The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-08-10

wv E of Maryland ableSt men has sui
fered greatly at the hands of historians
not by direct censure so much as by neglect
and 'damning with faint praise" In Horatio
Sharpe, Governor of Maryland during the
trying days OF the French and Indian War,
the colony had man of wisdom, far-sighted
ness, force and (rare quality!) balance. These
attributes are unconsciously betrayed in his
voIuminouS correspondence and further
emphasized by events. Yet historians, in Civ
ing measure to this man, are usually content
to quote George IL, who knew almost moth
ing of Sharpes ability This quotation car
ries us somewhat ahead in our story, but
as it is familiar to many Marylanders and
students of history we should begin to
revise our estimate of Horatio Sharpe by
plucking out by its roots the old erroneous,
WORKOUT mot This is the story OF its origin.
"
AT THE TIME CT Sharpe's appointment as
Governor of Maryland those in authority in
England were coming to realize the necessity
for a definite program OF defense against the
French and Indians in America. Although
only 81 years of age, Sharpe already had a
creeijtable military career behind him. By the
end of the first year of his Govcrnorship
relations between the French and English had
grown so tense that the King felt it necessary
to appoint some one is Commander-in-chlef
9. all the military forces in America. Sharpe
vas chosen for this honor but it was only
Temporary measure. Three months later, only
Il few days after Sharpe had received word
of his commission, King George appointed
General BraddocE to succeed him. D-addock's
appointment, therefore, could have been no
reelection on Sharpes activities as com-
mander- in-chief Yet, when some OF Sharpc's
friends urged King George to reappoint him,
stressing his honesty, his majesty replied, "a
little less honesty and little more ability
might, upon the present occasion, better serve
our turn"
THIS IS the bancful tag which has labeled
Horatio Sharpe in the annals OF Colonial
America. Yet, in reviewing the events that
followed the appointment OF Sharpe's sue
cessor, one wonders whether the tragedy now
known as "Braddock's defeat would have
occurred had Maryland's Governor been d.
recting the advance against the French at
Fort Duquesne. His keen appraisal of the
situation on the frontier at that time and
his own program of operations lead us to
think that he would have proceeded far
differently and with evident chances of
success.
A close study of Sharpe's governorship and
his activities against the enemy prove him
one of the strongest governors of Colonial
times and a great contributory factor in the
winning of the French and Indian War.
~
ON AUGUST 10, 1883, Annapolis was all excite
ment, festivity and eager curiosity, for
Horatio Sharpe had arrived that day to take
up his duties as Governor. The colony had
been without a Governor since the death of
Samuel Ogle in 1881. During the interim
Ogle's father-in-la Benjamin Tasker, presi-
dert OF the Council, had acted as Governor.
1t was crucial time for the American
colonies. The French had extended their
forts southwark and were engaging in ma
rauding expeditions, threatening the frontiers
of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.
Governor Dinwiddie alarmed by the situa-
ton, had begun to take steps toward strength
ening the Virginia frontier, and had advised
the Lords of Trade of the apparent designs
of the French. 1t was a fortunate choice on
the part of George II to place soldier at
the head of a colony so exposed to the enemy
as was Maryland. Governor Sharpe had re-
Ceivcd his commission as captain in Brigadier-
General Powlatts regiment OF marines in
us and had already seen colonial service
as lieutenant colonel of foot in the West In
dis. He was horn at Hull, Yorkshr2, in Ills
and was one CT 4 large and distinguished
FAIRLY
!;2-dy had Sharpe entered upon his duties
as Governor when he re-eivcd oonmGnca-
tinl icnra Gn.crnnr linu.iLGin haarinn ,1-1nn