orderly and unprecedented way of meeting, cannot but entirely disallow and Disowne their so clandestine meeting to be a councill, for should such a proceeding be in ye Least countenanced, the consequence thereof would unavoidably introduce a Rupture & confusion in ye present frame of Govermt, for by the Same Reason that any six members privately Mett wth out notice had from or given to any of ye Rest, may Represent a Governe & councill in this place, by the Same Methods two other Six Members Elsewhere may represent two Gover'es and councills more at ye same time in this Govermt which is an absurdity not to be tolerated, And further This councill being under an obligation of asserting the Gover'es power and Authority Lodged in a Regular Provincial councill, and for the undeceving of many well minded psons who otherwise may be abused by their late sitting. Stand unanimously by This Instrument in Writeing Declared this to be our sense and Judgment. That all Entrees Orders and Commissions made and given forth by ye aforenamed Six Members at ye Councill Rooms upon ye twenty first Inst. are hereby Deemed Null and of no force, whereof all Magistrates, Officers, & other persons concerned in the Govermt are to take notice accordingly. Given at Philadelphia, 26 of ye 9th mo., 1690. "THOS. LLOYD, president."

ORIGINAL PETITION OF CAPT. WM. MARKHAM, CAPT. COCK, SWAN SWANSON AND OTHERS TO THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, TO BE ALLOWED TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST THE FRENCH, THEN THREATENING TO INVADE PENNSYLVANIA, 1699.

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The Original Petition of some of the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania to the Provincial Council, asking the privilege of expelling the French, by force of arms, should they invade the Province. Signed by Wm. Markham, L. W. Cock, Swan Swanson, John Holme and Andrew Bingston, 22d, 2d mo., 1699. With the Original Manuscript Answer of Council under the same date granting their petition under certain conditions. 3 pp., folio.

An exceedingly interesting document, showing the grave concern of the early settlers of the Province, of the threatened invasion of the Province by the French, then at war with Great Britain. We quote Capt. Markham's petition: SEE FACSIMILE OF MARKHAM'S PETITION.

To the Honoble The Prov'l Council Now Depty Gover. of The Province of Pennsilvania.

"The Humble Petition of Some of The Inhabitants Willing and Ready to bear Arms for ye Service and Defence of This Govermt.

"Sheweth,

"That whereas as There is a warr between The Crownes of England and France and That our Enemys the French have barbarously Murdered Many of his Maj'ts Subjects very near ye confines of this Province (which hath Struck no small Terrour in us and Our Families) and may Happen to Attack us when wee least Think of it, We Humbly pray That

you Our Gover's will be pleased forth with to Settle the Country in such a posture that wee may be Able by force of Armes to Defend it against any assault of our Enemys and as in duty bound shall pray, &c.

MEMORIAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE LOWER COUNTIES TO THE PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA, 1691.

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THE ORIGINAL MEMORIAL of the Council of the Lower Counties annexed unto the Province of Pennsylvania, to the Council of Pennsylvania, asking the privilege of choosing their own officers. Dated Philadelphia, 1st, 2d mo., 1691. In the autograph of Wm. Clark, and signed by Wm. Clark, John Cann, John Brinckloe, John Hill, Richard Hallowell, Albertus Jacobs, and Geo. Martin. At the end is the postscript in the handwriting of one of the Council of Pennsylvania, "at ye Councill Room, P. M., 1, 2 mo., 1691. This learned ptest, containing severall indecent and condemnable expressions, with many inconsistencies to ye Powers of ye Charter & ye Govern's Commissions of Councill, is entirely disowned by this Board as being of ill consequence and Tendency." 2 pp., folio.

COMPLAINT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA TO COUNCIL, OBJECTING TO ENCROACHMENT ON THEIR RIGHTS BY THAT BODY.

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THE ORIGINAL ADDRESS of the Assembly of Pennsylvania to the Provincial Council, complaining of their rights being encroached upon by that body. Dated Philadelphia, 1st, 4th mo., 1693, writtenand signed by David Lloyd, also signed Samuel Richardson, James Fox, Jos. Simcocke, Jno. Swift, Samuel Preston, Samuel Carpenter, Jno. White, George Maris, and

GOV. FLETCHER'S LETTER NOTIFYING THOS. LLOYD OF HIS APPOINTMENT AS GOVERNOR OF PENNSLYVANIA, AND OF THE DATE WHEN HE EXPECTED TO TAKE HOLD THE REINS OF GOVERNMENT.

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FLETCHER, BENJ., Colonial Governor of New York and Pennsylvania. Letter, signed. 4to. New York, April 19, 1693. To the Hon. Thos. Lloyd, Esq., Deputy Governor of Penna. With Address.

"Haveing Received their Majesties Commission under their great seal for the Government of Pensilvania, and being Required to make a speedy Repair to that Province, I think fitt to Aquaint you that I purpose to begin my Journey from home on Monday the 24th instant.

"And desire the Councell and Principle Freeholders may have Notice that their Majesties Commands may be Communicated to them soe soon as I Arive which I hope may be the 29th.”

SEE FACSIMILE.

CONTEMPORARY COPY of the Proclamation of Gov. Francis Nicholson, of the Province of Maryland; in reference to the illegal trading by Pennsylvania in Maryland, and the enticing of Marines away from that Province. Dated Aug. 6, 1693.

GOV. MARKHAM'S WARRANT TO THE LOWER COUNTIES IN DELAWARE FOR ELECTING MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY, 1695.

4I

THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT WARRANT issued and Signed by Governor Wm. Markham of Pennsylvania, for the Election of Members of Assembly for the Lower Counties in Delaware. Dated 1695. With the seal of the Province.

To this interesting document is appended the attestation of the Sheriff, A. Meston, dated April 15, 1695, that the provisions of the Warrnt had been fully carried out, and that the election was held at the plantation of Richard Bassnet on Dover River, and that John Brinckloe, Richard Willson and John Curtis were elected to serve in Provincial Councill. That Wm. Rodney, Thos. Bedwell, John Bradshaw, Robert Edmonds, Robert Hudson and James Clayton were elected to serve as members of Assembly.

GOVERNOR BELLEMONT'S

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LETTER TO CAPT. KIDD,

THE FREEBOOTER, 1699.

A CONTEMPORARY COPY of Earl Bellemont's (Governor of New