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That your Excellency was first apprized of any infringe-
ment of his Lordship's Right of Patronage from our address is
very surprising, and can only be owing to your late arrival in
the Province and some neglect of due information. Within a
few of the last years three formal appointments were set aside
in one Parish only by the violence of the People, which we are
led at least to attribute in part to the Spirit of Sectaries, as it
happened in that quarter of the Country where they chiefly
abound, nor have there been wanting persons who have as-
serted the Right of Patronage itself to lie in the People from
whom the revenue proceeds, and if farther Confirmation were
necessary some written Authorities could be produced that
would put the fact beyond a doubt.
As we receive with all Gratitude your Excellency's declara-
tions that you will countenance the worthy ministers of the
Established Church and support the just rights of the Clergy
of Maryland, so we cannot but applaud your resolutions to
protect all quiet and peaceable Subjects of every Denomina-
tion in the just enjoyment of their Rights. The Clergy of
Maryland will be the last to persuade your Excellency to
depart from a determination so truly Christian; and whilst
they continue to hold persecution in just abhorrence, and see
without a murmur the dissenting congregations enjoying their
full rights under their several forms of religious discipline,
they reasonably hope that at least as full an enjoyment of its
rights may be extended to the national Church, as to those
who dissent from it.
We are for ourselves and Brethren, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedt and most hble Servants
To His Excellency H: Addison
the Governor B: Allen
J. Boucher
Annapolis Sepf 16th 1770.
Revd Sir
Agreeable to an appointment made at our last Meeting in
May, the following Gentlemen met: Messrs Addison, McGill,
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