128 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe,

Letter Bk. IV

Boundary Stones on the North of the true Parallel which by
the Articles of Agreement ought to be really described. But
whatever way be adopted the Line must according to the
Hints be in fact determined by Celestial Observations, which
are I hope to be depended on as much as actual mensuration,
tho I learn from our Commissioners that Mess^rs Mason &
Dixon acknowledged they had never made any Experiment
to try whether they could by Celestial Observations discover
the true Distance between any two places not more than a
few yards distant from each other. As I presume the Gen-
tlemen will not be able to finish the Business next Summer I
expect we shall at our next meeting join in an Application
for another Commission to prolong the time limitted by the
last that was sent us. I am very much obliged to you for the
favourable Report you did me the honour to make of me in
your Interview with His Majesty at the time you presented
the Painting that His Ldp had been pleased to send you from
Rome for that purpose & of which you advise me the King
was most graciously pleased to accept. It has given me great
pleasure to learn from the several Letters you have from time
time favoured me with since His Ldp's Departure that he con-
tinued to enjoy a good state of health & had escaped the
Danger he seems to have been in on his Voyage to Zant. I
beg the favour of you to present my Duty to His Ldp at all
times when you think fit to communicate to him anything from
my Letters & you may assure His Ldp that it will be my
constant Study as it has ever been to confirm both His Ldp &
yourself in the favourable opinion you are at present pleased
to entertain of my Proceedings & Resolutions — As M^r Bordley
had for some time entirely declined the Practice of the Law &
had ever since M^r Key's Arrival desired him to transact the
Business of Attorney General I did a few Days ago at M^r
Bordley's Desire & in pursuance of your Letter issue a Com-
mission to young M^r Key who is settled in this City & is I
believe likely to get into pretty good Business. If D^r Wilson
should speak to you again about his Claim on M^r Bacon you
will be pleased to tell him that I informed that Gentleman
what was expected of him whereupon he promised me that a
proper & satisfactory Account should be sent to the Doctor,
nevertheless I question whether either the Doctor's Threats or
any other measure will obtain it, as M^r Bacon has now nothing
farther to ask. I have perused that strange kind of Petition
of M^r Proby's after whom I shall make Enquiry & if his Case
is such as shall appear worthy Notice, or capable of Redress I
shall direct him to pursue such measures as may be expedient,
but as I never before heard of the Man I am inclined to think
his Pretensions are not so well founded as he would insinuate.