Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-02-21
SALEM WITcHCRAFT.
Extract from Mr.. Uphamr's Lectures ON W'tcn-



Extract from Mr.. Upham's Lecturer on Witch
craft.
Since It u.s. at present, the universal opinion
that the whole of this wtchcraft transaction was
delusion having no foundation whatever Dut
i'm the imaginations and passions, and as II Is
now certain, that all the accused both the con-
demned and the pardoned were entirely inno'
cent how can it be explained that SO many were
led to confess themselves guilty2 The answer
to this question is to be found in those general
principles that have led the wisest legislators
and inrsts to the conclusion that although on
their face and at first thought they appear to be
the very best kind Of evidence, yet maturely
considered, confessions made under the nope OF
benefit, and sometimes even without tne I'M
pulses of such hope, are to be received WIN
great caution and wariness. Here were nifty
Eve persons many ofthem of worthy characters,
MANY of them professors ofreIigion, VINO deciar'
ed themselves guilty of capital, nay, diaooi'
cal crime. of which we know they were innocent.
II is probable that the motive Of sefpreservation
influenced most Of them. An awful death was
in immediate PROJECT They saw no escape
| from the wiles oftheir malignant accusers. Inc
delusion had obtained full possession OF the peo-
pie, the witnesses, the jury and court. BY &C
| knowledging compact with Satan. they might
| in a moment secure their lives and liberty
| Their principles could not whs' and the tempta-
ton They made a confession and were reward
ed by pardon.
Each confession agreed to heighten the pub
lie infatuation, and aggravate the general Gala
nifty, by increasing the authority of the accu-
sers The unhappy confessers could not but
perceive this, they saw that they had given fresh
strength to an arm that was continually stretch
ed out to destroy the innocent. The reproach-
es of conscience in some instances prevailed,
and they took back their confessions. One man
an inhabitant of Andover, retracted, and was
put to death.
1t is the most melancholy reflection suggested
by this awful history, that those only suffered
! whose principles were so strong that even the
fear of DEATH combined with the love Of life,
could not persuade them to utter falsehood:-
You cannot however, receive from any descrlp-
ton, could give you: so satisfactory an expla-
nation of the inducements, that prevailed upon
some Of the accused to do violence to their mo-
raj sense, by confessing guilt that did not be-
| long to them, as from their own words
| The following is the recantation Of young
woman who had been prevailed upon to confess
! and become a witness against the Rev. ny
Burroughs and also against her own GRANDPA
Their, who mainly upon the strength OF her EVIL
dence were condemned and executed.
'The humble declaration OF Magaret Jacobs,
unto the honored court now sitting at Salem,
sheweth, That whereas your poor and humble
declarant, being closely confined here in Salem
jai for the crime Of wtchcraft, which crime,
thanks to the Lord, am altogether ignorant CT as
! il will appear at the great DAY Of judgment. May
it please the honored court, was cried out up
on by some Of the possessed persons, as aftilct-
ing them; whereupon was brought to my ex-
animation, when persons al the sight OF me Tell
down, which did very much startle and alright
me- The Lord above knows | knew moth
| ing in the least measure how or who AFFLICTED
them; they told me, without doubt | did, or
also they would not fall down at me. Tney told
| &c faoc I CHI nil he mt
into the dung con and would be hanged; but if
would confess should have my life; the which
did so alright me, with my own vile heart, TO
save nv life, made me make the like confession
| did, which confession, may it please the honor
ed court is altogether false and untrue. The
very first night after made this confession,
was in such horror Of conscience that could
not sleep, for fear the devil should carry me
away for telling such horrid lies. | was may II
| please the honored court, sworn to my COMES
sion, as understand since, but then at that time,
was ignorant oft, not knowing what an oath
did mean. The Lord, ] hope in whom trust,
out of the abundance of his mercy, will forgive
INV false forswearing myself What said was
altogether false, against my grand grandfather
and Mr. Burroughs, which did to save my life
1 and to have my liberty; but the Lord charging
| it to my conscience, made me in so much nor
ror that could not contain myself, before had
denied my confession. which did, though saw
nothing but death before ME, choosing rather
death with quiet conscience, than 10 live in
such horror, which could not suffer. Where
upon my denying my confession, was commit.
ted to close prison, where have enjoyed more
felicity in spirit thousand times, than did be-
fore my enlargement. And now, may it please
your honors, your declarant having in part gl-
ven your honors a description Of my condition,
do leave it to your honors' pious and judicious
discretions to take pity and compassion on my
young and tender years; TO act and do with me
as the Lord above and your honors shall see
good, having no friend but the Lord TO plead my
cause for me; not being guilty in the least mea.
sure, of the crime Of wichcraft, nor any other
sin that deserves death from man; and your
10 r and humble declarant shall forever pray,
as she is bound in duty, for your honors happi-
ness in this life, and eternal felicity In the world
to come.-So prays your honors' declarant,
MARGARET JAcoBs'.