1685] STUART CHARACTERISTICS 169 that James II. was a friend to religious liberty, whatever his own tenets might be, and whether this belief was correct or not, Penn held to it firmly."

The secret inclination of James II. was undoubtedly the re-establishment of the Roman Catholic Creed, but without intending it, he established instead the Protestant faith in the British Empire, on an imperishable foundation.” He saw that by befriending the Nonconformists he might gain some measure of concessions for those of his own faith. James was not destitute of abilities, he was actuated by sincerity of intention, and had none of the levity and insouciance of his brother Charles, but there was little or no toleration in the heart of the Stuarts, and James was no exception. It was to further his own ends as much as anything else, that made him willing to listen to Penn's humane counsels, and a list having been framed of prisoners against whom proceedings had been instituted for not taking the oath or going to church, the king gave them their liberty, thereby releasing an enormous number of Roman Catholics, who also were suffering for conscience' sake. i Clarkson's Life of Penn.

» Alison's History.

Y

CHAPTER XIX

ABDICATION OF JAMES II.

Early in 1686, King James sent William Penn on a mission to the court of his son-in-law, the Prince of Orange. The object of it was to obtain the consent of his daughter Mary and her husband to the repeal of the Test Act and penal laws, and he thought that the eloquence of the great philanthropist would bring about the result desired.

Bishop Burnet describes Penn as a “vain and talking man,” but another opinion on the subject states, “ Penn spoke very agreeably, and with much spirit.”? However, the various statements are so contradictory, and depending so much on whether the author of them was a partisan of the Quaker-one calling him a concealed papist, and another a conceited infidel-that it is difficult to draw a just conclusion.

1686]
MARY OF ORANGE

171 whose good opinion was of value, rather than from the envenomed writings of his day.

The Prince of Orange was willing to abandon the penal restraint upon the Roman Catholics, but refused his assent to the repeal of the disqualifying tests. D'Avaux, the ambassador, averred that many of the bishops had agreed that the English penal laws were cruel and bad, and ought to be annulled, but the Prince declared he would lose the revenues and reversions of the kingdoms of Great Britain to which his wife was heiress, before one should be abolished. The Princess, added D'Avaux, echoed his words, but more at length, and with much sharpness, the Marquis D'Abeille, who was present, and who was D'Avaux's informant, was much surprised at her manner, which she perceiving, she moderated her tone. “I speak to you, sir,” she said, “with less reserve and more liberty than to the king, my father, by reason of the respectful difference which I am obliged to entertain towards him and his sentiments.” 1 Any way William Penn's mission failed. While at the court of Holland, he became acquainted with some of the Scottish fugitives, among others Sir Robert Steuart of Coltness and his brother James. Most of these gentlemen had been accused of too great zeal, while in reality they were persecuted Presbyterians who sought religious liberty.

172

STEUART OF COLTNESS [CHAP. XIX On Penn's return to London, he advised the granting of an indemnity, which enabled Sir Robert, among others, to return to his own country. This latter found, however, that the Earl of Arran had taken possession of his estates in his absence.

When Penn, not knowing this, met Sir Robert in town, he congratulated him on his improved fortunes. Coltness sighed and said :

“Ah! Mr Penn, Arran has got my estate, and I fear my situation is about to be now worse than ever.

I am left penniless.” “What dost thou say,” cried Penn, “thou surprisest and grievest me exceedingly. Come to my house to-morrow, and I will set matters to right for thee."

Penn went at once to Lord Arran.

“What is this I hear, friend James, of thee. Thou hast taken possession of the estate of Coltness. Thou knowest that it is not thine.”

“That estate,” replied Arran, “I paid a great price for. I received no other reward for my expensive and troublesome embassy to France except this estate, and I am certainly much out of pocket by the bargain.”

“All very well, friend James,” said the Quaker, “but of this assure thyself, that if thou dost not give me this moment, an order on thy chamberlain for £ 200 to Coltness, to carry him down to his native country, and £100 a

1686) NEWS FROM AMERICA

173 year to subsist on till matters are adjusted, I will make it as many thousands out of thy way with the king.” Arran instantly complied, and Penn sent for Sir Robert and gave him the security. After the Revolution, Sir Robert, with the rest, had full restitution of his estate, and Arran was obliged to account for all the rents he had received."

While employed in this fashion and much occupied with business in England, William Penn's mind was greatly exercised by the news he received from America. He was not satisfied with the way that Thomas Lloyd, President of his Council, had behaved. In his opinion, Lloyd had been wanting in judgment, and had acted rashly.

He was also dissatisfied with James Harrison, his agent for the estate and manor of Pennsburg. In one of his letters to him he writes :

“My quit-rents, at least to the value of £500 a year, are due, and I do not get a penny. God is my witness that I lie not. I am above £6000 out of pocket, more than I ever gained by the province, and you may throw in my pains and cares, and hazard of life, and leaving of my family and friends to serve them.”2