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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the Privy Council of England Committee for Trade and Foreign Plantations [Extracts]
England. Privy Council. Committee for Trade and Plantations
July 17, 1677
Volume 01, Pages 233-234

[B. P. R. O. Colonial Entry Bk. No. 105. P. 81.]
AT THE COMMITTEE FOR TRADE & PLANTATIONS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT WHITEHALL TUESDAY THE 17th OF JULY 1677
Present
Lord Privy Seale.
Duke of Ormond.
Earle of Craven
Earle of Bath
Ld Bp of London.
Mr Vice Chamberlane
Mr Secry Coventry
Mr Secry Williamson
Mr Chanr of ye Excheqr
Mr Speaker.
* * * *

My Lord Bishop of London presented to the Committee a Memorial of abuses crept into the Churches of the Plantations containing nine articles which are all read as follows.

1. That the Governors Keep Parishes vacant and commission persons to officiate without orders.

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Whereupon it is ordered that this abuse be represented to the several Governors of such Plantations as are under his Maties immediate jurisdiction for redress.

2. That the profits of vacant Parishes are converted by the People to their own use.

This to be redressed by the Governors

3. That Ministers are hired for time

To be likewise remedied

4. That the Ministers are ill paid.

The Governors in this particular to observe the laws of England.

5. That in Mariland and other places there is no settled maintenance for Ministers at all.

Upon which head my Lord Baltimore is called in and being acquainted with this particular a copie is to be delivered his Lop of this Article that hee may propose a measure for the support of a convenient number of Ministers against Thursday next.

And it is further agreed that this defect ought to bee supplied in all the plantations remaining under propriety and that letters bee written accordingly.

6. That in Virginia there are noe places allotted to bury the dead &c.

Which is to be signified to the Govr for redress.

7. That the Vestry exercise a power over the Ministry.

Hereupon their Lordships will consider at their next Meeting the Law of Jamaica which concerns the Vestry in reference to the Ministry.

8. That in Virginia the laws are not duly executed prohibiting Marriages to be solemnized without lawful Ministers and persons to exercise the Ministry without proofe that they are in orders.

These Laws are to bee observed in every place.

9. That noe care is taken for the passage of new Ministers.

Whereupon it is thought fit that the Govrs doe provide for the expense of transporting Ministers and other charges out of the profits arising by the vacancies.