Maj^ys King William & Queen Mary of New York

Dependences in America and to his honerable Council].

The humble petition of Gerrardus Beakman Sheweth

That yo'' petitioner and prisoner, being by the people of Kings Countie on Long Island Cosen to bee their representitiues in A Comitie of safetie, which he with Abundance of Intreatie and persuasion, absolutely supposeing that itt was for their Ma^y' Interest and safetie of the Land acted to the best of his know-

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ledge, without any self end or treacherous reservation -, And the reason of his raiseing forces to bring into the fort was to noe crther intent, but as he was bound by oath and allegance to keepe the same for their Mja'ys King William and Queen Mary till their full and absolute power Came to demand the same ; not as itt hath through the Malice of A Colerick man happened to vse hostilitie ag* their Majty^ good subjects, for his sole intent in Coming last into the fort was to persuade Lyslar from such base and inhuman actions being soe much Contrary to what he the said Lyslar alwayes pretended to him yoi^ petitioner soe that he hopes you will be please rightly to apprehend his true intent in the matter and pardon what for want of knowledge he hath Conimitted, w^ho promised fidelitie and allegence to their Msj'y^ and all their Lawfull substitutes ; further yo*" petitioner haveing sevcrall patients on Long Island very dangerous -- prayes for libertie to visitt them vpon good and sufficient baile, and as in Duty bound will dayly pray.