Philadelphia County PA Archives Biographies.....William PENN, October 14, 1644 - July 30, 1718 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Thomas Smith Tomroysmith@aol.com Ghost of William Penn: Resolve Troubles with Heartfelt Amicability By: Thomas R. Smith, a.k.a., William Penn William Penn speaking: “My faith in Pennsylvania is ever lasting. Pennsylvania can once again be the nation’s good leader. All the rooted good in Pennsylvania ought to be put to effort. That which worked for the early Quakers can be re- adopted. --.An affirmed Quaker, I ever strived to resolve troubles with heartfelt amicability.” A ghost I have much to teach. My history lessons I teach as a witness. Outside of historian huddles it is little recalled that in 1692 I lost direct control over Pennsylvania. For two years, 1692 to 1694, my direct control over Pennsylvania was suspended. Good governance in Pennsylvania, in my absence, however, did not cease. -- How so? Here is what I did: I picked persons willing to resolve to solve… Persons who were willing to leave at the door self chafing vanity. – Selectively Quakers shared (with me) the reigns of early Pennsylvania government. Members were - at best - only a little better than other good persons of their time. But being Quakers they were more practiced at humility and at problem solving with promptitude. In the 1600’s at the very start of the Quaker religion women were counted as equals. Not apart from men Quaker women also dressed in common near look-alike fashion. Ribbons in the hair were deemed dress fashion no-no. Laugh, but vanity starts small and it was thought better to be on safe side of humility. Modern thinking is so different from the Quaker way of old: In the past there were no such garb items as power ties and red blazers for women. In preparation for writing this missive I gave thought as to how I might give examples as to how leadership was different when Quakers held the reins of government. My brain recalled for me memory of one early plain clothed Quaker who served in the Pennsylvania Assembly. His time was the 1700’s but it could have easily been 1600’s. The man before entering the quarters of the Assembly ever paused short of the door. There with both hands he brushed an invisible ‘something’ from his garment coat. This habit urged a freshman member to inquire about the odd habit. He was informed the old member was brushing vanity from his person. Story two: The old Assemblyman rode in a carriage. Withal his vehicle shone only elements of severe utility. (He wasn’t reimbursed for travel mileage, for oats, or for upkeep and repair of his vehicle.) He was famous for one directional movement; he simply did not know how to retract or back off or back away. In the extreme he was upright and forward going. His carriage shed said it all: Open front and back, he drove straight in, straight out. Quaker governance was conservative and the imprint stamped Pennsylvanian DNA. Stamped within is a breeding for conscience sake thinking and tolerance. A little back up 1684 history: Through oceanic dispatches, I heard homeland menace were wish-bent on making Pennsylvania a royal colony I sped back to England. I sped mission bent to stem the decapitation of heady Penn family control. Bonded good governance ruled when I sailed. I planned well, two years prior, in 1682; I had launched a charter of governance within days of my arrival in Chester. I launched speedily and well. I was a benevolent autocrat. I hand picked the one hundred who composed the populace under-layer of first government. All of whom were trustworthy persons, who easily earned esteem in their respective settler corners. There was no happenstance to this. In travels, before coming, I urged the most weighty and honest to come to Pennsylvania. Respected the same persons tugged others of good will to come. John Blunston of Darby was perhaps my best catch. A respected Weighty Friend his mere wish-to-come urged the same wish in others. In collective mix the commingled founded Darby. The First Charter I devised served a good start purpose, but did not take; I was feeling my way along. With input, some I did not like to hear, in 1684, I worked up the Second Charter. Again it was done up in Chester. Charter upgrades followed over the first fifteen years, in the form of a “Third” and “Fourth.” Then I hit - what you call - a ‘Home Run.’ The 1701 Charter of Privileges lasted seventy-five years. It influenced right of conscience and tolerance in the U.S. Constitution. Note: Nowhere (!) in the world did so much good march of laws advance in so short a time! And all was wonderfully capped in 1701. -- My wow role in history. Permit me to say a little about thoroughly Quaker Darby and Quaker John Blunston (1644-1725). No person held more positions of governance in early Pennsylvania, in panicle Speaker of the Assembly. In Blunston time, Pennsylvania was conservative, but a political itch bothered - over just where at-large government should be seated. John Blunston was a great teacher: Darby was smack between Chester and Philadelphia. John Blunston became skilled at assuming the role of moderate, all whilst smiling at Chester, whilst amicably smiling at Philadelphia. Darby put off involvement in disquiet, and amicably gained a little from each. Darby’s moderate exemplar character took hold generally. Blunston was a great teacher and I was forever grateful. In 1705 I had my in- residence secretary, James Logan; pass on a message: “Tell John Blunston of Darby my love is as ever for him In 1692 I quietly formed a “Committee of Ten.” This group did not miss a beat in seeing to it that fair governance continued whilst under the tacit control of Mother England. Particularly: the Admiralty, Parliament, and the King. I had time to give certain instructions and laid on thick my encouragement and thanks. -- I Prayed! I could have clamored but I chose a two-fold approach. I prayed and I projected heartfelt amicable. -- Proprietary control was restored, which act confounded opposing clamorous. In early Pennsylvania: To be a dedicated government worker and to be likewise a pacifist was hard. At the same time it stemmed harder hardship: Delay is costly. It is plan sense cheaper to make a hard decision as soon as possible. War is expensive. Peace living and peace initiatives preserve lives and, in sum total they are less costly. Before the 1680’s ended, Pennsylvania claimed a large new-arrival population. Total number was larger than what New England had achieved over thirty years. Pennsylvania held renown for respecting right of conscience, and for real tolerance and for being welcoming to all. It is not my usual style to end less than upbeat. In looking down, however, I am frightened. Personal feel of security seems clearly lacking. It is in fact wonting! Quakers chose (choose) never to criticize and are self-depreciating and dedicated to finding solutions. In accordance I recommend urging government workers to resolve to solve… To the electorate: Choose to elect persons who are willing to leave at the door self chafing vanity. Choose to elect persons of humility and character. Pennsylvania can once again be the nation’s good leader. All the rooted good in Pennsylvania ought to be put to effort. Try it. Live heartfelt dedicated to resolving troubles amicably. I close. Your Governor thanks you for listening. William Penn Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/bios/penn-w.jpg This file is located at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/bios/penn-w1.txt