FIRST PUBLICATION OF THE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Wyatt continued in office for nearly two years, and was then succeeded
by Sir William Berkeley—a name destined to become notorious
in the history of Virginia—who arrived and assumed the government in
February, 1642. The assembly convened in March, and its first act
was to pass a solemn protest against a petition which Sir George Sandys
was having numerously signed, to be presented to Parliament, praying
for the restoration of the London Company. Much important business
was transacted at this session of the assembly. The punishment of temporary
slavery, which had existed from the foundation of the colony,
was abolished. The trials of causes were made to more nearly conform
with those of England. Laws were passed regulating land titles. A
treaty was made with Maryland respecting trade on the Chesapeake
Bay. Taxation was rendered more uniform, and the tax for the support
of the governor was abolished. This was the first meeting of the
assembly the acts of which were published.
