pose them not to be maliciously enchanted by any sorcerer, but deluded by the Devil to promote the misery of mankind." The only account we have of the opinions of the Dutch and French Ministers is that of Mather, who states that "they gave it in under their hands that if we believe no venefick witchcraft, we must renounce the Scripture of God, and the consent of almost all the world; but that yet the apparition of a person afflicting another, is a very insufficient proof of a witch; nor is it inconsistent with the holy and righteous government of God over men, to permit the affliction of the neighbours, by devils in the shape of good men; and that a good name, obtained by a good life, shall not be lost by meer spectral accusations." To the record of this beneficent intervention it may not be improper to add a reference to the fact that several of these victims of persecution in Massachusetts sought and found refuge and protection in New York, until the danger was past. The historian of the Witchcraft Delusion, the Rev. CHARLES W. UPHAM, D.D., says: "The fact that when Massachusetts was suffering from a fierce and bloody, but brief, persecution by its own Government, New York opened so kind and secure a shelter for those fortunate enough to escape to it, ought to be forever held in grateful remembrance by the people of the old Bay State, and constitutes a part of the history of the Empire State of which she may well be proud." Historical Magazine, 2d Series, vi. 215. COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE IN VINDICATION OF THE TERRITORIAL RIGHTS AND JURISDICTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AGAINST THE CLAIMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE AND THE PEOPLE OF THE GRANTS WHO ARE COMMONLY CALLED VERMONTERS. |