> JUL 2 1968 3X714-8. .CSTT ^SToTmj^ MINUTES L JUL. 2 1968 >&^&*S& OF THE CONVENTION OF DELEGATES FROM THE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA, AND FROM THE ASSOCIATIONS OF CONNECTICUT HELD ANNUALLY FROM 17G6 TO 1775, INCLUSIVE. HARTFORD: PRINTED BY E. GLEASON. 1843. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by David D. Field, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of Connecticut. TO THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION IN SESSION AT WESTBROOK : The Committee of the General Association appointed in 1842, to procure "the Minutes of the doings of the Convention, held for several successive years previously to the Revolutionary War, by Delegates from the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, and from the Associations of Connecticut," beg leave to report, that they have attended to the duties of their appointment, and have all the Minutes in readiness for transmission to the Register of the General As- sociation, as directed. The Minutes have been procured partly in Connecticut, and partly in Phila- delphia, from the office of the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Pres- byterian Church. The Convention, as appears from these documents, was held annually, alternately within the bounds of the Synod and of the Associations, from 1766 to 1775 inclusive, and was then interrupted by the occurrence of the Revolution, the troubles of which rendered it impracticable for the Delegates to assemble. The objects aimed at by the Synod and the Associations were, the promotion of Christian friendship between the members of their respective bodies, the spread of the Gospel, the preservation of the religious liberties of their churches, &c. The first and second Conventions were occupied mainly in forming and completing their plan of union and effort, and the subsequent Conventions in prosecuting measures for preserving the liberties of their churches, threatened at the time by the attempts made by the friends of Episcopacy in the Colonies and in Great Britain, for the establishment of Diocesan Bishops in America. To Bishops merely to superintend the concerns of Episcopal churches they did not object, if they might be duly restrained from going farther : but were apprehen- sive, should Bishops be appointed, that they would come clothed with all the powers of Diocesans in the mother country, or that they would acquire these powers, and exercise them in violation of the meaning and spirit of the Char- ters of the Colonies, and greatly to the injury of other denominations of Chris- tians. To prevent their establishment, the Convention entered into an interest- ing correspondence with the Committee of Dissenters in England, and into arrangements for collecting the Charters, laws, and customs of the North Ameri- can Colonies, so far as they respected religious liberty, for ascertaining the numbers of Non-Episcopalians in the Colonies, and their great superiority in this respect to the Episcopalians, together with an account of the existing Col- leges and seminaries of learning. Some of the letters between the Convention and the Committee of Dissenters in England appear in the Minutes, and evince that our fathers were alive to the cause of religious freedom. As a specimen of the extracts made from the Char- ters and Laws of the Colonies, and of the enumeration and classification of the inhabitants, the Committee hate copied the extracts made by the Key. ElilUI Goodrich, p. P.. of Durham, from the Charter end Laws of the Colon; of Connoetiout ; also, the collection by li i ill of the number of the Xon-F.pisoopalians ami Episcopalians in Connecticut, which papers came providentially into their handa. Some gentlemen appointed by the Convention to make extracts did not fulfil their appointments, Or fulfil them entirely, so tar as is known, ami the papers of some who did, it may he impossible at this period to find. "\ our Committee deem the Minutes well worthy Of perusal, ami helieve that not a tew wouhl he gratified to see portions of them in print. All which is respectfully submitted, DAVID D. FIELD, ) STEPHEN DODD, [ Committee ELEAZAR T. FITCH, ) Connecticut, June, 1843. The prooading Report being presented to the General Association at West- brook, was accepted, and referred with the accompanying documents, te > Com- mittee consisting of Messrs. (.;. Hayes. '.'.. Swift, ami A. B. Collins. This Committee " made a report whieli w as accepted ;" and then " the doCU- lnonts were referred to the original Committee tor publication, without expense to the" Association, accompanied by the following vote s ■ f'otnl. That the profits of this publication he given to the members of the Committee. "Attest. LEVERETT GRIGGS, Sense," N. B. Subsequently to the meeting of the Association the publication was entrusted entirely lo the Chairman. Mi E M i\l I N A li I ES CONVENTION OF 1 1 E M : < : A T E 8 i hum Tin: sVMin OF mw V0R1 ani> PHILADELPHIA, ami* fftOM Till: ASSOCIATIONS Of CONNECTICUT. At ;i General Aiiociation of the Miniiten in tli«' Colony oi Connecticut, at Guilford, the third Tueiday of June, 1786, al the houte "i the Rev, Mr. Thomas Rugglei, ;• motion wai made to the Aiiociation by the Synod <>i New York : > i ■ < I Philadelphia, contained in ;> minute from the Synod Book, ;m letter, which are us followi : Tin: MINUTE. 41 A minute from Hi<- Synod Book of New 5fork and Philadol phia, of May 80th, P. M. Anno Salutii n<'»;. viz. : "An overture wai made by tome members thai we ought to endeavor to obtain some corn pondence between thii Synod .-■it' I the Coniociated churchei of our brethren in Connecticut. A draught <>i a letter from thii Synod f'» them wai brought in, read, and approved. The Rev. Mr. Elihu Spencer, Moderator; the Rev. Mr. John Ewingand Mr. Patrick Alison, aredi lired to preionl thii letter, and confer with our brethren upon thii affair ; ;in meel with th< m ;ii "< b time and place ;i the Rev. Brethren of Connecticut shall agree. The Rev. Mr. Jolm Rodgen is appointed to give the ( Committee notice ol what the ■ ociated brethren will do relative to thii matter. M A true copy, M htheia Wil dm, Synod Clerk." THE LETTER. " Rev. and Dear Brethren, " The Synod of New York and Philadelphia, at their annual meeting in May, 17GG, have, among many other expedients to promote the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, concluded upon the most mature deliberation, that a general meeting of del- egates both from your Churches and our Presbyteries would an- swer this important purpose. Our earnest desire to accomplish so good an end has engaged us to embrace this opportunity of your next General Association to propose the matter to your serious deliberation, and to invite you to a general consultation about such things as may have a hopeful tendency to promote and defend the common cause of religion against the attacks of its various enemies ; as we are all brethren, embarked in the same interest, perfectly agreed in doctrine and worship, substan- tially pursuing the same method of discipline and church gov- ernment, and we trust all animated with the same laudable zeal to advance the kingdom of our common Lord, we cannot but hope for your ready concurrence with our invitation. Your good sense and general acquaintance with human nature, must neces- sarily lead you to see that a more intimate acquaintance with each others' views and designs, will enable us with greater har- mony and consistence, and of consequence with greater success to support the common cause, in which we are all equally engaged. A general agreement in any measures that may be adapted to preserve our religious liberties against all encroachments, and to bless the benighted heathen on our borders with the glorious light of the Gospel, must promise desirable success. From the best information we can obtain about the constitution of your churches, we are persuaded that our proposal is not impractica- ble, and it will give us sensible pleasure to find that your exten- sive charity and readiness to promote the kingdom of Christ have induced you to concert such measures as will be best adapted to accomplish so important an end. We have appointed the Rev. Mr. Elihu Spencer, Mr. John Ewing, and Mr. Patrick Alison to wait upon you at your next General Association, to deliver you our letter, and to converse with you at large on the subject of this proposal. " Signed by order of Synod, " By Elihu Spencer, Moderator." The Reply of the General Association was as follows : (sec the Records of the Association for June, 1 70(5.) " Whereas a proposal has been made to this General Associa- tion by the Rev. Synod of New York and Philadelphia, repre- senting that they are strictly united with us in doctrine and wor- ship, as contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, and that the great and general interests of the Re- deemer's kingdom would be happily promoted, the common cause of religion and virtue strengthened and defended, whilst mutual benevolence and brotherly love would be cultivated, by a gene- ral union, agreement, and correspondence with us, so far, and in such manner as is consistent and in no degree interfering with their and our respective internal state and order of government and discipline ; and that it will give them great satisfaction to meet a number of our ministers at a suitable time and place, to converse with them upon a plan and articles of such desired union. We, therefore, having maturely considered their propo- sal, are unanimously agreed to use our influence to promote a compliance with it through this Colony, and w r e do in order thereto, advise the several Associations to appoint one or more of their body to meet commissioners from the Synod before mentioned, at New York, the first Wednesday in November next, to converse with them upon a plan and articles of such desired union, to be laid before the several Associations for their con- currence, and to be prepared for the consideration of the next General Association, and then to be completed. " Voted in the affirmative." The foregoing reply was enclosed in a letter from the Rev. Thomas Ruggles, Moderator of the General Association, and sent to the Rev. Mr. Rodgers, of New York. o o " Guilford, June 17, 1766. " With gratitude we have received the friendly proposal from your Rev. Synod relative to a general union, and our ready com- pliance with it comes enclosed ; and we shall rejoice if the design may be happily carried into execution, and answer the good and valuable ends in view. And may the glorious and blessed time approach when love and union may prevail among all denomina- tions of Christians through the world. We are, Rev. Sir, your affectionate brethren. " Signed by order of the Association, " Thomas Ruggles, Moderator." At an adjourned session of the General Association at the Chapel Hall, in New Haven, Sept. 11, 1766, the following or- der was taken : " This Association met according to adjournment, and upon the unanimous motion and desire of the large Convention of min- isters present on occasion of the commencement, the Moderator of this Association is requested by writing, to desire the Rev. Mr. Rodgers, that the intended interview of delegates from the Rev. Synod of New York, &c, and the several Associations of this Colony may be at Jamaica, on Long Island, and not at New York as was at first proposed, where it could not be attended without danger of the small pox. " Voted in the affirmative. " Recorded by Edward Eells, Scribe." The contemplated meeting was finally appointed to be at Elizabethtown, New Jersey. CONVENTION AT ELIZABETHTOWN, FOR FORMING A PLAN OF UNION. Elizabethtown, New Jersey, Nov. 5, 1766. The Convention of the Rev. the Delegates from the several Associations of Connecticut, and the Rev. Committee of the Sy- nod of New York and Philadelphia, met according to agree- ment. Present from Connecticut, the Ilev. Messrs. Noah Wells, Sam- uel Newel, James Sproat, Elizur Goodrich, Benjamin Boardman, and William Tennent, Jun. Members of the Synod, Rev. Messrs. William Tennent, Sen., Dr. Francis Alison, John Blair, Timothy Jones, John Brainerd, Samuel Buel, Azariah Horton, Charles Beaty, William Mills, Alexander Mc Whorter, Benjamin Hait, Jonathan Elmer, Israel Reed, John Guild, Benjamin Woodruff, Azel Roe, Patrick Alison, Jedediah Chapman, Joseph Treat, and John Rodgers. Mr. Wells opened the Convention with a sermon from Rom. iii. 31, after which Mr. Wells was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Rodgers, Scribe. Adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. 6th day : 9 o'clock, A. M. Post preces sederunt qui supra. Ordered that the minutes of the last sederunt be read. Pre- sent also this day from Connecticut, the Rev. Messrs. Joseph Bellamy, Robert Ross, and Nathaniel Taylor ; and of the Synod, the Rev. Mr. Enoch Green. The minutes of the Synod respecting this Convention, and their letter to the associated brethren of Connecticut inviting: them thereto, were read : as also the commission of the several brethren from that Colony, given them by their respective Asso- ciations. The design of this Convention was then opened, and two pa- pers on the subject were read. Agreed that they be taken into consideration, which was accordingly done, and after some con- sideration on their several articles, adjourned till 3 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. 3 o'clock, P. M. Post preces sederunt qui supra. Ordered that the minutes of the last sederunt be read. Mr. John Carmichael, a member of Synod, is also present. The General Convention proceeded to consider the articles of the papers read the last sederunt, and the following general arti- cles were agreed to, to be laid before our respective constituents, viz. : 2 10 A PLAN OF UNION, Drawn up by the Delegates from the Associated Pastors of the Colony of Connecticut, and the Committee of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, convened at Elizabethtown, Nov. 5, 1766. Article I. That a General Convention be formed of the Pastors of the Congregational, Consociated, and Presbyterian Churches in North America, consisting of Delegates, chosen by each of these respective bodies, to be held annually, or as often as may be thought necessary, and that the first Convention be held at New Haven the next day after their public commence- ment, which will be the 10th day of Sept. 1767. Article II. That this General Convention shall not be in- vested with, nor shall it any time hereafter assume any power, dominion, jurisdiction, or authority over the Churches or Pastors, or over any other Church or Pastor.* And it is particularly agreed that the Congregational, Consociated, and Presbyterian Churches shall subsist entire and independent of each other, not- withstanding this union, retaining their particular usages and forms of government ; nor shall any attempts be made, nor any authority directly or indirectly used by this General Convention to change or assimilate the same. Article III. That the general design of this Convention be to gain information of the public state of this united cause and interest ; to collect accounts relative thereto ; to unite our en- deavors and counsels for spreading the Gospel, and defending the religious liberties of our Churches ; to diffuse union and har- mony, and to keep up a correspondence throughout this united body, and with our friends abroad, to recommend, cultivate, and preserve loyalty and allegiance to the King's Majesty, and also to address the King, or the King's Ministers from time to time with assurances of the unshaken loyalty of the pastors compre- hended in this union and the churches under their care, and to vindicate them if unjustly aspersed. Article IV. That summary accounts of all the informations and transactions of this General Convention, be from time to time, duly transmitted to all the Associations, Presbyteries and other bodies, that shall accede to, or be included in this Union. * For an addition to this article here, see p. 19. 11 It is also agreed that letters be wrote to the Rev. the ministers of the Congregational and Prcshvterian Churches of the Massa- DO J chusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island governments, in- forming them what we have done at this General Convention, and inviting them in the warmest manner to meet us by proper delegates at New Haven on the day agreed on : as also that let- ters of the same nature or tenor be wrote to the Rev. brethren of the Dutch Reformed Churches in the Provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania ; — and Mr. Bellamy, Mr. Beaty, and Mr. Mc Whorter are desired to prepare draughts of said letters, to be brought in to-morrow morning. Inasmuch as there are three Associations in Connecticut who are not represented in this General Convention, Mr. Sproat is desired to communicate a copy of this Plan to the Moderator of the two Associations in New London countv, and Mr. Newel is desired to communicate one to the Moderator of the Association of Windham. Adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. 7th day : 9 o'clock, A. M. P. P. S. Q. S. Ordered that the minutes of the last sederunt be read. The Committee appointed to draw up a copy of a letter to the Brethren of the Massachu- setts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island governments and the Dutch Churches, brought it in, which was read, approved, and is as follows : To the Reverend, the, &c. The Rev. Delegates from the Associated Pastors in Con- necticut, and the Rev. the Committee of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, convened at Elizabethtown, Nov. 5, 1766 — Rev. Brethren, — The Synod of New York and Philadelphia at their last session in May, taking into serious consideration the many valuable purposes, both for promoting the kingdom of Christ, and preserving our religious liberty that might be answer- ed by a general union of the Congregational, Consociated, and Presbyterian Ministers in these Colonies of North America, pro- posed their thoughts to the Rev. Associated Pastors of Connecti- cut, who appointed delegates from each of their Associations to 12 meet with a Committee of said Synod, and concert some plan wherein they might unite, and then lay said plan before their respective constituents, who met accordingly and drew up such a plan of union, as appeared to them expedient, which, if approv- ed by their constituents will be confirmed at our first General Convention, which is to be the 10th of Sept. 1767, at New Haven. And as we greatly desire that the union should extend through all the Colonies, we embrace this first opportunity to in- form our brethren of it, in the other Provinces, that if agreeable to them, they may send delegates to this General Convention, to unite in this important design, and assist in finishing and com- pleting the Plan, of which we enclose you a copy, that you may have time to deliberate upon it, and if you shall think proper to unite with us, may have opportunity to make such emendations as you shall judge expedient. Your presence, by such gentlemen as you shall appoint from your Rev. body, in such way and manner as to you shall appear most convenient, will be very acceptable to your brethren, in our common Lord. Per order of this Convention, Noah Wells, Chairman. It is agreed that these letters be signed by the Chairman, in the name of the present Convention. Adjourned till 3 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. 3 o'clock, P. M. Post preces sederunt qui supra. Ordered that the minutes of the last sederunt be read. The letters to the several brethren to the eastward were prop- erly signed, and sent with the plans enclosed. The Scribe is desired to send proper copies of this letter to the Pastors of the Dutch Reformed Churches, together with a plan of the proposed union. Concluded with prayer. The above is a faithful account of the doings of the General Association of Connecticut, and the Convention at Elizabethtown ? and presented to the Association of New Haven County, by Eli- zur Goodrich. 13 [The following is annexed to the foregoing Minutes, in the hands of the Re- gister of New Haven East Association, and is hero inserted.] Suppose a gentleman in the Colonies should write to his correspondent in London, as follows : " Sir, — We understand sundry petitions have been sent home by some of the Episcopal Clergy in these Colonies in order to obtain the appointment of a Bish- op here ; and that it is a determined point on your side of the water to embrace the first favorable opportunity for that purpose. This affair we must confess gives us much anxiety, not that we are of intolerant principles ; nor do we envy the Episcopal Churches the privileges of a bishop for the purposes of ordination, confirmation, and inspecting the moials of their Clergy, provided they have no kind of superiority over, nor power any way to affect the civil or religious in- terests of other denominations. Let this be but settled by an act of Parliament, and such bishops divested of the powers annexed to that office by the common law of England, and then we shall be more easy. Without this the introduction of a Diocesan into the Colonies, would throw us into the utmost confusion and distraction. For though it is alleged that no other than the above hinted mode- rate Episcopacy is desired or designed ; yet should it not be fixed by Parliament- ary Authority, we have no security that matters will be carried no farther ; yea, from the restless spirit, which some here have discovered, we have reason to apprehend that there is more in view. Our forefathers, and even some of our- selves have seen and felt the tyranny of Bishops' Courts. Many of the first inhabitants of these Colonies were obliged to seek an asylum among savages in this wilderness, in order to escape the ecclesiastical tyranny of Arch-Bishop Laud, and others of his stamp. Such tyranny, if now exercised in America, would either drive us to seek new habitations among the heathen, where Eng- land could not claim a jurisdiction, or excite riots, rebellion, and wild disorder. We dread the consequences as oft as we think of this danger. Gentlemen ac- quainted with the law inform us, that a Bishop is a public minister of state, known in the common law of England, and invested with a power of erecting courts to take cognizance of all affairs testamentary and matrimonial, and to enquire into and punish for all offences of scandal. Might he not plead, as well as any man, that the common law of England is his birth-right, and that the laws in force before the settling of the Colonies, were brought hither, and took place with the first settlers. What is to hinder him to claim all the powers exercised by Arch-Bishop Laud, and his Ecclesiastical Courts? All acts made in England since that time to lessen the power of Bishops and their Courts, can be of no service to us ; for it is not mentioned in any of them, that they are extended to the Colonies, and the reason is plain ; no such exorbitant powers were claimed or exercised among us. Now can any thing else than the most grievous convulsion in the Colonics, be expected from such a revolution ? Will it all go down with us to have the whole course of business turned into a new channel ? Would it be yielded that the Register's office, the care of orphans, &c. should be transferred from the present officers, to such as a Bishop might ap- point ? Would not the Colonies suffer the last extremities before they would 14 submit to have the legality of marriages and matters respecting divorce tried in an Ecclesiastical Court. It is not easy to conceive what endless prosecutions, under the notion of scandal may be multiplied. A covetous, a tyrannical and domineering Prelate, or his Chancellor, would always have it in their power to harass our country, and make our lives bitter by fines, imprisonments, and law- less severity. Will the numerous colonies who came hither for the sake of freedom from ecclesiastical oppression, and by whose toil a great increase of dominion and commerce hath arisen to the mother country, bear to find them- selves divested of the equality and liberty they have so long enjoyed, and brought under the power of a particular denomination ? And see them monop- olize all important places of trust in order to secure that power ? That the Epis- copal Churches should enjoy all the privileges of their own discipline and gov- ernment is a matter we have nothing to object against: but let Bishops be by law confined to the care of the people and clergy of their own Church, and stript of all their formidable power over other denominations, and let us be secured against the burden of their support ; but without this we shall look upon our- selves reduced to the most abject state, enslaved to the power of those, whose interest or ambition may lead them to oppress us, without the advantage of being near the throne to beg relief, while they would be supported by all the power and influence of the Bishops at home. We have no more to object to a Bishop over the Episcopal Churches in America than among the Canadians and Moravians, provided they have no more to do with us. We only desire the interests of our friends, that if Bishops must be sent, which we fear will be at- tended with bad consequences, they may be under such restraints, as are con- sistent with our present state of peace and liberty, and beg their influence to prevent these evils, which will inevitably disturb the peace of our Colonies with- out doing any real service to religion, or the Episcopal Churches. Do us the justice to assort that we love our most gracious King and the British Constitu- tion, — that we are upon principle loyal as well as profitable subjects, and that our importance to Great Britain will become every day more evident, and take proper opportunities to lay these dangers before our friends with you, which will oblige thousands in America, and in particular, «fcc." Among the files in the hands of the Register of New Haven East Association is the following letter, relating to the same subject as the foregoing document. [The Register says a part of the letter is in short hand which he found very difficult to decipher. A few words, he says, are unintelligible.] To Mr. Sproat, Rev. Sir, — You desired me to let you know why we are persuaded in this city, that there is a determination, or a fixed resolution to send Bishops to America. By a letter from Dr. Ch. [Chandler] which I have by me, I was informed that the Bishop of Canterbury, in a conference with him, said with some vehemence^ that it was hard to deny that privilege to the Church of England in America that she allowod to all Dissenters, viz. liberty of conscience. And they were 15 determined, as lie said, in a propor time, to send Bishops. The Doctor said he desired he might know before tlioy were sent, which the Arch-Bishop prom, ised him. Dr. Samuel Provost of our Colony told mo that it was the last tiling the Arch-Bishop gave his clergy in charge, not to tease tho Bishop and others, with petitions from the clergy of the Colonies, for they would watch the opportunity, and make a point of sending Bishop9 without any further trouble. He also told a gentleman of great veracity of the that he [Dr. Smith] had given in a plea for establishing Bishops which would certainly take place. Tho Bishop of Canterbury, I was told by Mr. William S — [Smith] of New York, in his answer to Dr. Mayhcw, declares that they would send Bishops as soon as it would be found agreeable to tho P., and that may be easily accomplished by the Governor and Assembly of some of our Colonies, which would be taken for the voice of the people before the petition ; — and Doct. S — told me that the leading Quakers in this Province, offered to sign a certificate that they are willing to admit a moderate Episcopacy. I saw two petitions from the Clergy of the Episcopal Church in New York and Jersey governments, petitioning for a Bishop or Bishops, complaining that more than a million, (in the other near a million) of petitioners or parishioners of Episcopalians (of persons of the of Epis.) arc without Bishops, while all other religious denominations had their forms of government full and com- plete. These were written the 2d Oct. 1765, and sent home, and with them fire others, viz. 2 to the Arch-Bisliops of York and Canterbury ; two to the 2 Universities ; one to the Bishop of London, one to the Society for Propagating the Gospel, and one to the King ; 7 in all. And in them or these they reflect on other denominations as disaffected to Monarchical Government, and allege that tho King's power, (or privilege) and theirs is inseparably connected. In that city it is the subject of conversation in the coffee-house and in the most public companies as an affair that must take place ; and as an affair that it would be disloyal and intolerant to oppose. One of their petitions above men- tioned, was found among Dr. Chandler's papers, as Mr. Stockton informed Mr. William Smith, of New York, by a letter which I heard him read. In the Annual Register for the year 1765, Mr. Allen of that city, showed me the plea proposed by Dr. Boulter, (who was a Bishop,) for sending Bishops to America. And Dr. S told me that they would have Bishops settled in America in spite of all tho Presbyterian opposition, mid added that the Qua- kers and Baptists would join with them against us. They say that their Bish- ops are only to have the power of ordaining, confirming, and taking care of tho morals of their Episcopal Clergy. To such few would make objections. That is the Arch.Bishop's proposal, and Bishop Boulter, (or Butler's) scheme. As a Bishop is a state affair, known in the common law of England, by that law he has a right to establish courts, to take cognizance of all affairs matrimonial, testamentary, and relating to scandals ; and no denomination is free from his jurisdiction. That power they have a right by common law to exercise ; as we are informed by gentlemen as well skilled in tho law as any on the Conti- nent; and under one of these three heads we must feel tho severity of a spirit- ual Court. The friends of Episcopacy say that their power in England can- 16 not take place in America, for it is local and confined. We know that in New England governments — Tabellions, or Notaries public, are appointed by l he Arch. Bishop of Canterbury, which shows that he claims this power by the common law. In New York we are told that all the marriage licenses grant- ed by the Governor are stamped with the mitre ; which shows that Bishops claim the power there in affairs matrimonial ; and I am told that the Governor of New Jersey holds a commission from the Arch. Bishop to act for him in some things relating to affairs testamentary or matrimonial, or both. Henco it is evident from the conduct of the Arch-Bishop, that they claim this power, and that they will erect such courts to ruin and oppress us unless they be restrained by an act of Parliament ; and that every friend of liberty should plead for, if Bishops must be sent among us. Thus have I briefly laid before you what I know in that affair, and wishing you safe to your family and con- nections, I am, Dear Sir, your affectionate friend and humble servant, Fra. Alison. Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1766. In the Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia for May 27, 1767, p. 373, the Convention at Elizabethtown is thus noticed, and commissioners are appointed for the meeting at New Haven. " The consideration of the Correspondence with the Associato Churches of Connecticut resumed. "The Minutes of a Convention held at Elizabethtown, the 5th of Nov. last, by Delegates from the Consociated Churches in Connecticut and from this Synod, were read, and a plan of union proposed betwsen the Congregational, Consociated, and Presbyterian Churches formed at that Convention, was seri- ous]}' considered and amended, and the following gentlemen, with any other ministers of this reverend body that please to attend, are appointed to meet with the delegates or commissioners from the Congregational and Consociated, or any Presbyterial bodies, at New Haven, the tenth day of next September, and there finally, on the part of this body, to complete the plan of union, and transact all other business that shall be found necessary in consequenco thereof." [Hero follow a list of the gentlemen appointed delegates, which it is not necessary to insert.] The General Association of Connecticut, June 16, 1767, thus recognize the Convention at Elizabethtown. " The Association being informed by the Delegates that the several particu- lar Associations in the Colony, have considered and approved the design of a Convention at New Haven next September, agreeable to the motion made at the Convention in Elizabethtown last November, and have appointed Delegates to attend it : desire the Moderator to signify the same to the Rev. Synod by a letter to the Rev. John Rodgers of New York, which is as follows : "Rev. Sir, " By order of the General Association now regularly convened at Middle- town, I am desired to inform you, and by you, the Rev. Synod of New York 17 and Philadelphia, that the proposed Convention at New Haven in Sept. next lias been considered and approved by the particular Associations through the Government, and they have appointed Delegates to attend the Convention agreed to by the Rev. Convention at Elizabethtown in November last ; and to assure you that with great respect we are your brethren in the faith and fellow- ship of our common Lord Jesus Christ." [The Rev. Thomas Ruggles was the Moderator.] CONVENTION AT NEW HAVEN. New Haven, Sept. 10, 1767. The General Convention met : Ubi post preces sederunt. Of the Rev. Synod of New York and Philadelphia, the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, Messrs. William Ramsey, William Kirkpatrick, Benjamin Hait, Alexander Mc Whorter, Azel Rowc, John Ewing, Patrick Alison, Thomas Lewis, Nehemiah Bacher, Chauncey Graham, Eliphalet Ball, Solomon Mead, John Rodgers, and Jed- ediah Chapman. Of the Rev. the Presbytery of Boston, Messrs. Jonathan Par- sons and David Mc Gregory. Of the Rev. the Associated Pastors of Connecticut, Messrs. Nathaniel Eells, Joseph Fish, Philemon Robbins, Ebenezer De- votion, Benjamin Throop, Benjamin Pomroy, James Cogswell, Timothy Pitkin, Edward Dorr, Samuel Lockwood, William Rus- sel, James Sproat, Noah Wells, Daniel Farrand, Nathaniel Bart- lett, John Devotion, Robert Ross, and Hezekiah Gold. The Convention was opened with a sermon, by Dr. Francis Alison, from 1 Cor. xii. 27. Dr. Alison was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Wells, Scribe. After prayer the Convention adjourned to 3 o'clock, P. M. 3 o'clock, P. M. met according to adjournment, and opened with prayer. Voted, That the thanks of the Convention be returned to the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison for his sermon delivered at the opening 3 18 of it, and that he be desired to give a copy of it that it may be printed. The Minutes of the Convention at Elizabethtown, in Nov. last were read in Convention ; as also the Resolves of the Convention in Boston,* the Associated Pastors of Rhode Island and Provi- dence, and of one Association in New Hampshire, in answer to the letters of invitation sent them from the Convention in Nov. last. After some conversation and debate upon the above Re- solves ; Voted, That Messrs. Ebenezer Devotion, Parsons, Mc Grego- ry, Evving, Mc Whorter, Sproat, and Dorr be appointed a Com- mittee to bring in a plan for continuing the Convention. Adjourned to 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. 11th day. Met according to adjournment, and opened with prayer. Moved that the Resolves of the Convention in Boston, in answer to the letter of invitation be reconsidered ; the same were accordingly read, and a free conference had upon the contents of them. A Plan for continuing this Convention, prepared by the Com- mittee appointed for that purpose, was brought in and read in * The Resolves here referred to are supposed to be the votes in the following Ex- tract from the Records of the Convention of Congregational Ministers in Massachu- setts. " Boston, May 27, 1767- A letter from the Rev. Delegates from the Associated Pastors in Connecticut, and the Rev. Committee of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, convened at Elizabethtown, Nov. 5th, 1766, to the Rev. Convention of the Congregational Pastors in Massachusetts-Bay, inviting them to send their Delegates to the proposed Gen- eral Convention at New Haven, on September 10th, 1767, was communicated to the Con- vention, together with a Plan of Union, drawn up by the Delegates aforesaid ; to take place among the Pastors of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches in North America." May 28. " Voted, &c. Whereas we have received a letter from the Rev. Delegates (aforesaid) &c. &c. That although we are not prepared to send Delegates to the pro- posed Convention, yet we take this occasion to declare our sincere affection to our Breth- ren and fellowship with them in the Gospel, and our readiness at all times to unite our counsels and endeavors with them for the spreading of the Gospel, defending the liberties of these Churches, for cultivating love and harmony among ourselves, and with our friends abroad, and for promoting the kingdom of our common Redeemer." " Voted, That the aforesaid l'astors of the town of Boston with," &.c. " be a Com- mittee to make a respectful answer to the aforesaid letter, and also to maintain a friendly correspondence with our Brethren aforesaid ; said Committee to make a report at our next meeting." Voted, "That (the aforesaid Committee) be desired in the name of the Convention, to write to the Committee of Deputation of Dissenters in England, to thank them for the concern they have expressed for our religious liberties ; and to desire that they would give us their assistance, and use their influence for the preservation of the same, and in par- ticular, that a Bishop may not be sent among us." 19 the Convention, and after some debate and consultation upon the contents of it, the Convention adjourned to 3 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. 3 o'clock, P. M. : met according to adjournment, and opened with prayer. After some particular conference upon the plan of union drawn up in Nov. last, it was agreed by this Board that the following addition be made to the 2d Article, viz. : immediately after the words, " or over any other Church or Pastor," — these words, "nor shall any counsel or advice be asked or given, in this Gen- eral Convention, relative to any internal debates subsisting, or that may subsist, in any of those bodies." Voted, That letters be wrote in the name of this Convention, to the several Rev. Bodies in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, in answer to those received from them : And that Dr. Alison and Mr. Ewing be appointed to prepare and send a letter to the Convention in Boston ; Messrs. Eells and Fish, to our Brethren in Rhode Island ; and Messrs. Mc Gregory and Parsons, to our Brethren in New Hampshire. Voted, That the following gentlemen be appointed as Com- mittees, to carry on an epistolary correspondence with our friends in Great Britain, particularly with Dennis Derbert, Esq. and Mr. Samuel Smith, merchant in London — with our Brethren in the Massachusetts, &c., and with each other, viz. : in Pennsylvania — the Rev. Dr Francis Alison, Messrs. Richard Treat, and John Ewing ; in New York and New Jersey — Messrs. John Rodgers, Joseph Treat, Alexander Mc Whorter, and Benjamin Hait ; in Connecticut — Messrs. Noah Hobart, James Lockwood, Naphtali Daggett, Edward Dorr, and Noah Wells. Ordered that the next meeting of the General Convention be at Elizabethtown, on the first Tuesday of October, which will be in the year 1768, unless the Chairman, with the advice of the Committee of Correspondence, shall see it necessary to order a meeting sooner. The Convention concluded with prayer by the Chairman. The above are the doings of the Convention. A true copy extracted from the doings of the Convention. Test, Noah Wells, Scribe. 20 Notice of the preceding Convention on the Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, 18lh-20th of May, 1768, p. 380. "The Members of this Synod, appointed to meet the Convention at New Haven last year, report, that many of them did meet according to order, and the plan laid before the Synod last year was accepted : and that they have appointed another Convention tho first Wednesday of October, at Elizabeth, town." [Elere follow a list of delegates.] " The Synod do order Dr. Alison to write to the General Association of of Consociated Churches in Connecticut, to appoint one of their members to open with a sermon at Elizabethtown. And the Synod order that the Minutes of said Convention bo laid before this body every year." In the Minutes of the General Association of Connecticut for June, 1768> there is the following vote : " Voted, That Mr. Dickinson, who is appointed a Delegate to the General Convention at Elizabethtown in October next, be desired to preach at the open- ing of the Convention ; and in case of his failing, Mr. Williams, another of our Delegates, is desired to attend that service." There are also entries of a concurrence of the General Association with the Synod about the admission of members to the Convention, and about voting, which will appear in the Minutes of the next Convention, and need not there- fore be inserted in this place. See next page. CONVENTION AT ELIZABETHTOWN. Elizabethtown, New Jersey, Oct. 5, 17G8. The Rev. General Convention of Delegates from the Conso- ciated Churches of Connecticut, and from the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, met according to adjournment. Ubi post preces sederunt. Present from the Synod, Rev. Messrs. William Tennent, Wheeler Case, William Mills, John Rodgers, Thomas Lewis, Timothy Jones, Joseph Treat, James Caldwell, William Kirk- 21 patrick, John Blair, Robert Smith, Joseph Montgomery, Richard Treat, Andrew Hunter, John Evving, Solomon Mead, John Close, John Brainerd, Jacob Green. From Connecticut, Rev. Messrs. EInathan Whitman, Elipha- let Williams, Nathaniel Whitakcr, Mark Leavenworth, Warham Williams, Enoch Huntington, John Smalley, Joseph Bellamy, and Moses Mather. The Rev. Mr. EInathan Whitman was chosen Chairman, and the Rev. Messrs. John Ewing and Enoch Huntington were cho- sen Scribes. The Convention was opened by the Rev. Mr. Eliphalet Wil- liams, by a sermon from Psalm cxxii. the 4 last verses. Ordered that the Minutes of the last General Convention be read. A minute of the General Association was brought in and read, which is as follows : " Whereas some dispute arose in the last General Convention concerning the admission of members to vote in said Convention; and whereas we understand that the Rev. Synod of New York and Philadelphia in order to put an end to that dispute for time to come, did at their last meeting agree that though any gentle- man who shall think proper may be freely permitted to be pres- ent in Convention, yet none but the Delegates shall be allowed to vote in said Convention : this Association heartily concurs with the above limitation, and moreover give it as our opinion and advice that none but the Delegates be permitted publicly to de- bate any case before the Convention, unless particularly request- ed so to do. And it is further declared as the opinion and advice of this body, that it is not expedient for the future, that any of our Associations delegate more than two members to the Gene- ral Convention." " Finally, we think it may be advisable that in a future Gene- ral Convention, nothing be an act of said Convention, considered as the voice of the united body, but what has the major vote of the respective members that shall be present, both from the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, and from the Consociated Pastors in Connecticut." 22 A letter from the Association of the Western District of the County of New London, giving reasons for their declining to send delegates, and moving that an annual correspondence by letters between the Synod of New York and Philadelphia and the General Association be substituted, instead of the Annual Convention, was brought in and read. Ordered, That the Rev. Messrs. Ewing, Smalley, and Blair be a Committee to prepare a draught of a letter to the Deputies for managing the affairs of Dissenters in England, in order to open a correspondence with them ; and lay it before the Con- vention to-morrow morning. Adjourned till 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. 6th day : at 8 o'clock, A. M. the Convention met. Ubi post preces sederunt qui supra — together with the Rev Mr. Robert Ross, of Stratfield in Connecticut. Ordered that the minutes of the last sederunt be read. The Committee appointed last night to prepare a draught of a letter to the Dissenting Committee in England, brought in one, which being read and corrected, was approved, and is as fol- lows, viz. : " Gentlemen, " The Pastors of the Consociated Churches of Connecticut have agreed with the Synod of New York and Philadelphia to meet annually by Delegates in Convention on the most catholic foundation ; to give information of the public state of our united interests ; to join our counsels and endeavors together for spreading and preserving the civil and religious liberties of our Churches; to recommend, cultivate, and preserve loyalty and allegianco to the King's Majes- ty, and to keep up a correspondence through this united body and with our friends abroad. This we have apprehended to be our duty, especially in our present circumstances, not only that we might strengthen our interest in sup. pressing and discouraging any measures that might bo fallen upon by the peo- ple committed to our care, that would be inconsistent with our character as peaceable and loyal subjects, or detrimental to the public peaco and tranquillity, but also that we might as faithful officers in the Church of Christ, watch over her rights and privileges, to endeavor more effectually to prevent any attempts of any other denomination of Christians to oppose us. Tho late attempts of the Episcopal Clergy among us to introduce an American Episcopate, have given a very general alarm to our Churches, who fled from the unmerciful rigor and persecution of Diocesan Bishops in our mother country to settle in 23 an uncultivated wilderness ; tho recollection of the cruelties and hardships which our fathers suffered before this peaceful retreat was opened for them, fills our minds with an utter abhorrence of every species of ecclesiastical ty. ranny and persecution. And therefore we would guard with special care against admitting any just suspicion that we would suffer that to take place among ourselves which we so much condemn in others. We oppose not, therefore, the introduction of Diocesan Bishops into America from any apprehension that wo have any exclusive privilege above others, or from any right we have to endeavor to prevent them from enjoying the same liberties with any other de- nomination of Christians in tho Colonies. We oppose the scheme from very different motives and principles. Our fears would not be so much alarmed could any rational method be devised for sending over Bishops among us stripped of every degree of civil power, and confined in the exercise of their ecclesiastical functions to their own societies : and could we have sufficient security that the British Parliament, that could send them over to us thus limited, to gain a peaceable settlement here, would never be induced by their complaints for the want of power to enlarge it at some future period. But it is very evident it is not that harmless and inoffensive Bishop which is designed for us, or the missionaries among us request ; and therefore, we cannot but be apprehensive of danger from the proposed Episcopate, however plausible the scheme may be represented. We well know the jealousy of the Bishops in England concerning their own power and dignity, suffering by their example of such a mutilated Bishop in America, and we also know the force of a British act of Parliament ; and have great reason to dread the establishment of British courts among us. Should they claim the rights of holding these courts, and of exercising the power belonging to their office, by the common law of Eng- land, (which is esteemed the birth-right of a British subject,) we could have no counterbalance to this enormous power in our Colonies, where we have no nobility, or proper courts, to check the dangerous exertions of their authority • and where our governors and judges may be the needy dependents of a prime minister, and therefore afraid to disoblige a person who is sure to be supported by the whole Bench of Bishops in England ; so that our civil liberties appear to us to be in imminent danger from such an establishment. Besides, nothing seems to have such a direct tendency to weaken the dependence of the Colonies upon Great Britain and to separate them from her ; an event which would be ruinous and destructive to both, and which we, therefore, pray God long to avert. And we have abundant reason to believe that such would bo the jeal- ousies and uneasiness of all other denominations of Christians among us that we cannot but tremble at the prospect of the dreadful consequences that could not be prevented from taking place upon the establishment of an American Episcopate. We havo so long tasted the sweets of civil and religious liberty, that we cannot be easily prevailed upon to submit to a yoke of bondage which neither wo nor our fathers were able to bear." " Besides all this we can assure you that the Episcopal Provinces of Mary- land and Virginia do not appear to desire Bishops among them ; it is only tho request of a few discontented missionaries in the Middle Colonies ; the laity 24 of their communion, (a few high officers excepted,) dread the power of a Bish- op's court as much as any other denomination, and have a high sense of liberty, civil and religious. It, therefore, appears to us highly unreasonable to gratify these persons in a matter that is manifestly dangerous to the rights and privi- leges of so many of his Majesty's most dutiful loyal subjects. These are some of the many reasons which we have for our opposition to the proposed Episco- cate, and the views by which we are actuated in this matter." " We have reason to believe from the best intelligence we can get in this matter, both on your and our side of the Atlantic, that although the design of sending over Bishops to America may be laid aside for the present, yet the Bishops in England have the matter much at heart, and are daily watching a favorable opportunity of carrying it into execution, which is further confirmed by the large appropriations of lands and money both here and elsewhere, for the support of them in all their pomp and splendor. It therefore appears to us our duty to be constantly on our guard ; but as our distance from the throne and Parliament renders us unable to do any thing to prevent it, until it be too late, we are obliged to depend on the vigilance and interest of our friends in Great Britain who are engaged in the same common cause with ourselves. Permit us, therefore, Gentlemen, to request the favor of you to unite your vigilance and endeavors with ours : and to open and continue a correspond- ence with us ; and to transmit to us from time to time the earliest intelligence you can get relative to this or any other matter which you may judge either necessary or advantageous for us to know ; and direct your letters to the Rev. Dr. Alison and Rev. Mr. Ewing in Philadelphia, to the Rev. Messrs. Rodgers and Treat in New York, and to the Rev. Messrs. Whitman and Wells in Con- necticut." Mr. Rodgers is requested to transmit a copy of this letter to our Brethren in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Adjourned till 3 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. 3 o'clock, P. M. met according to adjournment, and P. P. S. Q. S. The Rev. Messrs. Ross, Wells, Whitman, Smalley, and Lockwood are appointed a Committee to carry on epistolary correspondence with our friends in London, with our Brethren in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, and with the Presbytery of Boston : the Rev. Messrs. Rodgers, Treat, and Caldwell a similar Committee in the Province of New York and New Jersey, and the Rev. Dr. Alison, with the Rev. Messrs. Treat and Ewing, for Pennsylvania. Adjourned till Thursday, the 14th day of Sept. next, which will be in the year 17C9, to meet at New Haven, Connecticut. Concluded with prayer. Test, Enoch Huntington, Scribe. 25 Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, May 17, 18, 1769, page 392. M The Delegates appointed to meet the Rev. General Convention at Eliza- bethtown last October, laid before the Synod the Minutes of the Convention agreeable to a standing order for that purpose." Delegates are appointed to the Convention at New Haven, and " Dr. With, erspoon is appointed to open the Convention, or in case of his absence, Dr. Rodders." In the brief Records of the General Association of Connecticut, for 1769, nothing is said about the General Convention. CONVENTION AT NEW HAVEN. New Haven, Connecticut, Sept. 14, 1769. The Rev. General Convention of Delegates from the Conso- ciated Churches of Connecticut, and from the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, met according to adjournment. Ubi post preces sederunt. From the Churches in Connecticut, the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Taylor, the Rev. Mr. Edward Dorr, the Rev. Mr. Joseph Perry, the Rev. Mr. Samuel Lockwood, the Rev. Mr. Elijah Lathrop, the Rev. Mr. Jedediah Mills, the Rev. Mr. Noah Whetmore, the Rev. Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge, the Rev. Mr. Nicholas Street, the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Ingersol, the Rev. Mr. Samuel Sherwood. From the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, the Rev. Mr. Richard Treat, the Rev. Mr. John Craighead, the Rev. Mr. James Sproat, the Rev. Mr. William Tennent, the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, the Rev. Mr. James Caldwell, the Rev. Mr. Solomon Mead. Dr. Rodgers opened the Convention by a sermon, from Acts xi. 24. Mr. Richard Treat was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Dorr and Mr. Caldwell, Scribes. Voted, that the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, of New York, and the Rev. Noah Wells, of Stamford, be standing Registers, appointed by 4 26 this Convention, to receive all papers belonging to them, and to transmit to all future Conventions the Minutes of the preceding ones. On looking over the Minutes of the last Convention it appears that there was a letter agreed upon to be sent to the Committee of Dissenters in London, requesting their kind interposition in favor of these Churches, and this Convention, apprehending their letter has unhappily miscarried, desire the Rev. Dr. Rodgers to take a copy of the same and sign it as our Register, and transmit it to the Committee of Dissenters in London according to the desire of the last Convention. Voted, That the Rev. James Sproat be added to the Com- mittee of correspondence in Philadelphia, and the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, and the Rev. Joseph Treat be a Committee in New York, that the Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, and the Rev. William Tennent be a Committee in New Jersey, and that the Rev. Messrs. Noah Wells and Moses Mather be a Committee in Con- necticut, and that the Committee in Connecticut correspond with the ministers of Boston and New Hampshire ; the Committee at New York with the ministers of Rhode Island and South Caro- lina ; the Committee in New Jersey with the ministers of Scot- land ; and the Committee at Philadelphia with the ministers in England and Ireland. Adjourned till the first Wednesday in October, at 11 o'clock, which will be in the year 1770, to meet at Elizabethtown in New Jersey. Concluded with prayer. Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, May 16-21, 1770, p. 406. " The Delegates appointed to meet the Rev. General Convention at New- Haven in September last, laid before the Synod the Minutes of the Conven- tion." [A list of delegates to the next Convention follows.] Records of the General Association of Connecticut, for 1770. u The Rev. Mr. Lockwood, of Wethersfield, is appointed to preach the ser- mon in the public Convention at Elizabethtown, and in case of his failure, Mr. Ross." 27 CONVENTION AT ELIZABETHTOWN. Elizabkthtown, Oct. 3, 1770. The Rev. General Convention of the Delegates from the Sy- nod of New York and Philadelphia, and from the Consociated Churches of Connecticut, met according to adjournment. Post preces sederunt. From Connecticut, the Rev. Messrs. Nathan- iel Taylor, Noah Benedict, Stephen Hawley ; from the Synod, the Rev. Messrs. John Blair, Charles Beaty, Alexander McWhor- ter, James Caldwell, Azariah Horton. The General Convention was opened with a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Taylor, from Ezek. xlvii. 9 — 11. Mr. Taylor was chosen Chairman, and Mr. McWhorter and Mr. Hawley were chosen Scribes. Adjourned till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock. Concluded with prayer. Oct. 4. Met according to adjournment. P. P. S. Q. S. The Rev. Mr. Robert Ross and the Rev. Mr. William Ten- nent, Jun., from Connecticut, and the Rev. Mr. John Ewing, Dr. Witherspoon, William Tennent, Sen'r., the Rev. Mr. Halsey, and the Rev. Mr. Beaty from the Synod of New York and Phila- delphia, are now come. Ordered that the Minutes of the last sederunt be read. Ordered that the Minutes of the last Convention be read. It was inquired whether Dr. Rodgers had complied with the appointment of the last General Convention at New Haven : to transmit a letter from them to the Committee of Dissenters in London. And we are informed that he complied with the said appointment ; and has in answer a letter from said Committee, signed by Thomas Cotton, Secretary, which was produced and read, and is as follows, &c* And a letter of the same tenor and date, from said Committee, was sent to the Committee of the General Convention. Mr. Beaty, Mr. Ewing, and Mr. Benedict are appointed a Com- mittee to prepare an answer to the Committee of Dissenters in London, and bring it in, in the afternoon. After the General * This letter lias not been found. 28 Convention had maturely considered the expediency of having an agent in London, concluded that it was useful and important. And it is recommended to all the members of the Convention, and in particular to Dr. Witherspoon, Dr. Rodgers, Mr. Wells. Mr. Ewing, Dr. Alison, and Mr. Beaty. to endeavor to find out a proper person in London, for that purpose, to propose to the next General Convention. It being represented to the General Convention, that the de- sign and importance of it is not understood by many ministers at a distance, by which means, it is not so extensive as it might be. and is necessary to its greater usefulness. Wherefore the General Convention request the Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, as he is now on his journey to the eastward, that he take all proper op- portunities to represent to our Brethren in the Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, the utility of the Con- vention, and the importance of their uniting with us. And it is ordered that he be furnished with a copy of the plan of the Gen- eral Convention by the Scribes. The Rev. Messrs. John Blair. Robert Ross, Nathaniel Taylor, and James Caldwell, are appoint- ed by the General Convention, to wait upon the General Asso- ciation of Connecticut, which is to meet at Reading on the 3d Tuesday in June next — to converse with said Association and endeavor to impress upon them the utility of continuing the Gen- eral Convention, and the importance of a punctual attendance upon it. And also Mr. Beaty and Mr. Hawley wait upon the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, (which is to meet at Phi- ladelphia the third Tuesday of May next.) for the same purpose. And Dr. Bellamy and Mr. Trumbull, of North Haven, are re- quested to join these gentlemen. Adjourned to 3 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. 3 o'clock. P. 31. met according to adjournment. P. P. S. Q. S. Ordered that the Minutes of the last sederunt be read. The Committee appointed to prepare an answer to the Com- mittee of Dissenters in London, accordiimlv brought in a draught of a letter, which being read, corrected, and approved, is as follows. &c* * The tettw iko bu not been found. 29 Ordered, that the letter be transcribed and signed by the Chair- man, and sent with a duplicate to Dr. Rodgers, or Dr. Alison, to be transmitted to Jasper Mauduit, Esq. in Hackney, near Lon- don ; or to Mr. Thomas Cotton, attorney at Law in Hackney. Appointed that Mr. Ilalsey, Mr. Caldwell, and Mr. McWhorter, be a Committee, to write to gentlemen in Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and the Carolinas, in order that they may obtain all the instances of Episcopal oppressions they can in said Colonies, and prepare them to be laid before the next General Convention. Mr. Hobart of Fairfield, Mr. Chairman, and Mr. Ross are desired to collect the instances of the lenity of their government with regard to the Episcopal Dissenters therein. And the Committee of Connecticut, viz. Mr. Wells and Mr. Mather, are desired to write to such ministers in the eastward governments, as they may think proper, to obtain instances of the same nature. Adjourned to the first Wednesday in Sept. 1771, at 10 o'clock, to meet at Norwalk. Concluded with prayer. A true copy of the Minutes of the General Convention met at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, Oct. 3, 1770. Test, Stephen Hawley, Scribe. Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, for May 15 — 20th, 1771, page 416. " The Delegates appointed to meet the Rev. General Convention at Eliza- bethtown in Oct. last, brought in the Minutes of their proceedings, which were read." Delegates to the next Convention were appointed. Records of the General Association of Connecticut, for June, 1771. " The Rev. Messrs. Taylor and Ross according to the appointment of the last General Convention, laid before this body the importance of punctually attending every General Convention, particularly the next at Norwalk ; and 'tis hereby earnestly recommended to the Delegates now chosen that they do attend. '' 30 CONVENTION AT NORWALK. Norwalk, Sept. 4th, 1771. The Rev. the General Convention of the Delegates from the several Associations in Connecticut, and of the Rev. Synod of New York and Philadelphia, met according to adjournment. Ubi P. P. Sedt. : From the Association of the Western District of Fairfield, the Rev. Mr. Moses Dickinson and the Rev. Mr. William Tennent ; from the Eastern District of Fairfield, the Rev. Mr. Robert Ross and the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Bartlett ; from the Association of Litchfield, the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Tay- lor and the Rev. Judah Champion ; from the North Association of Hartford County, the Rev. Mr. Theodore Hinsdale ; from the Association of New Haven County, the Rev. Mr. Elizur Good- rich and the Rev. Mr. Amos Fowler. From the Synod, the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, Rev. Mr. Joseph Montgomery, Rev. Mr. John Close, Rev. Mr. Jedediah Chapman, Rev. Mr. John Woodhull, Rev. Mr. Charles Beaty, Rev. Mr. James Sproat, Rev. Mr. James Caldwell, Rev. Mr. Solomon Mead, Rev. Mr. William Mills. The Convention was opened with a sermon, by the Rev. Mr. Joseph Montgomery, from Ps. ii. 6. The Rev. Dr. Rodgers was chosen Chairman. The Rev. Messrs. Caldwell and Champion were chosen Scribes. Dr. Alison reports, that he had received a letter from Mr. Thomas Cotton, Secretary to the Committee of Dissenters in London, in answer to the letter sent by the Convention last year, which is not present, but that the substance of it was, — that the Committee did not know of any particular attempts making on their side of the water to introduce an American Episcopate, at present ; they would however carefully observe the motions of the friends of that scheme, and they desired us to do the same on this side, and communicate to them whatever attempts are making here. 31 The appointment of an agent in London, which was referred from the last Convention, was now considered, and after mature deliberation it was unanimously determined for the present no* to appoint an agent, but to continue our correspondence with the Committee of Dissenters as before. And Dr. Alison and Mr. Dickinson are desired to bring in the draught of a letter to the said Committee. Adjourned till to-morrow morning, 8 o'clock. Concluded with prayer. 5th day : 8 o'clock, the Convention met according to adjourn- ment. P. P. S. Q. S. Also the Rev. Mr. John Brainerd and the Rev. Mr. Jeremiah Halsey from the Synod of New York and Philadelphia are now come. Ordered to read the minutes of the last sederunt. It is now reported to this Convention that Dr. Witherspoon complied with the appointment of last year in representing to the ministers in Boston the necessity of extending this Convention, but we are not yet fully informed what success he met with. Mr. Ross and Mr. Taylor report, that they waited upon the General Association, agreeable to the appointment of last year, and were favorably received. Mr. Beaty also fulfilled his appointment to the Synod, and was also received in like manner. Mr. Wells, one of the standing Registers for this Convention, is desired to lay the Minutes of the several meetings of this Gen- eral Convention before the General Association of this Colony of Connecticut at their next meeting, and afterwards from year to year, if desired. The Committee appointed last year to collect instances of op- pression or lenity with respect to religious denominations in the several governments, appear to have taken considerable pains to answer the ends of their appointment, and related many instan- ces and facts to this purpose. But as the good intention of the Convention in this affair is not yet completed, and inasmuch as it would be of great advantage to this Convention, and the com- mon interests of mankind to be acquainted with the religious constitutions of the several governments on this continent — we do appoint for that purpose, for the colony of Nova Scotia, the 32 Rev. Dr. Alison ; for the colony of New Hampshire, the Rev. Mr. William Tennent, of Norvvalk ; for the colony of Massachu- setts, the Rev. Mr. Noah Wells ; for the colony of Rhode Island, the Rev. Mr. Robert Ross ; for the colony of Connecticut, the Rev. Mr. Elizur Goodrich ; for the province of New York, the Rev. Dr. Rodgers ; for the province of New Jersey, the Rev. Mr. John Brainerd ; for the province of Pennsylvania, the Rev. Mr. James Sproat ; for the government of New Castle and pro- vince of Maryland, the Rev. Mr. Joseph Montgomery ; for the dominion of Virginia, the Rev. Mr. James Caldwell ; for the province of North Carolina, the Rev. Mr. Jeremiah Halsey ; for the province of Georgia, the Rev. Mr. Alexander Mc Whorter : who are desired respectively to obtain the Charters, Laws, and Statutes of those Colonies, and to extract from them whatever respects ecclesiastical affairs ; also the usages and customs of those Colonies, by which the religious liberties of any denomina- tion have been, or now are, either enlarged or abridged, and lay the result of their inquiry before our next Convention. And the Rev. Mr. John Maltby, of South Carolina, who is present, is desired to collect materials agreeable to the above resolution, from the Charter, Laws, and usages of that province, and transmit the same to Dr. Alison in Philadelphia, by him to be prepared for, and laid before the next Convention. Dr. Alison brought in the draught of a letter to the Commit- tee of Dissenters in London, which being read, was approved, and the Chairman is desired to sign two copies, of which he is to send one, and Dr. Alison the other, to Jasper Mauduit, Esq., near London. The letter is as follows : " Norwalk, in Connecticut, 5 Sept. 1771. "Sir, " We are informed that a letter in answer to ours of the 3d of Oct. 1770, by favor of Mr. Cotton, came to Dr. Alison, who entrusted the care of it to a person who has neglected to lay it before this Convention, and that you therein promised to have a watchful care of our liberties, and to give us timely notice if attempts were still continued to establish Diocesan Episcopacy in the Colonies; and as you desired us to give you the earliest intelligence of any attempts that might be made in the Colonies for this purpose, with the sincerest gratitude we acknowledge your friendship, and beg leave to inform you that we are still greatly alarmed. The whole Bench of Bishops, and many bigots with you are constantly teased by our missionaries to procure an American Episcopate. 33 M The late Arch-Bishop Seeker, if we remember right, promised that if any province petitioned for a Bishop, it would be granted ; and great pains have been taken to engage the clergy in Virginia and Maryland to petition for this favor. That some of the clergy in Virginia formed petitions for a Bishop, and that four out of twelve that were convened at that time protested against the measure, must be facts now well known in London, as the debates on this sub- ject among the Episcopal clergy themselves were high, and are printed in the public papers in Williamsburgh and Philadelphia ;* two of the protestors are professors in the College of William and Mary,t and the house of Burgesses in that colony, nemine contradicente, publicly voted their thanks to the protestors for making this seasonable stand for liberty. What the issue of this affair may be in the province is hard to determine, but we are informed that Mr. Horrax, a clergyman, is sent to England with these petitions, and the people of the colony are greatly alarmed lest he be sent back to them as their Bishop. " The petitioning clergy affirm in the course of their public debates with their brethren, that all opposition among the Dissenters has ceased, and that the people of New England, of all others are now most anxious to have a. Bishop established among them, than which assertion nothing can be more false, unless they mean by the people of New England, the missionaries and a few of their waim adherents. So far from this, that from the best information we can col- lect, the colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut have given instructions to their agents to oppose an American Episcopate, the certainty of which you may easily learn. " A petition was likewise presented by eight of the clergy of Maryland to their Governor, requesting his interest, both in England and his own colony for establishing an Episcopate ; and they inform his Excellency that they have pre- pared petitions for the throne, the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, Lord Baltimore, and the Bishop of London for the same purpose. The petition to the Governor is something extraordinary ; a copy of which we will send you, and copies of the other petitions, if we can procure them. The Governor refused to admit the petition as an act of the whole clergy of Maryland, and told them that as an American Episcopate must be attended with many and very important conse- quences, he would lay it before the House of Representatives, which greatly mortified them, as they had mentioned that body in it with some disrespect. A circular letter was sent by the petitioners to the other clergy of the province to obtain their permission to put their names to the petitions to be sent to Eng- land, which was obtained from a great number without knowing all that was in the petitions ; but ten of them laid a remonstrance before the Governor com- plaining of this conduct. But notwithstanding that neither the Governor nor Assembly have given their approbation, it is said the petitions are sent home. « Philadelphia Gazette, August 8, 1771. t These professors were the Rev. Messrs. Gwatkin and Henly. " They both protested against an American Episcopate in the Ecclesiastical Convention of Virginia in 1771, and afterwards the former published a pamphlet with the same view, under the follow- ing title : A Letter to the Clergy of jYao York and Philadelphia, occasioned by an Ad- dress to the Episcopalians in Virginia. By the Rev. Thomas Gwatkin, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in William and Mary College. Williamsburgh, 1772. pp. 28."— Miller's Memoirs of the Rev. John Rodgers, D. D. 34 From this account you may clearly see the great industry of these gentlemen, and much more we have reason to suspect is done by them, in the other provin- ces, which has not so fully come to our knowledge ; but from a disagreement among themselves, what wo now write you has become matter of public noto- riety. We now stand in need, if ever, of the assistance of all our friends to use their utmost skill and interest to avert this impending blow that so surely threatens our civil and religious liberties, and which if not prevented, must again inflame all our colonies, that have so lately regained the blessings of peace. " We would by no means be understood as if we would endeavor to prevent an American Bishop, or Arch-Bishop, or Patriarch, or whatever else they would see fit to send, provided other denominations could be safe from their severity and encroachments ; but this we think impossible : for no act of Parliament can secure us from the tyranny of their jurisdiction, as an act of Parliament may, and no doubt will be repealed at the importunate solicitations of the Bish- ops and others ; nor can we have any security against being obliged, in time, to support their dignity, and to pay taxes to relieve the Society in paying their missionaries ; and the Governors of our several colonies must either be sub- missive in all things to their will and pleasure, or be harassed and persecuted with continual complaints to all in power on your side of the water. In a word, we think Ecclesiastics vested with such powers dangerous to our civil and religious liberties ; and it seems highly probable that it will in time break that strong connection which now happily subsists between Great Britain and her colonies, who are never like to shake off their dependence on the mother country until they have Bishops established among them. " As we shall always acknowledge that we are under the greatest obligations to you for your friendship in this important affair, and earnestly desire the con- tinuance of your correspondence, please direct any intelligence you may think proper to transmit to us, to the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison in Philadelphia, or to the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers in New York, or to the Rev. Mr. Elnathan Whit- man, Connecticut. " Signed in the name and by order of the General Convention, by " John Rodgers, Chairman." " P. S. We have with pleasure observed that some of our friends on your side of the water have made some just remarks, in the London Chronicle, on the Bishop of Oxford's sermon before the Society last February. They highly merit the thanks of the American colonies, and as we esteem ourselves indebted to your friendship for this favor, we beg you will be pleased to present our thanks to the person or persons that did so much justice to our cause. " To Jasper Mauduit, Esq., Chairman of the Dissenting Committee — to be communicated." Adjourned to meet at Elizabethtown, the last "Wednesday but one in September, 1772, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Concluded with prayer. 35 The Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, May 20, 21st, 1772, pp. 426-7, mention that "the Minutes of the last General Conven- tion were laid before the Synod," and read, and that certain members of Synod were appointed to attend the next Convention. Extracts from the Records of the General Association of Connecticut, for June, 1772. " Instructions to the Delegates of the several Associations to attend the next General Convention to meet at Elizabethtown the last Wednesday but one in September, 1772. " Rev. Brethren, " Whereas some of the clergy of the Church of England have shewed great assiduity in soliciting an American Episcopate, and petitions (as we are informed) have been preferred to his Majesty, the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, &c, by Messrs. Cooper and Horrax, requesting the same, we inform you that 'tis the advice of this Association that you heartily concur with the Southern gentlemen in counteracting any motions that have or shall be made for said Episcopate, in such manner as may seem most convenient in said Convention." " Voted, That the Rev. Samuel Clark, who is appointed delegate to the next General Convention at Elizabethtown, be desired to open said Convention with a sermon ; and in case of his failing, Mr. Cotton M. Smith, another of our del- egates, is desired to perform that service." " Voted, To desire the Rev. Noah Wells, standing Register of the General Convention, annually to lay before this Board, the doings of said Convention." CONVENTION AT ELIZABETHTOWN. Elizabethtown, Sept. 23, 1772. The General Convention met according to adjournment. Ubi post preces, present from Connecticut, the Rev. Messrs. Noah Wells, Samuel Clark, Cotton Mather Smith, Noah Williston, Thomas W. Bray, Hezekiah Ripley, Asahel Hart, Ebenezer Baldwin ; from the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, the Rev. Messrs. Joseph Montgomery, William Foster, James Sproat, John Brainerd, William Tennent, Dr. Alison, Dr. Witherspoon, John Ewing, Jeremiah Halsey, Dr. Rodgers, Alexander Mc 36 Whorter, James Caldwell, Joseph Treat, William Mills, John Close. Mr. Clark opened the Convention by a sermon, from 2 Cor. iv. 1. The Rev. C. M. Smith was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Ewing and Mr. Baldwin were chosen Scribes. The Rev. Mr. Wells informed the Convention, that agreeable to the instructions of the last session, he sent to the General As- sociation of the colony of Connecticut, the Records of this Gen- eral Convention, which was well approved by the General Asso- ciation, who also desired that the proceedings of this Convention be from year to year laid before them. Dr. Alison produced the letter from the Deputation of the Dis- senters in England, which was referred to in the Minutes of the last sessions ; which letter is ordered to be recorded in the Appendix to the Minutes of the Convention.* Dr. Alison laid before the Convention another letter from the Committee of Deputation of Dissenters in England, in answer to the letter of this Convention, dated Sept. 5, 1771, to Jasper Mauduit, Esq., which is as follows : " Rev. Sirs, " Your letter of the 15th of Nov. last, directed to our late worthy Chair- man, Jasper Mauduit, Esq., now deceased, and therein enclosing one from the General Convention, dated 5th of Sept. last, was delivered to our Secretary, Mr. Cotton ; who laid it before our Committee, and they have referred it to us to return you an answer thereto, which we embrace the first opportunity of doing. " We are not ignorant, and are sorry that you have any reason to be alarmed from the restlessness of the missionaries and their bigoted adherents, but hope you will depend upon the constant attention of our Committee to your interest to prevent, as much as in us lies, a Bishop from being sent over to you. And we do verily believe, that if Mr. Horrax comes over with such a view, he will go over without his errand, for we can with pleasure inform you, that since the receipt of your last, we have again made the strictest inquiry, and are able from undoubted authority to assure you, that though petitions have been presented, yet we do not believe they will meet with any success ; that however the Bish- ops and clergy may labor the point, the persons in power do not seem to be at all for it at present, and we hope never will. And we must remind you, that in our last we desired you, if you found any petitions were handed about to be signed, you would send over counter petitions, signed by as many respectable persons as you could, which we think you should do as soon as possible, that they may be made use of, if needful. And we beg you would rest assured of * The letter is wanting. 37 our continued endeavors to oppose the carrying into execution such a design. We have sent a letter, to the same purport as this, to the Rev. Dr. Alison, that they may be communicated by you or him, to the General Convention. And whenever you are disposed to correspond with us, be pleased to direct your letters to our present Chairman, Thomas Lucas, Esq., at Gray's Hospital, Lon- don. " We are, with great esteem, Rev. Sir, your most obedient servants, &c. « 13th March, 1772." Dr. Alison produced extracts from the laws of Nova Scotia, relative to religious liberty, agreeable to the order of the last Convention. Mr. Wells also laid before the Convention similar extracts from the laws of Massachusetts Bay. The Scribes with the Rev. Mr. Halsey, are appointed to pre- pare a draught of a letter to the Committee of Deputation of the Dissenters in London, and to bring it in to-morrow morning. Adjourned to 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. Sept. 24 : 8 o'clock, met according to adjournment ; post preces sederunt qui supra, except Dr. Witherspoon. The Min- utes of the last sederunt were read. Dr. Rodgers then produced extracts from the laws of New York ; Mr. Brainerd from the laws of New Jersey ; Mr. Sproat from the laws of Pennsylva- nia ; and Mr. Caldwell from the laws of Virginia, respecting religious liberty, all which were read. As the Convention have not received any extracts from the Charters, laws, &c. of the province of New Hampshire, the col- onies of Rhode Island and Connecticut, the provinces of North and South Carolina, Maryland and Georgia, the gentlemen ap- pointed for that purpose the last sessions are still desired to pros- ecute that business, excepting that by reason of Mr. Tennent's removal, Mr. Baldwin is appointed for New Hampshire, and by reason of the death of Mr. Maltby, Mr. Halsey is desired to make extracts for South Carolina. As it is apprehended that the ac- counts of the state of religious liberty in the various colonies, may be made more complete, if longer time was allowed to the ministers who have drawn them up, it is therefore agreed, that they review, and make such alterations and additions as they shall judge necessary to answer the design of this Convention, and have them in readiness for their inspection at their next. 38 sessions. And it is particularly recommended to them, to ascer- tain the number of the inhabitants in each of the colonies, with the proportion of the Episcopalians to the Non-Episcopalians. The draught of a letter to the Committee of Dissenters in England was read, and after amendments, was approved by the Convention, and is as follows : Gentlemen, Your letter of the 13th March last, directed to the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, (a duplicate of which was also directed to the Rev. Dr. Rodgers,) was commu- nicated by him to the General Convention, now sitting at Elizabethtown, New Jersey. The assurances you give us that the Episcopalians are not likely to succeed for the present, in their applications for an American Episcopate, afford us great satisfaction. We shall depend upon the constant attention of your Committee, to prevent as far as lies in your power, the establishment of Diocesan Episco- pacy among us ; and we shall always acknowledge with gratitude, your zeal for the cause of religious liberty on this extensive continent. We have abun- dant reason to believe, that the bigoted Episcopalians on this side the water, have by no means dropt the project, but will ever be restless in their attempts to accomplish their purpose, till they either obtain their design, or repeated dis- appointments oblige them to abandon it : though it has not come to our knowl- edge, that any thing new of this kind has been attempted in America the year past. In your last you advise that if any petitions should be handed about to be signed, we should send over counter petitions, by as many respectable persons as we can, which you think ought to be done as soon as possible. But the late rejection and miscarriage of their petition to the throne, (of which we have lately been assured,) happily relieves us from the necessity of this measure for the present. We must beg leave to suggest to you that we cannot but think that if the numbers of the Non-Episcopalians in the several colonies on this continent, and their vast superiority to the Episcopalians in this respect were better known in Great Britain, than perhaps they now are, it might be of very considerable service to the cause of religious liberty among us. We are sorry that it is not in our power to state this matter accurately at present; but we de- termine as soon as possible, to furnish ourselves with such materials as shall enable us to do it with sufficient exactness, which we hope to accomplish by our next Convention, and we shall take care to communicate to you the result of our inquiries; from which you will easily see what credit is to be given to the magnified accounts, the missionaries frequently send home of the numbers of their adherents. And we cannot but think it would be greatly advantageous to the common cause, to hold up to the view of the public our numbers and importance as often as there shall be a convenient opportunity. If the intelligence we propose to send you should be communicated to the public through the channel of some of your newspapers or magazines, which 39 circulate farthest through the kingdom, we presume it might give more just ideas of the true state of things on this continent, that it is probable many at present have. You have writers of abilities among you, and we cannot doubt their readi- ness to serve so important a cause as that of religious liberty. If some of them would undertake to lay this matter before the public on your side of the water, they will merit our grateful acknowledgments, and we shall take care to furnish them with materials that may be depended upon. Please to direct your letter to the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison in Philadelphia, or the Rev. Dr. John Rodgers in New York. Signed in the name and by order of the General Convention. Cotton Mather Smith, Chairman. Mr. Wells is desired to obtain intelligence concerning the number of the Episcopalians and Non-Episcopalians in the pro- vince of Nova Scotia. Adjourned to meet at Fairfield, in Connecticut, on the first Wednesday in Sept. 1773, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon. Concluded with prayer. The Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, for May 19-2lst, 1773, p. 440, mention that " the Minutes of the last General Conven. tion were brought by Dr. Rodgers, their stated Register, and read," that delegates were appointed to the next Convention, at Stamford, Conn., and that Dr. Wiiherspoon was appointed to open the Convention with a sermon, but in case he should fail, that Mr. McWhorter is appointed in his room. The Records of the General Association of Connecticut, for 1773, do not notice the General Convention. CONVENTION AT STAMFORD. The General Convention of Delegates from the Rev. Associa- tions in Connecticut, and from the Rev. Synod of New York and Philadelphia, met according to the time of adjournment, Sept. 1, 1773, at Stamford, it being found inconvenient to meet at Fairfield, as appointed. 40 Post preces sederunt, from the Synod of New York and Phi- ladelphia, the Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon, Dr. John Rodgers, Messrs. Elihu Spencer, Alexander McWhorter, James Caldwell, Benjamin Hait, John Close, Ichabod Lewis, Jeremiah Halsey, Samuel Mills. From Connecticut, the Rev. Messrs. Moses Dick- inson, Jonathan Lee, Cotton Mather Smith, Samuel Lockwood, Robert Robbins, Robert Ross, Nathaniel Bartlett, Elizur Good- rich, William Russel, Joseph Strong, and Noah Wells. Dr. Witherspoon opened the General Convention with a ser- mon, from 2 Cor. iv. 13. Dr. Witherspoon was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Russel and Mr. McWhorter, Scribes. The Registers reported, that the proceedings of last year's General Convention at Elizabethtown, were laid before the Gen- eral Association of Connecticut, and before the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, and were well accepted. Dr. Rodgers and the two Scribes are appointed a Committee to prepare a draught of a letter to the Committee of Deputation of Dissenters in England, to be brought in next sederunt. Proceeded to inquire of the gentlemen appointed to make ex- tracts from the Charters, Laws, &c. of the several colonies res- pecting the state of religious liberty in them, and finding some progress is made in this matter, it is ordered that these extracts be laid before the General Convention to-morrow morning. Adjourned to 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. Concluded with prayer. Sept. 2, 1773 : 8 o'clock, A. M. P. P. S. Q. S. Ordered that the Minutes of the last sederunt be read. Messrs. James Cogswell and Joseph Huntington, of Connect- icut, are now come. According to the agreement of last year, that the gentlemen who had made extracts from the Charters, &c. should review them, render them more complete, and ascertain the proportion of Episcopalians to Non-Episcopalians, Dr. Rodgers laid before us extracts from the laws of the province of New York ; Mr. Goodrich from the laws of Connecticut ; Mr. Wells from the laws of Massachusetts Bay — and with respect to the number of Episcopalians in proportion to Non-Episcopalians, Mr. Wells, who was appointed to this matter in Nova Scotia, has not been 41 able to accomplish it, and requests that some other gentleman be appointed to this business in his room : accordingly Mr. Hunt- ington is desired to obtain an account of this matter, and lay it before the next General Convention. Mr. Baldwin, who was appointed to make the extracts from the laws of New Hampshire, has not yet accomplished it, but proposes to do it, and therefore his appointment is continued, and he is requested to lay his extracts before our next Convention. Mr. Ross, who was appointed for Rhode Island, has not yet obtained proper materials for the history desired, wherefore his appointment is continued. Mr. Sproat and Mr. Montgomery, who were appointed for the provinces of Pennsylvania and Maryland, not being here, we are not favored with the extracts, and their appointments are continued. Mr. Caldwell's appointment is continued to make additional extracts from Virginia. Mr. Halsey, who was appointed for North and South Caro- lina, has not yet accomplished it, and his appointment is con- tinued with respect to North Carolina ; and the Rev. Mr. William Tennent, of Charleston, being here present, is desired to make extracts from the laws of South Carolina, and give us an history of the progress and state of religious liberty in that colony, and send them to our next General Convention. Mr. Brainerd sent extracts which he had made from the laws of the colony of New Jersey ; and Mr. Spencer is desired to complete that matter according to the design of the Convention. Mr. McWhorter laid before us extracts from the laws of Georgia. Dr. Rodgers is requested to obtain what information he can respecting the state of religious liberty in West Florida. Dr. Withcrspoon is desired to obtain like information from Canada. The several gentlemen who are appointed to this business are desired to proceed, and render the respective extracts and his- tories as perfect as possible, to be laid before our next General Convention. 6 42 The Committee appointed to bring in a draught of a letter to the Committee of Deputation of Dissenters in England, brought one in, which was read, corrected, and approved, — and is as follows : Gentlemen, We have not been favored with an answer to our last to you of Sept. 27th, 1772, from whence we conclude that it may probably have miscarried, though it was followed some time after by a duplicate. We have the firmest convic- tion in your friendship and attachment to the cause of religious liberty on this extensive continent, and that you will carefully watch the motions of its Epis- copal adversaries on your and our side of the water, who, we have the great- est reason to think, have their grand object of an American Episcopate still in view, notwithstanding the discouragements they have met with respecting its immediate accomplishment. They wait only a favorable opportunity of renew- ing their attempts, and, if possible effecting their design, big with the most fatal mischiefs to this growing country. We are taking all possible pains to ascertain the number of Episcopalians and their proportion to the Non-Episcopalians of different denominations in the several colonies, and have made some progress in it ; but wo find it a work of no small labor and difficulty to do it with proper precision. Wo find it by a paper read before us at our present meeting, that the Epis- copalians in the colony of New York bear the proportion of about one to twenty of its present inhabitants. By another of the same kind respecting the colony of Connecticut it appears they do not bear a greater proportion ; and in the provinces of New Jersey and Pennsylvania their proportionable numbers are less ; and in the Massachusetts government, Rhode Island, and province of New Hampshire, they are much less still ; and in the Southern colonies whero Episcopacy is established, viz. : Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, the Non. Episcopalians are in some of them a majority, and in the rest a largo and growing proportion. We are pursuing this important design, and promise ourselves the pleasure of effecting it with a greater degree of accuracy before our next meeting, where you may expect to hear farther from us on this subject. We beg leave also to inform you that wo are collecting tho state of religious liberty in the several colonies on this continent, and its progress in each of them from their first settlement, which may be capablo of important uses in the grand struggle wo or posterity may be called to make in this glorious cause, in which the happiness of thousands yet unborn is so deeply interested. Your known znal against the unjust encroachments of Episcopal domination supersedes the necessity of our repeating our requests that you will continue your wontod care on this head. A lino from you will be estoomod an additional favor ; and which be pleased to direct to tho Rev. Dr. Alison in Philadelphia, or the Rev. Dr. Rodgors in New York. Signed in the name and by order of the General Convention, by John Witherspoon, Chairman. 43 The next meeting of the General Convention is appointed to be at Elizabethtown, the third Wednesday of September, 1774, at 3 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. From the Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, May 18, 19th, 1774, pp. 453-4, it appears that the Minutes of the last General Convention were presented and read, and new delegates appointed. Minutes of the General Association of Connecticut, June, 1774. *' The Rev. Samuel Lockwood is appointed to preach the sermon at the opening of the next General Convention at Elizabethtown, and in case of his failure, the Rev. Mr. Baldwin is appointed. "The doings of the last General Convention were read before this Associa- tion, and were well accepted." CONVENTION AT ELIZABETHTOWN. The General Convention of the delegates from the Consociated Churches in Connecticut, and from the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, met at Elizabethtown, Sept. 21, 1774. From Connecticut were present, the Rev. Messrs. Ebenezer Baldwin, Thomas Wells Bray, Samuel Eells, Theodore Hins- dale, Nathaniel Taylor, Jeremiah Day, Samuel Sherwood, Wil- liam Mackey Tennent. From the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, Dr. John Rodgers, Rev. Messrs. William Tennent, James Sproat, Israel Read, Benjamin Hait, Jeremiah Halsey, Alexander McWhorter, James Caldwell, Jedediah Chapman, Joseph Montgomery, Patrick Alison. The General Convention was opened by Mr. Baldwin, with a sermon, from Matt, xxiii. 8. The Rev. Mr. Sherwood was chosen Chairman, and Mr. Day and Mr. Alison were chosen Scribes. P. P. S. Q. S. Ordered that the Minutes of the last Convention be read. The 44 proceedings, of the last Convention were laid before the General Association and Synod, and were well accepted. Adjourned till 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. Met according to adjournment. P. P. S. Q, S. Ordered that the Minutes of the last session be read. The Convention proceeded to review the appointments made last year to obtain the knowledge of religious liberty in the sev- eral American colonies, &c. Received some satisfactory reports in consequence thereof, particularly from Mr. Huntington, res- pecting Nova Scotia, and Mr. Wells, respecting Massachusetts Bay, whose diligence and accurate investigation are highly com- mendable. Mr. Baldwin is desired to pursue his inquiries rela- ting to the province of New Hampshire. And Mr. Halsey is desired to write Mr. Mc Clintock, soliciting his endeavors to fur- nish and obtain full information on the same subject, and trans- mit it to the next Convention. The respective appointments of Mr. Ross and Mr. Sproat are renewed. Mr. Montgomery re- ports that he has made some progress in collecting materials concerning the rise and progress of religious liberty, and ascer- taining the proportion of Dissenters to the members of the established Church in Maryland. His appointment is continued, only Mr. Alison is desired to fix the proportion between the classes of people on the western shore of that province. Mr. Caldwell's appointment is continued. Mr. Halsey delivered a valuable detail concerning the first settlement of North Carolina, and of the ecclesiastical circumstances of the province, in its different periods until this time. Messrs. Caldwell and Alison are requested to write to such acquaintance as they may judge proper in the maritime counties of North Carolina, for a more accurate account of the condition of those counties according to the view of the Convention. Dr. Rodgers is desired to write Mr. Tennent, of Charleston, concerning the business committed to him, and quickening his performance of it. The Doctor is further to beg Mr. Tennent will address some capable person in Georgia, requesting of him the state of that province, and trans- mit the result of his inquiries to us. Dr. Rodgers reports that from certain information, it appears there is yet no ecclesiastical constitution fixed there, nor any laws enacted affecting religious liberty in West Florida. 45 The gentlemen appointed last year to furnish materials res- pecting the Jerseys having made no report to the Convention, Mr. McWhorter is desired to undertake and accomplish the matter. Dr. Rodgers reports that he has been prosecuting his investi- gations relating to the province of New York, and expects to have them accomplished for the inspection of the next Conven- tion. Adjourned till 3 o'clock, P. M. Concluded with prayer. The Convention met at 3 o'clock, P. M., according adjourn- ment. P. P. S. Q. S. Ordered that the Minutes of the last session be read. Mr. Goodrich having complied in part with his appointment, it is continued, and Mr. Bray is desired to in- form him, that the Convention hope he will be able to finish the business committed to him before the next meeting. Dr. Rodgers brought in a paper handed to him by a friend, contain- ing an abstract of the ecclesiastical laws of Barbadoes, with some remarks thereon. It is agreed that a particular history of the several Colleges on the continent, should accompany the accounts drawn up respect- ing the provinces in which they are erected. The Convention having received no answer from the Com- mittee of Dissenters in England, to the letters sent there the two preceding years, it is judged inexpedient to write them at this time. Adjourned to Greenfield, in Connecticut, on the first Wednes- day in Sept. 1775. Concluded with prayer. Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, for May 17 — 19, 1775, p. 464. " The Minutes of the last General Convention were" presented, new dele- gates were appointed, and " Mr. Joseph Treat was appointed to open the Con- vention with a sermon, and in case of Mr. Treat's absence, Mr. Hait was ap- pointed to preach the sermon." In the recorded Minutes of the General Association of Connecticut, in June, 1775, there is no notice of the doings of the General Convention the preceding yoar, nor reference to the then succeeding meeting the same year. 46 CONVENTION AT GREENFIELD. The Convention of delegates from the Consociated Churches of Connecticut, and the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, met at Greenfield, in Connecticut, Sept. 0, 1775, according to adjournment. Present, From the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, Rev. Messrs. Samuel Mills, Ichabod Lewis. From Connecticut, Rev. Dr. Wells, Messrs. William Mackey Tennent, Samuel Lockwood, Daniel Brinsmade, Joseph Hunt- ington, Joseph Strong, Robert Ross, Theodore Hinsdale, Ebene- zer Baldwin. The Convention was opened by the Rev. Mr. Lockwood, with a sermon, from Jer. xiii. 16. The Rev. Mr. Mills was chosen Chairman, and Messrs. Bald- win and Lewis, Scribes. The session was opened with prayer by the Chairman. The Minutes of the last Convention were ordered to be read. The Convention proceeded to make inquiry concerning the ap- pointments made and continued, the last Convention, to gain information respecting the progress and present state of religious liberty in the several colonies. A full and accurate account respecting the colony of Connect- icut, was received from the Rev. Mr. Goodrich ; also an account of the numbers of Episcopalians and Non-Episcopalians in that colony, sufficiently exact to answer the purposes of this Conven- tion. The body are well pleased with, and thankfully notice the accuracy and diligence of Mr. Goodrich in this matter : however, if Mr. Goodrich should ever be able to complete his account of the numbers for the remaining towns, with the same accuracy he has those of which he has sent a particular account, it is desired he would send them to be added to the amount already received. Adjourned to 8 o'clock to-morrow morning, to meet at Mr. Tennent's. Concluded with prayer. Sept. 7 : met according to adjournment. U. P. P. S. Q. S. The Minutes of the last session were read. The appointment 47 of Mr. Halsey and Mr. Baldwin for the province of New Hamp- shire is continued, and Mr. Huntington is joined with them. Mr. Ross acquainted this body that he had applied to Dr. Stiles, of Newport, for materials respecting Rhode Island — that he had received intelligence from the Doctor, that he had made considerable progress in his collection, but by reason of sickness and other difficulties, had been unable to complete it. Mr. Ross' appointment is continued, and he is desired to ac- quaint Dr. Stiles, that this body thankfully notice his assiduity in this matter, and desire he would perfect as soon as he conven- iently can, the collection he has begun. Mr. Sproat's appoint- ment for Pennsylvania is continued, and Mr. Duffield is joined with him. Whereas no returns have been made from the Rev. Messrs. Montgomery, Caldwell, Alison, Rodgers, and McWhorter, their respective appointments are continued ; and they are desired to render their accounts as complete as possible by the next Con- vention. The Rev. Dr. Wells is desired to acquaint the above mentioned gentlemen, who are absent, of the continuance of their appointments, also by reason of the critical situation New York is in at present, to request of Dr. Rodgers, that he would trans- mit to Dr. Wells the several papers in his hands belonging to this Convention. The Convention are of opinion that it would be conducive to their general design, to obtain, in addition to their history of the rise and progress of religious liberty in the several colonies, ac- counts of the rise, progress, and present state of the several reli- gious sects in the different provinces and colonies. Accordingly the Rev. Dr. Wells is appointed to furnish such an account of the Episcopalians in New England ; the Rev. Mr. Huntington of the Separatists and Separate Baptists also, so far as their histories are connected together ; the Rev. Mr. Ross of the Baptists through the several colonies ; Mr. Baldwin of the Glassites or Sandemanians ; the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Lyme, of the Rogcreens ; the Rev. Mr. Hinsdale of the Quakers in New England ; the Rev. Mr. Halsey of the Quakers to the southward of New England ; the Rev. Mr. Duffield of the Moravians ; the Rev. Mr. Cooper of the Menists or Menonists ; the Rev. Mr. 48 Robert Smith, of Poquea, of the Mountain New-Covenanters and Seceders ; the Rev. Dr. Rodgers of the Jews. Appointments for the other sects are deferred to the next Convention. The Chairman is desired to notify the several gentlemen above mentioned, who are not present, of their appointments. The gentlemen appointed to furnish accounts of the rise, &c. of religious liberty in the several colonies, are desired to add to their accounts the state of the several Colleges or seminaries of learning, in the respective colonies, as in the Minutes of the last Convention. The next meeting of the General Convention is appointed to be at Elizabethtown, on Wednesday, the 19th of Sept. 1776. Concluded with prayer. Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, May 22, 1776, p. 473. "The Minutes of the last Convention were brought in and read. The Sy- nod considering the distracted situation of our public affairs, judge that an at. tendance on the Convention by any of their members the ensuing appointment will bo impracticable, and order Dr. Rodgers to inform the General Association as early as possible thereof, together with their design of sending members to attend at the place appointed, on the third Wednesday of September, 1777." The original Minutes of the General Association of 1776, are lost ; and it is not known whether any report of the General Convention of 1775 was made to the Association at that time. Printed Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, May 21, 1777, pp. 477-8. " The Synod are of opinion that they cannot send any members to meet the General Convention on the third Wednesday of September next — and order Mr. Sproat to give notice thereof to the General Association of Connecticut ; and that tho Synod will cheerfully appoint members to attend said Convention whenever the situation of public affairs will admit of it." Note. — The Revolutionary War continuing until 1783, and resulting in the separation of the Colonies from Great Britain, no farther Convention was held. In the new state of things the British Government could not impose Diocesan Bishops upon the Americans. The friendships, however, contracted between Presbyterian and Congregational Min- isters at these Conventions, probably led to the correspondence formed some years after between the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and the General Association of Connecticut ; and subsequently between the General Assembly and other Ministerial and Ecclesiastical Bodies in the Northern States. If any of the missing letters mentioned in the foregoing pages, or any of the numerous documents like those which follow in the Appendix, are in existence, the publisher will be greatly obliged to any friends who will favor him with copies of them, or merely inform him where they may be found. APPENDIX. [The Extracts and Account in the following pages, have been copied from papers which have remained among the descend- ants of Dr. Goodrich, and which are in his hand writing. The Account is signed by him.] Extracts from the Charter and Laws of the Colony of Connecticut, in New England, that relate to Religion and Ecclesiastical affairs. The Charter of this Colony was granted by King CHARLES the Second, A. D. 16G2, with ample powers and privileges of legislation and government, and the enjoyment of all liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects. The Governor and Company are empowered to ordain and establish all man- ner of wholesome and reasonable laws for regulating all the affairs of the Colo- ny ; and after a number of particulars there is this general clause respecting Religion : " And for the directing, ruling, and disposing all other matters and things whereby our said people, inhabitants there, may be so religiously, peacea. bly, and civilly governed as their good life and orderly conversation ma}' win and invite the natives of the country to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Saviour of mankind, which in our ro}'al intention, and the adventurers' free profession, is the only and principal end of this plantation." This declaration of King Charles in the Charter, most probably hath reference to something contained in the petition on which it was granted. The original settlement of the New England colonies was much owing to religious zeal ; for though several attempts had been made to settle this land, and great sums spent for that purpose, yet all proved abortive till religion was the grand in- ducement, and oppression drove multitudes from their native soil. It is proba- ble, that if the same liberty of conscience had always been enjoyed in England, that there is at present, — if corruption and arbitrary power had not usurped the rights of mankind, this country would still have remained a wilderness. If peace and purity, truth and liberty could have been enjoyed at home, the ardu- ous undertaking of settling this country would have wanted many of great abilities and noble fortunes, who for the sake of their consciences cheerfully engaged and went through the amazing horrors, dangers, and inconveniences of of this then dreary wilderness. And as the first planters came almost wholly upon religious views, so we have no reason to think but that they were sincerely desirous of the conversion of the heathen natives, and indeed from the history of those times we arc assured of the great zeal they discovered in this matter' 7 50 and of the pains that were taken to spread the knowledge of the Gospel among them, that they might with truth declare that the advancement of the Redeem- er's cause and interest was the great and principal end of the plantation. The same zeal and engagedness for religion appears in the grants of the General Court for the making of towns and societies, and in the petitions pre- ferred for that purpose ; hut though we have most undoubted cause to honor the fathers of New England, and in particular of this colony, as men of great integrity, strict probity, and sincere piety, yet we must own there was a mixture of superstition in their religious sentiments; and though they fled their native land that they might be free from religious oppression, and enjoy a worship agreeable to their consciences, yet we must* lament they understood the nature and extent of religious liberty no better, than by their laws and oppression of other sects, they seemed to do ; we must indeed impute this in a great measure to the times in which they lived, and not to the general principles they pro- fessed, or the nature of that church policy they embraced. The general princi- ples they professed were truly Protestant — that the only rule of religion is the Holy Scripture, the fixed, sufficient and invariable canon, incapable of addition or diminution ; and that every one must see to it that his faith be resolved into this foundation as the reason of it ; and on this principle they framed their platform of faith and worship, as in their view most agreeable to the Scripture. The faith they professed was in general the same, as that contained in the doc- trinal Articles of the Church of England, and afterwards in the Assembly's Cat- echisms and Confession. The ecclesiastical polity they adopted was what is called the Congregational u-ay. Happy, if while they supported and maintained their own sentiments and worship, they had granted a reasonable and equitable toleration to persons of different persuasions; but though this was not granted at first, yet the principles of liberty adopted in the general profession of these churches led to it. Here the Scripture was enjoyed, and holden to be the only sufficient rule ; the study of it was encouraged ; the churches were so consti- tuted that the members enjoyed peculiar privileges, and especially that of choosing their own ministers, in which all shared who were obliged to contri- bute to their support. This naturally leads to exercise the right of private judgment in matters of religion ourselves, and to see that the same should be allowed others ; nor is there any of our Christian liberties more to be attended and guarded than this of choosing our own teachers. Thus the principles pro- fessed and the nature of ecclesiastical policy originally adopted had a friendly aspect on religious liberty, and by degrees have banished whatever might be esteemed injurious and oppressive of those who dissent from the Established Churches, as we shall find by review of the ecclesiastical laws of this colony. The laws of this colony have be°n sundry times revised and published by order of the General Assembly, particularly in or about the years 1672, 1702 and 1750. A view of the religious and ecclesiastical laws as they are found in these several editions, with the variations made from time to time, will give some proper knowledge not only of the present state of religious liberty, but of the progress of it from the first settlement of the colony to this day. The laws I shall mention relate to, or may be ranked under the following titles or heads — of Idolatry — Witchcraft — Blasphemy — Deism — Heresy — Pro- 51 fane Swearing — Church State— Public Worship — Sabbath, or Lord's Day — Ministers and their Support. There are some of these which might be omitted, as having but little concern in the present inquiry ; and yet as in one view they may be reduced to the head of religion, I shall just touch upon them, nor will it be altogether useless to the design of these extracts, as thereby we may have a more full view of the present subject, as it hath been treated of in the laws of this colony. I. Of Idolatry. " If any man or woman, after legal conviction, shall have or worship any other God but the Lord God, he shall be put to death." II. Of Witchcraft. " If any man or woman be a witch, that is, hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death." These laws against idolatry and witchcraft are found in the same words in the first and second editions, but are entirely omitted in the third. III. Of Blasphemy. " If any person within this colony shall blaspheme the name of God the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost with direct, express, presumptuous, and high handed blasphemy ; or shall curse in like manner, such person shall be put to death." This is found in all the editions of the laws, and is now in force. IV. Of Deism. " If any person within this colony, having been educated in or having made a profession of the Christian religion, shall by writing, printing, teaching or ad- vised speaking, deny the Being of a God, or any one of the Persons in the Holy Trinity to be God ; or shall assert and maintain there are more Gods than one, or shall deny the Christian religion to be true, or the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be of divine authority, and be thereof convicted," &c. Such persons to be incapable of any office, ecclesiastical, civil or military. This act is not found in the first or second, but only in the third edition of the laws, and is still in force. V. Of Heresy. " This Court being sensible of the danger persons are in of being poisoned in their judgments and principles by heretics, whether Quakers, Ranters, Adam- ites or the like, do see cause to order that no persons in this colony shall give any unnecessary entertainment unto any Quaker, Ranter, Adamite, or other notorious heretic, upon penalty of five pounds for every such person's entertain- ment, to be paid by him that shall so entertain them ; and five pounds per week shall be paid by each town that shall suffer their entertainment aforesaid." The Governor and Assistants are also empowered by this act to commit such heretics to prison, or send them out of the colony : No person allowed any unnecessary discourse with them ; and their books forbidden to all except magistrates and ministers. These laws are the same in the first and second editions, but in the acts of the General Assembly in the year 1706, as far as they respect Quakers they are 52 repealed : otherwise I rind not but they were in force till the third edition of 1750, in which they are wholly omitted. VI. Of Profane Swearing and Cursing. An act against Profane Swearing and Cursing. " Be it enacted,