The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-22
For the National Era .
WILLIAM PENN.
BY IRENE.


tears of joy they welcomed the sight Of their
adopted land With wondering gaze they
looked upon the long, dark line Of forest, and
watched the narrowing bay till it became
majestic river, its waters gliding peacefully on
between shores covered with rich verdure, and
in the distance the huge forests sweeping away.
far as the eye could reach, in thor unmolested
grandeur. The ship, with its joyous burden,
glided over the quiet waters, till in the clear
sunlight they beheld the little town Of New
castle, nestled on the borders Of a vast plain.
As they neared it. the inhabitants gathered on
the shore and gave them heartfelt greeting.
With deep gratitude to God for their safe-keep-
ing they landed for a few weeks, and then re-
sumed their voyage up the river After sail
ing about forty miles, they reached beautiful
river, that winding in graceful curves, poured
its slvery waters into the Delaware, through a
mouth nearly hidden in the high, waving grass
Therefore the Dutch called it Schuylkill; but
the Indian name was Manajung.
little further up the river the waters
wound gently into half.circle, leaving messy
green island on the right On the other side,
the shores were pleasantly elevated, and stud.
ded with huge old oaks that cast a wide shadow
upon the sunny banks. Beyond, lay two In
named Coaquanoe, the other, Shackamaxon.
upon the site where Philadelphia now stands.
Soon as the ship anchored boat was sent
to the shore, which was already crowded with
the halffrghtened natives The interpreter
delivered Penn's message that he would have
a grand talk with his red brethren the next
day, when the sun was at the halfway house
in the sky"
H.
blage of the Indian warriors and their people
gathered to wait the coming of the pale-faces
Some stood in groups along the shores, watch
ing with curious looks the great ship that had
sailed up their river like giant swan; while
others brandished their weapons and tried
their skill in arrow-shooting. The Adventures
looked with keen eyes and trembling hearts
upon the strange, dusky forms that filled the
woods in such warlike array; but Penn with
bold frmness entered the boat that was to con-
vey them to the Shore and was soon followed
by his companions.
Curiosity overcame Indian stocism and they
crowded about the group of newcomers, exam
ming their apparel with eager wonder ; for
though theyhad seen the Dutch settlers, they
had never beheld the strange garb Of the Qua
ker. They were taken by surprise, too, in see
ing them unarmed and, savage as they were,
they appreciated the bravery and good will
with which their guests had thrown themselves
among them unprotected.
Some weeks before commissioners had pre-
ceded Penn, bought the land of the Sachems,
made "a treaty of peace with them, and told
them TO be in readiness TO ratify the treaty
upon his arrival The appointed time had
come; and as soon as they had welcomed
Father Onas" as they styled him, they re-
paired to wide-spreadng elm tree, that reared
its rich foliage to towering height and threw
its branches in far-reaching circle, that
shielded them completely from the sun. Be-
meath this old forest tree the chief Sachem and
Penn approached each other. Penn was dis
tinguished in dress from his companions only
by a light-blue sash of silk network about his
waist and held in his hand a roll of parchment,
containing the confirmation of the treaty of
purchase and amity. Upon his right hand was
his relative, Col Markham, who was also his
secretary, and behind him followed the re-
mainder of his friends.
Some presents and articles of merchandise
were spread on the ground before them. The
chief Sachem then bound upon his swarthy
brow chapet TO which a horn was attached,
and which was the emblem of superiority
Immediately the Indians dropped their bows
and arrows and in silence gathered themselves
around their chiefs, in the form of halfmoon
on the ground-the warriors in the front cir
Giles, the young men behind them in the same
order, and further back the sqnaws and their
children As soon lis stiffness prevailed Penn
addressed them in an eloquent speech, full of
beneyolence and kindness and when he had
finished he advanced, and placing the roll of
parchment in the hand Of the chief who wore
the chaplet he told him and his brother Sa-
chems " to preserve it carefully for three gene
rations, that his children might know what
had passed between them, just as il he had re-
manned himself with them to repeat it, The
chiefs pledged themselves TO Give in love with
him and his white children az long as the sun
and moon gave light ~ and replied TO his I'D.
dress in words which are indistinctly brought
to us, being transmitted only by tradition But
the words of Father Onas" were never for
gotten, for the Indians were ever ready and
eloquent upon the theme of bis goodness The
treaty was sacrcdly preserved, and as late as
i722 was shown by several tribes TO Gov Keith
at a conference. The old elm tree was always
guarded from destruction; and 10 much was it
veneratcd that, during the Revolution, when
the surrounding trees were cut down for fire.
wood sentinel was placed under this, that
not a branch should be broken But it was
finally blown down, and the wood was made
into cups and various articles 10 preserve as
After the conclusion of the treaty Penn went
up the Delaware to see mansion then build
ing for him under the direction Of Col Mark
ham. It was delightfully."- situated on the banks
Of the Delaware, few miles below the falls of
Trenton, and upon "treble island, the river
running three times round it," The building
was large, and neatly elegant spacious audi
ence-hall being among its apartments. This
wild and beautiful retreat among the woods
and waterfalls was called Pennsbury, and was
intended for the home Of his loved wife and
children when they should join him
He next selected the site Of Philadelphia, the
city Of Brothcrly Love" upon the spot where
the Indian villages stood II was surveyed and
laid out in streets, which retain their names
and places to the present day. Busy hands
toiled in the young city, and soon house after
house started up like magic, though rough and
unseemly Before the end Of three months,
twenty-three ships arrived, bringing more than
two thousand persons, who scattered through
out the province, and made hasty preparations
for the approaching winter Those who could
not provide themselves shelter were obliged TO
dig caves in the banks Of the river, and remain
in these strange habitations till the opening of
spring. But, freed from persecution, they were
happy, even there Time passed on, and the
city grew prosperously. Penn remained nearly
two years, during which peace, goodwill, and
prosperity. prevailed But he soon received let
tors from England urging his return, that he
might use his influence at Court in preventing
tho prosecutions, which were more bitter than
ever against the Quakers. Before leaving he
made treaties with many tribes Of Indians, and
was not fearful TO leave his colony unprotect-
cd. for he confded in their friendship, and not
without reason for they looked upon him with
a reverence and strength Of attachment which
uavar diad ont