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. Coll Fletcher did likewise incorporate the members of the Church of England by a Charter under the seal of the Province with sundry powers and priviledges, more particularly to consist of the Rector, two Cliurch Wardens, and twenty Vestry men whereof the Church Wardens and Vestry men were

PAPERS KELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW- YORK. 439

annually to be elected in Trinity Church after divine service on Easter tuesday by the majority of voices of Inhabitants being of the Communion of the Church of England as by Law Established, and upon the deatli or removal of any of the members at any other time upon publick notice to be given in the church by tlie like majority of voices otliers to be chosen in the church in their room to keep up the number until tlie Anniversary Election.

My Lord, the regular observation of this Estabblishment has for many years kept the enemys of our Church out of its bosom, we would be understood My Lord that whilst the elections of Church Wardens and Vestrymen was made in presence of all the communicants it was impossible to bring such a majority of ill men into power as would entertain a thought prejudicial to the Church, but My Lord wee see that by tui-ning ever so little aside from that path we are led into a Labyrintli of evil, for in a late instance our excellent rules and orders haveing been brok tlirough and our charter slighted, a private choice has been made of such men into the vestry as we fear have already combined to doe the Church some signal injury.