Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 305

time before they can be brought to agree to it. As Experience
of the last & former Sessions of Assembly had taught me
that many of the best disposed Gentlemen in the Lower
House & most of the Members of the Upper are either unable
or unwilling to attend here in the Winter or even in the Fall
I was advised by the Gentlemen of the Council to convene
the Assembly the Beginning of this Month in order that they
may now give a longer Duration to the Inspection Law which
will otherwise expire next December & by a short Act con-
tinue over the Actions which were brought in the several
Courts before the first of November last are abated by reason
of the Courts being ever since that time shut up. Inclosed I
send your Ldp a Copy of a short Speech I made the two
Houses at the Opening of the Session & their respective
Addresses thereupon, but little else has been yet done & I
conclude from the Answer of the Lower House that they will
not choose to continue here at this time long enough to do
much Business. I shall not fail writing to your Ldp again by
the first Opportunity that offers, or as often as any thing
occurs here worthy your Ldp's Notice & in the mean time I
remain with the utmost Respect Your Ldp's &c.

Letter Bk. IV

[Richmond to Sharpe.]

Whitehall May 23^d 1766
Sir,
The King having been pleased to appoint me Secretary of
State for the Southern Department, and to deliver the Seals
of the Northern to M^r Secretary Conway, I shall for the future,
have the Pleasure of your Correspondence, & you may
depend upon my Punctuality in laying your Letters, as they
shall arrive, before The King, & transmitting to you such
Instructions as His Majesty may think proper to be given
you, from Time to Time, for the Direction of your Conduct,
in all such Cases as may require Them.
I am, with great Truth and Regard,
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant
Richmond &c:
Deputy Gov^r of Maryland.

Original.