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22 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY. JAMES LOGAN TO WILLIAM PENN, 1708. The following letter from James Logan to William Penn, written in 1708, is from the Howland Collection of Manuscripts belonging to Haverford College. It is not in the " Penn and Logan Correspondence," x or Janney's Life of Penn. This copy is evidently Logan's rough draft, as is shown by the alterations in the text. The original drafts are here given in the form of notes. The letter was written when William Penn's fortunes were at the lowest ebb, owing to the " villany," as Logan calls it, of Philip Ford and family. Logan never hesitated to use strong words, of which practice this letter is a good example. The Fords and David Lloyd are handled without gloves. The letter is also interesting as indicating Logan's view regarding defensive war (so called). In this he differed from the majority of his contemporary Friends. Logan's position is elaborately stated in his letter to the Philadelphia Friends in 1771.2 He never accepted fully the teaching of Friends on war. He held that defensive war was not only justifiable, but that government was founded on force; and that, this being so, force, under certain circumstances, was not only allowable but necessary . Logan, even when he was writing this letter, was undergoing some of the experiences which he mentions. In 1706 the Pennsylvania Assembly, probably at the instance of David Lloyd, then Speaker, had impeached Logan on a number of charges, but he had not been brought to trial. In November, 1709, Logan, who had taken passage for England on account " of the Proprietor 's affairs," petitioned the Assembly for an opportunity to have the matter tried so that it might be settled before he sailed. Instead of granting this request, the Assembly issued an order to 1 Correspondence between William Penn and James Logan, etc. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 2 vols. 1870, 1872. 2 Pennsylvania Magasine of History and Biography, Vol. VI, pp. 4024 ". JAMES LOGAN TO WILLIAM PENN.23 the Sheriff for his arrest and imprisonment, the purpose being to detain him until the vessel had sailed. This scheme was defeated by the Governor, who issued a writ which allowed Logan to sail. After an absence of two years Logan returned fully acquitted of all charges by Penn, the civil authorities, and by public opinion. Logan was aristocratic in his views, which somewhat resembled those of the later Federalists. David Lloyd was intensely democratic. The influence of each was beneficial. Logan died in 1751 at the advanced age of eighty-seven, probably the most respected man in Pennsylvania. His fine residence, Stenton, built in 1728, still attests his style of living and excellent taste. Philad» I9tt 5mo 1708 Hon* Govern' At length I have rec'd thine by Ab. Scott & Richd Townsend who arrived here but 3 dayes agoe from Maryld. All the Virg** fleet are come in safe, only Young for this place falling in with the same Privateers who have done so much mischief on our Capes, is taken. All our outward bound vessels have been stopt here for these 3 weeks not daring to venture out, & now sail under Convoy of a small Man of War from N York who comes round on purpose. Tis this gives me another opportunity by Hammerton. The Acct" I have had of thy Draughts on me could not but give me some uneasiness but the List I have now reced by thine of ye 16th 8mo has removed great part of it. The total I perceive is i746lba: 19:—w* tho' a large sum, yet falling under 200O1"8 w0" is still less than I feared I shall struggle hard but by some means or other I'Ie answer them so as that thou shalt never hear of them again to thy dissatisfaction. Many even of thy fr** here are of opinion that nothing of that kind ought to be paid, untili we have assurances that the Countrey will be secured from the ffords [Philip Ford and wife], because otherwise the Comnr3" are told that they will all be call'd into question for the Sales they have made...

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