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Peace, and Concord is the Liberty of Conscience to all who profess
to believe Christianity, so that every one lives quietly and peaceably
with his Neighbour neither molesting or being molested for Differ-
ence of Judgment in Religion. — Doctor Douglass upon the same
Subject says "that towards the End of King James 1.st Reign Sir
G Calvert principal Secretary of State afterwards Lord Baltimore
obtained a Patent for some Fishing Harbours in Newfoundland by
reason of the civil Troubles in England these Settlements were dis-
continued, and being a zealous Roman Catholic with other dissenting
Zealots of various Sectaries he left England, and went to Virginia "
The same Author again " upon a Royal Proclamation in Virginia
several Families went over from England to settle there, among those
was Lord Baltimore a rigid Roman Catholic for the advantage of his
Religion he retired thither, but being ill used by the Church of Eng-
land Sectary petitioned for a Grant of the Province of Maryland.
In the first two Years says the Author in another Passage it's said
this Settlement cost Lord Baltimore £40000 Sterling by bringing over
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U. H. J.
Liber No. 35
May 4
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People, Provisions, &c." — Again " By an Act of Assembly for Lib-
erty of Conscience to all Persons who profess Christianity Protestant
Dissenters as well as Roman Catholicks were induced to settle there."
Salmon in his modern History says " that Lord Baltimore having
obtained a Grant of the Province of Maryland sent over his Brother
with several Roman Catholic Gentlemen & other Adventurers to the
Number of two hundred, many Roman Catholics transported them-
selves thither to avoid the paenal Laws made against them in England,
and Maryland has been a Place of Refuge &c: " many other Passages
from Books to the like Effect might be cited but we presume they
would be unnecessary.
This Imposition it seems you did not apprehend and have been
opposed at this dangerous Crisis when a foreign Popish Power is
exerting it's utmost Efforts to subject the British Colonies in North
America to Popery and Slavery. Do you mean by this that a Measure
which would have the Effect of banishing the Roman Catholics ought
at this Time to be established, or that a double Tax upon them will
make them more peaceable or better affected to our Interests? if the
former be your Meaning you are already answered; if the latter, it
is such an Expedient as seems to be but ill calculated to accomplish
the End you propose Hardships & Severities are not so apt to inspire
peaceable Sentiments as Mildness or Moderation, which in it's Nature
is more conciliating and attractive of Affection and may strengthen
Inclination with the Motives of Duty and Interest.
That the Roman Catholics have from the Beginning of this War
behaved in a very quiet and inoffensive Manner will not we presume
be denied, if it should be, not one Proof that we know or have heard
of can be produced to the Contrary and very ample Testimonials in
their Favour to which you can be no Stranger may be urged.
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p. 321
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