But with the Proprietary, and not with the Assembly, would rest primarily the lawmaking power.

The Lord Proprietary would propose legislation, and the freemen of the country would debate, in a measure advise, represent, act as consultants, and finally confirm.
Baltimore was prepared to be a benevolent lord, wise, fatherly.
In 1635 met the first Assembly, Leonard Calvert and his Council sitting with the burgesses, and this gathering of freemen proceeded to inaugurate legislation.

There was passed a string of enactments which presumably dealt with immediate wants at St.Mary's, and which, the Assembly recognized, must have the Lord Proprietary's assent.

A copy was therefore sent by the first ship to leave.

So long were the voyages and so slow the procedure in England that it was 1637 before Baltimore's veto upon the Assembly's laws reached Maryland.