University of Virginia Library

The Deposition of Bartholomew Green Printer.

"Who Testifies and Says, That on Saturday, some time last
Summer, Mr. Thomas Brattle, and Mr. Zech. Tuthill came to my
Work House in Boston, and brought with them a Manuscript of
small Writing for me to Print; and calling me aside to one end of
the Room, desired me to be private in it, and to keep it from the
Mathers; informing me that it was an Answer to Old Mr. Mathers
Book, of the Order of the Gospel. And after I had taken it into
my hand, Mr. Brattle told me, it was not yet ready, he would Transcribe

it. They asked me how much I thought it would make: I
answered, Three Sheets, or something more, in Octavo; and told
them I could not do it before the Laws were Printed, which would
be next Monday or Tuesday. They asked me how much Paper
Three Sheets would take to Print a Thousand: I answered about
Seven Ream. They asked me how much I would have a Sheet; I
answered, Two and Twenty Shillings. They said, I could do it
cheaper. I reply'd, Mr. Brattle was very curious in Correcting.
They told me, That would be for my Credit, or to that purpose.
After some other words I consented to do it for Twenty Shilling
Per Sheet: Whereupon they told me, they would have the Paper
of Mr. George; and so went away, taking the Copy with them.
After they were gone, it came into my mind what great disturbance
the Manifesto had made (which I Printed very privately at said
Tuthill's desire) which made me the more thoughtful, lest this might
give more Offence. Yet for all, I went not to the Reverend Præsident;
neither did I receive any Discouragement from him, or any of his
Friends, as to my Printing of it.

"The Monday or Tuesday following, Mr. Zechariah Tuthill came
alone to my Printing House, where I was, and guessing at his Business,
I desired him to walk out with me. Then I told him, I was
much concern'd about the Book, and prayed him to tell me who was
the Author of it. What? said he, Now you have been with Mr.
Mather. To which I replied, I have not. Whereupon he said,
There are three or four that are the Authors of it. Then I desired
only that I might mention it to the Lieutenant Governour, or ask his
Approbation; which said I, I ought to do in Books of Controversy.
Mr. Tuthill seem'd to be willing I should; which greatly satisfied
me. And understanding His Honour was to be in Town that day,
I was to wait on him for that end. This is the substance of what
pass'd between Mr. Tuthill and me.

"A little while after, in the same day, Mr. John Mico, and the
said Mr. Zechariah Tuthill came to me to my Printing Room, and
charged me by no means to go to the Lieutenant Governour, for
they would not have him know of it. After this, there passed some
discourse concerning Mr. Increase Mather's Book, the Order of the
Gospel, and of Mr. Stoddard's Book, of Instituted Churches, as I

understood. Mr. Mico asked me if it were not pity, or a shame,
that such a man as Mr. Stoddard should send so far as England to
have his Book Printed. The Answer to which I do not justly
remember, nor for what reason he spake it to me: for Mr. Stoddard's
Book was never offered me to Print; by himself or any other person.
Afterward Mr. Mico said to me, Well! you do refuse to Print it,
meaning the Manuscript that was an Answer to Mr. Increase
Mather's Order of the Gospel. I answered No, I do not refuse to
Print it: but am not willing to do it without the Lieutenant Governor's
Leave, or to that purpose. Whereupon they said they
would have it printed elsewhere; and went away in some Anger.

"Boston Jan. 4th, 1700,—1.   Bartholomew Green."

"Boston Jan. 4th, 1700,—1.   Sworn by Barthol. Green,
Printer; Mr. Thomas Brattle, Mr. John Mico, and Mr. Zechariah.
Tuthill, being Notified and Present.

 

"Coram Nobis.

Samuel Sewall. Peter Sergeant. Penn Townsend.

Justices of the Peace"