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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 6: To all the Merchant Adventurers for MARY-LAND, together with those Commanders of Ships that saile into that Province.
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.

To all the Merchant Adventurers for MARY-LAND, together with those Commanders of Ships that saile into that Province.

SIRS,

YOU are both Ad­ven­turers, the one of Estate, the other of Life: I could tell you I am an Ad­ven­turer too, if I durst pre­sume to come in­to your Com­pany. I have ventured to come abroad in Print, and if I should be laughed at for my good meaning, it would so break the credit of my understanding, that I should never dare to shew my face upon the Exchange of (conceited) Wits again.

This dish of Discourse was intended for you at first, but it was manners to let my Lord have the first cut, the Pye being his own. I beseech you accept of the matter as ’tis drest, only to stay your stomachs, and I’le promise you the next shall be better done, ’Tis all as I can serve you in at present, and it may be questionable whether I have served you in this or no. Here I present you with A Character of Mary-Land, it may be you will say ’tis weakly done, if you do I cannot help it, ’tis as well as I could do it, considering several Obstacles that like blocks were thrown in my way to hinder my proceeding: The major part thereof was written in the intermitting time of my sickness, therefore I hope the afflicting weakness of {24} my Microcosm may plead a just excuse for some imperfections of my pen. I protest what I have writ is from an experimental knowledge of the Country, and not from any imaginary supposition. If I am blamed for what I have done too much, it is the first, and I will irrevocably promise it shall be the last. There’s a Maxim upon Tryals at Assizes, That if a thief be taken upon the first fault, if it be not to hainous, they only burn him in the hand and let him go (see note No. 5): So I desire you to do by me, if you find any thing that bears a criminal absurdity in it, only burn me for my first fact and let me go. But I am afraid I have kept you too long in the Entry, I shall desire you therefore to come in and sit down.

G. ALSOP.