15

Tlius it was evident to Baltimore tliat he could hope for
nothing in Virginia. The conduct of the officials showed him
clearly that Catholics could not live in peace in tliat colony;
and to secure them a refuge he must obtain a charter for a
new province. Leaving his family in Virginia he sailed for Eng-
land to employ his influence in obtaining a new graut.

CHAPTER IV.
Religious Toleration in Avalon.
That Lord Baltimore was tolerant in his relations toward
religion there can be no doubt. But we would be shirking our
duty if we did not endeavor in a measure to bring to light all
the reasons for such a course of action. We do not do it to
deteriorate in the least from Baltimore’s character or fame, for
we think these flrmly and rightfully established. We shall sim-
ply try to prove, that owing to circumstances an intolerant
course would have been an impossibility. That Baltimore did
have in view (along with other intentions — see page 11 of
this thesis) the formation of an asylum for English Catholics l)
we allow 2), but we also assert with confidence that a charter
granting a colony for Catholics to the exclusion of Protestants
was something diametrically opposed to the policy and dispo-
sition of England3). It was not at all likely that England would
1) The charter mentions it. Also see Oldmexions British Empire in Ame-
rica. Voh I. p. 5.
2) But we oppose the Statement that he lead out the colony solely for
Catholics without any mind to a personal Investment as well. See p. 11 of
this thesis.
3) See p. 11 of this thesis.
“Full authority was given to all the king’s subjects to proceed thither and
settle, even if there should be a province law to the contrary” — and further —
“No laws could be made which did not in a degree harmonize with those of
England.” See p. 12 of this thesis. Thus we see no distinction was made.
Shea in “Church in Colonial Days” practically corroborates these State-
ments. See p. 30, 31.