A Statement of Facts, in a Correspondence Between the Bishop of Bristol, the Archdeacon of Dorset [W. England] and the Rector of Wyke-Regis [Ed. by the Last, G. Chamberlaine]. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1821 Excerpt: ... ance of this desirable object, and, to congratulate the Church of England upon possessing a Minister, blessed at once with the ability and disposition to contribute so liberally towards the promotion of its best interests. Believe me, Reverend Sir, Your affectionate Brother, J. BRISTOL. Soon after, I was surprised to receive a Second Letter from the Bishop, in which his Lordship expresses his regret at being obliged to address me in a very different manner from what he had done a few days before, as he had received a letter from Dr. England, inclosing a Statement from Friend, charging me with having assaulted him in the Church, and struck him in the breast, while in the execution of his duty. Astounded at this revival of a Charge, which I conceived had been three months before so fully refuted, I determined immediately to prosecute the Churchwarden for defamation; and the Archdeacon's Letters, together with Mr. George Dansey's Certificate, were laid before Mr. Chitty, and his opinion desired, whether I could support an action on the case, or any other prosecution, against this Churchwarden, for the false accusation made by him to the Archdeacon. Mr. Chitty's Opinion. J. AM of opinion, that if, as the Archdeacon has represented, Mr. Friend asserted to the Archdeacon, or any other person, that Mr. Chamberlaine struck him in the Church, an Action may be supported against him by Mr. Chamberlaine for such slander; because it is enacted by the 5th and 6th Edward the 6th, c. 4, that " if a "Clerk shall, by words only, quarrel, chide, or "brawl, in any Church, he shall be suspended "from the ministration of his office. And if any person strike, Or lay violent hands upon "another in a Church or Churchyard, he shall "be ipso facto excommunicated;" and, consequently, ...