The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-19


then these two there were only ve delegates when the
liberation of l649 passed which would reduce the
number Of Proestans in l649 TO in house Of ceirs
represen tatiyes--a tie.
The Purans of Providence then being left il follows
that the law passed by the communities of st
Marys and Kent island the former settled by Roman Cath
ocs from England the latter by Episcopalias from Vir-
ginis.
The early records of the show that the only repre-
sentative from Kent island in the lower house in the year
l6i9-f indeed, there was anyways Mr. Vaughan, VINO
in the subsequent year. filled the double office OF member
OF the upper and of the lower house
This Vaughan OF the council OF The governor
appointed under commission from Lord Baltimore as be-
fore stated of 18th August 1913 lie was gh III the CON
dence Of both the governor and the lord proprietary and
in testimony Of his fidelity, they botf after the reduction
of Kent island in 1871 which had been IN open and sue
cessul rebellion against the provincial government COM
missioned him military and civil governor OF the island
with plenary powers TO protect the rights Of Lord alt-
and administer justice between its people, the former
Immediately the reduction or the island the latter on
the 18th August lG4e.
II he did sit in the lower house then there were only
eeren delegates six Of whom Roman Catholics and
all the the Catholic settlement OF St Marys III
he did sit then and vote for this law he probably did
then he acting in strict conformity with those prin-
cpes which had recommended him TO the lord proprietary
aud the governor and with his oath member OF the
council prescribed before stated by the lord proprietary
and sent with his commission As such member OF
the council he could do otherwise than support the
enactment of the law both by his vote and his influence
The form of oath will presently be more fully given.
Manifcsy then by the reasoning of those who advocate
your view ii the majority of the representatives not
Roman Catholics at least they equal number and
one of the Proesants the trusted agent of the lord
proprietary and the confidential adviser of the governor
and mai sworn by virtue of the commission he held to
do all in his to suppress dssensions IN matters OF
religion
Now sir submit to you that thc Providence settlement
represented in the assembly that passed the act Of
649 and if only delegate represented the kensland
settlement if any all acquainted with the early his
tory of the colony would pretend that all the other dele
gatssa of them from the St Marys settlementdd not
represent population which was in the main Roman
Catholic?
Having excluded the Providence acknowledging
dnced the representation from Kent island delegate
not the law passed by the representatives OF Roman
Catholics
If the premises are admitted that the Providence
munty was not represented aud that Kent island was
only represented by delegate there Is not air man in
whole State who will pretend that the population rep
resented by the remaining delegates, constituting the
lower house, was not a Roman Catholic population
In 1859, according to Governor Sharpe, the Roman
Catholics were in the maoryin the majority when the
whols population was esnlated-the Protestant popula-
tons of Kent island and of Providence Is there living
who will pretend that forty years before this period
the Catholic portion of the Satethe st Marys commu-
nityhad not majority of Catholics in that community
If there be, am sure You are not the man,
think them may that have established both
heads of my third proposition: st that the majority Of
the representatives in the lower house were themselves
Catholics; I'd, that the majority represented Catholic
constituency.
If So then my proposition is maintained that the law of
649 was passed the three branches Of the legislature all
of which were Roman Catholic
propose to illustrate the tolerant spirit Of the Catholic
founders of Maryland by the relation of one or two hsor
cal facts which will go far to show that the act Of 1G49
was but the expression OF feeling dominant N ten az
that day.
That body OF Puritans who had been "terreed out of
Trqinia established themselves as Providence in l649
In 1880 the governor and council of Maryland issued to
the sheriff writ for election of delegates to The lower
house. with clause therein particularly epoinng upon
him to notify the settlers at Providence Not content with
showing them this especial courtesy the governor visited
them himself and person gave the notice personally
present at the election, and returned the writ
Puddington and Cox elected delegates. AT the day
appointed for the converting of the Sd
April l630-the delegates from Kent and Providence the
only Protestant portions OF the state not appearing the
house adjourned over without organizing to the following
Thursday. On that day. the delegates from Kent and
Providence having arrived the lower house was organ
lied and :, OF strangers nnes 81
of the tributaries the baya Purtai@ eected speak
or Of the housea house which, according to your hsto
riap Rozman had six Roman Catholic delegates in ita
house cossed in the main OF representatives fro the
Catholic region of the State the only member from the
Epscopalan region, Kent island, being Vaughan man
in the confidence OF the lord proprietary and one OF his
council
Now sir submit to you IT, When such act " ganer
osity is shown from Catholics to Professionals docs not
Justly subject to tue mpuaon OF ncharitableness those
who assign base motive for the passage of the act Of
649 or DOUBT that the Catholic representatives of Catholic
constituents were quite equal to the generosity Of passing
- law that protected ProtestasL5 from persecution
fore ti,is.
On the iet August lG4s Lord Calvert issued and sent
from England commissions appointing the
and council in Maryland accompanied with certain laws.
among which the liberation act These commissions
were to William Stone governor and to Thomas Greene
John Price Thomas Hatten John Pile and Robert Vaughan
as council OF these, tsp only were Proestants-Mr.
Greene and Mr.. Pile.
Annexed to the commission Of the governor was form
Of oath prepared by his lordsp which contains he fol
lowing provisions among others;
" And U) do further swear that will not by myself nor
any person. directly trouble modest discountepancc
person whatsoever in the said province protesting to be-
eye i'm Jesus Christ and in particular no Roman Catholic
for or in respect Of his her religion ia lis her
free exercise thereof Nor will make any difference of
persons in comforting of offices rewards or vors proceed
ING from tue authority which his ordship hath conferred
upon his lieutenant here for and in respect Of their
said religion respectively aAnd if any other officer
person whatsoever shall during tue e of my being his said
ordships lieutenant here without my consent Priyy,
modest disturb any person within this prov protesting
to believe in Jesus Christ sTy for in respect Of his
her religion the free exercise thereof upon notice
plant thereof made will apply my power and
authority relieve and protect any person aoes.ed,
&c,
The osAi for the council contains similar provisions for
the protection OF The citizens in their religion.
But there who in these provisions and the
act of G49 motive only to Protect Roman Catholics.
cannot anything myself but earnest desire TO
put successful practice the grand conception Of freedom
in Of religion and, having appointed those Of
opposite faith to himself pledge of his own fidelity
the principle had announced matter Of duty TO his
co-religionis and showing special regard for them,
and decey yldng his officers of their duty to those
Of his faith whose wcIc aud protection he had in
trusted to their honor he specially provides for the safety
of the Roman Catholics.
Accepting DE offices of governor and counciimeI, We
upper house pledged to the passage of the law Of 849
by their oats The spirit of these oaths pledged them
eSHr their influence with the Lower house for the passage
Al. Al.