To the Right Worshipfull his Maties Justices
of the peace for the County of Middx

The Humble peticon of John Lye< no role > Victualler

Humbly Sheweth

That one Sarah Magne< no role > of the pish of St. Clement Danes in the Sd County Widdow
Sometime Since unjustly charged (upon Oath) your Peticoner before one of his
Maties Justices of the peace for this County aforesaid that (she being then bigg
with Child) of a Bastard Child) your peticoner then was the onely and reall
father thereof Whereupon Thomas Hawkner< no role > and Oliver Carr< no role > then
Overseers of the poor of the same parish of St. Clement Danes came
very Soon after (and before the said Sarah Magne< no role > was delivered of that Child
or Children with which She was then pregnant) to his house Scituate in
the said parish and demanded of your peticoner twenty pounds to
discharge him from the burthen or charge in Maintaining the said Child
or Children aforesaid That your peticoner (this unjustly charged and very
much abused) did Soon after comply to pay into the said Overseers ten pounds
with Some other Considerable expences your peticoner was at, before your petr.
could obtain the discharge from these Overseers to your peticoner (as us here unto
Annexed) That your peticoner is informed the said Overseers had noe power
either to take such a sume of money or make any such discharge as aforesaid
wherefore your petr. (by advice) did cause them to be Arrested for that money
whereupon they threatned your petr: to get away his Lycence for Victualling unless
he would discharge them of that accon And accordingly they have caused Jeffrey Sanders< no role >
Eqr & two of his Maties Justices of the peace of the sd County &
Libertie of Westmr . to Sappress your peticoner from Selling any Drink more in his house
aforesd (altho' your petr. never had any Complaint for disorders or any thing else
therein for about five years last.

Your peticoner therefore humbly prays that your Worships will
be pleased to advise the said two Justices to direct your petr
to Draw Drink (as formerly) without any further Molestacon
Lord to divert your peticoner what further Course may be
had for the releife of your petr. in the primes.

And your peticoner Shall over pray Etc