That in April 1764 M' Carle, the late Minister of said Church,' returning to Europe, Your Petitioner, before his departure, legally succeeded to him in the Ministerial functions of the same; And in that Station Continued uninterrupted till the 29'^ day of June 1766, (being a Sunday,) when Mess»"s daniel Bontecou, John Hartier, James Buvelot, Francis Basset and Frederic Basset, all of the City of New York, in a riotous manner and contrary to the Peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, took Possession of said Church, before the usual time of divine Service, and there by main force opposed the Elders and every regular officer of the same in their respective Duties, absolutely refused your Petitioner Admittance into his Pulpit, And after having different ways profaned that House of Prayer, they then proceeded to break the locks of said Church, and affixed Locks of tlieir own to Every door ; by means whereof they, to this day, have most unjustly and illegally kept possession of the same to the inexpressible Detriment of this Pious Institution, and to the great Scandal of Civil Society as well as Rehgion.
To whom therefore can your Petitioner so properly apply for Redress in so unprecedented a grievance as to your Excellency in Council 1
Your Petitioner therefore begs that Your Excellency and the Honorable Board will be pleased to take his case under your wise Consideration • And then he is well Assured that he shall
1 Rev. Jean Carle succeeded Mr Rou in 1754. Smith.