Correspondence of Governor Sharpe, 351

ing to Stipulation & raise an Out cry in the Province that
might not be easily silenced, at least I am satisfied that many
of the Clergymen now in the Province would if so circum-
stanced behave in that manner. Was M^r Alien to come
hither & personally take Possession of the Living no Objec-
tion could be made to his Returning to England as soon after-
wards as he pleased leaving a Curate to officiate during his
Absence ; but the question is how he will become possessed
of a Living here as a Freehold without ever appearing in the
Province to take possession. There are at this time three
Parishes vacant of at least £200 stg a year each, & three or
four others of less Value & as the present Incumbents in two
Parishes of the Yearly Value of £250 are very old & infirm I
doubt not but One or other of these will soon become vacant.
If Your Ldp approves thereof I should be glad to have Leave
after reserving the best for M^r Alien to prefer to the others
such Clergymen as are deserving & have at present but small
Livings & in particular the Rev^d M^r Keene M^r Neal M^r West
& M^r Reade in whose favour I have heretofore wrote either
to Your Ldp or Your Ldps Secretary. Inclosed Your Ldp
will receive the Firsts of Two Setts of Exchange for the Sum
of £49 4 1 1/4 being in part for another Tenement of 184^a in
Collington Mannour as Your Ldp will see by the Account
accompanying them. On the 24^th of last Month M^r Dulany
M^r Jordan & I went over to Kent in order to sell the Mannour
in that County but no one would purchase because We could
not produce Copies of the Settlements said to have been
made by Your Ldps Ancestors, such Copies however were
received last Week in a Letter from M^r Hamersley to M^r Jordan
& are now in M^r Dulanys hands, the late Receipt of M^r
Hamersley' s Letter & the sitting of the Assembly has hitherto
prevented our taking any Steps in Consequence thereof but
we shall meet in a Day or two to consider what is to be done
& I suppose immediately advertise for Sale some other of the
Mannours. I am &c.

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

To Lord Baltimore. the 7^th Decem^r 1766.
My Lord
I am glad to have so early an Opportunity by a Vessel just
ready to sail hence for London of informing Your Ldp that I
last Night put an End to the Session of Assembly which had
continued from the of Oct^r The two Houses having con-
curred in passing twenty seven Acts I have thereto on Your
Ldps Behalf given my Assent & flatter Myself that when
Your Ldp sees them You will approve of my doing so.

Letter Bk. IV