Mdkray — Unpublished Letters of William Pcnn. 235 



of it I most fear, on a publick acct. I just now Eecd. thine of 5tli 5/mo. (July) and 

 am very sorry tliat wicked man D. L. could blow up any of his mermidous to such 

 a pitch of brutishness as thy Acct. of William Biles relates that is a meer vox & 

 praeterea nihil, a Coxcomb and a Pragmatick in graine. That Fellow's plantation 

 is a Robbery upon Pennsbury, and if there be a grant 'twas not a purchase from 

 me, nor any I owed Land unto, for it was surveyed long before and done in my 

 absence, formerly, and judge Mompcsson' can tell if I may not be deceived, in 

 my Grant as well as the Crown, be it King or Queen, Since, if confirmed, 

 it was upon Surprize, and rattle an Inquisition about his Eares, if not a 

 prosecution. And know that when the time is expired of Sessions he may be 

 taken to task, Since the Service he may pretend he was to attend is over. And 

 first complain to the Friends, and if they wont or cant bow him to make 

 satisfaction, take it by Law, thy Selfe. Pray mind what I say, be secret, which 

 is discreet, and fall on him or any other such unruly People at once, and make 

 some one example to terrifie the rest. Thou hast not only my leave, but 

 liking and encouragement whether call'd Quakers or others. I hope yet to 

 weather my Difficulties here and there, and I hope what I sent p T. Guy 3 or 4 mo 

 ago to testifie my care of a Surrender, of their Priviledges, every way, will deeply 

 affect the honest hearted to be thankful and grateful. I have told thee of Coll. Qs 

 discourse and professions before Merclit. Perry and some of our Friends and shall 

 watch his steps. I pretty well ken and shall watch him. Do you that are very 

 good Friends there, your part to compose and maintain my just cause there, and I 

 hope with Gods assistance to prevent our Enemies here. I long since told J. Logan 

 I wanted a duplicate of the Laws, those sent under ye. great Seal,- being presented 

 to the Lords, and so out of my power, but as I occasionally borrow them. Howbeit 

 almost i- of them are demur'd to, as I have already observ'd. Perhaps by this 

 opportunity I may say more about them, 1 could have those that are approv'd to 

 send presently but all ye. Laws being under one Seale they scruple having them 

 presented by parcells and they cant present the body but the rest will receive the 

 Queens negative, and then they cease and you will be thereby deficient in 

 Governmt, so that I am at a stand, whether it may not be best to let them rest as 

 they are, till those excepted agt. are amended, wording them more properly being 

 the greatest reason for the Attorney-Genl. and Lords Exceptions. Wherefore if 



' Peiui appointed him Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, February 17, 1705. lu the 

 letter accompanying the judge's commission Penn wrote : " I went to Pennsylvania to 

 found a free colony for all mankind of any nation, belief, or circumstance that should go 

 thither, more especially those of my own profession, Not that I would lessen the civil 

 liberties of others, because of their persuasion, but screen and defend our own from any 

 infringement on that account." 



^ The great Seal of these early provincial days consisted of the arms of the Penn 

 family : there were a shield crossed horizontall.y by a fess or band bearing three torteux 

 or biscuit and the motto, " Mercy, Justice." The shield and motto were surrounded by 

 a baud bearing the words : " William Penn, Proprietor and Governor of Pennsylvania." 



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