ast executions gave the public mind security and
freedom. Though Phipps conferred the place of chief judge on Stoughton,
yet jurors, representing the public mind, acted independently. When the
court met at Salem, six women of Andover, at once renouncing their
confessions, treated the witchcraft but as something "so called," the
bewildered but as "seemingly afflicted." A memorial of like tenor come
from the inhabitants of Andover.

More than one-half of the cases presented were dismissed; and, though
bills were found against twenty-six persons, the trials showed the
feebleness of the testimony on which others had been condemned. The
minds of the juries had become enlightened, even before the prejudiced
judges. The same testimony was produced, and there at Salem, with
Stoughton on the bench, verdicts of acquittal followed.

One of the parties acquitted on this occasion was an old acquaintance.
Mr. Henry Waters, who had been arrested for his brother and taken to
Virginia, suddenly appeared in Salem. John Louder, at once cried out
against him and caused him to be arrested. On being arraigned, he plead
not guilty and was put on his trial. John Louder was the principal
witness. He stated that one day he and Bly were hunting and that
defendant pursued them and bewitched their guns. Then he testified that
he fired a silver bullet and wounded the defendant. He also testified to
his appearing before him on the evening he went to stalk deer, and
offering him a book to sign. It was known that the accused had suffered
from a wound.

Mr. Waters then proceeded to explain:

"My name is Henry Waters, and, in early life, my brother and I were
players. We were members of the Church of England and detested the
Catholic Religion. The end of Charles II. was drawing near, and we
reasoned that James II., his brother, would become heir to the throne.
Our only hope was to organize a strong party and seize the throne for
the Duke of Monmouth. I was sent to the American colonies to secure
pledges of support, and get the names of all who would resist a papal
monarch on my book. I came, leaving my brother and his child in England.
On the way here, I was suddenly fired upon by an Indian in ambush and
wounded in the side. As these men were stalking a deer I passed along
and affrighted the animal, so it ran away, and I was for this accused of
being a wizard."

He was then asked by the examining magistrate, if he did offer a book to
Mr. John Loude