Part 10

_We do heartily ask forgiveness of you all, whom we have justly offended, and do declare according to our present minds, we would none of us do such things again on such grounds for the whole World; praying you to accept of this in way of Satisfaction for our Offence; and that you would bless the Inheritance of the Lord, that he may be entreated for the Land._

_Foreman, Thomas Fisk_, _William Fisk_, _John Bacheler_, _Thomas Fisk, Junior_ _John Dane_, _Joseph Evelith_, _Thomas Perly, Senior_ _John Pebody_, _Thomas Perkins_, _Samuel Sayer_, _Andrew Elliott_, _Henry Herrick, Senior_,[136]

FOOTNOTES:

[133] William III, Mary being dead. She died on the 28th Dec, 1694. Was Dau. of James II, by A. Hyde.

[134] The "perplexing war" of this Period is sketched with a Master's Hand by Macaulay in his _History of England_.

[135] The Honorable Samuel Sewall. He worshipped at the _Old_ South Church. His Name will be found inscribed upon the Plan of the House in Mr. Wisner's _History_, Page 102, denoting the Pew which he occupied. Its internal Arrangement is much the same now.

[136] Both Mather and Calef have avoided giving Lists of the Trial Jurors, doubtless to avoid increasing the number of their Pages. The Records (that remain) are very imperfect in this, as well as in many other Respects, already noticed. On this Period much remains to be done.

[_Postscript._]

POSTSCRIPT.

_Since making the foregoing Collections of Letters, to the Reverend Mr._ Cotton Mather, _and others, &c. (which as yet remain unanswered) a Book is come to hand Intituled_,

THE _Life of Sir_ William Phips, _printed in_ London, 1697. Which Book, tho it bears not the Authors name, yet the Stile, manner and matter is such, that were there no other demonstration or token to know him by, it were no Witchcraft to determine that the said Mr. _C. M._ is the Author of it. But that he that has _encountred Enchantments_, and gone through the _Wonders of the Invisible World_, and _discovered the Devil_, that he should step aside into a Remote Country to put on Invisibility! Tho the reason of this be not so manifest, yet it may be thought to be to gratifie some peculiar fancies; and why may not this be one, that he might with the better grace extol the Actions of Mr. _Mather_, as Agent in England, or as President of _Harvard_ College, not forgetting his own.[137]

As to Sir _William_, it will be generally _acknowledged_ that notwithstanding the meanness of his Parentage and Education, he attain'd to be Master of a Ship, and that he had the good hap to find a _Spanish_ Wreck, not only sufficient to repair his Fortunes, but to raise him to a considerable Figure; which King _James_ did so far accommodate as to make _him a Knight_.

[146] And that after this, in the Reign of his Present Majesty, _he took up with those of the Agents, that were for accepting the New Charter, whereby himself became Governour_.[138]

It is not doubted, but that he aimed at the good of the People, and great Pitty 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 that Hobgoblin Monster, Witchcraft, whereby this Countrey was Night-Mar'd, and harrast, at such a rate, as is not easily imagined.[139]

After which some complaints going to _England_ about Male-Administration, in the least matters comparatively; yet were such, that he was call'd home to give account thereof, where he soon after expired, so finishing his Life and Government together.[140]

Death having thus drawn the Curtain, forbidding any further Scene, it might have been prudence, to let his dust remain without disturbance.

But the said Book endeavouring to raise a Statue to him (_i. e._) to ascribe to him such Achievements as either were never performed by him, or else unduly aggravated, this has opened the Mouth, both of Friends and Enemies to recount the mistakes in the said Book; as also those miscarriages, wherewith Sir _William_ was chargeable; such as, had it not been for this Book, had been buried with him.[141]

In P. 3, search is made over the World, to whom to compare him in his Advancement; and most unhappily _Pizarro_ is pitched upon as a match for him, who was a Bastard, dropt in a Church-Porch, put to Suck of a Sow, and being grown, ran away, and Shipt himself for _America_; there so prospered, as to Command an Army; and therewith did mighty things, particularly took _Attaballipa_, one of the Kings of _Peru_ Prisoner, and having received for his Ransom, in Gold and Silver to the value of Ten Millions, perfidiously put him to Death; and was the Death of no Man knows how many Thousands of Innocents, and is certainly one of the worst that could have been pitched upon for such comparison.[142]

Tho this together with the Rhetorical flourishes, and affected strains therein, are instances of the Author's variety of Learning; for which he is recommended by these Three _Venerable_ Person[143] in the entrance to the said Book. Yet the _Integrity_, _Prudence_, and _Veracity_ thereof, is not so manifestly to be seen. Passing over a multitude of Misrepresentations that are therein relating to the Acts of Sir _William_, as not designing to rake in the Grave of the Dead, Who is it can see the Veracity of those words? P. 40. [He lay within _Pistol-Shot_ of the Enemies Cannon, and beat them from thence, and much batter'd the town, having his Ship shot thro in an hundred places, with _Four and twenty Pounders_,] When in the Judgment of those present, they were not nearer to the Enemy, than about _half or three quarters of a Mile_; that there might be in all about _Seven Shot_ that [147] struck the Hull of the Vessel, none of them known to be bigger than 18 Pounders, the Enemy having but one Gun that could carry so big as an 18 pound Ball.[144]

It were a fondness after such assertions, to take any notice of this bedeck'd Statue, when there was so much the less need of erecting one (as is asserted P. 108) having already been done so well, that even this Author himself despairs of doing it better;[145] and that by one, a Man of such diffused and Embalm'd a Reputation, _as that his Commendations_ are asserted to be enough to _Immortalize_ the Reputation of Sir _William_, or whomsoever else _he should_ please to bestow them upon, _viz._ That Reverend person _who was_ the President of the only University then in the _English America_, P. 109. Which by the way is a much fairer Statue, in honour of the President of the University, than that erected for Sir _William_.

For notwithstanding all this noise of Erecting Statues, and the great danger in plucking them down, _&c._ yet in P. 89, 'tis said that even Sir _William_ shewed Choler enough, leaving it open for others, thereby to understand, that he was wholly given over to Passion and Choler.[146] And in P. 92, 'tis said he did not affect any mighty shew of Devotion; these expressions with others may prevail with the unbiased Reader to think that these builders of Statues, had some further design in it, than to blazen the Achievements of Sir _William Phips, viz._ To set forth Mr. _J. Mathers_ Negociation in _England_, his procuring the New-Charter for Sir _William_ to be Governour, and himself Establish'd President of the College, are the things principally driven at in the Book.[147]

Another principal thing is to set forth the supposed Witchcrafts in _New-England_, and how well Mr. _Mather_ the Younger therein acquitted himself.[148]

As to the New Charter for the right understanding that Affair, it will be needful to say, that the People that afterwards settled in _New England_, being about to leave their Native soil, and to seek (as the Providence of God should direct them) a settlement in remote Regions, wherein they might best secure their Civil and Religious Interests, before they enter'd upon this, considering it might be needful on many accounts for their future well being, they obtain'd a Charter to be in the nature of a prime agreement, setting forth the Soveraigns Prerogative, and the People's Priviledges; in the enjoyment whereof they long continued, after having purchas'd the Title to their Lands, of the Natives of the Country, and settled themselves therein, without any charge to the Crown.

That Clause in their Charter for this Country, _viz._ (Provided that no other Christian Prince be prepossest of it) being a tacit acknowledgment, that before settlement no one Christian Prince had any right thereto more than another. During this time of _New-England's_ Prosperity, the Government here were very sparing of Granting Freedoms, except to such as [148] were so and so qualfied. Whereby the number of _Non_-Freemen[149] being much increas'd, they were very uneasie, by their being shut out from having any share in the Government, or having any Votes for their Representatives, _&c._ it rendred many of them ready to join with such as were undermining the Government, not duly considering that it had been far more safe to have endeavoured to prevail with the Legislators for an enlargement.

So that it will not be wonder'd at that in the latter end of the Reign of King _Charles_ the II. and of King _James_, (when most of the Charters in _England_ were vacated) that this was _quo warranto'd_ and finally Judgment entered up against it, and the Country was put into such a form of Government as was most agreeable to those times, _viz._ A Legislative pow'r was lodg'd in the Governour (or President) and some few appointed to be of his Counsel, without any regard therein, either to the Laws of _England_, or those formerly of this Colony: Thus rendering the Circumstances of this Country beyond comparison worse than those of any Corporation in _England_. The People of those Corporations being acknowledged still to have a right to _Magna Charta_, when their particular Charters were made void. But here when _Magna Charta_ has been pleaded, the People have been answered, that they must not expect that _Magna Charta_ would follow them to the end of the World: not only their Estates, but their Lives being thereby rendered wholly precarious. And Judge _Palmer_[150] has set forth in Print, that the King has power to grant such a Commission over this People.

It is not hard to imagine that under such a Commission, not only the People were liable to be opprest by Taxes, but also by Confiscations, and Siezing of Lands, unless Patents were purchased at Excessive prizes, with many other Exorbitant Innovations.

The first that accepted this Commission was Mr. _Dudley_, a Gentleman born in this Country, who did but prepare the way for Sir _Edm. Andros_. In whose time things being grown to such Extremities, not only here, but in _England_, as render'd the succeeding Revolution absolutely necessary; the Revolution here being no other than an acting according to the Precedent given by _England_.

During the time of Sir _Edmonds'_ Government, Mr. _Increase Mather_, Teacher of the North Church in _Boston_, having undergone some trouble by Fobb-Actions[151] laid upon him, _&c._ (tho with some difficulty) he made his Escape, and got passage for _England_, being therein assisted by some particular Friends; where being arrived, he applied himself to King _James_ for redress of those Evils the Country then groaned under; and meeting with a seeming kind reception, and some promises, it was as much as might at that time be reasonably expected.[152]

[149] Upon the Day of the Revolution here, tho the greatest part of the People were for reassuming their Ancient Government, pursuant to his Royal Highness' Proclamation; yet matters were so clog'd, that the People were dissmist without it, who did not in the least mistrust but that those who were put out of the Government by Mr. _Dudley_, would reassume: Mr. _Broadstreet_, who had been then Governour, being heard to say that Evening, when returned home, _That had not he thought they would have reassum'd, he would not have stirr'd out of his House that Day_.[153] But after this, some that were driving at other matters, had opportunities by Threats and other ways not only to prevail with that good Old Gentleman, but with the rest of the Government wholly to decline it; which some few observing, they took the opportunity to call themselves a Committee of Safety, and so undertook to Govern such as would be govern'd by them.[154]

It has been an Observation of long continuance _that matters of State seldom prosper, when managed by the Clergy_. Among the opposers of the reassuming few were so strenuous as some of the Ministers, and among the Ministers none more vehement than Mr. _Cotton Mather_, Pastor of the _North_ Church in _Boston_, who has charged them as they would answer it another day to reassume. Among his Arguments against it, one was that it would be to put a slight upon his Father, who, he said, was in _England_, labouring for a compleat Restoration of Charter Privileges, not doubting, but they would be speedily obtain'd. Any Man that knows _New England_ cannot but be sensible, that such Discourses from such Men, have always been very prevalent. And hence it was that even those that would think themselves wronged, if they were not numbred among the best Friends to _New-England_, and to its Charter, would not so much as stoop to take it up, when there was really nothing to hinder them from the Enjoyment thereof.[155]

After the Committee of Safety had continued about seven Weeks, or rather after Anarchy had been so long Triumphant, an Assembly having been call'd came to this resolve and laid it before those Gentlemen that had been of the Government, that if they would not act upon the Foundation of the Charter, that persuant to it, the Assembly would appoint some others in that Station. The Answer to which was, that they would accept, _&c._ And when a Declaration signifying such a reassuming, was prepared with the good liking of the Deputies, in order to be published, some that were opposers, so terrified those Gentlemen, that before publishing it was underwritten [that they would not have it understood that they did reassume Charter-Government] to the no small amazement of the People, and disappointment of the Deputies, who if these had not promised so to act, had taken other care, and put in those that would.[156]

[150] The next principal thing done was, they chose two of their Members, _viz._ one of the upper House, the other of the lower, both of them Gentlemen of known Integrity, as well as ability to go to _England_, in order to obtain their Resettlement;[157] and in regard Mr. _I. Mather_ was already there, they joined him, as also a certain Gentleman in _London_[158] with these other two: Those from hence being arrived in _London_, they all united for the common Interest of the Countrey, though without the desired effect. They were in doubt, whether it were best to Improve their Utmost for a reversal of the Judgment in a Course of Law, or to obtain it in a Parliamentary way, or to Petition his Majesty for a New Grant of former Priviledges; And considering that the two first might prove Dilatory and Expensive, as well as for other reasons, they resolved upon the latter, and Petition'd his Majesty for the Countries Resettlement, with former Privileges, and what further additionals his Majesty in his Princely Wisdom should think fit. Accordingly it pleased his Majesty to declare in Counsel his Determination, _viz._ That there should be a Charter granted to _New-England_. But the Minutes then taken thereof, and a Draught of the _New-Charter_ being seen, it was the Opinion of the two Gentlemen sent from hence, that it were best to tarry his Majesties return from _Flanders_; in hopes then to obtain ease in such things as might be any ways deemed to be grievous. And this was the result of the Advice of such as were best able to give it, that they could meet with, and accordingly they wholly desisted taking it out of the Offices.[159]

But Mr. _Mather_ and that other Gentleman had, as it is said, other advice given them, which they strenuously pursued, and his Majesty having left it as is asserted in this of the Life of Sir _William_, P. 57, to them to nominate a Governour, they pitcht upon Sir _William Phips_, who was then in _England_, [As the most likely and able to serve the King's Interests among the People there; under the changes in some things unacceptable now brought upon them, P. 62.] and without tarrying for the concurrence of those other Agents, the Charter was taken out, _&c._[160]

But Mr. _Mather_ perhaps fearing he should have but small thanks here, for his having so far an hand in bringing upon them those unacceptable Changes, wrote, and caused to be Printed, an Account of his Negotiation, but surely by some Error in the Conception, it proved only an _Embrio_, and was stifled as soon as born. One indeed, designed to be as it were a _Posthumous_ was left with Mr. _Bailey_, formerly of _Boston_, and a Member of the _North-Church_, with a charge not to suffer it to be seen till he were gone to _New-England_; yet it seems some other person got a sight of it, which was the occasion of Mr. _Mather_'s sending him that Minatory Epistle, by some call'd a Bull. But besides this, for fear of the worst, Mr. _Mather_ got several _Non-con_ Ministers to give him a Testimonial, or Letters of Commendations for his great Service herein.[161]

[151] In the mean time Mr. _Cotton Mather_, being in some doubt of the same thing, handed about a Paper of Fables; wherein his Father under the Name of _Mercurius_, and himself under the Name of _Orpheus_, are extoll'd, and the great Actions of _Mercurius_ magnified; the present Charter exalted, by trampling on the former, as being very defective, and all those call'd unreasonable that did not readily agree with the New one: And indeed the whole Country are compared to no better than Beasts, except _Mercurius_ and _Orpheus_, the Governour himself must not Escape being termed an Elephant, tho as good as he was great, and the Inferiours told by _Orpheus_ that for the quiet Enjoyment of their Lands, _&c._ they were beholding to _Mercurius_. Tho this Paper was judged not convenient to be Printed, yet some Copies were taken, the Author having shown variety of _Heathen_ Learning in it.[162]

This is in short that eminent Service for which the said Mr. _I. M._ is in the present Book so highly extol'd. In so many Pages, that to repeat them were to transcribe a considerable part of the said Book.

And no doubt he deserves as much thanks as Dr. _Sharp_[163] did, when he was sent by the Presbytery of _Scotland_, to procure the settlement of their Kirk by King _Charles_ II. at his Restauration.

Not but that the present Charter of _New-England_ is indeed truly valuable, as containing in it peculiar Priviledges, which abundantly Engages this People to pay the tribute of thankfulness to his Majesty,[164] and all due subjection to whom it shall please him to substitute as Governour over us; and to pray that the King of Kings would pour out of his richest blessings upon him, giving him a long and prosperous Reign over the Nations, under the benign Influences whereof, Oppression and Tyranny may flee away.

And if his Majesty hath put this People into the present form of Government, to the end they might be in the better condition of Defence in a time of War; or that they might the better understand the Priviledge of choosing their own Governour by the want of it, and should be graciously pleased (the War being over) to restore to these, as has been already granted to the rest of his Majesties Subjects, the full employment of their Ancient Priviledges, it would be such an obligation upon them to thankfulness and Duty as could never be forgotten, nor sufficiently exprest, and would rather abate than increase charge to the Crown.

As to the supposed Witchcrafts in _New-England_, having already said so much thereof, there is the less remains to be added.

In the times of Sir _Ed. Andros_ his Government, Goody _Glover_, a despised, crazy, ill-conditioned old Woman, an _Irish Roman_ Catholick, was tried for Afflicting _Goodwins_ Children; by the Account of which Tryal, taken in Short-hand, for the use of the Jury, it may appear that the ge[152]nerality of her Answers, were Nonsense, and her behaviour like that of one distracted. Yet the Drs. finding her as she had been for many Years, brought her in _Compos Mentis_; and setting aside her crazy Answers to some insnaring questions, the proof against her was wholly deficient: The Jury brought her Guilty.[165]

Mr. _Cotton Mather_ was the most active and forward of any Minister in the Country in those matters, taking home one of the Children, and managing such intreagues with that Child, and after printing such an Account of the whole, in his Memorable Providences, as conduced much to the kindling those Flames, that in Sir _Williams_ time threatned the devouring this Country.[166]