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The Second Virginia Charter
May 23, 1609 James, by the grace of God [King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, etc.] To all [to whom these presents shall come, greeting.] Whereas, at the humble suite and request of
sondrie oure lovinge and well disposed subjects intendinge to deduce a
colonie and to make habitacion and plantacion of sondrie of oure people
in that parte of America comonlie called Virginia, and other part and territories
in America either apperteyninge unto us or which are not actually possessed
of anie Christian prince or people within certaine bound and regions, wee
have formerly, by oure lettres patents bearinge date the tenth of Aprill
in the fourth yeare of oure raigne of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, and
the nine and thirtieth of Scotland, graunted to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George
Somers and others, for the more speedie accomplishment of the said plantacion
and habitacion, that they shoulde devide themselves into twoe colloniesthe
one consistinge of divers Knights, gentlemen, merchaunts and others of
our cittie of London, called the First Collonie; and the other of sondrie
Knights, gentlemen and others of the citties of Bristoll, Exeter, the towne
of Plymouth, and other places, called the Seccond Collonieand have yielded
and graunted maine and sondrie priviledges and liberties to each Collonie
for their quiet setlinge and good government therein, as by the said lettres
patents more at large appeareth. Nowe, forasmuch as divers and sondrie of oure
lovinge subjects, as well adventurers as planters, of the said First Collonie
(which have alreadie engaged them selves in furtheringe the businesse of
the said plantacion and doe further intende by the assistance of Almightie
God to prosecute the same to a happie ende) have of late ben humble suiters
unto us that, in respect of their great chardeges and the adventure of
manie of their lives which they have hazarded in the said discoverie and
plantacion of the said countrie, wee woulde be pleased to graunt them a
further enlargement and explanacion of the said graunte, priviledge and
liberties, and that suche counsellors and other officers maie be appointed
amonngest them to manage and direct their affaires [as] are willinge and
readie to adventure with them; as also whose dwellings are not so farr
remote from the cittye of London but that they maie at convenient tymes
be readie at hande to give advice and assistance upon all occacions requisite. We, greatlie affectinge the effectual prosecucion
and happie successe of the said plantacion and comendinge their good desires
theirin, for their further encouragement in accomplishinge so excellent
a worke, much pleasinge to God and profitable to oure Kingdomes, doe, of
oure speciall grace and certeine knowledge and meere motion, for us, oure
heires and successors, give, graunt and confirme to oure trustie and welbeloved
subjects, Robert, Earle of Salisburie [Salisbury] Thomas,
Earle of Suffolke [Suffolk] Henrie, Earle of Southampton William. Earle
of Pembroke [Henrie] [Henrie] Earle of Lincolne [Lincoln] Henrie, Earle
of Dorsett [Dorset] Thomas, Earle of Exeter Phillipp, Earle of Mountgommery
Robert, Lord Vicount Lisle Theophilus, Lord Howard of Walden James Mountague,
Lord Bishopp of Bathe and Wells Edward, Lord Zouche Thomas, Lord Lawarr
Wiliam, Lord Mounteagle Raphe, Lord Ewre Edmond, Lord Sheffeild [Sheffield]
Grey, Lord Shandis [Chandois] [Grey], Lord Compton John, Lord Petre John,
Lord Stanhope George, Lord Carew Sir Humfrey Welde, Lord Mayor of London
[Weld] George Pertie, Esquire [Percie] Sir Edward Cecill, Knight [Cecil]
Sir George Wharton, Knight Frauncis West, Esquire Sir William Waade, Knight
[Wade] Sir Henrie Nevill, Knight [Nevil] Sir Thomas Smithe, Knight [Smith]
Sir Oliver Cromwell, Knight Sir Peter Manwood, Knight Sir Dru Drurie, Knight
[Drury] Sir John Scott, Knight [Scot] Sir Thomas Challouer, Knight [Challoner]
Sir Robert Drurie, Knight [Drury] Sir Anthonye Cope, Knight Sir Horatio
Veere, Knight [Vere] Sir Edward Conwaie, Knight [Conway] Sir William Browne
[Brown] Sir Maurice Barkeley, Knight [Berkeley] Sir Roberte Maunsell, Knight
[Mansel] Sir Amias Presou, Knight [Preston] Sir Thomas Gates, Knight Sir
Anthonie Ashley, Knight [Ashly] Sir Michaell Sandes, Knight [Sandys] Sir
Henrie Carew, Knight [Carey] Sir Stephen Soame, Knight Sir Calisthenes
Brooke, Knight Sir Edward Michelborne, Knight [Michelborn] Sir John Racliffe,
Knight [Ratcliffe] Sir Charles Willmott, Knight [Wilmot] Sir George Moore,
Knight [Moor] Sir Hugh Wirrall, Knight [Wirral] Sir Thomas Dennys, Knight
[Dennis] Sir John Hollis, Knight [Holles] Sir William Godolphin, Knight
Sir Thomas Monnson, Knight [Monson] Sir Thomas Ridgwaie, Knight [Ridgwine]
Sir John Brooke, Knight Sir Roberte Killigrew, Knight Sir Henrie Peyton,
Knight Sir Richard Williamson, Knight Sir Ferdinando Weynman, Knight Sir
William St. John, Knight Sir Thomas Holcrofte, Knight [Holcroft] Sir John
Mallory, Knight Sir Roger Ashton, Knight Sir Walter Cope, Knight Sir Richard
Wigmore, Knight Sir William Cooke, Knight [Coke] Sir Herberte Crofte, Knight
Sir Henrie Faushawe, Knight [Fanshaw] Sir John Smith, Knight Sir Francis
Wolley, Knight Sir Edward Waterhouse, Knight Sir Henrie Sekeford, Knight
[Seekford] Sir Edward Saudes, Knights [Edwin Sandys] Sir Thomas Wayneman,
Knight [Waynam] Sir John Trevor, Knight Sir Warrwick Heale, Knight [Heele]
Sir Robert Wroth, Knight Sir John Townnesende, Knight [Townsend] Sir Christopher
Perkins, Knight Sir Daniell Dun, Knight Sir Henrie Hobarte, Knight [Hobart]
Sir Franncis Bacon, Knight Sir Henrie Mountague, Knight [Montague] Sir
Georg Coppin, Knight Sir Samuell Sandes, Knight [Sandys] Sir Thomas Roe,
Knight Sir George Somers, Knight Sir Thomas Freake, Knight Sir Thomas Horwell,
Knight [Harwell] Sir Charles Kelke, Knight Sir Baptist Hucks, Knight [Hicks]
Sir John Watts, Knight Sir Roberte Carey, Knight Sir William Romney, Knight
Sir Thomas Middleton, Knight Sir Hatton Cheeke, Knight Sir John Ogle, Knighte
Sir Cavallero Meycot, Knight Sir Stephen Riddlesden, Knight [Riddleson]
Sir Thomas Bludder, Knight Sir Anthonie Aucher, Knight Sir Robert Johnson,
Knight Sir Thomas Panton, Knight Sir Charles Morgan, Knight Sir Stephen
Powle, Knight [Pole] Sir John Burlacie, Knight Sir Christofer Cleane, Knight
[Cleave] Sir George Hayward, Knight Sir Thomas Dane, Knight [Davis] Sir
Thomas Dutton, Knight [Sutton] Sir Anthonie Forrest, Knight [Forest] Sir
Robert Payne, Knight Sir John Digby, Knight Sir Dudley Diggs, Knight [Digges]
Sir Rowland Cotton, Knight Doctour Mathewe Rutcliffe [Sutcliffel Doctor
Meddowes [Meadows] Doctor Tumer Doctor Poe Captaine Pagnam Captaine Jeffrey
Holcrofte Captaine Raunne [Romney] Captaine Henrie Spry Captaine Shelpton
[Shelton] Captaine Spark [Sparks] [Captain] Thomas Wyatt [Wyat] Captaine
Brinsley Captaine William Courtney Captaine Herbert Captaine Clarke Captaine
Dewhurst Captaine John Blundell Captaine Frier [Fryer] Captaine Lewis Orwell
Captaine Edward Lloyd [Loyd] Captaine Slingesby Captaine Huntley [Hawley]
Captaine Orme Captaine Woodhouse Captaine Mason Captaine Thomas Holcroft
Captaine John Cooke [Coke] Captaine Hollis [Holles] Captaine William Proude
Captaine Henrie Woodhouse Captaine Richard Lindeley [Lindesey] Captaine
Dexter Captaine William Winter Captaine Herle [Pearsel Captain John Bingham
Captaine Burray Captaine Thomas Conwey [Conway] Captaine Rookwood Captaine
William Lovelace Captaine John Ashley Captaine Thomas Wynne Captaine Thomas
Mewtis Captaine Edward Harwood Captaine Michaell Evered [Everard] Captaine
Connoth [Comock] Captaine Miles [Mills] Captaine Pigott [Pigot] Captaine
Edward Maria Wingfeild [Wingfield] Captaine ChristopherNewporte [Newport]
Captaine John Siclemore, alias Ratcliffe [Sicklemore] Captaine John Smith
Captyn John Martyn [Martin] Captaine Peter Wynne Captaine Waldoe [Waldo]
Captyn Thomas Wood Captaine Thomas Button George Bolls, Esquire, Sheriffe
of London William Crashawe, [Clerk], Bachelor of Divinite William Seabright,
Esquire Christopher Brook, Esquire John Bingley, Esquire Thomas Watson,
Esquire Richard Percivall, Esquire [Percival] John Moore, Esquire Hugh
Brooker, Esquire David Waterhouse, Esquire [Woodhouse] Anthonie Auther,
Esquier [Aucher] Roberte Bowyer, Esquire [Boyer] Raphe Ewens, Esquire Zacharie
Jones, Esquire George Calvert, Esquire William Dobson, Esquire Henry Reynold,
Esquire [Reynolds] Thomas Walker, Esquire Anthonie Barnars, Esquire Thomas
Sandes, Esquire [Sandys] Henrie Sand, Esquire [Sandys] Richard Sand [Sandys],
Sonne of Sir Edwin Sandes [Sandys] William Oxenbridge, Esquire John Moore,
Esquire Thomas Wilson, Esquire John Bullocke, Esquire [Bullock] John Waller,
[Esquire] Thomas Webb Jehughe Robinson William Brewster Robert Evelyn Henrie
Dabenie [Danby] Richard Hacklewte, minister [Hackluit] John Eldred, marchaunt
[Eldrid] William Russell, marchaunt John Merrick, marchaunt Richard Bannester,
merchant [Banister] Charles Anthonie, goldsmithe [Anthony] John Banck [Banks]
William Evans Richard Humble Robert Chamberleyne, marchaunt [Richard Chamberlayne]
Thomas Barber, marchaunt Richard Pevyrell, merchaunt [Pomet] John Fletcher,
merchant Thomas Nicholls, merchant John Stoak, merchaunt [Stoke] Gabriell
Archer Franncis Covell [Covel] William Bouham [Bonham] Edward Harrison
John Wolstenholme Nicholas Salter Hugh Evans William Barners [Barnes] Otho
Mawdett [Mawdet] Richard Staper, marchant John Elkin, marchaunt William
Cayse [Coyse] Thomas Perkin, cooper Humfrey Ramell, cooper [Humphrey James]
Henry Jackson Roberte Shingleton [Singleton] Christopher Nicholls John
Harper Abraham Chamberlaine [Chamberlayne] Thomas Shipton Thomas Carpenter
Anthoine Crewe [Crew] George Holman Robert Hill Cleophas Smithe [Smith]
Raphe Harrison John Farmer James Brearley William Crosley [Crosby] Richard
Cocks [Cox] John Gearinge [Gearing] Richard Strough, iremonnger [Strongarm]
Thomas Langton Griffith Hinton Richard Ironside Richard Deane [Dean] Richard
Turner William Leveson, mercer [Lawson] James Chatfeilde [Chatfield] Edward
Allen [Edward Allen Tedder] Tedder Roberts Heldebrand Sprinson [Robert
Hildebrand Sprinson] Arthur Mouse John Gardener [Gardiner] James Russell
[Russel] Richard Casewell [Caswell] Richard Evanns [Evans] John Hawkins
Richard Kerrill [Kerril] Richard Brooke Mathewe Scrivener, gentleman [Screvener]
William Stallendge, gentleman [Stallenge] Arthure Venn, gentleman Saund
Webb, gentleman [Sandys Webbe] Michaell Phettiplace, gentleman William
Phetiplace, gentleman [Phettiplace] Ambrose Brusey, gentleman [Prusey]
John Taverner, gentleman George Pretty, gentleman Peter Latham, gentleman
Thomas Monnford, gentleman [Montford] William Cautrell, gentleman [Cantrel]
Richard Wiffine, gentleman [Wilfin] Raphe Mooreton, gentleman [Moreton]
John Cornellis [Comelius] Martyn Freeman Raphe Freeman Andreau Moore Thomas
White Edward Perkin Robert Osey Thomas Whitley George Pitt [Pit] Roberte
Parkehurste [Parkhurst] Thomas Morris Peter Vaulore [Harloe] Jeffrey Duppa
John Gilbert William Hancock Mathew Bromrigg [Brown] Francis Tirrell [Tyrrel]
Randall Carter Othowell Smithe [Smith] Thomas Honnyman [Hamond] Marten
Bonde, haberdasher [Bond] Joan Mousloe [John Moulsoe] Roberte Johnson William
Younge [Young] John Woddall [Woodal] William Felgate Humfrey Westwood Richard
Champion Henrie Robinson Franncis Mapes William Sambatch [Sambach] Rauley
Crashawe [Ralegh Crashaw] DaruelLliacker Thomas Grave Hugh Willestone Thomas
Culpepper, of Wigsell, Esquire John Culpepper, gentleman Henrie Lee Josias
Kirton, gentleman [Kerton] John Porie, gentleman [Pory] Henrie Collins
George Burton William Atkinson Thomas Forrest [Forest] John Russell [Russel]
John Houlte [Holt] Harman Harrison Gabriell Beedell [Beedel] John Beedell
[Beedel] Henrie Dankes [Dawkes] George Scott [Scot] Edward Fleetewood,
gentleman [Fleetwood] Richard Rogers, gentleman Arthure Robinson Robert
Robinson John Huntley John Grey [Gray] William Payne William Feilde [Field]
William Wattey William Webster John Dingley Thomas Draper Richard Glanvile
[Glanvil] Arnolde Lulls [Hulls] Henrie Rowe [Roe] William Moore [More]
Nicholas Grice [Gryce] James Monnger [Monger] Nicholas Andrewes [Andrews]
Jerome Haydon, iremonnger [Jeremy Haydon] Phillipp Durrant [Philip Durette]
John Quales [Quarles] John West Madlew Springeham [Springham] John Johnson
Christopher Hore George Barkeley Thomas Sued [Snead] George Barkeley [Berkeley]
Ardhure Pett [Pet] Thomas Careles William Barkley [Berkley] Thomas Johnson
Alexander Bent [Bents] Captaine William Kinge [King] George Sandes, gentleman
[Sandys] James White, gentleman Edmond Wynn [Wynne] Charles Towler Richard
Reynold Edward Webb Richard Maplesden Thomas Levers [Lever] David Bourne
Thomas Wood Raphe Hamer Edward Barnes, mercer John Wright, mercer Robert
Middleton Edward Litsfeild [Littlefield] Katherine West Thomas Webb [Web]
Raphe Kinge [King] Roberte Coppine [Coppin] James Askewe Christopher Nicholls
[Christopher Holt] William Bardwell Alexander Childe [Chiles] Lewes Tate
Edward Ditchfeilde [Ditchfield] James Swifte Richard Widdowes, goldesmith
Edmonde Brundells [Brudenell] John Hanford [Hansford] Edward Wooller William
Palmer, haberdasher John Badger John Hodgson Peter Monnsill [Mounsel] Jahn
Carrill [Carril] John Busbridge [Bushridge] William Dunn [Dun] Thomas Johnson
Nicholas Benson Thomas Shipton Nathaniell Wade Randoll Wettwood [Wetwood]
Mathew Dequester Charles Hawkins Hugh Hamersley Abraham Cartwright George
Bennett [Bennet] William Cattor [Cater] Richard Goddart Henrie Cromwell
Phinees Pett [Pet] Roberte Cooper Henrie Neite [Newce] Edward Wilks [Wilkes]
Roberte Bateman Nicholas Farrar John Newhouse John Cason Thomas Harris,
gentleman George Etheridge, gentleman Thomas Mayle, gentleman Richard Stratford
[Stafford] Thomas Richard Cooper John Westrowe [Westrow] Edward Welshe
[Welch] Thomas Brittanie [Britain] Thomas Knowls [Knowles] Octavian Thome
Edmonde Smyth [Smith] John March Edward Carew Thomas Pleydall Richard Lea
[Let] Miles Palmer Henrie Price John Josua, gentleman [Joshua] William
Clawday [Clauday] Jerome Pearsye John Bree, gentleman William Hampson Christopher
Pickford Thomas Hunt Thomas Truston Christopher Lanman [Salmon] John Haward,
clerke [Howard] Richarde Partridge Allen Cotton [Cassen] Felix Wilson Thomas
Colethurst [Bathurst] George Wilmer Andrew Wilmer Morrice Lewellin Thomas
Jedwin [Godwin] Peter Burgoyne Thomas Burgoyne Roberte Burgoyne Roberte
Smithe, merchauntaylor [Smith] Edward Cage, grocer Thomas Canon, gentleman
[Cannon] William Welby, stacioner Clement Wilmer, gentleman John Clapham,
gentleman Giles Fraunces, gentleman [Francis] George Walker, sadler John
Swinehowe, stacioner [Swinhow] Edward Bushoppe, stacioner [Bishop] Leonard
White, gentleman Christopher Barron [Baron] Peter Benson Richard Smyth
[Smith] George Prockter, minister [Proctor] Millicent Ramesden, widowe
[Ramsdent] Joseph Soane Thomas Hinshawe [Hinshaw] John Baker Robert Thorneton
[Thomton] John Davies [Davis] Edward Facett [Facetl George Nuce, gentleman
[Newce] John Robinson Captaine Thomas Wood William Browne, shoemaker [Brown]
Roberte Barker, shoemaker Roberte Penington [Pennington] Francis Burley,
minister William Quick, grocer Edward Lewes, grocer [Lewis] Laurence Campe,
draper Aden Perkins, grocer Richard Shepparde, preacher [Shepherd] William
Sheckley, haberdasher [Sherley] William Tayler, haberdasher [Taylor] Edward
Lukyn, gentleman [Edwin Lukin] John Francklyn, haberdasher [Franklyn] John
Southicke [Southwick] Peter Peate George Johan, iremonnger George Yardley,
gentleman [Yeardley] Henrie Shelly [Shelley] John Pratt [Prat] Thomas Church,
draper William Powell, gentleman [Powel] Richard Frithe, gentleman [Frith]
Thomas Wheeler, draper Franncis Hasilerigg, gentleman [Haselrig] Hughe
Shippley, gentleman [Shipley] John Andrewes, thelder, [doctor], of Cambridge
[Andrews] Franncis Whistley, gentleman [Whistler] John Vassall, gentleman
Richard Howle Edward Barkeley, gentleman [Berkeley] Richard Knerisborough,
gentleman [Keneridgburg] Nicholas Exton, draper William Bennett, fishmonger
[Bennet] James Hawood, marchaunt [Haywood] Nicholas Isaak, merchaunt [Isaac]
William Gibbs, merchannt [William] Bushopp [Bishop] Barnard Michell [Mitchel]
Isaake Michell [Isaac Mitchel] John Streat [Streate] Edward Gall John Marten,
gentleman [Martin] Thomas Fox Luke Lodge John Woodleefe, gentleman [Woodliffel
Rice Webb [Piichard] Vincent Lowe [Low] Samuell Burnam [Burnham] Edmonde
Pears, haberdasher Josua Goudge [John Googe] John St. John Edwarde Vaughan
William Dunn Thomas Alcock [Alcocke] John Andrewes, the younger, of Cambridge
[Andrews] Samuell Smithe [Smith] Thomas Jerrard [Gerrard] Thomas Whittingham
William Cannynge [Canning] Paule Caminge [Canning] George Chaudler [Chandler]
Henrye Vincent Thomas Ketley James Skelton James Montain [Mountaine] George
Webb, gentleman Josephe Newbroughesmith [Joseph Newbridge, smith] Josias
Mande [Mand] Raphe Haman, the younger [Hamer] Edward Brewster, the sonne
of William Brewster Leonard Harwood, mercer Phillipp Druerdent William
Carpenter Tristram Hill Roberte Cock, grocer Laurence Grene, grocer [Greene]
Daniell Winche, grocer [Samuel Winch] Humfrey Stile, grocer Averie Dransfeild,
grocer [Dransfield] Edwarde Hodges, grocer Edward Beale, grocer Raphe Busby,
grocer John Whittingham, grocer John Hide, grocer Mathew Shipperd, grocer
[Shepherd] Thomas Allen, grocer Richard Hooker, grocer Laurence Munckas,
grocer [Munks] John Tanner, grocer Peter Gate, grocer John Blunt, grocer
Roberte Berrisford, grocer Thomas Wells, gentleman John Ellis, grocer Henrie
Colthurst, grocer John Cranage, grocer [Cavady] Thomas Jenings, grocer
[Jennings] Edmond Peshall, grocer [Pashall] Timothie Bathurst, grocer Gyles
Parslowe, grocer [Parslow] Roberte Johnson, grocer [Richard] William Janson,
vintener [Johnson] Ezechiell Smith Richard Murrettone [Martin] William
Sharpe Roberte Ritche [Rich] William Stannerd, inholder [Stannard] John
Stocken William Strachey, gentleman George Farmer, gentleman Thomas Gypes,
clothworker Abraham Dawes, gentleman [Davies] Thomas Brockett, gentleman
[Brocket] George Bathe, fishmonger [Bache] John Dike, fishmonger Henrie
Spranger Richard Farringdon [Farrington] Chistopher Vertue, vintener Thomas
Baley, vintener [Bayley] George Robins, vintener Tobias Hinson, grocer
Urian Spencer [Vrian] Clement Chachelley [Chicheley] John Searpe, gentleman
[Scarpe] James Cambell, iremonnger [Campbell] Christopher Clitherowe, iremonnger
[Clitheroe] Phillipp Jacobson Peter Jacobson, of Andwarpe William Barckley
[Berkeley] Miles Banck, cutler [Banks] Peter Highley, grocer [Higgons]
Henrie John, gentleman John Stoakley, merchauntailor [Stokeley] The companie
of mercers The companie of grocers The companie of drapers The company
of fishmongers The companie of gouldsmithes The companie of skynners The
companie merchauntailors The companie of haberdashers The companie of salters
The companie of iremongers The companie of vintners The companie of clothworkers
The companie of dyers The companie of bruers The companie of lethersellers
The companie of pewterers The companie of cutlers The companie of whitebakers
The companie of waxchaundlers The companie of tallowe chaundlers The companie
of armorers The companie of girdlers The companie of butchers The companie
of sadlers The companie of carpenters The companie of cordwayners The companie
of barbor chirurgions The companie of painter stayners The companie of
curriers The companie of masons The companie of plumbers The companie of
inholders The companie of founders The companie of poulterers The companie
of cookes The companie of coopers The companie of tylers and bncklayers
The companie of bowyers The companie of Retchers The companie of blacksmithes
The companie of joyners The companie of weavers The companie of wollmen
The companie of wood monnvers The companie of scrivenors The companie of
fruterers The companie of plasterers The companie of brownebakers The companie
of stacioners The companie of imbroderers The companie of upholsters The
companie of musicions The companie of turners The companie of baskettmakers
The companie of glasiers John Levett, merchaunt [Levet] Thomas Nomicott,
clothworker [Nomicot] Richard Venn, haberdasher Thomas Scott, gentleman
[Scot] Thomas Juxson, merchauntaylor [Juxon] George Hankinson Thomas Leeyer,
gentleman [Seyer] Mathew Cooper Gorge Butler, gentleman Thomas Lawson,
gentleman Edward Smith, haberdasher Stephen Sparrowe John Jones, merchaunt
[John] Reynold, brewer [Reynolds] Thomas Plummer, merchaunt James Duppa,
bruer Rowland Coytemore [Coitmore] William Sotherne [Southerne] Gorge Whittmoore,
haberdasher [Whitmore] Anthonie Gosoulde, the younger [Gosnold] John Allen,
fishemonger John Kettlebye, gentleman [Kettleby] Symonde Yeomans, fishmonger
[Simon] Richard Chene, gouldsmithe Launcelot Davis, gentleman [Clene] John
Hopkins, an alderman of Bristoll George Hooker, gentlernan Roberte Shevinge,
yeoman [Chening] And to such and so manie as they doe or shall
hereafter admitt to be joyned with them, in forme hereafter in theis presentes
expressed, whether they goe in their persons to be planters there in the
said plantacion, or whether they goe not, but doe adventure their monyes,
goods or chattels, that they shalbe one bodie or communaltie perpetuall
and shall have perpetual succession and one common seale to serve for the
saide bodie or communaltie; and that they and their successors shalbe knowne,
called and incorporated by the name of The Tresorer and Companie of Adventurers
and Planters of the Citty of London for the Firste Collonie in Virginia. And that they and their successors shalbe
from hensforth, forever enabled to take, acquire and purchase, by the name
aforesaid (licens for the same from us, oure heires or successors first
had and obtained) anie manner of lands, tenements and hereditaments, goods
and chattels, within oure realme of England and dominion of Wales; and
that they and their successors shalbe likewise enabled, by the name aforesaid,
to pleade and to be impleaded before anie of oure judges or justices, in
anie oure courts, and in anie accions or suits whatsoever. And wee doe also, of oure said speciall grace,
certaine knowl- edge and mere mocion, give, grannte and confirme unto the
said Tresorer and Companie, and their successors, under the reservacions,
limittacions and declaracions hereafter expressed, all those lands, countries
and territories scituat, lieinge and beinge in that place of America called
Virginia, from the pointe of lande called Cape or Pointe Comfort all alonge
the seacoste to the northward twoe hundred miles and from the said pointe
of Cape Comfort all alonge the sea coast to the southward twoe hundred
miles; and all that space and circuit of lande lieinge from the sea coaste
of the precinct aforesaid upp unto the lande, throughoute, from sea to
sea, west and northwest; and also all the island beinge within one hundred
miles alonge the coaste of bothe seas of the precincte aforesaid; togeather
with all the soiles, groundes, havens and portes, mynes, aswell royall
mynes of golde and silver as other mineralls, pearles and precious stones,
quarries, woods, rivers, waters, fishings, comodities, jurisdictions, royalties,
priviledges, franchisies and preheminences within the said territorie and
the precincts there of whatsoever; and thereto or there abouts, both by
sea and lande, beinge or in anie sorte belonginge or appertayninge, and
which wee by oure lettres patents maie or cann graunte; and in as ample
manner and sorte as wee or anie oure noble progenitors have heretofore
graunted to anie companie, bodie pollitique or corporate, or to anie adventurer
or adventurers, undertaker or undertakers, of anie discoveries, plantacions
or traffique of, in, or into anie forraine parts whatsoever; and in as
large and ample manner as if the same were herin particulerly mentioned
and expressed: to have, houlde, possesse and enjoye all and singuler the
said landes, countries and territories with all and singuler other the
premisses heretofore by theis [presents] graunted or mencioned to be grannted,
to them, the said Tresorer and Companie, their successors and assignes,
forever; to the sole and proper use of them, the said Tresorer and Companie,
their successors and assignes [forever], to be holden of us, oure heires
and successors, as of oure mannour of Estgreenewich, in free and common
socage and not in capite; yeldinge and payinge, therefore, to us, oure
heires and successors, the fifte parte onlie of all oare of gould and silver
that from tvme to time, and at all times hereafter, shalbe there gotton,
had and obtained, for all manner of service. And, nevertheles, oure will and pleasure is,
and wee doe by theis presentes chardge, commannde, warrant and auctorize,
that the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, or the major
parte of them which shall be present and assembled for that purpose, shall
from time to time under their common seale distribute, convey, assigne
and set over such particuler porcions of lands, tenements and hereditaments,
by theise presents formerly grannted, unto such oure lovinge subjects naturallie
borne of denizens, or others, aswell adventurers as planters, as by the
said Companie, upon a commission of survey and distribucion executed and
retourned for that purpose, shalbe named, appointed and allowed, wherein
oure will and pleasure is, that respect be had as well of the proporcion
of the adventure[r] as to the speciall service, hazarde, exploite or meritt
of anie person so as to be recompenced, advannced or rewarded. And for as muche as the good and prosperous
successe of the said plantacion cannot but cheiflie depende, next under
the blessinge of God and the supporte of oure royall aucthoritie, upon
the provident and good direccion of the whole enterprise by a carefull
and understandinge Counsell, and that it is not convenient that all the
adventurers shalbe so often drawne to meete and assemble as shalbe requisite
for them to have metings and conference aboute theire affaires, therefore
we doe ordaine, establishe and confirme that there shalbe perpetually one
Counsell here resident, accordinge to the tenor of oure former lettres
patents, which Counsell shall have a seale for the better governement and
administracion of the said plantacion besides the legall seale of the Companie
or Corporacion, as in oure former lettres patents is also expressed. And further wee establishe and ordaine that Henrie, Earl of Southampton William, Earl
of Pembrooke Henrie, Earl of Lincoln Thomas, Earl of Exeter Roberte, Lord
Viscounte Lisle Lord Theophilus Howard James, Lord Bishopp of Bathe and
Wells Edward, Lord Zouche Thomas, Lord Laware William, Lord Mounteagle
Edmunde, Lord Sheffeilde Grey, Lord Shanndoys [Chandois] John, Lord Stanhope
George, Lord Carew Sir Humfrey Welde, Lord Mayor of London Sir Edward Cecil
Sir William Waad [Wade] Sir Henrie Nevill Sir Thomas Smith Sir Oliver Cromwell
Sir Peter Manwood Sir Thomas Challoner Sir Henrie Hovarte [Hobart] Sir
Franncis Bacon Sir George Coppin Sir John Scott Sir Henrie Carey Sir Roberte
Drurie [Drury] Sir Horatio Vere Sir Eward Conwaye [Conway] Sir Maurice
Berkeley [Barkeley] Sir Thomas Gates Sir Michaele Sands [Sandys] Sir Roberte
Mansfeild [Mansel] Sir John Trevor Sir Amyas Preston Sir William Godolphin
Sir Walter Cope Sir Robert Killigrewe Sir Henrie Faushawe [Fanshaw] Sir
Edwyn Sandes [Sandys] Sir John Watts Sir Henrie Montague Sir William Romney
Sir Thomas Roe Sir Baptiste Hicks Sir Richard Williamson Sir Stephen Powle
[Poole] Sir Dudley Diggs Christopher Brooke, [Esq.] John Eldred, and John
Wolstenholme shalbe oure Counsell for the said Companie
of Adventurers and Planters in Virginia. And the said Sir Thomas Smith wee ordaine
to be Tresorer of the said Companie, which Tresorer shall have aucthoritie
to give order for the warninge of the Counsell and sommoninge the Companie
to their courts and meetings. And the said Counsell and Tresorer or anie
of them shalbe from henceforth nominated, chosen, contynued, displaced,
chaunged, altered and supplied, as death or other severall occasions shall
require, out of the Companie of the said adventurers by the voice of the
greater parte of the said Counsell and adventurers in their assemblie for
that purpose; provided alwaies that everie Councellor so newlie elected
shalbe presented to the Lord Channcellor of England, or to the Lord Highe
Treasurer of England, or the Lord Chambleyne of the housholde of us, oure
heires and successors, for the tyme beinge to take his oathe of a Counsellor
to us, oure heires and successors, for the said Companie and Collonie in
Virginia. And wee doe by theis presents, of oure especiall
grace, certaine knowledge and meere motion, for us, oure heires and successors,
grannte unto the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, that
if it happen at anie time or times the Tresorer for the tyme beinge to
be sick, or to have anie such cause of absente from the cittie of London
as shalbe allowed by the said Counsell or the greater parte of them assembled,
so as he cannot attende the affaires of that Companie, in everie such case
it shall and maie be lawfull for such Tresorer for the tyme beinge to assigne,
constitute and appointe one of the Counsell for Companie to be likewise
allowed by the Counsell or the greater parte of them assembled to be the
deputie Tresorer for the said Companie; which Deputie shall have power
to doe and execute all things which belonge to the said Tresorer duringe
such tyme as such Tresorer shalbe sick or otherwise absent, upon cause
allowed of by the said Counsell or the major parte of them as aforesaid,
so fullie and wholie and in as large and ample manner and forme and to
all intents and purposes as the said Tresorer if he were present himselfe
maie or might doe and execute the same. And further of oure especiall grace, certaine
knowledge and meere mocion, for us, oure heires and successors, wee doe
by theis presents give and grannt full power and aucthoritie to oure said
Counsell here resident aswell at this present tyme as hereafter, from time
to time, to nominate, make, constitute, ordaine and confirme by such name
or names, stile or stiles as to them shall seeme good, and likewise to
revoke, dischardge, channge and alter aswell all and singuler governors,
oficers and ministers which alreadie hath ben made, as also which hereafter
shalbe by them thought fitt and meedefull to be made or used for the government
of the said Colonie and plantacion. And also to make, ordaine and establishe all
manner of orders, lawes, directions, instructions, formes and ceremonies
of government and magistracie, fitt and necessarie, for and concerninge
the government of the said Colonie and plantacion; and the same att all
tymes hereafter to abrogate, revoke or chaunge, not onely within the precincts
of the said Colonie but also upon the seas in goeing and cominge to and
from the said Collonie, as they in their good discrecions shall thinke
to be fittest for [the] good of the adventurers and inhabiters there. And we doe also declare that for divers reasons
and consideracions us thereunto especiallie moving, oure will and pleasure
is and wee doe hereby ordaine that imediatlie from and after such time
as anie such governour or principall officer so to be nominated and appointed
by oure said Counsell for the governement of the said Colonie, as aforesaid,
shall arive in Virginia and give notice unto the Collonie there resident
of oure pleasure in this behalfe, the government, power and aucthority
of the President and Counsell, heretofore by oure former lettres patents
there established, and all lawes and constitucions by them formerlie made,
shall utterly cease and be determined; and all officers, governours and
ministers formerly constituted or appointed shalbe dischardged, anie thinge
in oure said former lettres patents conserninge the said plantacion contayned
in aniewise to the contrarie notwithstandinge; streightlie chardginge and
commaundinge the President and Counsell nowe resident in the said Collonie
upon their alleadgiance after knowledge given unto them of oure will and
pleasure by theis presentes signified and declared, that they forth with
be obedient to such governor or governers as by oure said Counsell here
resident shalbe named and appointed as aforesaid; and to all direccions,
orders and commandements which they shall receive from them, aswell in
the present resigninge and giveinge upp of their aucthoritie, offices,
chardg and places, as in all other attendannce as shalbe by them from time
to time required. And wee doe further by theis presentes ordaine
and establishe that the said Tresorer and Counsell here resident, and their
successors or anie fower of them assembled (the Tresorer beinge one), shall
from time to time have full power and aucthoritie to admitt and receive
anie other person into their companie, corporacion and freedome; and further,
in a generall assemblie of the adventurers, with the consent of the greater
parte upon good cause, to disfranchise and putt oute anie person or persons
oute of the said fredome and Companie. And wee doe also grannt and confirme for us,
oure heires and successors that it shalbe lawfull for the said Tresorer
and Companie and their successors, by direccion of the Governors there,
to digg and to serche for all manner of mynes of goulde, silver, copper,
iron, leade, tinne and other mineralls aswell within the precincts aforesaid
as within anie parte of the maine lande not formerly graunted to anie other;
and to have and enjoye the gould, silver, copper, iron, leade, and tinn,
and all other mineralls to be gotten thereby, to the use and behoofe of
the said Companie of Planters and Adventurers, yeldinge therefore and payinge
yerelie unto us, oure heires and successors, as aforesaid. And wee doe further of oure speciall grace,
certaine knowledge and meere motion, for us, oure heires and successors,
grannt, by theis presents to and withe the said Tresorer and Companie and
their successors, that it shalbe lawfull and free for them and their assignes
at all and everie time and times here after, oute of oure realme of England
and oute of all other [our] dominions, to take and leade into the said
voyage, and for and towards the said plantacion, and to travell thitherwards
and to abide and inhabite therein the said Colonie and plantacion, all
such and so manie of oure lovinge subjects, or anie other straungers that
wilbecomme oure lovinge subjects and live under oure allegiance, as shall
willinglie accompanie them in the said voyadge and plantation with sufficient
shippinge armour, weapons, ordinannce, municion, powder, shott, victualls,
and such merchaundize or wares as are esteemed by the wilde people in those
parts, clothinge, implements, furnitures, catle, horses and mares, and
all other thinges necessarie for the said plantation and for their use
and defence and trade with the people there, and in passinge and retourninge
to and from without yeldinge or payinge subsedie, custome, imposicion,
or anie other taxe or duties to us, oure heires or successors, for the
space of seaven yeares from the date of theis presents; provided, that
none of the said persons be such as shalbe hereafter by speciall name restrained
by us, oure heires or successors. And for their further encouragement, of oure
speciall grace and favour, wee doe by theis present for us, oure heires
and successors, yeild and graunte to and with the said Tresorer and Companie
and their successors and everie of them, their factors and assignes, that
they and every of them shalbe free and quiett of all subsedies and customes
in Virginia for the space of one and twentie yeres, and from all taxes
and imposicions for ever, upon anie goods or merchaundizes at anie time
or times hereafter, either upon importation thither or exportation from
thence into oure realme of England or into anie other of oure [realms or]
dominions, by the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, their
deputies, factors [or] assignes or anie of them, except onlie the five
pound per centum due for custome upon all such good and merchanndizes as
shalbe brought or imported into oure realme of England or anie other of
theis oure dominions accordinge to the auncient trade of merchannts, which
five poundes per centum onely beinge paid, it shalbe thensforth lawfull
and free for the said Adventurers the same goods [and] merchaundizes to
export and carrie oute of oure said dominions into forraine partes without
anie custome, taxe or other duty tO be paide to us oure heires or successors
or to anie other oure officers or deputies; provided, that the saide goods
and merchaundizes be shipped out within thirteene monethes after their
first landinge within anie parte of those dominions. And wee doe also confirme and grannt to the
said Tresorer and Companie, and their successors, as also to all and everie
such governer or other officers and ministers as by oure said Counsell
shalbe appointed, to have power and aucthoritie of governement and commannd
in or over the said Colonie or plantacion; that they and everie of them
shall and lawfullie maie from tyme to tyme and at all tymes forever hereafter,
for their severall defence and safetie, enconnter, expulse, repell and
resist by force and armes, aswell by sea as by land, and all waies and
meanes whatsoever, all and everie such person and persons whatsoever as
without the speciall licens of the said Tresorer and Companie and their
successors shall attempte to inhabite within the said severall precincts
and lymitts of the said Colonie and plantacion; and also, all and everie
such person and persons whatsoever as shall enterprise, or attempte at
anie time hereafter, destruccion, invasion, hurte, detriment or annoyannce
to the said Collonye and plantacion, as is likewise specified in the said
former grannte. And that it shalbe lawful for the said Tresorer
and Companie, and their successors and everie of them, from time to time
and at all times hereafter, and they shall have full power and aucthoritie,
to take and surprise by all waies and meanes whatsoever all and everie
person and persons whatsoever, with their shippes, goods and other furniture,
traffiquinge in anie harbor, creeke or place within the limitts or precincts
of the said Colonie and plantacion, [not] being allowed by the said Companie
to be adventurers or planters of the said Colonie, untill such time as
they beinge of anie realmes or dominions under oure obedience shall paie
or agree to paie, to the hands of the Tresorer or [of] some other officer
deputed by the said governors in Virginia (over and above such subsedie
and custome as the said Companie is or here after shalbe to paie) five
poundes per centum upon all goods and merchaundizes soe brought in thither,
and also five per centum upon all goods by them shipped oute from thence;
and being straungers and not under oure obedience untill they have payed
(over and above such subsedie and custome as the same Tresorer and Companie
and their successors is or hereafter shalbe to paie) tenn pounds per centum
upon all such goods, likewise carried in and oute, any thinge in the former
lettres patents to the contrarie not withstandinge; and the same sommes
of monie and benefitt as aforesaid for and duringe the space of one and
twentie yeares shalbe wholie imploied to the benefitt and behoof of the
said Colonie and plantacion; and after the saide one and twentie yeares
ended, the same shalbe taken to the use of us, oure heires or successors,
by such officer and minister as by us, oure heires or successors, shalbe
thereunto assigned and appointed, as is specified in the said former lettres
patents. Also wee doe, for us, oure heires and successors,
declare by theis presents, that all and everie the persons beinge oure
subjects which shall goe and inhabit within the said Colonye and plantacion,
and everie of their children and posteritie which shall happen to be borne
within [any] the lymitts thereof, shall have [and] enjoye all liberties,
franchesies and immunities of free denizens and naturall subjects within
anie of oure other dominions to all intents and purposes as if they had
bine abidinge and borne within this oure kingdome of England or in anie
other of oure dominions. And forasmuch as it shalbe necessarie for
all such our lovinge subjects as shall inhabitt within the said precincts
of Virginia aforesaid to determine to live togither in the feare and true
woorshipp of Almightie God, Christian peace and civill quietnes, each with
other, whereby everie one maie with more safety, pleasure and profitt enjoye
that where unto they shall attaine with great paine and perill, wee, for
us, oure heires and successors, are likewise pleased and contented and
by theis presents doe give and graunte unto the said Tresorer and Companie
and their successors and to such governors, officers and ministers as shalbe,
by oure said Councell, constituted and appointed, accordinge to the natures
and lymitts of their offices and places respectively, that they shall and
maie from time to time for ever hereafter, within the said precincts of
Virginia or in the waie by the seas thither and from thence, have full
and absolute power and aucthority to correct, punishe, pardon, governe
and rule all such the subjects of us, oure heires and successors as shall
from time to time adventure themselves in anie voiadge thither or that
shall at anie tyme hereafter inhabitt in the precincts and territorie of
the said Colonie as aforesaid, accordinge to such order, ordinaunces, constitution,
directions and instruccions as by oure said Counsell, as aforesaid, shalbe
established; and in defect thereof, in case of necessitie according to
the good discretions of the said governours and officers respectively,
aswell in cases capitall and criminall as civill, both marine and other,
so alwaies as the said statuts, ordinannces and proceedinges as neere as
convenientlie maie be, be agreable to the lawes, statutes, government and
pollicie of this oure realme of England. And we doe further of oure speciall grace,
certeine knowledge and mere mocion, grant, declare and ordaine that such
principall governour as from time to time shall dulie and lawfullie be
aucthorised and appointed, in manner and forme in theis presents heretofore
expressed, shall [have] full power and aucthoritie to use and exercise
marshall lawe in cases of rebellion or mutiny in as large and ample manner
as oure leiutenant in oure counties within oure realme of England have
or ought to have by force of their comissions of lieutenancy. And furthermore,
if anie person or persons, adventurers or planters, of the said Colonie,
or anie other at anie time or times hereafter, shall transporte anie monyes,
goods or marchaundizes oute of anie [of] oure kingdomes with a pretence
or purpose to lande, sell or otherwise dispose the same within the lymitts
and bounds of the said Collonie, and yet nevertheles beinge at sea or after
he hath landed within anie part of the said Colonie shall carrie the same
into anie other forraine Countrie, with a purpose there to sell and dispose
there of that, then all the goods and chattels of the said person or persons
so offendinge and transported, together with the shipp or vessell wherein
such transportacion was made, shalbe forfeited to us, oure heires and successors. And further, oure will and pleasure is, that
in all questions and doubts that shall arrise upon anie difficultie of
construccion or interpretacion of anie thinge contained either in this
or in oure said former lettres patents, the same shalbe taken and interpreted
in most ample and beneficiall manner for the said Tresorer and Companie
and their successors and everie member there of. And further, wee doe by theis presents ratifie
and confirme unto the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors all
privuleges, franchesies, liberties and immunties graunted in oure said
former lettres patents and not in theis oure lettres patents revoked, altered,
channged or abridged. And finallie, oure will and pleasure is and
wee doe further hereby for us, oure heires and successors grannte and agree,
to and with the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors, that all
and singuler person and persons which shall at anie time or times hereafter
adventure anie somme or sommes of money in and towards the said plantacion
of the said Colonie in Virginia and shalbe admitted by the said Counsell
and Companie as adventurers of the said Colonie, in forme aforesaid, and
shalbe enrolled in the booke or record of the adventurers of the said Companye,
shall and maie be accompted, accepted, taken, helde and reputed Adventurers
of the said Collonie and shall and maie enjoye all and singuler grannts,
priviledges, liberties, benefitts, profitts, commodities [and immunities],
advantages and emoluments whatsoever as fullie, largely, amplie and absolutely
as if they and everie of them had ben precisely, plainely, singulerly and
distinctly named and inserted in theis oure lettres patents. And lastely, because the principall effect
which wee cann desier or expect of this action is the conversion and reduccion
of the people in those partes unto the true worshipp of God and Christian
religion, in which respect wee would be lothe that anie person should be
permitted to passe that wee suspected to affect the superstitions of the
Churche of Rome, wee doe hereby declare that it is oure will and pleasure
that none be permitted to passe in anie voiadge from time to time to be
made into the saide countrie but such as firste shall have taken the oath
of supremacie, for which purpose wee doe by theise presents give full power
and aucthoritie to the Tresorer for the time beinge, and anie three of
the Counsell, to tender and exhibite the said oath to all such persons
as shall at anie time be sent and imploied in the said voiadge. Although expresse mention [of the true yearly
value or certainty of the premises, or any of them, or of any other gifts
or grants, by us or any of our progenitors or predecessors, to the aforesaid
Treasurer and Company heretofore made, in these presents is not made; or
any act, statute, ordinance, provision, proclamation, or restraint, to
the contrary hereof had, made, ordained, or provided, or any other thing,
cause, or matter, whatsoever, in any wise notwithstanding.] In witnes whereof
[we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness ourself at
Westminster, the 23d day of May (1609) in the seventh year of our reign
of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the ****] Per ipsum Regem exactum. For correspondence: P.O. Box 1310 • Herndon, VA 20172-1310 df@declarationfoundation.com © 2008, Declaration Foundation • ® All rights reserved. |