Catalogue description VOLUME XX

LEEWARD ISLANDS

1750-undated

1. Clipping from unidentified Antigua paper, May 4, 1750. Contains address from the clergy to Governor William Mathew on his departure. Signed by Charles Rose.

2-3. Charles Rose to Bishop Sherlock, St. Peter's, Antigua, May 11, 1750. Approves of the bishop's plan for colonial bishops, but fears it may meet with opposition in the islands, as many of the legislators are Deists. He favours an act of Parliament providing that the bishops shall receive the ordinary fees for marriage licences and probate of wills which now go to the governor. He lately visited St. Croix, in the Danish West Indies, where the English minister, serving an English congregation, told him that he had submitted his letters of order to the Danish government for approval. Since the death of --- Grant, there is no clergyman in the English portion of the Virgin Islands. Rose is disturbed by proposals, in some recently published 'Disquisitions' on the revision of the Prayer Book for the omission of the Athanasian Creed and the wedding ring.

4. Charles Rose to Bishop Sherlock, Antigua, May 12, 1750. Encloses some unidentified document which he says enforces his argument for the need of a bishop, or some supervising clergyman, if no bishop can be had. Quakers are strong in Tortola. Rose plans another visit to the Virgin Islands.

5-6. Francis Byam to Bishop Sherlock, Antigua, July 23, 1750. He also favours supporting a bishop by the ordinary fees.

7-8. Gilbert Fleming to Bishop Sherlock, Antigua, Apr. 1751. Reports that the leading persons 'of Religious principles, and best understanding' approve Sherlock's plan for suffragan bishops. Recommends Byam for the post. Has appointed --- Blair and --- Douglas, just arrived with the bishop's recommendation, to benefices. He intended to send Douglas to Tortola, 'lately become rich and prosperous', but as the people there showed no readiness to build a church or support a minister, he sent Douglas to Nevis.

9-10. Francis Byam to Bishop Sherlock, Antigua, Aug. 20, 1751. In answer to a query from the bishop as to what he thought were the principal defects in the powers of the commissary, he says that he never thought that he had any power. He was supposed to have power to suspend pending final decision by the bishop, but this could be only a suspension ab officio, as the laws of the islands made no provision for the deprivation of a suspended clergyman, and he could not have enforced even that if any minister had chosen to defy it. He kept these thoughts to himself, and the supposition that he might have power may have had some good effect. Naval chaplains stationed in the islands were entirely outside his jurisdiction. Bishop Gibson was blocked by the Admiralty in all efforts to obtain any effective control of them. He fears that reported death of the Prince of Wales may distract the authorities from the bishop's proposals.

11-12. Francis Byam to Bishop Sherlock, Antigua, June 23, 1753. Having received a delayed letter from the bishop inquiring about colonial opposition to bishops, he says that he does not find the people opposed, provided they are not charged with the bishops' support and provided that no spiritual courts are set up with jurisdiction over the laity. He warns the bishop that some unnamed persons whom he considers unworthy may apply for orders with testimonials from some of the clergy.

13-14. Proceedings before Court of King's Bench, Nevis, May 1 and 15, 1764. William Tuckett and others were indicted for a riot in which they invaded the home of Edwin Thomas, rector of St. Paul's, and created a disturbance. Defendants pleaded guilty and were fined.

15-16. Anonymous letter to Bishop Terrick, Antigua, Apr. 13, 1769. Protests ordination of --- Crook, whom the writer accuses of being ignorant and of scandalous character. Also complains of earlier ordination of --- Symes.

17. Page from The Carribbean and General Gazette or the Saint Christopher Chronicle, July 1, 1769. Contains memorial of Edwin Thomas to the court of King's Bench, June 29, 1769, complaining that he was abused by William Cary, John Stanley, and John Gardiner at a previous session of the court. Thomas was required to ask the court's pardon for submitting a memorial reflecting on its order and dignity.

18-19. Edwin Thomas to William Carr, St. Christophers, July 26, 1769. Encloses (17) and some papers which he had published under the name of 'Eusebius' which started the dispute. He accuses Stanley of having tried to secure the appointment of his father, lately released from jail, to the bench.

20-21. Queries addressed to Edwin Thomas by the Court of King's Bench, St. Christophers, Aug. 26, 1769. Ask him if he was author of an article signed 'Ireneus' published in the Saint Christopher Gazette or the Historical Chronicle, which defended his memorial (17) and attacked Gardiner and Stanley.

22-23. Copy of (20-21).

24-27. Thomas's answers, presented Oct. 9, 1769. Admits authorship of article but defends it as unexceptionable. A notation by Thomas says that the court held him in contempt, but that his fine was remitted by Governor Woodley.

28-30. Copy of (24-27).

31-34. The Carribbean and General Gazette, Oct. 31 and Nov. 24, 1770. Contain 'Philippics' signed by 'Publicola', dealing with island politics. Notations in Thomas's hand indicate his authorship.

35-36. The Carribbean Gazette or the Saint Christopher Chronicle, Dec. 8, 1770. Contains an article dealing with island politics signed 'Publicola'.

37-38. Memorial of James Ramsay, Rector of St. John's Capisterre, St. Christophers, to Governor Richard Hawkshaw Losack, Dec. 10, 1770. Charges that John Stanley, during an election in which he was a candidate and which was held in the church, sat in the chancel, with his feet on the communion table, ordered punch, which he drank there, swearing that he would never drink anything else there. Edward Gillard, another candidate, is also accused of standing within the chancel and using abusive language while there.

39-42. The Carribbean Gazette or the Saint Christopher Chronicle, Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20, 1770. Contains political essays by 'Publicola'.

43-44. Edwin Thomas to Bishop Terrick, St. Christopher, Dec. 20, 1770. Thomas Smith, whose ordination Thomas has opposed (cf. xxx. 241-6), after unsuccessful efforts to break into the English or Irish stage, is renewing his efforts to obtain ordination. One clergyman who signed testimonials for Smith, --- Clarkson of Nevis, is a former fisherman who got ordained by a previous bishop through the device of pretending to the bishop's chaplain that the then Governor George Thomas had promised to send testimonials for him. The other clergymen on Nevis are Thomas Powel and William Scot. Powel was a poor lime burner whom some parishioners proposed as rector in a drunken frolic. When he took them seriously, they kept their word, provided him with testimonials, and received him as rector. Scot was a former dissenting preacher whose motives for conforming Thomas suspects of being worldly. The clergy on St. Christophers are all worthy men, though --- Jones, recently deceased, was subject to scandal. Thomas asks permission to return to England for a year and refers to Ramsay's petition (37-38).

45-46. The Carribbean and General Gazette or the St. Christopher Chronicle, Jan. 5, 1771. Another political article by 'Publicola'.

47-50. Affidavit of John Gardiner, June 25, 1771, St. Christophers. Testifies that John Stanley behaved as stated in Ramsay's memorial (37-38) and that Edward Gillard used abusive language to Gardiner while standing within the chancel.

51-54. Clergy of St. Christopers (Edwin Thomas, James Ramsay, and B. W. Hutchinson) to Governor Richard Hawkshaw Losack, June 25, 1771. In support of Ramsay's complaint.

55-58. James Ramsay to Bishop Terrick, St. Christohers, June 29, 1771. Gives an account of the case, showing some of its political ramifications. Stanley was a protégé of former governor Woodley.

59-60. Thomas, Ramsay, and Hutchinson to Bishop Terrick, St. Christophers, July 3, 1771. Support Ramsay's complaint. There are two other clergy in the island, --- Paget and --- Baldrick. Paget opposes their proceedings. Baldrick has not been present at their meetings.

61-62. Affidavit of Benjamin Clifton, St. Christophers, July 6, 1771. Confirms statements of Ramsay (37-38) and Gardiner (47-50) to the extent that he saw Stanley sitting in the chancel with his feet on the communion table and heard him order punch. As Clifton was walking about, he did not see Stanley actually drinking the punch or hear him say that he would not drink anything else there.

63-64. Copy of (47-50) with attestation dated July 6, 1771.

65-66. Copy of (43-44) with addition dated July 20, 1771. As the clergy usually met at Thomas's house, Ramsay asked him to call a meeting to address the governor on the Stanley incident. Paget belongs to a whist club of which Governor Losack and Stanley are both members and the meeting was fully discussed there. Though predisposed in favour of Stanley, Paget admitted that his conduct was wrong and voted for an address to the governor which Thomas and Hutchinson were appointed to draft. Before the next meeting, Stanley received word from ex-governor Woodley that the appointment as solicitor-general which Woodley had obtained for him had been stopped because of Ramsay's complaint. A great effort was then made to obtain counter-affidavits, and Paget was induced to oppose the address. Thomas delivered a speech in support of the address, a copy of which he encloses. (67-68)

67-68. Speech enclosed in (65-66).

69-70. Bishop Terrick to Edwin Thomas, Fulham, Oct. 8, 1771. (Copy.) He is always glad to do what he can to assist the clergy, 'whether in my Diocese at home, or in the more distant parts, which by long usage have been considered, as having a more particular relation to the Bishop of London, than to any other Bishop'. He has been at pains to make himself familiar with the Stanley case, but, as Stanley's appointment has already been confirmed, all that the bishop can do is to commend the protection of the clergy to the new governor, Sir Ralph Payne.

71-74. Summary of the Stanley case, probably made by the bishop or his secretary sometime in 1771, as it assumes the possibility of blocking Stanley's appointment. Notes that Baldrick and Paget do not have the bishop's licence.

75-78. List of clergy in the Leeward Islands with record of ordination and dates of induction extending through 1773. Notes that Thomas Paget was unlicensed because his post as fellow of King's College, Cambridge, provided a sufficient title. (Two copies.)

79-80. James Ramsay to Bishop Porteus, St. Maude's, Downing St., Westminster, Mar. 18, 1788. Outlines a plan for the education and gradual emancipation of slaves in the West Indies. Asserts that cruelty to slaves is common. (1778?)

81-82. Extract from a letter of unnamed clergyman in Leeward Islands to James Ramsay, June 19, 1788. Lately returned governor, who regularly sold presentations for £200 was outwitted by Reverend Mr. T(homas?), elderly rector of Basseterre. Mrs. T. promised the governor's secretary £1,500 if her son succeeded his father as rector. This was agreed to, the father resigned, and the son was appointed, but the family then refused to pay on the ground that simony was illegal. In Ramsay's time the presentation fee was only two guineas. In Barbados it is usually £20.

83-84. Rede Nisbet to James Ramsay, Resolution, at sea off St. Alban's, Sept. 5, 1789. Nisbet is returning from Nevis after business reverses. He has written a tract on the education of slaves which he hopes to have printed, but he is concerned with the fate of his five slaves, who will have to be sold as the result of his misfortunes. He wonders if a society to which Ramsay belongs can buy them to continue their instruction. He has decided to seek ordination. He has always been inclined to the ministerial calling but was deterred by religious doubts which were cleared up by reading on the home voyage.

85. Edward Byam to Bishop Porteus, Antigua, July 26, 1792. In the absence of the governor, Byam, as President of the Council and acting governor, received the bishop's instructions concerning candidates for orders and has forwarded them to the clergy.

86-87. Clement Caines to Bishop Porteus, St. Christophers, Aug. 15, 1805. A plea for support for an orphanage in the island. It already cares for forty-three children. With another £1,000 a year, it could care for every destitute white child on the island. He tries to show that it would also benefit the slaves, because the children trained in it will be apprenticed to the plantations, where, he thinks, they will instruct the slaves.

88. Bishop Porteus to (Clement Caines), St. James's Square, London, Feb. 1806. (Draft.) It would be contrary to the purpose of his society to allow its missionary to instruct the white children in the orphanage, but, if the orphanage will provide facilities for instructing Negro children, the society may feel disposed to send another missionary to St. Christophers to replace the one just dismissed, and may even aid the orphanage.

89-90. Anonymous letter to Bishop Howley, July 1818. The bishop, a while ago, refused to ordain --- Rawlins, a well-to-do planter of St. Christophers, because he insisted on a literal construction of the Calvinistic parts of the Thirty-nine Articles. Rawlins returned to the islands as a layman and has distinguished himself by virtue and piety and zeal in the instruction of his slaves. His cousin, Henry Rawlins, whom the bishop did ordain, because he raised no doctrinal issues, was nearly brought to the gallows by his cruelty to his slaves, which was subject to comment in Parliament.

91. Governor Thomas Talmack to Bishop (Compton or Robinson?), undated. Asks aid in restoring church in Montserrat, destroyed by French in recent invasion.

92-93. James Field to (Bishop Gibson), undated, but written after his return to England in 1725-6. Asks the bishop not to send any more Scotch clergymen than he has to, as their reading of the service is displeasing to the people. Bishop Compton sent a good many. Bishop Robinson sent fewer. Field's grandfather lost his life and estate in the service of Charles I; his father was crippled in the service of Charles II; and his brother was slain in the service of William III. He himself was educated in King's College and served in the plantations and the navy since 1693. He thinks he should have a pension and hopes for the aid of the present Archbishop of York (Lancelot Blackburne), who was formerly minister of St. Paul's, Falmouth, Antigua.

94-95. Cradock Wells to (Bishop Gibson), Long Horsley, Northumberland, Dec. 13, --- (Probably about 1727. Cf. xix. 160.) Apologizes for having recommended an unnamed candidate who changed his mind because of opposition from his uncle, Sir George Cayley. Recommends sending a minister to Nevis, where Robertson is now the only clergyman.

96-97. Undated notes by Bishop Gibson evidently made in preparation for a memorial concerning the French lands in St. Christophers.

98-99. Undated speech of Edwin Thomas to a meeting of the clergy opposing any address to Governor Woodley on his departure (1770).

100. Undated note, probably by Bishop Terrick, relating to the Stanley case. Gives names of clergy concerned and says that Stanley was a follower of Wilkes.

101-2. Undated memorial on the appointment of clergymen in the sugar colonies, attributed to Ramsay in notation and apparently in his hand. Early provision for support of clergy has remained basically unchanged in most of the islands. In Barbados, surplice fees, resulting from increased population, have raised total value of livings. In Jamaica, the Leewards, and Windwards, provision for support is inadequate. His next statement seems to contradict this, as to the Leewards, for he says that planters are finding it worth while to educate their sons for the ministry and that presentations were sold for £200 under former governor Shirley.

103-4. Undated list of clergy in Leeward Islands with notes on their character. None of the names coincide with those in the foregoing documents.

(For another Leeward Island document, cf. xxxvi. 308.)

VIRGIN ISLANDS

105. T. Lyttleton to Bishop Porteus, Wanstead, Oct. 25, 1788. Encloses unspecified document (possibly 106-7) and suggests that --- Frazer, formerly employed in Sierre Leone, might be sent to instruct the Negroes in the Virgin Islands. The islands of Anquitta and Spanish Town are under the government of Tortola.

106-7. Statement by William Twinbull, President of the council and acting governor of the Virgin Islands, recommending sending ministers to instruct the slaves. Undated, but may be the document enclosed in (105).

WINDWARD ISLANDS

108-11. Petition of council and assembly of Grenada to the King, April 1785. There were no Protestant ministers in the islands between their first cession in 1764 and their recent retrocession. Having now made provision for the support of a Protestant ministry, the legislators think that the existing church buildings, hitherto used by the Roman Catholics, should be turned over to them.

112-13. Francis Margaret to Bishop Porteus, Dominica, Mar. 24, 1788. He is the only Protestant minister in the island, having been ordained for that purpose at the age of 52, but may have to give up for lack of pay. The assembly refuses to vote him any salary and what he receives as chaplain of the regiment and by way of fees is inadequate. There are four Roman Catholic priests on the island.

114-15. Francis Margaret to Bishop Porteus, Dominica, June 21, 1788. He will do his best to put the bishop's printed recommendations concerning the instruction of slaves into effect.

116-17. Petition of Francis Margaret to the legislature of Dominica, Sept. 30, 1788. Asks an appropriation to repair church, badly damaged by hurricane. Also action by legislature on a previous petition for support. Council voted favourably, but assembly rejected it, Aug. 19, 1788.

118-19. Clergy of Grenada to Bishop Porteus, St. George's, Sept. 30, 1788. In response to his circular concerning the instruction of the Negroes they say that they would like to carry out his pious wishes but are hindered by special obstacles: The influence of the Roman Catholic clergy over the slaves; the influence of the older slaves over new arrivals; and the prevalence of French.

120-1. Francis Margaret to Bishop Porteus, Dominica, Oct. 17, 1788. He has had considerable success in his efforts to instruct the slaves. The legislature has lately passed a law making it a penalty not to have Negroes baptized. This will make most of them become Roman Catholics, as there are no Protestant ministers available to baptize or instruct them in most parts of the island.

122-3. Copy of (121-3) together with Governor J. Orde's message covering Margaret's petition and the replies of the council and assembly (116-17).

124-6. Walter Carew to Bishop Porteus, Grenada, Oct. 20, 1788. Obstacles to conversion of the Negroes are: Their use of the French language, or a corruption thereof; prejudices against Protestantism instilled by the priests, and the general licentiousness of the planters. He alleges that most of the priests on the island are men of poor character. The island was ceded to Britain by the treaty of Paris in 1763, recaptured by the French in 1779, and receded in 1784.

127-9. Copy of (124-6).

130-1. Francis Margaret to Bishop Porteus, Dominica, Sept. 7, 1789. As a result of intervention by the bishop, Lieutenant-Governor Bruce is trying to obtain some support for Margaret, but Margaret is not very optimistic of his success. His work with the slaves continues to be encouraging in its results. He thinks a Sunday school may be needed in time, but at present there is a school for Negro children kept by a pious mulatto woman. He has a children's choir, composed of some of these children and others.

132-3. Printed memorial of Francis Margaret to the assembly, Roseau, Apr. 12, 1790, and letter of Margaret to Bishop Porteus, Dominica, June 1, 1790. In response to a letter from W. Wyndham Grenville, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, communicated by Governor Bruce, the assembly made a reply which, from what is said in answer, appears to have expressed willingness to support a minister but to have shown doubt of Margaret's qualifications. In the letter, Margaret expresses the intention of returning to England unless Governor Shirley gives him a post in his jurisdiction, as he has promised to do.

134-7. Joint opinion of His Majesty's Advocate, Attorney and Solicitor General (William Scott, Ad. Macdonald, and John Scott) on three questions relating to the government of Grenada, June 10, 1790. (1) They hold that the requirement in the original constitution of Grenada requiring members of the council and assembly to make a declaration against transubstantiation cannot be repealed by the King alone, but only by an act of the colonial legislature, approved by the governor and the King. (2) They hold that the retrocession of 1783 re-established this constitution, originally set up by royal proclamation and instructions in 1763. (3) They hold the promise of freedom of conscience in the original treaty did not entitle the Roman Catholics to retain their churches and glebes and that these are at the King's disposal by right of conquest.

138-9. Walter Carew, rector of the united parishes of St. John and St. Mark to Bishop Porteus, Grenada, June 23, 1790. He is disappointed that, in spite of the bishop's intervention, there has been no official action to transfer the Roman Catholic churches and glebes to the Protestant clergy. The Roman Catholics have lately been divided over a civil suit between two of their clergy.

140-1. Copy of (138-9).

142-3. --- Fawkener to Bishop Porteus, Council Office, July 10, 1790. Enclosing (134-7).

144-5. Francis Margaret to Bishop Porteus, Seafort, near Dublin, Aug. 2, 1791. He hopes that his health will soon permit a return to Dominica, but is concerned about his support there, having received no answer to a memorial presented to the Secretary of State. He asks the bishop's help in obtaining an appointment as chaplain to the garrison.

146. James Seton to Bishop Porteus, St. Vincent, July 13, 1792. He has received and distributed the bishop's directions concerning candidates.

147. J. Orde to Bishop Porteus, July 14, 1792. Acknowledging receipt of the bishop's directions concerning candidates.

148. Extract from a letter of Secretary Dundas to Lieutenant-Governor Home, Whitehall, Oct. 5, 1792. Asserts the King's right to the churches and glebes.

149-50. Copy of (147-8).

151. Henry Dundas to Bishop Porteus, Whitehall, Dec. 28, 1792. Encloses (147-8).

152. Henry Dundas to Bishop Porteus, Whitehall, Dec. 31, 1792. Consents to the bishop's sending a copy of (147-8) to Grenada.

153-4. Minute of a conversation between Abraham John Bishop and Pere Felicien, the French priest, May 11, 1793. On behalf of Samuel Dent, rector of St. George's, Grenada, who was indisposed, Bishop told Felicien of Dent's intention to claim his parsonage under the order from Secretary Dundas. Felicien replied that the parsonage was his private property and that the use of the French chapel was secured to him by the treaty of 1763.

155-6. Samuel Dent to Bishop Porteus, St. George's, Grenada, Oct. 22, 1793. Carew and Mahon, rector of St. Patrick's, have obtained 'partial and temporary' possession of the glebes, but the French priests claim that Secretary Dundas's order is not valid without certification of action by the privy council. The assembly attempted to circumvent the secretary's ruling by transfering the church lands to trustees who would administer them and pay the Roman Catholic clergy, who would be allowed to continue using the churches, but the governor cannot approve this without violating his instructions. A postscript reports the death of Carew.

157. Henry Dundas to Bishop Porteus, Whitehall, Feb. 6, 1794. On receiving the bishop's report of the complaints of the Protestant clergy, he has written to the lieutenant-governor calling attention to the government's decision as stated in his letter of Oct. 5, 1792 (147-8).

158-9. Henry Hamilton to Bishop Porteus, Roseau, Dominica, Feb. 4, 1795. Asks the bishop's support for his project for a marine academy in Bermuda.

160-1. State of the clergy and churches in Grenada, Mar. 25, 1796. St. George's: Church in good repair. Rector, Thomas Dent, on leave in England. Thomas May is curate. Pere Felicien, expelled as disloyal, has been succeeded by Father O'Laughlin. United parishes of St. John and St. Mark: Rector, Thomas McMahon, is now in Barbados, having been taken prisoner in the insurrection of Mar. 2, 1795, in which Governor Home and fifty English residents were killed. McMahon was held prisoner by the French in Guadaloupe until early in 1796. The church was destroyed by the rebels. St. Patrick's: Rector, --- Thomas, has gone to Tobago. Church destroyed in insurrection. United parishes of St. Andrew and St. David: Former rector, Thomas May, now serving as curate of St. George's. Church and parsonage destroyed. Island of Carriacou, a parish of Grenada, escaped the insurrection, but is vacant because of the removal of --- Davis to St. Christophers.

162. Thomas Lyttleton to Bishop Porteus, Wanstead, Essex, May 23, 1796. Encloses a letter from Dent whom he has found to be one of his most reliable correspondents in the West Indies.

163-4. John Guilding to Bishop Porteus, Kingstown, St. Vincents, Dec. 29, 1796. He has been serving as curate for the rector, --- Findlater, but, as Findlater's health will not permit him to remain in the West Indies, he wants to resign in Guilding's favour. Governor Seton is willing to present him, but he needs the bishop's licence. He came without it as he was sent by Sir William Young to instruct the slaves on his plantations. He is the only minister on the island.

165. Samuel Dent to Bishop Porteus, 11 Duke St., Portland Place, May 12, 1797. Having been ill, he has been unable to ascertain the fate of his petition to have the glebes in Grenada turned over to the clergy. He hopes to be well enough to return to Grenada in a few months.

166-7. Samuel Dent to Bishop Porteus, 11 Duke St., Portland Place, Oct. 9, 1797. He is told by his agent in Grenada that the governor has received no instructions concerning the church lands. He hopes that he can get some decision before sailing with the next convoy, which is expected to leave about Oct. 22.

168. James Seton to Bishop Porteus, St. Vincents, Nov. 9, 1797. Acknowledges receipt of the bishop's instructions concerning candidates for orders.

169-70. Duke of Portland to Governor Green of Grenada, Whitehall, Dec. 20, 1797. Instructs him to take Dent's petition under serious consideration and inform the government if there are any local obstacles to providing the clergy of the Church of England with the full glebe lands formerly possessed by the Roman Catholic clergy.

171-2. Duke of Portland to Bishop Porteus, Whitehall, Jan. 10, 1798. Encloses (169-70).

173-4. Samuel Dent to Bishop Porteus, St. George's, Grenada, Apr. 22, 1800. Asks ordination for his nephew, Joseph Dent Gilmore, now at Cambridge, to serve as his curate. A commission for valuing the church lands has been named and there is hope of a new establishment act, but the island is still impoverished from the results of the recent insurrection and the failure of this year's crops.

175-6. Anonymous letter to Bishop Porteus, Dominica, Apr. 26, 1800. Complains that --- Peters, rector of St. George's, Dominica, preached against slavery and criticized the discipline of the Army and Navy. He has now gone home to escape prosecution for sedition.

177-8. Draft by Bishop Porteus of form of certificate to be signed by Governor Cochrane Johnstone of Dominica saying that he will appoint David Ritchie to the living of Roseau, if the bishop will ordain him. 1801. (Cf. xxxii. 176.)

179-80. Bishop Porteus to Samuel Dent, London, Oct. 14, 1801. Reports ordination of his nephew, Joseph Dent Gilmore, who passed very creditable examinations. Wonders if Dent has enough influence to secure a favourable reception for a missionary of the Society for the Religious Instruction, Conversion and Education of Negro Slaves in the British West India Islands. They at present have missionaries only on Antigua and St. Christophers and meet with a good deal of opposition from the planters.

181-2. Samuel Dent to Bishop Porteus, Grenada, Aug. 6, 1802. The church lands have finally been disposed of and the funds distributed, partly to Protestant and partly to Roman Catholic parishes, but the clergy have not been finally confirmed in possession of their glebes.

183-4. An account of all the parishes of Grenada and the Grenadines, including Carriacou. Included in (181-2).

185. Certificate of justices of Carriacou to character of William Nash, who has been their rector for three years. Jan. 13, 1806.

186-7. Joseph Dent Gilmore to Bishop (Porteus?), undated. He called on the bishop with a letter from his uncle, Samuel Dent, but found the bishop out. Gilmore is in England on leave for the recovery of his health.

WEST INDIES

GENERAL

188-9. Bishop Porteus to ---, London, May 22, 1788. Speaks of having recently addressed a circular letter on the instruction of slaves to the clergy of the West Indies.

190-2. Lord Hawkesbury to Bishop Porteus, Addiscombe Place, Aug. 9, 1788. Thinks an account sent him by the bishop on the methods used by the Moravians in the instruction of slaves might be included in a report he is preparing.

193. Unattached wrapper, marked 'West India Letters and Papers, 1788. No. 2'.

194-5. H. Eaton to Bishop Porteus, Dec. 23, 1789. Says that late Bishop of London ordained several candidates for the West Indies who had been in other callings, but he thinks they were always natives or long-time residents who had a recommendation from the governor with promise of title.

196-7. Draft of letter from Bishop Porteus to governors of West Indies, Fulham, May 21, 1797. Enclosing instructions concerning the papers to be presented by candidates for orders.

198-201. Memorandum of a conversation with Pierce Saunders, signed 'J. H.', May 1816. Commissioned by King Henry (Christophe) of Haiti to make any arrangements that will promote the civilization of the country and particularly to promote a religion based on the 'natural religion of his country'. For that purpose, he desires Anglican orders.

202-3. Bishop Howley to --- ('my dear Lord'), London, June 11, 1818. Strictly speaking the Bishop of London has no foreign jurisdiction, since he has no power to enforce his decisions in any colony, but traditionally whatever jurisdiction is not conferred on someone else is supposed to rest with him. No other bishop should ordain clergy for the colonies. Letter relates specifically to the question of ordaining a curate for Honduras.

204-6. Lord Kenyon to ---, Feb. 27, 1824. As a bishop is about to be appointed for the West Indies, Kenyon urges that persons ordained by him should be restricted to officiating within his jurisdiction.

207. Undated note containing names of some West Indian islands and a few clergy.

208-9. Partial list of clergy in the West Indies, probably about 1795.

210. Undated list of agents representing West Indian colonies in London.

211. A more complete list, probably of about the same date, as several names coincide.

212. --- Hunt to Bishop ---, South Dudley St., June 20, ---. Refers to pending legislation relating to St. George's parish somewhere. Back of sheet contains a list of islands in the West Indies with a few personal names, probably of agents.