Yo^ Petition' therefore in order to detect such Wicked persons thinks himself under an indispensable duty to represent to yo"^ Hono^' That on Saturday night last yo"" petitioner was informed by the under sheriff M' Barnes that some shortt time before the Committing this Horrid Wickedness, y* A person or persons at the house of Robert Drummond declared & threatened that he or they would sacrifice yo' Petitioner or do jo' petitioner some mischief in A little time or to yt effect.

As yo' Petition^ Conceives such Threatening speeches could not proceed from any personal] prejudice he not haveing (to his knowledge) given any Just occasion of offence to any person, soe yor petitioner hath good reason to believe that nothing but his Holy ffunction could render him obnoxious to such irreligious & wicked persons, who are most to be suspected as Guilty of the late Sacrilegious outrage committed against the Church.

Yor Petitioner therefore humbly prayes yo^ Honors yt you will be pleased to proceed in yo^ Examination into these great offenses in order to discover the Criminalls & bring them to Condign

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punishments ; And y* yo"" honors will in the mean time take such Lawfull methods for preserveing yo-" petition'"s person from the dangers threatened ag* him, as in yo' wisdom you shall think most expedient.

And yo^" petitioner shall ever pray &c. New York Feb. 15, 17 if Will" Vesey.

Whereupon this Board at ye Request of ye s^i M^" Vesey sent for Benjamin Barnes Garrat Van laar Jane Van laar & Mary Guest, who being come were severally sworn upon y® holy Evangehsts & Examined relating to y® aforesaid premisesses before this Board and their Depositions thereof taken in writing as by y® same may appeare.