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

Cutting off the Springheads of his Lordship's Rivers to be
East of the Division Line from the Middle Line running up
North to the Periphry of the 12 miles Circle off Newcastle;
If the Mischief is so as by you sent, he will not recced from
it, he is too knowing; he inadvertenly show'd me his Chart
of the Peninsula, on which was described run of the Middle
Line up to the Periphry of the 12 Miles Circle off New
Castle, this was before the Articles agreed, what says I, will
you gain all these Rivers Heads, says he, most certain; It
gave me much Happiness on your first return of the run of
the Division Line up North, that he had Humbuged himself;
Now turns on his Lordship, and will be of great commercial
Loss to his Province by Trade carried and Smugled to
Philadelphia Market, where the Price is Higher and traffick
easier carried to the West Indies, and to gain the produce
of Maryland, they will make the Spring heads of such Rivers

Navigable, Build Stone Houses and cut channels from the

Head of those Creeks making out of Delaware; As to any
Stop How can it be? Can his Lordship or his Assembly
stop the Act of Navigation? No, they will have a right to
coast in his Bay of Chesopeak and enterance of such Rivers
whose Spring heads lay in their Territory, they will not bait
an Ace, money will not tempt, M^r Thomas Penn knows his
Views. No man of Integrity and of real Mathematical abil-
ities capable is to be found here to be engaged to direct and
superintend the work of running the Lines there; M^r Penn
has mentioned such a Design to me, I have the same to Doc-
tor Bevis, they have enquired, none of real Character will
Accept. Now as I am on this Subject, I tremble for the
North Line, least the West End should fall into the North
most Bow of Potowmack River, what an immense Territory
will be cut off if so from Maryland, the Line to commence
distance fifteen miles South of Philadelphia City, the agree-
ment of the late Lord's with the Mess^rs Penns without his
Least Knowledge of and concerning the North most Bound
of Potowmack; when I reflect on Governor Ogle and the then
Administration of his Lordship's Government I amaze!
Your Brother John told me, from them he had gain'd no
Intelligence, their Neglect of Evidence he said reduced his
Lordship's Chancery Suit with the Messieurs Penns to a
Dismission on his Side. Relative to the Commissioners and
Surveyors last operation, I now transmit you Doctor Bevis's
Answers. It is all I can say at present, the Expence is very
Considerable by your Account already about £1400 Sterling,
No doubt of your frugality the Best, you must go on, what
can't be helped must be endured. Stop.