Newburyport, the place where George Whit- government is very agreeable and satisfactory field departed this life a little before. He was to us. We earnestly desire that thy adminis a man in great estimation with many for his tration may be to the honour of God, acceptaunwearied labours and services, both in Eng-ble to the king, and a blessing to the province land and America, as well as in divers other places, and his removal occasioned much lamentation and sorrow amongst his followers, which he justly merited.

over which thou presidest, afford peace and satisfaction to thyself, and in the end tend to promote thy immortal happiness. We hope to be always ready and willing to contribute. to the support of government, in every respect consistent with our religious principles; and where any of us are or may be restricted thereby within thy jurisdiction, we entreat thy assistance and protection. With sincere love to thee, we conclude, and remain thy assured friends. Signed in and on behalf of our said Yearly Meeting, by

Fifth-day rode to Boston, it was their Monthly Meeting, which was heavy and dull, much unsettled by frequent going out and coming in; some few of the town's people came in, but I had not liberty to open my mouth amongst them by way of testimony. An ancient Friend at Casco, James Winslow, told me, his father would often be telling him of the execution and sufferings of our dear Friends at Boston; that his father was at that time apprenticed in that town, and saw them all hanged. I saw the place near to where they suffered, which is now pretty much hid by buildings. I have also to remark, what before I have read and also been informed, that whereas before our friends were put to death in this place, the ground used to produce very good crops of wheat, even very near to the town; but ever since that time there has not been any of account. Benjamin Bagnall, an ancient and honourable Friend at Boston, at whose house I lodged, told me that one of his neighbours related to him, that three years before, he had a pleasing prospect of a very good crop of wheat, but when it came into the ear it mildewed and came to little or nothing.extend." I also made my observation, while on my religious travels in those parts in the seventh month, 1771, that there was no wheat growing within twenty miles of the town of Boston.

At their last Yearly Meeting, held at Newport on Rhode Island, for New England, a proposition was made to address the governor, who was then lately entered into office, which after weighty consideration was agreed to, and

is as follows:

TO THOMAS HUTCHINSON, Governor-in-chief in and over the Province of the Massachusetts bay, in New England. The Address of the people called Quakers, at their General or Yearly Meeting for worship, and transacting the affairs of our Society, held on Rhode Island for New England, by adjournments from the 13th to the 17th day of the sixth month, 1771, inclusive.

May it please the Governor,

ISAAC LAWTON, Clerk.

THE GOVERNOR'S ANSWER. "I desire it may be made known to the Friends within the several governments of New England, that I have a very grateful sense of the regard and esteem which they have expressed in this kind address. It is the more obliging because a great proportion of the members present at their General Yearly Meeting do not live within my own govern ment. I shall always delight in confirming and cultivating the orderly benevolent disposition of the Friends among the several societies of that denomination, and among all other Christian societies, as far as my influence may

Very different now, to what it was in the days when Governor Endicott presided over this province! Then the sheep of Christ and bruised, scoffed and denied, whipped and banlambs of the true Shepherd were beaten and ished and martyred for the testimony of Jesus, and for maintaining a conscience void of of fence towards God and towards men. Let thanksgiving and praise be given to the great and holy One, who hath subdued our enemies and given us the victory! May we not now, in a time of ease and liberty, live carelessly and indifferently towards Him, but in deep reverence and fear worship him, our great Deliverer, who powerfully wrought in the king's heart to the setting at liberty those sons and children of the morning!

Boston, 8th of Eighth month, 1771. My dear wife and affectionate children,

As divers of us have had an opportunity I am thankful I am now making my reof observing thy conduct in the various public turn back again toward Philadelphia, though stations in government which thou hast hith- many hundred miles from it, and not with less erto sustained, and it appearing to us that thou peace than in my journey southerly. Here made justice and equity the rule of thy ac-are many in profession with us, who I am tions; thy being appointed to the chief seat of afraid are contenting themselves too much

therewith only, which makes it very trying to the true and faithful labourers; yet good is the Lord to all those that are putting their trust and confidence in him; he feedeth such at times in green pastures and leadeth them by the still waters, and so we witness preservation from day to day, out of the reach of the archers.

New England] came the 18th of eighth month to our dear, aged and honourable friend Peter Davis's, of whom I have already made mention. Third-day had a meeting at Westerly, which was long in gathering, but after some time of solid waiting, Truth favoured, and I believe it was a good meeting. This night we lodged at Thomas Wilbur's: our friend Peter Davis was at this time with us, also Amy Thurston and Mary Rodman, two valuable women Friends from Newport. Fourth-day had a meeting at Hopkinton, which was large both of our own and other societies, but long and tedious in gathering. Suitable advice was given, and I hope with a proper degree of authority, and the latter end was better than the beginning. This seems to finish my visit to New England, wherein I have laboured faithfully according to the abili ty and strength afforded me, and much more

The letters I receive from my dear wife are comfortable and edifying; I long for more of them. My heart is renewedly thankful at this time to Him, who is the Father and Fountain from whence have proceeded all my blessings, that raised thee up for me and my dear children; and for thy faithfulness, I trust He will reward thee far beyond what is in my power to do. Dear son and daughter, write to me again, I entreat you! your epistles to me have been as sweet and precious ointment, and have had a tendency to tender many hearts both young and old. I thank the Lord for his pre- to my own satisfaction than in the southern cious visitation to you, desiring he may make part of this continent. This country, called your way prosperous, that in his hand you New England, is more cleared, and thickly may be made instrumental to turn many from inhabited than Maryland, Virginia, or the Cardarkness to light, and from satan's power toolinas; the chief produce is Indian corn, some the power of God. And may He preserve you oats and rye, but very little wheat. through the various dispensations of his providence to his praise, and to the comfort and peace of your own souls. I exhort you, therefore, to love one another as brethren, and endeavour to be helpful one unto another, both in things that appertain to this life, as also to that which is to come; and this I recommend with great earnestness, if I am never to see you any more, and so remember it.

The weather is hot and sultry, and somewhat hard to bear; I have sometimes been out of order, with feverish complaints, &c., but my trust is in Him who is the Physician of body and soul. I will trust in Him still, who has hitherto preserved me, and delivered my soul from trouble. I am just now returned to Boston, and much overcome with heat; many

have within this week fallen down dead; the heat of the weather causing great drought and some imprudently drink largely of cold water, and to divers it has proved almost im

mediate death.

CHAPTER XI.

WE reached New York on the 6th of ninth

month, and were at both their meetings the first-day following; our friend Samuel Nottingham, a ministering Friend well known in that capacity both in England and America, was there; the service in the morning fell on me, and on him in the afternoon, and I hope to some edification. Second-day we passed into Jersey, attended by Samuel Bowne. At Mount Holly lodged at a widow woman's, who difference; and both being present and dewith another Friend of that town was at some be opened, and themselves again reconciled sirous that the cause of the difference might one to another, left the affair for my companion Joshua Thompson and myself to judge thereon and determine, according to the best of our understanding. This we did, in that Friends were present as witnesses; we experiwisdom which was given us, and two other

The first opportunity I intend to write to my dear brother, who is often in my thoughts; my love to him, and all our nearest and next kin-enced the Truth to cover our minds, and the pardred, relations and friends everywhere, from, my dear, thy affectionate husband, and dear children, your affectionate father,

JOSEPH OXLEY.

We came from Boston to Lancaster, Leicester, Uxbridge and Brickhouse, where we had a large meeting and silent, but I hope profitable to such as waited not for words, but on the Word Himself! [Passing on through

ties were brought to acquiesce in our judgment, and were thoroughly reconciled to each other, for which our hearts were made thankful. Fourth-day rode to Philadelphia, where I received many letters from Old England. This same evening also, came into the city my dear companion, Samuel Neale; we were much pleased to see each other, and the next day, with divers other Friends went to Haddonfield Quarterly Meeting; it was large and to pretty

good satisfaction. On seventh-day following, Cooper, in whose family we had a comfortable the 21st of ninth month, began the Yearly meeting: he has some promising children, inMeeting of ministers and elders for Pennsyl-clined to sobriety and virtue; such I think are vania and the Jerseys, held at Philadelphia, an honour to parents, and also such parents which we attended throughout. At this meet-an honour to children. Fourth-day, rode to a ing were presented certificates on behalf of meeting at Upper Greenwich which was much our friends Sarah Morris of Philadelphia, crowded. I was led to speak of the variety of an able minister of the Gospel, and Eliza- dispensations that were allotted to the righte beth Smith of Burlington, an excellent min- ous for their purification: it was an open ister, and who for many years past have had good meeting, and the name of the Lord was it on their minds to pay a religious visit praised for it, who is worthy of all praise. to Friends in Old England; and produced First-day, the 13th, was at Salem meeting, certificates from their Monthly and Quarter- which was very large, both of our own and ly Meetings for the Yearly Meeting's approba- other societies. I had to speak of the univer tion. After many weighty sittings and solid sality of the love of God to all people of every deliberation, the meeting having a near sym- profession everywhere, and to exhort those pathy with them in their religious concern, who were more immediately called into relirecommended them to the Lord for protection gious services to be faithful therein: the meetand to the guidance of his Holy Spirit, and ing ended in prayer and praising the Lord. granted them certificates to proceed as their Next day to Lower Alloways creek, and after way might more fully open to their satisfac- meeting went home with James Daniel, an tion. These, and the preceding meetings for able minister of the Gospel, who visited some worship and discipline, continued till late on part of Europe in the year 1752 in a religious the fifth-day following, and were very large, capacity, which was to his own peace and the many weighty matters were brought before satisfaction of Friends: had a meeting in his them, and spoken to according to Gospel order. family, which was mercifully owned to the reIt may be said that the meetings both for wor- freshing of our souls. He accompanied us ship and discipline were to the glory of God, the next day to Lower Greenwich meeting: the praise of his great name, and to the com- after dinner divers Friends coming in, we had fort and edification of his church and people. a short but profitable sitting, and some bread Great is his power and goodness, and worthy was cast upon the waters, which I believe to be had in everlasting remembrance, even will remain after many days. First-day, the for ever and ever! 20th, had a meeting at Middle Egg-harbour, which was low and small, but the Lord was with his ministers, helping them to divide the word rightly, blessed be his name for it!

Second-day went to Abington Monthly Meeting; the meeting for discipline not satisfactory many having gone out in marriage, contrary to the good order established amongst Seventh-day, the 26th, began their Yearly us; some recent instances appearing at this Meeting at Shrewsbury: amongst others who time, brought sorrowful exercise upon well attended were Robert Valentine from Pennconcerned Friends. Many also showed them-sylvania, Mark Reeve from West Jersey, selves very disorderly in going frequently out Isaac Andrews from Haddonfield, Richard of meeting during the time of worship, and Titus from Long Island, Sarah Morris, Benvery much so in time of transacting the ser- jamin Swett and wife, and some others. In vice of the discipline, which was painful to the meetings on first-day I was silent: the bear. Fourth-day was at Byberry; lodged at meeting for worship on second-day previous James Thornton's, who came from Old Eng- to that for business was very large, and though land some years since and settled in this it gathered very badly, yet afterward it settled country he is a worthy minister and elder. into solemn and profitable waiting, and it was Sixth-day rode to Philadelphia, where I re- a glorious good meeting, the Lord got himself ceived a melancholy letter from my dear bro- the victory, and it ended in supplication and ther John Oxley, giving me an account of his thanksgiving to him for all his mercies and being attacked with a paralytic stroke, and benefits. The discipline of the church was though he was getting better, I was much carried on in the spirit of love and condescenconcerned and affected with the news, lest an- sion; sundry necessary remarks were made other attack of the same kind should soon fol- and advices given for counsel and instruction, low, and be of still worse consequence. Third- and were well received, all tending to edificaday, in company with Samuel Emlen, senior tion. These meetings being over, went with and junior, went to Woodbury and had a many other Friends to Richard Lawrence's, meeting there; it was a time of laborious ex- who was formerly a member of parliament, ercise, but I hope not without some advantage. but he became convinced of the Truth and Went home with our friend and elder David took up the cross, so that he had not freedom

to continue his seat in that house; he, as also his wife, are steady valuable Friends, and he himself waited on his guests at table, as one being redeemed from all worldly pomps and honours.

Shrewsbury, 7th of Tenth month, 1771.

My dearly-beloved wife,

which was large, but gathered in so much disorder as to make it quite burdensome; and as it met so dishonourably, the Great Master would not condescend to honour as at other times. I faithfully spake what was given me, which I believe will be long had in remembrance. Second-day was at their Monthly Meeting at Buckingham, which I think was the largest I have yet seen in Pennsylvania: Thy kind and affectionate epistle of 23d Grace Fisher, a ministering Friend from Philof seventh month, I have received with the adelphia, also Susanna Lightfoot were there, usual marks of the loving and faithful wife; and we were much pleased to see each other. and in return please to accept these lines from The meeting for worship was to good satisfacthy dear and affectionate husband, though tion, but that for discipline not so, many of separated so long and at so great a distance. other societies crowding themselves in, on acThis I think nothing temporal should have count of seeing some young couples present occasioned, but He on whose account it is, is their intentions of marriage, which when over still worthy to be served and obeyed; and here they generally withdraw, and many of our young Friends I trust we consider ourselves as being married go out after them, to the great in the Lord, and so he is become our husband disturbance of the meeting, and it is to be and head. It is our incumbent duty to be feared many times it has a hurtful tendency subject to him however nearly we are united to our young people. Much was said in order as husband and wife, yet his commandment is to put a stop to this unbecoming and disagreeabove all to rule us and to be attended to; and able custom, which is painful to many Friends, in this matter, I trust, we are of one heart and and it is to be hoped the advice that was given one mind, and are one another's in the Lord. would have a happy effect. Third-day went I am through Divine favour in good health to Wright's Town Monthly Meeting, after and spirits, and at times made strong to de- which went to our friend Joseph White's, an clare the goodness of the Lord, and to invite able minister of the Gospel, well known by to him, whose ways are ways of pleasantness many in Old England for his acceptable serand whose paths are peace; and sometimes Ivice there. Sixth-day, had a meeting at Borhave a hope that my labour is not altogether in vain in the Lord, though my all be only as the two mites.

dentown, in the afternoon visited Joanna Sykes, who had buried her husband but a few days before, who was in the ninetieth year of his age, and his widow almost eighty-eight; they had lived together in a married state sixtyseven years, and both of them acceptable ministers of the Gospel. I felt some good in my heart, whilst sitting in retirement, of which I communicated, and we were comforted to

This letter, and indeed all that I have received from thee, are proofs not only of thy integrity as a loving wife and an affectionate mother, but also as valiant and bold in the cause of Israel's God: if it should please Him for whose cause we are separated, to bring us together again, I trust it will be a joyful meet-gether thereby. About this time, there came ing. I have now travelled over great part of the continent, so far as even to think, at least if health is preserved and nothing unforeseen finish what remains with the prevent, I may year; but if it should be so, there is great probability that the frost and other impediments may prevent, that I shall not say more at present on that head, nor draw hasty con

clusions.

I am now at Shrewsbury attending this Yearly Meeting, at which there are many Friends of higher degree, but none so little and mean as I am. We have been favoured this day with a large and good meeting, Truth rose into dominion, and the Lord's great name became glorious, his own arm wrought salvation: the meeting ended in prayer and praising him, who is worthy for ever!

Seventh-day, 2nd of tenth month, had a meeting at Hardwich or the Great Meadows,

down out of the wilderness into Pennsylvania many bears, which did considerable damage; we heard that a child was killed by one of them, and a man and woman much hurt by another. The coming down of bears so near Philadelphia has not been known for many years past. Seventh-day, had a meeting at a place called Robins; this meeting and meeting-house was fallen much into de

cay; scarcely any Friends left to uphold the meeting with any degree of reputation; yet it was to us a time of Divine favour, and strength was given to speak well of the name of the Lord, whose presence is near, and able to preserve those who put their trust in him. We afterwards set forward for Philadelphia; and ferrying over Rancocas and Delware rivers to the city, was made thankful in that I witnessed the protection of the Lord to preserve my body in health, and my mind from sinking into un

profitable lowness: blessed be his name for ever and ever!

day had a meeting at Center, to which many were gathered, wherein was preached the tesThe soil of the Jerseys towards the east is timony of Truth in a good degree of heavenly very barren, but abounds with cedar-swamps life and power; thanksgiving and praise be and pine-trees, much made use of for building. given to Him who gives strength and power The timber in the northern part, which is to do it. Fifth-day attended a very large mountainous, is oak of various kinds, some of meeting at Wilmington: the chief part of the which are three, four, five and six feet over; inhabitants of this town, which is a very imblack walnut, commonly called in Old Eng-proving one, are under our denomination. In land Virginia walnut, much used by joiners this meeting I gave way to fear, and disfor desks, drawers, tables, coffins, &c.; pop-couragement prevailing, I let go that faith lar, hickory, chesnut, ash, beech, sassafras, which before I had known to be my support, with swamp bushes of various kinds, as the and without which we are not able to please bay, magnolia, white and black alder, sumach God. At this place live Elizabeth Shipley of divers kinds; one of which, called the and Esther White, both eminent in the minisswamp sumach, is of so poisonous a nature try, particularly the former: they visited that even handling it will so poison a person's Friends in Great Britain, &c. in company, in flesh as to blind them. Peaches they have the year 1745, to great satisfaction: they are in great abundance, also quinces, pompions, now far advanced in years. I visited them to squashes, melons, &c. Their horses in a com- my spiritual comfort and refreshment. mon way are not handsome, but travel much First-day, the 1st of twelfth month, attended easier and are much more hardy than ours in a meeting at Marshey creek, where were some England. Of wild beasts there are bears, of the people called Nicholites and also of other wolves, panthers and deer, which decrease as professions. After taking some refreshment the inhabitants increase: also foxes, raccoons, at William Edmundson's, at whose house we otters, musk-rats, opossums, &c. On the had lodged the night before, we bent our course sea-coast and bay are numerous quantities of toward Little Choptank. The wind blew very flies and mosquitoes, which extremely annoy hard, and we had to pass over a bad and danboth man and beast by their biting and in-gerous causeway about half a mile long; it jecting a poisonous quality, which is painful

to bear.

was with great difficulty we got our horses through without being mired: at the end of Fourth-day, 13th of eleventh month, was this causeway was a ferry over Choptank held a meeting for the Negroes; the service river. When we came to the river-side, we that day fell on Sarah Morris, Samuel Emlen, were all afraid; the ferrymen said, the wind and John Pemberton; there were few at this was so boisterous, it was not possible for us to meeting but Negroes, they generally sat so- get over but with the greatest danger. We berly, and conducted themselves well; these overtook three Negroes who were also going meetings for the benefit of the poor Africans over; one of them said he had been used to are held quarterly. Fifth-day, left the city in that sort of work, and he did not fear but that company with John Pemberton. My late com- we should get over very well. For my own panion Joshua Thompson returned home, hav- part, I was very much discouraged, and exing travelled with me upwards of two thou-ceedingly loath to come away from our friend sand miles, whose company was very agreeable William Edmundson's house; but my companand useful, he being an elder worthy of double ion was very much for it, so, in condescension honour. We passed over the river Schuylkill to him I complied and set forward. We all to Derby, where there was a marriage of a son of us got into the boat, being nine in number of William Horne, a ministering Friend well besides three horses. The wind being exceedknown in England for his services there in the ing strong, it was with great difficulty we year 1762. Sarah Morris was at this meeting; could put off from the shore, which at length and it was an opportunity of Divine favour we did, and soon got driven far beyond the to many, which our souls were made thank- usual place of landing; the wind being ahead fully to acknowledge. The same evening to of us, we could make very little way across Springfield, and lodged at Mordecai Yarnall's, the river, and it increasing, blew the water an excellent minister of the Gospel, who visited out of the river like rain; also at the same Old England in the year 1757, and whose ser- time it froze very severely, so that we became vices are remembered by many. Seventh-day quite benumbed with cold. The men rowed to Providence, then to Chester, and lodged at with all their might, and sometimes got a little Joshua Hoskins's, who was husband to Jane forward, at other times lost what they had Hoskins, an able and well approved minister, gained, and night coming on, there was very who visited Europe in company with Elizabeth little better prospect than our being cast upon Hudson in the years 1749 and 1750. Third- a wide swampy marsh, where was no landing,