My friends—There is one 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, and not to do harm and mischief one to another. Now this great God
hath been pleased to make me concerned in your parts of the world, and the king
of the country where I live hath given unto me a great province, but I desire
to enjoy it with your love and consent, that we may always live together as
neighbours and friends, else what would the great God say to us, who hath made
us not to devour and destroy one another, but live soberly and kindly together
in the world? Now I would have you well observe, that I am very sensible of the
unkindness and injustice that hath been too much exercised towards you by the people
of these parts of the world, who sought themselves, and to make great
advantages by you, rather than be examples of justice and goodness unto you,
which I hear hath been matter of trouble to you, and caused great grudgings and
animosities, sometimes to the shedding of blood, which hath made the great God
angry; but I am not such a man, as is well known in my own country; I have
great love and regard towards you, and I desire to win and gain your love and
friendship, by a kind, just, and peaceable life, and the people I send are of
the same mind, and shall in all things behave themselves accordingly; and if in
any thing any shall offend you or your people, you shall have a full and speedy
satisfaction for the same, by an equal number of just men on both sides, that
by no means you may have just occasion of being offended against them. I shall
shortly come to you myself, at what time we may more largely and freely confer
and discourse of these matters. In the mean time, I have sent my commissioners
to treat with you about land, and a firm league of peace. Let me desire you to
be kind to them and the people, and receive these presents and tokens which I
have sent to you, as a testimony of my good will to you, and my resolution to
live justly, peaceably, and friendly with you.
I am your loving friend,
WILLIAM PENN
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