They were, no doubt, aided in their escape from France by the English vessels that lay for some time off the Island of Rhe, opposite La Rochelle, in which they were conveyed to England. Tradition says, that they were subsequently transported to this place in one of the King's ships, and landed on Davenport's Neck, at a place afterwards called Bauffet's or Bonnefoy's Point. Soon after their arrival we find them thus addressing Governor Fletcher :

a Town Rec. 20.

b So styled in the Town Records. e Town Rec. p. 10.

d The epithet Ilupiienot (which has been a subject of much discussion) is traced to the word Eiguot, derived from the German Eide-genossen-- federati or allied.-- Mr. G. P. Disosway.

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

PETITION FROM NEW ItOCHELLE.

"To His Excellency Col. Benjamin Fletcher, Governor in Chief, and Captain General of ye Province of New- York, and dependencies, &c. The humble petition of ye inhabitants of New Rochelle,

Humbly Suewbth,

That your petitioners having been forced by the late persecutions in France to forsake their country and estates, and flye to ye Protestant Princes. Their Majesty es by their proclamation of ye 25th of Aprill, 1 689, did grant them an azile in all their dominions, with their Royall protection ; wherefore they were invited to come and buy lands in this province, to the end that they might by their labour help the neccssityes of their familyes, and did spend therein all their smale store, with the help of their friends, whereof they did borrow great sums of money. They are above twenty (MS. torn) poor and needy, not able .... ties and clothing, much .... they did hitherto beare above their .... thereby reduced to a lamentable condition, as having been compelled to sell for that purpose the things which are most necessary for their use.