432 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.

the Additional satisfaction of hearing that a Progress has
been made in the Sale of Ann Arundel Manor, and that he
has already received part of the first fruits. His Lordship
hears with no less pleasure from me, that M^r Loyds Accounts
are at last ready for a final Settlement, and that the Commis-
sioners had appointed to Proceed on them the begining of
next September, and that the Books and Papers relative to the
Revenue, and late in the Agents hands, were then to be
removed into the new finished Repository.
Your Excellency's observations in Support of the Quaren-
tine Law are very opportunely arrived, and Carry Irrefragable
conviction with them. It is too Evidently not the Cause of
the Publick, but that of the Contractors alone, and I am per-
suaded their opposition will have no other Effect than to pro-
duce some further necessary regulations here against them-
selves. But I rather Incline to think from Conversations I
have lately had with them, that they will not Proceed in it
with much Vigour, Especially as I have given them to under-
stand that Lord Baltimore thinks himself bound, in his Char-
acter of Pater Patriae, to Maintain so Salutary a Law at his
own Expence, and totis viribus, and the Gent" seem not much
pleased with the thoughts of being Led a Dance before the
Lords of Trade, and Council Board, where they must Pay their
Contribution to the Piper. The Merchants of London have
likewise Promised me their Assistance in a Counter Petition
whenever it becomes necessary. In the meantime if any
amendment can be made to the Law, (for where the founda-
tion is so good the superstructure must rise with equal advan-
tage) or further Regulations be Offered, for the Enforcing or
better Execution of the Act, His Lordship will be very happy
in Concurring with the Two Houses of Assembly in so Patri-
otick a measure, and in maintaining it afterwards against
every Attack, that his People may know their health is as dear
to him, as his own.
His Lordship is much concerned to find no further Advance
has been made in settling M^r Alien to his Entire Satisfaction,
& in a manner sufficiently expressive of his Lordships great
friendship & regard for him. By no means would his Lord-
ship involve you or himself in any Disputes about Pluralitys,
But, If M^r Alien can proceed no further in his Ecclesiastical
Walk, he must Strike into some other Path, and a Civil
Employment must be found for him, not Inconsistent with his
Function (for abundant Precedents are to be found in the
Colonies and Island, where Lay Offices have been held by
Ecclesiasticks, and I think M^r Sterling a Clergyman was once
Collector of the Customs in Maryland) His Lordship had
Destined him to the Comissarys Office, or a part of it, as it