for fire; I went towards where I thought it was, and was told that
the soldiers were abusing the inhabitants; I asked where the soldiers
were, and was answered in King street, and that there was a rumpus
at the custom-house door; as soon as I got there I saw Capt. Preston
at the head of six or eight soldiers; the soldiers had their guns breast
high, with their bayonets fixed. I went immediately to Capt. Preston,
and asked him if the soldiers guns were loaded; his answer was, "They
were loaded with powder and ball;" I then asked him if he intended
they should fire on the inhabitants, his answer to me was, "By no
means." I did not hear him tell the soldiers not to fire, nor did I
hear him speak to them. I saw a piece of ice fall among the soldiers;
immediately upon this the soldier upon his right hand fired his gun,
that instant I heard the word "Fire," but by whom I know not; the
soldier at his left hand fired next, and the others one after another,
as fast as they could. I turned myself to my left, and saw one man
dead, upon which I struck at the soldier who first fired the gun, and
hit his left arm or hand, which made his gun fall; I then struck at
Capt. Preston, and thought I hit his head, but he says I hit his arm;
on my making the stroke at him I fell on my right knee. I saw the
soldier that fired the first fire going to push his bayonet at me, upon
which I threw my stick at his head; he gave back, and gave me an
opportunity to jump out of his way, or must been run through the
body. I directly passed through Exchange-lane, and so up the next
by Mr. Kent's office, and saw three people on the ground, and saw
Mr. Gridley, with several other persons, carrying Mr. Morton's ap-
prentice up to the prison house. I followed him, and saw he had a
ball shot through his breast; at my return, found the soldiers were
gone to the main guard, &c.
Signed,
RICHARD PALMS.

(No.113.)

I James Basset, lieutenant in his Majesty's 29th regiment of foot, do
declare, that Monday the 5th day of March, 1770, I was officer
of the main guard; in the evening I went to my quarters, which is
about one hundred yards distant, and about nine o'clock was alarmed
with ringing of bells, and cry of fire; immediately Capt. Preston,
who was the Captain of the day, and I, went on the top of the house
to see in what part of the town the fire was; but was soon called
down, and acquainted that a file of men was at the door, who informed
us that there was a great mob at the main guard, on which Capt.
Preston and I repaired to the guard; on our coming there, a num-
ber of inhabitants informed us, that the centry at the custom-house
would certainly be murdered if we did not send a party of men to
his relief, on which Capt. Preston ordered the guard to turn out,