230 THE FRENCH BLOOD IN AMERICA 



members knew well the meaning of a helping hand in 

 time of need. 



IV 



PTovi7 "^^^^ harmony of the French colony was much distm-bed 



by reports, carefully circulated, that they were inviting 

 an invasion of New York by their comj)atriots in Can- 

 ada. In order to avoid the odium which must neces- 

 sarily arise from this scandal, they called a meeting and 

 framed the following address : 



?b His Excellency Lord Cornhury, Governor of New York : 



We, the undersigned, pray your Excellency to inquire into the re- 

 port that we were inviting our countrymen to invade this province ; 

 the report has been spread throughout the whole State, and proves 

 pernicious to all the French Refugees in general, and disturbs their 

 peace and quiet, as it obstructs that affection and familiarity which 

 they had formerly enjoyed with the other inhabitants of this province, 

 to their grief and resentment. We pray your Excellency to instruct 

 your printer to publish the result, for the pleasure and vindication of 

 our reputation in this respect. And your Petitioners, as in all duty 

 bound, will ever pray- 



The Huguenots also had some connection with Trinity 

 parish, through one of their ministers. In 1685, the Rev. 

 Mr. Neau, with his wife and daughter, left France for 

 America, accompanied by other Huguenots. The Rev. 

 Mr. Vesey, the iirst rector of Trinity Church, appointed 

 Mr. Neau his catechist, which office he filled for several 

 years, and he might be considered the founder of Trinity 

 School — an institution distinguished amoug the noble 

 charities of the city. This excellent man closed his prof- 

 itable life in 1722, and was buried near the northern 

 porch of old Trinity, where he had long worshipped and 

 served. A granddaughter of his married the brave Cap- 

 tain Oliver H. Perry, who was ever ready to defend his 

 country ; and their only daugliter, Pilizabcth Mason 

 Perry, married the Rev. Francis Vinton, D. D., long 

 time rector of Trinity. 



