Then they departed, leaving
with the English a clear title to as much land as they could handle, at
least for some time to come. Later, with other Indians, as with these, the
Calverts pursued a conciliatory policy. They were aided by the fact that
the Susquehannocks to the north, who might have given trouble, were
involved in war with yet more northerly tribes, and could pay scant
attention to the incoming white men. But even so, the Calverts proved, as
William Penn proved later, that men may live at peace with men, honestly
and honorably, even though hue of skin and plane of development differ.
Now the Ark joins the Dove in the River St. George. The pieces of ordnance
are fired; the colonists disembark; and on the 27th of March, 1634, the
Indian village, now English, becomes St. Mary's.
On the whole how advantageously are they placed! There is peace with the
Indians. Huts, lodges, are already built, fields already cleared or
planted. The site is high and healthful. They have at first few dissensions
among themselves. Nor are they entirely alone or isolated in the New World.
There is a New England to the north of them and a Virginia to the south.
From the one they get in the autumn salted fish, from the other store of
swine and cattle. Famine and pestilence are far from them. They build a
"fort" and perhaps a stockade, but there are none of the stealthy deaths
given by arrow and tomahawk in the north, nor are there any of the Spanish
alarms that terrified the south.
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