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to the three Delinquents above-mentioned, who haply prove to be of
the Roman Catholic Persuasion, shews the very great Prevalence or
Power of that Faction, or affords any room to think that they have
met with Countenance or Encouragement, or have been treated with
the least Partiality or Favour.
Thus, Gentlemen, for Yours and for your Constituents Informa-
tion and Satisfaction, I have intimated to you the Reasons and
Motives which inclined me to those Acts of Benevolence and Lenity,
at which some have taken Offence, not presuming at the Time that
I pardoned Offences against the Government, that any Lenity or
Compassion exercised towards the People, would be condemned, or
excepted against, by their Representatives; neither can I yet believe
that your Constituents wish or desire to see you interfering thus
far, or prescribing Limits, how far a Governor may venture in exer-
cising Clemency; but whatever you or their Opinion or Desire may
be, with Respect to that Matter, I will not suffer the undisputed
and undoubted Rights of the supreme Magistrate in this Govern-
ment, to be invaded or infringed on any Pretence whatever: There-
fore, I hope, it will not be taken amiss, if I should hereafter exercise
that Right of shewing Mercy to such Delinquents as may appear
proper Objects, without consulting or advising either with you
or them.
What were the Expectations of the People, with Respect to Mr.
John Darnal, or the Attorney-General, I know not; but hope they
were not unreasonable, and that neither of those Gentlemen have
rendered themselves justly obnoxious. I have not had long Ex-
perience of them, but, I presume, my Predecessors, who appointed
and continued them in Places of Trust, were well satisfied of their
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L.H.J.
Liber No. 48
July 8
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being well affected to his Majesty's Person and Government; you
know they have conformed to the established Church, and are law-
fully qualified to hold any Employment; for my Part, I have nothing
to object to their Conduct, and believe they have endeavoured to merit
universal Approbation, by duly and impartially executing the Offices
which they have many Years enjoyed.
Gentlemen, Whatever fruitless Attempts to gain a Law for your
Security against a Popish Faction, more particularly adapted to
your Constitution and Circumstances, may have been made, cannot
be imputed to me, as no Bill of that Sort has ever been presented
to me; and as the Request, with which your Address concludes,
relates to an Affair of the greatest Moment and Consequence, I
must beg a longer Time to consider of it, and take Advice, before
I determine thereon; but you may be assured, that I will, in the
mean Time, take such Measures, as Equity; and the Security of his
Majesty's Subjects in this Province, point out and require.
Hor.o Sharpe.
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p. 156
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