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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 429
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that Governor Morris had pushed Matters farther than was
desired by his Superiours, or perhaps than was agreeable to the
Ministry or Parliament; that in case His Ldp was to be
entirely excused or exempted from the Tax He would be as it
were obliged to contribute something towards putting his Prov-
ince in a better posture of Defence & that it would be incon-
sistent with his Dignity to offer so little as His proportion of
the Tax would amount to. that no Danger or Injury to His
Ldp would ensue from the Precedent because if it was by
Iudges at home thought an illegal or unreasonable Act His
Ldp might for the future send positive Orders to the contrary,
& by evincing the impropriety of it prevent the Assembly's
ever making a similar proposition or Attempt hereafter, upon
these Considerations & with the Council's Advice I have ven-
tured to assent to the Bill & have herewith transmitted it for
His Ldp's perusal & Approbation — I said I did not apprehend
any other Part of the Bill will be objected to by His Ldp, but
really I am at a Loss to guess what Reception a Clause of it
that imposes a double Tax on the Lands of Roman Catholicks
will meet with at home. At times I have received such Letters
as inclined me to think it would be very disagreeable to His
Ldp in the least to distress or abridge them of their Liberties
& Privileges, but as I have lately received a full & positive
Instruction dated the 27th of Oct 1755 directing & requiring me
to put several Parts of the Penal Statutes in force against
them I think I can never be blamed for assenting to their
Lands being doubly taxed, especially as they are excused
mustering in the Militia, & as it is no more than is every year
done in England, however some of the principal of them who
have large Tracts of Land look on the Imposition as a grievous
Burthen & would fain have prevailed on me to reject the Bill
purely on that Account. As the Members of the Lower
House would not have heard of such an Amendment to the
Bill but on the Contrary have thence taken occasion to charge
the Gov' with countenancing & encouraging Popery they were
never desired to lessen the Tax but I beleive some Attempt
will be made by the papists to get the Act dissented to, or at
least to get me instructed & enjoined to oppose & prevent
such unequal Taxation for the future. Soon after General
Shirley sent me a Commission to take the Command of all the
Forces that should be raised in these Southern Colonies for an
Expedition to the Westward he informed me that he had writ
to Governor Dobbs to send the Troops that should be raised
in his Govern' to join me & act under my Command but
about a week ago I received a Lettr from Governor Dobbs
advising me that agreeable to General Shirley's Desire he had
sent the four Companies that his Assembly had impowered
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Letter Bk. III
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