The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-12-03
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.

Tho annual meeting OF the Historical
Society Of Delaware was held last night.
Bishop Coleman presiding. The election
Of new officers was first taken upand these
selections were made:
President Chief Justice Charles b. Lore
vice.presidents. Bishop Leighton Coleman
for New Castle county, Manlovs Hayes
for Kont County, and Gov. Ebe w. Tun-
nell for Sussex; recording secretary. VIII
lard Hall Porter; correspe nding secretary,
John B. Bird; treasurer, Henry r. Bring
hurst, librarian Henry G. Conrad histor.
ian Pennoch Pussy; directors, DR.. J. r.,
Wales, Colonel VIM. II. Lamotte, Judge I.
G. Grubb, Caleb b. johnson and George
W. Bush.
Manlove Hayes of Dover read an interests
i ing paper on William Penn.
lie first described the Quakers as class,
saying that those who first came to this
country at the solicitation Of William had
learned well the lessons of industry, eoon-
omy aud morality, and, having these most
excellent qualities, they soon endeared
themselves to all who knew them. He
gave short sketch of William Penn's
father, ADMIRAL Penn. The son OF the i'd
miral entered Oxford University at IL
years, and no became noted for his learn
ing. for his atheletics, and for his love Of all
manly sport. After being at college for
some time he became the companion of
studious young men, who listened to the
teachings Of dissenters from tbs Church Of
Engl snd. For joining these meeting
William Penn was charged with insub-
ordination and rebellion and dismissed
from college. :
When he returned home his father was
much displeased with him, and sent him
to France, hoping to cdre him Of the rslig-
ious ideas he had formed. He then start
ed to study law, but fell back to his old
way of serious thought on religious mat
tiers. His father then sent him to Ireland
to'manage his estates, and lie did 1t with
so much will that he soon regalned his
fathers confidence and respect. While in
Ireland young Penn was offered captain.
cy In the army, which was rendered him
for courageous conduct In assisting III
auelling a riot.
After managing for some time the es-
tates to the satisfaction Of his father Penn
attended ameeling OF Quakers at Cork
and was more firmly convinced than ever
Of their way Of thinking. For attending
these meetings he and a number Of Others
were arrested and were sentenced to prison
After remaining there for some time no
was released. Mr.. Hayes gave a number
OF interesting facts in connection with the
many arrests Of Penn for his participation
in such meetings. After the trouble in
Ireland his father oallod him homo and
after stormy interview forbid him the
house. Later his parent became reconciled
and recalled his son.
1t was in 1875 that Pom first became in
terested iu America, he having been oh0s-
eli to referee a contest regarding the grant
for New Jersey. His father having died
and Penn holding claim against tho
Crown secured in exchange for 1t q grant
of land on tho West side Of the Delaware
river. This grant is now Pennsylvania.
He Advertised for proposals for coloEizing
the new country. Mr.. Hayes described
how the emigrants came to this country.
made yreatios with tho Indians, thus secur-
ing their goodwill. He also described ths
visits Of Penn tohis colony and the treat.
les he made personally with the Indians.
He spoke entertainingly and interesting.
ly OF Dolawares connection with the
Pennsylvania colony. and the contest be-
tween William Penn aud Lord Baltimore
regarding this boundary line between
PENNSYLVANIA and Maryland. In closing
Mr.. Hayes spoke of the financial troubles
of Penn, which induced him to sell the
grant to the crown. and then referred feel
ingly to the death of tho man who stood
for everything that was upright. honesb.
virtuous and peaceful in life, telling how
no was stricken with paralysis while writ.
Ing letter 70 his agent. James Logan, In
Pennsylvania, and how no was crippled
for number Of years, until death relieved
him.