That question, stated in its simple form, was, whether the will of the patron or the will of the communicants should prevail, in making the Presentee the pastor of the parish; and whether the members of a Presbytery were liable to damages to the patron for rejecting his Presentee on the veto of the people.
"Sketches of Reforms and Reformers, of Great Britain and Ireland"
Henry B. Stanton
Patrons are described as the 'trustees of the supreme magistrate, beautifully and devoutly appointed to submit the Presentee to the presbytery.
"Leading Articles on Various Subjects"
Hugh Miller