History of Virginia :: :: University of Virginia Library

Virginia Becomes a Royal Colony. — In England the
struggle for Parliamentary freedom was going on, and
the kingdom was divided between the Royalists and the

Lord Baltimore

supporters of Parliament. As a
political measure, King James resolved
to crush the London Company,
because a majority of its
members took sides against him.
This he did, in 1624, by process
of law. When the Company was
dissolved, Virginia became a royal
colony, and the king announced
his intention of framing a code of
fundamental laws for its government, but died in 1625,
leaving this work unfinished. Charles I., who succeeded
him, introduced no radical changes.

Lord Baltimore. — In 1629 George Calvert, Lord Baltimore,
a Catholic, though in no sense a bigot, came with a
plan to establish, within the limits of the colony, a separate
plantation as a refuge for persons of his belief. The people
belonged to the Established Church, and were unwilling
to see this done. There was a good reason also why
they should be opposed to Lord Baltimore personally.
He was the enemy and rival of Sandys, and had belonged
to a faction in the London Company which had striven to

prevent the granting of the Great Charter; and now he
came desiring to establish, for the promotion of his own
interests, a colony of his people in the settled parts of the
country. The House of Burgesses informed him that
permission would be given to him to carry out his plan
only upon condition that he would take an oath acknowledging
that the king had supreme authority in religious
matters. This he refused to do, and took his departure.
But during his visit he found that there were no settlements
on the north side of the Potomac River; and he
readily obtained from Charles I., with whom he was a
favorite, the promise of a charter to found a colony in that
part of Virginia. Lord Baltimore died before the charter
was issued, but his son planted the colony of Maryland.
The Virginians made a vehement but unavailing protest
against this division of their territory.

Opposition to British Encroachment. — Even at this early
period, the Virginians began to appreciate their liberties
as only a people who have known oppression can do.
If we trace to its origin the unwavering opposition to British
encroachment, which was manifested in later years,
we find it had its beginning in 1624, when the House
of Burgesses declared that, without its consent, no royal
governor could levy taxes. In regard to other matters
also, the people claimed the right to sit in judgment upon
the acts of governors. This came out in the action they
took in the case of Sir John Harvey, who was appointed
by the Crown, in 1630, to rule over the colony. He was
heartily detested by the people because he had sided with
Lord Baltimore in the quarrel that had taken place over
Maryland; and in his administration he was tyrannical,
levied taxes that were unauthorized, and was unscrupulous
as to the means he adopted to obtain money. So in 1635,

the people shipped him back to England, sending at the
same time commissioners bearing charges against him.
The king reinstated the deposed governor; but the occurrence
deserves a place in history as being the first open
resistance to tyranny and vindication of constitutional
rights that took place in America.

Sir William Berkeley Begins his Administration. — In
February, 1642, Sir William Berkeley was appointed governor,
and entered upon his duties at a period full of stirring
events. He was about forty years of age when he came,
and was for thirty-five years, with brief intermissions, at
the head of affairs, holding office for a longer period than
any other governor. He descended from an ancient English
family, received his education at Oxford, had traveled
extensively in Europe, and was "the perfect model of an
elegant and high-minded cavalier." Soon after his arrival,
he introduced some salutary measures which were very
acceptable to the people, and thus his administration
began auspiciously.

Opechancanough Strikes once More. — Opechancanough
was still the ruler of the Virginia Indians; but he was now
very old, and so decrepit that he could not walk. Neither
could he see unless his eyelids were raised, as he had an
affection which caused them to droop. But in his enfeebled
frame the feeling of revenge still fiercely burned;
and when he heard that the English were divided in the
mother country, he decided that this was a favorable time
to try once more to free his land from them. So in
1644, he rallied his braves for the last time and, falling
upon the settlements on the upper waters of the York and
Pamunkey rivers, slew about five hundred whites. But as
soon as the English collected in force, the savages fled as
they had done in 1622. Sir William Berkeley pursued

them with a body of horse, and captured Opechancanough.
He was carried to Jamestown, where he was
kindly treated. But one of his guards basely shot him
in the back, and this caused his death. He was unsubdued
to the last, and died as he had lived, the relentless
foe of the white man.

QUESTIONS

1. How and why did Virginia become a royal colony?
2. What was Lord Baltimore's plan to establish a settlement?
3. Who opposed it, and why?
4. On what condition did the House of Burgesses give their consent?
5. Did Lord Baltimore accept the condition?
6. What grant did he secure from Charles I.?
7. Who carried out his plans?
8. Against what did Virginia protest?
9. To what event can opposition to British encroachment be traced?
10. What action did the people take in the case of Sir John Harvey?
11. Which did the king sustain?
12. Why does this case deserve a place in Virginia history?
13. Who was Sir William Berkeley, and when was he appointed
governor?
14. Give an account of Opechancanough's last attempt to exterminate
the English.
15. What was the result?
16. Tell of his death.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Give an account of the starving time, and tell how the colony was
rescued.
2. Compare the administrations of Lord Delaware and Sir Thomas
Dale, and give results accomplished by each.
3. Give an account of Argall's administration.
4. Relate the story of Pocahontas.
5. What is known of the "Great Charter," and what good results
followed from it?
6. When was slavery introduced, and what were indented servants?

7. Describe the massacre of 1622, and give its effects on the people.
8. What is said of tobacco?
9. How and by whom was it introduced into England?
10. What influence did its cultivation have on the prosperity of Virginia?
11. How did Virginia become a royal colony?
12. Why did the people refuse to allow Lord Baltimore to make a
settlement in their midst?
13. When did Virginia begin to show her opposition to British encroachment?
14. What happened in the case of Sir John Harvey?
15. Who was Sir William Berkeley, and when was he appointed
governor?
16. Describe the massacre of 1644.