University of Virginia Library

A Præparatiue Court held for Virginia in
the Afternoone the Xjth of Iune 1621.

Present

                           

Sr Edwyn Sandys.	mr George Sandys.	mr Darnelly.
Sr Roger Iames.	mr Wrote.	mr Caswell.
Sr: ffra: Wyate.	mr Doctor Anthony.	mr Ayres.
Sr William Newce.	mr Iohn Smith.	mr Swinho.
mr Iohn Wroth.	mr Nich: fferrar.	mr Kelly.
mr Gibbs.	mr Rugles.	mr Moone.
mr Deputy fferrar.	mr Wheately.	mr Meverell.
	mr Widdowes.
	mr Barbor.
	mr Melling.
	mr Bolton.
	mr Steward.
	mr Newport.
	wth divers others.

Sr Edwyn Sandys signified that my Lo: of Southampton desired this
Courte to excuse him for his absence at this time being wthheld vpon
extraordinary occasion: and though long absent yet his Lop: had been
exceeding carefull of their buissines: for no longer agoe then Sater-
day last he signified that some of the Counsell having mett at his
Lops: howse, had conference for many howers together, about
waightie buissinesses concerning Virginia: where they first tooke
into their considerac̃on the establishing of the Counsell of State there
as likewise concerning the Gouernor: and Secretary: whose Comis-
sions continuing but for three yeares in certaine, did both expire in
Novemb: next. In supply of the first they have allready made
choyse of a worthy gentleman to be their Gouernor: namely Sr
ffrauncis Wyate who was shortly to sett out to Virginia and to take
his place at the expirac̃on of Sr Geo: Yeardlyes Comission and not
before: It was allso well knowne vnto them the choyse that had been
made of two Newe officers namely of mr: George Sandys to be Treas-
uror of Virginia: and Sr William Newce to be their Marshall. But
touching the Secretary of State there that now is namely (mr Porey)
it remayned to knowe their Pleasure whither they would continue
him still in his said office or make a Change. Wherevpon it was sig-
nified that for so much as mr Porey had not caried himsellf well in
the said place to the contentmt: of the Company it was conceaved to
be the generall purpose of the Court to change him for a better so
neere as they could and therefore desired some other might be nom-
inated vnto them.[838] [228]

Whervppon mr Deputy gaue notice of 4 worthie gentlemen that had
been recommended vnto him for that place all of them well bred
sufficientlie well quallefyed soe as the meanest seemed much worthie
of a better place not in respect of the quallytie thereof but in respect
of the entertaynement belonginge thervnto so as itt was his greife
they had not places for them all butt must be enforced to dismisse
three of them the names of the said gentlemen were these mr Para-
more, mr Dauison, mr Smith, and mr Waterhouse who hath been
recommended by Sr Iohn Dauers for three things especially namely

his honestie Religion and sufficiencie for wch hee would vndertake
vppon that knowledge hee had of him this gentlemen mr Waterhouse
should make good to their full sattisfacc̃on: Butt itt was signified
that they haveinge been all fower comended to the Lord of South-
ampton his Lop: was so nobly mynded towards this Company as to leave them to their free libertie of choyce of any of them by an
orderly elecc̃on, and therfore wished they would in the meantime make
some further enquirie of them against the next Courte and then come
resolved, for wch and many other noble favors the Courte did gener-
ally testifie their much obliged respect and thankfullnes vnto his Lop:

Sr Edwin Sandys further signified that itt was then allso taken into
their considerac̃on and thought fitt that the Counsell of State in Vir-
ginia should assemble fower times a yeare each Quarter once for one
wholl weeke together to advise and consult vppon matter of Counsell
and of State and of the generall affaires of the Colony and as there
shalbe cause to order and determine the greater matters of contro-
versie growinge and arysinge betweene the Plantations ther beinge
now added a good nomber of new Counsellors to the former, namely.

       

mr Thorpe.	mr Dauid Middleton.
mr Tho: Newce.	mr Bluett.
mr Pountes.	mr Horwood.
mr Tracye.

And now of late mr William Newce, mr George Sandys and mr Ouls-
worth. [229]

Sr Edwin Sandys declared further that they had taken into considera-
c̃on matter of future supporte of the Plantac̃on to supplie if they
could now other helps doe faile out of that contribuc̃on wch is p̢sumed
will be given by each Cittie Towne and Burrough towards the send-
inge of their poore with whome they are pestred into Virginia, Which
offer beinge made vnto the lower house of Parlyament vppon an occa-
sion of the like complainte of the poore wch are burthensome to many
parishes itt was accepted of that howse with a verie great and grate-
full applause; Itt was therfore thought fitt that some choyce gentle-

men might be appoynted to drawe a bill to that purpose against the
next Parlyament that the poore may hereafter be sent to Virginia att
the charge of the parish where they live wch hee wished the Company
to consider of against the next Courte.

Mr Casewell likewise moved that some course might be thought on to
stirr vpp the Companies here in London that had adventured monny
towards the Plantac̃on in Virginia to doe the like there by building
of some Towne as they had alredie done in Ireland to their good
proffitt wch moc̃on was well approved of and thought fitt to be prose-
cuted to effect.

Touchinge Tobacco wch hath been allwaies so generally affected by
the Planters in Virginia Sr Edwin Sandys signifyed how extreamly
displeasinge itt was to the Kinge and scandalous vnto the Plantac̃on
and vnto the whole Company, that notwithstanding itt hath been
prosecuted these many years by many wise and worthie p̱sons and
wasted in that time a Masse of monney yett hath itt not produced to
any other effect, then that smokie weed of Tobacco, and therefore the
Counsell as heretofore itt may appeare by all their former instrucc̃ons
and letters, so now againe had taken itt into their considerac̃on how
they might restraine the generall plantinge theirof or at leaste bringe
itt downe to a farr lesse proporc̃on and quantitie then now is made.[848]

Hee further declared that the cheifest cause that all other Comodities
were neglected was found to be the long maynteyninge of the high
price of Tobacco att 3s the pound, wch had alredy destroyed a Maga-
zine of att leaste 1000li charge vnto certaine Adventurers for Appar-
rell and other necessarie provisions wherof the Collony stood in need;
wch they repayd againe [230] in nothinge butt Tobacco forceinge itt
at that price vppon the Cape Marchant wherof a good p̱t of itt was
scarse sould [for *d p pound] and now againe they have repayd the
wholl Company in the like manner att the same price for all the charge they have been att for sendinge them Apprentizes Servantℯ
and wives wch cost the Company heere neer 2000li.

A Second thinge taken into considerac̃on by the Counsell, was what
proporc̃on hereafter should in all be allowed to be made, and how the
same might be rated by the pole amongst ye Planters to each famylie
his p̱t and proporc̃on towards the makinge vpp of the generall lumpe
that shalbe hither brought; Touchinge this poynt itt was conceived
no true estimate could be made till the tru number of the famylies were
knowne and rectifyed; Butt for the price of Tobacco att 3s p̱ pound
itt was thought fitt to be valued accordinge to the goodnes thereof and
att no certaine price.

Itt was further signified that as itt hath been the vse and practise of
forraigne kings and Monarchs (to their great glory and renowne) att
certaine times to send some speciall worthy p̱sons whom they call
their Sendicks to visite all their Dominions and remoter Countries,
and by vertue of their prerogative and power to examyne wth a curious
eye the actions and carryage of all the principall Officers and Gouer-
nors and to thend that those that had deserved well might be rewarded
with honor, and others punished accordinge to their Demerites; The
like course have beene thought fitt by the Counsell here to be taken
with the Officers in Virginia, and that a choyse Comittee of men of
worth and integritie might be authorised to examine and enquire into
the Acc̃ons and doings of former Officers & therof to returne a good
Accompt vnto the Company here that they may proceed further therin
accordinge to the rules of Iustice and equytie.

Sr Edwin Sandys acquainted the Company wth an exquisite discourse
that a gentleman had made (though not perfected) for the advance-
ment of the Plantac̃on who desyred his name might not be made
knowne which discourse hee had devided into those five headℯ. [231]

The first wch was most necessarie was matter of ffood and Sustenance
for the Colony wherof hee had discouered the defectℯ and proposed
the way how itt might be supplyed.

The Second was matter of health for p̢servinge of wch hee had given
excellent direcc̃ons observinge the want herof not to be through the
ill condic̃on of the Clymate soe much as through the disordered doings
of the people and their misgouerment.

The Third was Forteficac̃on a matter of as great consequence as any
of the rest wherin hee hath shewed all ways and means how to fortefy
with least charge and least expence of time.

The ffowrth was that wheron all mens eys were fixed namely Wealth
shewinge how the Planter may wth honor and much gaine to himselfe
sett vpp a boundance of good and Staple Comodities wherof yt Clymate
is knowne as capable as any in the world.

The ffifte and last head treated of Religion civilitie of life and how to
keepe the people in amytie and good agreemente amongst themselvs.

The Courte herevppon made a generall request that ye gentleman
might please to p̳ceed to the p̱fectinge of the saide worthie worke and
that a Comittee might be appoynted att the next Courte to p̱vse itt
and soe recomend itt to the care of the Gouernor to make a begininge
in that course that is like to conduce soe maynely to the advancemt
of the Plantac̃on.

Mr Deputy signified that wheras the Duty was now returned from
Virginia and attended in the Downes for her direcc̃on whether to goe,
the Counsell and Comittees haveinge mett aboute itt have given order
to Damiron mr of the Ship to send her to Flushinge and had allso
agreed wth mr Arthur Swayne a Marchaunt of London com̃ended for
his fidelitie & sufficyency to be their ffactor there for puttinge off their
Tobacco to their most proffitt allowinge him 2 in the C for his paynes
wth wch hee was contented, and to this end gave him a Comission
vnder the Companies Seale & certaine instrucc̃ons wch the Counsell
thought necessary for his direcc̃on in yt buisines wherof hee doubted
not butt that they should have a good Accompt of his doings. [232]

Hee likewise signified that hee had received intelligence of a Ship
lately aryved in Ireland that came from Virginia butt what Ship itt
should be hee knew not but hoped itt was the Tryall which was yett
behinde.

Itt was moved yt for soe much as his Maty: had bestowed the honour of
Knighthood vppon Sr William Nuce whome his Maty was pleased to
call his Knight Marshall of Virginia and hopeth to have a better

Accompt of his doings then he hath had of others hetherto that hee
might have a new Patent wth that addic̃on of honor wch his Maty: had
given him wch was graunted.

Mr Deputy signified that itt was thought fitt a Pinace should be pro-
vided to be redy against September next for carryinge the Silkworme
seed for wch my Lord had write into Italy, Fraunce, and Spayne, wch
is p̳mised to be here by that time.

Hee further signified yt my Ladie Dale late the wife of Sr Thomas
Dale deceased yt worthy Knight and greate advancer of ye Virginia
Action desyred a Patent for a p̱ticularr Plantac̃on wch was graunted
and that direcc̃on should be given to ye Gou9nor to allott the place
accordinge to her Lapp: request if itt be not allredy planted.

The like Patent wth like direcc̃on to the Gou9nor was ordered to be
made redy for Sr Dudley Diggs and his Associates.

The like Patent vppon request was graunted to Sr Iohn Bourcher and
his Associates.

Mr Smith acquainted the Courte that ther was one exceeding skillfull
in makinge of Salte that accompanies mr Berkley in his Voyadge to
Virginia att his owne charge as yett of purpose to try whether itt may
be there effected or noe; And of one other allso who was not onely a
founder of Iron butt expert in makinge all manner of Pottℯ brewinge
vessells of Iron who offered his best service if the Company soe please
and that for some small considerac̃on from them towards the keepinge
of his wife in his absence desyringe butt 20 Nobles att his now goinge
and so much more att the years end if hee can effect any good for the
Compa: otherwise hee will returne againe att his owne charge touch-
ing wch moc̃on the Court hath referred him to mr Deputy to treate
with him and conclude if hee cann. [233]

Wheras mr Cleyborne was appoynted to have his dyett wth the Gou-
ernor the Courte held itt vnfitt to the the [sic] Gouernor to such an
inconvenyenc And therfore have referred him to be further treated

with by ye Comittee herevnder named for encreasinge his Salary to
such a proportion as may enable him to live vppon his owne allow-
ance: The names of the Comittees are these—

       

mr Gibbes.	mr Wroth.
mr Berblock.	mr Smith.
mr Casewell.	mr Mellinge.
mr Nicho: Ferrar.

or any five of them who are desyred to meet to morrow att 2 a clock
in the afternoone att mr fferrars house.

Wheras itt did appear that ther was a remayne of monneys due §by§ the
Collecc̃ons in the hands of divers Bishops itt was moved yt some course
might be thought on for solicitinge their Lordships whervppon mr
Wrote signifyed yt to his knowledge Dor: Ieggon then Bishop of Nor-
wich had received a very great Collecc̃on out of his Lops: Diocesses
butt made no returne therof vnto ye Compa: and therfore desyred a
Coppie of the breife wch would shew howe the Collecc̃ons were passed
from hand to hand.

The Courte thought fitt that my Lord of Canterbury be moved to
solicite these Bishops that are in arrear vppon Accompt by his graces
L̃re for payinge in their Collecc̃ons.

Itt was likewise moved that the knights and gentlemen as also the
Merchantℯ and Cittizens might be called vppon for payment of their
monneys due by subscripc̃ons wch was referred to this next Quarter
Courte to be considered of.

Intelligence was given yt one Capt: Norton made an offer & would
vndertake to p̳cure 6 straungers skillfull in makinge of Glasse and Beads
to goe ouer to Virginia to be imployed in the saide workℯ for the Com-
pany for no other considerac̃on then onely the halfe profitts of their
labors, and the said Norton would likewise goe att his owne charge
and carry wth him some servantℯ and is contented to putt himselfe
vppon the considerac̃on of ye Company for what hee shall have to dyrect

and ouersee the said p̱sons in their saide workℯ, concerninge wch the
Court hath referred him to the former Comittee to be treated and
concluded with. [234]

Intelligence beinge given likewise of one vndertakinge to plante Lyq-
uorish if hee might have considerac̃on according to his proposic̃ons
was referred to the said Comittees.

A Roll for Adventurers to vnderwrite for a Ioynte Stocke was ∥for∥
p̳vidinge of Apparrell and other necessaries wch Sr George Yeardley had
signified the Colony had great need of, and would be profitable to the
Adventurors All the remayne of this former Magazine beinge sould
was now offered to such as would please to subscribe what some they
would willinglie adventure wherof they were desyred to consyder
against the next Courte.

Sr Edwin Sandys signified that Sr Richard Bulkley haveinge purchased
two shares of Land of the Compa: and vndertaken to plant 100 Per-
sonns in Virginia for wch they had graunted him a Pattent vnder Seale
desyred the Company would please to allott him Elizab: Iland neere
Cape Codd to plant vppon The Court agreed yt direcc̃on should be
given to the Gouernor to that effect.

Mr Webb moved yt some course might be taken that the two Indian
Maydes might be disposed of to free the Company of the weeklie
charge that now they are at for the keeping of them.

Whervppon some havinge moved yt they might be sent to ye Som̃er
Ilandℯ att the charge of this Company itt was thought fitt rather to
referr itt to the next Court to determyne therof.

Touchinge mr Francks request yt Lieuetenant Pearce might be
requyred to give sattisfacc̃on vnto mr Franck for ye charge of 4 men
and the goods sent vnto his sonns vppon the last supply wch mr Rolfe
tooke into his possession to mr Peirces vse, The Courte ordered that
for so much as itt appeared ther was some reckoninge betweene mr
Franck and mr Peirce nott yett reconcyled nor brought to a head that
direcc̃ons should be given to the Gouernor to examyne the matter of

Accompt between them and drive itt to some certaine poynte and for
the doubte ∥debt∥ appearinge to be due to mr Franck, mr Rolfe, and
mr Peirce should give good securitie for payment therof to mr Franck
in monny here in England between this and our Lady day next. And
that the Gou9nor shalbe entreated further to take some paynes to
enquire out and recouer such Debtℯ as shalbe found due to mr Francks
sonne. [235]