Worse by far than the great Plague of London, considering the smallness of the Town. Shops shut up for 6 weeks; nothing but carrying Medicines, digging graves, carting the dead; to the great astonishment of all beholders. Out of Mr. Cotton's church there died himself, Sept 17th, Mr. Jn° Alexander Merch', Mr. Curtice preacher, Mr. Matthew Bee, Schoolmaster, Mr. Henry Spry (besides his Serv't man, his youngest child, and an Indian Woman). But lastly, which may grieve you most of all, our precious godly Mother Avis Adams departed this Life Octbr 6th last, being infected by means of tending Mr. Cotton all the time of his Sickness, which was but three days. Dearly beloved Brother, I intreat you to prepare for the nearapproaching of Temptation and Persecution, which Christ will bring upon all the World to try them that dwell upon the earth. When the Lord will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their Lees; when Christ will weigh all Professors in the Balance of the Sanctuary. Then wo to them that shall be found out of Christ at that day. Take this favourably as a plain. token of my Love to your soul and body. I must needs confess, I have but little Comfort in this Life, only what the Lord himself is pleased to give my Soul out of his spiritual Brests of Divine Consolation, and Loving-kindness and favours, which is better than life itself.— Although we may see one another no more in this world : yet I hope to meet you in Christ with Comfort and Joy at the morning of the Resurrection.

To Mr. John Adams Shop-keeper in Boston
Capt. Green Q. D. C.

Monday, Apr. 29, 1700. Sam. Sewall, Josiah Willard Jn Bayly, Sam. Gaskill, and Mountfort goe into the Harbour a fishing in a small Boat. Seeing Rich'd Fifield coming in, some would needs meet the ship and see who it was: Ship had fresh way with a fair wind; when came neare, Capt. call'd to them to beware, order'd what they should doe. But they did the clear contrary, fell foul on the ship, which broke their Mast short off, fill'd the Boat with water, threw Willard and Gaskill into the River. Both which were very near drown'd; especially Gaskill, who could not swim. It pleas'd God Fifield's Boat was out, so he presently man'd it and took them in. Gaskill was under water, but discover'd by his

Hat that swam atop as a Buoy. Sam, Jn° Bayly and Mountfort caught hold of the Ship and climbed on board in a miserable fright as having stared death in the face. This is the second time Sam has been near drown'd with Josiah Willard. Mother was against his going, and prevented Joseph, who pleaded earnestly to go. He sensibly acknowledged the Good Providence in his staying at home, when he saw the issue.

1. A Narrative of the Portsmouth Disputation between Presbyterians and Baptists at Mr. Williams's Meeting-' house.

2. Bp. of Norwich's Sermon of Religious Melancholy. 3. Amintor, a defence of Milton with Reasons for abolishing the 30th Jan! 1

4. An Account of the first Voyages into America by don Barthol de las Casas 48.

5. Account of a Jew lately converted and baptis'd at the Meeting near Ave Mary-Lane.

The President desires me to send for the above mentioned Books.

Monday May 13. 1700. Mr. Wheelwright dies. This day p.m. I set out towards Kittery, Lodge at Salem.

May 14. Get to Newbury a little before sunset, visit my sick Father in bed, call in the Major Gen' whom Father salutes. Kiss'd my hand, and I his again. Mr. Tapan came in and pray'd with him and us.

May, 15. Walks into the west end of the house with his staff, breakfasts there. I read the 17th Luke, and went to Prayer. My father would have stood up but I persuaded him to sit still in his chair. Took leave and went on to Portsmouth. Maj Gen' and I lodge at Col. Parkers. Most Gentlemen out of Town, some at Mr. Wheelrights funeral and som at Business. Mr. Hirst and Geoffries welcom'd us to Town. May 16th goe to Spruce

1 Written by John Toland.-Eds.

Crick and hold Court at Mr. Curtis's. Cousin Moodey comes thither and tells me of his son born that morn when sun about 2 hours high. Return in the night to Portsmouth.

May, 17th Benj Moss jun' is sent to me to acquaint me that my dear Father died the evening before. It rains hard. Holds up about 5 p.m. I ride to Hampton, lodge at Mr. Cottons, where am very kindly entertained.

May, 18th ride to Newbury in the Rain; when breaks up, Bro and Sister come from Salem. Bury my Father, Bearers, Col. Peirce, Mr. Nich. Noyes, Mr. Sam. Plumer, Mr. Tristram Coffin, Major Dan' Davison, Major Thomas Noyes, had 8 Underbearers.

Sabbath, May. 19. Mr. Tapan in the afternoon preach'd a funeral Sermon from Prov. 19. 20. Said my Father was a true Nathanael: Mention'd 3 or four other deaths which occasion'd his discourse: gave a good character of most of them. May, 20. Rains hard, holds up in the afternoon. Major Gen' and Mr. Cooke come to Newbury in the night.

May 21, ride to Ipswich: sheriff, Mr. Harris, and Major Epes meet us at Rowley. Give no Action to the Jury till after diñer. Lodge at Mr. Rodgers's where am very kindly entertain❜d.

May 23. Mr. Rogers preaches very well of the Divine Efficiency in Mans Conversion, from Philip. 2. 13. Invite the Ministers to diñer, There are Mr. Hubbard, Rogers, Mr. Gerrish, Mr. Payson, Mr. Capen, Mr. Green, Mr. Rolf; last did not dine.

May 24th set out for Salem about an hour by sun, Mr. Joseph Woodbridge with me, Got to Brothers a little before Nine, met there Mrs. Añe Woodbridge. Proved my Fathers Will. May 25. 1700 went homeward in company Mrs. Anne as far as Col. Paiges. Got home about 3 aclock, found all well, Blessed be God. My Wife provided Mourning upon my Letter by Severs, All went in

mourning save Joseph, who staid at home because his Mother lik'd not his cloaths. Sister Short here, came from Newbury the morn father died, and so miss'd being at the funeral. It seems about a 14night before, upon discourse of going to Meeting, my Father said, He could not goe, but hôp'd to go shortly to a Greater Assembly. The Lord pardon all my sin of omission and commission towards him, and help me to prepare to Dye. Accept of any little Labour of Love towards my dear Parents. I had just sent four pounds of Raisins, which with the Canary were very refreshing to him.

(

Worthy Mr. Hale of Beverly was buried the day before my father. So was Mr. John Wadsworth of Duxbury, who died May, 15th 1700. I used to be much refreshed with his company when I went to Plimouth; and was so this last time. He gave me an account of the begining of their Town, and of his Fathers going over to fetch Mr. Partridge.

Friday, June, 7th 1700. mane, the Gov nominates Major Jn' Walley for a Judge of the Super court, gives time of consideration till after diñer, Then give in Yes and No in papers. Said Walley had all present save his own and one No. Col. Hathorne was absent. I think had 25 Papers written YES. Chose Mr. John Clark a Justice Peace in Boston and many other; Justices of Inferior Courts, Coroners &c. Mr. Jn° Wheelwright chosen Justice of Peace at Wells. Things were carried with Peace and comfortable unanimity.

Lords-day, June, 16, 1700. Mr. Daniel Oliver has his son Daniel baptised.

set.

June, 17. Mr. John Eyre makes his Will in the morning, and dies in the Afternoon, an hour or 2. before SunBorn Febr. 19th 165. I visited him on Satterday in the Afternoon: He was sitting up in his little Room, Took me by the hand at first coming in, Desired me to pray for him when took leave.

Fourth-day, June, 19. 1700. Mr. Jn° Eyre is entomed. in the new burying place. Nine of his children are laid there to handsel the new Tomb: Bearers, Sewall, Addington, Townsend, Byfield, Dumer, Davis: Scarvs and Rings. Lt Gov" and many of the Council there. Mr. Thomas Brattle led his mourning widowed Sister. When I parted, I pray'd God to be favourably present with her, and comfort her in the absence of so near and dear a Relation. Having been long.and much dissatisfied with the Trade of fetching Negros from Guinea; at last I had a strong Inclination to Write something about it; but it wore off. At last reading Bayne, Ephes.' about servants, who mentions Blackamoors; I began to be uneasy that I had so long neglected doing any thing. When I was thus thinking, in came Bro' Belknap to shew me a Petition he intended to present to the Gen' Court for the freeing a Negro and his wife, who were unjustly held in Bondage. And there is a Motion by a Boston Comittee to get a Law that all Importers of Negros shall pay 40 p head, to discourage the bringing of them. And Mr. C. Mather resolves to publish a sheet to exhort Masters to labour their Conversion. Which makes me hope that I was call'd of God to Write this Apology for them; Let his Blessing accompany the same.2

1 Paul Baynes, "Commentary on the First Chapter of the Ephesians," 1618. EDS.

2 The reference is here to Sewall's anti-slavery tract, published June 24, 1700. Although it was reprinted in the Proceedings of our Society for October, 1863, from a very rare copy presented by our President, it seems extremely proper to reproduce it in this place. We have been compelled to expose Sewall's weakness; let us put equally upon record this proof that on - EDS. one most important subject he was far in advance of his fellows.

"The Selling of Joseph.

A MEMORIAL.

"Forasmuch as Liberty is in real value next unto Life: None ought to part with it themselves, or deprive others of it, but upon most mature Consideration. "The Numerousness of Slaves at this day in the Province, and the Uneasiness of them under their Slavery, hath put many upon thinking whether the

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