That since his arrival a very infamous, pernicious, and detestable Report is clandestinely and industriously spread abroad amongst the Inhabitants of tliis City and Province, of a certain Correspondence said to be maintained by some of the French Protestants here, with the Inhabitants of France, tending to tlie taking and destruction of this City by her Majesties declared Enemies, which has been discovered by the said Xewenhuysen by Letters which were found (as is said) on boai'd the said Vessel, and were by him seen, opened, and read after his being taken. Which your Excellencys Petitioners are in great hopes will prove altogether false and untrue. It b^ng a Crime of so high a nature in it self, and so much abhorred by your Excellencys Petitioners, and being as yet unable, by legal Proof, to fix tins Slander and Infamy on any particular Person, and so very uneasie under so general an Accusation, and having good reason to believe that it takes its original and rise from the said Morris JVeioinhuysen, They therefore make their humble Application to your Excellency^ humbly praying^ may it please your Excellency to cause the said Morris Newinhuysen, and all others v)ho may appear concerned^ to be strictly examined upon the same Report^ that if ^^^y ^^^^^ Offenders, in this respect, be found out, they may be punished according to the nature of their Crime, and the innocent be protected and secured from the great Damage and hurt of the Infamy of so vile and great a Crime, in such Methods as shall seem most agreeable to your Excellencys great Prudence and Justice. Jlnd your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, 8fc.