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An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Colonies of South Carolina and Georgia, Volume 1 by Alexander Hewatt
page 89 of 315 (28%)
His plan of settlement was so large, and the regulations he established
for preventing idleness, luxury and vice, were so wise and judicious, as
soon to attract the eyes and admiration of vast numbers of men in the
different quarters of Europe. Multitudes flocked to Pennsylvania, and sat
down happy under Penn's gentle laws and government. His own example of
benevolence, frugality and temperance, endeared him to every inhabitant;
and a general simplicity of manners for several years prevailed in the
settlement. It remained for the future ages of pride, luxury and
ambition, to defeat the wise maxims of this legislator. A plan of a city
was framed, which, for order, beauty and magnificence, was excelled by
none upon earth. Indeed, every thing relating to the first settlement of
that province was conducted with such wisdom and equity, that it could
not fail of speedy population and improvement. The industrious planters
and merchants of Pennsylvania, soon advanced to an easy and independent
state; an advantage far from being common to the other British
settlements in America, and therefore to be ascribed chiefly to their
general harmony, temperance and application.

The colony of Carolina, though planted at an earlier period, from various
causes and impediments, advanced by slower steps in population and
improvement. Pennsylvania, being farther removed from the equator, was
considered as a better climate. The lands were found better adapted to
British grain, and more favourably situated for cultivation. Like a
younger beauty, she attracted the eyes of many admirers, and promised to
be a powerful rival to Carolina. She flattered her labourers with the
prospects of longer life, and with the hopes of greater increase in those
kinds of grain they had been accustomed to cultivate in Europe. Her
institutions, with respect to government, were more applicable and
prudent; her planters, blessed with health and good-humour, laboured with
greater pleasure and success: the tribes of savages around her, being
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