We the Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, within the City of New York, cannot suflB.ciently express our abhorrence of that wicked and sacrilegious fact committed the night between Tuesday and Wednesday last, by some impious persons, in Trinity Church within this City, being a structure built and dedicated to the service of God ; the discovery & punishment of which heinous crime, we esteem ourselves so deeply concerned in, to the end it may deter others from attempting the like on that, our, or any other building set apart for divine worship within this city ; that we humbly take leave to offer to your honours, that if his Excellency or your honourable Board shall think fit to issue a proclamation with reward to the person that shall make a discovery of the said wicked offence, we will cheerfully contribute the sum of fifteen pounds toward an encouragement for the person that shaU make such a discovery.

We are your most dutiful, most humble and most obedient servants In nomine Synodii

Gualtherus Du Bois

448 PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF KEW-YORK.

In Council 15 Feb 1713.

The Board expresses itself extreaml}^ pleased with the above address assureing them that they would liecommend y« same to liis Excellency.

Mr Vesey Rector of Trinity Church Attending with W™ Dobbs, sexton of s'' Church Desireing that ye said Dobbs may be admitted to cleare himselfe before this Board from an unjust Imputation laid to ])is Charge as if he was Concerned in y^ late Impious Sacriledge Committed in Trinity Church, and y'' said Dobbs being accordingly Admitted thereto produced several! Credible Witnesses who being Examined upon tlieir Oaths & their Depositions taken before this Board in Writeing, By all which Examinations and by y® Deposition of ye said William Dobbs who being likewise sworn on y® holy Evangelist Declared that hee does not directly or indirectly Know or Conceive who or what person or persons Committed y* said sacrilegious ffact, This Board is very well satisfied and Convinced the said William Dobbs was not any ways Concerned in the said Impious ffact