eret
retaining the eastern part of the province, and the new purchasers
holding the western part. From that time, until they were united and
became a royal province in 1702, these divisions were known as East and
West Jersey. Even to this day, we frequently hear the expression, "The
Jerseys," used.

Most of the settlers of West Jersey were Friends, and the proprietors
gave them a remarkably liberal constitution of government, entitled:
"The concessions and agreements of the proprietors, freeholders and
inhabitants of the province of West Jersey in America." The following
year (1677), more than four hundred Friends came from England and
settled below the Raritan. Andros required them to acknowledge his
authority as the representative of the Duke of York. This they refused
to do, and the matter was referred to the eminent crown-lawyer and
oriental scholar, Sir William Jones, for adjudication. Sir William
decided against the claims of the duke, who submitted to the decision,
released both provinces from allegiance to him, and the Jerseys became
independent of foreign control. The first popular assembly in West
Jersey met at Salem, in November, 1681, and adopted a code of laws for
the government of the people. One of these laws provided that in all
criminal cases, excepting treason, murder and theft, the aggrieved party
should have power to pardon the offender.

In the year 1679, Carteret died, and the trustees of his American
estates offered East Jersey for sale. It was bought, in 1682, by William
Penn and others, among them the earl of Perth, the friend of Robert
Barclay, whom the proprietors appointed governor for life. Barclay was
an eminent young Friend, whose writings were held in high estimation by
his own sect, especially his "Apology for the true Christian Divinity,
as the same is held forth and practised by the people called in scorn
Quakers," and his "Treatise on Christian Discipline." The purchase of
these lands was not made in the interest of either religion or liberty,
but as a speculation. Barclay governed the province by deputies until
1690.

England and Scotland contributed a large number of Friends to East
Jersey, and other immigrants flocked from Long Island, to find repose
and peace; but repose is not to be found by lovers of freedom, under
royal rule, and they were forcibly impressed with the significance of
the injunction, "Put not your trust in princes," for James the king
failed to keep the rosy