FOREWORD

"Side-Lights on Maryland History" are not intended to take the place of a sustained historical work, presenting a complete chronological history of the old Commonwealth, but are rather the gleanings of the author from the manuscript records of the State and the original Calvert papers, many of which were unknown or not easily accessible to the earlier students of Maryland history.

The articles now collected under the same title as when published serially in the Baltimore Sunday "Sun" from May 17, 1903, to December 25, 1904, were written principally from the data collected during many years devoted to the daily study of the unindexed manuscript records of the State, as a purely antiquarian fad, without any thought of preparing the information gleaned for publication.

Full of charming surprises, the records of Maryland proved more fascinating than the most thrilling novel, because teeming with the romance and adventure of a real and glorious people.

Finding in this reading of the records at first hand many facts of interest unnoted by earlier historians, and learning through this intimate acquaintance with the early settlers their high social, moral and educational status, the writer felt it her duty to bring to light truths which would forever silence many calumnies under which Maryland has suffered from some of her old historians; for while the latter have claimed convict and plebian classes as Maryland settlers, the author's researches have taught

her that Maryland, the Palatinate of the Lords Baltimore, in which they possessed royal rights and privileges, was not one of "Their Majesties' Plantations" to which convicts were transported by royal mandate, and established beyond question that Maryland was not a penal colony, but was settled by "gentlemen adventurers" in very large numbers. Instead of convicts there were ladies of high degree, and courtiers from the English capital; instead of a penal colony, she found that the Lords Baltimore had a little kingdom "beyond seas" to which the "Conditions of Plantations," offered by the Proprietary, attracted many land-hungry young Englishmen of good blood and adventurous spirit-the spirit of the pioneerwhile the religious liberty proclaimed to all men gathered here from all parts of the world the persecuted for "conscience' sake." "The Land of Sanctuary" was the peaceful name by which our early Province was known.

Realizing that in the nearly three centuries that have elapsed since the settlement of Maryland, the meaning of words has in many instances undergone radical changes, the author investigated these changes in ancient English authorities, with interesting results; and in addition studied the conditions in England as they affected the people in the seventeenth century rather than the rulers; and was well repaid, in the new light gained on certain very essential points relating to the moral, educational and social status of the early settlers of Maryland.

Glowing with enthusiastic love of the State in which her blood has been deep-rooted in the soil for nine generations, the writer sought expression for her new vision of Maryland people in the Colonial period. The History Movement had not yet been inaugurated, and the leading

papers were not in sympathy with the suggestion of a series of historical articles. It was due to the appreciation of Mr. Lynn R. Meekins, that the writer was encouraged to put in print the results of her gleanings, her first article appearing in March, 1903, in the Baltimore Sunday "Herald;" and through the influence of Mr. O. P. Baldwin, editor of the Baltimore Sunday "Sun," the "Side-Lights on Maryland History" were contributed to that Journal, beginning with May 17, 1903.

From its inception, this effort to show the best in Maryland's past struck a responsive chord in the hearts of many thousand descendants of the old blood of the State, and their tributes of appreciation are still preserved as valued evidences of good will. Among these are two from Maryland's distinguished historian, Dr. William Hand Browne, one of which conveys his thanks for the page reference in the rare "Relation of Maryland" from which the author of "Side-Lights" had brought to light the fact that bricks were being made in Maryland in the year 1635, an interesting discovery made by her, disproving the old tradition of "Bricks imported from England," which so many have believed.

DEAR MADAM:

BALTIMORE, May 26, 1903.

I am greatly obliged to you for your note. The "Relation of Maryland" I read long ago, but it, I mean the reference to brick making, had escaped my memory. I do not know whether I have seen the Shea pamphlet.

I have always maintained, partly from positive and partly from a priori reasons, that the importation of brick in Colonial times was a fable.

May I suggest to you that in future numbers of your highly interesting historical papers, you give the titles of your authori

ties, MS. or printed. There may be some, like myself, who wish to read further and to make notes.

So many idle tales and popular traditions are written about Maryland, that it is a pleasure to hear from a writer who has the historical sense, and can distinguish between fact and fable.

Very respectfully,

(Signed) WM. HAND BROWNE.

Mrs. Hester Dorsey Richardson."

The next from Dr. Browne was written after the “SideLights" had appeared weekly regularly for nearly seven months, and was particularly gratifying to the writer.

Baltimore Sunday "Sun," November 1, 1903. Messrs. Editors:

Allow me to express the hope that Mrs. Richardson may see her way to bring out in book form her very accurate and interesting 'Side-Lights on Maryland History.' I am sure that there are many, who, either from historical or genealogical reasons would, like myself, be glad, to have such a book.

Baltimore.

(Signed) WM. HAND BROWNE.

With such cordial endorsement from the distinguished author of "Maryland, the History of a Palatinate," and Professor of English Literature at the Johns Hopkins University, the author could forgive those disciples of Scharf, who, accepting his ignorant estimate of Maryland people in the Colonial period, rushed into anonymous and scurrilous criticisms of the "Reformer in the field of Maryland History." Pleading guilty to their accusations of rewriting. Maryland History the author has had the gratification of recognizing the influence of her view point in the productions of those who have come after her.

The first official recognition which came to the writer as a result of bringing to light the best in Maryland's

past, was conferred by Governor Edwin Warfield, when he issued a commission to her as Chairman of the Public Records Commission of Maryland, May 19, 1904. The conferring of this honor was on the occasion of a reception to the Daughters of the American Revolution in the Old Senate Chamber at Annapolis, the Capital of Mary land, made nationally historic by Washington's resigning his Commission there.

The Baltimore "Sun," in an editorial on May 21, 1904. under the caption "A graceful recognition of good work," said: "Governor Warfield made a proper and most graceful recognition of the historical work of Mrs. Hester Dorsey Richardson, whose series of articles entitled 'Side-Lights on Maryland History,' were written by her for the Baltimore Sunday 'Sun.' These articles, because of their historic value, have attracted widespread attention and excited the deepest interest among Maryland people at home and abroad. In the pursuit of information Mrs. Richardson goes to the original sources, and her work is judicious, interesting and accurate. She has given to the future historian of the State, in the 'Sun's' articles, an admirable magazine of information."

Realizing that the Jamestown Exposition was an opportunity to have the true Colonial history of Maryland emphasized, Governor Warfield again gave official endorsement to the original research of the author by appointing her to make the Memorial Collection for exhibition in the Maryland Building, now a permanent exhibit in the State House at Annapolis. To this end the Governor issued the following commission to her, dated November 9, 1906.

"Be it known that you are hereby appointed Special Executive Historian to represent the Executive Depart