Correspondence of Gov. Horatio Sharpe, 1754-1765. 491

ordinary and Pedlars Lycences for Reasons only mentioned
in his Instructions to you, he thinks it will be proper for you
to mention the same to the House of Burgesses. As to the
furious Address presented you about the Roman Catholicks,
if any reflection they mean to their Proprietor, he holds 'em
with Contempt: as his Conscience and Rule of Government
being as he really is, sound Protestantism by Law Estab-
lished. As to what you write that their warmth was in-
creased by some Letters writ some time since intimating that
if M^r Hanbury had not prevented it, I would have gott M^r
Darnel the Attorney General to a Seat in the Council. M^r
Hanbury I have charged with this Circumstance, who denys
it and assures me he never thought or said any such thing of
me; on the Contrary he knew my Opinion was to get rid of
the Attorney General, which is most Certain. If the House
could have grounded their Papist Suspicions of him by Facts,
His Lordship would not have held him any time; But as you
have since your Arrival given Assurances of the Attorney
General's having duly Qualified himself agreeable to the Es-
tablished Law under the most Sacred Obligation of the
Oaths required, and that he has Acted conformable thereto,
you having no Exception to him; with what Consistency of
Justice could My Lord possibly discard him his office of
Attorney, who had in no manner violated it. The only Ex-
ception against him being, in My Lord's Judgment, that his
acquired Abilities in Law are not sufficient for the Executing
that Office; therefore has Directed a Gratuity to him for his
real Services, with his Orders to you to Remove him as his
Attorney by appointing another more proper. For my Part
as to Roman Catholicks, I hate no man for his opinion in
Religion, be it to himself; the Principles and false Ground
and Tyranny of that Religion T detest and have Abhorrence
to, and Regard the Church of England by the Law Estab-
lish'd the Truth and best means of self Preservation, and to
a future State of real Happiness. As to the Raw-head and
Bloody Bone of Catholicks mention'd to you, the same abuse
was in the Late Lord's time; 'tis the Old trick of Calumny
made use of by Crafty Ill Designing men to Cover Ill pur-
poses. The Justices of your Answer thereto My Lord nor
none here Doubts the truth thereof.

I have no News to send you Save that of His Majesty's
Arrival is daily expected from Hanover. Sir Edward
Hawke is on a Cruize for the French Squadron, which is
said is Sailed from Cadiz.

By our Papers some French Trading Ships have been
taken and Sent into Our Harbours. God send good News