2S4 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



magistrate of Westchester) appears to have been languishing in the 

 dungeons of Fort Amsterdam; for, on the 16th of May, 1663, occurs 

 the following petition from the prisoner : — 



•• Right Hon. Gov. Lord Peter Stevenson, thy dejected prisoner Richard Mills, 

 doe humbly supplicate for your favor and commiseration towards me, iu admit- 

 ting of me unto your honor's presence, there to indicate my free and ready mind 

 'sfy your honor wherein I am able, for any indignity done unto your lord- 

 ship by me in any way, and if possible to release me or confine me to some more 

 wholesome place than where I am. I have been tenderly bred from my cradle, 

 and now antient and weakly, and at this time, and ever since I came into this 

 unwholesome place, I have been very ill, and lame with pains in my back, hips 

 and joints, and I doubt not, in a few days, will perdite (endanger or destroy) my 

 life, if not prevented by removal or release ; will hope of your honor's gracious 

 admittance and reception, and craving these my poor humble requests and pray- 

 ers to God for your honor, I remain, your lordship, at your pleasure, 



From the gaol in " RICHARD MILLS. 



Fort Amsterdam, 16 Ma}-, 1663" 



Alarmed at the summary manner in which the director had treated 

 their leader, we find the inhabitants of Westchester hastening to nomi- 

 nate officers for the ensuing year. 



Loving Feiexds:— Out of your nominations this day presented, we have 

 made choice, as you may know by these presents, of 



ROBERT HcESTIS, 



John Baekee, 

 Nicholas Batley. 

 The which we for the year following, doe confirm for magistrates of the towne, 

 called East-towne, requiring all and every one whom these may concerne, to es- 

 teem them as our elected and confirmed magistrates for the said town ; so, after 



my love, I shall rest, 



Your loving friend and Governor, 



Amsterdam. N.X., P. STTTYVESANT.* 



24 May, 1663 



The humble petition of Richard Mills, to the Hon. High Court of the 

 Manhattas, held 9th of June, 1663, showeth: — 



That whereas, your honors have continued anger against me about some writ- 

 ings that were in my custody, I owne unto your honors that I did not well to 

 embrace the receipt of, though thereunto importuned, my proper calling being to 

 act in another sphere, and doe see cause to blame myself for undertaking to keep 

 them ; and as for Richard Ponton, his carrying them away, I assure your honors 

 that I never gave order to him or any others, measure aoe to do ; neither did I 



o Aio. Rec. vol. xxi. 

 b Alb. Rec, vol. xxi. 115. 



