SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 83 PINE STREET WEST PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS 01950-3535 TELEPHONE (978) 535-0208 FACSIMILE (978) 535-9908 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Slade's Ferry Bancorp of our report dated January 15, 1999. /s/ SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C. SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C. West Peabody, Massachusetts March 25, 1999