told me, if I would not confess, I should be put down into the dungeon, and would be hanged, but, if I would confess, I should have my life:  the which did so affright me, with my own vile, wicked heart, to save my life, made me make the like confession I did, which confession, may it please the honored Court, is altogether false and untrue.  The very first night after I had made confession, I was in such horror of conscience that I could not sleep, for fear the Devil should carry me away for telling such horrid lies.  I was, may it please the honored Court, sworn to my confession, as I understand since; but then, at that time, was ignorant of it, not knowing what an oath did mean.  The Lord, I hope, in whom I trust, out of the abundance of his mercy, will forgive me my false forswearing myself.  What I said was altogether false against my grandfather and Mr. Burroughs, which I did to save my life, and to have my liberty:  but the Lord, charging it to my conscience, made me in so much horror, that I could not contain myself before I had denied my confession, which I did, though I saw nothing but death before me; choosing rather death with a quiet conscience, than to live in such horror, which I could not suffer.  Where, upon my denying my confession, I was committed to close prison, where I have enjoyed more felicity in spirit, a thousand times, than I did before in my enlargement.  And now, may it please Your Honors, your declarant having in part given Your Honors a description of my condition, do leave it to Your Honors’ pious and judicious discretions to take pity and compassion on my young and tender years, to act and do with me as the Lord above and Your Honors shall see good, having no friend but the Lord to plead my cause for me; not being guilty, in the least measure, of the crime of witchcraft, nor any other sin that deserves death from man.  And your poor and humble declarant shall for ever pray, as she is bound in duty, for Your Honors’ happiness in this life, and eternal felicity in the world to come.  So prays Your Honors’ declarant,

     MARGARET JACOBS.”

The following letter was written by this same young person to her father.  Let it be observed that her grandfather had been executed the day before, partly upon her false testimony.

     “From the Dungeon in Salem Prison.

     “AUGUST 20, 1692.

“HONORED FATHER,—­After my humble duty remembered to you, hoping in the Lord of your good health, as, blessed be God!  I enjoy, though in abundance of affliction, being close confined here in a loathsome dungeon:  the Lord look down in mercy upon me, not knowing how soon I shall be put to death, by means of the afflicted persons; my grandfather having suffered already, and all his estate seized for the king.  The reason of my confinement is this:  I having, through the magistrates’ threatenings, and my own vile and wretched heart, confessed several things contrary to my conscience and knowledge,