commanded to dismount, upon asking why he must dismount, he
was obliged by force to quit his horse, and ordered to march
in the midst of the body, and being examined whether he had
been warning the minute-men he answered no, but had been
out and was then returning to his father's. Said Winship fur-
ther testifies, that he marched with said troops until he came
within about half a quarter of a mile of said meeting-house,
where an Officer commanded the troops to halt, and then to prime
and load, this being done, the said troops marched on till they
came within a few rods of Capt. Parker, and company, who were
partly collected on the place of parade, when said Winship ob-
served an officer at the head of said troops, flourishing his sword
and with a loud voice giving the word fire, which was instantly
followed by a discharge of arms from said regular troops, and
said Winship is positive, and in the most solemn manner de-
clares, that there was no discharge of arms on either side, till the
word fire was given by said Officer as above,
    SIMON WINSHIP.

MIDDLESEX, ss. April 25th, 1775,
SIMON WINSHIP above named appeared and after due cau-
tion to testify the whole truth and nothing but the truth,
made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by
him subscribed, before us,
    William Read, Josiah Johnson.     Justices of the Peace.

Lexington, April 25 th, 1775.
I JOHN PARKER, of lawful age, and commander of the
militia in Lexington, do testify and declare, that on the
19th instant, in the morning about one of the Clock, being in-
formed that there were a number of the regular officers riding up
and down the road, stopping and insulting people as they passed the
road, and also was informed that a number of the regular troops
were on their march from Boston, in order to take the province
stores at Concord, ordered our militia to meet on the common
in said Lexington, to consult what to do, and concluded not
to be discovered nor meddle or make with said regular troops
(if they should approach) unless they should insult or molest
us, and upon their sudden approach, I immediately ordered our
militia to disperse and not to fire. Immediately said troops
made their appearance and rushing furiously, fired upon and
killed eight of our party, without receiving any provocation
therefore from us.     JOHN PARKER.

MIDDLESEX, ss. April 25th, 1775.
THE above named John Parker, personally appeared and
after being duly cautioned to declare the whole truth,