The Oath.
I doe sweare that as Governour and Capt. Gen'll of Virginia, I will,
from time to time to the best of my vnderstanding and conscience deliver
my opinion in all cases for the good and wellfare of this plantation of Virginia,
And I do also swear that as a minister of justice in Virginia, I will,
to the best of my judgement and conscience, do equall right and justice
vnto all persons in all causes when I shall bee therevnto called according
to the knowne laws of England or acts of Assembly which are or shall be
in force for the time being without favour, affection, partiality or malice
or any by respect whatsoever; Neither will I, directly or indirectly give
councell or advice in any cause depending before me. So help me God.
The names of the Councellors nominated by
the Governour and approved by the House.
S: Coll. Samuell Matthewes, Esq'r Governour and Capt. Gen'll of Virginia.
Richard Bennett
S: Coll. Wm. Claiborne,
Secretary of State
Coll. Hill
Coll. Thomas Dew
S: Coll. Wm. Bernard
Coll. John West
S: Coll. Tho's Pettus
S: Coll. Obedience Robins
Capt. Henry Perry
Le'tt Coll. John Walker.
S: Coll. George Reade.
Coll. Abraham Wood.
Coll. John Carter.
Mr. Warham Horsmenden.
Le'tt Coll. Anto. Ellyotte.
These 3 last not to be sworne vntill the dissolution of the Assembly.
These marked in the margent with the letter S: where then sworne
in the forme expressed, their titles onely changed.
At a Grand Assembly held at James Cittie,
March 7, 1658-9.
Act I.
It is enacted and confirmed by the Governour, Council and Burgesses
of this present Grand Assembly, That the honourable Coll. Samuell
Mathews, Esquire, Bee the Governour and Capt. Gennerall of Virginia
for two yeeres ensueing, and then the Grand Assembly to elect a Governour
as they shall think fitt, the person elect being then one of the
Councell; And it is further enacted, That the present Councell shall be
the Councell of State, the Assembly reserveing to themselves a just exception
against any one perticular Councellor: But for the future the Councellors
to be fixt dureing life except in case of high misdemanors, And of
this the Grand Assembly to be the onely judge, And it is moreover
ordained by the authoritie aforesaid, That the Governour shall have
priviledge to nominate the future councellors, and the Burgesses according
to their discretion to elect, And this act to be of force vntil his Highness
pleasure be further signified.
On the 3d of September, 1658, the great Cromwell died.
He passed away "peaceably in his bed at his palace of Whitehall,
and was buried with more than regal pomp in the sepulchre
of our monarchs."
Cromwell was one whom even his enemies cannot name without
acknowledging his greatness. The farmer of Huntingdon, accustomed
only to rural occupations, unnoticed till he was more than forty years old,
engaged in no higher plots than how to improve the returns of his land
and fill his orchard with choice fruit, of a sudden became the best officer
in the British army, and the greatest statesman of his time; subverted the
English constitution, which had been the work of centuries; held in his
own grasp the liberties which formed a part of the nature of the English
people, and cast the kingdoms into a new mould. Religious peace, such
as England till now has never again seen, flourished under his calm mediation;
justice found its way even among the remotest Highlands of Scotland;
commerce filled the English marts with prosperous activity; his
fleets rode triumphant in the West Indies; Nova Scotia submitted to his
orders without a struggle; the Dutch begged of him for peace as for a
boon; Louis XIV. was humiliated; the Protestants of Piedmont breathed
their prayers in security. His squadron made sure of Jamaica; he had
strong thoughts of Hispaniola and Cuba; and, to use his own words,
resolved "to strive with the Spaniard for the mastery of all those seas."
The glory of the English was spread throughout the world. "Under the
tropic was their language spoke."
—
Bancroft.
Unmolested by Cromwell in internal affairs, during the
Protectorate, "the People of Virginia" had really governed
themselves. Tranquility and a rapid increase of population
promised a permanent existence to the Colony, and life was
sweetened and industry quickened by the enjoyment of equal
franchises. Every officer in the government was chosen,
directly or indirectly, by the people.
Gov. Matthews filled his position with honesty and ability,
and was greatly regretted when he died, in January, 1659. He
was succeeded by Sir William Berkeley.
