Soon after Washington's arrival, he attended our church ; but on the Sunday morning, before divine service began, one of the rebel generals called at the rector's house (supposing the latter was in town,) and, not finding him, left word that he came to inform the rector that " General Wasliington would be at church, and would be glad if the violent prayers for the king and rOyal family were omitted," This message was brought to me, and as you may suppose I paid no regard to it.

On seeing that general not long after, I remonstrated against the unreasonableness of his request, wliich he must know the clergy could not comply with, and told him further, that it was in his power to shut up our churches, but by no means in his power to make " the clergy depart from their duty." This declaration drew from him an awkward apology for his conduct, which I believe was not authorized by Washington. Such incidents would not be worth mentioning, unless to give those who are at a distance a better idea of the spirit of the times.

May 17th was appointed by the congress as a day of public festing, prayer and humiliation throughout the continent. At the imanimous request of the members of our Church who were then in town, I consented to preach that day ; and, indeed, ouisituation made it highly prudent, though a submission to an authority that was so far usurped was exceedingly grating and disagreeable. In giving notice tlie preceding Sunday, I only