Bristol was in those days the chief commercial city of England next to
London. It was the centre, too, of a district where large quantities of
woollen cloths were manufactured, which were sent forth to foreign lands
by the numerous vessels which traded to its port. In a large room
belonging to one of the principal merchants in the city, a number of
persons were collected. At the head of a long table sat William Penn,
while on either side of him were several friends,--Claypole, Moore,
Philip Ford, and many others. They were engaged in organising a
mercantile company, to which was given the name of the "Free Society of
Traders" in Pennsylvania. William Penn, the governor of the new colony,
was addressing them.
"I have secured, friends, a number of persons skilful in the manufacture
of wool, who have agreed to go forth to our new colony from the valley
of Stroud. From the banks of the Rhine, also, many persons conversant
with the best modes of cultivating the vine have promised to emigrate."
"We need not fear, then, for the success of our holy enterprise,"
observed Philip Ford; "and I am ready to embark all my worldly
possessions. I have already sent out my beloved son Jonas, a youth of
fair promise, and what thing more precious could I stake on the success
of our undertaking."
William Penn having made all his arrangements with the new company,
giving them very great facilities, returned to London. Here he made
preparation for his own departure. It was grievous to him to leave his
children and his beloved wife. He hoped, however, in a short time to
come back and return with them to the land of his adoption. There was a
great stir in the Quaker world, for not only farmers and artisans, but
many persons of wealth and education were preparing to take part in the
enterprise.
Among the first ships which sailed after the departure of the _Amity_,
and those which have before been spoken of, was one, the _Concord_, on
board which William Mead and his family, with several friends, set sail
for the New World. William Penn saw his old friend off, his prayers
going with him, and hoping himself to follow in a short time.
In the autumn of the year 1683, a large vessel might have been seen
floating on the waters of the Thames. She was the _Welcome_.
Surrounding her were a number of boats which had brought off passengers,
while her decks were loaded with bales and packages of every possible
description, which the crew were engaged in stowing below. On the deck,
also, had been built up sheds for horses and pens for sheep, as also for
goats to afford milk, and pigs and poultry in large quantities for
provision. Already nearly a hundred persons were collected on board,
besides the crew. The signal was given, and the _Welcome_ got under
weigh to proceed down the Thames. Once more she brought up in the
Downs, off Deal. The 1st of September broke bright and clear. Her
flags were flying out gaily to the breeze, her white canvas hung to the
yards, when a large boat, followed by several smaller ones, came off
from the shore, and the young and energetic preacher of the gospel, the
governor of a vast province, the originator of the grandest scheme of
colonisation ever yet formed, ascended the side of the _Welcome_ which
was to bear him to the shores of the New World. Prayers ascended from
the deck of the proud ship as her anchor was once more lifted, and she
proceeded on her voyage to the west. All seemed fair and smiling, and
all that forethought and care could arrange had been provided for the
passengers. Few who saw William Penn at that moment would have
supposed, however, that he was a man of indomitable energy and courage.
Downcast and sad, he gazed on the shores of the land he was leaving,
which, notwithstanding his general philanthropy, contained those he
loved best on earth, where all his tender affections were centred. The
Isle of Wight was soon passed. The Land's End faded in the distance,
and the stout ship stood across the Atlantic. William Penn soon
recovered his energy and spirits, and the captain promised a speedy and
prosperous voyage. The governor was walking the deck, talking earnestly
with his friend Pearson, a man of large mind and generous heart, when
the captain came to them.
"I fear, friends," he said, "that one of our passengers is not long for
this world. She has been unwell since she came on board at Deal. Her
lips are blue, and dark marks cover her countenance."
The governor and his friend instantly went below; a young girl of some
twelve years old lay on her bed in one of the close cabins.
"I fear me much it is the small-pox," said Pearson. "Yet it would be
well if we could avoid alarming the other passengers."
The news, however, soon spread, and, alas! so did the disease. Before
the next day closed in, the young girl had breathed her last, and her
body was committed to the sea. By that time signs of the fearful
disorder had appeared on four other persons. The governor, Pearson, and
others went about the ship, urging the passengers to air and fumigate
their cabins, beseeching them also not to lose courage, and fearlessly
visiting those who were already attacked. The sun rose, and ere it sunk
again into the ocean, death had claimed two other victims. All this
time no sign of alarm was perceptible on the countenance of the
governor. He set a noble example to his companions, as, indeed, did his
friend Pearson. Perseveringly they went about at all hours of the night
and day, attending to the sick, speaking words of comfort to them, and
pointing to a Saviour who died to save them; and urging them to put
their trust in Him, so that they might not fear, even should they be
summoned from the world. It was a time to try all. Some who had
appeared weak and nervous before, now exhibited courage and confidence
in God's protecting mercy; while others, who had seemed bold and
fearless, trembled lest they should be overtaken by the fell disease.
Young and old, however, were attacked alike. Day after day one of their
number was summoned away, and before the shores of America appeared in
sight, thirty-one had fallen victims to the disease. With the change of
climate its virulence appeared to cease, and when the _Welcome_ sailed
up the Delaware, all were convalescent who had escaped its ravages.
The tall ship came to an anchor before Newcastle, and numbers of boats
came on to welcome the passengers. Loud shouts arose from the shore
when it was known that the long-looked-for governor had arrived. He had
lived too long in the world not to be well aware of the importance of
appearing to advantage among strangers. He, accompanied by Pearson and
the principal friends who had been companions in his voyage, landed in
the ship's barge, with flags flying and all the party dressed in their
best. He himself appeared in a plain though becoming costume, being
distinguished among his companions by his tall and graceful figure, and
the blue silk scarf which he wore across his shoulders. It was on the
27th of October, a day memorable in the annals of the colony. As he
stepped on shore, old and young of his motley colonists, habited in the
costumes of their different nations, crowded forth from their quaint old
Dutch and Flemish houses to the shore to meet him. Swedes and Germans--
the original settlers--Dutchmen with pipe in mouth, a scattering,
albeit, of Scotch everywhere to be found, and English and Welsh in
greater numbers. As the party leaving the stately ship reached the
land, the crowd on shore opened, and two persons, remarkable for their
appearance, with numerous attendants, advanced to the landing-place.
One was Colonel Markham, known by his soldier-like bearing, and the
handsome uniform of the British army which he still wore. Near him was
Wenlock Christison, and Jonas Ford also, who took care to appear among
the first in the group. On the other side, a tall figure, his war
plumes waving in the breeze, his dress richly ornamented with feathers,
his countenance marked with paints of various hue appeared. He was
Taminent, the chief of the country, accompanied by a number of his
followers of the tribe of Leni-Lenape. With earnest words of
congratulation the governor was welcomed to the land of his adoption by
the chief, while Colonel Markham briefly described how far he had
carried out his employer's wishes. He had selected a site for the
governor's residence, on the Delaware, a few miles below the Falls of
Fenton, having purchased the land from the chiefs, who claimed it as
their own. He had also laid out the grounds and commenced the building,
to which he had given the name of Pennsbury. Then turning to the chief,
he said:
"And our brother will bear witness that happily no dispute has taken
place between the white men and the natives, while not a drop of blood
of either has been shed."
"And while Taminent and his descendants live they will pray the Great
Spirit to watch over the white men who have come to their land, and to
guard them from all harm," said the chief, taking the governor's hand.