1783] R^V. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 99 



Thomas Gates, Rector of St. Ann's, Annapolis. 



John Andrews, Rector of St. Thomas's Parish, Balti-) 



more County 

 Hamilton Bell, Rector of Stephney Parish, Somerset 



Signed 



County. ' ' M"ne23d, 



Francis Walker, Rector of Shrewsbury Parish, Kent 

 County. 



17S4. 



The foregoing declaration of rights being made and subscribed, 

 a copy of the same was presented to his Excellency the Governor, 

 with the following address, prepared, undoubtedly, like most or all 

 of the other documents in the case, by Dr. Smith : 



To HIS Excellency William Paca, Esq., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, 

 &c., &c., OF THE State of Maryland. 



We the Protestant Episcopal Clergy of the said State, at a Meeting 

 or Convention held at AnnapoHs this 13th August, 17S3 (in pursuance 

 of a Vote of the House of Delegates passed at their last Session), in order 

 to consider, make known and declare those fundamental Christian 

 Rights, to which we conceive ourselves entitled, in common with other 

 Christian Churches ; Do hereby, in the first Place, return your Excel- 

 lency our most sincere and hearty Thanks for your great Concern and 

 Attention manifested for the Christian Church in general and her 

 suffering Clergy of all Denominations. We trust and pray that your 

 Excellency will continue your powerful Intercession till some Law is 

 passed for their future Support and Encouragement, agreeably to the 

 Constitution. 



We herewith lay before your Excellency an authentic Copy of a 

 Declaration of certain Rights, to which, according to our best knowl- 

 edge of the Laws and Constitution of our Country, we think ourselves 

 entitled, in common with other Churches. Should your Excellency, 

 from your superior knowledge of both, think that the Declaration we 

 have made stands in need of any further Sanction, Legislative or other- 

 wise, we are well persuaded that a Continuance of the same Zeal and 

 Regard which you have formerly shown, will at Length produce the 

 happy Effect which you so anxiously desire. 



Praying for a continued Encrease of your Excellency's public Use- 

 fulness, and that you meet the reward thereof in the World to come, 



We are, &c. 



[Signed by all the Members, as the above Declaration of Rights was 

 signed.] 



To this Governor Paca was pleased to return the following 

 answer, viz.: 



