CO885-(10-11) — Page 109

8834.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O. 885

Reference :-

10

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

No. 83.

(JAMAICA, BAHAMAS, &c.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Doctors' Commons, September 28, 1861. MY LORD DUKE,

We were honoured with your Grace's commands, signified in Sir Frederic Rogers' letter of the 3rd July last, stating that he was directed by your Grace to inform us that, in pursuance of the Statute 5 Vict. cap. 4., it was Her Majesty's intention to establish two bishoprics in substitution for the existing bishopric of Jamaica, which was established in pursuance of the Statute 6 Geo. 4. cap. 88.

That he was further directed to transmit to us the accompanying copy of the Letters Patent under the Great Seal, by which the existing bishopric was founded, and those of the present bishop.

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That it was proposed that the two new bishoprics should be respectively called "the bishopric of Jamaica" and "the bishopric of Bahamas,"

That it was also proposed that the Right Reverend Aubrey George Spencer, D.D., now Bishop. of Jamaios, should still retain that bishoprio after the severance of the portion of it which embraces the Bahama Islands, the Right Reverend Reginald Courtenay, D.D., retaining also his office of the Bishop of Kingston within the bishopric of Jamaica, and acting as coadjutor to the present Bishop of Jamaica, with succession to that bishopric. The Venerable Archdeacon Caulfeild, the present Arch- deacon of Bahamas, would be appointed first Bishop of Bahamas.

That the present salary of the Archdeacon of Bahamas was to be, transferred to the bishopric in pursuance of the power vested in Her Majesty by the 2nd section of 5th Victoria, sess. 2. c. 4. That it was not impossible that it might be determined hereafter to attach some other islands to the Bishopric of Bahainas, and it might be convenient to insert in the present Letters Patent any provisions which might appear to us calculated to facilitate this object.

Sir Frederic Rogers was pleased to enclose for our information a copy of the Letters Patent appointing Dr. Courtenay Bishop of Kingston, and a copy of the instrument creating the Archdeaconry of the Bahamas.

That the Bishopric of Bahamas would comprise the Bahama Islands with their dependencies.

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And requesting that we would prepare and transmit to your Grace drafts of Letters Patent to pass the Great Seal for carrying these intentions into effect, and for the purpose of reference Sir Frederic Rogers was pleased to enclose a copy of the Letters Patent which were passed under similar authority for separating British Guiana from the see of Barbados, and for creating it into a new bishopric.

And also requested that we would prepare such instrument or instruments of resigna- tion, to be executed by the present Bishop of Jamaica or by him and the present Bishop of Kingston, as we might consider necessary on the subdivision of the present bishopric. And added that the Bishop of Jamaica and the present Archdeacon of Bahamas were now in this country, and would no doubt readily offer us any information which it might be in their power to offer for our assistance in preparing the drafts of the proposed Letters Patent.

In obedience to your Grace's commands we have carefully considered the accom- panying papers, and have the honour to

Report

That the Queen's Advocate has had two interviews with the Bishop (designate) of Nassau on the subject of the erection of the proposed new diocese.

We have prepared and herewith transmit—(1st) draft instrument of resignation of his see to be executed by the Bishop of Jamaica, and accepted and registered by his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury previously to the issuing of the Letters Patem recting the new see of Nassau.

(2nd.) Draft Letters Patent, founding the new see of Nassau (comprising the Bahamas, Turks, and Caicos Islands), appointing Archdeacon Caulfeild the first bishop, transferring to him and his successors the present salary of the Archdeacon of the

16278.-18. 25.-2/66.