Alexander Gray, merchant in Aberdeen, depones, that it was a custom nineteen or twenty years ago, and since, that several merchants in the town of Aberdeen, were in the practice of hiring [1] boys, girls, and other [2] servants, attested before the Magistrates of Aberdeen, or some other justice of peace, to be carried to America or other of his Majesty's Plantations, to be disposed of there, causing a service, the deponent dealt in that way himself.

1. The boys were not paid until after they were released, minus any fines or expenses claimed by their owner, as likely as not to walk away in debt, rather than silver in hand.

2. Drunks, homeless men, debtors, and paupers [Being “penniless” was a crime.] criminals