Charters Quotes
Some of the Patriots of Early America realized that the oppressions of British rule were coming from Parliament and initially took the position that only the King could make laws for the colonies and not Parliament. Therefore, they were as Englishmen challenging illegal English laws. Most American hostility was directed at Parliament and not the King. However, once there was any physical resistance, King George came down with such a heavy hand that American hatred transferred to him. For related quotes on the King/Parliament issue, see {639145}, {639144}, {639143}, {639141}, {639140}, & {639137}
Each of the original American colonies was established with a different charter and had different structures. Pennsylvania was unlike the other colonies not chartered to a company or some other structure but was given completely to William Penn as his personal property. So there was never a Royal Governor appointed by the King or a Company for Pennsylvania. Technically Penn was the "True and Absolute Proprietor" where all of Pennsylvania was treated the same as a person's personal estate in England. William Penn was a very tolerant Quaker with strong democratic, and egalitarian beliefs. He established his estate with a legislature that had the power of taxation and the making of civil laws, defense and development. He was one of the great figures in the history of America. Philadelphia was the largest city in the colonies and the center of American science and culture. However, Penn's son, Thomas Penn was everything his father despised. He was aristocratic, arrogant, power seeking, vain and greedy. However, he had inherited Pennsylvania and was the proprietor. He saw the Pennsylvania Legislature and Franklin, one of its leaders, as the people who were running his private property. So Thomas Penn at this meeting took the legal position that his father did not have the authority to establish a legislature that had power; it could only advise the proprietor. See {583431} for Thomas Penn's statement that produced this reply.
Each of the original American colonies was established with a different charter and had different structures. Pennsylvania was unlike the other colonies not chartered to a company or some other structure but was given completely to William Penn as his personal property. So there was never a Royal Governor appointed by the King or a Company for Pennsylvania. Technically Penn was the "True and Absolute Proprietor" where all of Pennsylvania was treated the same as a person's personal estate in England. William Penn was a very tolerant Quaker with strong democratic, and egalitarian beliefs. He established his estate with a legislature that had the power of taxation and the making of civil laws, defense and development. He was one of the great figures in the history of America. Philadelphia was the largest city in the colonies and the center of American science and culture. However, Penn's son, Thomas Penn was everything his father despised. He was aristocratic, arrogant, power seeking, vain and greedy. However, he had inherited Pennsylvania and was the proprietor. He saw the Pennsylvania Legislature and Franklin, one of its leaders, as the people who were running his private property. So Thomas Penn at this meeting took the legal position that his father did not have the authority to establish a legislature that had power; it could only advise the proprietor. See {583432} for Franklin's reply.
These words are inscribed on the West Front of the state's Capitol in Providence
