1682] FAREWELL LETTER

135 thy care the dear children abundantly beloved of

Breed them up in the love of virtue. I had rather they were homely than finely bred. Religion in the heart leads into true civility, teaching men and women to be mild and courteous. “Fifthly. Breed them up in a love one of

. another. Tell them it is the charge I left behind me. Tell them it was my counsel, they should be tender and affectionate one to another. For their learning be liberal, spare no Rather keep an ingenuous person in the house to teach them, than send them to schools, too many evil impressions being commonly received there. And now, dear children, be obedient to your dear mother, whose virtue and good name is an honour to you, for she hath been exceeded by none in integrity, industry, and virtue, and good understanding, qualities not usual among women of her worldly condition and quality. Be temperate in all things, watch against anger, and avoid flatterers, who are thieves in disguise. Be plain in your apparel, let your virtue be your ornament. Be not busy-bodies, meddle not with other folk's manners, and for you who are likely to be concerned in the Government of Pennsylvania, especially my first born, be lowly diligent and tender. Keep upon the square, for God sees you. Use no tricks, but let your heart be upright before the Lord. So may my God, who hath blessed me with abundant mercies,

136

FAREWELL LETIER

[CHAP. XV

guide you by His counsel, bless you, and bring you to His eternal glory. So farewell to my thrice beloved wife and children.

“Yours as God pleaseth, which no waters can quench, no time forget, nor distance wear away, but remains for ever,

“ WILLIAM PENN. “WORMINGHURST, “4th of the 6th Month, 1682.”

CHAPTER XVI

PENNSYLVANIA

While William Penn was making his preparations for departure, three ships full of intending emigrants, two from London and one from Bristol, set sail for the new province.

The John and Sarah from London arrived first, the Factor from Bristol got stranded in the river, which becoming frozen up, they remained there all winter. Another London ship, the Amity, was driven out of her course to the West Indies, and did not reach America till the spring of the next year ; thus these poor people endured great hardship in their endeavour to reach this new land of peace and plenty. They were not, however, left without some one in authority to come to their aid, for Penn sent out his secretary, Colonel Markham, who was also his cousin, and whom he had appointed deputy-governor.

On September 1, 1682, William Penn sailed from the Downs in the ship Welcome with a party of about one hundred Friends, full of courage and

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THE VOYAGE

[CHAP. XVI high resolve, but leaving all he loved best behind him. The weather must have been propitious, for the voyage was a short one; but they had only just got out to sea when a virulent outbreak of small-pox occurred, which swept off one-third of the passengers who had embarked at Deal. Penn worked indefatigably among his stricken brethren, and putting aside all fears of infection for himself, ministered to the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and dying. On October 24, the vessel reached the “Capes,” and on the 28th arrived at Newcastle, and there Penn first stepped on the soil of the new world. He was hailed with acclamations by the Swedes and Dutch, who had a court-house there, and two gentlemen, John Moll and Epthraim Hannan, performed livery of seisin, by handing him turf, twig, water, and soil, with due formality

Out of respect for the Duke of York, before going further, he travelled to New York to visit the colony which was nominally held by His Royal Highness. From there he journeyed to Maryland to see Lord Baltimore, at whose house the two governors met with much friendliness on both sides, and they endeavoured to fix the boundaries of their respective provinces.

Owing to the lateness of the season they decided to postpone further business until the spring. Lord Baltimore was a most courteous

1682]

THE DELAWARE RIVER

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gentleman, and, although he was a Roman Catholic and had peopled his colony with those of his own persuasion, he had the same liberality of spirit as William Penn, and showed no illfeeling towards the Quaker governor, but was ready to allow liberty of conscience to all who cared to settle in his province.

From there Penn returned to Uplands, afterwards called Chester,' he also held an assembly there. When an Act of Union was passed, annexing the “Territories” to the province, the Dutch, Swedes, and foreigners of all descriptions within these boundaries were naturalised, and the code known as the “Great Law” was passed. This was for the purpose of establishing absolute religious liberty for all those who believed in one God, but required all office-holders to profess belief in the divinity of Christ. After arranging for the welfare of the Friends, he proceeded to the spot where in after years the capital city of his great province was to rise as a memorial of him for all time. He left his retainers and possessions on this occasion, and with a party of his friends simply rowed up in an open boat between the wooded banks of the Delaware River, beautiful in all their primitive luxuriance of vegetation.

He landed at a low and sandy beach called Dock Creek, but it must not be supposed he