CCCLXXXIX. Governor in Virginia. Proclamation
August 31, 1623
Manuscript Records Virginia Company, III, pt. ii, p. 49
Document in Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
List of Records No. 557
A Proclamation touching payment of debts.
By the Governor and Captaine generall of Virginia.
Whereas there are many debtℯ oweing in this Cuntrie aswell to the Com-
pany of Virginia in England, to the Magazines, and to Capt Will͠m Tuckar
in the behalf of diurs worthy Adventurors in England (of wch the Right
Honoble the Treasuror and Counsell of Virginia in England haue long since
expected due sattisfacc̃on, according to theire reiterated Instrucc̃ons) as
also to diurs other Adventurers, and planters in this Colony, wch ought in
iustice and equity also to be discharged; though the other debtℯ (first
specified) must in order of time haue preheminence And since the dispo-
sition of the people here for the most part is so backward in payeing theire
ould iust debtℯ (though long forborne) that vnlesse they be compelled
therevnto by authoritie they will much rather runn further into debt, and
dispose of theire Tobacco for the buying of new Comodities. The Gover-
nor, therefore (wth the advice of the Counsell of State) hath ordered and
appointed, and appointed, and by these p̢sentℯ doth straightly charg and
Comand, that no p̱son whatsoever here in Virginia (that standℯ indebted)
shall any way dispose of any part of his Tobacco, before such time he haue
first sattisfied all such debtℯ as are due, or to be due this Cropp from him,
to the Company: next all such debtℯ as he oweth to the Magazines:
then such debtℯ as are due from him to Capt Tuckar: and lastly all such
debtℯ as he oweth here to any person or p̱sons whatsoever, either Adven-
turer or Planter, vppon paine of forfeiture and confiscation of double the
valew of such Tobacco as shalbe disposed of contrary to this Order and
Proclamation, the on half to the Informer and the other half to the State.
Given att James Cittie the 31th day of August 1623.
