ABSTRACT
THE Province is bounded on the North with Pensylvania, on the East by Delaware Bay and the Atlantick Ocean, on the South by Virginia, from whence it is parted by the River Patowmeck; Chesopeak Bay, is the passage for Ships both into this Countrey and Virginia, and runs through the middle of Maryland, being found Navigable neer 200 miles into the Land, into which fall divers very considerable Rivers. The Climate is very agreeable to the English Constitution, especially since the cleering of the ground from Trees and Woods, which formerly caused much unhealthfulness, neither is the heat extream in Summer, being much qualified by the cool winds from the Sea, and refreshing Showers, and the Winter so moderate as doth no way incommode the Inhabitants. It is seated between 37 and 40 Degrees of North Latitude, and was discoverers at the same time with Virginia; Our first Discoverers relate many strange Rites and Ceremonies used by the Native Indians; Mr. T. H. 33 an Englishman writes, they believe there are many Gods, which they call Mantoac, but of different sorts and degrees, yet that there is one only Chief and Great God which hath been from all Eternity, who, (they say) when he purposed to make the World, created first other Gods of a Principal Order to be as Means and Instruments used in the Creation, and then the Sun, Moon, and Stars as petty Gods; Out of the Waters, they affirm, all the diversity / of Creatures were made, and for Mankind that Woman was made first, who by the assistance of one of the Gods conceived and brought forth Children, but know not how long it was since this was done, having no Arithmetick nor Records, but only Tradition from Father to Son; They make the Images of their Gods in the Shapes of men, placing one at least in their Houses or Temples, where they worship, pray, sing, and make offerings.
