_To the Right Reverend Father in GOD, Edmund Lord Bishop of London_.
_On board the Savannah, bound from Charles-Town to Boston, September ――, 1740._ _My Lord_,
ALTHOUGH your Lordship has been pleased to caution the people against running into those extremes, to which your Lordship apprehended my doctrine would lead men; yet I am persuaded that will not any way influence your Lordship, as to the contents of this letter. The one single point which it contains, is this query, “Whether the commissary of _South-Carolina_ has power given him from your Lordship, to exercise any _judicial authority_ against me, or any other clergyman, who doth not belong to his province?” The reason of my putting this question, I suppose your Lordship will be apprized of, before this reaches your Lordship’s hands. I have been lately cited to appear in an ecclesiastical court, erected by the _Reverend_ Mr. _G――――_, for not reading the common prayer in the meeting-house, which I was obliged to preach in at _Charles-Town_, (unless I would be silent) because the commissary would not let me have the use of his church. I appeared, and have appealed, according to law, to four of his majesty’s commissioners for reviewing appeals, to know, whether the commissary ought not to have accepted a _Recusatio judicis_, which I lodged in court. This, I suppose, they will determine. I only desire your Lordship’s explicit opinion and determination, whether Mr. _G――――_, (supposing he hath power over his own clergy,) has authority to erect such a court to arraign me, who belong to the province of _Georgia_. The bearer hereof will give me your Lordship’s answer. In favouring me with which, your Lordship will oblige, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s obedient son and servant,