one of the British colonies in North America. It received that name in honour of Henrietta Maria the consort of king Charles I. who made a grant of this country, with very extraordinary powers, to Lord Baltimore. It lies between 38 and 40 degrees north latitude, and in longitude from 74 to 78 degrees west from London. It is in length about 140 miles, but not quite so much in breadth. It is bounded on the north by Pennsylvania; on the east by the lower counties of the same colony, and by the Atlantic; on the south by Chesapeake Bay; on the west by the river Potomack, and the province of Virginia. The climate may be well styled mild and pleasant: for though the winters are cold, they are short; and the heat of their summers is tempered by cool breezes from the bay before-mentioned, which is one Maryland of the finest in the world. The country, except towards the north, is in general a flat open plain, of a deep rich soil, and very very fertile. It produces grain of all sorts, rich fruits of different kinds, timber, hemp, flax; and in the bowels of the earth there is great plenty of iron ore. The staple of this country is tobacco, of which hitherto they have raised immense quantities, though some say their lands begin to wear out, which obliges them to keep great numbers of cattle for the sake of manure. They likewise export lumber, naval stores, &c. The situation of this country and the nature of its staple prevent the building of towns; for the plantations lying on the banks of their numerous navigable rivers, their vessels come up to the planters doors, and their tobacco is consequently laden without trouble. Their custom-houses are on the rivers Pocomoke, Chester, Patuxent, and the north-side of Potomack. They have however one town, Annapolis, which is the seat of government, and tho' small is one of the fairest and best-built in America. The number of inhabitants exceeds 100,000; of which, however, three-fifths are negro-slaves; the remainder whites, who live in general much at their ease.

The patent which had been promised to Sir George Calvert of this part of what was then styled Virginia was granted to his son Cecilius, created lord Baltimore, and bears date 26th of June 1632. He sent over his brother Leonard Calvert, Esq.; with 200 gentlemen and persons of some property to settle there. His son Charles Calvert was afterwards governor for near 20 years, and under their administration the colony flourished exceedingly. They made themselves so acceptable to the Indians at their first coming, that they yielded to them half, and as soon as their harvest was over their whole town; and this good understanding constantly subsisted. By means of a general toleration of all Christians, the number of inhabitants was much increased. The government, before the American revolt, was on much the same plan with the rest; for it behoved the deputy-governor, though appointed by the proprietor, to be approved of by the crown. He had a council and an assembly, but the laws made therein were not transmitted to England. The culture of tobacco made negroes necessary; this is of a particular kind called corocho, or as some write it aransake, which is hotter than what is made in Virginia, and less acceptable here, but sells better in the eastern and northern parts of Europe. The inhabitants carry on a considerable trade to Great Britain, as well as to the southern parts of Europe, the French and British West Indies, and the continent of America. They have also some intercourse with the coasts of Africa. The total of their exports, A.D. 1769, amounted to 350,097 l. In A.D. 1770, there were entered inward ships 205, sloops 197; cleared outwards, ships 228, sloops 172.