CHARLES, by the Grace of GOD, of England, Scotland, France, and
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. TO ALL to whom these
Presents shall come, GREETING.

II. WHEREAS our well beloved and right trusty Subject CÆCILIUS
CALVERT, Baron of BALTIMORE, in our Kingdom of Ireland ,
Son and Heir of GEORGE CALVERT, Knight, late Baron of BAL-
TIMORE, in our said Kingdom of Ireland, treading in the Steps of his
Father, being animated with a laudable, and pious Zeal for extending the
Christian Religion, and also the Territories of our Empire, hath humbly be-
sought Leave of Us, that he may transport, by his own Industry, and
Expence, a numerous Colony of the English Nation, to a certain Region,
herein after described, in a Country hitherto uncultivated, in the Parts of
America, and partly occupied by Savages, having no Knowledge of the Divine
Being, and that all that Region, with some certain Privileges, and Jurisdic-
tions, appertaining unto the wholesome Government, and State of his Colony
and Region aforesaid, may by our Royal Highness be given, granted, and
confirmed unto him, and his Heirs.

III. KNOW YE therefore, that WE, encouraging with our Royal Favour,
the pious and noble Purpose of the aforesaid Barons of BALTIMORE,
of our special Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, have GIVEN,
GRANTED, and CONFIRMED, and by this our present CHARTER, for US,
our Heirs, and Successors, do GIVE, GRANT, and CONFIRM, unto the
aforesaid CÆCILIUS, now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs, and
Assigns, all that Part of the Peninsula, or Chersonese, lying in the Parts of
America, between the Ocean on the East, and the Bay of Chesopeake on the
West, divided from the Residue thereof by a Right Line drawn from the
Promontory, or Head-Land, called Watkin`s Point, situate upon the Bay
aforesaid, near the River of Wighco, on the West, unto the Main Ocean on
the East; and between that Boundary on the South, unto that Part of the
Bay of Delaware on the North, which lieth under the Fortieth Degree of
North Latitude from the Æquinoctial, where New-England is terminated:
And all the Tract of that Land within the Metes underwritten (that is to say)
passing from the said Bay, called Delaware Bay, in a right Line, by the De-
gree aforesaid, unto the true Meridian of the first Fountain of the River of
Pattowmack, thence verging towards the South, unto the further Bank of the
said River, and following the same on the West and South, unto a certain Place
called Cinquack, situate near the Mouth of the said River, where it disem-
bogues into the aforesaid Bay of Chessopeake, and thence by the shortest
Line unto the aforesaid Promontory or Place, called Watkin`s Point; so that
the whole Tract of Land, divided by the Line aforesaid, between the Main
Ocean, and Watkin`s Point, unto the Promontory called Cape-Charles, and
every the Appendages thereof, may entirely remain excepted for ever to US,
our Heirs, and Successors.

IV. ALSO WE do GRANT, and likewise CONFIRM unto the said Baron of
BALTIMORE, his Heirs, and Assigns, all Islands and Islets within the
Limits aforesaid, all and singular the Islands, and Islets, from the Eastern
Shore of the aforesaid Region, towards the East, which have been, or shall be
formed in the Sea, situate within Ten marine Leagues from the said Shore;

with all and singular the Ports, Harbours, Bays, Rivers, and Straits belonging
to the Region or Islands aforesaid, and all the Soil, Plains, Woods, Moun-
tains, Marshes, Lakes, Rivers, Bays, and Straits, situate, or being within
the Metes, Bounds, and Limits aforesaid, with the Fishings of every kind of
Fish, as well of Whales, Sturgeons, and other royal Fish, as of other Fish,
in the Sea, Bays, Straits, or Rivers, within the Premises, and the Fish
there taken: And moreover all Veins, Mines, and Quarries, as well opened
as hidden, already found, or that shall be found within the Region, Islands,
or Limits aforesaid, of Gold, Silver, Gems, and precious Stones, and any
other whatsoever, whether they be of Stones, or Metals, or of any other
Thing, or Matter whatsoever: And furthermore the PATRONAGES, and AD-
VOWSONS of all Churches which (with the increasing Worship and Religion
of CHRIST) within the said Region, Islands, Islets, and Limits afore-
said, hereafter shall happen to be built, together with Licence and Faculty
of erecting and founding Churches, Chapels, and Places of Worship, in
convenient and suitable Places, within the Premisses, and of causing the same
to be dedicated and consecrated according to the Ecclesiastical Laws of our
Kingdom of England, with all, and singular such, and as ample Rights, Ju-
risdictions, Privileges, Prerogatives, Royalties, Liberties, Immunities, and
royal Rights, and temporal Franchises whatsoever, as well by Sea as by Land,
within the Region, Islands, Islets, and Limits aforesaid, to be had, exer-
cised, used, and enjoyed, as any Bishop of Durham, within the Bishoprick
or County Palatine of Durham, in our Kingdom of England, ever heretofore
hath had, held, used, or enjoyed, or of Right could, or ought to have,
hold, use, or enjoy.

V. AND WE do by these Presents, for US, our Heirs and Successors,
MAKE, CREATE, and CONSTITUTE HIM, the now Baron of BALTI-
MORE, and his Heirs, the TRUE and ABSOLUTE LORDS and PROPRIE-
TARIES of the Region aforesaid, and of all other the Premisses (except the
before excepted) saving always the Faith and Allegiance and Sovereign Domi-
nion due to US, our Heirs, and Successors; to HAVE, HOLD, POSSESS, and
ENJOY the aforesaid Region, Islands, Islets, and other the Premisses, unto
the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, and to his Heirs and Assigns,
to the sole and proper Behoof and use of him, the now Baron of BAL-
TIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, for ever. TO HOLD of US, our Heirs
and Successors, Kings of England, as of our Castle of Windsor, in our County
of Berks, in free and common SOCCAGE, by Fealty only for all Services,
and not in Capite, nor by Knight’s Service, YIELDING therefore unto US,
our Heirs and Successors TWO INDIAN ARROWS of those Parts, to be deli-
vered at the said Castle of Windsor, every Year, on Tuesday in Easter-Week:
And also the fifth Part of all Gold and Silver Ore, which shall happen from
Time to Time, to be found within the said aforesaid Limits.

VI. Now, That the aforesaid Region, thus by us granted and described,
may be eminently distinguished above all other Regions of that Territory,
and decorated with more ample Titles, KNOW YE, that WE, of our more
especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, have thought fit that
the said Region and Islands be erected into a PROVINCE, as out of the Ple-
nitude of our royal Power and Prerogative, WE do, for US, our Heirs and
Successors, ERECT and INCORPORATE the same into a PROVINCE, and
nominate the same MARYLAND, by which Name WE will that it
shall from henceforth be called.

VII. And forasmuch as WE have above made and ordained the aforesaid
now Baron of BALTIMORE, the true LORD and PROPRIETARY of

the whole PROVINCE aforesaid, KNOW YE therefore further, that WE, for
US, our Heirs and Successors, do grant unto the said now Baron, (in whose
Fidelity, Prudence, Justice, and provident Circumspection of Mind, WE re-
pose the greatest Confidence) and to his Heirs, for the good and happy Go-
vernment of the said PROVINCE, free, full, and absolute Power, by the
Tenor of these Presents, to Ordain, Make, and Enact LAWS, of what
kind soever, according to their found Discretions, whether relating to the
Public State of the said PROVINCE, or the private Utility of Individuals, of
and with the Advice, Assent, and Approbation of the Free-Men of the same
PROVINCE, or of the greater Part of them, or of their Delegates or Depu-
ties, whom WE will shall be called together for the framing of LAWS,
when, and as often as Need shall require, by the aforesaid now Baron of
BALTIMORE, and his Heirs, and in Form which shall seem best to
him or them, and the same to publish under the Seal of the aforesaid now
Baron of BALTIMORE, and his Heirs, and duly to execute the same
upon all Persons, for the Time being, within the aforesaid PROVINCE, and
the Limits thereof, or under his or their Government and Power, in sailing
towards MARYLAND, or thence Returning, Outward-bound, either to
England, or elsewhere, whether to any other Part of Our, or of any foreign
Dominions, wheresoever established, by the Imposition of Fines, Imprison-
ment, and other Punishment whatsoever; even if it be necessary, and the
Quality of the Offence require it, by Privation of Member, or Life, by him
the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, and his Heirs, or by his or
their Deputy, Lieutenant, Judges, Justices, Magistrates, Officers, and Ministers,
to be constituted and appointed according to the Tenor and true Intent of these
Presents, and to constitute and ordain Judges, Justices, Magistrates, and Offi-
cers, of what Kind, for what Cause, and with what Power soever, within that
Land, and the Sea of those Parts, and in such Form as to the said now Baron
of BALTIMORE, or his Heirs, shall seem most fitting: And also to
Remit, Release, Pardon, and Abolish, all Crimes and offences whatsoever
against such Laws, whether before, or after Judgment passed; and to do all
and singular other Things belonging to the Completion of Justice, and to
Courts, Prætorian Judicatories, and Tribunals, judicial Forms and Modes of
Proceeding, although express Mention thereof in these Premises be not made;
and, by Judges by them delegated, to award Process, hold Pleas, and deter-
mine in those Courts, Prætorian Judicatories, and Tribunals, in all Actions,
Suits, Causes, and Matters whatsoever, as well Criminal as Personal, Real
and Mixed, and Prætorian: Which said Laws, so to be published as above-
in Law, and to be kept in those Parts by all the Subjects and Liege-Men of
US, our Heirs and Successors, so far as they concern them, and to be invio-
lably observed under the Penalties therein expressed, or to be expressed. So
NEVERTHELESS, that the Laws aforesaid be consonant to Reason, and be not
repugnant or contrary, but (so far as conveniently may be) agreeable to the
Laws, Statutes, Customs and Rights of this Our Kingdom of England.

VIII. AND FORASMUCH as, in the Government of so great a PROVINCE,
sudden Accidents may frequently happen, to which it will be necessary to
apply a Remedy, before the Freeholders of the said PROVINCE, their Dele-
gates, or Deputies, can be called together for the framing of Laws; neither
will it be fit that so great a Number of People should immediately, on such
emergent Occasion, be called together, WE THEREFORE, for the better Go-
vernment of so great a PROVINCE, do Will and Ordain, and by these Pre-
sents, for US, our Heirs and Successors, do grant unto the said now Baron of
BALTIMORE, and to his Heirs, that the aforesaid now Baron of BAL-
TIMORE, and his Heirs, by themselves, or by their Magistrates and
Officers, thereunto duly to be constituted as aforesaid, may, and can make
and constitute fit and wholesom Ordinances from Time to Time, to be kept

and observed within the PROVINCE aforesaid, as well for the Conservation of
the Peace, as for the better Government of the People inhabiting therein,
and publickly to notify the same to all Persons whom the same in any wise
do or may affect. Which Ordinances WE will to be inviolably observed
within the said PROVINCE, under the Pains to be expressed in the same. So
that the said Ordinances be consonant to Reason, and be not repugnant nor
contrary, but (so far as conveniently may be done) agreeable to the Laws,
Statutes, or Rights of our Kingdom of England: And so that the same Or-
dinances do not, in any Sort, extend to oblige, bind, charge, or take away
the Right or Interest of any Person or Persons, of, or in Member, Life,
Freehold, Goods or Chattels.

IX. FURTHERMORE, that the New Colony may more happily increase by
a Multitude of People resorting thither, and at the same Time may be more
firmly secured from the Incursions of Savages, or of other Enemies, Pirates,
and Ravagers: WE therefore, for US, our Heirs and Successors, do by these
Presents give and grant Power, Licence and Liberty, to all the Liege-Men
and Subjects, present and future, of US, our Heirs and Successors, except
such to whom it shall be expressly forbidden, to transport themselves and their
Families to the said PROVINCE, with fitting Vessels, and suitable Provisions,
and therein to settle, dwell, and inhabit; and to build and fortify Castles,
Forts, and other Places of Strength, at the Appointment of the aforesaid
now Baron of BALTIMORE, and his Heirs, for the Public and thier
own Defence; the Statute of Fugitives, or any other whatsoever to the con-
trary of the Premises in any wise notwithstanding.

X. WE will also, and of our more abundant Grace, for US, our Heirs
and Successors, do firmly charge, constitute, ordain, and command, that the
said PROVINCE be of our Allegiance; and that all and singular the Subjects
and Liege-Men of US, our Heirs and Successors, transplanted, or hereafter
to be transplanted into the PROVINCE aforesaid, and the Children of them,
and of others their Descendants, whether already born there, or hereafter to
be born, be and shall be Natives and Liege-Men of US, our Heirs and Suc-
cessors, of our Kingdom of England and Ireland; and in all Things shall be
held, treated, reputed, and esteemed as the faithful Liege-Men of US, and our
Heirs and Successors, born within our Kingdom of England; also Lands, Tene-
ments, Revenues, Services, and other Hereditaments whatsoever, within our
Kingdom of England, and other our Dominions, to inherit, or otherwise pur-
chase, receive, take, have, hold, buy, and possess, and the same to use and en-
joy, and the same to give, sell, alien and bequeath; and likewise all Privileges,
Franchises and Liberties of this our Kingdom of England, freely, quietly, and
peaceably to have and possess, and the same may use and enjoy in the same
Manner as our Liege-Men born, or to be born within our said Kingdom of
England, without Impediment, Molestation, Vexation, Impeachment, or
Grievance of US, or any of our Heirs or Successors; any Statute, Act, Or-
dinance, or Provision to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding.

XI. FURTHERMORE, That our Subjects may be incited to undertake this
Expedition with a ready and chearful Mind: KNOW YE, that WE, of
our especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, do, by the Tenor
of these Presents, give and grant, as well to the aforesaid Baron of BAL-
TIMORE, and to his Heirs, as to all other Persons who shall from Time
to Time repair to the said Province, either for the Sake of Inhabiting, or of
Trading with the Inhabitants of the Province aforesaid, full Licence to Ship
and Lade in any the Ports of US, our Heirs and Successors, all and singular
their Goods, as well moveable, as immoveable, Wares and Merchandizes,
likewise Grain of what Sort soever, and other Things whatsoever necessary
for Food and Cloathing, by the Laws and Statutes of our Kingdoms and Do-

minions, not prohibited to be transported out of the said Kingdoms, and the
same to transport, by themselves, or their Servants or Assigns, into the said
PROVINCE, without the Impediment or Molestation of US, our Heirs or
Successors, or of any Officers of US, our Heirs or Successors, (SAVING un-
to US, our Heirs and Successors, the Impositions, Subsidies, Customs, and
other Dues payable for the same Goods and Merchandizes) any Statute, Act,
Ordinance, or other Thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding.

XII. BUT BECAUSE, that in so remote a Region, placed among so many
barbarous Nations, the Incursions as well of the Barbarians themselves, as of
other Enemies, Pirates and Ravagers, probably will be feared, THEREFORE
WE have Given, and for US, our Heirs, and Successors, do Give by these
Presents, as full and unrestrained Power, as any Captain-General of an Ar-
my ever hath had, unto the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, and
to his Heirs and Assigns, by themselves, or by their Captains, or other Offi-
cers, to summon to their Standards, and to array all Men, of whatsoever
Condition, or wheresoever born, for the Time being, in the said Province of
MARYLAND, to wage War, and to pursue, even beyond the Limits of
their Province, the Enemies and Ravagers aforesaid, infesting those Parts by
Land and by Sea, and (if GOD shall grant it) to vanquish and captivate them,
and the Captives to put to Death, or, according to their Discretion, to save,
and to do all other and singular the Things which appertain, or have been
accustomed to appertain unto the Authority and Office of a Captain-General
of an Army.

XIII. WE also WILL, and by this our CHARTER, do Give unto the
aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, and to his Heirs and Assigns,
Power, Liberty, and Authority, that, in case of Rebellion, sudden Tumult,
or Sedition, if any (which GOD forbid) should happen to arise, whether
upon Land within the PROVINCE aforesaid, or upon the High Sea in making
a Voyage to the said PROVINCE of MARYLAND, or in returning
thence, they may, by themselves, or by their Captains, or other Officers,
thereunto deputed under their Seals (to whom WE, for US, our Heirs and
Successors, by these Presents, do Give and Grant the fullest Power and Au-
thority) exercise Martial Law as freely, and in as ample Manner and Form,
as any Captain-General of an Army, by virtue of his Office may, or hath
accustomed to use the same, against the seditious Authors of Innovations in
those Parts, withdrawing themselves from the Government of him or them,
refusing to serve in War, flying over to the Enemy, exceeding their Leave of
Absence, Deserters, or otherwise howsoever offending against the Rule, Law,
or Discipline of War.

XIV. MOREOVER, left in so remote and distant a Region, every Access
to Honours and Dignities may seem to be precluded, and utterly barred, to
Men well born, who are preparing to engage in the present Expedition, and
desirous of deserving well, both in Peace and War, of US, and our King-
doms; for this Cause, WE, for US, our Heirs and Successors, do give free
and plenary Power to the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, and to
his Heirs and Assigns, to confer Favours, Rewards and Honours, upon such
Subjects, inhabiting within the PROVINCE aforesaid, as shall be well deser-
ving, and to adorn them with whatsoever Titles and Dignities they shall ap-
point; (so that they be not such as are now used in England) also to erect and
incorporate Towns into BUROUGHS, and Buroughs into CITIES, with suitable
Privileges and Immunities, according to the Merits of the Inhabitants, and
Convenience of the Places; and to do all and singular other Things in the
Premisses, which to him or them shall seem fitting and convenient; even al-
though they shall be such as, in their own Nature, require a more special Com-
mandment and Warrant than in these Presents may be expressed.

XV. WE WILL also, and by these Presents do, for US, our Heirs and
Successors, give and grant Licence by this our CHARTER, unto the afore-
said now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, and to all
Persons whatsoever, who are, or shall be Residents and Inhabitants of the
PROVINCE aforesaid, freely to import and unlade, by themselves, their Ser-
vants, Factors or Assigns, all Wares and Merchandizes whatsoever, which
shall be collected out of the Fruits and Commodities of the said PROVINCE,
whether the Product of the Land or the Sea, into any the Ports whatsoever
of US, our Heirs and Successors, of England or Ireland, or otherwise to dis-
pose of the same there; and, if Need be, within One Year, to be computed
immediately from the Time of unlading thereof, to lade the same Merchan-
dizes again, in the same, or other Ships, and to export the same to any other
Countries they shall think proper, whether belonging to US, or any foreign
Power which shall be in Amity with US, our Heirs or Successors: PROVIDED
always, that they be bound to pay for the same to US, our Heirs and Suc-
cessors, such Customs and Impositions, Subsidies and Taxes, as our other
Subjects of our Kingdom of England, for the Time being, shall be bound to
pay, beyond which WE WILL that the Inhabitants of the aforesaid PROVINCE
of the said Land, called MARYLAND, shall not be burdened.

XVI. AND FURTHERMORE, of our more ample special Grace, and of our
certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, WE do, for US, our Heirs and Suc-
cessors, grant unto the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs
and Assigns, full and absolute Power and Authority to make, erect, and consti-
tute, within the PROVINCE of MARYLAND, and the Islands and Islets
aforesaid, such, and so many Sea-Ports, Harbours, Creeks, and other Places
of Unlading and Discharge of Goods and Merchandizes out of Ships, Boats,
and other Vessels, and of Lading in the same, and in so many, and such
Places, and with such Rights, Jurisdictions, Liberties, and Privileges, unto
such Ports respecting, as to him or them shall seem most expedient: And,
that all and every the Ships, Boats, and other Vessels whatsoever, coming to,
or going from the PROVINCE aforesaid, for the Sake of Merchandizing, shall
be laden and unladen at such Ports only as shall be so erected and constituted
by the said now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, any Usage,
Custom, or any other Thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding.
SAVING always to US, our Heirs and Successors, and to all the Subjects of
our Kingdoms of England and Ireland, of Us, our Heirs and Successors, the
Liberty of Fishing for Sea-Fish, as well in the Sea, Bays, Straits, and navi-
gable Rivers, as in the Harbours, Bays, and Creeks of the PROVINCE afore-
said; and the Privilege of Salting and Drying Fish on the Shores of the same
Province; and, for that Cause, to cut down and take Hedging-Wood and
Twigs there growing, and to build Huts and Cabbins, necessary in this Be-
half, in the same Manner as heretofore they reasonably might, or have used
to do. Which Liberties and Privileges, the said Subjects of US, our Heirs
and Successors, shall enjoy, without notable Damage or Injury in any wise to
be done to the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs or
Assigns, or to the Residents and Inhabitants of the same PROVINCE in the
Ports, Creeks, and Shores aforesaid, and especially in the Woods and Trees
there growing. And if any Person shall do Damage or Injury of this Kind,
he shall incur the Peril and Pain of the heavy Displeasure of US, our Heirs
and Successors, and of the due Chastisement of the Laws, besides making Sa-
tisfaction.

XVII. MOREOVER, WE will, appoint, and ordain, and by these Presents,
for US, our Heirs and Successors, do grant unto the aforesaid now Baron of
BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, that the same Baron of BAL-
TIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, from Time to Time, for ever, shall
have, and enjoy the Taxes and Subsidies payable, or arising within the Ports,

Harbours, and other Creeks and Places aforesaid, within the PROVINCE afore-
said, for Wares bought and sold, and Things there to be laden, or unladen,
to be reasonably assessed by them, and the People there as aforesaid, on emer-
gent Occasion; to whom WE grant Power by these Presents, for US, our
Heirs and Successors, to assess and impose the said Taxes and Subsidies there,
upon just Cause, and in due Proportion.

XVIII. AND FURTHERMORE, of our special Grace, and certain Know-
ledge, and mere Motion, WE have given, granted, and confirmed, and by
these Presents, for US, our Heirs and Successors, do give, grant, and confirm,
unto the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and As-
signs, full and absolute Licence, Power, and Authority, that he, the afore-
said now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, from Time to
Time hereafter, for ever, may and can, at his or their Will and Pleasure,
assign, alien, grant, demise, or enfeoff so many, such, and proportionate Parts
and Parcels of the Premisses, to any Person or Persons willing to purchase the
same, as they shall think convenient, to have and to hold to the same Person
or Persons willing to take or purchase the same, and his and their Heirs and
Assigns, in Fee-simple, or Fee-tail, or for Term of Life, Lives, or Years;
to hold of the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and
Assigns, by so many, such, and so great Services, Customs and Rents OF
THIS KIND, as to the same now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs,
and Assigns, shall seem fit and agreeable, and not immediately of US, our
Heirs or Successors. And WE do give, and by these Presents, for US, OUR
Heirs and Successors, do grant to the same Person and Persons, and to each
and every of them, Licence, Authority and Power, that such Person and Per-
sons, may take the Premisses, or any Parcel thereof, of the aforesaid
now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, and hold the
same to them and their Assigns, or their Heirs, of the aforesaid Baron of
BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, of what Estate of Inheritance so-
ever, in Fee-simple or Fee-tail, or otherwise, as to them and the now Baron
of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, shall seem expedient; the Sta-
tute made in the Parliament of Lord EDWARD, Son of King HENRY,
late King of England, our Progenitor, commonly called the “STATUTE
QUIA EMPTORES TERRARUM,” heretofore published in our King-
dom of England, or any other Statute, Act, Ordinance, Usage, Law, or
Custom, or any other Thing, Cause or Matter, to the contrary thereof,
heretofore had, done, published, ordained or provided to the contrary thereof
notwithstanding.

XIX. WE also, by these Presents, do give and grant Licence to the same
Baron of BALTIMORE, and to his Heirs, to erect any Parcels of Land
within the PROVINCE aforesaid, into Manors, and in every of those Manors,
to have and to hold a Court-Baron, and all Things which to a Court-Baron
do belong; and to have and to keep View of Frank-Pledge, for the Conser-
vation of the Peace and better Government of those Parts, by themselves and
their Stewards, or by the Lords, for the Time being to be deputed, of other
of those Manors when they shall be constituted, and in the same to exercise
all Things to the View of Frank-Pledge belonging.

XX. AND FURTHER WE will, and do, by these Presents, for US, our
Heirs and Successors, covenant and grant to, and with the aforesaid now Ba-
ron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, that WE, our Heirs, and
Successors, at no Time hereafter, will impose, or make or cause to be impo-
sed, any Impositions, Customs, or other Taxations, Quotas or Contributions
whatsoever, in or upon the Residents or Inhabitants of the PROVINCE afore-
said for their Goods, Lands, or Tenements within the same PROVINCE, or
upon any Tenements, Lands, Goods or Chattels within the Province afore-

said, or in or upon any Goods or Merchandizes within the PROVINCE afore-
said, or within the Ports or Harbours of the said PROVINCE, to be laden or
unladen: And WE Will and do, for US, our Heirs and Successors, enjoin
and command that this our Declaration shall, from Time to Time, be recei-
ved and allowed in all our Courts and Prætorian Judicatories, and before all
the Judges whatsoever of US, our Heirs and Successors, for a sufficient and law-
ful Discharge, Payment, and Acquittance thereof, charging all and singular the
Officers and Ministers of US, our Heirs and Successors, and enjoining them,
under our heavy Displeasure, that they do not at any Time presume to at-
tempt any Thing to the contrary of the Premisses, or that may in any wise
contravene the same, but that they, at all Times, as is fitting, do aid and as-
sist the aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, and his Heirs, and the
aforesaid Inhabitants and Merchants of the PROVINCE of MARYLAND
aforesaid, and their Servants and Ministers, Factors and Assigns, in the fullest
Use and Enjoyment of this our CHARTER.

XXI. AND FURTHERMORE WE WILL, and by these Presents, for US,
our Heirs and Successors, do grant unto the aforesaid now Baron of BAL-
TIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns, and to the Freeholders and Inhabitants
of the said PROVINCE, both present and to come, and to every of them, that
the said PROVINCE, and the Freeholders or Inhabitants of the said Colony or
Country, shall not henceforth be held or reputed a Member or Part of the
Land of Virginia, or of any other Colony already transported, or hereafter to
be transported, or be dependent on the same, or subordinate in any kind of
Government, from which WE do separate both the said PROVINCE, and In-
habitants thereof, and by these Presents do WILL to be distinct, and that
they may be immediately subject to our Crown of England, and dependent on
the same for ever.

XXII. AND if, peradventure, hereafter it may happen, that any Doubts
or Questions should arise concerning the true Sense and Meaning of any Word,
Clause, or Sentence, contained in this our present CHARTER, WE will,
charge and command, THAT Interpretation to be applied, always, and in
all Things, and in all our Courts and Judicatories whatsoever, to obtain which
shall be judged to be the more beneficial, profitable, and favourable to the
aforesaid now Baron of BALTIMORE, his Heirs and Assigns: PRO-
VIDED always, that no Interpretation thereof be made, whereby GOD’s holy
and true Christian Religion, or the Allegiance due to US, our Heirs and
Successors, may in any wise suffer by Change, Prejudice, or Diminution;
although express Mention ^* THE Remainder, from this Mark, is copied from the old Translation, published (together with some Assembly Proceedings) by Order of the Lower House, in the Year 1725. be not made in these Presents of the true yearly
Value or Certainty of the Premisses, or of any Part thereof, or of other Gifts
and Grants made by US, our Heirs and Predecessors, unto the said now Lord
BALTIMORE, or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, Provision, Proclama-
tion or Restraint, heretofore had, made, published, ordained or provided, or
any other Thing, Cause, or Matter whatsoever, to the contrary thereof in
any wise notwithstanding.

XXIII. IN WITNESS whereof WE have caused these our Letters to be
made Patent. WITNESS OURSELF at Westminster, the Twentieth Day
of June, in the Eighth Year of our Reign.