The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-05-04


K, be the illegitimate son of Shakes
scare, and he himself encouraged the
cetport of his own bar sinister. He was
Z met who succeeded Ben JOnson as
Poet Laureate of England. He was a
soldier knighted for bravery on the
tIeIi of battle. A courtier possessed
81 q pleasing address, a handsome
person, of buoyant spirits and ready
wi1." and he was friend of kings and
princes and an intimate OF an I'M
happy Queen of England. He was
playwright (the most popular OF his
javt who first introduced the word
~opera" to the English language, and
scenery and women to the English
stare. And last, but not least, he was
q prisoner whose life was saved by the
at,et Milton. and who in turn saved
The life of the prisoner Milton.
AT that remains of this colorful
personality now lies buried in the
Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey.
tlvgr his tomb is the inscription (bof-
ccwed from that OF his nighbor in
Heath and predecessor in life):
Q rare Sir William Davenant.
!;
Among the old Calvert papers is
gauphlet of 1853 entitled: The Lord
Baltemore's Case Concerning the
Province of Maryland" giving Ger
.aiue Reasons of State" why Parlia-
a,eut should not impeach his rights.
In this document, Lord Baitemore'
presents evidence OF his adherence,
not to the crown but to the Common
wealth.
Incidentally his brief further refers
20 the area OF our now sovereign
State as $50 remote and wild place
As MARYLAND" (sic) and impolitely to
its then inhabitants as such necessit-
nus factious people as usually new
Plantations consist Of for the most
parte.'
How different this is from the cour-
5eous and inviting language of Lord
BaItimore's first prospectus and bid
tor adventures issued some nineteen
years before, in which he sets forth
how Englshmen may become Angels.
Ike Kings dominions be extended, and
.he adventurers attain Land and
Gear; together with other advantages
af that Sweet Land" But today,
syeu bankers have learned the differ
euce between a prospectus and a ret
rospectus.
All of this is in passing. The por-
1iou of the document that is Of pres
mt concern is annexed as a fitting
climax to Lord Baltimore's brief; it is
eutided: "a true Copy Of Commits
=icn from the Late Kings eldest
Souue to Mr.. William Davenant" to
-1ispossess Lord Baltimore of 'the said
Province because of his adherence to
The Commonwealth" One notes from
The document the scrupulous care with
etich Lord Baltimore's lawyers fol-
idw the custom Of the times, and refer
10 Ihe heir to the throne (ater King
CtarIes ~ as ''the late Kings eldest
Some" and to our Governor" as
Allr-" not "Sir" William Davenant.
The commission sets forth that:
Whereas Lord Baltimore doth
visib[y adhere to the REBELS of
England and admits all kinde Of
Ghismatics and sectaries and other
Unaffected persons to the said
Plantations (of Maryland) ""&know
ye therefore that we, reposing spe-
call trust and confidence in the
courage loyalty and affection to Us
af you Sir Wm. Davenant, do APP
point you our Lieutenant Governor
Of the said Province or Plantations
at Maryland, with all the Forts,
Castles Plantations, Ports and all
other Strengths thcreunto belong
uug.
q &4s
Then follows an interesting para
graph. This paragraph, as originally
drafted, specifically denies any intent
~tc prejudice the rights of the Propri-
ztary in the Soyle." But there is an
insertion Con the side Of the docu-
n,ent) referred to by asterisk, which
states emphatically: "This clause in
eludes Soyle and all" The directness
Of the statement and the absence OF
che customary legal phraseology jus
titles the assumption that the inser-
sion was actually made by or at the
nsistence of the indignant 'late
Kings eldest Some"
Davenant, of course, is not cur
rent discovery, for several Maryland
historians have dealt with him, and
from English sources much more is
available. His mother was the wife
nj John Davenant, a wealthy vintner
al 0xford-who owned Crown Inn
a man not merely wealthy, but appar-
Gritty Of some ability, for he became
Mayor of Oxford. 1t is known that