Sir John Harvey Letter, 1634

Holograph letter of Sir John Harvey, Governor of Virginia, reporting the arrival of the First Maryland Settlers, 27 May, 1634. This is a "Copie of my letter to the Board" in which Sir John Harvey acknowledges receipt of "His Maties [Majesty's] Letters of Privie seale directed to my selfe and Councell requiring all Lawfull helpe and assistance to his Noble Undertakings in Seateing himself and his associates Upon that tract of ground now called Mary Lande..." Sir John tells of his reassurances to the settlers that the Indians and the people sent from "Kinge Charles" were one and the same people and if no harm was done to the Indians, no harm would be done to the settlers.

He speaks of helping to supply the people of New England with food, and ends with an urgent plea for payment of his stipend so his wife and "Poore children" would be able to "transport themselves unto mee."