Calvert of Maryland - James Otis |
Truly it was a beautiful land to which we had come! I wound I were able to set down here the same picture I saw on the westernmost shore, while we sailed slowly up the bay!
Although it was the third day of March, the air was sweet and balmy; the trees were green, and amid them sang birds of gay plumage, while all about us on this inland sea swam ducks of many kinds, and swans and herons.
From the tree tops in the distance arose such flocks of pigeons that it was as if a great veil had been stretched to cover the foliage, and I wondered where so many feathered creatures might find rest for their feet during the night, for verily it seemed as if there were more than would fill all that vast forest, if so be they alighted.
It can well be fancied that our people on both vessels were craning their necks to see this country which the king had given to Lord Baltimore, and, as Father White said, no man had ever seen a fairer sight.
Save for the wings of the birds and the harsh cries of the ducks, it was so still that now and then we of the Ark could hear exclamations of surprise and delight from those of the Dove, thus telling that they, like us, were enchanted with all to be seen.
Before we left England I had heard it said that this world of America was fair to look upon; but all which lay before me was so beautiful that I rubbed my eyes again and again to make certain it was no fanciful dream.
I might spend all the days allotted me on this earth, trying to describe the land in which our homes are to be built, and yet have come to the grave without setting down one half the wondrous story. Therefore it is I had best give over trying, and content myself by saying that before the day was come to a close we had arrived at the mouth of a noble river which was set down on our maps by its Indian name of Potomac; but which Governor Calvert then and there changed to St. Gregory's.
Father White, who was standing near me when the Ark was headed into this grand stream, said
"It is the sweetest and greatest river I have ever seen, so that the Thames is but a little finger to it. There are no marshes nor swamps about, so far as I can make out; but solid ground with a great variety of huge trees, not choked with shrubs, but commonly so far distant from each other that a coach and horses might travel among them without hindrance."