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The tale related in the following pages refers to
a period in the history of Maryland, which has heretofore
been involved in great obscurity,—many of
the most important records connected with it having
been lost to public inspection in forgotten repositories,
where they have crumbled away under the
touch of time. To the persevering research of the
accomplished Librarian of the State—a gentleman
whose dauntless, antiquarian zeal and liberal scholarship
are only surpassed by the enlightened judgment
with which he discharges the functions of his office—
we are indebted for the rescue of the remnant of
these memorials of by-gone days, from the oblivion
to which the carelessness of former generations had
consigned them. Many were irrecoverable; and it
was the fate of the gentleman referred to, to see
them fall into dust at the moment that the long
estranged light first glanced upon them.

To some of those which have been saved from
this wreck, the author is indebted for no small portion
of the materials of his story. In his endeavour
to illustrate these passages in the annals of the state,

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it is proper for him to say that he has aimed to perform
his task with historical fidelity. If he has set
in harsher lights than may be deemed charitable
some of the actors in these scenes, or portrayed in
lineaments of disparagement or extenuation, beyond
their deserts, the partisans on either side in that war
of intolerance which disfigured the epoch of this tale,
it was apart from his purpose. As a native of the
state he feels a prompt sensibility to the fame of her
Catholic founders, and, though differing from them in
his faith, cherishes the remembrance of their noble
endeavours to establish religious freedom, with the
affection due to what he believes the most wisely
planned and honestly executed scheme of society
which at that era, at least, was to be found in the
annals of mankind. In the temper inspired by this
sentiment, these volumes have been given to the
public, and are now respectfully inscribed to The
State of Maryland, by one who takes the deepest
interest in whatever concerns her present happiness
or ancient renown.