As tliey tiatter themselves that a Fi-ench protestant Church ia this City may invite Forreigners of their Perswasion to come over and settle here increase the number of useful Inhabitants & be a Means to reclaim the Kings popish Subjects in Canada who' will visit these Parts from the Errors, Idolatry & Superstition of the Churcli of Rome & thtis facilitate tlieir hearty Submission to the British Government firmly confiding tiierefore in your Excellency's Generosity to aU Protestants who' are good Subjects & being perswaded that the zeal for the Public Interest whicli has so often induced you to expose your Life in the most hazardous Euterprizes will engage your Excellency's approbation of any Measure that may conduce to the common utility & the maintenance of the protestant Religion, Youi' Petitioners do

PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW- YORK. 491

therefore most humbly Pray for a Grant & Confirmation of the Premisses & that they & their Successors may be made capable to hold & enjoy the same by his Majesty's Royal Charter creating them a Body Politic in Deed & in name by the name & style of the Minister, Elders & Deacons of the protestant French Church of the City of New York and that they & their Successors may tliereby be enabled to acquire & hold a further Estate & to injoy such other Powers & Privileges as may be necessary for the orderly Government of their Church & the pious Purposes aforesaid specefied in a certain Draft herewith presented or such other Immunities & Powers as to your Excellency in your great Wisdom may seem meet.