ful pursuits even in the lands they had sold. Their right to improve their plantations, and means to secure subsistence, would be in all respects similar to those of the English. Should unfortunately disputes arise be- tween the two peoples, they should be adjusted by arbi- trators composed of equal numbers of Indians and Eng- lishmen." From the merchandise before him he then paid for the land to their satisfaction, and made them besides many presents. The sums which he spent for the purchase of all land on this and other occasions is computed at £6000 ($30,000). Laying the roll of parchment upon the ground, he bade them observe it as a sign "that the land should be thenceforth common to both peoijles." '• He would not," he added, "like the peo- ple of Maryland, call them his children or his brethren ; for some parents chastised their children too severely, and brethren could disagree. Nor would he compare their friendship to a chain, which the rain might rust. But they would consider them as of one flesh and blood with the Christians, and the same as if one body was divided in two parts." Taking up the parchment, he presented it to the chief sachem, and desired that it might be carefully preserved for three generations, that their children might know what had passed, as if he re- mained to repeat it." The Indians in return made long and stately speeches, the gist and end of which was that they pledged themselves to live in love with AVilliam Penn and his children as long as the sun and moon would endure. This transaction is one of the brightest pages in American history, and has been honorably no- ticed even by the sarcastic Voltaire in these words: " This was the only treaty between these people (the natives) and the Christians which was not ratified by an oath, and which was never broken." For the space of more than seventy years, as long as the Quakers re- tained supremacy in the government of Pennsylvania, the peace and amity then solemnly promised never was violated, nor was the blood of a single Quaker shed by the Indians. It is significant that the place thus sanc- tified, near the junction of the Delaware and Schuylkill liivers, and selected for the capital of his province, has become the largest inland city of the continent, the cradle Of the American republic, and the centre of the late Centennial celebration. A few months after Penn bought the site from the Swedes, who had already erected a church there, and designed a map, according to which it was regularly laid out.
In the political construction of the new country, as proprietor empowered to enact laws with the assent of the freemen, he availed himself of this right in a manner which ranks him with Moses, Lycurgus, and Solon, without incurring their faults. His laws, al- though not exempt from error, are surely in advance of all similar works of his age, even Locke's plan of gov- ernment adopted by lord Baltimore not excepted. His code is dated April 25, 1G82, and was drawn up before he embarked. His friend, Algernon Sidney, was consulted in framing it. Of the twenty-four chapters of this doc- ument we will mention onl}' a few of the more striking features :
1. " Almight)' God being only Lord of conscience, Father of lights, and the author as well as the object of ail divine kuowledgc, faith, and worship, who can only eiili<:h!en the mind and convince the understanding of ])eople in reference to his sovereignty over the soul of mankind, therefore be it enacted, that no person now or herenfier living in tlie province, who shall confess one AIniiLrhty to be the creator and upholder and ruler of the world, and who professes himself or herself obliged in conscience to live peaceably and justly under civil government, shall in any wise be molested or prejudiced for his or her consci- entious persuasion or practice ; nor shall he or she at any time be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious worship, place, or ministry contrary to his or her nnnd, but shall freely and fully enjoy his'or her liberty in that resjiect wiihout any inteiruption or reflection ; and if any person shall abuse or deride any other for his or her dif- ferent persuasion or practice in religion, such shall be lodkcd upou as a disturber of the peace, and be punished acc;)vdiiii;lv."
2. Yet only pr(^fes£ed Christians were admitted to office,
PENN
897
PENN
and of them snch only as paid taxes; the purity of elec- tion was giiaided by penahies aj,'ainst bribery, other cor- rui)ti()n and frauds nowadays so frequently resorted to probably beinj; then unknown and not thought of. Be- sides these he made veiy wise enactments.
3. Tlie law of lainiogeniture, still to this day in force in England, was abolished ; all nienibers of a family should enjoy an equal share of inheritance.
4. Every one, rich or poor, was to learn a useful trade or occupation, the poor to live oti it, tlie rich to have a re- sort, if ihey should become poor.
5. Even to malefactors his clemency extended; all pen- alties to have a tendency rather to improve than to punish the criminal. He substituted for about, two hundred of- fences which were at tliat time capitally jjunished in Eng- land some milder penalty. Only murder and treason were punishable by death.