Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 501

nity shall be given me I shall not I am sure wish to continue
here a Moment longer in a Public Station but till His Ldp or
yourself shall give me a Hint to the Contrary I shall hope his
favourable opinion of me is in no respect diminish't nor shall I
seem to give the least Credit to any Report that might have
taken its Rise from the unguarded Conversation of M^r Jordan
or any one else. Tho I could not forbear writing thus much
to you as a Friend I would not have you trouble His Ldp
about the matter if you are persuaded that M^r Jordan has not
seriously entertained any thoughts of doing me ill Offices.
I am &c.

Letter Bk. V

[Rev. Bennett Allen to Sharpe.]
Sir
I have but a strange Detail of Occurrences to transmit to
your Excellency since my Arrival here. I found a Petition
sign'd that Day viz. Tuesday at M^r Bacons Funeral for a Divi-
sion of the Parish, it was thought then had I come a few
Hours sooner I might have prevented it & they began to
capitulate if I would join in the Petition. I tried the Experi-
ment by a third Person but it did not succeed. I should have
been glad to have stop't the Petition as it might lay your
Excellency under Difficulties. Things went on very quietly
& I did not expect or surmise the least opposition till Satur-
day Morning, when Information was brought that Letters had
arrived from Annapolis to one Murdoch a Vestryman with a
Bag full of C D's last curious Performances, & that a Plan
was laid to steal the Keys from the Sexton thereupon. There
were private Letters recommending all kind of Violence even
to Murder & that it was a shame I should have so good a
Parish not worthy of a Tenth Part. I saw the Storm & anti-
cipated it. On Saturday I got the Keys went into the Church
read Prayers the 39 Articles & my Induction. On Sunday
having heard that the Locks were taken off & the Door
bolted within I got up at four oclock & by the Assistance of
a Ladder unbolted them getting in at a Window & left them
on the Jar. I went at 10 oclock & found all the Doors &
Windows open. The Vestry came up to me & spoke to me
of Breach of Privilege. I said I am not acquainted with Cus-
toms I act by the Letter of the Law. The moment the
Gover^r signs an Induction, Your Power ceases, I am sorry
that any Dissention &c. I saw they drew to the Doors of the
Church. I got a little Advantage leap't into the Desk &
made my Apology & begun the Service. The Congregation
was call'd out. I proceeded as if nothing had happened till
the Second Lesson. I heard some Commotions from without
which gave me a little Alarm & I provided luckily against it

Original.