THE TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 379 



ment, appear more evident from those disorders which other principles have led 

 the people into. This is particularly remarked and publicly mentioned by the 

 more candid and reasonable people, who seem heartily tired with the great clam- 

 ours for liberty, &c, as it appears evident yt unbounded licentiousness in manners 

 and insecurity to private property, must be the unavoidable consequence of some 

 late measures, should they become prevalent. I hope the time is not far off when 

 these matters will be settled upon a firm and permanent foundation ; but, how- 

 ever, yt may be, I am confident the behaviour of the Church people, considered 

 as a body, has been such as has done her honour, and will be remembered many 

 years in this country with approbation."* 



Nine months after the date of this communication, we find him again 

 addressing the Secretary as follows : — 



MR. SEABURY TO THE SECRETARY. 



[Extract.] 



Westchester, January 3d, 1771. 

 Rev. Sir: — "The state of this mission being much the same as when I last 

 wrote, makes it unnecessary for me to say much on yt head. In general, I must 

 observe, yt though I think appearances are something mended since I have been 

 in this mission, yet my success has not been equal to my first expectations. 1 

 find it very difficult to convince people yt religion is a matter of any importance. 

 They seem to treat it as a thing unworthy of their attention, except on some par- 

 ticular occasions, when they are otherwise disengaged. Many come frequently 

 to church and yet continue uubaptized, others come constantly and appear to be- 

 have devoutly, and yet cannot be prevailed upon to become communicants ; while 

 many others pay not the least regard to religion of any kind nor on any occasion. 

 I shall, however, endeavor to do my duty ; and I hope, by God's blessing, in due 

 time, I shall see some good fruit from my labours." 6 



During the year 1774, he had baptized forty-nine, and admitted three 

 new communicants. 



In April, 1775, he signed the protest at White Plains, in which he and 

 others declared their " honest abhorrence of all unlawful Congresses and 

 Committees," and determination, "at the hazard of our lives and pro- 

 perties, to support the King and Constitution ; and that we acknowledge 

 no Representatives but the General Assembly, to whose wisdom and in- 

 tegrity we submit the guardianship of our rights, liberties and privileges." 



The following letter shows that some of the clergy had found it pru- 

 dent to withdraw from the surrounding troubles and seek refuge in 

 England : — 



a New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. p. 503.— (Hawks.) 

 b New York MSS., from archives at Fulham, vol. ii. 542.— (Hawks.) 

 c Printed abstracts of the Yen. Society, 



