At length, all attempts to settle their difficulties among themselves were abandoned; and they called for help from outside.  At a legally warned meeting on the 17th of January, 1687, the inhabitants made choice of “Captain John Putnam” (he had been promoted in the military line since the affair in the meeting-house with Mr. Burroughs), “Lieutenant Jonathan Walcot, Ensign Thomas Flint, and Corporal Joseph Herrick, for to transact with Joseph Hutchinson, Job Swinnerton, Joseph Porter, and Daniel Andrew about their grievances relating to the public affairs of this place; and, if they cannot agree among themselves, that then they shall refer their differences to the Honored Major Gedney and John Hathorne, Esqs., and to the reverend elders of the Salem Church, for a full determination of those differences.”  Of course, it was impossible to settle the matter among themselves, and the referees were called in.  William Brown, Jr., Esq., was added to them.  They were all of the old town, and men of the highest consideration.  Their judgment in the case is a well-drawn and interesting document, and shows the view which near neighbors took of the distractions in the village.  The following passage will exhibit the purport and spirit of it:—­

“Loving Brethren, Friends and Neighbors,—­Upon serious consideration of, and mature deliberation upon, what hath been offered to us about your calling and transacting in order to the settling and ordaining the Rev. Mr. Deodat Lawson, and the grievances offered by some to obstruct and impede that proceeding, our sense of the matter is this,—­first, that the affair of calling and transacting in order to the settling and ordaining the Reverend Mr. Lawson hath not been so inoffensively managed as might have been,—­at least, not in all the parts and passages of it; second, that the grievances offered by some amongst you are not in themselves of sufficient weight to obstruct so great a work, and that they have not been improved so peaceably and orderly as Christian prudence and self-denial doth direct; third, to our grief, we observe such uncharitable expressions and uncomely reflections tossed to and fro as look like the effects of settled prejudice and resolved animosity, though we are much rather willing to account them the product of weakness than wilfulness:  however, we must needs say, that, come whence they will, they have a tendency to make such a gap as we fear, if not timely prevented, will let out peace and order, and let in confusion and every evil work.”

They then proceed to give some good advice to “prevent contention and trouble for the future, that it may not devour for ever, and that, if the Lord please, you may be happier henceforth than to make one another miserable; and not make your place uncomfortable to your present, and undesirable to any other, minister, and the ministry itself in a great measure unprofitable:  and that you may not bring impositions on yourselves