The humble Petition of John Manning Sheweth in all humble manner Thaty^r Pef is the most deplorable of all men ify'Hon' out of your abundant goodness pleaseth not to take his Misserable State into yi" Pious consideracon hopeing and prayeing that all the paipers may be received and have a favorable Construction which shewes in what condicon the ffort was in, the weekness of or Strength, the apprehension of Enemies in o"" Bowells, the potent Enemy without us, yo"" Honor's Peticoner being wholy left without aduice or Councill and haueing but eighteen howers before the Enemy came to attack us beside the great discom-agement and dismaying Capt Carr gaue to our Men when he came from aboard the shipps he saying how greate tlieir strength was & that we was notable to withstand them, and his not Returncing when he went to make Condicons All which sudaine surprisall occasioned strange amaisem^^ disorders and Confusion Amongust the Men as to oui- Insufficiency for defence upon serious examinacon I highly blame myself for first my unaduisedness

RESTORATION OF NEW- YORK TO THE ENGLISH. 83

and indiscrecon in takeing the charge of tlie Garrison at Gouernor Loiielace his goeing away & allso that I did not see the Articles gigned before the surrend^ w<^'' I doe to -my Greef Acknowledge tlumigli ye suddaine Hurry of state. Yo'^Hon" Petrhadnot those Consideracons in his minde as was meete for his owne Wellfare and the Wellfare of his neighbours and friends.

Therefore doeth humbly craue yo"^ Hone's fauorable oppinion in this State of his their being nothing intended of disloyalty or unfeithfullness to his Ma^'c or his Roy all Highnesses Intrest nor detrim* to the Inliabitants heare soe leauing myself to yo^ Hon^s Mercy and Clemancy.