The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-05-05

THE sPRCTRE-SHIP OF SALEM
Tho Rev. Cotton Ma,her ID. u. and F
r. s., an eminent clergyman Of Boston. il
massac husetts, who fiourished about the
end ofthe 18th century, wrote curious
book. entitled "Msgnslia Christi Amcri.
cans" in which he has exhibited, not only
his own, but the prevalent superstiticns o.
the times in which he lised.--The country
had been, in the language Of that period,
exposed TO "war from the invisible world,
during which the inhabitantS were asllict.
cd with demons, and 80 wrought upon BY
spcctres, MS to pine, languish, and die
under the most excuciating torments.
Sometimes the demons attacked one part
OF the country, and sometimes another; &,
the ohject Of tho learned and Rev. Doctors
book, is to authenticate the very tragical
instances in which they infested the honsos
and afflicted the persons Of the inhabitants,
"Flashy people," says he, ''may burlesque
these things, but when hundreds ol
tho most sober people in a country,
where they have as much mothcr.wit Ger.
tainly as the rest Of mankind, know them
to be true,- nothing but the absurd and
fiowatd spirit of sadducism can question
suSthf nuNG hOt huCuhtOutd oV iuuNH uS
one hing, that will not be justified, it il be
required, by the onihs Of more consistent
persons than any that can ridcule these
odd phenomena" And certainly few facts,
il We may Judge by the evidence, have
been better established than the existence
of witchcraft, and the wars ofprodigious
spirits in the provinces of New England,
during the time Of DIR. Mather. We have
accounts Of trials conducted with all the
forms and implements Of Jurisprudence, in
which many persons were convicted of
holding communications with demons; and
we have, what is still .noro remarkable,
voluntary confessions Of parties acknowl-
edging themselves in league with the dew
il. So far, therefore, as the records and
archives of courts of law can verify the
truth Of any investigation, we must believe
that many of the things which DIR. Mather
has set forth, are not only true as historical
events, but also naturally incident, howev-
er, rarely, TO the condition and fortunes Of
men.--it is not for US, however, to argue
this mnttcr, but many of,he Doctors stories
are really striking, reviewing them mere.
|y as connexions offancy, and some OF the
phenomena which he describes, and boasts
ofhaung witnesses to confirm, have in diff
ferent ages been seen In similar forms, Il
in countries far remote from New England.
The prodigy ofthe Cross, which Constan.
tine and hts army beheld in tho dir, is of
this description and the apocalypse vouch.
ssufed to Godfrey, in the Crusade, il of the
same chsrHcter. DR. Mather describes
noises and hurtlngs heard in tho air, a
| short time prior to the Indian war, of 1875,
acc ompnnied with the beating Of drums,
as in battle. But without entering into
any particular tlisquistion concerning
these omens and auguries, we shall here
present version Of his story Of The naval
appartion, only promising that il contains
several particulars which the Doctor has
not noticed, but which we are persuaded,
are not less true than those he has related.
A ship called "Noah's Dovc,n was pre-
pairing to sail from the port Of Sslcm for
"Old England when young man accom-.
panied by his bride, camc and engaged
ber,hs for himself and her, as passengers
No one in all Salem was in the slightest
degree acquainted with this handsome
couple, nor did they themselves seek any
acquaintance in the town, but until the yes
sol was ready, lived in the most secluded
state. Their conduct was perfectly blame.
less, and their appearance was highly re.
spcctable; bot the shsrp,sighted people oI
Salem knew the prcstigious appearances
Of the demons which afflicted the country
and they discerned something about them
which could not be deemed otherwise than
mysterious.
Many persons intending to revisit their
friends in the old country, took passages
also, in the Noah's Dove but the friends o.
some of them thought they were rash IL
doing SO, and that il would be well 10 learI
something Of their two questionable fellow
passengers, before hazarding themselves
at sea with persons SO unknown and sin
gular. These admonitions gave occasiol
to much talk in Salem; but instead Of hav
ing the effect intended fatal obstinncy be
came prevalent, and prevented every on,
who proposed 10 sail with tho vessel, from
paying the e.slig htest attention 10 them. Tbii
strange infatuation only servedto deeper
the interest which the town took ia tb,
departure Of the ship. 3.,
- At last the day appointed for her sailing
arrived. Never had such solemn day
been seen in Salem; md, moreover, il hap
pened 10 be on Friday; for the captuin wal
not such godly man - tho mariners o
Salem generally were in those days. A
great multitude crowded the wharves, Il
see their relations embark ;sll were sorrow
ful, and many in tears. At last the shiJ
hoisted the signal for sailing. and wonder
fui to tell at the same time that the nag
was unfurled, blackbird much like rs.
ven ulightcd on the hand Of the town clock,
and BIZ its weight pushed il forward, some
said full ten minutes. Every one who
Witnessed this sight was struck with
horror, and some laid hands upon their 70.
lations, TO prevent them from cmbsrkin2
Bot those who had engaged to 60 with the
fatal vessel, were wilrul, and would not be
controlled.
Dpfing these struggles the two un-
known stfappcrs came also To embark. Il