of the colony. About the same time, Joseph Blake sold his estate in
England, and with his family and several substantial followers retired to
Carolina. Lord Cardross also, a nobleman of Scotland, having formed a
project for carrying over some of his countrymen to Carolina, embarked
with a few families, and made an attempt to establish a colony on
Port-Royal Island: but observing the government in a confused and
fluctuating state, he soon after returned to Britain. The island on which
he left his few followers having excellent conveniencies for navigation,
was a place of all others in the country the most advantageous for a
settlement; but, to effect it, a greater number of emigrants was
absolutely requisite. The Spaniards sent an armed force, and dislodged
the Scotch settlers, after which no attempts were made for many years
towards establishing a colony in that quarter.

[Sidenote] Pennsylvania settled.

About the same time, William Penn, an eminent quaker, obtained a grant
from the king of a large territory in the middle of North America, which
he called Pennsylvania, and which he resolved to settle on the enlarged
bottom of universal benevolence, friendship and humanity. Not satisfied
with the title he held from the crown to this extensive territory, he
thought himself bound in conscience to purchase one also from its natural
possessors, and therefore gave the Indians some consideration for their
property; by which means he obtained not only an equitable right, but
peaceable possession. At first, it is probable, he intended his province
as an asylum for the hamlets and peaceable people of his own persuasion,
who were oppressed in Britain, and persecuted in a degree equal to the
Spanish inquisition in New England; yet, so liberal were his principles,
that he opened a door to mankind in general who were unhappy in their
external circumstances, and persecuted for their conscientious opinions.