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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 331
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Bill which they had so often presented to him &: his Predeces-
sors in vain, I mean a Bill subjecting all the Proprietaries
Estate within the Province of Pensa as well the Quit Rents as
their other Estate to be assessed & taxed by Assessors of the
People's Choosing, that Goverr Denny did actually pass such
a Bill for Raising £100000 last Monday I am informed by
Lieut. Colo Mercier of the Virga Forces who is just come from
Phila & that in Consequence of such Bills being assented to
the Pensa Troops are to be immediately augmented to 2700
men. After such a Step what can the Proprietaries of Pensa
or Govr Denny expect? will they hope to preserve any
Authority? or Do they not encourage the People to make
any Demands on the Govr & as it were tell them that if they
do not want Resolution to persevere they will obtain every
Thing they want be their Demands never so unreasonable.
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Letter Bk. IV
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In Answer to the Question you ask, " Whether it is not the
time of Choice of an opponent from the Lower House as a
Continuance of Proof that what they alledge is not real." I
must again give it as my opinion that such a Step would cool
the Ardour of those that are Friends to the Govt & inspirit all
those that are in the Opposition, It is a measure that for my
own Part I am extreemly averse to & if my Predecessors had
not persued it I am thoroughly persuaded that the Lower
House would not have at this time proceeded as they have
now done. From the manner in which you speak of Dr Steu-
art I conclude that you would in Case of another Vacancy be
pleased to see him recommended to a Seat in the Council.
As there is at present no opening 'tis unnecessary to trouble
you with any Reasons why I do not think such a Step advise-
able; As to Dr Steuart I like him well enough as he stands
at present tho I have never been able to get from him the
Money that you gave me Reason to expect, I mean half the
Fees that became due to the Land Office between the time of
Mr Youngs Death & Mr Calverts Acceptance, for he still says
that you gave him Leave to receive & retain all the Fees that
became due to that Office during the time abovementioned,
if you did not permit him to do so, what must I think of such
Behaviour from a Man whom I have served so much as I have
Dr Steuart since I came to this Province. I shall herewith
transmit you an Authenticated Copy of the Act you mention
in the latter Part of Your Letter, also a Copy of one that was
made in 1661 wherein the said Act is mentioned as in force at
that time & that you may be the better informed on what
Occasion both those Acts were assented to & what the then
Ld Proprietary gave up to the People on Condition that they
should thereafter defray the Whole Expence of any War that
might arise I shall also send you a Sort of Narrative relative
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p. 33
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