432 PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW- YORK.

tions of Maurice JViewenhuysen and John van Brugh concerning a Letter writ from lience to France^ and taken in tlie Sloop Constant Jibigalj giving some account (as is said) of the condition of this place, do declare unanimously. That they do not think that there is any ground to suspect Capt. Fanmil of holding a Correspondence with France, nor to prosecute him here on the aforesaid Depositions.

By Order of His Excellency in Council,

Geo. Clarke.

To His Excellency Edward Viscount Cor7ihury, Captain General and Governoui* in chief of the Provinces of New- York, New- Jersey, and tlie Territories depending thereon in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same. The humble Petitmi of some the French Protestant Eefugees Inhabiting in the City of JYew-York, in behalf of themselves and the rest of like Circumstances in the Province. Humbly Sheweth unto your Excellency y

That upon their former petition on tliis behalf, your Excellency was graciously pleasexi to search out the bottom and foundation of a certain false Rumour, in clandestine manner spread abroad, of some of the Inhabitants, Petitioners, having held and maintained a Correspondence with some of the Inhabitants of the kingdom of France, discovering the weakness of the strength and Fortifications of this Province, and how easily it might be made a Conquest to the French, her Majestys declared Enemies, (a Crime so detestible in its nature, and so much abhorred by your Excellency's Petitioners,) and having found the same to prove false and abortive, your Excellency was also graciously pleased to communicate the same to the honourable, the Gentlemen of Her Majestys Privy Council for this Province, in' Council, for their Opinion thereupon; For which your Excellencys Petitioners do retui-n to your Excellency their most humble and hearty Thanks.