The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-06
From The Boston Transcript.
William Penn-No. d.

10 son; anu upon his bed OF DEATH
pronounced these comforting words: 'slSon JVl-
ham, let nothing IN this tcorid tempt you 10 icrog your
conscience; charge you, do nothing against your
science 30 toM you keep peace at home tcich toH be
feast TO you in day Of trouble"
Penn inherited from his father an estate yielding
about I'll 800 per annum. About this time he
wrote his I" Seasonabe capeat against poperu 20
though he knew 1t was the faith of the queen and
his good friend the Duke of York. Shortly after
he travelled in Holland and Germany In 1872 he
married Gulielma Maria Springett. In 1916 he
held his famous dispute with Richard Baxter; and,
In l677 he again visited the continent in company
with George Fox and Robert Barclay, constantly
preaching, and writing, and importuning, in be-
half OF his despised and oppressed brethren. About
this period, and soon after his return to England,
we find him petitioning Parliament in their behalf
Twice he was permitted to address the committee
OF the House of Commons upon this subject.
Whoever coveted the honor of being the creditor
OF royalty found willing customer in Charles the
Second. In 1851 that monarch, in consideration of
T. 700 due from him to the estate of Admiral
Penn, conveyed to William the district now called
Pennsylvania. He himself would have given it
the name of Sylvania but the king insisted on pre-
fixing the name of the grantee Full powers of
legislation and government bestowed upon
the proprietor. The only limitation was a power,
reserved to the Privy Council, to rescind his laws
within six months after they were laid before that
body. The charter bears date March 4, 1851. He
first designed to call his domain "New Wales"
and nothing saved the Phadelphians from being
Welchmen but an objection from the under secre-
tary OF state, VINO was hl1n5elf Il w eChulan, and
was offended at the Quakcr's presumption.
He encouraged cmigrants, judiciously selected,
TO embark for his provinces; and followed, himself
with about hundred Quakers, in September, 1882
His arrival in the Delaware his benefcent admin
istration and the whole story of his negotiation
with the Indians, full of interest and overflow
ing; it is long story withal too long altogether
for our narrow limits. have indicated the sources
of information and this is all my limits will allow.
After two years he returned to England, and be-
came greater favorite than with James H.
illuminated, of course-pursued by the unholy
alliance OF churchmen, and sectaries, and apos-
tate Quakers-grossly insultcd-''chastened but not
killed"-and finally deprived of his government
Justice, at length, prevailed. Penn's rights were
restored by William iii. Having lost his wife and
son, he went again upon his travels, and again mar
ried. In 1899 he returned to Pennsylvania, and
remained there for the term Of two years. He then
went home to England, and after continuing to
employ his tongue and his pen freely as ever for
several years, he died July 80, l7l8 at the age Of
seventy two, at Jordon, near Beaconsfied in Buck
inghamshire.
Such is the mere skeleton of this good mans life
and it is my purpose to eshH up, with some few OF
those highly interesting and we'll authenticated
accidents which may be found the pages of trust
worthy writers.
do not believe that the pen of any past, present
future historian or biographer, however mastery
the hand that holds it-however bitter and pungent
the gall of bigotry political venom in which may
be dipped-will ever be able, very gricvously, or
lastingly, to soil the character of William Penn
Il he WORLDS opinion mas settled down upon
convictions. If new facts can be produced, then
indeed, writer may justly move for a reconsider
alton of public sentiment; but Mr.. Macaulay docs
not present single fact, in relation to William
Penn, not known before. He gives construction
of his own, manfestly tinctured with i'll nature,
at once to excite the suspicion of his reader.
wear a narrow brim, and have buttons behind
i am no Quaker-and, indeed, have quarrel with
them all, chiefly grammatical though esteem and
respect the principles of that moral and religious
people; but l simply describe the impulse of my
own heart when / say that Mr.. Macaulay's i'll ma
tured treatment of William Penn painfully dis
turbed my confidence in his impartiality; and con-
strained me to "read, mark, learn, and inwardly
digest" the highly -seasoned proudnt which he has
furnished-cum grdno Sails and with great care,
not to swallow the flummery. Scotchmen have not
timents of mankind, now and hereafter, if do not
strangely err, will be found embodied in the con-
Guiding passage of an article In the Edinburgh Re
Uietc, vol. XXI, page 1862.
owe shall not stop to examine what dregs of am
bition, what hankerngs after worldly prosperity,
may have mixed themselves with the pious and
philanthrophic principles that were undoubtedly
his chief guides IN forming that great settlement,
which still bears his name, and profits by his +
ample Human virtue does not challenge nor adj
init of such scrutiny; and it should be sufficient
for the glory of William Penn that he stands upon
record the most humane, the most moderate,
,rrJ pacific of all governors All this may
be enough for his glory. But there simple,
touching truths, TO be told of William Penn, and
though they may have little about Them in accord
with the ordinary estimate of glory, will long
continue TO envelope the memory of this extraordi-
nary man with purer and a mildcr light.
/ know no better mode Of concluding the present
article than by presenting a few extracts from the
valedictory letter Of William Penn TO his wife and
children, written the of his first visit to Penn
syvania, September, 1882 IL the saints write such
admirable loveleters, it would greatly benefit the
sinnes-thc men of this world-to follow the cx-
ample, and surpass il if they can.
MY dear wife and children: My love, which
neither sea, nor land, nor death itself extin-
guish nor lessen towards you, most endearingly
visits you, with eternal embraces, and will abide
with your for ever. My dear wifel remember thou
vast the love of my youth, and much the Joy of
my life; the most beloved well a most wor-
thy of all my earthly comforts; and the reason of
that love was more thy inward than thy outward
excellencies, which yet were many. God knows,
and thou knowest IL, say il was a match of
Providence's making, and Gods image in us both
was the first thing and the most amiable and en-
gaging ornament in our eyes. Now am TO leave
thee, and that without knowing whether ] shall
sec thee more in this world. Take my coun-
sci into thy bosom, and let il dwell with thee, in
my stead, while thou Invest"
Here follows some domestic advice. Penn then
proceeds and now, my dearest let me recommend
20 thy care my dear children abundantly beloved
of me, the Lords blessings and the sweet pledges
of our mutual and endcared affection. Above all
things cndeayor To breed them up in the knowledge
and love of virtue, and that holy, plain way Of it
of it, get into my family.
For their learning be liberal. Spare no cost,
for by such parsimony all is los that is saved but
let il be useful knowledge, such as is consistent
with truth and goodness, not chcrishing vain
conversation or idle mind . 80 recommend
the useful parts of mathematics, &c, but agricul
ture is especially in my eyes. Let my children be
husbandmcn and housewives; il is industrious,
healthy, honest, and of good example.
BE TO observe their genius and do not cross il
10 learning. choose not they should
be married to earthly covetous kindred and of
cities and towns Of concourse beware. The world
is apt TO stick close to those who have lived and got
wealth there. country life and estate like best
for my children. prefer decent mansion, of an
hundred pounds per annum, before ten thousand
pounds, in London, or suchlikc place, in a way of
trade"
lie then addresses his children, and finally his
elder boys in the following admirable strain, hon
orabe alike TO his understanding and his heart
And as for you, who are likely to be concerned
in the government of Pennsylvania, ] do charge
you, before the Lord God and his holy angels, that
you be lowly, dgent and tender, fearing God,
loving the people, and hating coyetousness. Let
justice have its impartial course, and the law free
No.. l. -