Bradstreet’s great age prevented, it is to be supposed, his public appearance in the affair; but his course in a case which occurred twelve years before fully justifies confidence in the statement of Brattle.  The tradition has always prevailed, that he looked with disapprobation upon the proceedings, from beginning to end.  The course of his sons, and the action taken against them, is quite decisive to the point.

Facts have been stated, which show that Thomas Danforth, if he disapproved of the proceedings at Salem, in October, must have undergone a rapid change of sentiments.  No irregularities, improprieties, extravagances, or absurdities ever occurred in the examinations or trials greater than he was fully responsible for in April.  Having, in the mean while, been superseded in office, he had leisure, in his retirement, to think over the whole matter; and it is satisfactory to find that he saw the error of the ways in which he had gone himself, and led others.

The result of the inquiry on this point is, that, while some, outside of the village, began early to doubt the propriety of the proceedings in certain particulars, they failed, with the single exception of Robert Pike, to make manly and seasonable resistance.  He remonstrated in a writing signed with his own initials, and while the executions were going on.  He sent it to one of the judges, and did not shrink from having his action known.  No other voice was raised, no one else breasted the storm, while it lasted.  The errors which led to the delusion were not attacked from any quarter at any time during that generation, and have remained lurking in many minds, in a greater or less degree, to our day.

There were, however, three persons in Salem Village and its immediate vicinity, who deserve to be for ever remembered in this connection.  They resisted the fanaticism at the beginning, and defied its wrath.  Joseph Putnam was a little more than twenty-two years of age.  He probably did not enter into the question of the doctrines then maintained on such subjects, but was led by his natural sagacity and independent spirit to the course he took.  In opposition to both his brothers and both his uncles, and all the rest of his powerful and extensive family, he denounced the proceedings through and through.  At the very moment when the excitement was at its most terrible stage, and Mr. Parris held the life of every one in his hands, Joseph Putnam expressed his disapprobation of his conduct by carrying his infant child to the church in Salem to be baptized.  This was a public and most significant act.  For six months, he kept some one of his horses under saddle night and day, without a moment’s intermission of the precaution; and he and his family were constantly armed.  It was understood, that, if any one attempted to arrest him, it would be at the peril of life.  If the marshal should approach with overwhelming force, he would spring to his saddle, and bid defiance to pursuit.  Such a course as this, taken by one standing alone against the whole community to which he belonged, shows a degree of courage, spirit, and resolution, which cannot but be held in honor.