Baltimore was known to be in correspondence with English Jesuits, and
it soon appeared that Jesuit priests were to accompany the first colonists. At
that time the Society of Jesus loomed large both politically and
educationally. Many may have thought that there threatened a Rome in America.
But, however that may have been, there was small chance for any successful
opposition to the charter, since Parliament had been dissolved by the King,
not to be summoned again for eleven years. The Privy Council was subservient,
and, as the Sovereign was his friend, Baltimore saw the signing of the charter
assured and began to gather together his first colonists. Then, somewhat
suddenly, in April, 1632, he sickened, and died at the age of fifty-three.
His son, Cecil Calvert, second Lord Baltimore, took up his father's work.
This young man, likewise able and sagacious, and at every step in his
father's confidence, could and did proceed even in detail according to what
had been planned. All his father's rights had descended to him; in Maryland
he was Proprietary with as ample power as ever a Count Palatine had
enjoyed. He took up the advantage and the burden.
The father's idea had been to go with his colonists to Maryland, and this
it seems that the son also meant to do. But now, in London, there deepened
a clamor against such Catholic enterprise. Once he were away, lips would be
at the King's ear. And with England so restless, in a turmoil of new
thought, it might even arise that King and Privy Council would find trouble
in acting after their will, good though that might be.
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