French claret and rum; after these exchanges and passing marks of respect, we parted. Some days before this, we saw two or three whales, which afresh struck me with awful wonder of that great Power by which they were created. I now looked on myself as having turned my back on Europe, and weaned from that part of the world, and found an increasing attraction to dear America, for whose inhabitants my soul breathes peace; and the Lord has commanded it to be preached to all nations, in which service I am given up according to my small measure, living in faith that he who was formerly all in all to those who went on the like good cause, will in mer cy vouchsafe to preserve my mind, and give proportionable strength to every service he may be pleased to call unto. Our cabin passengers were many, chiefly on board, a steady well-behaved man, and military officers, who carried themselves very others professing the Lutheran religion, they respectfully towards me, which I esteemed no also had their meetings, and ofttimes would atsmall favour. Third-day we made very little tend ours. There were, at the fore part of our way, had a calm sea, and a calm mind, except | passage, many disorders amongst us; but by some concern I was under about having meet- good management they were brought under ings on first and fifth-days, and consulted with proper decorum, and considering we were so the captain, J. A., and T. B., who were pro- large a company, differing so widely in our fessors and approved the same. It fell to the several professions and callings, the time captain to propose it to the company, by way passed away more agreeably than I first exof requesting a favour for me and my friends pected. Eighth month 21st, about half-seas to hold meetings, and to have the privilege of over, met with a sail, which we spoke; she the cabin at such times unmolested; this was was a French ship from Martinico, for Borpretty cordially complied with on first-days, deaux, laden with sugars, &c. Some of our which I thought a favour, and gaining a great passengers went on board her, and presented point, as many of them were topping men and them with a pig, of which we had many, topping spirits, and giving up the cabin for a Cheshire cheese, two or three dozen of such services was depriving those of the use ale and porter, and in return they sent us of it who did not choose to meet with us. We were in number, cabin and steerage passengers, twenty-six; and we found it necessary to form ourselves into an assembly, and meet from time to time, as occasion required. We accordingly made rules, and established orders amongst ourselves for future regulation; and one of the first concerns which came before us, was the due observance of the first-day of the week, concerning which the assembly came to this result, namely, That the first-day of every week shall be set apart, as far as is consistent with the exigencies of our present situation, for the performance of religious worship; and whereas men differ in their opinions as to the modes of religious worship, that every one may enjoy liberty of conscience, and have an opportunity of performing his religious service according to the mode and opinion of the particular church or people of which he or she is a member, the state cabin shall be cleared of all encumbrances whatsoever by ten o'clock in the forenoon of every first-day of the week, commonly called sunday, for the conveniency of the people called Quakers, and such others as shall choose to assemble As thou desired I would write a few lines with them for about the space of two hours; in thy book, I have freedom to insert the judg and further, that on every fifth-day, from the ment of the apostle respecting religion, who hours of eleven to one, be set apart for reli- says, "In Christ Jesus circumcision availeth gions worship. We continued our meetings nothing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creaon first and fifth-days without any material ture; and as many as walk after this rule, inconvenience, except sometimes the weather peace be on them and mercy, and upon the being very boisterous so as to prevent. There Israel of God." Let us preach this Gospel were six who made profession with us, but se- with power, to the end that our hearers may veral others of the passengers attended our believe, and walk by the same rule, and mind meetings, and behaved orderly and well. I the same thing. I am much pleased with endeavoured to walk before them prudently thine and our friends' company, Frederick and conduct myself wisely, avoiding as much Augustus and Henry Muhlenberg, brothers as possible giving any just occasion of offence, and professors with thee in religion; and am and in so doing I gained their esteem and re-thankful in my measure that the Lord has spect, and the advice I had to give, whether been pleased to be with us in our little gatherpublic or private, was generally well received. ings on the wide ocean. May his everlasting There was also a German Lutheran preacher arm of Divine strength surround you, and Johann Christopher Kunze, the German preacher, had repeatedly requested that I would write something in his book, and after deliberately considering thereon, I had freedom to write as follows: Esteemed friend, protect and bless you in every good word and work, is the fervent prayer of thy affectionate friend, JOSEPH OXLEY. fortable sittings. My companion, S. Neale, not being yet arrived, I went a little out into the country, and on third-day, the 2nd of tenth month, had a meeting at Frankford. The On the 20th of ninth month we made sound-Israel Pemberton, sent up his coach to carry morning was very rainy, and my kind friend ings, supposed to be abreast Block Island, the next day we saw Long Island, and the day following we came up to New York, in good health, just eight weeks from London. Besides having one of the best vessels to come over in, we had also one of the kindest captains, whose endeavours were to oblige to the utmost of his abilities. When I landed at New York, there were many Friends waiting to receive me: my mind was made humbly thankful to the Lord, for his mercy in preserving me every way in the course of this passage; may I never be forgetful of him. On first-day I was at both their meetings, which were pretty large, and mercifully favoured with the ownings of divine love. New York river is as broad as the river Thames, very pleasant, on one side is Long Island, and on the other side rising hills, forming a beautiful landscape. The city itself is large and has many stately buildings, decorations, &c., a considerable place of merchandize, and very improving. Second-day set forward for Philadelphia, accompanied by my kind friend Samuel Bowne. We crossed Hudson's river, about a mile and a half over, to Powles Hook, so to Newark, Elizabethtown, and Rahway, at which place we lodged at Joseph Shotwell's, who with his wife were gone to the Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia. Third-day to Philadelphia, which is ninety miles from New York. I was received in much kindness and affection by my much esteemed friend John Pemberton, at whose house I quartered, being one whom I had seen in Old England with our dear friend John Churchman, who made us a very acceptable visit in a religious capacity. It was now the time of the sitting of their Yearly Meeting for Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, which was a very large and solemn gathering, such as I had not seen before, so consistent in appearance of dress, and uniformity throughout, agreeably to our holy profession, as greatly affected my mind; and my tongue was loosened to speak of the love I was made comfortably to partake of in this the latter part of their feast, which they acknowledged had been throughout to mutual comfort and edification. The meeting continued two days after my coming, and concluded in solemn prayer and thanksgiving and praise to Him who opens wide his hand and had filled with his blessing, who is ever worthy! I staid some few days in the city, visiting Friends in their families, by whom I was kindly received, and amongst whom I had some com to accept of it, for example sake. Samuel me to the said meeting, but I had not freedom Emlen and John Pemberton attended me: the meeting was small but comfortable; after the daughter of that eminent worthy Thomas meeting dined at Abel James's, whose wife is Chalkley; she is a reputable Friend, and has a family of promising children: returned the same evening to the city. JOSEPH OXLEY TO JOHN OXLEY. Philadelphia, 8th of Tenth month, 1770. Dear and well-beloved brother, I wrote my dear wife at my landing at New York, on the 30th ult., or thereabout, and from thence passing to Philadelphia, partook of the closing sittings of their Yearly Meeting, which was much to my satisfaction, edification and comfort. The meetings were very large, more so than any I have seen in England, both for worship and discipline; the affairs of the church carried on in much brotherly love and condescension, a very great deal of becoming plainness and honest simplicity being coupled together in the fear of God, united me much nearer to them than I expected: their meetings for discipline not less. lively than those for worship. I had the pleasure of seeing many worthies whom I had formerly seen in Old England, which was not a little pleasing in many respects: Esther White, John Churchman, William Brown, Mordecai Yarnall, Elizabeth Hudson, (now Morris,) Joseph White, William Horne, George Mason, Thomas Goodwin, and others. I have been to all their meetings in the city, and a few in the country, am setting forward tomorrow to take about two weeks meetings in this province of Pennsylvania, and then go off southerly to Carolina, which it is supposed will take up six months. Samuel Neale is not yet arrived; I am attended by my worthy landlord John Pemberton, whose kindness is manifest in many respects, and to such a degree as I know not how to express: Samuel Emlen is also in our company. Last fourthday I was at a meeting at Frankford, after which went to the house formerly dear Thomas Chalkley's, whose daughter, the wife of Abel James now in London, is of good report, and entertained us in a kind and affectionate manner. The next day had a meeting at Germantown, and dined at John Hunt's; his wife as well as himself kind and loving. My last gave information of a religious visit by our friends Sarah Morris and Elizabeth Smith. I suppose they will scarcely embark till spring. Robert Willis also goes over on the same account, in this vessel, Captain Falkner. She is a new vessel, on her first voyage, and I think not inferior to Captain Winn's. I have not heard him in testimony, so cannot speak to that. William Hunt, another Friend in the ministry, intends to pay you a visit, I think, from Carolina; I have not seen him, but understand he will embark shortly. I am, through the favour of kind Providence, in good health and spirits, my hope and confidence in the Lord, who sustaineth all those that put their trust in him. Friends here are diligent to advise against and admonish all such as appear inclinable to enter into associations or combinations, not agreeable to our peaceable principles. I hope this climate will agree with my constitution. It is a fine open, clear air, and rivers and springs, hills and dales, woods and groves, wherein are all manner of fine forest-trees, from the lowest shrub to the tallest cedar, and fruit Samuel Neale, whom I much longed to see; and set forward in company with John Pemberton and Samuel Emlen, in order to meet him on the road, which we did about seventeen miles from the city. When we met, we got out of our carriages, and saluted each other in much affection; we then got into one carriage and came to town together, being much comforted, for the love of God was with us. I tarried in town the following first-day, was favoured to have two good open meetings, where Truth was witnessed in a good degree to be in dominion: the evening meeting, which is constantly held every first-day, was exceedingly large, and to a good degree of satisfaction. JOSEPH OXLEY TO HIS DAUGHTER, AND Reading, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, 19th of Tenth month, 1770. My dear Kate, It has rather been for want of a suitable swered thy very acceptable letter of the 26th opportunity than desire, that I have not an trees of almost every kind; on the highways and hedges grow apricots and peaches, vines, walnuts, locust-trees, with much more abun-of seventh month; the remembrance of which dance than in England. If my dear wife is at this time and at this great distance is very yet in the land of the living, let her know, comfortable to my mind. I am, through Alafter first giving my dear love to her in the mighty goodness, a partaker of good health, most affectionate manner, that her Joseph is but how long so great a blessing may be conyet alive, in health of body and peace of mind, tinued is uncertain. I therefore embrace this preaching and recommending repentance and opportunity once more to recommend thee to amendment of life, with a profitable reward, that God who I trust is thy father's God, and even an everlasting inheritance unto all such in whom as we abide we shall do well, and as are concerned thus to love and fear God. the more we put our trust in him the greater My duty to my endeared and honourable fa- strength will be administered to resist our enether. My dear brother, father, and friend, to mies who assault us variously, even if possible whom I have committed all I have, may the to slay the pure witness of God which is reAlmighty be pleased to bless thine and mine vealed and made manifest in the heart. My in all spiritual and temporal blessings, and dear child, above all things love the Lord and enable us so to walk in all humble thankful- his Truth, fear to offend him, serve and obey ness, in reverence and in fear, that our chil- him in every of his requirings, so wilt thou dren may be his children, and our God their wax valiant in fight, and the name of the Lord God. Remember me in thy nearest approaches, will be precious in thee. I have at times to that my faith fail not; when thou writest, ad- rehearse and set forth both in meeting and out vise and exhort me as best wisdom directs. of meeting, of the blessings wherewith I am In that love which changeth not, I affection-blessed-the beloved wife and mother, faithately salute thee, and remain thy loving bro-ful in the cause of righteousness, whose pious ther, JOSEPH OXLEY. [After another little tour of one hundred and sixty-two miles into Chester county, he remarks.] The country in general is woody, except plantations which were in part cleared. Fifth-day was at the week-day meeting at Market street, which was silent. Sixth-day had intelligence of a vessel being arrived in the river from Cork, on board of which was regard is to instruct and lead by the hand thy dear father's children, and I know thou art near to her, and her life almost wrapped up in thy life; and I know thy love to her is not a little. May your love more and more increase in all spiritual blessings, and make you together fruitful in righteousness, becoming the servants of God, having your fruit unto holiness and your end everlasting life,-so saith my soul! I seem to have a great field of concern be bly though short; he is very desirous of my accompanying him, and I have nothing to object to it at present, so I think we shall jog off together; he landed in very good health after a passage of eight weeks. My dear and sweet companion and partner of my life, and fellow-labourer in the holy exercise of Gospel travail, I feel myself so given fore me, and I am willing to discharge myself honestly and faithfully, as I may answer it be fore the Lord; in like manner do thou, whether in little or greater matters, and remember, that the Lord will recompense thee for every good word and work. Thou art brought into sweet remembrance, sleeping and waking, in meeting and out of meeting, and at times of the most awful approaches, for the blessing of preser-up in the service, that the world and business vation and perseverance in the way of the Lord, and above all things that his will may be done in thee, whose name is glorious, and whose goodness and mercy endure for ever and ever. Make my dear love acceptable to all near and dear relations, friends and ac-I probably may not write again for some quaintance, as if named, to thy sister when thou writest, also to the poor doctor, to whom fail not writing, and let them know I am well and have my trust in Him that faileth not. Philadelphia, 20th of tenth month. Yesterday morning intelligence was brought me of a vessel being arrived, from Cork, at Newcastle, about forty miles from hence, on board of which was my dear friend, Samuel Neale. Samuel Emlen and myself in a chaise, John Pemberton and Thomas Fisher on horseback, went out to meet him, and met with him about seventeen miles from this place, which was very pleasing to us both: I hope our travelling together or separate, will be under the government of best wisdom. I hope thou wilt write to me as opportunity offers, and write freely the feelings of thy mind in religious experience, which may qualify me in making some return to further advantage. So with my very dear love to all, I remain most affectionately thy loving father, JOSEPH OXLEY. My dearest companion and loving wife, scarce enters into thought. Remember me most endearedly to all my nearest kindred, from the dear wife to the least child, and from the affectionate brother to the distant cousin, and from the bishop to the least in that order. time: give me up freely, my dear, in every work, and wherever the Lord requires, that there may not be a returning without a proper discharge from Him who hath set his servant to work, that if ever we meet again it may be in joy and not in sorrow. My companion, and John Pemberton and wife, who are very kind to me, desire their love to thee. From thy loving husband, JOSEPH OXLEY. The evening before, we had the company of several Indians, about twenty, who, with many others, were come to the city to hold a treaty with the governor on some particular occasion, and at the same time were disposed to pay their respects to Friends, which is not uncommon for them to do; and many Friends met them at the house of our friend John Pemberton, whose brother James had collect ed some presents of sundry kinds for them, which he delivered, after making or reading the following declaration : "Brethren, we heard with love what you said to us the other day, and it has reached Though I have written divers times of our hearts. We have great love and good late to thyself, my brother, and others, yet will to our brethren the Indians, and often having a spare side, I thought I could not do think of the love and friendship which was less than ask my dear wife how she does spir- maintained between our grandfathers and their itually, and if she is careful to preserve the grandfathers, and desire the same love and outward weak and tender fabric, of which I friendship may be continued between us and hope I shall hear in due course. Thou seest them, and our children and their children. I have written largely to my dear Kitty of my We are always glad when we hear that our outward and spiritual travels. I continue in brethren the Indians in the woods are well, heart and mind given up to the Divine will, and that they live in peace, and are very sorry in life or death, as it shall best please him; when we hear any differences happen between outward travels hitherto have been in woods, them and the white people. When Onas, our wilderness, and forest, where the meetings first proprietor, came into this country over for the most part have been large, com- the great waters, the Indians received him and fortable, and to edification, many mothers our grandfathers very kindly. It often reaches with their infants attending :-the zeal of the our hearts, when we think of this. Onas and mothers I thought sufficiently compensated for our grandfathers loved the Great Spirit above, the cries of the babes. Yesterday being the who taught them to live in love and peace first of the week, I staid in town with my with the Indians, and if we take care to love companion, he appeared in all the meetings, and fear the same Great Spirit, He will keep morning, afternoon and evening, very accepta- us and our brothers the Indians in love and friendship one with another. Brothers, we are not men concerned in the management of the affairs of government, and therefore cannot do much to serve the Indians on that account. But when any of them are sent down on business to the governor we are glad to see them, and shall be willing to do them any kindness we can. We hope what you have said to the governor will reach his heart, and that he will do everything he can to keep up peace between his people and all the Indians, which will make us very glad. "Brothers, we should be glad that your young men, when they come down to this city, would be advised by their old men, and not drink rum. There are too many bad people here, who may quarrel with the Indians at those times, and we are always sorry when we see our brothers the Indians get drunk, it makes us ashamed. Brothers, we have got a few small things which we give you as a token of our love, and we wish you a safe journey home, and desire our love to our brothers the Indians in the country." I observed our friend James Pemberton in the course of his reading over the declaration, that at the opening or finishing of a paragraph, he generally presented a belt or string of wampum, and in return the Indians gave the Yohah. The Yo-hah denotes approbation. The Indians were serious and attentive, and after hearing what was said to them by Friends, and a silent pause among them, a Delaware, the principal of them, expressed their satisfaction, that they would think upon what had been said, and keep it in their hearts, and inform their brethren the Indians, when they returned, of the good disposition and kindness of their brethren, the white people; and he would use his endeavours to promote love between their brethren the English and the Indians, and did not doubt that his relating the kind treatment he had met with would reach their hearts. That though he could not rule his young people, who would do as they pleased, yet he would use his endeavours to prevail with them to keep sober and behave well. He thankfully accepted the token of love manifested in the presents given him, and smoked a pipe of tobacco, expressive of unity and concord, and left the city in a good disposition. would be best, it appeared to us to be our concern to continue together for the present. [John Pemberton soon after this date thus writes to Mary Oxley:] "I received a letter lately from thy husband, in which he says, that he and his companion are favoured to meet with the ownings of our heavenly Fa ther's love both in public assemblies and in families, much to their comfort and satisfaction. I went to two meetings with them, and set them on their way about fifty miles, and they appeared to me likely to be agreeable to each other both in and out of meetings, much more so, than I was apprehensive of, knowing the diffidence and rather backwardness of thy beloved spouse. They spent a short time in this city very agreeably, being much united to the spirits of many here." CHAPTER IX. ON third-day, the 30th of tenth month, we set forward on our journey southerly, many Friends accompanying us out of the city. Crossed the Susquehanna river, a mile over, and had a large meeting at Warrington, but very much disturbed with little children, and the many dogs which the people brought, as well as a frequent going in and out of meeting, both young men and young women; a practice very unbecoming places of religious worship, and which evidently bespeaks their great want of spiritual concern and exercise, to preserve them from such unseemly and unbecom ing behaviour. This is very customary in many places on this continent, and people frequently leave their seats and come to the fires; in this place there were two, which oc casioned the meeting to be greatly interrupted, to the sorrow and grief of the right-minded. After meeting went to see a sick Friend, with whom we had seasonable service. In coming from thence somewhat late, and the evening dark, we lost ourselves in the woods, but after some time got safe to our quarters. From thence went to Huntingdon; the meeting was small, but in kindness our good Master manifested his love to the refreshment of our souls. The next day at Monallen, the meeting was greatly enlarged by the coming in of other Fifth-day, the 25th, in company with Samuel professors: the universality of the love of God Emlen, went to Haddonfield, about six miles was freely declared in the demonstration of over the river Delaware, a middling large the Spirit and power, to the comfort of many. meeting, and tolerably well. Returned the Passing through Pennsylvania into Marysame evening to town, and attended the meet-land, we came to Pipe creek, where we had a ings in course, and visited many families to small but very good meeting; and continuing good content. My companion as well as my- our route southerly we entered Virginia by self found our minds closely united one to the Fairfax. We passed over Shanandoah river other in Gospel fellowship; and though some up to the Blue mountains, which abound thought, if we parted for the service sake, it with pines and fir-trees; also many tulip-trees, |