Letter
To Mr. John
Arnold, Keeper of the Prison in Boston, in the County of
Suffolk.
Whereas Captain John Aldin of Boston, Marriner, and Sarah Rice, Wife of
Nicholas Rice of Reding, Husbandman, have been this day brought before us,
John Hathorn and Jonathan Curwin, Esquires; being accused and suspected of
perpetrating divers acts of Witchcraft, contrary to the form of the Statute, in that
Case made and provided: These are therefore in Their Majesties, King William
and Queen Marys Names, to Will and require you, to take into your Custody, the
bodies of the said John Aldin, and Sarah Rice, and them safely keep, until they
shall thence be delivered by due course of Law; as you will answer the contrary
at your peril; and this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Given under our hands
at Salem Village, the 31st of May, in the Fourth Year of the Reign of our
Sovereign Lord and Lady, William and Mary, now King and Queen over
England, etc., Anno Dom. 1692.
John Hathorn,
Assistants. Jonathan Curwin,
