182 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Letter Bk. 111

Power of the Land Officers altogether to prevent such Inter-
course, but I am of Opinion that a Stop might be put to it if a
few Cutters were stationed in Cheseapeak Bay one of them as
high up as Potowmack River with orders to cruize there con-
stantly, to examine every deck't Vessel (however small) which
they should be able to board & to seize such as should not be
furnished with proper Office Papers shewing to whom they
belong, whence they came whither bound & the kind of Cargo
on board. I am also of Opinion that if no Sea Vessels trading
here were under pain of Forfeiture allowed to load or unload
at any places whatever within this Province except at four
particular places only on Potowmack Potuxent Severn &
Choptank Rivers which places might be established as Ports
such a Regulation & Restraint would be a means not only of
preventing illicit Trade but also of advancing that which is
legal: however as many Persons in different parts of the Pro-
vince are interested against such a Regulation the Assembly
will not of themselves make such a Restraining Law but if
Your Lordship should be of Opinion that such a Regulation
or Restraint would be attended with any good Consequences
& shall in that Case be pleased to signify by a Letter to be
communicated to the Assembly that such a Regulation must
be made I doubt not but they would then agree to pass an Act
for the purpose & to fix the Ports at Places where it would be
most proper to establish them. I am &c.

[Sharpe to Halifax.]

To The Earl of Hallifax. Annapolis the 26^th of October
1764.
My Lord
In Obedience to His Majesty's Pleasure signified to me by
one of Your Lordships Letters dated the i I^th of August last I
now transmit to your Ldp a particular Account or Description
of all the Instruments made use of in publick Transactions Law
Proceedings Grants Conveyances Securities of Land or Money
within this Government which I hope will be satisfactory & I
am, with the greatest Respect y^r Ldps &c.

Letter Bk. IV

[Sharpe to Calvert.]

Copy of 133^d Letter to M^r Calvert. Dated Annapolis 13^th
Nov^r 1764 transmitted by Captain Curling.
Sir
Since I wrote to advise you of the Death of M^r Key One of
His Ldp's Council nothing has happened here of Consequence
enough to be mentioned but as a Ship of Mess^rs Hanbury's is