Section 353. Contents of petition

The petition must be in writing, and
  verified by the affidavit of the petitioner, to  the  effect,  that  the
  matters of fact therein stated are true, to the best of the petitioner's
  knowledge  and  belief.  It  must  set forth the facts, showing that the
  applicant is entitled to make the application, and that the  application
  is  made to the proper court; the name and residence of each person, who
  is entitled to make such an  application,  as  prescribed  in  the  last
  section  but  one,  except  the  fifth  subdivision thereof; and a brief
  description of the property, real and personal, of the prisoner, and the
  value thereof. If the applicant is a creditor, and not a resident of the
  state, he must annex to his petition, the papers  specified  in  section
  sixty-two  of  the  debtor and creditor law. If any of the facts, herein
  required to be set forth can not be ascertained by the petitioner, after
  the exercise of due diligence, that fact must be stated; and  the  court
  may, in its discretion, issue a subpoena, requiring any person to attend
  and  testify,  respecting any matter, which, in its opinion, ought to be
  more fully and certainly set forth.