should act. However, I thought it was proper to consult such of the vestry as were in town, and others of the congregation, and have their concurrence; and I must do them the justice to say, that they were all unanimous for shutting up the churches; and chose rather to submit to that temporary inconvenience, than, by omitting the prayers for the king, give that mark of disaffection to their sovereign. To have prayed for him, had been rash to the last degree-the inevitable consequence had been a demolition of the churches, and the destruction of all who frequented them. The whole rebel force was collected here, and the most violent partizans from all parts of the continent. A fine equestrian statue of the king was pulled down, and totally demolished, immediately after independency was declared. All the king's arms, even those on signs of taverns, were destroyed. The committee sent me a message, which I esteemed a favour and indulgence, to have the king's arms taken down in the church, or else the mob would do it, and might deface and injure the churches. I immediately complied. People were not at liberty to speak their sentiments, and even silence was construed as a mark of disaffection. "Things being thus situated, I shut up the churches. Even this was attended with great hazard; for it was declaring, in the strongest manner, our disapprobation of independency, and that under the eye of Washington and his army. The other assistants now went to their respective friends in the country. My family were at such a distance, and in such a part of the country, that I could not with any degree of safety visit them; I therefore remained in the city, to visit the sick, baptize children, bury the dead, and afford what support I could to the remains of our poor flock, who were much dispirited; for several, especially of the poorer sort, had it not in their power to leave the city. After we had ceased to officiate publicly, several of the rebel officers sent to me for the keys of the churches, that their chaplains might preach in them; with these requisitions, I peremptorily refused to comply, and let them know that if they would use the churches they must break the gates and doors to get in. Accordingly, I took possession of all the keys, lest the sextons might be tampered with, for I could not bear the thought that their seditious and rebellious effusions should be poured out in our churches. When those requisitions were repeated with threats, my answer was, 'that I did what I knew to be my duty, and that I would adhere to it, be the consequences what they would.' Upon this they desisted, and did not occupy any of the churches.

"I cannot reflect on my situation at that time, without the warmest emotions of gratitude to Divine Providence for preserving me. I was watched with a jealous, suspicious eye. Besides the imputation of being notoriously disaffected-an imputation which had flung others in jail without any other crime,-I was known and pointed at as the author of several pieces against the proceedings of the congress. In February last, I wrote an answer to a pamphlet entitled "Common Sense," which earnestly recommended and justified independency. It was one of the most virulent, artful, and pernicious pamphlets I ever met with, and perhaps the wit of man could not devise one better

calculated to do mischief. It seduced thousands. At the risk, not only of my liberty, but also of my life, I drew up an answer, and had it printed here; but the answer was no sooner advertised, than the whole impression was seized by the sons of liberty, and burnt. I then sent a copy to Philadelphia, where it was printed, and soon went through the second edition. This answer was laid to my charge, and swelled the catalogue of my political transgressions. In short, I was in the utmost danger, and it is to the overruling hand of Providence that I attribute my deliverance and safety. With difficulty I stood my ground till about the middle of August, when almost all who were suspected of disaffection were taken up and sent prisoners to New England: I therefore found it necessary to return to Flushing, on Long Island; but I had no sooner left that place, than the committee met, and entered into a debate about seizing me. This obliged me to shift my quarters, and keep as private as possible, till the 27th of that month, when General Howe defeated the rebels on Long Island, which set me and many others at liberty.

"On Sunday, the 15th of September, General Howe, with the king's forces, landed on New York Island, four miles above the city, upon which the rebels abandoned the city, and retired toward King's Bridge, which joins this island to the continent. Early on Monday morning, the 16th, I returned to the city, which exhibited a most melancholy appearance, being deserted and pillaged. My house was plundered of everything by the rebels. My loss amounts to near 2007. this currency, or upwards of 1007. sterling. The rebels carried off all the bells in the city, partly to convert them into cannon, partly to prevent notice being given speedily of the destruction they meditated against the city by fire, when it began. On Wednesday, I opened one of the churches, and solemnized divine service, when all the inhabitants gladly attended, and joy was lighted up in every countenance on the restoration of our public worship, for very few remained but such as were members of our church. Each congratulated himself and others on the prospect of returning peace and security; but alas! the enemies of peace were secretly working among

us.

"Several rebels secreted themselves in the houses, to execute the diabolical purpose of destroying the city. On the Saturday following an opportunity presented itself, for, the weather being very dry, and the wind blowing fresh, they set fire to the city in several places at the same time, between twelve and one o'clock in the morning. The fire raged with the utmost fury; and, in its destructive progress, consumed about 1000 houses, or a fourth part of the whole city. To the vigorous efforts of the officers of the army and navy, and of the soldiers and seamen, it is owing, under Providence, that the whole city was not destroyed. We had three churches, of which Trinity Church was the oldest and largest. It was a venerable edifice; had an excellent organ, which cost 8507. sterling, and was otherwise ornamented. This church, with the rector's house and the charity school, the two latter large expensive buildings, were burned. St. Paul's church and King's College had shared the same fate, being directly

on the line of fire, had I not been providentially on the spot, and sent a number of people with water on the roof of each. Our houses are all covered with cedar shingles, which makes fire very dangerous. The church corporation has suffered prodigiously, as was evidently intended. Besides the buildings already mentioned, about 200 houses, which stood on the church ground, were consumed; so that the loss cannot be estimated at less than 25,000l. sterling. This melancholy accident, and the principal scene of war being here, will occasion the clergy of this city to be the greatest sufferers of any on the continent by the present rebellion.

"The church corporation have some thoughts of applying to his Majesty for a brief to collect money in England, or for leave to open a subscription to repair their loss in some measure, which, I fear, will involve them in inextricable difficulties, as they are already burdened with a debt of more than 20,000l. this currency. But this step will probably be deferred till the city and county are restored to his majesty's peace and protection, which, I hope, will be soon, as a petition for this purpose, signed by near a thousand inhabitants, has been presented to the king's commissioners. I had the honour of drawing up this petition, and from the amiable and excellent character of the Commissioners, Lord Howe and General Howe, from whom everything brave, generous, and humane, or tending to the interest of Great Britain and the colonies, may be justly expected, I flatter myself that the prayers of our petition will be soon granted.

"Perhaps I should apologize for this detail, in which I myself was so much concerned; but, in truth, no better method occurred to me of conveying to you information of what I thought you were desirous to know, and I claim no merit in doing what I always conceived to be my duty. Any of my brethren in my situation would have done the same that I did-many of them, probably, much better.

"All the missionaries in the colonies first mentioned are resident on their respective missions, although their churches are shut, except those that are now in England, and Mr. Walter, of Boston, who is here; also Mr. Cooke, who is chaplain to the guards, and cannot get to his mission, as that part of the country is still in the hands of the rebels. I fear many of the missionaries are distressed for want of an opportunity to draw for their salaries, and I apprehend they have not yet received any benefit from the generous collection that was made for them in England. Dr. Chandler sometime since sent me a list of those missionaries in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, that were to receive those benefactions, and the sum allotted to each; desiring that I should give them notice, and inform them how to draw for the money. But I have not yet been able to give intelligence of this to any, except Messrs. Seabury, Bloomer, and Cutting-all communication by letter with the rest being entirely cut off. Dr. Chandler also informed me, that the Society transmitted a large sum to Boston, to pay the missionaries in Massachusetts and New Hampshire; but I imagine General Howe left Boston before the money could get there; and I have not been able to learn who the person

was to whom the money was delivered, nor what is become of it. The missions of New Windsor (or Newburgh, as it was latterly called) and of Albany are still vacant. Mr. Stuart continues at Fort Hunter, and occasionally officiates at Johnstown. He has been of much service in that place. The Indians under his care remain firm in their attachment to the king, except one or two that were bribed into a kind of neutrality, with rum and some other presents, by the rebels, but will, I doubt not, be as active as any for the king's service, now that General Burgoyne has crossed the lakes from Canada with his army, and is got into this province. Upon the whole, the church of England has lost none of its members by the rebellion as yet-none, I mean, whose departure from it can be deemed a loss; on the contrary, its own members are more firmly attached to it than ever. And even the sober and more rational among dissenters-for they are not all equally violent and frantic-look with reverence and esteem on the part which church people here have acted. I have not a doubt but, with the blessing of Providence, his Majesty's arms will be successful, and finally crush this unnatural rebellion. In that case, if the steps are taken which reason, prudence, and common sense dictate, the church will indubitably increase, and these confusions will terminate in a large accession to its members. Then will be the time to make that provision for the American church which is necessary, and place it on at least an equal foot with other denominations by granting it an episcopate, and thereby allowing it a full toleration. If this opportunity is let slip, I think there is a moral certainty that such another will never again offer; and, I must conclude, in that case, that government is equally infatuated with the Americans at present. If fifty years elapse without any episcopate here, there will be no occasion for one afterwards; and to fix one then, will be as impracticable as it would be useless. And, I may appeal to all judicious persons, whether it is not as contrary to sound policy, as it certainly is to right reason and justice, that the king's loyal subjects here, members of the national church, should be denied a privilege, the want of which will discourage and diminish their numbers, and that merely to gratify the clamours of dissenters, who have now discovered such enmity to the constitution, and who will ever clamour against any. thing that will tend to benefit or increase the church here. The time, indeed, is not yet fully come to move in this affair; but I apprehend it is not very distant, and, therefore, it should be thought of. Government will have it in its power very soon to settle this and other matters as may be judged expedient. The clergy here will not be wanting in anything that is in their power towards the accomplishment of so desirable an object; and, in the meantime, would be very glad to have the Society's advice and directions how to proceed. I may add, that the Society, taught by late experience, will be desirous of seeing the church placed on a more respectable foot, and, so far as I can judge, will join in such prudent measures as may be thought necessary, on their part, for the attainment of it.

"I shall not trespass further on your time and patience, by adding

to this letter, which is swelled to an extraordinary length, for which the interesting occasion and subject must be my apology, than to assure you, that I am, with the most perfect esteem and regard to yourself and the venerable Society,

"The Rev. Dr. Hind.

"Reverend Sir,

"Your affectionate and humble servant,
"CHARLES INGLIS.

"P.S. Since the above was written, Dr. Auchmuty is come to town, having, with great difficulty, escaped from the rebels at Brunswick."

::

Such was the melancholy condition of affairs in 1766. The following year, in speaking of the missionaries, Mr. Inglis says" Matters are not mended with them, but grown worse. All the missionaries in Connecticut are now either removed to a distant part of the province from their cures, and there detained, or else confined in their own houses of this province, Mr. Seabury and Mr. Beardsly have been obliged to fly from their missions-the first resides in this city, the second on Long Island. Mr. Browne and Mr. Odell, of New Jersey, have also taken sanctuary here." Mr. Babcock, of Philipsburg, clergyman exemplary in his life, and assiduous in his pastoral duty," appears to have fallen a victim to ill-treatment. He was taken prisoner by the insurgents, and detained five months. The hardships. and distress which he suffered during his confinement, brought on a fit of sickness, which induced them to dismiss him.

a

He was carried home with difficulty, and died a few days afterwards.

Mr. Babcock's death was soon followed by that of Dr. Auchmuty; which, also, seems to have been hastened by the persecutions and hardships he underwent from the "patriots."

He died on the 4th March, 1777; and, a fortnight afterwards, the churchwardens and vestry met, and elected Mr. Inglis to succeed him as rector of Trinity Church.*

He says "The rectory has come to me at a most difficult, critical period: our corporation is burdened with a heavy debt, and lost about 25,0007. by the fire in September."

In subsequent letters, he describes the vast increase of labour occasioned by the influx of refugees from all parts. In the midst, however, of all his trials, he continued stedfastly to discharge his pastoral duties, and applied his special attention to the school for negro children. The rebellion had already driven nearly all the clergy from their missions; of those belonging to the southern colonies, some had gone to England, some had taken refuge in New York, and a few had taken the oath of allegiance to the republic.

The majority of those who were dispossessed from the northern and eastern provinces were appointed to chaplaincies in the army or loyal militia.

While almost annihilated in some places, the Church seems to have

* MS. letter, March 27, 1777.