University of Virginia Library

June ye 10th.

The condemned Woman hath been reprieved by
the Governor and the Magistrates, until the sitting of
the Court in October. Manie People, both Men and

Women, coming in from the Towns about to see the
Hanging, be sore disappointed, and doe vehementlie
condemn the Conduct of the Governor therein. For
mine own part, I doe truly rejoice that Mercie hath
been shown to the poor creature; for, even if she is
guiltie, it affordeth her a season for Repentance; and
if she be innocent, it saveth the land from a great Sin.
The sorrowful look of the old creature at the Lecture
hath troubled me ever since, soe forlorn and forsaken
did she seem. Maj. Pike, (Robert's Father,) coming
in this Morning, says, next to the sparing of Goody
Morse's life, it did please him to see the blood-thirsty
Rabble soe cheated out of their diversion; for example,
there was Goody Matson, who had ridden bare-backed,
for lack of a Saddle, all the way from Newbury, on
Dea. Dole's hard-trotting Horse, and was soe galled
and lame of it that she could scarce walk. The Major
said he met her at the head of King street yesterday,
with half a score more of her sort, scolding and rayling
about the reprieve of the Witch, and prophesying
dreadful Judgments upon all concerned in it. He said
he bade her shut her Mouth and goe home, where she
belonged; telling her that if he heard any more of her
rayling, the Magistrates should have notice of it, and
she would find that laying by the heels in the Stocks
was worse than riding Dea. Dole's Horse.