a magistrate. To which Capt. Preston reply'd, Sir, we were
insulted, or words to that purpose, upon which Capt. Preston
desired his Honor to go with him to the guard-house, which
his Honor declined, and repaired to the council chamber.
    JONA. MASON.

Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21. 1770. Jonathan Mason above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the aforesaid affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remem-
brance of the thing.
Before JOHN RUDDOCK, Just. Peace and of the Quorum.
JOHN HILL, Just. Peace.

(No. 81.)
I Isaac Pierce of Boston, of lawful age testify and say, that
on Monday evening the 5th instant, hearing the bells ring,
and that the main guard had fired on the inhabitants, repair-
ed to Kingstreet and found the 29th regiment drawn up be-
tween the State-house and main guard house and facing down
said street towards the inhabitants, and seeing his Honor the
Commander-in-Chief appear, I went with him towards the
soldiers, the front rank having their firelocks presented with
bayonets fixt ; when we carne near, I spoke to Capt. Preston,
then on the right, telling him there was his Honor the Com-
mander in Chief; Capt. Preston said where, I said (pointing to
his Honor) there, and you are presenting your firelocks at him,
on which his Honor went round on the right flank, and com-
ing to Capt. Preston, said Sir, are you the commanding officer,
who answered, yes Sir; his Honor then said, do you know
Sir, you have no power to fire on any body of people collected
together, except you have a civil magistrate with you to give
orders ; Capt. Preston answered, I was obliged to, to save my
centry, on which I immediately said, then you have murdered
three or four men to save your centry.     ISAAC PIERCE.

Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 21. 1770. Isaac Pierce, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of the afore-
said affidavit, taken to perpetuate the remembrance of the thing.
Before JOHN RUDDOCK, Just. Peace and of the Quorum.
JOHN HILL, Just. Peace.

(No. 82.)
I Ebenezer Dorr, of lawful age, testify and say, that on the
evening of the 5th instant, hearing the bells ring in the
center of the town, I came down to the town-house and saw