228 THE FRENCH BLOOD IN AMEEICA 



absorption of the French Church in New Eochelle by the 

 Episcopalians. Gradually the influences were working 

 in this direction, and in 1804 the Episcopal liturgy was 

 adopted in New York as the only means of siiving the 

 church. Among the names of the pew owners at that 

 time are Jacob Schieifelin, John R. Livingston, C. Low, 

 John Pintard, Gulian Verplauck, all names thoroughly 

 identified with the growth of the city, and some of them 

 still prominent, as that of Low, the family from which 

 came the reform Mayor of New York, Honourable Seth 

 Lowe, formerly president of Columbia University. But 

 the most eminent name on the roll was that of Jay, which 

 ranks high in American history. 



During Mr. Ron's pastorate also, a great excitement 

 was occasioned by a party question. The merits of the 

 case, according to Waldron, were as follows : Stephen 

 De Lancey, a wealthy merchant, and among the chief 

 patrons of the church, was dissatisfied with Mr. Ron, and 

 procm-ed his dismissal for his want of zeal, and some in- 

 novations which he had introduced to the church dis- 

 Question of cipliuc. The dcposcd minister appealed from the decision 



Citizenship ^ ^ ^ ^ 



of the congregation to Governor Burnet and his council, 

 who sustained the appellant. Both parties published in- 

 dignant memorials on a dispute which had proceeded so 

 far that, when De Lancey was elected to the Legislative 

 Assembly, the governor refused to administer to him the 

 oath of of&ce, alleging that he was not a British subject. 

 De Lancey contended that he had left France previous to 

 the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and had received 

 deuizenship, under the great seal of Great Britain, from 

 James the Second, previous to his abdication. De Lancey 

 was proved to be right, and the Assembly sustained his 

 claims against the governor. Mr. Rou's assistant, the 

 Rev. Mr. Moulinard, took part against his superior. The 

 consistory stated that they had paid Mr. Ron in full of 

 all demands, and could dismiss him when they pleased. 

 Still, the council decided in Mr, Rou's favour, and directed 



