1748 May 30 (Monday). This Day the Parish met upon adjournment Concerning my Support among them. They pass’d a vote in the following words viz. Voted and granted to the Reverend Mr. Parkman our minister the Sum of one Hundred and fifty Two pounds ten shillings old Tenor — This with what they had heretofore granted was to make up 400£ Old Tenor — for his Support this Currant Year, provided Mr. Parkman will give the said precinct a full Discharge from the Time said Precinct began their Contract with him for his Service in the Work of the ministry among them untill the fifth Day of June 1748. Josiah Newton Moderator. And then sent Two persons, viz. Mr. Samuel Williams and [blank] to desire me to go up to the meeting House that they might Speak with me personally. Upon which I went up. When the opportunity was prepared for me to speak, I desir’d the precinct, in order to my fulfilling the Condition abovesaid to give me (according to what was inserted in the Warrant for this meeting) some direct and plain answer to my reasonable Request last December (for so long this affair had been depending, which request was) that they would explain their Expression in their Votes of February [blank] 1744/5, wherein they Say that they will give me 55£ New Tenor Money so called etc. Upon my making this motion Several seem’d to be disgust’d; and even some that I suppose were friendly and were the means of obtaining to Day’s vote, and some were ready to throw it up, or would have it re-consider’d. We had Some warm debate about that Explanation which the then Moderator (Deacon Newton) and the Clerk (Mr. Francis Whipple) had given me (by desire) that Evening after the Vote was made. N.B. When the Paper I had lately given the present Committee of the precinct (who were appointed to treat with me) was referr’d to and the words were recited from it which (as I conceive) the said Moderator and Clerk in February 1744/5 deliver’d me as the meaning of the vote which had been pass’d that Day, immediately Captain Warrin was in a great Heat, and express’d himself indecently — saying that That was a Corrupt Thing, pointing said to Paper. I therefore referr’d to myself to the very words of the Moderator and Mr. Whipple — but though they said much the same things as heretofore in showing the Interpretation of the foremention’d voted, yet they now add that they did not hereby intend that the Precinct would keep up the Value of money according to Gold or silver; but that it Should be according to the Determination of the Court. And when they had said this divers others struck in, and Insisted that That was the true intent and meaning. Whereupon I reply’d that being Sensible I could recover nothing but what was written in the Votes how ambiguous Soever, I desir’d it might be wav’d for the present (for it was almost dark and the people seem’d uneasy that they might go home) and I would have the precinct to take a Time to settle our agreement; and concerning their Vote of today for supply this year Currant, I openly declar’d that I accepted of it upon the Condition therein inserted, and that I could do no otherwise, through the Necessity of my Case. No sooner was this Spoke, than new Displeasures arose — but I went to a window and wrote what I had said (viz. My Consent to the vote upon the Conditions therein express’d) on the paper of the Vote itself. Then the Moderator dissolv’d the Meeting. N.B. When I propos’d Corn and other Necessarys of Life to be a standard, if they did not like to have Gold and Silver, Brother Williams answer’d that then if there Should come ever so dreadful a Scarcity and if Corn Should be many pounds a Bushel I would have it of them to the full notwithstanding. I was griev’d at this answer and I hope my Reply was satisfying. N.B. Lieutenant Tainter and Mr. Eliezer Rice in a Contest, about something which the former affirms I said. Scil. that (on Consideration of the Difference among the people) I was ready to throw up the Precincts Votes without any Ifs and and’s. Where as I told him it was upon Supposition that they would do Something else as good in the Stead thereof. It was a grief to me to find there were so many Disquietments and I was especially Sorry that when the people had granted as much as I expected (if it went not so much as was properly due) that I must accept it in such a manner as looks to them unkind and as if I was Still bearing upon them. Weeding Corn over.