USA > Pennsylvania > History of the province of Pennsylvania > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
The inhabitants of Philadelphia and its neighbourhood, in or about the year 16SS, were tried with an alarm of this sort, occasiond as it was said, by two Indian women of
° Vid: 24. Article of the charter of 1683.
3
:
34
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
West Jersey, telling an ancient inhabitant, a Dutchman, near Chester that the Indians were to rise the next fourth day, and cut off all the English-several friends upon hearing this report at Chester, recollecting their behaviour towards them, and conscious they had not administerd any rea- sonable occasion of disgust, instead of mixing in the com- mon surprize, endeavored to dissuade others, but it happen- ing that when the mentiond fourth day came, about Ten at night, a messenger arrived at Chester from back in the woods, telling the people that three families at about nine miles distance (which he named) were all cut off by the Indians.
This fresh report came to the ears of a friend then at Chester, in the dead of the night, He proposed to two young men in the house that if they would get up the horses, and go with him, he would ride to the houses where it was said the murders were committed, that if true, and they should see any of the Indians, he might treat with them, to know the cause of their so basely breaking the covenant of peace, and if false, they might then be instrumental to quiet the people, and getting ready, away they went unarmed. When they came to the three houses, where the murders were reported to be committed, they found no person there, and yet no sign of murder; the people had received the like alarm, and were gone down in a fright to their fathers at Ridley creek, about a mile off. The more iminediate occasion of their flight was, the master of one of the families, being that fourth day at work at some distance from his house, received intelligence there, that the Indians five hundred in number, had actually got together at Naamans creek, in pursuance of their design to kill all the English, and going hastily towards his house, heard his lad cry say- ing (as he thought) what shall I do, my dame is killed- upon which, he ran off without going home to see how matters stood there, & hastening to acquaint the govern- ment at Philadelphia, of what had passed, was the impru-
35
1667575
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
dent occasion of increasing the alarm; but, being met by somebody of more thought than himself, was stopped before he got to Philadelphia, and persuaded back-the report however, thus fortified soon reached the city, and in such terms, that a messenger was dispatched to Marcus-hook, near the said Naamans-creek to enquire into the truth of it, who quickly returnd and confirm'd the report, but with this variation, that it was at Brandewine, where the Indian town was, at which the five hundred Indians were together, and that they having a lame king, had carried him away, with all their women and children, this looked with a bad face & amounted to a certainty with many, whose fears had already kept at least equal pace with their imaginations. The president and council were at that time sitting upon other occasions, a friend then in town (probably Caleb Pusey, one of the governors council who lived in Chester county) proposed to them, that if they would name five sober men to go to the place where it was reported the Indians were so circumstanced, provided they went without weapons, he would be one of them, which being soon agreed on, they got their horses and set out together, and when arrived, instead of meeting with five hundred warriors, they found the old king quietly lying with his lame foot along on the ground, & his head at ease on a sort of pillow, the women hard at work in the field, and the children playing together. Having dismounted and gone into the Wigwam, the king presently asked very mildly, what they all came for, and being told what report the Indian women had raised, he appeared much displeased, and said they ought to be burnt to death-The messenger asked him if the Indians had anything against the English- he answered no, adding "its true there are fifteen pounds or there abouts yet behind, of our pay for the land that William Penn bought, but inasmuch as you are still on it, and improving it to your own use, we are not in haste for our pay, but when the English come to settle it, we shall
36
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
expect it," which the messengers thinking reasonable, told him they would without doubt be paid, and one of them willing to make use of that occasion, to a religious purpose, told him, that the great God that made the world and all things therein, by consequence made all mankind, and so both Indian and English, and as he made all, his love was extended to all, which was plainly shown by his causing the Rains and Dews to fall on the ground of both English and Indians alike, that it might bring forth what the In- dian, as well as the English sowed or planted therein for the sustenance of life, and also causing the sun to shine on all, both Indians and English to nourish them, and that seeing the great Being that made them all, extended his love to all, they were mutually bound to love one another." The king answerd, that what they said was true, "and, (added he) as God has given you corn, I would advise you to get it in (it was then harvest time) for we intend no hurt to you." They parted amicably, and the messengers returning put an end to the peoples fears.
Thomas Lloyd had hitherto, for the space of near six years past, as president of the council, governd the prov- ince of Pennsylvania, excepting two short intermissions, wherein Thomas Holmes and William Clark had at differ- ent times supplied his place in his absence, but now in the tenth month of this year, arrived Capt" John Blackwell with a commission from William Penn to be his lieutenant governor,P who met the assembly in the third month fol- lowing, but there being dissentions got in, between him and
P Thomas Lloyd, was chosen or appointed to serve as governor by the three upper counties, and William Markham for the three lower counties. The province was for some time governd in this manner-it was at Thomas Lloyds repeated desire that W. Penn, appointed another in his room-Black- wells wife was general Lamberts daughter, she coming to W. Penn soon after he received those applications upon other business, he asked her if she thought her husband (who was then in New England, and for whom W. Penn seems to have conceived an extraordinary opinion) would accept of the government of Pennsylvania, she answered that he would; a commission was thereupon sent to him with the following Instructions.
37
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
some of the Council, things were not managed to the great- est satisfaction, nor was much of the public business done
Instructions for lieutenant governor Blackwell, or whom else they may concern.
1st. That things be transacted in my name, by the style of my patent only viz: absolute proprietary of Pennsylvania &c., if not contrary to the charter and laws of the province, as I suppose not.
200. That the commissions signed and seald by me here shall be sufficient warrants and directions to pass them under the great seal .---
34. To collect the laws that are in being and send them over to me in a stichd book by the very first opportunity, which I have hitherto so often and so much in vain desired.
4th. To be careful that speedy as well as thorough and impartial justice be done, and virtue in all cherish'd, and vice in all punish'd --
5th. That fines be in proportion both to the fault and ability of the party that so they may be paid.
6th. That feuds between persuasions, or nations or counties be suppresd and extinguishd, if any be, & if none, that by a good conduct they may be prevented.
7th. That the widow, orphan and absent may be particularly regarded in their rights, for their cry will be loudest in all ears but by absent, I mean such as are so of necessity.
Stb. To countenance the commissioners of propriety where land is unseated, or people are unruly in their settlements, or comply not with reasonable obligations about bounds, banks, timber &c. for tho' we came to a wilderness it was not that we should continue it so.
9th. That the sheriffs of their respective counties be charged with the re- ceipt of iny rents, fines, &c, as they do in England, and give security to the receiver general for the same.
10th. To have a special care that sheriffs, and clerks of the peace impose not upon the people, & that the magistrates live peacibly and soberly, for I would not endure one loose, or litigious person in authority-Let them be men having some fear of God, and hating covetousness, whatever be their persuasions. To employ others is to prophane an ordinance of God.
11th. That care be taken of the Roads and highways in the country, that they may be strait and commodious for travellers, for I understand they are turned about by the Planters, which is a mischief that must not be endured.
12th. Consider by what means or methods the good and prosperity of the plantation, may be promoted, what laws in being are unnecessary or defec- tive, and what are wanting, and in each particular hereci, let me have advice as distinctly and as speedily as may be.
13th. Rule the meek, meekly, and those that will not be ruled, rule with authority, and God Almighty prosper all honest and prudent endeavors.
Given at London this 25 day of the 7th month 1689.
WM. PENN.
-
-
38
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
to any great purpose in his administration, which was only till the twelfth month this year, when returning to England, the government of the province according to charter devolved again on the council, Thomas Lloyd president. Wm. Penn at the dismission of Tho Lloyd on his own application from the Burthen of Governmt had wrote to him & the others concernd in the Admin- istration before Blackwell arrivd as follows [here take in the paper N. 4] *
* Paper missing .- Ed.
.
CHAPTER IV.
W. PENN DEPRIVED OF HIS GOVERNMENT, A NEW GOVERNOR APPOINTED BY THE CROWN; THE PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION .-
William Penn, since his return to England had been frequently upon one occasion or other at court, in the latter end of king James the seconds reign, who having loved the father, indulged the same affection for the son, but his reign drew to a period, for the prince of Orange on the 5 of November 1688, landing at Torbay in Devonshire, to the great joy of the English nation then greatly dis- satisfied with the late endeavors to introduce popery "many of king James's officers and troops soon joined the Prince --- the king perceiving the people alienated from him, with- drew to France, by a national convention called shortly after the prince of Orange, and the princess Mary his spouse, king James's daughter, were declared king and queen of England &c .-- they were proclaimd on the 13th of the month call'd February 1688-9 .-- upon this turn of times, W. Penns late friendship at court made him suspected of disaffection to the present government, so that on the 10th of December 1688 walking in Whitehall, he was sent for by the lords of the council then sitting, and tho' nothing appeard against him, and himself assured them that he had done nothing but what he could answer before God and all the princes in the world, that he loved his country and the protes- tant religion above his life, and never acted against either, that all he ever aimed at in his public endeavors, was no other than what the prince himself had declared for, that king James was always his friend, and his fathers friend, and in gratitude he was the kings, and did ever as much as in him lay, influence him to his true interest, notwithstanding, they obliged him to give sureties for his appearance the first day of the next term, which he did, and then was continued on the same security
39
:
·
40
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
to Easter term following, on the last day of which, nothing having been laid to his charge, he was cleared in open court.
In the year 1690 he was again brought before the lords of the council, upon an accusation of holding correspon- dence with the late king James, and they requiring sureties for his appearance, he appeald to king William himself, who, after a conference of near two hours, inclined to acquit him, but to please some of the council he was held upon bail for a while, and in trinity term the same year, was again discharged.
He was yet attacked a third time, and his name inserted in a proclamation, dated July 18th this year (1690) wherein he, with divers lords and others to the number of eighteen, were charged with adhearing to the kingdoms enemies, but proof failing respecting him, he was again cleared by order of the Kings bench court, at Westminster on the last day of Michaelmas term 1690.
Being now again at liberty he proposed to go over a second time to Pennsylvania, and published proposals in print for another settlement there-he had so far prepared for his transportation, that an order for a convoy was granted him by the secretary of state, when his voyage was prevented by a fresh accusation against him, backd with the oath of one William Fuller, a wretch afterwde by Par- liament declared a cheat and imposter, and a warrant was thereupon granted for his apprehension, which he narrowly escaped at his return from George Fox's burial on the 16th of the month called January 1690.º
William Penn in a letter dated England 14th 4 mo :-- 91. writes on this subject, George Fox's death, and other matters as followeth.
"DEAR FRIEND,
"My love in the unchangeable truth salutes thee and thine, and the friends and family of God in those parts, desiring your temporal & everlasting well- fare with an unfeigned affection.
"By this time thou wilt have heard of the renewal of my troubles, the only lett of my return, being in the midst of my preparations with a great company of adventurers, when they fell upon me-The jealousies of some, and unwor-
.
41
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
He had hitherto defended himself before the king and council, but now thought it rather advisable to retire for a time, than hazard the sacrifizing his inncence to the oaths
thy dealing of others have made way for them but under and over it all, the antient rock has been my shelter and comfort, and I hope yet to see your faees with our ancient satisfaction-the Lord grant, if it be for his glory, whose I desire to be in all conditions; for this world passeth away and the form and beauty of it fadeth, but there are ternal habitations for the faithful, among whom I pray that my lot may be, rather than among the prinees of the earth-I hope I need not urge my circumstances to excite thy love, eare and concern for me and my suffering interest in that country. I know thou hast better learned Christ and Cato, if I may so say, and will embrace such an opportunity to choose to express thy friendship and sineerity, nor is uncer- tainty and changeableness thy fault, wherefore I will say no more, but desire that my afflietions may ease if not eure your animosities, or diseontents within yourselves if yet they have continued, and that thou wilt both in gov- ernment, and to my commissioners of property, yield thy assistance all thou canst -- By all this, God may prepare me to be fitter for future service, even to you there-I ask the people forgiveness for my long stay, but when I eon- sider how much it has been my loss, it is punishment enough-it has been £20,000 to my damage in the country, and above £10,000 here, and to the province 500 families, but the wise God that can do what he pleaseth, as well as see what is in mans heart is able to requite it all, and I am persuaded all shall yet work together for good in this very thing, if we can overlook all that stands in the way of our view, Godward in public matters, see that all be done prudently and humbly and keep down irreverenee, and looseness, and cherish industry and sobriety, the Lord God Almighty be with you and amongst you to his praise and your peace. Salute me to I: Simcock, P .: Tu, A: Co, T: Jan, Ph. Pem, I: Ri, W: Ya, the Welch friends and Plimouth friends, indeed to all of them .-
"Thou hast heard of our great loss of dear John Burnyeat and Robt. Lodge, one in Ireland and t'other in England in about the same week Robt. Barclay, T. Salthouse, and dearly beloved G. Fox sinee :-- he died at Henry Gould- neys by Gracious-street meeting-house, where he preached his farewell the first day, and departed the third at night between 9 and 10 .- I was with him, he earnestly recommended to me his love to you all and said William, mind poor friends in America, he died triumphantly over death, very easily, foresaw his change, he was buried on the sixth day like a general meeting, 2000 people at his burial, friends and others-I was never more public than that day, I felt myself easy, he was got into his Inn before the storm that is coming overtook him, and that night very providentially I eseaped the mes- sengers hands :- I shall add only, that friends have had an extraordinary time this general meeting, so that God supplied that invisible loss with glo- rious presence. R. Davies there, but not thy brother. In sincere love I bid thee, thy wife and family and friends farewell- Thy true Frd W" PENN."
42
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
of a profligate villian, and accordingly he appeard but little in public for two or three years.'
In this time of retirement and upon this accusation, W. Penn was deprived of the government of Pennsylvania and territories, and a commission arrived to Benjamin Fletcher Esq. Governor of New York, to take them under his government, his commission for that purpose follows in these words.
"William and Mary by the grace of God, king and queen of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defenders of the faith &c
"To our trusty and well beloved Benjamin Fletcher Esq' our captain general and governor in chief of our province of New York and the territories depending thereon in America, greeting,
"Whereas by our commission under our great seal of Eng- land bearing date the eighteenth day of March in the fourth year of our reign, we have constituted and appointed you the said Benjamin Fletcher to be our captain general and governor in chief in and over our province of New York, and the dependencies thereon in America; and have thereby granted unto you full power and authority with the advice and consent of our council, as need shall require to sum- mon and call general assemblies of the inhabitants, being frecholders within our said province, according to the usage of the province of New York, and that the persons there- upon duly elected by the major part of the frecholders of the respective counties and places and so returned, and having before their sitting taken the oaths appointed by act of parliament to be taken, instead of the oaths of alle- giance and supremacy, and subscribed the test, and without taking and subscribing whereof, none shall be capable of sitting tho' elected, shall be called and held the general assembly of that our said province, and have thereby
*W. Peons works, Vol: I. p. 139, 140
43
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
granted unto you the said Benjamin Fletcher, by and with the consent of our said council and assembly, or the major part of them, full power and authority to make, constitute and ordain laws, statutes and ordinances for the public peace, welfare and good government of our said province & of the people and inhabitants thereof, which said laws, statutes and ordinances, are to be as near may be agreeable to the laws and statutes of this our kingdom of England, provided that all such laws, statutes and ordinances, be within three months or sooner after the making thereof, transmitted unto us under our seal of New York, for our approbation or disallowance of the same, and in case any or all of them, not before confirmed by us, shall at any time be disallowed and not approved, and so signified by us, our heirs and successors under our or their Sign manual, or signet, or by order of our or their privy council unto you the said Benjamin Fletcher or to the commander in chief of our province of New York for the time being, then such, and so many of them, as shall be so disallowed and not approved, shall from thenceforth cease determine and become utterly void and of none effect: And to the end that nothing may be passed or done by our said council or assembly to the prejudice of us, our heirs and successors, we have hereby willed and ordained that you the said Benjamin Fletcher shall have and enjoy one negative voice, in the making and passing of all laws, statutes and ordinances as aforesaid and that you shall and may likewise from time to time, as you shall judge it necessary, adjourn, prorogue and dissolve all general assem- blies as aforesd.
"We therefore reposing especial trust & confidence in the prudence, courage and loyalty of you the said Benjamin Fletcher to be our Captain, general and governor in chief, in and over our province of Pennsylvania, and in the country of New Castle and all the tracts of land depending thereon in America; And we do accordingly by these presents com-
44
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
mand and require you to take the said province and country under your government, and for the better ordering, gov- erning and ruling our said province and country, and the tracts and territories depending thercon, we do hereby give and grant unto you the said B. Fletcher, all and every the like powers and authorities as in our said com- mission, bearing date the eighteenth day of March in the fourth year of our reign, are given, granted and appointed you, for the ruling and governing our province of New York to be exercised in like manner by you the said Benjamin Fletcher in, and over our said province of Pennsylvania and the country of New Castle, and the territories and tracts of land depending thereon in America.
"Examined and compared with the original letters patent "PATRICK ROBINSON, secretary."
Governor Fletcher upon receiving this commission re- paired to his new government but first notified his coming, by the following letter directed :
"To the honble Thomas Lloyd Esq' deputy governor of Pennsylvania
“ Sir,
"Having received their majesties commission under their great seal, for the government of Pennsylvania, and being required to make a speedy repair to that province, I think fit to acquaint you, that I propose to begin my journey from home on Monday the 24th instant, and desire the council and principal freeholders may have notice that their majesties commands may be communicated to them so soon as I arrive, which I hope may be the 29th.
"I am sir, your very loving friend
"BEN FFLETCHER."
"New York,
"April 19th, 1693."
.
45
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Col. Fletcher took with him a splendid retinue, and ar- rived in such pomp and gaiety as had not been known in Pennsylvania before, soon after which he called an assem- bly, which met in the spring 1693.
Before this assembly was called, disputes arising between the council & governor, about the mode of electing and con- vening them, occasiond the following address from the mem- bers of the council deliver'd the 29th of the month called April.
"To Benjamin Fletcher, captain, general and governor in chief &c.
"The humble address of the freemen of the province of Pennsylvania presented by their delegates, members of the provincial council,
"Sheweth
"That whereas the late king Charles the second, in the thirty third year of his reign, by letters patent under the great seal of England, did for the consideration therein mentiond grant unto William Penn, and his assigns, this colony or tract of land thereby erecting the same into a Province, calling it Pennsylvania, and constituting the said William Penn, absolute proprietary of the said prov- ince, saving (amongst other things) the sovereignty thereof, with power also by virtue of the said royal charter to the said William Penn, his deputies and lieutenants to make laws with the advice and assent of the freemen of the said province or the greatest part of them, or of their delegates or deputies, whom for the enacting of the said laws when, and as often as need required, he the said William Penn should assemble in such sort as to him should seem best, with divers other great powers, immunities and priveleges in the same charter contain'd, relation being thereunto had, may more at large appear.
"By virtue and in pursuance whereof the said proprietary William Penn with the advice and consent of the freemen of his province in general assembly met at Philada, (in 83)
.
46
HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA
did enact that the time for the meeting of the freemen to cbuse their deputies, to represent them in provincial council and general assembly should be on the tenth day of the fifth month, yearly, and the members so chosen for pro- vincial council (consisting of three persons out of each county should give their attendance within twenty days after election in order to propose bills, and the members of assembly being six out of each county, should meet on the 10th day of the third month called May, yearly in order to pass those proposed bills into laws, but in case any of the said members should either be of ill fame or wilfully absent from their service, or happen to die it is provided by another law (made in 84) that it should be lawful for the proprietary and governor, within ten days after knowledge of the same to issue out a writ to the sheriff of the county for wch the party was chosen, immediately to summon the freemen to elect another member &c.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.