seems to be which came unto your hand, and you were pleased to send unto me. And therefore, for your easier apprehension, divertisement and consideration, I present you with a very different kind of prediction: not positively or peremptorily telling you what shall come to pass; yet pointing at things not without all reason or probability of their events; not built upon fatal decrees, or inevitable designations, but upon conjectural foundations, whereby things wished may be promoted, and such as are feared, may more probably be prevented.

THE PROPHECY

When New England shall trouble New Spain. When Jamaica shall be Lady of the Isles and the Main.

When Spain shall be in America hid,

And Mexico shall prove a Madrid.

When Mahomet's Ships on the Baltick shall ride,

And Turks shall labour to have Ports on that

side.

When Africa shall no more sell out their Blacks To make Slaves and Drudges to the American Tracts.

When Batavia the Old shall be contemn'd by the New.

When a new Drove of Tartars shall China sub

due.

When America shall cease to send out its Treas

ure,

But employ it at home in American Pleasure.
When the new World shall the old invade,
Nor count them their Lords but their fellows in
Trade.

When Men shall almost pass to Venice by
Land,

Not in deep Water but from Sand to Sand.
When Nova Zembla shall be no stay

Unto those who pass to or from Cathay.
Then think strange things are come to light,
Whereof but few have had a foresight.

4

Sir Thomas Browne, Works (Charles Sayle (Ed.), Edinburgh, 1907), III. 342-343.

23. Good Advice to a Colonial Council (1685)

By GOVERNOR WILLIAM PENN

(See note above, p. 134.)

THE noise of some differences that have been in the Province have reached thes parts, with no advantage to the reputation of ye Country. Not entering into ye merits of ye matter, quietness is yt which in so troubled an Age of ye World has great invitation in it. If any thing be amiss,

lett it be by more hidden & gentle ways remedied. An infanty of Government can hardly bear the shakes a riper Age may & sometimes, as a last remedy, must endure.

Heat is no where commendable, but in Government dangerous; so emulation & too much. positiveness, or an overweeningness in opinion, next to Religious duty, Selfe denial in the Administration of a Government is both requisite & Laudable. I recommend it to you in prudence & Conscience. If faults are committed, lett them be mended without noise & animosity. the Pomp & clatter of complaint is oftentimes a greater greivance to ye Publick then yt the thing Complained of. I beseech God to direct you & turn` yr minds to his own good Principle in you of Light & Grace, which brings into and keeps in ye ways of peace & soberness all that Love it. Three things I do in an especial manner recommend to your care & Inspection. first, without respect to Persons, in ye fear of God & for the honor of ye Province, punish vice; lett it not escape yr righteous rod; tis ye enemy of yr Country & yt wch causes God to leave a People to divers Afflictions, & brings them at last under dismal Providences. I was apt my selfe to be but too mercifull; in yt follow not my example. the Repentance of ye Person is not enough for the Publick always. Secondly, accommodate yr differences quietly & quickly; take ym up in ye

Countrys betimes: this prevents charge & animosity & publick Reproach. And to this good work, every man's a Judge or Arbitrator, for it is a duty of good neighborhood in all. Thirdly I beseech you to be kind to strangers, especially the poorer sort, to all be inoffensive & helpful. you are watchmen to ye rest; be therefore carefull, & let a Publick spirit act you in a Publick Station— tis true generation work, for wch even our Reward is not from men, for as Government is an ordinance of God, so most assuredly the conscientious discharge of our duty therein shall not be left out of ye number of thos good deeds yt God will recompense at ye last. wherefore in this, lett none run of their own head, lett none be willfull, but all weighty, sereous, & dilligent, least men prophain Govermt by an unhallowed use of it. God Almighty fitt all more & more, both to command & obey, that God may have his glory, the King his honour & you ye comfort & Just interest & advantage. Amen.

Samuel Hazard,

Pennsylvania Archives (Phila.,

1852), I. 94.

24. A Stubborn Town Meeting
(1687)

By THE TOWN OF IPSWICH, IN THE MASSA-
CHUSETTS BAY COLONY

A town on Cape Ann which was one of the first to refuse to pay what it considered illegal taxes.

Ar a Legall Towne Meeting August 23d 1687 Assembled by vertue of an order from John Usher Esq. Treas'er for choosing a Commiss'er to join w'th ye Selectmen to assess ye Inhabitants according to an act of his Excellency, ye Governor & Counsell, for Levying rates.

Then considering that the s'd act doth infringe their Liberty as Free borne English subjects of his Majestie by interfearing w'th ye statutory Laws of the Land, By w'ch it is enacted, that no taxes shall be Levied on ye Subjects w'thout consent of an assembly chosen by ye Freeholders for assessing ye same.

Sir Edmund Andros K'nt Capt. General & Governor in Cheife of his Maj'tys Territory & Dominion of New England. To Joseph Smith messenger.

Whereas, I have received Information that Thomas French Constable of Ispwich in ye County of Essex Jn'o Andrews of ye same place & John Appleton of ye same place & clerk with