MARYLAND.

Our countrymen would be apt to consider this
picture of improvement as only applicable to
the new states of the Union. Already Virginia,
Maryland, Delaware and the eastern states are
looked upon, and spoken of as ancient domini-
ons in regard to the other states. But the por-
trait is true when reviewed from Europe. What
vast resources, what fields for cultivation still
remain untouched in Maryland? May we not
hope that the spirit of improvement, now
"abroad in the land," will not only tend to de-
velope, but also insure the improvement of these
resources.

CHAPTER III.

POLITICAL CHARACTER.

Maryland was a British Colony, and under
Proprietary government, until the commence-
ment of the revolution: Lord Baltimore, and
his heirs to whom the territory was granted by
the King of England, was considered the sole
proprietor of the country, and the Governor
thereof. He created officers, and made all civil
appointments; of him, all the Landholders de-
rived their original titles.

The geography we have quoted above, gives
the following rapid outline of the transition