CHAPTER XI.

Governor Thomas-His attempts to induce the assembly to make warlike preparations-Declaration of war between England and Spain-Instructions from England-The assembly frames a supply-bill, but adjourns without passing it -Enlistment of bond-servants-Disputes upon this subject -Refusal of the house to vote money until the servants were discharged-Thomas Penn supports the governorThe merchants of Philadelphia and the council remonstrate with the assembly-The money bill passes, with conditions -The governor declines to avail himself of it-The house applies the money to the payment of masters who had lost their servants-Governor Thomas demands the equipment of armed vessels-The house refuses it-Thomas Penn returns to England-Quarrel about the appointment of a port physician-Governor Thomas sweeps his opponents from office-Election riot-Compromise between the governor and the assembly-Franklin's public services-Volunteer military preparations-Resignation of Governor Thomas.

GEORGE THOMAS, Esq., a planter of Antigua, was appointed governor of Pennsylvania in 1727. He had an unfortunate propensity for disputes, and a confidence in his controversial abilities, which led him into positions of contest with the assembly which he might readily, with a little prudence, have avoided. A disagreement between England and Spain, which commenced in 1737, ripened into open hostilities in 1739. While this

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probability of war was impending, Governor Thomas endeavoured to induce the assembly, principally composed of Quakers, to take measures for the defence of the colony. The assembly declined to pass any laws for the establish ment of a military service, and referred the governor to his own authority, as deputy of the captain-general, to organize the forces of the country from such citizens as were disposed to fight. Instead of availing himself of this intimation, Governor Thomas entered into a war of words with the assembly, during which the public business was neglected, and what was immediately irksome to the governor, his support was withheld.

This state of affairs continued till official news of the declaration of war was received, in 1740, together with instructions from the throne which left enlistment for the service voluntary in Pennsylvania, but required that the province should furnish transports and stores for the troops to be raised in the province, until they arrived at the place of rendezvous in the West Indies. The assembly pleaded their consciences against raising money for such a purpose, and Governor Thomas renewed the request in a different form, leaving the use of the money undesignated, otherwise than for the king's use." The assembly framed a bill for granting a sum of money, but adjourned before it was acted upon. Rumours of peace

induced them to hope that by delay they might

avoid the difficulty.

Enlistments of volunteers went on under the governor's exertions with great alacrity, and the quota expected from Pennsylvania, (four hundred men,) was largely exceeded. This was in part accounted for by the fact that many bondservants chose the cover of enlistment to escape the fulfilment of their contracts with their masters. The troops were ready, but the provisions and transports were not provided. Governor Thomas summoned the assembly by a peremptory writ, and commanded that they should proceed with their appropriation bill. The house refused to grant any money till the servants already enlisted were returned to their masters without any charge, and assurance given that no more should be enlisted. The house also declared as a cause of their inability to appropriate large sums, the demands upon the treasury for the equalization of quit-rents. Thomas Penn immediately came forward, and in behalf of the proprietaries postponed their claim till provision should be made for the public service.

The

house then abandoned this ground, and admitting their ability, refused to make any appropriation till their grievance in the matter of the servants was redressed. They threatened to apply to the throne for relief, and requested Mr. Penn to use his influence with the governor to prevent the

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necessity for such an appeal. But Mr. Penn avowed his entire approval of the course the governor had taken, and reproved the reluctance of the house to assist the king and the nation, when they had been invited in so considerate a form to do it. A deputation of merchants and other inhabitants of Philadelphia waited on the assembly to remonstrate with that body for their neglect of the public service. Four of the council appealed to them, entreating them to weigh the consequences of their conduct. Thus beleaguered on all hands, the assembly made an appropriation of money, but coupled it with the condition that the warrant for it should not be drawn till the servants were discharged. The governor would not accept of the appropriation clogged with such conditions, but raised the necessary funds by the sale of bills on England. The house, at its next session, applied the money which they had conditionally appropriated to the king's use, to the payment of masters who had lost their bond-servants by enlistment.

Having failed to obtain enactments for the support of the army, Governor Thomas next called upon the assembly to equip vessels of war to protect the colonial commerce against privateers, to grant a bounty for every enemy killed or captured, and to provide for the families of the seamen killed or wounded in the service. The message appeared to be studiedly offensive.

The merchants backed it with another remonstrance, threatening that if measures were not taken for the defence of the colony, they would apply to the crown. The house refused the governor's application, and declared the merchants remonstrance an insult and a breach of privilege. Governor Thomas had forbidden, by proclamation, the export of provisions from the colony to any except British ports, in order to prevent the supply of the enemy. An act of Parliament to the same purport was passed almost at the same time. Governor Thomas asked of the assembly the passage of a bill forbidding the export of wheat entirely. The house refused his application, and intimated that the act of Parliament alone protected him from inquiry into the legality of his proclamation.

The governor and assembly had now reached a most unhappy state of contention and exasperation. The assembly representing the Quaker interest, could no longer appeal to the proprietary. William Penn's sons were not Quakers, and Thomas Penn had avowedly sided with the governor. When he left the colony to return to Europe in 1740, the assembly presented him an affectionate and conciliatory address, soliciting his residence among them, or that of some other of the proprietaries, as a check upon the governor. He answered them in like polite terms, but recommended them to take measures for the