Mr. Thomas Newton's Affidavit.

Mr. Thomas Newton's Affidavit.

Thomas Newton of Boston in New-England, at present in London, Gent. maketh-Oath, that he hath Lived in New England for near Sixteen Years last past, and during that time has been well acquainted with Colonel Joseph Dudley, the present Governor of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire: And that since the said Colonel Dudley was Governor there, this Deponent was credibly Informed, that several Persons having purchased Lands at Nashobah and Nipmuck, within his Government, and wanting a Confirmation of their Titles, by an Act of the General Court, (as is usual in such Cases) they could not obtain the Governor's assent thereto, without giving him Money, and part of their Lands. And this Deponent further saith, that he being Deputed by William Atwood Esq to be Deputy Judge of the Court of Vice Admiralty, as well as of the Colony of Rhode Island, as for the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay, and New Hampshire, was prohibited by the said Governor from going to Rhode Island, and Condemning some Prizes brought in there, unless this Deponent would procure the Governor One Hundred Founds, and that his Son should go Advocate thither; and threatened this Deponent to raise the Posse Comitatus upon him, if he offered to proceed without ⟨p. 27⟩his Order, or Licence under his Hand. And this Deponent also further saith, That one Mr. Stephen Minot, having Built a very Convenient House for a Public Inn or Tavern, upon a place called the Neck, the Governor having a Tenant who kept a Public House near to it, Prohibited the Justice to grant a License to the said Minot, tho' it was Requested by the General Assembly; but the said Minot could not obtain a License for his House, until he complied with the Governor upon hard Terms. And this Deponent moreover saith, that Sentence in the Court of Vice-Admiralty being given by this Deponent for a Sailor, against a Master of a Vessel for Wages, from which the said Master appealed to the High Court of Admiralty in England, but not giving Bond to Prosecute as is usual in such Cases, Process was granted against the said Master, and the Marshal took him into Custody thereupon, yet the Governor abused the Officer, and discharged the said Master contrary to Law, and by that means the Sailor left his Wages, and his Charges and Costs: