My L(n-d, tlie reputation and interest of this clnirch (on the conduct of wliose members more particularly the dissenters have a very watchfuU.eye) being very dear to us and of the greatest importance to our present and future state, we humbly beg your L^'sliips leave to goe a little lather in the account of it titan its present condition, that your L^ship may judge whether at this day we l-.ad not better adhere strictly to our charter, and the antient rules by which till very lately we have walked, thftn by altering ouj- conduct introduce such innovations as may end iu divisions fatal to us, and such as our posterity will lind many difficultys to reconcile.

My Lord, when this Province was taken by the English in the year 10G4, there was left in it a small Garrison of Eriglisli Soldiers who liad a clinplain allow'd upon the est;tl)lishnient ; in the Ibrt at New York (the seat of our Governours) was a large church wherein t'e Lutch inhabitcuits in th.eir own way and hinguago

ITlic orifrinal read,-- .w that si 'e vherethc DiserJin! wont feared a blou;--bui llt.s WHS SCO <•.! <Mt, anil ihe passajje alieied Uy another liancl '

438 PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW-YORK.

performed tlieir worship, that ended, the Chaplain read Divine service according to the Liturgy of the Church of England to the Governour and Garrison in tlie same place, and this was all the footing that the Church of England as by law established had in this Province until 1693, about wliich time the Governour granted to tlie Dutch Elders and Deacons in New York a charter of incorporation, and for the free exercise of their own worship, and persuaded them to build a cliurch for themselves out of the Fort, whicli they did.