OF LANCASTER COUNTY, 79 



laws of tlie province, wliicli lie was bound to observe.^ The Assembly 

 consisting of members from the upper and lower counties, but reduced to 

 about sixteen in number, on convening, took steps to maintain their own 

 and the people's rights. The Governor, on the majority of the members 

 refusing to take the oaths, honored their conscientious scruples in permit- 

 ting them simply to subscribe, but told them that this was an act of grac-^ 

 and not of right which must not be used as a precedent. 



In this Assembly two important subjects were considered; the confir- 

 mation of the old laws and a grant of aid in men or money to the Kin:;- 

 for the then existing war with France. The Assembly used the latter in 

 order to secure the former, hoping that Fletcher would yield this point 

 for the sake of obtaining the other, as his province of New York was 

 much exposed to the Indians who were supported by the French in Can- 

 ada. Fletcher maintained a firm attitude, insisting upon the rejection of 

 eight of the old lav/s, chiefly penal, as in conflict with and less rigorous 

 than the laws of England. Long negotiations ensued but he finally con- 

 firmed them all (one concerning shipwrecks excepted) subject to the 

 King's pleasure. The Assembly, on their part, granted the required 

 subsidy, after considerable delay, they insisting that their grievances 

 should first be redressed. Fletcher claimed the right of alterino- the 

 new laws, even without the deliberations of the Assembly. This was 

 strenuously resisted by a party in the Assembly, which, though in the 

 minority, had their protest against Fletcher's pretensions entered upon 

 the journal of the House. The Governor threatened to annex the pro- 

 vince to New York, and then the moderate party, rather than submit to 

 this, preferred receiving the confirmation of their rights and liberties as 

 a favor at the hands of the Governor.^ 



Prior to his departure for New York, Fletcher appointed William 

 Markham, the proprietary's kinsman, Lieutenant-Governor, [1694.] 



Governor Fletcher, being engaged at New York, did not meet the 

 Assembly at its first session of this year.^ At the second he earnestly 

 solicited them to make further appropriations for the public defence. 

 He endeavored to excite their emulation by the example of New Jersey, 

 which had freely contributed troops and money, and tried to engage their 

 compassion, by describing the sufferings of the inhabitants about Albany, 

 from whence "fourscore families," he said, "had been driven, rather by 

 the negligence of their friends, than by the force of their enemies." " Expe- 

 rience having taught him, that it was vain to ask men, whose religion 

 forbade the use of arms, to organize a military force, or appropriate funds 

 for its support, he sought to frame his demands in a less questionable 

 shape. Putting out of view all warlike intentions, he solicited their 



lEbeling-. Proud. 2Ebeling. Proud. Votes. 



3 Gordon. Clarkson. Penu's letter, Sept. 5, 1695. 



