I got to Southold, on Long Island, in the night, and, early in the morning (it being the first day of the week), I went to a justice, to give him an account of the matter, having told him that I got away from under the sheriff’s hand at New London. He replied, “It is the Sabbath; it is not a day to discourse about such things.” So I returned to the tavern, and I suppose it was not above an hour before the constable came and set a guard over me, till about nine or ten of the clock the next day, and then took me where three justices were sitting at a table, with a written paper lying before them, who read a law to me that it was to be counted felony to break out of a constable’s hand. I then presented a copy of the Mittimus. They read it and desired to be in private. Being brought before them again, they told me they did not look at me to be such a person as I was there rendered, and so discharged me, without any charge.
I told them my design was to their Governor for protection; and that I expected _Hue and Cries_ to pursue me, and requested of them to stop them if they could. They promised me they would, and afterwards I heard they did stop them. I got a man and horse to go with me to York, with all the speed I could, and the first house I went into was Governor Hunter’s, in the fort. I showed him the Mittimus and gave him an account of the matters. He told me he would not advise me to venture thither again, and that I should have safe protection. I told him I expected _Hue and Cries_ to come after me. He told me I need not fear that at all, “For,” said he, “I have heard you differ in opinion from them, and they will be glad to be rid of you. It is evident you are no such man as they pretend.”
But, the next day, about ten of the clock, there came two printed _Hue and Cries_ in at the tavern where I was, and I got them both, and went directly to the Governor, who was walking alone on the wall of the fort, and delivered one of them to him, who read it and then called to a little man walking on the pavement of the fort, saying, “Mr. Bickly, Mr. Bickly, come hither.” And when he was come he read it, and said he, “I grant protection to this man; he shall not be sent back upon this _Hue and Cry_,” and saith he, “I will write to the Governor of Connecticut,” and to me he said, “You are safe enough here; I will grant you protection.” I told him I did believe no answer would be returned him. He found my words true, and advised me to go for England and make my complaint, and told me there was a ship then going from Pennsylvania. A merchant being then present told me if I wanted money he would lend it to me, and if I should never be able to pay him he would never trouble me for it. All this kindness have I met with from strangers; but have thought it my wisdom to commit my cause to the all-seeing God.