The frequent applications I have formerly made to your Excellency proving ineftectual, have obliged me patiently to sit down under the burden of tliem for about ffifteen months Last past without the least complaint, but wliether these applications were particular or too generall, I humbly refer your Excellency to the memorialls & petitions I iiave, in relation to this matter presented to you, hy Wliicli I hope it will appear (with all submission to yo Ex'^^) that I have exerted myself in tliis affair with, a zeal suitable to my function, and nothing inconsistent with that, will, I presume, be expected from me.

The Commencing of a Suit at Law on this particidar is of ^ the greatest Consequence, as affecting all the Parochial Chiuches within this Province w^ii are established upon y^ same founda-

238 TAPERS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS COUNTY.

tion and therefore I acquaint your Excellency wlien you was pleased to make that Kind and generous offer of yo'' purse to support it, tliat I cou'd not putt a matter of so general Concern in action without the advice and Directions of my Diocesan, and of tlie Venerable Society fur propagating the Gospel, to whose Judgement I Iiave long since submitted the whole affair.

I have Considered of the Several Questions wcii yo^" Excell. i& pleased to desire me to answer, & I humbly conceive that they all relate to y^ Duty of the Several officers impowered by y® acts of assembly to Raise y« money for y^ minister and poor, therefore do with all submission refer your Excellency to y^ Justices of. Peace who can fully Inform your Excellency of ^tlieir proceedings, and also of the Cliurch wardens, Vestrymen and other officers ConcernYl therein, and of the Severall Defaults or neglects, any persons liave been guilty of in y^ Execution of those acts, out of tlieir books In which (I suppose) is enter'd all y'' transactions relating to y® whole matter yo^" Excellencys Questions seem to enquire of, and I do assure your Excellenc}' I have not received one ffarthing of my saUary dues by vertue of tliose acts since my Induction.