At a Generall meeting of the Inhabitants of Salem village the 27
of April:
being ordorly warned it was Considered Agreed and voted by the said Inhabitants by a unanimous
Consent that where as mr. samuell parris our Late minister hath for more then nine months Last past
Dissisted his stated work of the ministry amongst us and yett still he doth Keep the possession of
our ministry house to our grate Dammage : therefore the affore said Inhabitants have by these
presents Chosen and Appointed Liut Nathaniell putnam Daniell Andrew senr Thomas Flint senr Joseph
Herrick senr Thomas putnam and Joseph putnam : all of salem village : they or the major part of them
to be their Agents or Attorneys in the behalf and to the use of the said inhabitants to compound and
agree with mr. parris themselves If they can: or by Leaveing it to arbitration If mr. parris will
joyn with them therein: or other wise to sue Comince and prosecute any suite or suits action or
actions against the affore said mr. samuell parris for his with holding or unlawfully detaineing
from them the said Inhabitants their ministry house Hereby giveing and granting to our affore said
Agents or Attorneys or the major part of them full power and Lawfull Authority to say do performe
and finish all and every act and acts thing or things device or devices which in the Law may be
needfull or expedient for the better prosecution of the same Attorney or Attorneys under them to
make and Constitute: and att pleashure to Revoke: acquittances or other discharges in our name to
make or give: and Generally to do and execute in the premisses as Fully as we our selves might or
could do being all personally present: and whatsoever our affore said Agents or Attoneys or the
major part of them shall Lawfully do or cause to be done in about or consarning the premisses the
said Inhabitants will allow of and confirme the same