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William Penn - developing freedom in a new world

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William Penn, the visionary who preceded the founding fathers of America.

Where did American ideals of respect for individual liberty and religious freedom first gain legally binding expression? A fair guess would be from the quill pen of William Penn.

Having received land in America as payment of a debt by the British crown, William Penn named the land Sylvania. To anchor the title, King Charles renamed it Pennsylvania, or Penn's woods. In an unusual action William Penn then negotiated with the Delaware Indians and purchased the same land from them also.

Penn concentrated his efforts, not on growing wealth from his holdings, but on attracting persecuted peoples to Pennsylvania. Refugees were offered lives without interference and threat - a chance to build a new life.

"Children who are taught to live happily on a little owe more to their parents' wisdom than children who inherit a lot owe to their parents' care" - William Penn, from: Some Fruits Of Solitude

His actions reflected William Penn's commitment to a free society by offering opportunity for peace and happiness on personally held terms. The Frames of Government William Penn wrote for his lands established principles used to frame the United States Constitution.
 

Heralded for his reputation of dealing fairly with Indians, many of Penn's other actions are also worthy of note.

Among the liberating ideals championed by William Penn were Jury nullification, free and fair trial by jury, freedom of religion, and free elections.

In England Penn had been arrested several times for not belonging to the state church. One of those arrests was to have a large impact on English and eventually American law.

Arrested for speaking at a Quaker assembly, Penn was denied rights he had under law, by the Lord Mayor of London -- who was also his trial judge. The Judge simply demanded of the Jury they pronounce William Penn guilty. The Jury refused since no charges had been presented or proof of wrong doing.

The judge then threw Penn, and the jury, into jail for contempt of court. That action had the Jury join Penn in fighting out of control government; and won a surprising victory that helped shape future American jurisprudence.

Habeas corpus broadened as a fact of law -- allowing a release from jail for prisoners held contrary to the law. Of even greater power was jury nullification which allowed juries to strike down (nullify) unjust laws and thereby declare a defendant not guilty. Paths to protect from over reaching governments were emerging and growing.

"The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy."
John Jay, first U. S. Supreme Court Chief Justice

The influence of this idea can be seen in a quote from Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States of America.


"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."
Thomas Jefferson

Follow these useful links to discover more about William Penn


  • "I have had people request information about William Penn; but not want to hear about his Christian faith - that's impossible. William Penn would journey on foot through his woods, visit encountered Indian tribes, share his faith, and carried no weapons -- although he had once been skilled (he disarmed an assassin in a sword fight) in their use. His life was changed when he committed himself to Christ - to avoid such truth because we consider ourselves too sophisticated to recognize it is willful ignorance."
    Allan Wallace

    • William Penn was a complex man in a complex time.

    Today may be just as complex as we encounter another new world. Perhaps you are the right person to propel civilization beyond today's complexities.

    William Penn, America's First Great Champion for Liberty and Peace
    Almost everywhere else, colonists stole land from the Indians, but Penn traveled unarmed among the Indians and negotiated peaceful purchases. Penn even learned to speak the Indian languages to assist in his contacts.
    A celebration of Penn by his church
    Considering that Penn was a religious nonconformist and a leading advocate of democratic government, it's not surprising that he played a significant role in working for religious liberty. Not only did he provide a welcoming environment for religious dissenters in Pennsylvania, but he was an important player in the struggle for freedom of conscience in Britain.
    Wikipedia entry on William Penn
    Lots of information here, judge its accuracy by using other sources.
    Pensylvania charter by King Charles
    Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c To our Right Trusty and Welbeloved Chancellor Heneage Lord Finch our Chancellor of England greeting Wee will and comand you that under our Great Seale of England remaining in your Custody you cause our Letters to be made Forth patents in form following
    The Charter or Fundamental Laws
    THESE FOLLOWING CONCESSIONS ARE THE COMMON LAW, OR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
    Pennsbury Manor - The recreated country home of William Penn
    "William Penn's Holy Experiment" of Pennsylvania fulfilled his dream of a government based on religious freedom, ethnic diversity, and fairness for all people.
    the Penn Treaty Museum - a great resource
    In 1682, along the gentle banks of the Delaware River, under the shade of a great elm tree in an area then known as Shackamaxon, William Penn made a Treaty of Friendship with Native Americans. ...Native Americans have always honored the location of this peaceful event along the river, handing down the story of this historic occurrence in their traditional oral history, and have gathered at the park site on numerous occasions in the past 325 years.

    A chance to rise higher.

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    Newspaper's 200th anniversary celebration of signing ceremony for William Penn treaty with the Indians. 

    William Penn impacted the entire world.

    Philosophers and statesmen alike considered him a powerful force within their century


    All of the founding fathers deserve respect. Labeled traitors and set for the hangman's noose if the revolution had not happened or their conspiracy proved unsuccessful. They clung to their beliefs and pledged to support each other.

    William Penn faced many risks also. His father had warned him that associating with Quakers might get his head mounted on a pike as had happened to others. Some believe the King paid his debt to the Penn family with American land to peacefully rid himself of William Penn.

    Penn's dedication to fair play and freedom of religion were perhaps the result of seeing what happens when those are not respected. It was not freedom from religion, but freedom for religion and religious practices that were important.

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    William Penn surveys his lands from Philadelphia Pennsylvania's city hall. (photo by B. Krist) 

    William Penn was a Fascinating man of character, and you have just brushed the surface.

    Dig Deeper into William Penn or keep seeking an idea that drags you into a desire to learn more.


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    William Penn may have been at the start of something grand; but it is up to us to perpetuate it in this land.



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  • In September of 2009 the G20 committee of developed states met in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The reason for the G20 to select Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, according to a White House press release, is Pennsylvania's commitment to new and green technology. There was no mention in news releases they had reviewed, learned from, or respected any lessons of history.


    • "When governments intervene and regulate - they decrease the diversity of the economic ecosystem, resulting in a limiting of natural selection within commerce." - Allan R. Wallace



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