University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
  
  
  
  
  
  

 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
V. Virginia Council. "Instrucc̃ons orders and constituc̃ons * * * to Sr Thomas Gates knight Governor of Virginia" May, 1609
 VI. 
 VII. 
 VIII. 
 IX. 
 X. 
 XI. 
 XII. 
 XIII. 
 XIV. 
 XV. 
 XVI. 
 XVII. 
 XVIII. 
 XIX. 
 XX. 
 XXI. 
 XXII. 
 XXIII. 
 XXIV. 
 XXV. 
 XXVI. 
 XXVII. 
 XXVIII. 
 XXIX. 
 XXX. 
 XXXI. 
 XXXII. 
 XXXIII. 
 XXXIV. 
 XXXV. 
 XXXVI. 
 XXXVII. 
 XXXVIII. 
 XXXIX. 
 XL. 
 XLI. 
 XLII. 
 XLIII. 
 XLIV. 
 XLV. 
 XLVI. 
 XLVII. 
 XLVIII. 
 XLIX. 
 L. 
 LI. 
 LII. 
 LIII. 
 LIV. 
 LV. 
 LVI. 
 LVII. 
 LVIII. 
 LIX. 
 LX. 
 LXI. 
 LXII. 
 LXIII. 
 LXIV. 
 LXV. 
 LXVI. 
 LXVII. 
 LXVIII. 
 LXIX. 
 LXX. 
 LXXI. 
 LXXII. 
 LXXIII. 
 LXXIV. 
 LXXV. 
 LXXVI. 
 LXXVII. 
 LXXVIII. 
 LXXIX. 
 LXXX. 
 LXXXI. 
 LXXXII. 
 LXXXIII. 
 LXXXIV. 
 LXXXV. 
 LXXXVI. 
 LXXXVII. 
 LXXXVIII. 
 LXXXIX. 
 XC. 
 XCI. 
 XCII. 
 XCIII. 
 XCIV. 
 XCV. 
 XCVI. 
 XCVII. 
 XCVIII. 
 XCIX. 
 C. 
 CI. 
 CII. 
 CIII. 
 CIV. 
 CV. 
 CVI. 
 CVII. 
 CVIII. 
 CIX. 
 CX. 
 CXI. 
expand sectionCXII. 
 CXIII. 
 CXIV. 
 CXV. 
 CXVI. 
 CXVII. 
 CXVIII. 
 CXIX. 
 CXX. 
 CXXI. 
 CXXII. 
expand sectionCXXIII. 
 CXXIV. 
 CXXV. 
 CXXVI. 
 CXXVII. 
 CXXVIII. 
 CXXIX. 
 CXXX. 
 CXXXI. 
 CXXXII. 
 CXXXIII. 
 CXXXIV. 
 CXXXV. 
 CXXXVI. 
 CXXXVII. 
 CXXXVIII. 
 CXXXIX. 
 CXL. 
 CXLI. 
 CXLII. 
 CXLIII. 
 CXLIV. 
 CXLV. 
 CXLVI. 
 CXLVII. 
 CXLVIII. 
 CXLIX. 
 CL. 
 CLI. 
 CLII. 
 CLIII. 
 CLIV. 
 CLV. 
 CLVI. 
 CLVII. 
 CLVIII. 
 CLIX. 
 CLX. 
 CLXI. 
 CLXII. 
 CLXIII. 
 CLXIV. 
 CLXV. 
 CLXVI. 
 CLXVII. 
 CLXVIII. 
 CLXIX. 
 CLXX. 
 CLXXI. 
 CLXXII. 
 CLXXIII. 
 CLXXIV. 
 CLXXV. 
 CLXXVI. 
 CLXXVII. 
 CLXXVIII. 
 CLXXIX. 
 CLXXX. 
 CLXXXI. 
 CLXXXII. 
 CLXXXIII. 
 CLXXXIV. 
 CLXXXV. 
 CLXXXVI. 
 CLXXXVII. 
 CLXXXVIII. 
 CLXXXIX. 
 CXC. 
 CXCI. 
 CXCII. 
 CXCIII. 
 CXCIV. 
 CXCV. 
 CXCVI. 
 CXCVII. 
 CXCVIII. 
 CXCIX. 
 CC. 
 CCI. 
 CCII. 
 CCIII. 
 CCIV. 
 CCV. 
 CCVI. 
 CCVII. 
 CCVIII. 
 CCIX. 
 CCX. 
 CCXI. 
 CCXII. 
 CCXIII. 
 CCXIV. 
 CCXV. 
 CCXVI. 
 CCXVII. 
 CCXVIII. 
 CCXIX. 
 CCXX. 
 CCXXI. 
 CCXXII. 
 CCXXIII. 
 CCXXIV. 
 CCXXV. 
 CCXXVI. 
 CCXXVII. 
 CCXXVIII. 
 CCXXIX. 
 CCXXX. 
 CCXXXI. 
 CCXXXII. 
 CCXXXIII. 
 CCXXXIV. 
 CCXXXV. 
 CCXXXVI. 
 CCXXXVII. 
 CCXXXVIII. 
 CCXXXIX. 
 CCXL. 
 CCXLI. 
 CCXLII. 
 CCXLIII. 
 CCXLIV. 
 CCXLV. 
 CCXLVI. 
collapse sectionCCXLVII. 
  
  
  
 CCXLVIII. 
 CCXLIX. 
 CCL. 
 CCLI. 
 CCLII. 
 CCLIII. 
 CCLIV. 
 CCLV. 
 CCLVI. 
 CCLVII. 
 CCLVIII. 
 CCLIX. 
 CCLX. 
 CCLXI. 
 CCLXII. 
 CCLXIII. 
 CCLXIV. 
 CCLXV. 
 CCLXVI. 
 CCLXVII. 
 CCLXVIII. 
 CCLXIX. 
 CCLXX. 
 CCLXXI. 
 CCLXXII. 
 CCLXXIII. 

  

V. Virginia Council. "Instrucc̃ons orders and constituc̃ons
* * * to Sr Thomas Gates knight Governor of Virginia"
May, 1609

Ashmolean Manuscripts, 1147, folios 175–190a. A contemporary copy
Document in Bodleian Library, Oxford University
List of Records No. 10

Instrucc̃ons orders and constituc̃ons by way of advise sett downe declared
and p̳pounded to Sr Thomas Gates knight Governor of Virginia and
of the Colony there planted, and to be planted, and of all the inhabi-
tants thereof, by vs his maiesties Counsell for the Direcc̃on of the
affaires of that Countrey for his better disposinge and p̳ceedinge in
the government thereof §accordinge§ to the authority and power giuen
vnto vs by by virtue of his Maties lr̃es Patents:

    1

  • Hauinge considered the greate sufficiency and zealous affecc̃on wch you
    Sr Thomas Gates haue many waies manifested vnto vs, and hauinge
    therefore by our Commission vnder or handℯ and seales constituted and
    ordayned you to be the governor of Virginia, wee his Matie Counsell for
    that plantac̃on, haue consulted and advised vppon diuers instrucc̃ons for
    yor safer and more delib̴ate p'ceedinge, therein, And therefore doe requier
    and charge §you§ accordinge to the Comission in that behalf Directed vnto
    you, presently with all convenient speede to take the charge and of our
    fleete Consistinge of eight good shippes and one Pinnace and of sixe
    hundred land men to be transported vnder yor Com̃aund, and with the
    first winde to sett sayle for virginia. And in yor passage thither you shall
    not land nor touch any of §the Kinge of§ Spaines his Dominions quetly
    possessed, without the leaue or licence of the governor of such place as
    you shal by accident or contrary windes, be forced into. You shall also
    hold Counsell with the Mrs and Pilotts and men of the best experience


    13

    what way is safest and fittest for you to take, because we hold it daungerous
    that you should keepe ye old Course of Dominico and Meins lest you fall
    into ye hand of the Spaniard, who may attend in that roade [176] ready
    to intercept you:
    e of .8.
    nace
    d men

  • 2

  • When it shall please god that you shall haue safely attayned the Kings
    River, and our Porte and seate of James Towne in Virginia, wee advise
    you to call §by§ proclamac̃on into some publique place, all the governors,
    officers, and other his Maties subiects aswell already seated there as
    transported with you, to whom you shall cause yor Commission to be
    directly reade, whereby significac̃on may be had of his Maties pleasure in
    establishinge you ye governor of that Countrey and plantac̃on, and the
    president Councell and Colony there may take notice of the revocac̃on of
    that fourme of governement by the first ɫres Patents constituted and Con-
    firmed, and accordingly yeald due obedience vnto you their governor

    Kings river
    James Towne
    Porte.
    Proclamation
    President & Coñ-
    sel

  • 3

  • You shall demaund then and resume into yor hands the former ɫres
    Pattents and all instrucc̃ons & publique instruments giuen or sent vnto
    them and all bookes and records whatsoeuer of ye generall p̳ceedings
    vntill this time, and dispose of them in the future accordinge to yor
    discrec̃on.

  • 4

  • Beinge setled in yor governement, you shall call vnto you, for yor
    further advise and grauer p̳ceedinge, their principall officers and gentle-
    men whom we do ordaine and appointe to be of ye coũcell and who for
    earliness of their vndertakingℯ and their greate paines and merits doe well
    deserue this honor & respect from vs. Sr George Sum̃ers knight and
    Admirall of Virginia, Captaine John Smyth nowe President, Captaine
    John Radclif, Captaine Peter winne Seiriant maior of the fort, Mr
    Mathewe Scrivenor whom out of our good experience of his abilities in
    that kinde we doe name and appointe to be secretary of that Councell,
    Captaine John Martine Captaine Richard Waldoe, Mr of the workes [177]
    Captaine Woode and Mr Fleetwoode whom we assure ourselves you will
    vse with all good respecte in their places and to whome wee expecte that
    you shall giue such other preferrements as their former paines have
    deserued, and in all matters of importance we require you to call them to
    consultac̃on and to p̳ceede therein wth their advice, and wee doe giue


    14

    further power and authority to you, to giue the Oathe of a Counsellor to
    such as are now named, or any other oathe in the like case, accordinge to
    yor direcc̃on. Provided that they shall not haue, single nor together,
    anie bindinge or negatiue voice or power vppon yor conclusions but doe
    giue you full authority, vppon iust occasion to sequester any of them from
    the execuc̃on of any place whatsoeuer, and to depute another thereunto
    vntill significac̃on vnto vs be here made:
    officers
    Councel of Vir-
    gin: in Virginia
    Admiral of Vir-
    ginia
    Secretary of ye
    coñcel
    Mr of the workes
    Oth of a counsel-
    our
    others.

  • 5

  • You shall haue power and authority to dispose and graunte any other
    officer or Com̃aunds whatsoeuer, either of governement or warr except
    such as are already disposed of by vs to any p̱sons of Rancke or merite
    (Adventurers beingℯ first regarded), accordinge to yor discrec̃on and so
    discharge or revoke the same or to sequester any so made or constituted
    by vs.

    offices of governe-
    mt, or warre.

  • 6

  • You shall take principall order and Care for the true and reverent wor-
    ship of god that his worde be duely preached and his holy sacraments
    administred accordinge to ye constituc̃ons of the Church of England in
    all fundamentall pointes, and his ministers had in due observance and
    respecte agreeable to the dignity of their callinge. And that all Atheisme
    Prophanes Popery of or Schisme be exemplarily punished to the honor of
    god and to the peace and safety of his Church, over wch, in this tendernes
    and infancy, you must be especially solicitous & watchefull.

    Divine worship
    Prophanes
    Schisme

  • 7

  • You shall, with all p̳pensenes and diligence, endeavour the conversion
    of the natiues to the knowledge and worship of the true §god§ of and
    their redeemer Christ Jesus, as the most pious and noble end of this [178]
    plantac̃on, wch the better to effect you must p̳cure from them some con-
    venient nomber of their Children to be brought vp in yor language, and
    manners, and if you finde it convenient, we thinke it reasonable you
    first remoue from them their Iniocasockes or Priestes by a surprise of
    them all and detayninge them prisoners, for they are so wrapped vp in
    the fogge and miserie of their iniquity, and so tirrified with their continuall
    iniquity tirrany Chayned vnder the bond of Deathe vnto the Divell that
    while they liue amounge them to poyson and infecte them their mio
    mindes, you shall neuer make any greate progres into this glorious worke,
    nor haue any Civill peace or concurre with them. And in case of necessity,


    15

    or conveniency, we p̳nounce it not crueltie nor breache of Charity to
    deale more sharpely with them and to p̳ceede even to dache with these
    murtherers of Soules and sacrificers of gods images to the Divill referringe
    the considerac̃on of this as a waighty matter of important consequence
    to the Circumstances of the busines and place in yor discrec̃on
    Conversion of Vir-
    ginians
    Education of Chil-
    dren
    Iniocasock
    preestes

  • 8.

  • You shall for capitall and Criminal Iustice in Case of Rebellion and
    mutiny and in all such cases of p̳ñt necessity, p̳ceede by Martiall lawe
    accordinge to yor comission as of most dispatch and terror and fittest
    for this governement and in all other causes of that nature as also in all
    matters of Civill Iustice you shall finde it p̳perest and vsefullest for yor
    governement to p̳ceede rather as a Chauncelor then as a Iudge rather
    vppon the naturall right and equity then vppon the nicenes §and ɫre§ of
    the lawe wch perplexeth in this tender body) rather then dispatcheth all
    Causes so that a Sum̃ary and arbitrary way of Iustice discreetely mingled
    with those gravities and [fourmes] of magistracy as shall in yor discrec̃on
    seeme aptest for you and that place, wilbe of most vse both for expedic̃on
    and for example:

    Martial lawe
    Lawes
    Natural right

  • [179] 9

  • You shall for the more regard and respect of yor place, to begett
    reverence to yor authority, and to refresh their mindes that obey the
    gravity of those lawes vnder wch they were borne, at yor discrec̃on vse
    such fourmes and Ensignes of governement as by our letters Pattents wee
    are enabled to grant vnto you. as also the attendance of a guarde vppon
    your p̱son, and in all such like cases you shall haue power to make, adde
    or distinguishe any lawes or ordinances at yor discrec̃on accordinge to
    the authority limited in yor Comission.

    Garde for the
    Governors p̱son
    Ordinances.

  • 10

  • You shall, for the place choice of plantac̃ons obserue two generall
    rulles that you rather seeke to to the sũn then from it, wch is vnder god
    the first cause both of health and Riches. And that also §such§ places
    wch you resolue to build and inhabite vppon, haue at the leaste one good
    outlett into the Sea, & fresh water to the land, that it be a dry and whol
    wholesome earth, and as free from woode as possiblie you may, whereby
    you may haue Roome to discouer aboute you and vnshady ground to
    plant, nere you

    Place where to
    plant


  • 16

    11

  • You must in euery plantac̃on principally p̳vide of yor owne a Com̃on
    Graunge and Storehowse of Corne, besides that wch you shall obtaine
    by tribute or trade with the natiues:

    Granges or
    Storehowse
    Tribute

  • 12

  • In the distribuc̃on of yor men accordinge to these advises and relac̃ons
    wch wee haue receaued, we advise you to continue the Plantac̃on at James
    Towne with a Convenient nomber of men, but not as yor situac̃on or
    Citty, because the place is vnwholsome and but in the Marish of Virginia,
    and to keepe it onely as a fitt porte for yor Shippes to ride before to ariue
    and vnlade att, butt neither shall you make it yor principall Storehowse
    or Magazin either of armes victualls or goods, but because but because
    it is so accessable, with shippinge that an enemy may be easily vppon
    you with all the provision and §of§ ordinance and munic̃on and it is not
    to be expected that anie fortificac̃on [180] there can endure an enemy that
    hath the leasure to sitt downe before yt:

    James Towne
    Magazine

  • 13

  • The place you chose for yor principall Residence and seate to haue
    yor Catle p̳visions of Corne foode and Magazin of other munic̃on in, as
    yor greatest strength trust and retraite, must be remoued some good
    distance from any navigable riuer except with small boates by wch no
    enemy shall dare to seeke yor habitac̃on and if in this place some good
    and fortificac̃on be made to wch no ordinance can be brought by water,
    if you be p̳vided of victuall you may dispute possession till a straunger
    be wearied and starved.

  • 14

  • Aboue the ouer falles of the Kinges Riuer it is likely you shall finde
    some convenient place to this purpose whither no enemy with ease can
    approache nor with ordinance at all but by land wth at howe greate dis-
    advauntage he shall seeke when [he] must discouer and fight at once
    vppon straightes in woodes at foordes and places of all inconveniency, is
    easy to be considered, besides you shall haue the com̃odity of the braunche
    of the Riuer to bringe downe your p̳visions from within the land in
    Canooes and smalle boates in the Riuer of of Chechehounnack [or Cheche-
    hommack
    ], neere vnto you and not farre of another navagable outlett
    into the sea by the Riuer of Pamaouke:

    The falles of the
    Kings river
    chechehounnak
    river
    Pamaouke river


  • 17

    15

  • Foure dayes Journey from yor forte Southewards is a towne called
    Chonahorn Ohonahorn seated where the Riuer of Choanocki devideth
    it self into three braunches and falleth into the sea of Rawnocke in thirtie
    fiue degrees this place if you seeke by Indian guides from James forte to
    Winocke by water, from thence to Manqueocke, some twenty miles from
    thence to Caththega, as much and from thence to Oconahoen you shall
    finde a braue and [181] fruiteful seate euery way vnaccessable by a
    straunger enemy, much more abundant in Pochon and in the grasse silke
    called Cour del Cherva and in vines, then any p̱te of this land knowne
    vnto vs Here we suppose, if you make yor principall and cheife seate,
    you shall doe most safely and Richely because you are in the part of
    §the§ land inclined to the southe, and two of the best riuers will supply
    you, besides you are neere to Riche Copper mines of Ritanoc and may
    passe them by one braunche of this Riuer, and by another Peccarecamicke
    where you shall finde foure of the englishe aliue, left by Sr Walter Rawely
    wch escaped from the slaughter of Powhaton of Roanocke, vppon the
    first arrivall of our Colonie, and liue vnder the protecc̃on of a wiroane
    called Gepanocon enemy to Powhaton, by whose consent you shall neuer
    recouer them, one of these were worth much labour, and if you finde
    them not, yet seach into this Countrey it is more p̳bable then towards
    the north.

    Ohonahoen, chief
    seate
    Choanock river
    Rawnocke
    Winocke
    Manqueocke
    Cuthega
    Oconahoen
    Pochon
    Silke grase vines
    Copp' mines
    Ritanoc
    Peccarecamicke
    Powhaton
    Roanocke
    Gepanocon a wi-
    roane

  • 16

  • These three habitac̃ons seeme enoughe for the nomb̴ of the people
    nowe transported, ouer euery one of wch you must trans appointe a dis-
    creete Com̃aunder that shall sett yor men to seuerall workes accordinge
    to their vndertakings in the bookes by wch they were receaued in euery
    one of these there must be builte a Church and a storehowse and a p̱te of
    land sett out for Corne for the publique and some allotted to the Care of
    manuringe and preparinge thereof In buildinge yor towns you shall as
    easily keepe Decorũ and order as confusion and so you shall prepare for
    ornament and safety at once for euery streete may answere one another
    and all of them the markett place or Storehowse in the Midle wch at the
    leaste must be paved and made firme and Dry:

    Three places of
    habitation
    Churche
    Storehowse
    Buildinge townes

  • [182] 17

  • Yor enemies can be but of two sortes straungers and natiues, for
    the first yor defence must be vppon advauntage of the place and way vnto


    18

    it for fortes haue no other vse but that a fewe men may defend and dispute
    their footinge with them against a greater nomb̴ and to winne time weh if
    you can do a stranger cannot longe abide where he must bringe all his
    releis with him, and he shall haue no way to beseidge you but by blockinge
    you in and plantinge betweene you and the Sea to wch if you haue two
    outeletts he must be very able and powerfull that can do it, to prevent
    this you shall build some small forte that may discry the sea neere Cape
    Comforte, and there hold a reasonable Garrison and keepe alwaies watch
    and longe boate that may be ready to take ye alarũ and able to cary
    away or men, and munition if you shall not be able to defend it. Besides
    it is not safe to lett any of the Savages dwell betwene you and the Sea—
    least they be made guides to yor enemies. To this Com̃aunde wee desire
    Captaine Smyth may be allotted aswell for his earnest desire as the greate
    confidence & trust that we haue in his care & diligence.
    Enemies.
    Strangers
    Small fortes
    Cape comforte

  • 18

  • The second enemy is the Natiues who can no way hurte you but by
    fire or by destroyinge yor Catle, or hinderinge yor workes by Stealth or
    yor passages in small nombers, and in this sorte of warr, there is most
    p̱ill yf you be not very Carefull, for if they may destroy but one haruest
    or burne yor townes in the night they will leaue you naked and exposed
    to famine and Could, and convey themselues [183] into wodes, where
    revenge wilbe §as§ difficult as vnnecessay as vnnecessary to prevent that
    you must keepe good watches in the fielde and suffer none of them to
    come nere yor corne in those daungerous seasons and continuall centinells
    without the walles or vttermost Centinells defences in the night, and you
    must giue order that yor Catle be kept in heards waited and attended on
    by some small watch or so enclosed by them selues that they destroy not
    yor corne and other seed provisions:

    Watches
    Catle kept in
    heardes

  • 19

  • For Powhaton and his Weroances it is Clere even to reason beside our
    experience that he loued not our neigbourhood and therefore you may no
    way trust him, but if you finde it not best to make him yor prisoner yet
    you must make him yor tributary, and all other his weroances about him
    first to acknowledge no other Lord but Kinge James, and so we shall
    free them all from the Tirrany of Powhaton   [47] vppon them Euery
    Lord of a Province shall pay you and send you into yor forte where you


    19

    make yor Cheif residence so many measures of Corne at euery Harvest,
    soe many basketts of Dye so many dozens of skins so many of his people
    to worke weekely, and of euery thinge somewhat, accordinge to his p̳porc̃on
    in greatenes of Territory and men, by wch meanes you shall quietly drawe
    to yor selues an annuall revennue of euery Com̃odity growinge in that
    Countrey and tribute this tribute payd to you for wch you shall deliuer
    them from the exeac̃ons of Powhaton, wch are now burdensome and p̳tect
    and defend them from all their enemies shall also be a meanes of Clearinge
    much ground of wood and of reducing them to laboure and trade seinge
    §for§ this rent onely, they shall enioye [184] their howses, and the rest of
    their travell quietly and many other com̃odities and blessings of wch they
    are yet insensible:
    Powhaton
    Weroances
    Tributary
    Corne
    Dy
    Skyns

  • 20

  • Yf you hope to winne them and to p̳vide for yor selues by trade,
    you wilbe deceaued for already yor Copper is embased by yor abundance
    and neglect of prisinge it, and they will never feede you but for feare.
    Wherefore if you p̱ceaue that they vppon yor landinge, fly vp into the
    Countrey and forsake their habitac̃on you must seise into yor custody
    half there corne and harvest and their Weroances and all other their
    knowne successors at once whom if you intreate well and educate those
    wch are younge and to succeede in the governement in yor Manners and
    Religion, their people will easily obey you and become in time Civill and
    Christian:

    Copp̱ valew
    abated
    Weroances.

  • 21

  • Yf you make freindeship with any of these nations, as you must doe,
    Choose to doe it with those that are farthest from you and enemies vnto
    those amonge whom you dwell for you shall haue least occasion to haue
    differences with them, and by that meanes a suerer league of Amity
    And you shalbe suerer of their trade p̱tely for Covetousnes and to serue
    their owne ends, where the Copper is yett in his primary estimac̃on wch
    Pohaton hath hitherto engrossed and partely for feare of Constrainte.
    Monocon to the east and head of our Riuer, Powhatons enemy and the
    Manahockes to ye Northeast to the head of the Riuer of Moyompo in the
    necke of the land to the west betweene our bay and the sea. Cathcata-
    peiũs [185] a greater Weroance then he is, also his enemy to the Southeast
    and South. he hath no freinde to the North. The Masawoymekes make
    [con]tin continuall incursions vppon him and and vppon all those that


    20

    inhabite the Riuers of Bolus and Myomps and to the Northwest. Poco
    Pocoughtuwonough infecteth him with a Terrible warr, with those you
    may hold trade and freindeship good Cheape for their emotenes will
    prevent all offence wch must needes happen betweene vs and them wch
    we are mingled with to the north. at the head Bay is a large towne
    where is store of Copper and Furres called Oatna Cataaneon that trade
    and discouery wilbe to greate purpose, yf it may be setled yearely:
    Monocon
    Manahocke
    Moyompe river
    Cathcatapeins.

  • 22

  • Such trade as you shall finde necessary or p̳fitable for you with the
    Indians you shall endeauour to drawe them to seeke of you and to bringe
    their Com̃odities into yor forte wch will greatly ease the imployment of
    many men, and this you may bringe to passe by seeminge to make litle
    estimac̃on of trade with them, and by pretendinge to be so able to consist
    within yor. selues as that you neede care for nothinge of theires, but rather
    that you doe them a Curtesy to spare such necessaries as they want as
    leetle Iron tooles or copper or the like such as are conven't convenient for
    traffique and so one officer or two in euery forte, whom you must onely
    appointe to be truncmasters may dispatch the whole busines of trade wch
    els will cost you many mens laboures, if you seeke it far from home. And
    by besides these you must by proclamac̃on or edicte publiquely affixed and
    prohibite and forbidd vppon paine of punishement of yor discrec̃on all
    other p̱sons to trade or exchange for [186] for anythinge, but such as shalbe
    necessarie for foode or clothinge and vppon all such com̃odities of yors as
    shall passe away from you whatsoeuer you must sett prises and values
    vnder wch the trunckemr must not trade and so you shalbe such to vphold
    the reputac̃on of yor Com̃odity and to make yor traffique Rich, desired
    and Certaine Ouer this Truncemr. there must be appointed a Cape merhant
    Cape m'chant or officer belonginge to the Store or provision house that
    must deliuer by booke all such thinges as shalbe allowed for trade and
    receaue and take an accounte of whatsoeuer is retourned accordinge to
    the prises therein sett and so beinge booked must store them vp, to the
    publique vse of the Colony

  • 23

  • You must constitute and declare some sharpe lawe with a penaltie
    thereon to restrayne the trade of any p̳hibited goods especially of Swordes,
    Pikeheads gunnes Daggers or any thinge of Iron that may be turned
    against you and in case of such offence punishe severely haue also especially


    21

    regard that no arte or trade tendinge to armes in any wise as Smythey
    Carpentry of or such like be taught the Savages or vsed in their Presence
    as they may learne therein:

  • 24

  • Hauinge deduced yor Colony into Severall seates and plantac̃ons that
    may com̃odiously answere and receiue one another you must devide yor
    people into tennes twenties & so vpwards, to euery necessary worke a
    competent nomber, ouer euery one of wch you must appointe some man
    of Care and still in that worke to ouersee them and to take dayly accounte
    of their laboures and you must ordayne yt euery ouerseer of such a nomb̴ of
    workemen Deliuer once a weeke an accounte of the wholle com̃itted to
    his Charge the [187] Cheife Governor or Captaine of the fourte, and that
    they also once a moneth make the like accounte to you or yor officer and
    that such goodes or provisions as are advanced or gotten aboue expence
    may be receaued and entred into the Capemarchantes booke and so stored
    and preserued to the publique vse of the Colony And thus you shall
    both knowe howe yor men are imployed, what they gett & where it is,
    as also the measure of yor p̳vision and wealth:

  • 25

  • For such of yor men as doe shall attend any worke in or nere aboute
    any §euery§ towne you shall doe best to lett them eate together at season-
    able howers in some publique place beinge messed by sixe or fiue to a
    messe, in wch you must see there bee equality and sufficient that so they
    may come and retourne to their worke without any delay and haue no
    cause to complaine of measure or to excuse their [i]dlenes vppon ye
    dressinge or want of diett. You may well allowe them three howers in a
    somers day and two in the winter, and shall call them together by Ringinge
    of a Bell and by the same worne them againe to worke for such as attend
    any labouer so farre from the forte as they cannot returne at seasonable
    times there must be a Steward appointed yt shall ouersee there Diett
    and p̳vision els thoughe you giue euery one a reasonable allowance for
    many dayes some will eate two meales at one & soe:

  • 26

  • You shall giue especiall order to ye Cheif comm̃aunder of euery forte
    that the Armes powder and munition be well stored and looked into and
    that the men be disposed into severall Companies for warr and Captaines
    appointed ouer euery fifty to traine them at convenient times and to


    22

    teache them the vse of their armes and weapons and they may knowe
    whether vppon all occasions and sudden attempts they shall repayre to
    find them in a readines:

  • [188] 27

  • You must take especiall care what relac̃ons come into England
    and what ɫres are written and that all thinges of that nature may be
    boxed vp and sealed and sent to first to the Councell here accordinge to
    a former instrucc̃on vnto the late President in that behalf directed and
    that at the ariuall and retourne of euery shippinge you endeauour to
    knowe all the p̱ticuler passages and informac̃ons giuen on both sides
    and to advertise vs accordingly:

  • 28

  • Whensoeuer you consult of any busines of importance wee advise you
    to consider and deliberate all thinges patiently & willingly and to heare
    euery man his oppinion and obiecc̃on, but the resultants out of them or
    yor owne Determinac̃on what you intend to Doe not to imparte to any
    whatsoeuer, but to such onely as shall execute it and to them also vnder
    the sealle of yor com̃aundement and but at the instant of their p̱tinge
    from you or the execuc̃on of yor will:

  • 29

  • Next after buildinge, husbandry and manuringe the Countrey for the
    p̳vision of life and conveniency, wee comend vnto yor Care foure principall
    waies of enrichinge the Colonies and p̳vidinge retvrne of com̃odyty of
    wch you must be very solicitouse that our fleetes come not home empty
    nor laden wth vseles marchandize. The first is either discou9y either of
    the southe seas or Royall mines in the search of both wch we must referre
    you to the Circumstances of yor peace and yor owne discrec̃on the second
    is trade whereby you recouer all the com̃odities of those countreys that
    ly far of and yet are accessable by water. The third is tribute, by wch
    you shall advaunce p̱te of what soeuer the next lande can p̳vide you Can
    p̳duce. the fourth is labour of yor owne men in makinge wines pitche
    Tarre sope ashes, Steele Iron Pipestaues in sowinge of hempe and flaxe
    in gatheringe silke of the grasse, and p̳vidinge [189] the worme and in
    fishinge for Pearle Codd sturgion and such like:

  • 30

  • Wee require you to call before you Captaine John Radcliffe and one
    [56] webbe who hath complained by petic̃on Deliuered vnto you of


    23

    diuers iniuries and insolences done vnto him in the governement of the
    s Captaine Radcliffe and accordingly to heare the cause and doe iustice
    in it as you shall finde reason in it yor owne discrec̃on:

  • 31

  • Whereas suite hath bine made vnto vs as for the retourne of Richard
    Potts, Dauid Wiffin and Post Ginnet and sufficient reasons declared to
    moue vs to graunte the same wch hath bine agreed vnto by the Councell
    assembled, wee require you to giue them their licence to come backe by
    the next shippinge wth such condic̃ons or limitac̃ons of retorne or other-
    wise as you shall thinke good:

  • 32

  • Whereas Petic̃on hath bine made by the friends of John Tavernor
    Capemarchant of the forte and store in Virginia for his retorne vppon
    some vrgent occasion and for some time into england we require you to
    licence him so to do if it be his desire when you ariue there, And we do
    nominate and appointe Thomas Wittingham into his Roome and office
    beinge one in whose sufficiency and honesty we haue greate Confidence:

  • 33

  • There beinge one George Liste servant to John woodall and sent ouer
    by him with a Chest of Cheurgery sufficiently furnished we require you to
    giue yor licence to will͠m wilson his fellowe yf the said George Liste doe
    stay with you to come backe in this passage the better to enfourme vs
    what medicines and drugges are fittest to be p̳vided for the vse of the
    colonie against ye next supply.

  • 34

  • You shall be very wary of grtinge freedomes and of giuinge yor sealle
    to any but vppon good considerac̃on and greate merite, least you make
    Cheape the [190] best way of our recompence and in those you doe you
    shall giue wth such limitac̃ons of retorne in reasonable time as in yor
    discrec̃on shall seeme good:

  • 35

  • If it shall please god that you should dy either in yor way or in yor
    governement (wch his mercy forbid) before other order be taken by vs
    therein wee requier and com̃aund that the councell there established open
    a blacke boxe Marked with the figure of one and sealed with our sealle
    wherein they shall finde our determinac̃on concerninge the successor to the
    governemt. And do in his Maties name, Charge and Com̃aund euery p̱son
    within the precincte of the Colony to giue and yeild due obedience to him


    24

    so named and appointed accordinge vnto his Com̃ission vnto him directed
    as they will aunswere to ye contrary at their vttermost p̱ill:

  • 36

  • Wee also requier you ye present governor & all yor successors to
    keepe secret to yor selues vnsealed and vnbroken vp all such ɫres schedules
    and instrumts and whatsoeuer wee shall deliuer you soe vnder our sealle
    especially two blacke boxes wth diuers markes wherein are our Com̃issions
    in Cases of death or other vacac̃on of ye governor vntill such time as
    you shall find yor self vnlikely to liue, or determined to retvrne vppon
    wch occasions wee requier you that they be deliuered before all ye Councell
    to be opened successiuely after such death or dep̱ture out of Virginia of
    any Governor:

Provided yt in all thinges herein contayned except onely ye succession
wee doe by these our ɫres instrucc̃ons binde you to nothinge so strictely
but yt vppon due considerac̃on and good reason and vppon diuers circum-
stances of time and place wherein we cañot here conclude you may in
yor discrec̃on dep̱te and Dissent from them and alter Change alter and
or establishe d execute and doe all ordinances or acts whatsoeuer that may
best conducte to ye glory of god, the honor of our Kinge and nation to ye
good and p̱fect establishement of our Colony Geven vnder our hands
and seales councell sealle the[57] Day of may in the seauenth yeare
of his Maties Ragne of england fraunce & Ireland and Scotland ye two
and fortithe:

 
[47]

Space in the manuscript.

[56]

A blank space in manuscript.

[57]

Blank space in manuscript.