I know^ nothing certiiin about tlieir claim but if they take the course of law I cannot help it, but they having committed a riot in taking possession of the Church the Attorney General here has entered an information Jigfdnst them and I refused tliem a JVo/i Prosequi upon their application, that their rashness may be attended with charge and trouble at least if not punishment, which may per'iaps discourage tliein in their suit or make them willing to compromise it.

My Lord 80°

W, Burnett.

310 PAPERS PoELATING TO CHURCHES IN QUEENS COUNTY.

REY^ M'^ POYER TO THE SECUETARY.

Jamaica June 16th 1731

; Rev. Sir

By this opportunity I beg leave Immblj to represent to my Honb'e Patrons tlie Venerable Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts that I have been tlieir Missionary here 21 years & may without incurring the imputalion of boasting say that ray diligence in the dischai-ge of my fimctions has been little inferior to any I pray God to give a blessing to tlie seed sown but so it is tliat besides tlie great and almost continual contentions tliat I have struggled withal amongst tlie Independents in this parish having had several law suits with them before I could have the Salary which the Country has settled upon the Minister of the Churcli of England several other law suits for some Glebe lands which we have lost and at last even the Cliurch itself of which we had the possession 25 years is taken from us by a trial at law (with what justice I cau"t pretend to say) tlio"' I say I have endeavored as patiently as I could to bear up under all these trials besides the loss of two Wives & Several children yet the infirmities of old age bear very hard upon me insomuch that I find myself almost unable to officiate at the three towns of Jamaica, Newtown and Flushing as I have hitherto done and which is absolutely necessary for the Minister of the Parish to do.