Early Pennsylvania

My source covers the early accounts of Pennsylvania and takes a look at the laws, standard of living and behaviour of the settlers that had already established themselves. Also the outlook on religion is examined too. Also there is a focus on the indigenous peoples way of living.
Firstly, it appears that the laws of the land at the time were extremely harsh "swearing, lying, bearing of false witness (since an oath is not allowed), scandal-mongering, adultery, lewdness, duelling, and stealing, are forbidden under pain of he severest punishment." This idea that swearing could be punished with the severest punishment, which we can presume is death, shows the brutality and how stern and unreasonable they were. I believe that the reason for these high levels of discipline was through the determination, that the early settlers had, to make a state of excellence and to make it an example that should be replicated by others. However, this did not deter them from treating the indigenous people with an absolute lack of humanity.
 However, in rather stark contrast they appear to have a very relaxed view when it came to religion "no one shall be disturbed in his belief or religion." This seems foreign to us now because of the persecution that religious people feel from others; not only today but throughout recent history. It shows a certain level of consciousness amongst the settlers that religion was not a matter to feel offended by even though it means a person is different. However, this is yet again contradicted by the fact that the settlers had the indecency to rip apart a whole community of indigenous people.
  The description of the indigenous people as well shows them in a very serene light. They seem very calm and satisfied with life. They mourn very heavily and their faith is very strong, so therefore would have similarities with the settlers. There appears to be no tension in their life's which shows the settlers that abused them in an even worse light. The reason for this is that it appears that there was nothing to provoke them into such violence.


http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text1/pennsylvaniapastorius.pdf