All the members of the Assembly but one were Dissenters, and in considering a bill for settling a ministry they obstinately refused to incorporate an amendment submitted by the Governor, providing that the bill should be presented to him, " to be apj)roved and collated." His object was to construct it to the advantage of the Church of England, and as the Assemblymen could not be coerced or persuaded, he prorogued the session and scolded them vigorously in an address wherein he notified them that he " would take care that neither heresy, schism nor rebellion be i)reached amongst you."

This enactment of September 2i, 1693, required the establishment of a "a good, sufficient Protestant minister, to officiate and have the care of souls within one year next" in specified districts. Two were ordered for Westchester County -- " one to have the care of Westchester, East Chester, Yonkcrs and the Manor of Pelham ; the other to have the care of Rye, Mamaroneck and Bedford." Each was to be paid fifty ])Ounds per annum by a levy laid upon the people, which they might pay "in country jiroduce at money price." Iron-clad enactments protected the pastor against the possibility of non-payment of salary. The justices of the county were required to issue warrants to the constables to summon the freeholders on the second Tuesday of January, to choose ten vestrymen and two church wardens; the justices and the vestrynien laid the tax, and if it was not paid, the constables had the power to distrain for it. At each stage of the proceedings fines were provided for persons or officials who failed to discharge their duties.'