Laws against _Puritans_, tho' they were free from them;
which had this good Success, that to this Day, the People are as it were
quite free from them, being all of the _Church of England_, without the
odious distinguishing Characters of _High_ or _Low_ among themselves.
Indeed, there are a few _Quakers_ in some of the worst Counties, where
_Clergymen_ are unwilling to settle, such as the lower Parts of
_Nansemond_ County; but these might easily be brought over to the
_Church_; and I am fully persuaded that the Growth of their Doctrine
might be easily nipped in the Bud, by very plain Methods.

Among other Persons of Distinction that went over to settle in
_Virginia_, was the noble _Caecilius Calvert Lord Baltimore_, a _Roman
Catholick_, who with his Family, Friends and Attendants, was willing to
retire thither for the free Exercise of his Religion.

He obtained a Patent for all that vast Part of _Virginia_, which lies to
the Northward of the great River _Potowmack_; which was confirmed to his
Son and his Heirs in the Year 1633.

This Province was named _Maryland_ from the _Royal Consort of King
Charles_ I. and remains still the Propriety of the present _Lord
Baltimore_ and his Heirs, with the Restriction of their being
_Protestants_; and is perhaps the largest Estate in the World belonging
to any one Person, that is not a Prince.

Though the _Church of England_ be establish'd in _Maryland_; yet it is a
Sanctuary for _Papists_, who are pretty numerous there, and enjoy the
Freedom of their _Priests_ and _Mass_ in a great Measure, without
Molestation.

CHAP. II.

_Of the Metropolis_ Williamsburgh, _and the College, Capitol, and
Governor's House, and the Church_, &c.

The first _Metropolis_, _James Town_, was built in the most convenient
Place for Trade and Security against the _Indians_, but often received
much Damage, being twice burnt down; after which it never recovered its
Perfection, consisting at present of nothing but Abundance of Brick
Rubbish, and three or four good inhabited Houses, tho' the Parish is of
pretty large Extent, but less than others. When the _State House_ and
_Prison_ were burnt down, _Governor Nicholson_ removed the Residence of
the Governor, with the Meeting of _General Courts_ and _General
Assemblies to Middle Plantation_, seven Miles from _James Town_, in a
healthier and more convenient Place, and freer from the Annoyance of
_Muskettoes_.

Here he laid out the _City of Williams