Boston, [Mass.] 27 March 1690 Mr. Robert Ferguson Hon[or]able Sr. It will undoubtedly be a surprise to you to see a line from me especially about affares of the Publike but the Extream good Character I have heard of yr self & the [roal] you have to the true Protestant Religion in being so active in our late Delivery in Conducting our Gracious Large Lord [inserted: & Lady] King Wm [inserted: & Q: Mary] to the Throne, doth Embolden me to Trouble you with [struck: the] the Perusal of the Inclosed Papers which will Inform you of affares with us, & withall to Intreat you to Deliver [inserted: them] to there Majes[ty's] Secretary of State that [inserted: speedy] care may be taken to [illegible] if not Already done Else the Country will be lost, when we Recd. the happy news of there Majes[ties] accession to the Throne it was [struck: life for death] as refreshing as a Reprieve to the Condemned, neverthelesse we have had the misfortune to [be] very uneasy occasioned by one [struck: Capt] [inserted: Jacob] Leysler a mercht at New Yorke whose ambition hath with the aide of the vulgar [struck: aid him] Promptd him up to Command and Domineer over there Majes[ties] Subjects upon Pretence of freeing them from arbitrary Power which thanks be to god was done by a more glorious Instrument. We of Albany have Endevord to keep all quiet there, free from such Revolutions as many of our neighbours have had resting ourselfs satisfyed with there Majes[ties] gracious Proclamation of the 14 feb 1688/9 wherein al Protestant Sherriffs Justices & Collectors are Confirmd but the sd. Leysler did continually Disturbe us sending his Emissaries amongst us to Incense the People on against [another] so that if a gov[ernor] come not speedily am affraid the Country will be [2] Destroyed but we Expect a govr. [inserted: illegible Col Slaugher] for N: Yorke every day [struck: or Col Slaughter] which makes us bear with all the more Patiently. I am Informed by some of our Countrymen here that you [inserted: are acquainted with] Mr And. Russel of Ritterd[a]m my Brother in Law; which makes me the more bould to [struck: Pray and] Request that you would befrinde [sic] me [inserted: concerning my disbursemts made for the Publike] that orders be sent [struck: from king Wm.] [inserted: by his Majes.] to setle all affares of N. Yorke having launshed most part of my Estate in the year 1687/8 when Col Dongan [inserted: our late gov] was at Alb[any] for the Maintenance of the souldiers that opposed the French Ins[ults] [struck: of haveing all these] when they fell upon our Indians & Destroyed there Castles & [were] Designd if not Resisted by that force to have al the Five Nations of indians westward to T[illegible] them; I Pirceive the king takes Particular notice of it in his Declar[ation] of warr [inserted: against the french] that I doubt not but it will be minde[d]. I am Six and Twenty hundred Pound upon that Expedition, the auther[illegible] to be Copios of all my acct. I sent to Mr Jacob harwood of London mercht. my Correspondent to whom I am Considerable indebted & cannot Pay it till I gett in my money; I have been at Alb[any] above 15 years & in Continual Employ of Secretary & Collector of that Place, & the gent. There have Prevaild wth me to come as there agent to these Collonies off Massachusetts & Conetticut [sic] to Procure assistance, & they have Promisd us that we shall have some men from Conetticut Collonie speedily [inserted: illegible] & they of Boston are fitting out 500 men by sea to take Port Royal und[e]r the Command S: William Phipps; but things are Carried on [inserted: very] slow; The Principall Reason they give me why they goe not [inserted: directly] to Quebek is because of want of Pouder, & therefore they send an Expresse now to his Maje[sty] To be supplied. I shal not Insist at Present fearing of Prolixity beging a line in answer diverted to me mercht at Albany & being sent wth any [vessel] bound for N York or New England wil come to hand & if I knew it would be acceptable would give you a further acct of all Proceedings wth us in the mean time shal [Resolve] of & Remain Your honr. most humble & obedient Serv[ant] R[obert] L[ivingston] [Docket] Boston 27 March 1690 Copy Lettir to Mr Robt Fergusin at London