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Penn called Pennsylvania a "Holy Experiment." His four "Frames of Government" of 1682, 1683, 1696, 1701, and his Indian policy, charted the course of Pennsylvania's colonial history and had a long-term impact on several state constitutions. He went to Pennsylvania in 1682-1684 as he founded and planned the city of Philadelphia and visited the colony again from 1699 to 1701. Meanwhile, he devoted most of his attention to writings and missionary work in England to promote Quakerism.

Penn called Pennsylvania a "Holy Experiment." His four "Frames of Government" of 1682, 1683, 1696, 1701, and his Indian policy, charted the course of Pennsylvania's colonial history and had a long-term impact on several state constitutions. He went to Pennsylvania in 1682-1684 as he founded and planned the city of Philadelphia and visited the colony again from 1699 to 1701. Meanwhile, he devoted most of his attention to writings and missionary work in England to promote Quakerism.

Penn's advertising campaign to promote his new colony was the most successful effort in colonial recruitment since the Puritans founded Massachusetts in the 1630s. During 1682-83 he recruited 50 shiploads of passengers. This success provided the momentum to launch the Quaker colony. Penn and his agents used numerous techniques and appeals to attract settlers to Pennsylvania. Normally he was able to recruit from districts in England and Ireland where Quakerism was strong or where he had personally spent much time and was well-known. His efforts to attract religious minorities in Germany proved especially successful. Despite his ability to attract settlers and sell a fairly large amount of real estate he made little profit from the venture, and for a time languished in a debtor's prison. The selling of Pennsylvania was a grand financial success for all - except for Penn himself.

Penn's advertising campaign to promote his new colony was the most successful effort in colonial recruitment since the Puritans founded Massachusetts in the 1630s. During 1682-83 he recruited 50 shiploads of passengers. This success provided the momentum to launch the Quaker colony. Penn and his agents used numerous techniques and appeals to attract settlers to Pennsylvania. Normally he was able to recruit from districts in England and Ireland where Quakerism was strong or where he had personally spent much time and was well-known. His efforts to attract religious minorities in Germany proved especially successful. Despite his ability to attract settlers and sell a fairly large amount of real estate he made little profit from the venture, and for a time languished in a debtors' prison. The selling of Pennsylvania was a grand financial success for all - except for Penn himself.

Penn's failure to govern Pennsylvania effectively can be traced to his absence from the colony during 1684-99, his constant tampering with the mechanisms of governance, and his insufficient respect for his subjects. The hierarchical model of government he supported was liberal for the day, but still provided the Quaker settlers with less power than they wanted.

Penn's failure to govern Pennsylvania effectively can be traced to his absence from the colony during 1684-99, his constant tampering with the mechanisms of governance, and his insufficient respect for his subjects. The hierarchical model of government he supported was liberal for the day, but still provided the Quaker settlers with less power than they wanted.