My dear Father,
This comes by the hand of one who can best allay the trouble it brings. As true as ever Paul said
it, such as live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. So, for no other reason, am I at
present a sufferer. Yesterday I was taken by a band of soldiers, with one Captain Meade, and in
the evening carried before the Mayor; he proceeded against me according to the ancient law; he
told me I should have my hat pulled off, for all I was Admiral Penn's son. I told him I desired to
be in common with others, and sought no refuge from the common usage. I discoursed with him
about the hat; but he avoided it. Because I did not readily answer him as to my name, William,
when he asked me in order to a mittimus, he bid his clerk write one for Bridewell, and there
would he see me whipped himself, for all I was Penn's son that starved the seamen. Indeed these
words grieved me, and they manifested his great malice to the whole company, about one hundred
people. I told him I could very well bear his severe expressions concerning myself, but was sorry
to hear him speak those abuses of my father that was not present; at which the assembly seemed
to murmur. In short, he committed, that person and me as rioters; and at present we are at the
sign of the Black Dog in Newgate market.
And now, dear father, be not displeased nor grieved. What if this be designed of the Lord for an
exercise of our patience? Several Independents were taken from Sir J. Dethick's, and Baptists
elsewhere. It is the effect of commotion in the spirits of some, which the Lord will rebuke, and I
doubt not that I may be at liberty in a day or two to see thee. I am very well, and have no trouble
upon my spirits besides my absence from thee at this juncture; otherwise I can say I was never
better, and what they have to charge me with is harmless.
Well, eternity, which is at the door (for He that shall come will come, and will not tarry)--that
shall make amends for all The Lord God everlasting consolate and support thee by His holy
power, and preserve thee to eternal rest and glory. Amen.
Thy faithful and obedient son,
William Penn
My duty to my mother.
For my dear father, Sir William Penn.
5th of 7th month, 1670.
Dear Father,
Because I cannot come, I write. These are to let thee know that this morning about seven we
were remanded to the sessions. The Jury, after two nights and two days being locked up, came
down and offered their former verdict; but that being refused as not positive, they explained
themselves by pronouncing the prisoners not guilty. Upon this the bench were amazed, and the
whole Court so satisfied they they made a kind of hymn. But that the Mayor, Recorder, and
Robinson might add to their malice, they fined us for not pulling off our hats, and have kept us
prisoners for the money -- an injurious trifle, which will blow over, as we shall bring it to the
Common Pleas, because it was against law, as not sessed by a Jury.
How great a dissatisfactions their actions have begot may reasonably be conjectured by the bare
mention of them. 1st. -- That the Jury was about six times rejected in their verdict; and besides
illegal menaces, were kept two days and two nights without bed, tobacco, provisions, etc. 2nd. --
That a session should be held on the first day of the week. 3rd. -- That the Jury, the only judges
by law, should be fined forty marks each for the verdict they brought in, and to be prisoners till
they have paid it. However, their verdict for us is accepted, because they dare not deny it.
This is the substance. The particular circumstances I shall personally relate, if the Lord will. I am
more concerned at thy distemper and the pains that attend it, than at my own mere imprisonment,
which works for the best.
I am, dear father,
Thy obedient son,
William Penn
Newgate, 6th, 7th mo., 1670.
Dear Father,
I desire thee not to be troubled at my present confinement; I could scarce suffer on a better
account, nor by a worse hand, and the will of God be done. It is more grievous and uneasy to me
that thee should be so heavily exercised, God Almighty knows, than any world confinement. I am
cleared by the Jury,and they are here in my place, and resolved to lie till they get out by law.
Every six hours they demand their freedom, by advice of counsel.
They (the Court) have so overshot themselves, that the generality of people much detest them. I
entreat thee not to purchase my liberty. They will repent them of their proceedings. I am now a
prisoners notoriously against law. I desire in fervent prayer the Lord God to strengthen and
support thee, and to anchor thy mind in thoughts of the immutable blessed state which is over all
perishing concerns.
I am, dear father,
Thy obedient son,
William Penn
Newgate, 7th September, 1670.
Dear Father,
I am truly grieved to hear of thy present illness.
If God in His holy will did see meet that I should be freed, I could heartily embrace it; yet,
considering I cannot be free but upon such terms as strengthen their arbitrary and base
proceedings, I rather choose to suffer any hardship, and I am persuaded some clearer way will
suddenly be found to obtain my liberty; which is no way so desirable to me as on the account of
being with thee.
I am not without hope that the Lord will sanctify the endeavours of thy physician unto a cure, and
then much of my solicitude will be at an end. My present restraint is so far from being humour,
that I would rather perish then release myself by an indirect course, or to satiate their revengeful,
avaricious appetites. The advantage of such freedom would fall very short of the trouble of
accepting it. Solace thy mind in the thoughts of better things, dear father. Let not this wicked
world disturb thy mind, and whatever shall come to pass, I hope in all conditions to approve
myself thy obedient son,
William Penn
1.