This Work does not claim to be in any sense original: the only difference between it and others On the same subject, is its ar rangement, and perhaps its treatment. In investigating the Roman Claim, it appeared to me that it would be more satis factory to treat it as a strictly legal question, to be decided after perusing the evidence. The Church is a corporation, governed and administered according to the terms of its Charter, and in order that we may ascertain what these terms are, we must ex amine carefully the Patent of incorporation, and all the numerous documents that serve to throw light On the subject in question. Instead, therefore, Of writing a Treatise, I have preferred to adopt this method — that is, to prepare a case for consideration, and then to form a judgment upon the evidence adduced.