Rebecca writes me that the witchcraft in William Morse's house is much
talked of; and that Caleb Powell hath been complained of as the wizard.
Mr. Jordan the elder says he does in no wise marvel at the Devil's power
in the Massachusetts, since at his instigation the rulers and ministers
of the Colony have set themselves, against the true and Gospel order of
the Church, and do slander and persecute all who will not worship at
their conventicles.

A Mr. Van Valken, a young gentleman of Dutch descent, and the agent of
Mr. Edmund Andross, of the Duke of York's Territory, is now in this
place, being entertained by Mr. Godfrey, the late Deputy-Governor. He
brought a letter for me from Aunt Rawson, whom he met in Boston. He is
a learned, serious man, hath travelled a good deal, and hath an air of
high breeding. The minister here thinks him a Papist, and a Jesuit,
especially as he hath not called upon him, nor been to the meeting. He
goes soon to Pemaquid, to take charge of that fort and trading station,
which have greatly suffered by the war.



September 30.

Yesterday, Cousin Polly and myself, with young Mr. Jordan, went up to
the top of the mountain, which is some miles from the harbor. It is not
hard to climb in respect to steepness, but it is so tangled with bushes
and vines, that one can scarce break through them. The open places were
yellow with golden-rods, and the pale asters were plenty in the shade,
and by the side of the brooks, that with pleasing noise did leap down
the hill. When we got upon the top, which is bare and rocky, we had a