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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 26: To My Brother P. A.

By George Alsop

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History - American History - 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.

To My Brother P. A.

BROTHER,

I Have made a shift to unloose my self from my Collar now as well as you, but I see at present either small pleasure or profit in it: What the futurality of my dayes will bring forth, I know not; For while I was linckt with the Chain of a restraining Servitude, I had all things cared for, and now I have all things to care for my self, which makes me almost to wish my self in for the other four years.

Liberty without money, is like a man opprest with the Gout, every step he puts forward puts him to {102} pain; when on the other side, he that has Coyn with his Liberty, is like the swift Post-Messenger of the Gods, that wears wings at his heels, his motion being swift or slow, as he pleaseth.

I received this year two Caps, the one white, of an honest plain countenance, the other purple, which I conceive to be some antient Monumental Relique; which of them you sent I know not, and it was a wonder how I should, for there was no mention in the Letter, more then, that my Brother had sent me a Cap: They were delivered me in the company of some Gentlemen that ingaged me to write a few lines upon the purple one, and because they were my Friends I could not deny them; and here I present them to you as they were written.

Haile from the dead, or from Eternity,

Thou Velvit Relique of Antiquity;

Thou which appear’st here in thy purple hew,

Tell’s how the dead within their Tombs do doe;

How those Ghosts fare within each Marble Cell,

Where amongst them for Ages thou didst dwell.

What Brain didst cover there? tell us that we

Upon our knees vayle Hats to honour thee:

And if no honour’s due, tell us whose pate

Thou basely coveredst, and we’l joyntly hate:

Let’s know his name, that we may shew neglect;

If otherwise, we’l kiss thee with respect.

Say, didst thou cover Noll’s old brazen head,

Which on the top of Westminster high Lead {103}

Stands on a Pole, erected to the sky,

As a grand Trophy to his memory.

From his perfidious skull didst thou fall down,

In a dis-dain to honour such a crown

With three-pile Velvet? tell me, hadst thou thy fall

From the high top of that Cathedral?

None of the Heroes of the Roman stem,

Wore ever such a fashion’d Diadem,

Didst thou speak Turkish in thy unknown dress,

Thou’dst cover Great Mogull, and no man less;

But in thy make methinks thou’rt too too scant,

To be so great a Monarch’s Turberant.

The Jews by Moses swear, they never knew

E’re such a Cap drest up in Hebrew:

Nor the strict Order of the Romish See,

Wears any Cap that looks so base as thee;

His Holiness hates thy Lowness, and instead,

Wears Peters spired Steeple on his head:

The Cardinals descent is much more flat,

For want of name, baptized is A Hat;

Through each strict Order has my fancy ran,

Both Ambrose, Austin, and the Franciscan,

Where I beheld rich Images of the dead,

Yet scarce had one a Cap upon his head:

Episcopacy wears Caps, but not like thee,

Though several shap’d, with much diversity:

’Twere best I think I presently should gang

To Edenburghs strict Presbyterian;

But Caps they’ve none, their ears being made so large,

Serves them to turn it like a Garnesey Barge;

Those keep their skulls warm against North-west gusts,

When they in Pulpit do poor Calvin curse. {104}

Thou art not Fortunatus, for I daily see,

That which I wish is farthest off from me:

Thy low-built state none ever did advance,

To christen thee the Cap of Maintenance;

Then till I know from whence thou didst derive,

Thou shalt be call’d, the Cap of Fugitive.

You writ to me this year to send you some Smoak; at that instant it made me wonder that a man of a rational Soul, having both his eyes (blessed be God) should make so unreasonable a demand, when he that has but one eye, nay he which has never a one, and is fain to make use of an Animal conductive for his optick guidance, cannot endure the prejudice that Smoak brings with it: But since you are resolv’d upon it, I’le dispute it no farther.

I have sent you that which will make Smoak, (namely Tobacco) though the Funk it self is so slippery that I could not send it, yet I have sent you the Substance from whence the Smoak derives: What use you imploy it to I know not, nor will I be too importunate to know; yet let me tell you this, That if you burn it in a room to affright the Devil from the house, you need not fear but it will work the same effect, as Tobyes galls did upon the leacherous Fiend. No more at present. Vale.

Your Brother,

G. A.

From Mary-Land, Dec. 11. Anno