t, as the Incumbent would have had nothing
farther to do with the Chapel, or the income of it, but barely to
nominate the Curate, who from thence forward would have been independent
of him: However he thought the Scheme of erecting a new Parish to be much
preferable in itself, but was attended with more difficulties; and
therefore gave up his own Scheme with pleasure, if the Parties concerned
would join their Endeavours to Execute the other.

Upon this occasion He not only permitted, but _ordered_ me to say to all
Persons, and in all Companies, that he had allotted a Benefaction of 400
pounds for that Use. And when some of the principal Parishioners had
fixed upon the Boundaries of their new intended Parish, and had presented
a kind of Petition or Memorial to him, To have those limits specified in
the intended Act of Parliament, they used the following expressions.
"Whereas it hath been made known unto Us,--That your Lordship hath
proposed to endeavour to obtain an Act of Parliament for Dividing the
said Parish of St. Philip and Jacob, and for erecting and endowing a
Church for the said Parishioners,--And that _you have been pleased to
offer a large Subscription thereto_, We therefore with grateful Hearts
humbly take this opportunity of tendering you our hearty thanks for this
your pious and charitable Intention, and being very desirous that the
same may be executed, beg leave to assure your Lordship, that we will use
our best Endeavours for promoting the same, &c."

Which Petition or Memorial He ordered his Secretary to copy out on two
Pieces of Parchment. And then he, the Bishop, sent them to me to carry
them to the Parishioners to be signed; and directed me at the same time
to desire some of the parishioners to attend him at his Palace, which was
on a Sunday Evening; And in their and my Presence he wrote the following
words at the Bottom of one of the Petitions:

"I see no objection against the Division of the Parish above
mentioned, and hope the Gentlemen, whose Consent is necessary, will
agree to it, since the Inhabitants are the best judges, what is for
their own Convenience: and it is a matter of very little Concern to
any but them.--Jo. BRISTOL."

Likewise when the Fields, which lay contiguous to the intended Church,
were to be purchased, he went to see them, and then and there declared in
my hearing, and, as far as I can recollect, in the hearing of several
persons there present, viz. Messrs