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    | 1788. | Negotiations with Mr. Foster. | 213 |   
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    | fast around Mr. Foster that a general dissatisfaction 
        with him appeared at this time to prevail, and a meeting of the town was 
        called for September 9th, "to hear any proposals which the Rev. Isaac 
        Foster shall make respecting a dismission from his ministerial relation 
        and connection with the inhabitants." Daniel Cony was moderator of this 
        meeting, to which Mr. Foster proposed terms upon which he would dissolve 
        the connection, which, however, were not acceptable to the town. The proposal 
        was in writing, signed by Mr. Foster, and according to the record "had 
        two several readings in the meeting," when the question was put whether 
        the town would accept the terms, "and it passed in the negative." Mr. 
        Foster was then invited to attend the meeting by a committee chosen for 
        that purpose, when he appeared and was asked if he had any further proposal 
        to make. In reply he offered to "take £200" and dissolve the connection. 
        The question upon accepting this was put, "and it passed in the negative." 
        The meeting, probably to end the interview, then adjourned for five minutes, 
        when it again assembled and proceeded to the consideration of other business.
 Uneasiness still existed with many in relation to the 
        unsettled state of affairs with the minister, particularly those who paid 
        taxes for his support and could not conscientiously attend his meetings. 
        At the request of a number of the inhabitants a meeting was called October 
        30th, to see if the town would agree to have the contract with him cancelled, 
        and should they not succeed in this, to see if the town in conjunction 
        with the church would call an ecclesiastical council to hear, judge and 
        advise in all matters of grievances that should be regularly laid before 
        them; and "if no measures are taken to remove the grievances complained 
        of, to see if the town will vote to discharge the disaffected, who cannot 
        conscientiously attend upon Mr. Foster's meetings, from paying any tax 
        for his support."
 
 Samuel Bullen was chosen moderator, and a committee 
        appointed to treat with Mr. Foster in relation to cancelling his contract. 
        The meeting was adjourned for fifteen minutes to give an opportunity for 
        the conference, when the committee reported that "Mr. Foster had nothing 
        to offer with regard to an agreement, but that he would concur in calling 
        a council if the town and church see fit." To this the town acceded, and 
        proposed the council that ordained Mr. Foster with the exception of his 
        two brothers, which was accepted by Mr. Foster, who "nominated Mr. Williams 
        and his church of
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    | 1 Sewall's Diary. |  |  
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