General Assembly, which consists of two Estates, namely, the first is
made up by the Chancellor, Secretary, and others of his Lordships
Privy-Council, and such Lords of Mannors, and others as shall be call’d
by particular Writs for that purpose, to be Issu’d by his Lordship: The
second Estate consists of the Deputies and Delegates of the respective
Counties of the said Province, elected and chosen by the free voice and
approbation of the Free-men of the laid respective Counties.
The Names of the Governor and Council in this present Year 1671. are as
followeth, Mr. _Charles Calvert_, his Lordships Son and Heir, Governor;
Mr. _Philip Calvert_, his Lordships Brother, Chancellor; Sir _William
Talbot_ Baronet, his Lordships Nephew, Secretary; Mr. _William Calvert_,
his Lordships Nephew, Muster-Master-General; Mr. _Jerome White_,
Surveyor-General; Mr. _Baker Brooke_, his Lordships Nephew; Mr. _Edward
Lloyd_, Mr. _Henry Coursey_, Mr. _Thomas Trueman_, Major _Edward
Fits-Herbert_, _Samuel Chew Esq._
His Lordship, or his Lieutenant there for the time being, upon due
occasion, Convenes, Prorogues, and Dissolves this Assembly; but
whatsoever is by his Lordships Lieutenant there, with the consent of
both the said Estates Enacted, is there of the same Force and Nature as
an Act of Parliament is in _England_, until his Lordship declares his
dis-assent; but such Laws as his Lordship doth assent unto, are not
afterwards to be Alter’d or Repeal’d but by his Lordship, with the
consent of both the said Estates.
Their chief Court of Judicature is held at St. _Maries_ Quarterly every
Year, to which all Persons concern’d resort for Justice, and is call’d
_The Provincial Court_, whereof the Governor and Council are Judges: To
the Court there doth belong several sworn Attorneys, who constantly are
present there, and act both as Barristers and Attorneys; there are
likewise chief Clerks, Bayliffs, and other Officers, which duly attend
the Court in their respective places.
The Province is divided at present, so far as it is inhabited by
_English_, into Counties, whereof there be ten, _viz._ St. _Maries_,
_Charles_, _Calvert_, _Anne Arandel_, and _Baltemore_ Counties, which
first five lie on the West side of the Bay of _Chesapeack_; on the
Eastern side whereof, commonly call’d _The Eastern-Shore_, lies
_Sommerset_, _Dorchester_, _Talbot_, _Cæcil_, and _Kent Counties_, which
last is an Island lying near the Eastern-shore of the said Bay.
Besides the Provincial Court aforenam’d, there are other inferior
Courts, appointed to be held in every one of the Counties six times in
the year, for the dispatch of all Causes, not relating to Life or
Member, and not exceeding the value of three thousand weight of Tobacco;
the decision of all other Causes being reserv’d to the Provincial or
higher Court before-mention’d, and there lies Appeals from the
County-Courts, to the Provincial Court.
There are Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and other Officers appointed
by the Lord and Proprietary, or his Lordships Lieutenant for the time
being, in the said respective Counties; and without four Justices, of
which one to be of the _Quorum_, none of the said respective
County-Courts can be held; any of his Lordships Privy Council may sit as
Judge, in any of the said County-Courts, by vertue of his place.
These Courts are appointed to be held at convenient Houses in the said
Counties, which commonly are not far distant from some Inn, or other
House of Entertainment, for accommodation of Strangers; one of the said
six County Courts in each County is held for settling of Widows and
Orphans Estates.
There are Foundations laid of Towns, more or less in each County,
according to his Lordships Proclamation, to that effect Issu’d forth in
the year 1668. In _Calvert County_, about the River of _Patuxent_, and
the adjacent Cliffs, are the Bounds of three Towns laid out, one over
against _Point Patience_, call’d _Harvy Town_, another in
_Battel-Creek_, call’d _Calverton_, and a third upon the Cliffs, call’d
_Herrington_, and Houses already built in them, all uniform, and
pleasant with Streets, and Keys on the Water side. In the County of St.
_Maries_, on the East side of St. _Georges_ River, is the principal and
original Seat of this Province, where the general Assembly, and
Provincial Courts are held, and is call’d St. _Maries_, being erected
into a City by that Name, where divers Houses are already built: The
Governor hath a House there call’d St. _John_’s; the Chancellor Mr.
_Philip Calvert_, his Lordships Brother, hath another, and in this place
is built and kept the Secretaries Office, where all the Records are
kept, all Process, Grants, for Lands, Probates of Wills, Letters of
Administration are issu’d out: the Plat of a Fort and Prison is lately
laid there, upon a point of Land, term’d _Windmil-Point_, from a Windmil
which formerly stood there, the situation is proper, for that it
commands the breadth of the said River of Saint _Georges_; so that when
it is finish’d, all Shipping may safely Ride before the Town, without
the least fear of any sudden Assault, or Attempt of Pirats or other
Enemy whatsoever. This City has formerly been the usual place of abode
for his Lordships Lieutenants, and their Retinue; but of late years the
present Governor, Mr. _Charles Calvert_, hath built himself a fair House
of Brick and Timber, with all Out-houses, and other Offices thereto
belonging, at a place call’d _Mattapany_, near the River of _Patuxent_
before-mention’d, where he and his Family reside, being a pleasant,
healthful, and commodious Seat, about eight Miles by Land distant from
St. _Maries_.
[Sidenote: Of the _Indians_ in _Mary-land_.]
The _Indians_ in _Mary-land_ are a People generally of streight, able,
and well proportion’d Bodies, something exceeding the ordinary pitch of
the _English_, their Complexion Swarthy, their Hair naturally long and
black, without Curle, which generally they cut after some strange
Fantastical Mode; nay, sometimes they Dye it with red and other
preposterous Colours: They Liquor their Skins with Bears Grease, and
other Oyls, which renders them more tawny, and less apt to receive
injury from the Weather: They are subtile from their Infancy, and prone
to learn any thing their Fancy inclines them to, in other things
slothful.
There are as many distinct Nations among them as there are _Indian_
Towns, (which are like Countrey-Villages in _England_, but not so good
Houses) dispers’d throughout the Province: Each Town hath its King (by
them term’d _Werowance_) and every forty or fifty Miles distance differs
much from its Neighbors in Speech and Disposition: The _Sasquahanocks_,
though but few in number, yet much exceed the rest in Valor, and
Fidelity to the _English_; the rest being generally of a more
Treacherous Spirit, and not so stout, and the number of the _English_ do
already exceed all the _Indians_ in the Province.
The _Werowance_ is assisted by Councellors, call’d _Wisoes_, who are
commonly of the same Family, and are chosen at the pleasure of the
_Werowance_: They have Captains in time of War which they term
_Cockorooses_.
Most of their Governments are Monarchical, (except the _Sasquahanocks_,
which is a Re-publick) but for succession they have a peculiar Custom,
that the Issue of the Males never succeed, but the Issue-Male of the
Female succeed in Government, as the surer side: They all submit to, and
are protected by the Lord Proprietaries Government; and in case of any
Assault or Murder, committed on any _English_, the Party offending is
try’d by the Laws of the Province; and in case of any new Election of
King or Emperor among them, they present the Person so Elected to the
Governor for the time being, who as he sees cause, either alters or
confirms their Choice.
In the Year 1663. at the _Indians_ Request, the present Governor Mr.
_Charles Calvert_, and some others of his Lordships Privy-Council there,
went to _Pascatoway_, in this Province, to be present at the Election of
a new Emperor for that Nation: They presented a Youth nam’d
_Nattawasso_, and humbly Requested to have him confirm’d Emperor of
_Pascatoway_, by the Name of _Wahocasso_; which after some charge given
them in general, to be good and faithful Subjects to him, the Governor
accordingly did, and receiv’d him into his Protection.
They pay great Respect and Obedience to their Kings and Superiors, whose
Commands they immediately Execute, though with an apparent hazard of
their Lives.
The Mens chief employment is Hunting, and the Wars, in both which they
commonly use Bowes and Arrows; some of late have Guns and other Weapons,
by a private Trade with some _English_ Neighboring Plantations: They are
excellent Marks-men, it being the onely thing they breed their Youth to:
The Women Plant and look after the Corn, make their Bread, and dress
what Provisions their Husbands bring home. Their way of Marriage is by
agreement with the Womens Parents or Friends, who for a certain Sum of
their Money, or other Goods, deliver her to the Man at a day appointed,
which is commonly spent in jollity.
[Sidenote: Their Money.]
There are two sorts of _Indian_ Money, _Wampompeage_ and _Roanoack_,
these serve among them as Gold and Silver do in _Europe_, both are made
of Fish-shells, which they string like Beads; _Wampompeage_ is the
largest Bead, sixty whereof countervails an Arms length of _Roanoack_,
which is valued at six Pence _Sterling_; with this they purchase
Commodities of the _English_, as Trading-Cloth, _&c._ of which they make
themselves Mantles, which is something shaggy, and is call’d _Dutch
Duffels_; this is their Winter Habit; in Summer they onely wear a narrow
slip of the same to cover those parts, which natural modesty teaches
them to conceal; the better sort have Stockings made thereof, and pieces
of Deer-Skin, stitch’d together about their Feet in stead of Shooes: The
Womens Apparel is the same, but those of the best Quality among them
bedeck themselves with _Wampompeage_ or _Roanoack_, or some other toy.
[Sidenote: Manner of habitation.]
Their Houses are rais’d about the height of a large Arbor, and cover’d
with Barks of Trees very tite, in the middle whereof is the Fire-place,
they lie generally upon Mats of their own making, plac’d round the Fire,
a Woodden-bowl or two, an Earthen Pot, and a Mortar and Pestle, is their
chiefest Houshold-stuff; he that hath his Bowe and Arrows, or Gun, a
Hatchet, and a _Canoo_, (a term they use for Boats) is in their minds
rarely well provided for; each House contains a distinct Family, each
Family hath its peculiar Field about the Town, where they Plant their
Corn, and other sorts of Grain afore-mention’d.
[Sidenote: Civility to the _English_.]
They are courteous to the _English_, if they chance to see any of them
coming towards their Houses, they immediately meet him half-way, conduct
him in, and bid him welcome with the best Cates they have: The _English_
giving them in like manner civil Entertainment, according to their
Quality.
The _Werowance_ of _Patuxent_ having been Treated for some days at St.
_Maries_, by the then Governor, Mr. _Leonard Calvert_, his Lordships
Brother, at his first coming thither to settle that Colony, took his
leave of him with this Expression, _I love the_ English _so well, that
if they should go about to kill me, if I had so much breath as to speak,
I would Command my People not to revenge my death; for I know they would
not do such a thing, except it were through my own default._
In Affairs of concern, they are very considerate, and use few words in
declaring their intentions; for at Mr. _Leonard Calverts_ first arrival
there, the _Werowance_ of _Pascatoway_ being ask’d by him, _Whether he
would be content, that the_ English _should sit down in his Countrey?_
return’d this answer, _That he would not bid him go, neither would he
bid him stay, but that he might use his own discretion._ These were
their expressions to the Governor at his first entrance into
_Mary-land_, whom then they were jealous of, whether he might prove a
Friend or a Neighbor, but by his discreet Demeanor towards them at
first, and friendly usage of them afterwards, they are now become, not
only civil, but serviceable to the _English_ there upon all occasions.
The _Indians_ of the Eastern shore are most numerous, and were formerly
very refractory, whom Mr. _Leonard Calvert_ some few years after his
first settling the Colony, was forc’d to reduce, and of late the Emperor
of _Nanticoke_, and his Men were deservedly defeated by the present
Governor, Mr. _Charles Calvert_, who reduc’d him about the year 1668.
which has since tam’d the ruder sort of the neighboring _Indians_, who
now by experience, find it better to submit and be protected by the Lord
Proprietaries Government, than to make any vain attempt against his
Power.
These People live under no Law, but that of Nature and Reason, which
notwithstanding leads them to the acknowledgement of a Deity, whom they
own to be the Giver of all good things, wherewith their Life is
maintain’d, and to him they Sacrifice the first Fruits of the Earth, and
of that which they acquire by Hunting and Fishing: The Sacrifice is
perform’d by their Priests, who are commonly ancient Men, and profess
themselves Conjurers; they first make a Speech to their God, then burn
part, and eat and distribute the rest among them that are present; until
this Ceremony be ended, they will not touch one bit thereof; they hold
the Immortality of the Soul, and that there is a place of Joy, and
another of Torment after Death, prepar’d for every one according to
their Merits.
They bury their Dead with strange expressions of Sorrow (the better sort
upon a Scaffold, erected for that end) whom they leave cover’d with
Mats, and return when his flesh is consum’d to Interr his Bones; the
common sort are committed to the Earth without that Ceremony; but they
never omit to bury some part of their Wealth, Arms, and Houshold-stuff
with the Corps.
SECT. IV.
Virginia.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Virginia_.]
[Sidenote: First Discovery.]
The most Southerly part of _Virginia_ (for all that Tract of Land,
reaching from _Norumbega_ to _Florida_, and containing _New-England_,
_New-York_, _Mary-land_, and this part we are now about to Treat of, was
by Sir _Walter Rawleigh_ term’d _Virginia_, in Honor of our Virgin-Queen
_Elizabeth_) lies between _Mary-land_, which it hath on the North, and
_Carolina_, which it hath on the South, from thirty six, to near thirty
eight Degrees of Northern Latitude; and with the rest of those Countries
which were comprehended under the same Denomination, was by the
Encouragement, and at the Expence of the said Sir _Walter Rawleigh_,
first Discover’d (as some say) by Captain _Francis Drake_, for his many
notable and bold Exploits, afterwards Knighted by the Queen: But upon
examination we find little reason to ascribe the first Discovery thereof
to Sir _Francis Drake_, whose chief performances, from the time he first
made himself Eminent at Sea, were against the _Spaniards_, and for the
most part in the _Spanish-Indies_; as his taking of _Nombre de Dios_,
and _Vinta Cruz_, with an infinite mass of Treasure; his taking of
_Santo Domingo_ in _Hispaniola_, and of _Carthagena_ in _Castella Anna_;
and that which seems to have given occasion of attributing to him the
first Discovery of these parts, was his touching upon the North part of
the Isle of _California_, where being nobly Entertain’d by _Hioh_, a
King of that Countrey, and having a Surrendry thereof made to him, in
behalf of the Queen of _England_, he upon a Pillar erected, Inscrib’d
the Arms of _England_, with the Queens Name and his own, and call’d the
place _Nova Albion_: Certain indeed it is, that Sir _Walter Rawleigh_
was the first Promoter of this Discovery; for, after Mr. _Martin
Forbisher_ had been sent by Queen _Elizabeth_ to search for the
North-West Passage, which was in the year 1576. and for which he also
was by the Queen advanc’d to Knight-hood, and nobly rewarded; and Sir
_Humphrey Gilbert_ obtaining the Queens Letters Patents, for attempting
a Plantation, had reach’d _New-found-land_ (though perishing in his
return) he upon these Relations and Inducements undertook by others (for
his employments would not permit him to go in Person) to gain
Discoveries to the Southward; and accordingly in the year of our Lord
1584. obtain’d a Commission from the Queen, to discover and Plant new
Lands in _America_, not actually possess’d by any _Christians_, who,
with the assistance of Sir _Richard Greenvil_, and others, provided two
small Barques, under the Command of Captain _Philip Amidas_, and Captain
_Arthur Barlow_, who setting Sail the 27. of _April_, fell the 2^d of
_July_ following with the Coast of _Florida_, and made Discovery of the
Isle of _Wokokon_, _Roanoack_, and the Continent of _Wingandacoa_, which
they left; and arriving in _England_ about the midst of _September_
following, Her Majesty upon the relation of their Discoveries, was
pleas’d to call this Countrey _Virginia_.
[Illustration: NOVA VIRGINIÆ TABULA]
_April 9. 1585._ Sir _Richard Greenvil_, with seven Sail, and several
Gentlemen, left _Plymouth_; and on _May 26._ Anchor’d at _Wokokon_, but
made their first Seat at _Roanoack_ on _August 17._ following, which
lies in thirty six Degrees of Northerly Latitude, or thereabouts, where
they continu’d till _June 1586._ during which time they made several
Discoveries in the Continent and adjacent Islands; and being endanger’d
by the treachery of the Salvages, return’d for _England_, and Landed at
_Portsmouth_ on _July 27._ following.
Sir _Walter Rawleigh_ and his Associates, in the year 1586. sent a Ship
to relieve that Colony, which had deserted the Countrey some while
before, and were all return’d for _England_ as is before-mention’d.
Some few days after they were gone, Sir _Richard Greenvil_, with three
Ships, arriv’d at the Plantation at _Roanoack_, which he found deserted,
and leaving fifty Men thereto keep Possession of that Countrey, return’d
for _England_.
The year following, Mr. _John White_, with three Ships, came to search
for the fifty _English_ at _Roanoack_, but found them not, they having
been set upon by the Natives, and dispers’d so, as no News could be
heard of them, and in their room left a hundred and fifty more to
continue that Plantation.
In _August 1589._ Mr. _John White_ went thither again, to search for the
last Colony which he had left there; but not finding them, return’d for
_England_ in _Septemb. 6. 1590._
This ill Success made all further Discoveries to be laid aside, till
Captain _Gosnol_ on _March 26. 1602._ set Sail from _Dartmouth_, and on
_May 11._ following, made Land at a place, where some _Biscaners_, as he
guess’d by the Natives information, had formerly fish’d, being about the
Latitude of forty eight Degrees Northerly Latitude; from hence putting
to Sea, he made Discovery of an Island which he call’d _Marthas
Vineyard_, and shortly after of _Elizabeth_’s Isle, and so return’d for
_England_, _June 18._ following.
In the Year 1603. the City of _Bristol_ rais’d a Stock, and furnish’d
out two Barques for Discovery, under the Command of Captain _Martin
Pring_, who about _June 7._ fell with the North of _Virginia_ in the
three and fortieth Degree, found plenty of good Fish, nam’d a place
_Whitson-Bay_, and so return’d.
In the Year 1605. the Right Honorable _Thomas Arundel_ the first, Baron
of _Warder_, and Count of the _Roman_ Empire, set out Captain _George
Waymouth_, with twenty nine Sea-men, and necessary Provisions, to make
what Discoveries he could; who by contrary Winds, fell Northward about
one and forty Degrees and twenty Minutes of Northerly Latitude, where
they found plenty of good Fish; and Sailing further, discover’d an
Island, where they nam’d a Harbor, _Pentecost-Harbor_; and on _July 18._
following, came back for _England_.
In the Year 1606. by the sollicitation of Captain _Gosnol_, and several
Gentlemen, a Commission was granted by King _James_ of _Great Brittain_,
_&c._ for establishing a Council, to direct those new Discoveries;
Captain _Newport_ (a well practic’d Marriner) was intrusted with the
Transportation of the Adventurers in two Ships, and a Pinace, who on
_Decemb. 19. 1606._ set Sail from _Black-wall_, and were by Storm,
contrary to expectation, cast upon the first Land, which they call’d
_Cape Henry_, at the Mouth of the Bay of _Chesapeack_, lying in thirty
seven Degrees, or thereabouts, of Northerly Latitude: Here their Orders
were open’d and read, and eight declar’d of the Council, and impower’d
to chose a President for a year, who with the Council should Govern that
Colony: Till _May 13._ they sought a place to Plant in, Mr. _Winkfield_
was chose the first President, who caus’d a Fort to be rais’d at
_Powhatan_, now call’d _James-Town_: In _June_ following, Captain
_Newport_ return’d for _England_, leaving a hundred Men behind him;
since which time they have been sufficiently supply’d from _England_,
and by the indefatigable Industry and Courage of Captain _John Smith_,
(one of the Council at that time, and afterward President of the Colony)
they made several Discoveries on the Eastern shore, and up to the Head
of the Bay of _Chesapeack_, and of the principal Rivers which fall into
the said Bay.
_Virginia_ being thus Discover’d and Planted, King _James_ by his
Letters Patent bearing Date _April 10._ in the fourth year of his Reign,
1607. Granted Licence to Sir _Thomas Gates_, Sir _George Summers_, and
others, to divide themselves into two several Colonies, for the more
speedy Planting of that Countrey, then call’d _Virginia_, between the
Degrees of thirty four and forty five of North Latitude, that is to say,
taken in that large extent, mention’d in the beginning: The first Colony
to be undertaken by certain Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, in, and
about the City of _London_: The second to be undertaken, and advanc’d by
certain Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, and their Associates, in, or
about the City of _Bristol_, _Exon_, _Plymouth_, and other parts.
At the first Colonies Request, in the seventh year of the same King, a
second Patent was Granted to several Noblemen and Gentlemen, (including
Sir _Thomas Gates_, and some of his former Fellow-Patentees) bearing
Date _May 23. 1610._ whereby they were made a Corporation, and Body
Politique, and stil’d, _The Treasurer, and Company of Adventurers and
Planters of the City of_ London, _for the first Colony of_ Virginia: And
by this Patent, there was Granted to them, their Successors and Assigns,
two hundred Miles to the Southward, from a _Cape_ of Land in _Virginia_,
call’d _Point Comfort_; and two hundred Miles to the Northward of the
said _Cape_, along the Sea-shore, and into the Land from Sea to Sea.
And on _March 12. 1612._ the said King, in the ninth year of his Reign,
Grants them a third Patent, of all Islands lying in the Sea, within two
hundred Miles of the Shore of that Tract of Land on the Continent,
granted to them by the said former Patent, _Jac. 7._
In the Year 1615. Captain _Smith_ procur’d by his Interest at Court, and
the King’s Favor, a Recommendation from His Majesty, and divers of the
Nobility, to all Cities and Corporations, to Adventure in a standing
Lottery, which was erected for the benefit of this Plantation, which was
contriv’d in such a manner, that of 100000. Pounds which was to be put
in, 50000. onely, or one half was to return to the Adventurers,
according as the Prizes fell out; and the other half to be dispos’d of
for the Promotion of the Affairs of _Virginia_, in which, though it were
three years before it was fully accomplish’d, he had in the end no bad
Success.