FRIENDS' REVIEW.

A RELIGIOUS, LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS JOURNAL.

For Friends' Review.
CHARTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

No. 3.

which it is pretended that the patent was given in payment of a debt, or in consideration of a pecuniary equivalent. The extension of the British empire, the advancement of commercial enterprise, and the profits expected from the fifth part of the gold and silver ore to be discovered in the country, were the objects of these donations. This reservation of ore was contained in Elizabeth's patent to Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and thence copied into all the subsequent ones; including the charter of Pennsylvania.

In the second place, it must be remembered, It has been asserted by several historians, and there was no national debt in England until generally believed, that William Penn received after the accession of William and Mary, in 1688. the grant of Pennsylvania in payment of a debt Previous to that time, subsidies were granted to of sixteen thousand pounds, which had become the monarch to meet the expenses of governdue to the Admiral, his father, on account of ment, civil and military; but no specific approadvances made by him for the sea service, and priations were made by the parliament. The arrearages of his pay. And a question may be debts which were created and left unpaid, in raised, whether William Penn, in receiving this supporting the army and navy, became, of course, payment for the military services of his father, the debts of the monarch, and not of the nation. was acting in strict conformity with his reli- Whatever advances and arrearages of pay regious profession. Those who are disposed to mained due to Admiral Penn, were the debts of judge unfavourably of him and his profession Charles Stuart. The unoccupied lands in that will probably answer this question in the nega- part of America were claimed, either on the tive; while his advocates may decide that Wil-plea of prior discovery, or of conquest. In liam Penn was not responsible for the principles either case they did not become the private of his father; and that the latter, having become property of the king, to be applied to the disthe acknowledged creditor of the king or the charge of his personal debts. They could, at best, government, the son might very properly em- only be considered the property of the English ploy this, as he was evidently employing a large nation; and the power of granting an exclusive part of his patrimonial inheritance, in promoting privilege to plant and improve any of them, the virtue and happiness of his cotemporaries, and which the king was understood to possess, was in laying a broad foundation for the permanent held, not as a personal right, but as a part of the melioration of civil society. This question, how-royal prerogative. That prerogative was not ever, may be satisfactorily disposed of without being solved, if it should appear that this debt was not the origin of the grant, and was never understood by William Penn to have been paid at all.

The opinion, that the grant of the province was made in liquidation of this debt, seems to have originated with Besse, the earliest biographer of William Penn; and to have been copied by subsequent writers, with very little examination. That it was totally erroneous, will, I apprehend, be readily shown.

In the first place it may be observed, that of all the previous charters granted by the Kings or Queens of England for the unsettled lands in America, there is not a solitary instance in

then, if it ever was, well defined. The royal revenue was, in theory at least, designed to enable the monarch to defray the expenses of government. This was unquestionably the purpose for which the fifth of the gold and the silver ore was reserved. For the king to appropriate this territory to the payment of his personal debts, without an act of parliament, would have been to adopt a measure irreconcileable with the theory of the government.

Thirdly. We have seen William Penn, near the time when he applied for his patent, uniting in a remonstrance, if indeed he was not the author of it, in which it is explicitly asserted that the land in West Jersey did not belong to the Duke of York, but to the natives; and the

the Admiral's heir, he should suppose the grant to be in liquidation of the debt.-MS. History of North America.

A TESTIMONY

same argument was applicable to the lands in Pennsylvania, which no more belonged to the king, than those in West Jersey did to the Duke. Did William Penn, then, purchase, at the cost of sixteen thousand pounds, the privilege of buying the Indian lands, and exercising a government Of Cheshire Monthy Meeting, concerning ANN in the new colony, more dependent upon the crown than those which his predecessors had been permitted to establish for a nominal re

turn?

Fourthly. If the province was actually sold to William Penn, or conveyed as a liquidation of a debt, we should expect to find some expression in the charter indicating an exchange of equivalents. But the charter is in the usual form; with the nominal payment of two beaver skins annually, as Lord Baltimore was to pay two Indian arrows, and the reservation of one fifth of the gold and silver ore.

Lastly. In one of his letters, written after the accession of James II., William Penn speaks of sixteen thousand pounds, which he says the late king owed him, in terms totally irreconcileable with the idea that this debt had ever been paid.* In one of his letters, written after the charter was obtained, he says, "I have been these thirteen years the servant of Truth and Friends, and for my testimony's sake lost much; not only of the greatness and preferment of this world, but sixteen thousand pounds of my estate, which, had I not been what I am, I had long ago obtained. But I murmur not, the Lord is good to me, and the interest his truth has given me with his people may more than repair it; for many are drawn forth to be concerned with me, and perhaps this way of satisfaction hath more of the hand of God in it, than a downright payment." From this letter it appears that William Penn's religious principles either stood in the way of receiving this debt, or prevented the use of means by which it might have been recovered: and that he viewed the grant of Pennsylvania, as a probable remuneration from the Divine hand, for the loss which his religion had occasioned, and not as a payment from the

king.

It is not strange that Besse, who wrote his biography of William Penn, during the reign of George I., when a national debt had become familiar to the people of Great Britain, should overlook the distinction between the debts of

the king and those of the nation. And that finding two unquestionable facts, a debt due from Charles II. to Admiral Penn; and the grant of Pennsylvania from the same king to

This letter is dated at London, in 1689, about four years after the death of Charles II. In it, speaking of the losses he had sustained, he observes, "had I pressed my own debts with King James, that his brother owed me, there had been sixteen thousand pounds." This is

one of the original letters recently published.

"The Friend," vol. vii. p. 67. † Clarkson.

Vide

JONES, of Stockport, deceased.

It having pleased Him whose way is perfect to remove from amongst us this our dear and honoured friend in the Truth, we feel it due from us to issue a Memorial respecting her, under a solemn sense of our loss, and that whilst "the faithful fail from among the children of men," too few lay it deeply to heart. In speaking of her as a servant of the Lord who was early bound "to the law and to the testimony," we desire to ascribe the praise to the glory of His grace, whereby she was what she was; and which, through faith, ever remains to be sufficient to purify and to sustain the dedicated followers of Christ, and to qualify them to fill with acceptance their respective allotments in His church.

Our dear friend was the third daughter of Joseph and Sarah Burgess, of Grooby Lodge, in the county of Leicester, and was born there in the Ninth month, 1774. It was the religious concern of her exemplary parents to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord, and the diligent attendance of our religious meetings; carefully guarding them from unsuitable company, and the reading of publications calculated to ensnare the youthful mind. We believe this watchful care and Christian solicitude were blessed to their offspring, and greatly promotive of the preservation of our dear friend, through her early years, in the way of truth and virtue. For some years during early life her health was very delicate, so that it was thought by many her days would be few: about this period, she inward exercise of soul, preparatory to the passed through great conflict of spirit, and deep solemn work to which she was afterwards called. Though naturally of a lively disposition and energetic mind, she was now much drawn into inward retirement and watchfulness, her countenance and manner being strikingly solid; and it is believed that she was thus strengthened to make a surrender of her will to the Divine Will.

latter end of the year 1796, being twenty-two Whilst on a visit at Coalbrookdale, about the years of age, she first appeared in the ministry in a meeting for worship at Shrewsbury; and, co-operating with the Divine Gift, she was fayoured with the unfoldings of Truth, until she became an eminent instrument in the Lord's hand of demonstrating to others the efficacy of His universal grace, as faithfully adhered to.

and partake of the baptism which now saveth, She had often to descend as into the deeps, many being the conflicts of flesh and spirit

her solicitude being that all might be gathered to the true fold, and, through watchfulness, dwell in Christ Jesus the living vine.

About the year 1823, under the flowings of pure love, she held numerous meetings of this description, in districts embracing the whole of the town and neighbourhood in which she resided, which were very largely attended; and in the succeeding year, she held similar meetings with the inhabitants of the Isle of Man.

which infinite Wisdom saw meet she should | which our beloved friend was eminently gifted, pass through, but under all she was preserved in much quiet resignation; and in this precious ly humbled state, was enabled abundantly to bring from the Treasury things new and old, to the tendering and refreshing of her friends. Through the humbling operations of the Spirit of Truth, she became qualified, in the authority of Divine power, to stand as a mother in Israel, and as an upright pillar in the Lord's house. As a faithful minister of the everlasting Gospel, she was much esteemed amongst us; being sound in doctrine, and reverently careful to wait for the puttings forth and guidance of the Good Shepherd. Our Christian testimonies were dear to her from deep religious conviction, so that firm and unwavering in her attachment she was zealously concerned for their faithful maintenance the many deviations apparent being cause of grief and mourning to her; and she had deeply to lament the supineness, the worldly-mindedness, and the spiritual lethargy of professors of Truth.

Her Gospel labours were extensive, and she had good service therein, being favoured with much clearness of spiritual discernment, and enabled to minister in the baptizing power of the Spirit of Life, "rightly dividing the word of truth," as sealed in many hearts.

From the year 1826 to 1830, she was united with her husband in an extensive religious visit on the American continent; where we believe she proved an instrument of much usefulness, and at a time of peculiar trial and difficulty to Friends of that land. After her return from this arduous engagement, it was not long before she was again called to her Heavenly Father's service, in which she was frequently engaged up to the year 1841.

Towards the honest-hearted, however obscure, our dear friend had true regard. Her love was "without dissimulation," cherishing in any the appearance of good, whilst she abhorred all evil, and was a sharp reprover of the libertine professor. With the afflicted in spirit, and those under perplexity and trial, she nearly sympathized, often being made instrumental to In 1802, and during subsequent years, she their relief, and towards the necessitous poor she was much engaged in visiting the meetings of was a kind friend; her tender commiseration Friends, paying family visits, and holding meet-extending to them in liberal help and appropriings with those not in membership with us, in ate counsel, according to her ability and their most parts of England; and in 1809 she was need. liberated to attend the Yearly Meeting at Dub- The solemn stroke which removed hence her lin,-in 1810 to visit the Northern Counties and beloved husband on the 30th of Twelfth month, Scotland, and in 1811 she was engaged in re- 1841, she sustained with exemplary Christian ligious service in Ireland. In the Sixth month, feeling; marking especially the period as it re1813, she received an injury on the spine from volved with religious thoughtfulness. At that a fall, from the effects whereof she never fully date, in 1844, she wrote to a friend as follows: recovered, and to which she thus alludes, 21st "For what purpose my life has been lengthof 8th month:-"Time, warmth, and rest, are ened to this day, is best known to Him who the only things I now look to, under the bless-knoweth all things. If the great purpose of ing of the Great Physician, as likely to restore life, the redemption and reconciliation of the me; and even if these fail, I feel that it is my immortal part to Him who gave me being, duty to endeavour to acquiesce, and suffer pa- may be accomplished through the precious tiently, if suffering be my lot, instead of labour blood of Christ, who died that I, that we, might in the church militant; so that the great work live in and unto Him, in and through the obediof self-reduction, humiliation, and refinement ence of faith, no matter what the sufferings and of spirit, go forward; it matters not by what conflicts of this present life may be. Whilst I means." Whilst labouring under this physical must thankfully acknowledge that mercy and injury, she had certificates granted her for re- goodness have followed me all my life long to ligious engagements from home, which were the present day, I am fully aware of the need thereby much impeded in the accomplishment. of continued watchfulness unto prayer, howIn the Sixth month, 1815, she became a mem-ever deficient I may be in keeping the watch. ber of this Monthly Meeting by marriage with As a vessel after a long voyage comes near the our late dear friend George Jones-proving to him a faithful companion, and true helper. From this period they were often associated in Gospel labours of love amongst her friends in this country, and in holding meetings with those not in profession with us; a service for

port, there are rocks, and shoals, and many dangers, which none but the true Pilot can guard and keep the poor bark from running upon. May the watch be strictly kept, with the eye single to the Heavenly Pilot, and His holy commands obeyed, then all will be well."

At the same period, in 1845, she thus ex-| been accustomed to the minute investigation of pressed herself to a friend who called upon her: "Perhaps thou rememberest this day four years ago; it is a time I always remember, and now more solemnly than ever, as my own course seems nearly run. At one time I little expected to have seen this day, but we are in the hands of One who doeth all things well and wisely."

Writing to a friend when illness was in his family about this period, she observes: "Whether at home or at meeting, ill or well, may this be our first and principal engagement: to seek the Lord, if haply we may find him, to the strengthening, refreshing, and comforting the immortal soul, ever remembering that He is a rich rewarder of those who diligently seek him in resignation of spirit, to do or suffer whatever is His holy unerring will."

nature. I am tempted by it to put in a plea for that order of animated beings, which is in danger of becoming universally obnoxious in consequence of our regarding them from a single point of view only. In a late number of Chambers' Journal there is an article on Insect Importance, from which I propose to select some striking facts, illustrative of their great value to mankind. To begin with the Silkworm. The splendid tissue produced by this insect has been known from the remotest antiquity. Though the worm was early cultivated in China, it does not appear to have reached Europe until the 6th century. Since then the manufacture of silk has continued to hold a high place in the economy of the Southern States of that continent, and many thousands of human beings have been dependent on it for support. We need scarcely repeat the process by which this most splendid fabric is obtained from the labours of an unsightly worm. Wherever civilization has reached, there is there a demand for silk. In Britain alone, the annual value of the manufacture is estimated at nearly fifty millions of dollars. Italy produces eleven millions of pounds of the raw silk every year, and it is estimated that the culture and manufacture of silk in the various nations of Europe and Asia create an annual circulating medium of between 150 and 200 millions of dollars. "So much for the importance of an humble insect, which, had it been shown to our ancestors five hundred years ago, would have been as little valued as the earth-worm beneath their sandals." e The Cochineal Insect, from which the red dye stuff of that name is obtained, when full grown, is not larger than a grain of barley. The principal supply of this insect is from Mexico, where it forms a staple commodity of export. It feeds upon various plants of the Cactus tribe. The females, when arrived at maturity and become torpid, are detached from the plant by a blunt knife or split bamboo, placed in bags and dipped into hot water to kill them, and then dried in the sun. Although by these processes they lose two-thirds of their weight, more than one million and a half of pounds are annually brought to Europe, each pound being supposed to contain 70,000 insects. Great Britain alone pays not less than one million of dollars per annum for the dried carcass of a tiny insect.

The injury which she met with in 1813 induced much feebleness and inability to walk or move about, and this difficulty greatly increased in the two last years of her life, preventing her regularly meeting with her friends for religious worship for more than a year. This she much regretted. By means of a sedan, she was enabled to accomplish it a few times during the summer of 1845, but the effort being more than she was equal to, she expressed her belief it was best not to make the trial again, adding, "I should be truly glad to meet with my friends for the solemn purpose of worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth; but when we have done all we can, we must endeavour to leave it, and seek after resignation to the Divine Will." To the last she was very particular that no one should stay away from meeting unnecessarily on her account, often making sweet and suitable comments on the strict performance of this great duty, whilst blessed with health and ability: and on taking leave of those who were going, she repeatedly desired they might be favoured with access to the footstool of mercy, and when that was the case, that ability might be felt to put up the earnest petition on her behalf; "even," she said, "that my faith may not fail, but that faith and patience may hold out to the end, that patience may be renewed according to my need. My state of weakness and bodily trial is such, that I often find it difficult to stay my mind on God, and that is a trial to me. May patience have her pefect work."

(To be continued.)

For Friends' Review.
INSECT IMPORTANCE.

How many of our readers are in the habit of using sealing wax, without knowing that they owe it to the labours of an insect? In Bengal, and other parts of Southern Asia, myriads of a small insect deposite their eggs on the leaves A correspondent in the last number of the and branches of certain trees, and as soon as deReview has pleaded forcibly for the Birds. His posited cover them with the peculiar substance estimate of the destruction of the fruit-destroy-called gum-lac. As each insect produces ing insects by these beautiful executioners, must many eggs, and each egg has a separate envehave surprised those who have not, like himself, lope, the entire nest has a cellular arrangement