488 Correspondence of Gov. Horatio Sharpe, 1754-1765.

From these latter Instances (Extract of Minitts) taken
from the present Upper House Journal in their Answer to
the Lower House Message sent them, with the Extracts
taken by me from the before recited Acts. I cannot Con-
ceive from these Instances that the present Lord's Pre-
rogative is in the least Degree Infringed By the Reference
the Lower House would draw from the Act of 1717, By
which they hint the late Lord Proprietor they say Accepted
of the Fines on Ordinary Licences as a Grant from the
People. Therefore cannot help Joining Issue in the same
Opinion with the Upper House viz. That if the late Lord
Proprietor out of his great Condescention to the importu-
nities of the People thought proper to pass an Act, he did not
thereby part with his Prerogative, But rather a Suspension
of the Exercise of it (during the Continuance of the Act
which Expired in 1726) therefore such Assents cannot Di-
vest the present Proprietor of the Right he has by Virtue
of his Royal Charter to his Noble Ancestor; his Right and
Condition remaining, not in the least weakened and Infringed
thereby. By the Copy of the Lower House's Bill you trans-
mitt For Raising a Supply towards His Majesty's Service,
they not only include Fines and Forfeitures but also Licence
Monies, is the Prerogative Right of the Proprietor, to be of
no Availment to him heretofore knowledged as before Re-
cited by Acts of Asembly &c^a

My Lord observes by the Plan or Chart you have sent of
Potomack River, the Roads made by Sir John Sinclair to
will's Creek, there is a Fort Built call'd Fort Cumberland;
If the occasion of the Times should make it Necessary to
Establish it for the Reception of Forces; he desires you'l
have Care of his Property if Establish'd. The country con-
tained from Will's Creek to the Springhead of Potomack to
the North Line of Maryland, would make a large County;
His Lordship thinks it proper it should be done under the
Name of Westmorland. As the Western Land of the Prov-
ince. His Lordship desires I will remind you of M^r Wo-
gan's Affair. I beg you'l Recomd proper Persons to fill up
the vacant seats in the Council if M^r Bordley accepts it will
be proper he shou^d be one Consider well & make your appli-
cation on this Subject to my Lord & lose no time therein
If you do others will forestal such your Applications.

[Cecilius Calvert to Horatio Sharpe]

London September the 9^th 1755
Sir.

Since my last to you of August the 22^d His Majestys Ship
the Sea Horse from Virginia brings melancholy Intelligence,