Correspondence of Gov. Horatio Sharpe, 1754-1765. 505

Maryland is Lord Paramount upon the Whole. If any
Reason can Warrant such Proceeding on the Lord Pro-
prietor Why not on the Perchaser of Lands from him the
Lord Proprietor, who hath made Sale of the Land to Others
with Reservation to themselves of a Larger Quit-Rent. If
reason^ble Equitable for Both; in neither Case extent in the
Mother Country nor America, Either by Common Law, Civil
or Statute Law & I believe in no Dominion or Country Fee
Farm Rents are Tax'd in England, But the distinction is
considerable be^t ffee ffarm Rent & Quit-Rent (Treadi Firma)
is where Land is Held of another in ffee for so much Rent
as it is reasonably worth, or at least to the fourth Part of the
value Quit-Rent is a certain smal Rent payable yearly by
the Tenant to his Landlord on paym^t the Tenure is Quiet, tis
paid in Silver call'd White Rent. Thus I have ventured My
Discussion upon the right of Quit Rent, a British constitu-
tional Honoured Property in no time Tax'd ffree to the
Landlord. The Lo: House the representatives of Maryland
are pleased to Stile themselves High, Similar to the Com-
mons of Great Britain under a Parliamentary Capacity,
allow'd by none else but themselves, Quite so; However, as
they derive Modus's from Parliam^try Proceedings are they
to Dictate Precepts, Instructions to Parliament, of Taxes
not thought of nor ever mention'd by Parliament; such are
Quit-Rents, un-occupied Land & of Officers by Office in
Private Concerns, Taxes not agreeable to the wisdom of
Parliament, whose Fundamental Principle is ag' Oppression
& Burdening Constitutional Rights; But of these matters, the
Bills & the whole proceedings of Both Houses with your
papers have been considered & are fairly Stated & laid before
the Kings Attor^y Gen^l by whose Opinion My Lord will direct
& Justifye himself to his King & Country; the transmission
of w^h I hope will Accompany this Packet to you. He trusts
& rely's that you & the Upper House of Assembly will be on
all Occasions a Safe Barrier in defence to his & all standing
Rights.

Of the claim of Col: Henry on the late Lord Baltimore
for attending as a Commissioner when the Line was run
from Fenwick Island you say, you have rec^d from him a
Letter Con^g inclosed to me I have none, you have at times
mention Copys of other matters, I have not received, must
be the fault of y^r Sec^y I do not Understand why M^r Ross
transmits Copys of part & not the whole proceed^gs of Both
Houses, on Controversy it will not Do here by any means, tis
Exparte Information.

M^r Lloyd in His Let^r of Aug^t the 30^th says, he is disag^bly