| Aug.? |
Instructions for Sir William Berkeley, Governor of Virginia. To be careful that Almighty God is served according to the form of religion established in the Church of England. Every congregation to provide for their own minister. Those who refuse to take the oath of allegiance to be sent home. Justice to be administered according to the laws of England. The General Assembly to meet annually; the Governor to have a negative voice. Quarterly Courts to be held, to which all suitors are to have free access. Councillors to be proceeded against, when requisite, in the manner set forth. Inferior courts of justice to be established, for suits not exceeding the value of 10l., and minor offences. The Governor to appoint all officers, except members of the Council, the Captain of the fort, the Muster-master, and Surveyor General. Every Councillor and ten of his servants to be exempted from public charges and assessed contributions, except for a war, building a town or churches, and the minister's duties. Probate of wills to be made, with certain exceptions. John West appointed Muster-master General, vice George Dunn [Donne?] deceased. All persons above sixteen to bear arms. The captain of the fort at Point Comfort and ten guards to be maintained. All but new comers, who are to be exempt for the first year, and Councillors, to contribute to a war. Trade with the savages forbidden without special licence. Beacons to be erected in various parts of the country. Every one to build a house, according to his proportion of land. A government house to be erected in a more convenient place than James Town, which place is to retain the same ancient name. Patents of land of 50 acres to be granted to every person transported thither since midsummer 1625. New patents to be conferred for settling estates. Masters of charter parties to be examined, as to whether they have performed the conditions of their contract. No person to go on board a ship newly arrived without leave. No masters of ships to break bulk until they come to James Town. Sale of wine and strong waters, impaling and fencing in of orchards, and stinting tobacco to be regulated. Staple comodities, such as hemp, flax, rape-seed, madder, pitch, tar, vines, and white mulberry-trees, to be raised. Regulation of trade. [Colonial Entry Bk., Vol. LXXIX., pp. 219–36.] |
