Gratitude I think they would consider how I have contended
with the Assembly in their behalf, I could have purchased
many Friends by giving them up when by acting a moderate
part I have given great Offence to their inveterate Enemies.
Were they well advised I think they would not make such a
Stir on this Occasion, for if they do not succeed in their Appli-
cations, the Assembly will be encouraged to make more severe
Laws agst them, & if they should obtain Relief some of the
weaker Bretheren will very probably become so insolent as to lay
the Govt under a necessity of taking notice of them & of having
them punished agreeable to the Tenor of the penal Statutes
which by an Act of Assembly made long since are declared to
extend to this province. Their priests hold large Tracts of
Land among us & their Children are frequently sent to St
Omers for Education, these are in my Opinion great Indul-
gencies & such as are allowed in none of the Colonies but
Maryland & Pensilvania. I believe about 1/12 part of our Inhab-
itants are of that persuasion & many of them are persons of
considerable Fortune. I know not what Interest they may
have at home but if themselves are to be credited it is not
inconsiderable I hope they will not think of addressing them-
selves to Mr Calvert, at least that he will not Countenance
them, for I am persuaded nothing could be more impolitick
than his taking such a Step & I am sorry to find that many of
the people already mention on Occasions his having received a
foreign Education. He might perhaps speek to you or Br Wm
on this Affair, if he should you will from this Hint be better
able to advise him what measures to take for His Ldp's, his
own, & the Ease & Satisfaction of
DB &c—
[Sharpe to Loudoun.]
12th of Octr 1756.
My Lord
I am now to acquaint your Ldp with the Resolutions of the
Assembly of this Province upon the Matters that in Obedience
to your Ldp's Commands I recommended a Month ago to their
Consideration & tho they have not granted such ample aids as
I could wish yet I hope your Ldp will take in good part my
Endeavours to obtain them. I have only succeeded so far as
to get provision made for raising 300 Men for the Royal
American Regiment with all possible Expedition including
about 80 that I have got enlisted while the Assembly has been
sitting. The pacific Disposition of the Natives & the great
Success of the Recruiting Parties from Nova Scotia among our
Servants forbid me to entertain very sanguine hopes that the
Number voted will be easily raised but your Ldp may be
|
Letter Bk. III
|
