Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small]

I

Published in

MARYLAND.

T cannot be unknown to the Inhabitants of Maryland, that about two yeers since, this Province was Reduced and Settled under the Obedience of the Common-wealth of England, by the Parliaments Commissioners sent thither with special Commission and Instructions to that purpose: And that Captain William Stone, Mr. Tho. Hatton, and others, reassuming the power and place of Governor and Councel here, undertook, and promised to continue in their said Obedience, and to issue out all Writs, Process, and proceedings in the Name of the Keepers of the Liberty of England, as was Commanded by the said Instructions, by which Maryland was Reduced; which said Commission and Instructions have been since renewed, and the proceedings of the said Commissioners owned by the Committee of the Councel of State, as by their Order and Report drawn up for the Parliament may appear, wherein the Lord Baltamore's Agents are taxed for refusing to issue out Writs in the Name of the Keepers of the Liberty of England. Notwithstanding all which appearing so clear and evident, The said Captain Stone, and Mr. Hatton, though they continued, and exercised the Government for some time, and for divers Courts, in the Name of the Keepers of the Liberty of England, yet have they since, upon no good ground, falsified their said trust and engagement, though acted publickly, and after long Advice and Consideration: And having rejected, and cast off

their said Obedience to the Common-wealth of England, have further refused to Govern this Province according to the Laws of England, but declare and assume a power and practise contrary thereunto, and contrary to the late Platform of Government of the Common-wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereof; As namely, by the Governors Negative Voice in Assemblies, and his chusing and removing Counsellors at pleasure, and the like, is manifest. And whereas we have lately received Commands from his Highness the Lord Protector, to publish the said Platform of Government; and that all Writs and Proceedings should be issued in the Name of his Highness; to which, though we desire this Government should be conformable, yet the said Captain Stone, and Mr. Hatton, having lately Associated unto them divers Counsellors, all of the Romish Religion, and excluding others appointed by the Parliaments Commissioners, have, and do refuse to be obedient to the Constitutions thereof, and to the Lord Protector therein; And have in the name, and by special direction of the said Lord Baltamore, made Proclamation, and exacted an Oath of Fidelity from all the Inhabitants of the Province, contrary, and inconsistent to the said Platform of Government: which said Oath nevertheless, and the Law here commanding the 'same, and many other Laws, are likewise by the Report of the said Committee of the Councel of State, declared to be contrary to the Laws and Statutes of the English Nation; which is an express breach of his Patent. And whereas the said Oath, int many particulars, is distasted by all the Inhabitants of Maryland; and especially out of tenderness of Conscience by all Northern Plantations of Patuxent and Severne, who having lately engaged to the Parliament of England, do say, and declare, they cannot take the said Oath to the Lord Baltamore to be absolute Lord and Proprietary of Maryland, and to the utmost of their power, to defend and maintain all his Rights, and Royal Jurisdictions, Prerogatives, Dominion, &c. Upon which their refusal of the said Oath, the said Captain Stone, by the said Lord Baltamore's especial direction, hath set forth a Proclamation, declaring, That all such persons so refusing, shall be for ever debarred from any Right, or Claim to the Lands they now enjoy, and live on And that the said Captain Stone, as his Lordships Governor, is thereby required to cause the said Lands to be entred, and seized upon, to his Lordships use.

By which strange, and exorbitant proceedings, many great Cruelties and Mischiefs are likely to be committed, and many hundreds, with their Wives and Families, are utterly ruined, as hath been formerly done here, and at Kent, though Planted

before the Lord Baltamore's Claim to Maryland, with many Murders, and illegal Executions of men, Confiscations of Estates and Goods, and great miseries sustained by Women and Orphans: In Consideration and just fear whereof, the said Planters of Patuxant and Severne, have made their often Addresses to us, as some of the then Commissioners for the Reducement of Maryland, and most lamentably Complain of the great Danger they stand in of being utterly undone, and chiefly for engaging their Fidelitie to the Common-wealth and Parliament of England, now devolved to his Highness the Lord Protector; their Obedience and Faith to both, being plainly repugnant to each other, and inconsistent.

We therefore the Commissioners of the Parliament, having written and proposed to the said Captain Stone and that Councel, for a Meeting, to procure a right understanding in the matters aforesaid, and to prevent the great inconveniences likely to ensue In Answer thereunto, though they acknowledge our Lines Peaceable, yet so exulcerated are their minds, that in the very next Line they add, We in plain terms say, We suppose you to be Wolves in Sheeps clothing; with many other following like uncivil, and uncomely words, and expressions.

In Contemplation therefore of all the Premises, we have thought fit for to make publication hereof, and to justifie and manifest our proceedings in these Affairs, lest many people may be ensnared by false and cunning suggestions and pretences, as lately hath been practised herein, the falsitie whereof time hath sufficiently demonstrated; And we are ready to give further satisfaction for the truth of any of the particulars before alleaged, if any shall desire it, or repair to us to that purpose, which they may securely do.

Wherefore we advise, and in the Name of his Highness the Lord Protector, Require all the Inhabitants of this Province, to take notice of the Premises, and to contain, and keep themselves in their due obedience under his Highness the Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging, of which, this is undoubtedly a part, and ought to be Governed accordingly; whereby they may assure themselves of the peaceable enjoyment of their Liberties, profession of their Religion, and their Estates, and that they shall be protected from wrong and violence in what kind soever.

Hereby also Protesting against the said Captain William Stone, Mr. Thomas Hatton, and all others any way Confederate, or Assistant with them in their unlawful practises, that they may be accomptable, and answerable to God and the State of England under his Highness the Lord Protector, for all the mis

chiefs, damages, losses, and disorders that may, or shall happen

thereby.

Dated at Patuxent in Mary

land the 15. of July, 1654.

Richard Bennet.
Will. Claiborne.

Capt.

Captain William Stone's RESIGNATION

of the

GOVERNMENT.

W

Hereas since the Orders or Directions of the Commissioners of the State of England for the Government of this Province of Maryland, of the 28. of June, 1652. I William Stone Esquire, Governor of the said Province, was Enjoyned by the Direction, and Appointment of the Right Honorable, the Lord Baltamore, Lord Proprietary of the said Province, to issue out all Writs, and Process, within this Province, in his the said Lord Proprietaries name, and to admit of those of the Councel which were appointed by his Lordship, and no other: And whereas upon my Compliance with his Lordships Commands therein, not any wayes contradictory, so far as I understand, to any Command from the Supream Authority in England; the said Commissioners, in pursuance of their Declarations lately here published, have threatned, and gone about by force of Arms to compel me to decline his, the said Lord Proprietaries, Directions and Commands before mentioned; which in regard of the trust reposed in me, by his said Lordship, as Governor here under him, I conceive I was engaged not to do; I have therefore thought fit, for prevention of the effusion of Blood, and ruine of the Country and Inhabitants, by an Hostile Contest upon this occasion, to lay down my Power as Governor of this Province under his Lordship; and do promise for the future, to submit to such Government as shall be set over

« PreviousContinue »