passed by several soldiers running that way, with naked cutlasses
and bayonets in their hands. The deponent asked one of them
what was the matter, and was answered by him, by God you
shall all know what is the matter soon ! Between 9 and 10 o'clock
the deponent came into Kingstreet, and stood about the mid-
dle of the street, or nearer the custom-house, in the direction
of Quaker and Royal Exchange lanes, and saw about eight
or ten soldiers drawn up near the custom-house, and an officer
which he since understands was Capt. Preston, between the
soldiers and the custom-house. There was much noise and
huzzaing among the boys and people, and some of the boys
the deponent observed drew near to the soldiers. In this hur-
ry and confusion the deponent heard many ask each other
whether they thought they would fire ? and it was generally
concluded they would not. But in about five minutes after the
deponent first stood there, he heard the officer give the word
FIRE ; they not then firing, he again said FIRE, which they
still disobeying, he said with a much higher voice, DAMN YOU
FIRE BE THE CONSEQUENCE OF WHAT IT WILL ! Soon after
this one of the guns went off -- in a few seconds another, and so on,
till six or seven were discharged. Near the deponents left hand
dropt a man, which he since learns was Mr. James Caldwell,
on which he left the place, and further saith not.
    JOSEPH HOOTON, jun.

Suffolk, ss. Boston, March. 15, 1770. The said Joseph Hooton,
jun. personally appearing, maketh solemn oath to the truth of
the fore-written deposition, by him subscribed.
Before me, EDM. QUINCY, Just. Pacis.

(No. 53)
I Richard Palmes of Boston, of lawful age, testify and say,
that between the hours of nine and ten o'clock of the 5th
instant, I heard one of the bells ring, which I supposed was oc-
casioned by fire, & enquiring where the fire was, was answered
that the soldiers were abusing the inhabitants; I asked where, was
first answered at Murray's barracks. I went there and spoke
to some officers that were standing at the door, I told them I
was surprized they suffered the soldiers to go out of the bar-
racks after eight o'clock ; I was answered by one of the officers
pray do you mean to teach us our duty ; I answered I did not,
only to remind them of it; one of them then said, you see that the
soldiers are all in their barracks, and why do not you go to