CLAIBORNE'S PRETENSIONS.

33

right to the property of the soil, not only of this island, but also of another settlement at the mouth of the Susquehanna.

3. He obtained his license to trade from Charles. I, and afterwards from the Governor of Virginia. He was, therefore, subordinate to that colony, and dependent upon it. But when this island was included in the grant to Calvert, he was notified that if he remained he would be deemed subject to Maryland. He applied to the council of Virginia for instruction how to act.

4. This colony being opposed to that of Lord Baltimore, and not being unwilling to thwart it, the council replied they saw no reason why he should give up any territory he had held of them. Lord Baltimore had ordered his arrest should he refuse to submit to his authority. He, however, was not taken, and being enraged that Baltimore had obtained a grant including the places where he had been accustomed to trade, sought every means in his power to defeat the success of the colony at St. Mary's.

5. As a means to this end he excited the fears and jealousies of the Indians, by persuading them that the new comers were not English, but Spaniards, the enemies of the English. The simple

To

Questions.-3. From whom had he received his license? whom was he subordinate? What did he do when his post was included in the Maryland colonies? 4. What did the council re ply? What had Lord Baltimore ordered? 5. What did he do?

natives believed him, and suddenly withdrew from St. Mary's.

6. To meet any hostile attack that they might be stimulated to, the settlers postponed the building of their own houses and erected a block house, or fortification. At the same time, they regulated their conduct towards the savages so as to reawaken the old feelings of confidence and intimacy. The natives became convinced of the falsehood of the insinuations against the settlers, and again resorted to the colony.

7. Having failed in these efforts to rouse the jealousies of the savages, Claiborne resorted to more violent measures to support his pretensions. These pretensions were based upon the authority of Virginia. But, as has previously been mentioned, the Virginia charter had been annulled; notwithstanding, he determined to uphold his claim, and, if possible, drive the colony from the province.

8. To accomplish this he fitted out an armed vessel, under one lieutenant Warren, with orders to seize and capture any of the government or colony of St. Mary's. The second in command was Thomas Smith. The colonists promptly met this hostile demonstration by fitting out two armed boats under command of Thomas Cornwallis.

Questions.-6. What did the settlers do? 7. What did Claiborne now resort to? Upon what did he base his pretensions? What did he determine to do? 8. What did he fit out? With what orders? Who was second in command? Who commanded the boats of the colonists?

FIRST ASSEMBLY.

35

9. In a battle between the hostile boats, commenced by Claiborne's men firing first upon those of Cornwallis, Claiborne's vessel was captured. He was thus deprived of his last resource, and his only safety was in flight. He sought security in Virginia, but was followed by commissioners sent by Calvert, to demand his surrender. Governor Harvey, of Virginia, however, sent him with the witnesses to England for trial. This was early in the year 1635.

10. During this year it appears that the first legislative assembly met. The records having been lost or destroyed, little is known of their proceedings. The laws which they passed, whether "wholesome or otherwise, were dissented to by the Lord Proprietary, it is supposed, because, under the charter, he claimed the right of initiating or proposing the laws. He immediately, however, set about to frame a code for their acceptance. By referring to the beginning of Chapter III, the reader will see the clauses in the charter, which refer to this matter.

11. In accordance with the instructions of the Proprietary, the land was divided among the settlers. Under the circumstances of danger, both from the savages and their own countrymen, the colonists were not disposed to extend their settle

Questions.-9. What was the result? Where did he go? What' did Calvert do, and what, Governor Harvey? What year was this? 10. When did the first legislative assembly meet? What is said of the laws they passed? 11. How was the land divided?

ments beyond the limits of St. Mary's; within the city, lots of five and ten acres were granted to all who might apply for them. And, in the interior, tracts ranging from one hundred to three thousand acres, were granted, in proportion to the number of settlers, whom the applicant introduced into the colony. A quit rent of twenty shillings for every thousand acres was reserved for the Proprietary.

12. These liberal terms were well calculated to induce men of wealth, who were able to bear the expense of transporting servants and dependents, to emigrate to this province, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the colony.

CHAPTER VI.

1638-1642-THE SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY- Missionaries-Kent Island-New Hundred-New Code of Laws-Trial of Smith—Claiborne's efforts in England -Returns to Virginia - Missionaries-Conversion and Baptism of Tayac-Father White - Privileges of the Governor extended.

1. Prior to 1638, the inhabitants of Kent Island had, to a certain extent, submitted to the government of Maryland, and courts were established there, in the name of the province, for the trial

Questions.-12. What was the effect of these liberal terms? 1. What is said of the inhabitants of Kent Island?

of civil and criminal cases. The factious followers of Claiborne, still looking forward to the success of their leader resisted the processes and warrants of the civil courts. A visit from the governor himself with a military force was necessary to bring it to complete subjection to his authority.

2. In the settlement at St. Mary's, the plantations had already extended to the west side of St. George's river, and there being large accessions from the northern country, a new hundred-a division similar to our election district-was erected.

3. Lord Baltimore now caused the code which he had prepared, to be presented. But the people thinking that the power of making the laws was vested in them, and that the Proprietary had only a veto power, immediately rejected the laws sent by Baltimore, and set about framing such as they thought proper.

4. After a short time, however, the controversy was concluded by the Proprietary abandoning his claim. Preferring the welfare of the colony to his own individual privileges, and satisfied that the veto power was sufficient to protect his authority, he gave to his brother, the Governor, the right to assent to any law, "which he might think good for

Questions.-1. What was necessary? 2. Where was a New Hundreu erected? 3. What dispute between Lord Baltimore and the people? 4. How was the controversy concluded? What right did he give the Governor?