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From The Church of England Archives C/CAN/NFL3 425: Dated 22 Dec 1795: Re Mr. Smith Bona Vista Newfoundland 1795 To his grace the archbishop of Canterbury. May it please your grace. About two years ago a Merchant at Harbour Grace in Newfoundland, wrote to one of his Friends at Poole, expressing the desire of himself and others, that a Missionary might be sent to them, who could read prayers, preach and bury the dead, as they were in the greatest distress in these respects, and had made application to the higher powers without success. Some of the Merchants of Poole, who were will acquainted with Mr. George Smith, the Bearer of this letter, who was then at Poole, earnestly desired him to go over to Newfoundland on this merciful earrand. He accordingly complied; and has officiated at Harbour Grace and Carbonear, with very great profit to the people. During his residence in those parts, Mr. Thistle, the chief Churchwarden at Harbour Grace, opened the Church to him, there being no regular clergyman of the Established Church in those parts: and he continued to officiate there, almost till the arrival of Mr. Jennet? [TC Note- This was Rev. George Charles Jenner, [nephew of Dr. Jenner], the Missionary lately appointed by your Grace and the other Honourable Members of the Society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts. Some time before the arrrival of Mr. Jennet in Harbour Grace, Mr. Smith made a visit to Bonavista, one of the most northern points of the Island, opposite the Coast of Labrador; [TC Note- Welch was not well acquainted with Newfoundland - Bonavista isn't anywhere near Labrador] where the Inhabitants have been destitute of a Clergyman or any kind of Minister for about thirty years; and too many of them are little better than heathens. The people received Mr. Smith with the utmost cordiality, and have drawn up a petition to your Grace, which has been signed by the Justice of the Peace and all the Principal Inhabitants, earnestly entreating your Grace to ordain Mr. Smith, and to appoint him, or get him appointed, their Minister and the Missionary for that place and neighbourhood: and Mr. Smith is willing to devote himself to that work in that most disagreeable and desolate part of Newfoundland. When I was last winter at Poole, I received very pleasing accounts of the success of Mr. Smith's labours, from Mr. Kemp, my nephew, who is the principal merchant in Conception Bay; and have also had letters from Poole, since the arrival of Mr. Smith in England, earnestly importuning me to do every thing in my power, to give success to Mr. Smith's design, and to the earnest wishes of the People of Bonavista. Permit me, therefore, my Lord, to reccommend Mr. Smith to your Grace's notice; as I really believe, that your ordination of him and appointment of him as the Missionary of Bonavista, will tend exceedingly to the reformation and happinesss of those poor People, who live in one of the most dreary regions in the British Empire. Permit me to subscribe myself with very great respect My Lord Your Grace's Very humble and obedient servant George Welch London 22 Dec 1795.
Church of England Archives C/CAN/NFL3 426 Bonavista 1796 To The Reverend Dr. Morrice Gower Street Lambeth House Feb 5, 1796 Mr. Smith having been with the Archbishop & by him informed of a counter petitions against his request to be sent as a Missionary to Bonavista, has expressed a wish to see these petitions which the Archbishop therefore would have Dr. Morrice show him. The Archbishop has also told Mr. Smith that he can't ordain him, and that he could not therefore propose him as a Misssionary, even if there had not been any counter petition before the Society. J. Cantnan.
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