George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 4, 15th edition.

[140] it indefinitely. The political power that had

chap. VI.} 1754.

been bequeathed to them brought little personal dignity or benefit. The wilderness domain was theirs; though Connecticut, which claimed to extend to the Pacific, was already appropriating to itself a part of their territory, and, like the Penns, sought to confirm its claim by deeds from the Six Nations.¹

The lieutenant-governor had a negative on legislation, but he himself depended on the Assembly for his annual support, and had often to choose between compliance and poverty. To the Council, whom the proprietaries appointed, and to the proprietaries themselves, the right to revise legislative acts was denied, and long usage confirmed the denial.² In the land of the Penns, the legislature had but one branch, and of that branch Benjamin Franklin was the soul. It had an existence of its own; could meet on its own adjournments, and no power could prorogue or dissolve it; but a swift responsibility brought its members annually before their constituents. The Assembly would not allow the proprietaries in England to name judges; they were to be named by the lieutenant-governor on the spot, and like him depended on the Assembly for the profit of their posts. All sheriffs and coroners were chosen by the people. Moneys were raised by an excise, and were kept and were disbursed by provincial commissioners. The land-office was under proprietary control, and, to balance its political influence, the Assembly passionately insisted on continuing