Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/443

LXXI.

Nothing was now left but to await the results of the autumn elections, by which either of the great parties hoped to attain the ascendancy. A crisis had been reached in provincial affairs, and the issues must be decided. In the city the Proprie- tary party had gained some allies, from varying causes. All those who sympathized with the principles (or want of princi- ples) of the Paxton Boys were now antagonistic to Franklin and others who had cried aloud for the suppression of their crimes. 1 The influential Presbyterians were now united in sentiment against a change of government, rather willing to bear with present ills than open the door for a change to a Royal govern- ment which might involve even the greater influence of Episco- pacy than was now represented by the Penns. Both the Vice- Provost, Alison, and Professor Ewing, had joined with Gilbert Tennent in a Circular Letter on 30 March to their friends : The Presbyterians here, upon mature deliberation, are of opinion, that it is not safe to do things of such importance rashly. Our privileges by those means may be greatly abridged, but will never be enlarged. We are under the King's protection now, as much as we can be, for he will never govern us in person; and it is of no great consequence whether his deputy be recommended by the Proprietaries, or by some other great man by his Majesty's approbation. Our charter is in danger by such a change, and let no man persuade you to the contrary. 2 The reference to "some other great man" conveyed an inti- mation of the fear many cultivated that Franklin was seeking under cover of a change of charter his own personal advance- ment ; certain it may be that had the change been consummated and had the new Master, the King, sought to make the most prominent citizen the Governor of the Province, that officer would have been Franklin. A man whose rare power of influ- i My very zeal in opposing the murderers, and supporting the authority of Government, and even my humanity with regard to the innocent Indians under our protection, were mustered among my offences, to stir up against me those religious bigots, who are of all savages the most brutish." Remarks. Bigelow iii. 361. J Sparks vii. 282.