Lieutenant-General Josias Fendall, the 4th Proprietary Governor…

Lieutenant-General Josias Fendall, the 4th Proprietary Governor of Maryland, is criticized by the colony’s Proprietor, Lord Baltimore, for negligence at courts and for contradicting court orders; he soon has a falling out with Lord Baltimore and leads a bloodless revolution in 1660 whereby he and Captain William Fuller reorganize Maryland's government to resemble that of the English Commonwealth.

This rebellion is instigated at a meeting of the Assembly, which takes place at the residence of Dr. Thomas Gerard I, Esq.

On the tenth day, the Lower House sends a message to the governor and council, that they intend to be the highest court without being depended upon by the Upper House.

Many compare this act to the time when the Commons of England abolished the House of Lords and made themselves alone the Parliament of the realm.

In addition, this means that they want to be independent of the Proprietor.

Two days of conferences result with the two bodies sitting as one.

Maryland has thus returned to a unicameral legislature of earlier times.

Fendall accepts these conditions and tenders to the Assembly his resignation, as Governor under Lord Baltimore; however, at the same time he accepts from the Assembly a new commission.

He attempts to set up in its place a commonwealth in which the supreme power would be vested in a House of Burgesses.

Over this body the governor is to preside; but the House, retaining its speaker, is to have the power to adjourn and dissolve.

Secretary Philip Calvert protests these proceedings and asks permission to leave.