LIEUT. GOV. I.EISI.ER. 66

February An Dom 1688 & Your Petitioners Acknowledge that he himself was also of the same opinion, and that he in private company with several of them has declared himself in that manner in which if your Petitioner has done amiss he humbly craves your honours pardon for; but that your Petitioner was cal'd to be a Member of their Court or made privy to the affairs of the Court or County more than he might hear was publick to others Private Persons, or was ever present in any of their Courts of Meetings (as your Petitioner is accused withall) is altogether a false aspersion, except only that Your Petitioner with M"" Stephanus Van Cortland were only sent for to enquire what they both would be willing to contribute or lend to the said County for the raising of some forces in defence of the said County, against any attempt of an enemy from Canada in which your petitioner expressed his Willingness and was thereupon without any further dismist & as your Petitioner was retired for Albany with no other in trust but as before express'd to which he calls god to witness, and would have also stayed there untill the arival of a Governor or some orders from our gracious Sovereigns -- in answer to the Letters which your Petitioner in Conjunction with the Lieut. Governor Nicholson & the Council had wrote to his Lordship Charles Earl of Shrewsberry, principal Secretary of State, & to the Honorable William Blathwait Esqr Secretary of the Plantations sent by the ship beaver, & with the said Lieut. Governor, with duplicates by some of the other Ships about the beginningof June last past, but the mortal Sickness of your Petitioner's son & other pressing occurrences necessitated Yom' Petitioners return to New York the place of his abode & finding that at Your Petitioner's Landing a strick Search was made for his person for what reason, he knows not but was afraid that some hurt might befall him, he therefore ever since, absconded himself untill the arrival of their Maj'^'es Messinger M^" Jn° Riggs when your Petitioner gave Notice to M"" Frederick Phillips of his being in town whereupon the said Mr.