Intestine Enemies

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This documentary survey explores the experiences of Roman Catholics in the British Atlantic world from Maryland to Barbados and Nova Scotia to Jamaica between 1605 and 1791. It chronicles the early attempts by the British Catholic community to establish colonies in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, their presence in proprietary and royal colonies during the seventeenth century where some degree of toleration was granted, and their subsequent marginalization following the political revolution of 1688. The narrative highlights their transformation from aliens to citizens, driven by their significant contributions to wars in the latter half of the century, which ultimately led to the independence of many colonies within Britain's American Empire. The volume organizes a diverse range of documents, including broadsides, newspapers, legislative acts, correspondence, diaries, and reports, into topical chapters with contextual introductions. This structure provides students and general readers with direct access to historical materials. Additionally, it serves as a complement to a previous narrative history on the same subject, enriching the understanding of Catholic experiences in British America.