CDVIII. Governor in Virginia. A Commission to the Council of
State
November 18, 1623
Manuscript Records Virginia Company, III, pt. ii, p. 41
Document in Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
List of Records No. 587
By the Governor and Capt generall of Virginia.
To all to whom these p̢sentℯ shall come greeting. Whereas
the necessitie of the time requireth my absence, for the
setling of trade wth some of the neighbouring Savadges in
the Bay; and other important occac̃ons, to the end that
there be no stopp of any buisines, wch cannot attend my returne; Know yee
that I Sr Francis Wyatt Kt.. Governor, and Capt generall of Virginia, do giue
& grant full power and absolute authoritie to Capt Francis West, Sr George
Yeardley Kt, George Sandis Esquire Treasuror of Virginia, Chr: Davison
Secretary, Doctor John Pott, Capt Roger Smith, mr John Pountis Vice
Admirall, Counsellors of State in Virginia, or any three of them (whereof
Sr George Yeardley or mr Treasuror to be one) to Signe Passes, and war-
rantℯ of what kind soeur; to grant letters of Administration; to mak
Probate of Willℯ and Testamentℯ; to determine controversies betwixt partie
and partie; to see due execution of all Proclamationℯ and Warrantℯ for-
merly made and graunted; and in all cases of misdemeanor or otherwise,
to inflict vppon such persons as shalbe found delinquent, all such accus-
tomed punishment or punishmts (life only exepted) as the lawes of England,
and the instrucc̃ons Giuen vs by the Counsell of Virginia in England do
prescribe and require (wth due respect notwthstanding to the person and
quality of the delinquent): As also to open Letters, directed to the Gov-
ernor and Counsell, and make dispatches if occac̃on shalbe; And generally
to dispatch all affaires of State, and buissinesses of the Countrie, as effec-
tually to all intentℯ and purposes, as if I my self were p̢sent: Strictly
chargeing and requiring all persons, of what condic̃on or qualitie soever,
now residing, or wch hereafter shall ariue wthin this Colony, to yeild ready
obedience, and to be aiding & assisting to them in all things, as they will
answer the contrary at theire vttermost perillℯ. Given at James Citty
November the xviij
th 1623
Francis Wyatt
Chr: Davison Secr:
A Commission to the Counsell of State in the Governors absence.
