those whose character the Bill in question affected. Accordingly they dispatched to him an account of the whole affair, and solicited his immediate return to England. This was the substance of the news which reached him at this moment.

William Penn could not be otherwise than grieved at this intelligence. He was only then beginning as it were his intended improvements. To be called away therefore at this juncture was peculiarly distressing. To stay, on the other hand, would be to subject his Government to dissolution. He determined therefore, after a comparative view of the good and evil in both cases, to return to England, and to plead his cause before the Parliament of the Parent-Country. It was necessary, however, before he returned, that he should attend to the finishing of those Laws which were then before the Assembly, as well as to others which he might have had it in contemplation to introduce. He therefore immediately dispatched writs to the Sheriffs to call a new Assembly. This was quickly done. The members were as quickly chosen. On the fifteenth day of September they met at Philadelphia; after

VOL. II,

s

which,

which, having been legally qualified, the Governor addressed them as follows:

"FRIENDS,

"You cannot be more concerned than I am at the frequency of your service in Assembly, since I am very sensible of the trouble and charge it contracts upon the Country: but the motives being considered, and that you must have met of course in the next month, I hope you will not think it an hardship now.

"The reason that hastens your session is the necessity I am under, through the endeavours of the enemies of the prosperity of this Country, to go for England, where, taking advantage of my absence, some have attempted by false or unreasonable charges to undermine our Government, and thereby the true value of our labours and prosperity. Government having been our first encouragement, I confess I cannot think of such a voyage without great reluctancy of mind, having promised myself the quietness of a wilderness, and that I might stay so long at least with you as to render every body entirely easy and safe; for heart is among you as well as my body, whatever some

my

people

people may please to think: and no unkindness or disappointment shall, with submission to God's providence, ever be able to alter my love to the Country, and resolution to return and settle my family and posterity in it: but having reason to believe I can at this time best serve you and myself on that side of the water, neither the rudeness of the season nor the tender circumstances of my family can over-rule my inclinations to undertake it.

"Think therefore (since all men are mortal) of some suitable expedient and provision for your safety, as well in your privileges as property, and you will find me ready to comply with whatsoever may render us happy by a nearer union of our interests.

"Review again your Laws; propose new ones that may better suit better suit your circumstances; and what you do, do it quickly; remembering that the Parliament sits the end of next month; and that the sooner I am there, the safer, I hope, we shall be here.

"I must recommend to your serious thoughts and care the King's letter to me, for the assistance of New York with 3501. sterling,

$ 2

sterling, as a Frontier-Government, and therefore exposed to a much greater expense, in proportion to other Colonies; which I called the Assembly to take into their consideration, and they were pleased for the reasons then given to refer to this.

"I am also to tell you the good news of the Governor of New York's happy issues of his conferences with the five nations of Indians; that he hath not only made peace with them for the King's subjects of that Colony, but, as I had by some letters before desired him, for those of all other Governments under the Crown of England on the Continent of America, as also the nations of Indians within these respective Colonies ; which certainly merits our acknowledge

ments.

"I have done when I have told you that unanimity and dispatch are the life of business; and this I desire and expect from you for your own sakes, since it may so much contribute to the disappointment of those that too long have sought the ruin of your, young Country."

To this speech the Assembly returned the following reply:

"May

"May it please the Proprietary

and Governor :

"We have this day in our Assembly read thy Speech, delivered to us yesterday in Council, and, having duly considered the same, cannot but be under a deep sense of sorrow for thy purpose of so speedily leaving us; and, at the same time, taking notice of thy paternal regard to us and our posterity, the Freeholders of this Province and Territories. annexed, in thy loving and kind expressions of being ready to comply with whatsoever expedient and provision we shall offer for our safety, as well in privileges as in property, and what else may render us happy in a nearer union of our interests; not doubting the performance of what thou hast been pleased so lovingly to promise, we do in much humility, and as a token of our gratitude, render unto thee the unfeigned thanks of this House.

"JOSEPH GROWDON, Speaker."

On the sixteenth and seventeenth the Assembly occupied themselves in forming Committees and making arrangements for the dispatch of business, when the question for raising money for the fortifications of New

York