University of Virginia Library

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403

CDXIII. Virginia and Somers Islands Companies. Petition to the
King
November 21, 1623

The Companies for Virginia and the Sum̃er Islands humblie praie

That

Yor Matịe would be pleased to com̃aund that the Com̃ission wch yor Matịe
formerly granted vpon complaint of Alderman Johnson &et9 for exam-
inac̃on of the misgovernement of the s̄d Companies p̱ticularly in matter
of accountℯ, may be proceeded in, either for clearing, or punishing, their
actions and p̱sons (wch by these complaintℯ are much blemished), as the
truth of matters shall deserue.

That

In the meane time the vnited bodies of the said Companies may stand
right in yor Matịes iudgement, and not be equally waighed wth the Oppug-
ners, who appeare not to be p̱son aboue 26 p̱sons, and such as haue con-
tributed little either by purse or Counsell to that great Plantation.

That

The Companies bookes wthout wch they cannot governe the§ir§ busines,
having beene now sequestred ·14· daies, may be restored to them. And
that these Companies consisting of neare ·50· Noblemen, 100 Knightℯ &
many hundredℯ of Gentlemen, good Merchantℯ & Citizens who haue
expended aboue 200m li, in those Plantac̃ons, may be preserued in the
rightℯ & priviledges granted them vnder the great Seale by yor Matie, In
affiance whereof they vndertooke this great & chargeable worke

[Endorsed:] 1623

Requests of the Virginia Company