146 Assembly Proceedings, April 22-May 10, 1718.

U. H. J.
p. 47

you to do what is proper for you in your Stations, for the
advancement of the aforementioned Intention of the meeting
of the Reverend Clergy at this Season. Some of the Rev^rnd
Clergy have Informed me that they are Preparing a Represen-
tation to be laid before both Houses which will be soon offered
to your Consideration.

By the Uper house of Assembly

April 29^th 1718

Gent His Excellency having been pleased to lay before us
the aforegoing with a Copy of his Speech to the Reverend
Clergy and their Address to him, We think ourselves Obliged
by our Duty to God most heartily to thank his Excellency for
his Great and Pious Care of our Religion and at the same time
to Assure you how Readily we shall joyn with you (on sight
of such Representation) to do what may be judged necessary
And to the contributing to so good a work.
Signed p order John Beard Cl Up Ho.

Rev^d Gentlemen

On my first Arrival from Great Brittain I Convened the
Rev^d Body of the Clergy to be Advised of the State & Condi-
tion of the Church of England in this Province, to which I was

p. 48

Prompted not only by the Duty of my Station, but also by a
Zealous Inclination to Promote as much as in me Lay the
Propagation of our most holy Religion, for which Pious &
laudable End you are missionaries here.
I had not long Resided here before Experience shewed me
the necessity of having some Rev^d Persons Impowered by the
Right Rev^d the Lord Bishop of London our Diocesan for the
Better Government of the Church in this Province.
This Obliged me to remonstrate to that Effect to his Lord-
ship who had the Goodness not only to Approve of my Re-
monstrance but even Condescended to Appoint for his Lord-
ship's Commissaries those two Rev^d Gentlemen whom I took
the Liberty to Nominate for that Purpose.
I find there are Sev^ll Difficulties in the Execution of the
Rev^d Commissaries' Comissions, which in good measure is
Oweing to the Constitution of the Province and the Natural
Scituation of the Country filled with great Rivers & Creeks
which renders it Impracticable to Put the Ecclesiasticall Can-
nons in full force, As it is much to be wished they might be as
well here as in England To Remove all which Obstructions
you are now Called together, And upon your Representation