1691.]

NEWS OF REVOLUTION.

127

ing. All was abandoned, and for three years William Penn remained under a sort of informal duress. His accuser was, during that time, declared infamous, and sentenced to the pillory; and with that revelation of the character of the accuser, the accusation fell to the ground.

CHAPTER VII.

ews of the revolution received in Philadelphia-Action of the council thereon-Separation of the territories from the province-Two deputy-governors-George Keith-The jurisdiction of the governor of New York extended over Pennsylvania-Administration of Governor Fletcher-He appoints Colonel Markham his deputy-William Penn reinstated-He continues Markham as deputy-governor-Death of Mrs. Penn-Of Thomas Lloyd-Markham's administration-New act of settlement-Its democratic features-Charges of piracy and illicit trade-Arrival of William Penn in his colony-His welcome-Birth of "The American"-Penn meets the legislature-His activity in his government-New charter of privileges-Charter of Philadelphia-Differences about titles and quit-rents-Failure to obtain money for colonial defence -Rumours of intended changes in the charters-Return of Penn to England.

THE first rumour of the abdication of James II. appears to have been brought to Philadelphia by Zachariah Whitpain, who arrived "about middle-night," January 23d, 1689. The said Zachariah was on the next day examined before the assembled council, relative to rumours which

he reported as current in London on "the 10th or 12th of Xbre." His statement was reduced to writing, Zachariah was "deposed to the truth thereof," and it was entered on the journal of the council. It was not, however, until the first of the next November that the form of papers issuing in the king's name was changed in consonance with the new order of things. A declaration was drawn up, passed, and signed by the governor and ten counsellors. In this were recited the facts of the action of Parliament, and the actual reign of William and Mary; and although the provincial authorities had received no formal instructions, they made manifest their loyalty and obedience by this declaration. All officers were directed to govern themselves accordingly, and all to abide in their stations, "Roman Catholiques only Excepted."

By the return of Governor Blackwell to England, the government of Pennsylvania devolved upon the council, which elected Thomas Lloyd president. But the province and the territories could not work harmoniously together. The territories had long been dissatisfied at being overshadowed by the province. Philadelphia increased at the expense of New Castle, the customhouse and commercial business of the province and territories having been transferred to the new city. The proprietary had left the colonists their choice, to be governed by five commis

1693.]

GEORGE KEITH.

129

sioners, by the council, or by a deputy-governor, as they should prefer. Pennsylvania chose the latter; and the delegates from the territories, being in a minority, withdrew their attendance. Lloyd was chosen by the Pennsylvanians deputygovernor, and Colonel Markham, the secretary of the province, who sided with the members from the territories, was chosen as their governor. The proprietary reluctantly acquiesced in this decision of the government, and issued his commission to both officers. The province and the territories, though under different executives, acted together in legislation until 1693, when a new change, not unexpected to the proprietary, came over the province.

During the joint administration of the deputygovernors, the Society of Friends had a difficulty which gave them great anxiety. George Keith, a member of the society, distinguished for learning and talents, was invited to Philadelphia in 1689, to take charge of a public school established by the Society of Friends. He had been a very active preacher in New Jersey, and soon abandoned the school to resume his preaching, deeming himself in duty required to procure a reform among Friends, of whose discipline he alleged that "there was too great a slackness therein." He was abusive in his language, and spared neither printed nor spoken words against the members of his society. He denied the

right of Friends to issue warrants for the forcible arrest of criminals; and astonished the young colony with seditious words against dignitaries. He told the governor (Lloyd) that "he was an impudent man and pitiful governor;" complimented another magistrate with the title of "impudent rascal;" and altogether conducted himself in so troublesome and seditious a manner, that he was disowned by the Friends, who published a formal testimony against him. He appealed to the yearly meeting in London, by whom the proceedings in America were confirmed. He was also subjected to suits in the provincial courts, as were also his printers. A fine of five pounds was imposed upon him, but it does not appear to have been ever collected. Keith withdrew from the society, and was unwisely admitted to orders in the established church in England, and returned to this country as a missionary. He did not long remain here, however, but returned to England.

The Friends who had followed Keith in his secession soon returned to the fold; and the society recovered from its disturbance. But a serious evil was done to Penn by these proceedings. The rumours of misrule and confusion in Pennsylvania, aggravated by Keith's publications and the replies of the magistrates, gave the crown a pretext for assuming the government: an event which Penn had long dreaded.

1693.] ADMINISTRATION OF FLETCHER. 131

The jurisdiction of Benjamin Fletcher, governor of New York, was extended over Pennsylvania and the territories thereunto belonging; and in April, 1693, he took possession of the government. The government was surrendered to him without question, by the provincial authorities; but the Quaker magistrates declined to accept from him a renewal of their commissions. In the commission of Fletcher, William Penn is not mentioned, nor is the fact recognised that any government existed previous to his appointment. His term of government continued little over a year, and there is reason to suppose that he considered it only temporary. He immediately convened the assembly of the province and territories, without regard to their disunion, or to the forms and time of the election, as provided in Penn's charter. The council remonstrated against these infractions, but the assembly met. The test oaths being declined by a majority of the members, they were permitted simply to subscribe the declarations and tests. The administration of Fletcher was remarkable for nothing in the history of the colony, except that the house asserted and procured the right of originating bills, which had been for some time suspended, and never formally granted. Fletcher appointed Markham his deputy; and after some altercation about supplies to the crown, confirmed the colonial laws which were in force at the