That Mr. _Parris's_ going to _Mary Walcut_,[88] or _Abigail Williams_, and directing others to them, to know who afflicted the People in their illnesses; [64] we understand this to be a dealing with them that have a familiar spirit, and an implicit denying the providence of God, which alone, as we believe, can send Afflictions, or cause Devils to Afflict any; this we also conceive sufficient to justifie such refusal. That Mr. _Parris_ by these Practices and Principles, has been the beginner and procurer of the sorest Afflictions, not to this Village only, but to this whole Country, that did ever befal them. We the Subscribers, in behalf of ourselves, and of several others of the same mind with us (touching these things) having some of us had our Relations by these practices taken off by an untimely Death; others have been imprisoned, and suffered in our Persons, Reputations, and Estates; submit the whole to your Honours decision, to determine whether we are or ought to be any ways obliged to honour, respect and support such an Instrument of our miseries; praying God to guide your Honours, to act herein, as may be for his Glory, and the future settlement of our Village, in Amity and Unity. JOHN TARBALL,[89] } SAMUEL NURSE, } Attornies for the people JOS. PUTNAM, } of the Village. DAN. ANDREW, } Boston, July 21, 1697. According to the order of the aforesaid arbitrators, the said Mr. _Parris_, had some of his arrears paid him, as also a sum of money for his repairs of the ministerial house of the said Village, and is dismissed therefrom. FOOTNOTES: [79] A brief Article on this deluded Man will be seen in Dr. Allen's _Amer. Biog. Dictionary_. He will be found further noticed in these Pages. He possesed considerable Ability, but was very weak minded. [80] Perhaps a typographical Error. Nathaniel _Ingerson_ or _Ingersoll_ is undoubtedly meant. Edward Pulman is Edward _Putman_; Nurce is since _Nourse_; Jarboll is _Tarbell_. [81] This flatly contradicts those who have charged all to the Devil.