To the Worshipfull Bench of Justices
Assembled at Hickses Hall:

The Peticon of Mathias Marston< no role > Prisoner
on ye Common Sides of Newgate

Humbly Sheweth That Yor: Worsps: Poor Petr:
having been Confm'd hee ever since before Christmas [..]
and was maliciously Indited for a pretended Assaull
of the Beadle and Constable: only for Spite because
Yor: Petr. Arrested the Sd Beadle for Money due to him
two yeares before, the Sd Beadle hearing Severall him to
before this Attempted to Ensuare yor. Petr. by Crafts
Intreagues but could not till this Juncture: And yor.
Petr. was first Charged under Pretence of Suspicion
of Fellony: And could not make good the Charge but
notwithstanding they Detain'd yor Petr. severall houses
in a Publick house a Prisoner, And at last Sett on
Yor. Petr. severall persons to beat him and they Cult
yor. Petr. in Six Places in his head: and Compelled him
to resist to save his life: for ye Constably long staff was
brought in by a Strange fellow out of ye Streets, who
knockt yor: Petr. down Severall times before the Beadle
or Constable came in: And yor. Petr. in the Tray butt
one Person who Indited yor Petr. at theire Charge: and
yor. Petr. was Fined by ye Evidence of ye Constable Beadle
and Watchman who was not there at all & yor. Worps:
upon Consideration of his Poverty was pleased Street his
Times in the Exchequer: And yor. Worsps. Petr lyes
now quite Nasred and has no Friend to Assist him wth a
Morsele of Bread: He therefore beys yor. Worsps. to pitty
his sad Destress he having but lately before this been out
of this Prison where he lay three yeares for Debt & also
lay three Yeares in ye Gate house for Debt. from whence
he was removed into Bethlem , where he lay one Yeare
He therefore bey yor. Worsps: to Acquitt him of the Thirty
Five Shillings Calender Fees: for wch. yor. Petr. now lyts
here Confirm'd wth he can never be in Capacity to pay
whilst he remaines here but most starve unless you
speedily Order him to be Discharg'd.

And he as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray Etc