14. WILLIAM PENN was born on the 14th of October, 1644. He was the
oldest son of Sir William Penn of the British navy. At the age of
twelve he was sent to the University of Oxford, where he distinguished
himself as a student until he was expelled on account of his religion.
Afterwards he traveled on the Continent, and then became a student of
law at London. For a while he was a soldier, and was then converted
to the Quaker faith. His father drove him out of doors, but he was
not to be turned from his course. He proclaimed the doctrines of the
Friends; was arrested and imprisoned, first in the Tower of London, and
afterward at Newgate. Despairing of toleration in England, he cast his
gaze across the Atlantic. West Jersey was purchased; Pennsylvania was
granted by King Charles; and now Penn himself arrived in America to
found a government on the basis of peace.
[Illustration: William Penn.]
[Sidenote: =Treaty of Shackamaxon.=]
15. The Quaker governor delivered an affectionate address to the crowd
of Swedes, Dutch, and English who came to greet him. His pledges of
a liberal government were renewed, and the people were exhorted to
sobriety and honesty. Friendly relations were established between the
Friends and Red men. A great conference, appointed with the sachems of
the neighboring tribes, was held on the banks of the Delaware. Penn
declared his brotherly affection for the Indians. Standing before
them, clad in the simple garb of the Quakers, he said:--"MY FRIENDS:
We have met on the broad pathway of good faith. We are all one flesh
and blood. Being brethren, no advantage shall be taken on either side.
When disputes arise, we will settle them in council. Between us there
shall be nothing but openness and love." The chiefs replied: "While the
rivers run and the sun shines we will live in peace with the children
of William Penn." And the treaty was sacredly kept. The Quaker hat and
coat proved to be a better defense than coat-of-mail and musket.
16. In February of 1683 the native chestnuts, walnuts and elms were
blazed to indicate the lines of the streets, and PHILADELPHIA was
founded. Within a month a general assembly was in session at the new
capital. A democratic form of government was adopted. The growth of
Philadelphia was astonishing. In 1683 there were only three or four
houses. In 1685 the city contained six hundred houses; the schoolmaster
had come, and the printing-press had begun its work. In another year
Philadelphia had outgrown New York. In August of 1684 Penn took leave
of his colony and sailed for England.
[Sidenote: =Secession of Delaware.=]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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