CHAPTER VI.
THE NEIGHBOR COLONIES TO VIRGINIA--MARYLAND AND THE CAROLINAS.
The chronological order would require us at this point to turn to the Dutch settlements on the Hudson River; but the close relations of Virginia with its neighbor colonies of Maryland and the Carolinas are a reason for taking up the brief history of these settlements in advance of their turn.
The occupation of Maryland dates from the year 1634.

The period of bold and half-desperate adventure in making plantations along the coast was past.

To men of sanguine temper and sufficient fortune and influence at court, it was now a matter of very promising and not too risky speculation.

To George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, one of the most interesting characters at the court of James I., the business had peculiar fascination.

He was in both the New England Company and the Virginia Company, and after the charter of the latter was revoked he was one of the Provisional Council for the government of Virginia.