The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-07
Few YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Aasress Of john c. Dsvereux, Esq., ON Wtl-
Ham Penn.

aaSress Of john c. Devereux, Esq., ON Wtl-
Ham Penn.
me regular monthly meeting Of this society held
st evening at their in the University, Washing
ton square to transact their ordinary business and TO
listen 10 an address to be delivered by M John O.
peyereux William Penn as lawgiver statesman, AID
snnenty the apostle Of religious liberty and equality
Hon Luther Bradish presided, and opened the pro-
seedngs follows Gentlemen, since last had the
pleasure meeting the society have received from
committee gentlemen in this city and have been
questsd to present the society copy in bronze
the original beautiful medal in gold struck in honor Of
Henry clay and presented that distinguished citizen
shortly before his DEATH This medal presents upon
face exceedingly good likeness of that distinguished
citizen upon its brief record of the great
Of his time and the leading the
n which he largely participated these are beaut
tuy enclosed In wreath composed of the five great
staple products of the country, called wheat rice
ton, tobacco, and hemp As a specimen, this medal is
exeeedngy credtable both to those who designed and
those vho executed it, and so long brilliant talent
shall continue excite admiration, long viii the
Of Clay continue 20 live not merely in the history but IN
the grateful recolectons and affections Of his country
Rev DR.. ADAMS presented resolution, to the effect
ssnters of this medal which resolution seconded and
carried unanimously The ordinary business OF the so
OF members having been concluded the PRESIDENT m
Mr. Drv1REux who said--Mr President and Gentle
men:-Wilham Penn now stands before the world he
should have hong since appeared great historical cha
raeter-the courageous defender OF free thought the
champion of religious equality, tho consistent friend of
siyh hberty-s patriot ptbie-eminent
shor, awgtver aud statesman, OF enlarged and liberal
"In dark age, against example good,
Against anurement, custom and a world
0hsnded-iearless OF reproach, or scorn,
Or violence -."
need not surely, offer any words of apology
sor bringing such a subject he ore learned soct
ETY., devoted, with patriotic ardor and scholarike
ssal, to the collection and yindicaton OF American
Of iustre and value in historic treasury. We
heor to brighten them with honor, and give them
worthy setting. only regret that some one, from
the many distinguished gentlemen OF our own body,
Who by eloquence ability and requirements have ably
illustrated history and her kindred pursuits does not ill
the place occupy this evening gentlemen By your kind
Indulgence to treat Of the pleasing and important topics
nentiy good the Quaker statesman Of Pennsylvania.
Win my audience turn back with TO the point OF time
Louis, already the Magnificent afterwards styled
- The Great, sits upon the throne OF France.
luxurious dance OF the court he has not ayshed upon
Steiner, nc less criminal impulse the blood and trea
Of Europe few small settlements upon the shores
al continent among them those at jamestown, New
York Plymouth, and st. harys, struggle with the pcr
scspsed The Commonwealth at home, folio wing its
"proteetor after last gmmer, like the candle in lis
socket has passed away. The Stuars again power
firmly seated when the first Charles adventured the
reensions of absurd prercgatiye upon the aroused
OF popular opinion But With Cromwell and his
government the popular theory by lost. 1t is
not even in allegiance The King, indeed sits at White
hall, and with the 1rity; but
the of public feeling and discussion indicates that
the seed been planted and is rpenng harvest
About this time in the year 1901 two have
met within private mansion of London. They
rounded the Indications comfort and opuence The
elder, advanced in lue-viner has nestled in his hair
and manly bearing carries him the air of
who has thought long and done the State much
viseas much at home in the courtly saloon the
aarer deck The younger OF the two OF twenty three
summers only we may regard for moment more closely.
He has already grown from the slight and informed
promises physical strength and harihood Of constitu
ssn His face is mild and almost woma My in its beauty
his eye SOFT and full his features we'll defined and ap-
proachng in contour to the Greek ideal the lines of his
mouth sweet. yet resolute in expression In men and
manners he seems formed by nature and stamped by art
gentleman. lie has travelled, his dress indicates
that OF the court he lace anu rufies, plume
and napier The graceful curs Of the cavalier fall in
natural clusters upon his shoulders These Details sup
ped from accurate writer added but to fill out
the scene have called up before you The and youth
father and The younger alone is covered and
yet is from want of any hal reverence The meet
has evidently purpose; is by concert ON side
10 hear and the other 10 announce settled resolve We
gather as much from their expression and manner. In
former interview, the elder, who is Admiral Sir
William Penn, Lord Commissioner of the Royal Navy
high in favor and station, has demonstrated with
kering those honor belonging to his abilities and
station even peerase in certain prospect tue cross OF
prescribed and prosecuted sect. But William sees
these matters point OF view far other than that
Of the fond but worldly father, ambitious for the
destined TO inherit he supposed, his rank fortune,
and honors. II pains a gentle nature plant disap
pointment thorn, in the path of entitled to his
the great question submitted to his deliberate judgment
and conscience in every light; has balanced ambition
and duty. has regarded ia perspective with steady eye
the roads leading coronet the other, perchance
to the pilory His choice Is made II Is announced
with sorrow, but in terms OF modest frmness and
william Penn is driven with anger from his fathers
presence and even from shelter under the erna roof
she road selfish honors but the destined apostle Of
svil and religious freedom. Let trace back briefly
the astecedont. TO resolve so full of promise The
Penps were the early part Of the sixteenth century,
old family OF England, to district Of which, in
bueknghamshire they bequeathed their name. l have
snoEe ott he Thp nnpfhp IF
lady Of Rotterdam, in Holland the daughter of an
spulent Dutch merchant Their eldest son, william
ssa o, nope ana grew up Ip sG and graceful
country. Charles stuart had lost his and life
the hero Of Dunbar occupied his seat. Admiral Penu
served and illustrated the Commonwealth acquiring
fame and fortune under IL but not its euogst He
Transferred his fealty by anticipation TO restored royalty
and became favorite at court William rapidly i'm
aptitude for business attached to field sports and
manly exercises. To oxford he sent for
studies at after the Restoration under the auspices
Of The royal brothers. by whom the services of his father
The Admiral in connection with that event were ever
gratefully remembered william obtained position in
mis- eoege circle sas nara student became fayorite
with his superors by shp-among his equals by
mis- manly qualities. lie left there with acquaintance
profound for his age with history anc theology had
read the Latin and Greek classics and acquired
thorough knowledge of several modern languages. His
great pleasure However, while at Christ Church. was
reading the doctrina discussions of the day, which,
without doubt gave to his character its first serious
direction. With others of his fellows, he boldly OPP
posed. to revolt the attempts OF the court 10
introduce into the University its spirit IN picturesque
ritual and courty ceremonial and at length found
lis conscience at with the powers his tber honored
and shocked at the reign Of prohate vice then
ing At this early day he 10 have conceived the
first notion OF empire in the New World, with &C
counts Of whose broad lands and forests his childish
imagination had been impressed equally free his
kographer it, from bgotry and the dead for
nalism Of state religions" While at Oxford, he first
heard preached the doctrine Of Fox to which for its
eject of forms, his attention. with that Of Others d
Tected in special manner from the nature Of the then
college revolt. Admiral Penn shocked at the idea Of
his son becoming at eighteen, Nonconformst and fan
attic To draw his attention from sombre thoughts and
sfrior company, William sent abroad, TO Paris, and
the grand tourwas presented 10 the French king
and at his court became frequent guest He forgot MS
austere gravity proving himself yet more Of Cavalier
than a Quaker. The Admiral, delighted with bis sons
conduct IN franee. csued him TO remain abroad, to