Maryland, like Virginia, had no large towns, and remained undisturbed by either Indians or French. “Its staple was tobacco, yet hemp and flax were raised, and all were employed as currency. In Somerset and Dorchester the manufacture of linen and even woollen cloth was attempted. In Maryland, white labourers being found more advantageous than negroes, the market was always well supplied with them, the price varying from £12 to £30. Maryland was the most southern colony which, in 1695, consented to pay its quota towards the defence of New York, thus forming from Chesapeake to Maine an imperfect confederacy. The union was increased by a public post. Eight times in the year letters might be forwarded from the Potomac to Philadelphia. Public education was talked of, and promised by the assembly, but not carried out. The population increased, though not rapidly. In 1710 bond and free amounted to about 30,000; a bounty still continued to be offered for every wolf’s head; the roads to the capital were marked by notches on trees; and water-mills still solicited legislative encouragement.[13] William Penn, more fortunate than his neighbour Lord Baltimore, recovered his province without any compromise of principle. Within two years after the Revolution, he had been three several times arrested and tried, and openly acquitted; and now, in 1690, he determined once more to visit his province, where, spite of all his efforts at good and happy government, discontent existed. Numbers of emigrants were again prepared to accompany him, “a convoy was granted, and the fleet ready to sail, when, on his return from the funeral of George Fox, messengers were sent to apprehend him.” “Three times having been tried, and three times acquitted,” says Bancroft, “he now went into retirement. Locke would have interceded for him, but he refused clemency, waiting rather for justice. The delay completed the wreck of his fortunes; sorrow lowered over his family; the wife of his youth died; his eldest son had no vigorous hold on life; and many, even among his friends, cavilled at his conduct.” It was a deep baptism of sorrow; but he had still powerful advocates who interceded successfully for him. “He is my old acquaintance,” said William of Orange, finally; “he may follow his business as freely as ever; I have nothing to say against him.” His innocence was fully established, and in August, 1694, he was restored to his proprietary rights.