8. In 1682 William Penn and eleven other Friends purchased the province
of East Jersey. The whole of New Jersey was now held by the Friends. In
1685 James II. appointed Edmund Andros royal governor of the colonies
from Maine to Delaware. In 1688 the Jerseys were brought under his
jurisdiction. When the news came of the abdication of the English
monarch, Andros could do nothing but surrender to the indignant people.
9. But the condition of New Jersey was deplorable. It was almost
impossible to tell to whom the territory rightfully belonged. Finally,
in April of 1702, all proprietary claims being waived in favor of the
king, the territory between the Hudson and the Delaware became a royal
province.
10. New Jersey was now attached to the government of Lord Cornbury
of New York. But each province retained its own legislative assembly
and a distinct organization. This method of government continued for
thirty-six years, and was then ended by the action of the people. In
1728 the representatives of New Jersey sent a petition to George
II., praying for a separation of the two colonies. Ten years later
the effort was renewed and brought to a successful issue. New Jersey
was made independent, and Lewis Morris received a commission as royal
governor of the province.
[Sidenote: =New Jersey a Royal Province.=]
11. The Quakers were greatly encouraged with the success of their
colonies in New Jersey. For more than a quarter of a century they had
been buffeted with persecutions. But imprisonment and exile had not
abated their zeal. The benevolent spirit of Penn urged him to find for
his people an asylum in the New World. In June of 1680 he appealed to
King Charles for the privilege of founding a Quaker commonwealth in
America.
[Sidenote: =Pennsylvania.=]
12. The petition was heard with favor. On the 5th of March, 1681,
a charter was granted by Charles II., and William Penn became the
proprietor of PENNSYLVANIA. The vast domain embraced under the new
patent was bounded on the east by the Delaware, extended north and
south over three degrees of latitude, and westward through five degrees
of longitude. The three counties of Delaware were reserved for the duke
of York. Within a month from the date of his charter, Penn published a
glowing account of his new country, promising freedom of conscience,
and inviting emigration. During the summer three shiploads of Quakers
left England for the land of promise.
13. During the winter of 1681-82, Penn drew up a constitution for his
people. In the mean time, the duke of York had surrendered his claim to
the three counties on the Delaware. The whole country on the west bank
of the river, from Cape Henlopen to the forty-third degree of latitude,
was now transferred to Penn, who, with a large company of emigrants,
landed at New Castle on the 27th of October, 1682.
[Sidenote: =William Penn.=]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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