CHAPTER XIX.

SPEECHES & MESSAGES BETWEEN SIR Wm KEITH AND THE ASSEMBLIES IN THE YEARS 1718 AND 1719. HE ESTABLISHES A COURT OF CHANCERY— HIS PROCLAMATION FOR THAT PURPOSE.

At the annual Election in Pennsylvania in October 1718, a new assembly being returned, they chose Jonathan Dickenson Speakert on whom the Governor bestow'd his approbation in the following liberal terms.

'Mr. Speaker,

"The modesty and candor of your deportment for many years, in public business has at this time in the two most eminent Stations " justly determined the choice both of the city and country in general, and this flourishing city in particular, upon you, Sir.

"And from this begining I promise myself that by your prudent example they will at last be persuaded heartily to unite in all such matters as plainly tend to the honor & advantage of this province.

Gentlemen, I know it is usual with you to adjourn yourselves for a short time at this season; so that I shall not trouble you further now, but refer such matters as I have to lay before you until you can more conveniently meet to sit upon Business.

The news having arrived of the long expected Death of the Proprietary, Keith, at the sessions in the winter, open'd the matter to the assembly as follows:

"Mr. Speaker, & Gentlemen of the Assembly,

"The melancholly news of the proprietary's Death would have obliged me to have called you immediately together, had it not been the unanimous opinion of the Council, that

The same who suffer'd shipwreck in the Gulph of Florida.

" He was Chief Justice of the Province as well as Speaker of the Assembly.

my continuing the Administration of the Government, in all its parts, was not only warranted but also directed by an act of Assembly which had received the royal sanction.

"Nevertheless when you have considerd the minute of the Council which I have orderd to be now laid before you I shall likewise be glad to have the sentiments of your House upon that resolution wherein I think it will be convenient that we all agree.

"Gentlemen, If it be granted, as I think it must, that a governor is a necessary agent to be continually employ'd in providing for the protection, safety, and ease of all the people in the government, it will then follow that such a service in this populous place cannot be duly performed without a considerable charge, and the whole expence of ones time, even with diligent application. And since you are the proper judges how far I have done my duty in these particulars, I take leave to put you in mind that the supplies that have been granted by former assemblies for the particular support of my family, are now actually exhausted, and the time for which they were supposed to be given, is expired ever since the month of October last.

"I shall conclude with recommending a friendly temper, and unanimity in all your proceedings, and whatsoever else occurs to me of Business shall be communicated to you by way of message."

The assembly made the following short reply.

"May it please the Governor:

This House is deeply touched with the sorrowful news of the death of our late Proprietary and Governor in Chief, and we are very apprehensive of the loss this province may sustain thereby; but the measures which the governor and council took upon that emergency in continuing the administration of the government as the act of assembly directs, is so agreeable to our sentiments, that we can do

no less than express our great satisfaction therewith, and unanimously return our hearty and grateful acknowledgments of the governors care and concern for the well-fare of this colony manifested in that instance as well as in the general course of his proceedings in government

"We have not fully examined the state of the public accounts, so as to reduce the funds to a certainty, therefore we cannot as yet be particular in answer to the latter part of the Governors speech, but crave leave to assure the governor that we have a due sense of our duty in respect to the support of his Administration, and hope to acquit ourselves accordingly.

On the 19th of December, the Governor sent the following message:

Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly,

"In answer to your message of yesterday, you will find upon the journal of the last assembly dated the 19th day of September that I sent them a copy of the minute of Council, relating to the Agency, which is all that I yet know of that matter, & hereby I send you the Honourable Mrs Penns original letter to me, giving an account of the Proprietary's Death &c.

"But that you may still be more fully convinced that I keep no reserve with you, neither have I any interest in view, which can be separated from yours, I likewise send you, the copies of two letters of complaint, which had been deliverd to the lords of trade against the proceedings of former assemblies in this province: with Mr. Joshua Gee's defence, & my answer to him on that subject; because I understand it is surmized in the country as if I had already received powers of Government from Great Britain since

the Proprietarys Death; I think it proper to assure you that there is not any ground for that report; and so soon as any such powers shall come to my hands, either from the crown, the late Proprietarys family, or the mortgages, you may depend on it, that the assembly shall be forthwith acquainted therewith.

"The full approbation of my conduct which you were pleased to express in your affectionate address of yesterday gives me a great deal of satisfaction; and it will always be a pleasure to me effectually to serve and promote the interest, and prosperity of the people of this province whom you represent.

"C WILLIAM KEITH.

1719. William Trent being chosen Speaker by the new Assembly returned at the Election, in October 1719, the Governor then address'd them the following terms.

'Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the assembly

"I must reflect on every occasion I have had to meet the assembly of this province with great satisfaction, and the present opportunity cannot possibly leave a less agreeable remembrance since I have the pleasure to present you with the royal assent to, and perpetual confirmation of a law which gives you the full enjoyment of English Liberties, and therefore must doubtless be forever valued by yourselves and your Posterity as an inestimable freedom and birth-right; I mean the act which I pass'd in May 1718 for the Advancement of justice, and more certain administration thereof.

This success has been chiefly owing to the perfect harmony and good correspondence that has hitherto subsisted between me and the representatives of the people, a circumstance which secures our peace and puts us above the reach of faction, for so long as your friends in this government con

tinue to be mine, my enemies must unavoidably expect to be treated as yours, and while so guarded, what have we to fear? Gentlemen, knowing that it is not an usual season of the year for a long session, I would not overcharge you with business; only I must in one point take leave to recommend to you the imitation of an English House of Commons, by voting at first the sums which you shall judge necessary to support the charge of government for the current year, and then with conveniency proceeding to the ways and means for raising that supply. This method not only gives life and credit to the administration, but will be of great use to me, both in the management of the public, and my own private affairs, which equally depend upon your conduct & good will."

The assemblys address:

May it please the Governor,

"The satisfaction the Governor is pleased to express on his meeting the several assembly's of this Province is very agreeable to this House: And as his care on all occasions hath hitherto been an evident proof of his affection to the inhabitants thereof, and his extraordinary diligence in so speedily getting the royal approbation to the law intituled An act for the advancement of Justice, and more certain Administration thereof, is a further instance of his great care and regard to the peace and tranquility of this province which lays the inhabitants thereof, under lasting obligations, and will we presume continue an agreeable harmony between the governor and the people of this province, as well as defeat the endeavors of such who may justly be esteem'd enemies to him and our constitution.

"The circumstances of this country, the state of the public funds and our present inclination to an adjournment consider'd we crave leave to proceed no further at present than to assure the governor that being deeply sensible of the