?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 5,000 - $ 7,500
"MAY OUR GLORIOUS LORD . . . GRACIOUSLY DIRECT . . . YOUR FAITHFUL" COTTON MATHER. Autograph Letter Signed, "Co. Mather," to the Reverend Samuel Danforth, conveying the opinion of Mr. Boyd concerning a young man accused of uttering falsehoods during his testimony. 1 1/2 pages, 12mo, with detached address leaf addressed in his hand; faint scattered foxing and soiling, folds. Boston, 29 April 1719
"An Honorable friend has demanded it of me, that I give you some report of what Mr Boyd said unto us, concerning the unhappy young man in whom the peace of Bristol & ye Neighbourhood, is disturbed.
"He constantly said unto us, that he had no personal knowledge of this McSparron; But that was Reported and Believed in Ireland that his coming . . . was to avoid a propension for a Fornication; And that, if his Testimonials appear as coming from any Presbytery shore, they are doubtless a Forgery.
"You can best judge, when weight there is to be laid on this Representation; Refuse, ye clandestine way of the young mans coming aboard, had a very suspicious aspect upon it.
"Be it how it will, ye evidences you have to convict him of a notorious Falsehood in the confession he publickly made at Bristol, and enough to discover & determine such a leprosy upon him, as disqualifies him from the services of the sanctuary.
"May our glorious Lord, who walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks, graciously direct . . . your faithful . . . on this deplorable occasion."
