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

ADDRESSES TO GOV. SHARPE ON HIS
RETIREMENT

To his Excellency Horatio Sharpe Esq Governor and Com-
mander in Chief in and over the Province of Maryland.

The humble Address of the Clergy of the established
Church.

May it please your Excellency,

Animated with a proper Sense of the Happiness we have
enjoyed under your equitable and humane Administration,
we beg Leave to take this opportunity of gratefully acknowl-
edging those amiable Virtues, both in your public and private
Character, which have Justly procured you the Esteem and
Affection of all Ranks, and must forever endear the Name
of Governor Sharpe to the Inhabitants of Maryland.

The great Veneration you have always expressed for the
sacred institutions of our holy Religion, your exemplary At-
tendance on the public Duties thereof, the Respect you have
been pleased to shew its Ministers, and the Care you have
taken to support their Rights, demand our most dutiful
Acknowledgments.

Addresses to those in Power may be prompted by Hope or
dictated by Fear; but when a free People from a Conviction
of many years Experience of their chief Magistrate's dis-
tinguished Merit, voluntarily Join in testifying their Obli-
gations to him by affectionate Addresses at a Time they
know he is soon to relinquish his Administration, they dis-
charge a Debt of Gratitude, by giving the most ample Testi-
mony of their Esteem for his Person and Approbation of his
Conduct.

Our best Wishes and Prayers shall ever attend you in your
Retirement, where the Reflection of having done your Duty
to our most gracious Sovereign, his Lordship, and the People
over whom you have presided, must give you the most perma-
nent Satisfaction. May the Almighty direct, protect and
bless you in the various Changes and Chances of this Life,
and finally reward your virtuous Labours with the Appro-
bation of well done good and faithful Servant.