ΤΟ

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

HENRY RICHARD, LORD HOLLAND,

BARON OF HOLLAND IN LINCOLNSHIRE,

AND

OF FOXLEY IN WILTS,

THESE MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE OF WILLIAM PENN,

THE FIRST STATESMAN,

WHO, BANISHING POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY,

FOUNDED HIS PUBLIC CONDUCT

SOLELY ON THE PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE,

BY WHICH HE FURNISHED A MODEL OF GOVERNMENT,
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING TO HIS OWN PEOPLE

A SUPERIOR DEGREE OF MORALITY AND HAPPINESS,
AND ENSURING TO FOREIGNERS CONNECTED WITH THE SAME
PEACE, SECURITY, MORAL IMPROVEMENT, AND
THE RIGHTS OF MEN,

ARE INSCRIBED

ENTIRELY OUT OF RESPECT

TO HÏS LORDSHIP'S OWN FCLITICAL CONDUCT;
ONCE AS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE KINGDOM,
AND NOW AS A PEER OF PARLIAMENT,..

WHEREBY HE HAS SHOWN KIMSELF

A VINDICATOR OF THE RIGHTS OF INJURED AFRICA,
A FRIEND TO PEACE AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM,
A PATRON OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY,

IN ALL WHICH THE GREAT WILLIAM PENN
WAS AN EMINENT FORERUNNER,

BY HIS FRIEND

THOMAS CLARKSON,

MEA AOBK

PREFACE TO THE READER.

THERE are two principles, by which men usually regulate their conduct, whether in private or in public life. The one is built upon political expediency; the other upon morality and religion.

That, which is built upon the basis of policy, looks almost wholly at the consequences of things, regarding but little whether they be in themselves honest or not. It springs out of the worst part of the nature of man. It has no pretension to any other name than that of Cunning. It is of all others the most pernicious in its effects. It leads to oppression at home, to wars abroad, and to every moral evil, of which mankind has had to complain; and it is in general, besides, as far as the actor himself is concerned, productive of disgrace and ruin.

That, which is founded on the basis of religion, is on the other hand never concerned with consequences but in a secon

dary

viii

No

dary point of view, regarding solely whether that which is in contemplation be just. Its motto is "Fiat Justitia, ruat Cœlum." It has its origin in the mind of man, but only where it has been first illuminated from above. Its name is Wisdom. other species of action has a title to that sublime appellation. It is the only one, whose effects are blessed. It removes all evils. It promotes all good. It is solid and permanent. It lasts for ever.

I have now to observe, that it is under the influence of this latter principle that we are to see the conduct of William Penn, but more particularly as a public man, in the sheets which follow; or, in other words, we are to have a view of him as a Statesman, who acted upon Christian principle in direct opposition to the usual policy of the world. Such a view of him must be highly gratifying. It must be also highly useful. Suffice it then to say, that the desire I had to contemplate it myself, and to exhibit it to others, furnished the principal motive for the present work.

LIST

OF

THE AUTHORITIES

FOR THE

FOLLOWING WORK,

LIFE of William Penn, prefixed to the Collection of his Works, in 2 vols. folio.

The Select Works of William Penn, including his

Life, in 5 vols. octavo.

William Penn's Rules for the Regulation of his

Family; or Christian Discipline, or good and wholesome Orders for the well governing of the same.

History of the People called Quakers, by William

Sewel.

Gough's History of the People called Quakers.
General History of the Quakers, by Gerard Croese.
Besse's Defence of Quakerism, in Answer to Patrick
Smith.

Besse's Confutation of the Charge of Deism.
Life of Gilbert Latey.

Account