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

& fitting to execute & truly to adjust the runing laying &
determining the Lines when Agreed here be' the Parties to
be carry'd into Execution & what will be Necessary for that
.Purpose? My Lord Desiers the favour of no Delay, But
that these matters may be by you dispatch'd to him as soon
as possible.

The 2^d of Decem^r last, I rec^d a Lef from M^r Pownal Sec^y
of Trade to attend their Lord^p of the Board on the 7^th of
that Instant, on an Act passed by the Colony of Virginia, for
Erecting a light House at Cape Henry & saying, as it ap-
pear'd to their Lord^ps that the Act may from the Tenor of
it be construed to Effect the Interest of the Proprietor of the
Province of Maryland & also the Interest of the Inhabitants
thereof, therefore their Lord^ps will be ready to hear on that
Day any thing you may have to offer upon it I return'd
Answ^r for the Honour of Notice & wo^d on the behalf of the
Proprietor of Maryland attend concern^g the Tenor of the
Virginia Act. The Mor^g for Attendance I rec^d a Let^t from
M^r Pownal. that their Lord^ps had postponed the hearing on
that Matter. The Material Objection I had to propound ag^t
the Tenor of the Act was, its Effect to the Colony of Mary-
land under the Legislative Authority Enact'd by Virginia,
the Act laying a Duty on alf Vessels going in & out the Bay
of Chesopeak in Maryland, passing by the Light House at
Cape Henry, Subject to a Duty by Authority of that Prov-
ince; therefore, the Lord Proprietor of Maryland hoped
their Lord^ps indulgence not to concur for the immediate
Royal Assent to the Act, without hearing His Lord^ps & the
People of Maryland, w^h at present the short warning of
their Lord^ps prevent'd not being furnish'd with proper De-
fence. That the most early step wo^d be taken to laye before
their Lord^ps the sense of the Proprietor with relation to the
Act, How it might Effect his Right as well with regard from
the People of Maryland their Interest. The Utility & real
Necessity of a Light House at Cape Henry for ships safety,
at the Enterance of the Atlantick Ocean seems truly Usefull
to Both Provinces, Equally concern'd. This appearing so,
My Lord Desiers you'l recommend to the Maryland As-
sembly to adjust the affair amicably with Virginia, other-
wise tis thought an Act of Parliament will be obtain'd to
settle the Difference on a matter so secure to Navigation.
If by Parliament done, it is subjecting Maryland to paye a
Duty by Proposition from Virginia & may be attended with
Subsequent Dutys towards further suppose—on Application
only by Virginia. This is of Consequence to Maryland as
to Consider, Impost on Traffick; therefore best amicably to