This document and the one preceding (MSN/COL 2717-87) pertain to a case involving several residents of Freetown, Massachusetts, whose activities appear to have aroused the suspicions of the Freetown and Berkley committees of inspection. This second document, dated 2 May 1777 and addressed to the Bristol County Special Court of Sessions, is a deposition written and signed by Joshua Hathaway, of Freetown, who was present during the earlier examination by the Freetown committee of three of the men implicated (Job Paine and "the negroes Charles and franses").