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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. cover

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.

Chapter 25: To my Cosen Mris. Ellinor Evins.
By George Alsop
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History - AmericanHistory - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)

About This Book

The tract presents a promotional portrait of Maryland intended to encourage emigration, describing fertile land, navigable waterways, and economic prospects while mixing practical observation with exuberant praise. It is organized in four parts and includes a separate treatise on the Susquehanoke Indians that catalogs their customs, religion, and manners as observed by the author. The narrative outlines the redemption system and the terms and experiences of bonded servants, and it offers reports on colonial life, social conditions, and agricultural opportunity. A collection of historical letters supplements the account, and the tone shifts between colloquial rhetoric and deliberate persuasion aimed at prospective migrants.

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To my Cosen Mris. Ellinor Evins.

E’ re I forget the Zenith of your Love,
L  et me be banisht from the Thrones above;
L  ight let me never see, when I grow rude,
I  ntomb your Love in base Ingratitude:
N  or may I prosper, but the state
O  f gaping Tantalus be my fate;
R  ather then I should thus preposterous grow,
E  arth would condemn me to her vaults below.
V  ertuous and Noble, could my Genius raise
I  mmortal Anthems to your Vestal praise,
N  one should be more laborious than I,
S  aint-like to Canonize you to the Sky.

The Antimonial Cup (dear Cosen) you sent me, I had; and as soon as I received it, I went to work with the Infirmities and Diseases of my body. At the first draught, it made such havock among the several humors that had stolen into my body, that like a Conjurer in a room among a company of little Devils, they no sooner hear him begin to speak high words, but away they pack, and happy is he that can get out first, some up the Chimney, and the rest down stairs, till they are all disperst. So those malignant humors of my body, feeling the operative power, and medicinal virtue of this Cup, were so amazed at their sudden surprizal, (being alwayes before battered only by the weak assaults of some few Empyricks) they stood not long to dispute, but with joynt consent {101} made their retreat, some running through the sink of the Skullery, the rest climbing up my ribs, took my mouth for a Garret-window, and so leapt out.

Cosen, For this great kindness of yours, in sending me this medicinal vertue, I return you my thanks: It came in a very good time, when I was dangerously sick, and by the assistance of God it hath perfectly recovered me.

I have sent you here a few Furrs, they were all I could get at present, I humbly beg your acceptance of them, as a pledge of my love and thankfulness unto you; I subscribe,

Your loving Cosen,
G. A.

From Mary Land, Dec. 9. Anno