William Penn in America : or an account of his life from the time he received the grant of Pennsylvania in 1681, until his final return to England

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Preface

Although several biographies have appeared respecting the Founder of Pennsylvania, the author believes that there is still room for another ; relating to that particular portion of his life which he spent in the Province : commencing with his first application for the grant until his final return to England, extending through a period of more than twenty years. Within this time transpired the most important events by which he will continue to be best known. Judging by the little space given hitherto to these matters would go to show that there must have been either inattention, or a paucity of materials. Though his several biographers have written with different motives, but not one with a view of enlarging upon the details of his residence in America.

During the author's long connection with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, he observed that no information was more sought after than that of Penn while living in his Province. The object of this work is to supply this want, and what is now offered is the result of upwards of thirty-five years diligent labor in bringing together the materials, involving considerable travel and expense. When we remember that nearly the whole of its contents relate to almost two centuries ago, we are gratified at our success in thus producing a valuable addition, not only to the life of Penn, but to the early history of Pennsylvania, derived, as it chiefly is, from original sources, and that of the most reliable kind, particularly official documents and correspondence, from which we have been enabled to give numerous extracts.

Our object as far as possible was to show the every-day movements of Penn whilst among us ; this has enabled us to detect as well as to correct several errors respecting dates. With the exception of Janney, his biographers appear to have given little attention to chronology, particularly Clarkson and Dixon. At the remissness of the latter in this respect we wonder when we consider how well his work has been digested. From the extensive use made of early original manuscripts we were necessitated to take some liberties therewith. While we have in some cases made literal extracts, in others we have modernized the phraseology, or filled up the abbreviations ; but in no instance did we alter the language or endeavor to give it a construction different from the original ; our intention in this respect was only to perform the part of a careful editor. This work naturally divides itself into two parts, namely : his first and second visits here. The former begins with Penn's grant and ends with his arrival in England, the next with his second return and final departure to the appointment of Governor Evans.

To avoid too many notes or references, a list is furnished of the various authorities consulted in the preparation of this work. It will be noticed that among those published, about one-fourth are rare and little known, whilst of the manuscripts perhaps no other complete copies exist. On any disputed points, or where the author's opinion might differ, he was the more careful to furnish his authorities. Taken on the whole, Penn's character by this work is favorably sustained ; at the same time we did not desire to be partial, but to do him that ju.stice to which he is fairly entitled. Neither have we sought to raise him up by reviling his enemies, but to let his actions speak for themselves. We attribute most of his troubles, not so much to the opposition that he encountered, as to his own pecuniary mismanagement; this was his dire affliction and if it did not follow him through his whole career, it did at least through most of it. It was his weakness ; — naturally generous, warm-hearted and indulgent as a parent, he could not resist the strong appeals continually made to him, and hence his embarrassments.

Among published works we have derived great aid from the Penn and Logan Correspondence, the Colonial Records and Archives, and the Memoirs and Collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. From manuscript sources we have obtained considerable from the Penn Manuscripts, the Dreer Collection of Penn and Markham Manuscripts, the Penn Private Correspondence, the Claypoole Letter Book, the Harrison Letters, the Logan Papers, and the Records and Minutes belonging to at least five Monthly Meetings of the Society of Friends, were all personally examined. In the way of assistance for information furnished, tender grateful acknowledgements to Ferdinand J. Dreer, to whose invaluable collection of manuscripts I owe much, also to John Jordan, Jr., and the Historical Society of Pennsylv^ania ; thanks are also due for favors to the several custodians of the Records mentioned in the following list. This work we know might have been greatly extended, but our object was to be concise, while we aimed at fullness with detail.

To a work of this kind we have noticed several references. Peter S. Du Ponceau, in his Address before the Philosophical Society in 182 1, remarks, " No other State in this Union can boast of such an illustrious founder; none began their social career under auspices so honorable to humanity. Every trait of the life of that great man, every fact and anecdote of those golden times, will be sought for by our descendants with avidity, and will furnish many an interesting subject for the fancy of the novelist, and the enthusiasm of the poet. It is, therefore, highly important, that while recent traditions and numerous authentic but perishable documents are still in our power, we should collect all those valuable materials, and embody their substance in an historical work worthy of being handed down to posterity. Although such a work will not be fruitful of great incidents, still it will exhibit human nature under a varied aspect ; great faults will be found associated with great virtues ; the reader more than once, while he admires the latter, be compelled with regret to acknowledge, as the former strikes his view, that no efforts of the human mind can ever produce absolute perfection in this sublunary world ; and upon the whole, it may with truth be asserted, that there will be found in the history of Pennsylvania, much to instruct and much to delight."

William Rawle, in his address before the Historical Society in 1825, expressed the following views : "Of the founder of Pennsylvania, though the public knows much, it does not perhaps know all. There is reason to believe that many private documents are still in existence, which would present to us in colors strong and true, the enlightening, vivifying and chastening power of his genius on all around him ; while the colony hung on him as their judge, their legislator, and their guide." " That such a character," remarks James Bowden, " as William Pcnn should have had many biographers cannot excite surprise. His fame may be said to be world-wide, and men of far different sentiments to have inscribed his name on the pages of history, as one of the most illustrious of his age — an age, it should be remembered, of stirring events, and conspicuous for men of brilliant attainments."

W. J. B.

Jenkhitoton, Montgomery County, Pa., November, 1888.

LIST OF AUTHORITIES.

Correspondence between Wm. Penn and James Logan, 2 vols., Phila.,

1870.

Pennsylvania Archives, vol. 1. Edited by Samuel Hazard, Phila., 1852. Annals of Pennsylvania, by Samuel Hazard, Phila., 1850. Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, commonly called

Colonial Records, vols. I. and H., Phila., 1852. History of Pennsylvania, by Robert Proud, 2 vols., Phila., 1797. Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania, 16 vols. Phila., 1828 to 1836. Life of William Penn, by Samuel M. Janney, Phila., 2ded., 1856. Documents relating to the Colonial History of New York, Albany, vols.

111. and IV., 1854.

Present State of America, by Robert Blome, London, 1687. British Empire in America, by J. Oldmi.xon, 2 vols., London, 1708 and

1 741.

William Penn : An Historical Biography, by Wm. Hepworth Di.xon,

Phila. ed., 1851.

Annals of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, by John F. Watson, 2 vols.,

Phila., 1844.

History of Pennsylvania, by Thomas F. Gordon, Phila., 1829. Histoiy of Delaware County, Penna., by George Smith, Phila., 1862. Friends' Library, Phila., 1840, vol. IV., and vol. X. for 1846. History of Friends in America, by James Bowden, London, 2 vols.,

1854- Travels in North America, by Robert Sutcliff, Phila., 1812. Life of William Penn, by Thomas Clarkson, 2 vols., London, 1813. Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, vols. I., II., III., and

IV.

Address to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, by Ed. Armstrong, in

1851, Phila., 1852.

Friends' Miscellany, Phila., vol. VII. for 1835. Collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania., vol. VI., 1853,

Phila.

The Friend, Phila., 1829-30, vol. III.

Original Settlements on the Delaware, by Benj. Ferris, Wilmington, 1846. Friends' Weekly Intelligencer, vol. II. for 1845, and vol. IV. for 1848.

lO

Historical Review of the Government of Pennsylvania, London, 1759.

History of Bucks County, Penna., by Wm. J. Buck, Doylestown,i8ss.

Contributions to the History of Bucks County in B. C. Intelligencer, by Wm. J. Buck, 1859.

Life of William Penn, by George Ellis, in Sparks' Amer. Biog., vol. XXII., Boston, 1847.

History of the United States, by George Bancroft, 12th ed., Boston, 1846, vols. II. and III.

History of Chester, Pa., by J. Hill Martin, Phila., 1877.

Plantation work, or English Plantations in America, London, 1682.

Peasant Life in Germany, by A. C. Johnson, N. Y., 1858.

History of Montgomery County, Penna., by Wm. J. Buck, Phila., 1877.

Account of Pennsylvania, by Gabriel Thomas, London, 1698.

Catalogue of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Phila., 1872.

A Further Account of the Province of Pennsylvania, by Wm. Penn, London, 1685.

The Penns and Peningtons, by Maria Webb, London, 1867.

History of Philadelphia, by Thompson Westcott, in the the Sunday Dispatch.

Geographische Beschreibung Pennsylvania, by F. D. Pastorius, Leipzig, 1700.

Geschichte von Pennsylvania, by Ebelung.

William Penn, the Founder of Pennsylvania, by John Stoughton, D. D., London, 1882.

History of Montgomery County, Everts and Peck, Phila., 1884, contributions by Wm. J. Buck.

History of the Indian Walk, by Wm. J. Buck, 1886.

II Manuscripts

Private Correspondence in Penn MSS., vol. I. (i.)

Dreer Collection of Penn and Markham Papers. (2.)

Penn-Physick Correspondence, vol. I. (3.)

Letter Book of Wm. Penn, 1699 to 1703. (4.)

Official Correspondence, Penn MSS., vol. I.

Marriage Record of Falls Monthly Meeting, Book A.

Births and Deaths of Falls Monthly Meeting.

Records of Middletown Monthly Meeting.

Land Records of Philadelphia.

Records of Surveyor-General's Office, Harrisburg.

Bucks County Court Records.

Registry of Arrivals in Philadelphia, 1682.

Book of Ear Marks, Bucks County Records.

James Claypoole's Letter Book.

Marriage Records of Phila. Monthly Meeting, Book A.

Bucks County Land Records, vol. VL

Marriage Records of Burlington Monthly Meeting.

Records of Chester Monthly Meeting.

Minutes of Middletown Monthly Meeting.

Records of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.

Penn's Correspondence with James Harrison.

Bucks County Quarterly Meeting Records.

The Logan Manuscripts.

Warrants and Surveys in Philadelphia County, vols. L, IL, III. and IV.

CONTENTS,

CHAPTER. PAGE.

I. — The Grant of Pennsylvania i"

II. — Markham despatched to Pennsylvania 27

III. — Penn's exertions for the welfare and prosperity of his

Province, 44

IV. — Penn's departure and arrival in America, 58

V. — The Landing at New Castle, Upland and Philadelphia, . 66 VI. — The first Assembly. — Liberty of Conscience. — Conference

with Lord Baltimore, 78

VII. — Penn's Correspondence. — Evil reports concerning him, . 87 VIII. — Penn's first meeting in Council in Philadelphia. — Friends'

Meetings, • 96

IX. — Another meeting with Lord Baltimore. — Purchases from

the Indians 102

X. — More Indian Purchases. — Pennsbury. — Further Accounts

of the Province 109

XI. — E.xertions of Penn on the boundary question. — Writes a

pamphlet on the Province. — Arrival of Pastorius, . . 124 XII. — More Indian Purchases. — Additional troubles respecting the boundaries. — Visits Umbilicamense. — Selects a tract

for the Manor of Springfield 134

XIII. — More of Penn's correspondence. — Presides at a trial for

witchcraft, 143

XIV. — The Welsh tract. — Letters to the Duke of York and

others 151

XV. — Penn's preparations for departure.- — Safe arrival in England. 163 XVI. — Penn writes and has published another account of his Province 173

XVII. — Opinions respecting the results of Penn's labors in the establishment of his Colony 181

XVIII. — The Society of Friends. — Several matters about Penn and

Pennsbury 194

CHAPTER. PAGE.

XIX. — Penn reinstated in his government. — Resolves to return. —

Proposes a union of the Colonies 202

XX. — Penn departs with his family to the Province. — His arrival

and reception at Chester and Philadelphia 219

XXI. — Troubles respecting Pirates. — The Governor has a son born

on whom he bestows the Manor of Perkasie 234

XXII. — Penn's proposals for the moral improvement of the Negroes and Indians. — Meanness in allowing him no compensation. — His abilities as a writer 246

XXIII. — Penn suggests the night watch in Philadelphia. — Attends Haverford Meeting. — Makes additional improvements

at Pennsbury, 258

XX I\". — Too much the practice to cheat the Governor. — Pacifies a troublesome Indian. — Visits New York with the Governors of Virginia and New Jersey, 268

XXV. — Important meeting at New Castle. — Intercession and self-sacrifice for a condemned vessel. — Able reply to Colonel

Quarry, 277

XXVI. — The Proprietary officials given to land speculations. — Courts of Inquiry established. — Pamphlets printed and circulated in Germany to promote emigration, 292

XXVII. — A beautiful letter sent to the Countess of Bellomont on the death of her husband. — Additional treaty with the Susquehanna Indians. — A second charge of witchcraft, . 306 XXVIII. — Penn's journey to the Susquehanna. — Visits Maryland,

Merion and Gwynedd. — Retires to Pennsbury. . . . 317 XXIX. — Penn's advice sought in treating with the Indians. — Attends Falls Meeting. — Has a long account pending with

Thomas Fairman 324

XXX. — Efforts made in Parliament to deprive Penn of his Colony. — Political knavery no new thing. — Writes numerous

letters in defence of himself and government 333

XXXI. — Remarkable industry of the Governor. — Illness of Phineas Pembertoh. — Interesting address to the Assembly. —

Notice of Joseph Growdon 339

XXXII. — The Assembly not harmonious. — A delegation of Indians come to bid the Governor farewell. — Marriage in the olden time, with some account of John Sotchcr. — The

German purchase 349

XXXIII. — Philadelphia incorporated a city. — The Swedish purchase at Morlatton. — The Proprietarj' makes additional pro-

H

CHAPTER. PAGE.

vision for his children. — The new Charter of Privileges. — Makes his will at New Castle. — Arrives safely in England 363

XXXIV. — Penn's troubles in England. — How Evans became Deput\ Governor. — Account of Letitia Penn. — The Proprietary no financier. — Affairs at Pennsbury 386

XXXV. — Divers opinions respecting the results of Penn's labors and policy, particularly in relation to his last visit to the Colony 405

WILLIAM PENN IN AMERICA

WILLIAM PENN IN AMERICA.

Chapter I. The Grant Of Pennsvlvania

The Government having become indebted to V^ice- Admiral Sir William Penn, a distinguished officer in the British Navy, to the amount of about i^i6,ooo, including interest; his son, in consequence of the long delay, became desirous of winding up the affairs of his estate, and to have the same settled. Either unable or unwilling to pay the same, the latter conceived the plan of asking in lieu thereof the grant of a tract of land in America, for the purpose of more particularly establishing a colony. A conveyance was made August 1 6th (6th mo.). i68d,* to Edward Billinge, William Penn, G. Laurie, N. Lucas, John P^ldridge, and Edward Warner, of all the territory of the province of West New Jersey. It was this, no doubt, that helped to attract the attention of the subsecjuent great founder to this portion of the country, as he first became interested in the same in 1675.

* The year then commenced with March as the first month, and the old style will be retained throughout this work.

1 8 \VM. PEXX IX AMERICA.

It niList have been about the date of the aforesaid grant that he first prepared his proposals in a petition to the then reigning monarch, Charles II. His Majesty referred the same to the consideration of the Committee of the Lords of Trade and Plantations, accompanied by a draft for a grant of a tract of land for settling a colony and plantation in America, which he desires may pass to William Penn for the government of that colony. On November 19th, the Secretary was authorized to hand to the Attorney-General for his observations the powers proposed, and to report whether there was anything to object. The latter, on the 21st, presented his views at some length as to the nature, requirements and conditions of the patent. The Committee met again P'ebruary 24th, reading over carefully the grant as prepared, and then made a favorable report to the King, in which they say :

" May it please Your Majesty. In Obedience to Your Majesty's Orders signifyed unto us by the PLarl of Sunderland on the ist of June last. We have prepared the Draught of a Charter constituting William Penn, Esq., Absolute Proprietary of a Tract of Land in America therein mentioned, which we humbly present to Your Majesty for Your Royal Approbation, leaving also the Naming of the Province unto Your Majesty. Which is most humbly submitted.

2^t]i Fcbry., iSSo-i^

THE CRANT OF PENNSYLVANIA. I9

We possess sufficient evidence in the aforesaid, that the King bestowed on the grant the name of Pennsylvania. From the beginning it required a vexatious attendance on the part of Penn on the Committee, the Chief Justice, Attorney-General, and agents of Lord Baltimore, before he could reach the consummation of his wishes. At length, after many delays and much solicitude, he had the gratification of learning that his patent was j)repared, and to which the King affixed his signature, March 4th, 1681. This venerable document may be seen in the office of the Secretary of State at Harrisburg, written in the old P^nglish style, every line underscored with red ink, and the borders gorgeously ornamented with heraldic devices, and at the beginning a likeness of his Majesty.

Penn must have received this information with great satisfaction, if we are to judge his feelings as expressed in a letter written the next day to his friend, Robert Turner, a merchant of Dublin, very probably just after he had received his charter.

" 5th of 1st mo., 1 68 1.

" Dear Friend : — My true love in the Lord salutes thee and dear friends that love the Lord's precious truth in those parts. Thine I have, and for my business here, know that after many waitings, watchings, solicitudes, and disputes in council, this day my country was confirmed to me under the great seal of hjigland, with large powers and privileges, by the name of

Pennsylvania; a name the King would give it in honor of my father. I chose New Wales, being, as this, a pretty hilly country, but Penn being Welsh for a head, as Penman moire in Wales, and Penrith in Cumberland, and Penn in Ikickinghamshire, the highest land in PLngland, called this Pennsylvania, which is the Iiig/i. or head zvoodlaiids ; for I proposed, when the Secretary, a Welshman, refused to have it called New Wales, Sylvauia, and they added Pe)in to it ; and though I much opposed it, and went to the King to have it struck out and altered, he said it was past, and would take it upon him ; nor could twenty guineas move the under-secretary to vary the name ; for I feared lest it should be looked on as a vanity in me, and not as a respect in the King, as it truly was to my father, whom he often mentions with praise. Thou mayest communicate my grant to P^riends, and expect shortly my proposals.

"It is a clear and just thing and my God that hath given it me through many difficulties, will, I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation. I shall have a tender care to the government, that it be laid at first. No more now, but dear love in the truth. Thy true friend,

Wm. Penn."

By said charter, William Penn is made absolute proprietary, saving to the King and his successors the sovereignty of the country, and due allegiance being

THE GRANT OF PENNSVT.VANIA. 2 I

rcfiuircd from all. The grant was not " /// capita," but in " free and common socage by fealty only," yielding and paying to the King tivo beaver skins aiunially, to be delivered at the castle of Windsor, and also the fifth part of all gold and silver ore which shall be found within said limits. The proprietary, with the assent and approbation of the freemen of the colony, was empowered to make all necessary laws not inconsistent with the laws of England. The laws of the province were to be transmitted to the privy council for approbation. Appeals from the judgment of the colonial courts might, in certain cases, be taken to the King.

The extent of this grant is stated to comprise " all that tract or parte of land in America, with all the islands therein conteyned, as the same is bounded on the East by Delaware River, from twelve miles distance, Northwarde of New Castle Towne, unto the three and fortieth degree of Northern latitude if the said River doth extend soe farre Northwards; But if the said River shall not extend soc farre Northwards ; then by the said River soe farre as it doth extend, and from the head of the said River the Eastern bounds are to be determined by a meridian line, to bee drawn from the head of the said River unto the said three and fortieth degree, the said lands to extend Westwards five degrees in longitude, to be computed from the said Eastern Bounds, and the said lands to be bounded on the North by the beginning of the three and fortieth degree of Northern latitude, and on the South by a chxle drawn at tweK^e miles distance from New Castle, Northwards and Westwards unto the beginning of the fortieth degree of Northern latitude ; and then by a straight line Westwards to the limitt of Longitude above menconed."

The fruits and commodities of the province might be imported into any of the ports of England, and not into any other port whatsoever, but within a year after the landing of the same in England they might be reshipped to any other country, paying such duties as British subjects are bound to pay. Penn and his heirs were to enjoy such customs on imports and exports in the province as he or they and the people there, when assembled, may reasonably assess, saving to the King and his successors such impositions and customs as are, or by act of Parliament shall be appointed. But the King was to levy no taxes upon the inhabitants of the province without the~consent of the proprietary or assembly, or by act of Parliament. Penn was invested with all the powers of a " captain-general," also " to levy muster, and train all sorts of men " to make war by sea and land against barbarous nations, pirates and robbers.

For the greater security of his province, the Duke of York also executed a deed for Pennsylvania to William Penn for any pretensions or claims that might be set up at any time in the future, either by himself, his heirs, successors, or others. It was dated August 20th, 1682,

THE (IRANT OF PENXSVLVAXIA. 23

and in which he says, " Now, therefore, this indenture witnesseth, that his said royal hi<^hness, out of a special regard to the memory and many faithful and eminent services heretofore performed by the said Sir W^illiam Penn to his said majesty and royal highness, and for the better encouraging him, the said William Penn, to proceed in culti\'ating and impro\ing the said tract of ground and islands therein and thereunto belonging, and reducing the savage and barbarous natives thereof to civility, and for the goodwill which his said royal highness hath and beareth to the said William Penn, and for other good causes and considerations hath remised, released, and forever quit claim." This was deemed necessary on account of its jurisdiction having been for some time previously under the governors of New York.

Penn deemed it also prudent but it was not obtained without some negotiation from the Duke, two additional conveyances or deeds of feoffment from him on the 24th of the same month. By one of which he conveyed the town of New Castle and the country lying within a circle of twelve miles about it, and by the other all the land on Delaware Bay south of said circle to Cape Henlopen. These now comprise the State of Delaware, and were to be held " in free and common socage." For the first, he was to pay to the Duke the yearly rent of five shillings, and for the second ''one rose at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel yearly, if demanded," together with the moiety of all the rents and profits thereof However, the Duke did not obtain for himself a regular conveyance for the same from his brother, the King, till March 22d, 1683. The leading object in this was to secure these territories from the claim entered upon by Lord Baltimore, and \\hich led to so long and expensive a controversy afterwards. This section had been successively held by the Swedes and Dutch, and latterly by the government of New York under the Duke.

Th ' Ro\'al Charter, in its beginning, thus alludes to Penn's petition for the grant : "Whereas our trusty and well-beloved subject, William Penn, P^squire, son and heir of Sir William Penn, out of a commendable desire to enlarge our British Empire, and promote such useful commodities as may be of benefit to us and our dominions, as also to reduce the savage natives by just and gentle manners to the love of civil society and Christian religion, hath humbly besought leave of us, to transport an ample colony into a certain country, hereinafter described, in the parts of America, not yet cultivated and planted, and hath likewise so humbly besought our royal Majesty to give, grant, and confirm all the said country, with certain privileges and jurisdictions requisite for the good government and safety of the said country and colony, to him, and his heirs forever."

W'e observe in the aforesaid a positive mention, if not

Tllli (iKANT OF PENNSYLVANIA. 25

a i)ronii.se faithfully made, by the Proprietary, that "out of a commendable desire," among other matters, "to reduce the savage natives by just and gentle manners to the love of civil society and Christian religion," as deserving some consideration hereafter. As respects the original proposals, John Stoughton [JVut. Penn, the Founder, p. 165) gives us the following information : " The petition existed, but in a mutilated state, in 1735, when it was adduced in evidence during a trial in reference to the Penn possessions." No copy was discovered among the recently-acquired Penn manuscripts in possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and its disappearance is therefore to be regretted. ■

It was the fortune of William Penn to have warm friends in Charles II. and his brother James, Duke of York. The former knighted his father for his distinguished services, and always held his memory in lasting esteem, as we also know by his naming this noble commonwealth after him when he had been consigned to the tomb upwards of ten years. P"or the Stuarts few good words are found, and we hesitate for these actions in the life of Penn, whether justice has been done them. In speaking of this family, Bancroft says that "North America acquired its British colonies during their rule, and towi.s, rivers, headlands, and even states, bear their names. The pacific disposition of James I. promoted the settlement of Virginia ; a timely neglect fostered New England ; the favoritism

26 \VM. FENN IN AMERICA.

of Charles I. opened the way for religious liberty in Maryland; Rhode Island long cherished the charter which its importunity won from Charles II. ; the honest friendship of James II. favored the grants which gave liberties to Pennsylvania, and extended them to Delaware; the crimes of the dynasty banished to our countrv men of learning, virtue, and fortitude."

Chapter II. Markham Despatched To Pennsylvania

A MONTH had nearly elapsed from the sii^ning of the charter, when the King issued a declaration of the fact in the following address to the inhabitants of Pennsyh^ania, which, it would appear, was to prepare them for the coming of the Proprietary, and the reception of his government: —

" Charles R. — Whereas his majesty, in consideration of the great merit and faithful services of Sir William Penn, deceased, and for divers other good causes him thereunto moving, hath been graciously pleased, by letters-patent bearing date the 4th day of March last past, to give and grant unto William Penn, Esq., son and heir of the said Sir William Penn, all that tract," [etc., as described in the charter.]

" His majesty doth, therefore, hereby publish and declare his royal will and pleasure, that all persons settled or inhabiting within the limits of said province, do yield all due obedience to the said William Pcnn_ his heirs and assigns, as absolute proprietaries and governors thereof, as also to the deputies, agents, or lieutenants, lawfulh' commissioned by him or tliem, according to the powers and authorities granted by the said letters-patent, wherewith his majesty expects and requires a ready compliance from all persons whom it may concern, as they tender his majestie's displeasure. Given at Court, etc., 2d April, thirty -third )'ear of reign, By his majesty's command.