276 HISTOKY OP 



carried into execution, in the province, before the act of 

 parliament, in that case, was made ; which being disa- 

 greeal)lc and injm'ious to many of the inhabitants, and 

 contrary to ancient usage/' John Wright, tlie mild but 

 firm Quaker, of Wright's Ferry, of this county, and 

 who had for many years been a member of the Assem- 

 bly, spoke out freely and firmly against this measure; as 

 a consequence, he fell a victim to Governor Thomas' in- 

 tolerance. Having understood that the Governor in- 

 tended to remove him from office; he had at that time 

 been justice of the peace, and president of the Common 

 Pleas, he attended the May session of the court, 1741, 

 and before the new commissioners had been published, 

 delivered a charge to the grand jury, whicli was pub- 

 lished by their order; and wliich deserves to be en- 

 graven upon the hearts of all who hate executive 

 domination. 



"As a new commission of the peace, for this county, 

 is, I suppose, now to l)c published, in which my name, 

 and some of my brethren, are, I presume, left out; I 

 desire your patience and attention a few moments, while 

 I give the last charge to the grand jury, which I shall 

 ever do, from this place, and take leave of my bretln-en, 

 the justices, and my friends, the good people of tlie 

 county, as a magistrate. 



"I have, for upwards of twenty years, borne a com- 

 mission of the peace, in Chester and Lancaster counties, 

 under the respective Governors of this province, and have 

 lived in familiar friendship and good understanding with 

 all of them, until of late. 



"About twelve years ago, under the mild and peace- 

 able administration of Governor Gordon, I was one of 

 those who were instrumental in procuring this part of 

 the province to be erected into a separate county, and 



