after the defeat of general Braddock it was given out that several Roman catholicks had showed signs of satisfaction and joy at that unhappy event, and that one of their priests had been seen on the frontiers in the dress of an officer. To alarm the people the more, it was, at the same time, rumoured that the negroes had been caballing in many parts of the country-nay, Mr. Chase, rector of St. Paul's parish, in Baltimore county, scrupled not to intimate from the pulpit to his congregation, that the state or situation of the protestants in this province was, at that time, very little different from that of the protestants in Ireland, at the eve of the Irish massacre. In order to learn whether the behaviour of the papists, or of any negroes, had given reason or afforded room for such reports, I convened the gentlemen of the council, and, by their advice, circular letters were sent to the justices of the peace in the several parts of the province, whereby they were directed to enquire whether the Roman catholicks, in their respective counties, had misbehaved, or whether there was any foundation for the reports which had been spread concerning them, and which had made many of his majesty's good subjects in the province very uneasy.

The letters which I shall herewith transmit to your lordship in a packett marked No. 1, will shew that none of the county courts could, upon the strictest enquiry, find that any of the papists had behaved or expressed themselves in an unbecoming manner, tho', indeed, the justices of Prince George's county (who, it seems, had taken extraordinary pains to make discoveries, but in vain,) were too much prejudiced to acquit them, or, at least, to acquit their priests of having ill designs against the government. When the assembly met in April fol

lowing, the lower house, incited by two or three gentlemen whose interest and popularity were thereby promoted, presented an address to me which was calculated to inflame the people still more against the papists, and to make 'em believe that they, or a few of them, at least, had received extraordinary favours from myself. I cannot help thinking that your lordship was thoroughly satisfied, by the answer I gave the gentlemen the 24th of April, 1656, which is printed in their journal, that the allegations or insinuations contained in their address were false and groundless, and, indeed, I am persuaded that, if they had not been convinced thereof, and been sensible that they had been imposed on, they would not have failed to make a reply. During the same session, the gentlemen of the upper house thought proper to frame a bill for preventing the growth of popery within this province, by which the priests were to be rendered incapable of holding any lands, to be obliged to register their names, and give large security for their good behaviour, forbid to make a proselyte under pain of the penalty for high treason, and it was to have been enacted by the said bill, that no person who should hereafter be educated at any foreign popish seminary, could be qualified to inherit any estate or to hold lands within this province. There were many other restraints to be laid on them by this bill, as your lordship may see, if you shall be pleased to peruse the copy of it which you will herewith receive; but the gentlemen of the lower house refused to pass it without many amendments, and these the upper house would not agree to, being of opinion that the bill, as it was first drawn, was severe enough, and sufficient to answer every good end that could be desired by any protestants who delighted not in perse

cution.

The step which the gentlemen of the upper house had taken in proposing such a bill, added to the report which the justices had made, had this effect, however, that it quieted the minds of the people, and silenced those who had endeavoured to inflame and terrify them.

I have since ordered another circular letter to be wrote and sent to the justices, desiring them to enquire again, and inform me how the Roman catholicks in the several counties had behaved, since they, the justices, made their last report, in a packett marked No. 2. I shall transmit your lordship copies of all their answers, which will, I am apt to think, incline your lordship to believe that the Roman catholicks who are among us continue to behave as behooves good subjects; and, upon the whole, my lord, I must say, that, if I was asked whether the conduct of the protestants or papists in this province hath been most unexceptionable since I have had the honour to serve your lordship, I should not hesitate to give an answer in favour of the latter."*

* Governor Sharpe's MS. Letter-book, in the Maryland state library.

CHAPTER IV.

Dispute between Governor Nicholson and the Lower House of Assembly-They become reconciled-Governor Nicholson leaves this Province to preside over Virginia-Petition of Mr. John PerryJames Crawford, a Delegate, killed by lightning-First public Jail-State-House burnt down-A new one erected-DescribedImprovement of the town-A plot for burning of Annapolis, discovered-Bounds of Annapolis-Annapolis chartered-Description of Annapolis-Delegates from Annapolis to receive only half wages-Improvements-Mr. James Stoddart appointed to lay off anew the city-Mr. Wm. Parks appointed to compile the Laws of the Province-Improvements-Appropriation to build a Government-House-Mr. Jonas Green appointed Printer to the Province-His character-Editor of the Maryland Gazette-The first public horseracing-Aurora Borealis-South River Club-Military movements at Annapolis-Anniversary of George the Second-Trade and Commerce of Annapolis-The first Ship-YardBrig Lovely Nancy-Notices of some of the oldest houses of the town-The old Episcopal Church-Indians-King Abraham and Queen Sarah-A Hiccory Switch-A Jockey Club formed-RacesThe first Theatre built-The first Lottery drawn in the ProvinceGovernor Sharp arrives at Annapolis-The military march from Annapolis against the French on the Ohio-General Braddock and other distinguished persons arrive at Annapolis-Doctor Charles Carroll, his death--Annapolis entrenched-Hostilities of the French and Indians-Small-pox.

1698.

Ar the close of March session of the assembly in 1698-which had been one of contentious disputation between the lower house and governor Nicholson; the governor closed his address as follows:

'A letter from your house supposed to be for my Lord Bishop of London, has been here read, and his excellency says that he scorns to have his reputation and honour supported and vindicated by some of you, but shall rather look upon it as a scandall to have it so,

for that he can prove one your house to be a villian upon record, if not worse, and of several others, your lives and conversations to be so well known, both in this country and England, that they are not agreeable to truth and justice.'

It appears, however, that before the conclusion of the October session of the same year, a better state of feeling prevailed, between the members of the lower house and governor Nicholson. At this period he was appointed governor of the province of Virginia, and was succeeded in Maryland by governor Blackstone. Before taking his departure, in addressing the two houses of assembly, he embraced the occasion to say— that notwithstanding the public business had been 'interrupted by heats and animosities amongst them— he hoped they were now burried in the depth of oblivion, and that he was not willing to revive them.

'And for as much as he hoped all differences are composed or forgot, he will not make any distinction or separation amongst the gentlemen of the house of delegates, and for what hath happened, he doth believe was through inadvertency, and as he has an esteem for all persons that had shewed themselves truly loyall to his majesty, whensoever, that occasion may require it, he will signalize it by the best services he may doe them,' &c. In reply to which the following address was made, viz:

"The honourable colonel Henry Jowles, chancellor, on behalf of the honourable, his majesty's council— the honourable, the justice of the provincial courtsome of the members of the house of delegate, and the grand jury-presented the following address:

"To his excellency Francis Nicholson, Esq., cap