s
expressed that setting apart these lands was the most feasible way (as
Mr. Pitt said) of providing "for the permanent support of the Protestant
clergy," and of giving "them a competent income."[87]

In a letter to Dr. Moore, Archbishop of Canterbury, dated December,
1790, Col. J. Graves Simcoe said:--

I am decidedly of opinion that a regular Episcopal establishment
... is absolutely necessary in any extensive colony which England
means to preserve, etc. The neglect of this principle of
overturning republicanism in former periods, by giving support and
assistance to those causes which are perpetually offering
themselves to affect so necessary an object, is much to be
lamented; but it is my duty to be as solicitous as possible, that
they may now have their due influence, etc.

In a "Memoir" written by Governor Simcoe in 1791, he said:

In regard to the Episcopal establishment ... I firmly believe the
present to be a critical moment, in which that system, so
interwoven and connected with the monarchical foundation of our
government, may be productive of the most permanent and extensive
benefits, in preserving the connection between Great Britain and
her Colonies.

From various sources I gather the following particulars:--

From 1791 to 1819, the Clergy Reserves were in the hands of the
Government, and managed by it alone. For years they yielded
scarcely enough to defray the expenses of management. In 1817 the
House of Assembly objected to such an appropriation for the clergy,
as "beyond all precedent lavish," and complained that the
reservations were an obstacle to improvement and settlement. In
1819, lands were taxed for the construction of roads, and it was
contended that the reservations on the public roads should also be
taxed.

In 1819, the question was first mooted, as to the right of
Presbyterians to share in the reserves. In March, of that year,
thirty-seven Presbyterians of the town of Niagara, petitioned Sir
Peregrine Maitland, to grant to the Presbyterian congregation
there, the annual sum of L100 in aid, out of the clergy reserves,
or out of any other fund at the Governor's disposal. In
transmitting this petition to the Colonial Secretary for
instructions, Sir P. Maitland mentioned that "the actual product of
the clergy reserves is about L700