Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-29
PUBLISHED DAILY BY
SAMUEL SNOW ID f y,
From BLdckacoOd's Magasine.
THE, SPECTRE SHIP OF SALEM

The Rev. Cotton Mather, ID. ID. and F. X. s.
An eminent clergyman Of Boston, in Massachu-
,etts. who hourished about the end of the 18th
century. wrote curious book entitled - Mag
MALTA Christi Americana in which he has exhib-
tied not only his own, but the prevalent superst-
tons of the times in which he lived. The cOun-
try had been, i'll the language of that period, ex-
posed to war from the invisible world du-
RING which the inhabitants were afflicted with
demons and 80 wrought upon by spectres, as 10
nine, -languishs and die under excruciatlng tor
menis. Sometimes the demons attacked one
mart of the country and some times another; and
the object of the learned and reverend Doctors
Book is TO authenticate the very traglcal lnstan-
ces in which they infested the houses and afillct-
ed the persons Of the inhabitants. . Flashy peo-
ple." saws he ..may burleSque these things, but
when hundreds of the most sober people IN the
country, where they have as much mother-wlt
certainly as the rest of mankind, know them to
be true.-nothing but the absurd and froward
spirit of sadducism can question them. | have
NOT mentioned SO much as one thing, that will
not be justified if it be required, BY the oaths of
more consistent persons, than any that can ridi-
cul, these odd phenomena. And certainly few
facts. if we NAV Judge by the evidence, have been
better established than the existence of witchcratI,
and the wars of prodisious spirits in the provin
ces of New England, during the time OF Dr. Ma
Their. We have accounts of trials conducted
with all the forms and implements OF jurispru-
dence, in which many persons were convicted OF
holding communication with demons; and we
have. that is still more remarkable voluntary
confessions of parties, acknowledging themselves
in Ieaaue with the devil. So lar, therefore, as
the records and archives of courts of law can
verify the truth of any investigation, we must be-
heye that many of the things which DIR. Nlather
has set forthare not only true as historical events,
but naturally incident, however rarely, to the
condition and fortunes OF men. 1t Is not Tor us,
however. TO argue this matter, but many ot the
Doctors stories are really striking. reviewing
them merely as creations of the fancy, and some
ofthe phenomena which he describes, and boasts
OF having Witnesses TO o firm. have in dihereht
aces been seen in similar forms, and In coun-
tries far remote from New England. The pro-
diry Of the Cross, which Constantine and his ar
nv beheld in the air is of this description; and
the apocalypse vouchsafed to Godfrey IN the
Crusade, Is Of the same character. DIR. Mather
describes noises and hustiings heard in the air,
a short time prior to the Indian war OF 1873, &C
companied with the beating of drums, as In
battle But without entering into any particular
disauisition concerning these Omens aud augu-
ries we shall bere present version OF his story
of the naval apparitiOn, Only promising that 1t
contains several particulars which the Doctor
has not noticed, but which we are persuaded are,
not less true, rhan those he has related
4 ship called :. Noah's Dove" was preparing
TO sail from the port of Salem for 'Old England,
when Young man, accompanied By his bride
came and engaged berths Tor himself and her as
passengers. No one in all Salem was in the
Il tod with ha
couple, nor did they themselves seek any &C
ouaintance in the town; but until the vessel was
ready, lived in the most secluded state. Their
conduct was perfectly blameles. and their appear
ance was highly respectable, but the sharp-sight-
ed people of Salem knew the prestigious appear
ances Of the demons which afflicted the country
and thew discerned something about them which
could not be deemed otherwise than mysteri-
Gus.
Many person intending to revisit theirfriends
in the old country. took passage also in the No
abs Dove; but the friends of some of them thought
they were rash in doing so, and that it would be
As we'll to learn something of their two question
able fellow passengers, before hazarding them
selves at sea with persons so unknown and singu-
lar These admOuitions gave occasion to much
talk in Salem; but instead of having the effect
intended, fatal Obstnacy became prevalent.
and prevented every one who proposed to sail
with the vessel from paying the slightest attention
to them. This strange infatuation only served
to deepen the interest which the town took in
the departure of the ship.
At last, the day appointed for her sailing ar
rived. Never had such solemn day been seen
in Salem; and, moreover, ithappened to be
Friday; for the Captain was not such godly
man as the mariners Of S.lem generally were in
those DAYS. A great multitude crowded the
wharves to see their relations embark,-all were
sorrowful, and many in tears. AT last, the ship
hoisted the signal for sailing, and, wonderful to
tell, at the same time the flag was unfurled, a
black bird, much like a raven, alighted on the
hand of the town clock, and by its weight pushed
IT forward, some said full ten minutes. Every
one who witnessed this sight, was struck with
horror, and some laid hands upon their relations,
to prevent them from embarking. But those who
had engaged to go with the fated vessel, were
wilful, and would not be controlled.
During these struggles, the two unknown
rot,on Mafher,s liz Christ,