In his chronicle of this adventure, Father White has a
place in the tradition of more famous travellers- Herodotus,
Caesar, Marco Polo, and his contemporary, Captain John
Smith - who have recorded great events among distant
lands and peoples, and in so doing have drawn the cultures
they observed into the consciousness of western civiliza-
tion. In his brief and vivid account, Father White has
conferred upon the founders of Maryland "the honor of
remembrance." Like those great chroniclers who preceded
him, he speaks from the pages of his Briefe Relation to
posterity, even as he fulfills his obligation to make an annual
report to his superiors.
As we enter new frontiers in the late twentieth century,
it is proper that we pause to reflect on the challenges faced
by courageous men and women on the first frontier, in a
new land that was to become America.
Publication of this reprint was made possible through
the cooperation of Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse, State Archivist,
and Rick Blondo, Publications Director, of the Maryland
Hall of Records Commission. A fuller printed version of
Father White's narrative first appeared in July 1634 in a now
rare promotional tract entitled A Relation of Maryland. This
pamphlet will be reprinted with an introduction on June 20,
1984, as the fourth in a series of documents issued by the
Hall of Records Commission in commemoration of the
350th anniversary of Maryland.
The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland is
grateful on the occasion of Maryland's 350th anniversary
commemoration for the opportunity to bring Father White's
words before the public once again.
Gary V. Hodge
Charlotte Hall, Maryland
March 25, 1984