USA > Maryland > A sketch of the history of Maryland during the three first years after its settlement : to which is prefixed, a copious introduction > Part 4
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· Holmes's Annals, Vol. 1, p. 94.
t See the letters patent for this pension at large, in Ha- zard's Collections, Vol. 1, p. 23. It bears date, January 6th, 2 Edwd. 6, (which, according to new style, was January 6th, 1549). It is said, in Harris's Voyages, Vol. 2, p. 193, that Cabot was by this patent created grand pilot of England, but no such grant of an office appears in the instrument published by Hazard. He seems to have been at the head of a company, which existed in England at this time, under the title of " Merchant Adventurers for the discovery of New Lands."
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7
44
INTRODUCTION, &c.
SECT. attempts to find out what was called a north-west I. , passage thereto, the minds of the nation seem to 1549. have been at this time turned towards a discovery of what was called the north-east passage. This was, in all probability, a more preponderating cause which induced them to hold Mr. Cabot's talents in such high request; and this strange infatuation of the nation about these passages might probably also be one cause of preventing their attention at this time to the more substantial and practicable pur- suits of Cabot's discoveries in America.
1553.
In the reign of Queen Mary, her marriage with Philip, king of Spain, necessarily put a stop to any thing whatever, that might possibly interfere with the affairs of that nation in America. Thus, from a singular series of causes, did sixty years elapse from the time when the English first discovered North America, before they had made any effectual efforts to avail themselves of the advantages result- ing from that discovery.
1
.
.
SECTION II. *
The reign of Elizabeth favourable to maritime adventures-Sir Hum- phrey Gilbert, the first conductor of an English colony to America -Letters Patent to him for that purpose-Characteristic incidents relative to Sir Humphrey Gilbert-his first voyage unsuccessful- sails a second time for America-takes possession of Newfound- land-is lost on his return to England.
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A VARIETY of concurrent circumstances, SECT. II. contributed to render the reign of Elizabeth favour- able to the growth of the maritime power of Eng- land. The intercourse which had subsisted for of Eliza. beth fa- some time between the English and Spanish na- vourable tions, through the alliance of their monarchs, espe- to mari- time ad- cially in the reign of Mary, immediately preceding, ventures. had diffused among the English a considerable knowledge, not only of the general naval affairs of Spain, but more particularly of their American dis-
· The author had prepared a distinct section, to be inserted here, containing a sketch of the attempts of the French pro- testants, under the direction and patronage of admiral Coligny, to plant colonies, about this time, in that part of the continent of America, now called South Carolina, in consequence of the oppressions which these protestants experienced from the civil war then raging in France. The emigration of the French Hugonots, under Ribaut and Laudonniere-the cruel massacre of them by the Spanish catholics, under Menendez, and the just retaliation inflicted upon the Spaniards by the Chevalier de Gorgues, form a very interesting part of Ame- rican history. But as the reader would probably consider these events, as bearing but a slight relation to the history to which this volume is intended as an introduction, it has been thought most proper to suppress that section.
1558. The reign
الحمر تان ماروت النور
4.6
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ن
SECT. coveries and settlements. The wealth, which was II. supposed to flow in upon the Spanish nation, from
1558. that source, would naturally allure the English to some endeavours to participate in these advantages. The accession of Elizabeth to the throne of Eng- land, together with the restoration of the reformed religion, in the course of a few years placed the two nations in a state of hostility towards each other. Queen Elizabeth early foresaw this, and neglected nothing that might keep up and promote a maritime spirit among her people. She therefore, in a parti- cular manner, manifested her approbation of the naval exploits of captain Hawkins, Sir Francis Drake, and other great mariners. It must be ob- served here, that soon after the discovery of the northern part of America by Cabot, and especially that part of it, denominated by him Newfoundland, divers other European nations resorted to that coast, for the great emoluments to be derived from the fishery on its banks. Insomuch, indeed, that some of them affected to claim the right of the first dis- covery of that country. But, as that claim appear- ed to be without foundation, and as the advantages of the fishery, would be much enhanced to any na- tion that might have possession of that island, the able ministry of that politic princess, could not be insensible to the advantages of making a settlement thereon. Added to this, the extensive progress, which the Spanish nation had now made in the co- lonisation of South America, could not fail to excite the ardent emulation of the English, in following their example by a like colonisation of the north. Indeed, the danger of anticipation must have been
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HISTORY OF MARYLAND.
now urgent ; for, it appears by an account publish- ed in the year 1578,* that there were fifty sail of English ships, one hundred sail of Spaniards, fifty of Portuguese, and one hundred and fifty French, employed in that year, in the fishery on that coast. It was evident, therefore, that so extensive and in- viting a continent as North America, could not now remain much longer without some attempts by some nation, to fix settlements thereon.
SECT. II.
1558.
At this period then, Sir Humphrey Gilbert is mentioned by historians, with the distinction due to phrey Gil- the conductor of the first English colony to Ame- conductor bert the rica. He was a native of Devonshire ; inherited a of the first En- good estate, and had early rendered himself conspi- glish colo- cuous by his military services in France, Ireland, America. ny to and Holland. Having afterwards turned his atten- tion to naval affairs, he published a discourse con- cerning the probability of a north-west passage to the Indies; which discovered no inconsiderable portion, both of learning and ingenuity, mingled with the enthusiasm, the credulity, and sanguine ex- pectations which incite men to new and hazardous undertakings. f With the honourable desire of in-
* By a Mr. Barkhurst. See Harris's Voyages, Vol. 2, p. 198.
t Robertson's Hist. of America, Vol. 4, p. 159. Tindal's edit. of Rapin's Hist. of England, Vol. 7, p. 387. Leland's Hist. of Ireland, Vol. 2, p. 252. In confirmation of the above character of Sir Humphrey, from Robertson, it may be men- tioned, that Sir Humphrey was, a few years before this, (be- tween the years 1571 and 1574,) engaged with the learned Sir Thomas Smith, in some visionary schemes of alchymy, through which means they expected to accumulate sudden wealth, by the transmutation of iron into copper. They were
1578. . Sir Hum-
1
الحل
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SECT. JI. creasing his private fortune, by the pursuit of the public service, he applied to Elizabeth for permis- 1578. sion to carry his schemes into effect. He repre- sented to her the expediency of settling all those countries upon the continent of America, which had been formerly discovered by Cabot, because other- wise it was not at all unlikely, that the French, who had often reviewed those places, would be desirous of supplanting the English, and because it was very far from being improbable, that those countries abounded with very rich minerals .* Upon these suggestions, he easily obtained from the queen, letters patent, vesting in him sufficient powers for this purpose.
It has been observed, that this being the first charter to a colony granted by the crown of En- gland, the articles of it merit particular attention, as they unfold the ideas of that age with respect to the nature of such settlements.t " She thereby
men of such reputation for talents and genius, that they drew in secretary Cecil and the earl of Leicester, to join them in the scheme. The project eventuated, as other delusive dreams of alchymy have generally done-in the ruin of the projectors. Sir Thomas smarted very severely in his purse, and Sir Humphrey was impoverished by it. The former sought to recruit his finances by planting colonies in Ireland, and the latter by the like proceedings in America. It is, however, one among many instances, wherein the very errors of philosophers have been consequentially productive of great good to mankind. See a biographical account of the life of Sir Thomas Smith, published in the Pennsylvania Magazine for January, 1776.
* Harris's Voyages, Vol. 2, p. 199.
1 Although this observation is made by Robertson, ( Ibid.
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HISTORY OF MARYLAND.
grants to him, and to his heirs and assigns, for ever, SECT. 11. license to discover and view such remote heathen and barbarous lands, countries, and territories, as 1578. June 11. Letters were not actually possessed by any. Christian prince or people, and the same to hold, occupy, and enjoy patent for
that pur- to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever, with all com- pose. modities, jurisdiction, and royalties, both by sea and land ; and the said Sir Humphrey, and all such, as from time to time, by royal license, should go and travel thither, to inhabit or remain there, the statutes or acts of parliament made against fugitives, or any other act, statute, or law whatever, to the' contrary in any wise notwithstanding .* And that he might take and lead in the same voyages, to travel thi- therward, or to inhabit there with him, such, and so many of her subjects as should willingly accompany him, so that none of them be such as thereafter should be specially restrained by her. And further, that he, his heirs, and assigns, should have, hold, occupy, and enjoy forever, all the soil of all such lands, &c. with the rights, royalties, and jurisdictions, as well marine as other, within the said lands, with full power to dispose thereof, or part thereof, in fee sim-
last cited,) yet there seems to be no sound reason, why the letters patent granted by Henry VII, in the year 1502, to Hugh Elliott and others, merchants of Bristol, as before men- tioned, should not be called a charter to a colony, as well as this to Sir Humphrey Gilbert. The former, after granting license to the patentees to discover new countries, grants them license also, to take out with them, any English subjects to inhabit and settle in those countries so discovered-" et in (idem inhabitare." No permanent settlement in America was ever formed under either of the charters.
* See note (D) at the end of this volume.
G
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II. ple, or otherwise, according to the laws of England. at his and their will and pleasure, to any perso:
1578. within her allegiance, paying unto her the fifth par: of all the gold and silver, that should be there got. ten : the said lands, &c. to be holden by the said Sir Humphrey, his heirs and assigns, of her majesty. her heirs and successors, by homage, and by pay. ment of the fifth part before reserved. She grants him license to expel all persons, who without his special permission, should attempt to inhabit the said countries, or within two hundred leagues of the place, where he, his heirs, or assigns, should, within six years next ensuing, make their settle- ment : and she authorises him to capture all per- sons, with their vessels and goods, who should be found trading within the limits aforesaid, without his license. And for uniting in perfect league and amity, such countries, lands, and territories, so to be possessed and inhabited, as aforesaid, she de. clares, that all such countries, so to be possessed and inhabited as aforesaid, from thenceforth should be of the allegiance of her, her heirs and successors, and the persons to inhabit them should enjoy al! the privileges of free denizens or natives of En- gland. She grants to Sir Humphrey, and his heirs and assigns, for ever, that he and they might, from time to time, for ever thereafter, within the said mentioned remote lands and countries, and in the way by the seas thither, and from thence, have full power and authority to correct, punish, pardon, go- vern and rule, by their good discretions and poli- cies, as well in causes capital or criminal, as civil, both in marine and other, all such her subjects, and
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others, as should inhabit the said countries, accord- SECT. ing to such statutes, laws and ordinances, as should 11. 1578. be by him, the said Sir Humphrey, his heirs, and assigns, devised or established, for the better go- vernment of the said people as aforesaid ; so always, that the said statutes, laws and ordinances, may be, as near as conveniently may, agreeably to the form of the laws and policy of England : and also, so as they be not against the true Christian faith or reli- gion now professed in the church of England, nor in any wise to withdraw any of the subjects or peo- ple of the lands or places, from the allegiance of her, her heirs or successors."*
After obtaining this favour from the queen, Sir Charac- Humphrey applied himself to his relations and cidents teristic in- friends, in order to frame a society capable of car- sir Hum- relative to rying this design into execution ; for, it seems that phrey Gil. bert. the English monarchs of those times, were either unable or indisposed, to defray the expenses of these great naval expeditions, although the public were to be principally benefited by them. Hence, as was observed before, the Cabots were obliged to bear the expenses of their voyages themselves, except with what aid they might procure from the merchants of Bristol ; and it has been attributed to the parsimo- ny of Elizabeth, though it might probably have been owing to her inability, that she contributed but lit- tle, besides her royal license, to aid the many im- portant naval expeditions undertaken in her reign. With her letters patent, indeed, for the erection of exclusive companies for trade, she was very liberal.
· See this charter at large, in Hazard's Collections, Vol. 1, p. 24.
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SSCT. Hence monopolies were among the most grievou, !!. burthens of her high-toned exertion of prerogative.
1578. We are sorry to find, that our worthy knight w2, among the most zealous advocates for these exer. tions of royal authority ; perhaps, indeed, self-in. terest might have an undue operation in his mind. He was a member for Devonshire, in the house of commons, at the parliament holden in the 13th cf Eliz. a few years prior to the date of his patent. One Robert Bell, a Puritan, (to which sect, as ob- served by Hume, although their principles appear so frivolous, and their habits so ridiculous, yet the English owe the whole freedom of their constitu- tion,) had, in that session, made a motion against an exclusive patent, granted to a company of mer. chants in Bristol. Sir Humphrey spoke against the 'motion : "He endeavourcd to prove the motion made by Bell, to be a vain device, and perilous to be treated of ; since it tended to the derogation of the prerogative imperial, which, whoever should at- tempt, so much as in fancy, could not, he said, be otherwise accounted than an open enemy. For, what difference is there between saying, that the queen is not to use the privilege of the crown, and saying that she is not queen ? And though expe- 'rience has shown so much clemency in her majesty, as might, perhaps, make subjects forget their duty, it is not good to sport or venture too much with princes. He reminded them of the fable of the hare, who, upon the proclamation, that all horned beasts should depart the court, immediately fled, lest his ears should be construed to be horns ; and by this apologue, he seems to insinuate, that even
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those who heard, or permitted such dangerous SECT. 11. 1578.
speeches, would not themselves be entirely free from danger. He desired them to beware, lest, if they meddled farther with those matters, the queen might look to her own power; and finding herself uble to suppress their challenged liberty, and to ex- ert an arbitrary authority, might imitate the exam. ple of Louis XI, of France, who, as he termed it, delivered the crown from wardship." Upon this speech, the historian proceeds to observe: " Though it gave some disgust, nobody at the time replied any thing, but that Sir Humphrey mistook the mean- ing of the house, and of the member who made the motion : they never had any other purpose, than to represent their grievances, in due and seemly form, unto her majesty. But in a subsequent debate, Peter Wentworth, a man of superior free spirit, called that speech an insult on the house ; noted Sir Humphrey's disposition to flatter and fawn on the prince ; compared him to the cameleon, which can change itself into all colours, except white ; and recommended to the house a due care of liberty of speech, and of the privileges of parliament. It ap- pears, on the whole, that the motion against the ex- clusive patent had no effect. Bell, the member who first introduced it, was sent for by the council, and was severely reprimanded for his temerity. He returned to the house with such an amazed counte- nance, that all the members, well informed of the reason, were struck with terror; and during some time, no one durst rise to speak of any matters of importance, for fear of giving offence to the queen and the council. It is remarkable, that the patent,
السوداء وسعها
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SECT. II. which the queen defended with such imperious vio- lence, was contrived for the profit of four courtiers, 1578. and was attended with the utter ruin of seven or eight thousand of her industrious subjects."*
1579. His first voyage unsuc- cessful.
We are to return, however, to the progress which Sir Humphrey made, in carrying into effect his char. ter of colonisation. With the influence of his own character, and the zealous efforts of his half-brother, Walter Raleigh, who, even in his early youth, dis- played those splendid talents and that undaunted spirit, which create admiration and confidence. Sir Humphrey at first met with considerable encourage- ment. But as the time of embarkation approached, some of his associates beginning to form particular projects of their own, inconsistent with his general scheme, and others totally failing in the performance of their engagements, his preparations were much thwarted and delayed. He, however, put to sea with such of his friends as had adhered to their promises, among whom it is said, was his brother Walter Raleigh. The voyage proved unfortunate, and was attended with the loss of one of his best ships, and several of his most esteemed friends. Nor is it quite certain that he arrived, in the course of this voyage, at any part of America; but it is supposed, that he met with a severe encounter with the Spa- niards, and was on that account obliged to.return. t
1583. His se- cond voyage.
As Sir Humphrey's patent was to expire at the end of six years from the date thereof, unless he made some settlements under it, it soon became
* Hume's Hist. of England, ch. 40.
t Harris's Voyages, Vel. 2. p. 201. Holmes's Annals. Vol. 1. p. 113.
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HISTORY OF MARYLAND.
SECT. 11. 1583.
necessary for him to resume his schemes, or relin- quish them altogether. In the spring of the year 1583, he had again brought his design into some order; but to furnish the necessary expenses there- of, he was obliged to sell what estate he had, though he had great assistance from his friends, and several gentlemen of rank and fortune agreed to go with him in person. With this view a small squadron was fitted out, consisting of five ships and vessels of different burthens, among which was one called the Raleigh, of 200 tons, fitted out by his brother Wal- ter Raleigh, though, it seems, he did not attend him in this second expedition. In all these vessels were shipped about two hundred and sixty men, among whom were shipwrights, masons, carpenters, smiths, miners, and refiners. To complete the equipment of this colony, some singular circumstances were thought necessary, and may be here mentioned in the words of the original account of the voyage, as it is in Hackluyt; " Besides, for solace of our peo- ple, and allurement of the savages, we were provi- ded of musike in good varietie; not omitting the Jeast toyes, as morris dancers, hobby-horse, and May-like conceits, to delight the savage people, whom we intended to winne by all faire means pos- sible. And to that end we were indifferently fur- nished of all pettie haberdasherie wares to barter with those simple people."* The resolution of the proprietors was, that the fleet should begin its course northerly, and follow as directly as they could the trade-way to Newfoundland, from whence, after hav- ing refreshed and supplied themselves with all ne-
* Holmes's Annals, Vol. 1. p. 113, quotes Hackluyt, iii, 149.
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SECT. cessaries, their intent was to proceed into the south, JI. and not to pass by any river or bay, which in all 1583. that large tract of land should appear worth their looking into. They likewise prescribed the orders to be observed in the voyage, and the course to be steered, which were delivered to the captains and masters of every ship in writing. On the 11th of June, 1583, the fleet sailed from Plymouth; but, on the thirteenth, their large ship, the Raleigh, un- der pretence that her captain and a great number of her men were suddenly taken ill of a contagious dis- case, left the fleet and returned to Plymouth; some say, in great distress, but others that it was done with a design to ruin the expedition. Of this cir- cumstance, Sir Humphrey, when he arrived in New- foundland, wrote to one of his friends in England, with great resentment and asperity .* On the 30th of July they had sight of land in about 51º of north latitude. From thence they followed the coast to the south, till they came to the island Bacalaos. Contin- uing the same course southward, they came the same . day, being the 3d of August, to the harbour of St. John. He found there several vessels, of different na- tions, to the amount of thirty-six sail, lying in the har- bour and fishing therein. They seemed at first dispo- sed to refuse him an entrance into the harbour. But Sir Humphrey, after preparing to make good his pas- sage by force of arms, first sent in his boat to inform the masters of those vessels, that he had a commis- sion from the queen to take possession of these lands for the crown of England. They were satis- fied, and submitted to the levying a tax of provi-
* See note (E) at the end of this volume.
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sions from each ship, for supplying the wants of Sir SECT. 11.
Humphrey's small squadron.
1583.
On the fourth of August, Sir Humphrey, whom they called the general, and his company, was con- Takes posses. ducted on shore by the masters of the English fishing sion of New. vessels, and their owners or merchants, who were found- with them. On the fifth, the general having caused land. a tent to be set up in view of all the ships in the har- bour, to the number of between 30 and 40 sail, and being accompanied by all his captains, masters, gen- tlemen, and soldiers, summoned all the merchants and masters, both English and foreigners, to be present at his taking a formal and solemn possession of those territories. Being assembled, he caused his commis- sion, under the great seal of England, to be openly read before them, and to be interpreted to those who were strangers to the English tongue. By virtue of this commission, he declared that he took posses- sion of the harbour of St. John, and two hundred leagues every way; invested her majesty with the title and dignity thereof, and having had (according to custom) a rod and turf of soil delivered to him, entered and took possession also for himself, his heirs, and assigns forever. He signified to those who were present, and through them to all men, that from thenceforward they should look upon those territories as appertaining to the queen of En- gland, and himself, authorized, under her majesty, to possess and enjoy them, with power to ordain laws for the government thereof, agreeable (as near as conveniently could be) to the laws of England, under which all people coming thither for the fu- ture, either to inhabit or by way of traffic, should
=
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SECT. submit and be governed. He then published thre II. laws for the government of the territory. By t !: 1524. first, public worship was established according t the church of England; by the second, the attempt ing of anything prejudicial to her majesty's title, w. declared treason, according to the laws of England, by the third, the uttering of words to the dishonour of her majesty, was to be punished with the loss c: ears, and the confiscation of property. . To all this. the multitude then present, as well strangers as En- glishmen, assented, it is said, by a general voice. The assembly was then dismissed, and not far from the same place a pillar of wood was erected, to which was infixed a plate of lead, with the arms ci England engraven thereon. For the further esta. blishment of this possession so taken, the general granted " in fee farme" several parcels of land lying by the water side, both in the harbour of St. John, and elsewhere, with a reservation of a certain rent and service unto Sir Humphrey Gilbert, his heirs, or assigns for ever.
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