234 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

Original.

[Conway to Sharpe.]

St. James's, 24^th Oct^r 1765
Sir : It is with the greatest concern that His Majesty learns
the disturbances which have arisen in some of the North
American Colonies. If this evil should spread to the Govern-
ment of Maryland, where you preside, the utmost exertion of
your prudence will be necessary so as justly to temper your
conduct between that caution and coolness which the delicacy
of such a situation may demand, on one hand, and the vigor
necessary to suppress outrage and violence on the other. It
is impossible, at this distance, to assist you by any particular
or positive instruction, because you will find yourself necessarily
obliged to take your resolution as particular circumstances and
emergencies may require.
His Majesty and the servants he honors with his confidence
cannot but lament the ill-advised intemperance shewn already
in some of the Provinces by taking up a conduct which can in
no way contribute to the removal of any real grievances they
might labor under, but may tend to obstruct and impede the
exertion of His Majesty's benevolent attention to the ease and
comfort as well as the welfare of all his people.
It is hoped and expected that this want of confidence in the
justice and tenderness of the Mother Country, and this open
resistance to its authority, can only have found place among
the lower and more ignorant of the people. The better and
wiser part of the colonies will know that decency and sub-
mission may prevail, not only to redress grievances, but to
obtain grace and favor: while the outrage of a public violence
can expect nothing but severity and chastisement. These
sentiments you and all His Majesty's servants, from a sense of
duty to and love of your country, will endeavor to excite and
encourage. You will in a particular manner call upon them
not to render their case desperate. You will in the strongest
colour represent to them the dreadful consequences that must
inevitably attend the forcible and violent resistance to Acts of
the British Parliament, and the scene of misery and calamity
to themselves, and of mutual weakness and distraction to both
countries inseparable from such a conduct.
If by lenient and persuasive methods you can contribute to
restore that Peace and Tranquillity to the Provinces, on which
their welfare and happiness depend, you will do a most accept-
able and essential service to your country. But having taken
every step which the utmost prudence and lenity can dictate,
in compassion to the folly and ignorance of some misguided
people, you will not on the other hand fail to use your utmost
power for the repelling all acts of outrage and violence, and
to provide for the maintenance of peace and good order in the