A Character of the Province of Maryland: Described in four distinct parts; also a small Treatise on the Wild and Naked Indians (or Susquehanokes) of Maryland, their customs, manners, absurdities, and religion; together with a collection of historical letters.Alsop, George
History
A Character of the Province of Maryland: Described in four distinct parts; also a small Treatise on the Wild and Naked Indians (or Susquehanokes) of Maryland, their customs, manners, absurdities, and religion; together with a collection of historical letters.
Alsop, George
Maryland -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Susquehanna Indians
Once every year within this Province is an Assembly called, and out
of every respective County (by the consent of the people) there is
chosen a number of men, and to them is deliver’d up the Grievances of
the Country; and they maturely debate the matters, and according to
their Consciences make Laws for the general good of the people; and
where any former Law that was made, seems and is prejudicial to the
good or quietness of the Land, it is repeal’d. These men that determine
on these matters for the Republique, are called Burgesses, and they
commonly sit in Junto about six weeks, being for the most part good
ordinary Householders of the several Counties, which do more by a plain
and honest Conscience, than by artificial Syllogisms drest up in gilded
Orations. (See note No. 24).
Here Suits and Tryals in Law seldome hold dispute two Terms or Courts,
but according as the Equity of the Cause appears is brought to a
period. (See note No. 25). The _Temples_ and _Grays-Inne_ are clear
out of fashion here: Marriot (see note No. 26) would sooner get a
paunch-devouring meal for nothing, than for his invading Counsil. Here
if the Lawyer had nothing else to maintain him but his bawling, he
might button up his Chops, and burn his Buckrom Bag, or else hang it
upon a pin untill its Antiquity had eaten it up with durt and dust:
Then with a {48} Spade, like his Grandsire _Adam_, turn up the face
of the Creation, purchasing his bread by the sweat of his brows, that
before was got by the motionated Water-works of his jaws. So contrary
to the Genius of the people, if not to the quiet Government of the
Province, that the turbulent Spirit of continued and vexatious Law,
with all its querks and evasions, is openly and most eagerly opposed,
that might make matters either dubious, tedious, or troublesom. All
other matters that would be ranging in contrary and improper Spheres,
(in short) are here by the Power moderated, lower’d and subdued. All
villanous Outrages that are committed in other States, are not so much
as known here: A man may walk in the open Woods as secure from being
externally dissected, as in his own house or dwelling. So hateful is a
Robber, that if but once imagin’d to be so, he’s kept at a distance,
and shun’d as the Pestilential noysomness. (See note No. 27).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account