University of Virginia Library

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470

CDXLI. Governor in Virginia. A Commission to Rawleigh
Croshaw
March 16, 1623

By the Gouernor & Capt generall of Virginia

To all to whome these presents shall Come greeting in or Lord eurlasting

Knowe yee yt I sr Francis Wyatt Knight Gouernor & Capt generall of Vir-
ginia. Endeuoring the suffyciencie of Corne to releiue ye necessitiℯ of
this or Cuntry, doe by these p̢sents giue leaue, power & authoritie vnto
Capt Rawleigh Croshawe to Embarge himselfe & his Compa in the ye
good shipp called the Elizabeth, & to sett sayle wth ye first oppertunity of
wynde into ye Bay into any riuers, Creeks or habors to vs appertaining
ther to trade wth ye saluages for Corne or any other Como they Can afford
him p̳uided yt it shall not be lawfull for the said Capt Rawleigh Croshaw
nor any of his Company by force to compell ye said saluages to trade nor
to kill or to offer them violence or injurie (except in ther owne defence
vpon great suspition of tretchery intended against them to the danger of
ther liues, And for ye better managing of this Imployment, & redressing of
all disorder & mutynies incident to such affaires, I doe by these presents
nominate & appoint him the said Capt Rawley Croshaw absolute & sole
Comaunder during this voyage giueing him full power & authoritie to
punish all sorts of offendors according to ye lawes & Customes of the seas,
And such further power to punish at his discretion life only excepted, as is
incident to anie Capt Comannder or officer of his quallitje. Giuen at
James Citty vnder my hand & ye seale of this Colony March the xvjth
1623.