"Mr. Speaker,

and Gentlemen of the Assembly.

"If an affectionate desire to oblige and to serve the people of this province, can qualify me in their good opinions, for the station wherein I am now placed, I may then expect that the country's and the governor's interest will be effectually established upon one bottom; as that he who wishes well to either, cannot but find himself engaged to serve both; and you yourselves may easily infer the warmth of my inclinations towards the service, and prosperity of this country." &c.

The governor closes this long and flattering address in the following stile.

you

"For that end I am on my part ready to concur with in every thing which you can possibly desire, or expect from a governor, who conscientiously intends to observe, and steadily pursue the duty of his office."

To which the assembly made an affectionate reply; one sentence may serve as a specimen, and thus exhibit the feelings of the parties.

"May it please the Governor,

"We gladly embrace this opportunity to congratulate the governor's happy and safe arrival, &c.

"This house maturely considering the governor's speech, find themselves obliged in duty, to make grateful acknowledgments for the governor's tender regards to the interest of the public." &c.

This affectionate reply, was followed by an affectionate answer by the governor, which opened the way for the assembly to unite with the governor, in as affectionate and loyal an address to his Majesty King George I. expressive of their grateful acknowledgments for his tender care and concern, so uniformly expressed for the peace and

prosperity of that province, &c. at their spring session in May, 1718.

This long session the governor closed with another conciliatory address, in which he thus expresses himself—“I am higly gratified on account of the valuable and wholesome laws, which were composed with so much care, by your diligent application, and the great temper and perfect unanimity, wherewith the public affairs have been carried on, through all the parts of the administration of the government, for the last twelve months," &c. which must convince every one of the good that necessarily results from such a harmony..

At this eventful period, when the colony began once more to enjoy the smiles of peace, happiness, and concord, which she had been accustomed to enjoy under the fostering care of her old proprietary, died William Penn, the friend of man, and the benevolent founder, and patron of the province of Pennsylvania. The character of this excellent man may be seen in his writings, and in his life, where it ought to be read, and studied, by every one who wishes to cultivate a practical temper of love to God, and benevolence to men.

CHAPTER XX.

PENNSYLVANIA CONTINUED.-FROM THE DEATH OF WILLIAM

PENN, TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. GORDON, 1726,

WITH REMARKS.

IN our last we have witnessed the death of the venerable father of this province, we pass over the particulars of his will, and the disposal of his estate generally. [See Proud's History of Pennsylvania, Volume II. page 114.]

The death of the proprietary, was announced to the assembly at their October session, when Jonathan Dickinson was chosen speaker; at this session it appeared that the proprietary's death rendered the deputy-governor's office as governor, ex officio, permanent, until special orders from the king, or the heir at law; yet the modesty of Lieutenant-Governor Keith led him to consult the council, who unanimously confirmed the decision of the law, in his favour. The governor laid the decision of the council before the assembly, and received also their approbation, with an expression of "thanks, for his care of the public weal."

At this time William Penn, then heir at law, claimed the government of the province, but he having died about this time at Liege, his eldest son Springett claimed the government. These claims, together with the connection they have with the last will and testament of the proprietary, occasioned an addres from Governor Keith, to the General Assembly, requesting their advice and assistance upon the subject. The governor concludes this address, by giving notice that a party of southern Indians, in a war excursion against the Five Nations, had fallen in with, and killed several of their (Pennsylvania, or Susquehannah) Indians, near the head waters of the Potowmac, and

requested advice upon the subject. To this address the assembly replied, by way of thanks, for his wise and dignified administration, and expressed their wishes, that he would continue to rule in wisdom, and in peace; and assured him of their support in conducting the hostile aga gressions of the Indians, in such a manner, as shall best promote the peace and safety of this province.

The controverted claims amongst the heirs at law of William Penn, were decided in a court of Chancery in England, in favour of John, Thomas, and Richard Penn, minor heirs of the elder William Penn; and the Widow Hannah Penn, as executrix, had the government vésted in her, and other trustees, in trust for these minors. No legislative act of moment occurred in 1719; but at the spring session of the assembly in 1720, the governor proposed to institute a Court of Chancery by law, in that province, to which the assembly assented; and in August, the gov ernor issued his proclamation, wherein he erected and established such Court of Chancery, in the following words→ "I have thought fit by and with the advice of the council, to publish and declare, that with their assistance, I propose to open and hold a Court of Chancery, or equity, for the province of Pennsylvania, at the court-house in Philadelphia, on Thursday the 25th day of this instant August; from which date the court will be, and remain always open, for the relief of the subject, to hear, and determine, all matters arising within the province aforesaid, as are regularly cognizable before any Court of Chancery in England," &c.

The governor next went into Virginia, and settled a treaty with that government, and their Indians, that laid an amicable foundation for a good understanding between the Virginia and Pennsylvania Indians hereafter, and on his way back again, he met a council of the Conistoga and Susquehannah Indians, at Conistoga; where a deputation

of the Five Nations attended. The governor addressed the council, and explained the treaty of Virginia, and urged them to a strict compliance with its terms; and also addressed at the same time the deputation of the Five Nations, in the most friendly manner. This address was echoed back by one of the chiefs, in a manner as cordial as it had been delivered, and thus the blood that had been spilt, was amicably wiped away, and peace confirmed by a mutual interchange of presents. This ceremony being thus ended, the governor returned to Philadelphia, and all was peace.

In the spring of the year 1722, oue of the Pennsylvania Indians was murdered by some white men, (as was supposed,) near Conistoga, and upon a report of the same being made to the governor, he deputed James Logan and Col. John French, to repair to Conistoga, and make diligent search into the affair, which was accordingly done, and the persons suspected were arrested and imprisoned; but no proof appearing decidedly against them, at the request of the Five Nations, they were set at liberty, and the Indians were satisfied, and the peace continued. At this time the Indians again renewed their request, that the English traders might be restrained from selling rum to the Indians; alleging that it was the cause of all their quarrels. The assembly met the request, and passed the act accordingly. The assembly at the same time laid a duty upon all negroes imported into the province, &c.

About this time there appeared to be an unusual scarcity of money, and an unusual number of petty lawsuits, both which called up the attention of the people to an emission of paper money; but having the example of the northern colonies before them, they entered with great prudence and caution upon the subject. Pending this question before the assembly, the merchants, and gentlemen of the first respectability, laid before the house a long, but dignified VOL. II.

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