This is only a Test

Catholicism in Maryland in the Seventeenth Century

“…Krugler notes that the proprietor 'offered less generous terms' to Fendall and the Puritans in 1660 than he had offered to the rebels in 1657, although he did issue a general pardon on 17 November, 1660. 52 Once again the 'Maryland designe' was achieved in the colony. Prosperity and liberty were available to all, including Quakers, a group as distrusted as Catholics.…”

“…He acted boldly by stepping down from an office [privy councilor] he much cherished. 8 Indeed, Charles raised Calvert to the peerage with the royal grant of the manor of Baltimore in Ireland. Nor did Charles withdraw Calvert's land grant.…”

“…The third factor, his intention to profit from his colonial enterprises, brought the first two together. 11 Krugler's fundamental thesis is that George Calvert did not want the English Catholics to seem like victims; rather he wanted to assert their being both English and Catholic. 'From the wreck of his career as a prominent government official emerged a new, bolder George Calvert: the capitalist and Catholic colonizer'.…”

“…Krugler lists 'five major obstacles': (1) 'the continuous threats from the adherents of the old Virginia Company'; (2) recruiting 'planters willing to take the risks inherent in founding a new plantation'; (3) finding 'investors willing to share the financial risks'; (4) obtaining 'capable leaders to assist him in governing'; (5) his Catholicism. 16 Offsetting these problems Krugler notes that (1) Cecilius was supported by 'influential members' of Charles's government; (2) Parliament, the seat of enmity, 'had not met since 1629'; (3) he 'had an abundance of land to distribute and trade rights to barter . .…”

“…A month later, the committee received orders to write an ordinance to settle 'the Plantation of Maryland under the Command of Protestants'. 35 Lord Baltimore used all of the law and his connections to delay this business, and succeeded. By the end of 1646, affairs in the colony were much improved.…”