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BOSTON, SEPT. 20, 1692
My dear and very obliging, Stephen,
It is my Hap, to bee continually b2 * * 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
bee ye more capable to assist, in lifting up a standard against ye Infernal
Enemy I must Renew my most IMPORTUNATE REQUEST, that you would please quickly to
perform, what you kindly promised, of giving me a Narrative of ye Evidences
given in at ye Trials of half a dozen, or if you please a dozen, of ye principal
Witches, that have been condemned. I know 'twill cost you some Time ; but when
you are sensible of ye Benefit that will follow, I know you will not think much
of that cost, and my own willingness to expose myself unto ye utmost for ye
Defence of my Friends with you, makes me presume to plead something of Merit, to
bee considered.
I shall bee content, if you draw up ye desired Narrative
by way of letter to mee, or at least, let it not come without a letter, Wherein
you shall, if you can, intimate over again, what you have sometimes told mee, of
ye Awe, which is upon ye Hearts of your juries, with * * * unto ye validity of
ye Spectral Evidences.
Please also, to * * * some of your observations
about ye confessors and ye credibility of what they Assert; or about things
evidently preternatural in ye witchcrafts, and whatever else you may account an
Entertainment, for an inquisitive person, that entirely loves you, and Salem.
Nay, tho' I will never lay aside ye character which I mentioned in my last
Words, yett I am willing that when you write, you should imagine mee as
obstinate a Saddu-cee, and Witch-advocate as any among us: address mee as one
that Believ'd Nothing Reasonable; and when you have so knocked mee down, in a
spectre so unlike mee, yon will enable mee, to box it about, among my Neighbrs,
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, wch those two excellent persons, Mr. Hale and Mr. Noyse,
may have in hand, so you shall find that I shall bee,
Sir, your Grateful
Friend,
C. MATHER.
P. S. That which very much strengthens ye Charmes
of the Request, wch this letter makes you, is, That his Excellency, the
Governor, laid his positive commands upon mee to desire this favor of you, and
ye truth is, there are some of his circumstances with reference to this affayr,
which I need not mention, that call for ye Expediting of your Kindness.
Kindness, I say, for such it will bee esteemed, as well by Him, as by Your
Servant,
C. MATHER.
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