USA > Pennsylvania > Lives of the governors of Pennsylvania : with the incidental history of the state, from 1609 to 1873 > Part 11
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In August, 1736, Governor Gordon dicd, equally lamented by the Proprietaries and the people, he having so judiciously administered the government, as not to set the interests of the one in antagonism to the other. During his term of office, general prosperity had prevailed, and the Colony had greatly increased in wealth and numbers. Its commerce like- wise had grown to commanding proportions, and the number and tonnage of the colonial-built ships had been rapidly multiplied.
JAMES LOGAN, President of the Council, August, 1736, to August, 1738. - Upon the death of Governor Gordon, the ex- ecutive authority devolved upon the Council, of which James Logan was President. During the two years which elapsed between the death of the late Governor and the arrival of his successor, the Assembly met regularly and advised with the Council, but no laws were passed and no legisla- tive business was transacted, as the Council was forbidden by charter from exercising executive power in legislation. During this period, serious troubles arose from the contested jurisdiction of Pennsylvania an? Maryland over portions of
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. territory west of the Susquehanna, then a part of Lancaster County, now of York. To escape the payment of taxes in Pennsylvania, the settlers had accepted titles to their lands from Maryland, but subsequently had renounced their alle- giance to the latter, and sought protection from the former. This action the Maryland authorities resisted, and the sheriff of the adjoining Maryland county, with three hundred men, advanced to drive out the settlers. The sheriff of Lancaster County, Samuel Smith, with a quickly summoned posse, went out to meet the Marylanders, and protect the citizens of his county. An amicable agreement was effected with- out coming to violence, and the two parties withdrew. But soon afterwards a gang of fifty armed Marylanders, under the leadership of one Cressap, again invaded the terri- tory, with the design of taking forcible possession of the farms of the settlers, each of the band to have at least two hundred acres. In an encounter with the settlers, one of them, Knowles, who offered resistance to their demands, was killed. The sheriff of Lancaster came to the rescue, and a sharp skirmish occurred, in which one of the invaders was killed, and Cressap himself was wounded and made prisoner. Governor Ogle, of Maryland, sent a commission to Philadel- phia to demand his release; but failing in this, he seized four of the settlers and incarcerated them in the jail at Balti- more. Not satisfied with the results of the contest thus far, a band of Marylanders, led by one Higginbotham, invaded the disputed ground and began driving out the settlers, when the sheriff of Lancaster again appeared and dispersed them. This harassing strife was kept up for several months, pre- venting the settlers from planting or improving their farms. In the meantime, a party of Marylanders, to the number of sixteen, under Richard Lowden, broke into the jail at Lan- caster, and released the prisoners who had been apprehended. In the midst of these contentions, an order of the king in Council was issued, which had the effect to restrain both par- ties, and subsequently action was taken which provided for
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the settlement of the question of boundary, and, consequently, of jurisdiction.
In these trying difficulties the affairs of the Colony were managed with great firmness and determination by Logan; and the Indians, who were again aroused to open hostilities by unprincipled traders, who, going among them and making them drunken, despoiled them of their skins and abused their women, were persuaded to forbearance and forgiveness by his arguments and appeals, and his kind and benignant bearing. IIe was only nominally governor during these two years, but really the ruling power behind those who held the gubernatorial commission, from the time of his arrival in the Colony, in 1699, for a period of over forty years, holding the offices of chief commissioner of property, agent for the purchase and sale of lands, receiver-general, member of Coun- cil, President of Council, and chief-justice. During the life of William Penn he had the exclusive management of all his private affairs in the Province, and after his death, those of his children, attending to the sale of lands, executing conveyances, making the collections, and looking to all the vast details of the Proprietary interests. In the course of his long service he met with stern opposition and often bitter reproach; but he bore all with a calm yet firm resolution, - the distinguishing mark of a great spirit, - and finally tri- umphed over all his adversaries.
"James Logan," says Proud, " was descended of a family originally from Scotland, where, in the troubles of that coun- try, occasioned by the affair of Earl Gawrie, in the reign of James VI., his grandfather, Robert Logan, was deprived of a considerable estate, in consequence of which his father, Patrick Logan, being in reduced circumstances, removed into Ireland and fixed his residence at Lurgan, the place of his son James' birth. Patrick Logan had the benefit of a good education in the university of Edinburgh, where he commenced Master of Arts, but afterwards joined in religious society with the Quakers. Thus his son, James Logan, being endowed with good genius and favored with suitable educa-
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tion, made considerable proficiency in divers branches of learning and science, after which he went to England, from whence, in the year 1699, and about the twenty-fifth of his age, he removed to Pennsylvania in company with William Penn, in his latter voyage to America, and in 1701 he was, by commission from the Proprietary, appointed Secretary of the Province and clerk of the Council for the same. IIis life was afterwards much employed in public affairs. . .. Many years before his death he retired pretty much from the hurry and incumbrance of public affairs, and spent the latter part of his time principally at Stenton, his country-seat, near Ger- mantown, about five or six miles from Philadelphia, where he enjoyed among his books that leisure in which men of letters take delight, and corresponded with the literati in different parts of Europe. IIe was well versed in both an- cient and modern learning, acquainted with the Oriental tongues, a master of the Latin, Greek, French, and Italian languages, deeply skilled in the mathematics and in natural and moral philosophy, as several pieces of his own writing in Latin, &c., demonstrate, some of which have gone through divers impressions in different parts of Europe, and are highly esteemed. Among his productions of this nature, his Experimenta Meletemata de plantarum generatione, or his Experi- ments on the Indian Corn or Maize of America, with his observations arising therefrom on the generation of plants, published in Latin, at Leyden, in 1739, and afterwards, in 1747, republished in London, with an English version on the opposite page by Dr. J. Fothergill, are both curious and in- genious. Along with this piece was likewise printed, in Latin, at Leyden, another treatise by the same author, enti- tled, Canonum pro inreniendis refractionum, tum simplicium, tum in lentibus duplicum focis, demonstrationis geometricae. And in his old age, he translated Cicero's excellent treatise De Se- nectute, which, with his explanatory notes, was printed in Philadelphia, with a preface or encomium by Benjamin Franklin, afterwards Dr. Franklin, of that city, in 1744. IIe was one of the people called Quakers, and died on the
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31st of October, 1751, aged about seventy-seven years, leav- ing as a monument of his public spirit and benevolence to the people of Pennsylvania a library which he had been fifty years in collecting, since called the Loganian Library, intend- ing it for the common use and benefit of all lovers of learning. It was said to contain the best editions of the best books in various languages, arts, and sciences, and to be the largest, and by far the most valuable, collection of the kind, at that time, in this part of the world. He had several children who survived him, of whom his eldest son, William, lately deceased, was many years a member of the Governor's council."
In 1742 a treaty was concluded with the Six Nations at Philadelphia, at which one of the native orators thus spoke of him, witnessing to the estimation in which he was held by the men of the forest : " We called at our old friend's, James Logan, in our way to this city, and to our grief we found him hid in the bushes, and retired, through infirmities, from public business. We pressed him to leave his retirement, and prevailed with him to assist once more, on our account, at your councils. We hope, notwithstanding his age and the effects of a fit of sickness, which, we understand, has hurt his constitution, that he may yet continue a long time to as- sist this Province with his counsels. He is a wise man and a fast friend of the Indians, and we desire, when his soul goes to God, you may choose in his room just such another person of the same prudence and ability in counselling, and of the same tender disposition and affection for the Indians. In testimony of our gratitude for all his services, and because he was so good as to leave his country house and follow us to town, and be at the trouble, in this, his advanced age, to attend the council, we present him with this bundle of skins."
"In personal appearance James Logan was tall and well- proportioned, with a graceful yet grave demeanor. He had a good complexion, and was quite florid even in old age; nor did his hair, which was brown, turn gray in the decline of life, nor his eyes require spectacles. According to the fash-
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ion of the times, he wore a powdered wig. His whole man- ner was dignified, so as to abash impertinence ; yet he was kind and strictly just in all the minor duties of acquaintance and society." *
Logan's whole life in America was a laborious one, his cares being such that few would have borne up under them. In one of his letters he says : " These duties make my life so uncomfortable that it is not worth the living." And again : "I know not what any of the comforts of life are." But he faithfully executed his great trust to the last, which proved a rich blessing to the Province; and it will redound to the glory and honor of the State in all times to come, that a man of so much learning, talent, and fidelity was found to execute the duties which the government imposed, and give whole- some bias to its rule.
GEORGE THOMAS, Deputy Governor, August, 1738, to 1747. - George Thomas, a planter of Antigua, one of the West India Islands, was appointed Governor in the summer of 1737; but owing to the claim of Lord Baltimore to jurisdic- tion over the Lower Counties, he was detained in London in defending the Proprietary rights, and did not assume the duties of his office until the following year. He first met the Assembly in August, 1738. The first serious business which claimed his attention was the question of jurisdiction over the disputed territory between Maryland and Pennsylvania. It was mutually agreed that each Governor should claim alle- giance from its own subjects, wherever settled, until the boundary line was run. This agreement was approved by the King, and made an order in Council.
Andrew Hamilton, the venerable speaker of the Assembly, who for several years had served the Province with great ability and acceptance, towards the close of August took his final leave of that body, delivering a valedictory address con- ceived in a vein of eminently just reflection and sage advice. "It is not," he says, "to the fertility of our soil, and the
* Hazard, vol. v. 321.
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commodiousness of our rivers, that we ought chiefly to at- tribute the great progress this Province has made within so small a compass of years, in improvements, wealth, trade and navigation; and the extraordinary increase of people who have been drawn here from almost every country in Europe, - a progress which more ancient settlements on the main of America cannot, at the present, boast of. No. It is princi- pally, and almost wholly, owing to the excellency of our constitution, under which we enjoy a greater share both of civil and religious liberty than any of our neighbors. We have no officers but what are necessary; none but what earn their salaries; and those generally are either elected by the people, or appointed by their representatives. Other Provinces swarm with unnecessary officers, nominated by the Governors, who often make it a main part of their care to support those officers, notwithstanding their oppressions, at all events. I hope it will ever be the wisdom of our Assem- blies to create no great offices or officers, nor indeed any offi- cer at all, but what is really necessary for the service of the country, and to be sure to let the people, or their representa- tives, have at least a share in their nomination or appoint- ment. This will always be a good security against the mis- chievous influence of men holding places at the pleasure of the Governor. . . . Nor are we less happy in the enjoy- ment of a perfect freedom as to religion. By many years experience, we find that an equality among religious societies, without distinguishing any one sect with greater privileges than another, is the most effectual method to discourage hypocrisy, promote the practice of the moral virtues, and prevent the plagues and mischiefs that always attend religious squabbling."
On the 23d of October, 1739, war, which for two years had been impending, was formally declared between Spain and Great Britain. Governor Thomas had previously made some efforts to organize the militia; but without much success. Ile now endeavored to use his official authority in effecting Lis purpose. The Assembly had always been averse to voting
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money for carrying on military operations, though it had ap- propriated funds for the use of the Crown, to be devoted to the civil service. Thomas was dissatisfied with this course, and endeavored to convince the Assembly that such a position was absurd, and that his opinion should be respected. He seems to have had as imperfect a judgment of the Quaker faith and practice as had Governor Evans, already noticed, and to have believed that these men could be driven to adopt his views. In this he found himself deceived. Fruitless and vexatious messages passed between them. Finally a commu- nication was received from the home government, directing the Governor to call for volunteers. Eight companies were rapidly organized and sent to the capes of Virginia. It was found that many servants had been enlisted. Of this the Assembly complained, and in its bill making appropriations for the use of the King, provided for the payment of masters for the losses thus sustained. The Governor objecting to this provision, refused to sign the bill. At the next election the conduct of the Assembly in this matter was approved, and an order was issued by the Trustees of the Loan Office for the payment of the masters.
In 1740, much religious excitement prevailed in the Colony produced by the preaching of Whitefield. Many of all de- nominations followed him, the feeling amounting to almost a frenzy. By his exertions a large brick edifice was erected in Fourth Street, Philadelphia, to be open to any preacher of any denomination who should desire to address the · citizens.
In August, 1741, Thomas Penn departed for Europe. The Assembly presented him with a kind and affectionate address on the occasion, to which he made answer expressing his sat- isfaction, and commending to its care the interests of the Province.
The contentions between the Governor and the Assembly increased at every meeting, until the style of communication between them became in a marked degree disreputable. The Governor refused to sign the bills of the Assembly, and the
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Assembly, in turn, refused to vote him his salary. To the Governor's complaint that his salary was unpaid, answer was made by the Assembly that they were accustomed to have all their business progress in due order, and that public acts took precedence of appropriations for their own pay.
Headstrong by nature, and determined to triumph over the Assembly, he decided to appeal to the people. The Quaker element in the Assembly was strong. This he hoped, by the aid of the city and the German population, to break down. The elections were held; but the Quakers were everywhere triumphant. In the city riots were incited, a band of marines, in the interest of the Governor's party, taking possession of the polls; but they were finally driven away.
Satisfied that he could not subdue the Assembly to his will, he decided to adopt a conciliatory policy, and to the bills presented he promptly affixed his signature. The As- sembly, willing to reciprocate, voted the Governor fifteen hundred pounds for arrearages of his salary. This reconcilia- tion was lasting, the relations of the two parties during the remaining years of the Governor's administration being marked by mutual good-will.
In March, 1744, war was declared between France and Great Britain. The Delaware had been a resort for the pri- vateers of the enemy in time of war. To protect the Province against the encroachments of these, batteries were planted along the shore at eligible points for defence, the expense being met by money raised by a lottery. Governor Thomas . called for volunteers by proclamation, appointed necessary officers, and fixed days for drill. The Governor was seconded in his efforts by Franklin, who issued a pamphlet entitled Plain Truth, demonstrating the helpless condition of the Colony, and the necessity for union and discipline. Ten thousand men were rapidly enlisted, and armed at their own expense. Franklin was elected Colonel of the Philadelphia regiment, but declined in favor of Alderman Lawrence.
On the 5th of May, 1747, the Governor communicated to
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the Assembly the death of the eldest of the Proprietors, John Penn, and at the same time his own determination, on ac- count of declining health, to resign. This announcement was received with manifestations of regret, a feeling of sin- cere respect and esteem being cherished towards him. Gor- don, in his History of Pennsylvania, presents the following estimate of his character : "Governor Thomas was active, industrious, and capable; attached to the Province, but more devoted to the Proprietaries and the king. In his zeal for Ilis Majesty he overlooked the principles and character of IIe believed himself the people he was called to govern.
sufficiently strong in polemical controversy to shake the opin- ions for which their ancestors had broken the tender charities of kindred and country, and which they themselves cherished with enthusiasm. Failing in this, he endeavored to intimi- date men who, though declining to exhibit military courage, were no respecters of persons, and had never displayed polit- ical cowardice. When experience had taught him properly to appreciate the Quaker character, and to determine how far and in what manner their loyalty could be shown unchecked by their consciences, he drew from them without difficulty whatever he could in propriety demand. His moderation and considerate forbearance towards the Quakers during the latter years of his administration were rewarded by the es- teem of the people and the confidence of the legislature." 10
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CHAPTER VII.
RICHARD AND THOMAS PENN, PROPRIETORS, 1746-1771.
A NTHONY PALMER, President of the Council, May, 1747, to November 23, 1748. - Soon after his resig- nation, Governor Thomas departed for Europe, and left the government in the hands of the Council, of which Anthony Palmer was president. It was a period in which many dan- gers threatened the Province. The enemy's privateers con- tinued to infest the waters of the Delaware. The Assembly was urged to provide means of defence. The dominant ele- ment was by principle opposed to a resort to force, and framed ingenious excuses for refusing to vote the necessary means, alleging that the Colony must look to the Crown of England for protection; that to volunteer provision for de- fence was virtually to assume the responsibility and expense which the home government was now willing to bear. The Quakers, Moravians, Mennonists, and other kindred sects, strenuously opposed even a defensive war, while other reli- gious sects, with equal warmth, advocated a vigorous force policy. The pulpit and the press were deeply involved in the discussion, and the population was divided into opposing fac- tions upon this question.
The French, who were now laboring to connect their pos- sessions in Canada with those upon the Mississippi, by estab- lishing a line of forts and posts along the Alleghany and Ohio rivers, were busy in their efforts to seduce the natives from their alliances of peace and friendship with the Eng- lish, employing artful blandishments and the most showy and attractive presents. The policy of Pennsylvania had always been to spend the money which the other Colonies had used for military operations against the savages, in pro-
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viding for their wants and ministering to their native taste for display. The Indians soon discovered the advantage of this policy, and became very artful in making the most of it. They desired frequent councils for brightening the chain of friendship. They took good care to magnify the arts of the French to win them over, and to insinuate that without strong and substantial inducements they would be unable much longer to withstand the pressure. Insignificant and roving bands sent frequent deputations to smoke the calumet of peace and cement friendship with suitable tokens. At a great council held at Albany in 1747, Maryland and Virginia were induced to join Pennsylvania, at which the latter dis- tributed goods to the value of one thousand pounds. A short time previous to the holding of the Albany council, Pennsylvania dispatched a messenger, in the person of Conrad Weiser, to visit the tribes dwelling in the central and west- ern parts of the Province, charged with observing carefully the disposition of the Indians, their number, their means of warfare, the position of the French, their designs, and espe- cially the arts which they practised to gain the favor of the red men. IIe was especially to magnify the power of the English, their present pacific disposition, and their designs of distributing costly and countless presents, and to particu- larly revive the remembrance of the peaceful policy of Penn- sylvania above every other colony, in order to secure for it immunity from future peril.
On the 1st of October, 1748, the treaty of Aix-la-chapelle, which secured peace between France and Great Britain, was concluded, and the excuse for hostilities between the repre- sentatives of these nations upon the North American conti- nent was removed; but the fell passions of the savages had been aroused, and they were not easily nor long kept in sub- jection. The sway of the Council under the presidency of Palmer lasted a little more than two years. He was a gen- tleman of wealth, who had removed to the Colony in 1708 from the West Indies. " He lived," says Watson, "in a style suited to his circumstances, keeping a coach - then a great
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luxury - and a pleasure-barge. He is said to have had twenty-one children by his first wife, all of whom died of consumption : some of his descendants by a second wife are now living in Philadelphia." He died in 1749.
JAMES HAMILTON, Deputy Governor, November 23, 1748, to October 3, 1754 .- On the 23d of November, James Hamilton, American-born and possessed of considerable landed estate, son of Andrew Hamilton, formerly for several successive years speaker of the Assembly, arrived in the Province from Eng- land, bearing the commission of Lieutenant-Governor. His first attention was directed to removing grievances of the In- dians dwelling west of the Susquehanna, who complained that white settlers had seized and occupied the choicest lands and most eligible locations along the streams and water-courses- their own native haunts - territory which had never been ac- quired by the Proprietors, and were of right their own posses- sions. Richard Peters, secretary of the Province, and Conrad Weiser, Indian interpreter, and an old friend of the red men, were sent to remove these intruders, - squatters, in more modern parlance. They executed their delicate duty in a spirit of firmness, but with exemplary prudence. The set- - tlers generally consented to give up their lands without oppo- sition, entering into recognizances for their appearance, and even helping with their own hands to reduce their cabins to ashes. To the needy the Secretary gave money, and freely offered them homes on his own lands, a tract of two million of acres which had been formally acquired of the natives.
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