CHAPTER XXIL

THE   RECTORSHIP  OF  DR.  AUCHMUTY,   CONTINUED.

The Revolutionary War Begins—Anneke Jans's Heirs Troublesome—Gov. Tryon and
Genl. Washington in New York—Assault on Dr. Cooper—Rev. Benjamin Moore in
Temporary Charge of theCollege—Mr. Andrew Barclay—Capt. Michael Cresap—New
York Occupied by the American Forces—Rev. Charles Inglis in Charge—Sufferings of
the Royalist Clergy—Affair in St. Paul's Chapel—Ebenezer Hazard's Account of it—
Churches Closed—Inglis Withdraws to Flushing, L. I.—Battle of Long Island—Royal
Forces Occupy New York—Great Fire—Destruction of Trinity Church—Narrow Es¬
cape of St. Paul's Chapel—O'Beirne's Sermon in St. Paul's—Return of Dr. Auchmuty—
Desecration of Churches in New York—Convention of Clergy in New York—Death of
Dr. Auchmuty.

THE Records of the parish at the opening of the year
1775 present very little of interest. The distracted
condition of the times prevented the bestowal of much at¬
tention on purely ecclesiastical matters. The vast issues of
the Revolution were now before the people, who began to
see what was close at hand. The winter passed, however,
before hostilities were actually begun. The fight at Con¬
cord was followed by the capture of Ticonderoga, May loth,
and on June 17th the colonies were aroused by the battle of
Bunker Hill. In the absence of Tryon, affairs were largely
under the control of the New York Provincial Congress.
In the midst of all these distractions the Corporation of
Trinity Church were compelled to look well to their
interests, as the resources were fast failing. It was found
at a regular meeting of the Board, May gth, that there was
a large deficit, a balance of more than two hundred pounds
being due to the Warden, Mr. Desbrosses. It was ordered
to pay Mr. Inglis one hundred pounds on his bond. This,
366