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+Project Gutenberg's Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather, by Charles W. Upham
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather
+ A Reply
+
+Author: Charles W. Upham
+
+Release Date: October 20, 2008 [EBook #26978]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SALEM WITCHCRAFT AND COTTON MATHER ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Stephen Blundell
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of
+public domain works from the University of Michigan Digital
+Libraries.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ SALEM WITCHCRAFT
+ AND
+ COTTON MATHER.
+
+ A REPLY.
+
+
+ BY
+ CHARLES W. UPHAM,
+ _Member of the Massachusetts Historical Society._
+
+
+ MORRISANIA, N. Y.:
+ 1869.
+
+
+
+
+ TO
+ HENRY B. DAWSON, ESQ.,
+ PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR
+ OF
+ _THE HISTORICAL MAGAZINE_,
+ THIS REPRINT FROM ITS PAGES
+ IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY
+ ITS AUTHOR.
+
+SALEM, MASS., December 10, 1869.
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Note:
+
+ Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note.
+ Superscript text is preceded by the ^ character. Variant spellings,
+ including the inconsistent spelling of proper nouns, remain as
+ printed. Spelling errors in quotations have been retained, despite
+ the generally poor quality of the original typesetting.
+
+
+
+
+PREFATORY NOTE.
+
+
+The Editors of the _North American Review_ would, under the
+circumstances, I have no reason to doubt, have opened its columns to a
+reply to the article that has led to the preparation of the following
+statement. But its length has forbidden my asking such a favor.
+
+All interested in the department of American literature to which the
+HISTORICAL MAGAZINE belongs, must appreciate the ability with which it
+is conducted, and the laborious and indefatigable zeal of its Editor, in
+collecting and placing on its pages, beyond the reach of oblivion and
+loss, the scattered and perishing materials necessary to the elucidation
+of historical and biographical topics, whether relating to particular
+localities or the country at large; and it was as gratifying as
+unexpected to receive the proffer, without limitation, of the use of
+that publication for this occasion.
+
+The spirited discussion, by earnest scholars, of special questions,
+although occasionally assuming the aspect of controversy, will be not
+only tolerated but welcomed by liberal minds. Let champions arise, in
+all sections of the Republic, to defend their respective rightful claims
+to share in a common glorious inheritance and to inscribe their several
+records in our Annals. Feeling the deepest interest in the Historical,
+Antiquarian, and Genealogical Societies of Massachusetts, and yielding
+to none in keen sensibility to all that concerns the ancient honors of
+the Old Bay State and New England, generally, I rejoice to witness the
+spirit of a commemorative age kindling the public mind, every where, in
+the Middle, Western and Southern States.
+
+The courtesy extended to me is evidence that while, by a jealous
+scrutiny and, sometimes, perhaps, a sharp conflict, we are reciprocally
+imposing checks upon loose exaggerations and overweening pretensions, a
+comprehensive good feeling predominates over all; truth in its purity is
+getting eliminated; and characters and occurrences, in all parts of the
+country, brought under the clear light of justice.
+
+The aid I have received, in the following discussion, from the
+publications and depositories of historical associations and the
+contributions of individuals, like Mr. Goodell, Doctor Moore, and
+others, engaged in procuring from the mother country and preserving all
+original tracts and documents, whenever found, belonging to our Colonial
+period, demonstrate the importance of such efforts, whether of Societies
+or single persons. In this way, our history will stand on a solid
+foundation, and have the lineaments of complete and exact truth.
+
+Notwithstanding the distance from the place of printing, owing to the
+faithful and intelligent oversight of the superintendent of the press
+and the vigilant core of the compositors, but few errors, I trust, will
+be found, beyond what are merely literal, and every reader will
+unconsciously, or readily, correct for himself.
+
+ C. W. U.
+ SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS.
+
+
+ _Page._
+
+ INTRODUCTION. 1
+
+ I.
+
+ THE CONNECTION OF THE MATHERS WITH THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THEIR
+ TIME. 1
+
+ II.
+
+ THE GOODWIN CHILDREN. SOME GENERAL REMARKS UPON THE
+ CRITICISMS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW. 4
+
+ III.
+
+ COTTON MATHER AND THE GOODWIN CHILDREN. JOHN BAILY. JOHN
+ HALE. GOODWIN'S CERTIFICATES. MATHER'S IDEA OF WITCHCRAFT
+ AS A WAR WITH THE DEVIL. HIS USE OF PRAYER. CONNECTION
+ BETWEEN THE CASE OF THE GOODWIN CHILDREN AND SALEM
+ WITCHCRAFT. 6
+
+ IV.
+
+ THE RELATION OF THE MATHERS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF
+ MASSACHUSETTS, IN 1692. THE NEW CHARTER. THE GOVERNMENT
+ UNDER IT ARRANGED BY THEM. ARRIVAL OF SIR WILLIAM PHIPS. 12
+
+ V.
+
+ THE SPECIAL COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER. HOW IT WAS
+ ESTABLISHED. WHO RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
+ PROVINCE CONCENTRATED IN ITS CHIEF-JUSTICE. 15
+
+ VI.
+
+ COTTON MATHER'S CONNECTION WITH THE COURT. SPECTRAL EVIDENCE.
+ LETTER TO JOHN RICHARDS. ADVICE OF THE MINISTERS. 19
+
+ VII.
+
+ ADVICE OF THE MINISTERS, FURTHER CONSIDERED. COTTON MATHER'S
+ PLAN FOR DEALING WITH SPECTRAL TESTIMONY. 23
+
+ VIII.
+
+ COTTON MATHER AND SPECTRAL EVIDENCE. 30
+
+ IX.
+
+ COTTON MATHER AND THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS. JOHN PROCTOR.
+ GEORGE BURROUGHS. 32
+
+ X.
+
+ COTTON MATHER AND THE WITCHCRAFT TRIALS. THE EXECUTIONS. 38
+
+ XI.
+
+ LETTER TO STEPHEN SEWALL. "WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD."
+ ITS ORIGIN AND DESIGN. COTTON MATHER'S ACCOUNT OF THE
+ TRIALS. 44
+
+ XII.
+
+ "WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD," CONTINUED. PASSAGES FROM
+ IT. "CASES OF CONSCIENCE." INCREASE MATHER. 50
+
+ XIII.
+
+ THE COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER BROUGHT TO A SUDDEN END. SIR
+ WILLIAM PHIPS. 54
+
+ XIV.
+
+ COTTON MATHER'S WRITINGS SUBSEQUENT TO THE WITCHCRAFT
+ PROSECUTIONS. 57
+
+ XV.
+
+ HISTORY OF OPINION AS TO COTTON MATHER'S CONNECTION WITH
+ SALEM WITCHCRAFT. THOMAS BRATTLE. THE PEOPLE OF SALEM
+ VILLAGE. JOHN HALE. JOHN HIGGINSON. MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH. 61
+
+ XVI.
+
+ HISTORY OF OPINION AS TO COTTON MATHER, CONTINUED. FRANCIS
+ HUTCHINSON. DANIEL NEAL. ISAAC WATTS. THOMAS HUTCHINSON.
+ WILLIAM BENTLEY. JOHN ELIOT. JOSIAH QUINCY. 68
+
+ XVII.
+
+ THE EFFECT UPON THE POWER OF THE MATHERS, IN THE PUBLIC
+ AFFAIRS OF THE PROVINCE, OF THEIR CONNECTION WITH
+ WITCHCRAFT. 70
+
+ XVIII.
+
+ COTTON MATHER'S WRITINGS AND CHARACTER. 74
+
+ XIX.
+
+ ROBERT CALEF'S WRITINGS AND CHARACTER. 77
+
+ XX.
+
+ MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. CONCLUSION. 84
+
+
+
+
+SALEM WITCHCRAFT AND COTTON MATHER.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+An article in _The North American Review_, for April, 1869, is mostly
+devoted to a notice of the work published by me, in 1867, entitled
+_Salem Witchcraft, with an account of Salem Village, and a history of
+opinions on witchcraft and kindred subjects_. If the article had
+contained criticisms, in the usual style, merely affecting the character
+of that work, in a literary point of view, no other duty would have
+devolved upon me, than carefully to consider and respectfully heed its
+suggestions. But it raises questions of an historical nature that seem
+to demand a response, either acknowledging the correctness of its
+statements or vindicating my own.
+
+The character of the Periodical in which it appears; the manner in which
+it was heralded by rumor, long before its publication; its circulation,
+since, in a separate pamphlet form; and the extent to which, in certain
+quarters, its assumptions have been endorsed, make a reply imperative.
+
+The subject to which it relates is of acknowledged interest and
+importance. The Witchcraft Delusion of 1692 has justly arrested a wider
+notice, and probably always will, than any other occurrence in the early
+colonial history of this country. It presents phenomena in the realm of
+our spiritual nature, belonging to that higher department of physiology,
+known as Psychology, of the greatest moment; and illustrates the
+operations of the imagination upon the passions and faculties in
+immediate connection with it, and the perils to which the soul and
+society are thereby exposed, in a manner more striking, startling and
+instructive than is elsewhere to be found. For all reasons, truth and
+justice require of those who venture to explore and portray it, the
+utmost efforts to elucidate its passages and delineate correctly its
+actors.
+
+With these views I hail with satisfaction the criticisms that may be
+offered upon my book, without regard to their personal character or
+bearing, as continuing and heightening the interest felt in the subject;
+and avail myself of the opportunity, tendered to me without solicitation
+and in a most liberal spirit, by the proprietor of this Magazine, to
+meet the obligations which historical truth and justice impose.
+
+The principle charge, and it is repeated in innumerable forms through
+the sixty odd pages of the article in the _North American_, is that I
+have misrepresented the part borne by Cotton Mather in the proceeding
+connected with the Witchcraft Delusion and prosecutions, in 1692.
+Various other complaints are made of inaccuracy and unfairness,
+particularly in reference to the position of Increase Mather and the
+course of the Boston Ministers of that period, generally. Although the
+discussion, to which I now ask attention, may appear, at first view, to
+relate to questions merely personal, it will be found, I think, to lead
+to an exploration of the literature and prevalent sentiments, relating
+to religious and philosophical subjects, of that period; and, also, of
+an instructive passage in the public history of the Province of
+Massachusetts Bay.
+
+I now propose to present the subject more fully than was required, or
+would have been appropriate, in my work on Witchcraft.
+
+
+
+
+I.
+
+THE CONNECTION OF THE MATHERS WITH THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THEIR TIME.
+
+
+In the first place, I venture to say that it can admit of no doubt, that
+Increase Mather and his son, Cotton Mather, did more than any other
+persons to aggravate the tendency of that age to the result reached in
+the Witchcraft Delusion of 1692. The latter, in the beginning of the
+Sixth Book of the _Magnalia Christi Americana_, refers to an attempt
+made, about the year 1658, "among some divines of no little figure
+throughout England and Ireland, for the faithful registering of
+remarkable providences. But, alas," he says, "it came to nothing that
+was remarkable. The like holy design," he continues, "was, by the
+Reverend Increase Mather, proposed among the divines of New England, in
+the year 1681, at a general meeting of them; who thereupon desired him
+to begin and publish an Essay; which he did in a little while; but
+there-withal declared that he did it only as a specimen of a larger
+volume, in hopes that this work being set on foot, posterity would go on
+with it." Cotton Mather did go on with it, immediately upon his entrance
+to the ministry; and by their preaching, publications, correspondence at
+home and abroad, and the influence of their learning, talents, industry,
+and zeal in the work, these two men promoted the prevalence of a passion
+for the marvelous and monstrous, and what was deemed preternatural,
+infernal, and diabolical, throughout the whole mass of the people, in
+England as well as America. The public mind became infatuated and,
+drugged with credulity and superstition, was prepared to receive every
+impulse of blind fanaticism. The stories, thus collected and put
+everywhere in circulation, were of a nature to terrify the imagination,
+fill the mind with horrible apprehensions, degrade the general
+intelligence and taste, and dethrone the reason. They darken and
+dishonor the literature of that period. A rehash of them can be found in
+the Sixth Book of the _Magnalia_. The effects of such publications were
+naturally developed in widespread delusions and universal credulity.
+They penetrated the whole body of society, and reached all the
+inhabitants and families of the land, in the towns and remotest
+settlements. In this way, the Mathers, particularly the younger, made
+themselves responsible for the diseased and bewildered state of the
+public mind, in reference in supernatural and diabolical agencies, which
+came to a head in the Witchcraft Delusion. I do not say that they were
+culpable. Undoubtedly they thought they were doing God service. But the
+influence they exercised, in this direction, remains none the less an
+historical fact.
+
+Increase Mather applied himself, without delay, to the prosecution of
+the design he had proposed, by writing to persons in all parts of the
+country, particularly clergymen, to procure, for publication, as many
+marvelous stories as could be raked up. In the eighth volume of the
+Fourth Series of the _Collections of the Massachusetts Historical
+Society_, consisting of _The Mather Papers_, the responses of several of
+his correspondents may be seen. [_Pp. 285, 360, 361, 367, 466, 475, 555,
+612._] He pursued this business with an industrious and pertinacious
+zeal, which nothing could slacken. After the rest of the world had been
+shocked out of such mischievous nonsense, by the horrid results at
+Salem, on the fifth of March, 1694, as President of Harvard College, he
+issued a Circular to "The Reverend Ministers of the Gospel, in the
+several Churches in New England," signed by himself and seven others,
+members of the Corporation of that institution, urging it, as the
+special duty of Ministers of the Gospel, to obtain and preserve
+knowledge of notable occurrences, described under the general head of
+"_Remarkables_," and classified as follows:
+
+"The things to be esteemed memorable are, especially, all unusual
+accidents, in the heaven, or earth, or water; all wonderful deliverances
+of the distressed; mercies to the godly; judgments to the wicked; and
+more glorious fulfilments of either the promises or the threatenings, in
+the Scriptures of truth; with apparitions, possessions, inchantments,
+and all extraordinary things wherein the existence and agency of the
+invisible world is more sensibly demonstrated."--_Magnalia Christi
+Americana._ Edit. London, 1702. Book VI., p. 1.
+
+All communications, in answer to this missive were to be addressed to
+the "President and Fellows" of Harvard College.
+
+The first article is as follows: "To observe and record the more
+illustrious discoveries of the Divine Providence, in the government of
+the world, is a design so holy, so useful, so justly approved, that the
+too general neglect of it in the Churches of God, is as justly to be
+lamented." It is important to consider this language in connection with
+that used by Cotton Mather, in opening the Sixth Book of the _Magnalia_:
+"To regard the illustrious displays of that Providence, wherewith our
+Lord Christ governs the world, is a work than which there is none more
+needful or useful for a Christian; to record them is a work than which
+none more proper for a Minister; and perhaps the great Governor of the
+world will ordinarily do the most notable things for those who are most
+ready to take a wise notice of what he does. Unaccountable, therefore,
+and inexcusable, is the sleepiness, even upon the most of good men
+throughout the world, which indisposes them to observe and, much more,
+to preserve, the remarkable dispensations of Divine Providence, towards
+themselves or others. Nevertheless there have been raised up, now and
+then, those persons, who have rendered themselves worthy of everlasting
+remembrance, by their wakeful zeal to have the memorable providences of
+God remembered through all generations."
+
+These passages from the Mathers, father and son, embrace, in their
+bearings, a period, eleven years before and two years after the Delusion
+of 1692. They show that the Clergy, generally, were indifferent to the
+subject, and required to be aroused from "neglect" and "sleepiness,"
+touching the duty of flooding the public mind with stories of "wonders"
+and "remarkables;" and that the agency of the Mathers, in giving
+currency, by means of their ministry and influence, to such ideas, was
+peculiar and pre-eminent. However innocent and excusable their motives
+may have been, the laws of cause and effect remained unbroken; and the
+result of their actions are, with truth and justice, attributable to
+them--not necessarily, I repeat, to impeach their honesty and integrity,
+but their wisdom, taste, judgment, and common sense. Human
+responsibility is not to be set aside, nor avoided, merely and wholly by
+good intent. It involves a solemn and fearful obligation to the use of
+reason, caution, cool deliberation, circumspection, and a most careful
+calculation of consequences. Error, if innocent and honest, is not
+punishable by divine, and ought not to be by human, law. It is covered
+by the mercy of God, and must not be pursued by the animosity of men.
+But it is, nevertheless, a thing to be dreaded and to be guarded
+against, with the utmost vigilance. Throughout the melancholy annals of
+the Church and the world, it has been the fountain of innumerable woes,
+spreading baleful influences through society, paralysing the energies of
+reason and conscience, dimming, all but extinguishing, the light of
+religion, convulsing nations, and desolating the earth. It is the duty
+of historians to trace it to its source; and, by depicting faithfully
+the causes that have led to it, prevent its recurrence. With these
+views, I feel bound, distinctly, to state that the impression given to
+the popular sentiments of the period, to which I am referring, by
+certain leading minds, led to, was the efficient cause of, and, in this
+sense, may be said to have originated, the awful superstitions long
+prevalent in the old world and the new, and reaching a final catastrophe
+in 1692; and among these leading minds, aggravating and intensifying, by
+their writings, this most baleful form of the superstition of the age,
+Increase and Cotton Mather stand most conspicuous.
+
+This opinion was entertained, at the time, by impartial observers.
+Francis Hutchinson, D.D., "Chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty, and
+Minister of St. James's Parish, in St. Edmund's Bury," in the life-time
+of both the Mathers, published, in London, an _Historical Essay
+concerning Witchcraft_, dedicated to the "Lord Chief-justice of England,
+the Lord Chief-justice of Common Pleas, and the Lord Chief Baron of
+Exchequer." In a Chapter on _The Witchcraft in Salem, Boston, and
+Andover, in New England_, he attributes it, as will be seen in the
+course of this article, to the influence of the writings of the Mathers.
+
+In the Preface to the London edition of Cotton Mather's _Memorable
+Providences_, written by Richard Baxter, in 1690, he ascribes this same
+prominence to the works of the Mathers. While expressing the great value
+he attached to writings about Witchcraft, and the importance, in his
+view, of that department of literature which relates stories about
+diabolical agency, possessions, apparitions, and the like, he says, "Mr.
+Increase Mather hath already published many such histories of things
+done in New England; and this great instance published by his son"--that
+is, the account of the Goodwin children--"cometh with such full
+convincing evidence, that he must be a very obdurate Sadducee that will
+not believe it. And his two Sermons, adjoined, are excellently fitted to
+the subject and this blinded generation, and to the use of us all, that
+are not past our warfare with Devils." One of the Sermons, which Baxter
+commends, is on _The Power and Malice of Devils_, and opens with the
+declaration, that "there is a combination of Devils, which our air is
+filled withal:" the other is on _Witchcraft_. Both are replete with the
+most exciting and vehement enforcements of the superstitions of that
+age, relating to the Devil and his confederates.
+
+My first position, then, in contravention of that taken by the Reviewer
+in the _North American_, is that, by stimulating the Clergy over the
+whole country, to collect and circulate all sorts of marvelous and
+supposed preternatural occurrences, by giving this direction to the
+preaching and literature of the times, these two active, zealous,
+learned, and able Divines, Increase and Cotton Mather, considering the
+influence they naturally were able to exercise, are, particularly the
+latter, justly chargeable with, and may be said to have brought about,
+the extraordinary outbreaks of credulous fanaticism, exhibited in the
+cases of the Goodwin family and of "the afflicted children," at Salem
+Village. Robert Calef, writing to the Ministers of the country, March
+18, 1694, says: "I having had, not only occasion, but renewed
+provocation, to take a view of the mysterious doctrines, which have of
+late been so much contested among us, could not meet with any that had
+spoken more, or more plainly, the sense of those doctrines" [_relating
+to the Witchcraft_] "than the Reverend Mr. Cotton Mather, but how
+clearly and consistent, either with himself or the truth, I meddle not
+now to say, but cannot but suppose his strenuous and zealous asserting
+his opinions has been one cause of the dismal convulsions, we have here
+lately fallen into."--_More Wonders of the Invisible World_, by Robert
+Calef, Merchant of Boston, in New England. Edit. London, 1700, p. 33.
+
+The papers that remain, connected with the Witchcraft Examinations and
+Trials, at Salem, show the extent to which currency had been given, in
+the popular mind, to such marvelous and prodigious things as the Mathers
+had been so long endeavoring to collect and circulate; particularly in
+the interior, rural settlements. The solemn solitudes of the woods were
+filled with ghosts, hobgoblins, spectres, evil spirits, and the
+infernal Prince of them all. Every pathway was infested with their
+flitting shapes and footprints; and around every hearth-stone,
+shuddering circles, drawing closer together as the darkness of night
+thickened and their imaginations became more awed and frightened,
+listened to tales of diabolical operations: the same effects, in
+somewhat different forms, pervaded the seaboard settlements and larger
+towns.
+
+Besides such frightful fancies, other most unhappy influences flowed
+from the prevalence of the style of literature which the Mathers brought
+into vogue. Suspicions and accusations of witchcraft were everywhere
+prevalent; any unusual calamity or misadventure; every instance of real
+or affected singularity of deportment or behavior--and, in that
+condition of perverted and distempered public opinion, there would be
+many such--was attributed to the Devil. Every sufferer who had yielded
+his mind to what was taught in pulpits or publications, lost sight of
+the Divine Hand, and could see nothing but devils in his afflictions.
+Poor John Goodwin, whose trials we are presently to consider, while his
+children were acting, as the phrase--originating in those days, and
+still lingering in the lower forms of vulgar speech--has it, "like all
+possessed," broke forth thus: "I thought of what David said. _2 Samuel_,
+xxiv., 14. If he feared so to fall into the hands of men, oh! then to
+think of the horrors of our condition, to be in the hands of Devils and
+Witches. Thus, our doleful condition moved us to call to our friends to
+have pity on us, for God's hand hath touched us. I was ready to say that
+no one's affliction was like mine. That my little house, that should be
+a little Bethel for God to dwell in, should be made a den for Devils;
+that those little Bodies, that should be Temples for the Holy Ghost to
+dwell in, should be thus harrassed and abused by the Devil and his
+cursed brood."--_Late Memorable Providences, relating to Witchcraft and
+Possessions._ By Cotton Mather. Edit. London, 1691.
+
+No wonder that the country was full of the terrors and horrors of
+diabolical imaginations, when the Devil was kept before the minds of
+men, by what they constantly read and heard, from their religious
+teachers! In the Sermons of that day, he was the all-absorbing topic of
+learning and eloquence. In some of Cotton Mather's, the name, Devil, or
+its synonyms, is mentioned ten times as often as that of the benign and
+blessed God.
+
+No wonder that alleged witchcrafts were numerous! Drake, in his _History
+of Boston_, says there were many cases there, about the year 1688. Only
+one of them seems to have attracted the kind of notice requisite to
+preserve it from oblivion--that of the four children of John Goodwin,
+the eldest, thirteen years of age. The relation of this case, in my
+book [_Salem Witchcraft_, i., 454-460] was wholly drawn from the
+_Memorable Providences_ and the _Magnalia_.
+
+
+
+
+II.
+
+THE GOODWIN CHILDREN. SOME GENERAL REMARKS UPON THE CRITICISMS OF THE
+NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW.
+
+
+The Reviewer charges me with having wronged Cotton Mather, by
+representing that he "got up" the whole affair of the Goodwin children.
+He places the expression within quotation marks, and repeats it, over
+and over again. In the passage to which he refers--p. 366 of the second
+volume of my book--I say of Cotton Mather, that he "repeatedly
+endeavored to get up cases of the kind in Boston. There is some ground
+for suspicion that he was instrumental in originating the fanaticism in
+Salem." I am not aware that the expression was used, except in this
+passage. But, wherever used, it was designed to convey the meaning given
+to it, by both of our great lexicographers. Worcester defines "_to get
+up_, 'to prepare, to make ready--to get up an entertainment;' 'to print
+and publish, as a book.'" Webster defines it, "to prepare for coming
+before the public; to bring forward." This is precisely what Mather did,
+in the case of the Goodwin children, and what Calef put a stop to his
+doing in the case of Margaret Rule.
+
+In 1831, I published a volume entitled _Lectures on Witchcraft,
+comprising a history of the Delusion, in Salem, in 1692_. In 1867, I
+published _Salem Witchcraft, and an account of Salem Village_; and, in
+the Preface, stated that "the former was prepared under circumstances
+which prevented a thorough investigation of the subject. Leisure and
+freedom from professional duties have now enabled me to prosecute the
+researches necessary to do justice to it. The _Lectures on Witchcraft_
+have long been out of print. Although frequently importuned to prepare a
+new edition, I was unwilling to issue, again, what I had discovered to
+be an inadequate presentation of the subject." In the face of this
+disclaimer of the authority of the original work, the Reviewer says: "In
+this discussion, we shall treat Mr. Upham's _Lectures_ and History in
+the same connection, as the latter is an expansion and defence of the
+views presented in the former."
+
+I ask every person of candor and fairness, to consider whether it is
+just to treat authors in this way? It is but poor encouragement to them
+to labor to improve their works, for the first critical journal in the
+country to bring discredit upon their efforts, by still laying to their
+charge what they have themselves remedied or withdrawn. Yet it is
+avowedly done in the article which compels me to this vindication.
+
+The _Lectures_, for instance, printed in 1831, contained the following
+sentence, referring to Cotton Mather's agency, in the Goodwin case, in
+Boston. "An instance of witchcraft was brought about, in that place, by
+his management." So it appeared in a reprint of that volume, in 1832. In
+my recent publication, while transferring a long paragraph from the
+original work, _I carefully omitted_, from the body of it, the above
+sentence, fearing that it might lead to misapprehension. For, although I
+hold that the Mathers are pre-eminently answerable for the witchcraft
+proceedings in their day, and may be said, justly, to have caused them,
+of course I did not mean that, by personal instigation on the spot, they
+started every occurrence that ultimately was made to assume such a
+character. The Reviewer, with the fact well known to him, that I had
+suppressed and discarded this clause, flings it against me, repeatedly.
+He further quotes a portion of the paragraph, in the _Lectures_, in
+which it occurs, omitting, _without indicating the omission_, certain
+clauses that would have explained my meaning, _taking care, however, to
+include the suppressed passage_; and finishes the misrepresentation, by
+the following declaration, referring to the paragraph in the _Lectures_:
+"The same statements, in almost the same words, he reproduces in his
+History." This he says, knowing that the particular statement to which
+he was then taking exception, was not reproduced in my History.
+
+It may be as well here, at this point, as elsewhere, once for all, to
+dispose of a large portion of the matter contained in the long article
+in the _North American Review_, now under consideration. In preparing
+any work, particularly in the department of history, it is to be
+presumed that the explorations of the writer extend far beyond what he
+may conclude to put into his book. He will find much that is of no
+account whatever; that would load down his narrative, swell it to
+inadmissible dimensions, and shed no additional light. Collateral and
+incidental questions cannot be pursued in details. A new law, however,
+is now given out, that must be followed, hereafter, by all writers--that
+is, to give not a catalogue merely, but an account of the contents, of
+every book and tract they have read. It is thus announced by our
+Reviewer: "We assume Mr. Upham has not seen this tract, as he neither
+mentioned it nor made use of its material."
+
+The document here spoken of was designed to give Increase Mather's ideas
+on the subject of witchcraft trials, written near the close of those in
+Salem, in 1692. As I had no peculiar interest in determining what his
+views were--as a careful study of the tract, particularly taken in
+connection with its _Postscript_, fails to bring any reader to a clear
+conception of them; and as its whole matter was altogether immaterial to
+my subject--I did not think it worth while to encumber my pages with it.
+So in respect to many other points, in treating which extended
+discussions might be demanded. If I had been governed by such notions as
+the Reviewer seems to entertain, my book, which he complains of as too
+long, would have been lengthened to the dimensions of a cyclopaedia of
+theology, biography, and philosophy. For keeping to my subject, and not
+diverting attention to writings of no inherent value, in any point of
+view, and which would contribute nothing to the elucidation of my
+topics, I am charged by this Reviewer, in the baldest terms, with
+ignorance, on almost every one of his sixty odd pages, and, often,
+several times on the same page.
+
+All that I say of Cotton Mather, mostly drawn from his own words, does
+not cover a dozen pages. Exception is taken to some unfavorable
+judgments, cursorily expressed. This is fair and legitimate, and would
+justify my being called on to substantiate them. But to assume, and
+proclaim, that I had not read nor seen tracts or volumes that would come
+under consideration in such a discussion, is as rash as it is offensive;
+and, besides, constitutes a charge against which no person of any self
+respect or common sense can be expected to defend himself. I gave the
+opinion of Cotton Mather's agency in the Witchcraft of 1692, to which my
+judgment had been led--whether with sufficient grounds or not will be
+seen, as I proceed--but did not branch off from my proper subject, into
+a detail of the sources from which that opinion was derived. If I had
+done so, in connection with allusions to Mather, upon the same principle
+it would have been necessary to do it, whenever an opinion was expressed
+of others, such as Roger Williams, or Hugh Peters, or Richard Baxter. It
+would destroy the interest, and stretch interminably the dimensions, of
+any book, to break its narrative, abandon its proper subject, and stray
+aside into such endless collateral matter. But it must be done, if the
+article in the _North American Review_, is to be regarded as an
+authoritative announcement of a canon of criticism. Lecturers and public
+speakers, or writers of any kind, must be on their guard. If they should
+chance, for instance, to speak of Cotton Mather as a pedant, they will
+have the reviewers after them, belaboring them with the charge of "a
+great lack of research," in not having "pored over" the "prodigious"
+manuscript of his unpublished work, in the Library of the Massachusetts
+Historical Society, the whole of his three hundred and eighty-two
+printed works, and the huge mass of _Mather Papers_, in the Library of
+the American Antiquarian Society; and with never having "read" the
+_Memorable Providences_, or "seen" the _Wonders of the Invisible World_,
+or "heard" of the _Magnalia Christi Americana_.
+
+
+
+
+III.
+
+COTTON MATHER AND THE GOODWIN CHILDREN. JOHN BAILY. JOHN HALE. GOODWIN'S
+CERTIFICATES. MATHER'S IDEA OF WITCHCRAFT AS A WAR WITH THE DEVIL. HIS
+USE OF PRAYER. CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CASE OF THE GOODWIN CHILDREN AND
+SALEM WITCHCRAFT.
+
+
+The Reviewer complains of my manner of treating Cotton Mather's
+connection with the affair of the Goodwin children. The facts in the
+case are, that the family, to which they belonged, lived in the South
+part of Boston. The father, a mason by occupation, was, as Mather
+informs us, "a sober and pious man." As his church relations were with
+the congregation in Charlestown, of which Charles Morton was the Pastor,
+he probably had no particular acquaintance with the Boston Ministers.
+From a statement made by Mr. Goodwin, some years subsequently, it seems
+that after one of his children had, for "about a quarter of a year, been
+laboring under sad circumstances from the invisible world," he called
+upon "the four Ministers of Boston, together with his own Pastor, to
+keep a day of prayer at his house. If so deliverance might be obtained."
+He says that Cotton Mather, with whom he had no previous acquaintance,
+was the last of the Ministers that "he spoke to on that occasion." Mr.
+Mather did not attend the meeting, but visited the house in the morning
+of the day, before the other Ministers came; spent a half hour there;
+and prayed with the family. About three months after, the Ministers held
+another prayer-meeting there, Mr. Mather being present. He further
+stated that Mr. Mather never, in any way, suggested his prosecuting the
+old Irish woman for bewitching his children, nor gave him any advice in
+reference to the legal proceedings against her; but that "the motion of
+going to the authority was made to him by a Minister of a neighboring
+town, now departed."
+
+The Reviewer, in a note to the last item, given above, of Goodwin's
+statement, says: "Probably Mr. John Baily." Unless he has some
+particular evidence, tending to fix this advice upon Baily, the
+conjecture is objectionable. The name of such a man as Baily appears to
+have been, ought not, unnecessarily, to be connected with the
+transaction. It is true that, after the family had become relieved of
+its "sad circumstances from the invisible world," Mr. Baily took one of
+the children to his house, in Watertown; but that is no indication of
+his having given such advice. The only facts known of him, in connection
+with Witchcraft prosecutions, look in the opposite direction. When John
+Proctor, in his extremity of danger, sought for help, Mr. Baily was one
+of the Ministers from whom alone he had any ground to indulge a hope for
+sympathy; and his name is among the fourteen who signed the paper
+approving of Increase Mather's _Cases of Conscience_. The list comprises
+all the Ministers known as having shown any friendly feelings towards
+persons charged with Witchcraft or who had suffered from the
+prosecutions, such as Hubbard, Allen, Willard, Capen and Wise; but not
+one who had taken an active part in hurrying on the proceedings of 1692.
+
+If any surmise is justifiable, or worth while, as to the author of the
+advice to Goodwin--and perhaps it is due to the memory of Baily, whose
+name has been thus introduced--I should be inclined to suggest that it
+was John Hale, of Beverly, who, like Baily, was deceased at the date of
+Goodwin's certificate. He was a Charlestown man, originally of the same
+religious Society with Goodwin, and had kept up acquaintance with his
+former townsmen. His course at Salem Village, a few years afterwards,
+shows that he would have been likely to give such advice; and we may
+impute it to him without any wrong to his character or reputation. His
+noble conduct in daring, in the very hour of the extremest fury of the
+storm, when, as just before the break of day, the darkness was deepest,
+to denounce the proceedings as wrong; and in doing all that he could to
+repair that wrong, by writing a book condemning the very things in which
+he had himself been a chief actor, gives to his name a glory that cannot
+be dimmed by supposing that, in the period of his former delusion, he
+was the unfortunate adviser of Goodwin.
+
+When Calef's book reached this country, in 1700, a Committee of seven
+was raised, at a meeting of the members of the Parish of which the
+Mathers were Ministers, to protect them against its effects. John
+Goodwin was a member of it, and contributed the Certificate from which
+extracts have just been made. It was so worded as to give the impression
+that Cotton Mather did not take a leading part in the case of Goodwin's
+children, in 1688. It states, as has been seen, that he "was the last of
+the Ministers" asked to attend the prayer-meeting; but lets out the fact
+that he was the first to present himself, going to the house and praying
+with the family before the rest arrived. Goodwin further states, as
+follows: "The Ministers would, now and then, come to visit my distressed
+family, and pray with and for them, among which Mr. Cotton Mather would,
+now and then, come." The whole document is so framed as to present
+Mather as playing a secondary part.
+
+In an account, however, of the affair, written by this same John
+Goodwin, and printed by Mather, in London, ten years before, in _The
+Memorable Providences relating to Witchcraft and Possessions_, a
+somewhat different position is assigned to Mather. After saying "the
+Ministers did often visit us," he mentions "Mr. Mather particularly."
+"He took much pains in this great service, to pull this child and her
+brother and sister, out of the hands of the Devil. Let us now admire and
+adore that fountain, the Lord Jesus Christ, from whence those streams
+come. The Lord himself will requite his labor of love." In 1690, Mather
+was willing to have Goodwin place him in the foreground of the picture,
+representing him as pulling the children out of the hand of the Devil.
+In 1700, it was expedient to withdraw him into the background: and
+Goodwin, accordingly, provided the Committee, of which he was a member,
+with a Certificate of a somewhat different color and tenor.
+
+The execution of the woman, Glover, on the charge of having bewitched
+these Goodwin children, is one of the most atrocious passages of our
+history. Hutchinson[1] says she was one of the "wild Irish," and
+"appeared to be disordered in her senses." She was a Roman Catholic,
+unable to speak the English language, and evidently knew not what to
+make of the proceedings against her. In her dying hour, she was
+understood by the interpreter to say, that taking away her life would
+not have any effect in diminishing the sufferings of the children. The
+remark, showing more sense than any of the rest of them had, was made to
+bear against the poor old creature, as a diabolical imprecation.
+
+Between the time of her condemnation and that of her execution, Cotton
+Mather took the eldest Goodwin child into his family, and kept her there
+all winter. He has told the story of her extraordinary doings, in a
+style of blind and absurd credulity that cannot be surpassed. "Ere
+long," says he, "I thought it convenient for me to entertain my
+congregation with a Sermon on the memorable providence, wherein these
+children had been concerned, (afterwards published)."
+
+In this connection, it may be remarked that had it not been for the
+interference of the Ministers, it is quite likely that "the sad
+circumstances from the invisible world," in the Goodwin family, would
+never have been heard of, beyond the immediate neighbourhood. It is
+quite certain that similar "circumstances," in Mr. Parris's family, in
+1692, owed their general publicity and their awful consequences, to the
+meetings of Ministers called by him. If the girls, in either case, had
+been let alone, they would soon have been weary of what one of them
+called their "sport;" and the whole thing would have been swallowed,
+with countless stories of haunted houses and second sight, in deep
+oblivion.
+
+In considering Cotton Mather's connection with the case of the Goodwin
+children, and that of the accusing girls, at Salem Village, justice to
+him requires that the statements, in my book, of the then prevalent
+notions, of the power and pending formidableness of the Kingdom of
+Darkness, should be borne in mind. It was believed by Divines generally,
+and by people at large, that here, in the American wilderness, a mighty
+onslaught upon the Christian settlements was soon to be made, by the
+Devil and his infernal hosts; and that, on this spot, the final battle
+between Satan and the Church, was shortly to come off. This belief had
+taken full possession of Mather's mind, and fired his imagination. In
+comparison with the approaching contest, all other wars, even that for
+the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre, paled their light. It was the great
+crusade, in which hostile powers, Moslem, Papal, and Pagan, of every
+kind, on earth and from Hell, were to go down; and he aspired to be its
+St. Bernard. It was because he entertained these ideas, that he was on
+the watch to hear, and prompt and glad to meet, the first advances of
+the diabolical legions. This explains his eagerness to take hold of
+every occurrence that indicated the coming of the Arch Enemy.
+
+And it must further be borne in mind that, up to the time of the case of
+the Goodwin children, he had entertained the idea that the Devil was to
+be met and subdued by Prayer. That, and that only, was the weapon with
+which he girded himself; and with that he hoped and believed to conquer.
+For this reason, he did not advise Goodwin to go to the law. For this
+reason, he labored in the distressed household in exercises of prayer,
+and took the eldest child into his own family, so as to bring the
+battery of prayer, with a continuous bombardment, upon the Devil by whom
+she was possessed. For this reason, he persisted in praying in the cell
+of the old Irish woman, much against her will, for she was a stubborn
+Catholic. Of course, he could not pray _with_ her, for he had no doubt
+she was a confederate of the Devil; and she had no disposition to join
+in prayer with one whom, as a heretic, she regarded in no better light;
+but still he would pray, for which he apologized, when referring to the
+matter, afterward.
+
+Cotton Mather was always a man of prayer. For this, he deserves to be
+honored. Prayer, when offered in the spirit, and in accordance with the
+example, of the Saviour--"not my will but thine be done," "Your Father
+knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him--" is the noblest
+exercise and attitude of the soul. It lifts it to the highest level to
+which our faculties can rise. It
+
+ "opens heaven; lets down a stream
+ Of glory on the consecrated hour
+ Of man, in audience with the Deity."
+
+It was the misfortune of Cotton Mather, that an original infirmity of
+judgment, which all the influences of his life and peculiarities of his
+mental character and habits tended to exaggerate, led him to pervert the
+use and operation of prayer, until it became a mere implement, or
+device, to compass some personal end; to carry a point in which he was
+interested, whether relating to private and domestic affairs, or to
+movements in academical, political, or ecclesiastical spheres. While
+according to him entire sincerity in his devotional exercises, and, I
+trust, truly revering the character and nature of such expressions of
+devout sensibility and aspirations to divine communion, it is quite
+apparent that they were practiced by him, in modes and to an extent that
+cannot be commended, leading to much self-delusion and to extravagances
+near akin to distraction of judgment, and a disordered mental and moral
+frame. He would abstain from food--on one occasion, it is said, for
+three days together--and spend the time, as he expresses it "in knocking
+at the door of heaven." Leaving his bed at the dead hours of the night,
+and retiring to his study, he would cast himself on the floor, and
+"wrestle with the Lord." He kept, usually, one day of each week in such
+fasting, sometimes two. In his vigils, very protracted, he would, in
+this prostrate position, be bathed in tears. By such exhausting
+processes, continued through days and nights, without food or rest, his
+nature failed; he grew faint; physical weakness laid him open to
+delusions of the imagination; and his nervous system became deranged.
+Sometimes, heaven seemed to approach him, and he was hardly able to bear
+the ecstasies of divine love; at other times, his soul would be tossed
+in the opposite direction: and often, the two states would follow each
+other in the same exercise, as described by him in his Diary:[2]--"Was
+ever man more tempted than the miserable Mather? Should I tell in how
+many forms the Devil has assaulted me, and with what subtlety and energy
+his assaults have been carried on, it would strike my friends with
+horror. Sometimes, temptations to vice, to blasphemy, and atheism, and
+the abandonment of all religion as a mere delusion, and sometimes to
+self-destruction itself. These, even these, do follow thee, O miserable
+Mather, with astonishing fury. But I fall down into the dust, on my
+study floor, with tears, before the Lord, and then they quickly vanish,
+and it is fair weather again. Lord what wilt thou do with me?"
+
+His prayers and vigils, which often led to such high wrought and intense
+experiences, were, not infrequently, brought down to the level of
+ordinary sublunary affairs. In his Diary, he says, on one occasion: "I
+set apart the day for fasting with prayer, and the special intention of
+the day was to obtain deliverance and protection from my enemies. I
+mentioned their names unto the Lord, who has promised to be my shield."
+The enemies, here referred to, were political opponents--Governor Dudley
+and the supporters of his administration.
+
+At another time, he fixed his heart upon some books offered for sale.
+Not having the means to procure them in the ordinary way, he resorted to
+prayer: "I could not forbear mentioning my wishes in my prayers, before
+the Lord, that, in case it might be of service to his interests, he
+would enable me, in his good Providence, to purchase the treasure now
+before me. But I left the matter before him, with the profoundest
+resignation."
+
+The following entry is of a similar character: "This evening, I met with
+an experience, which it may not be unprofitable for me to remember. I
+had been, for about a fortnight, vexed with an extraordinary heart-burn;
+and none of all the common medicines would remove it, though for the
+present some of them would a little relieve it. At last, it grew so much
+upon me, that I was ready to faint under it. But, under my fainting
+pain, this reflection came into my mind. There was _this_ among the
+sufferings and complaints of my Lord Jesus Christ. My heart was like wax
+melted in the middle of my bowels. Hereupon, I begged of the Lord, that,
+for the sake of the heart-burn undergone by my Saviour, I might be
+delivered from the other and lesser heart-burn wherewith I was now
+incommoded. Immediately it was darted into my mind, that I had Sir
+Philip Paris's plaster in my house, which was good for inflammations;
+and laying the plaster on, I was cured of my malady."
+
+These passages indicate a use of prayer, which, to the extent Mather
+carried it, would hardly be practised or approved by enlightened
+Christians of this or any age; although our Reviewer fully endorses it.
+In reference to Mather's belief in the power of prayer, he expresses
+himself with a bald simplicity, never equalled even by that Divine.
+After stating that the Almighty Sovereign was his Father, and had
+promised to hear and answer his petitions, he goes on to say: "He had
+often tested this promise, and had found it faithful and sure." One
+would think, in hearing such a phraseology, he was listening to an
+agent, vending a patent medicine as an infallible cure, or trying to
+bring into use a labor-saving machine.
+
+The Reviewer calls me to account for representing "the Goodwin affair"
+as having had "a very important relation to the Salem troubles," and
+attempts to controvert that position.
+
+On this point, Francis Hutchinson, before referred to, gives his views,
+very decidedly, in the following passages: [_Pp. 95, 96, 101._] "Mr.
+Cotton Mather, no longer since than 1690, published the case of one
+Goodwin's children. * * * The book was sent hither to be printed amongst
+us, and Mr. Baxter recommended it to our people by a Preface, wherein he
+says: 'That man must be a very obdurate Sadducee that will not believe
+it.' The year after, Mr. Baxter, perhaps encouraged by Mr. Mather's
+book, published his own _Certainty of the World of Spirits_, with
+another testimony, 'That Mr. Mather's book would Silence any incredulity
+that pretended to be rational.' And Mr. Mather dispersed Mr. Baxter's
+book in New England, with the character of it, as a book that was
+ungainsayable."
+
+Speaking of Mather's book, Doctor Hutchinson proceeds: "The judgment I
+made of it was, that the poor old woman, being an Irish Papist, and not
+ready in the signification of English words, had entangled herself by a
+superstitious belief, and doubtful answers about Saints and Charms; and
+seeing what advantages Mr. Mather made of it, I was afraid I saw part of
+the reasons that carried the cause against her. And first it is manifest
+that Mr. Mather is magnified as having great power over evil spirits. A
+young man in his family is represented so holy, that the place of his
+devotions was a certain cure of the young virgin's fits. Then his
+grandfather's and father's books have gained a testimony, that, upon
+occasion, may be _improved_ one knows not how far. For amongst the many
+experiments that were made, Mr. Mather would bring to this young maid,
+the Bible, the _Assembly's Catechism_, his grandfather Cotton's _Milk
+for Babes_, his father's _Remarkable Providences_, and a book to prove
+that there were Witches; and when any of these were offered for her to
+read in, she would be struck dead, and fall into convulsions. 'These
+good books,' he says, 'were mortal to her'; and lest the world should be
+so dull as not to take him right, he adds, 'I hope I have not spoiled
+the credit of the books, by telling how much the Devil hated them.'"
+
+This language, published by Doctor Hutchinson, in England, during the
+life-time of the Mathers, shows how strong was the opinion, at that
+time, that the writings of those two Divines were designed and used to
+promote the prevalence of the Witchcraft superstition, and especially
+that such was the effect, as well as the purpose, of Cotton Mather's
+publication of the case of the Goodwin children, put into such
+circulation, as it was, by him and Baxter, in both Old and New England.
+In the same connection, Francis Hutchinson says: "Observe the time of
+the publication of that book, and of Mr. Baxter's. Mr. Mather's came out
+in 1690, and Mr. Baxter's the year after; and Mr. Mather's father's
+_Remarkable Providences_ had been out before that; and, in the year
+1692, the frights and fits of the afflicted, and the imprisonment and
+execution of Witches in New England, made as sad a calamity as a plague
+or a war. I know that Mr. Mather, in his late Folio, imputes it to the
+Indian Pawaws sending their spirits amongst them; but I attribute it to
+Mr. Baxter's book, and his, and his father's, and the false principles,
+and frightful stories, that filled the people's minds with great fears
+and dangerous notions."
+
+Our own Hutchinson, in his _History of Massachusetts_, [_II., 25-27_]
+alludes to the excitement of the public mind, occasioned by the case of
+the Goodwin children. "I have often," he says, "heard persons who were
+of the neighborhood, speak of the great consternation it occasioned."
+
+In citing this author, in the present discussion, certain facts are
+always to be borne in mind. One of his sisters was the wife of Cotton
+Mather's son, towards whom Hutchinson cherished sentiments appropriate
+to such a near connection, and of which Samuel Mather was, there is no
+reason to doubt, worthy. In the Preface to his first volume he speaks
+thus: "I am obliged to no other person more than to my friend and
+brother, the Reverend Mr. Mather, whose library has been open to me, as
+it had been before to the Reverend Mr. Prince, who has taken from thence
+the greatest and most valuable part of what he had collected."
+
+Moreover, this very library was, it can hardly be questioned, that of
+Cotton Mather; of which, in his Diary, he speaks as "very great." In an
+interesting article, to which I may refer again, in the _Collections of
+the Massachusetts Historical Society_, [_IV., ii., 128_], we are told
+that, in the inventory of the estate of Cotton Mather, filed by his
+Administrator, "not a single book is mentioned among the assets of this
+eccentric scholar." He had, it is to be presumed, given them all, in his
+life-time, to his son, who succeeded to his ministry in the North
+Church, in 1732.
+
+When the delicacy of his relation to the Mather family and the benefit
+he was deriving from that library are considered, the avoidance, by
+Hutchinson, of any unpleasant reference to Cotton Mather, by name, is
+honorable to his feelings. But he maintained, nevertheless, a faithful
+allegiance to the truth of history, as the following, as well as many
+other passages, in his invaluable work, strikingly show. They prove that
+he regarded Mather's "printed account" of the case of the Goodwin
+children, as having a very important relation to the immediately
+subsequent delusion in Salem. "The eldest was taken," he says, "into a
+Minister's family, where at first she behaved orderly, but after some
+time suddenly fell into her fits." "The account of her sufferings is in
+print; some things are mentioned as extraordinary, which tumblers are
+every day taught to perform; others seem more than natural; but it was a
+time of great credulity. * * * The printed account was published with a
+Preface by Mr. Baxter. * * * It obtained credit sufficient, together
+with other preparatives, to dispose the whole country to be easily
+imposed upon, by the more extensive and more tragical scene, which was
+presently after acted at Salem and other parts of the county of Essex."
+After mentioning several works published in England, containing
+"_witch-stories_," witch-trials, etc., he proceeds: "All these books
+were in New England, and the conformity between the behavior of
+Goodwin's children, and most of the supposed be-witched at Salem, and
+the behavior of those in England, is so exact, as to leave no room to
+doubt the stories had been read by the New England persons themselves,
+or had been told to them by others who had read them. Indeed this
+conformity, instead of giving suspicion, was urged in confirmation of
+the truth of both. The Old England demons and the New being so much
+alike."
+
+It thus appears that the opinion was entertained, in England and this
+country, that the notoriety given to the case of the Goodwin children,
+especially by Mather's printed account of it, had an efficient influence
+in bringing on the "tragical scene," shortly afterwards exhibited at
+Salem. This opinion is shown to have been correct, by the extraordinary
+similarity between them--the one being patterned after the other. The
+Salem case, in 1692, was, in fact, a substantial repetition of the
+Boston case, in 1688. On this point, we have the evidence of Cotton
+Mather himself.
+
+The Rev. John Hale of Beverly, who was as well qualified as any one to
+compare them, having lived in Charlestown, which place had been the
+residence of the Goodwin family, and been an active participator in the
+prosecutions at Salem, in his book, entitled, _A modest Enquiry into
+the nature of Witchcraft_, written in 1697, but not printed until 1702,
+after mentioning the fact that Cotton Mather had published an account of
+the conduct of the Goodwin children, and briefly describing the
+manifestations and actions of the Salem girls, says: [_p. 24_] "I will
+not enlarge in the description of their cruel sufferings, because they
+were, in all things, afflicted as bad as John Goodwin's children at
+Boston, in the year 1689, as he, that will read Mr. Mather's book on
+_Remarkable Providences_, p. 3. &c., may read part of what these
+children, and afterwards sundry grown persons, suffered by the hand of
+Satan, at Salem Village, and parts adjacent, _Anno 1691-2_, yet there
+was more in their sufferings than in those at Boston, by pins invisibly
+stuck into their flesh, pricking with irons (as, in part, published in a
+book printed 1693, viz: _The Wonders of the Invisible World_)." This is
+proof of the highest authority, that, with the exceptions mentioned,
+there was a perfect similarity in the details of the two cases. Mr.
+Hale's book had not the benefit of his revision, as it did not pass
+through the press until two years after his death; and we thus account
+for the error as to the date of the Goodwin affair.
+
+In making up his _Magnalia_, Mather had the use of Hale's manuscript and
+transferred from it nearly all that he says, in that work, about Salem
+Witchcraft. He copies the passage above quoted. The fact, therefore, is
+sufficiently attested by Mather as well as Hale, that, with the
+exceptions stated, there was, "in all things," an entire similarity
+between the cases of 1688 and 1692.
+
+Nay, further, in this same way we have the evidence of Cotton Mather
+himself, that his "printed account," of the case of the Goodwin
+children, was actually used, as an authority, by the Court, in the
+trials at Salem--so that it is clear that the said "account,"
+contributed not only, by its circulation among the people, to bring on
+the prosecutions of 1692, but to carry them through to their fatal
+results--Mr. Hale says: [_p. 27_] "that the Justices, Judges and others
+concerned," consulted the precedents of former times, and precepts laid
+down by learned writers about Witchcraft. He goes on to enumerate them,
+mentioning Keeble, Sir Matthew Hale, Glanvil, Bernard, Baxter and
+Burton, concluding the list with "Cotton Mather's _Memorable
+Providences, relating to Witchcraft_, printed, anno 1689." Mather
+transcribes this also into the _Magnalia_. _The Memorable Providences_
+is referred to by Hale, in another place, as containing the case of the
+Goodwin children, consisting, in fact mainly of it. [_p. 23_]. Mather,
+having Hale's book before him, must, therefore be considered as
+endorsing the opinion for which the Reviewer calls me to account,
+namely, that "the Goodwin affair had a very important relation to the
+Salem troubles." What is sustained touching this point, by both the
+Hutchinsons, Hale, and Cotton Mather himself, cannot be disturbed in its
+position, as a truth of History.
+
+The reader will, I trust, excuse me for going into such minute processes
+of investigation and reasoning, in such comparatively unimportant
+points. But, as the long-received opinions, in reference to this chapter
+of our history, have been brought into question in the columns of a
+journal, justly commanding the public confidence, it is necessary to
+re-examine the grounds on which they rest. This I propose to do, without
+regard to labor or space. I shall not rely upon general considerations,
+but endeavor, in the course of this discussion, to sift every topic on
+which the Reviewer has struck at the truth of history, fairly and
+thoroughly. On this particular point, of the relation of these two
+instances of alleged Witchcraft, in localities so near as Boston and
+Salem, and with so short an interval of time, general considerations
+would ordinarily be regarded as sufficient. From the nature of things,
+the former must have served to bring about the latter. The
+intercommunication between the places was, even then, so constant, that
+no important event could happen in one without being known in the other.
+By the thousand channels of conversation and rumor, and by Mather's
+printed account, endorsed by Baxter, and put into circulation throughout
+the country, the details of the alleged sufferings and extraordinary
+doings of the Goodwin children, must have become well known, in Salem
+Village. Such a conclusion would be formed, if no particular evidence in
+support of it could be adduced; but when corroborated by the two
+Hutchinsons, Mr. Hale, and, in effect, by Mather himself, it cannot be
+shaken.
+
+As has been stated, Cotton Mather, previous to his experience with those
+"pests," as the Reviewer happily calls "the Goodwin children," probably
+believed in the efficacy of prayer, and in that alone, to combat and
+beat down evil spirits and their infernal Prince; and John Goodwin's
+declaration, that it was not by his advice that he went to the law, is,
+therefore, entirely credible in itself. The protracted trial, however,
+patiently persevered in for several long months, when he had every
+advantage, in his own house, to pray the devil out of the eldest of the
+children, resulting in her becoming more and more "saucy," insolent, and
+outrageous, may have undermined his faith to an extent of which he might
+not have been wholly conscious. He says, in concluding his story in the
+_Magnalia_, [_Book VI., p. 75._] that, after all other methods had
+failed, "one particular Minister, taking particular compassion on the
+family, set himself to serve them in the methods prescribed by our Lord
+Jesus Christ. Accordingly, the Lord being besought thrice, in three days
+of prayer, with fasting on this occasion, the family then saw their
+deliverance perfected."
+
+It is worthy of reflection, whether it was not the fasting, that seems
+to have been especially enforced "on this occasion," and for "three
+days," that cured the girl. A similar application had before operated as
+a temporary remedy. Mather tells us, in his _Memorable Providences_,
+[_p. 31_,] referring to a date previous to the "three days" fasting,
+"Mr. Morton, of Charlestown, and Mr. Allen, Mr. Moody, Mr. Willard, and
+myself, of Boston, with some devout neighbors, kept another day of
+prayer at John Goodwin's house; and we had all the children present with
+us there. The children were miserably tortured, while we labored in our
+prayers; but our good God was nigh unto us, in what we called upon him
+for. From this day, the power of the enemy was broken; and the children,
+though assaults after this were made upon them, yet were not so cruelly
+handled as before."
+
+It must have been a hard day for all concerned. Five Ministers and any
+number of "good praying people," as Goodwin calls them, together with
+his whole family, could not but have crowded his small house. The
+children, on such occasions, often proved very troublesome, as stated
+above. Goodwin says "the two biggest, lying on the bed, one of them
+would fain have kicked the good men, while they were wrestling with God
+for them, had I not held him with all my power and might." Fasting was
+added to the prayers, that were kept up during the whole time, the
+Ministers relieving each other. If the fasting had been continued three
+days, it is not unlikely that the cure of the children would, then, have
+proved effectual and lasting. The account given in the _Memorables_ and
+the _Magnalia_, of the conduct of these children, under the treatment of
+Mather and the other Ministers, is, indeed, most ludicrous; and no one
+can be expected to look at it in any other light. He was forewarned
+that, in printing it, he would expose himself to ridicule. He tells us
+that the mischievous, but bright and wonderfully gifted, girl, the
+eldest of the children, getting, at one time, possession of his
+manuscript, pretended to be, for the moment, incapacitated, by the
+Devil, for reading it; and he further informs us, "She'd hector me at a
+strange rate for the work I was at, and threaten me with I know not what
+mischief for it. She got a History I was writing of this Witchcraft; and
+though she had, before this, read it over and over, yet now she could
+not read (I believe) one entire sentence of it; but she made of it the
+most ridiculous Travesty in the world, with such a patness and excess of
+fancy, to supply the sense that she put upon it, as I was amazed at. And
+she particularly told me, That I should quickly come to disgrace by that
+History."
+
+It is noticeable that the Goodwin children, like their imitators at
+Salem Village, the "afflicted," as they were called, were careful,
+except in certain cases of emergence, not to have their night's sleep
+disturbed, and never lost an appetite for their regular meals. I cannot
+but think that if the Village girls had, once in a while, like the
+Goodwin children, been compelled to go for a day or two upon very short
+allowance, it would have soon brought their "sport" to an end.
+
+Nothing is more true than that, in estimating the conduct and character
+of men, allowances must be made for the natural, and almost necessary,
+influence of the opinions and customs of their times. But this excuse
+will not wholly shelter the Mathers. They are answerable, as I have
+shown, more than almost any other men have been, for the opinions of
+their time. It was, indeed, a superstitious age; but made much more so
+by their operations, influence, and writings, beginning with Increase
+Mather's movement, at the assembly of the Ministers, in 1681, and ending
+with Cotton Mather's dealings with the Goodwin children, and the account
+thereof which he printed and circulated, far and wide. For this reason,
+then, in the first place, I hold those two men responsible for what is
+called "Salem Witchcraft."
+
+I have admitted and shown that Cotton Mather originally relied only upon
+prayer in his combat with Satanic powers. But the time was at hand, when
+other weapons than the sword of the Spirit were to be drawn in that
+warfare.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] When, in this article, I cite the name "Hutchinson," without any
+distinguishing prefix, I mean THOMAS HUTCHINSON, Chief-justice,
+Governor, and Historian of Massachusetts; so also when I cite the name
+"Mather," I mean COTTON MATHER.
+
+[2] The passages from Cotton Mather's Diary, used in this article, are
+mostly taken from the _Christian Examiner_, xi., 249; _Proceedings of
+Massachusetts Historical Society_, i., 289, and iv., 404; and _Life of
+Cotton Mather_, by William B. O. Peabody, in Sparks's _American
+Biography_, vi., 162.
+
+
+
+
+IV.
+
+THE RELATION OF THE MATHERS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF MASSACHUSETTS, IN
+1692. THE NEW CHARTER. THE GOVERNMENT UNDER IT ARRANGED BY THEM. ARRIVAL
+OF SIR WILLIAM PHIPS.
+
+
+No instance of the responsibility of particular persons for the acts of
+a Government, in the whole range of history, is more decisive or
+unquestionable, than that of the Mathers, father and son, for the trials
+and executions, for the alleged crime of Witchcraft, at Salem, in 1692.
+
+Increase Mather had been in England, as one of the Agents of the Colony
+of Massachusetts, for several years, in the last part of the reign of
+James II. and the beginning of that of William and Mary, covering much
+of the period between the abrogation of the first Charter and the
+establishment of the Province under the second Charter. Circumstances
+had conspired to give him great influence in organizing the Government
+provided for in the new Charter. His son describes him as "one that,
+besides a station in the Church of God, as considerable as any that his
+own country can afford, hath for divers years come off with honor, in
+his application to three crowned heads and the chiefest nobility of
+three kingdoms."
+
+Being satisfied that a restoration of the old Charter could not be
+obtained, Increase Mather acquiesced in what he deemed a necessity, and
+bent his efforts to have as favorable terms as possible secured in the
+new. His colleagues in the agency, Elisha Cooke and Thomas Oaks, opposed
+his course--the former, with great determination, taking the ground of
+the "old Charter or none." This threw them out of all communication with
+the Home Government, on the subject, and gave to Mr. Mather controlling
+influence. He was requested by the Ministers of the Crown to name the
+officers of the new Government; and, in fact, had the free and sole
+selection of them all. Sir William Phips was appointed Governor, at his
+solicitation; and, in accordance with earnest recommendations, in a
+letter from Cotton Mather, William Stoughton was appointed
+Deputy-governor, thereby superceding Danforth, one of the ablest men in
+the Province. In fact, every member of the Council owed his seat to the
+Mathers, and, politically, was their creature. Great was the exultation
+of Cotton Mather, when the intelligence reached him, thus expressed in
+his Diary: "The time for favor is now come, yea, the set-time is come. I
+am now to receive the answers of so many prayers, as have been employed
+for my absent parent, and the deliverance and settlement of my poor
+country. We have not the former Charter, but we have a better in the
+room of it; one which much better suits our circumstances. And, instead
+of my being made a sacrifice to wicked rulers, all the Councillors of
+the Province are of my father's nomination; and my father-in-law, with
+several related to me, and several brethren of my own Church, are among
+them. The Governor of the Province is not my enemy, but one whom I
+baptized, namely, Sir William Phips, and one of my flock, and one of my
+dearest friends."
+
+The whole number of Councillors was twenty-eight, three of them, at
+least, being of the Mather Church. John Phillips was Cotton Mather's
+father-in-law. Two years before, Sir William Phips had been baptized by
+Cotton Mather, in the presence of the congregation, and received into
+the Church.
+
+The "set-time," so long prayed for, was of brief duration. The
+influence of the Mathers over the politics of the Province was limited
+to the first part of Phips's short administration. At the very next
+election, in May, 1693, ten of the Councillors were left out; and Elisha
+Cooke, their great opponent, was chosen to that body, although negatived
+by Phips, in the exercise of his prerogative, under the Charter.
+
+Increase Mather came over in the same ship with the Governor, the
+_Nonsuch_, frigate. As Phips was his parishioner, owed to him his
+office, and was necessarily thrown into close intimacy, during the long
+voyage, he fell naturally under his influence, which, all things
+considered, could not have failed to be controlling. The Governor was an
+illiterate person, but of generous, confiding, and susceptible impulses;
+and the elder Mather was precisely fitted to acquire an ascendency over
+such a character. He had been twice abroad, in his early manhood and in
+his later years, had knowledge of the world, been conversant with
+learned men in Colleges and among distinguished Divines and Statesmen,
+and seen much of Courts and the operations of Governments. With a more
+extended experience and observation than his son, his deportment was
+more dignified, and his judgment infinitely better; while his talents
+and acquirements were not far, if at all, inferior. When Phips landed in
+Boston, it could not, therefore, have been otherwise than that he should
+pass under the control of the Mathers, the one accompanying, the other
+meeting him on the shore. They were his religious teachers and guides;
+by their efficient patronage and exertions he had been placed in his
+high office. They, his Deputy, Stoughton, and the whole class of persons
+under their influence, at once gathered about him, gave him his first
+impressions, and directed his movements. By their talents and position,
+the Mathers controlled the people, and kept open a channel through which
+they could reach the ear of Royalty. The Government of the Province was
+nominally in Phips and his Council, but the Mathers were a power behind
+the throne greater than the throne itself. The following letter, never
+before published, for which I am indebted to Abner C. Goodell, Esq.,
+Vice-president of the Essex Institute, shows how they bore themselves
+before the Legislature, and communicated with the Home Government.
+
+ "MY LORD:
+
+ "I have only to assure your Lordship, that the generality of their
+ Majesties subjects (so far as I can understand) do, with all
+ thankfulness, receive the favors, which, by the new Charter, are
+ granted to them. The last week, the General Assembly (which, your
+ Lordship knows, is our New England Parliament) convened at Boston.
+ I did then exhort them to make an Address of thanks to their
+ Majesties; which, I am since informed, the Assembly have unanimously
+ agreed to do, as in duty they are bound. I have also acquainted the
+ whole Assembly, how much, not myself only, but they, and all this
+ Province, are obliged to your Lordship in particular, which they
+ have a grateful sense of, as by letters from themselves your
+ Lordship will perceive. If I may, in any thing, serve their
+ Majesties interest here, I shall, on that account, think myself
+ happy, and shall always study to approve myself, My Lord,
+
+ "Your most humble, thankful
+ and obedient Servant,
+ INCREASE MATHER.
+
+ "BOSTON, N. E.
+ June 23, 1692.
+
+ "To the Rt. Hon^ble the _Earl of Nottingham_, his Maj^ties Principal
+ Secretary of State at Whitehall."
+
+While they could thus address the General Assembly, and the Ministers of
+State, in London, the Government here was, as Hutchinson evidently
+regarded it, [_i., 365; ii., 69._] "a MATHER ADMINISTRATION." It was
+"short, sharp, and decisive." It opened in great power; its course was
+marked with terror and havoc; it ended with mysterious suddenness; and
+its only monument is Salem Witchcraft--the "_judicial murder_," as the
+Reviewer calls it, of twenty men and women, as innocent in their lives
+as they were heroic in their deaths.
+
+The _Nonsuch_ arrived in Boston harbor, towards the evening of the
+fourteenth of May, 1692. Judge Sewall's Diary, now in the possession of
+the Massachusetts Historical Society, has this entry, at the above date.
+"Candles are lighted before he gets into Town House, 8 companies wait on
+him to his house, and then on Mr. Mather to his, made no vollies,
+because 'twas Saturday night."
+
+The next day, the Governor attended, we may be sure, public worship with
+the congregation to which he belonged; and the occasion was undoubtedly
+duly noticed. After so long an absence, Increase Mather could not have
+failed to address his people, the son also taking part in the
+interesting service. The presence, in his pew, of the man who, a short
+time before, had been regenerated by their preaching, and now
+re-appeared among them with the title and commission of Governor of New
+England, added to the previous honors of Knighthood, at once suggested
+to all, and particularly impressed upon him, an appreciating conviction
+of the political triumph, as well as clerical achievement, of the
+associate Ministers of the North Boston Church. From what we know of the
+state of the public mind at that time, as emphatically described in a
+document I am presently to produce, there can be no question as to one
+class of topics and exhortations, wherewithal his Excellency and the
+crowded congregation were, that day, entertained.
+
+Monday, the sixteenth, was devoted to the ceremonies of the public
+induction of the new Government. There was a procession to the
+Town-house, where the Commissions of the Governor and Deputy-governor,
+with the Charter under which they were appointed, were severally read
+aloud to the people. A public dinner followed; and, at its close, Sir
+William was escorted to his residence. At the meeting of the Council,
+the next day, the seventeenth, the oaths of office having been
+administered, all round, it was voted "that there be a general meeting
+of the Council upon Tuesday next, the twenty-fourth of May current, in
+Boston, at two o'clock, post-meridian, to nominate and appoint Judges,
+Justices, and other officers of the Council and Courts of Justice within
+this their Majesties' Province belonging, and that notice thereof, or
+summons, be forthwith issued unto the members of the Council now
+absent."
+
+The following letter from Sir William Phips, to the Government at home,
+recently procured from England by Mr. Goodell, was published in the last
+volume of the _Collections of the Essex Institute_--Volume IX., Part II.
+I print it, entire, and request the reader to examine it, carefully, and
+to refer to it as occasion arises in this discussion, as it is a key to
+the whole transaction of the Witchcraft trials. Its opening sentence
+demonstrates the impression made by those who first met and surrounded
+him, on his excitable nature:
+
+ "When I first arrived, I found this Province miserably harassed with
+ a most horrible witchcraft or possession of devils, which had broke
+ in upon several towns, some scores of poor people were taken with
+ preternatural torments, some scalded with brimstone, some had pins
+ stuck in their flesh, others hurried into the fire and water, and
+ some dragged out of their houses and carried over the tops of trees
+ and hills for many miles together; it hath been represented to me
+ much like that of Sweden about thirty years ago; and there were many
+ committed to prison upon suspicion of Witchcraft before my arrival.
+ The loud cries and clamours of the friends of the afflicted people,
+ with the advice of the Deputy-governor and many others, prevailed
+ with me to give a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for discovering
+ what Witchcraft might be at the bottom, or whether it were not a
+ possession. The chief Judge in this Commission was the
+ Deputy-governor, and the rest were persons of the best prudence and
+ figure that could then be pitched upon. When the Court came to sit
+ at Salem, in the County of Essex, they convicted more than twenty
+ persons being guilty of witchcraft, some of the convicted confessed
+ their guilt; the Court, as I understand, began their proceedings
+ with the accusations of afflicted persons; and then went upon other
+ humane evidences to strengthen that. I was, almost the whole time of
+ the proceeding, abroad in the service of their Majesties, in the
+ Eastern part of the country, and depended upon the judgment of the
+ Court, as to a method of proceeding in cases of witchcraft; but when
+ I came home I found many persons in a strange ferment of
+ dissatisfaction, which was increased by some hot spirits that blew
+ up the flame; but on inquiring into the matter I found that the
+ Devil had taken upon him the name and shape of several persons who
+ were doubtless innocent, and, to my certain knowledge, of good
+ reputation; for which cause I have now forbidden the committing of
+ any more that shall be accused, without unavoidable necessity, and
+ those that have been committed I would shelter from any proceedings
+ against them wherein there may be the least suspicion of any wrong
+ to be done unto the innocent. I would also wait for any particular
+ directions or commands, if their Majesties please to give me any,
+ for the fuller ordering this perplexed affair.
+
+ "I have also put a stop to the printing of any discourses one way or
+ other, that may increase the needless disputes of people upon this
+ occasion, because I saw a likelihood of kindling an inextinguishable
+ flame if I should admit any public and open contests; and I have
+ grieved to see that some, who should have done their Majesties, and
+ this Province, better service, have so far taken council of passion
+ as to desire the precipitancy of these matters; these things have
+ been improved by some to give me many interruptions in their
+ Majesties service [_which_] has been hereby unhappily clogged, and
+ the persons, who have made so ill improvement of these matters here,
+ are seeking to turn it upon me, but I hereby declare, that as soon
+ as I came from fighting against their Majesties enemies, and
+ understood what danger some of their innocent subjects might be
+ exposed to, if the evidence of the afflicted persons only did
+ prevail, either to the committing, or trying any of them, I did,
+ before any application was made unto me about it, put a stop to the
+ proceedings of the Court and they are now stopped till their
+ Majesties pleasure be known. Sir, I beg pardon for giving you all
+ this trouble; the reason is because I know my enemies are seeking
+ to turn it all upon me. Sir,
+
+ "I am
+ Your most humble Serv^t
+ WILLIAM PHIPS.
+
+ "Dated at BOSTON IN NEW ENGLAND, the 14th of Oct^r 1692.
+
+ "MEM^DM
+
+ "That my Lord President be pleased to acquaint his Majesty in
+ Council with the account received from New England, from Sir W^m
+ Phips, the Governor there, touching proceedings against several
+ persons for Witchcraft, as appears by the Governor's letter
+ concerning those matters."
+
+The foregoing document, I repeat, indicates the kind of talk with which
+Phips was accosted, when stepping ashore. Exaggerated representations of
+the astonishing occurrences at Salem Village burst upon him from all,
+whom he would have been likely to meet. The manner in which the Mathers,
+through him, had got exclusive possession of the Government of the
+Province, probably kept him from mingling freely among, or having much
+opportunity to meet, any leading men, outside of his Council and the
+party represented therein. Writing in the ensuing October, at the moment
+when he had made up his mind to break loose from those who had led him
+to the hasty appointment of the Special Court, there is significance in
+his language. "I have grieved to see that some, who should have done
+their Majesties, and the Province, better service, have so far taken
+counsel of passion, as to desire the precipitancy of these matters."
+This refers to, and amounts to a condemnation of, the advisers who had
+influenced him to the rash measures adopted on his arrival. How rash and
+precipitate those measures were I now proceed to show.
+
+
+
+
+V.
+
+THE SPECIAL COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER. HOW IT WAS ESTABLISHED. WHO
+RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PROVINCE CONCENTRATED IN ITS
+CHIEF-JUSTICE.
+
+
+So great was the pressure made upon Sir William Phips, by the wild panic
+to which the community had been wrought, that he ordered the persons who
+had been committed to prison by the Salem Magistrates, to be put in
+irons; but his natural kindness of heart and common sense led him to
+relax the unjustifiable severity. Professor Bowen, in his _Life of
+Phips_, embraced in Sparks's _American Biography_, [_vii., 81._] says:
+"Sir William seems not to have been in earnest in the proceeding; for
+the officers were permitted to evade the order, by putting on the irons
+indeed, but taking them off again, immediately."
+
+On Tuesday, the twenty-fourth of May, the Council met to consider the
+matter specially assigned to that day, namely, the nomination and
+appointment of Judicial officers.
+
+The Governor gave notice that he had issued Writs for the election of
+Representatives to convene in a General Court, to be held on the eighth
+of June.
+
+He also laid before the Council, the assigned business, which was
+"accordingly attended, and divers persons, in the respective Counties
+were named, and left for further consideration."
+
+On the twenty-fifth of May, the Council being again in session, the
+record says: "a further discourse was had about persons, in the several
+Counties, for Justices and other officers, and it was judged advisable
+to defer the consideration of fit persons for Judges, until there be an
+establishment of Courts of Justice."
+
+At the next meeting, on the twenty-seventh of May, it was ordered that
+the members of the Council, severally, and their Secretary, should be
+Justices of the Peace and Quorum, in the respective Counties where they
+reside: a long list, besides, was adopted, appointing the persons named
+in it Justices, as also Sheriffs and Coroners; and a SPECIAL COURT OF
+OYER AND TERMINER was established for the Counties of Suffolk, Essex,
+and Middlesex, consisting of William Stoughton, Chief-justice, John
+Richards, Nathaniel Saltonstall, Wait Winthrop, Bartholomew Gedney,
+Samuel Sewall, John Hathorne, Jonathan Corwin, and Peter Sargent, any
+five of them to be a quorum (Stoughton, Richards, or Gedney to be one of
+the five).
+
+When we consider that the subject had been specially assigned on the
+seventeenth, and discussed for two days, on the twenty-fourth and
+twenty-fifth, to the conclusion that the appointment of Judges ought to
+be deferred, "_until there be an establishment of Courts of
+Justice_,"--which by the Charter, could only be done by the General
+Court which was to meet, as the Governor had notified them, in less than
+a fortnight--the establishment of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, on the
+twenty-seventh, must be regarded as very extraordinary. It was
+acknowledged to be an unauthorized procedure; the deliberate judgment of
+the Council had been expressed against it; and there was no occasion for
+such hurry, as the Legislature was so soon to assemble. There must have
+been a strong outside pressure, from some quarter, to produce such a
+change of front. From Wednesday to Friday, some persons of great
+influence must have been hard at work. The reasons assigned, in the
+record, for this sudden reversal, by the Council, of its deliberate
+decision, are the great number of criminals waiting trial, the thronged
+condition of the jails, and "this hot season of the year," on the
+twenty-seventh of May! It is further stated, "there being no
+judicatures or Courts of Justice yet established," that, therefore, such
+an extraordinary step was necessary. It is, indeed, remarkable, that, in
+the face of their own recorded convictions of expediency and propriety,
+and in disregard of the provisions of the Charter which, a few days
+before, they had been sworn to obey, the Council could have been led to
+so far "take counsel of passion," as to rush over every barrier to this
+precipitate measure.
+
+No specific reference is anywhere made, in the Journals, to Witchcraft;
+but the Court was to act upon all cases of felony and other crimes. The
+"Council Records" were not obtained from England, until 1846. Writers
+have generally spoken of the Court as consisting of seven Judges.
+Saltonstall's resignation does not appear to have led to a new
+appointment; and, perhaps, Hathorne, who generally acted as an Examining
+Magistrate, and signed most of the Commitments of the prisoners, did not
+often, if ever, sit as a Judge. In this way, the Court may have been
+reduced to seven. Stephen Sewall was appointed Clerk, and George Corwin,
+High Sheriff.
+
+Thus established and organized, on the twenty-seventh of May, the Court
+sat, on the second of June, for the trial of Bridget Bishop. Her
+Death-warrant was signed, on the eighth of June, the very day the
+Legislature convened; and she was executed on the tenth. This was,
+indeed, "precipitancy." Before the General Court had time, possibly, to
+make "an establishment of Courts of Justice" in the exercise of the
+powers bestowed upon it by the Charter, this Special Court--suddenly
+sprung upon the country, against the deliberate first judgment of the
+Council itself, and not called for by any emergency of the moment which
+the General Court, just coming on the stage, could not legally,
+constitutionally, and adequately, have met--dipped its hands in blood;
+and an infatuated and appalled people and their representatives allowed
+the wheels of the Juggernaut to roll on.
+
+The question, who are responsible for the creation, in such hot haste,
+of this Court, and for its instant entrance upon its ruthless work, may
+not be fully and specifically answered, with absolute demonstration, but
+we may approach a satisfactory solution of it. We know that a word from
+either of the Mathers would have stopped it. Their relations to the
+Government were, then, controlling. Further, if, at that time, either of
+the other leading Ministers--Willard, or Allen--had demanded delay, it
+would have been necessary to pause; but none appear to have made open
+opposition; and all must share in the responsibility for subsequent
+events.
+
+Phips says that the affair at Salem Village was represented to him as
+"much like that of Sweden, about thirty years ago." This Swedish case
+was Cotton Mather's special topic. In his _Wonders of the Invisible
+World_, he says that "other good people have in this way been harassed,
+but none in circumstances more like to ours, than the people of God in
+Sweedland." He introduces, into the _Wonders_, a separate account of it;
+and reproduces it in his _Life of Phips_, incorporated subsequently into
+the _Magnalia_. The first point he makes, in presenting this case, is as
+follows: "The inhabitants had earnestly sought God in prayer, and yet
+their affliction continued. Whereupon Judges had a Special Commission to
+find, and root out the hellish crew; and the rather, because another
+County in the Kingdom, which had been so molested, was delivered upon
+the execution of the Witches."--_The Wonders of the Invisible World._
+Edit. London, 1693, p. 48.
+
+The importance attached by Cotton Mather to the affair in Sweden,
+especially viewed in connection with the foregoing extract, indicates
+that the change, I have conjectured, had come over him, as to the way to
+deal with Witches; and that he had reached the conclusion that prayer
+would not, and nothing but the gallows could, answer the emergency. In
+the Swedish case, was found the precedent for a "Special Commission of
+Oyer and Terminer."
+
+Well might the Governor have felt the importance of relieving himself,
+as far as possible, from the responsibility of having organized such a
+Court, and of throwing it upon his advisers. The tribunal consisted of
+the Deputy-governor, as Chief-justice, and eight other persons, all
+members of the Council, and each, as has been shown, owing his seat, at
+that Board, to the Mathers.
+
+The recent publication of this letter of Governor Phips enables us now
+to explain certain circumstances, before hardly intelligible, and to
+appreciate the extent of the outrages committed by those who controlled
+the administration of the Province, during the Witchcraft trials.
+
+In 1767, Andrew Oliver, then Secretary of the Province, was directed to
+search the Records of the Government to ascertain precedents, touching a
+point of much interest at that time. From his Report, part of which is
+given in Drake's invaluable _History of Boston_, [_p. 728_] it appears
+that the Deputy-governor, Stoughton, by the appointment of the Governor,
+attended by the Secretary, administered the oaths to the members of the
+House of Representatives, convened on the eighth of June, 1692; that, as
+Deputy-governor, he sat in Council, generally, during that year, and
+was, besides, annually elected to the Council, until his death, in 1701.
+All that time, he was sitting, in the double capacity of an _ex-officio_
+and an elected member; and for much the greater part of it, in the
+absence of Phips, as acting Governor. The Records show that he sat in
+Council when Sir William Phips was present, and presided over it, when
+he was not present, and ever after Phips's decease, until a new Governor
+came over in 1699. His annual election, by the House of Representatives,
+as one of the twenty-eight Councillors, while, as Deputy or acting
+Governor, he was entitled to a seat, is quite remarkable. It gave him a
+distinct legislative character, and a right, as an elected member of the
+body, to vote and act, directly, in all cases, without restraint or
+embarrassment, in debate and on Committees, in the making, as well as
+administering, the law.
+
+In the letter now under consideration, Governor Phips says: "I was
+almost the whole time of the proceeding abroad, in the Service of their
+Majesties in the Eastern part of the country."
+
+The whole tenor of the letter leaves an impression that, being so much
+away from the scene, in frequent and long absences, he was not cognizant
+of what was going on. He depended "upon the judgment of the Court," as
+to its methods of proceeding; and was surprised when those methods were
+brought to his attention. Feeling his own incapacity to handle such a
+business, he was willing to leave it to those who ought to have been
+more competent. Indeed, he passed the whole matter over to the
+Deputy-governor. In a letter, for which I am indebted to Mr. Goodell,
+dated the twentieth of February, 1693, to the Earl of Nottingham,
+transmitting copies of laws passed by the General Court, Governor Phips
+says: "Not being versed in law, I have depended upon the Lieu^t Gov^r,
+who is appointed Judge of the Courts, to see that they be exactly
+agreeable to the laws of England, and not repugnant in any part. If
+there be any error, I know it will not escape your observation, and
+desire a check may be given for what may be amiss."
+
+The closing sentence looks somewhat like a want of confidence in the
+legal capacity and judgment of Stoughton, owing perhaps, to the bad work
+he had made at the Salem trials, the Summer before; but the whole
+passage shows that Phips, conscious of his own ignorance of such things,
+left them wholly to the Chief-justice.
+
+The Records show that he sat in Council to the close of the Legislature,
+on the second of July. But the main business was, evidently, under the
+management of Stoughton, who was Chairman of a large Joint Committee,
+charged with adjusting the whole body of the laws to the transition of
+the Colony, from an independent Government, under the first Charter, to
+the condition of a subject Province.
+
+One person had been tried and executed; and the Court was holding its
+second Session when the Legislature adjourned. Phips went to the
+eastward, immediately after the eighth of July. Again, on the first of
+August, he embarked from Boston with a force of four hundred and fifty
+men, for the mouth of the Kennebec. In the Archives of Massachusetts,
+Secretary's office, State House, Vol. LI., p. 9, is the original
+document, signed by Phips, dated on the first of August, 1692, turning
+over the Government to Stoughton, during his absence. It appears by
+Church's _Eastern Expeditions_, Part II., p. 82, edited by H. M. Dexter,
+and published by Wiggin & Lunt, Boston, 1867, that, during a
+considerable part of the month of August, the Governor must have been
+absent, engaged in important operations on the coast of Maine. About the
+middle of September, he went again to the Kennebec, not returning until
+a short time before the twelfth of October. In the course of the year,
+he also was absent for a while in Rhode Island. Although an energetic
+and active man, he had as much on his hands, arising out of questions as
+to the extent of his authority over Connecticut and Rhode Island and the
+management of affairs at the eastward, as he could well attend to. His
+Instructions, too, from the Crown, made it his chief duty to protect the
+eastern portions of his Government. The state of things there, in
+connection with Indian assaults and outrages upon the outskirt
+settlements, under French instigation, was represented as urgently
+demanding his attention. Besides all this, his utmost exertions were
+needed to protect the sea-coast against buccaneers. In addition to the
+public necessities, thus calling him to the eastward, it was,
+undoubtedly, more agreeable to his feelings, to revisit his native
+region and the home of his early years, where, starting from the
+humblest spheres of mechanical labor and maritime adventure, as a
+ship-carpenter and sailor, he had acquired the manly energy and
+enterprise that had conducted him to fortune, knightly honor, and the
+Commission of Governor of New England. All the reminiscences and best
+affections of his nature made him prompt to defend the region thus
+endeared to him. It was much more congenial to his feelings than to
+remain under the ceremonial and puritanic restraints of the seat of
+Government, and involved in perplexities with which he had no ability,
+and probably no taste, to grapple. He was glad to take himself out of
+the way; and as his impetuous and impulsive nature rendered those under
+him liable to find him troublesome, they were not sorry to have him
+called elsewhere.
+
+I have mentioned these things as justifying the impression, conveyed by
+his letter, that he knew but little of what was going on until his
+return in the earlier half of October. Actual absence at a distance, the
+larger part of the time, and engrossing cares in getting up expeditions
+and supplies for them while he was at home--particularly as, from the
+beginning, he had passed over the business of the Court entirely to his
+Deputy, Stoughton--it is not difficult to suppose, had prevented his
+mind being much, if at all, turned towards it. We may, therefore,
+consider that the witchcraft prosecutions were wholly under the control
+of Stoughton and those, who, having given him power, would naturally
+have influence over his exercise of it.
+
+Calling in question the legality of the Court, Hutchinson expresses a
+deep sense of the irregularity of its proceedings; although, as he says,
+"the most important Court to the life of the subject which ever was held
+in the Province," it meets his unqualified censure, in many points. In
+reference to the instance of the Jury's bringing in a verdict of "Not
+guilty," in the case of Rebecca Nurse, and being induced, by the
+dissatisfaction of the Court, to go out again, and bring her in
+"Guilty," he condemns the procedure. Speaking of a wife or husband being
+allowed to accuse one the other, he breaks out: "I shudder while I am
+relating it;" and giving the results at the last trial, he says: "This
+Court of Oyer and Terminer, happy for the country, sat no more." Its
+proceedings were arbitrary, harsh, and rash. The ordinary forms of
+caution and fairness were disregarded. The Judges made no concealment of
+a foregone conclusion against the Prisoners at the Bar. No Counsel was
+allowed them. The proceedings were summary; and execution followed close
+upon conviction. While it was destroying the lives of men and women, of
+respectable position in the community, of unblemished and eminent
+Christian standing, heads of families, aged men and venerable matrons,
+all the ordinary securities of society, outside of the tribunal, were
+swept away. In the absence of Sir William Phips, the Chief-justice
+absolutely absorbed into his own person the whole Government. His
+rulings swayed the Court, in which he acted the part of prosecutor of
+the Prisoners, and overbore the Jury. He sat in judgment upon the
+sentences of his own Court; and heard and refused, applications and
+supplications for pardon or reprieve. The three grand divisions of all
+constitutional or well-ordered Governments were, for the time,
+obliterated in Massachusetts. In the absence of Phips, the Executive
+functions were exercised by Stoughton. While presiding over the Council,
+he also held a seat as an elected ordinary member, thus participating
+in, as well as directing, its proceedings, sharing, as a leader, in
+legislation, acting on Committees, and framing laws. As Chief-justice,
+he was the head of the Judicial department. He was Commander-in-chief of
+the military and naval forces and forts within the Province proper. All
+administrative, legislative, judicial, and military powers were
+concentrated in his person and wielded by his hand. No more shameful
+tyranny or shocking despotism was ever endured in America, than, in "the
+dark and awful day," as it was called, while the Special Commission of
+Oyer and Terminer was scattering destruction, ruin, terror, misery and
+death, over the country. It is a disgrace to that generation, that it
+was so long suffered; and, instead of trying to invent excuses, it
+becomes all subsequent generations to feel--as was deeply felt, by
+enlightened and candid men, as soon as the storm had blown over and a
+prostrate people again stood erect, in possession of their senses--that
+all ought, by humble and heart-felt prayer, to implore the divine
+forgiveness, as one of the Judges, fully as misguided at the time as the
+rest, did, to the end of his days.
+
+As all the official dignities of the Province were combined in
+Stoughton, he seems hardly to have known in what capacity he was acting,
+as different occasions arose. He signed the Death-warrant of Bridget
+Bishop, without giving himself any distinctive title, with his bare name
+and his private seal. It is easy to imagine how this lodging of the
+whole power of the State in one man, destroyed all safeguards and closed
+every door of refuge. When the express messenger of the poor young wife
+of John Willard, or the heroic daughter of Elizabeth How, or the agents
+of the people of the village, of all classes, combined in supplication
+in behalf of Rebecca Nurse, rushing to Boston to lay petitions for
+pardon before the Governor, upon being admitted to his presence, found
+themselves confronted by the stern countenance of the same person, who,
+as Chief-justice, had closed his ears to mercy and frowned the Jury into
+Conviction; their hearts sunk within them, and all realized that even
+hope had taken flight from the land.
+
+Such was the political and public administration of the Province of
+Massachusetts, during the Summer of 1692, under which the Witchcraft
+prosecutions were carried on. It was conducted by men whom the Mathers
+had brought into office, and who were wholly in their counsels. If there
+is, I repeat, an instance in history where particular persons are
+responsible for the doings of a Government, this is one. I conclude
+these general views of the influence of Increase and Cotton Mather upon
+the ideas of the people and the operations of the Government,
+eventuating in the Witchcraft tragedy, by restating a proposition,
+which, under all the circumstances, cannot, I think, be disputed, that,
+if they had been really and earnestly opposed to the proceedings, at any
+stage, they could and would have stopped them.
+
+I now turn to a more specific consideration of the subject of Cotton
+Mather's connection with the Witchcraft delusion of 1692.
+
+
+
+
+VI.
+
+COTTON MATHER'S CONNECTION WITH THE COURT. SPECTRAL EVIDENCE. LETTER TO
+JOHN RICHARDS. ADVICE OF THE MINISTERS.
+
+
+I am charged with having misrepresented the part Cotton Mather, in
+particular, bore in this passage of our history. As nearly the whole
+community had been deluded at the time, and there was a general
+concurrence in aiding oblivion to cover it, it is difficult to bring it
+back, in all its parts, within the realm of absolute knowledge.
+Records--municipal, ecclesiastical, judicial, and provincial--were
+willingly suffered to perish; and silence, by general consent, pervaded
+correspondence and conversation. Notices of it are brief, even in the
+most private Diaries. It would have been well, perhaps, if the memory of
+that day could have been utterly extinguished; but it has not. On the
+contrary, as, in all manner of false and incorrect representations, it
+has gone into the literature of the country and the world and become
+mixed with the permanent ideas of mankind, it is right and necessary to
+present the whole transaction, so far as possible, in the light of
+truth. Every right-minded man must rejoice to have wrong, done to the
+reputation of the dead or living, repaired; and I can truly say that no
+one would rejoice more than I should, if the view presented of Cotton
+Mather, in the _North American Review_, of April, 1869, could be shown
+to be correct. In this spirit, I proceed to present the evidence that
+belongs to the question.
+
+The belief of the existence of a personal Devil was then all but
+universally entertained. So was the belief of ghosts, apparitions, and
+spectres. There was no more reluctance to think or speak of them than of
+what we call natural objects and phenomena. Great power was ascribed to
+the Devil over terrestrial affairs; but it had been the prevalent
+opinion, that he could not operate upon human beings in any other way
+than through the instrumentality of other human beings, in voluntary
+confederation with him; and that, by means of their spectres, he could
+work any amount of mischief. While this opinion prevailed, the testimony
+of a witness, that he had seen the spectre of a particular person
+afflicting himself or any one else, was regarded as proof positive that
+the person, thus spectrally represented, was in league with the Devil,
+or, in other words, a Witch. This idea had been abandoned by some
+writers, who held that the Devil could make use of the spectre of an
+innocent person, to do mischief; and that, therefore, it was not
+positive or conclusive proof that any one was a Witch because his
+spectre had been seen tormenting others. The logical conclusion, from
+the views of these later writers, was that spectral evidence, as it was
+called, bearing against an accused party, was wholly unreliable and must
+be thrown out, entirely, in all cases.
+
+The Reviewer says the "Clergy of New England" adopted the views of the
+writers just alluded to, and held that spectral evidence was unreliable
+and unsafe, and ought to be utterly rejected; and particularly maintains
+that such was the opinion of Cotton Mather. It is true that they
+professed to have great regard for those writers; but it is also true,
+that neither Mather nor the other Ministers in 1692, adopted the
+conclusion which the Reviewer allows to be inevitably demanded by sound
+reason and common sense, namely, that "no spectral evidence must be
+admitted." On the contrary, they did authorize the "admission" of
+spectral evidence. This I propose to prove; and if I succeed in doing
+it, the whole fabric of the article in the _North American Review_ falls
+to the ground.
+
+It is necessary, at this point, to say a word as to the _Mather Papers_.
+They were published by a Committee of the Massachusetts Historical
+Society, in 1868. My work was published in 1867. The Reviewer, and
+certain journals that have committed themselves to his support, charge
+me with great negligence in not having consulted those papers, _not then
+in print_. Upon inquiry, while making my researches, I was informed, by
+those having them in hand preparatory to their going to press, that they
+contained nothing at all essential to my work; and the information was
+correct. Upon examining the printed volume, I cannot find a single item
+that would require an alteration, addition, or omission to be made in my
+work. But they are quite serviceable in the discussion to which the
+article in the _North American Review_ compels me.
+
+To return to the issue framed by the Reviewer. He makes a certain
+absolute assertion, repeats it in various forms, and confidently assumes
+it, all the way through, as in these passages: "Stoughton admitted
+spectral evidence; Mather, in his writings on the subject, denounced it,
+as illegal, uncharitable, and cruel." "He ever testified against it,
+both publicly and privately; and, particularly in his Letter to the
+Judges, he besought them that they would by no means admit it; and when
+a considerable assembly of Ministers gave in their _Advice_ about the
+matter, he not only concurred with the advice, but he drew it up." "The
+_Advice_ was very specific in excluding spectral testimony."
+
+He relies, in the first place, and I may say chiefly, in maintaining
+this position--namely, that Mather denounced the _admission_ of spectral
+testimony and demanded its _exclusion_--upon a sentence in a letter from
+Cotton Mather to John Richards, called by the Reviewer "his Letter to
+the Judges," among the _Mather Papers_, p. 891.
+
+Hutchinson informs us that Richards came into the country in low
+circumstances, but became an opulent merchant, in Boston. He was a
+member of Mather's Church, and one of the Special Court to try the
+witches. Its Session was to commence in the first week, probably on
+Thursday, the second day of June. The letter, dated on Tuesday, the
+thirty-first of May, is addressed to John Richards alone; and commences
+with a strong expression of regret that quite a severe indisposition
+will prevent his accompanying him to the trials. "Excuse me," he says,
+"from waiting upon you, with the utmost of my little skill and care, to
+assist the noble service, whereto you are called of God this week, the
+service of encountering the wicked spirits in the high places of our
+air, and of detecting and confounding of their confederates." He hopes,
+before the Court "gets far into the mysterious affair," to be able to
+"attend the desires" of Richards, which, to him "always are commands."
+He writes the letter, "for the strengthening of your honorable hands in
+that work of God whereto, (I thank him) he hath so well fitted you."
+After some other complimentary language, and assurances that God's
+"people have been fasting and praying before him for your direction," he
+proceeds to urge upon him his favorite Swedish case, wherein the
+"endeavours of the Judges to discover and extirpate the authors of that
+execrable witchcraft," were "immediately followed with a remarkable
+smile of God." Then comes the paragraph, which the Reviewer defiantly
+cites, to prove that Cotton Mather agreed with him, in the opinion that
+spectre evidence ought not to be "admitted."
+
+Before quoting the paragraph, I desire the reader to note the manner in
+which the affair in Sweden is brought to the attention of Richards, in
+the clauses just cited, in connection with what I have said in this
+article, page 16. Cotton Mather was in possession of a book on this
+subject. "It comes to speak English," he says, "by the acute pen of the
+excellent and renowned Dr. Horneck." Who so likely as Mather to have
+brought the case to the notice of Phips, pp. 14. It was urged upon
+Richards at about the same time that it was upon Phips; and as an
+argument in favor of "_extirpating_" witches, by the _action of a Court
+of Oyer and Terminer_.
+
+The paragraph is as follows: "And yet I must most humbly beg you that in
+the management of the affair in your most worthy hands, you do not lay
+more stress upon pure Spectre testimony than it will bear. When you are
+satisfied, and have good plain legal evidence, that the Demons which
+molest our poor neighbors do indeed represent such and such people to
+the sufferers, though this be a presumption, yet I suppose you will not
+reckon it a conviction that the people so represented are witches to be
+immediately exterminated. It is very certain that the Devils have
+sometimes represented the Shapes of persons not only innocent, but also
+very virtuous. Though I believe that the just God then ordinarily
+provides a way for the speedy vindication of the persons thus abused.
+Moreover, I do suspect that persons, who have too much indulged
+themselves in malignant, envious, malicious ebullitions of their souls,
+may unhappily expose themselves to the judgment of being represented by
+Devils, of whom they never had any vision, and with whom they have, much
+less, written any covenant. I would say this; if upon the bare supposal
+of a poor creature being represented by a spectre, too great a progress
+be made by the authority in ruining a poor neighbor so represented, it
+may be that a door may be thereby opened for the Devils to obtain from
+the Courts in the invisible world a license to proceed unto most hideous
+desolations upon the repute and repose of such as have yet been kept
+from the great transgression. If mankind have thus far once consented
+unto the credit of diabolical representations, the door is opened!
+Perhaps there are wise and good men, that may be ready to style him that
+shall advance this caution, a Witch-advocate, but in the winding up,
+this caution will certainly be wished for."
+
+This passage, strikingly illustrative, as it is, of Mather's
+characteristic style of appearing, to a cursory, careless reader, to say
+one thing, when he is really aiming to enforce another, while it has
+deceived the Reviewer, and led him to his quixotic attempt to
+revolutionize history, cannot be so misunderstood by a critical
+interpreter.
+
+In its general drift, it appears, at first sight, to disparage spectral
+evidence. The question is: Does it forbid, denounce, or dissuade, its
+introduction? By no means. It supposes and allows its introduction, but
+says, _lay not more stress upon it than it will bear_. Further, it
+affirms that it may afford "presumption" of guilt, though not sufficient
+for conviction, and removes objection to its introduction, by holding
+out the idea that, if admitted by the Court and it bears against
+innocent persons, "the just God, then, ordinarily provides a way for
+their speedy vindication." It is plain that the paragraph refers, not to
+the _admission_ of "diabolical representations," but to the _manner_ in
+which they are to be received, in the "management" of the trials, as
+will more fully appear, as we proceed.
+
+The suggestion, to reconcile Richards to the use of spectral evidence,
+that something would "ordinarily" providentially turn up to rescue
+innocent persons, against whom it was borne, was altogether delusive. It
+was an opinion of the day, that one of the most signal marks of the
+Devil's descent with power, would be the seduction, to his service, of
+persons of the most eminent character, even, if possible, of the very
+elect; and, hence, no amount of virtue or holiness of life or
+conversation, could be urged in defence of any one. The records of the
+world present no more conspicuous instances of Christian and saintlike
+excellence than were exhibited by Rebecca Nurse and Elizabeth How; but
+spectral testimony was allowed to destroy them. Indeed, it was
+impossible for a Court to put any restrictions on this kind of evidence,
+if once received. If the accusing girls exclaimed--all of them
+concurring, at the moment, in the declaration and in its details--that
+they saw, at that very instant, in the Court-room, before Judges and
+Jury, the spectre of the Prisoner assailing one of their number, and
+that one showing signs of suffering, what could be done to rebut their
+testimony? The character of the accused was of no avail. An _alibi_
+could not touch the case. The distance from the Prisoner to the party
+professing to be tormented, was of no account. The whole proceeding was
+on the assumption that, however remote the body of the Prisoner, his or
+her spectre was committing the assault. No limitation of space or time
+could be imposed on the spectral presence. "Good, plain, legal evidence"
+was out of the question, where the Judges assumed, as Mather did, that
+"the molestations" then suffered by the people of the neighbourhood,
+were the work of Demons, and fully believed that the tortures and
+convulsions of the accusers, before their eyes, were, as alleged, caused
+by the spectres of the accused.
+
+To cut the matter short. The considerations Mather presents of the
+"inconvenience," as he calls it, of the spectral testimony, it might be
+supposed, would have led him to counsel--not as he did, against making
+"too great a progress" in its use--but its abandonment altogether. Why
+did he not, as the Reviewer says ought always have been done, protest
+utterly against its admission at all? The truth is, that neither in this
+letter, nor in any way, at any time, did he ever recommend caution
+_against_ its use, but _in_ its use.
+
+It may be asked, what did he mean by "not laying more stress upon
+spectre testimony than it will bear," and the general strain of the
+paragraph? A solution of this last question may be reached as we
+continue the scrutiny of his language and actions.
+
+In this same letter, Mather says: "I look upon wounds that have been
+given unto spectres, and received by witches, as intimations, broad
+enough, in concurrence with other things, to bring out the guilty.
+Though I am not fond of assaying to give such wounds, yet, the proof
+[_of_] such, when given, carries with it what is very palpable."
+
+This alludes to a particular form of spectral evidence. One of the
+"afflicted children" would testify that she saw and felt the spectre of
+the accused, tormenting her, and struck at it. A corresponding wound or
+bruise was found on the body, or a rent in the garments, of the accused.
+Mather commended this species of evidence, writing to one of the Judges,
+on the eve of the trials. He not only commends, but urges it as
+conclusive of guilt. Referring to what constituted the bulk of the
+evidence of the accusing girls, and which was wholly spectral in its
+nature--namely, that they were "hurt" by an "unseen hand"--he charges
+Richards, if he finds such "hurt" to be inflicted by the persons
+accused, "Hold them, for you have catched a witch." He recommends
+putting the Prisoners upon repeating the "Lord's prayer" or certain
+"other Systems of Christianity." He endorses the evidence derived from
+"poppits," "witch-marks," and even the "water ordeal." He advised a
+Judge, just proceeding to sit in cases of life and death, to make use of
+"cross and swift questions," as the means of bringing the accused "into
+confusion, likely to lead them into confession."
+
+Whoever examines, carefully, this letter to Richards, cannot, I think,
+but conclude that, instead of exonerating Mather, it fixes upon him the
+responsibility for the worst features of the Witchcraft Trials.
+
+The next document on which the Reviewer relies is the _Return of the
+Ministers consulted by his Excellency and the honorable Council, upon
+the present Witchcraft in Salem Village_. It is necessary to give it
+entire, as follows:
+
+ ["I. The afflicted state of our poor neighbours, that are now
+ suffering by molestations from the invisible world, we apprehend so
+ deplorable, that we think their condition calls for the utmost help
+ of all persons in their several capacities.
+
+ "II. We cannot but, with all thankfulness, acknowledge the success
+ which the merciful God has given to the sedulous and assiduous
+ endeavours of our honorable rulers, to defeat the abominable
+ witchcrafts which have been committed in the country, humbly
+ praying, that the discovery of those mysterious and mischievous
+ wickednesses may be perfected.]
+
+ "III. We judge that, in the prosecution of these and all such
+ witchcrafts, there is need of a very critical and exquisite caution,
+ lest by too much credulity for things received only upon the Devil's
+ authority, there be a door opened for a long train of miserable
+ consequences, and Satan get an advantage over us; for we should not
+ be ignorant of his devices.
+
+ "IV. As in complaints upon witchcrafts there may be matters of
+ enquiry which do not amount unto matters of presumption, and there
+ may be matters of presumption which yet may not be reckoned matters
+ of conviction, so it is necessary, that all proceedings thereabout
+ be managed with an exceeding tenderness towards those that may be
+ complained of, especially if they have been persons formerly of an
+ unblemished reputation.
+
+ "V. When the first inquiry is made into the circumstances of such as
+ may lie under any just suspicion of witchcrafts, we could wish that
+ there may be admitted as little as possible of such noise, company,
+ and openness, as may too hastily expose them that are examined; and
+ that there may nothing be used as a test for the trial of the
+ suspected, the lawfulness whereof may be doubted among the people of
+ God; but that the directions given by such judicious writers as
+ Perkins and Bernard may be consulted in such a case.
+
+ "VI. Presumptions whereupon persons may be committed, and, much
+ more, convictions whereupon persons may be condemned as guilty of
+ witchcrafts, ought certainly to be more considerable than barely the
+ accused persons being represented by a spectre unto the afflicted;
+ [inasmuch as it is an undoubted and a notorious thing, that a Demon
+ may, by God's permission, appear, even to ill purposes, in the shape
+ of an innocent, yea, and a virtuous man.] Nor can we esteem
+ alterations made in the sufferers, by a look or touch of the
+ accused, to be an infallible evidence of guilt, but frequently
+ liable to be abused by the Devil's legerdemain.
+
+ "VII. We know not whether some remarkable affront, given the Devil,
+ by our disbelieving of those testimonies, whose whole force and
+ strength is from him alone, may not put a period unto the progress
+ of the dreadful calamity begun upon us, in the accusation of so many
+ persons, whereof some, we hope, are yet clear from the great
+ transgression laid to their charge.
+
+ ["VIII. Nevertheless, we cannot but humbly recommend unto the
+ Government, the speedy and vigorous prosecutions of such as have
+ rendered themselves obnoxious, according to the directions given in
+ the laws of God, and the wholesome Statutes of the English nation,
+ for the detection of Witchcrafts."]
+
+I have enclosed the _first_, _second_ and _eighth_ Sections, and a part
+of the _sixth_, in brackets, for purposes that will appear, in a
+subsequent part of this discussion. The _Advice of the Ministers_ was
+written by Cotton Mather. As in his letter to Richards, he does not
+caution _against_ the use, but _in_ the use, of spectral evidence. Not a
+word is said denouncing its introduction or advising its entire
+rejection. We look in vain for a line or a syllable disapproving the
+trial and execution just had, resting as they did, entirely upon
+spectral evidence: on the contrary, the _second_ Section applauds what
+had been done; and prays that the work entered upon may be perfected.
+The first clauses in the _fourth_ Section sanction its admission, as
+affording ground of "presumption," although "it may not be matter of
+conviction." The _sixth_ Section, while it appears to convey the idea
+that spectral evidence alone ought not to be regarded as sufficient,
+contains, at the same time, a form of expression, that not only requires
+its reception, but places its claims on the highest possible grounds.
+"_A Demon may, by GOD'S PERMISSION, appear, even to ill purposes, in the
+shape of an innocent, yea, and a virtuous man._" It is sufficiently
+shocking to think that anything, _to ill purposes_, can be done by
+Divine permission; but horrible, indeed, to intimate that the Devil can
+have that permission to malign and murder an innocent person. If the
+spectre appears by God's permission, the effect produced has his
+sanction. The blasphemous supposition that God permits the Devil thus to
+bear false witness, to the destruction of the righteous, overturns all
+the sentiments and instincts of our moral and religious nature. In using
+this language, the Ministers did not have a rational apprehension of
+what they were saying, which is the only apology for much of the
+theological phraseology of that day. This phrase, "God's permission,"
+had quite a currency at the time; and if it did not reconcile the mind,
+subdued it to wondering and reverent silence. It will be seen that
+Mather, on other occasions, repeated this idea, in various and sometimes
+stronger terms. The _third_, _fifth_, _seventh_, and last clauses of the
+_fourth_ Sections, contain phrases which will become intelligible, as we
+advance in the examination of Mather's writings, relating to the subject
+of witchcraft.
+
+Here it may, again, be safely said, that if Increase and Cotton Mather
+had really, as the Reviewer affirms, been opposed to the _admission_ of
+spectral testimony, this was the time for them to have said so. If, at
+this crisis, they had "denounced it, as illegal, uncharitable and
+cruel," no more blood would have been shed. If the _Advice_ had even
+recommended, in the most moderate terms, its absolute exclusion from
+every stage of the proceedings, they would have come to an end. But it
+assumes its introduction, and only suggests "disbelief" of it, in
+avoiding to act upon it, in "some" instances.
+
+Hutchinson states the conclusion of the matter, after quoting the whole
+document. "The Judges seem to have paid more regard to the last article
+of this _Return_, than to several which precede it; for the prosecutions
+were carried on with all possible vigor, and without that exquisite
+caution which is proposed."--_History_, ii., 54.
+
+The _Advice_ was skilfully--it is not uncharitable to say--artfully
+drawn up. It has deceived the Reviewer into his statement that it was
+"very specific in excluding spectral testimony." A careless reader, or
+one whose eyes are blinded by a partisan purpose, may not see its real
+import. The paper is so worded as to mislead persons not conversant with
+the ideas and phraseology of that period. But it was considered by all
+the Judges, and the people in general, fully to endorse the proceedings
+in the trial of Bridget Bishop, and to advise their speedy and vigorous
+continuance. It was spectral testimony that overwhelmed her. It was the
+fatal element that wrought the conviction of every person put on trial,
+from first to last; as was fully proved, five months afterwards, when
+Sir William Phips, under circumstances I shall describe, bravely and
+peremptorily forbid, as the Ministers failed to do, the "trying," or
+even "committing," of any one, on the evidence of "the afflicted
+persons," which was wholly spectral. When thus, by his orders, it was
+utterly thrown out, the life of the prosecutions became, at once,
+extinct; and, as Mather says, the accused were cleared as fast as they
+were tried.--_Magnalia_, Book II., page 64.
+
+The suggestion that caution was to be used in handling this species of
+evidence, and that it was to be received as affording grounds of
+"presumption," to be corroborated or reinforced by other evidence,
+practically was of no avail. If received, at all, in any stage, or under
+any name, it necessarily controlled every case. No amount of evidence,
+of other kinds, could counterbalance or stand against it: nothing was
+needed to give it full and fatal effect. It struck Court, Jury, and
+people, nay, even the Prisoners themselves, in many instances, with awe.
+It dispensed, as has been mentioned, with the presence of the accused,
+on the spot, where and when the crime was alleged to have been
+committed, or within miles or hundreds of miles of it. No reputation for
+virtue or piety could be pleaded against it. The doctrine which Cotton
+Mather proclaimed, on another occasion, that the Devil might appear as
+Angel of Light, completed the demolition of the securities of innocence.
+There was no difficulty in getting "other testimony" to give it effect.
+In the then state of the public mind, indiscriminately crediting every
+tale of slander and credulity, looking at every thing through the
+refracting and magnifying atmosphere of the blindest and wildest
+passions, it was easy to collect materials to add to the spectral
+evidence, thereby, according to the doctrine of the Ministers, to raise
+the "presumption," to the "conviction" of guilt. Even our Reviewer finds
+evidence to "substantiate" that, given against George Burroughs, resting
+on spectres, in his feats of strength, in some malignant neighborhood
+scandals, and in exaggerated forms of parish or personal animosities.
+
+
+
+
+VII.
+
+ADVICE OF THE MINISTERS, FURTHER CONSIDERED. COTTON MATHER'S PLAN FOR
+DEALING WITH SPECTRAL TESTIMONY.
+
+
+The _Advice of the Ministers_ is a document that holds a prominent place
+in our public history; and its relation to events needs to be
+elucidated.
+
+In his _Life of Sir William Phips_, Cotton Mather has this paragraph:
+"And Sir William Phips arriving to his Government, after this ensnaring
+horrible storm was begun, did consult the neighboring Ministers of the
+Province, who made unto his Excellency and the Council, a Return (drawn
+up, at their desire, by Mr. Mather, the younger, as I have been
+informed) wherein they declared."--_Magnalia_, Book II., page 63.
+
+He then gives, without intimating that any essential or substantial part
+of the _declaration_, or _Advice_, was withheld, the Sections _not_
+included in brackets.--_Vide_, pages 21, 22, _ante_.
+
+It is to be observed that Phips is represented as having asked the
+Ministers for their advice, and their answer as having been made to his
+"Excellency and the Council." There is no mention of this transaction in
+the Records of the Council. Phips makes no reference to it in his letter
+of the fourteenth of October, which is remarkable, as it would have been
+to his purpose, in explaining the grounds of his procedure, in
+organizing, and putting into operation, the judicial tribunal at Salem.
+It may be concluded, from all that I shall present,--Sir William, having
+given over the whole business to his Deputy and Chief-justice, with an
+understanding that he was authorized to manage it, in all
+particulars,--that this transaction with the Ministers may never have
+been brought to the notice of the Governor at all: his official
+character and title were, perhaps, referred to, as a matter of form. The
+Council, as such, had nothing to do with it; but the Deputy-governor and
+certain individual members of the Council, that is, those who, with him,
+as Chief-justice, constituted the Special Court, asked and received the
+_Advice_.
+
+Again: the paragraph, as constructed by Mather, just quoted, certainly
+leaves the impression on a reader, that Phips applied for the _Advice of
+the Ministers_, at or soon after his arrival. The evidence, I think, is
+conclusive, that the _Advice_ was not asked, until after the first
+Session of the Court had been held. This is inferrible from the answer
+of the Ministers, which is dated thirteen days after the first trial,
+and five days after the execution of a sentence then passed. It alludes
+to the _success_ which had been given to the prosecutions. If the
+Government had asked counsel of the Ministers before the trials
+commenced, it is inexplicable and incredible, besides being inexcusable,
+that the Ministers should have delayed their reply until after the first
+act of the awful tragedy had passed, and blood begun to be shed.
+Hutchinson expressly says: "The further trials were put off to the
+adjournment, the thirtieth of June. The Governor and Council thought
+proper, _in the mean time_, to take the opinion of several of the
+principal Ministers, upon the state of things, as they then stood. This
+was an old Charter practice."--_History_, ii., 52.
+
+It has been regarded as a singular circumstance, that after such pains
+had been taken, and so great a stretch of power practised, to put a
+Court so suddenly in operation to try persons accused of witchcraft, on
+the pretence, too, recorded in the Journal of the Council, of the
+"thronged" condition of the jails, at that "hot season," and after
+trying one person only, it should have adjourned for four weeks.
+Perhaps, by a collation of passages and dates, we may reach a probable
+explanation. In his letter to "the Ministers in and near Boston,"
+written in January, 1696, after considering briefly, and in forcible
+language, the fearful errors from which the Delusion of 1692 had risen,
+and solemnly reminding them of what they ought to have done to lead
+their people out of such errors, Calef brings their failure to do it
+home to them, in these pungent words: "If, instead of this, you have
+some by word and writing propagated, and others recommended, such
+doctrines, and abetted the false notions which are so prevalent in this
+apostate age, it is high time to consider it. If, when authority found
+themselves almost nonplust in such prosecutions, and sent to you for
+your advice what they ought to do, and you have then thanked them for
+what they had already done (and thereby encouraged them to proceed in
+those very by-paths already fallen into) it so much the more nearly
+concerns you. _Ezek._, xxxiii., 2 to 8."--_Calef_, 92.
+
+Looking at this passage, in connection with that quoted just before from
+Hutchinson, we gather that something had occurred that "nonplust" the
+Court--some serious embarrassment, that led to its sudden
+adjournment--after the condemnation of Bridget Bishop, while many other
+cases had been fully prepared for trial by the then Attorney-general.
+Newton, and the parties to be tried had, the day before, been brought to
+Salem from the jail in Boston, and were ready to be put to the Bar. What
+was the difficulty? The following may be the solution.
+
+Brattle informs us, and he was able to speak with confidence, that
+"Major N. Saltonstall, Esq., who was one of the Judges, has left the
+Court, and is very much dissatisfied with the proceedings of
+it."--_Massachusetts Historical Collections, I., v., 75._
+
+The questions arise; When and why did he leave the Court? The Records of
+the Council show that he was constant in his attendance at that Board,
+his name always appearing at the head of the roll of those present,
+until the sixteenth of June, from which date it does not appear again
+until the middle of February, 1693. The Legislature, in the exercise of
+its powers, under the Charter, had, near the close of 1692, established
+a regular Superior Court, consisting of Stoughton, Danforth--who had
+disapproved of the proceedings of the Special Court--Richards, Wait
+Winthrop, and Sewall. It continued, in January, 1693, witchcraft trials;
+but spectral evidence being wholly rejected, the prosecutions all broke
+down; and Stoughton, in consequence, left the Court in disgust. After
+all had been abandoned, and his own course, thereby, vindicated, Major
+Saltonstall re-appeared at the Council Board; and was re-elected by the
+next House of Representatives. His conduct, therefore, was very marked
+and significant. In the only way in which he, a country member, could
+express his convictions, as there were no such facilities, in the press
+or otherwise, for public discussions, as we now have, he made them
+emphatically known; and is worthy of the credit of being the only public
+man of his day who had the sense or courage to condemn the proceedings,
+at the start. He was a person of amiable and genial deportment; and,
+from the County Court files, in which his action, as a Magistrate, is
+exhibited in several cases, it is evident that he was methodical and
+careful in official business, but susceptible of strong impressions and
+convictions, and had, on a previous occasion manifested an utter want of
+confidence in certain parties, who, it became apparent at the first
+Session of the Court, were to figure largely in hearing spectral
+testimony, in most of the cases. He had no faith in those persons, and
+was thus, we may suppose, led to discredit, wholly, that species of
+testimony.
+
+From his attendance at the Council Board, up to the sixteenth of June,
+the day when the _Advice of the Ministers_ was probably received, it may
+be assumed that he attended also, to that time, the sittings of the
+Court; and that when he withdrew from the former, he did also from the
+latter. The date indicates that his action, in withdrawing, was
+determined by the import of the _Advice_.
+
+If a gentleman of his position and family, a grandson of an original
+Patentee, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and sitting as a Judge at the first
+trial, had the independence and manly spirit to express, without
+reserve, his disapprobation of the proceedings, the expression of Calef
+is explained; and the Court felt the obstacle that was in their way.
+Hence the immediate adjournment, and the resort to some extraordinary
+expedient, to remove it.
+
+This may account for the appeal to the Ministers. Great interest must
+have been felt in their reply, by all cognizant of the unexpected
+difficulty that had occurred. The document was admirably adapted to
+throw dust into the eyes of those who had expressed doubts and
+misgivings; but it did not deceive Saltonstall. He saw that it would be
+regarded by the other Judges, and the public in general, as an
+encouragement to continue the trials; and that, under the phraseology of
+what had the aspect of caution, justification would be found for the
+introduction, to an extent that would control the trials, of spectral
+evidence. The day after its date, he left his seat at the Council Board,
+withdrew from the Court, and washed his hands of the whole matter.
+
+The course of events demonstrates that the _Advice_ was interpreted, by
+all concerned, as applauding what had been done at the first trial, and
+earnestly urging that the work, thus begun, should be speedily and
+vigorously prosecuted. Upon the Ministers, therefore, rests the stigma
+for all that followed.
+
+There may have been, at that time, as there was not long afterward, some
+difference of opinion among the Ministers; and the paper may have had
+the character of a compromise--always dangerous and vicious, bringing
+some or all parties into a false position. Samuel Willard may have held,
+then, the opinion expressed in a pamphlet ascribed to him, published,
+probably, towards the close of the trials, that spectral evidence ought
+only to be allowed where it bore upon persons of bad reputation. The
+_fourth_ Section conciliated his assent to the document. This might have
+been the view of Increase Mather, who, after the trials by the Special
+Court were over, indicated an opinion, that time for further diligent
+"search" ought to have been allowed, before proceeding to "the execution
+of the most capital offenders;" and declared the very excellent
+sentiment, that "it becomes those of his profession to be very tender in
+the shedding of blood." The expressions, "exceeding tenderness," in the
+_fourth_ Section, and "the first inquiry," in the _fifth_--the latter
+conveying the idea of repeated investigations with intervals of
+time--were well adapted to gain his support of the whole instrument. If
+they were led to concur in the _Advice_, by such inducements, they were
+soon undeceived. "Unblemished reputation" was no protection; and the
+proceedings at the trials were swift, summary, and conclusive.
+
+It may be proper, at this point, to inquire what was meant by the
+peculiar phraseology of the _third_, _fifth_, _seventh_, and latter part
+of the _fourth_, Sections. It is difficult, writing as Cotton Mather
+often did, and had great skill in doing, in what Calef calls "the
+ambidexter" style, to ascertain his ideas. After the reaction had taken
+effect in the public mind, and he was put upon the defensive, he had
+much to say about some difference between him and the Judges. It clearly
+had nothing to do with the "admission" of spectral evidence; for that
+was the point on which the opinion of the Ministers was asked, and on
+which he voluntarily proffered remarks in his letter to one of the
+Judges, Richards. If he had been opposed to its "admission," nothing
+would have been easier, safer, or more demanded by the truth and his own
+honor, than for him to have said so. Indeed, his writings everywhere
+show that he was almost a _one idea_ man, on the subject of spectres;
+and, in some way or form, deemed their evidence indispensable and
+reliable. He, evidently, had some favorite plan or scheme, as to the
+method in which that kind of evidence was to be handled; and it was
+because he could not get it carried into effect, and for this reason
+alone, so far as we can discover, that he disapproved of the methods
+actually pursued by the Court. He never disclosed his plan, but shrunk
+from explaining it at length, "as too Icarian and presumptuous" a task
+for him to undertake. Let us see if we can glean his ideas from his
+writings.
+
+I call attention, in the first place, to the following clause, in his
+letter to Richards: "If, upon the bare supposal of a poor creature's
+being represented by a spectre, too great a progress be made by the
+authority, in ruining a poor neighbour so represented, it may be that a
+door may be thereby opened for the Devils to obtain from the Courts, in
+the invisible world, a license to proceed unto most hideous desolations
+upon the repute and repose of such as have been kept from the great
+transgression."
+
+"Too great a progress" conveys the suggestion that, upon the
+introduction of spectral evidence, there should be a delay in the
+proceedings of the Court, for some intermediate steps to be taken,
+before going on with the trial.
+
+We gather other intimations, to this effect, from other passages, as
+follows: "Now, in my visiting of the miserable, I was always of this
+opinion, that we were ignorant of what power the Devils might have, to
+do their mischiefs in the shapes of some that had never been explicitly
+engaged in diabolical confederacies, and that therefore, though many
+witchcrafts had been fairly detected on enquiries provoked and begun by
+spectral exhibitions, yet we could not easily be too jealous of the
+snares laid for us in the device of Satan. The world knows how many
+pages I have composed and published, and particular gentlemen in the
+Government know how many letters I have written, to prevent the
+excessive credit of spectral accusations; wherefore I have still charged
+the afflicted that they should cry out of nobody for afflicting them;
+but that, if this might be any advantage, they might privately tell
+their minds to some one person of discretion enough to make no ill use
+of their communications; accordingly there has been this effect of it,
+that the name of no one good person in the world ever came under any
+blemish by means of an afflicted person that fell under my particular
+cognizance; yea, no one man, woman, or child ever came into any trouble,
+for the sake of any that were afflicted, after I had once begun to look
+after them. How often have I had this thrown into my dish, 'that many
+years ago I had an opportunity to have brought forth such people as
+have, in the late storm of witchcraft, been complained of, but that I
+smothered it all'; and after that storm was raised at Salem, I did
+myself offer to provide meat, drink, and lodging for no less than six of
+the afflicted, that so an experiment might be made, whether prayer, with
+fasting, upon the removal of the distressed, might not put a period to
+the trouble then rising, without giving the civil authority the trouble
+of prosecuting those things, which nothing but a conscientious regard
+unto the cries of miserable families could have overcome the reluctance
+of the honorable Judges to meddle with. In short, I do humbly but freely
+affirm it, there is not a man living in this world who has been more
+desirous, than the poor man I, to shelter my neighbors from the
+inconveniences of spectral outcries; yea, I am very jealous I have done
+so much that way, as to sin in what I have done; such have been the
+cowardice and fearfulness where unto my regard to the dissatisfaction of
+other people has precipitated me. I know a man in the world, who has
+thought he has been able to convict some such witches as ought to die;
+but his respect unto the public peace has caused him rather to try
+whether he could not renew them by repentance."--_Calef_, 11.
+
+The careful reader will notice that "six of the afflicted," at Salem
+Village, would have included nearly the whole circle of the accusing
+girls there. If he had been allowed to take them into his exclusive
+keeping, he would have had the whole thing in his own hands.
+
+In his account of "the afflictions of Margaret Rule," printed by Calef,
+in his book, and from which the foregoing extracts have been made
+speaking of the "eight cursed spectres" with which she was assaulted, in
+the fall of 1693, Mather says: "She was very careful of my reiterated
+charges, _to forbear blazing their names_, lest any good person should
+come to suffer any blast of reputation, through the cunning malice of
+the great accuser; nevertheless, having since privately named them to
+myself, I will venture to say this of them, that they are a sort of
+wretches who, for these many years, have gone under as violent
+presumptions of witchcraft as, perhaps, any creatures yet living upon
+earth; although I am far from thinking that the visions of this young
+woman were evidence enough to prove them so."--_Calef_, 4.
+
+The following is from his _Wonders of the Invisible World_, 12: "If once
+a witch do ingeniously confess among us, no more spectres do, in their
+shapes, after this, trouble the vicinage; if any guilty creatures will
+accordingly, to so good purpose, confess their crime to any Minister of
+God, and get out of the snare of the Devil, as no Minister will discover
+such a conscientious confession, so, I believe, none in the authority
+will press him to discover it, but rejoice in a soul saved from death."
+
+In his _Life of Phips_, he says: "In fine, the country was in a dreadful
+ferment, and wise men foresaw a long train of dismal and bloody
+consequences. Hereupon they first advised, that the _afflicted_ might be
+kept asunder, in the closest privacy; and one particular person (whom I
+have cause to know), in pursuance of this advice, offered himself singly
+to provide accommodations for any six of them, that so the success of
+more than ordinary prayer, with fasting, might, with patience, be
+experienced, before any other courses were taken."--_Magnalia_, Book
+II., p. 62.
+
+Hutchinson gives an extract from a letter, written by John Allyn,
+Secretary of Connecticut, dated, "HARTFORD, March 18, 1693," to Increase
+Mather, as follows: "As to what you mention, concerning that poor
+creature in your town that is afflicted, and mentioned my name to
+yourself and son, I return you hearty thanks for your intimation about
+it, and for your charity therein mentioned; and I have great cause to
+bless God, who, of his mercy hitherto, hath not left me to fall into
+such an horrid evil."--_History_, ii., 61, note.
+
+Further, it was on account of some particular plan, in reference to the
+management of this description of evidence, I am inclined to think, that
+he felt the importance of being present at the trials. For this reason,
+he laments the illness that prevented his accompanying Richards to the
+Court, at its opening, on the second of June, to "assist the noble
+service," as he says, "with the utmost of my little skill and care."
+
+This language shows conclusively, by the way, the great influence he
+had, at that time, in directing the Government, particularly the Court.
+He would not have addressed one of the Judges, in such terms, had he not
+felt that his "skill and care" would be recognized and permitted to take
+effect. We may well lament, with him, that he could not have been
+present at the first trial. It would not, then, have been left to
+conjecture and scrutiny, to determine what his plan was; and an open
+attempt, to bring the Court to adopt it, might have given another turn
+to affairs.
+
+In his Diary, on the twenty-ninth of April, is the following: "This day
+I obtained help of God, that he would make use of me, as of a John, to
+be a herald of the Lord's Kingdom, now approaching." "My prayers did
+especially insist upon the horrible enchantments and possessions, broke
+forth in Salem Village, things of a most prodigious aspect, a good issue
+to those things, and my own direction and protection thereabouts, I did
+especially petition for."
+
+The date of this entry is important. On the eleventh, nineteenth, and
+twenty second of April, impressive scenes had been exhibited at Salem
+Village. Some of the most conspicuous cases of the preliminary
+examinations of persons arrested had occurred. The necessary steps were
+then being taken to follow up those examinations with a procedure that
+would excite the country to the highest pitch. The arrangements, kept
+concealed at Salem, and unsuspected by the public at large, were made
+and perfected in Boston. On the day after the date of the foregoing
+memorandum, a Magistrate in that place issued the proper order for the
+arrest of the Rev. George Burroughs; and officers were started express
+to Maine for that purpose. This was "the most prodigious aspect of
+affairs" at the time. All the circumstances must have been known by
+Mather. Hence his earnest solicitude that proceedings should be
+conducted under his own "direction and protection." The use of these
+terms, looks as if Mather contemplated the preliminary examinations as
+to take place under his direction and management, and will be borne in
+mind, when we come to consider the question of his having been, more or
+less, present at them.
+
+Disposed to take the most favorable and charitable view of such passages
+as have now been presented, I would gather from them that his mind may
+have recurred to his original and favorite idea, that prayer and fasting
+were the proper weapons to wield against witchcraft; but if they failed,
+then recourse was to be had to the terrors of the law. He desired to
+have the afflicted and the accused placed under the treatment of some
+one person, of discretion enough to make no ill use of their
+communications, to whom "they might privately tell their minds," and
+who, without "noise, company and openness," could keep, under his own
+control, the dread secrets of the former and exorcise the latter. He was
+willing, and desirous, of occupying this position himself, and of taking
+its responsibility. To signify this, he offered to provide "meat, drink,
+and lodging" for six of the afflicted children; to keep them "asunder in
+the closest privacy;" to be the recipient of their visions; and then to
+look after the accused, for the purpose of inducing them to confess and
+break loose from their league with Satan; to be exempt, except when he
+thought proper to do it, from giving testimony in Court, against parties
+accused; and to communicate with persons, thus secretly complained of,
+as he and his father afterwards did with the Secretary of Connecticut,
+and taking, as in that case, if he saw fit, a bare denial as sufficient
+for "sheltering" them, altogether, by keeping the accusation a profound
+secret in his own breast, as he acknowledges he had done to a
+considerable extent--at once claiming and confessing that he had "done
+so much that way, as to sin in what he had done."
+
+In language that indicates a correspondence and familiarity of
+intercourse with persons, acting on the spot, at Salem Village, such as
+authorized him to speak for them, he gives us to understand that they
+concurred with him in his proposed method of treating the cases: "There
+are very worthy men, who, having, been called by God, when and where
+this witchcraft first appeared upon the stage, to encounter it, are
+earnestly desirous to have it sifted unto the bottom of it." "Persons,
+thus disposed, have been men eminent for wisdom and virtue." "They would
+gladly contrive and receive an expedient, how the shedding of blood might
+be spared, by the recovery of witches not beyond the reach of pardon.
+And, after all, they invite all good men, in terms to this purpose."
+"Being amazed at the number and quality of those accused, of late, we do
+not know but Satan by his wiles may have enwrapt some innocent persons;
+and therefore should earnestly and humbly desire the most critical
+inquiry, upon the place, to find out the fallacy."--_Wonders_, 11.
+
+Indeed, Parris and his coadjutors, at Salem Village, to whom these
+passages refer, had, without authority, been, all along, exercising the
+functions Mather desired to have bestowed upon him, by authority. They
+had kept a controlling communication with the "afflicted children;"
+determined who were to be cried out publicly against, and when; rebuked
+and repressed the calling out, by name, of the Rev. Samuel Willard and
+many other persons, of both sexes, of "quality," in Boston; and arranged
+and managed matters, generally.
+
+The conjecture I have ventured to make, as to Mather's plan of
+procedure, explains, as the reader will perceive, by turning back to the
+Minister's _Advice_, [_Pages 21, 22, ante_] much of the phraseology of
+that curious document. "Very critical and exquisite caution," in the
+_third_ Section; "that all proceedings thereabout be managed with an
+exceeding tenderness towards those that may be complained of," in the
+_fourth_; "we could wish that there may be admitted as little as
+possible of such noise, company and openness, as may too hastily expose
+them that are examined," in the _fifth_; and the entire _seventh_
+Section, expressly authorize the suppression, disregard, and
+_disbelief_, of _some_ of the Devil's accusations, on the grounds of
+expediency and public policy.
+
+Mather's necessary absence from the Court, at its first Session,
+prevented his "skill and care" being availed of, or any attempt being
+made to bring forward his plan. The proceedings, having thus commenced
+in an ordinary way, were continued at the several adjournments of the
+Court; and his experiment was never made.
+
+The fallacy of his ideas and the impracticability of his scheme must,
+indeed, have become evident, at the first moment it was brought under
+consideration. Inexperienced and blinded, as they were, by the delusions
+of the time and the excitements of the scene, and disposed, as they must
+have been, by all considerations, to comply with his wishes, the Judges
+had sense enough left to see that it would never do to take the course
+he desired. The trials could not, in that event, have gone on at all.
+The very first step would have been to abrogate their own functions as a
+Court; pass the accusers and accused over to his hands; and adjourn to
+wait his call. If the spectre evidence had been excluded from the
+"noise, confusion and openness" of the public Court-room, there would
+have been nothing left to go upon. If it had been admitted, under any
+conditions or limitations, merely to disclose matter of "presumption," a
+fatal difficulty would meet the first step of the enquiry. To the
+question, "Who hurts you?" no answer could be allowed to be given; and
+the "_Minister_," to whom the witness had confidentially given the names
+of persons whose spectres had tormented her, sitting, perhaps, in the
+Court-room at the time, would have to countenance the suppression of the
+evidence, and not be liable to be called to the stand to divulge his
+knowledge.
+
+The attempt to leave the accusers and the accused to be treated by the
+Minister selected for the purpose, in secure privacy, would have
+dissolved the Court before it had begun; and if this was what Mather
+meant when, afterwards, at any time, he endeavored to throw off the
+responsibility of the proceedings, by intimating that his proffered
+suggestions and services were disregarded, his complaint was most
+unreasonable. The truth is, the proposal was wholly inadmissible, and
+could not have been carried into effect.
+
+Besides, it would have overthrown the whole system of organized society,
+and given to whomsoever the management of the cases had thus, for the
+time, been relinquished, a power too fearful to be thought of, as lodged
+in one man, or in any private person. If he, or any other person, had
+been allowed by the Court to assume such an office, and had been known
+to hold, in secret custody, the accusing parties, receiving their
+confidential communications, to act upon them as he saw fit--sheltering
+some from prosecution and returning others to be proceeded against by
+the Court, which would be equivalent to a conviction and execution--it
+would have inaugurated a reign of terror, such as had not even then been
+approached, and which no community could bear. Every man and woman would
+have felt in the extremest peril, hanging upon the will of an
+irresponsible arbiter of life and death.
+
+Parris and his associates, acting without authority and in a limited
+sphere, had tried this experiment; had spread abroad, terror, havoc, and
+ruin; and incensed the surrounding region with a madness it took
+generations to allay.
+
+To have thought, for a moment, that it was desirable to be invested with
+such a power, "by the authority," shows how ignorant Cotton Mather was
+of human nature. However innocent, upright, or benevolent might be its
+exercise, he would have been assailed by animosities of the deepest, and
+approaches of the basest, kind. A hatred and a sycophancy, such as no
+Priest, Pope, or despot before, had encountered, would have been brought
+against him. He would have been assailed by the temptation, and aspersed
+by the imputation, of "Hush money," from all quarters; and, ultimately,
+the whole country would have risen against what would have been regarded
+as a universal levy of "Black Mail." Whoever, at any time, in any
+country, should undertake such an office as this, would be, in the end,
+the victim of the outraged sensibilities and passions of humanity. How
+long could it be endured, any where, if all men were liable to receive,
+from one authorized and enabled to determine their fate, such a missive
+as the Mathers addressed to the Secretary of Connecticut, and, at the
+best, to be beholden, as he felt himself to be, to the "charity" that
+might prevent their being exposed and prosecuted to the ruin of their
+reputation, if not to an ignominious death?
+
+Calef, alluding to Mather's pretensions to having been actuated by
+"exceeding tenderness towards persons complained of," expresses the
+sentiments all would feel, in such a condition of dependence upon the
+"charity" of one, armed with such fatal power over them: "These are some
+of the destructive notions of this age; and however the asserters of
+them seem sometimes to value themselves much upon sheltering their
+neighbors from spectral accusations, they may deserve as much thanks as
+that Tyrant, that having industriously obtained an unintelligible charge
+against his subjects, in matters wherein it was impossible they should
+be guilty, having thereby their lives in his power, yet suffers them of
+his mere grace to live, and will be called gracious Lord!"--_Preface._
+
+The mere suspicion that some persons were behind the scene, exercising
+this power of pointing out some for prosecution and sheltering some from
+trial or arrest, produced, as Phips says, "a strange ferment of
+dissatisfaction," threatening to kindle "an inextinguishable flame."
+Brattle complained of it bitterly: "This occasions much discourse and
+many hot words, and is a very great scandal and stumbling block to many
+good people; certainly distributive justice should have its course,
+without respect to persons; and, although the said Mrs. Thatcher be
+mother-in-law to Mr. Curwin, who is one of the Justices and Judges, yet,
+if justice and conscience do oblige them to apprehend others on account
+of the afflicted their complaints, I cannot see how, without injustice
+and violence to conscience, Mrs. Thatcher can escape, when it is well
+known how much she is, and has been, complained of."--Letter dated
+October 8th, 1692, in the _Massachusetts Historical Society's
+Collections_, I., v., 69.
+
+Hezekial Usher, an eminent citizen of Boston, was arrested by Joseph
+Lynde, one of the Council, but suffered to remain, "for above a
+fortnight," in a private house, and afterwards to leave the Province.
+Brattle "cannot but admire" at this, and says: "Methinks that same
+justice, that actually imprisoned others, and refused bail for them, on
+any terms, should not be satisfied without actually imprisoning Mr. U.,
+and refusing bail for him, when his case is known to be the very same
+with the case of those others."
+
+Brattle was a friend of Usher, and believed him innocent, yet was
+indignant that such barefaced partiality should be shown in judicial
+proceedings. The establishment of a regular systematized plan, committed
+to any individual, for sheltering some, while others would be handed
+back for punishment, would have been unendurable.
+
+As it was, Mather exposed himself to much odium, because it was
+understood that he was practising, on his own responsibility and
+privately, upon the plan he wished the Judges to adopt, as a principle
+and method of procedure, in all the trials. He says: "It may be, no man
+living ever had more people, under preternatural and astonishing
+circumstances, cast by the providence of God into his more particular
+care than I have had."
+
+Of course, those persons would be most obnoxious to ill-feeling in the
+community, who were known, as he says of himself, in the foregoing
+sentence, to have most intimacy with, and influence over, the accusers.
+For this reason, Cotton Mather was the special object of resentment. No
+wonder that he sometimes bewails, and sometimes berates, the storm of
+angry passions raging around. A very bitter feeling pervaded the
+country, grounded on the conviction that there was "a respect to
+persons," and a connivance, in behalf of some, by those managing the
+affair. The public was shocked by having such persons as the Rev. Samuel
+Willard, Mrs. Hale of Beverly, and the Lady of the Governor, cried out
+upon by the "afflicted children;" and the commotion was heightened by a
+cross-current of indignant enquiries: "Why, as these persons are
+accused, are they not arrested and imprisoned?"
+
+Mather alludes, in frequent passages, to this angry state of feeling, as
+the following: "It is by our quarrels that we spoil our prayers; and if
+our humble, zealous, and united prayers are once hindered! Alas, the
+Philistines of Hell have cut our locks for us; they will then blind us,
+mock us, ruin us. In truth, I cannot altogether blame it, if people are
+a little transported, when they conceive all the secular interests of
+themselves and their families at stake, and yet, at the sight of these
+heart-burnings, I cannot forbear the exclamation of the sweet-spirited
+Austin, in his pacificatory epistle to Jerom, on the contest with
+Ruffin, '_O misera et miseranda conditio!_'"--_Wonders_, 11.
+
+There was another evil to which he exposed himself by seeking to have
+such frequent, private, and confidential intercourse with the afflicted
+accusers and confessing witches, who professed to have so often seen,
+associated with, and suffered from, spectral images of the Devil's
+confederates; which spectral shapes, as was believed, were, after all,
+the Devil himself. He came under the imputation of what, in Scripture,
+is pronounced one of the darkest of crimes. The same charge was made to
+tell against Mr. Parris, helping effectually to remove him from the
+ministry at Salem Village. _Leviticus_, xx., 6. "And the soul that
+turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a
+whoring after them, I will set my face against that soul, and will cut
+him off from among his people." _1 Chronicles_, x., 13. "So Saul died
+for his transgression, which he committed against the Lord, even
+against the word of the Lord, which he kept not; and also, for asking
+counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it, and
+inquired not of the Lord, therefore he slew him."
+
+For having so much to do with persons professing to suffer from, and
+from others confessing to have committed, the sin of witchcraft, Mather
+became the object of a scathing rebuke in the letter of Brattle, in a
+passage I shall quote, in another connection.
+
+Such, then, so far as I can gather, was Cotton Mather's plan for the
+management of witchcraft investigations; such its impracticability; and
+such the dangerous and injurious consequences to himself, of attempting
+to put it into practice. He never fully divulged it; but, in the
+_Advice_ of the Ministers and various other writings, endeavored to pave
+the way for it. All the expressions, in that document and elsewhere,
+which have deceived the Reviewer and others into the notion that he was
+opposed to the admission of spectre evidence, at the trials, were used
+as arguments to persuade "authority" not to receive that species of
+evidence, in open Court, but to refer it to him, in the first instance,
+to be managed by him with exquisite caution and discretion, and, thereby
+avoid inconveniences and promote good results; and when he could not
+subdue the difficulties of the case, to deliver back the obdurate and
+unrepentant, to the Court, to be proceeded against in the ordinary
+course of law. With this view, he has much to say that indicates a
+tender regard to the prisoners. It is true that the scheme, if adopted,
+would have given him absolute power over the community, and, for this
+reason, may have had attraction. But, I doubt not, that he cherished it
+from benevolent feelings also. He thought that he might, in that way, do
+great good. But it could not be carried into effect. It was seen, at
+once, by all men, who had any sense left, to be utterly impracticable,
+and had to be abandoned. That being settled and disposed of, he went
+into the prosecutions without misgivings, earnestly and vehemently
+sustaining the Court, in all things, spectre evidence included, as
+remains to be shown.
+
+
+
+
+VIII.
+
+COTTON MATHER AND SPECTRAL EVIDENCE.
+
+
+I shall continue to draw, at some length, upon Mather's writings, to
+which I ask the careful attention of the reader. The subject to which
+they mostly relate, is of much interest, presenting views of a class of
+topics, holding, for a long period, a mighty sway over the human mind.
+
+In his _Life of Phips_, written in 1697, and constituting the concluding
+part of the Second Book of the _Magnalia_, he gives a general account of
+what had transpired, in the preliminary examinations at Salem, before
+the arrival of Sir William, at Boston. In it, he spreads out, with
+considerable fullness, what had been brought before the Magistrates,
+consisting mainly of spectral testimony; and narrates the appearances
+and doings of spectres assaulting the "afflicted children," not as mere
+matters alleged, but as facts. It is true that he appears as a narrator;
+yet, in the manner and tenor of his statement, he cannot but be
+considered as endorsing the spectral evidence. Speaking of the examining
+Magistrates, and saying that it is "now," that is, in 1697, "generally
+thought they went out of the way," he expresses himself as follows: "The
+afflicted people vehemently accused several persons, in several places,
+that the _spectres_ which afflicted them, did exactly resemble _them_;
+until the importunity of the accusations did provoke the Magistrates to
+examine them. When many of the accused came upon their examination, it
+was found, that the demons, then a thousand ways abusing of the poor
+afflicted people, had with a marvellous exactness represented them; yea,
+it was found that many of the accused, but casting their eye upon the
+afflicted, the afflicted, though their faces were never so much another
+way, would fall down and lie in a sort of a swoon, wherein they would
+continue, whatever hands were laid upon them, until the hands of the
+accused came to touch them, and then they would revive immediately: and
+it was found, that various kinds of natural actions, done by many of the
+accused in or to their own bodies, as leaning, bending, turning awry, or
+squeezing their hands, or the like, were presently attended with the
+like things preternaturally done upon the bodies of the afflicted,
+though they were so far asunder, that the afflicted could not at all
+observe the accused."--_Magnalia_, Book II., p. 61.
+
+Indeed, throughout his account of the appearances and occurrences, at
+the examinations before the committing Magistrates, it must be allowed
+that he exposed a decided bias, in his own mind, to the belief and
+reception of the spectral evidence. He commences that account in these
+words: "Some scores of people, first about Salem, the centre and
+first-born of all the towns in the Colony, and afterwards in several
+other places, were arrested with many preternatural vexations upon their
+bodies, and a variety of cruel torments, which were evidently inflicted
+from the demons of the invisible world. The people that were infected
+and infested with such Demons, in a few days time, arrived at such a
+refining alteration upon their eyes, that they could see their
+tormentors; they saw a Devil of a little stature and of a tawny color,
+attended still with spectres that appeared in more human
+circumstances."--_Page 60._
+
+And he concludes it as follows: "Flashy people may burlesque these
+things, but when hundreds of the most sober people in a country, where
+they have as much mother-wit certainly as the rest of mankind, know them
+to be _true_, nothing but the absurd and froward spirit of Sadduceeism
+can question them. I have not yet mentioned so much as one thing, that
+will not be justified, if it be required, by the oaths of more
+considerate persons, than any that can ridicule these odd
+phenomena."--_Page 61._
+
+When he comes to the conclusion of the affair, and mentions the general
+pardon of the convicted and accused, he says: "there fell out several
+strange things that caused the spirit of the country to run as
+vehemently upon the acquitting of all the accused, as it had, by
+mistake, ran at first upon the condemning of them." "In fine, the last
+Courts that sate upon this thorny business, finding that it was
+impossible to penetrate into the whole meaning of the things that had
+happened, and that so many unsearchable cheats were interwoven into the
+conclusion of a mysterious business, which perhaps had not crept
+thereinto at the beginning of it, they cleared the accused as fast as
+they tried them." But, even then, Mather could not wholly disengage his
+mind from the "mistake." "More than twice twenty," he says, in
+connection with the fact that the confessions had been receded from,
+"had made such voluntary, and harmonious, and uncontrollable
+confessions, that if they were all sham, there was therein the greatest
+violation, made by the efficacy of the invisible world, upon the rules
+of understanding human affairs, that was ever seen since God made man
+upon the earth."
+
+In this same work he presents, in condensed shape, the views of the
+advocates and of the opponents of spectral testimony, without striking
+the balance between them or avowedly taking sides with either, although
+it may fairly be observed that the weight he puts into the scale of the
+former is quite preponderating. From incidental expressions, too, it
+might be inferred that he was to be classed with the former, as he
+ascribes to them some "philosophical schemes," in explanation of the
+phenomena of witchcraft, that look like his notion of the "Plastic
+spirit of the world." Another incidental remark seems to point to
+Increase Mather, as to be classed with the latter, as follows: "Though
+against some of them that were tried, there came in so much other
+evidence of their diabolical compacts, that some of the most judicious,
+and yet vehement, opposers of the notions then in vogue, publicly
+declared, _Had they themselves been on the Bench, they could not have
+acquitted them_; nevertheless, divers were condemned, against whom the
+chief evidence was founded in the spectral exhibitions."
+
+Increase Mather, in the Postscript to his _Cases of Conscience_, says:
+"I am glad that there is published to the World (by my Son) a _Breviate
+of the Tryals_ of some who were lately executed, whereby I hope the
+thinking part of Mankind will be satisfied, that there was more than
+that which is called _Spectre Evidence_ for the Conviction of the
+Persons condemned. I was not my self present at any of the Tryals,
+excepting one, _viz._ that of _George Burroughs_; had I been one of his
+Judges, I could not have acquitted him: For several Persons did upon
+Oath testifie, that they saw him do such things as no Man that has not a
+Devil to be his Familiar could perform."
+
+It is observable that Increase Mather does not express or intimate, in
+this passage, any objection to the introduction of spectral evidence.
+When we come to consider Cotton Mather's _Breviate_ of the trial of
+George Burroughs, we shall see how slight and inadequate was what
+Increase Mather could have heard, _at the Trial_, to prove that
+Burroughs had exhibited strength which the Devil only could have
+supplied. The most trivial and impertinent matter was all that was
+needed, to be added to spectral testimony, to give it fatal effect. The
+value, by the way, of Increase Mather's averment, that "more than that
+which is called Spectre Evidence" was adduced against the persons
+convicted, is somewhat impaired by the admission of Cotton Mather, just
+before quoted, that "divers were condemned," against whom it was the
+"chief evidence."
+
+In stating the objection, by some, to the admission of spectral
+evidence, on the ground that the Devil might assume the shape of an
+innocent person, and if that person was held answerable for the actions
+of that spectral appearance, it would be in the power of the Devil to
+convict and destroy any number of innocent and righteous people, and
+thereby "subvert Government and disband and ruin human society," Cotton
+Mather gets over the difficulty thus: "And yet God may sometimes suffer
+such things to evene, that we may know, thereby, how much we are
+beholden to him, for that restraint which he lays upon the infernal
+spirits, who would else reduce a world into a chaos."
+
+This is a striking instance of the way in which words may be made, not
+only to cover, but to transform, ideas. A reverent form of language
+conceals an irreverent conception. The thought is too shocking for plain
+utterance; but, dressed in the garb of ingenious phraseology, it assumes
+an aspect that enables it to pass as a devout acknowledgment of a divine
+mystery. The real meaning, absurd as it is dreadful, to state or think,
+is that the Heavenly Father sometimes may, not merely permit, but will,
+the lies of the Devil to mislead tribunals of justice to the shedding of
+the blood of the righteous, that he may, thereby show how we are
+beholden to Him, that a like outrage and destruction does not happen to
+us all. He allows the Devil, by false testimony, to bring about the
+perpetration of the most horrible wrong. It is a part of the "Rectoral
+Righteousness of God," that it should be so. What if the Courts do admit
+the testimony of the Devil in the appearance of a spectre, and, on its
+strength, consign to death the innocent? It is the will of God, that it
+should be so. Let that will be done.
+
+But however the sentiment deserves to be characterized, it removes the
+only ground upon which, in that day, spectral evidence was objected
+to--namely, that it might endanger the innocent. If such was the will of
+God, the objectors were silenced.
+
+In concluding the examination of the question whether Cotton Mather
+denounced, or countenanced, the admission of spectral testimony--for
+that is the issue before us--I feel confident that it has been made
+apparent, that it was not in reference to the _admission_ of such
+testimony, that he objected to the "principles that some of the Judges
+had espoused," but to the method in which it should be _handled_ and
+_managed_. I deny, utterly, that it can be shown that he opposed its
+_admission_. In none of his public writings did he ever pretend to this.
+The utmost upon which he ventured, driven to the defensive on this very
+point, as he was during all the rest of his days, was to say that he was
+opposed to its "excessive use." Once, indeed, in his private Diary,
+under that self-delusion which often led him to be blind to the import
+of his language, contradicting, in one part, what he had said in another
+part of the same sentence, evidently, as I believe, without any
+conscious and intentional violation of truth, he makes this statement:
+"For my own part, I was always afraid of proceeding to convict and
+condemn any person, as a confederate with afflicting Demons, upon so
+feeble an evidence as a spectral representation. Accordingly, I ever
+protested against it, both publicly and privately; and, in my letter to
+the Judges, I particularly besought them that they would, by no means,
+admit it; and when a considerable assembly of Ministers gave in their
+advice about that matter, I not only concurred with them, but it was I
+who drew it up."
+
+This shows how he indulged himself in forms of expression that misled
+him. His letter to "the Judges" means, I suppose, that written to
+Richards; and he had so accustomed his mind to the attempt to make the
+_Advice_ of the Ministers bear this construction, as to deceive
+himself. That document does not say a word, much less, protest, against
+the "admission" of that evidence: it was not designed, and was not
+understood by any, at the time, to have that bearing, but only to urge
+suggestions of caution, in its use and management. Charity to him
+requires us to receive his declaration in the Diary as subject to the
+modifications he himself connects with it, and to mean no more than we
+find expressed in the letter to Richards and in the _Advice_. But, if he
+really had deluded himself into the idea that he had protested against
+the _admission_ of spectral evidence, he has not succeeded, probably, in
+deluding any other persons than his son Samuel, who repeated the
+language of the Diary, and our Reviewer.
+
+The question, I finally repeat, is as to the admission of that species
+of evidence, _at all_, in any stage, in any form, to any extent. Cotton
+Mather never, in any public writing, "denounced the admission" of it,
+never advised its absolute exclusion; but, on the contrary recognised it
+as a ground of "presumption." Increase Mather stated that the "Devil's
+accusations," which he considered spectral evidence really to be, "may
+be so far regarded as to cause an enquiry into the truth of things."
+These are the facts of history, and not to be moved from their
+foundation in the public record of that day. There is no reason to doubt
+that all the Ministers, in the early stages of the delusion, concurred
+in these views. All partook of the "awe," mentioned by Mather, which
+filled the minds of Juries, Judges, and the people, whenever this kind
+of testimony was introduced. No matter how nor when, whether as
+"presumption" to build other evidence upon or as a cause for further
+"enquiry," nothing could stand against it. Character, reason, common
+sense, were swept away. So long as it was suffered to come in, any how,
+or to be credited at all, the horrid fanaticism and its horrible
+consequences continued. When it was wholly excluded, the reign of terror
+and of death ceased.
+
+
+
+
+IX.
+
+COTTON MATHER AND THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS. JOHN PROCTOR. GEORGE
+BURROUGHS.
+
+
+The spectral evidence was admitted; and the examinations and trials went
+on. The question now arises, what was Cotton Mather's attitude towards
+them? The scrutiny as to the meaning of his words is exhausted; and now
+we are to interpret his actions. They speak louder and clearer than
+words. Let us, in the first place, make the proper distinction between
+the Examinations, on the arrest of the prisoners and leading to their
+commitment, and the Trials. The first Warrants were issued on the
+twenty-ninth of February, 1692; and the parties arrested were brought
+before the Magistrates the next day. Arrests and Examinations occurred,
+at short intervals, during three months, when the first trial was had;
+and they were continued, from time to time, long after, while the
+Special Court was in operation. They were, in some respects, more
+important than the Trials. Almost all the evidence, finally adduced
+before the Jury, was taken by the examining Magistrates; and being
+mostly in the form of carefully written depositions, it was simply
+reproduced, and sworn to, before the Court. Further, as no Counsel was
+allowed the Prisoners, the Trials were quite summary affairs. Hutchinson
+says, no difficulty was experienced; and the results were quickly
+reached, in every case but that of Rebecca Nurse.
+
+These two stages in the proceedings became confounded in the public
+apprehension, and have been borne down by tradition, indiscriminately,
+under the name of Trials. It was the succession, at brief intervals,
+through a long period, of these Examinations, that wrought the great
+excitement through the country, which met Phips on his arrival; and
+which is so graphically described by Cotton Mather, as a "dreadful
+ferment." He says he was not present at any of the Trials. Was he
+present at any of the Examinations? The considerations that belong to
+the solution of this question are the following:
+
+When the special interest he must have taken in them is brought to mind,
+from the turn of his prevalent thoughts and speculations, exhibited in
+all his writings, and from the propensity he ever manifested to put
+himself in a position to observe and study such things, it may be
+supposed he would not have foregone opportunities like those presented
+in the scenes before the Magistrates. While all other people, Ministers
+especially, were flocking to them, it is difficult to conclude that he
+held back. That he attended some of them is, perhaps, to be inferred
+from the distinctive character of his language that he never attended a
+_Trial_. The description given, in his _Life of Phips_, of what was
+exhibited and declared by the "afflicted children," at the Examinations,
+exhibits a minuteness and vividness, seeming to have come from an
+eye-witness; but there is not a particular word or syllable, I think, in
+the account, from which an inference, either way, can be drawn whether,
+or not, he was present at them, personally. This is observable, I
+repeat, inasmuch as he was careful to say that he was _not_ present at
+the _Trials_.
+
+The Examinations, being of a character to arrest universal attention,
+and from the extraordinary nature of their incidents, as viewed by that
+generation, having attractions, all but irresistible, it is not
+surprising that, as incidentally appears, Magistrates and Ministers came
+to them, from all quarters. No local occurrences, in the history of
+this country, ever awakened such a deep, awe-inspiring, and amazed
+interest. It can hardly be doubted that he was attracted to them. Can
+any other inference be drawn from the passage already quoted, from his
+Diary, that he felt called, "as a herald of the Lord's Kingdom, now
+approaching," to give personal attendance, in "the horrible enchantments
+and possessions broke forth at Salem Village?" There was a large
+concourse of Magistrates and Ministers, particularly, on the
+twenty-fourth of March, when Deodat Lawson preached his famous Sermon,
+after the Examination of Rebecca Nurse; on the eleventh of April, when
+the Governor and Council themselves conducted the Examination of John
+Proctor and others; and, on the ninth of May, when Stoughton, from
+Dorchester, and Sewall, from Boston, sat with the local Magistrates, and
+the Rev. George Burroughs was brought before them. It is strange,
+indeed, if Mather was not present, especially on the last occasion; and
+it may appear, as we advance, that it is almost due to his reputation to
+suppose that he was there, and thus became qualified and authorized to
+pass the judgment he afterwards did.
+
+Local tradition, of less value, in some respects, for reasons given in
+my book, in reference to this affair than most others, but still of much
+weight, has identified Cotton Mather with these scenes. The family, of
+which John Proctor was the head, has continued to this day in the
+occupancy of his lands. Always respectable in their social position,
+they have perpetuated his marked traits of intellect and character. They
+have been strong men, as the phrase is, in their day, of each
+generation; and have constantly cherished in honor the memory of their
+noble progenitor, who bravely breasted, in defence of his wife, the
+fierce fanaticism of his age, and fell a victim to its fury and his own
+manly fidelity and integrity. They have preserved, as much as any
+family, a knowledge of the great tragedy; and it has been a tradition
+among them that Cotton Mather took an active part in the prosecution of
+Proctor. The representative of the family, in our day, a man of vigorous
+faculties, of liberal education, academical and legal, and much
+interested in antiquarian and genealogical enquiries, John W. Proctor,
+presided at the Centennial Celebration, in Danvers, on the fifteenth of
+June, 1852; and in his Address, expressed, no doubt, a transmitted
+sentiment--although, as has generally been done, confounding the
+Examinations with the Trials--in stating that Cotton Mather rendered
+himself conspicuous in the proceedings against his ancestor.
+
+Cotton Mather was the leading champion of the Judges. In his Diary, he
+says: "I saw, in most of the Judges, a most charming instance of
+prudence and patience; and I know the exemplary prayer and anguish of
+soul, wherewith they had sought the direction of heaven, above most
+other people; whom I generally saw enchanted into a raging, railing,
+scandalous and unreasonable disposition, as the distress increased upon
+us. For this cause, _though I could not allow the principles that some
+of the Judges had espoused_, yet I could not but speak honorably of
+their persons, on all occasions; and my compassion upon the sight of
+their difficulties, raised by _my journeys to Salem_, the chief seat of
+those diabolical vexations, caused me yet more to do so."
+
+How, as he had not been present at any of the Trials, could he have
+given this commendation of the bearing of the Judges, based, as he says,
+upon what he had witnessed in visits to Salem? I can think of but one
+way in which his statements can be reconciled. Five of the eight Judges
+(Saltonstall's seat being vacant) Stoughton, Sewall, Gedney, Corwin and
+Hathorne, severally, at different times, sat as Magistrates, at the
+Examinations, which occasions were accompanied with vexations and
+perplexities, calling for prudence and patience, much more than the
+Trials. It is due, therefore, to Mather to suppose that he had
+frequented the Examinations, and, thus acquired a right to speak of the
+deportment of the Judges, "upon the _sight_ of their difficulties."
+
+Much of the evidence given by the "afflicted children," at the
+Examinations, can hardly be accounted for except as drawn from ideas
+suggested by Mather, on the spot, so as to reach their ears. In the
+testimony of Susannah Sheldon, against John Willard, on the ninth of
+May, is the following singular statement: "There appeared to me a
+Shining White man." She represents it as a good and friendly angel, or
+spirit, accompanied by another "angel from Heaven," protecting her
+against the spectre of John Willard.
+
+Prefixed to the London Edition of the _Cases of Conscience_, printed in
+1862, is a narrative, by Deodat Lawson, of some remarkable things he saw
+and heard, connected with the witchcraft transactions at Salem Village.
+In it, is the following statement: "The first of April, Mercy Lewis saw
+in her fit, a white man, and was with him in a glorious place, which had
+no candles nor sun, yet was full of light and brightness; where was a
+great multitude in white glittering robes; and they sung the Song in
+_Revelation_, v., 9, and the one hundred and tenth Psalm, and the one
+hundred and forty-ninth Psalm; and said with herself, 'How long shall I
+stay here?' 'Let me be along with you!' She was loth to leave the place;
+and grieved that she could tarry no longer. This White man hath appeared
+several times to some of them, and given them notice how long it should
+be before they had another fit, which was, some times, a day, or day
+and half, or more or less. It hath fallen out accordingly."
+
+In the case of Margaret Rule, in Boston, the year after the Salem
+Delusion, of which it is not to be questioned that Mather had the
+management, this same "_White_" Spirit is made to figure; and also, in
+another instance. Mather alludes to the "glorious and signal deliverance
+of that poor damsel," Mercy Short, six months before. "Indeed," says he,
+"Margaret's case was, in several points, less remarkable than Mercy's;
+and in some other things the entertainment did a little vary." Margaret,
+Mercy, and the "afflicted children" at Salem Village, all had their
+"White Angel," as thus stated by Mather: "Not only in the Swedish, but
+also in the Salem Witchcraft, the enchanted people have talked much of a
+White Spirit, from whence they received marvellous assistances in their
+miseries. What lately befell Mercy Short, from the communications of
+such a Spirit, hath been the just wonder of us all; but by such a Spirit
+was Margaret Rule now also visited. She says that she could never see
+his face; but that she had a frequent view of his bright, shining and
+glorious garments; he stood by her bed-side, continually, heartening and
+comforting her, and counselling her to maintain her faith and hope in
+God, and never comply with the temptations of her adversaries."--_Calef_,
+3, 8.
+
+This appearance of the "White and Shining," Spirit, or "White Angel,"
+exercising a good and friendly influence, was entirely out of the line
+of ordinary spectral manifestations; constituted a speciality in the
+cases mentioned; and seems to have originated in the same source. Let
+it, then, be considered that Cotton Mather's favorite precedent, which was
+urged upon Sir William Phips, and which Mather brought to the notice of
+Richards, and was so fond of citing in his writings, had a "White Angel."
+In his account of the "most horrid outrage, committed in Sweedland by
+Devils, by the help of witches," we find the following: "Some of the
+children talked much of a White Angel, which did use to forbid them,
+what the Devil had bid them to do, and assure them that these things
+would not last long; but that what had been done was permitted for the
+wickedness of the people. This White Angel would sometimes rescue the
+children, from going in with the witches."--_Wonders_, 50.
+
+Mr. Hale also notices this feature of the Salem Trials--that the
+witnesses swore to "representations of heavenly beauty, white men."
+
+Mather brought the story of this witchcraft "in Sweedland," before the
+public, in America; he had the book that contained it; and was active
+in giving it circulation. There can be little doubt that he was the
+channel through which it found its way to the girls in the hamlet of
+Salem Village. He was, it is evident, intimate with Parris. How far the
+latter received his ideas from him, is, _as yet_, unknown. That they
+were involved in the same responsibility is clear from the fact that
+Parris fell back upon him for protection, and relied upon him, as his
+champion, throughout his controversy with his people, occasioned by the
+witchcraft transactions.
+
+When these considerations are duly weighed, in connection with his
+language in the passage of his Diary, just quoted--"I saw a most
+charming instance of prudence and patience" in the Judges: "My
+compassion upon the sight of their difficulties," "raised by my journeys
+to Salem, the chief seat of those diabolical vexations"--it seems
+necessary to infer, that his opportunities of _seeing_ all this, on the
+occasions of his "journeys to Salem," must have been afforded by
+attending the Examinations, held by the Magistrates who were also
+Judges; as it is established, by his own averment, that he never saw
+them on the Bench of the Court, at the Jury-trials. It is, therefore,
+rendered certain, by his own language and by all the facts belonging to
+the subject, that the purpose of his "journeys to Salem" was to attend
+the Examinations. We are, indeed, shut up to this conclusion.
+
+The Examinations were going on from the first of March, far into the
+Summer of 1692. There is no intimation that either of the Mathers
+uttered a syllable against the course pursued in them, before or after
+the middle of May, when the Government passed into their almost
+exclusive possession. All the way through, spectral evidence was
+admitted, without restraint or a symptom of misgiving, on their part;
+and, whether present or absent, they could not but have known all that
+was going on.
+
+Cotton Mather's "_journeys to Salem_," must have been frequent. If only
+made two or three times, he would have said so, as he speaks of them in
+an apologetic passage and when trying to represent his agency to have
+been as little as the truth would allow.
+
+The Reviewer states that the journeys were made for another purpose. He
+states it positively and absolutely. "He made visits to Salem, as we
+shall presently see, for quite another purpose than that which has been
+alleged." This language surprised me, as it had wholly escaped my
+researches; and the surprise was accompanied with pleasure, for I
+supposed there must be some foundation for the declaration. I looked
+eagerly for the disclosure about to be made, in some document, now, for
+the first time, to be brought to light, from "original sources," such
+as he, in a subsequent passage, informs us, Mr. Longfellow has had
+access to. Great was my disappointment, to find that the Reviewer,
+notwithstanding his promise to let us know the "other purpose" of
+Mather's visits to Salem, has not given us a single syllable of
+_information_ to that effect, but has endeavored to palm off, upon the
+readers of the _North American Review_, a pure fiction of his own brain,
+a mere conjecture, as baseless as it is absurd. He says that Mather made
+his visits to Salem, as the "spiritual comforter" of John Proctor and
+John Willard!
+
+He further says, in support of this statement, "that Proctor and Willard
+had been confined several months in the Boston Jail, and there,
+doubtless, made Mr. Mather's acquaintance, as he was an habitual visitor
+of the prison." This hardly accounts for "journeys to Salem," during
+_those_ months. Salem was not exactly in Mr. Mather's way from his house
+in Boston to the Jail in Boston.
+
+As only a few days over four months elapsed between Proctor's being put
+into the Boston Jail and his execution, deducting the "several months"
+he spent there, but little time remained, after his transfer to the
+Salem Jail, for Mather's "journeys to Salem," for the purpose of
+administering spiritual consolation to him. So far as making his
+"acquaintance," while in Boston Jail is regarded, upon the same ground
+it might be affirmed that he was the spiritual adviser of the Prisoners
+generally; for most of those, who suffered, were in Boston Jail as long
+as Proctor; and he visited them all alike.
+
+The Reviewer adduces not a particle of evidence to prove his absolute
+statement, nor even to countenance the idea; but, as is his custom, he
+transforms a conjecture into an established fact. On a bare surmise, he
+builds an argument, and treats the whole, basis and superstructure, as
+History. To show, more particularly, how he thus _makes History_, I must
+follow this matter up a little further. Brattle, in his _Account of the
+Witchcraft in the County of Essex, 1692_, has this paragraph, after
+stating that the persons executed "went out of the world, not only with
+as great protestations, but also with as great shows, of innocency, as
+men could do:" "They protested their innocency as in the presence of the
+great God, whom forthwith they were to appear before: they wished, and
+declared their wish, that their blood might be the last innocent blood
+shed upon that account. With great affection, they entreated Mr. C. M.
+to pray with them: they prayed that God would discover what witchcrafts
+were among us: they forgave their accusers: they spake without
+reflection on Jury and Judges, for bringing them in guilty and
+condemning them: [they prayed earnestly for pardon for all _other_ sins,
+and for an interest in the precious blood of our dear Redeemer:] and
+seemed to be very sincere, upright, and sensible of their circumstances
+on all accounts; especially Proctor and Willard, whose whole management
+of themselves, from the Jail to the Gallows, [and whilst at the
+Gallows,] was very affecting and melting to the hearts of some
+considerable spectators, whom I could mention to you:--[but they are
+executed and so I leave them.]"--_Massachusetts Historical Collections_,
+I., v., 68.
+
+The Reviewer cites this paragraph, omitting the clauses I have placed
+within brackets, _without any indication of the omissions_. The first of
+the omitted clauses is a dying declaration of the innocence of the
+sufferers, as to the crime alleged. The second proves that they "managed
+themselves" after, as well as before, reaching the Gallows, and to their
+dying moment--seeming to preclude the idea that their exercises of
+prayer and preparation were directed or guided by any spiritual adviser.
+The last is an emphatic and natural expression of Brattle's feelings and
+judgment on the occasion.
+
+The Reviewer follows his citation, thus: "Mr. Brattle mentions no other
+person than Mr. C. M. as the comforter and friend of the sufferers,
+especially Proctor and Willard." "In the above statement we trace the
+character of their spiritual counsellor." "We now see the object of Mr.
+Mather's visits to Salem." "Would these persons have asked Mr. Mather to
+be their spiritual comforter, if he had been the agent, as has been
+alleged, of bringing them into their sad condition?"
+
+In other forms of language and other connections, he speaks of Mr.
+Mather's presence, at these executions, as "the performance of a sad
+duty to Proctor and Willard," and represents Brattle as calling him "the
+spiritual adviser of the persons condemned." All this he asserts as
+proved and admitted fact; and the whole rests upon the foregoing
+_mutilated_ paragraph of Brattle.
+
+Let the reader thoroughly examine and consider that paragraph, and then
+judge of this Reviewer's claim to establish History. The word
+"affection," was used much at that time to signify _earnest desire_.
+"They"--that is, the persons then about to die, namely, the Rev. George
+Burroughs, an humble, laborious, devoted Minister of the Gospel; John
+Proctor, the owner of valuable farms and head of a large family; John
+Willard, a young married man of most respectable connections; George
+Jacobs, an early settler, land-holder, and a grandfather, of great age,
+with flowing white locks, sustained, as he walked, by two staffs or
+crutches; and Martha Carrier, the wife of a farmer in Andover, with a
+family of children, some of them quite young--"entreated Mr. C. M. to
+pray with them." Why did they have to "entreat" him, if he had come all
+the way from Boston for that purpose? They all had Ministers near at
+hand--Carrier had two Ministers, either or both of whom would have been
+prompt to come, if persons suffering for the imputed crime of witchcraft
+had been allowed to have the attendance of "spiritual comforters," at
+their executions. If Mather had prayed with them, Brattle would have
+said so. His language is equivalent to a statement, that "Mr. C. M." was
+reluctant, if he did not absolutely refuse to do it; and the only
+legitimate inferences from the whole passage are, that the sufferers did
+their own praying,--from Brattle's account of their dying prayers, they
+did it well--and that without "spiritual comforter," "adviser," or
+"friend," in the last dread hour, they were left to the "management of
+themselves."
+
+When the paragraph is taken in connection with the relations of Brattle
+to Mather, not approving of his course in public affairs, but, at the
+same time, delicately situated, being associated with him in important
+public interests and leading circles, the conclusion seems probable that
+he meant, in an indirect mode of expression, to notice the fact that
+Mather refused to pray with the sufferers on the occasion. In fact, we
+know that Nicholas Noyes, who was Proctor's Minister, refused to pray
+with him, unless he would confess. Mather and Noyes were intimately
+united by personal and professional ties of friendship and communion,
+and probably would not run counter to each other, at such a time, and in
+the presence of such a multitude of Ministers and people.
+
+It is to be regarded exclusively as illustrating the shocking character
+of the whole procedure of the witchcraft prosecutions, and not as a
+personally harsh or cruel thing, that Noyes or Mather was unwilling to
+pray with persons, at their public executions, who stood convicted of
+being confederates of the Devil, and who, refusing to confess, retained
+that character to the last. Ministers, like them, believing that the
+convicts were malefactors of a far different and deeper dye than
+ordinary human crime could impart, rebels against God, apostates from
+Christ, sons of Belial, recruits of the Devil's army, sworn in
+allegiance to his Kingdom, baptized into his church, beyond the reach of
+hope and prayer, could hardly be expected to pray _with_ them. To _join_
+them in prayer was impossible. To go through the forms of united prayer
+would have been incongruous with the occasion, and not more inconsistent
+with the convictions of the Ministers, than repugnant to the conscious
+innocence and natural sensibilities of the sufferers. Condemned,
+unconfessing, unrepentant witches might be prayed _for_, or _at_, but
+not _with_.
+
+The superior greatness of mind of Burroughs and his fellow sufferers,
+the true spirit of Christian forgiveness elevating them above a sense of
+the errors and wrongs of which they were the victims, are beautifully
+and gloriously shown in their earnestly wishing and entreating Noyes and
+Mather to pray with them. They pitied their delusion, and were desirous,
+in that last hour, to regard them and all others as their brethren, and
+bow with them before the Father of all. The request they made of
+Christian Ministers, who, at the moment, regarded them as in league with
+the Devil, might not be exactly logical; a failure to comply with it is
+not a just matter of reproach; but the fact that it was repeated with
+earnestness, "entreated with affection," shows that the last pulsations
+of their hearts were quickened by a holy and heavenly Love.
+
+The Reviewer asks: "Were those five persons executed that day without
+any spiritual adviser?" There is no evidence, I think, to show that a
+Minister ever accompanied, in that character, persons convicted of
+witchcraft, at the place of execution. All that can be gathered from
+Brattle's account is, that, on the occasion to which he is referring,
+the sufferers _themselves_ offered public prayers. We know that Martha
+Corey, at a subsequent execution, pronounced a prayer that made a deep
+impression on the assembled multitude. Mr. Burroughs's prayer is
+particularly spoken of. So, also, in England, when the Reverend Mr.
+Lewis, an Episcopal clergyman, eighty years of age, and who, for fifty
+years, had been Vicar of Brandeston, in the County of Suffolk, was
+executed for alleged witchcraft, the venerable man read his own funeral
+service, according to the forms of his Church, "committing his own body
+to the ground, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal
+life."
+
+This whole story of the spiritual relation between Mather and Proctor is
+a bare fiction, entirely in conflict with all tradition and all
+probability, without a shadow of support in any document adduced by the
+Reviewer; and yet he would have it received as an established fact, and
+incorporated, as such, in history. Liberties, like this, cannot be
+allowed.
+
+Sewall's Diary, at the date of the nineteenth of August, 1692, has this
+entry: "This day George Burrough, John Willard, John Proctor, Martha
+Carrier, and George Jacobs were executed at Salem, a very great number
+of spectators being present. Mr. Cotton Mather was there, Mr. Sims,
+Hale, Noyes, Cheever, etc. All of them said they were innocent, Carrier
+and all. Mr. Mather says they all died by a righteous sentence. Mr.
+Burrough, by his Speech, Prayer, protestation of his innocence, did much
+move unthinking persons, which occasioned the speaking hardly concerning
+his being executed."
+
+It is quite remarkable that Cotton Mather should have gone directly home
+to Boston, after the execution, and made himself noticeable by
+proclaiming such a harsh sentiment against _all_ the sufferers, if he
+had just been performing friendly offices to them, as "spiritual
+adviser, counsellor, and comforter." Clergymen, called to such
+melancholy and affecting functions, do not usually emerge from them in
+the frame of mind exhibited in the language ascribed to Mather, by
+Sewall. It shows, at any rate, that Mather felt sure that Proctor went
+out of the world, an unrepenting, unconfessing wizard, and, therefore,
+not a fit subject for a Christian Minister to unite with in prayer.
+
+One other remark, by the way. The account Sewall gives of the impression
+made by Burroughs, on the spectators, now first brought to light, in
+print, is singularly confirmatory of what Calef says on the subject.
+
+My chief purpose, however, in citing this passage from Sewall's Diary,
+is this. Mather was not present at the Trial of Burroughs. If he was not
+present at his Examination before the Magistrates, how could he have
+spoken, as he did, of the righteousness of his sentence? There had been
+no Report or publication, in any way, of the evidence; and he could only
+have received a competent knowledge of it from personal presence, on one
+or the other of those occasions. He could not have been justified in so
+confident and absolute a judgment, by mere hearsay. If that had been the
+source of his information, he would have modified his language
+accordingly.
+
+There is one other item to be considered, in treating the question of
+Mather's connection with the Examinations of the Prisoners, before the
+Magistrates.
+
+When Proctor was awaiting his trial, during the short period, previous
+to that event, that he was in the Salem Jail, he had addressed a letter
+to "Mr. Mather, Mr. Allen, Mr. Moody, Mr. Willard and Mr. Baily," all
+Ministers, begging them to intercede, in behalf of himself and
+fellow-prisoners, to secure to them better treatment, especially a
+fairer trial than they could have in Salem, where such a violent
+excitement had been wrought up against them. From the character of the
+letter, it is evident that it was addressed to them in the hope and
+belief that they were accessible, to such an appeal. But one of the
+Mathers is named. They were associate Ministers of the same Church.
+Although the father was President of the College at Cambridge, he
+resided in Boston, and was in the active exercise of his ministry there.
+The question is, Which of them is meant? In my book, I expressed the
+opinion that it was Increase, the father. The Reviewer says it was
+Cotton, the son. It is a fair question; and every person can form a
+judgment upon it. The other persons named, comprising the rest of the
+Ministers then connected with the Boston Churches, are severally, more
+or less, indicated by what has come to us, as not having gone to
+extremes, in support of the witchcraft prosecutions.
+
+Increase Mather was commonly regarded, upon whatever grounds, as not
+going so far as his son, in that direction. The name, "Mr. Mather,"
+heads the list. From his standing, as presiding over the College and the
+Clergy, it was proper to give him this position. His age and seniority
+of settlement, also entitled him to it. Usage, and all general
+considerations of propriety, require us to assume that by "Mr. Mather,"
+the _elder_ is meant. Cotton Mather, being the youngest of the Boston
+Ministers, would not be likely to be the first named, in such a list.
+Besides, he was considered, as he himself complains, as the "doer of all
+the hard things, that were done, in the prosecution of the witchcraft."
+Whoever concludes that Increase Mather was the person, in Proctor's
+mind, will appreciate the fact that Cotton Mather is omitted in the
+list. It proves that Proctor considered him beyond the reach of all
+appeals, in behalf of accused persons; and tends to confirm the
+tradition, in the family, that his course towards Proctor, when under
+examination, either before the Magistrates or in Court, had indicated a
+fixed and absolute prejudice or conviction against him. This Letter of
+Proctor's, printed in my book, [_ii., 310_] utterly disperses the
+visionary fabric of the Reviewer's fancy, that Cotton Mather was his
+"spiritual adviser," counselling him in frequent visits to the Salem
+Jail. It denounces, in unreserved language, "the Magistrates, Ministers,
+Juries," as under the "delusion of the Devil, which we can term no
+other, by reason we know, in our own consciences, we are all innocent
+persons;" and is couched in a bold, outspoken and trenchant style, that
+would have shocked and incensed Cotton Mather to the highest possible
+degree. It is absolutely certain, that if Cotton Mather had been
+Proctor's "friend and counsellor," a more prudent and cautious tone and
+style would have been given to the whole document.
+
+In concluding the considerations that render it probable that Cotton
+Mather had much to do with the Examinations, it may be said, in general,
+that he vindicates the course taken at them, in language that seems to
+identify himself with them, and to prove that he could not have been
+opposed to the methods used in them.
+
+
+
+
+X.
+
+COTTON MATHER AND THE WITCHCRAFT TRIALS. THE EXECUTIONS.
+
+
+I now proceed to examine Cotton Mather's connection with the Trials at
+Salem. It is fully admitted that he did not personally attend any of
+them. His averment to this effect does not allow the supposition that he
+could have deceived himself, on such a point. In his letter to Richards,
+as has been seen, he expressed his great disappointment in not being
+well enough to accompany him to this first Session of the Special Court;
+and the tenor of the passage proves that he had fully expected and
+designed to be present, at the trials, generally. Whether the same
+bodily indisposition continued to forbid his attendance at its
+successive adjournments, we cannot obtain information.
+
+The first point of connection I can find between him and the trials, is
+brought to view in a meeting of certain Ministers, after executions had
+taken place, and while trials were pending.
+
+Increase Mather, in his _Cases of Conscience_, has the following: "As
+for the judgment of the Elders in New England, so far as I can learn,
+they do generally concur with Mr. Perkins and Mr. Bernard. This I know,
+that, at a meeting of Ministers at Cambridge, August 1, 1692, where were
+present seven Elders, besides the President of the College, the question
+then discoursed on, was, whether the Devil may not sometimes have a
+permission to represent an innocent person as tormenting such as are
+under diabolical molestations? The answer, which they all concurred in,
+was in these words, viz. 'That the Devil may sometimes have a permission
+to represent an innocent person as tormenting such as are under
+diabolical molestations; but that such things are rare and
+extraordinary, especially when such matters come before civil
+judicatures'; and that some of the most eminent Ministers of the land,
+who were not at that meeting, are of the same judgment, I am assured.
+And I am also sure that, in cases of this nature, the Priest's lips
+should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth.
+_Mal._, 2, 7."
+
+What was meant by the quotation from Malachi is left to conjecture. It
+looks like the notion I have supposed Cotton Mather to have, more or
+less, cherished, at different times--to have such cases committed to the
+confidential custody and management of one or more Ministers. Whether
+Cotton Mather, as well as his father, was at this meeting, is not
+stated. The expressions "rare and extraordinary" and "sometimes have a
+permission," and the general style of the language, are like his. At any
+rate, in referring to the meeting, in his _Wonders of the Invisible
+World_, he speaks of the Ministers present "as very pious and learned;"
+says that they uttered the prevailing sense of others "eminently
+cautious and judicious;" and declares that they "have both argument and
+history to countenance them in it."
+
+It is to be noticed, that this opinion of the Ministers, given on the
+first of August, if it did not authorize the admission, without reserve
+or limitation, of spectral evidence, in judicial proceedings, reduces
+the objection to it to an almost inappreciable point.
+
+Observe the date. Already six women, heads of families, many of them of
+respectable positions in society, all in advanced life, one or two quite
+aged, and two, at least, of the most eminent Christian character, had
+suffered death, wholly from spectral evidence, that is, no other
+testimony was brought against them, as all admit, that could, even then,
+have convicted them. Twelve days had elapsed since five of them had been
+executed; in four more days, six others were to be brought to trial,
+among them the Rev. George Burroughs; and the Ministers pass a vote,
+under the lead of Increase Mather, and with the express approval of
+Cotton Mather, that there is very little danger of innocent people
+suffering, in judicial proceedings, from spectral evidence.
+
+Let us hear no more that the Clergy of New England accepted the
+doctrines of those writers who had "declared against the admission of
+spectral testimony;" that "the Magistrates rejected those doctrines;"
+that "all the evils at Salem, grew out of the position taken by the
+Magistrates;" and that "it had been well with the twenty victims at
+Salem, if the Ministers of the Colony, instead of the Lawyers, had
+determined their fate."
+
+The Clergy of New England did, indeed, entertain great regard for the
+authority of certain writers, who were considered as, more or less,
+discrediting spectral evidence. The Mathers professed to concur with
+them in that judgment; but the ground taken at the meeting on the first
+of August, as above stated, was, it must be allowed, inconsistent with
+it. The passages I have given, and shall give, from the writings of
+Cotton Mather, will illustrate the elaborate ingenuity he displayed in
+trying to reconcile a respect for the said writers with the admission of
+that species of evidence, to an extent they were considered as
+disallowing.
+
+I am indebted to George H. Moore, LL.D., of New York city, for the
+following important document. John Foster was, at its date, a member of
+the Council. Hutchinson, who was his grandson, speaks of him [_History,
+ii., 21_] as a "merchant of Boston of the first rank," "who had a great
+share in the management of affairs from 1689 to 1692." In the latter
+year, he was raised to the Council Board, being named as such in the new
+Charter; and held his seat, by annual elections, to the close of his
+life, in 1710. He seems to have belonged to the Church of the Mathers,
+as the father and son each preached and printed a Sermon on the occasion
+of his death.
+
+ _Autograph Letter of COTTON MATHER, on Witchcraft, presented to the
+ Literary and Historical Society, by the Honorable Chief-justice
+ SEWELL._[3]
+
+ 17^th 6^m, 1692.
+
+ "S^r:
+
+ "You would know whether I still retain my opinion about y^e horrible
+ Witchcrafts among us, and I acknowledge that I do.
+
+ "I do still Think That when there is no further Evidence against a
+ person but only This, That a Spectre in their shape does afflict a
+ neighbour, that Evidence is not enough to convict y^e * * * of
+ Witchcraft.
+
+ "That the Divels have a natural power w^ch makes them capable of
+ exhibiting what shape they please I suppose nobody doubts, and I
+ have no absolute promise of God that they shall not exhibit _mine_.
+
+ "It is the opinion generally of all protestant writers that y^e
+ Divel may thus abuse y^e innocent, yea, tis y^e confession of some
+ popish ones. And o^r Honorable Judges are so eminent for their
+ Justice, Wisdom, & Goodness that whatever their own particular sense
+ may bee, yett they will not proceed capitally against any, upon a
+ principle contested with great odds on y^e other side in y^e Learned
+ and Godly world.
+
+ "_Nevertheless, a very great use is to bee made of y^e Spectral
+ impression upon y^e sufferers. They Justly Introduce, and Determine,
+ an Enquiry into y^e circumstances of y^e person accused; and they
+ strengthen other presumptions._
+
+ "_When so much use is made of those Things, I believe y^e use for
+ w^ch y^e Great God intends y^m is made._ And accordingly you see
+ that y^e Eccellent Judges have had such an Encouraging presence of
+ God with them, as that scarce any, if at all any, have been Tried
+ before them, against whom God has not strangely sent in other, &
+ more Humane & most convincing Testimonies.
+
+ "If any persons have been condemned, about whom any of y^e Judges,
+ are not easy in their minds, that y^e Evidence against them, has
+ been satisfactory, it would certainly bee for y^e glory of the
+ whole Transaction to give that person a Reprieve.
+
+ "It would make all matters easier if at least Bail were taken for
+ people Accused only by y^e invisible tormentors of y^e poor
+ sufferers and not Blemished by any further Grounds of suspicion
+ against them.
+
+ "The odd Effects produced upon the sufferers by y^e look or touch of
+ the accused are things wherein y^e Divels may as much Impose upon
+ some Harmless people as by the Representacon of their shapes.
+
+ "My notion of these matters is this. A Suspected and unlawful
+ com'union with a Familiar Spirit, is the Thing enquired after. The
+ communion on the _Divel's_ part, may bee proved, while, for ought I
+ can say, The _man_ may bee Innocent; the Divel may impudently Impose
+ his com'union upon some that care not for his company. But if the
+ com'union on y^e man's part bee proved, then the Business is done.
+
+ "I am suspicious Lest y^e Divel may at some time or other, serve us
+ a trick by his constancy for a long while in one way of Dealing. Wee
+ may find the Divel using one constant course in Nineteen several
+ Actions, and yett hee bee too hard for us at last, if wee thence
+ make a Rule to form an Infallible Judgement of a Twentieth. It is
+ o^r singular Happiness That wee are blessed with Judges who are
+ Aware of this Danger.
+
+ "For my own part if the Holy God should permitt such a Terrible
+ calamity to befal myself as that a Spectre in my Shape should so
+ molest my neighbourhood, as that they can have no quiet, altho'
+ there should be no other Evidence against me, I should very
+ patiently submit unto a Judgement of _Transportation_, and all
+ reasonable men would count o^r Judges to Act, as they are like y^e
+ Fathers of y^e public, in such a Judgment. What if such a Thing
+ should be ordered for those whose Guilt is more Dubious, and
+ uncertain, whose presence y^s perpetuates y^e miseries of o^r
+ sufferers? They would cleanse y^e Land of Witchcrafts, and yett also
+ prevent y^e shedding of Innocent Blood, whereof some are so
+ apprehensive of Hazard. If o^r Judges want any Good Bottom, to act
+ thus upon, You know, that besides y^e usual power of Govern^es, to
+ Relax many Judgments of Death, o^r General Court can soon provide a
+ law.
+
+ "S^r,
+
+ "You see y^e Incoherency of my Thoughts but I hope, you will also
+ some Reasonableness in those Thoughts.
+
+ "In the year 1645, a Vast Number of persons in y^e county of
+ _Suffolk_ were apprehended, as Guilty of Witchcraft; whereof, some
+ confessed. The parlament granted a special commission of _Oyer &
+ Terminer_ for y^e Trial of those Witches; in w^ch com'ission, there
+ were a famous Divine or two, M^r _Fariclough_ particularly inserted.
+ That Eccellent man did preach two sermons to y^e Court, before his
+ first sitting on y^e Bench: Wherein having first proved the
+ Existence of Witches, hee afterwards showed y^e Evil of Endeavouring
+ y^e Conviction of any upon Defective Evidence. The Sermon had the
+ Effect that none were Condemned, who could bee saved w^thout an
+ Express Breach of y^e Law; & then tho' 'twas possible some Guilty
+ did Escape, yett the troubles of those places, were, I think
+ Extinguished.
+
+ "O^r case is Extraordinary. And so, you and others will pardon y^e
+ Extraordinary Liberty I take to address You on this occasion. But
+ after all, I Entreat you, that whatever you do, you Strengthen y^e
+ Hands of o^r Honourable Judges in y^e Great work before y^m. They
+ are persons, for whom no man living has a greater veneration, than
+
+ "S^r,
+ Your Servant
+ C. MATHER.
+
+ "For the Honourable JOHN FOSTER, ESQ."
+
+This letter must be considered, I think, as settling the question. It
+was written two days before the execution of Burroughs, Proctor, and
+others. It entirely disposes of the assertions of the Reviewer, that
+Mather "denounced" the "admission" of spectral testimony, and
+demonstrates the truth of the positions, taken in this article, that he
+authorized fully its admission, as affording occasion of enquiry and
+matter of presumption, sufficient, if reinforced by other evidence, to
+justify conviction. The sentences I have italicised leave no further
+room for discussion. The language in which the Judges and their conduct
+of the Trials are spoken of, could not have been stronger. The reference
+to the course taken in England, in 1645, sheds light upon the
+suggestions I have made, as to Mather's notion, that one or more
+Ministers--"a famous Divine or two,"--ought to have been connected, "by
+authority," with the Court of Oyer and Terminer, in the management of
+the cases. The idea thrown out, as to Transportation, could hardly, it
+would seem, but have been apparent to a reflecting person, as utterly
+impracticable. No convicts or parties under indictment or arrest for the
+crime of witchcraft, could have been shipped off to any other part of
+the British dominions. A vessel, with persons on board, with such a
+stamp upon them, would have been everywhere repelled with as much
+vehemence and panic, as if freighted with the yellow fever, small-pox,
+or plague. If the unhappy creatures she bore beneath her hatches, should
+have been landed in any other part of the then called Christian or
+civilized world, stigmatized with the charge of witchcraft, they would
+have met with the halter or the fagot; and scarcely have fared better,
+if cast upon any savage shore.
+
+We have seen how our Reviewer _makes_, let us now see how he _unmakes_,
+history.
+
+Robert Calef, in his book entitled _More Wonders of the Invisible
+World_, Part V., under the head of "An impartial account of the most
+memorable matters of fact, touching the supposed Witchcraft in New
+England," [_p. 103_,] says: "Mr. Burroughs was carried in a cart, with
+the others, through the streets of Salem to execution. When he was upon
+the ladder, he made a speech for the clearing of his innocency, with
+such solemn and serious expressions, as were to the admiration of all
+present; his prayer (which he concluded by repeating the Lord's prayer)
+was so well worded, and uttered with such composedness, and such (at
+least seeming) fervency of spirit, as was very affecting, and drew tears
+from many, so that it seemed to some that the spectators would hinder
+the execution. The accusers said the black man stood and dictated to
+him. As soon as he was turned off, Mr. Cotton Mather, being mounted upon
+a horse, addressed himself to the people, partly to declare that he
+(Burroughs) was no ordained Minister, and partly to possess the people
+of his guilt, saying that the Devil has often been transformed into an
+Angel of Light; and this somewhat appeased the people; and the
+executions went on. When he was cut down, he was dragged by the halter
+to a hole, or grave, between the rocks, about two feet deep, his shirt
+and breeches being pulled off, and an old pair of trowsers of one
+executed, put on his lower parts; he was so put in, together with
+Willard and Carrier, that one of his hands and his chin, and a foot of
+one of them, were left uncovered."
+
+The Reviewer undertakes to set aside this statement; to erase it
+altogether from the record; and to throw it from the belief and memory
+of mankind. But this cannot be done, but by an arbitrary process, that
+would wipe out all the facts of all history, and leave the whole Past an
+utter blank. If any record has passed the final ordeal, this has. It is
+beyond the reach of denial; and no power on earth can start the solid
+foundation on which it stands. It consists of distinct, plainly stated
+averments, which, as a whole, or severally, if not true, and known to be
+true, might have been denied, or questioned, at the time. Not disputed,
+nor controverted, then, it never can be. If not true to the letter, so
+far as Cotton Mather is concerned, hundreds, nay thousands, were at
+hand, who would have contradicted it. Certificates without number, like
+that of John Goodwin, would have been procured to invalidate it.
+Consisting of specifications, in detail, if there had been in it the
+minutest item that could have admitted contradiction, it would have been
+seized upon, and used with the utmost eagerness to break the force of
+the statement. It was printed at London, in 1700, in a volume accredited
+there, and immediately put into circulation here, twenty-eight years
+before the death of Mather. He had a copy of it, now in possession of
+the Massachusetts Historical Society, and wrote on the inside of the
+front cover, "My desire is, that mine adversary had written a book,"
+etc. His father, the President of Harvard University, had a copy; for
+the book was burned in the College-square. Everything contributed to
+call universal attention to it. Its author was known, avowed, and his
+name printed on the title page; he lived in the same town with Mather;
+and was in all respects a responsible man.
+
+No attempt was made, at the time, nor at any time, until now, to
+overthrow the statement or disprove any of its specifications.
+
+Let us see how the Reviewer undertakes to controvert it. As to Mather's
+being on horseback, the argument seems to be, that it was customary,
+then, for people to travel in that way!
+
+The harangue to the people to prevail upon them to pay no heed to the
+composed, devout, and forgiving deportment of the sufferers, because the
+Devil often appeared as an Angel of Light, sounded strangely from one
+who had attended the prisoners as their "spiritual comforter and
+friend." It was a queer conclusion of his services of consolation and
+pastoral offices, to proclaim to the crowd, that the truly Christian
+expressions of the persons in his charge were all a diabolical sham. One
+would have thought, if he accompanied them in the capacity alleged, he
+would have dismounted before ascending the hill, and tenderly waited
+upon them, side by side, holding them by the hand and sustaining them by
+his arm, as they approached the fatal ladder; and that his last
+benedictions, upon their departing souls, would have been in somewhat
+different language. That language was entirely natural, however,
+believing, as he did, that they were all guilty of the unpardonable sin,
+in its blackest dye; that, obstinately refusing to confess, they were
+reprobates, sunk far below the ordinary level of human crime, beyond the
+pale of sympathy or prayer, enemies of God, in covenant with the Devil,
+and firebrands of Hell. All this he believed. Of course, he could not
+pray _with_, and could hardly be expected to pray _for_, them. The
+language ascribed to him by Calef, expressed his honest convictions;
+bears the stamp of credibility; was not denied or disavowed, then; and
+cannot be discredited, now.
+
+If those sufferers, wearing the resplendent aspect of faith,
+forgiveness, and piety, in their dying hour, were, in reality, "the
+Devil appearing as the Angel of Light," nobody but the Reviewer is to
+blame for charging Mather with being his "spiritual adviser and
+counsellor."
+
+The Reviewer says that the horse Mather rode on that occasion, "has been
+tramping through history, for nearly two centuries. It is time that he
+be reined up." Not having been reined up by Mather, it is in vain for
+the Reviewer to attempt it. Mazeppa, on his wild steed, was not more
+powerless. The "man on horseback," described by Calef, will go tramping
+on through all the centuries to come, as through the "nearly two
+centuries" that have passed.
+
+To discredit another part of the statement of Calef, the Reviewer cites
+the _Description and History of Salem_, by the Rev. William Bentley, in
+the Sixth Volume of the First Series of the _Massachusetts Historical
+Collections_, printed in 1800, quoting the following passage: "It was
+said that the bodies were not properly buried; but, upon an examination
+of the ground, the graves were found of the usual depth, and remains of
+the bodies, and of the wood in which they were interred."
+
+At the time when this was written, there was a tradition to that effect.
+But it is understood that, early in this century, an examination was
+made of the spot, pointed out by the tradition upon which Bentley had
+relied, and nothing was found to sustain it. It is apparent that this
+tradition was, to some extent, incorrect, because it is quite certain
+that three, and probably most, of the bodies were recovered by their
+friends, at the time; but chiefly because it is believed, on sufficient
+grounds, that the locality, indicated in the tradition that had reached
+Doctor Bentley, was, in 1692, covered by the original forest. Of course,
+a passage through woods, to a spot, even now, after the trees have been
+wholly removed from the hill and all its sides, so very difficult of
+access, would not have been encountered; neither can it be supposed that
+an open area would have been elaborately prepared for the place of
+execution, in the midst of a forest, entirely shut in from observation,
+by surrounding trees, with their thick foliage, in that season of the
+year. If seclusion had been the object, a wooded spot might have been
+found, near at hand, on level areas, anywhere in the neighborhood of the
+town. But it was not a secluded, but a conspicuous, place that was
+sought; not only an elevated, but an open, theatre for the awe-inspiring
+spectacle, displaying to the whole people and world--to use the language
+employed by Mather, in the _Advice of the Ministers_ and in one of his
+letters to Richards--the "Success" of the Court, in "extinguishing that
+horrible witchcraft."
+
+Another tradition, brought down through a family, ever since residing on
+the same spot, in the neighborhood, and from the longevity of its
+successive heads, passing through but few memories, and for that reason
+highly deserving of credit, is, that its representative, at that time,
+lent his aid in the removal of the bodies of the victims, in the night,
+and secretly, across the river, in a boat. The recollections of the
+transaction are preserved in considerable detail. From the locality, it
+is quite certain that the bodies were brought to it from the southern
+end of Witch-hill. From a recently-discovered letter of Dr. Holyoke,
+mentioned in my book [_ii., 377_], it appears that the executions must
+have taken place there. The earth is so thin, scattered between
+projecting ledges of rock, which, indeed, cover much of the surface,
+that few trees probably ever grew there; and a bare, elevated platform
+afforded a conspicuous site, and room for the purpose. These
+conclusions, to which recent discoveries and explorations have led,
+remarkably confirm Calef's statements. From Sheriff Corwin's _Return_,
+we know that the first victim was buried "in the place" where she was
+executed; and it may be supposed all the rest were. The soil is shallow,
+near the brow of the precipice and between the clefts of the rock.
+
+The Reviewer desires to know my authority for saying that the ground,
+where Burroughs was buried, "was trampled down by the mob." I presume
+that when, less than five weeks afterwards, eight more persons were
+hanged there, belonging to respectable families in what are now Peabody,
+Marblehead, Topsfield, Rowley and Andover, as well as Salem, and a
+spectacle again presented to which crowds flocked from all quarters, and
+to which many particularly interested must have been drawn, besides
+those from the populous neighborhood, especially if men "on horseback"
+mingled in the throng, the ground must have been considerably trampled
+upon. Poor Burroughs had been suddenly torn from his family and home,
+more than a hundred miles away; there were no immediate connections,
+here, who would have been likely to recover his remains; and, it is
+therefore probable, they had been left where they were thrown, near the
+foot of the gallows.
+
+There is one point upon which the Reviewer is certain he has
+"demolished" Calef. The latter speaks of the victims as having been
+hanged, one after another. The Reviewer says, the mode of execution was
+to have them "swung off at once;" and further uses this argument: "Calef
+himself furnishes us with evidence that such was the practice in Salem,
+where eight persons were hanged thirty-six days later. He says, 'After
+the execution, Mr. Noyes, turning him to the bodies, said--What a sad
+thing it is to see eight firebrands of Hell hanging there.'"
+
+The argument is, eight were hanging there together, after the execution;
+therefore, they must have been swung off at the same moment!
+
+This is a kind of reasoning with which--to adopt Mather's expression in
+describing diabolical horrors, capital trials, and condemnations to
+death--we are "entertained" throughout by the Reviewer. The truth is, we
+have no particular knowledge of the machinery, or its operations, at
+these executions. A "halter," a "ladder," a "gallows," a "hangman," are
+spoken of. The expression used for the final act is, "turned off." There
+is no shadow of evidence to contradict Calef. The probabilities seem to
+be against the supposition of a structure, on a scale so large, as to
+allow room for eight persons to be turned off at once. The outstretching
+branches from large trees, on the borders of the clearing, would have
+served the purpose, and a ladder, connected with a simple frame, might
+have been passed from tree to tree.
+
+The Regicides, thirty years before, had been executed in England in the
+method Calef understood to have been used here. Hugh Peters was carried
+to execution with Judge Cook. The latter suffered first; and when Peters
+ascended the ladder, turning to the officer of the law, he uttered these
+memorable words, exhibiting a state of the faculties, a grandeur of
+bearing, and a force and felicity of language and illustration, all the
+circumstances considered, not surpassed in the records of Christian
+heroism or true eloquence: "Sir, you have slain one of the servants of
+God, before mine eyes, and have made me to behold it, on purpose to
+terrify and discourage me; but God hath made it an ordinance unto me,
+for my strengthening and encouragement."
+
+While the trials were going on, Mather made use of his pulpit to
+influence the public mind, already wrought up to frenzy, to greater
+heights of fanaticism, by portraying, in his own peculiar style, the
+out-breaking battle between the Church and the Devil. On the day before
+Burroughs, who was regarded as the head of the Church, and General of
+the forces, of Satan, was brought to the Bar, Mather preached a Sermon
+from the text, _Rev._, xii., 12. "Wo to the inhabitants of the earth,
+and of the Sea! for the Devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,
+because he knoweth he hath but a short time." It is thickly interspersed
+with such passages as these: "Now, at last, the Devils are, (if I may so
+speak), _in Person_ come down upon us, with such a wrath, as is most
+justly _much_, and will quickly be _more_, the astonishment of the
+world." "There is little room for hope, that the great wrath of the
+Devil will not prove the ruin of our poor New England, in particular. I
+believe there never was a poor plantation more pursued by the wrath of
+the Devil than our poor New England." "We may truly say, _Tis the hour
+and power of darkness_. But, though the wrath be so great, the time is
+but short: when we are perplexed with the wrath of the Devil, the word
+of our God, at the same time, unto us, is that in _Rom._, xvi., 20.
+'_The God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly._'
+Shortly, didst thou say, dearest Lord? O gladsome word! Amen, even so,
+come Lord! Lord Jesus, come quickly! We shall never be rid of this
+troublesome Devil, till thou do come to chain him up."--_Wonders, etc._
+
+There is much in the Sermon that relates to the sins of the people,
+generally, and some allusions to the difficulties that encompass the
+subject of diabolical appearances; but the witchcraft in Salem is
+portrayed in colors, which none but a thorough believer in all that was
+there brought forward, could apply; the whole train of ideas and
+exhortations is calculated to inflame the imaginations and passions of
+the people; and it is closed by "An hortatory and necessary Address to a
+country now extraordinarily alarum'd by the Wrath of the Devil." In this
+Address, he goes, at length, into the horrible witchcraft at Salem
+Village. "Such," says he, "is the descent of the Devil, at this day,
+upon ourselves, that I may truly tell you, the walls of the whole world
+are broken down." He enumerates, as undoubtedly true, in detail, all
+that was said by the "afflicted children" and "confessing witches." He
+says of the reputed witches: "They each of them have their spectres or
+devils, commissioned by them, and representing of them, to be the
+engines of their malice." Such expressions as these are scattered over
+the pages, "wicked spectres," "diabolical spectres," "owners of
+spectres," "spectre's hands," "spectral book," etc.
+
+And yet it is stated, by the Reviewer, that Mather was opposed to
+spectral evidence, and denounced it! He gave currency to it, in the
+popular faith, during the whole period, while the trials and executions
+were going on, more than any other man.
+
+He preached another Sermon, of the same kind, entitled, _The Devil
+Discovered_.
+
+After the trials by the Special Court were over, and that body had been
+forbidden to meet on the day to which it had adjourned, he addressed
+another letter to John Richards, one of its members, dated "Dec. 14th,
+1692," to be found in the _Mather Papers_, p. 397. It is a
+characteristic document, and, in some points of view, commendable. Its
+purpose was to induce Richards to consent to a measure he was desirous
+of introducing into his pastoral administration, to which Richards and
+one other member of his Church had manifested repugnance. Cotton Mather
+was in advance of his times, in liberality of views, relating to
+denominational matters. He desired to open the door to the Ordinances,
+particularly Baptism, wider than was the prevalent practice. He urges
+his sentiments upon Richards in earnest and fitting tones; but resorts,
+also, to flattering, and what may be called coaxing, tones. He calls
+him, "My ever-honored Richards," "Dearest Sir," "my dear Major," and
+reminds him of the public and constant support he had given to his
+official conduct: "I have signalized my perpetual respects before the
+whole world." In this letter, he refers to the Salem witchcraft
+prosecutions, and pronounces unqualified approval and high encomiums
+upon Richards's share in the proceedings, as one of the Judges. "God has
+made more than an ordinary use of your honorable hand," in "the
+extinguishing" of "that horrible witchcraft," into which "the Devils
+have been baptizing so many of our miserable neighbors." This language
+is hardly consistent with a serious, substantial, considerable, or
+indeed with any, disapprobation of the proceedings of the Court.
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[3] _Transactions of the Literary and Historical Society of
+Quebec_--Octavo, Quebec, 1831--ii., 313-316.
+
+
+
+
+XI.
+
+LETTER TO STEPHEN SEWALL. "WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD." ITS ORIGIN
+AND DESIGN. COTTON MATHER'S ACCOUNT OF THE TRIALS.
+
+
+I come now to the examination of matters of interest and importance, not
+only as illustrating the part acted by Mather in the witchcraft affair,
+but as bearing upon the public history of the Province of Massachusetts
+Bay, at that time.
+
+The reader is requested carefully to examine the following letter,
+addressed by Cotton Mather to Stephen Sewall, Clerk of the Court at
+Salem.
+
+ "BOSTON, Sept. 20, 1692.
+
+ "MY DEAR AND MY VERY OBLIGING STEPHEN,
+
+ "It is my hap, to bee continually * * * with all sorts of
+ objections, and objectors against the * * * work now doing at Salem,
+ and it is my further good hap, to do some little Service for God and
+ you, in my encounters.
+
+ "But, that I may be the more capable to assist, in lifting up a
+ standard against the infernal enemy, I must renew my most
+ IMPORTUNATE REQUEST, that would please quickly to perform, what you
+ kindly promised, of giving me a narrative of the evidence given in
+ at the trials of half a dozen, or if you please, a dozen, of the
+ principal witches, that have been condemned. I know 'twill cost you
+ some time; but when you are sensible of the benefit that will
+ follow, I know you will not think much of that cost, and my own
+ willingness to expose myself unto the utmost for the defence of my
+ friends with you, makes me presume to plead something of merit, to
+ be considered.
+
+ "I shall be content, if you draw up the desired narrative by way of
+ letter to me, or at least, let it not come without a letter, wherein
+ you shall, if you can, intimate over again, what you have sometimes
+ told me, of the awe, which is upon the hearts of your Juries, with
+ * * * unto the validity of the spectral evidences.
+
+ "Please also to * * * some of your observations about the
+ confessors, and the credibility of what they assert; or about things
+ evidently preternatural in the witchcrafts, and whatever else you
+ may account an entertainment, for an inquisitive person, that
+ entirely loves you, and Salem. Nay, though I will never lay aside
+ the character which I mentioned in my last words, yet, I am willing
+ that, when you write, you should imagine me as obstinate a Sadducee
+ and witch-advocate, as any among us: address me as one that believed
+ nothing reasonable; and when you have so knocked me down, in a
+ spectre so unlike me, you will enable me to box it about, among my
+ neighbors, till it come, I know not where at last.
+
+ "But assure yourself, as I shall not wittingly make what you write
+ prejudicial to any worthy design, which those two excellent persons,
+ Mr. Hale and Mr. Noyes, may have in hand, so you shall find that I
+ shall be,
+
+ "Sir, your grateful friend,
+ C. MATHER."
+
+ "P. S. That which very much strengthens the charms of the request,
+ which this letter makes you, is that his Excellency, the Governor,
+ laid his positive commands upon me to desire this favor of you; and
+ the truth is, there are some of his circumstances with reference to
+ this affair, which I need not mention, that call for the expediting
+ of your kindness, _kindness_, I say, for such it will be esteemed,
+ as well by him, as by your servant, C. MATHER."
+
+The point, on which the Reviewer raises an objection to the statement in
+my book, in reference to this letter, is, as to the antecedent of "it,"
+in the expression, "box it about." The opinion I gave was that it
+referred to the document requested to be sent by Sewall. The Reviewer
+says it refers to "a Spectre," in the preceding line, or as he expresses
+it, "the fallen Spectre of Sadduceeism." Every one can judge for himself
+on inspection of the passage. After all, it is a mere quibbling about
+words, for the meaning remains substantially the same. Indeed, that
+which he gives is more to my purpose. Let it go, that Mather desired the
+document, and intended to use it, to break down all objectors to the
+work then doing in Salem. Whoever disapproved of such proceedings, or
+intimated any doubt concerning the popular notions about witchcraft,
+were called "Sadducees and witch-advocates." These terms were used by
+Mather, on all occasions, as marks of opprobrium, to stigmatize and
+make odious such persons. If they could once be silenced, witchcraft
+demonstrations and prosecutions might be continued, without impediment
+or restraint, until they should "come," no one could tell "where, at
+last." "The fallen Spectre of Sadduceeism" was to be the trophy of
+Mather's victory; and Sewall's letter was to be the weapon to lay it
+low.
+
+Each of the paragraphs of this letter demonstrates the position Mather
+occupied, and the part he had taken, in the transactions at Salem. Mr.
+Hale had acted, up to this time, earnestly with Noyes and Parris; and
+the letter shows that Mather had the sympathies and the interests of a
+cooperator with them, and in their "designs." Every person of honorable
+feelings can judge for himself of the suggestion to Sewall, to be a
+partner in a false representation to the public, by addressing Mather
+"in a spectre so unlike" him--that is, in a character which he, Sewall,
+knew, as well as Mather, to be wholly contrary to the truth. Blinded,
+active, and vehement, as the Clerk of the Court had been, in carrying on
+the prosecutions, it is gratifying to find reason to conclude that he
+was not so utterly lost to self-respect as to comply with the jesuitical
+request, or lend himself to any such false connivance.
+
+The letter was written at the height of the fury of the delusion,
+immediately upon a Session of the Court, at which all tried had been
+condemned, eight of whom suffered two days after its date. Any number of
+others were under sentence of death. The letter was a renewal of "a most
+importunate request."
+
+I cite it, here, at this stage of the examination of the subject,
+particularly on account of the postscript. Every one has been led to
+suppose that "His Excellency, the Governor," who had laid such "positive
+commands" upon Mather to obtain the desired document from Sewall, was
+Sir William Phips. The avowed purpose of Mather, in seeking it, was to
+put it into circulation--to "box it about"--thereby to produce an
+effect, to the putting down of Sadduceeism, or all further opposition to
+witchcraft prosecutions. He, undoubtedly, contemplated making it a part
+of his book, the _Wonders of the Invisible World_, printed, the next
+year, in London. The statement made by him always was, that he wrote
+that book in compliance with orders laid upon him to that effect by "His
+Excellency, the Governor." The imprimatur, in conspicuous type, in front
+of one of the editions of the book, is "Published by the special command
+of his Excellency, the Governor of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay
+in New England."
+
+On the sixteenth of September, Sir William Phips had notified the
+Council of his going to the eastward; and that body was adjourned to
+the fourteenth of October. From his habitual promptness, and the
+pressing exigency of affairs in the neighborhood of the Kennebec, it is
+to be presumed that he left immediately; and, as it was expected to be a
+longer absence than usual, it can hardly be doubted that, as on the
+first of August, he formally, by a written instrument, passed the
+Government over to Stoughton. At any rate, while he was away from his
+Province proper, the Deputy necessarily acceded to the Executive
+functions.
+
+In the Sewall Diary we find the following: "SEPT. 21. A petition is sent
+to Town, in behalf of Dorcas Hoar, who now confesses. Accordingly, an
+order is sent to the Sheriff to forbear her execution, notwithstanding
+her being in the Warrant to die to-morrow. This is the first condemned
+person who has confessed."
+
+The granting of this reprieve was an executive act, that would seem to
+have belonged to the functions of the person filling the office of
+Governor; and Phips being absent, it could only have been performed by
+Stoughton, and shows, therefore, that he, at that time, acted as
+Governor. As such, he was, by custom and etiquette, addressed--"His
+Excellency." The next day, eight were executed, four of them having been
+sentenced on the ninth of September, and four on the seventeenth, which
+was on Saturday. The whole eight were included, as is to be inferred
+from the foregoing entry, and is otherwise known, in the same Warrant,
+which could not, therefore, have been made out before the nineteenth.
+The next day, Mather wrote the letter to Sewall; and the language, in
+its Postscript, may have referred to Stoughton; particularly this
+clause: "There are some of his circumstances, with reference to this
+affair." As Phips had, from the first, left all the proceedings with the
+Chief-justice, who had presided at all the trials, and was, by universal
+acknowledgment, especially responsible for all the proceedings and
+results, the words of Mather are much more applicable to Stoughton than
+to Phips.
+
+Upon receiving these "importunate requests" from Mather, proposing such
+a form of reply, to be used in such a way, Sewall thought it best to
+adopt the course indicated in the following entry, in the Diary of his
+brother, the Judge: "THURSDAY, SEPT. 22, 1692. William Stoughton, Esq.,
+John Hathorne, Esq., Mr. Cotton Mather, and Capt. John Higginson, with
+my brother St. were at our house, speaking about publishing some trials
+of the witches."
+
+It appears that Stephen Sewall, instead of answering Mather's letter in
+writing, went directly to Boston, accompanied by Hathorne and Higginson,
+and met Mather and Stoughton at the house of the Judge. No other
+Minister was present; and Judge Sewall was not Mather's parishioner.
+The whole matter was there talked over. The project Mather had been
+contemplating was matured; and arrangements made with Stephen Sewall,
+who had them in his custody, to send to Mather the Records of the
+trials; and, thus provided, he proceeded, without further delay, in
+obedience to the commands laid upon him by "his Excellency," to prepare
+for the press, _The Wonders of the Invisible World_, which was designed
+to send to the shades, "Sadduceeism," to extirpate "witch-advocates,"
+and to leave the course clear for the indefinite continuance of the
+prosecutions, until, as Stoughton expressed it, "the land was cleared"
+of all witches.
+
+The presence of the Deputy-governor, at this private conference, shows
+the prominent part he bore in the movement, and corroborates, what is
+inferrible from the dates, that he was "His Excellency, the Governor,"
+referred to in the documents connected with this transaction. It is
+observable, by the way, that the references are always to the official
+character and title, and not to the name of the person, whether Phips or
+Stoughton.
+
+I now proceed to examine the book, written and brought forward, under
+these circumstances and for this purpose. It contains much of which I
+shall avail myself, to illustrate the position and the views of Mather,
+at the time. The length to which this article is extended, by the method
+I have adopted of quoting documents so fully, is regretted; but it seems
+necessary, in order to meet the interest that has been awakened in the
+subject, by the article in the _North American Review_, to make the
+enquiry as thorough as possible.
+
+Only a part of the work is devoted to the main purpose for which it was
+ostensibly and avowedly designed. That I shall first notice. It is
+introduced as follows: "I shall no longer detain my reader from his
+expected entertainment, in a brief account of the Trials which have
+passed upon some of the Malefactors lately executed at Salem, for the
+witchcrafts whereof they stood convicted. For my own part, I was not
+present at any of them; nor ever had I any personal prejudice at the
+persons thus brought upon the Stage; much less, at the surviving
+relations of those persons, with and for whom I would be as hearty a
+mourner, as any man living in the world: _The Lord comfort them!_ But
+having received a command so to do, I can do no other than shortly
+relate the chief _Matters of Fact_, which occurred in the trials of some
+that were executed; in an abridgement collected out of the _Court
+Papers_, on this occasion put into my hands. You are to take the
+_Truth_, just as it was."--_Wonders of the Invisible World, p. 54._
+
+He singles out five cases and declares: "I report matters not as an
+_Advocate_, but as an _Historian_."
+
+After further prefacing his account, by relating, _A modern instance of
+Witches, discovered and condemned, in a trial before that celebrated
+Judge, Sir Matthew Hale_, he comes to the trial of George Burroughs. He
+spreads out, without reserve, the spectral evidence, given in this as in
+all the cases, and without the least intimation of objection from
+himself, or any one else, to its being _admitted_, as, "with other
+things to render it credible" enough for the purpose of conviction. Any
+one reading his account, and at the same time examining the documents on
+file, will be able to appreciate how far he was justified in saying,
+that he reported it in the spirit of an historian rather than an
+advocate.
+
+Let, us, first, see what the "Court papers, put into his hands,"
+amounted to; as we find them in the files.
+
+"The Deposition of Simon Willard, aged about 42 years, saith: I being at
+Saco, in the year 1689, some in Capt. Ed. Sargent's garrison were
+speaking of Mr. George Burroughs his great strength, saying he could
+take a barrel of molasses out of a canoe or boat, alone; and that he
+could take it in his hands, or arms, out of the canoe or boat, and carry
+it, and set it on the shore: and Mr. Burroughs being there, said that he
+had carried one barrel of molasses or cider out of a canoe, that had
+like to have done him a displeasure; said Mr. Burroughs intimated, as if
+he did not want strength to do it, but the disadvantage of the shore was
+such, that, his foot slipping in the sand, he had liked to have strained
+his leg."
+
+Willard was uncertain whether Burroughs had stated it to be molasses or
+cider. John Brown testified about a "barrel of cider." Burroughs denied
+the statement, as to the molasses, thereby impliedly admitting that he
+had so carried a barrel of cider.
+
+Samuel Webber testified that, seven or eight years before, Burroughs
+told him that, by putting his fingers into the bung of a barrel of
+molasses, he had lifted it up, and "carried it round him, and set it
+down again."
+
+Parris, in his notes of this trial, not in the files, says that "_Capt.
+Wormwood_ testified about the gun and the molasses." But the papers on
+file give the name as "_Capt. W^m Wormall_," and represents that he,
+referring to the gun, "swore" that he "saw George Burroughs raise it
+from the ground." His testimony, with this exception, was merely
+confirmatory, in general terms, of another deposition of Simon Willard,
+to the effect, that Burroughs, in explanation of one of the stories
+about his great strength, showed him how he held a gun of "about seven
+foot barrel," by taking it "in his hand behind the lock," and holding it
+out; Willard further stating that he did not see him "hold it out then,"
+and that he, Willard, so taking the gun with both hands, could not hold
+it out long enough to take sight. The testimony, throughout, was thus
+loose and conflicting, almost wholly mere hearsay, of no value,
+logically or legally. All that was really proved being what Burroughs
+admitted, that is, as to the cider.
+
+But, in the statement made by him to Willard, at Saco, as deposed by the
+latter, he mentioned a circumstance, namely, the straining of his leg,
+which, if not true, could easily have been disproved, that demonstrated
+the effort to have been made, and the feat accomplished, by the natural
+exercise of muscular power. If preternatural force had aided him, it
+would have been supplied in sufficient quantity to have prevented such a
+mishap. To convey the impression that the exhibitions of strength
+ascribed to Burroughs were proofs of diabolical assistance, and
+demonstrations that he was guilty of the crime of witchcraft, Mather
+says "he was a very puny man, yet he had often done things beyond the
+strength of a giant." There is nothing to justify the application of the
+word "puny" to him, except that he was of small stature. Such persons
+are often very strong. Burroughs had, from his college days, been noted
+for gymnastic exercises. There is nothing, I repeat, to justify the use
+of the word, by Mather, in the sense he designed to convey, of bodily
+weakness.
+
+The truth is, that his extraordinary muscular power, as exhibited in
+such feats as lifting the barrel of cider, was the topic of neighborhood
+talk; and there was much variation, as is usual in such cases, some
+having it a barrel of cider, and some, of molasses. There is, among the
+Court papers, a _Memorandum, in Mr. George Burroughs trial, beside the
+written evidences_. One item is the testimony of Thomas Evans, "that he
+carried out barrels of molasses, meat, &c., out of a canoe, whilst his
+mate went to the fort for hands to help out with." Here we see another
+variation of the story. The amount of it is, that, while the mate
+thought assistance needed, and went to get it, Burroughs concluded to do
+the work himself. If the Prisoner had been allowed Counsel; or any
+discernment been left in the Judges, the whole of this evidence would
+have been thrown out of account, as without foundation and frivolous in
+its character; yet Increase Mather, who was present, was entirely
+carried away with it, and declared that, upon it alone, if on the Bench
+or in the jury-box, he would have convicted the Prisoner.
+
+It is quite doubtful, however, whether the above testimony of Evans was
+given in, at the trial; for the next clause, in the same paragraph, is
+Sarah Wilson's confession, that: "The night before Mr. Burroughs was
+executed, there was a great meeting of the witches, nigh Sargeant
+Chandlers, that Mr. Burroughs was there, and they had the sacrament, and
+after they had done, he took leave, and bid them stand to their faith,
+and not own any thing. Martha Tyler saith the same with Sarah Wilson,
+and several others."
+
+The testimony of these two confessing witches, "and several others,"
+relating, as it did, to what was alleged to have happened "the night
+before Mr. Burroughs was executed," could not have been given at his
+trial, nor until after his death. Yet, as but three other confessing
+witches are mentioned in the files of this case, Mather must have relied
+upon this Memorandum to make up the "eight" said, by him, to have
+testified, "in the prosecution of the charge" against Burroughs. Hale,
+misled, perhaps, by the Memorandum, uses the indefinite expression
+"seven or eight." We know that one of the confessing witches, who had
+given evidence against Burroughs, retracted it before the Court,
+previous to his execution; but Mather makes no mention of that fact.
+
+To go back to the barrel Mr. Burroughs lifted. I have stated the
+substance of the whole testimony relating to the point. Mather
+characterizes it, thus, in his report of the trial: "There was evidence
+likewise brought in, that he made nothing of taking up whole barrels,
+filled with molasses or cider, in very disadvantageous positions, and
+carrying them off, through the most difficult places, out of a canoe to
+the shore."
+
+He made up this statement, as its substance and phraseology show, from
+Willard's deposition, then lying before him. In his use of that part of
+the evidence, in particular, as of the whole evidence, generally, the
+reader can judge whether he exhibited the spirit of an historian or of
+an advocate; and whether there was any thing to justify his expression,
+"made nothing of."
+
+Any one scrutinizing the evidence, which, strange to say, was allowed to
+come in on a trial for witchcraft, relating to alleged misunderstandings
+between Burroughs and his two wives, involved in an alienation between
+him and some of the relations of the last, will see that it amounts to
+nothing more than the scandals incident to imbittered parish quarrels,
+and inevitably engendered in such a state of credulity and malevolence,
+as the witchcraft prosecutions produced. Yet our "historian," in his
+report of the case, says: "Now G. B. had been infamous, for the
+barbarous usage of his two successive wives, all the country over."
+
+In my book, in connection with another piece of evidence in the papers,
+given, like that of the confessing witches just referred to, long after
+Burroughs's execution, I expressed surprise that the irregularity of
+putting such testimony among the documents belonging to the trial,
+escaped the notice of Hutchinson, eminent jurist as he was, and also of
+Calef. The Reviewer represents this remark as one of my "very grave and
+unsupported charges against the honesty of Cotton Mather." I said
+nothing about Mather in connection with that point, but expressed strong
+disapprobation of the conduct of the official persons who procured the
+deposition to be made, and of those having the custody of the papers.
+The Reviewer, imagining that my censure was levelled at Mather, and
+resolved to defend him, through thick and thin, denies that the document
+in question was "surreptitiously foisted in." But there it was, when
+Mather had the papers, and there it now is,--its date a month after
+Burroughs was in his rocky grave. The Reviewer says that if I had looked
+to the end of Mather's notice of the document, or observed the brackets
+in which it was enclosed, I would have seen that Mather says that the
+paper was not used at the trial. I stated the fact, expressly, and gave
+Mather's explanation "that the man was overpersuaded by others to be out
+of the way upon George Burroughs's trial." [_ii., 300, 303_] I found no
+fault with Mather, in connection with the paper; and am not answerable,
+at all, for the snarl in which the Reviewer's mind has become entangled,
+in his eagerness to assail my book.
+
+I ask a little further attention to this matter, because it affords an
+illustration of Mather's singular, but characteristic, method of putting
+things, often deceiving others, and sometimes, perhaps, himself. I quote
+the paragraph from his report of the trial of Burroughs, in the _Wonders
+of the Invisible World_, p. 64: "There were two testimonies, that G. B.
+with only putting the fore-finger of his right hand into the muzzle of
+an heavy gun, a fowling-piece of about six or seven foot barrel, did
+lift up the gun, and hold it out at arms end; a gun which the deponents,
+though strong men, could not, with both hands, lift up, and hold out, at
+the butt end, as is usual. Indeed, one of these witnesses was
+overpersuaded by some persons to be out of the way, upon G. B.'s trial;
+but he came afterwards, with sorrow for his withdraw; and gave in his
+testimony; nor were either of these witnesses made use of as evidences
+in the trial."
+
+The Reviewer says that Mather included the above paragraph in
+"brackets," to apprise the reader that the evidence, to which it
+relates, was not given at the trial. It is true that the brackets are
+found in the Boston edition: but they are omitted, in the London
+edition, of the same year, 1693. If it was thought expedient to prevent
+misunderstanding, or preserve the appearance of fairness, _here_, the
+precaution was not provided for the English reader. He was left to
+receive the impression from the opening words, "there were two
+testimonies," that they were given at the trial, and to run the luck of
+having it removed by the latter part of the paragraph. The whole thing
+is so stated as to mystify and obscure. There were "_two_" testimonies;
+"_one_" is said not to have been presented; and then, that neither was
+presented. The reader, not knowing what to make of it, is liable to
+carry off nothing distinctly, except that, somehow, "there were
+testimonies" brought to bear against Burroughs; whereas not a syllable
+of it came before the Court.
+
+Never going out of my way to criticise Cotton Mather, nor breaking the
+thread of my story for that purpose, I did not, in my book, call
+attention to this paragraph, as to its bearing upon him, but the strange
+use the Reviewer has made of it against me, compels its examination, in
+detail.
+
+What right had Mather to insert this paragraph, at all, in his report of
+the _trial_ of George Burroughs? It refers to extra-judicial and
+gratuitous statements that had nothing to do with the trial, made a
+month after Burroughs had passed out of Court and out of the world,
+beyond the reach of all tribunals and all Magistrates. It was not true
+that "there were two testimonies" to the facts alleged, _at the trial_,
+which, and which alone, Mather was professing to report. It is not a
+sufficient justification, that he contradicted, in the last clause, what
+he said in the first. This was one of Mather's artifices, as a writer,
+protecting himself from responsibility, while leaving an impression.
+
+Mather says there were "_two_" witnesses of the facts alleged in the
+paragraph. Upon a careful re-examination of the papers on file, there
+appears to have been only _one_, in support of it. It stands solely on
+the single disposition of Thomas Greenslitt, of the fifteenth of
+September, 1692. The deponent mentions two other persons, by name, "and
+some others that are dead," who witnessed the exploit. But no evidence
+was given by them; and the muzzle story, according to the papers on
+file, stands upon the deposition of Greenslitt alone. The paragraph
+gives the idea that Greenslitt put himself out of the way, at the time
+of the trial of Burroughs; but there is reason to believe that he lived
+far down in the eastern country, and subsequently came voluntarily to
+Salem, from his distant home, to be present at the trial of his mother.
+The deposition was obtained from him in the period between her
+condemnation and execution. The motives that may have led the
+prosecutors to think it important to procure, and the probable
+inducement that led him to give, the deposition are explained in my book
+[_ii., 298_]. Greenslitt states that "the gun was of six-foot barrel or
+thereabouts." Mather reports him as saying "about six or seven foot
+barrel." The account of the trial of Burroughs, throughout, is charged
+with extreme prejudice against the Prisoner; and the character of the
+evidence is exaggerated.
+
+One of the witnesses, in the trial of Bridget Bishop, related a variety
+of mishaps, such as the stumping of the off-wheel of his cart, the
+breaking of the gears, and a general coming to pieces of the harness and
+vehicle, on one occasion; and his not being able, on another, to lift a
+bag of corn as easily as usual; and he ascribed it all to the witchery
+of the Prisoner. Mather gives his statement, concluding thus: "Many
+other pranks of this Bishop this deponent was ready to testify." He
+endorses every thing, however absurd, especially if resting on spectral
+evidence, as absolute, unquestionable, and demonstrated facts.
+
+Nothing was proved against the moral character of Susannah Martin; and
+nothing was brought to bear upon her, but the most ridiculous and
+shameful tales of blind superstition and malignant credulity. The
+extraordinary acumen and force of mind, however, exhibited in her
+defence, to the discomfiture of the examining Magistrates and Judges,
+excited their wrath and that of all concerned in the prosecution. Mather
+finishes the account of her trial in these words: "NOTE. This woman was
+one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures in the world; and
+she did now, throughout her whole trial, discover herself to be such an
+one. Yet when she was asked what she had to say for herself, her chief
+plea was, 'that she had led a most virtuous and holy life.'"--_Wonders,
+etc._, 126.
+
+Well might he, and all who acted in bringing this remarkable woman to
+her death, have been exasperated against her. She will be remembered, in
+perpetual history, as having risen superior to them all, in intellectual
+capacity, and as having utterly refuted the whole system of spectral
+doctrine, upon which her life and the lives of all the others were
+sacrificed. Looking towards "the afflicted children," who had sworn that
+her spectre tortured them, the Magistrate asked, "How comes your
+appearance to hurt these?" Her answer was, "How do I know? He that
+appeared in the shape of Samuel, a glorified Saint, may appear in any
+one's shape."
+
+It is truly astonishing that Mather should have selected the name of
+Elizabeth How, to be held up to abhorrence and classed among the
+"Malefactors." It shows how utterly blinded and perverted he was by the
+horrible delusion that "possessed" him. If her piety and virtue were of
+no avail in leading him to pause in aspersing her memory, by selecting
+her case to be included in the "black list" of those reported by him in
+his _Wonders_, one would have thought he would have paid some regard to
+the testimony of his clerical brethren and to the feelings of her
+relatives, embracing many most estimable families. She was nearly
+connected with the venerable Minister of Andover, Francis Dane, and
+belonged to the family of Jacksons.
+
+There was, and is, among the papers, a large body of evidence in her
+favor, most weighty and decisive, yet Mather makes no allusion to it
+whatever; although he must have known of it, from outside information as
+well as the documents before him. Two of the most respectable Ministers
+in the country, Phillips and Payson of Rowley, many of her neighbors,
+men and women, and the father of her husband, ninety-four years of age,
+testified to her eminent Christian graces, and portrayed a picture of
+female gentleness, loveliness, and purity, not surpassed in the annals
+of her sex. The two Clergymen exposed and denounced the wickedness of
+the means that had been employed to bring the stigma of witchcraft upon
+her good name. Mather not only withholds all this evidence, but speaks
+with special bitterness of this excellent woman, calling her, over and
+over again, throughout his whole account, "This How."
+
+There is reason to apprehend that much cruelty was practised upon the
+Prisoners, especially to force them to confess. The statements made by
+John Proctor, in his letter to the Ministers, are fully entitled to
+credit, from his unimpeached honesty of character, as well as from the
+position of the persons addressed. It is not to be imagined, that, at
+its date, on the twenty-third of July, twelve days before his trial, he
+would have made, in writing, such declarations to them, had they not
+been true. He says that brutal violence was used upon his son to induce
+him to confess. He also states that two of the children of Martha
+Carrier were "tied neck and heels, till the blood was ready to come out
+of their noses." The outrages, thus perpetrated, with all the
+affrighting influences brought to bear, prevailed over Carrier's
+children. Some of them were used as witnesses against her. A little
+girl, not eight years old, was made to swear that she was a witch; that
+her mother, when she was six years old, made her so, baptizing her, and
+compelling her "to set her hand to a book," and carried her, "in her
+spirit," to afflict people; that her mother, after she was in prison,
+came to her in the shape of "a black cat;" and that the cat told her it
+was her mother. Another of her children testified that he, and still
+another, a brother, were witches, and had been present, in spectre, at
+Witch-sacraments, telling who were there, and where they procured their
+wine. All this the mother had to hear.
+
+Thomas Carrier, her husband, had, a year or two before, been involved in
+a controversy about the boundaries of his lands, in which hard words had
+passed. The energy of character, so strikingly displayed by his wife, at
+her Examination, rendered her liable to incur animosities, in the
+course of a neighborhood feud. The whole force of angry superstition had
+been arrayed against her; and she became the object of scandal, in the
+form it then was made to assume, the imputation of being a witch. Her
+Minister, Mr. Dane, in a strong and bold letter, in defence of his
+parishioners, many of whom had been accused, says: "There was a
+suspicion of Goodwife Carrier among some of us, before she was
+apprehended, I know." He avers that he had lived above forty years in
+Andover, and had been much conversant with the people, "at their
+habitations;" that, hearing that some of his people were inclined to
+indulge in superstitions stories, and give heed to tales of the kind, he
+preached a Sermon against all such things; and that, since that time, he
+knew of no person that countenanced practices of the kind; concluding
+his statement in these words: "So far as I had the understanding of any
+thing amongst us, do declare, that I believe the reports have been
+scandalous and unjust, neither will bear the light."
+
+Atrocious as were the outrages connected with the prosecutions, in 1692,
+none, it appears to me, equalled those committed in the case of Martha
+Carrier. The Magistrates who sat and listened, with wondering awe, to
+such evidence from a little child against her mother, in the presence of
+that mother, must have been bereft, by the baleful superstitions of the
+hour, of all natural sensibility. They countenanced a violation of
+reason, common sense, and the instincts of humanity, too horrible to be
+thought of.
+
+The unhappy mother felt it in the deep recesses of her strong nature.
+That trait, in the female and maternal heart, which, when developed,
+assumes a heroic aspect, was brought out in terrific power. She looked
+to the Magistrates, after the accusing girls had charged her with having
+"killed thirteen at Andover," with a stern bravery to which those
+dignitaries had not been accustomed, and rebuked them: "It is a shameful
+thing, that you should mind those folks that are out of their wits;" and
+then, turning to the accusers, said, "You lie, and I am wronged." This
+woman, like all the rest, met her fate with a demeanor that left no room
+for malice to utter a word of disparagement, protesting her innocence.
+Mather witnessed her execution; and in a memorandum to the report,
+written in the professed character of an historian, having great
+compassion for "surviving relatives," calls her a "rampant hag."
+
+Bringing young children to swear away the life of their mother, was
+probably felt by the Judges to be too great a shock upon natural
+sensibilities to be risked again, and they were not produced at the
+trial; but Mather, notwithstanding, had no reluctance to publish the
+substance of their testimony, as what they would have sworn to if
+called upon; and says they were not put upon the stand, because there
+was evidence "enough" without them.
+
+Such were the reports of those of the trials, which had then taken
+place, selected by Mather to be put into the _Wonders of the Invisible
+World_, and thus to be "boxed about,"--to adopt the Reviewer's
+interpretation--to strike down the "Spectre of Sadduceeism," that is, to
+extirpate and bring to an end all doubts about witchcraft and all
+attempts to stop the prosecutions.
+
+This book was written while the proceedings at Salem were at their
+height, during the very month in which sixteen persons had been
+sentenced to death and eight executed, evidently, from its whole tenor,
+and as the Reviewer admits, for the purpose of silencing objectors and
+doubters, Sadducees and Witch-advocates, before the meeting of the
+Court, by adjournment, in the first week of November, to continue--as
+the Ministers, in their _Advice_, expressed it--their "sedulous and
+assiduous endeavours to defeat the abominable witchcrafts which have
+been committed in the country."
+
+Little did those concerned, in keeping up the delusion and prolonging
+the scenes in the Salem Court-house and on Witch-hill, dream that the
+curtain was so soon to fall upon the horrid tragedy and confound him who
+combined, in his own person, the functions of Governor,
+Commander-in-chief, President of the Council, Legislative leader of the
+General Court, and Chief-justice of the Special Court, and all his
+aiders and abettors, lay and clerical.
+
+
+
+
+XII.
+
+"WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD," CONTINUED. PASSAGES FROM IT. "CASES OF
+CONSCIENCE." INCREASE MATHER.
+
+
+In addition to the reports of the trials of the five "Malefactors," as
+Mather calls them, the _Wonders of the Invisible World_ contains much
+matter that helps us to ascertain the real opinions, at the time, of its
+author, to which justice to him, and to all, requires me to risk
+attention. The passages, to be quoted, will occupy some room; but they
+will repay the reading, in the light they shed upon the manner in which
+such subjects were treated in the most accredited literature, and
+infused into the public mind, at that day. The style of Cotton Mather,
+while open to the criticisms generally made, is lively and attractive;
+and, for its ingenuity of expression and frequent felicity of
+illustration, often quite refreshing.
+
+The work was written under a sense of the necessity of maintaining the
+position into which the Government of the Province had been led, by so
+suddenly and rashly organizing the Special Court and putting it upon its
+bloody work, at Salem; and this could only be done by renewing and
+fortifying the popular conviction, that such proceedings were necessary,
+and ought to be vigorously prosecuted, and all Sadduceeism, or
+opposition to them, put down. It was especially necessary to reconcile,
+or obscure into indistinctness, certain conflicting theories that had
+more or less currency. "I do not believe," says Mather, "that the
+progress of Witchcraft among us, is all the plot which the Devil is
+managing in the Witchcraft now upon us. It is judged that the Devil
+raised the storm, whereof we read in the eighth Chapter of Matthew, on
+purpose to overset the little vessel wherein the disciples of our Lord
+were embarked with him. And it may be feared that, in the Horrible
+Tempest which is now upon ourselves, the design of the Devil is to sink
+that happy Settlement of Government, wherewith Almighty God has
+graciously inclined their Majesties to favor us."--_Wonders, p. 10._
+
+He then proceeds to compliment Sir William Phips, alluding to his
+"continually venturing his all," that is, in looking after affairs and
+fighting Indians in the eastern parts; to applaud Stoughton as
+"admirably accomplished" for his place; and continues as follows: "Our
+Councellours are some of our most eminent persons, and as loyal to the
+Crown, as hearty lovers of their country. Our Constitution also is
+attended with singular privileges. All which things are by the Devil
+exceedingly envied unto us. And the Devil will doubtless take this
+occasion for the raising of such complaints and clamors, as may be of
+pernicious consequence unto some part of our present Settlement, if he
+can so far impose. But that, which most of all threatens us, in our
+present circumstances, is the misunderstandings, and so, the
+animosities, whereinto the Witchcraft, now raging, has enchanted us. The
+embroiling, first, of our Spirits, and then, of our affairs." "I am
+sure, we shall be worse than brutes, if we fly upon one another, at a
+time when the floods of Belial are upon us." "The Devil has made us like
+a troubled sea, and the mire and mud begins now also to heave up apace.
+Even good and wise men suffer themselves to fall into their paroxysms,
+and the shake which the Devil is now giving us, fetches up the dirt
+which before lay still at the bottom of our sinful hearts. If we allow
+the mad dogs of Hell to poison us by biting us, we shall imagine that we
+see nothing but such things about us, and like such things, fly upon all
+that we see."
+
+After deprecating the animosities and clamors that were threatening to
+drive himself and his friends from power, he makes a strenuous appeal
+to persevere in the witchcraft prosecutions.
+
+"We are to unite in our endeavours to deliver our distressed neighbors
+from the horrible annoyances and molestations wherewith a dreadful
+witchcraft is now persecuting of them. To have an hand in any thing that
+may stifle or obstruct a regular detection of that witchcraft, is what
+we may well with an holy fear avoid. Their Majesties good subjects must
+not every day be torn to pieces by horrid witches, and those bloody
+felons be left wholly unprosecuted. The witchcraft is a business that
+will not be shammed, without plunging us into sore plagues, and of long
+continuance. But then we are to unite in such methods for this
+deliverance, as may be unquestionably safe, lest the latter end be worse
+than the beginning. And here, what shall I say? I will venture to say
+thus much. That we are safe, when we make just as much use of all advice
+from the invisible world, as God sends it for. It is a safe principle,
+that when God Almighty permits any spirits, from the unseen regions, to
+visit us with surprising informations, there is then something to be
+enquired after; we are then to enquire of one another, what cause there
+is for such things? The peculiar government of God, over the unbodied
+Intelligences, is a sufficient foundation for this principle. When there
+has been a murder committed, an apparition of the slain party accusing
+of any man, although such apparitions have oftener spoke true than
+false, is not enough to convict the man as guilty of that murder; but
+yet it is a sufficient occasion for Magistrates to make a particular
+enquiry whether such a man have afforded any ground for such an
+accusation."--_Page 13._
+
+He goes on to apply this principle to the spectres of accused persons,
+seen by the "afflicted," as constituting sufficient ground to institute
+proceedings against the persons thus accused. After modifying,
+apparently, this position, although in language so obscure as to leave
+his meaning quite uncertain, he says: "I was going to make one venture
+more; that is, to offer some safe rules, for the finding out of the
+witches, which are to this day our accursed troublers: but this were a
+venture too presumptuous and Icarian for me to make. I leave that unto
+those Excellent and Judicious persons with whom I am not worthy to be
+numbered: All that I shall do, shall be to lay before my readers, a
+brief synopsis of what has been written on that subject, by a
+Triumvirate of as eminent persons as have ever handled it."--_Page 14._
+
+From neither of them, Perkins, Gaule and Bernard, as he cites them, can
+specific authority be obtained for the admission of spectral testimony,
+as offered by accusing witnesses, not themselves confessing witches. The
+third Rule, attributed to Perkins, and the fifth of Bernard, apply to
+persons confessing the crime of witchcraft, and, after confession,
+giving evidence affecting another person--the former considering such
+evidence "not sufficient for condemnation, but a fit presumption to
+cause a strait examination;" the latter treating it as sufficient to
+convict a fellow witch, that is, another person also accused of being in
+"league with the Devil." Bernard specifies, as the kind of evidence,
+sufficient for conviction, such witnesses might give: "If they can make
+good the truth of their witness and give sufficient proof of it; as that
+they have seen them with their Spirits, or that they have received
+Spirits from them, or that they can tell when they used witchery-tricks
+to do harm, or that they told them what harm they had done, or that they
+can show the mark upon them, or that they have been together in those
+meetings, or such like."
+
+Mather remarks, in connection with his synopsis of these Rules: "They
+are considerable things, which I have thus related." Those I have
+particularly noticed were enough to let in a large part of the evidence
+given at the Salem trials--in many respects, the most effective and
+formidable part--striking the Jury and Court, as well as the people,
+with an "awe," which rendered no other evidence necessary to overwhelm
+the mind and secure conviction. The Prisoners themselves were amazed and
+astounded by it. Mr. Hale, in his account of the proceedings, says:
+"When George Burroughs was tried, seven or eight of the confessors,
+severally called, said, they knew the said Burroughs; and saw him at a
+Witch-meeting at the Village; and heard him exhort the company to pull
+down the Kingdom of God and set up the Kingdom of the Devil. He denied
+all, yet said he justified the Judges and Jury in condemning him;
+because there were so many positive witnesses against him; but said he
+died by false witnesses." Mr. Hale proceeds to mention this fact: "I
+seriously spake to one that witnessed (of his exhorting at the
+Witch-meeting at the Village) saying to her; 'You are one that bring
+this man to death: if you have charged any thing upon him that is not
+true, recall it before it be too late, while he is alive.' She answered
+me, she had nothing to charge herself with, upon that account."
+
+Mather omits this circumstance in copying Mr. Hale's narrative. It has
+always been a mystery, what led the "accusing girls" to cry out, as they
+afterwards did, against Mr. Hale's wife. Perhaps this expostulation with
+one of their witnesses, awakened their suspicions. They always struck at
+every one who appeared to be wavering, or in the least disposed to
+question the correctness of what was going on. The statement of Mr. Hale
+shows how effectual and destructive the evidence, authorized by
+Bernard's book, was; and it also proves how unjust, to the Judges and
+Magistrates, is the charge made upon them by the Reviewer, that they
+disregarded and violated the advice of the Ministers. In admitting a
+species of evidence, wholly spectral, which was fatal, more than any
+other, to the Prisoners, they followed a rule laid down by the very
+authors whose "directions" the Ministers, in their _Advice_, written by
+"Mr. Mather the younger," enjoined upon them to follow. It is
+noticeable, by the way, that, in that document, they left Gaule out of
+the "triumvirate;" Mather finding nothing in his book to justify the
+admission of spectral testimony.
+
+He urges the force of the evidence, from confessions, with all possible
+earnestness.
+
+"One would think all the rules of understanding human affairs are at an
+end, if after so many most voluntary harmonious confessions, made by
+intelligent persons, of all ages, in sundry towns, at several times, we
+must not believe the main strokes, wherein those confessions all
+agree."--_Page 8._
+
+He continues to press the point thus: "If the Devils now can strike the
+minds of men with any poisons of so fine a composition and operation,
+that scores of innocent people shall unite, in confessions of a crime,
+which we see actually committed, it is a thing prodigious, beyond the
+wonders of the former ages; and it threatens no less than a sort of a
+dissolution upon the world. Now, by these confessions, it is agreed,
+that the Devil has made a dreadful knot of witches in the country, and
+by the help of witches has dreadfully increased that knot; that these
+witches have driven a trade of commissioning their confederate spirits,
+to do all sorts of mischiefs to the neighbors, whereupon there have
+ensued such mischievous consequences upon the bodies and estates of the
+neighborhood, as could not otherwise be accounted for; yea, that at
+prodigious Witch-meetings the wretches have proceeded so far as to
+concert and consult the methods of rooting out the Christian religion
+from this country, and setting up, instead of it, perhaps a more gross
+Diabolism, than ever the world saw before. And yet it will be a thing
+little short of miracle, if, in so spread a business as this, the Devil
+should not get in some of his juggles, to confound the discovery of all
+the rest."
+
+In the last sentence of the foregoing passage, we see an idea, which
+Mather expressed in several instances. It amounts to this. Suppose the
+Devil does "sometimes" make use of the spectre of an innocent person--he
+does it for the purpose of destroying our faith in that kind of
+evidence, and leading us to throw it all out, thereby "confounding the
+discovery" of those cases in which, as ordinarily, he makes use of the
+spectres of his guilty confederates, and, in effect, sheltering "all the
+rest," that is, the whole body of those who are the willing and
+covenanted subjects of his diabolical kingdom, from detection. He says:
+"The witches have not only intimated, but some of them acknowledged,
+that they have plotted the representations of innocent persons to cover
+and shelter themselves in their witchcrafts."
+
+He further suggests--for no other purpose, it would seem, than to
+reconcile us to the use of such evidence, even though, it may, in "rare
+and extraordinary" instances, bear against innocent persons, scarcely,
+however, to be apprehended, "when matters come before civil
+judicature"--that it may be the divine will, that, occasionally, an
+innocent person _may be cut off_: "Who of us can exactly state how far
+our God may, for our chastisement, permit the Devil to proceed in such
+an abuse?" He then alludes to the meeting of Ministers, under his
+father's auspices, at Cambridge, on the first of August; quotes with
+approval, the result of his "Discourse," then held; and immediately
+proceeds: "It is rare and extraordinary, for an honest Naboth to have
+his life itself sworn away by two children of Belial, and yet no
+infringement hereby made on the Rectoral Righteousness of our eternal
+Sovereign, whose judgments are a great deep, and who gives none account
+of his matters."--_Page 9._
+
+The amount of all this is, that it is so rare and extraordinary for the
+Devil to assume the spectral shape of an innocent person, that it is
+best, "when," as his expression is, in another place, "the public safety
+makes an exigency," to receive and act upon such evidence, even if it
+should lead to the conviction of an innocent person--a thing so seldom
+liable to occur, and, indeed, barely possible. The procedure would be
+but carrying out the divine "permission," and a fulfilment of "the
+Rectoral Righteousness" of Him, whose councils are a great deep, not to
+be accounted for to, or by, us.
+
+In summing up what the witches had been doing at Salem Village, during
+the preceding Summer, Mather says: "The Devil, exhibiting himself
+ordinarily as a small black man, has decoyed a fearful knot of proud,
+froward, ignorant, envious and malicious creatures to list themselves in
+his horrid service by entering their names in a book, by him tendered
+unto them." "That they, each of them, have, their spectres or Devils,
+commissioned by them, and representing them, to be the engines of their
+malice." He enumerates, as facts, all the statements of the "afflicted"
+witnesses and confessing witches, as to the horrible and monstrous
+things perpetrated by the spectres of the accused parties; and he
+applauds the Court, testifying to the successful and beneficial issue of
+its proceedings. "Our honorable Judges have used, as Judges have
+heretofore done, the spectral evidence, to introduce their further
+enquiries into the lives of the persons accused; and they have,
+thereupon, by the wonderful Providence of God, been so strengthened with
+other evidences, that some of the Witch-gang have been fairly
+executed."--_Pages 41, 43._
+
+The language of Cotton Mather, as applied to those who had suffered, as
+witches, "a fearful knot of proud, froward, ignorant, envious and
+malicious creatures--a Witch-gang,"--is rather hard, as coming from a
+Minister who, as the Reviewer asserts, had officiated in their death
+scenes, witnessed their devout and Christian expressions and deportment,
+and been their comforter, consoler, counsellor and friend.
+
+The dissatisfaction that pervaded the public mind, about the time of the
+last executions at Salem, which Phips describes, was so serious, that
+both the Mathers were called in to allay it. The father also, at the
+request of the Ministers, wrote a book, entitled, _Cases of Conscience,
+concerning Evil Spirits, personating men, Witchcrafts, &c._, the general
+drift of which is against spectral evidence. He says: "Spectres are
+Devils, in the shape of persons, either living or dead." Speaking of
+bewitched persons, he says: "What they affirm, concerning others, is not
+to be taken for evidence. Whence had they this supernatural sight? It
+must needs be either from Heaven or from Hell. If from Heaven (as
+Elisha's servant and Balaam's ass could discern Angels) let their
+testimony be received. But if they had this knowledge from Hell, though
+there may possibly be truth in what they affirm, they are not legal
+witnesses: for the Law of God allows of no revelation from any other
+Spirit but himself. _Isa._, viii., 19. It is a sin against God, to make
+use of the Devil's help to know that which cannot be otherwise known;
+and I testify against it, as a great transgression, which may justly
+provoke the Holy One of Israel, to let loose Devils on the whole land.
+_Luke_, iv., 38."
+
+After referring to a couple of writers on the subject, the very next
+sentence is this: "Although the Devil's accusations may be so far
+regarded as to cause an enquiry into the truth of things, _Job_, i., 11,
+12, and ii., 5, 6; yet not so as to be an evidence or ground of
+conviction."
+
+It appears therefore, that Increase Mather, while writing with much
+force and apparent vehemence against spectral evidence, still in reality
+countenanced its introduction, as a basis of "enquiry into the truth of
+things," preliminary to other evidence. This was, after all, to use the
+form of thought of these writers, letting the Devil into the case; and
+that was enough, from the nature of things, in the then state of wild
+superstition and the blind delusions of the popular mind, to give to
+spectral evidence the controlling sway it had in the Salem trials, and
+would necessarily have, every where, when introduced at all.
+
+In a Postscript to _Cases of Conscience_, Increase Mather says that he
+hears that "some have taken up a notion," that there was something
+contradictory between his views and those of his son, set forth in the
+_Wonders of the Invisible World_. "Tis strange that such imaginations
+should enter into the minds of men." He goes on to say he had read and
+approved of his son's book, before it was printed; and falls back, as
+both of them always did, when pressed, upon the _Advice_ of the
+Ministers, of the fifteenth of June, in which, he says, they concurred.
+
+There can be no manner of doubt that the "strange" opinion did prevail,
+at the time, and has ever since, that the father and son did entertain
+very different sentiments about the Salem proceedings. The precise form
+of that difference is not easily ascertained. The feelings, so natural
+and proper, on both sides, belonging to the relation they sustained to
+each other, led them to preserve an appearance of harmony, especially in
+whatever was committed to the press. Then, again, the views they each
+entertained were in themselves so inconsistent, that it was not
+difficult to persuade themselves that they were substantially similar.
+There was much in the father, for the son to revere: there was much in
+the son, for the father to admire. Besides, the habitual style in which
+they and the Ministers of that day indulged, of saying and unsaying, on
+the same page--putting a proposition and then linking to it a
+countervailing one--covered their tracks to each other and to
+themselves. This is their apology; and none of them needs it more than
+Cotton Mather. He was singularly blind to logical sequence. With
+wonderful power over language, he often seems not to appreciate the
+import of what he is saying; and to this defect, it is agreeable to
+think, much, if not all, that has the aspect of a want of fairness and
+even truthfulness, in his writings may be attributed.
+
+As associate Ministers of the same congregation, it was desirable for
+the Mathers to avoid being drawn into a conflicting attitude, on any
+matter of importance. Drake, however, in his _History of Boston_, (_p.
+545_) says that there was supposed, at the formation of the New North
+Church, in that place, in 1712, to have been a jealousy between them.
+There were, indeed, many points of dissimilarity, as well as of
+similarity, in their culture, experience, manners, and ways; and men
+conversant with them, at the time, may have noticed a difference in
+their judgments and expressions, relating to the witchcraft affair, of
+which no knowledge has come to us, except the fact, that it was so
+understood at the time.
+
+Cotton Mather brought all his ability to bear in preparing the _Wonders
+of the Invisible World_. It is marked throughout by his peculiar genius,
+and constructed with great ingenuity and elaboration; but it was "water
+spilt on the ground." So far as the end, for which it was designed, is
+regarded, it died before it saw the light.
+
+
+
+
+XIII.
+
+THE COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER BROUGHT TO A SUDDEN END. SIR WILLIAM
+PHIPS.
+
+
+When Sir William Phips went to the eastward, it was expected that his
+absence would be prolonged to the twelfth of October. We cannot tell
+exactly when he returned; probably some days before the twelfth. Writing
+on the fourteenth, he says, that before any application was made to him
+for the purpose, he had put a stop to the proceedings of the Court. He
+probably signified, informally, to the Judges, that they must not meet
+on the day to which they had adjourned. Brattle, writing on the eighth,
+had not heard any thing of the kind. But the Rev. Samuel Torrey of
+Weymouth, who was in full sympathy with the prosecutors, had heard of it
+on the seventh, as appears by this entry in Sewall's Diary: "OCT. 7^th,
+1692. Mr. Torrey seems to be of opinion, that the Court of Oyer and
+Terminer should go on, regulating any thing that may have been amiss,
+when certainly found to be so."
+
+Sewall and Stoughton were among the principal friends of Torrey; and he,
+probably, had learned from them, Phips's avowed purpose to stop the
+proceedings of the Court, in the witchcraft matter. The Court, however,
+was allowed to sit, in other cases, as it held a trial in Boston, on the
+tenth, in a capital case of the ordinary kind. The purpose of the
+Governor gradually became known. Danforth, in a conversation with
+Sewall, at Cambridge, on the fifteenth, expressed the opinion that the
+witchcraft trials ought not to proceed any further.
+
+It is not unlikely that Phips, while at the eastward, had received some
+communication that hastened his return. He describes the condition of
+things, as he found it. We know that the lives of twenty people had been
+taken away, one of them a Minister of the Gospel. Two Ministers had been
+accused, one of them the Pastor of the Old South Church; the name of the
+other is not known. A hundred were in prison; about two hundred more
+were under accusation, including some men of great estates in Boston,
+the mother-in-law of one of the Judges, Corwin, and a member of the
+family of Increase Mather, although, as he says, in no way related to
+him. A Magistrate, who was a member of the House of Assembly, had fled
+for his life; and Phips's trusted naval commander, a man of high
+standing in the Church and in society, as well as in the service, after
+having been committed to Jail, had escaped to parts unknown. More than
+all, the Governor's wife had been cried out upon. We can easily imagine
+his state of mind. Sir William Phips was noted for the sudden violence
+of his temper. Mather says that he sometimes "showed choler enough."
+Hutchinson says that "he was of a benevolent, friendly disposition; at
+the same time quick and passionate;" and, in illustration of the latter
+qualities, he relates that he got into a fisticuff fight with the
+Collector of the Port, on the wharf, handling him severely; and that,
+having high words, in the street, with a Captain of the Royal Navy, "the
+Governor made use of his cane and broke Short's head." When his Lady
+told her story to him, and pictured the whole scene of the "strange
+ferment" in the domestic and social circles of Boston and throughout the
+country, it was well for the Chief-justice, the Judges, and perhaps his
+own Ministers, that they were not within the reach of those "blows,"
+with which, as Mather informs us, in the _Life of Phips_, the rough
+sailor was wont, when the gusts of passion were prevailing, to "chastise
+incivilities," without reference to time or place, rank or station.
+
+But, as was his wont, the storm of wrath soon subsided; his purpose,
+however, under the circumstances, as brave as it was wise and just, was,
+as the result showed, unalterable. He communicated to the Judges,
+personally, that they must sit no more, at Salem or elsewhere, to try
+cases of witchcraft; and that no more arrests must be made, on that
+charge.
+
+Mather's book, all ready as it was for the press, thus became labor
+thrown away. It was not only rendered useless for the purpose designed,
+but a most serious difficulty obstructed its publication. Phips forbade
+the "printing of any discourses, one way or another;" and the _Wonders_
+had incorporated in it some Sermons, impregnated, through and through,
+with combustible matter, in Phips's view, likely to kindle an
+inextinguishable flame.
+
+All that could be done was to keep still, in the hope that he would
+become more malleable. In the meanwhile, public business called him
+away, perhaps to Rhode Island or Connecticut, from the eighteenth to the
+twenty-seventh of October. In his absence, whether in consequence of
+movements he had put in train, or solely from what had become known of
+his views, the circumstance occurred which is thus related in Sewall's
+Diary--the Legislature was then in Session: "OCT. 26, 1692. A Bill is
+sent in about calling a Fast and Convocation of Ministers, that may be
+led in the right way, as to the Witchcrafts. The season, and manner of
+doing it, is such, that the Court of Oyer and Terminer count themselves
+thereby dismissed. 29 nos & 33 yeas to the Bill. Capt. Bradstreet, and
+Lieut. True, Wm. Hutchins, and several other interested persons, in the
+affirmative."
+
+The course of Nathaniel Saltonstall, of Haverhill, and the action in the
+Legislature of the persons here named, entitle the Merrimac towns of
+Essex-county to the credit of having made the first public and effectual
+resistance to the fanaticism and persecutions of 1692.
+
+The passage of this Bill, in the House of Representatives, shows how the
+public mind had been changed, since the June Session. Dudley Bradstreet
+was a Magistrate and member from Andover, son of the old Governor, and,
+with his wife, had found safety from prosecution by flight; Henry True,
+a member from Salisbury, was son-in-law of Mary Bradbury, who had been
+condemned to death; Samuel Hutchins, (inadvertently called "Wm.," by
+Sewall) was a member from Haverhill, and connected by marriage with a
+family, three of whom were tried for their lives. Sewall says there were
+"several other" members of the House, interested in like manner. This
+shows into what high circles the accusers had struck.
+
+It appears, by the same Diary, that on the twenty-seventh, Cotton Mather
+preached the Thursday Lecture, from _James_, i., 4. The day of trial was
+then upon him and his fellow-actors; and patience was inculcated as the
+duty of the hour.
+
+The Diary relates that at a meeting of the Council, on the
+twenty-eighth, in the afternoon, Sewall, "desired to have the advice of
+the Governor and Council, as to the sitting of the Court of Oyer and
+Terminer, next week; said, should move it no more; great silence
+prevailed, as if should say, Do not go."
+
+The entry does not state whether Phips was present; as, however, the
+time fixed for his recent brief absence had expired, probably he was in
+his seat. The following mishap, described by Sewall, as occurring that
+day, perhaps detained the Deputy-governor: "OCT. 28. Lt. Gov^r, coming
+over the causey, is, by reason of the high tide, so wet, that is fain to
+go to bed, till sends for dry clothes to Dorchester."
+
+The "great silence" was significant of the embarrassment in which they
+were placed, and their awe of the "choler" of the Governor.
+
+The Diary gives the following account of the Session the next day, at
+which, (as Sewall informs us,) the Lieutenant-governor was not present:
+"OCT. 29. Mr. Russel asked, whether the Court of Oyer and Terminer
+should sit, expressing some fear of inconvenience by its fall. Governor
+said, it must fall."
+
+Thus died the Court of Oyer and Terminer. Its friends cherished, to the
+last, the hope that Sir William might be placated, and possibly again
+brought under control; but it vanished, when the emphatic and resolute
+words, reported by Sewall, were uttered.
+
+The firmness and force of character of the Governor are worthy of all
+praise. Indeed, the illiterate and impulsive sailor has placed himself,
+in history, far in front of all the honored Judges and learned Divines,
+of his day. Not one of them penetrated the whole matter as he did, when
+his attention was fully turned to it, and his feelings enlisted, to
+decide, courageously and righteously, the question before him. He saw
+that no life was safe while the evidence of the "afflicted persons" was
+received, "either to the committing or trying" of any persons. He thus
+broke through the meshes which had bound Judges and Ministers, the
+writers of books and the makers of laws; and swept the whole fabric of
+"spectral testimony" away, whether as matter of "enquiry" and
+"presumption," or of "conviction." The ship-carpenter of the Kennebec
+laid the axe to the root of the tree.
+
+The following extract from a letter of Sir William Phips, just put into
+my hands, and for which I am indebted to Mr. Goodell, substantiates the
+conclusions to which I have been led.
+
+ "_Governor Phips to the Lords of the Committee of Trade and
+ Plantations, 3 April, 1693._
+
+ "MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIPS:
+
+ "I have intreated M^r Blathwayte to lay before your Lordships
+ several letters, wherein I have given a particular account of my
+ stopping a supposed witchcraft, which had proved fatall to many of
+ their Maj^ties good subjects, had there not been a speedy end putt
+ thereto; for a stop putt to the proceedings against such as were
+ accused, hath caused the thing itself to cease."
+
+This shows that, addressing officially his Home Government, he assumed
+the responsibility of having "stopped and put a speedy end to the
+proceedings;" that he had no great faith in the doctrines then received
+touching the reality of witchcraft; and that he was fully convinced
+that, if he had allowed the trials to go on, and the inflammation of the
+public mind to be kept up by "discourses," the bloody tragedy would have
+been prolonged, and "proved fatal to many good" people.
+
+There are two men--neither of them belonging to the class of scholars or
+Divines; both of them guided by common sense, good feeling, and a
+courageous and resolute spirit--who stand alone, in the scenes of the
+witchcraft delusions. NATHANIEL SALTONSTALL, who left the Council and
+the Court, the day the Ministers' _Advice_, to go on with the
+prosecutions, was received, and never appeared again until that _Advice_
+was abandoned and repudiated; and Sir WILLIAM PHIPS, who stamped it out
+beneath his feet.
+
+But how with Cotton Mather's Book, the _Wonders of the Invisible World_?
+On the eleventh of October, Stoughton and Sewall signed a paper, printed
+in the book, [_p. 88_] endorsing its contents, especially as to "matters
+of fact and evidence" and the "methods of conviction used in the
+proceedings of the Court at Salem." The certificate repeats the form of
+words, so often used in connection with the book, that it was written
+"at the direction of His Excellency the Governor," without, as in all
+cases, specifying who, whether Phips or Stoughton, was the Governor
+referred to. As all the Judges were near at hand, and as the certificate
+related to the proceedings before them, it is quite observable that only
+the two mentioned signed it. As they were present, in the private
+conference, with Cotton Mather, at the house of one of them, on the
+twenty-second of September, when its preparation for publication was
+finally arranged, they could not well avoid signing it. The times were
+critical; and the rest of the Judges, knowing the Governor's feelings,
+thought best not to appear. Of the three other persons, at that
+conference, Hathorne, it is true, was a Judge of that Court, but it is
+doubtful whether he often, or ever, took his seat as such; besides, he
+was too experienced and cautious a public man, unnecessarily to put his
+hand to such a paper, when it was known, as it was probably to him, that
+Sir William Phips had forbidden publications of the kind.
+
+There is another curious document, in the _Wonders_--a letter from
+Stoughton to Mather, highly applauding the book, in which he
+acknowledges his particular obligations to him for writing it, as "more
+nearly and highly concerned" than others, considering his place in the
+Court, expressing in detail his sense of the great value of the work,
+"at this juncture of time," and concluding thus: "I do therefore make it
+my particular and earnest Request unto you, that, as soon as may be, you
+will commit the same unto the press, accordingly." It is signed, without
+any official title of distinction, simply "WILLIAM STOUGHTON," and is
+_without date_.
+
+It is singular, if Phips was the person who requested it to be written
+and was the "Excellency" who authorized its publication, that it was
+left to William Stoughton to "request" its being put to press.
+
+The foregoing examination of dates and facts seems, almost, to compel
+the conclusion, to be drawn also from his letter, that Sir William Phips
+really had nothing whatever to do with procuring the preparation or
+sanctioning the publication of the _Wonders of the Invisible World_.
+The same is true as to the request to the Ministers, for their _Advice_,
+dated the fifteenth of June. It was "laid before the Judges;" and was,
+undoubtedly, a response to an application from them. Having, very
+improperly, it must be confessed, given the whole matter of the trials
+over to Stoughton, and being engrossed in other affairs, it is quite
+likely that he knew but little of what had been going on, until his
+return from the eastward, in October. And his frequent and long
+absences, leaving Stoughton, so much of the time, with all the functions
+and titles of Governor devolved upon him, led to speaking of the latter
+as "His Excellency." When bearing this title and acting as Governor, for
+the time being, the Chief-justice, with the side Judges--all of them
+members of the Council, and in number meeting the requirement in the
+Charter for a quorum, seven--may have been considered, as substantially,
+"The Governor and Council."
+
+Thinking it more than probable that, in this way, great wrong has been
+done to the memory of an honest and noble-hearted man, I have endeavored
+to set things in their true light. The perplexities, party
+entanglements, personal collisions, and engrossing cares that absorbed
+the attention of Sir William Phips, during the brief remainder of his
+life, and the little interest he felt in such things, prevented his
+noticing the false position in which he had been placed by the
+undistinguishing use of titular phrases.
+
+Judge Sewall's Diary contains an entry that, also, sheds light upon the
+position of the Mathers. It will be borne in mind, that Elisha Cook was
+the colleague of Increase Mather, as Colonial Agents in London. Cook
+refused assent to the new Charter, and became the leader of the
+anti-Mather party. He was considered an opponent of the witchcraft
+prosecutions, although out of the country at the time. "TUESDAY, NOV.
+15, 1692. M^r Cook keeps a Day of Thanksgiving for his safe arrival."
+* * * [_Many mentioned as there, among them Mr. Willard._] "Mr. Allen
+preached from Jacob's going to Bethel, * * * Mr. Mather not there, nor
+Mr. Cotton Mather. The good Lord unite us in his fear, and remove our
+animosities."
+
+The manner in which Sewall distinguished the two Mathers confirms the
+views presented on pages 37, 38.
+
+It may be remarked, that, up to this time, Sewall seems to have been in
+full sympathy with Stoughton and Mather. He was, however, beginning to
+indulge in conversations that indicate a desire to feel the ground he
+was treading. After a while, he became thoroughly convinced of his
+error; and there are scattered, in the margins of his Diary, expressions
+of much sensibility at the extent to which he had been misled. Over
+against an entry, giving an account of his presence at an Examination
+before Magistrates, of whom he was one, on the eleventh of April, 1692,
+at Salem, is the interjection, thrice repeated, "_Vae, Vae, Vae_." At
+the opening of the year 1692, he inserted, at a subsequent period, this
+passage: "_Attonitus tamen est, ingens discrimine parvo committi
+potuisse Nefas._"[4]
+
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[4] For the privilege of inspecting and using Judge Sewall's Diary I am
+indebted to the kindness of the Massachusetts Historical Society: and I
+would also express my thanks, for similar favors and civilities, to the
+officers in charge of the Records and Archives in the Massachusetts
+State House, the Librarian of Harvard University, the Essex Institute,
+and many individuals, not mentioned in the text, especially those
+devoted collectors and lovers of our old New England literature, Samuel
+G. Drake and John K. Wiggin.
+
+
+
+
+XIV.
+
+COTTON MATHER'S WRITINGS SUBSEQUENT TO THE WITCHCRAFT PROSECUTIONS.
+
+
+I propose, now, to enquire into the position Cotton Mather occupied, and
+the views he expressed, touching the matter, after the witchcraft
+prosecutions had ceased and the delusion been dispelled from the minds
+of other men.
+
+During the Winter of 1692 and 1693, between one and two hundred
+prisoners, including confessing witches, remained in Jail, at Salem,
+Ipswich, and other places. A considerable number were in the Boston
+Jail. It seems, from the letter to Secretary Allyn of Connecticut, that,
+during that time, the Mathers were in communication with them, and
+receiving from them the names of persons whose spectres, they declared,
+they had seen and suffered from, as employed in the Devil's work. After
+all that had happened, and the order of Sir William Phips, forbidding
+attempts to renew the excitement, it is wonderful that the Mathers
+should continue such practices. In the latter part of the Summer of
+1693, they were both concerned in the affair of Margaret Rule; and
+Cotton Mather prepared, and put into circulation, an elaborate account
+of it, some extracts from which have been presented, and which will be
+further noticed, in another connection.
+
+His next work, in the order of time, which I shall consider, is his
+_Life of Sir William Phips_, printed in London, in 1697, and afterwards
+included in the _Magnalia_, also published in London, a few years
+afterwards, constituting the last part of the Second Book. _The Life of
+Phips_ is, perhaps, the most elaborate and finished of all Mather's
+productions; and "adorned," as his uncle Nathaniel Mather says, in a
+commendatory note, "with a very grateful variety of learning." In it,
+Sir William, who had died, at London, three years before, is painted in
+glowing colors, as one of the greatest of conquerors and rulers,
+"dropped, as it were, from the Machine of Heaven;" "for his exterior, he
+was one tall, beyond the common lot of men; and thick, as well as tall,
+and strong as well as thick. He was, in all respects, exceedingly
+robust, and able to conquer such difficulties of diet and of travel, as
+would have killed most men alive;" "he was well set, and he was
+therewithall of a very comely, though a very manly, countenance." He is
+described as of "a most incomparable generosity," "of a forgiving
+spirit." His faults are tenderly touched; "upon certain affronts, he has
+made sudden returns, that have shewed choler enough; and he has, by
+blow, as well as by word, chastised incivilities."
+
+It is remarkable that Mather should have laid himself out, to such an
+extent of preparation and to such heights of eulogy, as this work
+exhibits. It is dedicated to the Earl of Bellamont, just about to come
+over, as Phips's successor. Mather held in his hand a talisman of favor,
+influence, and power. In the Elegy which concludes the _Life_, are lines
+like these:
+
+ "Phips, our great friend, our wonder, and our glory,
+ The terror of our foes, the world's rare story,
+ Or but name Phips, more needs not be expressed,
+ Both Englands, and next ages, tell the rest."
+
+The writer of this _Life_ had conferred the gift of an immortal name
+upon one Governor of New England, and might upon another.
+
+But with all this panegyric, he does not seem to have been careful to be
+just to the memory of his hero. The reader is requested, at this point,
+to turn back to pages 23, 24, of this article, and examine the
+paragraph, quoted from the _Life of Phips_, introducing the return of
+_Advice_ from the Ministers. I have shown, in that connection, how
+deceptive the expression "arriving to his Government" is. In reporting
+the _Advice_ of the Ministers, in the _Life of Phips_, Mather omits the
+paragraphs I have placed within brackets [_p. 21, 22_]--the _first_,
+_second_ and _eighth_. The omission of these paragraphs renders the
+document, as given by Mather, an absolute misrepresentation of the
+transaction, and places Phips in the attitude of having disregarded the
+advice of the Ministers, in suffering the trials to proceed as they did;
+throwing upon his memory a load of infamy, outweighing all the florid
+and extravagant eulogies showered upon him, in the _Life_: verifying and
+fulfilling the apprehensions he expressed in his letter of the
+fourteenth of October, 1692: "I know my enemies are seeking to turn it
+all upon me."
+
+The Reviewer says that "Mr. Mather did not profess to quote the whole
+_Advice_, but simply made extracts from it." He professed to give what
+the Ministers "declared." I submit to every honorable mind, whether what
+Mather printed, omitting the _first_, _second_ and _eighth_ Sections,
+was a fair statement of what the Ministers "declared."
+
+The paragraphs he selected, appear, on their face, to urge caution and
+even delay, in the proceedings. They leave this impression on the
+general reader, and have been so regarded from that day to this. The
+artifice, by which the responsibility for what followed was shifted,
+from the Ministers, upon Phips and the Court, has, in a great measure,
+succeeded. I trust that I have shown that the clauses and words that
+seem to indicate caution, had very little force, in that direction; but
+that, when the disguising veil of an artful phraseology is removed, they
+give substantial countenance to the proceedings of the Court,
+throughout.
+
+I desire, at this point, to ask the further attention of the reader to
+Mather's manner of referring to the _Advice of the Ministers_. In his
+_Wonders_, he quotes the _eighth_ and _second_ Articles of it (_Pages
+12, 55_), in one instance, ascribing the _Advice_ to "Reverend persons,"
+"men of God," "gracious men," and, in the other, characterizing it as
+"gracious words." He also, in the same work, quotes the _sixth_ Article,
+_omitting the words I have placed in brackets, without any indication of
+an omission_. Writing, in 1692, when the delusion was at its height, and
+for the purpose of keeping the public mind up to the work of the
+prosecutions, he gloried chiefly in the _first_, _second_, and _eighth_
+Articles, and brought them alone forward, in full. The others he passed
+over, with the exception of the _sixth_, from which he struck out the
+central sentence--that having the appearance of endorsing the views of
+those opposed to spectral testimony. But, in 1697, when the _Life of
+Phips_ was written, circumstances had changed. It was apparent, then, to
+all, even those most unwilling to realize the fact, that the whole
+transaction of the witchcraft prosecutions in Salem was doomed to
+perpetual condemnation; and it became expedient to drop out of sight,
+forever, if possible, the _second_ and _eighth_ articles, and reproduce
+the _sixth_, _entire_.
+
+Considering the unfair view of the import of the _Advice_, in the _Life
+of Phips_, and embodied in the _Magnalia_--a work, which, with all its
+defects, inaccuracies, and absurdities, is sure of occupying a
+conspicuous place in our Colonial literature--I said: "unfortunately for
+the reputation of Cotton Mather, Hutchinson has preserved the _Address
+of the Ministers_, entire." Regarding the document published by Mather
+in the light of a historical imposture, I expressed satisfaction, that
+its exposure was provided in a work, sure of circulation and
+preservation, equally, to say the least, with the _Life of Phips_ or the
+_Magnalia_. The Reviewer, availing himself of the opportunity, hereupon
+pronounces me ignorant of the fact that the "_Advice_, entire," was
+published by Increase Mather at the end of his _Cases of Conscience_;
+and, in his usual style--not, I think, usual, in the _North American
+Review_--speaks thus--it is a specimen of what is strown through the
+article: "Mr. Upham should have been familiar enough with the original
+sources of information on the subject, to have found this _Advice_ in
+print, seventy-four years before Hutchinson's _History_ appeared."
+
+Of course, neither I, nor any one else, can be imagined to suppose that
+Hutchinson invented the document. It was pre-existent, and at his hand.
+It was not to the purpose to say where he found it. I wonder this
+Reviewer did not tell the public, that I had _never seen_, _read_, or
+_heard of_ Calef; for, to adopt his habit of reasoning, if I had been
+acquainted with that writer, my ignorance would have been enlightened,
+as Calef would have informed me that "the whole of the Minister's advice
+and answer is printed in _Cases of Conscience_, the last pages."
+
+That only which finds a place in works worthy to endure, and of standard
+value, is sure of perpetual preservation. Hutchinson's _History of
+Massachusetts_ is a work of this description. Whatever is committed to
+its custody will stand the test of time. This cannot be expected of that
+class of tracts or books to which _Cases of Conscience_ belongs, copies
+of which can hardly be found, and not likely to justify a separate
+re-publication. It has, indeed, not many years ago, been reprinted in
+England, in a series of _Old Authors_, tacked on to the _Wonders of the
+Invisible World_. But few copies have reached this country; and only
+persons of peculiar, it may almost be said, eccentric, tastes, would
+care to procure it. It will be impossible to awaken an interest in the
+general reading public for such works. They are forbidding in their
+matter, unintelligible in their style, obscure in their import and
+drift, and pervaded by superstitions and absurdities that have happily
+passed away, never, it is to be hoped, again to enter the realm of
+theology, philosophy, or popular belief; and will perish by the hand of
+time, and sink into oblivion. If this present discussion had not arisen,
+and the "_Advice_, entire," had not been given by Hutchinson, the
+_suppressio veri_, perpetrated by Cotton Mather, would, perhaps, have
+become permanent history.
+
+In reference to the _Advice of the Ministers_, the Reviewer, in one part
+of his article, seems to complain thus: "Mr. Upham has never seen fit to
+print this paper;" in other parts, he assails me from the opposite
+direction, and in a manner too serious, in the character of the assault,
+to be passed over. In my book, (_ii., 267_) I thus speak of the _Advice
+of the Ministers_, referring to it, in a note to p. 367, in similar
+terms: "The response of the reverend gentlemen, while urging in general
+terms the importance of caution and circumspection in the methods of
+examination, decidedly and earnestly recommended that the proceedings
+should be vigorously carried on."
+
+It is a summary, in general and brief terms, _in my own language_, of
+the _import_ of the whole document, covering both sets of its articles.
+Hutchinson condenses it in similar terms, as do Calef and Douglas. I
+repeat, and beg it to be marked, that I do _not quote it_, in _whole_ or
+_in part_, but only give its import in my own words. I claim the
+judgment of the reader, whether I do not give the import of the articles
+Mather printed in the _Life of Phips_--those pretending to urge
+caution--as fairly as of the articles he omitted, applauding the Court,
+and encouraging it to go on.
+
+Now, this writer in the _North American Review_ represents to the
+readers of that journal and to the public, that I have _quoted_ the
+_Advice of the Ministers_, and, in variety of phrase, rings the charge
+of unfair and false _quotation_, against me. He uses this language: "If
+it were such a heinous crime for Cotton Mather, in writing the _Life of
+Sir William Phips_, to omit three Sections, how will Mr. Upham vindicate
+his own omissions, when, writing the history of these very transactions
+and bringing the gravest charges against the characters of the persons
+concerned, he leaves out seven Sections?" I _quoted_ no Section, and
+made no _omissions_; and it is therefore utterly unjustifiable to say
+that I _left out_ any thing. I gave the substance of the Sections Cotton
+Mather left out, in language nearly identical with that used by
+Hutchinson and all others. In the same way, I gave the substance of the
+Sections Mather published, in the very sense he always claimed for them.
+What I said did not bear the form, nor profess the character, of a
+_quotation_.
+
+In the _Wonders of the Invisible World_, written in 1692, when the
+prosecutions were in full blast and Mather was glorying in them, and for
+the purpose of prolonging them, the only Section he saw fit, in a
+particular connection, to quote, was the SECOND. He prefaced it thus:
+"They were some of the Gracious Words inserted in the _Advice_, which
+many of the neighboring Ministers did this Summer humbly lay before our
+Honorable Judges." Let it be noted, by the way, that when he thus
+praised the document, its authorship had not been avowed. Let it further
+be noted, that it is here let slip that the paper was _laid before the
+Judges_, not Phips; showing that it was a response to _them_, not him.
+Let it be still further noted, that the Section which he thus cited, in
+1692, is one of those which, when the tide had turned, he left out, in
+1697.
+
+The Reviewer, referring to Mather's quotation of the second Section of
+the _Advice_, in the _Wonders_, says: "he printed it in full, which Mr.
+Upham has never done;" and following out the strange misrepresentation,
+he says: "Mr. Upham does not print any part of the eighth Section, as
+the Ministers adopted it. He suppresses the essential portions, changes
+words, and, by interpolation, states that the Ministers 'decidedly,'
+'earnestly,' and 'vehemently,' recommended that the 'proceedings' should
+be vigorously carried on. He who quotes in this manner needs other
+evidence than that produced by Mr. Upham to entitle him to impeach Mr.
+Mather's integrity." In another place he says, pursuing the charge of
+quoting falsely, as to my using the word "proceedings," "the word is not
+to be found in the _Advice_."
+
+The eighth Section recommends "the speedy and vigorous prosecutions of
+such as have rendered themselves obnoxious." In a brief reference to the
+subject, I use the words "speedily and vigorously," marking them as
+quoted, although their form was changed by the structure of the sentence
+of my own in which they appear. Beyond this, I have made no
+_quotations_, in my book, of the _Advice_--not a Section, nor sentence,
+nor clause, nor line, is a quotation, nor pretends to be. Without
+characterising what the Reviewer has done, in charging me with
+_suppression of essential portions_, _interpolation_, and not _printing_
+in full, or correctly, what the Ministers or any body else said, my duty
+is discharged, by showing that there is no truth in the charge--no
+foundation or apology for it.
+
+The last of the works of Cotton Mather I shall examine, in this scrutiny
+of his retrospective opinions and position, relating to the witchcraft
+prosecutions, is the _Magnalia_, printed at London, in 1702. He had
+become wise enough, at that time, not to commit himself more than he
+could help.
+
+The Rev. John Hale, of Beverly, died in May, 1700. He had taken an
+active part in the proceedings at Salem, in 1692, having, as he says,
+from his youth, been "trained up in the knowledge and belief of most of
+the principles" upon which the prosecutions were conducted, and had held
+them "with a kind of implicit faith." Towards the close of the Trials,
+his view underwent a change; and, after the lapse of five years, he
+prepared a treatise on the subject. It is a candid, able, learned, and
+every-way commendable performance, adhering to the general belief in
+witchcraft, but pointing out the errors in the methods of procedure in
+the Trials at Salem, showing that the principles there acted upon were
+fallacious. The book was not printed until 1702. Cotton Mather, having
+access to Mr. Hale's manuscript, professedly made up from it his account
+of the witchcraft transactions of 1692, inserted in the _Magnalia_,
+Book VI., Page 79. He adopts the narrative part of the work,
+substantially, avoiding much discussion of the topics upon which Mr.
+Hale had laid himself out. He cites, indeed, some passages from the
+argumentative part, containing marvellous statements, but does not
+mention that Mr. Hale labored, throughout, to show that those and other
+like matters, which had been introduced at the Trials, as proofs of
+spectral agency, were easily resolvable into the visions and vagaries of
+a "deluded imagination," "a phantasy in the brain," "phantasma before
+the eyes."
+
+Mr. Hale limits the definition of a witch to the following: "Who is to
+be esteemed a capital witch among Christians? viz.: Those that being
+brought up under the means of the knowledge of the true God, yet, being
+in their right mind or free use of their reason, do knowingly and
+wittingly depart from the true God, so as to devote themselves unto, and
+seek for their help from, another God, or the Devil, as did the Devil's
+Priests and Prophets of old, that were magicians."--_Page 127._
+
+As he had refuted, and utterly discarded, the whole system of evidence
+connected with spectres of the living or ghosts of the dead, the above
+definition rescued all but openly profane, abandoned, and God-defying
+people from being prosecuted for witchcraft. Mather transcribes, as a
+quotation, what seems to be the foregoing definition, but puts it thus:
+"A person that, having the free use of reason, doth knowingly and
+willingly seek and obtain of the Devil, or of any other God, besides the
+true God Jehovah, an ability to do or know strange things, or things
+which he cannot by his own humane abilities arrive unto. This person is
+a witch."
+
+The latter part of the definition thus transcribed, has no justification
+in Hale's language, but is in conflict with the positions in his book.
+Mather says, "the author spends whole Chapters to prove that there yet
+is a witch." He omits to state, that he spends twice as many Chapters to
+prove that the evidence in the Salem cases was not sufficient for that
+purpose. Upon the whole it can hardly be considered a fair transcript of
+Mr. Hale's account. He dismisses the subject, once for all, in a curt
+and almost disrespectful style--"But thus much for this manuscript."
+
+Whoever examines the manner in which he, in this way, gets rid of the
+subject, in the _Magnalia_, must be convinced, I think, that he felt no
+satisfaction in Mr. Hale's book, nor in the state of things that made it
+necessary for him to give the whole matter the go-by. If the public mind
+had retained its fanatical credulity, or if Mather's own share in the
+delusion of 1692 had been agreeable in the retrospect, it cannot be
+doubted that it would have afforded THE GREAT THEME, of his great book.
+All the strange learning, passionate eloquence, and extravagant
+painting, of its author, would have been lavished upon it; and we should
+have had another separate Book, with a Hebrew, Greek, or Latin motto or
+title, which, interpreted, would read _Most Wonderful of Wonders_. In
+1692, his language was: "Witchcraft is a business that will not be
+shammed." In 1700, it was shoved off upon the memory of Mr. Hale, as a
+business not safe for him, Mather, to meddle with, any longer. It was
+dropped, as if it burned his fingers.
+
+
+
+
+XV.
+
+HISTORY OF OPINION AS TO COTTON MATHER'S CONNECTION WITH SALEM
+WITCHCRAFT. THOMAS BRATTLE. THE PEOPLE OF SALEM VILLAGE. JOHN HALL. JOHN
+HIGGINSON. MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH.
+
+
+Such passages as the following are found in the article of the _North
+American Review_: "These views, respecting Mr. Mather's connection with
+the Salem Trials, are to be found in no publication of a date prior to
+1831, when Mr. Upham's _Lectures_ were published." "These charges have
+been repented by Mr. Quincy, in his _History of Harvard University_, by
+Mr. Peabody, in his _Life of Cotton Mather_, by Mr. Bancroft, and by
+nearly all historical writers, since that date." "An examination of the
+historical text-books, used in our schools, will show when these ideas
+originated."
+
+The position taken by the Reviewer, let it be noticed, is, that the idea
+of Cotton Mather's taking a leading part in the witchcraft prosecutions
+of 1692, "_originated_" with me, in a work printed in 1831; and that I
+have given "the cue" to all subsequent writers on the subject. Now what
+are the facts?
+
+Cotton Mather himself is a witness that the idea was entertained at the
+time. In his Diary, after endeavoring to explain away the admitted fact
+that he was the eulogist and champion of the Judges, while the Trials
+were pending, he says: "Merely, as far as I can learn, for this reason,
+the mad people through the country, under a fascination on their spirits
+equal to that which energumens had on their bodies, reviled me as if I
+had been the doer of all the hard things that were done in the
+prosecution of the witchcraft." He repeats the complaint, over and over
+again, in various forms and different writings. Indeed, it could not
+have been otherwise, than that such should have been the popular
+impression and conviction.
+
+He was, at that time, bringing before the people, most conspicuously,
+the _second_ and _eighth_ Articles of the _Ministers' Advice_, urging
+on the prosecutions. His deportment and harangue at Witch-hill, at the
+execution of Burroughs and Proctor; his confident and eager endorsement,
+as related by Sewall, of the sentences of the Court, at the moment when
+all others were impressed with silent solemnity, by the spectacle of
+five persons, professing their innocency, just launched into eternity;
+his efforts to prolong the prosecutions, in preparing the book
+containing the trials of the "Malefactors" who had suffered; and his
+zeal, on all occasions, to "vindicate the Court" and applaud the Judges;
+all conspired in making it the belief of the whole people that he was,
+pre-eminently, answerable for the "hard things that were done in the
+prosecutions of the witchcraft."
+
+That it was the general opinion, at home and abroad, can be abundantly
+proved.
+
+It must be borne in mind, as is explained in my book, that a general
+feeling prevailed, immediately, and for some years, after the witchcraft
+"judicial murders," that the whole subject was too humble to be thought
+of, or ever mentioned; and as nearly the whole community, either by
+acting in favor of the proceedings or failing to act against them, had
+become more or less responsible for them, there was an almost universal
+understanding to avoid crimination or recrimination. Besides, so far as
+Cotton Mather was concerned, his professional and social position, great
+talents and learning, and capacity with a disposition for usefulness,
+joined to the reverence then felt for Ministers prevented his being
+assailed even by those who most disapproved his course. Increase Mather
+was President of the College and head of the Clergy. The prevalent
+impression that _he_ had, to some extent, disapproved of the
+proceedings, made men unwilling to wound his feelings by severe
+criticisms upon his son; for, whatever differences might be supposed to
+exist between them, all well-minded persons respected their natural and
+honorable sensitiveness to each other's reputation. Reasons like these
+prevented open demonstrations against both of them. Nevertheless, it is
+easy to gather sufficient evidence to prove my point.
+
+Thomas Brattle was a Boston merchant of great munificence and eminent
+talents and attainments. His name is perpetuated by "Brattle-street
+Church," of which he was the chief founder. Dr. John Eliot, in his
+_Biographical Dictionary_, speaks of him thus--referring to his letter
+on the witchcraft of 1692, dated October 8, of that year: "Mr. Brattle
+wrote an account of those transactions, which was too plain and just to
+be published in those unhappy times, but has been printed since; and
+which cannot be read without feeling sentiments of esteem for a man, who
+indulged a freedom of thought becoming a Christian and philosopher. He,
+from the beginning, opposed the prejudices of the people, the
+proceedings of the Court, and the perverse zeal of those Ministers of
+the Gospel, who, by their preaching and conduct, caused such real
+distress to the community. They, who called him an infidel, were obliged
+to acknowledge that his wisdom shone with uncommon lustre."
+
+His brother, William Brattle, with whom he seems to have been in entire
+harmony of opinion, on all subjects, was long an honored instructor and
+Fellow of Harvard College, and Minister of the First Church, at
+Cambridge. He was celebrated here and in England, for his learning, and
+endeared to all men by his virtues. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society
+of London. Jeremiah Dummer, as well qualified to pronounce such an
+opinion as any man of his time, places him as a preacher above all his
+contemporaries, in either Old or New England.
+
+The Brattles were both politically opposed to the Mathers. But, as
+matters then stood, in view of the prevailing infatuation--particularly
+as the course upon which Phips had determined was not then
+known--caution and prudence were deemed necessary; and the letter was
+_confidential_. Indeed, all expressions of criticism, on the conduct of
+the Government, were required to be so. It is a valuable document,
+justifying the reputation the writer had established in life and has
+borne ever since. Condemning the methods pursued in the Salem Trials, he
+says: after stating that "several men, for understanding, judgment, and
+piety, inferior to few, if any, utterly condemn the proceedings" at
+Salem, "I shall nominate some of these to you, viz.: the Hon. Simon
+Bradstreet, Esq., our late Governor; the Hon. Thomas Danforth, our late
+Deputy-governor; the Rev. Mr. Increase Mather; and the Rev. Mr. Samuel
+Willard."
+
+Bradstreet was ninety years of age, but in the full possession of his
+mental faculties. In this sense, "his eye was not dim, nor his natural
+force abated." Thirteen years before, when Governor of the Colony, he
+had refused to order to execution a woman who had been convicted of
+witchcraft, in a series of trials that had gone through all the Courts,
+with concurring verdicts, confirmed at an adjudication by the Board of
+Assistants--as President of which body, it had been his official duty to
+pass upon her the final sentence of death. Juries, Judges, both branches
+of the Legislature, and the people, clamored for her execution; but the
+brave old Governor withstood them all, resolutely and inexorably: an
+innocent and good woman and the honor of the Colony, at that time, were
+saved. Mr. Hale informs us that Bradstreet refused to allow the
+sentence to take effect, for these reasons: that "a spectre doing
+mischief in her likeness, should not be imputed to her person, as a
+ground of guilt; and that one single witness to one fact and another
+single witness to another fact" were not to be esteemed "two witnesses
+in a matter capital." No Executive Magistrate has left a record more
+honorable to his name, than that of Bradstreet, on this occasion. If his
+principles had been heeded, not a conviction could have been obtained,
+in 1692. It was because of his known opposition, that his two sons were
+cried out upon and had to fly for their lives. That Brattle was
+justified in naming Danforth, in this connection, the conversation of
+that person with Sewall, on the fifteenth of October, proves. It is
+understood, by many indications, that, although, in former years,
+inclined to the popular delusions of the day, touching witchcraft,
+Willard was an opponent of the prosecutions; and Brattle must be
+regarded as having had means of judging of Increase Mather's views and
+feelings, on the eighth of October.
+
+This singling out of the father, thereby distinguishing him from the
+son, must, I think, be conclusive evidence, to every man who candidly
+considers the circumstances of the case and the purport of the document,
+that Brattle did not consider Cotton Mather entitled to be named in the
+honored list.
+
+Brattle further says: "Excepting Mr. Hale, Mr. Noyes, and Mr. Parris,
+the Rev. Elders, almost throughout the whole country, are very much
+dissatisfied." The word "almost," leaves room for others to be placed in
+the same category with Hale, Noyes, and Parris. The Reviewer argues that
+because Cotton Mather is not named at all, in either list, therefore he
+must be counted in the first!
+
+The father and son were associate Ministers of the same Church; they
+shared together a great name, fame, and position; both men of the
+highest note, here and abroad, conspicuous before all eyes, standing,
+hand in hand, in all the associations and sentiments of the people,
+united by domestic ties, similar pursuits, and every form of public
+action and observation--why did Brattle, in so marked a manner, separate
+them, holding the one up, in an honorable point of view, and passing
+over the other, not ever mentioning his name, as the Reviewer observes?
+
+If he really disapproved of the prosecutions at Salem--if, as the
+Reviewer positively states, he "denounced" them--is it not unaccountable
+that Brattle did not name him with his father?
+
+These questions press with especial force upon the Reviewer, under the
+interpretation he crowds upon the passage from Brattle, I am now to
+cite. If that interpretation can be allowed, it will, in the face of
+all that has come to us, make Brattle out to have had a most exalted
+opinion of Cotton Mather, and render it unaccountable indeed that he did
+not mention him, in honor, as he did his father and Mr. Willard. The
+passage is this: "I cannot but highly applaud, and think it our duty to
+be very thankful for, the endeavours of several Elders, whose lips, I
+think, should preserve knowledge, and whose counsel should, I think,
+have been more regarded, in a case of this nature, than as yet it has
+been: in particular, I cannot but think very honorably of the endeavours
+of a Rev. person in Boston, whose good affections to his country, in
+general, and spiritual relation to three of the Judges, in particular,
+has made him very solicitous and industrious in this matter; and I am
+fully persuaded, that had his notions and proposals been hearkened to
+and followed, when those troubles were in their birth, in an ordinary
+way, they would never have grown unto that height which now they have.
+He has, as yet, met with little but unkindness, abuse, and reproach,
+from many men; but, I trust, that in after times, his wisdom and service
+will find a more universal acknowledgment; and if not, his reward is
+with the Lord."
+
+The learned Editor of the Fifth Volume of the _Massachusetts Historical
+Collections_, First Series, in a note to this passage (_p. 76_), says:
+"Supposed to be Mr. Willard." Such has always been the supposition. The
+Reviewer has undertaken to make it out that Cotton Mather is the person
+referred to by Brattle. These two men were opposed to each other, in the
+politics of that period. The course of the Mathers, in connection with
+the loss of the old, and the establishment of the new, Charter, gave
+rise to much dissatisfaction; and party divisions were quite
+acrimonious. The language used by Brattle, applauding the public course
+of the person of whom he was speaking, would be utterly inexplicable, if
+applied to Mather. The "endeavours, counsels, notions and proposals," to
+which he alludes, could not have referred to Mather's plans, which I
+have attempted to explain, because described by Brattle as being in "an
+ordinary way." "Unkindness, abuse, and reproach" find an explanation in
+the fact, that Willard was "cried out upon" and brought into peril of
+reputation and life, by the creatures of the prosecution. The
+monstrousness of the supposition that Mather was referred to, would
+hardly be heightened if it should appear that Brattle supplied Calef
+with materials in his controversy with Mather.
+
+The language, throughout, is in conformity with the political relations
+between Brattle and Willard. The side the latter had espoused was put
+beyond question by the appearing, on the fifteenth of November, at
+Elisha Cook's Thanksgiving; and that was the same occupied by Brattle.
+But the question is settled by the fact that _three of the Judges_
+belonged to Willard's Congregation and Church, whereas only _one_
+belonged to the Church of the Mathers. The Reviewer says: "We do not
+assert that this inference is not the correct one." But, in spite of
+this substantial admission, with that strange propensity to overturn all
+the conclusions of history to glorify Cotton Mather, at the expense of
+others, and even, in this instance, against his own better judgment, he
+labors to make us believe--what he himself does not venture to
+"assert"--that the "spiritual relation" in which Mather stood to three
+of the Judges, was not, what, in those days and ever since, it has been
+understood to mean, that of a Pastor with his flock, but nothing more
+than intimate friendship. If this was what Brattle meant, he would have
+said at least _four_ of the Judges, for, at that time, Sewall was in
+full accord with Mather. They took counsel together. It was at the house
+of Sewall that the preparation of the _Wonders of the Invisible World_
+was finally arranged with Mather; and he, alone, of all the side Judges,
+united with Stoughton, some days after the date of Brattle's letter, in
+endorsing and commending that work.
+
+If the expression, "spiritual relations," is divorced from its proper
+sense, and made to mean sympathy of opinion or agreement in counsels, it
+ill becomes the Reviewer to try to make it out that Mather held that
+relation with _any of the Judges_. He represents him, throughout his
+article, as at sword's points with the Court. He says that he
+"denounced" its course, "as illegal, uncharitable, and cruel." There is,
+indeed, not a shadow of foundation for this statement, as to Mather's
+relation to the Court; but it absolutely precludes the Reviewer from
+such an interpretation as he attempts, of the expression of Brattle.
+
+The Reviewer says: "If Mr. Mather is not alluded to, in this paragraph,
+he is omitted altogether from the narrative, except as spiritual adviser
+of the persons condemned."
+
+This is an instance of the way in which this writer establishes history.
+Without any and against all evidence, in the license of his imagination
+alone, he had thrown out the suggestion that Mather attended the
+executions, as the ministerial comforter and counsellor of the
+sufferers. Then, by a sleight of hand, he transforms this "phantasy" of
+his own brain into an unquestionable fact.
+
+If Mr. Mather is not alluded to in the following passage from Brattle's
+letter, who is? "I cannot but admire, that any should go with their
+distempered friends and relatives to the afflicted children to know what
+these distempered friends ail; whether they are not bewitched; who it is
+that afflicts them; and the like. It is true, I know no reason why these
+afflicted may not be consulted as well as any other, if so be that it
+was only their natural and ordinary knowledge that was had recourse to;
+but it is not on this notion that these afflicted children are sought
+unto; but as they have a supernatural knowledge--a knowledge which they
+obtain by their holding correspondence with spectres or evil spirits--as
+they themselves grant. This consulting of these afflicted children, as
+abovesaid, seems to me a very gross evil, a real abomination, not fit to
+be known in New England, and yet is a thing practiced, not only by Tom
+and John--I mean the ruder and more ignorant sort--but by many who
+profess high, and pass among us for some of the better sort. This is
+that which aggravates the evil and makes it heinous and tremendous; and
+yet this is not the worst of it, for, as sure as I now write to you,
+even some of our civil leaders and spiritual teachers, who, I think,
+should punish and preach down such sorcery and wickedness, do yet allow
+of, encourage, yea, and practice, this very abomination.
+
+"I know there are several worthy gentlemen, in Salem, who account this
+practice as an abomination; have trembled to see the methods of this
+nature which others have used; and have declared themselves to think the
+practice to be very evil and corrupt; but all avails little with the
+abettors of the said practice."
+
+Does not this stern condemnation fall on the head of the "spiritual
+teacher," who received constant communications from the spectral world,
+fastening the charge of diabolical confederacy upon other persons, in
+confidential interviews with confessing witches--not to mention the
+Goodwin girls;--whose boast it was, "it may be no man living has had
+more people, under preternatural and astonishing circumstances, cast by
+the Providence of God into his more particular care than I have had;"
+and that he had kept to himself information thus obtained, which, if he
+had not suppressed it, would have led to the conviction of "such witches
+as ought to die;" who sought to have the exclusive right of receiving
+such communications conferred upon him, "by the authority;" who, at that
+time, was holding this intercourse with persons pretending to spectral
+visions; and, the next year, held such relations with Margaret Rule?
+
+The next evidence in support of the opinion that Cotton Mather was
+considered, at the time, as identified with the proceedings at Salem, in
+1692, although circumstantial, cannot, I think, but be regarded as quite
+conclusive.
+
+Immediately after the prosecutions terminated, measures began to be
+developed to remove Mr. Parris from his ministry. The reaction early
+took effect where the outrages of the delusion had been most flagrant;
+and the injured feelings of the friends of those who had been so cruelly
+cut off, and of all who had suffered in their characters and condition,
+found expression. A movement was made, directly and personally, upon
+Parris, in consequence of his conspicuous lead in the prosecutions;
+showing itself, first, in the form of litigation, in the Courts, of
+questions of salary and the adjustment of accounts. Soon, it broke out
+in the Church; and satisfaction was demanded, by aggrieved brethren, in
+the methods appropriate to ecclesiastical action. The charges here made
+against him were exclusively in reference to his course, at the
+Examinations and Trials, in 1692. The conflict, thus initiated, is one
+of the most memorable in our Church History. Parris and his adherents
+resisted, for a long time, the rightful and orderly demands of his
+opponents for a Mutual Council. At length, many of the Ministers, who
+sympathized with the aggrieved brethren, felt it their duty to
+interpose, and addressed a letter to Mr. Parris, giving him to
+understand that they were of opinion he ought to comply with the demand
+for a Council. This letter, dated the fourteenth of June, 1694, was
+signed by several of the neighboring Ministers, and by James Allen, of
+the First, and Samuel Willard, of the Old South, Churches, in Boston,
+_but not by the Mathers_. On the tenth of September, a similar letter
+was written to him, also signed by neighboring Ministers, and Mr. Allen,
+and Mr. Willard, _but not by the Mathers_.
+
+Not daring to refuse any longer, Parris, professedly yielding to the
+demand, consented to a Mutual Council, but avoided it, in this way. Each
+party was to select three Churches, to maintain its interests and give
+friendly protection to its rights and feelings. The aggrieved brethren
+selected the Churches of Rowley, Salisbury and Ipswich. Parris undertook
+to object to the Church of Ipswich; and refused to proceed, if it was
+invited. Of course, the aggrieved brethren persisted in their right to
+name the Churches on their side. Knowing that they had the right so to
+do, and that public opinion would sustain them in it, Parris escaped the
+dilemma, by calling an _ex parte_ Council; and the Churches invited to
+it were those of North Boston, Weymouth, Malden, and Rowley. The first
+was that of the Mathers. That Parris was right in relying upon the Rev.
+Samuel Torrey of Weymouth, is rendered probable by the circumstance
+that, of the names of the fourteen Ministers, including all those known
+to have been opposed to the proceedings at Salem, attached to the
+recommendation of the _Cases of Conscience_, his is not one; and may be
+considered as made certain by the fact recorded by Sewall, that he was
+opposed to the discontinuance of the Trials. The Pastor of the Malden
+Church was the venerable Michael Wigglesworth, a gentleman of the
+highest repute; who had declined the Presidency of Harvard College;
+whose son and grandson became Professors in that institution; and whose
+descendants still sustain the honor of their name and lineage. From the
+tone of his writings, it is quite probable that he favored the
+witchcraft proceedings, at the beginning; but the change of mind,
+afterwards strongly expressed, had, perhaps, then begun to be
+experienced, for he did not respond to the call, as his name does not
+appear in the record of the Council. The fact that Parris chiefly
+depended upon the Church at North Boston, of which Cotton Mather was
+Pastor, to sustain his cause, in a Council, whose whole business was to
+pass upon his conduct in witchcraft prosecutions, is quite decisive.
+That Church was named by him, from the first to the last, and neither of
+the other Boston Churches. It shows that he turned to Cotton Mather,
+more than to any other Minister, to be his champion.
+
+It is further decisively proved that the reaction had become strong
+among the Ministers, by the unusual steps they took to prevent that
+Council being under the sway of such men as Cotton Mather and Torrey,
+thereby prolonging the mischief. A meeting of the "Reverend Elders of
+the Bay" was held; and Mr. Parris was given to understand that, in their
+judgment, the Churches of Messrs. Allen and Willard ought also to be
+invited. He bitterly resented this, and saw that it sealed his fate; but
+felt the necessity of yielding to it. The addition of those two
+Churches, with their Pastors, determined the character and result of the
+Council, and gave new strength to the aggrieved brethren, who soon
+succeeded in compelling Parris and his friends to agree to submit the
+whole matter to the arbitration of three men, mutually chosen, whose
+decision should be final.
+
+The umpire selected in behalf of the opponents of Parris was no other
+than Elisha Cook, the head of the party arrayed against Mather. Wait
+Winthrop appears to have been selected by Parris; and Samuel Sewall was
+mutually agreed upon. Two of the three, who thus passed final judgment
+against the proceedings at the Salem Trials, sat on the Bench of the
+Special Court of Oyer and Terminer. The case of the aggrieved brethren
+was presented to the Arbitrators in a document, signed by four men, as
+"Attorneys of the people of the Village," each one of whom had been
+struck at, in the time of the prosecutions. It _exclusively_ refers to
+Mr. Parris's conduct, in the witchcraft prosecutions; to "his believing
+the Devil's accusations;" and to his going to the accusing girls, to
+know of them "who afflicted" them. For these reasons, and these alone,
+they "submit the whole" to the decision of the Arbitrators, concluding
+thus: "to determine whether we are, or ought to be, any ways obliged to
+honor, respect, and support such an instrument of our miseries." The
+Arbitrators decided that they _ought not_; fixed the sum to be paid to
+Parris, as a final settlement; and declared the ministerial relation,
+between him and the people of the Village, dissolved.
+
+With this official statement of the grounds on which his dismission was
+demanded and obtained, before his eyes, as printed by Calef (_p. 63_),
+this Reviewer says that Parris remained the Minister of Salem Village,
+five years "after the witchcraft excitement;" and further says, "the
+immediate cause of his leaving, was his quarrel with the Parish,
+concerning thirty cords of wood and the fee of the parsonage." He thus
+thinks, by a dash of his pen, to strike out the record of the fact that
+the main, in truth, the only, ground on which Parris was dismissed, was
+the part he bore in the witchcraft prosecutions. The salary question had
+been pending in the Courts; but it was wholly left out of view, by the
+party demanding his dismission. It had nothing to do with _dismission_;
+was a question of _contract_ and _debt_; and was absorbed in the
+"excitement," _which had never ceased_, about the witchcraft
+prosecutions. The Arbitrators did not decide those questions, about
+salary and the balance of accounts, except as incidental to the other
+question, of _dismission_.
+
+The feeling among the inhabitants of Salem Village, that Cotton Mather
+was in sympathy with Mr. Parris, during the witchcraft prosecutions, is
+demonstrated by the facts I have adduced connected with the controversy
+between them and the latter, and most emphatically by their choice of
+Elisha Cook, as the Arbitrator, on their part. Surely no persons of that
+day, understood the matter better than they did. Indeed, they could not
+have been mistaken about it. It remained the settled conviction of that
+community.
+
+When the healing ministry of the successor of Parris, Joseph Green, was
+brought to a close, by the early death of that good man, in 1715, and
+the whole Parish, still feeling the dire effects of the great calamity
+of 1692, were mourning their bereavement, expressed in their own
+language: "the choicest flower, and greenest olive-tree, in the garden
+of our God here, cut down in its prime and flourishing estate," they
+passed a vote, earnestly soliciting the Rev. William Brattle of
+Cambridge, to visit them. He was always a known opponent of Cotton
+Mather. To have selected him to come to them, in their distress and
+destitution, indicates the views then prevalent in the Village. He went
+to them and guided them by his advice, until they obtained a new
+Minister.
+
+The mention of the fact by Mr. Hale, already stated, that Cotton
+Mather's book, _Memorable Providences_, was used as an authority by the
+Judges at the Salem Trials, shows that the author of that work was
+regarded by Hale as, to that extent at least, responsibly connected with
+the prosecutions.
+
+I pass over, for the present, the proceedings and writings of Robert
+Calef.
+
+After the lapse of a few years, a feeling, which had been slowly, but
+steadily, rising among the people, that some general and public
+acknowledgment ought to be made by all who had been engaged in the
+proceedings of 1692, and especially by the authorities, of the wrongs
+committed in that dark day, became too strong to be safely disregarded.
+On the seventeenth of December, 1696, Stoughton, then acting as
+Governor, issued a Proclamation, ordaining, in his name and that of the
+Council and Assembly, a Public Fast, to be kept on the fourteenth of
+January, to implore that the anger of God might be turned away, and His
+hand, then stretched over the people in manifold judgments, lifted.
+After referring to the particular calamities they were suffering and to
+the many days that had been spent in solemn addresses to the throne of
+mercy, it expresses a fear that something was still wanting to accompany
+their supplications, and proceeds to refer, specially, to the witchcraft
+tragedy. It was on the occasion of this Fast, that Judge Sewall acted
+the part, in the public assembly of the old South Church, for which his
+name will ever be held in dear and honored memory.
+
+The public mind was, no doubt, gratified and much relieved, but not
+satisfied, by this demonstration. The Proclamation did not, after all,
+meet its demands. Upon careful examination and deliberate reflection, it
+rather aggravated the prevalent feeling. Written, as was to be supposed,
+by Stoughton, it could not represent a reaction in which he took no
+part. It spoke of "mistakes on either hand," and used general forms,
+"wherein we have done amiss, to do so no more." It endorsed in a new
+utterance, the delusion, sheltering the proper agents of the mischief,
+by ascribing it all to "Satan and his instruments, through the awful
+judgment of God;" and no atonement for the injuries to the good name and
+estates of the sufferers, not to speak of the lives that had been cut
+off, was suggested. The conviction was only deepened, in all good minds,
+that something more ought to be done. Mr. Hale, of Beverly, met the
+obligation pressing upon his sense of justice and appealing to him with
+especial force, by writing his book, from which the following passages
+are extracted: "I would come yet nearer to our own times, and bewail
+the errors and mistakes that have been, in the year 1692--by following
+such traditions of our fathers, maxims of the common law, and precedents
+and principles, which now we may see, weighed in the balance of the
+sanctuary, are found too light--Such was the darkness of that day, the
+tortures and lamentations of the afflicted, and the power of former
+precedents, that we walked in the clouds and could not see our way--I
+would humbly propose whether it be not expedient that somewhat more
+should be publicly done than yet hath, for clearing the good name and
+reputation of some that have suffered upon this account."
+
+The Rev. John Higginson, Senior Pastor of the First Church in Salem,
+then eighty-two years of age, in a recommendatory _Epistle to the
+Reader_, prefixed to Mr. Hale's book, dated the twenty-third of March,
+1698, after stating that, "under the infirmities of a decrepit old age,
+he stirred little abroad, and was much disenabled (both in body and
+mind) from knowing and judging of occurrents and transactions of that
+time," proceeds to say that he was "more willing to accompany" Mr. Hale
+"to the press," because he thought his "treatise needful and useful upon
+divers accounts;" among others specified by him, is the following: "That
+whatever errors or mistakes we fell into, in the dark hour of temptation
+that was upon us, may be (upon more light) so discovered, acknowledged,
+and disowned by us, as that it may be matter of warning and caution to
+those that come after us, that they may not fall into the like.--_1
+Cor._, x., 11. _Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum._ I would also
+propound, and leave it as an object of consideration, to our honored
+Magistrates and Reverend Ministers, whether the equity of that law in
+_Leviticus_, Chap. iv., for a sin-offering for the Rulers and for the
+Congregation, in the case of sins of ignorance, when they come to be
+known, be not obliging, and for direction to us in a Gospel way." The
+venerable man concludes by saying that "it shall be the prayer of him
+who is daily waiting for his change and looking for the mercy of the
+Lord Jesus Christ, unto eternal life," that the "blessing of Heaven may
+go along with this little treatise to attain the good ends thereof."
+
+Judge Sewall, too, and the Jury that had given the verdicts at the
+Trials, in 1692, publicly and emphatically acknowledged that they had
+been led into error.
+
+All these things afford decisive and affecting evidence of a prevalent
+conviction that a great wrong had been committed. The vote passed by the
+Church at Salem Village, on the fourteenth of February, 1703--"We are,
+through God's mercy to us, convinced that we were, at that dark day,
+under the power of those errors which then prevailed in the land." "We
+desire that this may be entered in our Church-book," "that so God may
+forgive our Sin, and may be atoned for the land; and we humbly pray that
+God will not leave us any more to such errors and sins"--affords
+striking proof that the right feeling had penetrated the whole
+community. On the eighth of July, of that same year, nearly the whole
+body of the Clergy of Essex-county addressed a Memorial to the General
+Court, in which they say, "There is great reason to fear that innocent
+persons then suffered, and that God may have a controversy with the land
+upon that account."
+
+Nothing of the kind, however, was ever heard from the Ministers of
+Boston and the vicinity. Why did they not join their voices in this
+prayer, going up elsewhere, from all concerned, for the divine
+forgiveness? We know that most of them felt right. Samuel Willard and
+James Allen did; and so did William Brattle, of Cambridge. Their silence
+cannot, it seems to me, be accounted for, but by considering the degree
+to which they were embarrassed by the relation of the Mathers to the
+affair. One brave-hearted old man remonstrated against their failure to
+meet the duty of the hour, and addressed his remonstrance to the right
+quarter. The Rev. Michael Wigglesworth, a Fellow of Harvard College, and
+honored in all the Churches, wrote a letter to Increase Mather, dated
+July 22, 1704 [_Mather Papers, 647_], couched in strong and bold terms,
+beginning thus:
+
+"REV. AND DEAR S^R. I am right well assured that both yourself, your
+son, and the rest of our brethren with you in Boston, have a deep sense
+upon your spirits of the awful symptoms of the Divine displeasure that
+we lie under at this day." After briefly enumerating the public
+calamities of the period, he continues: "I doubt not but you are all
+endeavouring to find out and discover to the people the causes of God's
+controversy, and how they are to be removed; to help forward this
+difficult and necessary work, give me leave to impart some of my serious
+and solemn thoughts. I fear (amongst our many other provocations) that
+God hath a controversy with us about what was done in the time of the
+Witchcraft. I fear that innocent blood hath been shed, and that _many
+have had their hands defiled therewith_." After expressing his belief
+that the Judges acted conscientiously, and that the persons concerned
+were deceived, he proceeds: "Be it then that it was done ignorantly.
+Paul, a Pharisee, persecuted the Church of God, shed the blood of God's
+Saints, and yet obtained mercy, because he did it in ignorance; but how
+doth he bewail it, and shame himself for it, before God and men
+afterwards. [_1 Tim., i., 13, 16._] I think, and am verily persuaded,
+God expects that we do the like, in order to our obtaining his pardon: I
+mean by a Public and Solemn acknowledgment of it and humiliation for it;
+and the more particularly and personally it is done by all that have
+been actors, the more pleasing it will be to God, and more effectual to
+turn away his judgments from the Land, and to prevent his wrath from
+falling upon the persons and families of such as have been most
+concerned.
+
+"I know this is a _Noli Me tangere_, but what shall we do? Must we pine
+away in our iniquities, rather than boldly declare the Counsel of God,
+who tells us, [_Isa., i., 15._] 'When you make many prayers, I will not
+hear you, your hands are full of blood.'"
+
+He further says that he believes that "the whole country lies under a
+curse to this day, and will do, till some effectual course be taken by
+our honored Governor and General Court to make amends and reparation" to
+the families of such as were condemned "for supposed witchcraft," or
+have "been ruined by taking away and making havoc of their estates."
+After continuing the argument, disposing of the excuse that the country
+was too impoverished to do any thing in that way, he charges his
+correspondent to communicate his thoughts to "the Rev. Samuel Willard
+and the rest of our brethren in the ministry," that action may be taken,
+without delay. He concludes his plain and earnest appeal and
+remonstrance, in those words: "I have, with a weak body and trembling
+hand, endeavoured to leave my testimony before I leave the world; and
+having left it with you (my Rev. Brethren) I hope I shall leave this
+life with more peace, when God seeth meet to call me hence."
+
+He died within a year. When the tone of this letter is carefully
+considered, and the pressure of its forcible and bold reasoning,
+amounting to expostulation, is examined, it can hardly be questioned
+that it was addressed to the persons who most needed to be appealed to.
+But no effect appears to have been produced by it.
+
+In introducing his report of the Trials, contained in the _Wonders of
+the Invisible World_, Cotton Mather, alluding to the "surviving
+relations" of those who had been executed, says: "The Lord comfort
+them." It was poor consolation he gave them in that book--holding up
+their parents, wives, and husbands, as "Malefactors." Neither he nor his
+father ever expressed a sentiment in harmony with those uttered by Hale,
+Higginson, or Wigglesworth--on the contrary, Cotton Mather, writing a
+year after the Salem Tragedy, almost chuckles over it: "In the
+whole--the Devil got just nothing--but God got praises. Christ got
+subjects, the Holy Spirit got temples, the church got addition, and the
+souls of men got everlasting benefits."--_Calef_, 12.
+
+Stoughton remained nearly the whole time, until his death, in May, 1702,
+in control of affairs. By his influence over the Government and that of
+the Mathers over the Clergy, nothing was done to remove the dark stigma
+from the honor of the Province, and no seasonable or adequate reparation
+ever made for the Great Wrong.
+
+I am additionally indebted to the kindness of Dr. Moore for the
+following extracts from a Sermon to the General Assembly, delivered by
+Cotton Mather, in 1709, intitled "_Theopolis Americana_. Pure Gold in
+the market place."
+
+"In two or three too Memorable _Days of Temptation_, that have been upon
+us, there have been _Errors_ Committed. You are always ready to Declare
+unto all the World, 'That you disapprove those Errors.' You are willing
+to inform all mankind with your _Declarations_.
+
+"That no man may be Persecuted, because he is Conscienciously not of the
+same Religious Opinions, with those that are uppermost.
+
+"And; That Persons are not to be judged Confederates with Evil Spirits,
+merely because the Evil Spirits do make Possessed People cry out upon
+them.
+
+"Could any thing be Proposed further, by way of Reparation, [Besides the
+General Day of Humiliation, which was appointed and observed thro' the
+Province, to bewayl the Errors of our Dark time, some years ago:] You
+would be willing to hearken to it."
+
+The suggestion thus made, not, it must be confessed, in very urgent
+terms, did not, it is probable, produce much impression. The preacher
+seemed to rest upon the Proclamation issued by Stoughton, some eleven
+years before. Coupling the two errors specified together, was not
+calculated to give effect to the recommendation. Public opinion was not,
+then, prepared to second such enlightened views as to religious liberty.
+
+It is very noticeable that Mather here must be considered as admitting
+that "in the Dark time," persons were judged "Confederates with Evil
+Spirits," "merely" because of Spectral Evidence.
+
+All that was said, on this occasion, does not amount to any thing, as an
+expression of _personal_ opinion or feeling, relating to points on which
+Hale and Higginson uttered their deep sensibility, and Wigglesworth had
+addressed to the Mathers and other Ministers, his solemn and searching
+appeal. The duty of reparation for the great wrong was thrown off upon
+others, than those particularly and prominently responsible.
+
+Nothing has led me to suppose that Cotton Mather was cruel or heartless,
+in his natural or habitual disposition. He never had the wisdom or
+dignity to acknowledge, as an individual, or _as one of the Clergy_, or
+to propose specific reparation for, the fearful mischiefs, sufferings
+and horrors growing out of the witchcraft prosecutions. The extent to
+which he was at the time, and probably always continued to be, the
+victim of baleful superstitions, is his only apology, and we must allow
+it just weight.
+
+A striking instance of the occasional ascendency of his better feelings,
+and of the singular methods in which he was accustomed to act, is
+presented in the following extract from his Diary, at a late period of
+his life. We may receive it as an indication that he was not insensible
+of his obligation to do good, where, with his participation, so much
+evil had been done: "There is a town in this country, namely, Salem,
+which has many poor and bad people in it, and such as are especially
+scandalous for staying at home on the Lord's day. I wrapped up seven
+distinct parcels of money and annexed seven little books about
+repentance, and seven of the monitory letter against profane absence
+from the house of God. I sent those things with a nameless letter unto
+the Minister of that Town, and desired and empowered him to dispense the
+charity in his own name, hoping thereby the more to ingratiate his
+ministry with the people. Who can tell how far the good Angels of Heaven
+cooperate in those proceeding?"
+
+
+
+
+XVI.
+
+HISTORY OF OPINION AS TO COTTON MATHER, CONTINUED. FRANCIS HUTCHINSON.
+DANIEL NEAL. ISAAC WATTS. THOMAS HUTCHINSON. WILLIAM BENTLEY. JOHN
+ELIOT. JOSIAH QUINCY.
+
+
+It was the common opinion in England, that the Mathers, particularly the
+younger, were pre-eminently responsible for the proceedings at Salem, in
+1692. Francis Hutchinson, in the work from which I have quoted, speaks
+of the whole system of witchcraft doctrine, as "fantastic notions,"
+which are "so far from raising their sickly visions into legal evidence,
+that they are grounded upon the very dregs of Pagan and Popish
+superstitions, and leave the lives of innocent men naked, without
+defence against them;" and in giving a list of books, written for
+upholding them, mentions, "Mr. Increase and Mr. Cotton Mather's several
+tracts;" and, in his Chapter on Witchcraft in Massachusetts, in 1692,
+commends the book of "Mr. Calef, a Merchant in that Plantation."
+
+About the same time, the Rev. Daniel Neal, the celebrated author of the
+_History of the Puritans_, wrote a _History of New England_, in which he
+gives place to a brief, impartial, and just account of the witchcraft
+proceedings, in 1692. He abstains from personal criticisms, but
+expresses this general sentiment: "Strange were the mistakes that some
+of the wisest and best men of the country committed on this occasion;
+which must have been fatal to the whole Province, if God, in his
+Providence, had not mercifully interposed." The only sentence that
+contains a stricture on Cotton Mather, particularly, is that in which he
+thus refers to his statement that a certain confession was _freely_
+made. Neal quietly suggests, "whether the act of a man in prison, and
+under apprehension of death, may be called free, I leave others to
+judge." Dr. Isaac Watts, having read Neal's book, thought it necessary
+to write a letter to Cotton Mather, dated February 10, 1720;
+(_Massachusetts Historical Collections, I., v., 200_) and, describing a
+conversation he had just been having with Neal, says: "There is another
+thing, wherein my brother is solicitous lest he should have displeased
+you, and that is, the Chapter on Witchcraft, but, as he related matters
+of fact, by comparison of several authors, he hopes that you will
+forgive that he has not fallen into your sentiments exactly." The
+anxiety felt by Neal and Watts, lest the feelings of Mather might be
+wounded, shows what they thought of his implication with the affair.
+This inference is rendered unavoidable, when we examine Neal's book and
+find that he quotes or refers to Calef, all along, without the slightest
+question as to his credibility, receiving his statements and fully
+recognizing his authority. Indeed, his references to Calef are about ten
+to one oftener than to Mather. The attempt of Neal and Watts to smooth
+the matter down, by saying that the former had been led to his
+conclusions by "a comparison of several authors," could have given
+little satisfaction to Mather, as the authors whom he chiefly refers to,
+are Calef and Mather; and, comparing them with each other, he followed
+Calef.
+
+The impression thus held in England, even by Mather's friends and
+correspondents, that he was unpleasantly connected with the Witchcraft
+of 1692, has been uniformly experienced, on both sides of the water,
+until this Reviewer's attempt to erase it from the minds of men.
+
+Thomas Hutchinson was born in 1711, and brought up in the neighborhood
+of the Mathers; finishing his collegiate course and taking his
+Bachelor's degree at Harvard College, in 1727, a year before the death
+of Cotton Mather. He had opportunities to form a correct judgment about
+Salem Witchcraft and the chief actor in the proceedings, greater than
+any man of his day; but his close family connection with the Mathers
+imposed some restraint upon his expressions; not enough, however, to
+justify the statement of the Reviewer that he does not mention the
+"agency" of Cotton Mather in that transaction. There are several very
+distinct references to Mather's "agency," in Hutchinson's account of the
+transactions connected with Salem Witchcraft, some of which I have
+cited. I ask to whom does the following passage refer?--_ii., 63._--"One
+of the Ministers, who, in the time of it, was fully convinced that the
+complaining persons were no impostors, and who vindicated his own
+conduct and that of the Court, in a Narrative he published, remarks, not
+long after, in his Diary, that many were of opinion that innocent blood
+had been shed."
+
+This shows that Hutchinson regarded Cotton Mather's agency in the light
+in which I have represented it; that he considered him as wholly
+committed to the then prevalent delusion; as acting a part that
+identified him with the prosecutions; and that the Narrative he
+published was a joint vindication of himself and the Court. Hutchinson
+fastens the passage upon Mather, by the reference to the Diary; and
+while he says that it contained a statement, that many believed the
+persons who suffered innocent, he avoids saying that such was the
+opinion of the author of the Diary.
+
+Finally, his taking particular pains to do it, by giving a Note to the
+purpose of expressing his confidence in Calef, pronouncing him a "fair
+relator"--_ii., 56_--proves that Governor Hutchinson held the opinion
+about Mather's "agency," which has always heretofore been ascribed to
+him.
+
+William Bentley, D.D., was born in Boston, and for a large part of the
+first half of his life resided, as his family had done for a long
+period, in the North part of that Town. He was of a turn of mind to
+gather all local traditions, and, through all his days, devoted to
+antiquarian pursuits. No one of his period paid more attention to the
+subject of the witchcraft delusion. For much of our information
+concerning it, we are indebted to his _History and Description of
+Salem_, printed in 1800--_Massachusetts Historical Collections, I.,
+vi._--After relating many of its incidents, he breaks forth in
+condemnation of those who, disapproving, at the time, of the
+proceedings, did not come out and denounce them. Holding the opinion,
+which had come down from the beginning, that Increase Mather disapproved
+of the transaction, he indignantly repudiates the idea of giving him any
+credit therefor. "Increase Mather did not oppose Cotton Mather"--this is
+the utterance of a received, and, to him, unquestioned, opinion that
+Cotton Mather approved of, and was a leading agent in, the prosecutions.
+
+The views of Dr. John Eliot, are freely given, to the same effect, in
+his _Biographical Dictionary_, as will presently be shown.
+
+The late Josiah Quincy had studied the annals of Massachusetts with the
+thoroughness with which he grappled every subject to which he turned his
+thoughts. His ancestral associations covered the whole period of its
+history; and all the channels of the local traditions of Boston were
+open to his enquiring and earnest mind. His _History of Harvard
+University_ is a monument that will stand forever. In that work, he
+speaks of the agreement of Stoughton's views with those of the Mathers;
+and, in connection with the witchcraft delusion, says that both of them
+"had an efficient agency in producing and prolonging that excitement."
+"The conduct of Increase Mather, in relation to it, was marked with
+caution and political skill; but that of his son, Cotton Mather, was
+headlong, zealous, and fearless, both as to character and consequences.
+In its commencement and progress, his activity is every-where
+conspicuous."
+
+The Reviewer represents Mr. Quincy as merely repeating what I had said
+in my Lectures. He makes the same reckless assertion in reference to
+Bancroft, the late William B. O. Peabody, D.D., and every one else, who
+has written upon the subject, since 1831. The idea that Josiah Quincy
+"took his cue" from me, is simply preposterous. He does not refer to me,
+nor give any indication that he had ever seen my _Lectures_, but cites
+Calef, as his authority, over and over again. Dr. Peabody refers to
+Calef throughout, and draws upon him freely and with confidence, as
+every one else, who has written about the transaction, has probably
+done.
+
+It may safely be said, that no historical fact has ever been more
+steadily recognized, than the action and, to a great degree, controlling
+agency, of Cotton Mather, in supporting and promoting the witchcraft
+proceedings of 1692. That it has, all along, been the established
+conviction of the public mind, is proved by the chronological series of
+names I have produced. Thomas Hutchinson, John Eliot, William Bentley,
+and Josiah Quincy, cover the whole period from Cotton Mather's day to
+this. They knew, as well as any other men that can be named, the current
+opinions, transmitted sentiments, and local and personal annals, of
+Boston. They reflect with certainty an assurance, running in an unbroken
+course over a century and a half. Their family connections, social
+position, conversance with events, and familiar knowledge of what men
+thought, believed, and talked about, give to their concurrent and
+continuous testimony, a force and weight of authority that are decisive;
+and demonstrate that, instead of my having invented and originated the
+opinion of Cotton Mather's agency in the matter now under consideration,
+I have done no more than to restate what has been believed and uttered
+from the beginning.
+
+The writer in the _North American_ says: "Within the last forty years,
+there has grown up a fashion, among our historical writers, of defaming
+his character and underrating his productions. For a specimen of these
+attacks, the reader is referred to a _Supposed Letter from Rev. Cotton
+Mather, D.D., with comments on the same by James Savage_." The article
+mentioned consists of the "supposed letter," and a very valuable
+communication from the late Rev. Samuel Sewall, with some items by Mr.
+Savage--[_Massachusetts Historical Collections, IV., ii., 122._] Neither
+of these enlightened, faithful, and indefatigable scholars is to be
+disposed of in this style. They followed no "fashion;" and their
+venerable names are held in honor by all true disciples of antiquarian
+and genealogical learning. The author of such works, in this department,
+as Mr. Savage has produced, cannot be thus set aside by a magisterial
+and supercilious waving of the hand of this Reviewer.
+
+
+
+
+XVII.
+
+THE EFFECT UPON THE POWER OF THE MATHERS, IN THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OF THE
+PROVINCE, OF THEIR CONNECTION WITH WITCHCRAFT.
+
+
+The Reviewer takes exception to my statement, that the connection of the
+Mathers with the witchcraft business, "broke down" their influence in
+public affairs. What are the facts? It has been shown, that the
+administration of Sir William Phips, at its opening, was under their
+control, to an extent never equalled by that of private men over a
+Government. The prayers of Cotton Mather were fully answered; and if
+wise and cautious counsels had been given, what both father and son had
+so coveted, in the political management of the Province, would have been
+permanently realized. But, aiming to arm themselves with terrific and
+overwhelming strength, by invoking the cooperation of forces from the
+spiritual, invisible, and diabolical world, with rash "precipitancy,"
+they hurried on the witchcraft prosecutions. The consequence was, that
+in six months, the whole machinery on which they had placed their
+reliance was prostrate. At the very next election, Elisha Cook was
+chosen and Nathaniel Saltonstall rechosen, to the Council; and, ever
+after, the Mathers were driven to the wall, in desperate and unavailing
+self-defence.
+
+No party or faction could claim the Earl of Bellamont, during his brief
+administration, covering but fourteen months. Although the only nobleman
+ever sent over as Governor of Massachusetts, more than all others, he
+conciliated the general good will. His short term of office and wise
+policy prevented any particular advantage to the Mathers from the
+dedication to him of the _Life of Phips_. During the entire period,
+between 1692 and the arrival of Dudley to the Government, the opponents
+of the Mathers were steadily increasing their strength. Opposition to
+Increase Mather was soon developed in attempts to remove him from the
+Presidency of Harvard College. In 1701, an Order was passed by the
+General Court, "that no man should act as President of the College, who
+did not reside at Cambridge." This decided the matter. Increase Mather
+resigned, on the sixth of September following; and, the same day, the
+Rev. Samuel Willard took charge of the College, under the title of
+Vice-president, and acted as President, to the acceptance of the people
+and with the support of the Government of the Province, to his death, in
+1707--all the while allowed to retain the pastoral connection with his
+Church, in Boston.
+
+Joseph Dudley arrived from England, on the eleventh of June, 1702, with
+his Commission, as Captain-general and Governor of the Province. On the
+sixteenth, he made a call upon Cotton Mather, who relates the interview
+in his Diary. It seems that Mather made quite a speech to the new
+Governor, urging him "to carry an indifferent hand toward all parties,"
+and explaining his meaning thus: "By no means, let any people have cause
+to say that you take all your measures from the two Mr. Mathers." He
+then added: "By the same rule, I may say without offence, by no means
+let any people say that you go by no measures in your conduct but Mr.
+Byfield's and Mr. Leverett's. This I speak, not from any personal
+prejudice against the gentlemen, but from a due consideration of the
+disposition of the people, and as a service to your Excellency."
+
+Dudley--whether judging rightly or not is to be determined by taking
+into view his position, the then state of parties, and the principles of
+human nature--evidently regarded this as a trap. If he had followed the
+advice, and kept aloof from Byfield and Leverett, they would have been
+placed at a distance from him, and he would necessarily have fallen into
+the hands of the Mathers. He may have thought that the only way to avoid
+such a result, was for him to explain to those gentlemen his avoidance
+of them, by mentioning to them what Mather had said to him, thereby
+signifying to them, that, as a matter of policy, he thought it best to
+adopt the suggestion and stand aloof from both sides. Whether acting
+from this consideration or from resentment, he informed them of it;
+whereupon Mather inserted this in his Diary: "The WRETCH went unto those
+men and told them that I had advised him to be no ways directed by them,
+and inflamed them into implacable rage against me."
+
+After this, the relations between Dudley and the Mathers must have been
+sufficiently awkward and uncomfortable; but no particular public
+demonstrations appear to have been made, on either side, for some time.
+
+Mr. Willard died on the twelfth of September, 1707; and the great
+question again rose as to the proper person to be called to the head of
+the College. The extraordinary learning of Cotton Mather undoubtedly
+gave him commanding and pre-eminent claims in the public estimation; and
+he had reason to think that the favorite object of his ambition was
+about to be attained. But he was doomed to bitter disappointment. On the
+twenty-eighth of October, the Corporation, through its senior member,
+the Rev. James Allen of Boston, communicated to the Governor the vote of
+that body, appointing the "Honorable John Leverett" to the Presidency;
+and, on the fourteenth of January, 1708, he was publicly inducted to
+office. The Mathers could stand it no longer; but, six days after,
+addressed, each, a letter to Dudley, couched in the bitterest and most
+abusive terms.--[_Massachusetts Historical Society's Collections, I.,
+iii., 126._] No explosions of disappointed politicians and defeated
+aspirants for office, in our day, surpass these letters. They show how
+deeply the writers were stung. They heap maledictions on the Governor,
+without any of the restraints of courtesy or propriety. They charge him
+with all sorts of malversation in office, bribery, peculation,
+extortion, falseness, hypocrisy, and even murder; imputing to him "the
+guilt of innocent blood," because, many years before, he had, as
+Chief-justice of New York, presided at the Trial of Leisler and Milburn;
+and averring that "those men were not only murdered, but barbarously
+murdered."
+
+It is observable that some of the heinous crimes charged upon Dudley,
+occurred before his arrival as Governor of Massachusetts, in 1702; and
+that, in these very letters, they remind him that it was, in part, by
+their influence that he was then appointed, and that a letter from
+Cotton Mather, in favor of his appointment, was read before "the late
+King William." Both the Mathers were remarkable for a lack of vision, in
+reference to the logical bearing of what they said. It did not occur to
+them, that the fact of their soliciting his appointment closed their
+mouths from making charges for public acts well known to them at the
+time.
+
+Dudley says that he was assured by the Mathers, on his arrival, that he
+had the favor of all good men; and Cotton Mather, in his letter, reminds
+him that he signalized his friendly feelings, by giving to the public,
+on that occasion, the "portraiture of a good man." It is proved,
+therefore, by the evidence on both sides, that, well knowing all about
+the Leisler affair and other crimes alleged against him, they were
+ready, and most desirous, to secure his favor and friendship; and to
+identify themselves with his administration.
+
+In alluding to these letters, Hutchinson (_History, ii., 194_,) says:
+"In times when party spirit prevails, what will not a Governor's enemies
+believe, however injurious and absurd? At such a time, he was charged
+with dispensing _summum jus_ to Leisler and incurring an aggravated
+guilt of blood beyond that of a common murderer. The other party, no
+doubt, would have charged the failure of justice upon him, if Leisler
+had been acquitted."
+
+Dudley replied to both these extraordinary missives, in a letter dated
+the third of February, 1708. After rebuking, in stern and dignified
+language, the tone and style of their letters, reminding them, by apt
+citations from Scripture of the "laws of wise and Christian reproof,"
+which they had violated, and showing upon what false foundations their
+charges rested, he says: "Can you think it the most proper season to do
+me good by your admonitions, when you have taken care to let the world
+know you are out of frame and filled with the last prejudice against my
+person and Government?" "Every one can see through the pretence, and is
+able to account for the spring of these letters, and how they would have
+been prevented, without easing any grievances you complain of." He makes
+the following proposal: "After all, though I have reason to complain to
+heaven and earth of your unchristian rashness, and wrath, and injustice,
+I would yet maintain a christian temper towards you. I do, therefore,
+now assure you that I shall be ready to give you all the satisfaction
+Christianity requires, in those points which are proper for you to seek
+to receive it in, when, with a proper temper and spirit, giving me
+timely notice, you do see meet to make me a visit for that end; and I
+expect the same satisfaction from you." He offers this significant
+suggestion: "I desire you will keep your station, and let fifty or sixty
+good Ministers, your equals in the Province, have a share in the
+Government of the College and advise thereabouts, as well as yourselves,
+and I hope all will be well." He concludes by claiming that he is
+sustained by the favor of the "Ministers of New England;" and
+characterises the issue between him and them thus: "The College must be
+disposed against the opinion of all the Ministers in New England, except
+yourselves, or the Governor torn in pieces. This is the view I have of
+your inclination."
+
+Dudley continued to administer the Government for eight years longer,
+until the infirmities of age compelled him to retire. Both Hutchinson
+and Doctor John Eliot give us to understand that he conducted the
+public affairs with great ability and success, with the general approval
+of all classes, and particularly of the Clergy. His statement that he
+had the support of all the Ministers of New England, except the Mathers,
+was undoubtedly correct. It is certainly true of the Ministers of
+Boston. In his Diary, under the year 1709, Cotton Mather says: "The
+other Ministers of the Town are this day feasting with our wicked
+Governor. I have, by my provoking plainness and freedom, in telling this
+Ahab of his wickedness, procured myself to be left out of his
+invitations. I rejoiced in my liberty from the temptations wherewith
+they were encumbered." He set apart that day for fasting and prayer, the
+special interest of which, he says, "was to obtain deliverance and
+protection" from his "enemies," whose names, he informs us, he
+"mentioned unto the Lord, who had promised to be my shield."
+
+The bitterness with which Mather felt exclusion from power is strikingly
+illustrated in a letter addressed by him to Stephen Sewall, published by
+me in the Appendix to the edition of my _Lectures_, printed in 1831. I
+subjoin a few extracts: "A couple of malignant fellows, a while since,
+railing at me in the Bookseller's shop, among other things they said,
+'and his friend Noyes has cast him off,' at which they set up a
+laughter." "No doubt, you understand, how ridiculously things have been
+managed in our late General Assembly; voting and unvoting, the same day;
+and, at last, the squirrels perpetually running into the mouth open for
+them, though they had cried against it wonderfully. And your neighbor,
+Sowgelder, after his indefatigable pains at the castration of all common
+honesty, rewarded, before the Court broke up, with being made one of
+your brother Justices; which the whole House, as well as the apostate
+himself, had in view, all along, as the expected wages of his iniquity."
+"If things continue in the present administration, there will shortly be
+not so much as a shadow of justice left in the country. Bribery, a crime
+capital among the Pagans, is already a peccadillo among us. All officers
+are learning it. And, if I should say, Judges will find the way to it,
+some will say, there needs not the future tense in the case." "Every
+thing is betrayed, and that we, on the top of our house, may complete
+all, our very religion, with all the Churches, is at last betrayed--the
+treachery carried on with lies, and fallacious representations, and
+finished by the rash hands of our Clergy."
+
+That Cotton Mather continued all his subsequent life to experience the
+dissatisfaction, and give way to the feelings, of a disappointed man,
+is evident from his Diary. I have quoted from it a few passages. The
+Reviewer says it "is full of penitential confessions," and seems to
+liken him, in this respect, to the Apostle of the Gentiles. Speaking of
+my having cited the Diary, as historical evidence, he says: "Such a use
+of the confessional, we believe, is not common with historical writers."
+I do not remember anything like "penitential confessions," in the
+passages from the Diary given in my book. The reader is referred to
+them, in Volume II., Page 503. They belong to the year 1724, and are
+thus prefaced:
+
+"DARK DISPENSATIONS, BUT LIGHT ARISING IN DARKNESS."
+
+"It may be of some use to me, to observe some very dark dispensations,
+wherein the recompense of my poor essays at well-doing, in this life,
+seem to look a little discouraging; and then to express the triumph of
+my faith over such and all discouragements." "Of the things that look
+dark, I may touch of twice seven instances."
+
+The writer, in the _Christian Examiner_, November, 1831, from whom I
+took them, omitted two, "on account of their too personal or domestic
+character."
+
+I cannot find the slightest trace of a penitential tear on those I have
+quoted; and cite now but one of them, as pertinent to the point I am
+making: "What has a gracious Lord given me to do for the good of the
+country? in applications without number for it, in all its interests,
+besides publications of things useful to it, and for it. And, yet, there
+is no man whom the country so loads with disrespect, and calumnies, and
+manifold expressions of aversion."
+
+This is a specimen of the whole of them--one half recounting what he had
+done, the other complaining, sometimes almost scolding, at the poor
+requital he had received.
+
+President Leverett died on the third of May, 1724. His death was
+lamented by the country; and the most eminent men vied with each other
+in doing honor to his memory. The Rev. Benjamin Colman called him "our
+master," and pronounced his life as "great and good." "The young men saw
+him and hid themselves, and the aged arose and stood up." Dr. Appleton
+declared that he had been "an honored ornament to his country. Verily,
+the breach is so wide, that none but an all-sufficient God (with whom is
+the residue of the Spirit) can repair or heal it." The late Benjamin
+Peirce, in his _History of Harvard University_, says that "his
+Presidency was successful and brilliant." He was honored abroad, as well
+as at home; and his name is inscribed on the rolls of the Royal Society
+of London. Mr. Peirce says: "He had a great and generous soul." His
+natural abilities were of a very high order. His attainments were
+profound and extensive. He was well acquainted with the learned
+languages, with the arts and "sciences, with history, philosophy, law,
+divinity, politics." Such, we are told, were "the majesty and marks of
+greatness, in his speech, his behaviour, and his very countenance," that
+the students of the College were inspired with reverence and affection.
+In his earlier and later life, he had been connected with the College,
+as Tutor and as President; and in the intermediate period, he had filled
+the highest legislative and judicial stations, and been intrusted with
+the most important functions connected with the military service. I am
+inclined to think, all things considered, a claim, in his behalf, might
+be put in for the distinction the Reviewer awards to Cotton Mather, as
+"doubtless the most brilliant man of his day in New England."
+
+President Leverett was buried on the sixth of May. Cotton Mather
+officiated as one of the Pall-bearers, and then went home, and made the
+following entry in his Diary, dated the seventh: "The sudden death of
+that unhappy man who sustained the place of President in our College,
+will open a door for my doing singular services in the best of
+interests. I do not know that the care of the College will now be cast
+upon me; though I am told it is what is most generally wished for. If it
+should be, I shall be in abundance of distress about it; but, if it
+should not, yet I may do many things for the good of the College more
+quietly and more hopefully than formerly."
+
+As time wore away, and no choice of President was made, he became more
+and more sensible that an influence, hostile to him, was in the
+ascendency; and, on the first of July, he writes thus, in his Diary:
+"This day being our insipid, ill-contrived anniversary, which we call
+Commencement, I chose to spend it at home, in supplications, partly on
+the behalf of the College, that it may not be foolishly thrown away, but
+that God may bestow such a President upon it, as may prove a rich
+blessing unto it and unto all our Churches."
+
+In the meanwhile, he renewed his attendance at the meetings of the
+Overseers; having never occupied his seat, in that Body, with the
+exception of a single Session, during the whole period of Leverett's
+presidency. The Board, at a meeting he attended, on the sixth of August,
+1724, passed a vote advising and directing the speedy election of a
+President. On the eleventh, the Corporation chose the Rev. Joseph Sewall
+of the Old South Church; and Mather records the event in his Diary, as
+follows: "I am informed that, yesterday, the six men, who call
+themselves the Corporation of the College, met, and, contrary to the
+epidemical expectation of the country, chose a modest young man, Sewall,
+of whose piety (and little else) every one gives a laudable character."
+
+"I always foretold these two things of the Corporation: First, that, if
+it were possible for them to steer clear of me, they will do so.
+Secondly, that, if it were possible for them to act foolishly, they will
+do so. The perpetual envy with which my essays to serve the kingdom of
+God are treated among them, and the dread that Satan has of my beating
+up his quarters at the College, led me into the former sentiment; the
+marvellous indiscretion, with which the affairs of the College are
+managed, led me into the latter."
+
+Mr. Sewall declined the appointment. On the eighteenth of November, the
+Rev. Benjamin Colman, of the Brattle-street Church, was chosen. He also
+declining, the Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, of the First Church, was
+elected, in June, 1725, and inaugurated on the seventh of July.
+
+It thus appears that Dr. Mather was pointedly passed over; and every
+other Minister of Boston successively chosen to that great office.
+
+Of course he took, as Mr. Peirce informs us, no further part in the
+management of the College. While he considered, as he expressed it, the
+"senselessness" of those entrusted with its affairs, as threatening
+"little short of a dissolution of the College," yet he persuaded himself
+that he had never desired the office. He had, he says, "unspeakable
+cause to admire the compassion of Heaven, in saving him from the
+appointment;" and that he had always had a "dread of what the generality
+of sober men" thought he desired--"dismal apprehension of the distresses
+which a call at Cambridge would bring" upon him.--He was sincere in
+those declarations, no doubt; but they show how completely he could
+blind himself to the past and even to the actual present. Mr. Peirce
+explains why the Corporation were so resolute in withholding their
+suffrages from Mather: "His contemporaries appear to have formed a very
+correct estimate of his character." "They saw, what posterity sees, that
+he was a man of wonderful parts, of immense learning, and of eminent
+piety and virtue." "They saw his weakness and eccentricities." "It is
+evident that his judgment was not equal to his other faculties; that his
+passions, which were naturally strong and violent, were not always under
+proper regulation; that he was weak, credulous, enthusiastic, and
+superstitious. His conversation is said to have been instructive and
+entertaining, in a high degree, though often marred by levity, vanity,
+imprudence and puns." For these reasons, he was deemed an unsuitable
+person for the Presidency of the College.
+
+
+
+
+XVIII.
+
+COTTON MATHER'S WRITINGS AND CHARACTER.
+
+
+While compelled--by the attempt of the writer in the _North American
+Review_ to reverse the just verdict of history in reference to Cotton
+Mather's connection with Salem Witchcraft--to show the unhappy part he
+acted and the terrible responsibility he incurred, in bringing forward,
+and carrying through its stages, that awful tragedy, and the unworthy
+means he used to throw that responsibility, afterwards, on others, I am
+not to be misled into a false position, in reference to this
+extraordinary man. I endorse the language of Mr. Peirce: "He possessed
+great vigor and activity of mind, quickness of apprehension, a lively
+imagination, a prodigious memory, uncommon facility in acquiring and
+communicating knowledge, with the most indefatigable application and
+industry; that he amassed an immense store of information on all
+subjects, human and divine." I follow Mr. Peirce still further, in
+believing that his natural temperament was pleasant and his sentiments
+of a benevolent cast: "that he was an habitual promoter and doer of
+good, is evident, as well from his writings as from the various accounts
+that have been transmitted respecting him."
+
+If the question is asked, as it naturally will be, how these admissions
+can be reconciled with the views and statements respecting him,
+contained in this article and in my book on witchcraft, the answer is:
+that mankind is not divided into two absolutely distinct and entirely
+separated portions--one good and the other evil. The good are liable to,
+and the bad are capable of, each receiving much into their own lives and
+characters, that belongs to the other. This interfusion universally
+occurs. The great errors and the great wrongs imputable to Cotton Mather
+do not make it impracticable to discern what was commendable in him.
+They may be accounted for without throwing him out of the pale of
+humanity or our having to shut our eyes to traits and merits other ways
+exhibited.
+
+The extraordinary precocity of his intellect--itself always a peril,
+often a life-long misfortune--awakened vanity and subjected him to the
+flattery by which it is fed. All ancestral associations and family
+influences pampered it. Such a speech as that made to him, at his
+graduation, by President Oakes, could not have failed to have inflated
+it to exaggerated dimensions. Clerical and political ambition was
+natural, all but instinctive, to one, whose father, and both whose
+grandfathers, had been powers, in the State as well as Church. The
+religious ideas, if they can be so called, in which he had been trained
+from childhood, in a form bearing upon him with more weight than upon
+any other person in all history, inasmuch, as they constituted the
+prominent feature of his father's reading, talk, thoughts, and writings,
+gave a rapid and overshadowing growth to credulity and superstition. A
+defect in his education, perhaps, in part, a natural defect, left him
+without any true logical culture, so that he seems, in his productions
+and conduct, not to discern the sequences of statements, the coherence
+of propositions, nor the consistency of actions, thereby entangling him
+in expressions and declarations that have the aspect of
+untruthfulness--his language often actually bearing that character,
+without his discerning it. His writings present many instances of this
+infirmity. Some have already been incidentally adduced. In his _Life of
+Phips_, avowing himself the author of the document known as the _Advice
+of the Ministers_, he uses this language: "By Mr. Mather the younger, as
+I have been informed." He had, in fact, never been _so informed_. He
+knew it by consciousness. Of course he had no thought of deceiving; but
+merely followed a habit he had got, of such modes of expression. So,
+also, when he sent a present of money and tracts to "poor and bad
+people," in Salem, with an anonymous letter to the Minister of the
+place, "desiring and empowering him to dispense the charity, _in his own
+name_, hoping thereby the _more to ingratiate his ministry with the
+people_," he looked only on one side of the proposal, and saw it in no
+other light than a benevolent and friendly transaction. It never
+occurred to him that he was suggesting a deceptive procedure and drawing
+the Minister into a false position and practice.
+
+When, in addition, we consider to what he was exposed by his proclivity
+to, and aspirations for, political power, the expedients, schemes,
+contrivances, and appliances, in which he thereby became involved in the
+then state of things in the Colony, and the connection which leading
+Ministers, although not admitted to what are strictly speaking political
+offices, had with the course of public affairs--his father, to an extent
+never equalled by any other Clergyman, before or since--we begin to
+estimate the influences that disastrously swayed the mind of Cotton
+Mather.
+
+Vanity, flattery, credulity, want of logical discernment, and the
+struggles between political factions, in the unsettled, uncertain,
+transition period, between the old and new Charters, are enough to
+account for much that was wrong, in one of Mather's temperament and
+passions, without questioning his real mental qualities, or, I am
+disposed to think, his conscious integrity, or the sincerity of his
+religious experiences or professions.
+
+But his chief apology, after all, is to be found in the same sphere in
+which his chief offences were committed. Certain topics and notions, in
+reference to the invisible, spiritual, and diabolical world, whether of
+reality or fancy it matters not, had, all his life long, been the
+ordinary diet, the daily bread, of his mind.
+
+It may, perhaps, be said with truth, that the theological imagery and
+speculations of that day, particularly as developed in the writings of
+the two Mathers, were more adapted to mislead the mind and shroud its
+moral sense in darkness, than any system, even of mythology, that ever
+existed. It was a mythology. It may be spoken of with freedom, now, as
+it has probably passed away, in all enlightened communities in
+Christendom. Satan was the great central character, in what was, in
+reality, a Pantheon. He was surrounded with hosts of infernal spirits,
+disembodied and embodied, invisible demons, and confederate human
+agents. He was seen in everything, everywhere. His steps were traced in
+extraordinary occurrences and in the ordinary operations of nature. He
+was hovering over the heads of all, and lying in wait along every daily
+path. The affrighted imagination, in every scene and mode of life, was
+conversant with ghosts, apparitions, spectres, devils. This prevalent,
+all but universal, exercise of credulous fancy, exalted into the most
+imposing dignity of theology and faith, must have had a demoralizing
+effect upon the rational condition and faculties of men, and upon all
+discrimination and healthfulness of thought. When error, in its most
+extravagant forms, had driven the simplicity of the Gospel out of the
+Church and the world, it is not to be wondered at that the mind was led
+to the most shocking perversions, and the conscience ensnared to the
+most indefensible actions.
+
+The superstition of that day was foreshadowed in the ferocious cannibal
+of classic mythology--a monster, horrific, hideous in mien, and gigantic
+in stature. It involved the same fate. The eye of the intellect was
+burned out, the light of reason extinguished--_cui lumen ademptum_.
+
+Having always given himself up to the contemplation of diabolical
+imaginations, Cotton Mather was led to take the part he did, in the
+witchcraft proceedings; and it cannot be hidden from the light of
+history. The greater his talents, the more earnestly he may, in other
+matters, have aimed to be useful, the more weighty is the lesson his
+course teaches, of the baleful effects of bewildering and darkening
+superstition.
+
+There is another, and a special, explanation to be given of the
+disingenuousness that appears in his writings. He was a master of
+language. He could express, with marvelous facility, any shade of
+thought. He could also make language conceal thought. No one ever
+handled words with more adroitness. He could mould them to suit his
+purposes, at will, and with ease. This faculty was called in requisition
+by the special circumstances of his times. It was necessary to
+preserve, at least, the appearance of unity among the Churches, while
+there was as great a tendency, then, as ever, to diversity of
+speculations, touching points of casuistical divinity or ministerial
+policy. The talent to express in formulas, sentiments that really
+differed, so as to obscure the difference, was needed; and he had it. He
+knew how to frame a document that would suit both sides, but, in effect,
+answer the purposes of one of them, as in the _Advice of the Ministers_.
+He could assert a proposition and connect with it what appeared to be
+only a judicious modification or amplification, but which, in reality,
+was susceptible of being interpreted as either more or less
+corroborating or contradicting it, as occasion might require. This was a
+sort of sleight of hand, in the use of words; and was noticed, at the
+time, as "legerdemain." He practised it so long that it became a feature
+of his style; and he actually, in this way, deceived himself as well as
+others. It is a danger to which ingenious and hair-splitting writers are
+liable. I am inclined to think that what we cannot but regard as patent
+misstatements, were felt by him to be all right, in consequence, as just
+intimated, of this acquired habit.
+
+His style is sprightly, and often entertaining. Neal, the author of the
+_History of the Puritans_, in a letter to the Rev. Benjamin Colman,
+after speaking with commendation of one of Cotton Mather's productions,
+says: "It were only to be wished that it had been freed from those puns
+and jingles that attend all his writings, before it had been made
+public."--_Massachusetts Historical Collections, I., v., 199._--Mr.
+Peirce, it has been observed, speaks of his "puns," in conversation. It
+is not certain, but that, to a reader now, these very things constitute
+a redeeming attraction of his writings and relieve the mind of the
+unpleasant effects of his credulity and vanity, pedantic and often
+far-fetched references, palpable absurdities, and, sometimes, the
+repulsiveness of his topics and matter.
+
+The Reviewer represents me as prejudiced against Cotton Mather. Far from
+it. Forty-three years ago, before my attention had been particularly
+called to his connection with alleged witchcrafts or with the political
+affairs of his times, I eulogized his "learning and liberality," in warm
+terms.--_Sermon at the Dedication of the House of Worship of the First
+Church, in Salem, Massachusetts, 48._
+
+I do not retract what I then said. Cotton Mather was in advance of his
+times, in liberality of feeling, in reference to sectarian and
+denominational matters. He was, undoubtedly, a great student, and had
+read all that an American scholar could then lay his hands on.
+Marvellous stories were told of the rapidity of his reading. He was a
+devourer of books. At the same time, I vindicated him, without reserve,
+from the charge of pedantry. This I cannot do now. Observation and
+reflection have modified my views. He made a display, over all his
+pages, of references and quotations from authors then, as now, rarely
+read, and of anecdotes, biographical incidents, and critical comments
+relating to scholars and eminent persons, of whom others have but little
+information, and of many of whom but few have ever heard. This filled
+his contemporaries with wonder; led to most extravagant statements, in
+funeral discourses, by Benjamin Colman, Joshua Gee, and others; and made
+the general impression that has come down to our day. Without detracting
+from his learning, which was truly great, it cannot be denied that this
+superfluous display of it subjects him, justly to the imputation of
+pedantry. It may be affected where, unlike the case of Cotton Mather,
+there is, in reality, no very extraordinary amount of learning. It is a
+trick of authorship easily practised.
+
+Any one reading Latin with facility, having a good memory, and keeping a
+well-arranged scrap-book, needs less than half a dozen such books as the
+following, to make a show of learning and to astonish the world by his
+references and citations--the six folio volumes of Petavius, on Dogmatic
+Theology, and his smaller work, _Rationarium Temporum_, a sort of
+compendium or schedule of universal history; and a volume printed, in
+the latter half of the seventeenth century, at Amsterdam, compiled by
+Limborch, consisting of an extensive collection of letters to and from
+the most eminent men of that and the preceding century, such as
+Arminius, Vossius, Episcopius, Grotius, and many others, embracing a
+vast variety of literary history, criticism, biography, theology,
+philosophy, and ecclesiastical matters--I have before me the copy of
+this work, owned by that prodigy of learning, Dr. Samuel Parr, who
+pronounced it "a precious book;" and it may have contributed much to
+give to his productions, that air of rare learning that astonished his
+contemporaries. To complete the compendious apparatus, and give the
+means of exhibiting any quantity of learning, in fields frequented by
+few, the only other book needed is Melchior Adams's _Lives of Literati_,
+including all most prominently connected with Divinity, Philosophy, and
+the progress of learning and culture, during the fifteenth and sixteenth
+centuries, and down to its date, 1615. I have before me, the copy of
+this last work, owned by Richard Mather, and probably brought over with
+him, in his perilous voyage, in 1635. It was, successively, in the
+libraries of his son, Increase, and his grandson, Cotton Mather. At a
+corner of one of the blank leaves, it is noted, apparently in the hand
+of Increase Mather: "began Mar. 1, finished April 30, 1676." According
+to the popular tradition, Cotton would have read it, in a day or two. It
+contains interesting items of all sorts--personal anecdotes, critical
+comments, and striking passages of the lives and writings of more than
+one hundred and fifty distinguished men, such as Erasmus, Fabricius,
+Faustus, Cranmer, Tremellius, Peter Martyr, Beza, and John Knox. Whether
+Mather had access to either of the above-named works, except the last,
+is uncertain; but, as his library was very extensive, he sparing no
+pains nor expense in furnishing it, and these books were severally then
+in print and precisely of the kind to attract him and suit his fancy, it
+is not unlikely that he had them all. They would have placed in easy
+reach, much of the mass of amazing erudition with which he "entertained"
+his readers and hearers.
+
+Cotton Mather died on the thirteenth of February, 1728, at the close of
+his sixty-fifth year.
+
+Thirty-six years had elapsed since the fatal imbroglio of Salem
+witchcraft. He had probably long been convinced that it was vain to
+attempt to shake the general conviction, expressed by Calef, that he had
+been "the most active and forward of any Minister in the country in
+those matters," and acquiesced in the general disposition to let that
+matter rest. It must be pleasing to all, to think that his very last
+years were freed from the influences that had destroyed the peace of his
+life and left such a shade over his name. Having met with nothing but
+disaster from attempting to manage the visible as well as the invisible
+world, he probably left them both in the hands of Providence; and
+experienced, as he had never done, a brief period of tranquillity,
+before finally leaving the scene. His aspiration to control the Province
+had ceased. The object of his life-long pursuit, the Presidency of the
+College, was forever baffled. Nothing but mischief and misery to himself
+and others had followed his attempt to lead the great combat against the
+Devil and his hosts. It had fired his early zeal and ambition; but that
+fire was extinguished. The two ties, which more than all others, had
+bound him, by his good affections and his unhappy passions, to what was
+going on around him, were severed, nearly at the same time, by the death
+of his father, in 1723, and of his great and successful rival, Leverett,
+in 1724. Severe domestic trials and bereavements completed the work of
+weaning him from the world; and it is stated that, in his very last
+years, the resentments of his life were buried and the ties of broken
+friendships restored. The pleasantest intercourse took place between him
+and Benjamin Colman; men of all parties sought his company and listened
+to the conversation, which was always one of his shining gifts; he had
+written kindly about Dudley; and his end was as peaceful as his whole
+life would have been, but for the malign influences I have endeavored to
+describe, leading him to the errors and wrongs which, while faithful
+history records them, men must regard with considerate candor, as God
+will with infinite mercy.
+
+It is a curious circumstance, that the two great public funerals, in
+those early times, of which we have any particular accounts left, were
+of the men who, in life, had been so bitterly opposed to each other.
+When Leverett was buried, the cavalcade, official bodies, students, and
+people, "were fain to proceed near as far as Hastings' before they
+returned," so great was the length of the procession: the funeral of
+Mather was attended by the greatest concourse that had ever been
+witnessed in Boston.
+
+
+
+
+XIX.
+
+ROBERT CALEF'S WRITINGS AND CHARACTER.
+
+
+I approach the close of this protracted discussion with what has been
+purposely reserved. The article in the _North American Review_ rests,
+throughout, upon a repudiation of the authority of Robert Calef. Its
+writer says, "his faculties appear to us to have been of an inferior
+order." "He had a very feeble conception of what credible testimony is."
+"If he had not intentionally lied, he had a very imperfect appreciation
+of truth." He speaks of "Calef's disqualifications as a witness." He
+seeks to discredit him, by suggesting the idea that, in his original
+movements against Mather, he was instigated by pre-existing
+enmity--"Robert Calef, between whom and Mr. Mather a personal quarrel
+existed." "His personal enemy, Calef."
+
+There is no evidence of any difficulty, nor of any thing that can be
+called "enmity," between these two persons, prior to their dealings with
+each other, in the Margaret Rule case, commencing on the thirteenth of
+September, 1693. Mather himself states, in his Diary, that the enmity
+between them arose out of Calef's opposition to his, Mather's, views
+relating to the "existence and influences of the invisible world." So
+far as we have any knowledge, their acquaintance began at the date just
+mentioned. The suggestion of pre-existing enmity, therefore, gives an
+unfair and unjust impression.
+
+Robert Calef was a native of England, a young man, residing, first in
+Roxbury, and afterwards at Boston. He was reputed a person of good
+sense; and, from the manner in which Mather alludes to him, in one
+instance, of considerable means: he had, probably, been prosperous in
+his business, which was that of a merchant. Not a syllable is on record
+against his character, outside of his controversy with the Mathers; all
+that is known of him, on the contrary, indicates that he was an
+honorable and excellent person. He enjoyed the confidence of the people;
+and was called to municipal trusts, for which only reliable, discreet,
+vigilant, and honest citizens were selected, receiving the thanks of the
+Town for his services, as Overseer of the Poor. As he encountered the
+madness and violence of the people, when they were led by Cotton Mather,
+in the witchcraft delusion, it is a singular circumstance, constituting
+an honorable distinction, in which they shared, that, in a later period
+of their lives, they stood, shoulder to shoulder, breasting bravely
+together, another storm of popular fanaticism, by publicly favoring
+inoculation for the small-pox. He offered several of his children to be
+treated, at the hands of Dr. Boylston, in 1721. His family continued to
+bear up the respectability of the name, and is honorably mentioned in
+the municipal records. A vessel, named _London_, was a regular
+Packet-ship, between that port and Boston, and probably one of the
+largest class then built in America. She was commanded by "Robert
+Calef;" and, in the Boston _Evening Post_, of the second of May, 1774,
+"Dr. Calef of Ipswich" is mentioned among the passengers just arrived in
+her. Under his own, and other names, the descendants of the family of
+Calef are probably as numerous and respectable as those of the Mathers;
+and on that, as all other higher accounts, there is an equal demand for
+justice to their respective ancestors.
+
+It is related by Mather, that a young woman, named Margaret Rule,
+belonging to the North part of Boston, "many months after the General
+Storm of the late enchantments, was over," "when the country had long
+lain pretty quiet," was "seized by the Evil Angels, both as to
+molestations and accusations from the Invisible World". On the Lord's
+Day, the tenth of September, 1693, "after some hours of previous
+disturbance of the public assembly, she fell into odd fits," and had to
+be taken out of the congregation and carried home, "where her fits, in a
+few hours, grew into a figure that satisfied the spectators of their
+being supernatural." He further says, that, "from the 10th of September
+to the 18th, she kept an entire fast, and yet, she was to all appearance
+as fresh, as lively, as hearty, at the nine days end, as before they
+began. In all this time she had a very eager hunger upon her stomach,
+yet if any refreshment were brought unto her, her teeth would be set,
+and she would be thrown into many miseries. Indeed, once, or twice, or
+so, in all this time, her tormentors permitted her to swallow a mouthful
+of somewhat that might increase her miseries, whereof a spoonful of rum
+was the most considerable."
+
+The affair, of course, was noised abroad. It reached the ears of Robert
+Calef. On the thirteenth, after sunset, accompanied by some others, he
+went to the house, "drawn," as he says, "by curiosity to see Margaret
+Rule, and so much the rather, because it was reported Mr. Mather would
+be there, that night." They were taken into the chamber where she was in
+bed. They found her of a healthy countenance. She was about seventeen
+years of age. Increase and Cotton Mather came in, shortly afterwards,
+with others. Altogether, there were between thirty and forty persons in
+the room. Calef drew up Minutes of what was said and done. He repeated
+his visit, on the evening of the nineteenth. Cotton Mather had been with
+Margaret half an hour; and had gone before his arrival. Each night,
+Calef made written minutes of what was said and done, the accuracy of
+which was affirmed by the signatures of two persons, which they were
+ready to confirm with their oaths. He showed them to some of Mather's
+particular friends. Whereupon Mather preached about him; sent word that
+he should have him arrested for slander; and called him "one of the
+worst of liars." Calef wrote him a letter, on the twenty-ninth of
+September; and, in reference to the complaints and charges Mather was
+making, proposed that they should meet, in either of two places he
+mentioned, each accompanied by a friend, at which time he, Calef, would
+read to him the minutes he had taken, of what had occurred on the
+evenings of the thirteenth and nineteenth. Mather sent a long letter,
+not to be delivered, but read to him, in which he agreed to meet him, as
+proposed, at one of the places; but, in the mean time, on the complaint
+of the Mathers, for scandalous libels upon Cotton Mather, Calef was
+brought before "their Majesties Justice, and bound over to answer at
+Sessions." Mather, of course, failed to give him the meeting for
+conference, as agreed upon. On the twenty-fourth of November, Calef
+wrote to him again, referring to his failure to meet him and to the
+legal proceedings he had instituted; and, as the time for appearance in
+Court was drawing near, he "thought it not amiss to give a summary" of
+his views on the "great concern," as to which they were at issue. He
+states, at the outset, "that there are witches, is not the doubt." The
+Reviewer seizes upon this expression, to convey the idea that Calef was
+trying to conciliate Mather, and induce him to desist from the
+prosecution. Whoever reads the letter will see how unfair and untrue
+this is. Calef keeps to the point, which was not whether there were, or
+could be, witches; but whether the methods Mather was attempting, in the
+case of Margaret Rule, and which had been used in Salem, the year
+before, were legitimate or defensible. He was determined not to suffer
+the issue to be shifted.
+
+Upon receiving this letter, Mather, who had probably, upon reflection,
+begun to doubt about the expediency of a public prosecution, signified
+that he had no desire to press the prosecution; and renewed the proposal
+for a conference. Calef "waited on Sessions;" but no one appearing
+against him, was dismissed. The affair seemed, at this crisis, to be
+tending toward an amicable conclusion. But Mather failed to meet him;
+and, on the eleventh of January, 1694, Calef addressed him again,
+recapitulating what had occurred, sending him copies of his previous
+letters and also of the Minutes he had taken of what occurred on the
+evenings of the thirteenth and nineteenth of September, with these
+words: "REVEREND SIR: Finding it necessary, on many accounts, I here
+present you with the copy of that Paper, which has been so much
+misrepresented, to the end, that what shall be found defective or not
+fairly represented, if any such shall appear, they may be set right."
+
+This letter concludes in terms which show that, in that stage of the
+affair, Calef was disposed to treat Mather with great respect; and that
+he sincerely and earnestly desired and trusted that satisfaction might
+be given and taken, in the interview he so persistently sought--not
+merely in reference to the case of Margaret Rule, but to the general
+subject of witchcraft, on which they had different apprehensions: "I
+have reason to hope for a satisfactory answer to him, who is one that
+reverences your person and office."
+
+This language strikingly illustrates the estimate in which Ministers
+were held. Reverence for their office and for them, as a body, pervaded
+all classes.
+
+On the fifteenth of January, Mather replied complaining, in general
+terms, of the narrative contained in Calef's Minutes, as follows: "I do
+scarcely find any _one_ thing, in the whole paper, whether respecting my
+father or myself, either fairly or truly represented." "The narrative
+contains a number of mistakes and falsehoods which, were they wilful and
+designed, might justly be termed great lies." He then goes into a
+specification of a few particulars, in which he maintains that the
+Minutes are incorrect.
+
+On the eighteenth of January, Calef replied, reminding him that he had
+taken scarcely any notice of the general subject of diabolical agency;
+but that almost the whole of his letter referred to the Minutes of the
+meetings, on the thirteenth and nineteenth of September; and he
+maintains their substantial accuracy and shows that some of Mather's
+strictures were founded upon an incorrect reading of them. In regard to
+Mather's different recollection of some points, he expresses his belief
+that if his account, in the Minutes, "be not fully exact, it was as near
+as memory could bear away." He notices the fact that he finds in
+Mather's letter no objection to what related to matters of greatest
+concern. Mather had complained that the Minutes reported certain
+statements made by Rule, which had been used to his disadvantage; and
+Calef suggests, "What can be expected less from the father of lies, by
+whom, you judge, she was possest?"
+
+Appended to Mather's letter, are some documents, signed by several
+persons, declaring that they had seen Rule lifted up by an invisible
+force from the bed to the top of the room, while a strong person threw
+his whole weight across her, and several others were trying with all
+their might to hold her down or pull her back. Upon these certificates,
+Calef remarks: "Upon the whole, I suppose you expect I should believe
+it; and if so, the only advantage gained is, that what has been so long
+controverted between Protestants and Papists, whether miracles are
+ceased, will hereby seem to be decided for the latter; it being, for
+ought I can see, if so, as true a miracle as for iron to swim; and the
+Devil can work such miracles."
+
+Calef wrote to him again, on the nineteenth of February, once more
+praying that he would so far oblige him, as to give him his views, on
+the important subjects, for a right understanding of which he had so
+repeatedly sought a conference and written so many letters; and
+expressing his earnest desire to be corrected, if in error, to which
+end, if Mather would not, he indulged a hope that some others would,
+afford him relief and satisfaction. On the sixteenth of April, he wrote
+still another letter. In all of them, he touched upon the points at
+issue between them, and importuned Mather to communicate his views,
+fully, as to one seeking light. On the first of March, he wrote to a
+gentleman, an acknowledgment of having received, through his hands,
+"after more than a year's waiting," from Cotton Mather, four sheets of
+paper, not to be copied, and to be returned in a fortnight. Upon
+returning them, with comments, he desires the gentleman to request Mr.
+Mather not to send him any more such papers, unless he could be allowed
+to copy and use them. It seems that, in answer to a subsequent letter,
+Mather sent to him a copy of Richard Baxter's _Certainty of the World of
+Spirits_, to which, after some time, Calef found leisure to reply,
+expressing his dissent from the views given in that book, and treating
+the subject somewhat at large. In this letter, which closes his
+correspondence with Mather, he makes his solemn and severe appeal:
+"Though there is reason to hope that these diabolical principles have
+not so far prevailed (with multitudes of Christians), as that they
+ascribe to a witch and a devil the attributes peculiar to the Almighty;
+yet how few are willing to be found opposing such a torrent, as knowing
+that in so doing they shall be sure to meet with opposition to the
+utmost, from the many, both of Magistrates, Ministers, and people; and
+the name of Sadducee, atheist, and perhaps witch too, cast upon them,
+most liberally, by men of the highest profession in godliness; and, if
+not so learned as some of themselves, then accounted only fit to be
+trampled on, and their arguments (though both rational and scriptural)
+as fit only for contempt. But though this be the deplorable dilemma, yet
+some have dared, from time to time, (for the glory of God and the good
+and safety of men's lives, etc.) to run all these risks. And, that God
+who has said, 'My glory I will not give to another,' is able to protect
+those that are found doing their duty herein against all opposers; and,
+however otherwise contemptible, can make them useful in his own hand,
+who has sometimes chosen the weakest instruments that His power may be
+the more illustrious.
+
+"And now, Reverend Sir, if you are conscious to yourself, that you have,
+in your principles or practices, been abetting to such grand errors, I
+cannot see how it can consist with sincerity, to be so convinced, in
+matters so nearly relating to the glory of God and lives of innocents,
+and, at the same time, so much to fear disparagement among men, as to
+trifle with conscience and dissemble an approving of former sentiments.
+You know that word, 'He that honoreth me I will honor, and he that
+despiseth me shall be lightly esteemed.' But, if you think that, in
+these matters, you have done your duty, and taught the people theirs;
+and that the doctrines cited from the above mentioned book [_Baxter's_]
+are ungainsayable; I shall conclude in almost his words. He that teaches
+such a doctrine, if through ignorance he believes not what he saith, may
+be a Christian; but if he believes them, he is in the broad path to
+heathenism, devilism, popery, or atheism. It is a solemn caution (_Gal.,
+i., 8_): 'But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
+gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
+accursed.' I hope you will not misconstrue my intentions herein, who am,
+Reverend Sir, yours to command, in what I may."
+
+Resolute in his purpose to bring the Ministers, if possible, to meet the
+questions he felt it his duty to have considered and settled, and
+careful to leave nothing undone that he could do, to this end, he sought
+the satisfaction from others, he had tried, in vain, to obtain from
+Mather. On the eighteenth of March, 1695, he addressed a letter "To the
+Ministers, whether English, French, or Dutch," calling their attention
+to "the mysterious doctrines" relating to the "power of the Devil," and
+to the subject of Witchcraft. On the twentieth of September, he wrote to
+the Rev. Samuel Willard, invoking his attention to the "great concern,"
+and his aid in having it fairly discussed. On the twelfth of January,
+1696, he addressed "The Ministers in and near Boston," for the same
+purpose; and wrote a separate letter to the Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth.
+
+These documents were all composed with great earnestness, frankness, and
+ability; and are most creditable to his intelligence, courage, and sense
+of public duty. I have given this minute account of his proceedings with
+Mather and the Clergy generally, because I am impressed with a
+conviction that no instance can be found, in which a great question has
+been managed with more caution, deliberation, patience, manly openness
+and uprightness, and heroic steadiness and prowess, than this young
+merchant displayed, in compelling all concerned to submit to a thorough
+investigation and over-hauling of opinions and practices, established by
+the authority of great names and prevalent passions and prejudices, and
+hedged in by the powers and terrors of Church and State.
+
+It seems to be evident that he must have received aid, in some quarter,
+from persons conversant with topics of learning and methods of treating
+such subjects, to an extent beyond the reach of a mere man of business.
+In the First Volume of the _Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical
+Society_, Page 288, a Memorandum, from which I make an extract, is
+given, as found in Doctor Belknap's hand-writing, in his copy of Calef's
+book, in the collection, from the library of that eminent historian,
+presented by his heirs to that institution: "A young man of good sense,
+and free from superstition; a merchant in Boston. He was furnished with
+materials for his work, by Mr. Brattle of Cambridge, and his brother of
+Boston, and other gentlemen, who were opposed to the Salem
+proceedings.--E. P."
+
+The fact that Belknap endorsed this statement, gives it sufficient
+credibility. Who the "E. P." was, from whom it was derived, is not
+known. If it were either of the Ebenezer Pembertons, father or son, no
+higher authority could be adduced. But whatever aid Calef received, he
+so thoroughly digested and appropriated, as to make him ready to meet
+Mather or any, or all, the other Ministers, for conference and debate;
+and his title to the authorship of the papers remains complete.
+
+The Ministers did not give him the satisfaction he sought. They were
+paralyzed by the influence or the fear of the Mathers. Perhaps they were
+shocked, if not indignant, at a layman's daring to make such a movement
+against a Minister. It was an instance of the laying of unsanctified
+hands on the horns of the altar, such as had not been equalled in
+audacity, since the days of Anne Hutchinson, by any but Quakers. Calef,
+however, was determined to compel the attention of the world, if he
+could not that of the Ministers of Boston, to the subject; and he
+prepared, and sent to England, to be printed, a book, containing all
+that had passed, and more to the same purpose. It consists of several
+parts.
+
+PART I. is _An account of the afflictions of Margaret Rule_, written by
+Cotton Mather, under the title of _Another Brand plucked out of the
+Burning, or more Wonders of the Invisible World_. In my book, the case
+of Margaret Rule is spoken of as having occurred the next "Summer" after
+the witchcraft delusion in Salem. This gives the Reviewer a chance to
+strike at me, in his usual style, as follows: "The case did not occur in
+the Summer; the date is patent to any one who will look for it." Cotton
+Mather says that she "first found herself to be formally besieged by the
+spectres," on the tenth of September. From the preceding clauses of the
+same paragraph, it might be inferred that she had had fits before. He
+speaks of those, on the tenth, as "the first I'll mention." The word
+"formally," too, almost implies the same. This, however, must be allowed
+to be the smallest kind of criticism, although uttered by the Reviewer
+in the style of a petulant pedagogue. If Summer is not allowed to borrow
+a little of September, it will sometimes not have much to show, in our
+climate. The tenth of September is, after all, fairly within the
+astronomical Summer.
+
+The Reviewer says it will be "difficult for me to prove" that Margaret
+Rule belonged to Mr. Mather's Congregation, before September, 1693.
+Mather vindicates his taking such an interest in her case, on the ground
+that she was one of his "poor flock." The Reviewer raises a question on
+this point; and his controversy is with Mather, not with me. If Rule did
+not belong to the Congregation of North Boston, when Mather first
+visited her, his language is deceptive, and his apology, for meddling
+with the case, founded in falsehood. I make no such charge, and have no
+such belief. The Reviewer seems to have been led to place Cotton Mather
+in his own light--in fact, to falsify his language--on this point, by
+what is said of another Minister's having visited her, to whose flock
+she belonged, and whom she called, "Father." This was Increase Mather.
+We know he visited her; and it was as proper for him to do so, as for
+Cotton. They were associate Ministers of the same Congregation--that to
+which the girl belonged--and it was natural that she should have
+distinguished the elder, by calling him "Father."
+
+In contradiction of another of my statements, the Reviewer says: "Mr.
+Mather did not publish an account of the long-continued fastings, or any
+other account of the case of Margaret Rule." He seems to think that
+"published" means "printed." It does not necessarily mean, and is not
+defined as exclusively meaning, to put to press. To be "published," a
+document does not need, now, to be printed. Much less then. Mather wrote
+it, as he says, with a view to its being printed, and put it into open
+and free circulation. Calef publicly declared that he received it from
+"a gentleman, who had it of the author, and communicated it to use, with
+his express consent." Mather says, in a prefatory note: "I now lay
+before you a very entertaining story," "of one who been prodigiously
+handled by the evil Angels." "I do not write it with a design of
+throwing it presently into the press, but only to preserve the memory of
+such memorable things, the forgetting whereof would neither be pleasing
+to God, nor useful to men." The unrestricted circulation of a work of
+this kind, with such a design, was _publishing_ it. It was the form in
+which almost every thing was published in those days. If Calef had
+omitted it, in a book professing to give a true and full account of his
+dealings with Mather, in the Margaret Rule case, he would have been
+charged with having withheld Mather's carefully prepared view of that
+case. Mather himself considered the circulation of his "account," as a
+publication, for in speaking of his design of ultimately printing it
+himself, he calls it a "farther publication."
+
+PART II. embraces the correspondence between Calef, Mather, and others,
+which I have particularly described.
+
+PART III. is a brief account of the Parish troubles, at Salem Village.
+
+PART IV. is a correspondence between Calef and a gentleman, whose name
+is not given, on the subject of witchcraft, the latter maintaining the
+views then prevalent.
+
+PART V. is _An impartial account of the most memorable matters of fact,
+touching the supposed witchcraft in New England_, including the "Report"
+of the Trials given by Mather in his _Wonders of the Invisible World_.
+
+The work is prefaced by an _Epistle to the Reader_, couched in plain but
+pungent language, in which he says: "It is a great pity that the matters
+of fact, and indeed the whole, had not been done by some abler hand,
+better accomplished, and with the advantages of both natural and
+acquired judgment; but, others not appearing, I have enforced myself to
+do what is done. My other occasions will not admit any further scrutiny
+therein." A Postscript contains some strictures on the _Life of Sir Wm.
+Phips_, then recently printed, "which book," Calef says, "though it bear
+not the author's name, yet the style, manner, and matter are such, that,
+were there no other demonstration or token to know him by, it were no
+witchcraft to determine that Mr. Cotton Mather is the author of it."
+The real agency of Sir William Phips, in demolishing, with one stern
+blow, the Court of Oyer and Terminer, and treading out the witchcraft
+prosecutions, has never, until recently, been known. The Records of the
+Council, of that time, were obtained from England, not long since. They,
+with the General Court Records, Phips's letter to the Home
+Government--copied in this article--and the Diary of Judge Sewall,
+reveal to us the action of the brave Governor, and show how much that
+generation and subsequent times are indebted to him, for stopping, what,
+if he had allowed it to go on, would have come, no man can tell "where
+at last."
+
+Calef speaks of Sir William, kindly: "It is not doubted but that he
+aimed at the good of the people; and great pity it is that his
+Government was so sullied (for want of better information and advice
+from those whose duty it was to have given it) by the hobgoblin Monster,
+Witchcraft, whereby this country was nightmared and harassed, at such a
+rate as is not easily imagined."
+
+Such were the contents, and such the tone, of Calef's book. The course
+he pursued, his carefulness to do right and to keep his position
+fortified as he advanced, and the deliberate courage with which he
+encountered the responsibilities, connected with his movement to rid the
+country of a baleful superstition, are worthy of grateful remembrance.
+
+Mather received intelligence that Calef had sent his book to England, to
+be printed; and his mind was vehemently exercised in reference to it. He
+set apart the tenth of June, 1698, for a private Fast on the occasion;
+and he commenced the exercise of the day, by, "first of all, declaring
+unto the Lord" that he freely forgave Calef, and praying "the Lord also
+to forgive him." He "pleaded with the Lord," saying that the design of
+this man was to hurt his "precious opportunities of glorifying" his
+"glorious Lord Jesus Christ." He earnestly besought that those
+opportunities might not be "damnified" by Calef's book. And he finished
+by imploring deliverance from his calumnies. So "I put over my
+calumnious adversary into the hands of the righteous God."
+
+On the fifth of November, Calef's book having been received in Boston,
+Mather again made it the occasion of Fasting and Praying. His friends
+also spent a day of prayer, as he expresses it, "to complain unto God,"
+against Calef, he, Mather, meeting with them. On the twenty-fifth of
+November, he writes thus, in his Diary: "The Lord hath permitted Satan
+to raise an extraordinary Storm upon my father and myself. All the rage
+of Satan, against the holy churches of the Lord, falls upon us. First
+Calf's and then Colman's, do set the people into a mighty ferment."
+
+The entries in his Diary, at this time, show that he was exasperated, to
+the highest degree, against Calef, to whom he applies such terms as, "a
+liar," "vile," "infamous," imputing to him diabolical wickedness. He
+speaks of him as "a weaver;" and, in a pointed manner calls him _Calf_,
+a mode of spelling his name sometimes practised, but then generally
+going out of use. The probability is that the vowel _a_, formerly, as in
+most words, had its broad sound, so that the pronunciation was scarcely
+perceptibly different, when used as a dissyllable or monosyllable. As
+the broad sound became disused, to a great extent, about this time, the
+name was spoken, as well as spelled, as a dissyllable, the vowel having
+its long sound. It was written, _Calef_, and thus printed, in the
+title-page of his book; so that Mather's variation of it was
+unjustifiable, and an unworthy taunt.
+
+It is unnecessary to say that a fling at a person's previous occupation,
+or that of his parents--an attempt to discredit him, in consequence of
+his having, at some period of his life, been a mechanic or
+manufacturer--or dropping, or altering a letter in his name, does not
+amount to much, as an impeachment of his character and credibility, as a
+man or an author. Hard words, too, in a heated controversy, are of no
+account whatever. In this case, particularly, it was a vain and empty
+charge, for Mather to call Calef _a liar_. In the matter of the account,
+the latter drew up, of what took place in the chamber of Margaret Rule:
+as he sent it to Mather for correction, and as Mather specified some
+items which he deemed erroneous, his declaration that all the rest was a
+tissue of falsehoods, was utterly futile; and can only be taken as an
+unmeaning and ineffectual expression of temper. So far as the
+truthfulness of Calef's statements, generally, is regarded, there is no
+room left for question.
+
+In his Diary for February, 1700, Mather says, speaking of the "calumnies
+that Satan, by his instrument, _Calf_, had cast upon" him and his
+father, "the Lord put it into the hearts of a considerable number of our
+flock, who are, in their temporal condition, more equal unto our
+adversary, to appear in our vindication." A Committee of seven,
+including John Goodwin, was appointed for this purpose. They called upon
+their Pastors to furnish them with materials; which they both did. The
+Committee drew up, as Mather informs us, in his Diary, a "handsome
+answer unto the slanders and libels of our slanderous adversary," which
+was forthwith printed, with the names of the members of the Committee
+signed to it. The pamphlet was entitled, _Some Few Remarks_, &c. Mather
+says of it: "The Lord blesses it, for the illumination of his people in
+many points of our endeavour to serve them, whereof they had been
+ignorant; and there is also set before all the Churches a very laudable
+example of a people appearing to vindicate their injured Pastors, when a
+storm of persecution is raised against them."
+
+This vindication is mainly devoted to the case of the Goodwin children,
+twelve years before, and to a defence of the course of Increase Mather,
+in England, in reference to the Old and New Charters. No serious attempt
+was made to controvert material points in Calef's book, relating to
+Salem Witchcraft. As it would have been perfectly easy, by certificates
+without number, to have exposed any error, touching that matter, and as
+no attempt of the kind was made, on this or any other occasion, the only
+alternative left is to accept Hutchinson's conviction, that "Calef was a
+fair relator" of that passage in our history.
+
+His book has, therefore, come down to us, bearing the ineffaceable stamp
+of truth.
+
+It was so regarded, at the time, in England, as shown in the manner in
+which it was referred to by Francis Hutchinson and Daniel Neal; and in
+America, in the way in which Thomas Hutchinson speaks of Calef, and
+alludes to matters as stated by him. I present, entire, the judgment of
+Dr. John Eliot, as given in his _Biographical Dictionary_. Bearing in
+mind that Eliot's work was published in 1806, the reader is left to make
+his own comments on the statement, in the _North American Review_, that
+I originated, in 1831, the unfavorable estimate of Cotton Mather's
+agency in the witchcraft delusion of 1692. It is safe to say that no
+higher authority can be cited than that of John Eliot: "CALEF, ROBERT,
+merchant, in the town of Boston, rendered himself famous by his book
+against Witchcraft, when the people of Massachusetts were under the most
+strange kind of delusion. The nature of this crime, so opposite to all
+common sense, has been said to exempt the accusers from observing the
+rules of common sense. This was evident from the trials of witches, at
+Salem, in 1692. Mr. Calef opposed facts, in the simple garb of truth, to
+fanciful representations; yet he offended men of the greatest learning
+and influence. He was obliged to enter into a controversy, which he
+managed with great boldness and address. His letters and defence were
+printed, in a volume, in London, in 1700. Dr. Increase Mather was then
+President of Harvard College; he ordered the wicked book to be burnt in
+the College yard; and the members of the Old North Church published a
+defence of their Pastors, the Rev. Increase and Cotton Mather. The
+pamphlet, printed on this occasion, has this title-page: _Remarks upon a
+scandalous book, against the Government and Ministry of New England,
+written by Robert Calef_, &c. Their motto was, _Truth will come off
+conqueror_, which proved a satire upon themselves, because Calef
+obtained a complete triumph. The Judges of the Court and the Jury
+confessed their errors; the people were astonished at their own
+delusion; reason and common sense were evidently on Calef's side; and
+even the present generation read his book with mingled sentiments of
+pleasure and admiration."
+
+Calef's book continues, to this day, the recognized authority on the
+subject. Its statements of matters of fact, not disputed nor
+specifically denied by the parties affected, living at the time, nor
+attempted to be confuted, then, and by them, never can be. The current
+of nearly two centuries has borne them beyond all question. No assault
+can now reach them. No writings of Mather have ever received more
+evidence of public interest or favor. First printed in London, Calef's
+volume has gone through four American editions; the last, in 1861,
+edited by Samuel P. Fowler, is presented in such eligible type and so
+readable a form, as to commend it to favorable notice.
+
+It may be safely said that few publications have produced more immediate
+or more lasting effects. It killed off the whole business of Margaret
+Rule. Mather abandoned it altogether. In 1694, he said "the forgetting
+thereof would neither be pleasing to God nor useful to men." Before
+Calef had done with him, he had dropped it forever.
+
+Calef's book put a stop to all such things, in New and Old England. It
+struck a blow at the whole system of popular superstition, relating to
+the diabolical world, under which it reels to this day. It drove the
+Devil out of the preaching, the literature, and the popular sentiments
+of the world. The traces of his footsteps, as controlling the affairs of
+men and interfering with the Providence of God, are only found in the
+dark recesses of ignorance, the vulgar profanities of the low, and a few
+flash expressions and thoughtless forms of speech.
+
+No one can appreciate the value of his service. If this one brave man
+had not squarely and defiantly met the follies and madness, the
+priestcraft and fanaticism, of his day; if they had been allowed to
+continue to sway Courts and Juries; if the pulpit and the press had
+continued to throw combustibles through society, and, in every way,
+inflame the public imaginations and passions, what limit can be assigned
+to the disastrous consequences?
+
+Boston Merchants glory in the names, on their proud roll of public
+benefactors, of men whose wisdom, patriotism, and munificence have
+upheld, adorned, and blessed society; but there is no one of their
+number who encountered more danger, showed more moral and intellectual
+prowess, or rendered more noble service to his fellow citizens and
+fellow men, every where, than ROBERT CALEF.
+
+I again ask attention to the language used in the _North American
+Review_, for April, 1869. "These views, respecting Mr. Mather's
+connection with the Salem trials, are to be found IN NO PUBLICATION OF A
+DATE PRIOR TO 1831, when Mr. Upham's _Lectures_ were published."
+
+Great as may be the power of critical journals, they cannot strike into
+non-existence, the recorded and printed sentiments of Brattle, the
+Hutchinsons, Neal, Watts, Bentley, Eliot, Quincy, and Calef.
+
+
+
+
+XX.
+
+MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. CONCLUSION.
+
+
+There are one or two minor points, where the Reviewer finds occasion to
+indulge in his peculiar vein of criticism on my book, which it is
+necessary to notice before closing, in order to prevent wrong
+impressions being made by his article, touching the truth of history.
+
+A pamphlet, entitled, _Some Miscellany Observations on our present
+debates respecting Witchcraft, in a Dialogue between S and B_, has been
+referred to. It was published in Philadelphia, in 1692. Its printing was
+procured by Hezekiah Usher, a leading citizen of Boston, who, at the
+later stages of the prosecution, had been cried out upon, by the
+accusing girls, and put under arrest. Its author was understood to be
+the Rev. Samuel Willard. The Reviewer claims for its writer precedence
+over the Rev. John Wise, of Ipswich, and Robert Pike, of Salisbury, as
+having earlier opposed the proceedings. Wise headed a Memorial, in favor
+of John Proctor and against the use of spectral evidence, before the
+trials that took place on the fifth of August; and Pike's second letter
+to Judge Corwin was dated the eighth of August.
+
+The pamphlet attributed to Willard is a spirited and able performance;
+but seems to allow the use of spectral evidence, when bearing against
+persons of "ill-fame."
+
+Pike concedes all that believers in the general doctrines of witchcraft
+demanded, particularly the ground taken in the pamphlet attributed to
+Willard, and then proceeds, by the most acute technical logic, based
+upon solid common sense, to overturn all the conclusions to which the
+Court had been led. It was sent, by special messenger, to a Judge on the
+Bench, who was also an associate with Pike at the Council Board of the
+Province. Wise's paper was addressed to the Court of Assistants, the
+Supreme tribunal of the Province. The _Miscellany Observations_, appear
+to have been written after the trials. There is nothing, however,
+absolutely to determine the precise date; and they were published
+anonymously, in Philadelphia. The right of Wise and Pike to the credit
+of having first, by written remonstrance, opposed the proceedings, on
+the spot, cannot, I think, be taken away.
+
+The Reviewer charges me, in reference to one point, with not having
+thought it necessary to "pore over musty manuscripts, in the obscure
+chirography of two centuries ago." So far as my proper subject could be
+elucidated by it, I am constrained to claim, that this labor was
+encountered, to an extent not often attempted. The files of Courts, and
+State, County, Town, and Church records, were very extensively and
+thoroughly studied out. So far as the Court papers, belonging to the
+witchcraft Examinations and Trials, are regarded, much aid was derived
+from _Records of Salem Witchcraft, copied from the original documents_,
+printed in 1864, by W. Eliot Woodward. But such difficulty had been
+experienced in deciphering them, that the originals were all subjected
+to a minute re-examination. The same necessity existed in the use of the
+_Annals of Salem_, prepared and published by that most indefatigable
+antiquary, the late Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL.D. In writing a work for
+which so little aid could be derived from legislative records or printed
+sources, bringing back to life a generation long since departed, and
+reproducing a community and transaction so nearly buried in oblivion,
+covering a wide field of genealogy, topography and chronology, embracing
+an indefinite variety of municipal, parochial, political, social, local,
+and family matters, and of things, names, and dates without number, it
+was, after all, impossible to avoid feeling that many errors and
+oversights might have been committed; and, as my only object was to
+construct a true and adequate history, I coveted, and kept myself in a
+frame gratefully to receive all corrections and suggestions, with a view
+of making the work as perfect as possible, in a reprint. As I was
+reasonably confident that the ground under me could stand, at all
+important points, any assaults of criticism, made in the ordinary way,
+it gave me satisfaction to hear, as I did, in voices of rumor reaching
+me from many quarters, that an article was about to appear in the _North
+American Review_ that would "demolish" my book. I flattered myself that,
+whether it did or not, much valuable information would, at least, be
+received, that would enable me to make my book more to my purpose, by
+making it more true to history.
+
+After the publication of the article, and before I could extricate
+myself from other engagements so far as to look into it, I read, in
+editorials, from week to week, in newspapers and journals, that I had
+been demolished. Surely, I thought, some great errors have been
+discovered, some precious "original sources" opened, some lost records
+exhumed, so that now, at last, no matter by whom, the story of Salem
+witchcraft can be told. My disappointment may be imagined, when, upon
+examining the article, it appeared that only one error had been
+discovered in my book, and that I now proceed to acknowledge.
+
+The Reviewer says: "Thomas Brattle, the Treasurer of Harvard College,
+(not William Brattle, a merchant of Boston, as Mr. Upham states) wrote,
+at the time, an account of Salem Witchcraft." This was not an error of
+the press, but wholly my own, as it is in the "copy," sent to the
+printers. In finding the interesting relations held by the Rev. William
+Brattle with the Salem Village Parish, after the death of Mr. Green, he
+being called to act as their patron and guide, and eventually marrying
+Green's widow, his name became familiar to my thoughts, and slipped
+through my pen. Every one who has gone through the drudgery of
+proof-reading knows what ridiculous and, sometimes, frightful, errors
+are detected, even in the "last revise." Upon opening the volume, when
+it came to me from the binder, I saw this error and immediately informed
+my publishers. It is pleasing to think that it cost the Reviewer no
+pains to discover it, as the right name stands out in the caption of the
+article, which is in capital letters--_Massachusetts Historical
+Collections, I., v., 61_--where alone he or I could have seen it.
+
+Mistakes in names and dates--always provoking, often inexplicable--are a
+fate to which all are liable. In a friendly, elaborate, and able notice
+of my book, in a newspaper of high character, it is stated that Salem
+Village, was the home of the family which gave General Rufus Putnam to
+"the War of 1812;" and George Burroughs is called "_John_" Burroughs.
+
+It is sometimes as hard to correct an error, as it is easy to fall into
+one. In pointing out my inadvertent mistake, the Reviewer unwittingly
+reproduces it. His sentence, just quoted, is liable to convey the idea
+that William Brattle was "a merchant of Boston." As he has been kind
+enough, all through his article, to tell what I ought to have read, and
+seen, and done, I venture to suggest that his sentence ought to have
+been constructed thus: "Thomas Brattle, a merchant of Boston, (not
+William, as Mr. Upham says.)"
+
+A queer fatality seems to have attended this attempt to correct my
+error.
+
+A reader of the _North American Review_ cannot fail to have noticed the
+manner in which the late Rev. Dr. Peabody, as well as myself, is held up
+to ridicule, for having called Cotton Mather, "Dr." when referring to
+any thing previous to his having received his Doctorate. Perhaps we were
+excusable. By usage, such honorary titles, and indeed all titles, are
+applied retrospectively, running back over the life, indefinitely. The
+_Encyclopaedia Americana_, Eliot's _Biographical Dictionary_, and one of
+the last numbers of the _Historic Genealogical Register_, all give that
+title to Increase Mather, referring to a period anterior to its having
+been conferred upon him. The title was given by the learned editor of
+the _Massachusetts Historical Collections_, to Cotton Mather, in the
+caption of his letter to Governor Dudley. In the _Mather Papers_,
+letters written a score of years before that degree had been conferred
+on him, are endorsed "Doctor Cotton Mather." If the high authority of
+the _North American Review_ is to establish it, as a literary canon,
+that titles are never to be given, except in relation to a period
+subsequent to their conferment, writers must, hereafter, be very
+careful, when cursorily alluding to anything in the earlier lives of the
+Duke of Marlborough, Lord Castlereagh, the Duke of Wellington, Doctor
+Franklin, Doctor Channing, or Doctor Priestley, to say, Mr. Churchill,
+Mr. Stewart, Mr. Wellesley, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Channing, or Mr.
+Priestley.
+
+What renders this making of a great matter out of so trivial a point, by
+our Reviewer, amusing, as well as ridiculous, is that he is the first to
+break his own rule.
+
+ "'Tis the sport to have the engineer
+ Hoist with his own petard."
+
+The critic is caught by his own captions criticism. In the passage,
+pointing out the error in the name of Brattle, he calls him, "at the
+time" he wrote the account of Salem witchcraft, "the Treasurer of
+Harvard College." Brattle held not then, and never had held, that
+honorable trust and title, though subsequently appointed to the office.
+
+It is not probable that Cotton Mather will ever find a biographer more
+kind and just than the late W. B. O. Peabody, whose mild and pleasant
+humor was always kept under the sway of a sweet spirit of candor and
+benevolence, and who has presented faithfully all the good points and
+services of his subject--_Sparks's American Biography, Vol. VI._ But the
+knight errant who has just centered the lists, brandishing his spear
+against all who have uttered a lisp against Cotton Mather, goes out of
+his way to strike at Doctor Peabody. He inserts, at the foot of one of
+his pages, this sneering Note: "Mr. Peabody says; 'Little did the
+venerable Doctor think,' etc. The venerable Doctor was twenty-nine years
+of age! and was no Doctor at all."
+
+Let us see how the ridicule of the Reviewer can be parried by his own
+weapons. Indulging myself, for a moment, in his style, I have, to say
+that "this Reviewer has never seen" Worcester's Dictionary, nor
+Webster's Dictionary, in neither of which does time or age enter into
+the definition of _venerable_. The latter gives the sense as follows:
+"Rendered sacred by religious associations, or being consecrated to God
+and to his worship; to be regarded with awe, and treated with
+reverence." Further: "This Reviewer should have been familiar enough
+with the original sources of information on this subject," to have known
+that it was common, in those days, to speak and think of such persons as
+Cotton Mather, although not old in years, as "venerable." All the
+customs, habits, ideas, and sentiments of the people invested them with
+character. Their costume and bearing favored it. The place they filled,
+and the power they exercised, imparted awe and veneration, whatever
+their years. All that age could contribute to command respect was
+anticipated and brought, to gather round the young Minister, when hands
+were laid upon him, at his ordination, by the title he thenceforth wore,
+of "Elder." By his talents, learning, and ambition, Cotton Mather had
+become recognized as a "Father in the Church;" and his aspect, as he
+stood in the pulpit of "North Boston," fulfilled the idea of
+venerableness. And we find that this very term was applied to the
+representative centre of a consecrated family, in the "Attestation" to
+the _Magnalia_, written by John Higginson, venerable in years, as in all
+things else, in some Latin lines of his composure: "_Venerande
+Mathere_."
+
+In the popular eye, Cotton Mather concentrated all the sacred memories
+of the great "decemvirate," as Higginson called it, of the Mathers, who
+had been set apart as Ministers of God; and he was venerable, besides,
+in the associations connected with the hallowed traditions of his
+maternal grandfather, whose name he bore, John Cotton.
+
+An object is _venerable_, whether it be a person, a building, a
+locality, or any thing else, around which associations gather, that
+inspire reverence. Age, in itself, suggests the sentiment, if its
+natural effect is not marred by unworthiness; so does wisdom. Virtue is
+venerable, whatever the age. So are all great traits of character; and
+so is every thing that brings to the mind consecrated thoughts and
+impressions. There was much in Mather's ancestry, name, and office, to
+suggest the term, without any regard whatever to his years. If applied
+to him by the people of that day, or by a writer now, in reference to
+any period of his life after entering the ministry and being classed
+with the Elders of the Church and the land, it was entirely legitimate
+and appropriate.
+
+While acknowledging the one error, detected by the Reviewer, I avail
+myself of the opportunity to apprise those who have my book of a
+probable error, not discovered by him. In Vol. II., p. 208, the name of
+"Elizabeth Carey" is given among those for whose arrest Warrants were
+issued, on the twenty-eighth of May, 1692. On page 238, the name
+"Elizabeth Cary" is again mentioned. The facts are, that Calef, (_p.
+95_,) says: "MAY 24TH: Mrs. Carey, of Charlestown, was examined and
+committed. Her husband, Mr. Nathaniel Carey, has given account thereof,
+as also of her escape, to this effect." He then gives a letter going
+into much interesting detail, evidently written by her husband, and
+signed "Jonathan Carey." Hutchinson (_History, ii., 49_,) repeats
+Calef's account, calling the woman, "Elizabeth, wife of Nathaniel;" and
+gives the substance of her husband's letter, without attempting to
+explain, or even noticing, the discrepancy as to the name of the
+husband. Not knowing what to make of it, I examined the miscellaneous
+mass of papers, in the Clerk's office, and found, on a small scrip, the
+original Complaint, on which the Warrant was issued. It is the only
+paper, relating to the case, in existence, or at least to be found here.
+In it, the woman is described as "Elizabeth, the wife of Capt. Nathaniel
+Carey of Charlestown, mariner." This seemed to settle it and I let it
+pass, without attempting to explain how "Jonathan Carey" came to appear
+as the husband of the woman, in the letter signed by that name. I am now
+quite convinced that, in this case, I was misled, together with Calef
+and Hutchinson, by paying too much regard to "original sources." I am
+satisfied that the authority of the letter of "Jonathan Carey," must
+stand; that the woman was his wife, "Hannah;" and that the error is in
+the original "Complaint," here on file.
+
+The facts, probably, were, that, it being rumored in Charlestown that a
+Mrs. Carey was "cried out upon," without its being known which Mrs.
+Carey it was, Jonathan, determined to meet the matter at the threshold,
+took his wife directly to the spot. He arrived at Salem Village, in the
+midst of a great excitement, bringing together a crowd of people, half
+crazed under the terrors of the hour. Nobody knew him, which would not
+have been so likely to have been the case with his brother, Nathaniel,
+who was a more conspicuous character. He could find no one he knew,
+except Mr. Hale, who was formerly a Charlestown man, and whom he soon
+lost in the confusion of the scene. The accusing girls were on the look
+out, and noticing these two strangers, enquired their names, and were
+told, _Mr. and Mrs. Carey_. They had been crying out upon _Elizabeth
+Carey_, and thinking they had her, informed Thomas Putnam and Benjamin
+Hutchinson, two persons perfectly deluded by them, who instantly drew
+up the Complaint. In the hurry and horrors of the moment, the error in
+the names was not discovered: _Jonathan_ and _Hannah_ were sent
+forthwith to prison, from which they broke, and escaped to New York. The
+girls, thinking they had got _Mrs. Elizabeth Carey_ in prison, said no
+more about it. As Jonathan and his wife were safe, and beyond reach, the
+whole matter dropped out of the public mind; and Mrs. Elizabeth remained
+undisturbed. This is the only way in which I can account for the strange
+incongruity of the statements, as found in the "Complaint," Calef, and
+Hutchinson. The letter of Jonathan Carey is decisive of the point that
+it was "Hannah," his wife, that was arrested, and escaped. The error in
+Calef was not discovered by him, as his book was printed in London; and,
+under the general disposition to let the subject pass into oblivion, if
+possible, no explanation was ever given.
+
+I cannot let the letter of Jonathan Carey pass, without calling to
+notice his statement that, upon reaching New York, they found "His
+Excellency, Benjamin Fletcher, Esq., very courteous" to them. Whatever
+multiplies pleasant historical reminiscences and bonds of association
+between different States, ought to be gathered up and kept fresh in the
+minds of all. The fact that when Massachusetts was suffering from a
+fiery and bloody, but brief, persecution by its own Government, New York
+opened so kind and secure a shelter for those fortunate enough to escape
+to it, ought to be forever held in grateful remembrance by the people of
+the old Bay State, and constitutes a part of the history of the Empire
+State, of which she may well be proud. If the historians and antiquaries
+of the latter State can find any traces, in their municipal or other
+archives, or in any quarter, of the refuge which the Careys and others
+found among them, in 1692, they would be welcome contributions to our
+history, and strengthen the bonds of friendly union.
+
+The Reviewer seems to imagine that, by a stroke of his pen, he can, at
+any time, make history. Referring to Governor Winthrop, in connection
+with the case of Margaret Jones, forty-two years before, he says that he
+"presided at her Trial; signed her Death-warrant; and wrote the report
+of the case in his journal." The fact that, in his private journal, he
+has a paragraph relating to it, hardly justifies the expression "wrote
+the report of the case." Where did he, our Reviewer, find authority for
+the positive statement that Winthrop "signed the Death-warrant?" We have
+no information, I think, as to the use of Death-warrants, as we
+understand such documents to be, in those days; and especially are we
+ignorant as to the official who drew and signed the Order for the
+execution of a capital convict. Sir William Phips, although present,
+did not sign the Death-warrant of Bridget Bishop.
+
+The Reviewer expresses, over and over again, his great surprise at the
+view given in my book of Cotton Mather's connection with Salem
+witchcraft. It is quite noticeable that his language, to this effect,
+was echoed through that portion of the Press committed to his
+statements. My sentiments were spoken of as "surprising errors." What I
+had said was, as I have shown, a mere continuation of an ever-received
+opinion; and it was singular that it gave such a widespread simultaneous
+shock of "surprise." But that shock went all around. I was surprised at
+their surprise; and may be allowed, as well as the Reviewer, to express
+and explain that sensation. It was awakened deeply and forcibly by the
+whole tenor of his article. He was the first reader of my book, it
+having been furnished him by the Publishers before going to the binder.
+He wrote an elaborate, extended, and friendly notice of it, in a leading
+paper of New York city, kindly calling it "a monument of historical and
+antiquarian research;" "a narrative as fascinating as the latest novel;"
+and concluding thus: "Mr. Upham deserves the thanks of the many persons
+interested in psychological inquiries, for the minute details he has
+given of these transactions." Some criticisms were suggested, in
+reference to matters of form in the work; _but not one word was said
+about Cotton Mather_. The change that has come over the spirit of his
+dream is more than surprising.
+
+The reference, in the foregoing citation, to "psychological enquiries,"
+suggests to me to allude, before closing, to remarks made by some other
+critics. I did not go into the discussion, with any particularity, of
+the connection, if any, between the witchcraft developments of 1692 and
+modern spiritualism, in any of its forms. A fair and candid writer
+observes that "the facts and occurrences," as I state them, involve
+difficulties which I "have not solved." There are "depths," he
+continues, "in this melancholy episode, which his plummet has not
+sounded, by a great deal." This is perfectly true.
+
+With a full conviction that the events and circumstances I was
+endeavoring to relate, afforded more material for suggestions, in
+reference to the mysteries of our spiritual nature, than any other
+chapter in history, I carefully abstained, with the exception of a few
+cautionary considerations hinting at the difficulties that encompass the
+subject, from attempting to follow facts to conclusions, in that
+direction. My sole object was to bring to view, as truthfully,
+thoroughly, and minutely, as I could, the phenomena of the case, as bare
+historical facts, from which others were left, to make their own
+deductions. This was the extent of the service I desired to render, in
+aid of such as may attempt to advance the boundaries of the spiritual
+department of science. I was content, and careful, to stay my steps.
+Feeling that the story I was telling led me along the outer edge of what
+is now knowledge--that I was treading the shores of the _ultima Thule_,
+of the yet discovered world of truth--I did not venture upon the world
+beyond. My only hope was to afford some data to guide the course of
+those who may attempt to traverse it. Other hands are to drop the
+plummet into its depths, and other voyagers feel their way over its
+surface to continents that are waiting, as did this Western Hemisphere,
+for ages upon ages, to be revealed. The belief that fields of science
+may yet be reached, by exploring the connection between the corporeal
+and spiritual spheres of our being, in which explorations the facts
+presented in the witchcraft Delusion may be serviceable, suggested one
+of the motives that led me to dedicate my volumes to the Professor of
+Physiology in Harvard University.
+
+The Reviewer concludes his article by saying that the "History of Salem
+witchcraft is as yet unwritten," but, that I must write it; and he tells
+me how to write it. He advises a more concise form, although his whole
+article consists of complaints because I avoided discussions and
+condensed documents, which, if fully gone into and spread out at length,
+would have swelled the dimensions of the work, as well as broken the
+thread of the narrative. It must be borne in mind, that a reader can
+only be held to the line of a subject, by an occasional retrospection
+and reiteration of what must be constantly kept in view. The traveler
+needs, at certain points and suitable stages, to turn and survey the
+ground over which he has passed. A condensation that would strike out
+such recapitulations and repetitions, might impair the effect of a work
+of any kind, particularly, of one embracing complicated materials.
+
+The Reviewer says that, "by all means, I must give references to
+authorities," when I quote. This, as a general thing, is good advice.
+But it must be remembered that my work consists of three divisions. The
+History of Salem Village constitutes the First. This is drawn, almost
+wholly, from papers in the offices of registry, and from judicial files
+of the County, to which references would be of little use, and serve
+only to cumber and deform the pages. Everything can be verified by
+inspection of the originals, and not otherwise. The Second Part is a
+cursory, general, abbreviated sketch or survey of the history of
+opinions, not designed as an authoritative treatise for special
+students, but to prepare the reader for the Third Part, the authorities
+for which are, almost wholly, Court files.
+
+As to the remaining suggestion, that I must divide the work into
+Chapters, with headings, there is something to be said. When the nature
+of an historical work admits of its being invested with a dramatic
+interest--and all history is capable, more or less, of having that
+attraction--where minute details can fill up the whole outline of
+characters, events, and scenes, all bearing the impress of truth and
+certainty, real history, being often stranger than fiction, may be, and
+ought to be, so written as to bring to bear upon the reader, the charm,
+and work the spell, of what is called romance. The same solicitude,
+suspense, and sensibilities, which the parties, described, experienced,
+can be imparted to the reader; and his feelings and affections keep pace
+with the developments of the story, as they arise with the progress of
+time and events. Headings to Chapters, in historical works, capable of
+this dramatic element, would be as out of place, and as much mar and
+defeat the effect, as in a novel.
+
+As for division into Chapters. This was much thought of and desired; but
+the nature of the subject presented obstacles that seem insurmountable.
+One topic necessarily ran into, or overlapped, another. No chronological
+unity, if the work had been thus cut up, could have been preserved; and
+much of the ground would have had to be gone over and over again.
+Examinations, Trials, Executions were, often, all going on at once.
+
+There is danger of a diminution of the continuous interest of some
+works, thus severed into fragments. There are, indeed, animals that will
+bear to be chopped up indefinitely, and each parcel retain its life: not
+so with others. The most important of all documents have suffered
+injury, not to be calculated, in their attractiveness and
+impressiveness, by being divided into Chapter and Verse, in many
+instances without reference to the unity of topics, or coherence of
+passages; dislocating the frame of narratives, and breaking the
+structure of sentences. We all know to what a ridiculous extent this
+practice was, for a long period, carried in Sermons, which were
+"divided" to a degree of artificial and elaborate dissection into
+"heads," that tasked to the utmost the ingenuity of the preacher, and
+overwhelmed the discernment and memory of the hearer. He, in fact, was
+thought the ablest sermonizer, who could stretch the longest string of
+divisions, up to the "nineteenthly," and beyond. This fashion has a
+prominent place among _The Grounds and Occasions of the Contempt of the
+Clergy and Religion_, by John Eachard, D.D., a work published in London,
+near the commencement of the last century--one of the few books, like
+Calef's, which have turned the tide, and arrested the follies, of their
+times. In bold, free, forcible satire, Eachard's book stands alone.
+Founded on great learning, inspired by genuine wit, its style is plain
+even to homeliness. It struck at the highest, and was felt and
+appreciated by the lowest. It reinforced the pulpit, simplified the
+literature, eradicated absurdities of diction and construction, and
+removed many of the ecclesiastic abuses, of its day. No work of the kind
+ever met with a more enthusiastic reception. I quote from the Eleventh
+Edition, printed in 1705: "We must observe, that there is a great
+difference in texts. For all texts come not asunder, alike; for
+sometimes the words naturally fall asunder; sometimes they drop asunder;
+sometimes they melt; sometimes they untwist; and there be some words so
+willing to be parted, that they divide themselves, to the great ease and
+rejoicing of the Minister. But if they will not easily come in pieces,
+then he falls to hacking and hewing, as if he would make all fly into
+shivers. The truth of it is, I have known, now and then, some knotty
+texts, that have been divided seven or eight times over, before they
+could make them split handsomely, according to their mind."
+
+An apology to those critics who have complained of my not dividing my
+book into Chapters, is found in the foregoing passage. I tried to do it,
+but found it a "knotty" subject, and, like the texts Eachard speaks of,
+"would not easily come in pieces." With all my efforts, it could not be
+made to "split handsomely."
+
+This, and all other suggestions of criticism, are gratefully received
+and respectfully considered. But, after all, it will not be well to
+establish any canons, to be, in all cases, implicitly obeyed, by all
+writers. Much must be left to individual judgment. Regard must be had to
+the nature of subjects. Instead of servile uniformity, variety and
+diversity must be encouraged. In this way, only, can we have a free,
+natural, living literature.
+
+In passing, I would say, that in meeting the demand made upon me by the
+Reviewer, to rewrite the history of Salem witchcraft, I shall avail
+myself of the opportunity to correct the single error he has mentioned.
+In a re-issue of the work, I shall endeavor to make it as accurate as
+possible. Anything that is found to be wrong shall be rectified. The
+work, in the different forms in which it was published, is nearly out of
+print. When issued again, it will be in a less costly style and more
+within the reach of all. From the result of my own continued researches
+and the suggestions of others, I feel inclined to the opinion that no
+very considerable alterations will be made; and that subsequent
+editions, will not impair the authority or value of the work, as
+originally published in 1867.
+
+In preparing the statement, now brought to a close, the only object has
+been to get at, and present, the real facts of history. Nothing, merely
+personal, affecting the writer in the _North American Review_ or myself,
+can be considered as of comparative moment. Many of the expressions used
+by that writer, as to what I have "seen" or "read" and the like, are, it
+must be confessed, rather peculiar; but of very little interest to the
+public. Any notice, taken of them, has been incidental, and such as
+naturally arose in the treatment of the subject.
+
+In parting with the reader, I venture so far further to tax his
+patience, as to ask to take a retrospective glance, together, over the
+outlines of the road we have travelled.
+
+In connection with some preliminary observations, the first step in the
+argument was to show the relation of the Mathers, father and son, to the
+superstitions of their times culminating in the Witchcraft Delusion of
+1692, and their share of responsibility therefor. The several successive
+stages of the discussion were as follows:--The connection of Cotton
+Mather with alleged cases of Witchcraft in the family of John Goodwin of
+Boston, in 1688; and said Goodwin's certificates disposed of: Mather's
+idea of Witchcraft, as a war waged by the Devil against the Church; and
+his use of prayer: The connection between the cases, at Boston in 1688,
+and at Salem in 1692: The relation of the Mathers to the Government of
+Massachusetts, in 1692: The arrival of Sir William Phips; the impression
+made upon him by those whom he first met; his letter to the Government
+in England: The circumstances attending the establishment of the Special
+Court of Oyer and Terminer, and the precipitance with which it was put
+into operation: Its proceedings, conducted by persons in the interest of
+the Mathers: Spectral Testimony; and the extent to which it was
+authorized by them to be received at the Trials, as affording grounds of
+enquiry and matter of presumption: Letter of Cotton Mather to one of the
+Judges: The Advice of the Ministers: Cotton Mather's probable plan for
+dealing with spectral evidence: His views on that subject, as gathered
+from his writings and declarations: The question of his connection with
+the Examinations before the Magistrates: His connection with the Trials
+and Executions: His Report of five of the Trials: His book entitled _The
+Wonders of the Invisible World_; its design; the circumstances attending
+its preparation for the press; and the views, feelings, and expectations
+of its author, exhibited in extracts from it: Increase Mather's _Cases
+of Conscience_: The suppression of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, by
+Sir William Phips: Cotton Mather's views subsequent to 1692, as gathered
+from his writings.
+
+In traversing the field thus marked out, I submit that it has become
+demonstrated that, while Cotton Mather professed concurrence in the
+generally-received judgment of certain writers against the reception of
+spectral evidence, he approved of the manner in which it had been
+received by the Judges, at the Salem Trials, and eulogized them
+throughout, from the beginning to the end of the prosecution, and ever
+after. He vindicated, as a general principle, the _admission_ of that
+species of testimony, on the ground of its being a sufficient basis of
+enquiry and presumption, and needing only some additional evidence,--his
+own Report and papers on file show how little was required--to justify
+conviction and execution. This has been proved, at large, by an
+examination of his writings and actions, and is fully admitted by him,
+in various forms of language, on several occasions--substantially, in
+his statement, that Spectral Testimony was the "chief" ground upon which
+"divers" were condemned and executed, and, explicitly, in his letter to
+Foster, in which he says that "a very great use is to be made" of it, in
+the manner and to the extent just mentioned; and that, when thus used,
+the "use for which the Great God intended it," will be made. In the same
+passage, he commends the Judge for having admitted it; and declares they
+had the divine blessing thereupon, inasmuch as "God strangely sent other
+convincing testimony," to corroborate, and thereby render it sufficient
+to convict. In his Address to the General Assembly, years afterward, he
+fully admits that the Judges, in 1692, whose course he applauded at the
+time, allowed persons to be adjudged guilty, "merely because" of
+Spectral Testimony.
+
+My main purpose and duty, in preparing this article, have been to
+disprove the absolute and unlimited assertions made by the contributor
+to the _North American Review_, that Cotton Mather was opposed to the
+_admission_ of Spectral Evidence; "denounced it as illegal,
+uncharitable, and cruel;" and "ever testified against it, both publicly
+and privately;" and that the _Advice of the Ministers_, drawn up by him,
+"was _very specific_ in _excluding_ Spectral Testimony."
+
+It has been thought proper, also, to vindicate the truth of history
+against the statements of this Reviewer, on some other points; as, for
+instance, by showing that the opinion of Cotton Mather's particular
+responsibility for the Witchcraft Tragedy, instead of originating with
+me, was held at the time, at home and abroad, and has come down, through
+an unbroken series of the most accredited writers, to our day; and that
+the influence of the Mathers never recovered from the shock given it, by
+the catastrophe of 1692.
+
+The apology for the great length of this article is, that the high
+authority justly accorded to the _North American Review_, demanded, in
+controverting any position taken in its columns, a thorough and patient
+investigation, and the production, in full, of the documents belonging
+to the question. It has further been necessary, in order to get at the
+predominating tendency and import of Cotton Mather's writings, to cite
+them, in extended quotations and numerous extracts. To avoid the error
+into which the Reviewer has fallen, the peculiarity of Mather's style
+must be borne in mind. Opposite drifts of expression appear in different
+writings and in different parts of the same writing; and, not
+infrequently, the clauses of the same passage have contrary bearings. He
+often palters, with himself as well as others, in a double sense.
+
+Quotations, to any amount, from the writings of either of the Mathers,
+of passages having the appearance of discountenancing spectral evidence,
+can be of no avail in sustaining the positions taken by the Reviewer,
+because they are qualified by the admission, that evidence of that sort
+might and ought, notwithstanding, to be received as a basis for enquiry
+and ground of presumption, and, if supported by other ordinary
+testimony, was sufficient for conviction. That other testimony, when
+adduced, was, as represented by Mather, clothed with a divine authority;
+having, as he says, been supplied by a special Providence, and been
+justly regarded, by the "excellent Judges," as "an encouraging presence
+of God, strangely sent in." It could, indeed, in the then state of the
+public mind, always be readily obtained. No matter how small in quantity
+or utterly irrelevant, it was sufficient for conviction coming after the
+Spectral Evidence. To minds thus subdued and overwhelmed with "awe,"
+trifles light as air were confirmation strong.
+
+It is to be presumed that his warmest admirers would not think of
+comparing Cotton Mather with his transatlantic correspondent and
+coadjutor, as to force of character, power of mind, or the moral and
+religious value of their writings. Yet there were some striking
+similarities between them. They were men of undoubted genius and great
+learning. They were all their lives awake to whatever was going on
+around them. Earnestly interested, and actively engaging, in all
+questions of theology and government, they both rushed forthwith and
+incontinently to the press, until their publications became too
+voluminous and numerous to be patiently read or easily counted. Of
+course, what they printed was imbued with the changing aspects of the
+questions they handled and open to the imputation of inconsistency, of
+which Baxter was generally disregardful and Mather mostly unconscious.
+
+Sir Roger L'Estrange was one of the great wits and satirists of his
+age. His style was rough and reckless. A vehement and fierce upholder of
+the doctrines of arbitrary government, he was knighted by James the
+Second. His controversial writings, having all the attractions of
+unscrupulous invective and homely but cutting sarcasm, were much
+patronized by the great, and extensively read by the people. All
+Nonconformists and Dissenters were the objects of his coarse abuse. He
+issued an ingenious pamphlet with this title: "_The Casuist uncased; in
+a Dialogue betwixt Richard and Baxter, with a moderator between them,
+for quietness sake._" The two disputants range over a variety of
+subjects, and are quite vehement against each other; the Moderator
+interposing to keep them to the point, preserve order in the debate,
+and, as occasion required, reduce them to "quietness." At one stage of
+the altercation, he exclaimed: "If an Angel from Heaven, I perceive,
+were employed to bring you two to an agreement, he should lose his
+labor." Great was the amusement of all classes to find that the language
+uttered by the combatants, on each side, was taken from one or another
+of writings published by Richard Baxter, during his diversified
+controversial life.
+
+If any skilful and painstaking humorist of our day, should feel so
+disposed, he might, by wading through the sea of Cotton Mather's
+writings, pick up material enough for the purpose; and, by cutting in
+halves paragraphs and sentences, entertain us in the same way, by giving
+to the public, through the Press, "_A Dialogue betwixt COTTON and
+MATHER, with a Moderator between them for quietness sake._"
+
+
+
+
+ THE
+ HISTORICAL MAGAZINE;
+ AND
+ Notes and Queries concerning the Antiquities,
+ History and Biography of America.
+
+
+This Magazine was commenced in January, 1857, for the purpose of
+furnishing a medium of intercommunication between Historical Societies,
+Authors, and Students of History, and supplying an interesting and
+valuable journal--a miscellany of American History. On the first of
+July, 1866, it passed into the hands of the undersigned, by whom it is
+still conducted, with the support and aid of a large body of intelligent
+readers, and the assistance of the foremost historical writers in the
+country.
+
+Among the contributors to the past volumes are Hon. Edward Everett, Hon.
+George Bancroft, Jared Sparks, LL.D., Hon. Peter Force, Hon. James
+Savage, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Wm. Gilmore Simms, Esq., Henry R.
+Stiles, M.D., Geo. Gibbs, Esq., Hon. John R. Brodhead, J. Carson
+Brevoort, Esq., Henry R. Schoolcraft, Esq., Benson J. Lossing, Esq.,
+Hon. Henry C. Murphy, Samuel G. Drake, Esq., Sebastian F. Streeter,
+Esq., Alfred B. Street, Esq., E. B. O'Callaghan, LL.D., Prof. W. W.
+Turner, Buckingham Smith, Esq., Evert A. Duyckinck, Esq., Brantz Mayer,
+Esq., Hon. John R. Bartlett, Samuel F. Haven, Esq., Dr. R. W. Gibbs,
+John W. Francis, M.D., D. G. Brinton, M.D., George H. Moore, Esq., John
+G. Shea, LL.D., Rev. E. H. Gillett, D.D., John Ward Dean, Esq., Henry
+O'Reilly, Esq., Rev. Pliny H. White, Hon. E. E. Bourne, and Hon. Thomas
+Ewbank.
+
+The eleven volumes already published contain an immense mass of matter
+relating to American History and kindred studies, such as cannot be
+found collected elsewhere, rendering it a work absolutely necessary in
+all libraries. Few historical works now appear that do not acknowledge
+indebtedness to it.
+
+The Contents of the Historical Magazine may be generally classed under
+the following heads:
+
+I. Original Papers, involving points of research in historical studies,
+presenting new facts, or the discussion of Federal and Local topics of
+interest, in Essays, by writers versed in American History.
+
+II. The Collection of Original Letters, Correspondence, Diaries, &c.,
+hitherto unpublished, of Americans of Eminence.
+
+III. Biographical and Obituary Notices of persons distinguished in the
+service of the country, whether in office, political life, literature,
+or science.
+
+IV. Accurate reports of the proceedings of the numerous American
+Historical, Antiquarian, Geographical, Numismatic, and other kindred
+Societies.
+
+V. Notes and Queries of curious and important topics, new and old, with
+replies, by a large body of contributors.
+
+VI. Reprints of rare and interesting Tracts, old Poems out of print,
+&c., &c.
+
+VII. Miscellany and Anecdotes.
+
+VIII. Carefully prepared and impartial Notices of New Books and
+Engravings, especially those relating to the History, Antiquities, or
+Biography of America.
+
+IX. Historical and Literary Intelligence, Announcements, &c.
+
+The Historical Magazine is printed on fine quality of paper, similar in
+form and size to this sheet, and published in monthly numbers, of
+sixty-four pages each, at FIVE DOLLARS A YEAR. Single numbers
+SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS.
+
+ HENRY B. DAWSON, Morrisania, N. Y.
+
+
+
+
+CONTRIBUTORS TO VOLUME I, NEW SERIES.
+
+
+BERGEN, Hon. TUNIS, Bay Side, L. I.
+
+BRINTON, Doctor D. G., Westchester, Pennsylvania, the celebrated
+Ethnologist.
+
+BRODHEAD, Hon. J. ROMEYN, the historian of New York.
+
+DAWSON, HENRY B., author of _Battles of the United States_, etc.
+
+DEAN, JOHN WARD, Secretary of the New England Historic-Genealogical
+Society.
+
+ELLIS, Rev. GEORGE B., D.D., Charlestown, Massachusetts.
+
+EWBANK, Hon. THOMAS, Vice-president of the American Ethnological
+Society.
+
+FORCE, General PETER, Washington, D. C.
+
+GILLETT, Rev. E. H., D.D., the historian of the Presbyterian Church.
+
+KAPP, FRIEDRICH, the biographer of Steuben, De Kalb, etc.
+
+LAWRENCE, EUGENE, Columbia College, New York.
+
+MOORE, GEORGE H., Librarian of New York Historical Society.
+
+NEW YORK CITY, Corporation of.
+
+O'REILLY, HENRY, the veteran printer and telegraphist.
+
+ROCKWELL, Prof. E. F., Davidson College, North Carolina.
+
+SCOTT, BENJAMIN, Chamberlain of the City of London.
+
+SHEA, J. GILMARY, LL.D., historian of the Catholic Missions.
+
+SMITH, Hon. BUCKINGHAM, St. Augustine, Fl.
+
+STONE, WILLIAM L., biographer of Sir William Johnson, etc.
+
+WETMORE, General PROSPER M., New York.
+
+
+UNPUBLISHED ARTICLES BY
+
+ADAMS, SAMUEL, of Boston.
+
+ALLEN, ETHAN, of Vermont.
+
+ANDERSON, Lieut. THOMAS, of Delaware [His Diary during the Revolutionary
+War].
+
+ASHLEY, Doctor JOHN, of Deerfield, Massachusetts.
+
+ASHMUN, Rev. J., Washington, D. C.
+
+BARKER, JACOB, New Orleans.
+
+BEATTY, Captain WILLIAM, of Maryland. [His Diary and Correspondence].
+
+BENSON, EGBERT, on the Constitution of New York.
+
+BURR, AARON, of New York.
+
+CARROLL, CHARLES, of Carrollton.
+
+COLDEN, DAVID C., of New York.
+
+COOPER, J. FENIMORE, of New York.
+
+DEARBORN, General HENRY, of Massachusetts.
+
+DOWNING, EMANUAL, of England.
+
+DRAYTON, WILLIAM H., of South Carolina.
+
+DROWNE, Doctor SOLOMON, of Rhode Island.
+
+FITZHUGH, WILLIAM, of Virginia.
+
+FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, of Pennsylvania.
+
+GERRY, ELBRIDGE, of Massachusetts.
+
+GREENE, General NATHANIEL, of Rhode Island.
+
+HOOPER, A. M.
+
+HOWELL, DAVID, of New Jersey.
+
+HUMPHREYS, Colonel DAVID, of Connecticut.
+
+HUNTINGTON, General JED., of Connecticut.
+
+JAY, JOHN, of New York.
+
+JEFFERSON, THOMAS, of Virginia.
+
+KENDALL, AMOS, [on the Jackson Cabinet.]
+
+KING, RUFUS, of New York. [On the Constitution of New York.]
+
+LA FAYETTE, General.
+
+LAURENS, HENRY, of South Carolina.
+
+"MASON and DIXON," the Surveyors.
+
+MILLER, General JAMES, of New Hampshire.
+
+MOOERS, General BENJAMIN, of Plattsburg, New York.
+
+MORRIS, ROBERT, of Pennsylvania.
+
+PAGET, Admiral, R.N.
+
+QUITMAN, General, of Mississippi. [Autobiographical letter.]
+
+RANDOLPH, JOHN, of Roanoke, Virginia.
+
+RIKER, Recorder RICHARD, of New York.
+
+RUSH, Doctor BENJAMIN, of Pennsylvania.
+
+TALLMADGE, Major BENJAMIN, of Connecticut.
+
+TOMPKINS, DANIEL D., of New York.
+
+VAN BUREN, MARTIN, of New York.
+
+WASHINGTON, General GEORGE.
+
+WHEELWRIGHT, Rev. JOHN, of Boston. [The celebrated Fast-day Sermon, for
+preaching which he was banished from Massachusetts.]
+
+WOLCOTT, OLIVER.
+
+
+
+
+CONTRIBUTORS TO VOLUME II, NEW SERIES.
+
+
+1.--ORIGINAL ARTICLES.
+
+Hon. E. E. BOURNE, President of the Maine Historical Society.
+
+Rev. PLINY H. WHITE, President of the Vermont Historical Society.
+
+Hon. J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL, President of the Connecticut Historical
+Society.
+
+Hon. THOMAS EWBANK, Vice-president of the American Ethnological Society.
+
+GEORGE HENRY MOORE, Librarian of the New York Historical Society.
+
+Rev. Doctor BALLARD, Secretary of the Maine Historical Society.
+
+S. F. HAVEN, Librarian of the American Antiquarian Society.
+
+H. A. HOLMES, State Librarian, Albany.
+
+E. B. O'CALLAGHAN, LL.D.
+
+J. GILMARY SHEA, LL.D., New York City.
+
+Doctor E. H. DAVIS, the Ethnologist.
+
+Doctor D. G. BRINTON, Westchester, Penn.
+
+J. WINGATE THORNTON, Boston.
+
+Professor GEORGE W. GREENE, of Rhode Island.
+
+Hon. WILLIAM WILLIS, Portland, Me.
+
+W. GILMORE SIMMS, LL.D., of South Carolina.
+
+WILLIAM SWINTON, New York City.
+
+WILLIAM H. WHITMORE, Boston.
+
+Rev. E. H. GILLETT, D.D., Harlem, N. Y.
+
+Professor E. F. ROCKWELL, Davidson College, N. C.
+
+J. R. SIMMS, Fort Plain, N. Y.
+
+JAMES RIKER, Harlem, N. Y.
+
+CHARLES EDWARDS, New York.
+
+Captain E. C. BOYNTON, U.S.A., West Point.
+
+Colonel THOMAS F. DE VOE, "the historical Butcher."
+
+Captain GEORGE HENRY PREBLE, U.S.N.
+
+JOSEPH SABIN, New York.
+
+HENRY O'REILLY, New York.
+
+Doctor JOSEPH COMSTOCK, Liberty Hill, Conn.
+
+J. WILLIAMSON, Belfast, Me.
+
+Rev. A. H. QUINT, D.D., New Bedford, Mass.
+
+RUDOLPHE GARRIGUE, Morrisania, N. Y.
+
+Editors of the _Methodist_, New York.
+
+
+2.--INEDITED ARTICLES.
+
+SAMUEL L. BOARDMAN, Augusta, Me.
+
+F. W. SEWARD, Assistant Secretary of State of the United States.
+
+THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
+
+BUCKINGHAM SMITH, St. Augustine, Fla.
+
+Professor GEORGE W. GREENE.
+
+Hon. JOHN SULLIVAN, Exeter, N. H.
+
+Professor RAU, New York.
+
+E. F. DE LANCEY, New York.
+
+
+3.--WRITERS OF INEDITED PAPERS.
+
+Captain HENRY SEWALL, of the Revolutionary Army.
+
+SEU-KI-YU, Governor of Fuh-Kien, China.
+
+HARRISON GRAY OTIS.
+
+JEFFERSON DAVIS.
+
+JOHN ADAMS.
+
+General WADE HAMPTON, U.S.A.
+
+The Citizen GENET.
+
+General WASHINGTON.
+
+Colonel DAVID CROCKETT.
+
+General LA FAYETTE.
+
+RUFUS KING.
+
+General WINFIELD SCOTT, U.S.A.
+
+THOMAS JEFFERSON.
+
+Colonel HENRY MURRAY, R.A.
+
+CHARLES V., of Spain.
+
+Colonel DAVID HUMPHREYS, of the Revolutionary Army.
+
+Governor BELCHER, of Massachusetts.
+
+Reverend J. H. LIVINGSTON, D.D.
+
+CHARLES CARROLL, of Carrollton.
+
+SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, President of the Continental Congress.
+
+General WILLIAM HEATH, of the Revolutionary Army.
+
+General M. GIST, of the same.
+
+Colonel BENJAMIN TALLMADGE, of the same.
+
+Doctor B. RUSH.
+
+Governor THOMAS NELSON, of Virginia.
+
+SOLOMON DROWNE, M.D., of the Revolutionary Army.
+
+Lieutenant-governor COLDEN, of New York.
+
+General JOHN SULLIVAN, of the Revolutionary Army.
+
+HENRY CLAY.
+
+WILLIAM J. DUANE.
+
+Colonel RICHARD M. JOHNSON.
+
+JARED SPARKS, LL.D.
+
+Hon. ALEXANDER H. EVERETT.
+
+Major HENRY LEE.
+
+AARON BURR.
+
+JAMES MUNROE.
+
+ETC., ETC., ETC.
+
+
+
+
+CONTRIBUTORS TO VOLUME III, NEW SERIES.
+
+
+AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, Worcester, Mass.
+
+BALLARD, D.D., Rev. EDWARD, Brunswick, Maine. Secretary of the Maine
+Historical Society.
+
+BALLARD, FRANK W., New York City.
+
+BARTLETT, Hon. J. RUSSELL, Providence. R. I. Secretary of State of Rhode
+Island.
+
+BLEECKER, R. WADE, New York City.
+
+BOARDMAN, SAMUEL L., Augusta, Maine.
+
+BOURNE, Hon. E. E., Kennebunk, Maine. President of the Maine Historical
+Society.
+
+BREVOORT, Hon. J. CARSON, Brooklyn. President of the L. I. Historical
+Society.
+
+BRODHEAD, J. ROMEYN, LL.D., New York. The historian of New York.
+
+BRINLEY, Hon. GEORGE, Hartford, Conn.
+
+BURNS, C. DEF., New York City.
+
+BUSHNELL, CHARLES J., New York City.
+
+DEAN, JOHN WARD, Boston, Mass. Author of _Life of Nathaniel Ward_, etc.
+
+DE COSTA, Rev. B. F., New York City. The historian of Lake George, etc.
+
+DE VOE, Colonel, THOMAS F., New York City. The historian of the Markets.
+
+DRAKE, SAMUEL G., Boston, Mass. The historian of the Town of Boston,
+etc.
+
+DUANE, Colonel WILLIAM, Philadelphia.
+
+DUNSHEE, HENRY W., New York City. The historian of the Dutch School, in
+N. Y.
+
+DUYCKINCK, EVERT A., New York City. Author of _Encylo. of Amer.
+Literature_, etc.
+
+EWBANK, Hon. THOMAS, New York City. V. P. of The American Ethnological
+Society.
+
+FISH, Hon. HAMILTON, New York City. President of the New York Historical
+Society.
+
+FRANCIS, LL.D., The late JOHN W., New York.
+
+GIBBS, GEORGE, Washington, D. C. Author of _The Administration of
+Washington and Adams_.
+
+GILLETT, D.D., Rev. E. H., Harlem, N. Y. The historian of the
+Presbyterian Church.
+
+GODFREY, JOHN E., Bangor, Maine.
+
+GREENE, Prof. GEORGE W., East Greenwich, R. I. Author of _Life of Gen.
+Nathaniel Greene_, etc.
+
+GREENWOOD, ISAAC J., New York City.
+
+HALL, Hon. HILAND, North Bennington, Vermont. Lately President of
+Vermont Historical Society.
+
+HATFIELD, D.D., Rev. E. F., New York City. The historian of
+Elizabeth-town, N. J., etc.
+
+HAY, Hon. WILLIAM, Saratoga Springs.
+
+HELMICK, C. C., Washington, D. C.
+
+HOFFMAN, FRANCIS S., New York City.
+
+IRVING, PIERRE, Tarrytown, New York. The biographer of Washington
+Irving.
+
+JONES, Colonel M. M., Utica, New York. Assistant Secretary of State of
+New York.
+
+KAPP, FRIEDRICH, New York City. Biographer of Generals Steuben, De Kalb,
+etc.
+
+KELBY, WILLIAM, New York City. Of the New York Historical Society.
+
+KETCHUM, Hon. EDGAR, Harlem, New York.
+
+LONG ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Brooklyn.
+
+MCCOY, JOHN F., Brooklyn, New York.
+
+MCKEEN, Doctor, Topsham, Maine.
+
+MCKNIGHT, CHARLES, Poughkeepsie, New York
+
+MOORE, GEORGE HENRY, LL.D., New York. Librarian of New York Historical
+Society.
+
+MORSE, C. H., Washington, D. C.
+
+NEILL, E. D., Washington, D. C. The historian of Minnesota.
+
+NEW YORK, CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF.
+
+O'CALLAGHAN, LL.D., E. B., Albany, N. Y. Historian of New Netherland.
+
+PAINE, NATHANIEL, Worcester, Massachusetts. Treasurer of the Amer.
+Antiquarian Society.
+
+PERRY, Rev. WILLIAM STEVENS, Litchfield, Conn. Secretary of House of Lay
+and Clerical Delegates of General Convention of P. E. Church.
+
+PREBLE, Captain GEORGE HENRY, U.S.N.
+
+ROCKWELL, Professor E. F., Davison's Col., N. C.
+
+RUSSELL, J., Washington, D. C.
+
+SARDEMANN, Rev. J. G., Weser, Germany.
+
+SCOTT, LEWIS A., Philadelphia.
+
+SCOTT, M. B., Cleveland, Ohio.
+
+SHEA, LL.D., JOHN GILMARY, Elizabeth, N. J. Historian of the Catholic
+Missions.
+
+SHEPPARD, J. H., Boston. Librarian of N. E. Historic Genealog. Society.
+
+SIGEL, General FRANZ, Morrisania, N. Y.
+
+SIMMS, LL.D., WILLIAM GILMORE, Charleston, S. C. The historian of South
+Carolina.
+
+SMITH, BUCKINGHAM, St. Augustine, Florida.
+
+STILES, Doctor HENRY R., Brooklyn, N. Y. Author of _History of Windsor_;
+_History of Brooklyn_; etc.
+
+STONE, Rev. E. M., Providence. Secretary of R. I. Historical Society.
+
+TAYLOR, ASHER, New York City.
+
+THORNTON, J. WINGATE, Boston. Author of _Ancient Pemaquid_, _Landing on
+Cape Ann_, etc.
+
+TIEDEMAN, H., Amsterdam, Holland.
+
+TRUMBULL, Hon. J. HAMMOND, Hartford, Conn. President of the Connecticut
+Historical Society.
+
+WALWORTH, MANSFIELD TRACY, Albany.
+
+WHITE, Rev. PLINY H., Coventry, Vermont. President of Vermont Historical
+Society.
+
+WHITMORE, WILLIAM H., Boston.
+
+WILLIAMSON, Hon. JOSEPH, Belfast, Maine.
+
+WILLIS, Hon. WILLIAM, Portland, Maine. Late President Maine Historical
+Society.
+
+WOOL, Major-general JOHN E., U.S.A.
+
+WYNNE, T. H., Baltimore. Editor of _The Westover Papers_, etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather, by
+Charles W. Upham
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SALEM WITCHCRAFT AND COTTON MATHER ***
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