Reverend S'"" -- I must crave yo^ Excuse that I have not ere now returned you an answ^er of w^iat j^^u desired at Jamaica, touching hberty of Setting a day a part for yo^ Couegregacon to assemble together to worship God more particularly at this Season, I have comunicated the Same to the Councell, wlio are well content therewith & that you make xse of the publcke meeting house in yor ToAvne any day this week or next following where none are to presume to give you disturbance in yor divine exercise You laying no Injunctcon on any bijt leaving them to their freedome who are willing to partake with you therein. In wliich I pray God give you Comfort & the good Successe you ayme at or may desire, for the good of the Church or State. So I take leave & remaine

N. Y. Yo'' very humble Serv*

June 24, 1678. M. N

PAPERS RELATING TO CHITRCHES IN QCJEENS COUNTY. 195

PETITION OF THE KEV^ M« PRUDDEN.

To the Excellent Collon' Thomas Dongan Governoiir Comander in Cliief under his majesty over the province of New Yorke & its dependant* The humble petition of John prudden quondam minister of

Jemaica in Queens County upon Long Island Sheweth That your jiumble petitioner having served the town of Jemaica in the work of the minister for the space & term of Ten years late past, hath sufiferd much wrong upon ye account of a certain sallary engaged by y^ inhabitants of y® said Town to be paid unto liim yearly for his labour, y* a considerable part of his sallary is unjustly withheld from him through ye defect of severall Iniiabitants denying to pay their proportion levied by yearly rates though no priviledg or advantage of my ministry hath been denyed to them.