To be holden of us , our Heirs , and Successors , Tenure . Kings of England , as of our Castle of Windsor , in our County of Berkshire , in free and common soccage , by Fealty only , for all Services , & not in Capite , or by Knights Service : Yielding & paying therefore to us , our Heirs and Successors , Rent . two Indian Arrows of those Parts , to be delivered at our said Castle of Windsor , every Year , on the Tuesday in Easter Week ; and also the fifth Part of all Gold and Silver Oare within the limits aforesaid , which shall from Time to Time happen to be found .

Now that the said Country thus by us Granted and Described , may be Eminent above all other parts of the said Territory , and dignified with larger Titles : Know ye that we of our farther Grace , certain Knowledge , and meer Motion , have thought fit to erect the same Country and Islands into a Province , as out of the Fullness of our Royal Power , and Prerogative , we do for Us , our Heirs , and Successors , erect , and incorporate them into a Province , and do call it Maryland , & so from henceforth will have it called .

And forasmuch as we have hereby made and ordained the foresaid now Lord Baltimore , the true Lord , and Proprietary of all the Province aforesaid : Know ye therefore moreover , that we , reposing especial Trust & Confidence in the Fidelity , Wisdom , Justice , and provident Circumspection of the said now Lord Baltimore , Power to enact Laws for Us , our Heirs and Successors , do grant free , full , and absolute power , by Vertue of these presents , to him , and his Heirs , for the good & happy Government of the said Province , to ordain , make , enact and under his and their Seals to publish any Laws whatsoever , appertaining either unto the publick State of the said Province or unto the private Utility of particular Persons , according unto their best Discretions , of and with the Advise , Assent and Approbation of the Free-men of the said Province , or the greater Part of them , or of their Delegates or Deputies , whom for the enacting of the faid Laws , when , and as often as need shall require , we will that the said now Lord Baltimore , and his Heirs , shall affemble in such Sort and Form as to him or them shall seem best : And the same Laws duly to execute upon all People , within the said Province , and limits thereof , for the Time being , or that shall be constituted under the Government , and Power of him or them , either sailing towards Mary-land , or returning from thence toward England , or any other of ours , or forreign Dominions , by Imposition of Penalties , Imprisonment , or any other Punishment ; yea is it shall be needful , & that the quality of the Offence require it , by taking away member or life , either by him the said now Lord Baltemore , & his Heirs , or by his or their Deputies , Lieutenants , Judges , Justices , Magistrates , Officers , and Ministers , to be ordained or appointed , according to the Tenor and true Intention of these Presents : And likewise to appoint and establish any Judges & Justices , Magistrates and Officers , whatsoever , at Sea and Land , for what Cause soever , and with what power soever , and in such form , as to the said now Lord Baltemore , or his Heirs shall seems most convenient ! Also to remit , release , pardon and abolish , whether before Judgment , or after , all Crimes or Offences whatsoever , against the said Laws : & to do all and every other thing or things , which unto the compleat Establishment of Justice , unto Courts , Praetories , and Tribunals , forms of Judicature , & manners of proceeding do belong : Altho' in these Presents , express Mention be not made thereof , & by Judges by them delegated , to award Process , hold Pleas , & determine in all the said courts & Tribunals , all Actions , suits , and Causes whatsoever as well criminal , as civil , personal , real , mixt and praetorial ; which laws , so as afore said to be published , Our Pleasure is , & so we enjoin , require , and command , shall be most absolute & available in Law , & that all the Liege-People , and subjects of us , our Heirs and Successors , do observe & keep the same inviolably , in those parts , so far as they concern them , under the pains therein expressed , or to be expressed : Provided nevertheless , that the said laws be consonant to Reason , and be not repugnant or contrary , but as near as conveniently may be , agreeable to the laws , Statutes , Customs and rights of this Our Kingdom of England .

And forasmuch , as in the Government of so great a Province , sudden Accidents do often happen , whereunto it will be necessary to apply a Remedy , before the Freeholders of the said Province , their Delegates , or Deputies , can be assembled to the making of laws , neither will it be convenient , that instantly upon every such emergent Occasion so great a Multitude should be called together , therefore for the better Government of the said Province , we will and ordain , & by these presents for us , our Heirs & Successors , do grant unto the said now Lord Baltemore , and his heirs , that the said now Lord Baltemore , & his heirs , by themselves , or by their Magistrates and Officers in that Behalf duely to be ordained as aforesaid , may make and constitute , fit and wholesome Ordinances , from Time to Time , within the said Province , to be kept & observed , as well for the Preservation of the Peace , as for the better Government of the People there inhabiting , and publickly to notify the same to all Persons , whom the same doth , or any Way may concern ; which Ordinances , Our Pleasure is , shall be observed inviolably within the said Province , under the pains therein to be expressed . So as the said Ordinances be consonant to reason , & be not repugnant nor contrary , but so far as conveniently may be , agreeable with the Laws and Statutes of our Kingdom of England , and so as the said Ordinances be not extended , in any Sort to bind , charge , or take away the right or Interest of any Person , or Persons , of , or in their Life , Member , Freehold , Goods , or Chattels .

Furthermore that this new Colony may the more happily encrease by the Multitude of People resorting thither , Licence to go to Mary-land . & may likewise be the more strongly defended from the Incursions of Salvages , or other Enemies , Pyrates , and Robbers : Therefore we , for us , our Heirs and Successors , do give and grant by these Presents , power , Licence and Liberty unto all the liege-People , & subjects , both present and future , of us , our heirs , & Successors ( excepting those who shall be specially forbidden ) to transport themselves & Familys unto the said Province , with convenient shipping and fitting Provisions , and there to settle themselves , dwell and inhabit , and to build , and fortify Castles , Forts , and other Places of Strength , for the publick , and their own private Defence , at the Appointment of the said now Lord Baltemore , & his Heirs , the Statute of Fugitives ▪ or any other whatsoever , the contrary of the Premises , in any wise notwithstanding .

And we will also , and of our more special Grace , for us , our Heirs and Successors , we do straightly enjoin , People born in Maryland made Denizens of England . constitute , ordain , and command that the said Province shall be of our Allegiance , and that all and singular the Subjects and Liege-people of us , our Heirs and Successors , transported , or to be transported into the said Province , and the Children of them , and of such as shall descend from them , there already born , or hereafter to be born , be , and shall be Denizens and Lieges of us , our Heirs , and Successors , of our Kingdom of England , and Ireland , and be in all Things held , treated , reputed and esteemed as the liege faithfull People of us , our Heirs and Successors , born within our Kingdom of England : & likewise any Lands , Tenements , Revenues , Services , and other Hereditaments whatsoever , within our Kingdom of England , and other our Dominions , may inherit , or otherwise purchase , receive , take , have , hold , buy , & possess , & them may occupy , & enjoy , give , sell , aliene , and bequeath , as likewise , all Liberties , Franchises , and Priviledges , of this our Kingdom of England , freely , quietly , and peaceably , have & possess , occupy and enjoy , as our liege people , born , or to be born , within our said Kingdom of England , without the let , Molestation , vexation , trouble or Grievance , of us , our Heirs , and Successors : Any Statute , Act , Ordinance , or Provision to the contrary thereof not withstanding .

And furthermore , that our Subjects may be the rather encouraged to undertake this Expedition , with ready and chearfull Minds ; know ye , that we of our special Grace , certain Knowledge , and meer Motion , Licence to transport goods and merchandise . do give & grant , by vertue of these presents , as well unto the said now Lord Baltemore , and his Heirs , as to all other that shall from Time to Time repair unto that Province , with a Purpose to inhabit there , or to trade with the Natives of the said Province , full License to lade and fraight in any Ports whatsoever , of us , our Heirs and Successors , and into the said Province of Mary land , by them , their Servants or Assigns , to transport , all and singular , their Goods , Wares , and Merchandise ; as likewise all sorts of Grain whatsoever and any other things whatsoever , necessary for Food or Clothing ( not prohibited by the laws and Statutes of our Kingdoms and Dominions to be carried out of the said Kingdoms ) without any let , or Molestation of us , our Heirs , or Successors , or of any of the Officers of us , our Heirs or Successors ; ( saving always to us , our Heirs and Successors , the Impositions , Customs , and other duties and payments for the said Wares , and Merchandise ) any Statute , Act , Ordinance or other thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding .

And because in so remote a Country , & situate amongst so many barbarous nations , the Incursion as well of the Salvages themselves , as of other Enemies , Pyrates , & Robbers , may probably be feared : Power of War and peace . Therefore we have given , & for us , our Heirs , and Successors , do give Power by these Presents , unto the now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs , or Assigns , by themselves , or their Captains , or other their Officers , to leavy , muster and train , all Sorts of Men , of what Condition or where soever born , in the said Province of Mary-land for the time being , and to make War , and to pursue , the Enemies and Robbers aforesaid , as well by Sea as by Land , yea , even without the limits of the said Province , and ( by Gods Assistance ) to vanquish & take them , & being taken , to put them to Death by the Law of War , or to save them at their Pleasure , & to do all and every other thing which unto the Charge and Office of a Captain General of an Army belongeth , or hath accustomed to belong , as fully and freely , as any Captain General of an Army , hath ever had the same .

Also our Will and Pleasure is , and by this our Charter , Mart . Law We do give unto the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs , and Assigns , full Power , Liberty , & Authority , in Case of Rebellion , Tumult or Sedition , if any should happen , ( which God forbid ) either upon the Land within the Province aforesaid , or upon the Main Sea , in making a Voyage thither , or returning from thence , by themselves , or their Captains , Deputies , or other Officers , to be authorized under their Seals for that Purpose ( to whom we also , for us , our Heirs and Successors , do give and grant by these Presents , full Power and Authority ) to exercise Martial Law against mutinous and seditious persons of those parts , such as shall refuse to submit themselves , to his , or their Government , or shall refuse to serve in the Wars , or shall fly to the Enemy or forsake their Ensigns , or be Loyterers , or Straglers , or otherwise however offending against the Law , Custom , and Discipline Military , as freely , and in as ample Manner and Form , as any Captain general of an Army by vertue of his Office , might , or hath , accustomed to use the same .

Furthermore , that the Way to Honours & Dignities , Power to confer Honour may not seem to be altogether precluded and shut up , to Men well born , & such as shall prepare themselves unto this present Plantation , and shall desire 〈◇〉 deserve well of us , & our Kingdoms , both in Peace and War , in so far distant & remote a Country : Therefore we , for us , our Heirs , and Successors , do give free , and absolute Power , unto the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs and Assigns , to confer favours , rewards , and Honours , upon such Inhabitants within the Province aforesaid , as shall deserve the same ; & to invest them , with what Titles & Dignities soever , as he shall think fit , ( so as they be not such as are now used in England ) As likewise to erect and incorporate , Towns into Boroughs , & Boroughs into Cities , with convenient Priviledges and Immunities , according to the Merit of the Inhabitants , and fitness of the Places , and to do all and every other thing or things , touching the Premises , which to him , or them , shall seem meet and requsite ; albeit they be such as of their own Nature might otherwise require a more special Commandment and Warrant , than in these Presents is expressed .

We will also , and by these Presents , for us , our Heirs and Successors , we do give & grant License , by this our Charter , unto the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs and Assigns , & to all the Inhabitants and Dwellers in the said Province aforesaid , both present and to come , to import , or unlade , by themselves , or their Servants , Factors , or Assigns , all Merchandises & Goods whatsoever , that shall arise of the Fruits and Commodities of the said province , either by Land or Sea , into any of the Ports of us , our Heirs and Successors , in our Kingdoms of England or Ireland , or otherwise to dispose of the said Goods , in the said Ports , & if need be , within one year next after the unlading of the same , to lade the said Merchandises and Goods again , into the same or other Ships , and to export the same into any other Countrys , either of our Dominion or forreign , ( being in Amity with us , our Heirs , and Successors ) provided always that they pay such Customs , Impositions , Subsidies & Duties for the same , to us , our Heirs and Successors , as the rest of our Subjects of our Kingdom of England , for the Time being , shall be bound to pay : Beyond which we will not that the Inhabitants of the foresaid Province of Mary-land shall be any way charged .

And furthermore of our more ample and special grace , certain knowledge & meer motion , we do , for us , our Heirs , and Successors , grant unto the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs & Assigns full and absolute Power and Authority , to make , erect , and constitute , within the Province of Mary-land , and the Isles and Ilets aforesaid , such , & so many Sea-ports , Harbours , Creeks and other Places for discharge & unlading of goods and Merchandises , out of Ships , Boats , and other vessels , & lading them , and in such and so many Places , and with such Rights , Jurisdictions , Liberties and Priviledges , unto the said ports belonging as to him or them shall seem most expedient . And that all and singular the Ships boats , and other Vessels , which shall come for Merchandise and trade unto the said Province , or out of the same shall depart ; shall be laden and unladen only at such Ports as shall be so erected and constituted by the said now Lord Baltemore , his heirs or Assigns , any Use , Custom , or other thing to the contrary notwithstanding ; saving always unto us , our Heirs & successors , and to all the Subjects ( of our Kingdom of England and Ireland ) of us , our heirs and successors , free liberty of fishing for Sea fish , as well in the Sea , Bays , Inlets , & navigable Rivers , as in the Harbours , Bays , and Creeks of the Province aforesaid , & the Priviledges of salting and drying their fish on the Shore of the said Province , & for the same cause , to cut and take underwood , or twiggs there growing , & to build Cottages & shedds necessary in this behalf , as they heretofore have , or might reasonably have used , which Liberties & Priviiedges , nevertheless , the Subjects aforesaid , of us , our Heirs and Successors , shall enjoy without any notable dammage , or Injury to be done , to the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs or assigns or to the Dwellers and Inhabitants of the said Province , in the ports , Creeks and Shores aforesaid , & especially in the Woods and Copses growing within the said Province : And if any shall do any such dammage or Injury , he shall incurr the heavy Displeasure of us , our Heirs and Successors , the Punishment of the Laws ; & shall moreover make Satisfaction .

We do furthermore will , appoint & ordain and by these Presents , for us , our Heirs and Successors , we do grant unto the said now Lord Baltemore , his heirs and assigns , that he the said Lord Baltemore , his heirs and assigns may from time to time for ever , have and enjoy , the Customs and Subsidies , in the ports , Harbours , and other Creeks and places aforesaid , within the province aforesaid ; payable , or due for Merchandises and Wares , there to be laded or unladed , the said Customs & subsidies to be reasonably assessed ( upon any occasion ) by themselves & the People there , as aforesaid ; to whom we give Power by these Presents , for us , our Heirs and Successors upon just Cause , and in a due Proportion , to assess and impose the same .

And further , of our special grace , and of our certain knowledge , and meer motion , we have , given , granted & confirmed , & by these Presents for us , our heirs and Successors , do give , grant & confirm unto the said now Lord Baltemore , his heirs and assigns ▪ full and absolute License , power and authority , that he the said now Lord Baltemore , his heirs & Assigns , from time to time hereafter for ever , at his , or their will & pleasure , m●y assign , alien grant , demise , or enfeoff , of the premises so many , & such parts and parcels , to him , or them , that shall be willing to purchase the same , as they shall think fit , to have & to hold to them the said person or persons , willing to take or purchase the same , their Heirs & Assigns , in fee simple , or fee tail , or for term of Life , or Lives or years , to be held of the said now Lord Baltemore , his heirs , and assigns by such services , customs and rents , as shall seem fit to the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs and Assigns ; and not immediately of us our heirs , or Successors : & to the same person or persons , & to all and every of them , we do give , and grant by these presents for us , our heirs , and Successors , license , authority and power , that such Person or Persons , may take the Premises , or any Parcel thereof , of the fore said now Lord Baltemore , his heirs or assigns and the same hold to themselves , their heirs , or assigns ( in what estate of Inheritance soever , in fee simple , or in fee tail , or otherwise , as to them , & the now Lord Baltemore , his heirs and assigns , shall seem expedient ) of the said now Lord Baltemore , his heirs & assigns , the Statute made in the Parliament of Edward , Son of King Henry , late King of England , our Predecessor , commonly called the S atute Quia emptores terrarum , lately published in our Kingdom of England , or any other Statute , Act Ordinance , Use , Law Custom , or any other thing , cause , or M●●●er , thereupon heretofore had , done , published , ordained , or provided to the contrary , in any wise notwithstanding ; and by these presents we give , & grant ▪ license unto the said now Lord Baltemore , and his heirs , to erect any Parcels of Land within the Province aforesaid into Mannors , & in every of the said Mannors , to have , and to hold a Court Baron , with all things whatsoever , which to a Court Baron do belong , & to have & hold View of Franck-Pledge , ( for the Conservation of the Peace , & the better Government of those parts ) by themselves , or their Stewards , or by the Lords for the time being of other Mannors to be deputed , when they shall be erected : and in the same , to use all things belonging to View of Franck-Pledge .

And further , our pleasure is , and by these Presents for us , our Heirs , and Successors , we do covenant and grant to and with the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs and Assigns ; That we , our Heirs & Successors , shall at no time hereafter , set , or make , or cause to be set , any Imposition , Custom , or other Taxation , Rate , or Contribution whatsoever , in or upon the dwellers & Inhabitants of the foresaid province , for their Lands , Tenements , Goods or Chattels within the said Province , or in or upon any Goods or Merchandises , within the said Province , or to be lad●n , or unladen within any the Ports or Harbours of the said Province : And our pleasure is , and for us , our Heirs , and Successors , we charge and command , that this our Declaration shall be henceforward from time to time received , & allowed in all our Courts , and before all the Judges of us , our Heirs and Successors , for a sufficient & lawful discharge , payment , and acquittance : Commanding all and singular , our Officers and Ministers of us , our Heirs , & Successors , and enjoyning them upon pain of our high Displeasure , that they do not presume at any time to attempt any thing to the contrary of the premises , or that they do in any sort withstand the same , but that they be at all times aiding and assisting , as is fitting , unto the said now Lord Baltemore , and his Heirs , and to the Inhabitants , and Merchants of Mary-land aforesaid , their Servants , Ministers , Factors and Assigns , in the full use and fruition of the benefit of this our Charter .

And further our pleasure is , and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors , we do grant unto the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs and Assigns , and to the Tenants and Inhabitants of the said Province of Mary-land , both present , and to come , and to every of them , that the said Province , Tenants , and Inhabitants of the said Colony or Countrey , shall not from henceforth be held or reputed as a member , or a part of the land of Virginia , or of any other Colony whatsoever , now transported , or hereafter to be transported , nor shall be depending on , or subject to their government in any thing , from whom We do separate that , and them , and Our pleasure is , by these Presents that they be separated , and that they be subject immediately to Our Crown of England , as depending thereof for ever .

And If Perchance hereafter it should happen , that any doubts or questions should arise , concerning the true sence & understanding of any word , clause , or sentence contained in this our present Charter , We will , ordain , and command , that at all times , & in all things , such Interpretation be made there of , & allowed in any of Our Courts whatsoever , as shall be judged most advantagious , and favourable unto the said now Lord Baltemore , his Heirs and Assigns . Provided always , that ●o Interpretation be admitted thereof , by which Gods Holy and Truly Christian Religion , or the allegiance due unto Us , Our Heirs and Successors , may in any thing suffer any prejudice , or diminution .

Although express mention be not made in these Presents , of the true y●●rly value , or certainty of the premises , or of any part thereof , or of other gifts and grants , made by Us , Our Heirs , and Predecessors ▪ unto the said now Lord Baltemore , or any S te , Act , Ordinance , Provision , Proclamation or restraint heretofore had , mnde , published , ordained , or provided , or any other thing , cause , or matter whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding .

In Witness whereof , We have caused these Our Letters to be made Pattents , Witness Our self at Westminster , the Twentith day of June , In the Eighth Year of Our Reign .