Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/268

 212 THE HISTOKY OF BAREINGTON. On the 2nd of March, 1738, the town voted to pay to Mr. Heath the first half year's salary, "but not to give order for the last half year's salary, except he comply with the vote of the town passed the sixth day of February last past to preach at the place the town hath appointed." On the 9th of March, the town met to learn Mr. Heath's answer, when the com- mittee reported "that he would consider of it." Against this vote we find this protest : " We the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of Har- rington do enter our protest against the vote that hath been past in this meeting in order to keep back or diminish the one half of the Reverend Mr. Peleg Heath's salary and to free ourselves from any charge that may arise by reason of this meeting. Barrington, March 2, 1738. Nathaniel Peck, Constant Viall, Samuel Allen, Joseph Viall, Benjamin Viall, Peleg Richmond, Josiah Humphrey, Daniel Peck, Nathaniel Peck, Jr., Solomon Peck, Daniel Allen." Mr. Heath's further consideration of the matter led to a decision not to preach at the house of Mr. Bosworth, and his appeal to the Inferior Court at Bristol to require the town to pay his salary. In October, 1738, the town voted to allow the selectmen the money they had expended at Court in an- swering the suit brought by Mr. Heath, in an appeal to the Superior Court at Bristol. December 29, 1738, the town voted ten pounds to the selectmen " to pay the charge they were at in the Superior Court to vindicate a law suit Mr. Peleg Heath brought against the town." It was also voted to exempt the Baptists from paying any of the expenses in defending the suit of Rev. Mr. Heath. March 12, 1739, the town voted not to raise the money to answer the execu- tion that the Rev. Mr. Peleg Heath obtained against the town. On the 20th of the same month, the town voted to