396 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

their offers of their Rum to me, which was indeed very great,
but they are convinced now, that I dont taste it, unless mixt
with water. We are like to agree very well, I take no notice
of their invented stories, I go to their houses, I visit the sick
without being sent for, I preach funeral Sermons for the poor
for nothing ; here is a large field for exercise.
The Vestry bought a Glebe last Fall of 150 Acres, it is
rented for this year, there is a Small house, that might stand
in your Excellencys outward Parlour about a mile from the
church. Col. Dagworthy came home last Week from Phila-
delphia, he has been very affable, & kind in his treatment of
me, I promise myself great Satisfaction in his Company. I
have rode a great deal in search of a farm to hire, but without
Success. I am at a great loss what to do with my family.
I fear I have encroached on your Excellencys time &
patience but it was y^r Goodness that made it a Duty in me to
discharge what you did me the Honour to desire ; & my own
Inclination can no otherwise be gratified than by addressing
you in this manner from this solitary part of your Government,
since I have not the Happiness of being nearer your Person.
I am under a kind of Political Devorce, from which I beg
relief, as soon as your Excellency shall see proper which shall
be acknowleged with the highest Sense of Gratitude, by
Most Worthy S^r y^r most
obliged & most obedient
& dutyfull humble Serv^t
Philip Hughes

Letter Bk. IV

[Sharpe to Baltimore.]

Annapolis 11^th june 1767
My Lord
Having lately had the pleasure to receive the Letter your
Ldp. did me the honour to write to me the 16^th of Febry. last
I embrace the earliest Opportunity to thank your Ldp. for
your kind Wishes and Regard therein expressed towards me,
& to assure your Ldp. that it shall be my Study & constant
Endeavour to promote your Interest & render your Ldp. all
the Service in my power. It gives me great satisfaction to
find by your Ldp's as well as by Mr. Hamersley's Letter
which accompanied it that my Conduct in passing the Acts of
which I last December transmitted written Copies met with
your Ldps Approbation & that your Ldp sees the Law for
paying off the publick Debt by an Emission of Bills of Credit
in the same light it appeared to me, the Bills ever since they
were put into Circulation have supported their Credit so as to
be in every respect equal to sterling Money of the same