The petition of Robert Hophman of Portsmouth, Hampshire, June 1660
{Text cut off – presumably originally addressed to James, Duke of York}
<To the hono[ura]ble S[i]r Edward Nicholas and S[i]r W[illia]m Norris Secretaries of State to his Maiestie.>
The humble petic[i]on of Robert Hopheman Innholder of the Towne of Portsmouth.
Humbly sheweth,
That your peticoner for his fidellity and loyalty to and in the service of your Highnes royall Father of glorious memory hath indured seuerall imprisonm[en]ts & received seuerall wounds and neuer derogated from his principles but hath continued firme to the seruice and cause of his said Ma[jes]tie & also to his sacred Ma[jes]tie your Highnes royall Brother.
And the Postmasters place for that Towne of Portsmouth being supplyed by a verry vnfitt p[er]son and not any one Inholder in the Towne but hath beene in Armes against the Crowne, saue only your peticoner.
your peti[tione]r therefore humbly prayes your Highnes to bee gratiously pleased to conferr on your peti[tione]r the place of Postmaster for the said Towne of Portsmouth.
And hee as in duty bound shall pray &c.
Wee doe humbly certify the contents of this petic[i]on to bee true as relateing to the petico[ne]r.
Humphrey Benet
Edw[ard] Forde
Fr[ancis] Vincent
Jo[hn] Unwyn
Henry Tooker