in the Baltimore family until the English Revolution
of 1689. I shall pass now to the next subject proposed in this
undertaking.
CHAPTER II.
EXPLANATION OP TENURES.
IT has been seen, in the notice already taken of Lord
Baltimore's Charter, that he was to HOLD of the Grantor, his
heirs and successors, Kings of England, by a certain
specified tenure, and every possessor of an old patent knows that
the Proprietary's grants of land always contained (mutatis
mutandis) a clause of similar import. It is proposed to give
a brief explanation of the nature and object of those
conditions of tenure. What concerns that of the Proprietary,
together with the style of the Dominion and Royalty conferred
upon him, is found in the 5th article which is here recited.
" And We do by these presents, for Us, our heirs and
" successors, make, create, and constitute him, the now
" Baron of Baltimore, and his heirs, the True and Absolute
" Lords and Proprietaries of the Region aforesaid, and all
" other the premisses (except the before excepted) saving
" always the faith and allegiance and sovereign dominion due
" to us, our heirs and successors; to Have, Hold, Possess
" and Enjoy the aforesaid region, Islands, Islets, and other
" the Premisses, unto the aforesaid now Baron of Baltimore,
" and to his heirs and assigns, to the sole and proper behoof
" and use of him, the now Baron of Baltimore, his heirs and
" assigns forever. To Hold of Us, our heirs and successors,
" Kings of England, as of our Castle of Windsor, in our
" County of Berks, in free and common Soccage, by Fealty
" only for all services, and not in Capite, nor by Knights
" service, Yielding therefore, unto Us, our heirs and successors
" Two Indian Arrows of those parts, to be delivered at the
" said Castle of Windsor, every year, on Tuesday in Easter
" week; and also the fifth part of all Gold and Silver Ore
" which shall happen from time to time to be found within
" the aforesaid limits."
The article which authorizes grants of Land from the
Proprietary and directs the kinds of estate which he may convey
is as follows:
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