Benjamin Fletcher Captain General! and Governourin Cheife of the Province of New Yorke and the Territoryes and Tracts of land depending thereon in America and Vice Admiral! of the same His Maty^ Leiv* and Commander in Cheife of the Militia and of all the forces by sea and Land Within his Mat''* Colony of Connecticutt and of all the fforts and places of strength within the same To all to wliom these Presents Shall come & may concerne, Greeting Whereas the Inhabitants of the City of New Yorlie professing the religion of the Cliurch of England have with a pious and good intent Proposed and begunn to erect and build a Church within the s^ City for tlie publiek Service & Worship of God at the humble request of the Managers of the s^J building and for their encouragement to cary on & finish the Same I liave therefore with advice and Consent of the Council given and granted and by these presents do give and grant free Liberty to the s^ Managers to gather and receive of and from well disposed persons. Such sume and sumes as shall be voluntarily contributed for the more speedy carying on the s^ building and tliis shall be a sufficient Warr* to the &^ Managers for so doing. Given under my hand & seal at New Yorke the 23 '^ day of July Aunoq Dni 1696.

Ben fflktcher. By his Exoellcys Command

David Jamison, Socy.

PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. 40^