520 Correspondence of Gov. Horatio Sharpe, 1754-1765.
as the Law Directs by & with the Advice of the Attory Genl
Counsel for the Lord Proprietor, the Expence to be lay'd &
approved by the Board & to stand charged to his Lordp in
the annual Accots of the Recrs Genl by them transmitted to
his Lordp And it is proposed that 5 pr Ct to be paid to the
Stewards of the Several Manors out of the 10 pr Ct of Rent
Value as has been usualy paid to the said Stewards for their
Care & good Accot & that 4 pr Ct thereof be paid to the Recrs
Genl for their trouble & that the remaing one pr Ct to the use
of the Clerk of the Land Office aforesd His Lordp desires
Your Consideration on the above Plan for Method & Recti-
tude of his Private Property, wh for want of Regular Estab-
lishment is precarious, Besides the want of a Proper Office as
Repository for all his Instns Deeds & Papers Subjects his
Revenues to great Distress & Loss. By the. above scheme, he
purposes knowledge & Security by Advice & the Means of
his Guidance & right Issue & the giving him Contentment in
Justice his Due Strictly from his Several Officers of Revenue,
who are by him well paid for their so Doing. He trusts in
Yr friendship & Service & that you'l favour him with Yr
opinion & Report of & concerng. The Proffits on the Land
Office the 10 pr Ct often Amts to four & five hundred Pounds
pr Ann: half is proposed to the Govr & may be annex'd ffees
on all warrants Grants &ca & in whose hands the office seals
should Rest. On the stability of this office the Lord Pro-
prietors Happiness depends & the only Security for due
Circulation of wealth to the Owner, is check upon check; 'tis
the Band of Honesty, the Land Office is a great Trust & of
the utmost consequence to all concerned; therefore requires
real fidelity & the best Abilities for due Execution, much
Waste has been & Now is of Quit-Rent not in Possession of
the Proprietor But of these things you & Mr Attory Bordley
can Right, the present condition & Management of the Office
is a reproach of Misdemeanour in Public Employmt The
intention of the Plan is two Recr Genl My Lord desires yr
recomendation of them with Sufficient security & hopes for
them of the Upper House & thinks it proper that the Rent-
Roll-Keepers Place should belong to the office of the Recrs
General. It will be proper to add Mr Tasker Deputy Secry
& Mr Comissr Dulany to be of the Board as their Offices
concern his Lordps Land affairs. Mr Thomas is aged, why
not to be prevailed upon to resign his Seat at the Council
for the Benefit of his son to be Recr Genl of the West Shore,
with remove of Mr Chamberlaine who is also Aged & Seldom
Attends the Council, his seat will serve for the other Recr &
he may keep his place as Naval Officer. I am anxious for
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