WHEREAS _Captain_ John Aldin _of_ Boston, _Mariner, and_ Sarah Rice,_ Wife of_ Nicholas Rice _of_ Reding, _Husbandman, have been this day brought before us,_ John Hathorn _and_ Jonathan Curwin, _Esquires; being accused and suspected of perpetrating divers acts of Witchcraft, contrary to the form of the Statute, in that Case made and provided: These are therefore_ [100] _in Their Majesties, King_ William _and Queen_ Marys _Names, to Will and require you, to take into your Custody, the bodies of the said_ John Aldin, _and_ Sarah Rice, _and them safely keep, until they shall thence be delivered by due course of Law; as you will answer the contrary at your peril; and this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Given under our hands at_ Salem-_Village, the_ 31st _of_ May, _in the Fourth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord and Lady,_ William _and_ Mary, _now King and Queen over_ England, _&c,_ Anno Dom. 1692. John Hathorn, } _Assistants_. Jonathan Curwin, } _To_ Boston Aldin _was carried by a Constable, no Bail would be taken for him; but was delivered to the Prison-keeper, where he remained Fifteen Weeks; and then observing the manner of Tryals, and Evidence then taken, was at length prevailed with to make his Escape, and being returned, was bound over to Answer at the Superior Court at_ Boston, _the last_ Tuesday _in_ April, Anno, 1693. _And was there cleared by Proclamation, none appearing against him._ Per. John Aldin. At Examination, and at other times, 'twas usual for the Accusers to tell of the black Man, or of a Spectre, as being then on the Table, &c. The People about would strike with Swords, or sticks at those places. One Justice broke his cane at this Exercise, and sometimes the Accusers would say, they struck the Spectre, and it is reported several of the accused were hurt and wounded thereby, though at home at the same time. The Justices proceeding in these works of Examination, and Commitment, to the end of _May_, there was by that time about a Hundred persons Imprisoned upon that Account.[28]