238 THE FRENCH BLOOD IN AMERICA 



The French 

 in Citizenship 



tongue — has precluded them from making the election of two or three 

 according to your order, they c;innot pitch upon any except Mr. 

 Strang, saving your approbation which, if you will have the goodness 

 to accord them, you will oblige them infinitely. Mr. Pinton has also 

 delivered me, this day, an order to be communicated to the sd (said) 

 inhabitants relative to the election and nomination of Assessors, Col- 

 lectors, and Commissaries, for levying, imposing, and receiving taxes 

 for his Majesty's service. The time is very short, since it is the 

 twenty-seventh inst., they must be at Westchester; but they look for 

 some forbearance and delay from your goodness in case, notwithstand- 

 ing their diligence, they may not be able punctually to answer. It is 

 not through any unwillingness to exert themselves to meet it, but j'ou 

 know their strength as well as I. Notwithstanding, despite their 

 poverty and misery, they will never lack in submission to the orders 

 on behalf of his Majesty, both for the public good and interest. This 

 they protested to me, and I pray you to be persuaded thereof. I am 

 with respect, and I pray God for your prosperity, sir, 



Your very humble and very obedient servant, 



D. BONEEPOS, 



Pastor of this French Colony. 

 N. Bochelle, 29 Octoh., 1G90. 



School 



Master's 



License 



The period of Dr. David Bonropos' pastorate in New 

 Rochelle was a short one, for iu 1694 Lie went to the 

 church at Stateu Island. In 1695 the Rev. John Miller, 

 describing the province of New York, says, "There is a 

 meeting house at Richmond (Staten Island) of which Dr. 

 Bonrepos is jjastor." This charge he retained until his 

 death in 1734. 



His brother, Elias Bonrepos, lived in New Rochelle, 

 and like the pastor was a man of learning and attain- 

 ments. In 1705 he was licensed to keep school, as the 

 following shows : 



Edward Visco't Cornbury, Capt. -General and Governor-in-Chief of 

 ye provinces of New York, New Jersies and Terr'es depending thereon 

 in America and vice-admiral of ye same, &c. To Elias Bon Repose 

 greeting you are hereby impowered and lycen'd to keep school within 

 ye town of New Rochelle in ye county of Westchester and carefully 

 and diligently to instruct ye children under yo' care and tuition in ye 

 art of reading and writing during ray pleasure, given under my hand 



