Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 3.djvu/232

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CALVERT


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CALVERT


privilege was forever denied him, as the persis- tence of the enemies of his charter kept him at home fighting for his rights. His absence from the colony introduced a peculiar condition, the absence of laws. The charter gave the proprietor the right to make laws with the advice and consent of the freemen. The latter met in 1634-35 and passed "wholesome laws and ordinances". Feeling that this act had infringed on his rights, in his commission to the governor, April, 1037, the proprietor expressed his disapproval of all laws passed by the colonists. For the endorsement of the Assembly of 1637-3S, he sent a body of laws with his secretary, John Lewger. These laws were rejected by the Assembly, as they were con- sidered unsuited to the colony. A few laws not dif- fering materially from those sent, by Baltimore were agreed to and sent to the proprietor for his consent. At first his approval was withheld, and the colony was without laws. Later, however, his sanction was given to the laws in a commission to the governor, authorizing him to give his assent to laws made by the freemen, which would make the laws binding un- til they were either approved or rejected by the pro- prietor. With this commission the privilege of initia- tive in matters of legislation was conceded to the colonists, the proprietor retaining the right of abso- lute veto. As this power was never used by Balti- more except in extreme cases, the colonists practically enjoyed freedom in self-government.

The difficulties between Baltimore and the Jesuits were very unfortunate for the welfare of the colony. Jesuit priests went on the first expedition. From the Indians they received grants of large tracts of land. Baltimore objected to this, believing that any other grants than those coming from the proprietor were illegal. The Jesuits believed that they, their domes- tic servants, and half of their planting servants should be exempted from taxation and military service; that they and their adherents should not be tried by the civil authorities in temporal matters, like other set- tlers; and that they should have the same privileges here which were enjoyed by religious orders in Cath- olic countries. On each of these points their views clashed with those of the proprietor. Baltimore ap- plied to the Propaganda in Rome "to appoint a pre- fect and to send secular priests to take charge of the Maryland Mission". Dom Rosetti. titular Archbishop of Tarsus, was appointed prefect, and two secular priests were sent to the colony. To this the Jesuits objected, claiming that they were the first on the ground, and had endured great hardships in the in- terests of the colony. Finally, an agreement was entered into between the provincial, acting for the Jesuits, and Baltimore, which, if not satisfactory to both parties, closed the matter. The whole affair seems even to this day somewhat cloudy, as good au- thorities take opposing points of view. Cecilius I !al- vert ruled over the colony nearly forty years. Al- though he never interfered in the administration of details, he ruled at every turn with an iron hand.

Charles, third Baron of Baltimore and second Proprietary Governor of Maryland, b. in London, 1629; d. at Epsom, Surrey, England, 20 Feb.. 171.".. He was the son of Cecilius Calvert, second Lord Baltimore, and Anne Arundel (Calvert). lb' was Proprietary Governor of Maryland from 166] to 1684, and Lord Proprietor from 1675 to 1691. He married Jane, widow of Henry Sewell of Matapaney on the Patuxent, Maryland. During his admin tion, boundary disputes with Virginia, the Swedes of Hi [aware, and William Penn came up and were set- tled, lb' became proprietor upon (he death of his

father, L675. At this time an effort was made by the Protestants to make tin 1 Church of England tin- es- tablished Church of Maryland, but In- succeeded in maintaining religious freedom. In 1076 the Assem-


bly was called together and important changes were made in the laws. At this time the colony was grow- ing rapidlv, the population having increased from 1200 to 2000 between the years 1660 and 1675. He went to England in 1676 and returned in 1680. In 1682 he. with his uncle Philip Calvert, met William Penn to settle the boundary dispute between Mary- land and Pennsylvania. At this time dissensions were frequent in the colony and Protestant bigotry was rising in England. Calve t left for the mother country in 1684 to look after the interests of the colony. After the Protestant revolution of 1688, which placed William and Mary on the throne of England, Baltimore was deprived of his proprie- tary rights in 1691. In 1711 he petitioned the Crown to have the government of the province restored to him, but this was refused on account of his Catholi- cism. Although he never visited Ireland, he was out- lawed there for high treason on account of his relig- ion but this outlawry was reversed by the king in 1691.

Leonard, Proprietary Governor of Maryland, 1634-1647, b. in England, 1607: d. in Maryland. 9 June, 1647. He was thesecond son of George Calvert. first Lord Baltimore. In 1629 he was sent to Xrw- foundland in charge of a vessel to protect the colony ( if Avalon against the depredations of French cruisers. In 1633 his brother, the second Lord Baltimore, ap- pointed him Governor of Maryland ami sent him in charge of an expedition to make a settlement. Two vessels, the Ark and Dove, carrying over 300 settlers sailed from the harbour of Cowes, 22 November, 1633, arriving at Point Comfort, Virginia. 24 Feb- ruary. 1634. On 27 March they landed at what is now St. Mary's, then the site of an Indian village, and they began the work of establishing a settle- ment. The Indians received them kindly and sold them the land. Clayborne of the Virginia col- ony had established a trading post on Kent Island, which was in the domain of Maryland. After the sek tlement at St. Mary's this trade was continued. Trouble arose and Clayborne went to England to Ia\ his claims In-fore the king, but was informed that the island belonged to Lord Baltimore. The gov- ernor at once took possession of the island and es- tablished a settlement there.

The troubles in England following 1641) wi sponsible for disturbances in Maryland. In 1643 Governor Calvert went to England to discuss policies with the proprietor, leaving the affairs of the colony in charge of acting Governor Brent. At the close of 1643 Captain Ingle appeared at St. Mary'switb a commissioned by Parliament. The ship was cap- tured and the oath against Parliamenl was tendered the crew. Ingle escaped. When Governor Calvert returned he found the colony distracted by fac- tions. Ingle returned the following year. and. with the assistance of the Protestants and Clayborne, the Catholics, including Governor Calvert, were driven into Virginia. An oath of submission was tendered but not one Catholic took it. The Jesuit priests were sent to England. A state of anarchy prevailed

for two years. Calvert returned in 1646 and cap- tured St. Mary's, and in the following year Kent Island. He favoured the right of initiative in leg- islation by the colonists and won for them tl'is privilege. In the difficulties between the proprietor and the Jesuits, he sympathized with the latter and prevented a rupture between them. In 1890 the Slit.' of Maryland erected a monument to him and his wife at St. Mary's.

Pmi.ir, Proprietary Governor of Maryland. 1660 to L661, son of George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore and his second wife. Arabella. He came to Mary- land on the first expedition under Leonard Calvert. In 1656 hi' was made secretary of the province and