AN HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA, FROM ITS ORIGIN; SO FAR AS REGARDS THE SEVERAL POINTS OF CONTROVERSY WHICH HAVE FROM TIME TO TIME ARISEN BETWEEN THE SEVERAL GOVERNORS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND THEIR SEVERAL ASSEMBLIES. FOUNDED ON AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS. Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. 1808, REPRINTED AT PHILADELPHIA BY WM. DUANE, FROM THE LONDON EDITION OF TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE ARTHUR ONSLOW, ESQ. SPEAKER OF THE HONORABLE HOUSE OF COMMONS. SIR, THE subject of the following sheets is an unhappy one: the controversy between the proprietaries and successive assemblies of Pennsylvania. A controversy which has often embarrassed, if not endangered the public service; a controversy which has been long depending, and which still seems to be as far from an issue as ever. Our blessed Saviour reproaches the Pharisees with laying heavy burdens on men's shoulders, which they themselves would not stir with a single finger. Our proprietaries, sir, have done the same; and for the sake of the commonwealth, the province has hitherto submitted to the imposition. Not, indeed, without the most strenuous endeavors to lay the load equally, the fullest manifestations of their right to do so, and the strongest protestations against the violence put upon them. Having been most injuriously misrepresented and traduced in print by the known agents and dependants of these gentlemen their fellow subjects, they at last, find themselves obliged to set forth an historical state of their case, and to make their appeal to the public upon it. With the public opinion in their favor, they may with the more confidence lift up their eyes to the wisdom of parliament and the majesty of the crown, from whence alone they can derive an effectual remedy. To your hands, sir, these papers are most humbly presented, for considerations so obvious, that they scarce need any explanation. The Roman provinces did not stand more in need of patronage than ours: and such clients as we are would have preferred the integrity of Cato to the fortune of Cæsar. The cause we bring is in fact the cause of all the provinces in one; it is the cause of every British subject in every part of the British dominions. It is the cause of every man who deserves to be free, every where. The propriety, therefore of addressing these papers to a gentleman, who, for so many successive parliaments, with so much honor to himself and satisfaction to the public, has been at the head of the commons of Great Britain, cannot be called in question. You will smile, sir, perhaps, as you read the references of a provincial assembly to the rights and claims of parliament; but, we humbly conceive, it will be without the least mixture of resentment; those assemblies having nothing more in view than barely to establish their privileges, on the most rational and solid basis they could find, for the security and service of their constituents. And you are humbly besought, sir, not to think the worse of this address, because it has been made without your permission or privity. Nobody asks leave to pay a debt; every Briton is your debtor, sir; and all we have said, or can say is but a poor composition for what we owe you. You have conferred as much honour on the chair you fill, as the chair has conferred on you. Probity and dignity are your characteristics. May that seat always derive the same lustre from the same qualities. This at least ought to be our prayer, whether it is or not within our expectations. For the province of Pennsylvania, as well as in my own private capacity, I have the honour to be, with the most profound respect, Sir, Your most obedient Humble servant, THE EDITOR. Abstract of the charter granted to William Penn Certain conditions or concessions of Mr. Penn to the first adventurers Remonstrance of a subsequent assembly against the said union ib. Disorders which ensued during his absence ib. Protestation against passing of bills, amended by the governor and The governor admits the principles of the quakers, not to carry arms |