As yet not a cloud dimmed the social or civil horizon of Pennsylvania; and leaving his mansion of Pennsbury, “the sweet quiet” of which seems to have been delicious to his soul, he thus wrote, on board, a farewell to the people of his land of promise, which he sent to them before he sailed:—“My love and my life,” said he, “are to you and with you, and no water can quench it, nor distance bring it to an end. I have been with you, cared for you, and served you with unfeigned love; and you are beloved of me and dear to me beyond utterance. I bless you in the name and power of the Lord, and may God bless you with his righteousness, peace and plenty all the land over! You are come to a quiet land,” continued he, “and liberty and authority are in your hands. Rule for Him under whom the princes of this world will one day esteem it their honour to govern.” Then, addressing the city which he had planted, he breaks forth like an apostle to one of the churches: “And thou Philadelphia, the virgin settlement of this province, my soul prays to God for thee that thou mayst stand in the day of trial, and that thy children may be blessed.” William Penn reached London in October, 1684, after an absence of two years; and the hot dispute between himself and Lord Baltimore, regarding boundaries, was submitted to a Committee of Trade and Plantations, by which it was decided that the so-called Territories, now constituting the state of Delaware, and which Lord Baltimore claimed, formed no part of Maryland. They were therefore once more formally assigned to Penn, to whom was thus secured that outlet to the ocean which he so much coveted. The northern line of boundary was settled the following year, and that again to the disadvantage of Baltimore. When the Duke of York ascended the throne as James II., Penn used his influence with him to obtain general liberty of conscience; and through his means 1,200 Quakers alone were liberated from imprisonment for conscience-sake. Nor did his own people only claim his interposition of mercy; it was suffering humanity for which he appealed, and so widely extended was the reputation of his philanthropy and power, that all the oppressed thronged to him for aid; even Massachusetts, just then in the agony of losing her charter, sent to the head of “the abominable sect of Quakers” to beseech his interference on their behalf with the king. And though he could not save the chartered liberties of the other sister-states, yet so great was the esteem with which the monarch regarded him, that Pennsylvania was the only one against whose charter a _quo warranto_ was not issued. [Illustration: PENN’S DEPARTURE.]