University of Virginia Library

At a great and generall Quarter Court
houlden for Virginia on Wedensday
the 17th of Nouemb 1619. Were Present.

         

	Henry Earle of Southampton.
	Rob̴t Earle of Warwick.
The Right honoble͠	The Lo: Cauendish.
	The Lo: Sheffeild.
	The Lo: Pagett.

                                         

Sr Edw: Sandis Knt Thr̃er.
Sr Tho: Roe.	Tho: Gibbs.	mr Chambers.
Sr Dud: Diggs.	Geo: Sandis.	mr Palmer.
Sr ffran: Popham.	Arth: Bromfield.	mr Whitley.
Sr Tho: Gates.	Iohn Bargraue.	mr Morer.
Sr Ferdinand: Gorges.	Capt. S. Argoll.	mr Ditchfield.
Sr Io: Dãuers.	Hen: Reignoldℯ.	mrEdwardes.
Sr Hen: Rainsford.	August Steward.	mr Wiseman.
Sr Tho: Wilford.	Ri: Tomlins.	mr Shepherd.
Sr Ro: Winchfield.	Tho Wells.	mr Cranmer.
Sr Tho: Cheeke.	Edw: Brewster.	mr Berblock.
Sr Nath: Rich.	mr Io: fferrar Dpt.	mr Rogers.
Sr Tho: Wroth.	mr Hanford.	mr Couell.
Sr Io: Wolstenholme.	mr Clitherowe.	mr Boothby.
Dr Math: Sutcliff.	mr Nich: fferrar.	mr Caswell.
Dr Fr: Anthony.	mr Hen: Briggs.	mr Barnard.
Dr Theod: Gulstone.	mr Caning.	mr Roberts.
Dr Tho: Winstone.	mr Bland.	mr Geo: Smith.
Dr Law: Bohun.	mr Bull.	mr Meuerell.
Phillip Chidley, Esq̢.	mr Keightley.	mr Boulton.
Iohn Wroth.		mr Mellinge.

Before the reading of the Corts there was presented by mr Tr̃er a list
of all the Counsellors names of Virginia, being of Earles, Barons,
Knights, Gentlemen and Citizens about 100 in all, wth this Caution

that if any heard themselues named, and had not taken their Oaths,
they were to repair to the Lo: Chauncellor or the Lo: Chamberlaine
to be sworne.

Afterward the writing conteyning an addic̃on & explanac̃on of cer-
taine Lawes and orders for the Company presented in the Preparatiue
Court, was now againe read and by generall consent referred to the
Comittee formerly chosen for the Lawes & orders of the Company.

The Courtes being read, mr Treasuror putt the Court in remembrance
of his former Proposic̃ons propounded in the Cort iijo Die Nouembris
hauing before that propounded them to the Counsell, and lastly to [43]
the Preparatiue Court, and desired to haue the iudgment of this Great
and Generall Court concerning them: Where, vpon the request of
some noble§men§ p̃nte, he related them againe to the Cort in effect as
followeth;

Mr. Thr̃er therefore declared, that his care and duety running ioyntlie
for the advancemt of this noble Plantation, his desire carried him
chiefly to the restoring of the Publiq̢[15] now lately decayed, and the
reforming of some errors, wch had directed their charges and the labors
of the Collony to a wrong and vnworthy course, and greatly to the
disgrace and hurt of the Plantac̃on: ffor whereas not much aboue
Three yeares agoe there were returned from Virginia Twelue severall
Comodities sold openly in Court to the great honor of the Acc̃on and
encouragemt of the Adventurers: Since that time there hath beene
but litle returned worth the speaking of, saue Tobacco and Sassaphras,
which the people there wholy applying, had by this misgouernemt
reduced themselues into an extremity of being ready to starue (vnles
the Magazine this last yeare had supplyed them wth Corne and Cattle
from hence) to the stopping and great discouragemt of many hundredℯ
of people, who were prouiding to remoue themselues to plant in Vir-
ginia. The cause of this error he would not insist vpon, as loth to
giue offence by glaunce of speech to any, but for remedy thereof
(besides often letters from the Counsell sent lately to the Gouernour

for restraint of that imoderate following of Tobacco and to cause the
people to apply themselues to other and better comodities) he had
also by the advice of his Mats Counsell here, and according to one of
the new orders now propounded, caused to be drawne a new Covenant
to be incerted in all Pattents of land hereafter to be graunted, that
the Pattentees should not apply themselues wholly or chiefly to
Tobacco, but to other Comodities specified in the said Coueñnt, An
example whereof they should see in the Pattent lying before them to
be passed in this Court to mr Iohn Delbridge and his Associats. Now
touching the Publique, he was first to present to their remembrance
how by the admirable industry of Two worthie knightℯ Sr Tho: Gates
and Sr Tho: Dale, it was sett forward in a way to greate perfecc̃on,
whereof the former Sr Tho: Gates had the honor to all posterity to be
the first named in his Mats Pattent of graunt of Virginia, and was the
first who by his wisedome, valor & industry, accompanied wth exceed-
ing paines and patience in the middest of so many difficulties laid a
foundac̃on of that prosperous estate of the Collonie, which afterward
in the vertue of those beginings did proceed. The latter, Sr Tho:
Dale building vpon those foundac̃ons wth great & constant seuerity,
reclaymed almost miraculously those idle and disordered people and
reduced them to labour and an honest fashion of life, and proceeding
wth great zeale to the good of this Company sett vp the Com̃on
Garden to yield them a standing revennue, placed servants vpon
it, as also vpon other Publiq̢ workes for the Companies vse, Estab-
lished an Annuall rent of Corne from the ffarmers, Of tribute
Corne from the Barbarians, together wth a great stock of Kine,
Goates, and other Cattle, being the goodℯ of the Companie for the
service of the Publiq̢, wch hath since beene the occasion of drawing
so many perticuler Plantac̃ons to seate in Virginia vpon hope [44]
and promise of plenty of Corne and Catle to be lent them from the
Publiq̢ for their ease and benefitt vpon their first ariuall. But since
their times all these publiq̢ prouisions hauing beene vtterly Laid
wast by such meanes as hereafter in due time shall appeare. It hath
beene his principall care in those places wherein it pleased the Com-
pany to comaund his service to sett vp the publiq̢ againe, in as great
or greater hight then heretofore it had: The maintayning of the
publiq̢ in all estates being of noe lesse importance, euen for the benefitt
of the Priuate, then the roote and body of a Tree are to the perticuler
branches: And therefore to present vnto them all in one view both
what had beene allready done, and what yet remayned to be perfected,
he recalled to their remembrance, how by their Comission sent by Sir
George Yeardley they had appointed 3000 Acres of Land to be sett
out for the Gouernor so to ease the Company henceforward of all
charge in mayntayning him: 12000 Acres of Land to be the Com̄on
Land of the Companie; viztt three thowsand in each of the ffower old
Burroughes—10000—acres of Land for the vniuersity to be planted at
Henrico; of which—1000 for the Colledge for the conuersion of Infi-
dells: The next care was for the placing Tenants vpon these Landℯ:
In January last there went wth Sr Geo. Yeardley 50 Tenantℯ for the
Gouernors Land transported at the Companies and furnished at his
charge, and six he found remayning of Capt Argolls guarde: In the
March afterward there were sent §twenty§ to the Companies Land by
Mr Lawne, whereof he hath deliuered yet but 15, for want of per-
formance to him of loane of Corne and Cattle: ffower more were sent
by the Triall, and Three Sr Geo: Yeardley found in the Country. In
the begining of August last in the Bona Noua were sent 100 persons for
publiq̢ service, chosen wth great care, and extraordinarily furnished,
whereof 50 for the Companies Land, and 50 for the Colledge Land, So
that making deducc̃on of some fewe that are dead, there were he hoped
at this day 174 persons, placed as Tenants vpon the Publique.

Therefore his first Proposition was, that the Company would be
pleased, that these Tenants for the Publiq̢ might be encreased this
next Spring vp to the nomber of 300, viztt one hundreth for the
Gouernors Land, 100 for the Companies and 100 for the Colledge
Land; wch (if he be truly informed by those whoe best should knowe
it) being rightly imployed will not yeild lesse in value then Three
thowsand poundℯ yearely revenue for these publiq̢ vses. And because
care both hath beene, and shalbe taken that diuers stayed persons and
of good condic̃ons haue beene and shalbe sent amongst them, His
second Proposic̃on was, that for their ease and comodiousnes, there
might be 100 young persons sent to be their Apprentices, in the charge
whereof he hoped this Honoble͠ Citty, would pertake wth the Company

as they formerly had done: And because he vnderstood that the peo-
ple thither transported, though seated there in their persons for some
fewe yeares, are not setled in their mindes to make it their place of
rest [45] and continuance, but hauing gotten some wealth there, to
returne againe into England: ffor the remedying of that mischiefe, and
establishing of a perpetuitie to the Plantation, he aduised and made it
his Third Proposic̃on, to send them ouer One hundreth young Maides
to become wifes; that wifes, children and familie might make them
lesse moueable and settle them, together with their Posteritie in that
Soile.

His next Proposic̃on was, for the mannor of transporting these per-
sons thus to make vp ffiue hundreth for the Publiq̢ Land, wherein
he advised, that they should not as heretofore hire Shipping for this
purpose, whereof euery Shipp at his returne in bare fraught and
wages emptied the Cashe of 800 and sometimes 1000li, but that they
should as they had allreadie done this present yeare take the opportun-
itie of the Ships trading to Newfoundland, and so to transport them at
six poundes a person wthout after reckonings.

A ffifte Proposic̃on for the sending of 20 Heifers vpon eu9y 100 of
these Tenants, Threescore in the whole, wch he hoped might be done
taking the opportunity of Shipping in the Westerne parts at Ten
poundℯ a head 600li in the whole.

Lastly touching the charges he related perticulerly as formerly he had
done, diuers great incouragements of supply to come in: he estimated
the whole charge at ffoure thousand poundℯ to be done sparingly &
bountifully at 5000li: He promised not to leaue the Company one
penny in debt for any thing in his yeare to be performed: And more-
ouer that he would discharge 3000li of former debts and reckonings
according to the Stock left in the Lottaries at his coming to this place:
This done he hoped the Publiq̢ would agayne be well restored, A
foundac̃on Laid for a future great state, The Adventurers and Planters
well comforted and encouraged, All matter of scandall and reproach
remoued, and so he would comend the Acc̃on to the blessing of God.
These Proposic̃ons after some pause, receauing noe opposic̃on were
putt to the question & receaued the generall approbac̃on of the
Court.

Next he acquaynted that at the Court of elecc̃on, there was choice made
of Sixteene Comittees, one third part of them being vnsworne, who
since that time haue seldome or neuer mett, or afforded their presencℯ
therefore desired that in their steedℯ wch had not taken their oathes,
others might be chosen in their Roome, men knowne to be of wisedome
and industrie, and whose Zeale to the Acc̃on might appeare by the
menaging of the Companies busines, wch now grew great & waighty;
Wherevpon there was nominated mr Doctor Winstone, mr Shepherd,
mr Rich: Bull, mr Will͠m Cranmer, mr Daniell Darnellie, and mr Tho:
Mellinge, who from time to time have promised their best assistance,
& therevpon receaued their oaths. [46][16]

Allso hee acquainted thatt in settinge forward p̱t of his proposic̃onns
now confirmed hee had to thatt purpose been wth the Lord Maior who
found him as willinge to pleasure the Company as he desyred, wthall
desyred to have their myndes in writinge that the Court of Aldermen
and the Common Councell may the better vnderstand them, wch being
now reddy drawne was read and allowed of, the Coppy of wch ensueth—

[47] Moreouer that hee had drawne a Publicac̃on wch if itt were liked,
desyred that itt might be putt in printe beinge for the entertaynment
of good and sufficient Laborers and Husbandmen, Artificers and
manuall Trades to be sett outt att the time formerly specified vnto the
Publique and Colledg Land wch beinge read and putt to the question
was ratyfied by erecc̃on of hands.

After this hee signified that accordinge to the desire of the last Courte
hee had beene wth mr Secretary Calvert and delivered the Companies
answere touchinge the Transporting of men prest by his Maty wch
gaue nott full satisfacc̃on for that the Kings desyre admitted no
delaies butt forthwith to have 50: of the 100 shipt away with all speed,
Notwthstanding the many inconvenyences wch mr Thr̃er alleadged
would therby accrew vnto the Company that they could not goe in
lesse then fower Shipps, for feare they beinge many togeather may
drawe more vnto them and so muteny and carry away the Ships,
wch would stand the Company in fowre thousand poundℯ, and they
not suddenly to be gotten att this time of the yeare, butt all not serv-
inge the turne hee tolde them what a pinch hee was putt vnto and
therfore desyred their Counsell and Advise.

Whervppon divers waise beinge thought on and considered, the Court
could finde no fitter nor mor sattisfactory answere then this; That
the Company would be att the charge to maynteyne them till ther
may be Shippinge provyded, if so be they were commaunded to doe

itt And therfore have apoynted a Comittee of select Marchantts to
imploy their wholl endeavours for the Compassinge of Shippinge wth
all speed possible; Namely, mr Deputy Ferrar, mr Keightley, mr Wise-
man, mr Cranmore, mr Bull, mr Sheppard, and mr Mellinge and to
that end mr Thr̃er was content the Eight hundred poundℯ Adven-
tured by the generall Stocke in the Magazine should remaine there to
be employed to these vses from time to time, whervnto if they pleased
ther should be two hundreth pounds more added outt of the Cash in
his Custody, wch Thousand poundℯ to be onely for the sattisfyinge of
his Mats: desyres from tyme to time.

And wheras the Company of the Som̃er Ilandℯ doth allwaies reporte
of the gracious favour his Maty extendeth to Virginia, that therfore
the next Quarter Courte for the said Ilands the Company therof be
intreated to Ioyne for the Transporte of some of them to be Servauntℯ
vppon their Land; My Lord of Warwick, Sr Edwin Sandys, mr Iohn
Ferrar and others intendinge to take some of them to that purpose,
for prosecutinge of wch itt being putt to ye question was generally
agreed of, intreatinge mr Thr̃er that to this effect hee would in
writinge drawe the answere and deliuer itt to mr Secretary Caluert to
informe his Maty: [48]

Concerning the Magazine wch is held to stand in Desperate Tearmes,
the goods remayninge in Captivytie; Mr Thr̃er fallinge into speech wth
a greate noble man of the State of Virginia att length Complayned of
the greate losse they have susteyned by mr Iacobbs deteyninge a wholl
years harvest, notwithstandinge all the offers that was made, and that
other bussines this Tearme being so great this could have noe reso-
luc̃on from the Kings lear[ne]d Councell; Whervp̃on hee advised him
to bringe their Complaynte vnto the Councell Table, and ther they
should be sure to receive all the right that might be:

The desperate estate of wch and the neglect of the presentinge the
Accompts therof caused a suddaine dispute, whither they should pro-
ceed forward in the maynteyninge of itt or absolutely to disolve the
same, Some beinge of opinion that free Trade might be more benefi-

c̃all to the Plantac̃on, vnto wch Sr Iohn Wolstenholme aleaged that
as the settinge vp of that Magazine was the life and cheife support of
that Plantation so hee desyred allthough hee were one of the greatest
Adventurers that itt might no longer subsiste then itt might still so
continue, butt if itt should be dissolued that accordinge to a former
moc̃on well approved of, the Adventurors goods remayninge there in
store estimated att ffiue thousand pounds might be first sould off, before
any other that shall com of the same kinde: Whervpon after much
Debatinge itt was ordered that itt should be argued att full before the
Counsell and they to relate their opynyons to the Courte,

Iohn Delbridge Indentures of Land for him and his Associates beinge
now delivered engrossed into the Courte after beinge read & fyndinge
them Concurre wth the Orders of the Company receaved Confirma-
tion wth allowance of the Seale to be thervnto anexed,

Captaine Brewster desyred to have the hearinge of his cause deferred
till the next Preparative Courte wch is agreed then to be heard.

Abraham Peirses allowance of 200 Acres of Land in the last Courte
beinge now putt to the question was Confirmed vnto him,

Sir Iohn Wolstenholme moved that accordinge to an Acte of Courte
made the 21th die Iulij i6i9 vppon the moc̃on of Sr Edward Har-
wood[35] for some Land to be given to the Corporac̃on of Martins Hun-
dred for their further encouragmt itt was then putt off vnto this great
and generall Courte as proper thervnto by reason itt grew late itt was
referred vnto the Counsell att their meetinge to Consider of. [49]

Allso att the same time hee putt the Courte now in remembrance of
his proposic̃on then to the Company for some Land to be given him
in considerac̃on of monney ther in said Courte exprest wch is referred
vnto the Auditors to cast vpp what may be due vnto him by the interest
of itt & accordingly to gratefie him.

Mathew Cauell mr of the William and Thomas paide now vnto Mr
Thr̃er 12li:10:00 for wch hee receaved a bill sealed for one hundred

Acres of Land, and admitted into the fellowship of the Company,
And in considerac̃on that hee was one of the first finders of the Plan-
tation and had therin merited well, Itt was agreed that hee should
have a single Share for the same, wth a note vnder mr Thr̃ers hand to
the Custome house that hee is a free brother of the same Company.

Whereas the Company hath formerly graunted to Captaine Newporte
a bill of Adventure of fower hundred pounds, and his sonne now
desyringe order from this Courte for the layinge out some parte of the
[the] same, mr Treasuror was entreated and Authorized by this generall
Assembly for to write to Sr George Yeardley and the Counsell of State
for the effectinge hereof.

As allso that such things as belonged to Capt: Stallenge slayne ther by
William Epps be reserved for the vse and benefitt of his widdowe.