The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-01-15
An Interesting Fact
THE PuRITANS


Vexatious questions naturally arise
in any new and untried experiment,
and especially in the building of an
empire. The experience of the pro-
prietaries of Maryland was no ex-
ception in this respect.
One of the questions, difficule of So
luton and which for some time threat
ened the rule of the Lords Baltimore,
arose in connection with the settle
ment in Maryland of the Puritans.
When we consider that in the year
1643 the English Parliament was DOM
mated by the Puritans and they de-
sired to extend their influence to the
American Colonies, we can not help
but admire the manner with which
Lord Baltimore met the situation.
Aside from the fact that his Province
needed inhabitants, the proprietary
believed that if he could settle por-
ton of his territory with the religious
sect then in the ascendency, he would
be the better able to avoid any con-
fiict with the British sovereign and his
rule. Consequently he commissioned
a Massachusetts, citizen under the gov
eminent of offer "liberty of religion
land all other privileges" to anyone
desiring to move to Maryland. This
invitation, it seems, was not accepted
Later a similar invitation was extend
ed to the Puritans of Virginia, which
was accepted, and by 1649 thousand
had gone over into Maryland and set
tied, chiefly along the River Severn
We are very apt at this day to look
upon the Puritans as meek and non
resisting sect, but historical facts dis
prove this conclusion. Although they
We're Informed that nothing would be
required of them save obedience of
the laws of the Province, yet they
We're so strongly imbued with charac-
teristic bigotry and intolerance that
with the advantages offered them they
could not remain content.
In the very beginning, Baltimore
consented to modification of the oath
Of fidelity, because his invited settlers
objected to taking an oath Of fealty
to a papist. While they demanded re-
ligious freedom for themselves, yet
they were much disturbed to be living
under government that granted re-
ligious freedom of worship to Roman
Catholics, and when the opportunity
came to join William Claiborne and
Richard Bennett in the revolt against
Lord Baltimore they welcomed the
opportunity. The Puritan Revolution
was the result, Governor Stone being
put out of office, a council appointed
to govern, with prominent Puritan
as president of the Assembly, which
was summoned when Roman Catho-
lies were disfranchised and a new So
called liberation Act was passed, Sc
curing to all persons freedom of con-
science-but such liberty of conscience
was not extended to Catholics, Epis-
copalians or anybody else who disa.
greed with them.
But the Puritans did not reign for
long. Lord Baltimore was not pleased
when he learned that Governor Stone
had surrendered the government with
out struggle and reproved him.
In the Battle of the Severn, which
occurred when Stone sought to regain
his seat, the proprietary forces were
defeated and the Puritans, being in
complete control, seized the records of
the Province and the property of those
who had opposed them. Their high
handed and intolerant proceedings
continued until, under Cromwell, the
government of Maryland was re-
turned to Lord Baltimore on his prom
Use not to bring the offenders to JUS
tice and not to repeal the liberation
Act of 1649.
1t is recorded that the flag carried
by Governor Stone at the Battle of the
Severn contained the colors and char
acteristic design of the Great Seal and
was adopted as the legal flag of the
State by the General Assembly of
1904 and ordered to be displayed from
the State House during the sessions
of the Assembly.
You can't go after elephants with