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MSS.
Calvert
Papers
No. 583
Md.Hist.Soc.
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transported — and which Expence so far as relates to London Middle-
sex and the Home Circuit (from which places the Transports are
very numerous) His Majesty has been Graciously pleased to take
upon himself and to pay out of his own Purse.
Quaere. Have the Assembly of that or any other Colony
Authority to pass a Law laying a Tax of 20.S p Head
either on the Importer or the Buyer which is the same
thing? And if they have not cannot the Contractor's
Agent demand the Certificate prescribed by the Statute
of the Convicts being landed there, without Payment of
such Tax?
I am of Opinion that no Colony can make such a Law because it
seems to me in direct Opposition to the Authority of the Parliament
of Great Britain But the Charter of Maryland and the Power
thereby given to make Laws is not stated. There always is a Re-
striction that they shall not be contrary to the Laws of England.
But this Matter should be set right by a proper Complaint of the
Law itself, and M.r Sharpe should be acquainted with it, in order to
his taking the proper Steps to have the Law repealed or declared
null. For it is a Matter of Publick Concern, and derogatory to the
Crown and Legislature of Great Britain. By the same Reason they
might lay a Duty upon or even prohibit British Goods.
W. Murray
6.th May 1755.
Accordingly Your Memorialist having caused a Copy of this
Case and Opinion to be delivered to M.r Sharpe, he promised his
Solicitor to make the necessary Representations to Your Lordship
for his Redress.
Notwithstanding which Your Memorialist in 1756 received Advice
from Maryland that on the 17.th November 1755 Twenty Shillings p
Head for Ninety Nine Convicts landed there had been demanded,
insisted upon and received of his Agents (under the Authority of
that Law) by M.r William Lux for the Collector and Naval Officer
there, whereupon his Solicitor again renewed his Application to M.r
Sharpe who not only gave his repeated Assurances that his Griev-
ances should be redressed, but declared that the Attorney General
had himself been pleased to enforce his Opinion with his Recom-
mendations; but M.r Sharpe's ill State of Health disappointed Your
Memorialist of the promised Redress.
After his Death [sic] Your Memorialist applied to Your Lordship's
Secretary M.r Calvert, but as yet having obtained no Relief he now
presumes to lay his Case before Your Lordship, not doubting but
Your Lordship will immediately give the necessary Orders not only
for the Reimbursing Your Memorialist such Monies as have hitherto
been exacted from him in Opposition to the Laws of Great Britain
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