James Anderson New- York Sept^ 19th 1720 Patrick Macknight

John Nicoll Joseph Leddel John Blake Thomas Ingles

*,* This v/as the earliest Presbyterian church in llie city of New. York. It stood on what was Stontenburgh's garden (ante p. 403:) in WaU-st.

To the Honourable peter Schuyler Esqr President of his Majesties Counciil Convened in Counciil The Memoriall of Gilbert Livingston and Thomas Smith in Relation to tlie Grant of a Charter to the presbyterian Congregation in New York -- Very Honourable

We cannot but express (as We are in Duty bound) the Gratefull sense We have of your good affection to the presbyterian Society in this City and your Readiness to Confirm the priviledges thereof in the Grant of a Charter. But yet We being persons most nearly Concerned and who have all along been deeply Engaged in the Carrying on the said Work, but apprehending oiu- selves likely to be drawn into some Uneasy and Difficult Circumstances by the present Grant of a Charter upon the Terms desired beg Leave humbly to offer our Objections against it promising our selves a favourable Audience therein.

We conceive that the present Geant of a Charter to these persons who Desire it, will Confirm the Meetinghouse now

PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. 463

building to the actuall possession of the Reverend M^' James Anderson as Sole minister tlierein, and wholly bring it under the Command of these that adhere to him.

Much Honoured, we cannot but Esteem this a very great Greivance We always have exerted our Selves in person and Estate according to our Abilities for advancing tliis Work, but now believe it under very Languishing Circumstances during M'^ Andersons Aboad among Us, Whom We cannot but think after more than two years triall, very Unsuitable for advancing our Interest in New York because severall that joyned with Us at first have forsaken tlie Congregation upon his Acco' and we are also fully perswaded he has not been Estabhshed among us by very just and honorable Methods, as we are able if the Honourable Councill pleases to give a particular information.