94 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



ior the Soutliern provinces, and on his occasional visits to Philadelphia 

 manifested much interest in the political discussions of the province and 

 acquired the good will of Logan, Norris and other prominent inhabitants. 

 He was strongly recommended for the position of lieutenant-governor by 

 the provincial Council and chief inhabitants,^ by their friends in London, 

 by William Penn, jr., Mr. Logan and others. Keith was the first Governor 

 who ventured to espouse the side of the popular party and to support its 

 interests with the proprietary and the crown, on disputed subjects. He 

 arrived at Philadelphia on the 31st day of May and convened an Assem- 

 bly on June IQth.^^ Having thoroughly studied the errors of his prede- 

 cessors, he sought to benefit by their experience. 



" Keith displayed the policy he meant to pursue in his lirst address to 

 the assembly. 'His tender regard for their interest,' he said, ' they being 

 engaged in harvest at his arrival, had induced him to postpone the satis- 

 faction he proposed to himself in meeting the Assembly; and he should 

 always endeavor to make the time they must necessarily bestow on the 

 public service as easy and pleasant to them, as he hoped it would be 

 profitable and satisfactory to the country. If an affectionate desire to 

 oblige and serve the people could qualify him for his station, he might 

 expect that his and the country's interest would be effectually united, as 

 those who sincerely desired to serve either, must necessarily serve both. 

 The warmth of his inclination towards them might be inferred from hw 

 expensive application during the last year, to introduce to the prince 

 regent the humble address of the Assembly to the king, which had been 

 80 graciously received by his exertions ; by the diligence and expense 

 with which he had obtained his commission, without other prospect or 

 advantage than that of serving them,^ and by the fatigue he had already 

 undergone to promote their service. But these things were trifles, com- 

 pared with their indispensable obligation to support the dignity and au- 

 thority of the government, by such a reasonable and discreet establish- 

 ment as the nature of the thing and their own generosity would direct; 

 and whatever they might be disposed to do of that kind, he hoped might 

 no longer bear the undeserved and reproachful name of a burden on the 

 people ; but that they would ratlier enable him to relieve the country 

 from real burdens, by empowering him to introduce a better economy 

 and more frugal management in the collection of taxes, which were then 

 squandered by the oiBcers appointed to assess and collect them.' 



"The assembly testified their satisfaction with this speech, and his kind 

 and conciliatory manners, by an immediate grant of five hundred and 

 fifty pounds, payable from the lirst moneys received in the treasury, 

 which they replenished by an additional bill of supply. In return, Keith 

 Iramed an nddress to the throne on the interesting subject of affirmation, 

 1 Gordon. 2 Proud. 



