Maryland and Religious Freedom
No Christen Shall Be Troubled or Molested
The Act of Toleration is passed, granting citizens in Maryland the freedom to chose their own religion as long as it is a Christian religion. The King is paid two Indian
Freedom of Religion
Passing the Act of Toleration and granting religious freedom was surely a big step in the settling of America. The Act of Toleration was the first of its kind formally passed in English America. It provided that no person "professing to believe in Jesus Christ shall from henceforth be in anyways troubled, molested or discountenanced [turned away]" for his personal religious beliefs.
Although this was a step towards Freedom of Religion, it was only one step. A giant leap was yet to be taken before religious freedom in America included any religion other than a form of Christianity.
Price Paid to the King for Maryland
The Calvert clan did not receive this vast area from the king free of charge. They did have to pay a price. The price to be paid to the king was two Indian arrows a year and one-fifth of all the gold and silver found upon the land in question. And throughout the reign of the Calverts in Maryland the question was-"Where's the Gold and Silver?" There was none.
Colonial America Series continues with:
Previous: Maryland Steps Forward.
Sources:
Athearn, Robert G. The New World: American Heritage New Illustrated History of the United States, Volume 2, Colonial America. Dell Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1963.
Carson, Clarence B. A Basic History of the United States, volume 1: The Colonial Experience, 1607-1774. American Textbook Committee, Wadley, Alabama, 1987.
