_Examination of Giles Cory._
WHY this Examination was not given by Dr. Mather, in his Account of the
Witchcraft, cannot be certainly stated; while it may be conjectured
that it was omitted for one of the two following Reasons: 1st, it may
have been thought not sufficiently damning to the Accused; or, 2dly,
it may have been rejected, as a great Part of the Proceedings was,
for want of Room. It seems not now to be among the Copies of those
Proceedings recently made, or Mr. Woodward would not have omitted it in
his Work. It is given here, as transcribed by Mr. David Pulsifer, for
the Edition of the _More Wonders_, &c., published in Salem by Cushing
& Appleton, in 1823. The previous Edition, of course, does not contain
it.[178]
The Examination of Giles Cory, at a Court at Salem Village, held by
John Hathorn and Jonathan Curwin, Esqrs., April 19, 1692.
Giles Cory, you are brought before Authority upon high Suspicion of
sundry Acts of Witchcraft. Now tell us the Truth in this Matter.
I hope, through the Goodness of God, I shall; for that Matter I never
had no Hand in, in my Life.
Which of you have seen this Man hurt you?
Mary Wolcott, Mercy Lewis, Ann Putman, Jr., and Abigail Williams
affirmed he had hurt them.
Hath he hurt you too? speaking to Elizabeth Hubbard. She going to
answer was prevented by a Fit.
Benjamin Gold, Hath he hurt you?
I have seen him several Times, and been hurt after it, but cannot
affirm that it was he.
Hath he brought the Book to any of you?
Mary Wolcott and Abigail Williams and others affirmed he had brought
the Book to them.
Giles Cory, they accuse you, or your Appearance, of hurting them, and
bringing the Book to them. What do you say? Why do you hurt them? Tell
us the Truth.