[Reduction of Maryland.]

By the Commissioners of the Council of State for the
Commonwealth of England

Whereas the right honourable the Council of State for the
Commonwealth of England by Authority of Parliament have
Committed to us the Commissioners several Powers for the
Reducing setling and Governing of all the Plantations within
the Bay of Chesopeak as by their Commission and Instructions
Bearing date at Whitehall the 26^th day of Sept^r 1651 may
Appear in pursuance whereof the foresaid Commissioners
having applyed themselves to the Governor & Council of
Maryland (one of the Plantations within the Limits aforesaid
Requiring them to submit thereunto and to Act Accordingly
and having tendered the same several times unto them so as
that they might remain in their Places Conforming themselves
to the Laws of the Commonwealth of England in Point of
Government only and not infringing the Lord Baltimores just
rights which they having denied and Refused as being incon-
sistent with the Pattent of the Lord proprietor and their oaths
made to him In Obedience therefore to the said Councils
Commands in their said Commissions to us directed and for
the preservation of the Honour and Interest of the Common-
wealth of England for setling the Colony of Maryland in their

Liber C. B.
p. 267

due Obedience and peace and for the true Administration of
Justice and right to the Inhabitants thereof until further Order
can be taken therein and until the Council of States further
pleasure shall be known we the said Commissioners have here-
by thought fit to publish these Orders following Requiring all
the people of this Province to see the same kept and Observed
That all writs warrants and process whatsoever be issued
forth in the name of the Keepers of the Liberty of England by
Authority of Parliament that they be signed under the hand of
one or more of the Council hereafter named viz^t Robert Brooke
Esq^r Col^o Francis Yardley M^r Job Chandler Captain Edward
Windham M^r Richard Preston and Lieutenant Richard Banks
That the said Council of Maryland first taking the ingage-
ment do Cause the same to be tendered to all the inhabitants
in these words, we whose names are Subscribed do promise
and engage our selves to be true and faithful to the Common-
wealth of England as it is now Established without King or
House of Lords

p. 268