Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 13. 1770. William Wyat, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re-
membrance of the thing.
Before RI. DANA, Just. of Peace and of the Quorum.
JOHN TUDOR, Just. Peace.

(No. 55)
I Henry Knox of lawful age testify and say, that between
nine and ten o'clock, P. M. the fifth instant I saw the
centry at the Custom-House charging his musket, and a num-
ber of young persons crossing from Royal Exchange to Quaker
lane, seeing him load, stopt and asked him what he meant ? and
told others, the centry was going to fire. They then huzza'd
and gather'd round him at about ten feet distant. I then
advancing, went up to him, and the centry snap'd his piece upon
them, Knox told him if he fired he died. The centry answer-
ed he did not care, or words to that purpose, damning them and
saying, if they touched him, he would fire. The boys told
him to fire and be damned. Immediately on this I re-
turned to the rest of the people and endeavoured to keep
every boy from going up, but finding it ineffectual went off
thro' the crowd and saw a detachment of about eight or nine
men and a corporal, headed by Capt. Preston. I took Capt.
Preston by the coat and told him for God's sake to take his
men back again, for if they fired his life must answer for the
consequence ; he replied he was sensible of it, or knew what
he was about, or words to that purpose ; and seemed in great
haste and much agitated. While I was talking with Capt.
Preston the soldiers of his detachment had attacked the people with
their bayonets. There was not the least provocation given to Capt.
Preston or his party, the backs of the people being towards them
when they were attacked. During the time of the attack I
frequently heard the words damn your blood and such like expressions.
When Capt. Preston saw his party engaged he directly left
me, and went into the crowd and I departed : the deponent
further says that there was not present in Kingstreet above seventy
or eighty people at the extent, according to his opinion.
    HENRY KNOX.

Suffolk, ss. Boston, March 17. 1770. Henry Knox, above-
named, after due examination, made oath to the truth of
the above-written affidavit, taken to perpetuate the re-
membrance of the thing.
Before RI. DANA, Just. of Peace and of the Quorum.
JOHN HILL, Just. Peace.