PART II. From the Acquisition of the country by Penn to the close of the Century, 1681-1700. CHAPTER I. PENN'S ARRIVAL, AND HIS FIRST ASSEMBLY. The province of Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn principally for two reasons, which are mentioned, though not fully, in the royal charter. First, on account of the patriotic and religious spirit exhibited by Penn himself, in "a commendable desire to enlarge our English Empire, and promote such useful commodities as may be a benefit to us and our Dominions, as also to reduce the savage natives by gentle and just manners to the love of civil society and Christian religion." Second, to reward, by emoluments to the son, the meritorious services in the past of his father, the Admiral, Sir William Penn, and at the same time, to extinguish a money debt, of no inconsiderable size, due from the Crown for those very services. Under Cromwell, Admiral Penn did good service for England in the Spanish West Indies, where he had been sent with "a considerable sea and land force." The Island of Jamaica was at that time reduced, and brought under English authority. The services, however, for which King Charles and the Duke of York held him in grateful remembrance were performed later. After the restoration, Admiral Penn became a royalist. He commanded the English fleet under the Duke of York, which, in 1665, obtained a signal victory over the Dutch fleet commanded by Van Opdam. For this service to his country, Admiral Penn was knighted, and justly became a favorite of the King and the Duke. At the death of Sir William Penn, there was owing him by the Crown a debt of sixteen thousand pounds, which sum of money, though not actually mentioned, was the money consideration understood in the grant of the province of Pennsylvania to Penn. DD William Penn became proprietary of his province of Pennsylvania and territories thereto annexed by four several grants: First the province of Pennsylvania was granted to Penn, by the charter or patent of King Charles II, bearing date the 4th day of March, 1681. This, the royal charter, as it is generally called, was published by the King on the 2d day of April, 1681, by the following proclamation:1 Charles R. Whereas his Majesty, in consideration of the great merit and faithful Services of Sir William Penn deceast and for divers other good causes him thereunto moving hath been graciously pleased by Letters Patents bearing date the fourth day of March last, to give and grant unto William Penn Esqire Son and Heir of the Said Sir William Penn, All That tract of Land in America Called by the name of Pensilvania as the same is bounded on the East by Delaware River, from twelve miles distance Northwards of New Castle Towne, unto the three and fortieth degree of Northern Latitude, if the said River doth extend soe farr Northwards And if the said River shall not extend soe farr Northward, then by the said River so farr as it doth extend. And from the head of the said River, the Eastern Bounds to bee determined by a Meridian Line to bee drawn from the head of the said River, unto the said Three and Fortieth Degree; the said Province to extend Westward five degrees in Longitude, to be Computed from the said Eastern bounds; and to bee bounded on the North by the beginning of the Three and Fortieth Degree of Northern Latitude; and on the South by a Circle drawn at Twelve miles distance from New Castle Northwards and Westwards unto the beginning of the Fortieth Degree of Northern Latitude and then by a streight Line Westwards, to the limits of Longitude above mentioned. Together with all Powers, Preheminences and Jurisdictions necessary for the Governmeut of the Said Province, as by the Said Letters Patents reference being thereunto had, doth more at large appear. His Matie doth therefore hereby publish and declare His Royal Will and Pleasure that all persons settled or inhabiting within the limits of the said Province doe yield all due obedience to the Said William Penn, his heirs and assignes, as absolute Proprietaries and Governors thereof; as also to the Deputy or Deputies, Agents or Lievtenants lawfully Commissionated by him or them according to the powers and authorities granted by the Said Letters Patents. Wherewith his Matie expects and requires a ready Complyance from all persons whom it may concern, as they tender his Maties displeasure. Given at the Court at Whitehall the Second day of April in the three and thirtieth year of His Maties Reigne. By His Maties Command To y Inhabitants and Planters of Pensilvania in America. (2 april 1681) CONWAY. Second-the deed of the Duke of York for the province of Pennsylvania, in the same terms substantially as the royal charter. This deed was given on the 31st day of August, 1682, and was prompted by the foresight of Penn to protect him in the future against any claims of the Duke which might 1 Copied from original document in Land Office at Harrisburg. arise. Third, the grant of the Duke of York to Penn, August 24, 1682, of the town of New Castle, otherwise called Delaware, and a district of twelve miles around it. Fourth, the grant of the Duke of York to Penn, on the same day, of a tract of land extending from twelve miles south of New Castle to the Whorekill or Cape Henlopen, divided into the two counties of Kent and Sussex, which, together with the New Castle district, were commonly known by the name of the three lower counties. Having secured the King's grant, and determined in his mind the plan for the annexation of the lower counties, Penn's next step was to advertise his province, by issuing a lengthy document1 for the enlightenment of "those of our own or other nations that are inclined to transport themselves or families beyond the seas." This document comprised a somewhat tedious argument in favor of colonies, followed by a short description of the country; the nature of the intended constitution and laws; the price of land; the character of persons suitable for the undertaking, and the nature and cost of the journey; concluding with an earnest exhortation to all, not to enter into the undertaking rashly or without "an eye to the providence of God in the disposal of themselves." On the 11th of July, the following "conditions or concessions were agreed upon by William Penn proprietary and governor of the province of Pennsylvania, and those who are the adventurers and purchasers in the same province : First. That so soon as it pleaseth God that the above said persons arrive there, a quantity of land or Ground plot shall be laid out for a large Town or City in the most convenient place upon the River for health and navigation; and every purchaser and adventurer shall by lot have so much land therein as will answer to the proportion which he hath bought or taken up upon rent, But it is to be noted that the surveyors shall consider what Roads or Highways will be necessary to the Cities, Towns, or through the lands. Great roads from City to City not to contain less than forty feet in beadth shall be first laid out and declared to be for highways before the Dividend of acres be laid out for the purchaser and the like observation to be had for the streets in the Towns and Cities, that there may be convenient roads and streets preserved not to be encroached upon by any planter or builder that none may build irregularly to the damage of another. In this custom governs. Secondly. That the land in the Town be laid out together after the proportion of ten thousand acres of the whole country, that is two hundred acres, if the place will bear it: However that the proportion be by lot and entire so as those that desire to be together, especially those that are by the catalogue laid together, may be so laid together both in the Town & Country. Thirdly. That when the Country lots are laid out, every purchaser from one thousand to Ten thousand acres or more, not to have above One thousand acres together, unless in three years they plant a family upon every 1 Hazard's Anus., pp. 505–513. |