in answer you are to aquaint those Gentlemen that by her Majesty's Instructions, they can hold no Vestry without you, you haveing been regularly Inducted into that Ciu-e so what they Do as a Vestry without you is Null & Void.

Had my Advice been followed these Debates had been at an End, but that it seems is none of your Intention, at least not theirs who advise you, or have ever had, or thought to have, & find their Interest in Confusion ; Let me know what further Steps are made. I am

S^

Your humb Servant

R(». Hdnt'^

PAPERS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS COUNTY. 271

*REV^ M^ POYER TO

Jamaica L. I. 8th IkkLy 1714

May it please your Excellency

The Sectaries in my parish (with whom still is lodged the Major part of the power of the Magis*)) have lately carried their designs so far in prejudice of the Established Church that your Excellency wiU pardon me if I anticipate your Excellency's commands by acquainting you at this time with some part of my aJfairs there.

His Excellency Coll Hunter arrived here in June 1710 after he had been here about two years he was pleased to send me the 72^ Article of his instructions which contain these words

" You are to give Order forthwith (if the same be not ali'eady done) that every Orthodox Minister within your Government be one of the Vestry in his respective Parish and that no Vestry be held without them except in cases of sickness or that after notice of Vestry summoned he omit to cDme." Enclosed in this letter: --