University of Virginia Library

THE MARYLAND CHARTER—GOVERNOR HARVEY.

Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, in 1632, obtained a patent for all that
part of Virginia embraced within the present limits of Maryland, and at
once proceeded to colonize it, notwithstanding the fact that there were
already several settlements of Virginians within the territory, to whose
remonstrances he gave no heed. William Claibourne, who had been a
member of the council and also colonial secretary of state, had obtained
a license from the king "to traffic in all American ports where there
was no license," and these permits had been approved by Governor
Harvey. Claibourne settled upon Kent Island, in Chesapeake Bay, not
far from the present city of Annapolis, and when ordered to abandon it
by the Maryland authorities he defended it by force. He was finally
arrested, tried, found guilty of murder, piracy and sedition. He escaped
to Virginia, and when demanded by the authorities of Maryland, Harvey
refused to give him up, but sent him to England for trial. The
Virginians were highly incensed at Harvey for not protecting Claibourne
and keeping him in the colony, for they regarded the Marylanders as
nothing more than an infringement upon their rights. Harvey was tried
on a charge of malfeasance in office. Of the trial we know but little.
The first entry upon the records relating to the subject is as follows:
"An assembly to be called to receive complaints against Sir John Harvey,
on the petition of many inhabitants, to meet 7th of May, 1635;"
and the next one is: "On the 28th day of April, 1635, Sir John Harvey
thrust out of his government, and Captain John West acts as governor
until the king's pleasure is known." When Charles I. heard of the
action of the colonists, he regarded it as unwarrantable insolence—little
short of treason. He reinstated Harvey in the government, and we
hear of no more dissatisfaction during the remainder of his administration,

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SEAL OF THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

Of the Colony of Virginia, with the arms of the
Virginia Company of London.

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