The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-04

craft delusion Of 1892 most ercely ragged for though
that awful affair Is commonly known as the Salem
witchcraf, It was not local moral disease but ak
listed all around Salem which was the most import
ant place then, now, in the county. Witches were
unc0mmonly abundant in Andover, Topsfeld, Ips-
witch, Bedford, Salisbury. and other places. Cotton
lem for a bad lawyer declares that at Andover, was
discovered the most horrid crew Of witches that
ever disgraced New England town. 1t is just SO
there now, only that the witches are young women,
dis-gracing it. They are Of the true Lancashire
breed The whole OF the proceedings Of the autho-
rites in the witchcraft business were such as would
have disgraced synod of devils 1t is something
OF different kind that the first United States vessel
that was engaged in the India trade was from
Salem.
Essex is something of an ice growing county. 1t
is here that is located Wenham Pond, in the town Of
the same name, which has given its name to Anne
rican ice in England. In 1850, the ice returned as
cut for merchandise in Essex county, was Of the
value of $55 900. Of which $4,000 worth were from
Wenham Pond, the rest being from Lynnfeld and
AndOver The same year the amount given as cut
in Mddlesex county was of the value OF s15S 000
and $4,000 worth from Plymouth. All these Ne
turns were far below the truth.
Essex was at one time the most important poll
teal locality in Massachusetts,, the seat OF pure,
adultemted federalism. The famous " Essex Junto"
took its name from this county, where the wealth,
the talents, the social position and the energy of
the leading federalists made them the directors Of
their party. Some of the greatest tederalists here
lived, and Others were here born, but removed to
Boston. Timothy Pickering-a revolutionary sol
der, member of both branches of Congress, and the
occupant of three Cabinet ofices-the stifest OF
Hamlltonian federaists-was an Essex county man.
George Cabot great federalist was from Beverley,
but removed TO Boston, Leverett Saltonstall be-
longed to ore of the historical families OF the county,
which was founded by an English knight in 1880,
nplh hoe civ bcaO of ia
of the Satonstalls by that learned writer, Mr. Drake
" That they opposed the prosecutions in New Eng
land, in its early settlement; denounced, with
becoming language, the proceedings against the
Quakers, and set worthy example in the witchcaft
deluson.' Some Of their number were tories in the
Revolution. Leverett Saltonstal was leading fed.
erat, though but young man in the latter years OF
that partys existence After the extinction Of the
federal party Essex ceased to be Of so much moment
in politics, and Worcester reigned in her stead The
county is now not far from being equally divided be-
tween the wings and their opponents.
There has always been sort OF eccentricity about
this county, and it often acts in extremes. The
witchcraft delusion is a case in point The murders
that have been here perpetrated, are of such char
acter as would have charmed De Quinceys connois-
seur in that branch of the "line arts" old Toadin
the-hole, who spoke with such praise of dog that
murdered rival with pleasing circumstances of
good TASTE" The assassination Of Captain White,
at Salem, in $780, was the result Of plan, rather
series Of plans into which many crimes entered, and
never punished Although three persons-one by
suicide and the others by the hands of the execu-
toner-were sacrificed to the names of the old man,
yet the opinion Is even now common that the most
guilty party OF all escaped-unwhipt Of justice. To
complete the tale Of terror the planes principles Of
law and Justice were set aside to reach those crm
nails who were arrested. The Parkman murder was
not SO bad that; besides which, it took two coun
ties Middlesex and Suffolk, to furnish the parties to
that tragedy. Perhaps the only Massachusetts, muir
der in all its Details that will compare toerably
with the Salem crime, was that of Mr.. Spooner, by
his wife and her paramorer, which was perpetrated
have often thought that Mr.. Hawthone's last great
work The House OF the Seven Cables was intend.
ed to be sort OF picture OF the darker side of Essex
life, there is scarcely an incident mentioned in it
that has not occurred there. Not that would seek
to convey the idea that Essex is bad locality morally
speaking-far from it-but that there is certain
vividness about some of the crimes that have been
there committed which is apt to stagger ones faith
in the inmate goodness OF the human heart and which
give to them character all their own.
Essex county has produced many eminent men,
besides those above named. Judge Story was born
here, and here laid the foundation OF his fame. Ell
bridge Gerry was native of Marbehead, which was
also Judge Storys birth place. Mr.. Hawthorne, the
greatest OF our authors, Is native Of Salem. Gen.
Cushing was born at Salisbury, and Mr.. Rantoul was
Beverly man. Mr.. Choate Is from Essex, and Mr.
Phillips, one Of the most distinguished of the free
soil leaders, belongs here and exerts great infu
ence in the social and political world William Grey,
the great Boston merchant, and who founded one OF
the best OF the present Boston families, went from
Salem to the capital. Mr.. Silsbee, who was for D
long time one Of our Senators, was Salem merchant
Jacob Perkins, the steamgun man, belonged to New
burypoIt Jacob Little, the eminent banker Of your
city, is native Of the same town. Benjamin Crown
ngsheld who was one of the Secretaries OF the Navy
under Mr. Monroe, belonged to noted Essex family
Tie Webster family belonged here originally, and
Daniel Webster, though not son, is a grand
son Of. Of this s county. The Woodbuys emigrst,
last century; the leading members having re-
ceived grants Of land in that colony for ser
vices rendered in the colonial wars. Mr.. Whittier,
"a sweet poet" as the lady called Milton, lives at
Amesbury. Nathaniel Bowditch, author Of " The
Practical Navigator" and translator OF The Me-
canique Celeste,'' (they say he was the only man
who could read La Place) was born at Salem.
Lord Timothy Dexter, that most eccentric OF Essex
long series Of years 1t is said that he got the title
in consequence Of offering to pave the principal
street Of the town. if the people would call him Lord.
The town refused the offer Of stones bat gave him
such figure in the world, was born at Newburyport
in 1905. Andrew Dunlop, who was General ia TX
sons Attorney General for the Massachusetts, district
and who, next to Mr.. Henshaw and Colonel Greene,
was the most distinguished Of the founders OF the
new democratic party in this State, was Essex born.
Francis c. and John G. Gray, sons of William, were
Salem men, and both are of marked talent. The
first was private secretary to Mr.. John @. Adams,
Wnen ne went Mlnlster 10 hussla, III 1919. JOHN
Lowell, the Boston rebel" came from Ncwbury-
port. EDWARD g. Prescott brother of the historian,
belonged to Salem. He was man Of great ability.
might extend this list largely, but | have said
enough to show that among the productions of the
county, men occupy q very conspicuous place. As
for the women-they should be seen to be appreci.
ated. CHARLES LIE CHAUvE.
Domestic Miscellany.
A murder was committed at La Sale, Ill, on the
9th nit. nv marty If engaged on the bridge oil
the Illinois Central Railroad Company. Some dis.
plte arose among them, when one of their number