Appendix. 525

VII

LETTER FROM SECRETARY CECILIUS CAL-
VERT TO GOVERNOR HORATIO SHARPE,
LONDON, MARCH 30, 1759

[THIS LETTER REFERS TO THE OPINION OF CHARLES
PRATT, THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE CROWN, UPON
THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE SERVICE BILL, RE-
PEATEDLY PASSED BY THE LOWER HOUSE, AS TO ( I ) THE
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE ANNAPOLIS ALDERMEN TO VOTE
FOR BURGESSES TO THE ASSEMBLY; (2) APPOINTMENTS
TO SUNDRY PROVINCIAL OFFICES; (3) THE HOSTILITY OF
HUGH HAMMERSLY TOWARDS SHARPE; (4) THE STATUS
OF DUTCH SHIPS SEIZED BY THE BRITISH 5(5) THE NECES-
SITY OF CONVOYS FOR MERCHANTMEN; (6) BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN'S TROUBLESOME ACTIVITIES IN LONDON; (7)
THE RE-EXAMINATION BY THE HOME GOVERNMENT OF THE
PURCHASE DEEDS TO LANDS BY THE PENN FAMILY FROM
THE INDIANS; (8) THE ORDER BY LORD BALTIMORE THAT
NO BILLS BE ALLOWED TO PASS PENALIZING ROMAN
CATHOLICS "WITHOUT SUFFICIENT CAUSE OF THEIR
OFFENCE."]

London March 30.^th 1759
Sir
Inclosed I transmit you his Lord.^ps Letter on the Subject matter
of the Province that has been so long depending for Advice from
M.^r Pratt the Attor.^y Gen.^l In Mine of the 17.^th Instant I Address'd
My self to you on that Subject, of w.^h My Lord Approved, But Now
You have his & M.^r Attorney's Better Reasons for y.^r Conduct &
Guidance on that Important Affair — I have y.^rs the 10.^th of Decem.r
last. I am glad you have reason to think the Affair of Doctor Stuart
Election for Annapolis will not be determined by a Nullity of the
Aldermans Vote — To y.^r Desire to confer the Naval Office of
Pocomoke on Col; Henry & the making M.^r Goldsborough Surveyor
Gen.^l of the East shore My Lord Approve & Consents Concern.^g such
y.^r Proposition I have write to M.^r Tasker Deputy Sec.^y, if you
Approve, close & deliver it him — My Lord thanks you for y.^rs & y.^r
Acco.^t Decem.r the 8.^th 1758. I suspect, I know not, if M.^r Ham-
mersley has set up Corespd^t with you, if he has, have a Care how
you commune with him he's not y.^r friend, the less you mention of
him the better. I have Quiet'd y^r. Adversaries here — fill up as fast as
vacancys happen
The Lords of Appeal have deter min'd the Case of the Dutch
ships taken this War shall be restored with Costs. s.^d 1,500000
English Privateers will be few. French will swarm the Merch.^t Men
must not Venture without Convoy — M.^r Franklin from Pensilvania

MSS.
Archives
of Md.
Portfolio
No. 4
Letter 33
Hall of
Records