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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from William Tryon to Richard Terrick
Tryon, William, 1729-1788
March 20, 1769
Volume 08, Page 20

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[From Tryon's Letter Book.]
Letter from Governor Tryon to The Lord Bishop of London.

Brunswick 20th March 1769.

I had the honor of your Lordships letter bearing date the 21st of November 1767 delivered to me by the Reverend Mr Cramp the 21st of October last, I entertain a favorable opinion of the moral character of that gentleman; I am apprehensive he will not stay long in this province, his corpulency and gouty habit of body seem to discourage him from accepting of any parish. He has officiated at Brunswick since Mr Barnetts removal to Northampton County, for reasons set forth in my letter to Doct. Burton of this date, to which I beg leave to refer your Lordship. You will therein be acquainted of the difficulties the clergy labor under in some particular parishes.

As the Reverend Mr Wills is now in England I doubt not should he return to us, but he will obtain and bring out with him your Lordships licence. I shall be very cautious, my Lord, in presenting any clergyman who does not produce your testimonial; should any accident bring ministers here without such permission, I may probably make application on their behalf, should their conduct merit such recommendation though I discourage (whenever opportunity presents itself) the merchants sending to their correspondents for clergymen. I tell them I have the good offices of both your Lordship and the Society to encourage and recommend ministers who are properly qualified to come to this country.

Mr Casgreve is gone to the southern [province], I hope he never will return to us. He is a scandal and a disgrace to his order. It is reported that Mr Stephens has obtained ordination orders and is at present Chaplain to a Man of War. Is this the fruit of national importunity.

I take the liberty herewith to transmit to your Lordship a sermon of Mr Micklejohn, and a news paper containing a letter and address, from the Presbyterian ministers, all of which had most salutary effects on the complexion of the times. My speech to the Assembly inclosed will shew your Lordship how attentive I have been to carry his Majestys additional instructions into execution, relative to the clergy: The bill that passed the Legislature in consequence thereof a copy of which I have the honor to present to you, will testify the success