The story of “Today In Salem” will end on Halloween, three weeks from today, when Governor Phips finally stands up and exercises his authority. It’s about time. In the last seven months, 19 people have been hanged, one has been pressed and tortured to death, and as many as twelve have died in prison. Still waiting: Eight more people who’ve been sentenced to hang, plus the nearly one hundred others who are still in prison, waiting for trials.
The tide has been turning, though. Over the last few months, two judges and one constable have quit in protest, and hundreds of people have signed petitions on behalf of the accused. Ministers have advised caution, judges have refused to conduct some arrests, and children are being bailed out of prison.
All of that momentum has led us to this week’s tipping point, when the prominent Rev Increase Mather – the most influential Puritan minister in the colony – has said that it would be better for ten witches to live than for one innocent person to die.
For now, though, the Governor is still dithering, even though his own wife has been accused. It’s a lot to stand up to. The Chief Justice is raging, intent on finding and destroying every last witch in New England. The afflicted girls are still making accusations. And powerful families like the Putnams believe them.
Still. The Governor has heard the Rev Mather’s message: It’s better that ten suspected witches should live, than that one innocent person should die. Is it possible? Have innocent people died?
Tomorrow in Salem: The Sheriff is stopped, while others ask for mercy and advice