Celebration of the bi-centennial anniversary of the New Jersey legislatue, 1683-1883, Part 1

Author: New Jersey. Legislature; Salter, Edwin, 1824-1888. [from old catalog]; Deshler, Charles D. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Trenton, N.J., Naar, Day & Naar, printers to the House of assembly
Number of Pages: 266


USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > Celebration of the bi-centennial anniversary of the New Jersey legislatue, 1683-1883 > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5


F 137 .N 57


1800


BI-CENTENNIAL


CELEBRATION


OF THE


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE, 1883, AND)


1


NAMES AND NOTICES OF FIRST SETTLERS OF


MONMOUTH COUNTY,


NEW JERSEY.


CONTENTS.


Legislative Proceedings


3


Bi-Centennial Programme


5


Reunion of Legislators.


6


Members of Legislature 1683


10


Members of Legislature 1883.


52


Address by Hon. Edwin Salter


11


Address by Hon. Charles D. Deshler


27


President Lincoln's Ancestry


41


Capt. John Bowne's Last Words


42


Places with New Jersey Names


43


Notices of Members of Assembly, 1683.


45


Names of First Settlers of Monmouth


43


17-26


Notices of First Settlers of Monmouth.


CELEBRATION


OF THE


Centennial Anniversary


OF THE


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.


1 683-1883.


TRENTON, N. J. NAAR, DAY & NAAR, PRINTERS TO THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. 1883.


BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION


OF THE


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.


The one hundred and seventh legislature of the State of New Jersey, opened on the 9th day of January, 1883. On Tuesday January 16th, the following resolution was offered by Hon. Geo. T. Cranmer, of Ocean Co., and adopted.


WHEREAS, in the year 1682, East New Jersey was purchased by proprietors from whom is derived all titles to land in this section of the State ; and whereas, the first regular session of a Legislature consisting of two branches after and under that pur- chase commenced March 1, 1683; therefore


Be it resolved, Senate concurring that a joint committee, con- sisting of three members of the Senate and three members of the House of Assembly, be appointed to consider the propriety of commemorating the Bi-Centennial of this event by suitable his- torical addresses relating to the past history of the New Jersey Legislature, and by such other proceedings as they may deem appropriate.


In pursuance of the resolution Speaker O'Connor appointed the following committee :


James H. Neighbour, of Morris Co. William Hill, of Essex Co.


George T. Cranmer, of Ocean Co.


The Senate also appointed a committee consisting of- Isaac T. Nichols, of Cumberland Co. Abraham V. Schenck, of Middlesex Co. John Carpenter, Jr., of Hunterdon Co.


*


4


BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF


On the 19th of February, 1883, a report was made to the House from the committee appointed upon the celebration of the anni- versary of the Bi-Centennial Legislature of New Jersey, that, in the opinion of the committee, the event was of sufficient interest and historic importance to warrant the celebration, and recom- mending the continuing of the committee, with power to carry out their arrangements for the celebration.


Which recommendation was adopted.


The Committee invited Hons. Edwin Salter, of Ocean county, a member of the Legislatures of 1857, 1858, 1859 (Speaker) and 1863, and Hon. Charles D. Deshler, of New Brunswick, to pre- pare and deliver addresses on the occasion. Both gentlemen accepted the invitation.


The press throughout the State was requested to circulate the following notice-


The present Legislature, by a joint committee, duly appointed for that purpose, has decided to commemorate a Bi-centennial at the State House, in the City of Trenton, on the 1st. of March next, and all ex-members and ex-State officials are requested to send their address to J. H. Neighbour, Esq., either at Dover or Trenton, N. J.


In response to the foregoing notice, the committee sent out over nine hundred of the following invitations-


1683. Coat-of-Arms.] BI-CENTENNIAL [Coat-of-Arms.


1883.


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.


Trenton, N. J. Feb. 1, 1883.


Whereas, the first regular session of a Legislature in East New Jersey, under the Proprietors, commenced at Elizabeth, on the first day of March, A. D., 1683 :


And whereas, the present Legislature, by concurrent resolu- tion, has appointed a joint committee of the Senate and of the House of Assembly, to take proceedings for commemorating its Bi-Centennial, by suitable historical addresses and other appro- priate exercises ;


And whereas, it has been decided to hold a Bi-Centennial at


5


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.


the State House, in Trenton, at the hour of two o'clock in the afternoon of Thursday, March 1, 1883, the committee take pleasure in extending a special invitation to all ex-members of the State Legislature, and to all former and present State officials.


- You are therefore requested to be present and take part in the proposed commemoration.


Senate Committee,


ISAAC T. NICHOLS,


Of Cumberland,


ABRAHAM V. SCHENCK, -


Of Middlesex,


JOHN CARPENTER, Jr.,


Of Hunterdon,


House Committee,


JAMES H. NEIGHBOUR,


Of Morris,


WILLIAM HILL, ~


Of Essex,


GEORGE T. CRANMER, Of Ocean.


On the morning of March first, by request of the Committee, the Trenton papers gave the order of exercises, as follows-


LEGISLATIVE BI-CENTENNIAL.


The Programme of This Afternoon's Exercises.


This afternoon the exercises commemorative of the two hun- dredth anniversary of the New Jersey Legislature will be held at Taylor Opera House. Admission will be by ticket, which can be procured of the committee. Doors will be open at half past one o'clock, and ushers will be in attendance to escort ticket holders, ex-members and invited guests to seats in the dress circle and parquette. The Senators and members of the As- sembly will occupy seats on the stage.


The exercises, which will commence at two o'clock, will con- sist of the following


PROGRAMME.


Prayer by Rev. Dr. Hall, of Trenton, music by Winkler's Seventh Regiment (N G. N. J.) Band ; address by Hon. Edwin Salter, of Ocean county ; music by the German American Sing- ing Society, of Newark ; address by Hon. Charles D. Deshler, of New Brunswick ; music by the German American Singing So-


6


BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF


ciety, of Newark; music by Winkler's Seventh (N. G. N. J.) Band.


The German American Singing Society, of Newark, will have forty-eight voices, under the direction of August Shæffenberger. It will sing the " Centennial Hymn," composed R. J. White. The hymn is printed on a neat card, which will be presented as a souvenir to members and officers, etc., by the Society.


This evening Governor Ludlow will hold a reception at the State House from 8 to 11 o'clock, at which music will be fur- nished by Prof. Petermann's orchestra.


[Slip from True American.]


NEW JERSEY'S LEGISLATIVE BI-CENTENNIAL.


A RE-UNION OF THE STATE'S LEGISLATORS.


The Members of the Present and Survivors of Past Legislators Unite to Celebrate the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Event; Interesting Exercises at Taylor Opera House; Recep- tion by Governor Ludlow at the State Capitol.


Taylor Opera House, Thursday afternoon, presented an ani- mated appearance, and was filled with a most attentive audience, which was composed of citizens from every part of the State. Under direction of Quartermaster-General Perrine, the front of the gallery was decorated by festoons of flags, with a shield bear- ing the Stars and Stripes over each gas bracket. National and State flags hung from the proscenium boxes. On the stage were seated the members of both branches of the Legislature and State officers. The proscenium box on the left contained Gover- nor Ludlow, ex-Governors Parker and Ward, and State Treas- urer Wright; in the one on the right were ex-Governor Price, Chancellor Runyon, and other gentlemen. The ex-senators, assemblymen, and State officers were seated in the parquet, and almost every seat was occupied, so that nearly four hundred of the former legislators of the State responded to the invitation to be present. Winkler's Seventh Regiment (N. G. N. J.) Band occupied the centre of the gallery, the remainder of which, and


7


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.


the dress circle down stairs, was provided for citizens who were fortunate enough to hold tickets of admission.


The members of the Legislature met at the State Capitol at half-past one o'clock, and marched in a body, headed by Presi- dent of the Senate Gardner, and Speaker of the Assembly O'Con- ner, through State and Greene streets, to the Opera House.


Shortly after two o'clock the Legislature arrived and took seats upon the stage.


Hon. James H. Neighbour, the chairman of the committee which had charge of the arrangements of the celebration, came forward, and stated that in the absence of the President of the Senate, who was unable to be present, the Speaker of the House of Assembly would preside.


Speaker O'Connor then took the chair and called the assem- blage to order.


Rev. S. M. Studdiford, pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church, offered prayer.


Speaker O'Connor said that he had been requested by the members of the press, to ask the ex-members who were present, to write their names and the years of service on cards, which would be collected by the pages during the music. This was done, and the following are the names of those


WHO WERE PRESENT.


David Neighbour, 1838; Nathan T. Stratton, 1843; William Paterson, 1843; M. F. Carman, 1848; John T. Nixon, 1848, (Speaker 1849); Henry H. Voorhis, 1848, 1849; Samuel H. Hunt, 1848, 1849, 1850; David Van Fleet, 1848, 1849; James Bishop, 1849, 1850; Thomas Hay, 1850, 1851; John F. Hage- man, 1850, 1851; Smith Bilanback, 1851; Benjamin C. Taber, 1851, 1852; Josephus Shann, 1852, 1853, 1875; Andrew Van Sickle, 1852, 1853; Charles Allen, 1852, 1867; Elijah L. Hen- drickson, 1853; Jesse H. Diverty, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858 ; John M. Board, 1855, 1880; John P. Rittenhouse, 1856, 1857; J. M. Voorhees, 1856, 1857; Moses P. Smith, 1857; John H. Horn, 1858, 1859; Jeptha Abbott, 1858, 1859, 1860; Robert Aitken, 1859; David Mulford, 1860, 1861; George A. Halsey, 1861, 1862; William P. Tatem, 1861, 1862, 1863; E. P. Emson, 1862, 1870, Senator 1878, 1879, 1880; Edward W. Scudder, 1863,


S


BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF


1864, 1865, (President of Senate 1865); Silas Young, 1863, 1864 ; Joseph L. Reeves, 1863, 1864, 1865 ; Samuel Tatem, 1864; Abram C. Coriell, 1865, 1866; J. M. Scovel, 1866; Richard H. Wilson, 1866, 1867; Noah D. Taylor, 1866, 1867, 1868; William W. Clark, 1866, 1870; Elias Doughty, 1867 ; Peter A. Voorhees, 1867; Baltes Pickel, 1867, 1863; John J. Bergen, 1868, 1869, 1870; Thomas C. Pearce, 1868; John Dwyer, 1868, 1870; Theo- dore Probasco, 1868, 1869, 1870; William W. Hawkins, 1869, 1870; John Kugler, 1870, 1871; Ferdinand Blancke, 1870, 1871, . 1876; J. G. Hill, 1870, 1871, 1872; Samuel Hopkins, 1870 to 1876; Levi French, 1870, 1875; John C. Belden, 1871, 1872, 1873; John Dickinson, 1871; Charles C. Groscup, 1871, 1872 ; William A. Ripley, 1871; Henry J. Irick, 1871 to 1873; Smith Hewitt, 1872; Samuel Wilde, 1872, 1873; Cornelius Lydecker, 1872 to 1875; W. H. Iszard, 1873, 1874 ; Samuel T. Smith, 1874 to 1876; Joseph H. Voorhees, 1875, 1876, 1877; James Bird, 1875, 1876; Robert S. Hutchinson, 1876; Alex. Jacobus, 1876 1878; L. H. Atchley, 1876, 1877; Daniel L. Platt, 1876; E. H. Drake, 1876; William Carpenter, 1876; P. Convery, 1877, 1878; Lawrence Lock, 1877, 1878; William Budd Deacon, 1878 to 1882; Andrew J. Rider, 1878; Peter Cramer, 1878 to 1881; E. H. Crane, 1878, 1879; J. C. Jackson, 1879, 1880; Richard A. Donnelly, 1879, 1880; J. H. Bruere, 1879, 1880; John T. Dunn, 1879, 1880, 1881, Speaker, 1882; George Craft, 1880, 1881; Henry C. Herr, 1880, 1881, 1882; E. Bosenbury, 1880 to 1882; Thomas Lawrence, 1880 to 1882; Oscar Lindsley. 1881, 1882; Wm. C. Johnson, 1881, 1882; John F. Babcock (Secretary of Senate), 1871 to 1874; John D. Rue, Rev. Dr. Ham- mill, C. A. Felsh, Cornelius Beach, John L. Oakey, Robert Moore, Thos. S. R. Brown, Andrew Smith Reeves, Henry Britton, S. R. Husleton, D. B. Wyckoff, Joseph C. Magee, John Ringleman, D. H. Banghart, Ezra Budd Marter, W. H. Bell, Wm. Henry Hendrickson, Edmund L. Joy, James L. Hays, Andrew Jackson Smith, Levi D. Jarrard, Robert G. Miller, Emmor Reeves, David A. Bell, Benjamin Griggs, D. P. Van Dorn, S. B. Oviatt (ex- Speaker), Jacob Hipp, J. N. Ramsay, John P. Rittenhouse, Char- les Ladow, Isaiah W. Richman, W. R. Lippincott, George D. Horner, Stephen Martin.


9


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.


[Slip from the Daily State Gazette.]


THE BI-CENTENNIAL. €


PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORIES OF LEGISLATORS LONG SINCE DEAD.


Taylor Opera House Filled with Distinguished Jerseymen-The Cele- bration a Grand Success.


Even the committee of Senators and Assemblymen that worked so energetically to make the Legislative Bi-Centennial celebration a success, did not anticipate for their labors as bril- liant a result as was actually achieved. Never in its history, perhaps has Taylor Opera House held a more distinguished gathering of men than was seated within its walls Thursday afternoon. Besides these, fully fifteen hundred other persons were present, and every seat in the house seemed occupied. Flags and bunting about the private boxes and balcony intensified the feeling of patriotism that pervaded the entire affair. In one of the boxes were seated Governor Ludlow, ex-Governors Mar- cus L. Ward and Joel Parker, and State Treasurer Wright, and in another ex-Governor Rodman M. Price, Chancellor Runyon, ex-Senator Laird and Charles Wills. Scattered throughout the auditorium, in addition to scores of gentlemen of local promi- nence in various parts of the State, were ex-Congressman George A. Halsey, Major George N. Halstead, Professor George H. Cook, ex-Speakers Oviatt and Dunn, ex-Senators Samuel Smith, of Sussex ; Lydecker, of Bergen ; Bosenbury, of Hunter- don, and Irick, Reeves, Cramer, Abbett, Hopkins, Noah Taylor,- Lawrence, Banghart, Thompson and Horner; Adjutant General Stryker, Clerk in Chancery Duryee, Comptroller Anderson, ex- Congressman Wildrick, William A. Whitehead, Judges Scudder, Paterson, Kirk, Nixon ; General Grubb, United States Marshal Deacon, John F. Babcock, Rev. J. Y. Dobbins, President Mar- gerum of the Common Council, Col. James M. Scovel, Dr. Bodine, ex-Assemblymen Ringleman, Crane, Jacobus and Dominie Rob- inson ; A. J. Smith and ex-Congressman Stratton. The members of the present Legislature were seated on the stage.


10


BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF


MEMBERS OF THE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF EAST NEW JERSEY, UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TWENTY-FOUR PROPRIETORS, MARCH 1, 1683.


The division of East New Jersey into counties was not made until March 13th, 1683, when an act was passed creating the counties of Bergen, Essex, Middlesex and Monmouth. The House of Deputies at this session was composed of two members from each of the towns as named below, who met at Elizabeth- town, and subscribed the oath of allegiance, March 1, 1683, as stated in the minutes of the Council, pages 29-30, which " oath of subscription " was returned to the Council the 22d of the same month.


Council.


Thomas Rudyard, Deputy Governor and Proprietor.


William Penn,


Samuel Groome. S Proprietors.


Colonel Lewis Morris.


Captain John Berry.


Captain John Palmer.


Captain William Sandford.


Lawrence Andriessen.


Benjamin Price.


Messenger of Council, George Jewell.


Deputies.


Captain John Bowne, Speaker, Middletown.


Richard Hartshorne, Middletown.


·Joseph Parker, Shrewsbury.


John Hance, Shrewsbury.


John Curtis, Newark.


Thomas Johnson, Newark.


Henry Lyon, Elizabethtown.


Benjamin Parkhurst, Elizabethtown.


Samuel Moore, Woodbridge.


Samuel Dennis, Woodbridge.


John Gillman, Piscataqua. Edward Slater, Piscataqua.


Elias Michielson, Bergen.


Mathews Cornelis, Bergen.


Clerk of Deputies, Isaac Whitehead.


11


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.


HON. MR. SALTER'S ADDRESS.


Mr. Neighbour stated that Mr. Salter's health was such that he was unable to be present, and that the address which he had prepared would be read by Senator Isaac T. Nichols, of Cum- berland.


ADDRESS BY HON. EDWIN SALTER, OF OCEAN COUNTY.


THE FIRST SETTLERS OF NEW JERSEY THE PIONEERS OF TRUE TOLERATION.


In the General Assembly which met at Elizabethtown two hundred years ago, the most noted historical person named as being present during the first week of the session, was William Penn, who had arrived in America the October previous.


The most prominent claims for the respect and esteem of the American people put forth in behalf of William Penn, are be- cause of his dealing justly with the Indians and for establish- ing religious toleration. No Jerseyman would wish to lessen the honor awarded him for his course in these matters, but he certainly was not the foremost in either of them. When Wil- liam Penn sat in that Council at Elizabethtown two centuries ago, the other branch of the Provincial Legislature was presided over by Captain John Bowne, who had, with eleven associates, in East Jersey set the example in both of these matters, seven- teen years before Penn came to America.


About the year 1665, William Penn, then a young lawyer and a man of the world, went to Ireland on business relating to an estate of his father's. While there, as a soldier, he took part in the siege of Carrickfergus and was so well pleased with himself and with his military exploits, that he caused himself to be painted in military costume. This is said to be the only genuine por- trait of the great " Apostle of Peace." That same year, while he was in arms in Ireland, Captain John Bowne and his asso- ciates had obtained the noted Monmouth Patent, dated April 8th, 1665, for lands in East Jersey, and before attempting to settle upon it they honorably and honestly bought every foot of the land of the Indians, the records of which purchase are still preserved in the Court House at Freehold. And it may be added, in the course of time, as needed, every foot of land in New Jersey was honorably bought of the Indians and paid for to their full satisfaction.


In regard to religious toleration, Captain John Bowne and his associates declared in their patent that all settlers should have


12


BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF


" FREE LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE, WITHOUT ANY MOLESTATION OR DISTURBANCE WHATSOEVER IN THE WAY OF THEIR WORSHIP."


Two months before this patent was granted, Berkley and Carteret had issued their "Concessions and Agreements " with all who might settle in any part of New Jersey, in which the same principle was declared only more at length, for the whole state. They declared "That no person qualified as aforesaid (owning allegiance to the King) within the said province, shall be anyways molested, punished, disquieted or called in question for any difference of opinion or practice in matters of religious concernments, who do not actually disturb the civil peace of said province ; but that all and every such person and persons may from time to time and at all times, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their judgments and consciences in matters of religion throughout the said province, they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly, and not using this liberty to licentious- ness nor to the civil injury or outward disturbance of others ; any law, statute or clause contained or to be contained, usage or custom, of this realm of England to the contrary notwithstand- ing." (Leaming & Spicer, p. 14.)


In the agreement between Carteret and others of Elizabeth- town, for settling two townships, made December, 1666, and in the Woodbridge charter of June, 1669, liberty of conscience ac- cording to the forgoing concessions, was guaranteed to all who should settle in Piscataqua and Woodbridge.


The foregoing unequivocal declarations in favor of unre- stricted religious toleration were substantially adopted by Con- gress over a century later, and it is only necessary to recall the so-called toleration acts of the other States which claim pre- eminence in this matter and compare them with these declara- tions, to show that the first settlers of New Jersey were foremost in establishing that " Free liberty of conscience without any molestation whatever," which is now guaranteed throughout the great American Republic.


In Rhode Island, while Roger Williams favored " a free, full and absolute liberty of conscience," and the charter of Charles II. affirmed the same principle, yet that colony enacted that " All men professing christianity and of competent estates, and of civil conversation, who acknowledge and are obedient to the civil magistrate, though of different judgments in religious affairs (Roman Catholics only excepted), shall be admitted free- men and shall have liberty to choose and be chosen officers in the colony both civil and military."


It is true that modern Rhode Island writers have expressed the opinion that the words "Catholics only excepted " were not in the original enactment but had been subsequently interpolated and they give plausible, if not entirely satisfactory reasons. But leaving that point in abeyance, the fact yet remains that non-professors of


13


NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE.


Christianity, among whom would be Jews, were excepted. Per- sons not having competent estates were also excepted, and the continuance of this exception down until quite modern times resulted in a noted so-called " rebellion," well remembered by many now living. On the other hand, in New Jersey, the Mon- mouth Patent left the selection of officials to " the major part of the inhabitants." In regard to Quakers in Rhode Island, the toleration extended to them was not so unrestricted as in New Jersey, for the General Assembly of that colony endeavored to compel them to bear arms, which was contrary to the dictates of their conscience in an important point in their religious faith. The General Assembly of Rhode Island declared that-


" In case they, the said Quakers, which are here or who shall arise or come among us, do refuse to subject themselves to all duties aforesaid, as training, watching and such other engage- ments as other members of civil societies, for the preservation of the same in justice and peace; then we determine, yea, and we resolve to take and make use of the first opportunity to inform our agent resident in England that he may humbly present the matter," etc. They wished, they said, no damage to the princi- ple of freedom of conscience, but at the same time, their demand of the Quakers that they should train, in other words, perform military duty, was certainly an effort to compel them to act con- trary to the dictates of their conscience in an essential part of their religious belief. This effort to compel them "to train," may account for the fact that many members of that sect who had been persecuted in Massachusetts and had sought refuge in Rhode Island, did not become freemen there but only made a temporary stay, and when the Monmouth Patent was granted, they came to that county with the original settlers. Here, from the outstart they were allowed all the privileges enjoyed by other settlers, some of their number being elected as deputies to frame laws, and to other offices, at the first election as well as at subsequent elections. They were not required " to train," against their conscientious convictions. Besides which it may be added, that our first settlers conducted themselves so justly and friendly towards the Indians, that they had little or no oc- casion to train for fear of them.


Maryland is another state, the founders of which have de- servedly received commendation for the advanced steps taken by them in the matter of toleration. But their declarations on this point were not so unequivocal and unrestricted as those by first settlers of New Jersey. The charter to Lord Baltimore in 1632, was written in Latin and this fact caused many to look upon it with distrust. All that it contained in relation to toleration was a proviso of which the commonly accepted translation is-


" No construction be made thereof whereby God's holy and


14


BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF


truly Christian religion should receive any prejudice or dimi- nution."


Some Protestant writers considered this equivocal, as Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, like his father before him, was intensely devoted to the interests of his faith and considered his, the only truly Christian religion.


Some Catholic writers have contended, that the commonly ac- cepted translation of the words of the charter on this point, was not literally correct. Brantz Mayer in his "Calvert and Penn," thought it should read "God's holy rights and the true Christian religion." S. F. Streeter in his " Maryland, two hundred years ago," says it should be " The holy service of God and the true Chris- tian religion." George Lynn-Lachlan Davis in his " Day Star of American Freedom," gives the translation "The most sacred things of God and the true Christian religion." These different translations, it will be seen, do not materially vary in meaning, and all leave the question of deciding what was prejudicial to the true Christian religion, to the dominant power in the State. In New England, the Puritans considered the preachings and teachings of Baptists, Antinomians, and Quakers as prejudicial to what they believed to be the true Christian religion and so persecuted or prosecuted all who differed with them. In Mary - land, it is gratifying to know that the friends of the early settlers contend that there was no persecution for difference in religious views; and they earnestly protest against the insinuations that Calvert and his friends were actuated by considerations of a selfish sort, such as the fear of offending the Protestant King of England, at one time and the adherents of the commonwealth subsequently, as the real secret of their policy. In 1639, Mary- land passed an act declaring that " The Holy Church within this province shall have all her rights and privileges." And in 1640 another act declaring that "The Holy Church within this province shall have and enjoy all her rights, liberties and fran- chises wholly and without blemish." The Governor, or Lieutenant as he was called, and all the members of the colonial council were bound by oath "To defend and maintain the Roman Catholic religion, in the full and free exercise thereof." Freedom in its fullest sense, was secured only to believers in Christianty. This excluded Jews and non-professors of Christianity generally ; and under a law of the province a Quaker was required to take off his hat in Court or go to the whipping post. Some Catholic writers say, however, that they do not know of any " practical case of whipping " for this offence, (Day Star p. 62-4.)




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.