The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-22

seven weeks Once more in the midst of his
family, after so long separation, he enioyed
a short repose from his cares.
Charles ii died at this time, 1885, and was
succeeded by the Duke Of York. his brother.
who became James III. This determined vii
liam Penn to renew his friendship with him.
hoping to influence his leniency towards the
Quakers as he believed him to be friend to
liberty OF conscience. Accordingly he removed
with his family to Kensington that he might
be near the King. HiStme was almost entirely
employed in benefting the Society of Friends,
avoiding politics except when called upon to
use his influence in allaying some difficulty
he was so highly esteemed by James II, that
none cohld 10 readily obtain access as himself,
and there were none whose petitions would
so readily be granted. Thomas Carkson
quotes the following from Gerard Crosse,
who says Of him.
William Penn was greatly in favor with
the King, the Quakers sole patron at Court, on
whom the hateful eyes of his enemies were in
tent. The King loved him as singular and
entire friend, and impaired 10 him many of his
secrets and counsels. He often bonored him
with his company in private, discoursng with
HIM OF various affairs. and that not for one but
Tor many hours together, and delaying to hear
the best of his Peers. who at the same time
We're waiting for an audience; for which they
toid hlm, when with Penn he forgot his mobiles.
The kmg maNe no other reply than that Penn
always talked ingeniously, and that he heard
HIM willingly Penn, being SO highly favored.
acquired thereby number of friends. Those
who formerly knew him. when they had any
favor to ask at Court came to, courted, and
entrated Penn to promote their several 70.
quests He refused none of his friends any
reasonable office he could do for them: but was
ready to serve them all, but more especially the
Quakers Thus they ran to Penn without in.
PERMISSION, as their only pillar and support
who always conyersed with and received them
cheerfully, and effected their business hy his
interest and eloquence. Hence his house and
gates were daily thronged by numerous trair
of clients and suppliants, desiring him to pre-
sent their addresses to his Majesty. Their
were sometimes two hundred or more. Wher
the carrying on these affairs required none,
Tor writings, he so discreetly managed matter
that out of his own, which he had in abun
dance, he literally discharged many emergen
expenses"
The Kings extraordinary favor towards hin
brought him many bitter enemies; and ever
those whom he had kindly assisted Joined il
the cry now raised against him. of being Pa
pist and Jesuit, His wide views of liberty O
conscience led him to defend the Papist a,
readily as the Quaker; and therefore he wa,
suspected, even by his own sect, of endorsing
their opinions. His intimacy with the King
who was considered Papist Also led the mas
to believe their united intention was the sub
version of the religion of the kingdom For
more than year the hue and cry continued
but these suspicious were removed when. by
his constant efforts and persuasons, he finally
obtained from the King public proclamation,
granting liberty of conscience to all sects, and
liberating from prison all who had been con-
fined on account of their religious belief
About fifteen hundred Quakers were thus re-
stored to their families, some of whom had
been imprisoned for years
During several succeeding years, various
causes combined TO render Penn UNPOPULAR.
and he was unj Justly accused on repeated occa-
sions. In 1888 James II was obliged to aban.
don the throne and flee to France, and was
succeeded by William, Prince of Orange. Penn
regretted the loss of his friend and during his
exile continued Il correspondence with him
which gave rise to suspicious of a conspiracy
His letters were intercepted and he was twice
arrested and brought to trial, but no proc
whatever could be obtained against him anc
ms candid and eloquent defence secured his re
lease on both occasions. He now retired from
Court and returned to WOrminghurst with hii
family, where his time was spent in the occu.
pations of his ministry
Finding himself free, he now turned his
thoughts to America, and commenced prepare
tons for a voyage, intending his family to &C.
company him. This was not to be- The cup
of bitterness had been but tasted-he had yet
to drain it to the dregs But he depended upon
his God and his strong soul, that had 30 long
struggled for freedom, though bowed low, was
the more purely chastened, and remained I'M
broken through the long struggle.
He had nearly finished his arrangements for
the voyage, when he was arrested by procla-
nation which included others OF rank as con-
spirators in favor of James H. and issued in
consequence of an expected invasion by the
French. Penn was thrown into prison, and
after some weeks, being brought to trial, was
honorably acquitted, as before
Once more he continued his preparations for
going to America, and had appointed day to
sail AT this time George Fox died, and being
present at the funeral, he addressed nearly
two thousand persons who were assembled,
thus paying the last respect in his power to his
deceased friend. His enemies were not idle
for, even while attending the funeral, messen-
gers were sent TO arrest him on q charge
brought against him by person named Fuller,
who afterwards proved to be a cheat and i'm
postor.
With suppressed emotions of pain and indig-
nation at this unjust charge, Penn sent his
ships, already laden, with emigrants to Phia-
delphia, but was obliged to remain behind. His
affairs in America were greatly entangled
during his long absence; and rs he had been
constantly expanding his fortune for the benefit
Of his province without receiving farthing in
remittance, he began TO suffer embarrassments
in consequence But he was obliged to submit
to prolonged absence, being unwilling TO
leave England with stain resting upon his
character For more than three years he re-
NAMED in complete retirement, having taken
private lodgings in London. During these
years, sorrow upon sorrow continued to crush
him to the earth Banished from society by
false charges, obliged to continue absent from
his disordered colony, unable longer to advance
means for its improvement, the government Of
it taken from him by the King, thus blasting
his hopes of establishing model Government
resting under the displeasnre OF many of his
own sect without just cause, and, more than
all else, watching by the death-bed of his
adored wife, was an accumulation of affection
which none but Christian and a man relying
upon his own innocence could have endured
with such mild and hopeful resignation.
Sitting by the bedside Of his dying wife in q
plain and obscure retreat, he endeavored to in.
fuse his own hope and cheerfulness into her
mind, so oppressed with anxiety on his ac-
count, when he received the glad news Of his
complete restoration TO society, and the re-
moyal Of all charges against him. Joy and
sorrow were mingled, then, during the last
hours of his beloved companion. Peacefully
and happily she breathed away her life, and
her pure spirit fled TO its joyous home without
q cloud shadowing its departure.
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