Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III

We beg leave to observe to yo^ Hon^'^ Board tliat notwithstanding his Excellencies Proclamation against Immorality^ & profaneness the great diUgence of the Magistracy of this City in their several Stations, there are some Busey mockers & scoffers of Religion, who Ridicule both sacred things k Orders by their profane Lampoons tliereby vilifying the Ministers of Ciirist, & Exposing them k their Holy Function to Reproach k Contempt j And it is with ye greatest Concern that we find these Vices so Flagrant Tliat y^ Innocent & unblamcable Life k Conversation of our Reverend Rector for many Years among us, have not been able to Protect him from y^ false Calumnies and Barbarous Reproaches & Tbreatnings of such Irreligious k wicked persons, which we liumbly conceive hinders the Word of God, k naturally tends to Infidelity & Atlieism.

. To the end therefore that these presumptuous Offenders agst our Holy Chm-ch, may be Discovered and brought to Exemplary Punishment, that thereby a stop may be put to this Torrent of Lewdness Irrehgion & Atheism We humbly pray yo^ Hon^s to Recomend to liis Excellency the Issuing out a Proclamation with a Promise of Pardon to any one of the s'l Offenders, that sliall Discover the other so that they be thereof Convicted, k also to have all the Rev/ards tlierein mentioned and as an Inci)m-3gement for the s'l Discovery, We the Rector, Church Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church afores^i wiU willingly Contribute k pay to the

PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. 455