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an English Bishop into No America which they hoped I would
approve of & forward & that I should have no Objection to
their Consulting the Clergy of this Province on the Subject,
the answer I gave them was that for my own part I could not
take any Step either to promote or obstruct their Scheme
before I could know your Ldps Sentiments thereof, that
possibly the Establishment of a Bishop here might in the End
if not immediately interfere in some Shape or other with the
Rights & powers Ecclesiastical as well as Civil vested in your
Ldp by your Charter, that if they were desirous to know the
Sentiments of our Established Clergy on the Subject they
were at liberty to consult them seperately but that I could
not approve of their convening for that or any purpose.
Upon this they agreed to return to New York without taking
a farther Step than putting into my hands the inclosed Paper
which I transmit for your Ldps Consideration imagining that
some of the Dignified Clergy in England who patronize the
Scheme will apply to your Ldp for your Approbation. If
your Ldp chooses to know the opinion of the Gentlemen of
the Council thereon I will lay it before them or if you please
to pay a Compliment to the whole Legislative Body by asking
their Sentiments you will have time enough to transmit me an
Instruction to that Effect before the Assembly will again meet.
The Want of some Controlling Power over the Clergy or
rather the Exercise of such power in this Province is often
lamented but I do not think the people would be so well
pleased at a Resident Bishop's being invested therewith as
they would to see it lodged with some Temporal Judges &
tho they are not fond of Complimenting the Governor &
Council with any power they can well avoid, I really think
they would on such occasion prefer them to a Bishop. I shall
by some early Ship send your Ldp two Pipes of the Madeira
that was some time ago imported here on your Ldps Account,
if your Ldp notwithstanding the Duty to be now paid here on
Importation would have me import for you as many as I am
now about to export so as always to keep up your Stock I
shall take Care to do so & on All Occasions endeavour to
approve myself your Ldps most devoted humble Servant.
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Letter Bk. IV
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