Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 509

have suffered in the Death of M^r Tasker who died last Sunday
after an Indisposition of about a Fortnight, he was I think
more than seventy eight years old but till this Sickness seized
him as hearty chearful & in Appearance likely to live many
years as any Person I knew : he had been a Member of the
Council ever since 1722 & I believe President of that Board
near twenty years & to the last gave punctual Attendance,
his mild Temper & Behaviour to every Body made him much
esteemed & as he was known to almost every Person of Con-
sideration in the Province his Death is universally lamented.
By this Accident & M^r Goldsboroughs declining at present to
qualify as a Member (for the Reasons he has or will himself
offer to His Ldp) the Council at this time consists of only
nine Members instead of Twelve & some of those are so
infirm that tis likely the Board will soon be reduced to a less
Number ; Col^o Hammond who is now the Senior Member is
very old & infirm as is also M^r Chamberlaine who is become
so deaf that as he says himself he is quite unqualified & for
that Reason will I believe desire permission to retire or resign.
M^r Lee tho not old is so often laid up by the Gout that he
can seldom stir from home & his Habitation is on Potowmack
not less than two Days Journey from this place, while Colonel
Lloyd is so much dissatisfied with some Things he has been
told were reported of him by M^r Jordan that I question
whether he will choose to act again in any Public Station at
least he altogether declined giving any Attendance at this
last Session. As I consider the Appointment of Gentlemen
to the Council as a Matter of Great Importance both to His
Ldp & the Province I must beg a little time to deliberate
before I recommend, nor am I sure that Those I may judge
most fit will qualify especially if while the Lower House treat
them as too much dependant to be at liberty to judge for
themselves they are to be censured by others for considering
themselves as free Agents or in a State above that of absolute
Dependance, a light in which I am confident His Ldp himself
never wish't to have them seen, nor can I for my part conceive
what good purpose can be answered by lessening the Respect
that has been heretofore thought to be due either to His Ldp's
Lieut Governor or the Gentlemen composing his Council.
While the Assembly was sitting I took several Opportunities
to talk with some of the Members from Somerset & Worcester
Counties on the Claim set up by the Vestry of Coventry
Parish & the opposition which has been made to M^r Hughs's
taking Possession of his Church & from the Assurances they
have given Me I doubt not but soon after their Return home
the Dispute will subside & Peace & Harmony be again
restored in that part of the Province. I am &c.

Letter Bk. V