between the capes, past Point Comfort and so
up to Jamestown--to the embarrassment of that capital, as will soon be
evident.

Here in Church of England Virginia was a "popish recusant!" Here was an
old "court party" man, one of James's commissioners, a person of rank
and prestige, known, for all his recusancy, to be in favor with
the present King. Here was the Proprietary of Avalon, guessed to be
dissatisfied with his chilly holding, on the scent perhaps of balmier,
easier things!

The Assembly was in session when Lord Baltimore came to Jamestown.
All arrivers in Virginia must take the oath of supremacy. The Assembly
proposed this to the visitor who, as Roman Catholic, could not take it,
and said as much, but offered his own declaration of friendliness to
the powers that were. This was declined. Debate followed, ending with
a request from the Assembly that the visitor depart from Virginia. Some
harshness of speech ensued, but hospitality and the amenities fairly
saved the situation. One Thomas Tindall was pilloried for "giving my
lord Baltimore the lie and threatening to knock him down." Baltimore
thereupon set sail, but not, perhaps, until he had gained that knowledge
of conditions which he desired.

In England he found the King willing to make him a large grant, with no
less powers than had clothed him in Avalon. Territory should be taken
from the old Virginia; it must be of unsettled land--Indians of course
not counting. Baltimore first thought of the stretch south of the river
James between Virginia and Spanish Florida--a fair land of woods and
streams, of good harbors, and summer weather. But suddenly William
Claiborne was found to be in London, sent there by the Virginians, with
representations in his pocket. Virginia was already settled and had the
intention herself of expanding to the south.

Baltimore, the King, and the Privy Council weighed the matter. Westward,
the blue mountains closed the prospect. Was the South Sea just beyond
their sunset slopes, or was it much farther away, over unknown lands,
than the first adventurers had guessed? Either way, too rugged hardship
marked the west! East rolled the ocean. North, then? It were well to
step in before those Hollanders about the mouth of the Hudson should
cast nets to the south. Baltimore accordingly asked for a grant north of
the Potomac.

He received a huge territory, stretching over what is now Maryland,
Delaware, and a part of Pennsylvania. The Poto