[70] The law was passed Nov. 25. December 7, William Stoughton was
elected chief justice (receiving every vote present), and Thomas
Danforth, John Richards, Wait Winthrop and Samuel Sewall, receiving
only majorities as associate judges. December 22, they received their
commissions.
Gov. Hutchinson states that the colony law against witchcraft was
revived by the first act of the Provincial Assembly, passed June 15,
and published June 28, 1692, providing “That all the local laws of
Massachusetts Bay and New Plymouth, being not repugnant to the laws of
England, do remain in full force, until the 10 day of November next.”
As the charges alleged in the witchcraft trials were committed, and
proceedings instituted, before June 28, and the special court was
instructed, May 27, to proceed under English law and custom, it is
probable that the court tried and executed every one of its victims
under English law, the statute of James I. Trials were held after the
old colony law was re-enacted; but no persons were executed after
September 22, 1692.