CCXLIX. The King. A Letter to the Virginia Company.
The Virginia Company. A Letter to the Governor
and Council in Virginia
July 9, 1622
Printed, prefixed to John Bonoeil, "Treatise of the Art of making Silke"
Copies in Library of Congress, Harvard University Library, Boston Athenaeum,
John Carter Brown Library, New York Public Library, Newberry Library,
British Museum
List of Records No. 347
His Maiesties Graciovs Letter to the Earle of South-Hampton, Treasurer, and
to the Councell and Company of Virginia heere: commanding the present
setting up of Silke works, and planting of Vines in Virginia. And the Letter
of the Treasurer, Councell, and Company, to the Gouernour and Councell of
State there, for the strict execution of his Maiesties Royall Commands herein.
Also a Treatise of the Art of making Silke: or, Directions for the making of
lodgings, and the breeding, nourishing, and ordering of Silkewormes, and for
the planting of Mulbery trees, and all other things belonging to the Silke Art.
Together with instructions how to plant and dresse Vines, and to make Wine,
and how to dry Raisins, Figs, and other fruits, and to set Oliues, Oranges,
Lemons, Pomegranates, Almonds, and many other fruits, &c. And in the
end, a Conclusion, with sundry profitable remonstrances to the Colonies. Set
foorth for the benefit of the two renowned and most hopefull Sisters, Virginia,
and the Summer-Ilands. By Iohn Bonoeil Frenchman, seruant in these
imployments to his most Excellent Maiesty of Great Brittaine, France, Ireland,
Virginia, and the Summer-Ilands. Published by Authority. London Printed
by Felix Kyngston. 1622.
James R.
Right trusty and welbeloued, We greet you well: Whereas We vnderstand,
that the Soyle in Virginia naturally yeeldeth store of excellent Mulbery
trees, We haue taken into Our Princely consideration, the great benefit
that may grow to the Aduenturers and Planters, by the breed of Silke-
wormes, and setting vp of Silkeworkes in those parts. And therefore of
Our gracious Inclination to a designe of so much honour and aduantage to
the publike, Wee haue thought good, as at sundry other times, so now
more particularly to recommend it to your speciall care, hereby charging
and requiring you to take speedy order, that our people there, vse all
possible diligence in breeding Silkewormes, and erecting Silkeworkes, and
that they rather bestow their trauell in compassing this rich and solid
Commodity, then in that of Tobacco; which besides much vnnecessary
expence, brings with it many disorders and inconueniences. And for as
much as Our seruant, Iohn Bonoeil hath taken paines in setting downe the
true vse of the Silkeworme, together with the Art of Silkemaking, and of
planting Vines, and that his experience and abilities may much conduce
to the aduancemẽt of this busines; We doe hereby likewise require you to
cause his directions, both for the said Silkeworkes and Vineyards, to bee
carefully put in practice thorowout our Plantations there, that so the
worke may goe on cheerfully, and receiue no more interruptions nor delayes.
Giuen vnder Our Signet, at our Palace of Westminster, the ninth day of
Iuly, in the twentieth yeere of our Raigne of England, France and Ireland,
and of Scotland the fiue and fiftieth.
To Our right trusty and right welbeloued Cousin and Councellour, HENRY,
Earle of South-hampton, Treasurer of our Plantation in Virginia, and
to Our trusty and welbeloued, the Deputy, and others of Our said
Plantation.
Virginia.
Windebank.
The Treasvrovr Covncell and Company of Virginia, To The Gouer-
nour and Councell of State in Virginia Residing.
After our very hearty commendations: His Sacred Maiesty, out of his
high wisedome and care of the noble Plantation of Virginia, hath been
graciously pleased to direct his Letters to vs heere in England, thereby
commanding vs to aduance the setting vp of Silke workes, and planting of
Vineyards; as by the Copy herewith sent, you may perceiue.
The intimation of his Maiesties pleasure, wee conceiue to be a motiue
sufficient, to induce you to imploy all your indeuours to the setting forward
those two Staple Commodities of Silke, and Wine; which brought to their
perfection, will infinitely redound to the honour, benefit and comfort of
the Colony, and of this whole Kingdome: yet we, in discharge of our duties,
doe againe renew our often and iterated Instructions, and inuite you cheer-
fully, to fall vpon these two so rich, and necessary commodities. And if
you shall finde any person, either through negligence or wilfulnesse, to omit
the planting of Vines, and Mulbery trees, in orderly and husbandly man-
ner, as by the Booke is prescribed, or the prouiding of conuenient roomes
for the breeding of Wormes; we desire they may by seuere censures and pun-
ishment, be compelled thereunto. And on the contrary, that all fauour
and possible assistance bee giuen to such, as yeeld willing obedience to his
Highnesse Commands therein. The breach or performance whereof, as
we are bound to giue a strict account, so will it also be required of you
the Gouernour and Councell especially. Herein there can be no Plea,
either of difficulty or impossibility; but all the contrary appeares, by the
naturall abundance of those two excellent Plants afore-named euery where
in Virginia: neither will such excuses be admitted, nor any other pretences
serue, whereby the businesse be at all delayed: and as we formerly sent at
our great charge the French Vignerons to you, to teach you their Art; so for
the same purpose we now commend this Booke vnto you, to serue as an
Instructour to euery one, and send you store of them to bee dispersed ouer
the whole Colony, to euery Master of a Family one. Silk-seed you shall
receiue also by this Ship, sufficient to store euery man: so that there wants
nothing, but industry in the Planter, suddenly to bring the making of
Silke to its perfection: which either for their owne benefit (we hope) they
will willingly indeuour, or by a wholesome and necessary seuerity they
must be inforced.
This particular aduice we thought necessary to giue you, lest that if it
should haue come to you mingled with others, you would haue interpreted
it as a common Instruction, or a businesse that was not taken so to heart,
as this is by vs, and we hope will be by you in humble obedience to his
Sacred Maiesties Royall Instructions. The paines and industry of the
Authour, for the benefit of the Plantations (being a member of our Com-
pany) are sufficient arguments of his good affection to the Action, and they
both deserue your best acceptance and ours, that others may thereby be
inuited to impart their knowledge in businesse of this and the like nature;
whereby the Colony may not onely bee supported for the present, but
brought to that perfection, that may redound to the glory of God, the
honour of his Maiesty, and the inestimable benefit of his noble Kingdomes;
which as they are the true aime and end the Aduenturers and Planters
haue proposed vnto themselues; so ought they to bee still the honorable
seeds to put others also forward in this action: we commend this businesse
againe to your speciall care. And so we commit you all, and your waighty
affaires, to the protection of the Almighty.
