2 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Calvert
Papers.

Justice ag^t his Lord^ps Just Rights, And so to Knit & Unite
the several Branches of Power there, as to form one Grand &
Regular Movement, all tending to the Honour & prosperity
of his Lordship, & the Happiness & Welfare of the whole
Province, without leaving it in the Power of any Individual
amongst them, either from Motives of Interest, Avarice or
Ambition, to disturb its operations. I have always consid-
ered his Lordships right of Nominating to the Council Board,
not as a feather wherewith to Tickle the Vanity of such as he
may be inclined to please, but as the chief Strength & Sup-
port not only of his Lordships rights, but of the whole frame
of Goverment ; 'tis by their advice Assemblys are called,
prOgued & dissolved, & all the Subordinate parts of the Gov-
erment are directed & put into Motion ; It must therefore be
of the last consequence to his Lord^p how the Vacancies that
happen there, are filled up ; If this point is disregarded, you
may admitt a fool who will not only be troublesome & Imper-
tinent but will Blabb every thing he knows; or if he has abili-
ties, unless you are sure he is well affected to the Proprietor
& Goverment, he will be the more Dangerous in proportion
to those Abilities ; for I am very well Satisfied that placing
such a one there is so far from putting him out of the way, as
is the pretended opinion of some there, that it is increasing
his Power of doing Mischief, by letting him into all the Secrets
of the Goverment, & giving him a share of Managem^t in that
Power which is to controul & direct all the rest & so far cor-
rupting & weakning the only check this Goverment has over
the Madness of popular fury ; a Third & very material con-
sideration is, what attachments amongst themselves the per-
son you propose to admit (whether he has abilities or no)
either has at the time, or may in all likelyhood fall into ;
because otherwise such a one may serve only to Strengthen
an opposition to his Lordships Rights both private & Public
& tho' capable of no more, yet by a single Vote either in oppo-
sition to the Just and wise Measures of a Governor or by fall-
ing in with the Measures of the Lower House, over turn the
whole frame of the Constitution, & throw every thing into the
hands of the People ; And lastly, they ought to be such as can
both in point of Health & distance constantly attend upon
every Emergency ; add to this, that your Council Act not only
in a Consultive & Legislative, but likewise in a Judicial Capa-
city, & have the last decision of property in this Province of
every thing that is brought before them ; all which important
Powers, very plainly Indicate not only the Propriety but
Necessity of filling up Vacancies that may happen at this
Board, with Men of Abilities, of strict & Impartial Justice, &
of proper attachment to his Lordships Just rights & proroga-