The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-29
AN OLD LETTER.
some massac hu.etts Ideas roo Years Aga
[St. Louis Republican,

ISt. Louis Republican,
There has lately been found among some
old papers In the library OF the Massachusetts
Historical Society the following interesting
and suggestive letter:
SEPTEMBER 1858.
ITO ye aged and beloved John Hiegisson:
"There be now at sea shippe for our
friend Esias Holdcraft OF London did advise
me by the last packet that 1t would sail some
time In August) called ye Welcome, X. Green
was, master. which has aboard hundred or
more OF ye heretics and malignants called
Quakers, with w. Penn who Is ye scamp at ye
head OF them. Ye general court has accord
ipgly given secret order to Master Malachi
Huxett OF ye brig Purpose, to waylaye ye
said Welcome, as near as ye coast OF Codd as
may be, and make captives OF ye said Penn
and his ungodly crew, SO that ye Lord may be
glorified and not Knocked on ye soil OF this
new country with ye heather worshipps OF
these people. Much spoil can be made by
selling ye whole lot to Barbados, where
slaves fetch good prices in rumme and sugar !;
and we shall not only do ye Lord great SER
vice by Furnishing ye wicked, but shall make
gayne for his ministers and people.
"Yours, in ye bowels OF Christ
COTTON MATHEB."
Cotton Mather, whose crumblng tombstone
is the chief curiosity In old Cops Hill bury
ing ground, Boston, was, as most OF our
readers are aware, the brightest ecclesiastical
light of his day in New England. AS a
theologian and preacher he had no rival, and
his books and sermons probably exert a
greater influence upon the public mind of that
region than has ever been exerted since by q
pulpit occupant. In culture he was the equal,
II not the superior, Of any OF his contem-
poraries, and his earnest piety has never been
questioned even by the bitterest opponents of
his creed. In the light OF these facts. what q
lesson does this letter teach No elaborate
exhortation OF his Numbered over the open
Bible into the ears OF an admiring flock was
half as eloquent. Not satisfied with max
ing captives OF ye said Penn and his ungod-
ly crew." In order "that ye Lord may be
glorifed," the good Cotton proposed to "sell
We whole lot to Barbados" for "ramme and
sugar" And the sale, while doing Eye Lord
would"-happy thought-"make gayne for
his ministers and people" The Endorsement
OF the remarkable programme, Yours In ye
bowels OF Christ" Is fitting climax; one as
provocative of sigh as smile. Fortunately
for all concerned, Penn and his ungodly
crew." were not captured and exchanged Tor
the favorite New England beverage; but es-
capped the clutches Of the general court and
Master Malachi Huxett,' and founded Phila-
delphia and Pennsylvania.
All this less than 200 years ago. Think OF a
man holding the same position now that Cot
ton Mather did then, making similar propo-
sition. How quickly he would be thrust In
country Yet 900 years ago nobody was
astonished at such q fiendish exhibition OF
intolerant bigotry. On the contrary, we pre-
sumo every member OF the community Ia
which Mather lived and died loved and re-
vered him the more for his zeal In extermi-
Quakers, and ye scamp W. Penn at We head
OF them Verify, the world moves, and such
landmarks as this old letter show in what di-
rection that movement is.