The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-07-15
LOCAL "REMINISCENCES
A LEGEND OF MARYLAND.
Is AN OWRE TRUE TALE.
CHAPTER IN.

CHAPTER IN.
TROUBLES IN COUNCIL.
Let US now turn back to see what is
doing at St. Mary's.
| On the 18th of February comes to the
Council letter from Lord Eflingham. 1t
has the superscription, "These, with the
greatest care and speed" Il is dated on
the 18th of February from Poropotanck,
an Indian point on the York river above
Gloucester, and memorable as being in the
neighborhood of the spot where, some sixty
years before these events, Pocahontas saved
the life of that mirror of chivalry, Captain
John Smith.
The letter brings information "that last
night the 10th of February Colonel Tai
bot escaped out of prison. "a subsequent
letter says, "by the corruption of his
guard" and it is full of admonition, which
has very much the tone of command, urg-
ing all strenuous efforts to recapture him,
and particularly recommending a proclama-
ton of clue and cry"
And now, for month, there is a great
parade in Maryland of proclamation, and
hue and cry, and orders to sheriffs and
county colonies to keep sharp look out
every where for Talbot. But no person in
the Province seems to be anxious to catch
him, except Mr.. Nehemiah Blakston, the
Collector, and IA few others, who seem to
have been ministering to Lord Etfingham's
spleen against the Council for not captur-
ing him. His Lordship writes several let
ters Of complaint at the delay and ill sue
cess of this pursuit, and some of them in
no measured terms of courtesy. 81 ad-
mire," he says, in one of these, cat any
slow proceedings in service wherein his
Majesty is SO concerned, and hope you will
take off all occasions of future trouble,
both unto me and you, of this nature, by
manifesting yourselves Jealous for his
Maiesty's SERVICE They answer, that all
imaginable care for the apprehending of
Talbot has been taken by issuing procla-
nations, etc, but all have proved ineffect-
ual, because Talbot, upon all occasions,
flies and takes refuge elm the remotest
parts of the woods and deserts of this Pro-
vince"
At this point we get some traces of Tai
bot. There is a deposition of Robert KEN
BILE of Cecil county, and some other pa.
pers, that give us few particulars by
which am enabled to construct my nara
tive.
Colonel Talbot got to his own house
about the middle of February-nearly at
the same time at which the news of his
escape reached st. Mary's. He there lay
warily watching the coming hue and cry
for his apprehension. He collected his
friends, armed them, and set them at watch
and ward, at all his outposts. He had a
disguise provided, in which he occasionally
ventured abroad. Kemble met him, on
the 10Th of February, at George Oldtield's,
on Elk rver and, although the Colonel
was disguised in a tiaxen wig, and in other
ways, Kemble says he knew him by hear
ing him cough in the night, in room ad-
joining that in which Kemble slept. Whilst
this witness was at Oldfield's, "Talbot's
shallop," he says, twas busking and turn
ing before Oldfeld's landing for sew
eral hours" The roads leading towards
Talbot's house were all guarded by his
friends, and he had a report made to him
of every vessel that arrived in the river.
Of
until the storm should blow over, he had
made preparations to build himself a cabin,
some where in the woods out of the range
| of the thoroughfares of this district
When driven by pressing emergency,
which required more than ordinary care to
prevent his apprehension, he betook him
self to the cave on the Susquehanna, where
most probably, with a friend or two-Cor-
onet Murray, hope, was one of them,-he
| lay perdu for few days at time, and
then ventured back to speak word of
comfort and encouragement to the faithful
wife who kept guard at home.
In this disturbed and anxious alienation
of concealment and flight Talbot passed
the winter, until about the 2jth of April,
when probably upon advice of friends, he
voluntarily surrendered himself to the
Council at St. Mary's, and was committed
| for trial in the provincial court. The fact
of the surrender was communicated to
Lord Efingham by the Council, with a
request that he would send the witnesses
to Maryland to appear at his trial. Here.
upon arose another correspondence with
his Lordship, which is worthy of mo-
ment's notice. Lord Efingham has lost
nothing of his arrogance. He says, on the
10Th of May, 1855, 81 am so far from an
swering your desires, that do hereby de-
mand Col Talbot as my prisoner, in the
King of England's name, and that you do
forthwith convey him into Virginia. And
to this my demand expect your ready per-
Torrance and compliance, upon your ale
glance to his Majesty"
am happy to read the answer to this
insolcnt letter, in which it will be seen that
the spirit of Maryland was walked up on
the occasion to its proper voice. 1t is ne
cessary to say, by way of explanation to
one point i'll this answer, that the Gov
ernor of Virginia had received the news of
the accession and proclamation of James
the Second, and had not communicated it
to the Council in Maryland. The Council
give an answer at their leisure, having
waited till the LIST of June, when they
write to his Lordship, protesting against
Virginia's exercising any superintendent
over Maryland, and peremptorily refusing
to deliver Talbot. They tell him "that
we are DESTROYS and conclude to await his
Majesty's resolution in regard to the pri-
sonerl, which we question not will beagree-