October

The fall has come and witchcraft still runs rampant in Salem. I have tried and convicted many witches, with swift and fierce punishment. Those accused who enter my courtroom are shown no mercy and are sentenced to death at an astonishing rate. Critics continue to chastise my swift techniques, including clergymen Thomas Brattle. While I respect the educated opinions of others, when one calls my workings into question specifically I will not tolerate it. Brattle has had the gaul to say that I am "Very zealous in these proceedings, and says, he is very clear as to all that hath as yet been enacted by this Court, and, as far as I could ever perceive, is very impatient in hearing anything that looks another way”. I am a very educated and strong-willed man who stands next to all of his decisions. I know that all who are accused, and whose specter has been identified is surely a witch. This comes with no exception, and has held up in court testimony. Those who challenge this idea put themselves in a position of suspected witch. By calling proceedings and trials anything fair undermines the court, and all of the judges who preside over the hearings. Suspected witches seem to always find the trials unfair, but only because they are the ones who are so severely punished.

Success in the Stands

I told the other judges, "Having now perused so happy and fruitful a composure, upon such a subject, at this juncture of time, and considering the place that I hold in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, still laboring and proceeding in the trial of the persons accused and convicted for witchcraft, I find that I am more nearly and highly concerned than as a meer ordinary reader to express my obligation and thankfulness to you for so great pains; and cannot but hold myself many ways bound, even to the utmost of what is proper for me, in my present publick capacity, to express my singular approbation thereof".  My dear friend Cotton Mather has now decided to make a book about our sufferings in Salem. He has assured me that everything said will reflect my views which are the only ways to correct this problem. He would like for me to present his ideas for his book to the other judges for our approval. I feel very relieved that Cotton understands that we cannot have an difference in opinion on the matter. Future generations must be aware of the power of the devil. I am sure that the other judges and myself have made the best decisions. I will never regret the steps i have taken against the devil.

June

June has been a busy month for me, as I continue to inform the residents of Salem as of the constant threat of witchcraft will consume the village. I have made it my duty to prosecute anyone who is accused of witchcraft in order to keep Salem a god-loving, Puritan village. I have spoken with many ministers and have argued that spectral evidence is just ground for prosecution. It is clear that no innocent persons specter would been seen or even accused, so logically if you're accused you are undoubtably guilty. More ignorant men such as Willard have challenged my views on spectral evidence, yet he seems to offer no relevant theory on what seems to plague the innocents of Salem. More recently a woman named Rebecca Nurse was acquitted by a jury who found her not guilty of witchcraft, though he specter was seen by many of the accused. I believe the jury did make a mistake in not convicting her but, I can do nothing but try harder. Next time no accused witch will walk out of my courtroom without a guilty verdict and a death sentence.

The Trial of Bridgette Bishop

As the trial of accused witch Bridgette Bishop comes to a close, I feel a sense of pride within knowing a pawn of Satan has been sent back to hell. Witches are evil and twisted characters who manipulate god-loving Puritans to their whim, and deserve a fate no less than death. If I can can continue to rid Salem and Salem Village of the witch infestation, I will be remembered as one of the greatest judges in Massachusetts history and will be respected by all. As far as I am concerned, anyone accused of witchcraft is unquestionably a witch and will receive swift and fatal punishment. Bridgette Bishop was no different, she was stripped and examined for marks, tried, convicted and jailed. As she currently awaits her execution,  hopefully she has time to repent for all of her wrong doings.

The Court of Oyer and Terminer

Early this month, I had the god-given chance to preside over the first trial of George Burroughs. This unholy former pastor represented himself as a child and shepherd of God. He is the shepherd of Satan! It is said that he is the ring leader for 300 or some witches in our country. It hurt my soul to see the torture of those children during his examination. I asked him "who hinders theses witnesses from giving their testimonies?” “How comes the devil so loath to have testimony borne against you?” Abigail Hobbs tells us that Burroughs's spectre visits her while she is in prison. This man will not stop his devilness. 

The lord has blessed me with an opportunity of a life time. I knew I had made the right choice denouncing those several opportunities to become a priest. On the 27 of this find month of May, John Harthorne, Jonathan Corwin, Samuel Sewall, Bartholomew Gedney, John Richard, Nathaniel Salonstall, Waitstill Winthrop, Peter Sergenant, and myself were offered the position to become judges at the seat of a new Salem court. The focus of this court will be to oversee the witchcraft trails and put these shameful devils to rest. Sir William Phips has made the best decision possible for our people. By the grace of God,  I have been offered the position of Chief Justice of the court. God has given me another chance to correct my past sins. As long as Gedney, Richard, or myself is present, any five of us can make the decisions on the trial. I will never miss an opportunity to remove these minions from our community. I have gotten busy with every detail needed to make this court efficient. I think it will me named the Court of Oyer and Terminer, yes, that fits well. Yesterday, Samuel Sewall and I made a call for holy jurors to correct these wrongs. I think we will need eighteen holy and lawful men for the grand jury, and we will need forty or more eligible alike for juries and trials.

March

There's been some highly devlish activity since I received my position of lieutenant governor, the Salem area has gone into complete turmoil. Little children all over the county have been behaving very strangely in the meeting houses. It has been discovered that the source of our deplorable situations steam from the malevolent behavior of evil witches amongst us. It is my job to protect this colony from anything harmful. I let them down before. If I had not called for the removal of troops in those war ridden towns, many of our fellow Englishmen would be here today. I have to make this right for my people and my conscious. Corwin and Harthorne aren't doing enough to prosecute these horrid wretches. He lets them sit in jail while poor young girls are having fits. Mr. Putnam told me earlier that the witches have now attacked both his daughter and wife. He cannot find the reason why God has so punished his family. I wish there was some way for me to help. Every witch among us must be sent to the gallows. I will go later and see what advice Cotton Mather has to help this situation.

Waiting and Watching

 After the people ousted the man I entrusted with my political endeavors regarding the colony, I was forced to reconsider my alliances. When I first joined the cabinet of Andros, I did not particularly agree with the man's politics, however, I joined to keep more abusive officials out of office. The political malleability I have allows me to create friends and lose them at my own discretion, and makes climbing up the political ladder that much easier. When Andros was evicted in 1689 I had to fall out of the public eye, a necessary precaution in order to rebuild my public image. I am aware that I have burned bridges. They call me a traitor, but they do not know the extent in which I will lay down my life for the people of these English Colonies. In order to make it to the top I have to make enemies. My dear friend Increase Mather, one of my most trusted associates even recommended me for a new position as the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. He bragged that I was "a true friend to New England, and willing to make any amendment for the miscarriages of the late government”. I cannot let him down, and I must do anything to prove I am a political genius.