Publication of this book was assisted by a generous grant from the Maryland
Bicentennial Commission, the Honorable Louise Gore, Chairman.

This work was made possible through the assistance of a research grant from the
National Endowment for the Humanities. The findings and conclusions presented here
do not necessarily represent the views of the Endowment.

Copyright © 1979 by the Hall of Records Commission of the State of Maryland
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,
xerography, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publisher. Manufactured in the United States of America

The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland 21218

The Johns Hopkins Press Ltd., London

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 78-18042

ISBN 0-8018-1995-4

The seal on the title page first appeared in 1765 on the title page of the Reverend
Thomas Bacon's compilation of the Laws of Maryland, and until 1793 it ornamented
printed editions of the session laws of the Assembly. Carved on a wood block by
Thomas Sparrow, ward and employee of the Annapolis printer, Jonas Green, the
Sparrow seal bears the Latin motto "Crescite et Multiplicamint," which means
Increase and Multiply."