But for the pressure of poverty, Penn would have immediately embarked for his province; but this he was not able to do until the last year of the century; and in the meantime Pennsylvania was governing itself by the members of the assembly, who acting upon Penn’s liberal permission that “the government should be settled in a condition to please the generality,” altered, and disputed, and altered again, paying little regard to the men whom Penn had left in authority, until at length all seemed settled to the public satisfaction and nothing was wanting but concert with the proprietary. William Penn was once more in his beloved province—no longer in the prime of manhood, full of hope and joy, but gentle and conciliatory as ever. “Keep to what is good in the charter and frame of government,” said he, addressing the assembly the following spring, “and lay aside what is burdensome, and add what may best suit the common good.” The old charter was surrendered, which was a much easier thing than the forming of a constitution, which should prove, as a member of the council expressed himself, “firm and lasting to themselves and their children.” This was a difficult undertaking, besides which, the lower counties on the Delaware, dreading to lose the independence which they had lately enjoyed, refused a re-union with Pennsylvania, and hot and bitter disputes were the consequence. In the midst of their disputes both parties were startled, and brought again into pacific relationship, by the news that the English parliament was about to annul every colonial charter. The occasion was momentous; Penn, who had come to America with the hope of ending his days in this province of his love, found it necessary immediately to return to England, to defend the common rights of himself and Pennsylvania. His hopes seemed in all ways destined to disappointment. At this moment his words to the assembly were: “Since all men are mortal, think of some suitable expedient and provision for your safety, as well in your privileges as your property, and you will find me ready to comply with whatever may render us happy by a nearer union of our interests. Review again your laws; propose new ones that may better your circumstances; and what you do, do quickly. Unanimity and despatch may contribute to the disappointment of those that so long have sought the ruin of our young country.” The new constitution was called the “Charter of Privileges.” The territories were allowed to separate themselves from Pennsylvania, as they desired; and from that time Delaware has been an independent province. Penn would gladly have legislated for the sanctity of marriage among the slaves, but he was defeated: nor yet could he carry out all his benevolent plans for the Indians, though he obtained a law for the prevention of fraud in trading with them; and again treaties of peace were renewed with the Onondagas and their tributaries on the Susquehanna.