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. About the same time he prevailed with. the Assembly to make provision by an act for the maintenance of one good sufficient Protestant Minister for this place at .£100 per An: to wliich ,£60 per annum has been since added ; and in that bill the election of ten Vestrymen and two Church Wardens, to be chosen by the freeholders for putting the s^ act in execution, was provided for.

In the year 1697 Coll : Fletcher the Governour by his example and countenance, promoted the building of Trinity Church in New- York by voluntary contribution, and placed in it the present incumbent M^ Vesey, who was at that time a dissenting preacher on Long Island, he had received his education in Harvard College under that rigid Independent Increase Mather, and was sent from tlience by him to confirm the minds of those who had removed for their convenience from New England to this Province, for Mr. Mather haveing advice that there was a Minister of the Established Church of England come over in quality of Chaplain of the forces^ and fearing that the Common prayer and the hated ceremonies of our Church might gain ground^ he spared no pahis or care to spread the warmest of hi^s emissaries through this Province, but CoU : Fletcher who saw into this design took off M' Vesey by an invitation to this [i^ecifor^/JLiveing, a promise to advance his stipend considerably, and to recommend him for holy orders to your L^" ships Predecessor, all which was performed accordingly, and M'" Vesey returned from England in Priest's orders.