CH. XII.] PENNSYLVANIA. 109
CHAPTER XII.
PENNSYLVANIA.
§ 121. PENNSYLVANIA was originally settled by
different detachments of planters under various authorities,
Dutch, Swedes, and others, which at different times occupied
portions of land on South or Delaware river.1 The
ascendency was finally obtained over these settlements by the
governors of New-York, acting under the charter of 1664, to the
Duke of York. Chalmers, however, does not scruple to say, that
" it is a singular circumstance in the history of this
[then] inconsiderable colony, that it seems to have been at all
times governed by usurpers, because their titles were
defective."2 It continued in a feeble state,
until the celebrated William Penn, in March, 1681, obtained a
patent from Charles the Second, by which he became the
proprietary of an ample territory, which in honour of his father
was called Pennsylvania. The boundaries described in the charter
were on the East by Delaware river from twelve miles distance
northwards of New-Castle town to the 43d degree of north
latitude, if the said river doth extend so far northward; but if
not, then by said river so far as it doth extend; and from the
head of the river the eastern bounds are to be determined by a
meridian line to be drawn from the head of saidriver unto the
said 43d degree of north latitude. The said lands to extend
westward five degrees in longitude, to be computed from the said
eastern bounds, and the
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1. 1 Chalm. Annals, 630 to 634; Smith's
New-York, [31] 49; I Proud, Penn. 110,111,112,113, 116,
118,119,122; 2 Doug. Summ. 297, &c.
2. 1 Chalm. Annals, 634, 635.
110 HISTORY OF THE COLONIES. [BOOK I.
said lands to be bounded on the north by the beginning of the 43d degree of north latitude; and on the south by a circle drawn at twelve miles' distance from NewCastle, northward and westward, to the beginning of the 40th degree of northern latitude; and then by a straight line westward to the limits of the longitude above mentioned.1
§ 122. The charter constituted Penn the true and
absolute proprietary of the territory thus described, (saving to.
the crown the sovereignty of the country, and the allegiance of
the proprietary and the inhabitants,) to be holden of the crown
as of the-castle of Windsor in Berks, in free and common soccage,
and not in capite, or by knight service; and erected it into a
province and seignory by the name of Pennsylvania. It authorized
the proprietary and his heirs and successors to make all laws for
raising money and other purposes, with the assent of the freemen
of the country, or their deputies assembled for the purpose.2
But "the same laws were to be consonant to reason, and not
repugnant or contrary, but, as near as conveniently may be,
agreeable to law and statutes and rights of this our kingdom of
England."3 The laws for the descent and enjoyment
of lands, and succession to goods, and of felonies, to be
according to the course in England, until altered by the
assembly. All laws were to be sent to England within five years
after the making of them, and, if disapproved of by the crown
within six months, to become null and void.4 It also
authorized the proprietary to appoint judges and other officers;
to pardon and ___________________________________
1. 1 Proud. Penn. 172.
2. 1 Proud. Penn. 176; Laws of Pennsyl. Ed. of Franklin, 1742),
App.
3. 1 Proud. Penn. 175, 176, 177.
4. 1 Proud. Penn. 177,178.
CH. XII.] PENNSYLVANIA. 111
reprieve criminals; to establish courts of justice, with a right of appeal to the crown from all judgments; to create cities and other corporations; to erect ports, and manors, and courts baron in such manors. Liberty was allowed to subjects to transport themselves and their goods to the province; and to import the products of the province into England; and to export them from thence within one year, the inhabitants observing the acts of navigation, and all other laws in this behalf made. It was further stipulated, that the crown should levy no tax, custom, or imposition upon the inhabitants or their goods, unless by the consent of the proprietary or assembly, " or by act of Parliament in England." Such are the most important clauses of this charter, which has been deemed one of the best drawn of the colonial charters, and which underwent the revision, not merely of the law officers of the crown, but of the then Lord Chief Justice (North) of England.1 It has been remarked, as a singular omission in this charter, that there is no provision, that the inhabitants and their children shall be deemed British subjects, and entitled to all the liberties and immunities thereof, such a clause being found in every other charter.2 Chalmers3 has observed, that the clause was wholly unnecessary, as the allegiance to the crown was reserved; and the common law thence inferred, that all the inhabitants were subjects, and of course were entitled to all the privileges of Englishmen.
§ 123. Penn immediately invited emigration to his
province, by holding out concessions of a very liberal nature to
all settlers;4 and under his benign and enlight-
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1. 1 Chalm. Annals, 636, 637.
2. 1 Graham's Hist. of Colon. 41, note; 1 Chalm. Annals, 639,
658.
3. 1 Chalm. Annals, 639, 658.
4. 1 Proud. Penn. 192; 2 Proud. Penn. App. 1; 2 Doug. Summ.
300,301.
112 HISTORY OF THE COLONIES. [BOOK I.
ened policy a foundation was early laid for the establishment
of n government and laws, which have been justly celebrated for
their moderation, wisdom, and just protection of the rights and
liberties of the people.1 In the introduction to his
first frame of government, he lays down this proposition, which
was far beyond the general spirit of that age, that "any
government is free to the people under it, whatever be the frame,
where the laws rule, and the people are a party to those laws;
and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, or confusion."2
In that frame of government, after providing for the organization
of it under the government of a governor, council, and general
assembly, chosen by the people, it was declared, that all persons
acknowledging one Almighty God, and living peaceably, shall be in
no ways molested for their religious persuasion or practice in
matters of faith or worship, or compelled to frequent or maintain
any religious worship, place, or ministry.3 Provisions
were also made securing the right of trial by jury, and the right
to dispose of property by will, attested by two witnesses; making
lands in certain cases liable to the payment of debts; giving to
seven years' quiet possession the efficacy of an unquestionable
title; requiring the registry of grants and conveyances; and
declaring, that no taxes should be levied but by a law for that
purpose made.4 Among other things truly honourable to
the memory of this great man, is the tender regard and
solicitude, which on all occasions he manifested for the rights
of the Indians, and the duties of the settlers towards them. They
are exhibited in his original plan of
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1. 1 Chalm. Annals; 638. 642; Marsh. Colon.
ch. 6, p. 182, 183.
2. 1 Proud. Penn. 197, 198; 2 Proud. Penn. App. 7.
3. 1 Proud. Penn. 200; 2 Proud. Penn. App. 19.
4. 2 Proud. Penn. Appx. 15, 20; 1 Chalm. Annals, 641, 642.
CH. XII.] PENNSYLVANIA. 113
concessions, as well as in various other public documents, and were exemplified in his subsequent conduct.1 In August, 1682, in order to secure his title against adverse claims, he procured a patent from the Duke of York, releasing all his title derived under any of his patents from the crown.2
§ 124. It was soon found, that the original frame of
government, drawn up before any settlements were made, was ill
adapted to the state of things in an infant colony. Accordingly
it was laid aside, and a new frame of government was, with the
consent of the General Assembly, established in 1683.3
In 1692 Penn was deprived of the government of Pennsylvania by
William and Mary; but it was again restored to him in the
succeeding year.4 A third frame of government was
established in 1696.5 This again was surrendered, and
a new final charter of government was, in October, 1701, with the
consent of the General Assembly, established, under which the
province continued to be governed down to the period of the
American Revolution. It provided for full liberty of conscience
and worship; and for the right of all persons, professing to
believe in Jesus Christ, to serve the government in any capacity.6
An annual assembly was to be chosen of delegates from each
county, and to have the usual legislative authority of other
colonial assemblies, and also power to nominate certain persons
for office to the governor. The laws were
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1. 1 Chalmers's Annals, 644;1 Proud. Penn.
194, 195, 212, 429; 2 Proud. App. 4.
2. 1 Proud. Penn. 200.
3. 1 Proud. Penn. 239; 2 Proud. Penn. App. 21; 2 Doug. Sumn. 302.
4 1 Proud. Penn. 377, 403.
5. 1 Proud. Penn. 415;2 Proud. Penn. App. 30; Marshall, Colon.ch.
6, p. 183.
6. 1 Proud. Penn. 443 to 450; 2 Doug. Sumn. 303 .
114 HISTORY OF THE COLONIES. [BOOK I.
to be subject to the approbation of the governor, who had a council of state to assist him in the government.1 Provision was made in the same charter, that if the representatives of the province, and territories (meaning by territories the three counties of Delaware) should not agree to join together in legislation, they should be represented. in distinct assemblies.2
§ 125. In the legislation of Pennsylvania, early
provision was made (in 1683) for the descent and distribution of
intestate estates, by which it was to be divided among all the
children, the eldest son having a double share; and this
provision was never afterwards departed from.3
Notwithstanding the liberty of conscience recognized in the
charters, the legislature seems to have felt itself at liberty to
narrow down its protection to persons, who believed in the
Trinity, and in the divine inspiration of the Scriptures.4
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1. 1 Proud. Penn. 450.
2. 1 Proud. Penn. 454, 455; 1 Holmes's Annals, 485.
3. Laws of Penn., Ed. of Franklin, 1742, App. 5; Id. p. 60; 1
Chalm Annals, 649.
4. Laws of Penn., Ed. of Franklin, 1742, p. 4. [1705.]