240 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE \}7^^ 



State of Maryland, Chester Parish, Kent County, 

 In Vestry, 19th of October, 1786. 

 To Whom it may Concern: 



W/iercas, the Rev. William Smith, D. D., rector or minister of this 

 Parish, and Principal of Washington College, in the same, hath com- 

 municated to us an instrument of writing certifying his nomination or 

 election to the office of Bishop by his brethren, the Protestant Episco- 

 pal clergy of this State, in Convention met, and due notice hath been 

 given of the same in our Parish Church, immediately after Divine Ser- 

 vice on the Lord's Day, to the intent that if any notable cause or im- 

 pediment, touching his sufficiency in learning, soundness in the faith 

 and purity of manners, could be shown why he should not be conse- 

 crated to that sacred office, the same might be made known to us. Now 

 we do think it our duty, in the most solemn manner, hereby to declare 

 and testify that no such cause or impediment hath been made known to 

 us: and further, that the said William Smith hath for six years last past 

 been personally and intimately known to us as the minister of this 

 parish, during which time he hath been regarded and distinguished 

 among us as an orthodox, learned and truly evangelical preacher, yield- 

 ing us both satisfaction and edification by his ministry, doctrine and 

 conversation. We further testify that during that period he hath also 

 acquitted himself with such zeal and abilities in the general service of 

 the Church, and in laying permanent foundations for the advancement 

 and support of religion and learning in this State, that we consider him 

 as a benefactor to our country and worthy of its regard and esteem. 



John Scott, 



R. Buchanan, 



Jere. Nichols, 



St. Leger Everitt, ^ Vestry. 



Simon Wilmer, 



Jno. Tilden Kennard, 



Marmaduke Tilden. 



John Sturges, Church-Warden. 



The Convention then adjourned to meet at Chestertown, on the 

 fourth Tuesday in May, 1787. 



