Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

sembly, or otherwise from under the hands and seals of the representatives, for the time being, of the province and territories, or the major part of either of them, at any time within three years from the date hereof, that, in such case, the inhabitants of each of the three counties of this province shall not have less than eight persons to represent them in assembly, for the province; and the inhabitants of the town of Philadelphia (when the said town is incorporated,) two persons to represent them in assembly; and the inhabitants of each county in the territories shall have as many persons to represent them, in a distinct assembly, for the territories, as shall be by them requested as aforesaid.

Notwithstanding which separation of the province and territories, in respect of legislation, I do hereby promise, grant and declare, that the inhabitants of both province and territories shall separately enjoy all other liberties, privileges and benefits granted jointly to them, in this charter, any law, usage, or custom of this government heretofore made and practised, or any law made and passed by the general assembly to the contrary hereof notwithstanding.

WILLIAM PENN.

This charter of privileges being distinctly read in assembly, and the whole, and every part thereof, being approved of, and agreed to, by us, we do thankfully receive the same from our proprietary and governor at Philadelphia, this twenty-eighth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and one, 1701.

[blocks in formation]

The proprietary, having constituted, Andrew Hamilton Esq., bis deputy governor, and James Logan secretary, sailed for England. On his arrival the bill for reducing the proprietary governm.en's into regal ones, was dropped, and nothing more said on that subject.

Governor Hamilton died in December 1702. The greater part of his administration was taken up in endeavoring to effect an union between the province and the territories, in legislation: for they had not yet accepted the new charter, and had three years allowed them to signify their acceptance or refusal. Upon the death of Hamilton, the government devolved on the council, Edward Shippen being president.

For several years we have no record of any important public proceedings in the province and territories, except the long standing difference between them.

"Such was the state of things when John Evans who was appointed deputy governor by the proprietor, with the queen's royal approbation, on the death of Andrew Hamilton, arrived in the province, in the twelfth month, 1703; who, having first augmented the number of the members of council in the second month (April) 1704, convened the representatives both of the province and territories, at the same time and place, in the council chamber in Philadelphia.

Governor Evans, notwithstanding the steps which had been taken, and the agreement made between the province and territories, before his arrival, respecting their future acting in a separate capacity, and independent of each other, in legislation, according to the provision made for the same by charter, renewed the attempt for uniting them; and his first speech to the representatives of both places, was chiefly calculated to endeavor a re-union; and it consisted of such arguments and insinuations as appeared to him most cogent, and likely to bring about a coalition, so necessary for their mutual benefit.

To this the members of the territories, who before appeared to have principally occasioned the division, now seemed willing to accede, to accept the charter on conditions, and to unite with the members of the province, in legislation; but the latter, who had so long been hampered with the refractory behavior of the former, now, in their turn, absolutely refused to be connected with them; and adhered to their prior agreement for a separation.*

Thus all negociation on this head came to an end; and the assembly of the province incurred the governor's displeasure, by refusing to comply with his recommendation; which, with the disputes, that afterwards arose between them, on three bills proposed by the assembly, one to confirm the great charter of privileges of the province, another to confirm that of the city of Philadelphia, and a bill of property; which the governor refused to pass, without such amendments as the assembly would not agree to; and they being likewise disgusted at some expressions of one of the council, respecting their proceedings, occasioned such misunderstanding between the governor and the house, that, in consequence thereof, but little of moment appears to have been transacted, in the public affairs of the government, during the sittings of this, and the next succeeding assembly; at the head of both which appeared David Lloyd, as speaker.

In the latter part of the year 1704, governor Evans met the assembly of the lower counties, at New Castle; which was the first assembly, that had acted there in legislation, independent of the province, after the proprietary's departure, prior to which he pub

* The names of the members for the territories were:-James Conts, John Healy, Roelof de Haes, Isaac Gooding, William Rodney, John Brinkloe, William Morton, Arthur Meston, John Hill, William Bagwell, Robert Burton, Richard Painter.

lished a proclamation, to raise a millitia, among such, whose religious persuasion was not against bearing of arms; it being in the time of the war between England, and France and Spain.

But, from what had already passed between the governor, and the assembly of the province, the latter fell into such an ill humor, that in the sixth month, 1704, they privately drew up a representation, or remonstrance, in a letter to the proprietary; which was said to be filled with complaints, highly reflecting, even, on the proprietary himself, as well as the deputy governor, Evans, and the secretary, James Logan.

Some time after, when the governor heard of this, he, by a written message to the house, required a copy of it; which was likewise done by a formal petition from seven persons; who were all, either of the governor's council, or otherwise of the principal inhabitants, and Quakers, viz. Edward Shippen, Thomas Story, Richard Hill, William Hudson, Pentecost Teague, Thomas Chalkley, and William Southby; these, with many others, considering the present ill humor of the assembly, thought themselves highly interested in the nature of such a proceeding; but they were all peremptorily refused by the assembly."

In matters of legislation, the three lower counties soon after their separation, begun to act for themselves. They had a lieutenant-governor appointed for them expressly, and seem to have enjoyed that independence of the province they had been so long contending for. The style adopted in the first act remaining on record is as follows;

"And be it enacted by William Keith, Esquire, by his Majesty's royal approbation and appointment Lieutenant Governor in and over the counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware, by and with the consent of the Representatives of the freemen in the said counties, in Assembly met, and by authority of the same."

"On the 30th day of the 5th month (July,) 1718, at Rushcomb, near Twyford, in Buckinghamshire, in England, died the truly honorable proprietary and founder of the province of Pennsylvania, William Penn, aged about seventy-four years. He had, in the year 1712, as before mentioned, been seized with some fits of the apoplectic kind; which, for the last six years of his life, had so affected his mental faculties, especially his memory, as to render him in great measure, incapable of public business; which, with the gradual decline of his strength of body, continued to increase, till the last period of his days: during which time, nevertheless, he is said to have been mostly sensible, intelligent, and, by his behavior and expressions, at different times, to those, who were present with him, manifested, that he retained, till his death, the happy enjoyment of that divine and mental felicity, which resulted from the nature of his religion, and manner of life.

Much of his character may be seen in the preceding sketch of his life, and in this historical account of Pennsylvania; a life of uni

versal benevolence, and good actions, to mankind, in general, both in a religious and civil capacity. But the most lasting memorial of his great utility to the human race is his literary works, first printed in two folio volumes, and his flourishing and happy province of Pennsylvania. The former being instructive, in the paths of virtue, and true felicity, to future generations; and the latter, an excellent example, for surrounding countries, and succeeding ages, to imitate, of the happy effects of a wise and generous plan of liberty, and a prudent religious toleration, among a virtuous people.

As to himself, I find expressed of him, by those who had the best opportunity of being acquainted with his true character and real merit, that he was a person endowed with great penetration and forethought; and a most sincere lover of truth and sincerity (which in no small degree, is also manifest from the short sketch of his life and transactions, given in the preceding part of this work.) He had great natural abilities, and much acquired knowledge; which he ever rendered subservient to the great interests of religion and virtue. He was chaste and circumspect, yet pleasant in conversation; and of an engaging and obliging disposition and behavior. He exhibited to the world a bright and amiable example, wherein the most excellent qualities of the accomplished gentleman, and real Christian united; and, in different countries, ranks and conditions of men, appeared a shining instance, that piety and virtue are not incompatible with a fine understanding.

Besides, being divinely qualified, he was a very able and excellent instrument, in the hand of divine Providence, in removing much of that superstitious bigotry and ignorance, which, for ages, had overspread, and, even, till his time, remained, in a very remarkable manner, to cover the minds of all ranks of people; and, by introducing, in their stead, especially among the higher class of men, a more liberal, and rational, way of thinking, on religious subjects; and in what relates to the best improvement of the human mind, and its truest, and most lasting interest.

Moreover, actuated by the same principles, and induced by the same motives, of universal benevolence and improvement, in the condition of the human race, he has, in the much admired, and long conspicuous effects of his civil polity and government, eminently exemplified to the world, how happy it is possible for mankind to live here, on earth, if the fault is not their own; a glorious example, and worthy of all imitation! wherein it is most manifest, that contrary to the common course of human affairs, war, violence and injustice have, in an extraordinary manner, given way to the happy and glorious means of peace, and of Christian perseverence in patience, equity and benificence to mankind; insomuch, that if the fable of the golden age was ever verified, or a paradisical state introduced on earth, in reality, it has been universally acknowledged, they must have borne the nearest resemblance to that of Pennsylvania!

In his printed works themselves are exhibited the manner of his

writing and the nature of his compositions: his style is free and sweet, yet strong and nervous; without affectation, and not labored with a tedious formality of expression; which before had been so customary and fashionable, in the nation; but his periods are generally short, yet full, flowing and agreeable, that he insensibly gains upon his reader; and while he allures his attention, he adds profit to delight: but ornament of speech was the least part of his study; the grand objects of his concern were the nature and importance of his subjects; which, though some of them respected particular times, persons and things, were generally the most interesting, that could possibly employ the attention of the human mind.

Should any persons be disposed to censure him, on account of some of his lieutenant governors, or, the want of still further advantages, which, they may apprehend, were in his power to have granted the province, it may be observed, that it is not so much the possession, as the proper use, of any thing valuable, which renders people happy; and the perversion thereof causes their misery; that the state and condition of human nature is such, as will only bear what may be called blessings to a certain degree; beyond which they become the contrary:

'Est modus in rebus; sunt certi denique fines;
Quos ultra, citraque nequit consistere rectum."

Hor.

In forming a proper judgment of this nature, the considerations, on both sides of the question, ought to have due weight.

First. Not only what may be desirable and useful for the governed, but also the power, and proper requisites of government itself, ought to be duly considered; for no valuable effect can reasonably be expected, without the possession and preservation of suitable power, ability and means, in the efficient, to perform it; these, in a limited proprietary under the crown, with the terms and obligations, upon which they were held of superior power, ought, in forming a just estimate, in this case, to be compared with the valuable and happy effects, which were really experienced, in consequence of the power and authority, with which he was, in this restricted capacity invested; for there is great and sufficient reason to suppose, that, had he, contrary to what he actually did, pursued a conduct, agreeable to the partial interest of some, or the contracted minds of others; or, had he acted from views of that impracticable equality, or ungovernable liberty, which the Eutophian imaginations of some shallow projectors, and rash schemers, might endeavor to promote, who, by attempting too much, lose all, many would never have so happily experienced, nor the world have seen, the glorious effects of his excellent management, for so long a space of time.

* 1. E. "There is a medium in things, or a certain boundary fixed; on both sides, or out of which, the line of rectitude cannot exist.' Hor.

« AnteriorContinuar »