The history of Pennsylvania from its earliest settlement to the present time

Front matter

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Preface

The older histories of Pennsylvania are usually considered obnoxious to the double charge of prolixity and dulness ; grave faults, which it is believed will be found to have been avoided in the present volume. The quiet and subdued character of the first settlers, their pacific doctrines, their conscientious adherence to treaty stipulations, and unvarying kindness to their Indian neighbours, leave their annals rarely marked by stories of war and bloodshed.

But the history of Pennsylvania is not without its own peculiar interest. The mild, sagacious, and statesmanlike character of Penn, its founder ; the disputes of the assembly with the various proprietary governors; and, above all, the solution of the grand moral problem of a

8 PREFACE.

State founded without violence, and growing rajDidly in wealth and population without exciting the jealousy of the aborigines, are lessons in morals and policy which may be profitably studied even at the present day.

Chapter I

William Penn-His parentage-His birth-Cireumstances of ills youth— Politics and polemics— William Penn at Chio-- nvf 1 Tr""^^ religious impressions-He is entered at Uxtord-Thomas Loe— Penn is expelled for nonconformity —Forbidden his father'* house— Sent to make the tour of the Continent-Encounter in Paris-His reflections upon it — Heads theology with Amyrault— Returns a courtier— Enters at Lincoln's Inn— He is sent to Ireland— He desires a military command— His father refuses to gratify him— Correspondence on the subject-Penn takes charge of his father s estates near Cork-Thomas Loe again-Penn ioins the Society of PViends-Is imprisoned with others-D ! charged by the President of Munster-Recalled to London — Differenee;with his father— Imprisoned for heresy— First imprisonment in Newgate-Second imprisonment in Newfn™ fi""^ ^'^"^'^^ Penn-Penn becomes a trustee outh Pi-«P"etors of New Jersey— Review of his

CHAPTER IL

Penn's position at the court of Charles IL— His personal relations with all shades of faith and politics-AlgSn Siclney — Ihe royal grant of a province to William Penn— Abstract of the charter-Its resemblance to that of Maryland-Na hls'teL 'n? ' |^""£.^~Character of his powers-Mistak; in his terms of sale— His estimate of the grant— Philanthronie ri P^wfSf T :-^t. America-lfing's proiwin and Penn s letter to the inhabitants of his province-Lands offered for sale-Terms-Penn's conditions with purchasers

—Commissioners sent over— Their instructions— Site of a town— Letter of Penn to the Indians— Peun refuses to sell a monpoly— Notice of the Society of Free Traders— Their city property-Society Hill P^9^ 40

Chapter III

Preface to Penn's Frame of Government— Consultations about the Frame— Antagonistic influences— Deed of release from the Duke of York— The territories— Penn's embarkation— His fellow-passengers— Death of his mother— Farewell- Letter to Stephen Crisp— The passage— Sickness on board —Penn's arrival at New Castle— At Upland, now Chester —Reception— Preliminaries of government— Landing at Philadelphia— Intercourse with the Indians— Visit to New York— Treaty at Shackamaxon— Indian respect for Penn— Tradition of his speech— Presumed terms of the treaty— Pennsbury

Chapter IV

First provincial legislature-Act of se^ttlement-Act of union —Naturalization-Code of laws-Preamble and first sections-Religious toleration-Abolishment of primogeniture — Privileael of citizens— Humanity of the code— batisfaction of the people-The Maryland boundary-Points in dispute-Protracted controversy-Mason and Dixon s line —Boundary troubles-Meeting of the council and assembly at Philadelphia-Adjustment of the Frame of Government -Leading particulars- William Penirs opinion of his powers-Laws passed and laws not passed-Treason-Style of acts-Only witchcraft trial-Trial of a counterfeiter- Why was Anthony Weston whipped? »"

Chapter V

Penn's return to England-Appointment of provincial judges and other officers— Number and character ot the inhabitants of the colouy-Review of the Dutch an,l ,^^-^^^ish occupation— Henry Hudson— Captain Corndlu^ Im ob May— Cap-

CONTENTS.

tain De Vrees— The Sweedish settlers— Wiccaco—CantiJn Sven-The old Swedes church-The Dutch rule-Swedlh intercourse with the natives-xMinisink-The British acoui suion m 1664-Grant to the Duke of York t^f tt fuX\" Dutch possessions-Extract of a letter from William Penn -Boundary dispute with Lord Baltimore-Indian treaties -Selection of Coaquanuock as the site for a town-Phila delphia founded-Dwellings on the river bank-Annals of emigx-ants-Birth of John Key-Anecdotes of the eady sel tlers— Experiences of Elizabeth Hard ..p'^^^ 9.

Chapter VI

Aspect of things in England-Penn's difficult position-Death of Charles II., and accession of James-Penn's account nf events-Proclamation of James in Philadelph a-Z^^^^^^^^ ment of Nicholas Moore-His refusal to plead-Other colo" mal difficulties-Humours with England-ExtractT from Penn's correspondence -His influelice at court-Mon Jpenn ^"^j'^-^f «VVenality and cruelty-Vindieat on ot Penn— Threatened colonial difficulties— Dangers to the proprietary governments-Penn appoints a board of com missioners-Their instructions-Appointment of a lieutenant-govenior-Stormy administration-Penn's embar rassments-Neglect by the colony of the propiSv,: wishes-Revolution of 1688-Political suspicion^ ata nst Penn-Persecuted by his enemies-He is compelled to

Chapter VII

News of the revolution received in Philadelphia-Action of the council thereon-Separation of the territories from the province-Two deputy-governors-George Keith-The u risdictaon of the governor of New York extended 0"^ Pennsylvania-Administration of Governor Eletcher-He appoints Colone Markham his deputy-William Pen re n!

01 Mis fenn— Ot Thomas Lloyd— Markham's administra tion-^e^ act of settlement-Its democratic S^es- Charge of piracy and illicit trade-Arrival of William Penn 111 his colony-His welcome-Birth of "The Amerkau"

Penn meets the legislature — His activity in his government — New charter of privileges — Charter of Philadelphia — Differences about titles and quit-rents — Failure to obtain money for colonial defence — Rumours of intended changes in the charters — Return of Penn to England Page 127

Chapter VIII

Governor Hamilton — Refusal of the territories and the province to unite — Growing opposition to the proprietary interest — First Episcopal church in Pennsylvania — Governor Evans — His character — False alarm of invasion — Consternation and serious consequences — Heroism and consistency of the Quakers — Results of this foolish farce — Fort at New Castle — Bold conduct of a Quaker shipowner — Recall of Evans — Events in England — Penn's position at the court of Queen Anne — His family, pecuniary, and other misfortunes — Governor Gookin appointed — Continued difficulties with the assembly — Refusal to raise money for defence — The governor declines to pass the bills enacted — Incautious admission relative to the council — Logan presents David Lloyd — The. assembly acquit their speaker—. Logan arrested by the speaker's warrant — He is released by "the governor — Letter of William Penn to the assembly — Election of a new house — Restoration of harmony — Close of Governor Gookin's administration 142

Chapter IX

Death of Queen Anne and accession of George I. — Decay of William Penn — His last hours — His religious and political character — Contemplated sale of the government to the crown — Management of affairs during Penn's illness — Penn's will and heirs — Protracted litigation — Governor Keith — His activity, sauvity, and tact — Meets the assemblies of the territories and the province — His opening message to the latter — Good feeling on both sides — Liberal grant of money by the assembly — A chancery court established by proclamation — A militia created — Expulsion of Ashton from the council — Veto of naturalization law — Measures against convict passengers — Indian relations —

Prosperity of the colony — Difficulty between Keith and the council — The governor removes Logan from his offices — Logan visits England, and returns with instructions for his reinstatement — Keith vindicates his conduct, and refuses to comply — He transmits the correspondence to the assembly — Logan memorializes that body — The assembly vote the governor one thousand pounds — Keith superseded by Governor Gordon — Benjamin Franklin and Keith.. ....... Pa^e 155

Chapter X

Answer of Hannan Penn to the assembly's remonstrance- Reflection upon Keith — Close of his life — Arrival of Governor Gordon — Quiet temper of the assembly — Affirmations — Salt tax abolished — Agent in England api^ointed — His usefulness and efficiency — Franklin commences business in Philadelphia — New emission of paper — Franklin's efforts to promote it — Opposition of proprietaries — Franklin clerk of the house — Commencement of the Philadelphia Library — Indian treaty expenses — Land purchases — Lancaster county set off from Chester — Question of toleration of Roman Catholic worship — The court of chancery abolished — Arrival of Thomas and John Penn — An unlucky poet — Death of Governor Gordon — Logan president — Boundary dispute with Maryland 171

CHAPTER XL

Governor Thomas — His attempts to induce the assembly to make warlike preparations — Declaration of war between England and Spain — Instructions from England — The assembly frames a supply-bill, but adjourns without passing it — Enlistment of bond-servant? — Disputes upon this subject — Refusal of the house to vote money until the servants were discharged — Thomas Penn supports the governor — The merchants of Philadelphia and the council remonstrate with the assembly — The money bill passes, with conditions — The governor declines to avail himself of it — The house applies the money to the payment of masters who had lost their servants — Governor Thomas demands the equipment of armed vessels — The house refuses it — Thomas

Penn returns to England— Quarrel about the appointment of a port physician — Governor Thomas sweeps his opponents from office — Election riot — Compromise between the governor and the assembly — Franklin's public services — Volunteer military preparations — Resignation of Governor Thomas Page 182

Chapter XII

Exposed condition of the Delaware River — Arrival of Governor Hamilton — The " Indian walk" — Penn's method of measuring land by pacing it — Movements of speculators — Exasperation of Indians — Production of old treaties — Speculative mode of pacing boundaries — The Indians remonstrate — Compelled to submit by more powerful tribes — Evil results — French intrigues — Disputes between the governor and the legislature — Franklin a member of the house — George Washington — Expedition against Fort Duquesne — Capitulation of the Virginians to the French — Governor Hamilton appeals to the assembly for supplies — Evasion of his request — Governor Hamilton superseded by Governor Morris — Conference with the Six Nations at Albany — Indian opinions of the English and French — Unfortunate purchase by the Pennsylvania commissioners — Franklin's plan of union betAveen the provinces — His account of Governor Morris — The Pennsylvania Hospital — James Logan

— Reform of calendar — Restrictions on manufactures

Navigation Acts — Illiberal policy of the Board of Trade — Philadelphia ship building — North-West passage 192

Chapter XIII

Commencement of the dispute between Governor Morris and the assembly — Arrival of General Braddock — Services of Franklin in providing means of transportation — Action of the legislature — Aid to Massachusetts — Continued legislative difficulties — Disastrous folly of General Braddock — His defeat — Services of Washington as a volunteer — Dispute about proprietary taxes — Consequent embarrassment — The project to give bounty lands condemned by the assembly — Indian depredations — Continued disputes upon financial matters— Petitions and remonstrances— Proprietary donation — The Supply Bill passed — Excise Bill defeated — Franklin's Militia Bill— Course of the Quakers— Volunteer military — Declaration of war against the Indians — Labours of the Quakers to promote peace— Council at Easton— Resignation of Quaker members of the assembly— Close of Governor Morris's administration Page 213

Chapter XIV

Destruction of the Indian town of Kittanning— Important effects of this victory— Movements of the Quakers— Friendly association— Negotiations with the Indians— Formal declaration of war between England and France- Governor Denny's instructions — Temporary submission of the house

Impolicy of the Penns— Review of the instructions of

Franklin— His mission to England— His vindication of the province through the London press— The Historical Review

The proprietaries appear before the Board of Trade —

Franklin appears for the province— The question decided in favour of the assembly— Franklin's advice in relation to the war — Pitt prime minister— Operations of the army — Capture of Louisburg, Fort Frontenac, and Fort Duquesne — Ticonderoga, Niagara, and Quebec— Capitulation of Montreal—Close of the war— Royal disapprobation and provincial indifference— Renewed Indian murders— The frontiers depopulated— Relief of Fort Pitt— The Paxton Massacre Danger of the Moravian Indians — Manly conduct

of Philadelphia— Vigorous measures to close the war — Expedition of Colonel Bouquet to Muskingum— Restoration of prisoners — Peace with the Indians 230

Chapter XV

Governor John Penn— His construction of the tax law— Resolutions of the assembly— Petition to the crown— Franklin elected speaker— British policy toward the colonies— Franklin loses his election to the legislature— Sent to England as colonial agent— The Stamp Act passed— The effect in America— "Sons of Liberty"— Arrival of the stamps at Philadelphia—Union of the colonies— Non-importation— Philadelphia proceedings — Stamp Act repealed — Declaratory Act — New revenue laws — Awakened resistance — Pennsylvania resolutions — Non-importation again — Repeal of a portion of the obnoxious duties — The principle still maintained — First bloodshed in Boston — The Wyoming dispute — Death of Teedyuscuug — First Wyoming massacre — Dispute with Virginia — Death of Logan the Indian chief.. Po^e 252

CHAPTER XVL

The tea difficulties — Indignation of the colonists — Destruction of the obnoxious article — Meeting in Philadelphia — Retaliatory acts of the British Parliament — Quebec Act — Meetings in Philadelphia — Provincial conference — Instructions to state assembly — Continental Congress — Massachusetts supported — Declaration of rights — Articles of association — Petitions and memorials — Committee of correspondence — Action of state assemblies — Governor Penn's remonstrance — Proceedings of the British ministrj^ — More oppressive acts — Lord North's plan of conciliation — Provincial convention — Testimony of Friends — Thomas Mifflin — Lord North's proposal I'ejected — Affair of Lexington — Excitement in consequence — Military association — Quaker Blues — Continental Congress — Franklin appointed postmaster-general — Pennsylvania assembly — Committee of safety — Governor Penn — Bunker Hill — Pennsylvania committee of safety — State of parties — Instructions to delegates in Congress — Military duty made compulsory' — Evacuation of Boston — Popular excitement in favour of change — Congress resolve awaj^ allegiance to Great Britain — First war-alarm* near Philadelphia — The assembly meet — The people protest — Resolution of Congress in favour of independence — The assembly rescind their instructions — Provincial conference — Declaration of independence — Pennsylvania convention — End of the charter government 269

CHAPTER XVIL

Arrival of General and of Admiral Howe at New York — Failure of a commission to treat with the colonies — Read-

CONTENTS. IT ing of the Declaration — The new State constitution — Retreat of Washington through New Jersey — Philadelphia menaced — The battles of Trenton and Princeton — Withdrawal of the British from Jersey — Landing on the Delaware — Battle of Brandy wine — Affair at Paoli — Occupation of Philadelphia by the British — Fortification of the Delaware — Removal of Congress inland — Battle of Germantown — The storming of Fort Mercer — The British occupy Province Island — Forts Mifflin and Mercer evacuated by the Americans Paj^ 295

CHAPTER XVIII.

Attempted surprise of Washington's camp — Skirmishing and retreat of the British — Manner in which the Americans were warned — Encampment at Valley Forge — Destitution and distress of the army — Embarrassment of the country — Treaties with France — Lord North's proposition to Franklin — His proposed measures of conciliation — Lord North's propositions circulated in America — Resolutions of Congress — Foraging operations of the British — Narrow escape of Lafayette — Evacuation of Philadelphia — Battle of Monmouth — Arrival of British commissioners — Refusal of Congress to treat with them — Tampering with individuals — Departure of the commissioners — Wyoming — LTnadilla — Cherry Valley — British conquest of Georgia and South Carolina — Revolt of the Pennsylvania and Jersey troops — Turn of affairs at the South — The Cowpens — Guilford — Yorktown — Close of the war 311

CHAPTER XIX.

Treason trials — Benedict Arnold — President Reed — Difficulties of his position — Philadelphia benevolence — The Wilson riot — Extinguishment of the Penn titles — Gradual abolition of slavery — Articles of confederation — Difficulties of government-— State of the public mind — Discontent in the array — Noble conduct of the disbanded troops — Emeute in Philadelphia — Military heroes — Franklin — Morris — Bank of North America — Indian difficulties 323

2^

CHAPTER XX.

Federal convention proposed. — Adoption of a constitution for the United States — New constitution of Pennsylvania — Subsequent amendments — Political history of Pennsylvania — Democratic character of the people — -Whisky insurrection — House-tax diflSculties — Common-school law — Internal improvements — Financial embarrassments — Integrity of the Pennsylvania legislators — Financial condition of the state — Coal trade — Iron, and other manufactures — Philadelphia — Its original extent — Present dimensions — Seat of government removed to Harrisburg — Conclusion Page 343

HISTORY OF PEMSYLVANIA.

Chapter I

William Penn — His parentage — His birth— Circumstances of his youth— Politics and polemics — William Penn at Chigwell — His early religious impressions — He is entered at Oxford — Thomas Loe — Penn is expelled for nonconformity — Forbidden his father's house — Sent to make the tour of the Continent — Encounter in Paris — His reflections upon it — Reads theology with Amjrault — Returns a courtier— Enters at Lincoln's Inn — He is sent to Ireland— He desires a military command — His father refuses to gratify him — Correspondence on the subject — Penn takes charge of his father's estates, near Cork — Thomas Loe again — Penn joins the Society of Friends — Is imprisoned with others — Discharged by the President of Munster — Recalled to London — Ditference with his father — Imprisoned for heresy — First imprisonment in Newgate — Second imprisonment in Newgate — Death of Admiral Penn— Penn becomes a trustee for one of the proprietors of New Jersey — Review of his youth.

The first chapter in the history of Pennsylvania is the life of William Penn. Though so recent an historical character, yet it is remarkable that the circumstances of his life are not familiar. He holds a position in the popular mind indefinitely great, yet little understood.

His personal character challenges respect. The anomalies of his proprietary government have exposed him to mistake, and, in some cases, to uncharitable animadversion. A calmly written and unprejudiced history of Pennsylvania is William Penn's best biography. The reader of such a history will rise from the perusal with definite ideas of the great services the "Quaker sovereign" has rendered to humanity. A dispassionate review of his life, and of the history of his colony, alone can save him from the great injustice which he has suffered from the resultant effects of overpraise.

William Penn was born to wealth and distinguished rank; advantages to which, in his youth, he does not appear to have been insensible, and which his characteristic prudence forbade that he should ever entirely lose sight of. His father was Sir William Penn, an English naval officer of high reputation, won in constant and active service. His life was a series of successes. He defended the naval honour of the Commonwealth under Cromwell, was promoted under the Protectorate, and knighted at the Restoration. The son of a naval captain, at one-and-twenty he was appointed captain ; at twenty-three. Rear- Admiral of Ireland ; at twenty-five, Vice-Admiral ; at twenty-nine. Admiral to the Straits; and at thirty-one, Vice-Admiral of England.

The birth of William Penn took place on the 14th day of October, 1644, in the parish of St. Catharine's, Tower Hill, London. His father was early married; and Penn's birth taking place about the time of his first promotion, as the lad increased in years, his young ears were filled with the eclat of his father's advancement in honour. Under all the circumstances of his early life, we can but wonder at his successful resistance of the world's temptations. Far from being surprised at his evident hesitancy at several periods, whether to embrace preferment or deny all for his principles, we might be astonished at his final victory, were it not that the founding of a commonwealth afforded him at last the opportunity to reconcile ambition with duty; and while he innocently gratified the former, made it subservient to the higher demands of the latter. It was a compromise which has profited the world, and conferred posthumous fame on William Penn. But while he lived it only increased the mental "exercise" which made his days weary, without bringing that rest for which his soul thirsted.

The mother of William Penn was the daughter of John Jasper, of Rotterdam. Her character was another proof of the rule, that the mothers of great men are women of a superior mould. Besides the advantages which he received from her personal instructions, it- is not to be questioned that her foreign extraction gave Penn some of the spirit which he afterward exhibited, of wide-world liberality. He derived thus large and generous views of men and things. He was for all men and all time. He was not a Briton, with his horizon bounded to his native isle, but carried his testimony into far lands ; and desired also, in the new world, to embrace the savage children of the forest in the compact of Christian love.

William Penn grew to manhood during a period when the popular mind was distracted with religious controversy. Politics and polemics were blended; a fusion which never causes immediate good results in either, causing bitterness and fury in politics, and scandalizing religion. Fighting religionists wiped their bloody hands to open the Bible; and scoffing cavaliers, with not less inconsistency, profanely swore fealty to a religion of whose true principles they knew nothing. Christianity was passing through a fiery trial, and suffered reproach by its connection with human dynasties and popular passions. It was prostituted on the one hand to the purposes of tyranny, and polluted on the other as the rallying cry of martial zealots and infuriated destroyers of temples. Kings claimed under it the right to govern wrong, and regicide drew its sanction from the same abused source. The men of most mark were formalists and zealots; and moderate loyalists and national republicans were borne down, in their efforts to preserve the balance between such opposite and extreme influences. The political result was reached after three revolutions. The republic triumphed, and the king was beheaded. The loyalists were restored, and the living regicides were sacrificed, while the dead were unearthed, to suffer a tardy and childish indignity. The "right divine" of kings was ignored, in the dethronement of its weak representative and the welcome of William and Mary. Consistent prelates refused to take the oath of fealty, and the extreme notions of old legitimists were buried with them. From this day, rather than from Magna Charta, do the political franchises of England date. Every effort to restore the old has resulted in a further avouchment of the true relative position of the governing and the governed. Amid these scenes of blood and of contention, "pure religion and undefiled" blushed for the zeal of her advocates "not according to knowledge." "Quakerism," born in the tumult, and in its infantile manifestations as quarrelsome as any in its own way, grew rapidly sedate, and won strength by its "sufferings." The "people called Quakers," putting forward as their distinguishing tenets those practical religious principles which the vain and bloody world had most neglected, increased apace.

24 HISTORY or PENNSYLVANIA. [1659.

They are only less now a "peculiar people," as all Christians are united with them in the essential doctrines of charity and peace, of which they were once the marked and despised defenders.

Such were the influences under which William Penn's early character was formed ; and even to the end of his days, his life was shadowed by the crimes, or aifected by the caprices of kings and courts. It is highly honourable to his memory, that the most searching investigations have failed to fix any greater reproach upon him than some natural weaknesses. He comes out spotless in an age when men were not overscrupulous; and the fact that his colony impoverished him, is the best line in his epitaph.

William Penn's education commenced at a grammar school at Chigwell, in Essex ; and here, in his boyhood, he gave an earnest of his future eminence, by his application and proficiency. He appears to have been, notwithstanding his parentage, a ''born Friend," for he was remarkable in early youth for a well-balanced character. He was not only studious in school hours, but active and hilarious out of doors. The only son of his father — for his brother died in infancy — young Penn was entered at the age of fifteen as a gentleman-commoner at Christ Church, Oxford. He had previously enjoyed advantages commensurate with his early development of

1659.] LIFE OF PEIy^N. 25

mind and character. His peculiar religious views were early impressed upon him. His biographer, Clarkson, relates that, being alone in his chamber, at Chigwell, "he was suddenly surprised with an inward comfort, and, as he thought, an external glory in the room, which gave rise to religious emotions; during which he had the strongest convictions of the being of a God, and that the soul of man was capable of enjoying communion with him." He believed that at that moment, <'the seal of divinity had been put upon him, and that he had been awakened or called to a holy life." George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends, had at this date been a public preacher about eight years. In all the notices of Penn's childhood which we have seen, there is no record preserved of the character of his early reading. But we cannot doubt that the species of literature and intercourse which ripened, in 1662, into that remarkable and beautiful allegory, the Pilgrim's Progress, being the popular literature and language with a large part of the English nation, reached young Penn at Chigwell. Formalism in religion and dissoluteness in manners provoked a reaction, and William Penn was educated when dissent presented its strongest appeals to thinking minds.

At Oxford, William Penn received a positive direction in the path in which he became afterward distinguished. Moved by the preaching of Thomas Loe, a member of the Society of Friends, his Chigwell impressions were revived. The controversial writings of the day, to which he was soon to become a great contributor, were now his delight ; while in his college course he was remarkable as a hard student, giving early evidence of ripe scholarship. In manly exercises and out-door recreations he was the peer of his young associates. With an eye to practical purposes, he read deeply in history and theology, and became a proficient in several modern languages. His favourite idea of an empire in the New World was conceived even as early as during his residence at Oxford; and the political features of his new commonwealth were probably developed by Harrington's famous "Oceana," and the numerous pamphlets which preceded and followed it. Indeed, the germs of mai-ny of our modern political institutions and practices may be traced to the theories of those old thinkers and dreamers. What they saw in visions, we have verified in action.

William Penn found young men of kindred minds, who met with him for worship, withdrawing from the regular church service. An attempt to restore the costume and other discipline of Oxford, which had fallen into disuse, provoked the active opposition of the young enthusiasts; and Penn, with others, was expelled for nonconformity. His father was highly indignant at this sudden close to his academic career, and by persuasions and threats endeavoured to change the purposes of his son. At length, exasperated at his firmness, he inflicted blows upon him, and forbade him the house. We are not, however, to think that the administration of personal chastisement upon a lad of seventeen indicated any enmity between the parties. The mother had no great difficulty in procuring his restoration to the house ; and the admiral tried another mode of eff'ecting what force had failed to do. He sent him to France, under the escort of some persons of rank, in whose society he trusted that his son's bias might be altered. Young Penn was presented at court, and appears to have given his father great satisfaction. Arrangements were already made for his entrance into the army. His dress' at this period was that of a cavalier, and his associations such as his father desired for him. Of his aptitude as a swordsman an incident is recorded, which shows that among his accomplishments this had not been forgotten. For some oifence, real or imagined — it would appear, from Penn's own allusion, a breach of courtesy — he was attacked by a gentleman in 'Paris. So skilfully did he defend himself, that he not only escaped unhurt, but disarmed without wounding his antagonist. Penn thus refers to the encounter, in his work entitled, "No Cross, No Crown:" "What envy, quarrels, and mischief have happened among private persons, upon their conceit that they have not been respected, according to their degree of quality among men, with hat, knee, or title. Suppose he had killed me, (for he made several passes at me,) or that I, in my defence, had killed him, I ask any man of understanding or conscience, if the whole round of ceremony were worth the life of a man, considering the dignity of his nature and the importance of his life, with respect to God his creator, himself, and the benefit of civil society?" A sensible question, very well put.

Cavalier though he outwardly seemed, young Penn was no idler or trifler. He improved his acquaintance with modern languages, and found time also for severer studies, themes through his whole life congenial. He spent some months at Saumur, in the society of Moses Amyrault, a Protestant divine of high reputation, and under his direction read the Christian Fathers, and pursued other theological inquiries. Thence he went to Italy, but, on reaching Turin, was recalled to England by his father. It is not to be forgotten that he made, during this tour, the acquaintance of Algernon Sidney. This acquaintance afterward ripened into intimacy, and produced no small influence upon Penn's political views.