rted by William
Mead, had preached to the people assembled, whereby a great concourse of
people remained, in contempt of the king and his law, creating a
disturbance of his peace, to the great terror of many of his liege
people and subjects.

William Penn, who ably defended himself, proved that the day when he had
gone to Gracechurch Street was the fourteenth, and not the fifteenth;
that he did not preach to the people; that he had not agreed to meet
William Mead there; that William Mead had not spoken to him. Mead also
proved that he had not preached; that he had not abetted Penn, and that
no riot had taken place.

Contrary to the evidence, the Recorder Jefferies insisted that the
prisoners should be brought in "guilty." The jury, however, in spite of
the threats held out to them by the Lord Mayor and the Recorder and
others, would not agree upon a verdict. The most determined to give an
honest one was Master Edward Bushel, whose name deserves to be recorded.
On again being compelled to retire, they were absent for some time.
When they once more returned, the foreman announced that their verdict
was "Guilty of speaking in Gracechurch Street." Again every effort was
made to induce them to pronounce a different verdict. A third time they
were ordered to retire. Again, in writing, they handed in their
verdict, finding William Penn "Guilty of speaking to an assembly in
Gracechurch Street," and acquitting William Mead.

The baffled and beaten bench, now losing temper, ordered the jury to be
locked up, and the prisoners to be taken back to Newgate. Penn, now
addressing them, required the clerk of the peace to record their
verdict. "If, after this," he exclaimed, "the jury bring in a different
verdict to this, I affirm that they are perjured men. You are
Englishmen," he said, turning to the jurors. "Remember your privileges.
Give not away your rights!"

The following day was Sunday. They were called up, however, and the
clerk again inquired if they were agreed. The foreman replied as
before, "Guilty of speaking to an assembly in Gracechurch Street."

"To an unlawful assembly?" exclaimed the Lord Mayor.

"No, my lord," answered the noble Master Bushel. "We give no other
verdict than we gave last night."

In vain the Lord Mayor and the Recorder Jefferies threatened as before;
the Lord Mayor shouting out, "Gaoler, bring fetters, and shake this
pestilent fellow to the ground!"

"Do your will," answered Penn