drawn at a distance of twelve miles from New Castle, beginning at the point where this line cuts the western shore of the Delaware, and continuing until it cuts the fortieth degree and forty-fourth minute of north latitude, and from that point westward on that parallel, being fifteen miles south of Philadelphia, and two surveyors, Thomas Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, were appointed in 1763, to run the line. The names of these surveyors have become world-renowned, as the line which they thus established marked the division between the Free and Slave states.

The last court held at Upland under the government of the Duke of York, adjourned on the 14th of June, to meet again on the 13th of September, 1681; and on the latter day a court convened, the justices acting under commissions issued by Markham.

The instructions of the new governor required that the government should be administered "according to the good laws of England." But the Duke's Laws, which had previously been in force in the colony, were principally enforced, without particular regard to the niceties, or even the essentials of English law. The word good in the above-cited passage may have had an equivocal meaning, and those wnich were thought to be good alone have been adopted.

In the meantime, Penn published in England a description of his province, with particular and well-timed advice to those who would emigrate, especially enjoining upon them "to consider seriously the premises, as well the present inconveniency, as future ease and plenty; that so none may move rashly, or from fickle, but solid minds, having above all things an eye to the providence of God in the disposal of themselves."

Late in this year, two ships sent from England arrived in the colony. In these were four commissioners, -William Crispin, John Bezer, William Haige, and Nathaniel Allen. Crispin had been appointed surveyor-general: but he having died on the passage out, Thomas Holme was

appointed in his place. The duties of these commissioners were, to preserve friendly relations with the Indians, acquire lands of them, and survey and apportion them; but chiefly to select the site of, and lay out a great city. That he might secure the favor of the Indians, Penn addressed them a letter by the hands of these commissioners, in which he says: "There is a great God and power, that hath made the world, and all things therein; to whom you and I, and all people owe their being, and well-being; and to whom you and I must one day give an account, for all that we do in the world. This great God hath written his law in our hearts, by which we are taught and commanded to love, and help, and do good to one another. Now this great God has been pleased to make me concerned in your part of the world; and the King of the country where I live, hath given me a great province therein; but I desire to enjoy it with your love and consent; that we may always live together, as neighbors and friends; else what would the great God do to us, who hath made us, not to devour and destroy one another, but to live soberly and kindly in the world?"

Markham made a large purchase of the Indians on the Delaware, above Shackamaxon, and for seven weeks was engaged, in company with the commissioners and surveyors, in sounding the river, and searching for a site for the great city, which, by the instructions, was to embrace ten thousand acres. "Be sure to make your choice," says Penn, "where it is most navigable, high, dry, and healthy; that is, where most ships may best ride, of deepest draught of water, if possible to load or unload at the bank or key's side without boating and lightening of it. It would do well if the river coming into that creek be navigable, at least for boats up into the country, and that the situation be high, at least dry and sound, and not swampy, which is best known by digging up two or three earths and seeing the bottom."

Upland, now Chester, had been in the mind of Penn as the location which would be adopted; but Markham discarded this, and after considering Pennsbury Manor, above

Bristol, and the land on Poquessing Creek, finally settled upon the present site of Philadelphia. This was between two rivers; it was dry and commanding ground; and the Delaware was deep, fulfilling all the requirements of the Proprietor; but the area between the two rivers was not sufficient for a city of ten thousand acres in a compact body; so a smaller tract was agreed upon. The plot extended two miles from river to river, and one mile in width. It was laid out in regular squares, the streets crossing each other at right angles, with suitable parks and public grounds.

Penn obtained from the Duke of York a deed of release for his Province, and also two deeds, the one conveying New Castle County, and the other the counties of Kent and Sussex, which three counties were known as the territories, in distinction from the Province of Pennsylvania, and which afterwards became the State of Delaware.

Having completed his preparations, Penn sailed for the Delaware, arriving at New Castle on the 24th of October, 1682, when he assumed authority.

WILLIAM PENN.

[The following sketch of the life of William Penn, the great founder of Pennsylvania, has been prepared expressly for this work by Samuel M. Janney, author of "The Life of William Penn," "The Life of George Fox," "The History of the Society of Friends," &c.]

WILLIAM PENN, the founder of Pennsylvania, was the son of Vice-Admiral Sir William Penn, a distinguished commander in the British Navy, and was born in the city of London, the 14th of October, 1644. His mother was a pious and judicious woman, who encouraged in her son those virtuous dispositions which, even in his childhood, gave the promise of future excellence.

In the year 1656, Admiral Penn removed with his family to Ireland, where he possessed valuable estates, and William, being then about twelve years of age, diligently pursued his studies at home under the direction of a private tutor. At the age of fifteen, he went to Oxford, and was entered as a student at Christ Church College. While residing at Oxford, he attended a meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, who were in derision called "Quakers," and Thomas Loe, who formerly belonged to the University, preached a sermon which had a powerful effect upon his mind. He was convinced that the simplicity and purity of the Christian religion were lost sight of by most of its professors, while their attention was occupied by a round of lifeless ceremonies. Finding that some of his fellow-students were, like himself, dissatisfied with the established form of worship, he united with them in holding meetings for Divine worship, in which they engaged in exhortation and prayer. This course, and their withdrawal from the national worship, were severely censured by the officers of the college; and the young men being withheld by a sense of duty from conforming, were finally expelled. On his return to his home, his serious deportment gave great dissatisfaction to his father, who feared that this change of manners would blast all his prospects for worldly honor.

The Admiral, though kind at heart, was a stern disciplinarian; he remonstrated in strong terms, and finding that William adhered to his religious principles, he expelled him from his house. He was, however, soon recalled, through the intercession of his mother, when his father adopted the expedient of sending him to France, in company with some persons of rank who were about to make the tour of Europe. After a brief stay in Paris, he went to Saumur, to enjoy the conversation and instruction of the learned Moses Amyrault, a Protestant minister and professor of Divinity. While residing there, he read attentively the early Christian writers and other ecclesiastical works.

In the year 1664, he returned from the Continent, bringing

with him the polish of French society, and leaving behind him a portion of that serious demeanor which had so much displeased his father. Soon after his return he became, at his father's suggestion, a student at Lincoln's Inn, in order to acquire a knowledge of the laws of England.

In the spring of 1666, his father sent him to Ireland, and furnished him with a letter of introduction to Sir George Lane, Secretary of the Duke of Ormond, who was then LordLieutenant, and presided over a court of great splendor. He was received with marked attention, and became a welcome guest in that gay circle. During his residence there, a mutiny took place among the soldiers in the garrison of Carrickfergus, and he, being acquainted with the use of arms, joined the forces under the Lord of Arran (second son of the Duke of Ormond), and evinced so much valor in quelling the mutiny, that the Duke wished to make him a captain of infantry. This flattering proposal he showed a willingness to accept; but happily for himself and for the world, his father interposed to prevent it, and he was reserved for a nobler field of service in the cause of humanity.

About this time was painted the only portrait of William Penn ever taken from the life. A copy of this portrait was presented by Granville Penn, author of the "Memorials of Sir William Penn," to the Historical Society of Pennsyl vania. It represents him in military costume, which seems to indicate his aspirations for martial life.

It was, however, for a short time only that Penn was permitted to indulge in visions of worldly glory, for Divine Providence, which shapes the destinies of the world's benefactors, was watching over him, and the propitious moment was nigh at hand when an opportunity would be offered for his acceptance of a post in a spiritual warfare. Being at Cork on business, he heard that Thomas Loe was to be at a meeting of the Friends in that city, and his affection for that eminent minister prompted him to attend. After an interval of silence, the preacher commenced his discourse with these words: "There is a faith which overcomes the world, and