Tho: Dongan Sheriffs returne
By vertue of this writt I have in my custody the body of the within named Thomas Jeames
Henry Ffilkin Endorsed
1686 warr* & apprehecdding of Jeames.
PETITION or THE RE7. Mr. JAMES.
To the Right Honorable Thomas I>ungon Governom- and
Captaine Generall of all his Majesties Territories belonging
to the Province of New Yorke, Tlie Humble Petition of
mee To<.)mas James MiiiisU-r of Easthampton as followeth.
Whereas yo^" Excellencies Supplicajit was Informed that you
were offended with me, in Respect of sorr^o expressions of miuo
PAPERS RELATING TO SUFFOLK COUNTY. S59
in a Sermon preached Octob. 17. -- 86. I tliouglit my selfe bound in duety, & from the High Respects I haue of your Excellencies Dignity & vpon good Advice, voluntarily to make my Appearance before yor Excellency in New Yorke & haue waited yor pleasure to this Day in order to yor Excellencies satisfaction, & haue submitted my selfe to yo"^ Excellencies Censure, and knowing yo^ Excellencies Clemency am emboldened humbly to Craue yC Pardon, of what through any Error in my Apprehension I haue giuen occasion of offence to yo^ Excellency my Intentions being Riglit in whateuer proceeded from me att that tyme; and that yo^ Excellency be graciously pleased to remitt the Penalty imposed, k what fees may be exacted vpon me before the tyme of my being sumoned to appeare before you & y^ Hon^bie Councill, considering the grea^ charge I haue beene att for about 3 wxeks time since my comeing Irom home this being the first tyme (for almost fourty years of my being a minister of the Gospel) that I haue beene called to acxjompt by any Authority I haue lined vnder, or giuen any cause for the same, nor needed at this tjrme had there beene y' fauorable construction of my words as they deserued.