In Europe, the execution of a few individuals would be effaced from the page of History by more

important events that were continually taking place during the last century. But in this country it was a singular affair, & has been handed down by our own writers, and dwelt upon, with wonder, by European writers who have endeavored to account for it from the enthusiastic ideas of the Inhabitants here, not considering that they acquired these ideas in Europe from books published by men of character & information.

It is to be hoped this infatuation is done away among the Citizens of both

sides of the Atlantic but it is not justice for one side to suppose that this infatuation prevailed only

on the other.

If

King James, Lord Holt and others of information, who believed in witchcraft, are

excusable, certainly those persecuted exiles who fled to a savage wilderness are equally clear of blame.

Perhaps the law of Moses by which in

many cases the first settlers were governed, was a Mean of

urging them on in the belief of Witchcraft and its evils. " November 29. 1662.

Gardiner,

It is jointly

& fully agreed that Mr. T. Baker, M r Tho James, & M Lion s

r

M Robert Bond, Mr John Mulford, Tho Tomson and Tho Chatfield shall go to Southr

s

s

ampton the next second day to compound a difference between Us & Capt. John Scott Esq and Mr John Ogden about Meantaquit, and do hereby engage to ratifie and confirm what our committee shall conclude upon & also we do empower this our Committee to joyne with Southampton and Southold