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could hardly be presumed, that Lord Baltimore would submit to a
tax upon a revenue which has not been admitted into any other
colony, and which his Lordship has so much reason to controvert.
The quit-rents payable to him cannot be thought by any one to be a
render proportioned to the value of the lands; and though it is not

p. 148

expressed in our patents, that we should undertake the burthen of
defending ourselves, yet it seems plainly by his tenants to be evident,
from their never having made any attempt till now to subject his
quit-rents to any kind of tax, and from an express law which
passed in 1651, by which it was enacted, That all charges arising
from time to time by defence of the Province against any enemy,
or against any domestic insurrection or rebellion against the public
peace of this Province, or the Government established, shall be
defrayed by this Province, by an assessment upon the persons and
estates of the inhabitants thereof; which method of assessment in
the foregoing recited act is further explained by an act passed in
1661, to be an assessment per poll, according to the usual custom
of this Province *."

p. 149

In the objections made to the double tax on Non-Jurors, the
Upper House in the same message say, "The double tax imposed
by the bill upon the real and personal estates of Non-Jurors, we
cannot agree to in conscience, justice, or good policy, as we think
such a measurement would effectually banish them. The first settle-
ment of this Province was made by Roman Catholics, who had
been drawn from their native country by the severity of its laws:

p. 150

an act for an unlimited toleration of all Christians passed in 1640.
Had a spirit of intolerance prevailed amongst the first colonists, the
progress in settling that part of his Majestys dominions had been
probably retarded. After the services these people have done in
extending the dominions of the Crown, and settling the country;
after they have been promised and allowed an asylum here upon
the faith and encouragement of an express law, and by the means

Note, translated from the original Latin Charter.

* "And further, our pleasure is, and by these presents for us, our heirs, and
successors, we do covenant and grant to and with the said Lord Baltimore, his
heirs and assigns, that we, our heirs and successors, shall at no time hereafter, set,
or make, or cause to be set, any imposition, custom, or other taxation, rate, or
other contribution whatsover, in or upon the dwellers and inhabitants of the
foresaid Province, for their lands, tenements, goods, or chattels, within the said
Province, or in or upon any goods or merchandises within the said Province, or to
be laden or unladen within any ports or harbours of the said Province: And our
pleasure is, and for us, our heirs, and successors, we charge and command, that
this our declaration shall be henceforward from time to time received and allowed
in all our courts, and before all the judges of us, our heirs, and successors, for a
sufficient and lawful discharge, payment, and acquaintance: Commanding all and
singular our officers, and ministers of us, our heirs, and successors, and enjoining
them, upon pain of our high displeasure, that they do not presume at any time,
to attempt any thing to the contrary of the premises, or that they do in any sort
withstand the same; but that they be at all times aiding and assisting as is fitting
unto the said now Lord Baltimore and his heirs, and to the inhabitants and merchants
of Maryland aforesaid, their servants, ministers, factors, and assigns, and in the full
use and fruition of the benefit of this our Charter." [This is a footnote in the
original.]