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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from the Vestry of St. Paul's Parish, Chowan Precinct to Henry Compton
St. Paul's Parish (Chowan Precinct)
August 24, 1708
Volume 01, Pages 685-686

[From N. C. Letter Book. S. P. G.]
LETTER TO THE LORD BISHOP OF LONDON.

N. C. 24 Aug. 1708.

May it please Your Lordship,

We esteem it the peculiar and special Blessing of Heaven that we of this poor province are cast so happily under your Lordships patronage, protection and care, whose eminency in propagating religion and establishing of Church Government is conspicuous to all mankind that knows your Lordship, not only within your Lordships diocese but elsewhere and scarcely to be paralled.

We therefore (in behalf of that part of this province to which we belong) in a deep sense of our duty to God and gratitude to your Lordship do most gladly embrace this seasonable opportunity of making a due return of our humble and unfeigned thanks for the many favors your Lordship hath been pleased to confer upon us, but more particularly for your recommending us to the care of so good and worthy a man, whose prudent and pious example is well worthy our Imitation, suitable to and adorning his profession (a blessing in no place wanted more than in this) wherefore we conceive it our further duty to acquaint your Lordship that the Reverend Mr. Gordon is universally approved on by all in General amongst us, whose sweetness of disposition and spotless conversation is so highly engaged together with his most excellent and practical way of preaching, as hath prevailed even with the very enemies of the Church to be silent at his deserved applause. We therefore most heartily lament his leaving us so soon, but hope for his speedy return (of which we have obtained his promise and doubt not of his performance) assuring your Lordship that in the interim we will use our utmost endeavours to have all things relating to the Church in a better posture for his reception resolving to employ our utmost interest and zeale to further so good and excellent a work by our diligent zeal, wherein we hope for the blessing of Heaven and the continuance of your Lordships favours unto us who have already been pleased to make us so large partakers of your Lordships

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bounty. May the God of all Mercys discharge the great obligations we of this poor province lye under to your Lordship by multiplying the choicest of his Blessings to your Lordship in this life, in earnest of an everlasting happiness hereafter, is the most sincere and fervent prayers of

Your Lordships &c
JOHN ANDERSON Church Warden
THO. GARRET Church Warden
Wm DUNKENFIELD
EDWARD MOSELEY
THOMAS LUTON
NICHOLAS CRISP
EDWARD SMETHWICK
WILLIAM BENBURY
WILLIAM CHARLTON
THOMAS POLLOCK
JOHN BLOUNT
JAMES LONG