William Penn and Native Americans

Benjamin West's painting (in 1771) of William Penn's 1682 treaty with the Lenape

William Penn believed strongly that Indians should be treated fairly. He traveled to the interior of the colony and befriended different Native American tribes. He insisted that the Native Americans be paid a fair price for any land that was purchased from them. If there was a dispute between the Native Americans and the settlers, he insisted that a committee of equal number of Native Americans and settlers resolve the dispute. Penn's influence on relations with the Native Americans lasted for many years.