SECTION I. within the limits aforesaid, clear of all charges. And of "Know ye, therefore, that we, (favouring the petition and good purpose of the said William Penn, and having regard to the memory and merits of his late father, in divers services, and particularly to his conduct, courage and discretion, under our dearest brother James Duke of York, in that signal battle and victory, fought and obtained, against the Dutch fleet, commanded by the Heer Van Opdam, in the year 1665: In consideration thereof, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion) have given and granted, and, by this our present Charter, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, all that tract, or part, of land, in America, with the islands therein contained, as the same is bounded, on the east, by Delaware river, from twelve miles dis-sents, to him and his heirs, to his, and their deputies and tance northwards of New Castle town, unto the three and fortieth degree of northern latitude, if the said river doth extend so far northward, but if the said river shall not extend so far northward, then, by the said river, so far as it doth extend; and from the head of the said river, the eastern bounds are to be determined by a meridian line, to be drawn from the head of the said river, unto the said forty-third degree. The said land to extend westward five degrees in longitude, to be computed from the said eastern bounds; and the said lands to be bounded on the north by the beginning of the three and fortieth degree of northern latitude, and, on the south, by a circle, drawn at twelve miles distance from New Castle, northward and westward, unto the beginning of the fortieth degree of northern latitude; and then by a straight line westward to the limits of longitude above mentioned. SECTION II. "And, for as much as, we have hereby made and or dained the aforesaid William Penn, his heirs and assigns, the true and absolute proprietaries of all the lands and dominions aforesaid; Know ye, therefore, that we (reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity, wisdom, justice and provident circumspection of the said William Penn) for us, our heirs and successors, do grant free, full and absolute power, by virtue of these prelieutenants, for the good and happy government of the said country, to ordain, make and enact, and, under his and their seals, to publish any laws whatsoever, for the raising of money for public uses of the said province, or for any other end, appertaining either unto the public state, peace, or safety of the said country, or unto the private utility of particular persons, according unto their best discretion, by and with the advice, assent and approbation of the freemen of the said country, or the greater part of them, or of their delegates, or deputies, whom, for the enacting of the said laws, when and as often as need may require, we will that the said William Penn, and his heirs shall assemble, in such sort and form, as to him and them shall seem best, and the same laws duly to execute, unto and upon all people, within the said country and limits thereof. SECTION V. "And we do likewise give and grant unto the said William Penn, and to his heirs, and their deputies and lieutenants, full power and authority to appoint and establish any Judges and Justices, Magistrates, and other officers whatsoever, (for the probates of wills, and for the granting of administration within the precincts aforesaid, and with what power soever, and in such form, as to the said William Penn, or his heirs shall seem most convenient: also to remit, release, pardon and abolish (whether before judgment or after) all crime and offences whatsoever, committed within the said country, against the laws, (treason and wilful and malicious murder only excepted, and, in those cases, to grant reprieves, until our pleasure may be known therein) and to do all and every other thing and things, which unto the complete establishment of justice, unto courts and tribunals, forms of judicature, and manner of proceed "We do also give and grant unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, the free, and undisturbed use, and continuance in, and passage unto, and out of all and singular ports, harbours, bays, waters, rivers, isles and inlets, belonging unto, or leading to, and from, the country, or islands aforesaid, and all the soils, lands, fields, woods, underwoods, mountains, hills, fenns, isles, lakes, rivers, waters, rivulets, bays and inlets, situated, or being within, or belonging to, the limits, or bounds, aforesaid, together with the fishing of all sorts of fish, whales, sturgeon, and all royal, and other fishes, in the seas, bays, inlets, waters, or rivers, within the premises, and all the fish taken therein; and also all veins, mines, minerals and quarries, as well discovered as not discovered, of gold, silver, gemms, and precious stones, and all other whatsoever, be it stones, metals, or any other thing or matter whatsoever, found, or to be found, with-ings do belong, although, in these presents, express in the country, isles. or limits, aforesaid. SECTION III. mention be not made thereof; and by judges, by them delegated, to award process, hold pleas, and determine, in all the said courts and tribunals, all actions, suits and "And him, the said William Penn, his heirs and ascauses whatsoever, as well criminal as civil, personal, signs, we do by this our royal charter, for us, our heirs real and mixt; which laws, so as aforesaid, to be publishand successors, make, create and constitute the true and ed, our pleasure is, and so we enjoin, require and comabsolute proprietary of the country aforesaid, and all mand, shall be most absolute and available in law; and other the premises; saying always to us, our heirs and that all the liege people and subjects of us, our heirs successors, the faith and allegiance of the said William and successors, do observe and keep the same inviolaPenn, his heirs and assigns and of all other proprietaries, bly in those parts, so far as they concern them, under tenants and inhabitants, that are, or shall be, within the the pain therein expressed, or to be expressed. Proterritories and precincts aforesaid; and saving also unto vided nevertheless, That the same laws be consonant to us, our heirs and successors, the sovereignty of the afore- reason, and not repugnant, or contrary, but, (as near as said country; to have, hold, possess and enjoy the said conveniently may be) agreeable to the laws and statutes, tract of land, country, isles, inlets, and other the pre- and rights of this our kingdom of England; and saving mises, unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, and reserving to us, our heirs and successors, the reforever, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, ceiving, hearing and determining of the appeal and apkings of England, as of our castle of Windsor, in the peals of all, or any person, or persons, of, in or belong county of Berks, in free and common soccage, by fealtying to the territories aforesaid, or touching any judg only, for all services and not in capite, or by knight ser- ment to be there made, or given. vice: yielding and paying therefore to us, our heirs and successors, two beaver skins, to be delivered at our castle of Windsor, on the first day of January, in every year; and also the fifth part of all gold, and silver ore, which shall, from time to time, happen to be found SECTION VI. "And, for as much as, in the government of so great a country, sudden accidents do often happen, whereunto it will be necessary to apply remedy, before the 1828.] CHARTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. 295 present and future, of us, our heirs and successors, (excepting those, who shall be especially forbidden) to transport themselves and families unto the said country, with such convenient shipping, as, by the laws of this our kingdom of England, they ought to use, and with fitting provision; paying only the customs therefore due, and there to settle themselves, dwell and inhabit and plant, for the public, and their own private advantage. SECTION IX. freeholders of the said province, or their delegates, or deputies, can be assembled, to the making of laws; neither will it be convenient, that instantly upon every such occasion, so great a multitude should be called together; Therefore (for the better government of the said country) we will ordain, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do grant unto the said William Penn and his heirs, by themselves, or by their magistrates and officers, in that behalf, duly to be ordained, as aforesaid, to make and constitute fit and wholesome ordinances, from time to time, within the said country to be kept and observed, as well for the preservation of peace, as for the better government of the people there inhabiting; and publicly to notify the same to all persons, whom the same doth, or may any wise concern. Which ordinances our will and pleasure is shall be observed inviolably within the said province, under the pains therein to be expressed, so as the said ordinances be consonant to reason, and be not repug-soever of us, our heirs and successors, according to the nant nor contrary, but (so far as conveniently may be) agreeable with the laws of our kingdom of England, and so as the said ordinances be not extended, in any sort, to bind, change, or take away the right, or interest of any person, or persons, for, or in, their life, members, freehold, goods, or chattels. And our farther will and | pleasure is, That the laws for regulating and governing of property within the said province, as well for the descent and enjoyment of lands, as likewise for the enjoyment and succession of goods and chattels, and likewise as to felonies, shall be and continue the same, as they shall be for the time being by the general course of the law in our kingdom of England, until the said laws shall be altered by the said William Penn, his heirs or assigns, and by the freemen of the said province, their delegates, or deputies, or the greater part of them. SECTION VII. "And furthermore, that our subjects may be the rather encouraged to undertake this expedition, with ready and cheerful minds, Know ye, That we, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, do give and grant, by virtue of these presents, as well unto the said William Penn, and his heirs, as to all others, who shall from time to time, repair unto the said country, full licence to lade and freight, in any ports whatlaws made, or to be made, within our kingdom of England, and unto the said country, by them, their servants or assigns, to transport all and singular their goods, wares and merchandizes, as likewise all sorts of grain whatsoever, and all other things whatsoever, necessary for food, or clothing, not prohibited, by the laws and statutes of our kingdom and dominions, to be carried out of the said kingdom, without any let, or molestation of us, our heirs or successors, or of any of the officers of us, our heirs or successors; saving always to us, our heirs and successors, the legal impositions, customs, or other duties and payments for the said wares and merchandizes, by any law or statute, due, or to be due, to us, our heirs and successors. SECTION X. SECTION XI. "And we do further, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, free and absolute power, to divide the said *And to the end that the said William Penn, or his country and islands into towns, hundreds and counties, heirs, or other the planters, owners, or inhabitants of and to erect and incorporate towns into burroughs, and the said province may not, at any time hereafter (by burroughs into cities, and to make and constitute fairs misconstruction of the power aforesaid) through inad- and markets therein, with all other convenient privivertency, or design, depart from that faith and due al-leges and immunities, according to the merits of the inlegiance, which by the laws of this our realm of England, habitants, and the fitness of the places, and to do all, they and all our subjects, in our dominions and territo- and every other thing and things, touching the premises, ries, always owe to us, our heirs and successors, by co-which to him, or them, shall seem meet and requisite: lour of any extent, or largeness of powers hereby given, albeit they be such, as of their own nature might otheror pretended to be given, or by force or colour or any wise require a more special commandment and warrant, laws hereafter to be made, in the said province, by vir- than, in these presents, is expressed. tue of any such powers; Our farther will and pleasure is, that a transcript or duplicate, of all laws, which shall be so, as aforesaid, made and published within the said province, shall within five years after the making thereof, be transmitted and delivered to the Privy Council, for the time being, of us, our heirs and successors; And if any of the said laws, within the space of six months after that they shall be so transmitted and delivered, be declared by us, our heirs and successors, in our, or their Privy Council, inconsistent with the sovereignty, or lawful prerogative of us, our heirs or successors, or contrary to the faith and allegiance, due to the legal government of this realm, from the said William Penn, or his heirs, or of the planters and inhabitants of the said province, and that thereupon any of the said laws shall be adjudged and declared to be void by us, our heirs and successors, under our, or their privy seal, that then, and from thenceforth such laws, concerning which such judgment and declaration shall be made, shall become void; otherwise the said laws, so transmitted, shall remain and stand in full force, according to the true intent and meaning thereof. SECTION VIII. "Furthermore, that this new colony may the more happily increase by the multitude of people resorting thither; Therefore, wc, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant, by these presents, power, licence, and liberty unto all the licge people and subjects, both "We will also, and, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, we do give and grant licence, by this our charter, unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, and to all the inhabitants and dwellers in the province aforesaid, both present and to come, to import, or unlade, by themselves, or their servants, factors, or assigns, all merchandizes and goods whatsoever, that shall arise of the fruits and commodities of the said province, either by land or sea, into any of the ports of us, our heirs, or successors, in our kingdom of England, and not into any other country whatsoever: and we give him full power to dispose of the said goods, in the said ports; and, if need be, within one year next after the unlading of the same, to lade the said merchandize and goods again, into the same, or other ships, and to transport the same into any other countries, either of our own dominions, or foreign, according to law; provided always, that they pay such customs and impositions, subsidies and duties for the same, to us, our heirs and successors, as the rest of our subjects of our kingdom of England, for the time being, shall be bound to pay, and do observe the acts of navigation, and other laws, in that behalf made. SECTION XII. "And furthermore, of our ample and special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, grant unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, full and absolute power and authority, to make, erect and constitute, within the said province, and the isles and inlets aforesaid, such and so many seaports, harbours, creeks, havens, keys, and other places, for discharging and unlading of goods and merchandize, out of the ships, boats, and other vessels, and landing them unto such, and so many places, and with such rights, jurisdictions, liberties and privileges, unto the said ports belonging, as to him and them shall seem most expedient; and that all, and singular the ships, boats and other vessels, which shall come for merchandize and trade, into the said province, or out of the same, shall be laden, or unladen, only at such ports, as shall be created and constituted by the said William Penn, his heirs, or assigns, (any use, custom or thing to the contrary notwithstanding.) Provided, that the said William Penn and his heirs, and the Lieutenants and Governors, for the time being, shall admit and receive in and about all such havens, ports, creeks and keys, all officers and their deputies, who shall from time to time, be appointed for that purpose by the farmers, or commissioners of our customs for the time being. SECTION XIII. "And we do further appoint and ordain, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, we do grant unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, that he, the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, may, from time to time, for ever, have and enjoy the customs and subsidies, in the ports, harbours and other creeks, and places aforesaid, within the province aforesaid, payable, or due for merchandize and wares there to be laded and unladed, the said customs and subsidies to be reasonably assessed, upon any occasion, by themselves and the people there, as aforesaid to be assembled, to whom we give power by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, upon just cause, and due proportion, to assess and impose the same; saving unto us, our heirs and successors, such impositions and customs, as, by act of Parliament, are, and shall be appointed. SECTION XIV. "And it is our farther will and pleasure, that the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, shall from time to time, constitute and appoint an Attorney or agent, to reside in or near our city of London; who shall make known the place where he shall dwell, or may be found, unto the clerks of our privy council, for the time being, or one of them, and shall be ready to appear in any of our courts, at Westminster, to answer for any misdemeanor, that shall be committed, or by any wilful default, or neglect, permitted by the said William Penn, his heirs or assigns, against the laws of trade and navigation; and after it shall be ascertained, in any of our courts, what damages we, or our heirs, or successors, shall have sustained by such default, or neglect, the said William Penn, his heirs or assigns, shall pay the same within one year, after such taxation, and demand thereof from such attorney; or in case there shall be no such attorney by the space of one year, or such attorney shall not make payment of such damages, within the space of a year, and answer such other forfeitures and penalties, within the said time, as by acts of parliament, in England, are and shall be provided according to the true intent and meaning of these presents; then it shall be lawful for us, neither the said William Penn, nor his heirs, nor any other, the inhabitants of the said province, shall at any time hereafter, have or maintain, any correspondence with any other king, prince or state, or with any of their subjects, who shall then be in war against us, our heirs, and successors; nor shall the said William Penn, or his heirs or any other inhabitants of the said province, make war, or any act of hostility against any other king, prince or state, or any of their subjects, who shall then be in league or amity with us, our heirs and successors. SECTION XVI. "And because, in so remote a country, and situate near many barbarous nations, the incursions as well of the savages themselves, as of other enemies, pirates and robbers, may probably be feared; Therefore, we have given, and, for us, our heirs and successors, do give power, by these presents, to the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, by themselves, or their captains, or other their officers, to levy, muster and train all sorts of men, of what condition soever, or wheresoever born, in the said province of Pensilvania, for the time being, and to make war, and to pursue the enemies and robbers aforesaid, as well by sea as by land, even without the limits of the said province, and by God's assistance, to vanquish and take them, and being taken, to put them to death, by the laws of war, or to save them; at their pleasure, and to do all and every other thing, which unto the charge and office of a captain general of an army belongeth, or hath accustomed to belong, as fully and freely as any captain general of an army hath ever had the same. SECTION XVII. "And furthermore, of our special grace, and of our certain knowledge and mere motion, we have given and granted, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, full and absolute power, licence and authority, that he the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, from time to time hereafter for ever, at his or their own will and pleasure, may assign, alien, grant, demise, or enfeoff of the premises so many, and such parts and parcels to him, or them, that shall be willing to purchase the same, as they shall think fit; to have and to hold to them, the said person, or persons willing to take and purchase, their heirs and assigns, in fee simple, or fee tail, or for the term of life, lives, or years, to be held of the said William Penn, his heirs or assigns, as of the said seigniory of Windsor, by such services, customs or rents, as shall seem meet to the said William Penn, his heirs or assigns, and not immediately of us, our heirs or successors. SECTION XVIII. "And to the same person or persons, and to all and every of them, we do give and grant, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, licence, authority and power, that such person or persons, may take the premises, or any parcel thereof, of the aforesaid William Penn, his heirs or assigns, and the same to hold to themselves, their heirs and assigns, in what estate of inheritance soever, in fee simple, or in fee, tail, or otherwise, as to him the said William Penn, his heirs or assigns, shall deem expedient: the statute made in the parlia England, our predecessor (commonly called the statute, ment of Edward, the son of King Henry late King of our heirs and successors, to seize and resume the government of the said province or country, and the same Quia Emptores Terrarum," lately published in our to retain, until payment shall be made thereof: but not-kingdom of England,) in any wise notwithstanding. withstanding any such seizure, or resumption of the government, nothing concerning the propriety, or ownership, of any lands, tenements or other hereditaments, goods or chattels of any of the adventurers, planters or owners, other than the respective offenders there, shall any ways be affected or molested thereby. SECTION XIX. unto the said William Penn and his heirs, and likewise "And by these presents, we give and grant licence said William Penn, or his heirs, shall at any time hereto all, and every such person or persons, to whom the after, grant any estate or inheritance, as aforesaid, to erect any parcels of land, within the province aforesaid, "Provided always, and our will and pleasure is, that into manore, by and with the licence, to be first had and SECTION XV. obtained, for that purpose, under the hand and seal of the said William Penn, or his heirs; and in every of the said manors, to have and to hold a Court-Baron, with all things whatsoever, which to a Court-Baron do belong, and to have and to hold View of Frank Pledge, for the conservation of the peace, and the better government of those parts, by themselves, or their stewards, or by the lords for the time being, of the manors to be deputed, when they shall be erected, and, in the same, to use all things belonging to the View of Frank Pledge. And we do further grant licence and authority, That every such person or persons, who shall erect any such manor, or manors, as aforesaid, shall, or may, grant all, or any part of his said land to any person or person, in fee simple, or any other estate of inheritance to be held of the said manors respectively, so as no further tenure shall be created, but that upon all further, or other alienations thereafter to be made, the said lands so aliened shall be held of the same lord and his heirs, of whom the aliener did then before hold, and by the like rents and services, which were before due and accustomed. SECTION XX. And furthermore, our pleasure is, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, we do covenant and grant to and with the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, that we, our heirs and successors, shall at no time hereafter, set, or make, or cause to be set; or made, any imposition, custom, or other taxation, rate, or contribution whatsoever, in and upon the dwellers and inhabitants of the aforesaid province, for their lands, tenements, goods or chattels, within the said province, or in and upon any goods and merchandizes within the province, or to be laden, or unladen within the ports, or harbours of the said province, unless the same be with the consent of the Proprietary, or Chief Governor, or Assembly, or by act of parliament in England. SECTION XXI. "And our pleasure is, and, for us, our heirs and successors, we charge and command, that this our declaration shall be from henceforth, from time to time, be received and allowed, in all our courts, and before all the judges of us, our heirs and successors, for a suflicient lawful discharge, payment and acquittance; commanding all the officers and ministers of us, our heirs and successors, and enjoining them upon pain of our highest displeasure, that they do not presume, at any time, to attempt any thing to the contrary of the premises, or that do, in any sort, withstand the same; but that they be, at all times, aiding and assisting, as is fitting, to the said William Penn, and his heirs, and unto the inhabitants and merchants of the province aforesaid, their servants, ministers, factors and assigns, in the full use and fruition of the benefit of this our charter. SECTION XXII. "And our farther pleasure is, and we do hereby, for us, our heirs and successors, charge and require, That, if any of the inhabitants of the said province, to the number of twenty, shall, at any time hereafter, be desirous, and shall, by any writing, or by any person deputed by them, signify such their desire to the bishop of London, for the time being, that any preacher, or preachers, to be approved of by the said bishop, may be sent unto them, for their instruction; that then such preacher, or preachers, shall and may reside within the said province, without any denial, or molestation whatsoever. SECTION XXIII. "And if perchance hereafter any doubt or question should arise concerning the true sense and meaning of any word, clause, or sentence, contained in this our pre: sent charter, we will ordain and command, that at all times, and in all things, such interpretation be made thereof, and allowed, in any of our courts whatsoever, as shall be adjudged most advantageous and favourable unNo. 19. 207 to the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns: Provided always, no interpretation be admitted thereof, by which the allegiance due unto us, our heirs and successors, may suffer any prejudice or diminution; although express mention be not made, in these presents, of the true yearly value, or certainty of the premises, or any part thereof, or of other gifts and grants, made by us, and our progenitors, or predecessors, unto the said William Penn: Any statute, act, ordinance, provision, proclamation, or restraint, heretofore had, made, published, ordained, or provided, or any thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent: Witness Ourself, at Westminster, the fourth day of March, in the three and thirtieth year of our reign, Annoque Domini one thousand six hundred and eighty-one. My true love in the Lord salutes thee, and dear friends that love the Lord's precious truth in those parts.Thine I have, and for my business here, know that after many waitings, watchings, solicitings and disputes in council, this day my country was confirmed to me under the great seal of England, with large powers and privileges, by the name of Pennsylvania, a name the king would give it in honour of my father. chose New Wales, being as this, a pretty hilly country, but Penn being Welsh for a head, as Penmanmoire in Wales, and Penrith in Cumberland, and Penn in Buckinghamshire, the highest land in England, called this Pennsilvania, which is the high or head woodlands; for I proposed when the secretary-a Welshman-refused to have it called New Wales, Sylvania, and they added Penn to it; and though I much opposed it, and went to the king to have it struck out and altered, he said 'twas past, and would take it upon him; nor could twenty guineas move the under secretarys to vary the name, for I feared least it should be lookt on as a vanity in me, and not as a respect in the king, as it truly was to my father, whom he often mentions with praise. Thou mayst communicate my graunt to friends, and expect shortly my proposals: 'tis a clear and just thing, and my God that has given it me through many difficulties, will, I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation. I shall have a tender care to the government, that it will be well laid at first: no more now, but dear love in the truth. Thy true friend, W. PENN. THE Society whose report is inserted below, was instituted during the past year-for the important object of promoting "Education throughout the State: by encouraging the establishment of public schools in which the elementary branches of education shall be taught in the respective counties." Its object and plans are so fully developed in the Report, &c. that we deem it only necessary to invite the serious attention of our readers to the statements there made. REPORT ON THE STATE OF EDUCATION, The importance of education in promoting the tem poral and eternal welfare of every individual of the human race, is universally acknowledged by the reflecting class of our citizens. The inseparable connexion subsisting between intelligence and virtue, liberty and happiness, as well as the association of ignorance with vice, slavery and misery, have been the frequent theme of our patriotic statesmen. Hence the incessant efforts of the friends of freedom to promote, and of the tools of despotism to discourage, every plan for the universal diffusion of knowledge. In the great scheme of self government, it has been admitted as an axiom that the purity, the excellence, and the very existence of our political institutions, depend on the virtue and intelli gence of our citizens-the universal education of the people forms the corner stone of the Constitution. To the Pennsylvania Society for the Promotion of Com First Report on the present state of Education in the The Committee respectfully report that in pursuance In Philadelphia and Lancaster* public schools, supported by public taxes, and accessible to the poor gra tuitously, have been established by law; and the blessings of education conferred on thousands who might otherwise have continued in ignorance. For the suc cessful introduction of this plan, our citizens are indebted to the patriotic, intelligent and persevering efforts of a few individuals, who were compelled to combat with the ignorance, the prejudices and the pecuniary interests of numerous active and hostile opponents: their benevolent designs were but partially supported by public opinion, and consequently have not been carried inte execution in any of the other towns of Pennsylvania. Of the importance of education to all classes of our These principles are so universally admitted, that we citizens, there is but one opinion entertained by the indo not deem it necessary to support them by argument. telligent, but much diversity of sentiment exists in relaNo difference of opinion in relation to the value of edu- tion to the most efficient means of accomplishing this cation prevails amongst our statesmen: the means of ac- highly desirable object. As we do not propose, in this quiring instruction have occasioned a diversity of senti- preliminary report, to recommend any system for adop ment. Whilst some maintain that the cause of education, we will endeavour to describe the means which are tion may flourish when trusted to the efforts of indivi- already provided for the instruction of the children of duals unassisted by legislative enactments or the bounty our Commonwealth. of the public treasury, another large and respectable class, whose experience has convinced them of the fallacy of this opinion, are ardently desirous to introduce into the commonwealth some system, sanctioned by law, of more efficacy and more comprehensive than the plan which is now in operation. Many efforts have been made to effect this highly desirable object by zealous and patriotic citizens in different parts of the State. With a firmness of purpose, which a want of success has never relaxed, these efforts have been perseveringly continued. Although the Legislature has repeatedly rejected the petitions contained in their memorials, and disregarded the advice as frequently repeated in the annual messages of the Executive recommending eduAlthough repeated applications have been made to cation to their fostering care-still their labours have our Legislature by memorials signed by numerous and not been entirely in vain: the public attention has been respectable citizens, and supported by many of the awakened, much valuable information has been pub- members of both houses of our assembly—and although Jished, and a manifest increase of the friends of a system the cause of education is a never failing topic recomfor the promotion of public education has been effected. mended in the annual message of our Governors-every Nevertheless, a co-operation in effort, as well as unity effort to establish a school fund, or any general plan for of design, is essential to success, which cannot be ex-promoting common elementary schools similar to those pected from the unconnected and even contradictory labours which have heretofore so frequently proved abortive. To accomplish the important purposes which we have previously mentioned, a more promising, and, we venture to hope, a more efficient plan has been adopted. An association has been formed in Philadelphia, with branches in every part of the state, for the sole and express purpose of concentrating the efforts of the friends of public schools, and thus jointly endeavouring to effect what individual exertions have hitherto failed to accomplish. This society is at present composed of about 250 members, and a correspondence has been commenced th 120 members who reside in every district of the state. It is intended to direct the continual attention of the public to the importance of the subject; to collect and diffuse all information which may be deemed valuable; and to persevere in their labours until they shall be crowned with success. In pursuance of these objects, the society, soon after their organization, addressed circular letters to many intelligent and influential citizens throughout the commonwealth, soliciting information and assistance in relation to the subjects to which we have adverted. The spirit with which this correspondence has been received, the cordial co-operation which has been promised, and the valuable information which has been imparted, are truly gratifying. which have been introduced into the districts above men tioned, or to those which have so long and so usefully flourished in several of our sister states, has proved abortive. With the exceptions which we have mentioned, we are indebted for the establishment of those elementary schools in which the children of our citizens at present receive the rudiments of instruction, almost exclusively to the efforts of those individuals who depend on them for the means of support: the character of these schools consequently depends on the individuals who administer their concerns. Although, doubtless, many schools exist which justify the high reputation which they enjoy, the committee are compelled to state that the great majority of these institutions are unworthy of the State in which they are permitted to continue. From the cir cumstance of their being the absolute property of individuals, no supervision or effectual control can be exercised; it is therefore almost unnecessary to state that many abuses prevail in the management of these irresponsible institutions. Individuals, sometimes destitute of character, and frequently of the requisite abilities and attainments, esta blish these seminaries more from a desire of private Recently a law has been passed authorising the establishment of similar schools in Pittsburg. |