LETTRE DU MAIRE DE CANTERBURY

«Rigbt Honorable.

Understanding that bis Ma''« hath bin graciously pleased to lake that par of C Wallons, who with their Minister deserting the presbyterian, and complying with the Episcopal way , bave embraced the Liturgy ofthe English Church, into bis especiall favo'", 1 cannot but be easily persuaded to take patterne by bis Ma^'e and contribute and cast in the mile of my assistance and benevolence towards that party. As an évidence whereof, understanding the many machinations and counter workings of the opposite party, I thougbt it proper for me to give yo"" Hono»" timely information of what in that kinde^ by the testimony of many grave and sober persons backed by the loud and shrill report of Common famé, that disaffected party stand accused of before me. — As (first) that they are much and generally given to vilify and in a highmeasure to disparage both the person and parts of M'' Jamion, the conforming parties well deserving Minister. Secondly, that they charge the whole Congrégation, as (by their conforming to the English Church) guilty of yealding to the bringing in of superstition into their Church. Tliirdly, that they threaten and vauntingly give out, that in dispight of ail opposilioUj they and their Minister, Mi" Le Keux, shall enjoy their discipline, and he continue bis preaching in Canterbury. Towards the effecting whereof, they bave of their owne authority and without any leave or licence so mucli as craved fiom me, as not worthy of their owningin my place, made many attempts

for obtaining one or other of oiir Citty parish Gluirches to assemble in. And to shew their malice againstsuch of their Nation as will nol partake w"' them againstM''Jannon, they vvreke itupon ail the poor Journey-men of his party, whom they therefore cashier out of their employement. Thèse (Right Hono''''=) and the like are the practices whereof Ihat nonconformiug party stands accused. And my selfe having bin long conversant with their persons, am not ignorant of their fierce and refractary tempers in this particular: w'='' inducing me to a beleife of their guilt, I cannot thinke my duty either to his Ma'y as his Lieutenant, or to the Church of England as her sonae, discharged, unlesse I appeare in the behalfe of that well affecled party unto both^ against thèse who labour to foment in that Nation, what (by sad expérience) hath almost been the bane and ruine of this, schisme and faction. I listnot to be invective but now that I bave don my duty to his Ma'y and this Church in detecting thèse whose disaffeclion to the latter make me apt to suspect their fidelity to the former^ I submitt ail to yo^" Hono's knowne prudence and vv'ii my prayers for his Ma^y^^ prosperity, crave yo^" Honc^ favourable construction of this boldnesse from

(Right Honobie) Yo>" very humble servant

George Milles Maior, Gant. 21 Octob. 1661.»

(State papers Domestic Charles IL Vol. XLII, n" 92).