wish you could give us a fatisfactory answer. It is thought very reafonable that ye build fuch a decent commodious Church, as is proportioned to the number of your inhabitants,, or even to fuch an encrease of them as can fairly be expected: but it seems the structure ye are raifing will be three times larger than is neceffary. Now, Sir, though the common ties of Chriftianity would oblige us to give what we can conveniently spare towards the building of fuch a Church as is really wanted at Bombay, yet we believe that our people will not be forward to encourage the rearing up of a fabrick that is rather magnificent than useful; efpecially feeing they have fo many other ways of employing their charity on objects that are really deferving; and defigns far more beneficial than what you propofe. However, Sir, we are fo willing to encourage every thing that has but the remoteft tendency to advance the glory of GoD, or the honour of his religion; that whatever fum the Gentlemen of Bombay will contribute to our Charity-school; we will ufe our utmost endeavours to raife as much towards the building of your Church. Be pleased, Sir, to offer this proposal (with our moft humble fervice) to Governor Boone, and the other Gentlemen of your Council; and let us know how they receive it. Reverend Sir, we are, Your affectionate brothers, and moft humble fervants, William Stevenfon, Charles Long. To Mr St John Bennett, Merchant at Surat. Sir, Bombay Castle, Dec. 6, 1716. THIS day we received of the honourable Charles Boone, Efq; the fum of 200 rupees on on account of your fubfcription towards building the Church of Bombay; for which we return you our hearty thanks, and fhall always make mention of you with that refpect due to fo generous a benefactor. Mr Bennett, I fhould be glad to hear of your health and profperity, who am particularly obliged for your civilities here, and though we cannot have the happiness of your company as formerly; yet a line or two will be always acceptable to, Sir, your obliged friend, and very humble fervant, Richard Cobbe. To Samuel Annelley, Efq; Merchant in Surat. Sir, Bombay, Dec. 6, 1716. THE occafion of fending this is, because that the Church cash grows fhort, and wanting your affiftance, we have from the date hereof drawn a bill of exchange payable to the honourable Charles Boone, Efq; or order, for the fum of 550 rupees, being the amount of yours and Mr Stanton's fubfcription (for whom you figned) to which we hope you will give due honour; we return you many thanks, and are, Sir, Your obliged friends and humble servants, Charles Boone, Laurence Parker, Stephen Strutt, John Clapham, B. Wyche, Richard Cobbe, John Hope. To Meff. Clerke and Bowcher, Merchants in Surat. Gentlemen, Bombay Castle, Dec. 6, 1716. IN purfuance of a late order of Trustees made to call in all thofe fubfcriptions towards build D 4 ing ing the Church of Bombay that remain unpaid, you are defired to fend or order what fubfcriptions have been figned on your behalf, namely, to Mr Jarvis Clerke one hundred rupees, to Mr George Bowcher two hundred rupees. Hoping, Gentlemen, you will pardon the freedom of this advice, it is because the account of our monthly expences runs high, and the stock of our ready cafh is well nigh exhausted, though the work, God be thanked, goes on fuccefsfully, and will we hope be finished in good time. With many thanks for your charitable affiftance, I remain, Gentlemen, Your obliged friend, and very humble fervant, Richard Cobbe. To the Rev Mr Richard Cobbe, Chaplain at Bombay. I Received your letter concerning Bombay Church; and as I very much approve of your undertaking, fo I have done what I reasonably can to ferve you in that affair. Governor Hedges has wrote to Governor Boone to pay in 500 rupees on his account, there is fome more money promised, but I cannot tell as yet in what manner it will be paid, but by fome of the latter fhips I fhall inform you more particularly. Subscriptions of charity go on but heavily, and the ill-natured proverb of forfwearing the building of Churches is but too true; but the particular circumstances of your Church rather confirm people in an unwillingness to contribute towards it. But I do not queftion but his Honour Boone will much encourage it, as he is a Gentleman of a great Character, and equal to the station he now adorns. I am, Reverend Sir, Your affectionate brother, Rev. Sir, To the Rev. Mr Richard Cobbe, Chaplain at Bombay. Bengal, Dec. 17, 1716. IHerewith fend you our fubfcription paper, which was at firft defigned to be paid into the Company's cash, but not being able to raise a larger fum, it was thought more expedient, that every subscriber fhould pay his own money as he thought proper. I told you in my laft, that Governor Hedges had wrote to Governor Boone to pay in his fubscription. I have given a note to Mr George Wyche to pay one hundred rupees on my account, to whom I believe Mr Frankland has given the like directions. And if you speak to Captain Boddam, he will pay in Mr Livefay's. This is the whole of what I am able to get for you, but shall be always glad of any opportunity of fhewing myself, Reverend Sir, Your very humble fervant, and affectionate brother, Samuel Briercliffe. To the Rev. Mr Richard Cobbe, Chaplain at Bombay. Surat, Dec. 24, 1716. Rev. Sir, THIS is to acknowledge yours of the 6th inftant, as likewise to inclose a bill for 300 new Surat rupees on Mr Richard Waters, which I doubt not will meet with due honour. I gave Mr Bowcher a receipt for his part, fo please to procure me one for the whole. I have not to add but a tender of my humble service, and to remain, Reverend Sir, Your most obedient and humble servant, To the Reverend Mr Richard Cobbe, at Bombay. Rev. Sir, Surat, Dec. 24, 1716. THE 20th inftant Mr Clerke fent me your letter directed to us both, wherein you defired us to pay our fubfcriptions to the Church; accordingly I paid him mine the 22d inftant, for which he gave me his receipt. Copy, viz. rupees 200 Surat, 22d Dec. 1716. Received of Mr George Bowcher the fum of rupees two hundred new Surat, which is in full of his subscription towards building the Church at Bombay; I fay received by me, Sir, I wish you better fuccefs than your predeceffor, who built little, raised and deftroyed abundance of money to no purpose; he had finished a stately organ which I faw in the fort, what is become of it God knows. God Almighty bless your endeavours, and also, Reverend Sir, Your most humble fervant, George Bowcher. To the Rev. Mr Richard Cobbe, Chaplain at Bombay. I Had the honour to receive the 20th inftant your moft obliging letter of the 6th, and am glad to hear the Governor has paid what I fubfcribed towards the building of the Church. I gave it with a hearty good will; and, if the money which is already raised is not sufficient, would willingly contribute yet further to the compleating fo good a work, would the circumstances of my |