Sr

One MrsEdwards is prosecutor againstElizabeth Tempest< no role >
for Suspition of Felony &

As I have a publick Office, requires my strict attendance, hope the
Honorable Court will forgive this; and excuse my Duty waiting
on them.

The Barer the Defendant Elizabeth Tempest< no role > I mean, about a week Since
have received into my Service; a perfect Stranger, any otherwise than
by the Character my wife received with her then, by her late mis'tress
Ms. Tabitha Nebb< no role > who (amongst other things) Declared that the
Said Elizabeth Tempest had lived with her, at times about 4 or 5
yeares; without mentioning the said Tempest being Charg'd with the
present Suspition of Felony, I humbly Submit the Mistress ought to have
done: If so, my wife had never entertained the said Tempest for a
Servant (tho She wanted one) And she Ms Webb also asserted to my
wife in general termes that the said Tempest had never wrong'd her
& my wife apprehending her innocent from her own Mistresses Charactor
the said Tempest Came to my Service.

Now the Defend most humbly appeals for the Justices of this Honoble Court
and prays, and Insists that the prosecutor may be obliged to proceed to
effect her innocency, She hereby puts to the Test Off, Or that She may
be discharged: This being her Care and the Close of a Second Session
held in the State of Durance, and to be held over with her Sureties most
humbly Submit without prosecution contrary to Law, And besides
a very great uneasiness to selfe and Family occasioned by her Mistress
ungenerous Stifleing this charge which She know off to my wife

If