The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To all unto whom these Presents shall come, Greeting : Know Ye, That I have, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Council, assigned and constituted and do by these Presents assign, constitute and appoint Norton Quincy, Esqr. Of Braintree to be one of the Justices to keep the Peace in the County of Suffolk for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the term of seven years if he shall during that time behave well in the same Office. And to keep and cause to be kept, the Laws and Ordinances made for the Good of the Peace and for the Conservation of the same, and for the Quiet, Rule and Government of the People in the said County, in all and every the Articles thereof according to the Force, Form and Effect of the same, and to chastise and punish all Persons offending against the Form of those Laws and Ordinances or any of them in the County aforesaid, as according to the Form of those Laws and Ordinances shall be fit to be done; and to cause to come before him the said Norton Quincy, Esqr. All those that shall break the Peace, or attempt any Thing against the same, or that shall threaten any of the People in their Persons, or in burning their Houses, to find sufficient Security for the Peace, and for the good Behaviour towards the People of this Commonwealth; and if they shall refuse to find such Security, then to cause them to be kept safe in Prison until they shall find the same; and to do and perform in the County aforesaid, all and whatsoever, according to the Laws and Ordinances of the said COMMONWEALTH, or any of them, a Justice of the Peace may and ought to do and perform. And with any two or more Justices of the peace in said County. (according to the Tenure of the Commission to them granted) to enquire by the Oaths of good and lawful Men of the said County, by whom the Truth may be better known, of all and all Manner of Thefts, Trespasses, Riots, Routs and unlawful Assemblies whatsoever, and all and singular other Misdeeds and Offences of which by Law Justices of the Peace in their General Sessions may and ought to enquire, by whomsoever or howsoever done or perpetrated, or which shall hereafter happen, howsoever done or attempted in the County aforesaid, contrary to the Form of the Laws and Ordinances aforesaid, made for the common Good of the COMMONWEALTH aforesaid and the People thereof; And with any two or more Justices of the Peace in the said County. (according to the Tenure of the Commission to them granted as aforesaid) to hear and determine all and singular the said Thefts, Trespasses, Riots, Routs and unlawful Assemblies, and all and singular other Premises, and to do therein as to Justice appertaineth, according to the Laws, Statutes and Ordinances aforesaid. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have caused the public Seal of this Commonwealth of Massachusetts aforesaid, to be hereunto affixed: WITNESS [signed] John Hancock, Esq. Governor and Commander in Chief of the said Commonwealth. Dated at Boston, the Seventeenth Day of October in the Year of our LORD, One Thousand seven Hundred and Eighty one and in the Sixth Year of the Independence of the United States of AMERICA. By his EXCELLENCY's Command, with the Advice and Consent of the Council. [signed] John Hancock John [illegible]