_To the Right Reverend Father in GOD, Edmund Lord
Bishop of London_.
_On board the Savannah, bound from Charles-Town to Boston,
September ――, 1740._
_My Lord_,
ALTHOUGH your Lordship has been pleased to caution the people against
running into those extremes, to which your Lordship apprehended my
doctrine would lead men; yet I am persuaded that will not any way
influence your Lordship, as to the contents of this letter. The one
single point which it contains, is this query, “Whether the commissary
of _South-Carolina_ has power given him from your Lordship, to
exercise any _judicial authority_ against me, or any other clergyman,
who doth not belong to his province?” The reason of my putting this
question, I suppose your Lordship will be apprized of, before this
reaches your Lordship’s hands. I have been lately cited to appear
in an ecclesiastical court, erected by the _Reverend_ Mr. _G――――_,
for not reading the common prayer in the meeting-house, which I was
obliged to preach in at _Charles-Town_, (unless I would be silent)
because the commissary would not let me have the use of his church.
I appeared, and have appealed, according to law, to four of his
majesty’s commissioners for reviewing appeals, to know, whether the
commissary ought not to have accepted a _Recusatio judicis_, which I
lodged in court. This, I suppose, they will determine. I only desire
your Lordship’s explicit opinion and determination, whether Mr.
_G――――_, (supposing he hath power over his own clergy,) has authority
to erect such a court to arraign me, who belong to the province of
_Georgia_. The bearer hereof will give me your Lordship’s answer. In
favouring me with which, your Lordship will oblige, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s obedient son and servant,
_G. W._