people thought themselves so happy, that in an early period of their colonial existence, they in return granted to the proprietor a subsidy of fifteen pounds of tobacco on every poll, "as a testimony of their gratitude for his great charge and solicitude in maintaining the government, in protecting the inhabitants in their rights, and for reimbursing his vast expense," which during the first two years exceeded forty thousand pounds sterling.* ery ten men, &c. These grants were to be made under the great seal of the province, and to them and their heirs forever. The "Instructions" are given in substance in Bosman, 283–286. -H.] * Chalmers, 208. XXVII. WILLIAM PENN. WILLIAM PENN, the founder of Pennsylvania, was the grandson of Captain Giles Penn, an English consul in the Mediterranean; and the son of Sir William Penn, an admiral of the English navy, in the protectorate of Cromwell, and in the reign of Charles II., in which offices he rendered very important services to the nation, particularly by the conquest of Jamaica from the Spaniards, and in a naval victory over the Dutch. William was born October 14, 1644, in the parish of St. Catharine, near the Tower of London, educated at Chigwell, in Essex, and at a private school in London; and in the fifteenth year of his age entered as a student and gentleman commoner of Christ-Church College in Oxford. His genius was bright,* his disposition so * [The portrait of Penn, painted somewhat later, yet in his early life, represents him as “eminently handsome; the expression of his countenance remarkably pleasing and sweet; his eye dark and lively, and his hair flowing gracefully over his shoulders, according to the fashion set by the worthless though fascinating Charles II."-Fisher's Private Life of Penn, Mem of Penn. Hist. Society, vol. iii., part ii., p. 71.-H.] ber and studious; and being possessed of a lively imagination and a warm heart, the first turn of his mind towards religious subjects was attended with circumstances bordering on enthusiasm. Having received his first impressions from the preaching of Thomas Loe, an itinerant Quaker, he conceived a favourable opinion of the flights and refinements of that rising sect, which led him, while at the University, in conjunction with some other students, to withdraw from the established worship and hold a private meeting, where they preached and prayed in their own way. The discipline of the University being very strict in such matters, he was fined for the sin of non-conformity; this served to fix him more firmly in his principles and habits, and exposed his singularity more openly to the world. His conduct being then deemed obstinate, he was, in the sixteenth year of his age, expelled as an incorrigible offender against the laws of uniformity. On his return home he found his father highly incensed against him. As neither remonstrances, nor threatenings, nor blows could divest him of his religious attachments, he was for a while turned out of the house; but, by the influence of his mother, he was so far restored to favour as to be sent to France, in company with some persons of quality, with a view to unbend his mind and refine his manners. Here he learned the language of the country, and acquired such a polite and courtly behaviour,* that his father, after two years' absence, received him with joy, hoping that the object of his wishes was attained. He was then admitted into Lincoln's Inn, where he studied law till the plague broke out in 1665, when he returned to his father's house. About this time (1666), the king's coffers being low, and claims for unrewarded services being importunate, grants were frequently made of lands in Ireland; and the merits of Sir William Penn being not the least conspicuous, he received a valuable estate in the county of Cork, and committed the management of it to his son, then in the twenty-second year of his age. Here he met with his old friend Loe, and immediately attached himself to the society of Quakers, though at that time they were subject to se * [In Pepys's Diary, vol. i., p. 311, under the date of August 26, 1664, we find this record: Mr. Pen, Sir William's son, is come back from France, and came to visit my wife. A most modish person grown, she says a fine gentleman."-H.] vere persecution. This might have operated as a discouragement to a young gentleman of such quality and expectations, especially as he exposed himself thereby to the renewed displeasure of a parent who loved him, had not the integrity and fervour of his mind induced him to sacrifice all worldly considerations to the dictates of his conscience. It was not long before he was apprehended at a religious "conventicle," and, with eighteen others, committed to prison by the mayor of Cork; but upon his writing a handsome address to the Earl of Orrery, lordpresident of Munster, in which he very sensibly pleaded for liberty of conscience, and professed his desire of a peaceable, and his abhorrence of a tumultuous and disrespectful separation from the established worship, he was discharged. This second stroke of persecution engaged him more closely to the Quakers. He associated openly with them, and bore with calmness and patience the cruel abuse which was liberally bestowed on that singular party.* * [Pepys notices this attachment to the Quakers as we might suppose he would. "At night (Dec. 29, 1667) comes Mrs. Turner to see us; and then, among other talk, she tells me that Mr. William Pen, who is lately come over from Ireland, is a |