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poersened in refusing without instructions from Ma's Govt. Lain to proclain public fast.
I. Mis Govt have no desire that the Ecclesiastical Authorities of the Protestant Church, or any other Religious persuasion, should be debarred from inviting their respective Congregations to attendance at Church, or other Religious observances on such days as they may think proper; and Departments and Judge in so far it may naturally add on special occasions to give some countenance to the Officers employed under them.
Leave ought to be given to the Authorities joining in such Religious Exercises on peculiar Events may properly call for them.
But it must remain intirely optional with the Congregation to attend or not as they may choose; and it should be understood by all persons in the public service that the Proclamation is not intended to interfere with their discretion in this respect.
As to the Fast, which is a matter wholly different, the permission to absent themselves from attendance on such occasions is an act which by law is reserved to the Govt. of the Church.
It is a Right within the ordinary duty of the Govt. to issue such instructions as they may think proper to their Officials, and it is not competent to the Members of the Govt. to claim exemption from their Official superiors.
The Govt. of England cannot rest their claim on any Authority except that of the Govt. of the Colony, and no greater concurrence with the Heads of departments can properly be exercised in Council than their discretion.