of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 799

with us, to restore and perpetuate those ideals without which life would be
meaningless to any American.

It is a distinct personal pleasure for me to be here this evening to welcome
to our State our distinguished visitor. I might be pardoned for a reference to
a former occasion when I had the opportunity of welcoming the British Am-
bassador—it was in June last at the Conference of Governors' in Asheville,
North Carolina. In effect, the events of the war immediately preceeding the
onference approached a second Dunkirk, Tobrug had just fallen with resultant
shock to the world, but with characteristic faith in his fellow-countrymen, our
guest then predicted that with American cooperation the African continent
would be redeemed. His unshakeable determination was assuring and his know-
ledge of the power of the United Nations has been proven by subsequent events.

Tonight, happily, he comes in a different setting. Tobruk has been avenged
and the situation in North Africa, difficult as it still is, undoubtedly far sur-
passes any hope that even the most optimistic could have entertained. Because
of the just pride in the achievements of our own forces in this North Africa
campaign, and because of the tremendous advancement it marks for the United
Nations' cause, we can rejoice tonight with our visitor and share with him the
confidence of ultimate and not-too-long-deferred Victory. Once again, Mary-
land and great Britain have joined hands across the sea. Many of Maryland's
sons tonight are in that far-off isle, awaiting the "zero hour" that will mark
their active entry into hostilities.

It "is my happy privilege at this time to have the opportunity, on behalf of
the Maryland Branch of the English-speaking Union, to present to our visitor
a token whose historical significance is matched only by its personal significance.
It is entirely fitting that such a presentation should come on the occasion of
this 309th anniversary of the sailing of the Ark and Dove.

To us here in Maryland it is a historical document, indeed, in that it paved
the way for the coming to Maryland of that great pioneer who established the
Land of Sanctuary so dear, to the heart of everyone here tonight. It is a
photostat of a letter of Lord Baltimore, dated August 19, 1629, representing the
first move toward the founding of the then un-named and undefined Palatinate
of Maryland. Composed in the attempted colony of Avalon in Newfoundland,
it is apparently the original declaration from Lord Baltimore to Charles the
First stating his desire to establish a colony in this vicinity. In presenting it I ex-
press the hope that the ties of friendship and comradeship, so close this evening
between our respective Countries, may grow even more binding, and that nothing
may ever happen to dissipate the friendship of the two great English-speaking
Democracies of the world.

To you, Lord Halifax, as a representative of a people for whom we have
the utmost admiration, I offer this slight tribute of affection from the people of
Maryland.