and great oppression of yo-" pet^s in pticular But [had they] extended their power to the generall oppression of all th(| ffreeholders of the said Town yo"- petition's would have rested under their own grievance till a due Course of laAV would have relieved them without giving this Hon'-'^'e Board tlie trouble of a Complaint Eut as oppressions and wrongs done to the publick are matters properly to be represented here yo"" petitioners beg leave humbly to represent to yo^ Hon'' on behalfe of themselves and tlie other the ifreeholders and Inhabitants of the Townshipp that tlie Trustees of the said Town by pretence of the [said act] of Generall Assembly and contrary to the same ends and intent thereof (which your petitioners humbly conceives was for defraying public charges only) have rated petitions and other the ffreeholders and raised moneyes upon [them for their] private uses and discharging particular agreements with and paying of the Dissenting Minister and other private uses

That altho the several assessments made beares proper title according to the direction of the said act yet the moneyes thereby raised and levyed have altogether been applyed to the private uses aboue and haue accordingly been paid out by the Treasurer of the said town as yor pet" doubts not to prove And which matter has been see notorious that the said rates have been levyed [by them witliout of] fence the ffreeholders not refusing but being ready and willing to pay.

Your petrs therefore Humbly pray yo' Hon^ and this Hon'^i'ie Board to take the matter into serious Consideration and not suffer those laws that are made for the protection and good of all his Maties subjects to be perverted to the Injury and oppression of them And that yo' pet'^ and other the ffreeholders of the said town may be relieved from those grievious burtliens laid on them by the said Trustees and the Assessors and other oflS.cers of the said town contrary to Law