all his actions, and the similarity to his petition of ideas
and even of words in certain places, would safely allow the conjecture
that Ingle had something to do in the report of 1645 already
mentioned. It is curious also to compare his reference to the
ill-treatment of the Protestants, and the mention of the hardships of
Baltimore's adherents, made by the Assembly of 1649. There is no
record of the presence of Ingle in Maryland after the spring of 1645,
though the rebellion which he was accused of instigating continued
some months longer.[54] For continuity, a rapid sketch of the history
of Maryland during the next two years must be given.

For fourteen months the province was without a settled government. In
March, 1645/6, the Virginian Assembly in view of the secret flight
into Maryland of Lieutenant Stillwell, and others, enacted that "Capt.
Tho. Willoughby, Esq., and Capt. Edward Hill be hereby authorized to
go to Maryland or Kent to demand the return of such persons who are
alreadie departed from the colony. And to follow such further
instructions as shall be given them by the Governor and Council."[55]
After Hill had arrived in Maryland he was elected governor by the
members of the council, who, notwithstanding Ingle's rebellion, were
in the province. The right of the council to elect Hill was afterwards
disputed, but one word must be said in regard to this. The reason for
disputing the right was that the councilors could elect only a member
of the council to be governor. In the commission to Leonard Calvert in
1637, no such restriction was made,[56] in the commission of 1642 the
restriction occurs, and in the commission of 1644, which has been
preserved in two copies, the same provision was made.[57] As Lord
Baltimore himself had confused ideas about this commission, it is not
surprising that the council thought they were doing right in electing
Hill. Even if the council had no right to act thus, Hill had stronger
claims to the governorship. In Lord Baltimore's commission to Leonard
Calvert, of September 18th, 1644, is the provision:[58] "and lastly
whereas our said Lieutenant may happen to dye or be absent from time
to time out of the said province of Maryland, before we can have
notice to depute another in his place we do therefore hereby grant
unto him full power and Authority from time to time in such Cases to
Nominate elect and appoint such an able person inhabiting and residing
within our said province of