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The Third Virginia Charter
March 12, 1612 James, by the grace of God [King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith;] to all to whom [these pres-ents shall come,] greeting. Whereas at the humble suite of divers and sundry our lovinge subjects, aswell adventurers as planters of the First Colonie in Virginia, and for the propagacion of Christian religion and reclayminge of people barbarous to civilitie and humanitie, we have by our lettres patent bearing date at Westminster the three and twentieth daie of May in the seaventh yeare of our raigne of England, Frannce and Ireland, and the twoe and fortieth of Scotland, given and grannted unto them, that they and all suche and soe manie of our loving subjects as shold from time to time for ever after be joyned with them as planters or adventurers in the said plantacion, and their succes-sors for ever, shold be one body politique incorporated by the name of The Treasorer and Planters of the Cittie of London for the First Colonie in Virginia; And whereas allsoe for the greater good and
benefitt of the said Companie and for the better furnishing and establishing
of the said plantacion we did further [give], grannte and con-firme by
our said lettres patent unto the said Treasorer and Com-panie and their
successors for ever, all those landes, contries and territories scituate,
lyeing and being in that part of America called Virginia, from the point
of land called Cape [or] Pointe Comfort all along the seacoste to the northward
twoe hundred miles, and from the said point of Cape Comfort all along the
seacoste to the sowthward twoe hundred miles, and all the space and circuit
of land lying from the sea coste of the precinct afore-said up or into
the land throughout from sea to sea, west and northwest, and allso all
the islandes lying within one hundred miles along the coast of both the
seas of the precinct aforsaid, with diverse other grannts, liberties, franchises,
preheminences, privileges, profiitts, benefitts, and commodities, grannted
in and by our said lettres patent to the said Tresorer and Companie, and
their successors, for ever: Now for asmuchas we are given to undestande
that in these seas adjoyning to the said coast of Virginia and without
the com- passe of those twoe hundred miles by us soe grannted unto the
said Treasurer and Companie as aforesaid, and yet not farr dis- tant from
the said Colony in Virginia, there are or may be divers islandes lying
desolate and uninhabited, some of which are al- ready made knowne and discovered
by the industry, travell, and expences of the said Company, and others
allsoe are sup-posed to be and remaine as yet unknowen and undiscovered,
all and every of which itt maie importe the said Colony both in safety
and pollecy of trade to populate and plant, in regard where of, aswell
for the preventing of perill as for the better comodity and prosperity
of the said Colony, they have bin hum-ble suitors unto us that we wold
be pleased to grannt unto them an inlardgement of our said former lettres
patent, aswell for a more ample extent of their limitts and territories
into the seas adjoyning to and uppon the coast of Virginia as allsoe for
some other matters and articles concerning the better government of the
said Company and Collony, in which point our said former lettres patents
doe not extende soe farre as time and experience hath found to be needfull
and convenient: We, therefore, tendring the good and happy
successe of the said plantacion both in respect of the generall weale of
humane society as in respect of the good of our owne estate and kinge-
domes, and being willing to give furtherannt untoall good meanes that may
advannce the benefitt of the said Company and which maie secure the safety
of our loving subjects, planted in our said Colony under the favour and
proteccion of God Almighty and of our royall power and authority, have
therefore of our especiall grace, certein knowledge and mere mocion, given,
grannted and confirmed, and for us, our heires and successors we doe by
theis presents, give, grannt and confirme unto the said Treasurer and Company
of Adventurers and Planters of the said Citty of London for the First Colony
in Virginia, and to their heires and successors for ever, all and singuler
the said iselandes [whatsoever] scituat and being in anie part of the said
ocean bordering upon the coast of our said First Colony in Vir-ginia and
being within three hundred leagues of anie the partes hertofore grannted
to the said Treasorer and Company in our said former lettres patents as
aforesaid, and being within or be-tweene the one and fortie and thirty
degrees of Northerly lati-tude, together with all and singuler [soils]
landes, groundes, havens, ports, rivers, waters, fishinges, mines and mineralls,
as-well royal mines of gold and silver as other mines and mineralls, perles,
precious stones, quarries, and all and singuler other com- modities, jurisdiccions,
royalties, priviledges, franchises and pre-heminences, both within the
said tract of lande uppon the maine and allso within the said iselandes
and seas adjoyning, whatso-ever, and thereunto or there abouts both by
sea and land being or scituat; and which, by our lettres patents, we maie
or cann grannt and in as ample manner and sort as we or anie our noble
progenitors have heretofore grannted to anie person or persons or to anie
Companie, bodie politique or corporate or to any ad-venturer or adventurers,
undertaker or undertakers of anie dis-coveries, plantacions or traffique,
of, in, or into anie foreigne parts whatsoever, and in as lardge and ample
manner as if the same were herein particularly named, mencioned and expressed:
pro-vided allwaies that the said iselandes or anie the premisses herein
mencioned and by theis presents intended and meant to be grannted be not
already actually possessed or inhabited by anie other Christian prince
or estate, nor be within the bounds, limitts or territories of the Northerne
Colonie, hertofore by us grannted to be planted by divers of our loving
subjects in the northpartes of Virginia. To have and to hold, possesse
and injoie all and singuler the said iselandes in the said ocean seas soe
lying and bordering uppon the coast or coasts of the territories of the
said First Colony in Virginia as aforesaid, with all and singuler the said
soiles, landes and groundes and all and singular other the premisses heretofore
by theis presents grannted, or mencioned to be grannted, to them, the said
Treasurer and Companie of Adventurers and Planters of the Cittie of London
for the First Colonie in Virginia, and to their heires, successors and
assignes for ever, to the sole and proper use and behoofe of them, the
said Treasurer and Companie and their heires, successores and as-signes
for ever; to be holden of us, our heires and successors as of our mannor
of Eastgreenwich, in free and common soccage and not in capite, yealding
and paying therefore, to us, our heires and successors, the fifte part
of the oare of all gold and silver which shalbe there gotten, had or obteined
for all manner of services, whatsoever. And further our will and pleasure is, and
we doe by theis presents grannt and confirme for the good and welfare of
the said plantacion, and that posterity maie hereafter knowe whoe have
adventured and not bin sparing of their purses in such a noble and generous
accion for the generall good of theire cuntrie, and at the request and
with the consent of the Companie afore said, that our trusty and welbeloved
subjects. George, Lord Archbishopp of Canterbury Gilbert,
Earle of Shrewsberry Mary, Countesse of Shrewes- Elizabeth, Countesse of
Derby Margarett, Countesse of Com-berland Henry, Earle of Huntingdon Edward,
Earle of Beddford Lucy, Countesse of Bedford Marie, Countesse of Pembroke
Richard, Earle of Clanrickard Lady Elizabeth Graie William, Lord Viscount
Cram-bome William, Lord Bishopp of Du-resme Henry, Lord Bishopp of Wor-ceter
John, Lord Bishopp of Oxon-ford William, Lord Pagett Dudley, Lord North
Franncis, Lord Norries William, Lord Knollis John, Lord Harrington Robert,
Lord Spencer Edward, Lord Denny William, Lord Cavendishe James, Lord Hay
Elianor, Lady Cave [Carre] Maistres Elizabeth Scott, wid-dow Edward Sackvill,
Esquier Sir Henry Nevill, of Aburga-venny, Knight Sir Robert Riche, Knight
Sir John Harrington, Knight Sir Raphe Wimwood, Knight Sir John Graie, Knight
Sir Henry Riche, Knight Sir Henry Wotton, Knight Peregrine Berly, Esquier
[Berty] Sir Edward Phelipps, Knight, Maister of the Rolls Sir Moile Finche,
Knight Sir Thomas Mansell, Knight Sir John St. John, Knight Sir Richard
Spencer, Knight Sir Franncis Barrington, Knight Sir George Carie of Devonshire,
Knight Sir William Twisden, Knight Sir John Leveson, Knight Sir Thomas
Walsingham, Knight Sir Edward Care, Knight Sir Arthure Manwaringe, Knight
Sir Thomas Jermyn, Knight Sir Valentine Knightley, Knight Sir John Dodderidge,
Knight Sir John Hungerford, Knight Sir John Stradling, Knight Sir John
Bourchidd, Knight [Bourchier] Sir John Bennett, Knight Sir Samuel Leonard,
Knight Sir Franncis Goodwin, Knight Sir Wareham St. Legier, Knight Sir
James Scudamore, Knight Sir Thomas Mildmaie, Knight Sir Percivall Harte,
Knight Sir Percivall Willoughby, Knight Sir Franncis Leigh, Knight Sir
Henry Goodere, Knight Sir John Cutt, Knight Sir James Parrett, Knight Sir
William Craven, Knight Sir John Sammes, Knight Sir Carey Raleigh, Knight
Sir William Maynard, Knight Sir Edmund Bowyer, Knight Sir William Cornewallis,
Knight Sir Thomas Beomont, Knight Sir Thomas Cunningsby, Knight Sir Henry
Beddingfeild, Knight Sir David Murray, Knight Sir William Poole, Knight
Sir William Throgmorton, Knight Sir Thomas Grantham, Knight Sir Thomas
Stewkley, Knight Sir Edward Heron, Knight Sir Ralph Shelten, Knight Sir
Lewes Thesam, Knight Sir Walter Aston, Knight Sir Thomas Denton, Knight
Sir Ewstace Hart, Knight Sir John Ogle, Knight Sir Thomas Dale, Knight
Sir William Boulstrod, Knight Sir William Fleetwood, Knight Sir John Acland,
Knight Sir John Hanham, Knight Sir Roberte Meller, Knight [Millor] Sir
Thomas Wilford, Knight Sir William Lower, Knight Sir Thomas Lerdes, Knight
[Leedes] Sir Franncis Barneham, Knight Sir Walter Chate, Knight Sir Thomas
Tracy, Knight Sir Marmaduke Darrell, Knight Sir William Harrys, Knight
Sir Thomas Gerrand, Knight Sir Peter Freetchvile, Knight Sir Richard Trevor,
Knight Sir Amias Bamfeild Sir William Smith of Essex, Knight Sir Thomas
Hewett, Knight Sir Richard Smith, Knight Sir John Heyward, Knight Sir Christopher
Harris, Knight Sir John Pettus, Knight Sir William Strode, Knight Sir Thomas
Harfleet, Knight Sir Walter Vaughan, Knight Sir William Herrick, Knight
Sir Samuell Saltonstall, Knight Sir Richard Cooper, Knight Sir Henry Fane,
Knight Sir Franncis Egiok, Knight Sir Robert Edolph, Knight Sir Arthure
Harries, Knight Sir George Huntley, Knight Sir George Chute, Knight Sir
Robert Leigh, Knight Sir Richard Lovelace, Knight Sir William Lovelace,
Knight Sir Robert Yaxley, Knight Sir Franncis Wortley, Knight Sir Franncis
Heiborne, Knight Sir Guy Palme, Knight Sir Richard Bingley, Knight Sir
Ambrose Turvill, Knight Sir Nicholas Stoddard, Knight Sir William Gree,
Knight Sir Walter Coverte, Knight Sir Thomas Eversfeild, Knight Sir Nicholas
Parker, Knight Sir Edward Culpeper, Knight Sir William Ayliffe, Knight,
and Sir John Keile, Knight Doctor George Mountaine, Dean of Westminster
Lawrence Bohan, Docktor in Phisick Anthony Hinton, Doctor in Phisick John
Pawlett Arthure Ingram Anthony Irby John Weld John Walter John Harris Anthony
Dyott William Ravenscrofte Thomas Warre William Hackwill Lawrence Hide
Nicholas Hide Thomas Stevens Franncis Tate Thomas Coventry John Hare Robert
Askwith George Sanndys Franncis Jones Thomas Wentworth Henry Cromewell
John Arundell John Culpeper John Hoskins Walter Fitz Williams Walter Kirkham
William Roscarrock Richard Carmerdon Edward Carne Thomas Merry Nicholas
Lichfeild John Middleton John Smithe, and Thomas Smith, the sonnes of Sir
Thomas Smith Peter Franke George Gerrand Gregory Sprynte John Drake Roger
Puleston Oliver Nicholas Richard Nunnington [Monyngton] John Vaughan John
Evelin Lamorock Stradling John Riddall John Kettleby Warren Townsend Lionell
Cranfeild Edward Salter William Litton Humfrey May George Thorpe Henry
Sandys, and Edwin Sandys, the sonnes of Sir Edwin Sandys Thomas Conway
Captaine Owen Gwinn Captaine Giles Hawkridge Edward Dyer Richard Connock
Benjamin Brand Richard Leigh, and Thomas Pelham, Esquiers Thomas Digges,
and John Digges, Esquiers, the sonnes of Sir Dudley Diggs, Franncis Bradley
Richard Buckminster [Buck] Franncis Burley John Procter Thomas Frake, thelder,
and Henry Freake, thelder, Minis-ters of God's word The mayor and citizens
of Chi-chester The mayor and jurates of Dover The bailiffs, burgesses and
com-onalty of Ipswich The mayor and comunalty of Lyme Regis The mayor and
comonalty of Sandwich The wardens, assistants and companie of the Trinity
House Thomas Martin Franncis Smaleman Augustine Steward Richard Tomlins
Humfrey Jobson John Legate Robert Backley [Barkley] John Crowe Edward Backley
[Barkley] William Flett [Fleet] Henry Wolstenholme Edmund Alleyn George
Tucker Franncis Glanville Thomas Gouge John Evelin William Hall John Smithe
George Samms John Robinson William Tucker John Wolstenholme, and Henry
Wolstenholme, sonnes of John Wolstenholme, Esquier William Hodges Jonathan
Mattall [Nuttall] Phinees Pett Captaine John Kinge Captaine William Beck
Giles Alington Franncis Heiton, and Samuell Holliland, gentleman Richard
Chamberlaine George Chamberlaine Hewett Staper Humfrey Handford Raph Freeman
George Twinhoe [Swinhoe] Richard Pigott Elias Roberts Roger Harris Devereux
Wogan Edward Baber William Greenewell Thomas Stilles Nicholas Hooker Robert
Garsett Thomas Cordell William Bright John Reynold Peter Bartley John Willett
Humfry Smithe Roger Dye Nicholas Leate Thomas Wale Lewes Tate Humfrey Merrett
Roberte Peake Powell Isaackson Sebastian Viccars Jarvis Mundes Richard
Wamer Gresham Hogan Warner Daniell Deruley Andrew Troughton William Barrett
Thomas Hodges John Downes Richard Harper Thomas Foxall William Haselden
James Harrison William Burrell John Hodsall Richard Fisborne John Miller
Edward Cooke Richard Hall, marchaunt Richard Hall, ankersmith John Delbridge
Richard Francklin Edmund Scott John Britten Robert Stratt Edmund Pond Edward
James Robert Bell Richard Herne William Ferrers William Millett Anthony
Abdy Roberte Gore Benjamin Decrow Henry Tunbedey [Timberly] Humfrey Basse
Abraham Speckart Richard Moorer William Compton Richard Poulsoune [Pontsonne]
William Wolaston John Desmont, clothier [Beomont] Alexannder Childe William
Fald, fishmonger Franncis Baldwin John Jones, marchant Thomas Plomer Edward
Plomer, marchants John Stoickden Robert Tindall Peter Erundell Ruben Bourne
Thomas Hampton, and Franncis Carter, citizens of Lon-don, whoe since our said last lettres patent are
become adventurers and have joined themselves with the former adventurers
and planters of the said Companie and societie, shall from hence-forth
be reputed, deemed and taken to be and shalbe brethren and free members
of the Companie and shall and maie, respect-ively, and according to the
proportion and value of their severall adventures, have, hold and enjoie
all suche interest, right, title, priviledges, preheminences, liberties,
franchises, immunities, profitts and commodities whatsoever in as lardge,
ample and beneficiall manner to all intents, construccions and purposes
as anie other adventures nominated and expressed in anie our former lettres
patent, or anie of them have or maie have by force and vertue of theis
presents, or anie our former lettres patent whatsoever. And we are further pleased and we doe by theis
presents grannt and confirm that Phillipp, Earle of Montgomery William, Lord
Paget Sir John Harrington, Knight Sir William Cavendish, Knight Sir John
Sammes, Knight Sir Samuell Sandys, Knight Sir Thomas Freke, Knight Sir
William St. John, Knight Sir Richard Grobham, Knight Sir Thomas Dale, Knight
Sir Cavalliero Maycott, Knight Richard Martin, Esquier John Bingley, Esquier
Thomas Watson, Esquier, and Arthure Ingram, Esquier, whome the said Treasurer and Companie have,
since the said [last] lettres patent, nominated and sett downe as worthy
and discreete persons fitt to serve us as Counsellors, to be of our Counsell
for the said plantacion, shalbe reputed, deemed and taken as persons of
our said Councell for the said First Colonie in such manner and sort to
all intents and purposes as those whoe have bin formerly ellected and nominated
as our Coun-sellors for that Colonie and whose names have bin or are incerted
and expressed in our said former lettres patent. And we doe hereby ordaine and grannt by theis
presents that the said Treasurer and Companie of Adventurers and Planters,
aforesaid, shall and maie, once everie weeke or oftener at their pleasure,
hold and keepe a court and assembly for the better ordening [ordering]
and government of the said plantacion and such thinges as shall concerne
the same; and that anie five per- sons of the said Counsell for the said
First Collonie
in Virginia, for the time being, of which Companie the Treasurer
or his deputie allwaies to be one, and the nomber of fifteene others at
the least of the generality of the said Companie assembled together in
such court or assembly in such manner as is and hath bin heretofore used
and accustomed, shalbe said, taken, held and reputed to be and shalbe a
full and sufficient court of the said Companie for the handling, ordring
and dispatching of all such casuall and particuler occurrences and accidentall
mat-ters of lesse consequence and waight, as shall from time to time happen,
touching and concerning the said plantacion. And that, nevertheles, for the handling, ordring
and disposing of matters and affaires of great waight and importance and
such as shall or maie in anie sort concerne the weale publike and generall
good of the said Companie and plantacion as namely, the manner of government
from time to time to be used, the ordring and disposing of the said possessions
and the setling and establish-ing of a trade there, or such like, there
shalbe held and kept everie yeare uppon the last Wednesdaie save one of
Hillary, Easter, Trinity and Michaelmas termes, for ever, one great, generall
and solemne assembly, which fower severall assemblies shalbe stiled and
called The Fower Great and Generall Courts of the Counsell and Companie
of Adventurers for Virginia; in all and every of which said great and generall
Courts soe assem-bled our will and pleasure is and we doe, for us, our
heires and successors forever, give and grannt to the said Treasurer and
Companie and their successors for ever by theis presents, that they, the
said Treasurer and Companie or the greater nomber of them soe assembled,
shall and maie have full power and authoritie from time to time and att
all times hereafter to ellect and choose discreet persons to be of our
[said] Counsell for the said First Colonie in Virginia and to nominate
and appoint such officers as theie shall thinke fitt and requisit for the
government, managing, ordring and dispatching of the affaires of the said
Companie; and shall likewise have full power and authority to ordaine and
make such lawes and ordinances for the good and wellfare of the said plantacion
as to them from time to time shalbe thought requisite and meete: soe allwaies
as the same be not contrary to the lawes and statutes of this our realme
of England; and shall in like manner have power and authority to expulse,
disfranchise and putt out of and from their said Companie and societie
for ever all and everie such person and persons as having either promised
or subscribed their names to become adventurers to the said plantacion
of the said First Colonie in Virginia, or having bin nominated for adventurers
in theis or anie our lettres patent or having bin otherwise admitted and
nominated to be of the said Companie, have nevertheles either not putt
in anie adventure [at] all for and towards the said plantacion or els have
refused and neglected, or shall refuse and neglect, to bringe in his or
their adventure by word or writing promised within sixe monthes after the
same shalbe soe payable and due. And wheras the failing and nonpaiment of such
monies as have bin promised in adventure for the advanncement of the said
plantacion hath bin often by experience found to be dann-gerous and prejudiciall
to the same and much to have hindred the progresse and proceeding of the
said plantacion; and for that itt seemeth to us a thing reasonable that
such persons as by their handwriting have engaged themselves for the payment
of their adventures, and afterwards neglecting their faith and promise,
shold be compellable to make good and kepe the same; therefore our will
and pleasure is that in anie suite or suites comenced or to be comenced
in anie of our courts att Westminster, or els- where, by the said Treasurer
and Companie or otherwise against anie such persons, that our judges for
the time being both in our Court of Channcerie and at the common lawe doe
favour and further the said suits soe farre forth as law and equitie will
in anie wise suffer and permitt. And we doe, for us, our heires and successors,
further give and grannt to the said Tresorer and Companie, and their successors
for ever, that theie, the said Tresorer and Companie or the greater part
of them for the time being, so in a full and generall court assembled as
aforesaid shall and maie, from time to time and att all times hereafter,
for ever, ellect, choose and permitt into their Company and society anie
person or persons, as well straungers and aliens borne in anie part beyond
the seas where-soever, being in amity with us, as our naturall liedge subjects
borne in anie our realmes and dominions; and that all such per-sons soe
elected, chosen and admitted to be of the said Companie as aforesaid shall
thereuppon be taken, reputed and held and shalbe free members of the said
Companie and shall have, hold and enjoie all and singuler freedoms, liberties,
franchises, privi-ledges, immunities, benefitts, profitts and commodities,
whatso-ever, to the said Companie in anie sort belonging or apperteining
as fully, freely [and] amplie as anie other adventurer or ad-venturers
now being, or which hereafter att anie time shalbe, of the said Companie,
hath, have, shall, maie, might or ought to have or enjoy the same to all
intents and purposes whatsoever. And we doe further of our speciall grace,
certaine knowledge and mere mocion, for us, our heires and successors,
give and grantt to the said Tresorer and Companie and their successors,
for ever by theis present, that itt shalbe lawfull and free for them and
their assignes att all and everie time and times here- after, out of anie
our realmes and dominions whatsoever, to take, lead, carry and transport
in and into the said voyage and for and towards the said plantacion of
our said First Collonie in Virginia, all such and soe manie of our loving
subjects or anie other straungers that will become our loving subjects
and live under our allegiance as shall willingly accompanie them in the
said voyage and plantacion; with shipping, armour, weapons, ordinannce,
munition, powder, shott, victualls, and all manner of merchandizes and
wares, and all manner of clothing, imple-ment, furniture, beasts, cattell,
horses, mares, and all other thinges necessarie for the said plantacion
and for their use and defence, and for trade with the people there and
in passing and retourning to and froe, without paying or yealding anie
subsedie, custome or imposicion, either inward or outward, or anie other
dutie to us, our heires or successors, for the same, for the space of seven
yeares from the date of theis present. And we doe further, for us, our heires and
successors, give and grannt to the said Treasurer and Companie and their
suc-cessors for ever, by theis present, that the said Treasurer of the
said Companie, or his deputie for the time being or anie twoe others of
our said Counsell for the said First Colonie in Virginia for the time being,
shall and maie attall times hereafter and from time to time, have full
power and authoritie to minister and give the oath and oathes of supremacie
and allegiannce, or either of them, to all and every person and persons
which shall, at anie time and times hereafter, goe or passe to the said
Colonie in Virginia: And further, that itt shalbe likewise lawfull
for the said Tresorer, or his deputy for the time, or anie twoe others
of our said Counsell for the said First Colonie in Virginia, for the time
being, from time to time and att all times hereafter, to minister such
a formall oathe as by their discrescion shalbe reasonably devised, aswell
unto anie person or persons imployed or to be imployed in, for, or touching
the said plantacion for their honest, faithfull and just dischardge of
their service in all such matters as shalbe committed unto them for the
good and benefitt of the said Company, Colonie and plantacion; as alsoe
unto such other person or persons as the said Treasurer or his deputie,
with twoe others of the said Counsell, shall thinke meete for the examina-cion
or clearing of the truith in anie cause whatsoever con-cerninge the said
plantacion or anie business from thence proceeding or there unto proceeding
or thereunto belonging. And, furthermore, whereas we have ben certefied
that diverse lewde and ill disposed persons, both sailors, souldiers, artificers,
husbandmen, laborers, and others, having received wages, ap-parrell or
other entertainment from the said Company or having contracted and agreed
with the said Companie to goe, to serve, or to be imployed in the said
plantacion of the said First Colonie in Virginia, have afterwards either
withdrawen, hid or concealed themselves, or have refused to goe thither
after they have bin soe entertained and agreed withall; and that divers
and sundry persons allso which have bin sent and imployed in the said plantacion
of the said First Colonie in Virginia at and upon the chardge of the said
Companie, and having there misbehaved themselves by mutinies, sedition,
and other notorious misdemeanors, or having bin employed or sent abroad
by the governor of Virginia or his deputie with some ship or pinnace for
provi-sions for the said Colonie, or for some discoverie or other buisines
and affaires concerning the same, have from thence most trecherouslie either
come back againe and retorned into our realme of England by stelth or without
licence of our Gov-ernor of our said Colonie in Virginia for the time being,
or have bin sent hither as misdoers and offenders; and that manie allsoe
of those persons after their retourne from thence, having bin questioned
by our said Counsell here for such their misbehaviors and offences, by
their insolent and contemptuous carriage in the presence of our said Counsaile,
have shewed little respect and reverence, either to the place or authoritie
in which we have placed and appointed them; and others, for the colouring
of their lewdnes and misdemeanors committed in Virginia, have endeavored
them by most vile and slanndrous reports made and divulged, aswell of the
cuntrie of Virginia as alsoe of the government and estate of the said plantacion
and Colonie, as much as in them laie, to bring the said voyage and plantacion
into disgrace and contempt; by meanes where of not only the adventures
and planters alreadie ingaged in the said plantacion have bin exceedingly
abused and hindred, and a greate nomber of other our loving and welldisposed
subjects otherwise well affected and inclyning to joine and adventure insoe
noble, Christian and worthie an action have bin discouraged from the same,
but allsoe the utter overthrow and ruine of the said enterprise hath bin
greatlie indanngered which cannott miscarrie without some dishonor to us
and our kingdome; Now, for asmuch as it appeareth unto us that
theis insolences, misdemeanors and abuses, not to be tollerated in anie
civill government, have for the most part growne and proceeded in-regard
of our Counsaile have not anie direct power and authoritie by anie expresse
wordes in our former lettres patent to correct and chastise such offenders,
we therefore, for the more speedy reformacion of soe greate and enormous
abuses and misdemeanors heretofore practised and committed, and for the
preventing of the like hereafter, doe by theis present for us, our heires
and successors, give and grannt to the said Treasurer and Companie, and
their successors for ever, that itt shall and maie be lawfull for our said
Councell for the said First Colonie in Virginia or anie twoe of them, whereof
the said Tresorer or his deputie for the time being to be allwaies one
by warrant under their handes to send for, or cause to be apprehended,
all and every such person and persons who shalbe noted or accused or found,
att anie time or times here after, to offend or misbehave themselves in
anie the offences before mencioned and expressed; and uppon the examinacion
of anie such offender or offendors and just proofe made by oath taken before
the Counsaile of anie such notorious misdemeanors by them committed as
aforesaid; and allsoe uppon anie insolent, contemptuous or unreverent carriage
and misbehavior to or against our said Counsell shewed or used by anie
such person or persons soe called, convented and apear-ing before them
as aforesaid; that in all such cases theie, our said Counsell or anie twoe
of them for the time being, shall and maie have full power and authoritie
either here tO binde them over with good suerties for their good behaviour
and further therein to proceed to all intents and purposes, as itt is used
in other like cases within our realme of England; or ells att their discrescion
to remannd and send back the said offenders or anie of them unto the said
Colonie in Virginia, there to be proceeded against and punished as the
Governor, deputie and Counsell there for the time being shall thinke meete;
or other- wise, according to such lawes and ordinannces as are or shalbe
in use there for the well ordring and good governement of the said Colonie. And, for the more effectuall advanncing of
the said plantacion, we doe further, for us, our heires and successors,
of our especiall grace and favour, by vertue of our prorogative royall
and by the assent and consent of the Lordes and others of our Privie Coun-salle,
give and grannte unto the said Tresorer and Companie full power and authoritie,
free leave, libertie and licence to sett forth, errect and publishe one
or more lotterie or lotteries to have continuance and to [endure] and be
held for the space of one whole yeare next after the opening of the same,
and after the end and expiracion of the said terme the said lotterie or
lotteries to continue and be further kept, during our will and pleasure
onely and not otherwise. And yet, nevertheles, we are contented and pleased,
for the good and wellfare of the said plantacion, that the said Tresorer
and Companie shall, for the dispatch and finishing of the said lotterie
or lotteries, have six months warn-inge after the said yeare ended before
our will and pleasure shall, for and on that behalfe, be construed, deemed
and adjudged to be in anie wise altered and determined. And our further will and pleasure is that
the said lottery or lottaries shall and maie be opened and held within
our cittie of London or in anie other cittie or citties, or ellswheare
within this our realme of England, with such prises, articles, condicions
and limitacions as to them, the said Tresorer and Companie, in their discreascions
shall seeme convenient. And that itt shall and may be lawfull to and
for the said Tresorer and Companie to ellect and choose receivors, auditors,
surveyors, comissioners, or anie other officers whatsoever, att their will
and pleasure for the better marshalling and guiding and governing of the
said lottarie or lottaryes; and that itt shalbe likewise lawfull to and
for the said Tresorer and anie twoe of the said Counsell to minister unto
all and everie such persons soe ellected and chosen for officers as aforesaid
one or more oathes for their good behaviour, just and true dealing in and
about the lottarie or lottaries to the intent and purpose that none of
our loving subjects, putting in their monies or otherwise adventuring in
the said generall lotterie or lottaries, maie be in anie wise defrauded
and deceived of their said monies or evill and in-directlie dealt withall
in their said adventures. And we further grannt in manner and forme
aforesaid, that itt shall and maie be lawfull to and for the said Treasurer
and Companie, under the seale of our Counsell for the plantacion, to publishe
or to cause and procure to be published by proclama-cion or otherwise,
the said proclamacion to be made in their name by vertue of theise present,
the said lottarie or lotteries in all citties, townes, boroughts, throughfaires
and other places within our said realme of England; and we will and commande
all mayors, justices of peace, sheriffs, bayliffs, constables and other
our officers and loving subjects whatsoever, that in noe wise theie hinder
or delaie the progresse and proceeding of the said lottarie or lottaries
but be therein and, touching the premisses, aiding and assisting by all
honest, good and lawfull meanes and endevours. And further our will and pleasure is that
in all questions and dobts that shall arise uppon anie difficultie of construccion
or interpretacion of anie thing conteined in theis or anie other our former
lettres patent 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 lastly we doe by theis present retifie
and confirme unto the said Treasorer and Companie, and their successors
for ever, all and all manner of priviledges, franchises, liberties, immuni-
ties, preheminences, profitts and commodities whatsoever grannted unto
them in anie our [former] lettres patent and not in theis present revoked,
altered, channged or abridged. Although ex-presse mencion [of the true
yearly value or certainty of the pre-mises, or any of them, or of any other
gift or grant, by us or any of our progenitors or predecessors, to the
aforesaid Tresurer and Company heretofore made, in these Presents is not
made; or any statute, act, ordinance, provisions, proclamation, or restraint,
to the contrary thereof heretofore made, ordained, or provided, or any
other matter, cause, or thing, whatsoever, to the contrary, in any wise,
notwithstanding.] In witnes whereof [we have caused these our
letters to be made patents.] Wittnes our selfe att Westminster, the twelveth
daie of March [1612] [in the ninth year of our reign of England, France,
and Ireland, and of Scotland the five and fortieth.] Per breve de privato sigillo, etc. For correspondence: P.O. Box 1310 • Herndon, VA 20172-1310 df@declarationfoundation.com © 2008, Declaration Foundation • ® All rights reserved. |