strangely he did do;
Then every week he daily came to see
How his new Physick still did work with me.
And when he did perceive he’d don the feat,
Like an unworthy man he made retreat,
Left me in desolation, and where none
Compassionated when they heard me groan.
What could he judge the Parish then would think,
To see me fair, his Brat as black as Ink?
If they had eyes, they’d swear I were no Nun,
But got with Child by some black _Africk_ Son,
And so condemn me for my Fornication,
To beat them Hemp to stifle half the Nation.
Well, since ’tis so, I’le alter this base Fate,
And lay his Bastard at some Noble’s Gate;
Withdraw my self from Beadles, and from such,
Who would give twelve pence I were
in their clutch: {28}
Then, who can tell? this Child which I do hide,
May be in time a Small-beer Col’nel _Pride_ (see note No 8).
But while I talk, my business it is dumb,
I must lay double-clothes unto thy Bum,
Then lap thee warm, and to the world commit
The Bastard Off-spring of a New-born wit.
Farewel, poor Brat, thou in a monstrous World,
In swadling bands, thus up and down art hurl’d;
There to receive what Destiny doth contrive,
Either to perish, or be sav’d alive.
Good Fate protect thee from a Criticks power,
For If he comes, thou’rt gone in half an hour,
Stiff’d and blasted, ’tis their usual way,
To make that Night, which is as bright as Day.
For if they once but wring, and skrew their mouth,
Cock up their Hats, and set the point Du-South,
Armes all a kimbo, and with belly strut,
As if they had _Parnassus_ in their gut:
These are the Symtomes of the murthering fall
Of my poor Infant, and his burial.
Say he should miss thee, and some ign’rant Asse
Should find thee out, as he along doth pass,
It were all one, he’d look into thy Tayle,
To see if thou wert Feminine or Male;
When he’d half starv’d thee, for to satisfie
His peeping Ign’rance, he’d then let thee lie;
And vow by’s wit he ne’re could understand,
The Heathen dresses of another Land:
Well, ’tis no matter, wherever such as he
Knows one grain, more than his simplicity.
Now, how the pulses of my senses beat,
To think the rigid Fortune
thou wilt meet; {29}
Asses and captious Fools, not six in ten
Of thy Spectators will be real men,
To Umpire up the badness of the cause,
And screen my weakness from the rav’nous Laws,
Of those that will undoubted sit to see
How they might blast this new-born Infancy:
If they should burn him, they’d conclude hereafter,
’Twere too good death for him to dye a Martyr;
And if they let him live, they think it will
Be but a means for to encourage ill,
And bring in time some strange _Antipod’ans_,
A thousand Leagues beyond _Philippians_,
To storm our Wits; therefore he must not rest,
But shall be hang’d, for all he has been prest:
Thus they conclude.—My Genius comforts give,
In Resurrection he will surely live.
To my Friend Mr. GEORGE ALSOP, on his Character of MARY-LAND.
_Who such odd nookes of Earths great mass describe,_
_Prove their descent from old_ Columbus _tribe:_
_Some Boding augur did his Name devise,_
_Thy Genius too cast in th’ same mould and size;_
_His Name predicted he would be a Rover,_
_And hidden places of this Orb discover;_
_He made relation of that World in gross,_
_Thou the particulars retail’st to us:_
_By this first Peny of thy fancy we_
_Discover what thy greater Coines will be;_
_This Embryo thus well polisht doth presage,_
_The manly Atchievements of its future age._
_Auspicious winds blow gently on this spark,_
_Untill its flames discover what’s yet dark;_
_Mean while this short Abridgement we embrace,_
_Expecting that thy busy soul will trace_
_Some Mines at last which may enrich the World,_
_And all that poverty may be in oblivion hurl’d._
_Zoilus is dumb, for thou the mark hast hit,_
_By interlacing History with Wit:_
_Thou hast described its superficial Treasure,_
_Anatomiz’d its bowels at thy leasure;_
_That_ MARY-LAND _to thee may duty owe,_
_Who to the World dost all her Glory shew;_
_Then thou shalt make the Prophesie fall true,_
_Who fill’st the World (like th’ Sea) with knowledge new._
WILLIAM BOGHERST. (See note No. 9.)
To my Friend Mr. GEORGE ALSOP, on his Character of MARY-LAND.
_This plain, yet pithy and concise Description_
_Of_ Mary-Lands _plentious and sedate condition,_
_With other things herein by you set forth,_
_To shew its Rareness, and declare its Worth;_
_Compos’d in such a time, when most men were_
_Smitten with Sickness, or surpriz’d with Fear,_
_Argues a Genius good, and Courage stout,_
_In bringing this Design so well about:_
_Such generous Freedom waited on thy brain,_
_The Work was done in midst of greatest pain;_
_And matters flow’d so swiftly from thy source,_
_Nature design’d thee (sure) for such Discourse._
_Go on then with thy Work so well begun,_
_Let it come forth, and boldly see the Sun;_
_Then shall’t be known to all, that from thy Youth_
_Thou heldst it Noble to maintain the Truth,_
_’Gainst all the Rabble-rout, that yelping stand,_
_To cast aspersions on thy_ MARY-LAND:
_But this thy Work shall vindicate its Fame,_
_And as a Trophy memorize thy Name,_
_So if without a Tomb thou buried be,_
_This Book’s a lasting Monument for thee._
H. W., Master of Arts. (See note No. 10).
From my Study, _Jan._ 10, 1665.
[Illustration:
A Land-skip of the
Province of
MARY LAND
Or the
Lord Baltimors
Plantation neere
Virginia
By Geo: Alsop Gent.
Am. Photo-Lithographic Co. N.Y. Osborne’s Process]
A
CHARACTER
OF THE PROVINCE OF
MARY-LAND.
CHAP. I.
_Of the situation and plenty of the Province of_ Mary-Land.
Mary-land is a Province situated upon the large extending bowels of
_America_, under the Government of the Lord _Baltemore_, adjacent
Northwardly upon the Confines of _New-England_, and neighbouring
Southwardly upon _Virginia_, dwelling pleasantly upon the Bay of
_Chæsapike_ (see note No. 11), between the Degrees of 36 and 38, in
the Zone temperate, and by Mathematical computation is eleven hundred
and odd Leagues in Longitude from _England_, being within her own
imbraces extraordinary pleasant and fertile. Pleasant, in respect of
the multitude of Navigable Rivers and Creeks that conveniently and
most profitably lodge within the armes of her green, spreading, and
delightful Woods; whose natural womb (by her plenty) maintains and
preserves the several diversities of Animals that rangingly inhabit
her Woods; as she doth otherwise generously fructifie {36} this
piece of Earth with almost all sorts of Vegetables, as well Flowers
with their varieties of colours and smells, as Herbes and Roots with
their several effects and operative virtues, that offer their benefits
daily to supply the want of the Inhabitant whene’re their necessities
shall _Sub-pœna_ them to wait on their commands. So that he, who out
of curiosity desires to see the Landskip of the Creation drawn to
the life, or to read Natures universal Herbal without book, may with
the Opticks of a discreet discerning, view _Mary-Land_ drest in her
green and fragrant Mantle of the Spring. Neither do I think there is
any place under the Heavenly altitude, or that has footing or room
upon the circular Globe of this world, that can parallel this fertile
and pleasant piece of ground in its multiplicity, or rather Natures
extravagancy of a superabounding plenty. For so much doth this Country
increase in a swelling Spring-tide of rich variety and diversities
of all things, not only common provisions that supply the reaching
stomach of man with a satisfactory plenty, but also extends with its
liberality and free convenient benefits to each sensitive faculty,
according to their several desiring Appetites. So that had Nature made
it her business, on purpose to have found out a situation for the Soul
of profitable Ingenuity, she could not have fitted herself better in
the traverse of the whole Universe, nor in convenienter terms have told
man, _Dwell here, live plentifully and be rich_. {37}
The Trees, Plants, Fruits, Flowers, and Roots that grow here in
_Mary-Land_, are the only Emblems or Hieroglyphicks of our Adamitical
or Primitive situation, as well for their variety as odoriferous
smells, together with their vertues, according to their several
effects, kinds and properties, which still bear the Effigies of
Innocency according to their original Grafts; which by their dumb
vegetable Oratory, each hour speaks to the Inhabitant in silent acts,
That they need not look for any other Terrestrial Paradice, to suspend
or tyre their curiosity upon, while she is extant. For within her doth
dwell so much of variety, so much of natural plenty, that there is not
any thing that is or may be rare, but it inhabits within this plentious
soyle: So that those parts of the Creation that have borne the Bell
away (for many ages) for a vegetable plentiousness, must now in silence
strike and vayle all, and whisper softly in the auditual parts of
_Mary-Land_, that _None but she in this dwells singular_; and that as
well for that she doth exceed in those Fruits, Plants, Trees and Roots,
that dwell and grow in their several Clymes or habitable parts of the
Earth besides, as the rareness and super-excellency of her own glory,
which she flourishly abounds in, by the abundancy of reserved Rarities,
such as the remainder of the World (with all its speculative art) never
bore any occular testimony of as yet. I shall forbear to particularize
those several sorts of vegetables that flourishingly grows here,
by {38} reason of the vast tediousness that will attend upon the
description, which therefore makes them much more fit for an Herbal,
than a small Manuscript or History. (See note No. 12).
As for the wilde Animals of this Country, which loosely inhabits the
Woods in multitudes, it is impossible to give you an exact description
of them all, considering the multiplicity as well as the diversity
of so numerous an extent of Creatures: But such as has fallen within
the compass or prospect of my knowledge, those you shall know of;
_videlicet_, the Deer, because they are oftner seen, and more
participated of by the Inhabitants of the Land, whose acquaintance by a
customary familiarity becomes much more common than the rest of Beasts
that inhabit the Woods by using themselves in Herds about the Christian
Plantations. Their flesh, which in some places of this Province is the
common provision the Inhabitants feed on, and which through the extreme
glut and plenty of it, being daily killed by the _Indians_, and brought
in to the _English_, as well as that which is killed by the Christian
Inhabitant, that doth it more for recreation, than for the benefit they
reap by it. I say, the flesh of Venison becomes (as to food) rather
denyed, than any way esteemed or desired. And this I speak from an
experimental knowledge; For when I was under a Command, and debarr’d
of a four years ranging Liberty in the Province of _Mary-Land_, the
Gentleman whom I served my conditional and {39} prefixed time withall,
had at one time in his house fourscore Venisons, besides plenty of
other provisions to serve his Family nine months, they being but seven
in number; so that before this Venison was brought to a period by
eating, it so nauseated our appetites and stomachs, that plain bread
was rather courted and desired than it.
The Deer (see note No. 13) here neither in shape nor action differ
from our Deer in _England_: the Park they traverse their ranging and
unmeasured walks in, is bounded and impanell’d in with no other pales
than the rough and billowed Ocean: They are also mighty numerous in the
Woods, and are little or not at all affrighted at the face of a man,
but (like the Does of _Whetstons_ Park) (see note No. 14) though their
hydes are not altogether so gaudy to extract an admiration from the
beholder, yet they will stand (all most) till they be scratcht.
As for the Wolves, Bears, and Panthers (see note No. 15) of this
Country, they inhabit commonly in great multitudes up in the remotest
parts of the Continent; yet at some certain time they come down near
the Plantations, but do little hurt or injury worth noting, and that
which they do is of so degenerate and low a nature, (as in reference
to the fierceness and heroick vigour that dwell in the same kind of
Beasts in other Countries), that they are hardly worth mentioning: For
the highest of their designs and circumventing reaches is but cowardly
and base, only {40} to steal a poor Pigg, or kill a lost and half
starved Calf. The Effigies of a man terrifies them dreadfully, for they
no sooner espy him but their hearts are at their mouths, and the spurs
upon their heels, they (having no more manners than Beasts) gallop
away, and never bid them farewell that are behind them.
The Elke, the Cat of the Mountain, the Rackoon, the Fox, the Beaver,
the Otter, the Possum, the Hare, the Squirril, the Monack, the Musk-Rat
(see note No. 16), and several others (whom I’le omit for brevity sake)
inhabit here in _Mary-Land_ in several droves and troops, ranging the
Woods at their pleasure.
The meat of most of these Creatures is good for eating, yet of no value
nor esteem here, by reason of the great plenty of other provisions, and
are only kill’d by the _Indians_ of the Country for their Hydes and
Furrs, which become very profitable to those that have the right way of
traffiquing for them, as well as it redounds to the _Indians_ that take
the pains to catch them, and to slay and dress their several Hydes,
selling and disposing them for such commodities as their Heathenish
fancy delights in.
As for those Beasts that were carried over at the first seating of the
Country, to stock and increase the situation, as Cows, Horses, Sheep
and Hogs (see note No. 17), they are generally tame, and use near
home, especially the Cows, Sheep and Horses. The Hogs, whose increase
is innumerable in the Woods, do {41} disfrequent home more than the
rest of Creatures that are look’d upon as tame, yet with little trouble
and pains they are slain and made provision of. Now they that will
with a right Historical Survey, view the Woods of _Mary-Land_ in this
particular, as in reference to Swine, must upon necessity judge this
Land lineally descended from the _Gadarean_ Territories. (See note No.
18.)
_Mary-Land_ (I must confess) cannot boast of her plenty of Sheep here,
as other Countries; not but that they will thrive and increase here,
as well as in any place of the World besides, but few desire them,
because they commonly draw down the Wolves among the Plantations, as
well by the sweetness of their flesh, as by the humility of their
nature, in not making a defensive resistance against the rough dealing
of a ravenous Enemy. They who for curiosity will keep Sheep, may expect
that after the Wolves have breathed themselves all day in the Woods to
sharpen their stomachs, they will come without fail and sup with them
at night, though many times they surfeit themselves with the sawce
that’s dish’d out of the muzzle of a Gun, and so in the midst of their
banquet (poor Animals) they often sleep with their Ancestors.
Fowls of all sorts and varieties dwell at their several times and
seasons here in _Mary-Land_. The Turkey, the Woodcock, the Pheasant,
the Partrich, the Pigeon, and others, especially the Turkey, whom
I have seen {42} in whole hundreds in flights in the Woods of
_Mary-Land_, being an extraordinary fat Fowl, whose flesh is very
pleasant and sweet. These Fowls that I have named are intayled from
generation to generation to the Woods. The Swans, the Geese and Ducks
(with other Water-Fowl) derogate in this point of setled residence; for
they arrive in millionous multitudes in _Mary-Land_ about the middle of
_September_, and take their winged farewell about the midst of _March_
(see note No. 19): But while they do remain, and beleagure the borders
of the shoar with their winged Dragoons, several of them are summoned
by a Writ of _Fieri facias_, to answer their presumptuous contempt upon
a Spit.
As for Fish, which dwell in the watry tenements of the deep, and by
a providential greatness of power, is kept for the relief of several
Countries in the world (which would else sink under the rigid enemy of
want), here in _Mary-Land_ is a large sufficiency, and plenty of almost
all sorts of Fishes, which live and inhabit within her several Rivers
and Creeks, far beyond the apprehending or crediting of those that
never saw the same, which with very much ease is catched, to the great
refreshment of the Inhabitants of the Province.
All sorts of Grain, as Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oates, Pease, besides
several others that have their original and birth from the fertile womb
of this Land (and no where else), they all grow, increase, and thrive
here {43} in _Mary-Land_, without the chargable and laborious manuring
of the Land with Dung; increasing in such a measure and plenty, by
the natural richness of the Earth, with the common, beneficial and
convenient showers of rain that usually wait upon the several Fields
of Grain (by a natural instinct), so that Famine (the dreadful Ghost
of penury and want) is never known with his pale visage to haunt the
Dominions of _Mary-Land_. (See note No. 20).
_Could’st thou (O Earth) live thus obscure, and now_
_Within an Age, shew forth thy plentious brow_
_Of rich variety, gilded with fruitful Fame,_
_That (Trumpet-like) doth Heraldize thy Name,_
_And tells the World there is a Land now found,_
_That all Earth’s Globe can’t parallel its Ground?_
_Dwell, and be prosperous, and with thy plenty feed_
_The craving Carkesses of those Souls that need._
{44}
CHAP. II.
_Of the Government and Natural Disposition of the People._
Mary-Land, not from the remoteness of her situation, but from the
regularity of her well ordered Government, may (without sin, I think)
be called _Singular_: And though she is not supported with such large
Revenues as some of her Neighbours are, yet such is her wisdom in a
reserved silence, and not in pomp, to shew her well-conditioned Estate,
in relieving at a distance the proud poverty of those that wont be
seen they want, as well as those which by undeniable necessities are
drove upon the Rocks of pinching wants: Yet such a loathsome creature
is a common and folding-handed Beggar, that upon the penalty of almost
a perpetual working in Imprisonment, they are not to appear, nor lurk
near our vigilant and laborious dwellings. The Country hath received a
general spleen and antipathy against the very name and nature of it;
and though there were no Law provided (as there is) to suppress it, I
am certainly confident, there is none within the Province that would
lower themselves so much below the dignity of men to beg, as long as
limbs and life keep house together; so much is a vigilant industrious
care esteem’d. {45}
He that desires to see the real Platform of a quiet and sober
Government extant, Superiority with a meek and yet commanding power
sitting at the Helme, steering the actions of State quietly, through
the multitude and diversity of Opinionous waves that diversly meet, let
him look on _Mary-Land_ with eyes admiring, and he’ll then judge her,
_The Miracle of this Age_.
Here the _Roman Catholick_, and the _Protestant Episcopal_ (whom the
world would perswade have proclaimed open Wars irrevocably against each
other), contrarywise concur in an unanimous parallel of friendship,
and inseparable love intayled into one another: All Inquisitions,
Martyrdom, and Banishments are not so much as named, but unexpressably
abhorr’d by each other.
The several Opinions and Sects that lodge within this Government,
meet not together in mutinous contempts to disquiet the power that
bears Rule, but with a reverend quietness obeys the legal commands
of Authority. (See note No. 21). Here’s never seen Five Monarchies
in a Zealous Rebellion, opposing the Rights and Liberties of a true
setled Government, or Monarchical Authority: Nor did I ever see (here
in _Mary-Land_) any of those dancing Adamitical Sisters, that plead a
primitive Innocency for their base obscenity, and naked deportment; but
I conceive if some of them were there at some certain time of the year,
between the Months of _January_ and _February_, {46} when the winds
blow from the North-West quarter of the world, that it would both cool,
and (I believe) convert the hottest of these Zealots from their burning
and fiercest concupiscence. (See note No. 22).
The Government of this Province doth continually, by all lawful means,
strive to purge her Dominions from such base corroding humors, that
would predominate upon the least smile of Liberty, did not the Laws
check and bridle in those unwarranted and tumultuous Opinions. And
truly, where a kingdom, State or Government, keeps or cuts down the
weeds of destructive Opinions, there must certainly be a blessed
harmony of quietness. And I really believe this Land or Government
of _Mary-Land_ may boast, that she enjoys as much quietness from the
disturbance of Rebellious Opinions, as most States or Kingdoms do in
the world: For here every man lives quietly, and follows his labour
and imployment desiredly; and by the protection of the Laws, they are
supported from those molestious troubles that ever attend upon the
Commons of other States and Kingdoms, as well as from the Aquafortial
operation of great and eating Taxes. Here’s nothing to be levyed out
of the Granaries of Corn; but contrarywise, by a Law every Domestick
Governor of a Family is enjoyned to make or cause to be made so
much Corn by a just limitation, as shall be sufficient for him and
his Family (see note No. 23): So that by this wise and _Janus_-like
providence, the thin-jawed Skeliton with his starv’d Carkess is never
{47} seen walking the Woods of _Mary-Land_ to affrighten Children.
Once every year within this Province is an Assembly called, and out
of every respective County (by the consent of the people) there is
chosen a number of men, and to them is deliver’d up the Grievances of
the Country; and they maturely debate the matters, and according to
their Consciences make Laws for the general good of the people; and
where any former Law that was made, seems and is prejudicial to the
good or quietness of the Land, it is repeal’d. These men that determine
on these matters for the Republique, are called Burgesses, and they
commonly sit in Junto about six weeks, being for the most part good
ordinary Householders of the several Counties, which do more by a plain
and honest Conscience, than by artificial Syllogisms drest up in gilded
Orations. (See note No. 24).
Here Suits and Tryals in Law seldome hold dispute two Terms or Courts,
but according as the Equity of the Cause appears is brought to a
period. (See note No. 25). The _Temples_ and _Grays-Inne_ are clear
out of fashion here: Marriot (see note No. 26) would sooner get a
paunch-devouring meal for nothing, than for his invading Counsil. Here
if the Lawyer had nothing else to maintain him but his bawling, he
might button up his Chops, and burn his Buckrom Bag, or else hang it
upon a pin untill its Antiquity had eaten it up with durt and dust:
Then with a {48} Spade, like his Grandsire _Adam_, turn up the face
of the Creation, purchasing his bread by the sweat of his brows, that
before was got by the motionated Water-works of his jaws. So contrary
to the Genius of the people, if not to the quiet Government of the
Province, that the turbulent Spirit of continued and vexatious Law,
with all its querks and evasions, is openly and most eagerly opposed,
that might make matters either dubious, tedious, or troublesom. All
other matters that would be ranging in contrary and improper Spheres,
(in short) are here by the Power moderated, lower’d and subdued. All
villanous Outrages that are committed in other States, are not so much
as known here: A man may walk in the open Woods as secure from being
externally dissected, as in his own house or dwelling. So hateful is a
Robber, that if but once imagin’d to be so, he’s kept at a distance,
and shun’d as the Pestilential noysomness. (See note No. 27).