The Church w^ardens and vestry being against M'" Poyers havcing the money ; there w^as no w^ays for M' Wliitehead to come at his Debt but by Influencing the Justices and Joyning them himself to adjudge the money to M"" Poyer and soe to himself, and that none of their measures might fail them, M^' Sam'i Clowes by name was appointed or at least appointed himself, to Implead, the Church w^ardens before the Court of Justices, and yet before he was one of tlie tw^o that were Designed to succeed the wardens in their office all this w^as well Taken, and for his Reward in pleading for himself he is made Cliurch w^arden -- we submit it to your Excellency what manner of proceedings these were.

(3) They the said Justices have to the great Detriment and Damage of the subject Invaded the priviledges of the Vestry in giveing away the peoples money w' ithout the said Vestrys Consent and against their will in Determination in vestry assembled.

PAPERS RELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS COUNTY. 201

(4) They have Contrary to the Law taken upon them to assess Levy and give away the subjects money, to JVP Tliomas Poyer under pretence he is Legall Incumbent of Jamaica Precinct tho' the said Thomas Poyer never was Called by the People or any one sett of vestry men as the Law Directs ;

We Pray most humbly to Lay before your Excellency the following particulars against these justices by Name.

Justice Jonatlian Whitehead is a Common Pleader for money at the Petty Coui'ts ol Justices what jnconveniencies hereby Accrues to the poor Subject we submitt to your Excellency when a justice attorney Plead before a Brother Justice, we can name the person he has Confest to he makes MO per annum by this gainfull Trade : 2 : he has Taken upon him to Assess his Majestys Subjects of New Town for a Debt he'ailedges the Town owes him, and keeps Dayly Teazing and vexing the people before petty Justice Courts : wJio Refuse to pay him according to his assessment (3) Such a Lover of Cards is he that lie has proplianly Enough Exprest himself tliat it is as Lawful to play at Cards as to read the Scriptures (4) he has attempted the Rescue of a Prisoner out of the officers hands (5) he has not kept the kings peace when he might and ougiit by his personall presence to have done it: Justice John Smith as is a man of a very small and Inconsiderable Estate, soe it can be proved that Contrary to his oatli [of] office, and Duty to King George, he has taken no notice of the jnformations made him by Credible Persons against a fellow for treasonable and Execrable speeches against King George and tlie prince of Wales, the fellow was Liver in Jamaica ; but hearing that the Kings Attourney was jnformed of his villany, and of the justices neglect fled.