Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/210

186 was approved by the Governor, forming the third frame of government in Pennsylvania. Penn, however, to whom was reserved the power of disapproval, never sanctioned this act. A bill for raising £300, professedly for the relief of the distressed Indians beyond Albany, but really in compliance with the demand of the governor of New York, to aid in the prosecution of the war, was passed by the same legislature. In 1699, after fifteen years' absence, Penn again set sail for America, accompanied by his family, with an intention of spending the remainder of his life in Pennsylvania. Considerable difference of opinion existed between himself and the legislature; more particularly on the subject of negro slavery, and the frauds and abuses that disgraced the character of the colonists in their traffic with the Indians. With the view of providing a remedy for both these evils, Penn presented to the Assembly three bills which he had himself prepared; the first, for regulating the morals and marriages of the negroes; the second, for regulating the trials and punishments of the negroes; and the third, for preventing abuses and frauds upon the Indians. The Assembly negatived the first and last of these bills, acceding only to that which related to the trial and punishment of their slaves. 'Though disappointed of the more extensive influence, which, as a political legislator, he had hoped to exercise, he was yet able, by his powerful influence among the Quakers, to introduce into their discipline regulations and practices relative to the purposes of the rejected bills, the spirit of which, at least, was thus forcibly recommended to general imitation.

Perplexed with many and serious difficulties, Penn made up his mind to return to England; but before doing so he pressed upon the colonists to establish a constitution. The old frame of government was formally given up, and the one which Penn prepared and presented to the Assembly was accepted. It confirmed to them, in conformity with that of 1696, the right of originating bills, which, by the charters preceding that date, had been the right of the Governor alone, and of mending or rejecting those which might be laid before them. To the Governor it gave the right of rejecting bills passed by the Assembly, of appointing his own Council, and of exercising the whole executive power. Liberty of conscience was specially secured as before; and the qualification of voters was fixed at a freehold of fifty acres, or about $166 in personal property.

Directly after the "Charter of Privileges," as the new frame was called, was accepted, Penn returned to England, leaving the management of his private estates and the direction of Indian affairs in the hands of James Logan, who was for many years colonial secretary and member of the Council. Scarcely had Penn arrived there, when the disputes between the province and the territories broke forth with greater bitterness than ever; and in the following year, the separate legislature of Delaware was permanently established at Newcastle.