By Virtue of an Act made by His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOUR and COUNCIL, Entituled An Act for the Continuing and Establishing of Several Rates, Duties and Imposts:
YOu are in His MAJESTY's Name Required, sometime in the Month of August next ensuing, to make a List of all the male Persons in the same Town, from Sixteen years old and upwards; and a true Estimation of all Real and Personal Estates in such manner and Form as particularly in the said Act is Directed, all which Persons and Estates are by you the Commissioner and Select men to be rated and Assessed as followeth, VIZ. Every Person aforesaid (except the Members of His MAJESTY's COUNCIL) one Shilling and eight pence by the Head; and all Estates Real and Personal, at one Penny for every Twenty Shillings, according to the Rates of the Cattel in the said Act mentioned: and the said Commissioner is hereby likewise Required upon the first Wendnesday in the month of September then next following, to Meet and Assemble with the Commissioners of the County, at their Shire or County-Town, and bring with him (fairly written the just Number of the Male Persons listed as afore-said, and the Assessments of the Estates made in the said Town, where the Commissioners being so Assembled, shall duly and carefully Examine those Lists and Assesments, and Correct and perfect them, according to the true Intent of said Act; and the same so perfected, the said Commissioners are speedily to transmit to the Treasurer for the time being, and under their hands (or the major part of them) together with the Names of the Constables in each respective Town, that Orders may be given for Levying & Collecting the same accordingly.
Given under my Hand and Seal at BOSTON, the [...] of July, in the Fourth Year of His MAJESTY's Reign, Anno (que) DOMINI, 1688.