OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 87 



iillowed by a clause in the charter for that purpose; which chiuse was 

 .said to have been there inserted by tlic particular and special means of 

 the Representatives of the territories, with previous full intention of the 

 .reparation which ensued; and in this capacity they have ever acted since 

 tiuU time."' 



"The proprietary's choice of a successor to Governor Hamilton fell on 

 Mr. John Evans, a young man of six and twenty years of age, and of 

 Welsh extraction.^ He was earnestly recommended to Secretary Logan, 

 luider whose direction he had promised to place himself. He arrived in 

 the province in February, and soon after increased the number of the 

 <.'ouncil, calling to that board, with others, William Penn the younger, 

 who had accompanied him to the province. Pursuant to the instructions 

 of the proprietary, he earnestly applied himself to re-unite the province 

 and territories; and his want of success in this measure produced an 

 r.nfavorable disposition towards the former, which embittered his whole 

 administration." 



John Evans Avas a young man, uncommonly />ealous and active iu 

 whatever aft'ected the proprietary's interests; deficient neither in Avit nor 

 talents, he lacked experience, prudence and tact; his private life was 

 moreover, highly offensive to the steady and quiet ways of the sober and 

 moral Quakers. He early attached himself to the interest of the lower 

 »'0unties, and induced their Assembly to pass laws manifestly designe<l 

 to produce unpleasant effects in the province. England being then at 

 war with France and Spain, he had been ordered by the Queen to raise 

 a militia in Pennsylvania, but his effort proved unsuccessful, [1706.] H'-- 

 atlected to treat the peaceful principles of the Quakers with contempt, 

 and unable to argue them out of their principles, endeavored to gain his 

 object by a stratagem, concerted with Robert French, of Newcastle, 

 Thomas Clark, a lawyer of Philadelphia, and other associates.^ 



"On the day on which the annual fair was held in Philadelphia, French 

 despatched a messenger, in great haste, and seeming consternation, to the 

 Governor, with news that the enemy's ships were in the Delaware, and 

 making for the city. This intelligence was instantly published, and 

 Evans, mounted on horseback, with his sword drawn, rode through the 

 streets in well-feigned alarm, commanding and entreating the people of 

 all ranks and opinions to arm for the public defence. A general panic 

 immediately prevailed. The shipping disappeared from the wharves, the 

 boats and small craft crowding into the neighboring creeks, and the 

 larger vessels running up the river above Burlington, Plate and other 

 valuables were thrown into wells and privies, whilst the owners sought 

 security in the nearest covert; and several pregnant women were un- 



1 Proud. 2 Gordon. Proud. 



3 Gordon. Votes. Proud. Logan MS8. 



