XXXIII.
SIR WILLIAM BERKELEY.
XXXIII. Governor.
XXXIII. March 13, 1659-60, to April 30, 1661.
Virginia had now so nearly completed her institutions that
until her final separation from England she made little further
advance towards freedom. The love of liberty had grown in
the hearts and lives of the colonists, and the struggling band
had increased and flourished as they felt "the glorious privilege
of being independent." The country for which they
had suffered so much had become dear to them. It was
theirs through famine, pestilence, and the sword—wrested
from the grasp of no common foe, and bought by the blood
of no common sacrifice.
Thus, at the advent of Sir William Berkeley again to
office, the Colony was estimated from eight to twelve thousand
in population, growing rich, free, and in favor with the world.
It is said by Hening that no portion of the history of
Virginia has been so palpably misunderstood as that which
relates to the re-appointment of Sir William Berkeley at this
time. Colonel Samuel Matthews having died in January,
1659, the next Assembly, which sat on the 13th of March,
1659-60, elected Sir William Berkeley, Governor. The Governors
of Virginia during the Commonwealth of England
were all elected by the House of Burgesses, and it was not until
after the Restoration, which took place May 29, 1660, that
the word "King" or "Majesty" occurred in the proceedings
of the Assembly. "Att a Grand Assemblie held at James
Cittie in Virginia, the 11th Oct., 1660, these orders following
were made in the Government of The Right Hon. Sir William
Berkeley, his Majesties Governor," etc.
Berkeley had been re-elected Governor by the Assembly
in Virginia on March 13, 1659-60, and was commissioned to
act by Charles II., July 31, 1660.
The Navigation Act having made the colonists uneasy as
to a violation of their rights, they sent Governor Berkeley to
England to protest against its enforcement.
"By the Grand Assembly held at James City
March 23, 1660-1. Act I.
"Whereas the necessity of the country being in danger of the oppression
company and the losse of our liberties for want of such an agent
in England as is able to oppose the invaders of our freedomes and truly to
represent our condition to his sacred majestie enforceth the employing a
person of quality to present our grievances to his majesty's gracious consideration
and endeavour the redresse which the right honorable Sir William
Berkeley his majestyes governor hath been pleased to undertake.
Bee itt therefore enacted that there be raysed by the country the some of
two hundred thousand pounds of tobacco and cask for his the said Sir William
Berkeley's support in his voyage; and that payment be made thereof
by the 20th of January in Yorke river and James river to such persons as
his honor shall appoint and that the secretary of state and speaker of the
assembly signe a manifesto to the governor of the country's engagement
for payment thereof."[486]
Whilst Governor Berkeley was absent on this mission,
Colonel Francis Moryson was elected by the Council to be
Governor and Captain-General of Virginia.
During the Commonwealth of England there were four
Governors appointed under the provisional government of
Virginia, viz.: Richard Bennet, April, 1652; Edward
Digges, March, 1655; Samuel Matthews, March, 1657-8.
Samuel Matthews was elected March, 1657-8, and at the
same session, a contest arising between the Governor and
Council and the House of Burgesses, as to the constitutional
power of dissolving the Assembly, the Burgesses declared
all former elections of Governor and Council void and null,
but, immediately after, re-elected Matthews. By the first act
of March, 1658-9 Matthews was again elected, and by the
second act of March, 1659-60, Sir William Berkeley was
re-elected by the Assembly in Virginia, and was commissioned
to act by Charles II., July 31, 1660. Thus the power to
appoint the Governors reverted to the Crown of England.
