Peter Hulse, (constable for the town of New Rochelle in 1702,) who produced two receipts, for £5., the minister's rate for that year."^ The first minister of the French Reformed Church in New Rochelle appears to have been the Rev. Daniel Bondet. Although by a reference to the charter of Trinity Church it will Le seen that the pastors of the French Church in this place had been '* invested with holy orders by episcopal ordination," as early as 1095.b

• Westchester vestry books.

k By a reference to the first elders of this church in 1693, it will be seen that

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Mr. Bondet, prior to his removal to this place, had been settled over the French congregation at New Oxford in Massachusetts. This appears from a letter written by him to some person in authority, (probably Governor Dudley) complaining of the sale of rum to the Indians, " without order and measure," and of its baneful effects. The date is lost, with a line or two at the beginning, but is endorsed " Mr. Daniel Bondet's representation referring to N. Oxford, July 0th, 1691." He mentions it as upon "an occasion wliich fills my heart with sorrow and my life of trouble, but my humble request will be at least before God, and before you, a solemn protestation against the guilt of those encorrigible persons who dwell in our place. The rome (rum) is always sold to the Indians, without order and measure, insomuch that according the complaint sent to me by Master Dickestean, with advice to present it to your honor. The twentysixth of the last month there was about twenty Indians so furious by drunkenness that they fought like bears, and fell upon one