bayonet charged, dodging it about as if pushing at the boys,
who seemed to be laughing at him, and none of them within
12 or 15 feet of him. In a few minutes after, Capt. Preston
arrived with a party of soldiers, perhaps 7 or 8, and took post
between the custom-house door and the west corner of said
house, round the centry box. As soon as they had taken
their post, they began to push their bayonets at the people, tho'
none seemed to offer them any offence. The captain quickly
commanded them to prime and load, which being effected,
they began to push as before. The captain came before them
and put his arm under three or four of their pieces, and puting
them into an upright posture, then retired from my sight ;
and presently they again levelled and the firing began, and
proceeded till ten or eleven pieces were discharged. On the
people's scattering a little, I saw two men near me lay dead
on the street, and observed the soldiers to load again, and
moved off. And further I say not.
    PETER CUNNINGHAM.

Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 20, 1770. Peter Cunningham above
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth
of the aforesaid affidavit. Taken to perpetuate the
remembrance of the thing.
Before, JOHN RUDDOCK, Justice of Peace & Quorum.
JOHN HILL, Justice Peace.

(No. 48.)
I SAMUEL Condon of lawful age testify and say, that on
the night of the 5th instant March, being on the long
wharff, between the hours of 9 and 10 o'clock, and hearing
the bells ring as for fire, I ran up Kingstreet; on my coming
nigh the town-house I saw a number of people, about 30 or
40, chiefly consisting of boys and lads, who proceeded down
said street opposite the Custom-house ; the centinel on their
approach plac'd himself on the custom-house steps, and charg'd
his musket and presented the same against the body of the
people who offer'd him no insult or violence ; in a few minutes
after, a party came down from the main guard, consisting
of about eight soldiers with their guns and bayonets in
a charg'd position, headed by an officer, and posted themselves
by the west corner of the Custom-house, round the centry box in
a half circle ; at this time I. stood near the door of the royal
exchange tavern, but apprehending danger as the soldiers stood
with their muskets and bayonets in a charg'd or presented po-
sition, mov'd from thence down said royal exchange lane, and
stood nigh the west end of the custom-house, during this in-