Page:Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy vol XXXIII.djvu/559

 Mdkray — Unpublished Letters of William Pcnn. 235 of it I most fear, on a publick acct. I just now Eecd. thine of 5th 5/mo. (July) and am very sorry that 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." [35-^]